Wednesday, March, 2023 Edition

NSCDC nabs mother, son for inflicting injuries on minor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended a mother and her son for beating and inflicting injuries on a 12-year-old child in Ilorin.

The suspects, Adamo Yunusa, mother and her son, Saheed, allegedly beat up Shukrah Suleiman and caused deep bruises all over her body over missing N2,000.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ayeni Olasunkanmi, Public Relations Officer, NSCDC Kwara Command, on Tuesday in Ilorin.

According to Olasunkanmi, the Gender Unit of the command arrested the two suspects following a report.

“The report was brought to the Command Headquarters by a concerned citizen who got information of the severe

injuries inflicted on the girl by her Aunt and her son.

“The two suspects were arrested at their residence in Ile Oniponmo, Ayelabowo in Okoolowo Area, Ilorin.

“The suspects claimed that the victim was beaten because she stole the sum of N2,000,“ the command spokesman added.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Muhammed Ibrahim,

assured that the suspects would be taken to court after full investigation.

He urged people of the state to be more vigilant and report any criminal act or security threat in their communities.

Ibrahim assured of the command’s readiness to respond promptly to issues of domestic violence and security threat anywhere in the state. (NAN)

Foreign Consuls in New York honour Nigerian Nurse, 14 others

The Society of Foreign Consuls (SOFC), New York, has honoured a Nigerian nurse, Dr Grace OgiehorEnoma, for her outstanding achievements and contributions to community empowerment of African immigrants in the U.S.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that OgiehorEnoma was honoured at the 2023 International Women Day celebration hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York.

The event was part of the activities to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day and International Women’s Month in New York.

The event co-hosted with the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York, had 15 participating Consulates General. Fifteen awardees from those Consulates were honoured.

The participating Consulates are Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, El Salvador, Guyana, India, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Peru, Serbia and Turkey.

In his remarks, Consul General of India in New York, Amb. Randhir Jaiswal, spoke about the importance of celebrating the achievements of women.

According to him, the Consulate has celebrated the Women’s Day on March 8, noting that celebrating the Day in an international environment with representatives from people all over the world is “truly a special day”.

He said that women had been contributing greatly to the growth and development of India from art to culture, and from entertainment to aviation sector.

“All our folk traditions, all

our songs, classic music and dances, performing art, have been passed from one generation to the other through women.

“India today is the 5th largest economy, very soon, it will be the 3rd largest economy in the world.

“So, if the country has to climb this ladder, she needs to bring more women to every sector of the economy,’’ he said.

NAN reports that OgiehorEnoma holds monthly health outreach in Nigeria House, conducting free health screening for Nigerians coming to the mission.

Ogiehor-Enoma, an associate Professor at HunterBelievue School of Nursing, is a founder of the Nigerian Nurses Association of USA (NNAUSA) and is also a community health activist.

Founded in April 2002,

NNAUSA is aimed at bringing Nigerian nurses for community health outreach, health education and to help eliminate health disparities amongst African immigrant communities.

It provides free health services including community outreach, health screening and referrals, cancer referrals, prescription drug programme, family health counselling as well as an annual nutrition and clothing drive.

Under her leadership as Executive Director and now Chair, National Association of Nigerian in North America (NANNA), NNAUSA has expanded to several states in the United States and Canada, giving rise to the National Association in North America. (NAN)

President Muhammadu Buhari receives in audience the Governor of Ebonyi Engr Dave Umahi at the State House Abuja PHOTO; State House

Police kill one bandit recover AK47 in Kaduna

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command in its uncompromising commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property in the state, has neutralized one armed bandit and recovered an AK47 rifle loaded with two rounds of live 7.62 X 39mm ammunition.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Muhammed Jalige, said that the feat was recorded following credible intelligence.

“On the 13th March, 2023 Operatives of the Command attached to Operation WHIRL Punch (OPSWP) acted on a received credible intelligence indicating that on the same date at about 0645hrs armed bandits on a nefarious mission had blocked Galadimawa –Tumburku road of Giwa Local Government Area.

“The Police Operatives who

Student jailed 2 months for nuisance

AKaru Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced a 22-year-old student, Jeremiah Kamara, to two months’ in prison for nuisance.

The Judge, Mr Ishaq Hassan, however, gave the student an option of N5,000 fine, and warned him to desist from crime.

The student, a Sierra Leonean, had pleaded guilty and prayed for leniency.

The prosecutor, Mr Olarewaju Osho, told the court that the student was arrested and brought to the Asokoro Police Station on Feb.14 for wandering.

According to Osho, a team of policemen led by Insp. Micah Ezekiel, saw the student wandering around AYA in Asokoro at an odd time.

He said that during a police investigation, the student could not give a good reason for wandering at such a time.

Osho added that the student could not give a satisfactory account of himself.

He noted that the offence contravened Section 199 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

were led by DPO Kidandan swiftly mobilized to the scene, engaged the bandits in a gun duel and countered their heinous raid, which forced them to scamper

in disarray into a nearby bush with possible varying gunshot wounds,” it explained. According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police,

Kaduna State Command CP Y.A Ayoku while commending the efforts of the operatives, assured members of the public that the command shall continue to be

resilient in its determination towards ensuring that criminal elements are denied the space to carry out their villainous activities.

Peter Obi’s endorsement of PDP guber candidate in Cross River excites party

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River says endorsement of its governorship candidate, Sen. Sandy Onor, by Mr Peter Obi attests to the candidate’s sound pedigree as a man of the people.

PDP chairman in the state, Mr Venatius Ikem made the declaration in Calabar on Monday when he spoke with newsmen about Obi’s endorsement of Sen. Onor for the March 18 governorship election.

Mr Obi was the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) at the Feb. 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

During a live interview on a local television station, Obi said the LP would partner with some governorship candidates in some states for the polls.

“There are some states where my Party, LP, doesn’t have

candidates and we are partnering with some good candidates in those states to ensure victory for them.

“We have good candidates in Lagos, Delta, Plateau, Nasarawa, Enugu, Abia, and a few others, but in Cross River, we have agreed to align with the PDP and its candidate, Prof. Sandy Onor.

“He is a very good candidate who enjoys strong support from the people.

“I urge all `Obidients’ in Cross River to support and cast their votes for Prof. Onor, who is a current senator,” Obi said on the television programme.

The PDP chairman explained that Obi’s endorsement of Onor was a clear demonstration of the candidate’s wide acceptability by the people of Cross River.

He noted that as a bridge builder, Onor would ensure quick

unification of the people across the three senatorial districts that had been so divided because of politics.

He added that the PDP candidate would work and restore the state to its former glory of infrastructural development.

Ikem added that the candidate would restore the eroded confidence of civil servants who had become so demoralised.

“Obi’s endorsement didn’t come as a surprise to me.

“In fact, it is an attestation of the popularity and goodwill enjoyed by our candidate in the state and beyond.

“It is a great value addition to our arsenal and it cannot be underestimated.

“With this endorsement of the `Obidient Movement’s’ phenomenal leader, we can now sleep with our two eyes

closed knowing that the issue of governorship has been settled.

“It is a great day indeed,” he said.

Ikem also told newsmen that PDP’s job to clinch the governorship seat had been made easier because of the failure of the All Progressives Congress government in Cross River.

“Onor is determined and set to change the narrative when voted into office on Saturday.

“He has his work planned out as he is not coming to learn through the ropes. As a former council chairman, former commissioner and presently a sitting senator, Onor is fully prepared for the task ahead,” he said.

Ikem said the only thing the PDP wanted was a level playing field for all candidates.

(NAN)

Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (right) exchanging pleasantries with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, during their meeting at the Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Ahead Guber/Assembly polls: INEC Chairman, NSA task candidates, agents on peaceful conduct

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has advised candidates in the Saturday’s forthcoming Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections as well as their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not war.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu gave the advice on Tuesday at a meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja.

This is as Yakubu assured of the commission’s improved performance in the elections holding this weekend.

The INEC Chairman told the candidates as well as their agents and supporters to refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of its personnel, observers, the media and service providers.

Alleged homicide: Police place 1m bounty on Bauchi Lawmaker

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The police command in Bauchi state has declared Yakubu Shehu, a member of the house of representatives, wanted over alleged homicide.

The police also placed a bounty of N1m on him.

The lawmaker is representing Bauchi federal constituency in the lower chamber of the national assembly.

Yakubu is wanted over a case of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, inciting disturbance of public peace, and culpable homicide.

Ahmed Wakil, the Bauchi police spokesperson, released a special police gazette bulletin declaring him wanted on Tuesday.

“The police are seeking anyone with valid information that will lead to his arrest for interrogation and arraignment on criminal charges,” the bulletin reads.

“Anyone with information that could assist in his arrest should please contact 08151849417 or report at any nearest police station.”

The police called on anyone with useful information about his whereabouts to contact the authorities.

The lawmaker was elected to the house of representatives on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022 but subsequently picked the senatorial ticket on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Prof Yakubu pointed out that INEC is encouraged by the directive to State Commands by the Inspector General of Police to handle all cases of electoral offences expeditiously.

According to the INEC Chairman, “The Governorship and State Assembly elections this weekend involves more constituencies than the national elections held about three weeks ago. “Unlike the last elections involving 470 constituencies (1 Presidential, 109 Senatorial Districts and 360 House of Representatives seats), the State elections will involve 1,021 constituencies (28 Governorship and 993 State Assembly seats).

“There will also be more candidates involved and more collation centres to protect. They are also local elections involving keen contests.

“It is therefore important for

parties and candidates to speak to their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not war.

“They should refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of our personnel, observers, the media and service providers.

“The Commission is encouraged by the directive to State Commands by the Inspector General of Police to handle all cases of electoral offences expeditiously.

“We look forward to receiving the case files. We will immediately set up a legal team to handle such cases in earnest”, he said.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, rtd, advised politicians to call their supporters to order to ensure peaceful conduct of Saturday’s election.

Mongonu said individuals who had plans to undermine the election process must have a re-think or face the consequences of their actions.

His words, “While commending the efforts of the various political parties and the individuals that participated in the last election, especially those of them that call for peace, I want to also urge individuals, especially at the state level, to demonstrate the same level of maturity and demonstrate the same level of discipline by calling their supporters to conduct themselves in a manner that is congruous with the expectations of the larger Nigerian society.

“Of course, there are channels for laying complaints and addressing these complaints”, he said.

Mongonu pledged that security

agencies would continue to give support to all stakeholders in the election to exercise their franchise and responsibilities.

Commending professional conduct of security personnel in the last election, the NSA advised them to ensure that no individual took law into his hands in the Saturday’s election.

He added, “ So far, so good we do not envisage anything that’s going to be terrible or apocalyptic, in terms of the next few days.

“But that does not mean that we should all do away with our state of readiness. We must comply with the rules; we must also allow everyone to exercise their fundamental rights as citizens of this country.

“What we do not want to happen is for anybody to take the law into his or her own hands”, he stressed.

Sugar tax good for public health – GHAI

The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), says taxation of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) in Nigeria is a winwin-strategy for public health.

Ms Veronica Schoj, Vice President, Food and Nutrition, GHAI, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said that it was also a public health solution to tackling dietrelated diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

“Drinking sugary drinks increases the likelihood of being overweight and excessive sugar intake causes increased risk of diabetes, liver and kidney damage, heart disease and some cancers.

“So, taxing sugary drinks to increase their prices are effective ways to curb the consumption of these harmful drinks and potentially lower the burden on the healthcare

system,” she said.

NAN reports that the SSB tax targeted natural and added sweeteners such as brown sugar, corn sweetener and syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, and sucrose.

Others are: soft drinks, juices, nectars, sweetened coffee, sweetened tea, energy drinks, speciality drinks and flavoured dairy.

Schoj said that government could use the revenue generated by the tax increase to improve healthcare.

“We know from growing evidence from countries with an SSB tax that they are an effective way to reduce the consumption of these harmful drinks.

“Data collected from these countries, including South Africa, demonstrated that the well-designed taxes impact on the final prices and make these ultra-processed products

less affordable.

“This resulted in a decrease in the consumption of sugary drinks and an increase in the consumption of healthier products like water and savings in healthcare cost,” she said.

The GHAI vice president said that the revenue collected could be used for health programmes.

“In essence, the tax is a winwin-win for government, because it discourages their consumption, encourages consumers to make healthier choices that will improve their health while also funnelling the country with resources to support health measures,” she added.

Schoj said that SSBs contribute to malnutrition and reduce the consumption of nutritious foods.

“That is why SSB taxes not only protect the health of entire population, but is particularly useful to protecting the most vulnerable socioeconomic groups that are more

affected by malnutrition and non communicable diseases,” she said.

According to her, SSBs companies produce ultra-processed beverages that have huge impact on health, generate significant environmental damage through excessive use of water and plastic contamination, among others.

“That is why policies that look for the reduction of the consumption of SSBs to protect human and planetary health is very essential,” she said.

According to her, Civil Society Organisations and the media should keep educating the public and policymakers on the health and environmental harms of sugary drinks.

Schoj said that the public education should heighten awareness on why sugary drinks were a leading cause of non-communicable diseases in a country and how the tax would be used to tackle the diseases. (NAN)

From left: Head of Accounts, Centre For Memories (CFM), Mrs Chioma Nwangu; Executive Secretary of CFM, Mazi Iheanyi Igboko; Head of Programmes, Ms Nwada Nnamani and Head Corporate Communications of CFM, Mr Chukwudi Utazi, during a news conference on CFM forthcoming summit on ‘ Embrace Equity and closing Gender gap ‘ yesterday in Enugu

FG records 12.98m cyberattacks during Presidential, NASS elections

The Federal Government said it has recorded 12,988,978 cyber attacks during the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Pantami said the attacks originated from both within

and outside Nigeria, adding the threats to public websites and portals averaged around 1.55 million daily.

He said the attacks skyrocketed to 6,997,277 on the Presidential and National Assembly elections day.

The minister said in the runup to the 2023 general elections, threat intelligence revealed an astronomical increase in cyber threats to Nigerian cyberspace.

“It is worth noting that in the run-up to the 2023 general elections, threat intelligence revealed an astronomical increase in cyber threats to Nigerian cyberspace.

“Generally, threats to public websites and portals averaged around 1,550,000 daily. However, they skyrocketed to 6,997,277 on the elections days,”Pantami said.

He said a committee set up

by his ministry to curtail the activities of cyber criminals during the elections started work on Feb. 24 and ended work on Feb. 28,2023.

Pantami said: “During this period, a series of hacking attempts were recorded, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), email and IPS attacks, SSH Login Attempts, Brute force Injection attempts, Path Traversal, Detection

Naira crunch: Relief as FCT banks comply with CBN’s directives

By Stanley Onyekwere

There was sigh of relief for residents in the nation’s capital city, Abuja as some commercial banks commenced paying of old N500 and N1000 notes to their customers, following Monday’s directive and declaration by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that the denominations remained legal tender till December 31.

A visit to some banks yesterday, revealed that were dispensing the old Naira notes to their customers across the counter while the ATMs were still empty.

In particular, checks at United Bank

for Africa (UBA), Area 3, it was observed that customers were being paid N10,000 each over the counter, which the officials who don’t want their names mentioned, said they were yet to receive money from the CBN.

While Union Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank were still waiting for cash to commence payment.

Also, at Polaris Bank, one of the staff, Nkechi Onwe, said: “We started paying N5,000 each to our customers in the morning, around 9Am to 12Pm, but the money we had in the vault is exhausted. There will be more money as from Friday”

Recall that Supreme Court had on March 3, 2023 ordered the government to recognise the notes as legal tender till the end of the year, this followed a suit brought before it by the Governors of Kaduna, Zamfara and Kogi states.

They instituted a suit against the Federal Government at the Supreme Court over the scarcity of old and new Naira notes due to the CBN naira redesign policy.

The states filed an ex-parte motion through their lawyer, AbdulHakeem Uthman Mustapha (SAN), and urged the Supreme Court to grant them an interim injunction stopping the Federal

Evasion, and Forceful Browsing.

“It is worth noting that the centers successfully blocked these attacks and escalated them to the relevant institutions for appropriate action,” he said.

NAN recalls that on Feb. 24, 2023, the minister inaugurated the Ministerial Standing Committee on Advisory Role for the Protection of Nigerian Cyberspace and ICT Infrastructure. (NAN)

on old notes

Government either by itself or acting through the CBN, the commercial banks or its agents from carrying out its plan of ending the timeframe within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the Naira may no longer be legal tender on February 10, 2023.

The state governments said they are worried about the effects the CBN naira redesign policy is having on the residents of their states.

They urged the Supreme Court to issue a restraining order to compel the government and CBN from implementing the policy.

Representative of the Minister of Environment, Mr Charles Ikea (4th R); Chairman, National Steering Committee on Strategic Implementation Plan of Leather and Leather Products Policy in Nigeria (SIPLLPPN), Prof. Muhammed Yakubu (M); former Director-General, Leather Institute of Nigeria, Mrs Eucharia Okpara (4th L) and others, during the Committee’s visit to the Minister Office, yesterday in Abuja

Polls: Uba Sani receives boost

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Agroup under the aegis of Amalgamation of Deregistered Political Parties Nigeria, (ADPPN), Kaduna chapter has endorsed the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uba Sani, saying he has the best credentials for the job.

This was disclosed in a press conference by Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad, and Ambassador Matoh Yakubu, Chairman and Secretary of the forum respectively in Kaduna yesterday.

The group said before arriving at this juncture, it has consulted widely with its members, network of stakeholders and opinion leaders; pointing out that it gave members the clear record of achievement of distinguished Senator Uba Sani, a civil society activist, a crusader for social justice, an award winning (ICPC certified) anti-corruption crusader and a high performing Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ADPPN however, expressed dismay over negative signals coming from some political parties who have decided to create a political gimmick they called “Muslim-Muslim” ticket.

According to the forum, this phrase is a coinage of the opposition in Kaduna State, the APC only gave voice to our women who have been kept in the backyard for long; and for the last 4 years the performance of Kaduna State women in Governance has been clear for everyone to see.

“We state clearly that the combination of Sen Uba Sani and Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, is a strategic strike at the political balancing act.”

ADPPN however, expressed dismay over negative signals coming from some political parties who have decided to create a political gimmick they called “Muslim-Muslim” ticket.

According to the forum, this phrase is a coinage of the opposition in Kaduna State, the APC only gave voice to our women who have been kept in the backyard for long; and for the last 4 years the performance of Kaduna State women in Governance has been clear for everyone to see.

NAFDAC alerts public on defective tetracycline ointment

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is alerting the public on defective tetracycline hydrochloride ophthalmic ointment.

The notification is contained in a public alert with No. 04/2023, signed by the DirectorGeneral of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

Adeyeye stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had raised an alarm on batches of the tetracycline hydrochloride ophthalmic ointment USP one per cent for various quality issues.

She added that the affected ointment, manufactured by Navi Mumbai-based Galentic

Pharma (India) Pvt Ltd, are still within valid shelf life, quoting WHO as saying “at least 55 countries received the affected batches, and the manufacturer has initiated voluntary recall for several batches.

“The WHO also stated that the manufacturer had indicated that other batches may be included in the voluntary recall.”

She said that various marketing authorisation holders exist for the product, and that the product is available under various labelling.

She said “five international procurers of the product independently conducted visual examination of random samples of stock on hand and detected a range of quality issues.

“The issues reported by each procurer were not uniform and varied from batch to batch.

Some of such issues include the presence of particles, ranging in colour, size and shape on the nozzle in the cap and in the ointment inside each tube.

“Others are black spots and brown splotches on the inner foil layer of the tube, and phase separation.

“Tetracycline Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Ointment USP one per is indicated for use in bacterial blepharitis (red, swollen, irritated, and itchy eyelids), bacterial conjunctivitis (eye discharge, redness and itching), bacterial keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), and trachoma caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.

“The product is given as treatment for infants and older children and also indicated as preventive measure for infants,

including neonates”.

The NAFDAC boss, however, stated that there is currently no established evidence of any adverse events from the affected batches of the product, saying that redness and swollen eyes are common reactions to general use of tetracycline eye ointment.

She said that there is currently no indication that the above-mentioned quality issues may give rise to adverse events that are not listed in the product labelling.

She advised the public in possession of the product to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

She also urged anyone who suffered any adverse reaction to seek prompt medical advice.

(NAN)

NPA lauds union over workers’ salary increase

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has commended the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) for support in ensuring salaries of NPA members of staff were increased.

The Managing Director, NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, noted that the salary of workers had been stagnated since 2008.

Bello-Koko stated this when he received a letter referenced MWUN/MD/NPA/RFC/23,

dated March 6, signed by the Secretary General MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, expressing appreciation to management of the authority for the increment in the salary of its members.

The NPA boss said that breaking the jinx of salary stagnation suffered over a decade by the authority’s employees was made possible by the support of the MWUN.

He noted that the authority

remained appreciative of the support by the union.

“This critical support from MWUN has buoyed us to intensify our relentless drive toward continuous improvement in the welfare of our esteemed workers in ways not limited to monthly salary alone.

“We are further delighted by the fact that our own Adeyanju is now the Deputy President of the NLC.

“This gives us the necessary

solidarity and backing to push for more benefits for our highly valued human resources,” he said.

It would be recalled that the NPA managing director had in November 2022, been accompanied by Adeyanju to pay an advocacy visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to solicit the union’s solidarity toward increase in NPA workers’ salaries. (NAN)

From left: Chairman of PDP Oyo State; Mr Dayo Ogungbenro; SDP Gubernatorial Candidate for Oyo State, Mr Michael Lana; a PDP member in Oyo State, Mr Open Salawu, during a news conference to declare support for Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State re-election, yesterday in Ibadan

Polls: Benue LP candidate, denies endorsing PDP Uba

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party in Benue State, Hon. Herman Hembe has distanced himself from an endorsement of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship candidate Titus Uba.

It should be noted that on Monday 13th March, 2023, 94 support groups of the Labor Party endorsed Uba at Government House, Makurdi, explaining that their action was born out of the need to reciprocate Governor Samuel Ortom who sacrificed his Senatorial ambition for the party during the Presidential/ Senatorial which he lost.

They appreciated him for standing in defence of the State against external aggressors.

But in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, Hon. Hembe said unequivocally that he would not have any ties with the PDP, maintaining that the purported adoption is a ‘sham’.

He noted that the group are people who do not have electoral value and are looking for stipends from the government, stressing that he is not deterred by the action but is campaigning hard to win the Governorship election slated for Saturday 18th March,2023.

Polls: Students endorse Bauchi APC guber candidate

Ahmad Saka, Bauchi

The Amalgamated Union of Bauchi State Students

Union’ of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has assured gubernatorial candidate of the (APC) in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd) of massive votes from generality of the students of Bauchi State origin.

The assurance was given by a students pressure group.

The group made their position public at an interactive meeting with all the 20 LGA executive members in Bauchi.

The group through the Campaign Director of Students’ Affairs to Ambassador Sadique , Comrade Farouk Saleh Toro, Jamilub Mato and Abdurrahman Shuaibu said that Bauchi state students have now shifted their loyalty to the Governorship candidature APC.

NEMA D-G decries incessant fire disasters, harps on property insurance

Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Ahmed, has expressed concern over incessant fire incidents in some communities and markets across the country in the past few days.

Ahmed, who expressed the concern in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, called on all stakeholders to leverage insurance companies to safeguard their property and businesses.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to reduce fire disasters and all associated human and material losses across the country.

“Fire, like any other disaster, has been part of human

existence, but the frequency and impacts of this in recent weeks has necessitated a serious concern and call for action by all stakeholders.

“In December last year, I had the cause to alert the public to the dangers of fire disasters during the dry season.

“As with the onset of the dry season, the present onset of the rainy season is also characterised by typical windstorms that easily propagate combustible matter in form of dry vegetation and agricultural wastes,’’ he said.

All these ingredients, according to him, constitute strong enhancers of fire outbreaks.

“The best firefighting technique is prevention. The best way to prevent a fire is to

create awareness and develop a culture of safety and resilience among authorities, communities and individual members of the public,” he said.

Ahmed called on State and Local Emergency Management Committees as well as the media to help generate and disseminate the right awareness and prepare the public for necessary responses to fire disasters.

“Efforts should aim at measures and procedures for averting fire outbreaks, early detection and timely response to save lives and minimise damage and economic losses.

“All hands must be on deck to reduce fire disasters and all associated human and material loses across Nigeria.

“Government agencies,

corporate organisations, private businesses and individuals should endeavour to leverage insurance companies to safeguard and protect their property and businesses as a form of risk transfer in case of fire,’’ he said.

The director-general said that the main goal of NEMA and its partners was to save lives and property, stressing that no effort and resources was too much to commit to achieving this.

He said that all NEMA zonal and operation offices had been directed to work with the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) to conduct joint assessments in communities affected by fire disasters.

(NAN)

Varsity don found dead with multiple stab wounds in C/River

The Police Command in Cross River has confirmed the recovery of the body of a Professor of Political Science with the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Felix Akpan.

The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident, said the body was discovered on Sunday with multiple stab wounds in his apartment at Plot 181, Duke Town Close, State Housing in Calabar.

Ugbo said that arrest have been made while the matter is still under investigation.

“We have a suspect in custody who claims to be a friend to the deceased (Prof. Akpan). He said he does not know what happened to him or who stabbed him to death.

“Our crack team of detectives have already swung into action, we will soon get to the root of the matter by unraveling who the killer is,” she assured.

Meanwhile, a source who pleaded anonymity, said that the deceased, a former Dean of Students Affairs in UNICAL, had a guest on Saturday but left very early on Sunday to Akampka before his remains was found.

“He had a male guest who came visiting at the weekend, but the person left very early on Sunday at about 5:00 am.

“A lady who stays in the compound said that she heard a

loud scream same day the visitor who has now been confirmed to be a friend left his apartment and alerted people in the neighborhood about the noise.

“Perhaps, he forgot something that made him come back to the victims’ house, where he was apprehended and taken to Prof’s apartment where we saw the lifeless body of Prof. Akpan with multiple stab wounds,” he said. (NAN)

From left: Wife of the former Governor of Rivers, retired Justice Mary Odili; former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers and Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, during the inauguration of Board of Governors of Justice Mary Odili Institute, yesterday in Port Harcourt

From:

Be peaceful, play politics according to rules, Culture advocate advises politicians

Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), an Abuja based NGO, has advised Nigerian politicians and voters to be peaceful and play the game of politics by the rules.

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the group gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Ikokwu urged them not to allow their personal ambitions jeopardise the unity and peace of the country especially during the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections .

She appealed to the political class not to exploit the country’s diversity negatively to advance their personal ambitions.

“We should emphasise those things that unite us more than the ones that divide us.

“Politics is a game that will come and go but Nigeria remains, so let us prioritize Nigeria’s unity and harmony above personal ambitions.

“Clean politics is part of our heritage and a legacy that we should aspire to leave for the future generations,’ she advised.

The Culture Advocate who warned against political violence and animosity, said that it was alien to Nigeria’s indigenous political culture.

She urged politicians to close ranks among each other in accordance with Nigeria’s culture of brotherly love.

Ikokwu also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore confidence of the electorate by allowing votes count.

She explained that only transparent and credible election would truly reflect the will and wish of the people.

According to her, Nigeria should demonstrate their position as giant of Africa by conducting peaceful, credible gubernatorial elections.

Ikokwu however commended Nigerians for their commitment to stronger democratic process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s Gubernatorial elections would be conducted on March 18. (NAN)

We’ll miss your support, cooperation -Gbajabiamila tells outgoing British High Commissioner

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing, for her selfless service and collaborative efforts with the Nigerian Parliament during her 5-year assignment in the country.

Gbajabiamila said during her term, Ms. Catriona provided a lot of support to the House, which he said was helpful to the Parliament.

The Speaker, who received Ms. Catriona and her team

during a farewell visit to his office at the National Assembly on Tuesday, described the meeting as “bittersweet.”

“We will miss you, Nigeria will miss you, and the Parliament will miss you,” Gbajabiamila said.

He added that, “It’s a bittersweet visit, I’ll call it. Sweet because it’s always good to have you around, and bitter because you’re going. I personally enjoyed a great working relationship with you.

“You and I, over time, had robust and engaging interactions. It was a very enriching time for me. I think

your passion was so evident in our discussions.

“My prayer is that whoever succeeds you on that trajectory will carry on with the good job.

“I thank you for the interest in the work that we do here. You played a very critical role in the mentorship programme that I launched. At your age, I believe you still have so much to offer your country. We are really glad to have you around.”

One of the bills that the High Commission contributed to, was the Electoral Act (Amendment Bill 2022), which was passed and was eventually signed into law.

Earlier, Ms. Catriona told the Speaker that she witnessed two election cycles in Nigeria, having resumed as the British High Commissioner to Nigeria in 2018. She described her experience in the country as wonderful.

“I’m happy to have worked with Mr. Speaker on a number of issues, and a number of bills were passed during the period. I’m sure my successor will be glad to work with you.”

The outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria also lauded the speaker for his support for women’s empowerment.

L-R: Outgoing British High Commissioner, Dr Richard Montgomery holding a gift given to her by Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during the outgoing UK High Commissioner paid a courtesy call to speaker, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Gombe Elections: Again PDP accuses APC on alleged rigging plot

From David Hassan, Gombe

The PDP and APC, Gombe chapter have traded words over alleged plot to rig the Governorship and State House of Assembly polls billed for March 18.

The PDP had alleged that it uncovered an orchestrated plot by the ruling APC to rig the governorship and state house of assembly elections in the state.

The APC on the other hand, said the PDP was coming up with falsehood because they knew they would lose at the polls.

Mr Ayuba Aluke, spokesman of the state’s PDP Campaign Management Council said this at a news conference in Gombe on Tuesday.

Aluke alleged that Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of the state-led APC had perfected plans to compromise the elections in the state to ensure victory for his party and secure his re-election.

He said the PDP had obtained an audio evidence of the alleged plan and had submitted same to the security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other concerned stakeholders for necessary action.

Aluke decried the level of desperation by the APC to “win elections at all cost through vote-buying, intimidation and compromising the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) to get the result that they want.

“We are lucky to stumble on some information and also to scoop intelligence along the line.

“We have authenticated audio evidence where the current governor of Gombe state under the leadership of the APC is discussing and sharing information with some of his cohorts.

“He (the governor) said that he is working and planning toward rigging, manipulating and also out-smarting the BVAS machines

and all the electoral laws.

“This is All in a grand attempt and design to make sure that he returns as the governor of Gombe state by any means.

“This is why we are sharing our concerns as a way of alerting security agencies to take measures to address some of these issues or events that are emerging as we are approaching the election day.”

The PDP campaign spokesperson said his party would continue to take all available legal means toward addressing their concerns while urging its supporters to remain calm while coming out on Saturday to vote massively for the PDP.

In a swift reaction on behalf of the APC, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, the Director, Media and Publicity, APC Campaign Council in the state said the PDP was frightened by the sterling performance of Yahaya.

Uba-Misilli said the PDP had resorted to propagating falsehood

against the governor, knowing that they stood no chance at the polls, adding that Yahaya remained a man of peace and progress.

“Earlier, I sent a press statement alerting the public of the plan by PDP to smear the name of the governor through some unscrupulous means.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no plan to rig any election so all these are concussions of facts by the PDP knowing full well that they are bound to lose the election and may not have anything to show to the public.”

Uba-Misilli said the PDP was only peddling falsehood to attract goodwill for themselves or to score political points but “I advise them to face their campaign and woo voters.

“Let them stop propagating falsehood against the governor.

“The governor is a man of peace and one who has so much to show to the public and electorate for them to vote for him.”

Photo: Mahmud Isa

The officials of Kogi Government and Stakeholders in the financial sectors, have sensitised Kogi residents on the need to accept the old naira notes in line with the Supreme Court judgment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Supreme Court on March 3, ruled that the new and old naira notes should co-exist as legal tender in Nigeria till Dec. 31.

Addressing a large crowd at the newly constructed Ganaja Flyover on Monday in Lokoja, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, congratulated Nigerians on the Supreme Court judgment.

Fanwo said the people could now use both the old and new

Kogi sensitises residents, fuel stations on old naira notes acceptance

naira notes together till Dec. 31, 2023.

“We have met with the banks and they have agreed that they will accept old naira notes as deposits.

”So, we urge all commercial motorcycle riders, Keke riders and market men and women to accept the old naira notes.

“The state government is grateful to the banks for their cooperation and commitment to the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

”It is criminal to reject old

naira notes after the judgment,” Fanwo said.

He assured that the state government would monitor the compliance strictly.

Also speaking, the State Security Adviser, Cmdr. Jerry Omodara (rtd.) harped on the need for residents to cooperate with the state government in its bids to ease the current financial strains occasioned by the current cash policy.

Omodara said his office would work with security agencies to ensure compliance.

In his remarks, Mr Idris Asiru, the Kogi Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, said the banks were already accepting old naira notes as deposits.

Asiru urged the people to take advantage of the cooperation of the banks.

He said that he had already gotten the commitment of the banks to load their ATMs with old and new naira notes to ease the cash scarcity in the state.

The representatives of the major banks in Lokoja also

assured the people of the readiness of the banks to accept old naira notes as deposits.

They said the directive took effect from Monday morning, urging customers to freely accept the old naira notes.

NAN reports that the sensitisation train visited all transport unions, fuel stations and major markets in Lokoja.

The stakeholders assured Kogi people of sustained sensitisation on radio and other media of communication. (NAN)

Kaduna Govt. restates commitments to social protection of citizens

From:

Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has restated its commitment to social protection for its citizens, while working towards establishing an agency and trust fund to actualise the policy.

The Focal Person, Kaduna Social Investment Office (KADSIO), Mrs Saude Atoyebi, made the commitment while speaking at a one-day citizens engagement on the Kaduna State draft social security bill.

The engagement was organised by Civil Society Open Government Partnership (OGP) Technical Working Group (CSTWG) on social protection, in collaboration with KADSIO and the Ministry of Justice, supported by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) a UK-supported governance programme,

According to her the government had in 2016, subscribed to the Open Government Partnership (OGP), to entrench its commitment towards promoting fiscal responsibility, access to information and citizens’ engagement.

Atoyebi, represented by Mrs Rebecca Padonu, Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-rufai on Social Investment Programmes, said the state government in 2021, developed its second Action Plan (2021–2023) hinged on five commitment areas of the OGP.

She said the establishment of an agency for protection and a social security trust fund, which were part of the OGP action plan, could be made possible through the Social Security Bill.

She noted that the goal of the Social Security Bill was to establish and concretise the social protection system, to care for the poor and vulnerable people through targeted benefits embedded across programmes and schemes.

“A draft of the SP bill had been in existence, predating the SP policy itself; this reveals that the Kaduna State Government has always shown commitment in the area of SP, “Atoyebi said.

She, however, said that it became expedient to start on a new note, based on the need to thoroughly capture the essence of the SP policy to include setting up of the trust fund, which the initial draft didn’t capture.

Atoyebi explained that Gov

El-Rufai gave directives that the SP bill should harmonise all SP programmes for the formal and informal sectors of the state.

“He specifically directed that the bill should have provisions that establish the agency and define its powers.”

It should “then incorporate pensions, contributory health insurance, the proposed SP implementation programmes and other SP interventions under the purview of the agency.

“Interestingly, January this year, the Social Security Bill was

approved by the State Executive Council for forwarding to the State House of Assembly”, Atoyebi said. The Focal Person noted that having such kind of engagement would deepen understanding of the bill and further strenghten SP in Kaduna State.

My victory surprised APC, PDP, says LP Reps member-elect

Mr Bassey Akiba, the House of Representatives member-elect for Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, says his victory caught the All Progressive Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River by surprise.

Akiba, a former lawmaker in the Cross River House of Assembly, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Calabar.

Akiba, who is the only candidate that won the National Assembly seat in Cross River under the platform of Labour Party, told NAN he received the news of his victory at the polls with

excitement.

He told NAN that he won his election free and fair without any form of monetary inducement on the electorate.

NAN reports that Akiba won the Feb. 25 House of Representatives polls with 23,759 votes, defeating the APC candidate, Mr Edim Inok, who received 21,066 votes, and the PDP candidate, Rep. Etta Mbora, who got 19,584 votes.

“I contested the election with a sitting House of Representative member who is in PDP and also the candidate of the APC who happens to be a former chairman of the party in the state.

“What they forgot to

understand is that the dynamics have changed and the people and they are more enlightened and aware of what is going on in the country.

“My victory took my opponents by surprise because they never believed it. The people now have the power; they moved and effected that change.

“Gone are the days where people feel once you are the government candidate you are automatically a winner. I was the masses candidate and they demonstrated that through the ballot,” he said.

He assured residents of the constituency of fulfilling all the promises made to them during

the course of his campaign.

He urged his supporters to continue to have hope in the new administration that would be inaugurated, adding that he won’t betray their trust on him.

“I told my people that if I don’t do well, I should be voted out; and if I do well, I should be encouraged to go further.

“The only way to grow our democracy is to vote out ineffective leaders and encourage the performing ones to go further.

“I am not going to the House of Representatives as a green horn; I am equipped with legislative experience having been a lawmaker in the state house of assembly.

Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare (6th- L); Chairman, Governing Board, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Amb. Fatima Abubakar (6th-R); Director General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed (5th R); and members Inter-Ministerial Committee on the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of NYSC, during the inauguration of the committee, yesterday in Abuja

Tinibu will deliver Nigeria — Says Amakura

From Gambo Ahmed lafia

Former Governor of Nasarawa state , Senator Tanko Amakura has described the president elect senator Bola Ahmed Tinibu as a man of integrity that would transform the country in all facets of development as well as called on Nigerians to give him the ample support to succeed.

Senator Amakura who affirmed this during a stakeholders meeting held at the Taal conference Hotel Lafia, the state capitol on Tuesday.

He further admonished stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work assidously for the victory of Governor Sule and House of Assembly contestants on the plàtform of APG in the forthcoming election.

Polls: Students endorse Bauchi APC guber candidate

From: Ahmad Saka, Bauchi

The Amalgamated Union of Bauchi State Students Union’ of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has assured gubernatorial candidate of the (APC) in Bauchi State, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd) of massive votes from generality of the students of Bauchi State origin.

The assurance was given by a students pressure group.

The group made their position public at an interactive meeting with all the 20 LGA executive members in Bauchi.

The group through the Campaign Director of Students’ Affairs to Ambassador Sadique , Comrade Farouk Saleh Toro, Jamilub Mato and Abdurrahman Shuaibu said that Bauchi state students have now shifted their loyalty to the Governorship candidature APC.

NTI trains teachers on Academic Leadership, Digital Literacy

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

No fewer than 148 Nigerian teachers are being trained by the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, on Academic Leadership and Digital Literacy, funded by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir, the Director and Chief Executive of NTI, Kaduna, in an address delivered to mark the commencement of the training workshop across the six geopolitical zones, Monday, March 13, said the success or effectiveness of any school system depends to a larger extend on its leadership.

‘’ The main objectives of this capacity building workshop are to help the school heads in Nigeria to enhance their leadership capacities and apply the knowledge productivity to improve educational outcomes in their schools,’’ he said.

He said the workshop is designed to enhanced monitoring, coaching skills

of schools for effective administration and capacity of the school heads to use relevant communication tools to support school administration and build skills of school administrators for effective service delivery.

According to Prof. Maitafsir, other objectives are, to strengthen the capacity of the school managers in community engagement for effective school management and education delivery, guide, counsel skills of school heads for enhanced delivery of counseling services in schools.

In the aspect of Digital literacy, the Director and Chief Executive of the Institute said digital literacy is concerned with the development of teachers’ capacity to know when and how to use digital technology to access, process, evaluate, create and communicate information through writing and other media on various digital platforms.

‘’ It is one of the numerous benefits of the 21st century breakthrough in Information and Communication

Technology(ICT) that led to the increased use of technological devices like computers, mobile phones, televisions and DVDs as well as the internet to create , manage and distribute information,’’ he said.

Prof. Maitafsir said that the advancement in technology has led to the era, where learning through the internet become possible. He said further that primary education system in Nigeria is the foundation on which other levels of education are built.

‘’ To achieve its aims of equipping pupils for further studies and adequately groom them to function effectively in a continuously growing and fast paced – digital driven world,’’ he said.

He therefore called on the relevant stakeholders in education to incorporate the basic elements of digital literacy in primary school curriculum and implemented, accordingly.

He decried that despite the

enormous potentials of ICTs and digital literacy in our educational institutions in Nigeria, particularly at the primary level, are yet to take advantages of its numerous benefits.

Prof. Maitafsir said the Institute will continue to partner with the relevant stakeholders to provide Nigerian teachers with necessary skills needed to improve their job and profession inline with the current trends in teaching and learning.

The workshop training, which is among the training components flagged-off by the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah on September 8, 2022, in Abuja, is scheduled between Monday, March 13 and Wednesday, March 15 , in six centres nationwide as follows: Nasarawa state (North Central), Kaduna state (North West), Adamawa state (North East), Oyo state (South West), Delta state (South South) and Ebonyi state (South East).

Election: Remain professional, above board – COAS tasks officers

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk

Yahaya, has urged officers and men of the Nigerian Army to remain professional and above board in their conducts during the March 18 elections.

Yahaya gave the directive at the opening of the 4th Career Planning and Management Seminar organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Chief of Training (Army) Maj.-Gen. Sani Mohammed represented the COAS at the seminar with the theme, “Efficient Human Resource Management: Imperatives for a Professional Nigerian Army in the 21st Century”.

He said the seminar was organised to ensure efficient career planning to engender good leadership among officers.

This, he said, became very imperative in view of the involvement of the army in several operations.

According to him, significant changes in organisational and leadership have evolved globally, as such it is important for the

military to improve approaches to career planning and human resource management.

This would ensure a balanced and rewarding career path for officers, he added.

Yahaya said the seminar was to create awareness and sensitise officers on new policies that might impact on their career and address other salient career planning issues for better understanding.

“As members of the armed forces, we should be mindful of the need to adequately prepare officers to operate in joint environment.

“And deploy them to positions where they can efficiently develop novel plans, processes, strategies to meet the changing nature of the battlespace.

“Therefore, it is imperative that we maintain momentum while motivating our officers and men through an efficient and balanced career planning process,” the COAS said.

He also emphasised the need for all army personnel to remain apolitical and professional.

The COAS said great efforts have been made “to ensure that the conduct of our officers and

men during the polls remains professional and above board.

“I therefore urge you to uphold the highest professional conduct during this period.”

In his remarks, the Military Secretary (Army), Maj.-Gen. Jamil Abdulsalam, said the annual seminar was to ensure efficient management of the careers of army officers.

Abdulsalam said the department had overtime, observed that most officers within the mid level cadre treated matters of career with levity, often leading to unpleasant consequences.

He said that upward trend, where annual evaluation reports from formations and units as well as course reports from most army training institutions fell short of realistic reportage, had been of great concern.

According to him, the shortcomings are further compounded by the involvement of the army in wide range of operations and the resultant dearth of officers for deployment to key areas.

“All of these factors have significantly affected career planning and complicated

the military human resource management approach of the Department of Military Secretary.

“Customarily, the department conducts sensitisation visits to Nigerian army formations and training schools, including operational areas to enhance officers’ understanding of the requirements for career growth.

“This forum offers a unique opportunity to have a convergence of seasoned resource persons and key players in the management of army officers careers to share experiences and update you on extant policies and provisions that may impact on your careers.

“The seminar will feature packages that will expose participants to contemporary approaches to military human resource management with a view to improve career planning at all levels.

“The issue of conduct and discipline, which remains a key consideration in the career planning process, as well as gender perspectives have been added to make the seminar wide-ranging, balanced and rich in context,” he said.

(NAN)

Second left: Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir, Director and Chief Executive of National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, during the monitoring of the workshop at the North-West Zonal Centre, Kaduna, Monday, March 13.

Naira Crisis: Is this farewell to local banks and welcome to Opay?

By Ifeanyichukwu Mmoh

Opay has since increased her customer base and it is my prediction that in no time from now, we would see Opay commercial banks, mortgage banks as well as microfinance banks springing up everywhere across the country. And that will be bye-bye to indigenous banks. In the face of all these, why will a citizen like me not pray that an executive chamber of hell be reserved for these demonsin-human form leaders putting citizens through all these pains?

First of all, I want to thank General Muhammadu Buhari (rtrd) and all those who supported his rise to power in 2015 and 2019 and up till this moment; for a job well done in ensuring that they inflicted great mental torture and emotional trauma on the over 150 million Nigerians that included the youths, the widows, the aged, the personswith-disability, the Muslims, the Christians, the atheists as well as the traditional faithful, because of selfish ambitions. It is my heartfelt prayer that God will reserve an executive chamber in the fires of hell for all of you.

Sometime in August of 2008, I wrote an article that was published on the 10th of that month with the Sun Newspaper. And it was titled THESE MEGA BANKS ARE FAILING US! About 3 months later, the then CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi carried out a massive purge of the banking system; felling in the process, Iroko personalities like Mrs Cecilia Ibru, Mr Erastus Akingbola, Mr. Okey Nwosu and Mr. Francis Atuche etc. How Mr. Anthony Elumelu of the UBA escaped that house cleaning remains a mystery. Nevertheless, I was glad at SLS’s effort.

Why did I write that article? I wrote the article because in 2008 (just like today) I noticed that most banks concentrated all of their energy on a department they called marketing department and kept hiring young people whom they allocated some ridiculous amount of money as target per month or got fired from the job! Then, these youngsters are told to do everything within their discretion

to get these customers to bring in their monies even if it meant prostituting in order to achieve the said target.

Then, I was like damn; all is not well with these Soludonized Mega Banks, that handwork of the street-illiterate professor of economics. Thankfully, a man with balls and brain got on the saddle and carried out a thorough house cleaning exercise that confirmed that one doesn’t necessarily have to be a professor to know economics because a street-smart fellow – whether literate or not – is more than a professor! The current Naira crisis which has caused a lot of hardship to Nigerians since it was introduced in November of 2022 has got me thinking again.

Can anyone please provide some smart and sensible reasons why all the Nigerian local banks are suddenly having network glitches (in the face of the hardship Nigerians are going through already) while Opay – a Chinese fintech – continues to facilitate the same transactions at an alarmingly top speed? Is this Naira crisis signaling the end of all of our local banks? Should Mr. Yahui Zhou’s Opay become Nigeria’s new mega bank? Sometimes I shudder at the mentality that I see in this country!

Is there sabotage on the internet system or do we have some persons who manipulated the internet in favor of Opay or what? As I turned these questions on my mind, I become more and more befuddled as I observe the seamless takeover of Nigeria by the Chinese just because a group of charlatans that paraded themselves as leaders in this country do not even know that the ship they assumed to be steering across the ocean is sinking! That innocent Nigerians are dying daily due to high blood pressure, depression and suicide doesn’t seem to bother these rogues.

After more than 17 years of enjoying local patronage from the ever-friendly and business-minded Nigerian citizens, is this how the banking system planned to thank her customers? I was in the centre of Abuja today and I noticed how glowingly everyone was talking about Opay coming to their rescue in the face of what the Mr. Godwin Emefiele-led CBN and the commercial banks have put

Nigerians into. Last week Thursday, I did a transfer from my bank to a client’s Access Bank account and as I’m writing this; she’s yet to get that money. Meanwhile, it left my account that same day!

A friend told of his transfer of N25, 000.00 to Wema bank since the 23rd February, 2023 and how it took 2 weeks of follow-up from him to get the money to drop into the beneficiary’s account. He even alleged that if he hadn’t being on their neck, Wema bank would’ve swallowed that money and continued to claim glitches. This has become a common experience for many Nigerians lately whether the haves or the have-nots. But what saddens me most is seeing the widows; single mothers and the aged pensioners go through pains to get money.

And you wonder what happened to the conscience of people of this generation? Since the Supreme Court’s ruling, Nigerians have waited eagerly for the CBN or the president to voice their stance to no avail. A government that has no remorse for the pains she is causing her citizens; why would she care to comment? Banks have continued to pay out in old notes since the judgment but are refusing to collect the same. And you wonder if this was really a redesign or an orchestrated attempt to plunge the country into a political chaos?

Opay has since increased her customer base and it is my prediction that in no time from now, we would see Opay commercial banks, mortgage banks as well as microfinance banks springing up everywhere across the country. And that will be bye-bye to indigenous banks. In the face of all these, why will a citizen like me not pray that an executive chamber of hell be reserved for these demons-in-human form leaders putting citizens through all these pains? Well, I strongly believe that judgment day is very close. For where you see the vultures gather, a carcass is near.

Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Mmoh; Executive director, Self-Awareness for Suicide Prevention Initiative, Africa writes from Abuja.

May we never be Emefieized again in our lifetime

By Abdulkadir Salaudeen

If those who have money cannot assess their money and are dying of hunger, can you, wait for a moment, to imagine what jobless Nigerians and street beggars are going through? Do you know the number of people who died because they could not be attended to in hospitals for not being able to access their money?

With all the grandstanding, old naira notes are to be recirculated again. As if the thoughtless and callous cash policy is a revelation from God through which must be obeyed unquestionably in both letter and spirit, Governor Emefiele, with full support of President Buhari, unleashed the greatest hardship on the greatest majority of Nigeria. They both keep saying no going back on it. The hardship, first of its kind in the history of Nigeria, does not discriminate between the rich and the poor. It is worse than COVID-19; some called it COVID-23. I will explain. A senior colleague this morning, in a mutual lamentation on how the policy has negatively impacted on our entire existence, asserted the policy is worse than the eight month hardship that university teaching staff went through when our salaries were withheld. I agree with him. And I will explain.

I, going through the news headlines this morning, saw a headline that reads “Supreme Court shifts judgement delivery on cashless policy.” Impatient to read the story, I soliloquised: “Only God knows when the Supreme Court will pass its judgement on this disastrous policy.” Note, it isn’t that the policy is intrinsically wrong or bad; but it is probably designed with wicked intention and thus implemented wickedly.

I was still in the mosque after the Friday service when a friend—a legal practitioner—called. I thought he called to make jest of me as he does occasionally. For, I had begged him for money (cash) earlier in the morning. (Please don’t laugh at me, after all,COVID-23 has turned all of us to beggars). In the course of our conversation, he told me the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the masses—in favour of the validity of old notes till December. I retorted; “I read this morning that ruling on it has been shifted.” Then, he said it was shifted only for one hour after which

the Court gave its verdict. Oh! I thought it was shifted till infinity. Glory be to God.

This cash-less, thought-less, heart-less, kind-less, fruitless, focus-less, meaning-less, clue-less, vision-less, and mission-less policy (for, it could not achieve its mission) is dangerous than COVID-19 in Nigeria. Up till today, there are millions of Nigerians who believe COVID-19 is a rich man virus (they may be wrong). Every Nigerian believes that Emefielesomiasis is real and both the poor and the rich are prone to it and are affected by it. Imagine a rich man who has millions of naira in his bank account but has to go from house to house begging for one thousand naira note.

The policy encourages, (is ‘encourage’ even the right word?) It mandates miserliness, tightfistedness, selfishness, greediness, and meanness. You don’t give charity, with this policy, anymore. You give sparingly only if you are very generous. Not only money, while you don’t give out money, you do not also give what money can buy. Think of them. That is to say, you don’t give out anything for the fear of exhausting the little you have. People manage whatever they have as if we were in a state of war. Generous people essentially became miserly within this period, not because they are tired of being generous but because the government wants everyone to be selfish. If the government is selfish, must the governed also be selfish? This is another political theory which needs further exploration.

The government, after dipping about one-hundred and thirty million (130, 000, 000) of its citizens into its Worldly Hell to suffer a multi-dimensional poverty, as if that is not enough, mopped currencies in circulation so that there will be no rope to cling unto or hope to hope for. We shall disgrace Emefiele and all those who are behind this policy. How do we disgrace them? We shall remain resilient. We shall remain hopeful in the face of hopelessness. We shall not despair. We shall sabotage their efforts to make us hopeless by being hopeful.

If those who have money cannot assess their money and are dying of hunger, can you, wait for a moment, to imagine what jobless Nigerians and street beggars are going through? Do you know the number of people who died because they could not be attended to in hospitals for

not being able to access their money? What of those who died because they cannot buy drugs with their money which they owned but could not possess? This regime taught us that it is one thing to have money, it is another thing to possess the money you have. How many people died in the queue in banks? I don’t have the statistics, but it is ugly.

Under Emefiele and his benefactor, money is sold and bought. You buy your money with your money in order to get your basic needs. You buy and deliberately sell at loss as if under a spell. A neighbour of mine bought a basket of tomato which worth N2, 000 for N200. Not because he is selfish, he would have paid more for it willingly but that is the only cash left on him. The tomato seller was very eager to have a N200 note from a buyer who is willing to buy with cash rather than from a buyer who will transfer N2000 into his account—the exact worth of his tomato. He happily sells at a loss for the fear of a greater loss. He could not bear the sight of his tomato perishing under his watch. There are many similar examples.

I said earlier on that the policy’s negative impacts are felt by the university staff more than their eight month withheld salaries. During that inglorious eight months, you can shamefully or shamelessly run to family and friends and neighbours for help. Some were able to get some bank loans to survive the pulverising jackboots of Nigerian rulers. This isn’t the case with this policy, you are paid salaries but the salaries are as useless as balance sheet figures in accounting textbooks. Account balances of Nigerians are mere figures which give no value—courtesy of Emefiele. Many businesses have collapsed as Nigerians count losses.

While we await the next hardship to be unleashed on us in the next three months left of this regime, we hope this court judgement will be obeyed. It is one thing to win a case in Nigerian court, it is another thing for a case to be won. If you understand the difference between active and passive voice, then you get the point! I earnestly pray to our Creator to ease our affairs. We are indeed in serious PAIN. May we never witness Emefiele in our life again.

Abdulkadir Salaudeen salahuddeenabdulkadir@ gmail.com

COMMENT

Unification, youth empowerment, and more: What Tinubu must take seriously?

By Ismaheel Taofeeq Adisa

The promotion of financial inclusion and access to credit for individuals and small businesses could provide an additional pathway out of poverty. Micro-finance programs are being pursued by the government to expand financial services such as savings, payments, credit, insurance, and remittances for the poor.

As the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a vested interest in ensuring that his party remains in power for a very long time. To achieve this monumental goal, he must take certain factors into account.

First and foremost, he must prioritize unification. He must bridge the current gaps between different groups, both within and outside of the APC, and promote a sense of shared identity and common purpose.

Tinubu must ensure that all members of the APC remain loyal and on message.

This can be achieved through inclusive policies that are tailored to meet the needs of all Nigerians.

Next, Tinubu must focus on youth empowerment by providing young people with better education, career opportunities, and job opportunities. He should also promote social justice by fighting against corruption and rewarding hard work and dedication.

Finally, Tinubu must practice moderation when it comes to using social media as a tool for political campaigning. It is important to use this platform constructively to educate citizens on various policies without making inflammatory statements or spreading false information.

As a leader of one of the major political parties in Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) need to focus on unifying the country to remain in power for 40 years. This means avoiding extreme stances on social subjects and promoting discussion and dialog between different nations, ethnicities, and religions within Nigeria.

Tinubu can also start by ensuring that each region of Nigeria is given fair representation in its administration and guaranteeing equal opportunities for all regions. He should be aware of the different nuances between different groupings and work towards addressing these through equal access to education, employment opportunities, and health services. Furthermore, ensuring fairness in government appointments will go a long way toward fostering a sense of unity among Nigerians.

Ultimately, Tinubu must strive to create an environment where every Nigerian feels equally valued regardless of religion, ethnicity, or social economic status. By doing this his administration will be able to protect the APC power base and ensure that they remain in office for at least another 40 years.

The youth constitute the most influential population group in Nigeria, and thus the need for their empowerment couldn’t be overstated. Investing in the youths’ education and health would yield great dividends for the nation. Tinubu should follow through on some of his campaign promises such as providing employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship among them. By doing so, they will become productive members of society who can contribute to economic growth, improved security, and national unity.

Moreover, Tinubu should introduce programs to invest in technology and digital knowledge so that the youths can benefit

from new opportunities involving Artificial Intelligence (AI). These programs should also include skill acquisition for job readiness. This would equip the youths with employable skills that will improve their livelihoods, give them more job opportunities, raise their incomes, and foster nationalism.

Finally, Tinubu should introduce reforms to support youthled initiatives such as stimulating youth political participation by creating an enabling environment for young people to express themselves and create meaningful impact in politics. This will help them discover their potential and unlock it for greater effectiveness and productivity in nation-building.

On the security side, Tinubu needs to tackle the issue of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities. To do this, he needs to focus on strengthening law enforcement systems across the country, by increasing funding for police forces and improving their technology. This includes providing adequate training and equipment to help them in their fight against crime. Tinubu must also deploy a robust anti-corruption strategy that will lead to greater transparency and accountability in government processes.

Moreover, Tinubu should look into strategies to tackle social injustice in Nigeria, such as addressing gender inequality and providing equal access to education and healthcare for all. He can achieve this by introducing measures such as affirmative action policies, gender-sensitive budgeting, increasing employment opportunities for those most at risk of discrimination, and having a zero-tolerance policy on all forms of prejudice.

The prevalence of social media has changed the way politics works, with newer and more influential platforms now playing a large role in the political sphere. To ensure the success of his administration and that of APC for the next 40 years, Tinubu must master the art of using social media and other political platforms while remaining moderate in his approach.

As a powerful tool, Tinubu should use social media, especially Twitter, to communicate his messages effectively, as well as to correct misinformation spread by detractors. He would also have to stay aware of what is trending among other political parties so that he can respond appropriately and counter false narratives being spread about his party.

Additionally, Tinubu should communicate with members of his party regularly to convey information on activities, policy proposals, and other issues. Social media can also be used to gather feedback from citizens quickly and efficiently. This is an invaluable resource for any leader implementing effective policy changes.

By understanding the power of social media communication, Tinubu would be able to build support for APC’s platform across Nigeria and beyond its borders over the next 40 years.

For APC to remain in power for 40 years, Tinubu must take steps to set a high enough standard of living and quality of life that poverty is drastically reduced. This can be achieved in several viable and sustainable ways, such as:

Investment in education is essential to enable young Nigerians to have access to better job opportunities and improved earning potential. This will enable them to contribute back to the Nigerian society and help to reduce poverty.

The promotion of financial inclusion and access to credit for individuals and small businesses could provide an additional

pathway out of poverty. Micro-finance programs are being pursued by the government to expand financial services such as savings, payments, credit, insurance, and remittances for the poor.

Creating incentives for private businesses would attract more investors into Nigeria who could create employment opportunities and wealth within the economy. By providing an attractive economic environment for businesses, Tinubu could increase economic growth – reducing inequality in the country.

To reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in Nigeria. This is especially important given the fact that 63% of Nigerians live below the poverty line.

The following actions must be taken, to affect this change:

Increasing access to healthcare and comprehensive social protection for citizens, including health insurance, pensions, and unemployment benefits.

Establishing free, high-quality education in communities throughout Nigeria, from primary to tertiary level

Investing in infrastructure and technology to expand access to essential services such as clean water and sanitation

Strengthening social safety nets for vulnerable populations such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities

Facilitating economic growth through structural reforms such as reform of land rights and taxation

Improving agricultural production through a combination of agronomic practices and innovation

Reducing inequality by ensuring equal access to employment opportunities or income-generating activities

An important element of ensuring Tinubu’s ability to make APC remain in power for 40 years is the reconciliation and cooperation with rivals of the same party – something that he must take seriously and act on soon. This concept of cohesion is central to the idea of unification, as it would go a long way toward making APC one strengthened, unified political party.

Furthermore, Tinubu can use reconciliation as a tool to address the growing tensions among youth, giving them something to rally behind and invest their energy into. This can also create an atmosphere where different voices can be heard in policymaking by showing them that differences of opinion are not just accepted but appreciated.

Finally, unity within a party will be beneficial in creating an atmosphere for fighting corruption and social injustice– two elements that are all too common in Nigerian governments. With enemies becoming allies due to unification, all members of APC will likely become more aware and proactive in their fight against corruption and injustice, ultimately leading to a government that is accountable to its people and serves their needs annually.

As the nation faces the challenge of moving forward under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Tinubu must take the four areas mentioned in this article– unification, youth empowerment, security, fight against corruption and social injustices, and moderation to the use of social media–seriously. He needs to prioritize these four areas to ensure that the APC remains in power for an additional 40 years. Doing so will not only extend the party’s power and influence but will also ensure greater unity and order in Nigeria.

Ismaheel Taofeeq Adisa is a Public Policy Analyst.

Evolution of Nigeria’s monetary system: From bartering to banknotes, and now to cashless

By Isaac Asabor

This is not how it is done in other progressive countries of the world where there are other payment options like; Debit and Credit Cards, Bank Transfers, Bank Direct Debits, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and even Mobile Phone Money.

There is no denying the fact that the Nigerian monetary system was in the pre-colonial era negatively driven by a variety of items that cut across cowries, manila, beads, bottles, and salt as means of exchange amongst others. As a result of the convoluted cumbersomeness that arose therefrom, the landscape of the consumer market and social circle was inconveniently disrupted.

Given the drawbacks of barter systems which were no doubt a lack of double coincidence of wants, lack of a common measure of value, the indivisibility of certain goods, and difficulty in making deferred payments as well as difficulty in storing value,the first major currency was issuedsequel to the colonial ordinance of 1880. The units of coins managed then by the Bank of England were one shilling, one penny, 1/2 penny, and 1/10 penny and were distributed by a private bank, the Bank for British West Africa till 1912.

Sequel to the decision by the government to change from metric to decimal, the name of the Nigerian currency was changed in January 1973. The major unit of currency which used to be £1 ceased to exist and the one naira which was equivalent to ten shillings became the major unit, while the minor unit was called the kobo; a hundred of which made one naira.

At this juncture, it is expedient to say that since then that the Nigerian monetary landscape has witnessed changes made to the naira banknotes at one point or the other.

It is expedient to recall in this context that the changes occurred on 11th February 1977, 2nd July 1979, April 1984, December 1999, November 2000, April 2001, October 2005, February 2007, and September 2009 respectively.

Also, it is germane to recall that the CBN, as part of its contribution towards the celebration of the nation’s 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence and 100 years of its existence as a nation, issued the ₦50 Commemorative polymer banknote on 29th September 2010; and the N100 Commemorative banknote on 19th December 2014 respectively.

Unarguably to entrench a reliable and trusted medium of exchange that will serve as a transitional instrument to settle the trade of products and services among market participants, the CBN with the backing of the federal government in the bid to be one of the best 20 economies before the year 2020, commenced the process of changing to a cash-less economy by January 2012. The main reason for the policy was to reduce the amount of Naira notes and coins (Cash) used for business but not to eliminate cash usage.

In its effort to persuade Nigerians concerning its intention to migrate the monetary system to cashless, the CBN said, “Our economy uses too much cash for transactions for goods and services, especially for buying and selling. This is not how it is done in other progressive countries of the world where there are other payment options like; Debit and Credit Cards, Bank Transfers, Bank Direct Debits, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and even Mobile Phone Money. These achievements have been brought about by the changing needs of their people, competition among banks, and other companies, including changes in technology. Our major focus is to increase the volume of all available payment instruments in Nigeria.

“There is therefore a need to enlighten the public to choose other available payment options instead of the excessive reliance on cash for transactions. This will promote end-to-end electronic payments in Nigeria.

At this juncture, it is germane to say that in as much as the method of payments under a cashless monetary system may not be 100 percent functional, it is expedient in this context to say that for the ongoing cashless policy that is under implementation to be a success, the CBN should ensure that it puts more new notes into circulation, call POS operators to order, preferably through sanction, as they have resorted to sheer profiteering. In a similar vein, the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), through its constituted disciplinary committee, should delist any of its members caught selling banknotes to willing buyers even as the leadership of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) is in this context urged to apply the same disciplinary measure to any of its members working in the banking sector of the economy.

Added to the forgoing advices, efforts should be made by banks to collectively improve the quality of their network service as such move will increase the efficiency and reliability of the electronic payment system. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as there have been unprecedented network failure in the course of transactions particularly since the CBN and the federal government commenced the implementation of the cashless policy.

Given the foregoing, it is germane to say that since Nigeria’s monetary system have evolved from bartering to banknotes, and now to cashless mode of payment, it is expedient it well implemented.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Policy Analyst.

Alhaji Ahmed Wadada, Senator-elect for Nasarawa West senatorial district, said he will appoint Special Assistants across the 59 Wards in the five Local Governments Areas of the district.

Wadada who was elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), stated this in Keffi at a meeting with the leadership of his campaign council.

The meeting was his first after his victory at the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five Local Governments that made up the Senatorial district are; Kokona,

Wadada to appoint aides across 59 wards

Keffi, Karu, Nasarawa and Toto. The former two-term member of the House of Representatives said that, initiative was a strategy towards bringing the day-to-day activities of his office closer to the electorate.

Wadada also said that the strategy was part of his efforts to ensure that, his constituents enjoy more dividends of democracy.

He said that the appointment of the aides would enable him keep in touch with the electorate, hear their complaints and get their reactions and contributions on issues that affects them.

Wadada said appointments would also serve as a reward and motivation for those who worked to ensure that, he won the election.

” I made a pledge during

the campaigns period that I will redouble efforts to provide quality representation for the people of Nasarawa West.

“The expectation of the people will not be traded differently from when I was in the House of Representatives 12 years ago.I will improve upon it by giving more qualitative representation.

” They are not new to my style of leadership and they also

knew what I had done and what I can do, which Insha Allah, I will not fell them.

“I am assuring the electorate that those qualities of representation that they knew of me is what they should expect and even beyond,”, he said.

Wadada said that he would do everything possible to respond to all developmental needs of his people as a responsive leader. (NAN)

Electioneering: Avoid ethnic rivalry in Lagos — AA chairman

The Action Alliance (AA) in Lagos on Sunday urged politicians and their followers to avoid ethnic rivalry in the electioneering ahead of the forthcoming Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

Alhaji Nureni Ayinla-Oniru, the Lagos State Chairman of the party, made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) following some ethnic campaigns and tension between Yorubas and Igbos in the state ahead of the March 18 polls.

Ayinla-Oniru, who noted that nothing could be achieved in an atmosphere of hatred and bitterness among various ethnic nationalities resident in the state, stressed the need for all political gladiators not to ignite violence but tread with caution.

According to him, hate, fake news and profiling of some candidates by some politicians will not help anyone.

Ayinla-Oniru said: “Politicians should not heat up polity with ethnic bigotry. We should avoid anything that can result in ethnic crisis.

“If we don’t manage this trend ahead of the elections, it can cause mayhem that will affect the masses beyond imagination.

“When trouble comes, the children of those fanning hate and instigating violence will not be there.”

He said that Igbos and Hausas had been part of government in Lagos State and had their rights in the state.

Ayinla-Oniru said that the co-existence of indigenes and non indigenes in the state had been symbiotic.

The chairman described as political propaganda, the narrative that a particular ethnic nationality wanted to take over the state.

“It is a lie that some people will take over Lagos. We should not be deceived,” he added.

He said that AA had enticing

welfare packages for the masses, urging the electorate to vote the party as against other major political parties.

He said that the party would tackle challenges in transportation, health, education, unemployment and transparency in governance, saying only AA had the interest

of the masses at heart.

According to him, the residents of the state need to consider the AA Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr Tope Balogun, as best option for the topmost seat being a young man.

He said that the candidate was ready to use his IT expertise to make the state compete

favourably in the committy of nations.

Noting that only one party has been ruling the state since 1999, Ayinla-Oniru said that there would not be any difference in the condition of the masses if given another term.

The chairman said that dominant political parties could

not deliver the yearnings of the people because of godfatherism, except AA whose slogan is “Let the masses live”.

“We appeal to Lagos residents to be deep in their thinking before making choices in the forthcoming elections. Let the masses support us,” he added. (NAN)

Graduated 100 Almajiri and street youths with their Certificate, during the Devolopmental association for reneweble energy (DARE) in collaboration with Federal ministry of Special duties inter governmental affeirs, graduate 100 Almajiri and street youths on how to construct solid houses with Pet plastic bottles in kaduna on tuesday 14/3/23

Niger: Sen. Musa redeems N100m pledge to support education, empowerment

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Mohammed Sani Musa 313 has redeemed his 100 million Naira pledge to support education and empower youth and women in Shiroro local government area of the state.

The representative of the Coalition of Shiroro Association (COSA), Comrade Usman Ibrahim Kuta made this known at a press briefing in Kuta, the council

headquarters, saying this kind gesture has taken away burden from the parents and students.

Comrade Kuta disclosed that 1,346 registered students to benefit free WAEC and NECO examinations to the sum of N29,612,000 with N22,000 per students from the area councils.

He added that no fewer than 114 students also have been registered for JAMB to the sum of N741,000 with N26,500 each in the 15 existing public schools from the two local

government areas of Shiroro and Munya respectively.

Kuta who applauded the singular efforts of the senator, described as ‘ first of its kind and exceptional service’ considering the impact of insecurity bedeviling the people that have resulted in to high poverty in the area, just as youth and women empowerment will soon take effect.

The chairman, Shiroro local government, Akilu Isyaku Kuta in an interview, called on the

state and federal governments to ensure the establishment of a military barrack around Maganda, the identified route of bandits in to the state from Zamfara to end the security challenges facing the senatorial district.

He revealed that about 17 public schools were closed down from the council in Alawa, Manta, Kurebe, Erena, Gurmana and Galkago wards but have now resumed while others have applied for reopening in due course.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Oyo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday raised the alarm over alleged plans by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unleash violence in some parts of the state.

Recall that the gubernatorial election has been fixed to hold in all the 33 local government areas in the state this Saturday.

The APC has however alleged that the ruling PDP is planning to engage some hoodlums.

The party noted that the ruling PDP is planning to engage the hoodlums in a bid to cause crisis in the state.

The party made these disclosures in a statement signed by its Publicity

Guber election: APC alleges plans by PDP to unleash violence in Oyo, raises alerm

Secretary, Olawale Sadare.

Sadare alleged that the PDP has concluded plans to sponsor some notorious hoodlums to unleash terror on the electorate during the election.

Sadare in the statement made available to journàlists in Ibadan on Tuesday, urged voters to disregard the threat of violence allegedly coming from the PDP.

He added that hoodlums have been terrorising the people of

Egbeda, Lagelu, Ibadan North East, Ibadan North, Ona-Ara and Oluyole local government areas in the last few days.

He said that the PDP is planning to use five-man controlled gang leaders to unleash terror in some parts of the state.

He alleged further that some of the gang leaders contacted to unleash terror on innocent citizens included some gang leaders known as Kamo, Oloyo, ‘Saudi’, Rotimi Fiyin

and Apase.

Sadare while speaking further, then advised the voters to ensure that they come out to exercise their voting rights without any fear of attacks or molestation.

“As a matter of fact, we have a documented evidence of a secret meeting held at a private facility in Ibadan few days ago where two political appointees currently serving under Gov. Makinde and a leader of the PDP in Ibadan North West local

government council handed a script to five ring leaders of a violent gang based in Nalende-Oniyanrin area of Ibadan metropolis.

“Among those contracted to unleash terror on voters in that axis on Saturday are; Kamo (surname withheld), Oloyo and ‘Saudi’. In Ibadan South East, one Rotimi (a chieftain of the Park Management System) is to coordinate the violent gang which has Fiyin and Apase as members”.

PDP Arewa Solidarity Forum, Igbo Youths endorse Abiodun for second term

By Christiana Ekpa

Aformer chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Arewa Solidarity Forum, Shuaib Ganga and scores of supporters from Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ganga, while leading 15 chairmen and other members of the executives of the forum to the country home of the governor, disclosed that they were tired of the PDP in the state and opted to join the moving train of the governor.

Ganga, who disclosed that members of the forum were ready to endorse the governor for a second term in office, added that they would mobilise their kinsmen in the local government to vote massively for him.

“We are here to decamp from the PDP to the APC [and] at the same time to endorse Your Excellency for another term of four years,” he said.

Members of the forum who all spoke in unison on their eagerness to don the yellow colour of the governor, displayed their loyalty by tearing the identity cards of their former political party.

Also, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths, Ogun State, led by Kingsley

Chukwuleta and members of the Igbo community have also thrown their weight behind the secondterm ambition of Dapo Abiodun.

Speaking, Chukwuleta, who noted that Igbo youths are proud of

the achievements of the governor in the last three and half years, added that they would give 100% support to the governor.

In his response, Governor Abiodun commended the

Arewa Solidarity Forum and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths of Ogun State, for coming forward to show their support for his second-term ambition, saying that he was humbled by their support and

endorsement.

Abiodun, while assuring them that they won’t regret their decision to join the ruling party in the state, urged them to go all out and canvas for votes for his re-election.

L-R: Chairperson of the House Representatives Press Corps, Grace Ike presenting the congratulatory card on behalf of the corps to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during the House Press Corps visit to Speaker, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

10th Assembly: Lawan suggests bi-partisan approach

By Musa Baba Adamu

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has advised the incoming 10th National Assembly to maintain a bi-partisan approach that prioritises the national interest amid its deliberations.

According to him, any approach to the contrary would thwart every attempt by the incoming parliament to achieve stability in governance and maintain a harmonious relationship with the executive that benefits the Nigerian people.

Lawan gave the advice yesterday during a farewell visit by the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing,

to his office at the National Assembly, Abuja.

Lawan, in his welcome address said, “I must take this opportunity to commend the members of the Ninth National Assemblythe Senate and House of Representativesfor doing a lot of work, and coming up with legislative interventions that have made so many segments of our lives better.

“We still have a lot of challenges like you mentioned, but I think the stability we have enjoyed in the National Assembly and the stability in the relationship between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government has helped in making us better than previously.

“I believe that going forward, the 10th National Assembly can define how it wants to go, but I believe that there is always need for stability within the parliament itself; that is to say that there must be bipartisan approach to issues, that the national interest should define where and when to do what.

“I also feel the national interest should define the relationship between the National Assembly and Executive. If that is done, I think the ultimate beneficiaries will be the Nigerian people.

“That does not stop disagreements. There should be disagreements in the interest of the people, not any other sentiments or interests.”

The Senate President commended the outgoing UK Ambassador for her work with the Ninth Assembly in ensuring the passage of the Electoral Act 2022.

The outgoing British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing is succeeded by Richard Montgomery.

Lawan also sent goodwill messages to King Charles III and the UK Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak.

He assured that the Senate would, in the remaining two months of its lifespan, focus on legislative efforts needed to compliment those by the executive arm of government in ensuring improved security and a thriving economy for Nigerians.

Campaign violence: Bauchi lawyers slam APC guber candidate

By Musa Baba Adamu

Agroup of legal practitioners, the Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience (BOBALAC), on Tuesday, condemned the violence recorded at the campaigns of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar (retd), saying that the life of every innocent citizen is priceless.

A statement jointly signed by BOBALAC’s chief convener, Barrister Abdullatif Isa and secretary, Barrister Abubakar Idris was made available to journalists in Bauchi, the state capital.

The group noted that since the electioneering processes commenced in the state, virtually all the major governorship candidates have been conducting their campaigns peacefully, devoid of violence or any security breach.

“Unfortunately and from the news and information out there, it is only the APC and its governorship candidate that have been holding themselves out as an exception in this regard.

“This is because so far, they are the only people whose campaign activities have been marred by one form of violent conduct with attendant negative consequences or the other.

“Now as the issue has been dominating the public space across the state, it has become absolutely necessary for us as an assemblage of learned minds who have been in the vanguards of the advocacy for a responsible, orderly, civilized and lawful conduct in the state to call on the security agencies to rise to the occasion,” the group stated.

Nasarawa

By Christiana Ekpa

Four days to election PDP Assembly candidate dumps party, endorses Abiodun

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate for Abeokuta

South State Constituency 1 in Ogun State, Solomon Enilolobo, has shelved his ambition and declared support for the second term bid of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun.

Enilolobo, who announced his stepping down from the House of Assembly race scheduled for Saturday, when led his supporters to the Iperu-Remo residence of the governor, to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said PDP in Ogun is not only lawless, but total disregard and respect for the Rule of Law.

According to him, “PDP is a sinking ship, its wake keep had been concluded and will be finally laid to eternal rest on Saturday, March 18”.

He added: “I found out that the party is lawless, it does not obey court orders, treats the court with disdain and I knew that I can no longer stay with such a party. And that is why I decided with my people after several consultations and we said it is a sinking ship anyway, so, let us abandon the ship.

“We know that we’ve done the wake keep and the final burial will be done on Saturday”.

Enilolobo explained that he was the Peoples Democratic Party’s House of Assembly candidate for Abeokuta South State Constituency 1, whose name was replaced by the party after he had won fair and square at the primaries held at the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta.

He said that he was surprised that his name wasn’t submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and he went to the court where he won the case, but, the party remained adamant.

“We had our primaries some on May 22nd, 2022 at the Centenary Hall, Ake and I was declared the winner at that primaries. The Department of the State Security Service and the police were there, but on getting to INEC, I found out that my name was not submitted at the INEC.

“So, I proceeded to the court, on September 26, Justice G. O Abdul-Malik delivered the ruling and pronounced me the winner. He said PDP should send my name to INEC and that they should publish the name.

“But one month, two months, I

did not see the publication on the website of INEC and I proceeded to court again on the contempt of court proceedings. When we got to the court, we saw that INEC had finally published my name on the website on January 30th, 2023.

“On February 8th, 2023, we got a certified true copy of that publication, but to my surprise, few days later, we saw INEC doing another thing and when I investigated it, I saw that the same party was still behind it,” Enilolobo stated.

While commending Governor Abiodun for his midas touch across the state, noted that, “We’ve seen the good works you’ve been doing, I live in Idi-Aba and I pass through the estate, we can see all the good works. Oke-Jigbo to Isale-Ake is also there, those are places in my constituency, we have seen these things ourselves and we know that teaming up with you, we will be able to do better”.

Responding, Governor Abiodun, while congratulating Enilolobo and his team for their courage to dump their former party for the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state, noted that his administration and the APC in the state are law abiding.

Abiodun who also disclosed that his administration and his team believed so much in equity and the rule of law, acknowledged the defector’s decision to stand for the right thing.

“And from what you’ve said, you have come out of conviction, you have come because of what you stand for, obviously a very principled person. You realized the fact that where you were is not where you should be, you cannot be seen to continue to be at a place where they don’t have respect for the rule of law, you can’t continue to be at a place where they don’t have respect for democratic principles.

”I want to congratulate you and salute you for your courage and for standing for what you believe is right and not wanting to be part of what is wrong.

”We are a team of people that believe in the rule of law, we believe in fairness, equity and we find this type of behaviour totally strange and something that we will not even condone,” he said.

The governor who assured Enilolobo and his team that they would be accorded regards, respect and rights they deserve, added that they won’t regret their decision.

L-R: Chairman, FCT Labor Party, Comrade Peter Chukwuemeka; National Coordinator, Peter Obi Mandate Group (POMAG) Rev. Innocent Chukwudi ; Executive Director POMAG, Dr. Samson Danjuma and POMAG National Political Adviser, Hon. Austin Obi during a press conference on the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and strategies for the forthcoming governorship elections, held yesterday in Abuja .. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

guber poll: LP faction declares support for Gov Sule

Afaction of the Labour Party (LP) in Nasarawa State led by Rev. Angba Kuje, has declared support for the re-election bid of Gov. Abdullahi Sule on March 18.

Angba, leader of the group and the party’s House of Representative candidate for Wamba/Akwanga/ Nassarawa-Eggon constituency, made their position known during a press conference on Tuesday in Lafia.

The group distanced itself

from the recent endorsement of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), David Ombugadu by LP governorship candidate, Joseph Ewuga.

Kuje said the purported stepping down of the party’s governorship candidate was not a collective decision of members of the party.

The group, therefore, endorsed the incumbent, Gov Sule of the APC, saying that he deserves the support of the party to be re-elected given his achievements so far.

He noted that the state was

more united than it was when Gov Sule came on board in 2019.

Kuje reeled out the achievements of Gov Sule in the areas of road infrastructural development, security, economy and education among others and stressed the need for his reelection in order to consolidate on the records.

“This is one governor that has abolished the notorious salary percentage payment in the state and is also paying adequate attention to the retired civil servants in the state by ensuring regular payments of

pensions,” he said.

Kuje said they decided to support the governor based on his capacity, character, experience, temperament and managerial exposure to good governance in the state.

He, therefore, called on LP members and people of the state to come en masse and vote for the governor on Saturday.

Some of the stakeholders at the press conference were Mr Dahiru Abubakar, secretary of the party in the state and chairmen of the party in the 13 local government areas of

the state among others.

Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the party, Mr Alexander Ombugu, dismissed the endorsement of Governor Sule by the group.

Ombugu in a statement said that the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Joseph Ewuga, had withdrawn from the race and declared support for the candidate of the PDP, David Ombugadu.

He maintained that Ewuga’s position was in sync with the party in the state adding that the endorsement of Gov Sule by the group was fake.

8 Adamawa LP House of Assembly candidates endorse PDP counterparts

By Christiana Ekpa

Eight House of Assembly candidates of the Labour Party (LP) in Adamawa State formally stepped down for their counterparts in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The development, announced on Tuesday, came about 10 days after the LP governorship candidate in the

state, Umar Mustapha, stepped down his ambition for his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Aishatu Binani, and less than a week after six governorship candidates of other parties endorsed Ahmadu Fintiri of PDP.

Addressing newsmen at a conference in Yola on Tuesday regarding their decision, the leader of the LP House of

Assembly candidates, Dinge Elon said their decision was to avoid dividing votes which may favour APC at the coming House of Assembly election as it happened in the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

Elon said their other colleagues who refused to step down have promised to work for the re-election of Governor

Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is the PDP candidate in the March 18 governorship election.

Aside from Elon (Guyuk state constituency), the other LP House of Assembly candidates who stepped down include Aliyu Bakari (Toungo constituency), Mohammed Aliyu (Fufore/ Gurin), Abubakar Mohammed (Shelleng), Auwal Chiroma (Yola South), Yakubu Mai

Ganga (Verre), Thomson Sale (Leko Koma) and Kabiru Aliyu (Ganye).

The Adamawa State House of Assembly comprises 25 seats, of which the PDP currently has 14 members while APC has eight, with three seats declared vacant after their occupants defected to parties different from those under which they were elected.

‘I am still in Kebbi guber race’, Tase declares

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party for Kebbi State, Mr Gambo Paul Tase has stated that he is very much in the race for the March 18 governorship election.

Mr Tase therefore debunked what he called “malicious rumour currently circulating in the state by some groups of desperate opposition parties” that he has withdrawn from the contest and decamped to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement signed by the governorship candidate himself on Monday, Tase stated that the rumour was a park of pure lies and fake news.

He affirmed that he was solidly on ground and in the contest for the governorship of Kebbi state on the platform of the Labour Party.

He called on his teeming supporters across the state and indeed the entire nation to come out en masse on Saturday, the 18th of March 2023 , to vote for Labour Party and my candidacy.

This, according to him, would guarantee the emancipation of Kebbi citizens and enable him to begin the great job of building a Kebbi state of their dream and a new hope for our future generations.

The statement reads, “I hereby categorically debunk the malicious rumor currently circulating in the state by some groups of desperate opposition parties that I have withdrawn my candidacy and have decamped to PDP.

“I hereby state that this a park of pure lies, and fake news. I am solidly on ground. God’s

willing, I am in contest for the governorship of Kebbi state under the flag of our great party the Labour Party.

“This notice is therefore a clarion call to all my teeming supporters across the state and indeed the entire nation to come out en masse on

Saturday, the 18th of March 2023 , to vote for their beloved Labour Party and my candidacy for the emancipation of Kebbians and begin the great job of building a Kebbi State of our dream and a new hope for our future generations”, he said.

From left: President of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, Amb. Marita Landaveri; a Nigerian Nurse and Consul, Dr Grace Ogiehor-Enoma, Consulate General of Nigeria in New York, Okechukwu Iromachi, during the 2023 International Women Day celebration award in New York.

Nexim Bank seeks economic, political access for women

From Abubakar Y

ABUJA

The Managing Director of Nigerian Export and Import Bank, Abubakar Bello, has emphasised the need for gender equity and women’s empowerment to improve access to health, education, economic and political opportunities in the country.

Bello also stated the need

Dangote Sugar appoints new director

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The board of Dangote Sugar refinery plc has appointed Yabawa Lawan Wabi, as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

According to a corporate notice signed by the Company Secretary, Temitope Hassan, the appointment was approved by the board at its meeting held on February 28, 2023.

Mrs. Wabi has experience in the public sector having served as Permanent Secretary in various ministries, and as director of finance and accounts at the Ministry of Works & Housing, Borno State, and as accountant general of Borno State.

Wabi is a graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.

Part of the notice read, “The Board of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. warmly welcomes Mrs. Wabi, and has no doubt that she would bring with her the rich experience she has garnered in finance, and a high degree of objectivity to the Board for sustaining stakeholder trust and confidence.

“Mrs. Wabi’s appointment as Independent Non-Executive Director takes effect on March 1, 2023 and is subject to the ratification of the Members of the Company at its next Annual General Meeting.”

to ensure women had access to opportunities that would harness their potentials for the development of any nation as a result of the significant role they played in every facet of human development.

The managing director disclosed spoke at a family fun weekend, organised by Nexim Bank, to commemorate the 2023 International Women’s Day, celebration in Abuja.

The bank’s boss said it prioritised anything that

concerns women, adding that women should be celebrated all the time for their immeasurable contribution to society.

He stated “We should not just celebrate women only on women’s day or month.

“Women should be celebrated every day. This year’s theme, which talks about embracing equity, should not be celebrated only on women’s day, but all the time as we are talking about moving forward to the future.

“Every women’s day, we make

promises on equal opportunities, equity, among others.”

According to the statement, the 2023 United Nations theme for the International Women’s Day is ‘Digitall innovation and technology for gender equality’, which aligned with the priority theme for the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women

and girls.

The Nexim Bank boss added that the bank prioritised the well being and health of its workforce to ensure maximum productivity. Also speaking the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, called for more collaboration to address the challenges affecting women in Internally Displaced Person camps.

Nigerians to pay N1,000 NIN fee for passports

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

Nigerians applying for passports will be charged N1000 in Nigeria for the verification of their National Identification Number.

The National Identity Management Commission disclosed this in a statement signed by its Head, Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, on Monday.

According to the commission, the fee is to improve the quality of service, accuracy, and speed of passport services through timely

verification of NIN.

It stated that it agreed on this framework with the Nigerian Immigration Service. NIMC said, “This new arrangement is in furtherance of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s directive to streamline passport application, renewal, and issuance processes.

“Consequently, a NIN Verification fee would be charged for each Nigerian passport application for this service.”

It added, “NIMC and NIS have agreed on a revised applicant journey that will significantly

improve the speed of passport issuance /re-issuance and reduce the traffic visiting the NIS office(s). The NIN service, fees, and the new NIS process will go live on 1st April.”

According to the commission, Nigerians will pay N1000 for NIN verification in Nigeria, $5 in other African countries, and $15 in other countries.

NIN is supposed to tie an individual’s record together, according to the NIMC. An individual’s demographic data, fingerprints, head-to-shoulder facial picture, other biometric

data, and digital signature are supposed to be lodged in the National Identity Database and confirmed and verified through NIN. Recently, the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Isah Idris, blamed the delay in the issuance of passports on the integration of data between NIS, and NIMC.

He said, “The delay in the processing of passport applications could be as a result of the integration of data between NIS and the NIMC, which also, in turn, integrate with the BVN data of applicants.”

Ojimaojo

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to President on Policy and Development, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan; Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; Lead Sector Expert, Dr. Kabir Adamu Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan during the interactive session with the Transition Technical Task Team (TTTT) of the 2023 Presidential Transition Process led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Policy and Development, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan, held yesterday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Naira crisis: Take action against Malami, Emefiele, CSO tells Buhari

The Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre has told the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to take action against the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, for failing to obey the orders of the Supreme Court.

In a statement signed by the Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, on Tuesday, the group said it wasn’t persuaded by the statement issued by the spokespersons of the President, which had stated that Buhari neither directed the Attorney-General of the Federation nor the governor of the Central Bank to disobey the order of the Supreme Court.

Nwanguma stated that it did

not make sense for the president’s spokespersons to make excuses for him when Malami and Emefiele were both answerable to the president.

Recall that the Supreme Court on March 3, 2023, had directed that the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes, remained legal tender until the 31st of December 2023. The court held that the president’s directive on February 16 that invalidated the N500 and N1,000 notes—except for N200 notes which he said were valid until April 10—was invalid as it was issued “without due consultation.”

RULAAC, however, noted that the AGF and the CBN governor were public officials and that the buck stopped at the table of the president. They added that Buhari had failed to lead by example in

previous rulings of the courts, which had repeatedly directed the release of Omoyele Sowore, ElZakzaky, and Nnamdi Kanu.

Part of the statement reads, “It does not make sense for President Buhari’s spokesperson to make excuses for the President, saying he did not direct the Central Bank Governor or the Attorney General of the Federation to disobey Court Orders.

“Ultimately, the buck stops on the President’s table and what Nigerians want to hear, is what the President has done to call to order, lawless officials of his government under his supervision when they act wrongfully. This is the only way to demonstrate that he does not endorse lawlessness.

“Above all, the President needs to lead by example by demonstrating

that he has respect for, and is subject to the rule of law, and that he stands against disobedience to court orders. We didn’t see the President demonstrate this when the courts gave repeated orders for the release of Omoyele Sowore, Dasuki, El Zak-zakay, and Nnamdi Kanu.

“In the case of Nnamdi Kanu who remains in illegal detention in contemptuous disregard of the multiple orders of the Appeal Court, the orders of international courts have also been ignored.

“Let Buhari demonstrate to Nigerians that he stands against disobedience to court orders and that he respects the rule of law by taking actions against the AttorneyGeneral and the CBN governor and by complying with subsisting court orders to release Nnamdi Kanu.”

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (2nd left) flanked by the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola (1st left) and the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmed (3rd left) inspecting a vehicle assembled by Mikano International Ltd. Facing the Minister is Mr Fadi Jaoude CEO of Mikano International Ltd on Tuesday, 14/03/2023

US bank stocks slump as Silicon Valley Bank collapse stirs market turmoil

Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

Bank stocks on Wall Street plummeted on Monday as part of the sweeping reverberations of the crash of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history.

As a push to curb the impact of the collapse failed to allay worries, the development sparked a market panic causing investors to seek new havens for their investments.

The S&P 500, the best single gauge of big-cap U.S equities, declined 0.3 per cent in morning trading, later dropping by 1.4 per cent after steep falls in bank stocks, especially regional banks. This prompted a halt in trading.

On Sunday, US regulators waded in the aftermath of the collapse of SVB as well as that of

NCC approves harmonised short codes, directs implementation

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

In line with its consumercentric approach to telecoms regulation, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to commence implementation of approved harmonised short codes (HSC) for providing certain services to telecom consumers in Nigeria.

The Commission has already set a deadline of 17 May, 2023, for all mobile networks to fully migrate from hitherto diverse short codes to the harmonised codes.

The use of harmonised short codes is aimed at achieving uniformity in common short codes across networks. This means that the code for checking airtime balance is the same across all mobile networks for the same function, irrespective of the network a consumer uses.

With the new codes, the telecom consumers using the over 226 million active mobile lines in the country can now use the same codes to access services across the networks.

Signature Bank.

Regional banks encountered the biggest strain, with First Republic Bank shedding 66.3 per cent despite the lender’s Sunday reassurance that it has shored up its finances with funding from the Federal Reserve and JP Morgan Chase.

Big lenders Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America all fell.

“So far, it seems that the potential problem banks are few, and importantly do not extend to the so-called systemically important banks,” said analysts at ING.

Hopes strengthened that the Fed will likely halt monetary policy tightening in the light of the bank collapses even as it warms up for a policy meeting next week.

As of 10 a.m. Eastern Time, the Dow Jones Industrial

Average had advanced by 94 points or 0.3 per cent at 32,004. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite had climbed 0.1 per cent as of then, both indexes wiping out earlier losses.

Performance in equity markets in Asia was a mixed bag, seeing a shockwave following a declaration by the U.S. to protect depositors at banks. Yet the losses magnified in some parts of Europe, for instance in Germany where the DAX shed 3.3 per cent following a plunge in bank stocks across the continent.

A group of investors want the Fed to swiftly arrange to prune interest rates in order to arrest the situation.

Kevin Cummins, the chief U.S. economist at NatWest, said “At this point in time, depending on reactions in financial markets and eventual fallout on the overall economy, we wouldn’t

rule out that the hiking cycle could even be over and that the next move by Fed officials may be lower, not higher.”

Increasing rates could decelerate inflation by slowing the economy even though it strengthens the likelihood of a recession later on.

The Fed started upping rates roughly a year ago, which has hampered the investment portfolio of banks.

The government in London organised the sale of SVB’s UK subsidiary, Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited, for the nominal sum of one British pound, with HSBC acquiring it in a rescue deal.

Even though the lender is small, holding below 0.2 per cent of bank deposits, it had been central to funding tech and biotech startups, which the British government is relying on to stoke economic growth.

Consequently, under the new harmonised short codes regime, 13 common short codes have been approved by the Commission. They include the following codes: 300 to be used as the harmonised code for Call Centre/Help Desk on all mobile networks; 301 for voice Mail Deposit; 302 for Voice Mail Retrieval; 303 for Borrow Services; 305 for STOP Service; 310 for Check Balance, and 311 for Credit Recharge.

Also, the common code for Data Plan across networks is now 312. In line with the new direction, 321 is for Share Services, while 323 is for Data Plan Balance. The code, 996, is now for Verification of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration/NIN-SIM Linkage. The code, 2442, is retained for Do-Not-Disturb (DND) unsolicited messaging complaint management, while the common code, 3232, is also retained for Porting Services, otherwise called Mobile Number Portability.

The old and new harmonised short codes will run concurrently up until 17 May, 2023, when all networks are expected to have fully migrated to full implementation of the new codes. The period between now

From

Nigeria to use digital maps, questionnaires, cloud computing in 2023 census – Minister

Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, had said that the 2023 population and housing census will involve the use of digital maps, questionnaires and cloud computing.

Mrs Ahmed said this on

Monday at a meeting between high-level partners aimed to seek support for the conduct of the 2023 census in Abuja.

She said that the count method would ensure compliance with the global climate change campaign for the reduction of emissions by

30 per cent unconditionally and an additional 15 per cent conditionally by 2030.

According to her, almost two decades on, it has become imperative and urgent for Nigeria to conduct another census as clearly spelled out in the National Development Plan

CBN counters IMF, says 52% Anchor

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that the total loan repayments under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) stood 52 per cent in February.

The CBN spoke in reaction to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which claimed that only 24 per cent of loans disbursed under the ABP had been repaid.

In its recent report titled ‘Nigeria selected issues’, the fund said agricultural credit in Nigeria has not significantly boosted production even though there is the challenge of targeting the right recipients for the credit.

But in a statement released on Monday by the acting director of corporate communications department at the CBN, AbdulMumin Isa, the apex bank disclosed that it has released N1.079 trillion as of 28 February, of which N960 billion was due for repayment.

Mr Isa said the ABP supported about 4.57 million smallholder farmers who

cultivated over 6.02 million hectares of 21 commodities across the country.

He listed the commodities to include rice, wheat, cowpea, millet, maize, cotton, fish, soya bean, poultry, cassava, groundnut, ginger, sorghum, oil palm, cocoa, sesame, tomato, castor seed, yellow pepper, onions, and cattle/dairy.

Citing statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA), Mr. Isa noted that the ABP also contributed significantly to the increased national output of commodities, with maize and rice peaking at 12.2 and 9.0 million metric tonnes in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

He said the programme also helped to improve the national average yield per hectare of these commodities, with productivity per hectare almost doubling within the eight years of the Programme’s implementation.

He also said that the repayments under the ABP are made through cash or produced by the beneficiaries.

The CBN spokesperson explained that the outstanding due balance on

2021 to 2025.

“This month marks 17 years since the last national census was conducted in Nigeria in 2006, by the United Nations standard, PHC ought to be conducted every 10 years,” she said.

The minister said that

there was a need to address the inconsistency in the nation’s census and statistical system which limits the efficacy of development initiatives premised on obsolete data.

She said that a major challenge over the years had been the lack of inadequate funds to readily carry out such a huge project in the face of pressing needs for social welfare and human capital development.

“It is worthy to note that 60 per cent of the funding and other requirements for the 2006 census could not have been achieved without the invaluable support of the development partners, corporate bodies and other key stakeholders,” she said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said major activities had been successfully completed in preparedness for the census exercise.

“Demarcation of 773 Local Government Areas (LGA) into enumeration areas for the census, only Abadam LGA is yet to be demarcated and a hybrid enumeration strategy is being deployed for its demarcation.

Mr Agba said that the Federal Government had set up a Census Call Centre and Situation Room, conducted a trial post-enumeration survey, and convene a stakeholder’s conference at the national and state levels.

Borrowers loan repaid

loans was still under moratorium due to the COVID-19 forbearance granted to beneficiaries of the bank’s interventions in March 2020 and extended to February 2022.

“It is pertinent to note that the tenor of loans under the ABP is based on the commodity gestation period. For instance, loans granted to farmers cultivating some perennial crops could have up to sevenyear tenor,” he said.

He noted that the bank’s interventions, with the core objective of catalyzing the economy’s productive base, have continued to support investments in capital assets in sectors with high-growth and employment-elastic potential.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria remains committed to its developmental mandate of stimulating access to finance for the real sector, particularly agriculture, as it continues to support the Federal Government’s drive for food security and economic growth. Accordingly, the Central Bank of Nigeria continues to welcome applications from eligible

Nigerian farmers and firms under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme,” he added.

The ABP was launched in November 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari to boost agricultural production and reverse Nigeria’s negative balance of payments on food.

Smallholder farmers cultivating cereals (rice, maize, wheat, etc.) cotton, roots and tubers, sugarcane, tree crops, legumes, tomato, and livestock are those captured under this initiative.

Loans are disbursed to the beneficiary farmers through Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and Microfinance Banks (MFBs), which the programme recognizes as Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs).

According to the guidelines of the programme, upon harvest, the farmer repays their loans by taking their harvest to ‘anchors’ who pay the cash equivalent to the farmer’s account.

R-L: Minister of Youth and Sports Development , Mr. Sunday Dare with the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed , during the inauguration of 50th anniversary Committee of the NYSC, on Monday in Abuja. Photo,: NYSC

IWD: Helpline tasks women on boosting nation building

By Stanley Onyekwere

As the world celebrates this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), Helpline Foundation for the Needy, an Abuja NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) has enjoined women to be proactive and continue contributing to the development of the country.

Recall that Helpline has supported thousands of women in and around the nation’s Federal Capital Territory through skills acquisition and other empowerment programmes in the last twenty years.

The NGO, in a commemoration message signed and issued to the media

by the Foundation’s Assistant Communication Officer, Kadiri Cecilia, on behalf of its Founder and President, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, while congratulating all the women, stressed the need for them to help one another in the society.

It reveals that it has, within last year alone, empowered more than 700 women with various skill acquisition programs ranging from snacksmaking, bag-making and soapmaking, among others.

Also, it also discloses that thousands of women and young girls have received trainings in digital skills, as well as artificial intelligence which thus giving them comparative advantage and exposure to digital marketing

Calling on all the women who have benefited from its numerous self-sustaining trainings, financial and equipment assistance, Dr. Ahmadu noted that it was time they began to also empower other needy individuals and contribute their quota to building Nigeria.

The President, while charging the women to remain resolute and determined in their efforts to become better persons, said that the world and Nigeria needed them more than before, especially in the face of the prevailing global and national economic challenges.

She expressed optimism that this year’s International Women’s Day with the theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and

Technology for Gender Equality” would go a long way in exposing the women to the market thereby further improving their skills technologically and availing them more opportunities.

In her words: “This year’s celebration is basically to celebrate our women who have benefited from our skill acquisition programs over the years. These programs have no doubt helped in ensuring poverty eradication, as well as financial sustainability and stability, especially among the women.

“Responses through our evaluation so far has proven that our women are doing well and are financially stable and self-reliant compared to when they had not received assistance

from us (Helpline)”.

Ahmadu adds: “More than three hundred women have been empowered economically through exhibition and sell of their handmade products.

“Moreso, over two hundred women have benefited from our non-profit revolving loan scheme last one year. All these are parts of efforts put in place to better the lives of women in our society”.

8th of March is designated IWD by the United Nations and it is set aside for the celebration of social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also serves a call to action for accelerating women’s equality through digital innovation and technological equality.

FCT Minister condoles Ogunleye, Director Press over father’s death

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam

Muhammad Musa Bello has condoled with Director of Press, in his office, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, over the death of his father, Mr. Lawrence Ogunleye, who passed on Monday.

Bello, who was accompanied by some members of the FCT Executive Committee (FCT-EXCO) on a condolence visit to the Ogunleyes, noted that death is a necessary end and a path every mortal

must follow.

According to a statement from Director, Information & Communication, FCT, Muhammad Hazat Sule, the Minister advised the family, especially Director of Press, to be strong and take solace in the fact that his father lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.

The Minister described the late Ogunleye as a man of honour, whose footprint could be felt in the behaviour and conduct of his son.

He said the entire FCT Administration received the sad news of the death of the

CPS father as a rude shock, saying that his counsel was still needed to guide his son and indeed, the entire family.

The Minister prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Responding on behalf of the family, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye thanked the Minister for the visit and expressed the appreciation of the family to the entire FCT Administration, especially the EXCO for the prompt condolence visit.

He noted that the Minister’s

condolence will forever be cherished by the family.

He described his late father as an outstanding Teacher and Educationist, who worked diligently and retired from the Service as a Deputy Director, Education.

According to him, Pa. Ogunleye while in service worked in several places across the country including Kaduna, Jos, and Maiduguri among others.

Before his death, the deceased was a pillar of his community. The late Ogunleye died at the age of age Ninety (90).

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew David Adejoh (4th right), Director Education Support Services, Mrs Lydia Giginna (3rd right) Director Human resources mgt, Mr David Gende (2nd right) , Director Press and Public Relations, Mr Ben-Bem Goong (left) with other Directors and other stakeholders,after the world press conference on the 2023 common wealth day celebration, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Meta layoffs: Facebook owner to cut 10,000 staff

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has announced that it will cut 10,000 jobs.

It will be the second series of mass redundancies from the tech giant, which laid off 11,000 employees in November 2022.

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said the cuts would be “tough”, and formed part of a “year of efficiency”.

In addition to the 10,000 jobs being lost, 5,000 open roles at the company will be left unfilled.

Mr Zuckerberg told staff in a memo he believed the company had suffered “a humbling wake-up call” in 2022 when it saw a slowdown in revenue.

Meta previously announced that, in the three months to December 2022, earnings were down 4% year-on-year - though it still managed to make a profit of more than $23bn over the course of 2022.

Mr Zuckerberg cited higher interest rates in the US, global geopolitical instability and increased regulation as some of the factors affecting Meta.

“I think we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that this new economic reality will continue for many years,” he said.

The cuts come as companies including

Google and Amazon have been grappling with how to balance cost-cutting measures with the need to remain competitive.

At the start of this year, Amazon announced it planned to close more than 18,000 jobs because of “the uncertain economy” and rapid hiring during pandemic, while Google’s parent company Alphabet made 12,000 cuts.

According to layoffs.fyi, which tracks job losses in the tech sector, there have been more than 128,000 job cuts in the tech industry so far in 2023.

Timeline for cuts

Mr Zuckerberg said the recruitment team would be the first to be told whether they were affected by the cuts, and would find out on Wednesday. He also outlined when other teams would know about their futures.

“We expect to announce restructurings and layoffs in our tech groups in late April 2023, and then our business groups in late May 2023,” he wrote in a memo to employees on Tuesday.

“In a small number of cases, it may take through to the end of the year to complete these changes.

“Our timelines for international teams will also look different, and local leaders will follow up with more details.”

Sadly, we’re getting used to hearing about big tech layoffs, as the giants continue to tighten their belts. Many like Meta make most of their money from carrying advertising.

And now they’re faced with a perfect storm of falling ad revenues from companies with their own bills to pay, and a user base which has less money to spend, making existing ad space less valuable.

Juno Awards 2023: Avril Lavigne confronts topless protester onstage while The Weeknd wins big

Avril Lavigne confronted a topless environmental protester onstage at the Juno Awards, the Canadian equivalent of the Brits.

As the singer introduced a performance at the start of Monday’s ceremony, a woman ran onto the stage behind her.

A message on her back read “save the green belt”, apparently in reference to a controversial housing development plan by the Ontario government.

Lavigne tried to finish her speech before confronting the woman.

“Get the [expletive] off,” she said and swatted at her breast, reported Canada’s CBC News. The woman was then escorted off stage by a security guard.

The pop-rocker alluded to the intruder in her later acceptance speech.

“Now, nobody try anything this time. I’ll [mess a woman] up,” joked Lavigne, while collecting the TikTok Juno fan choice award.

Avril Lavigne had to deal with a topless environmental protester while onstage at Monday’s Juno Awards

The ceremony’s host, Shang-Chi actor Simu Liu praised Lavigne, who is from Ontario, for “handling that topless lady like a champion”.

In November, the Ontario government issued new regulations to remove 7,400 acres of protected Greenbelt land and open it up for housing, with 50,000 new

homes set to be built by 2025.

The move, which has been criticised by environmental groups, is under investigation by the province’s auditor general and integrity commissioner.

Elsewhere on the night, Toronto singer The Weeknd became the Juno’s second most-honoured artist of all time.

The star won album of the year for Dawn FM - a concept record set in purgatory - earning him his 22nd Juno award, overtaking Celine Dion and Bryan Adams.

Only country-pop singer Anne Murray has more, with 24.

The musician, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, did not attend the event, and his absence reportedly prompted

jeers from the crowd at the Rogers Place venue in Edmonton, Alberta.

Meanwhile, rock band Nickelback, whose lead singer Chad Kroeger used to be married to Lavigne, were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the event.

“Twenty seven years, blood sweat and tears, started off 300 kilometres southeast of here in a little town called Hanna,” said Kroeger, referencing the band’s hometown.

“We had no idea what we were doing and most of the time still don’t,” he added. “But everything we did wound up leading us to this moment right here. But we didn’t make it here without a lot of help.”

French bin strike: Paris holds its nose as waste piles up

The bins are overflowing in large areas of Paris a week into a strike by waste collectors, with thousands of tonnes of rubbish sitting abandoned on the streets of the French capital.

“It’s dirty, it attracts rats and cockroaches,” one Parisian complained on French radio.

The workers are striking over the Macron government’s proposals to raise the pension age from 62 to 64.

Other cities including Nantes, Rennes and Le Havre are also affected.

Refuse collectors joined the pension strikes a week ago and the Paris authority says half of the city’s districts, which are covered by council workers, have been hit by the action. Three waste treatment sites have been blockaded and a fourth partially closed.

On Monday, the Paris authority said 5,600 tonnes of waste had yet to be collected.

One commentator on Europe1 radio

described the situation as an all-you-can-eat buffet for the six million rats of Paris, double the human population.

In the 10 districts covered by private companies the service was running almost normally, Paris council said. Some reports indicated activists were trying to prevent collections from going ahead.

And one private company was also seen on Monday night by news channel BFMTV picking up waste in one of the big central districts, the sixth, which is normally covered by council workers. Similar bin collections were going on in two other districts on the western fringe of the city.

Leading council official Emmanuel Grégoire said the situation was complicated but the authority was prioritising intervention for public safety, with a focus on clearing food markets, bin bags lying on the ground and ensuring pedestrian safety.

“The strike triggers a change in rat

behaviour,” specialist Romain Lasseur told Le Parisien newspaper. “They’ll rummage around in bins, reproduce there, and leave their urine and droppings. We have a worrying health risk for refuse collectors and the general population.”

The capital’s bin workers are due to meet on Wednesday to decide whether to continue their action. Refuse collectors currently retire at the age of 57 because of difficult working conditions and under the reforms they would have to work for two more years.

Opponents of the Socialist mayor of Paris have seized on the strike as only adding to an existing crisis.

“Anne Hidalgo promised to double the clean-up budget and Parisians clearly see Paris becoming dirtier and dirtier,” complained Rachida Dati who runs the seventh district for the right-wing Republicans.

France’s unions have stepped up action

against the government’s unpopular retirement reforms which are currently going through parliament.

Several operators at French refineries were on strike on Tuesday for a seventh day in a row, but only a small proportion of French petrol stations have had to close.

The measures were backed by the upper house or Senate on Saturday and will next go to a joint committee of MPs from both houses on Wednesday to decide on the final text. A final vote could reach the National Assembly and Senate on Thursday.

President Emmanuel Macron’s party lacks a majority in the lower house so victory on the bill is by no means secure.

The government needs 287 votes, and even if it can persuade all its 250 MPs to back the reforms it will still need to find another 37 lawmakers from other parties to back the higher pension age.

Source: BBC

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the plans in a memo to staff

At least 190 people are now confirmed dead in Malawi after Tropical Storm Freddy ripped through southern Africa for the second time in a month.

Terrifying amounts of brown water have cascaded through neighbourhoods, sweeping away homes.

Malawi’s commercial hub, Blantyre, has recorded most of the deaths, 158, including 36 in a landslide.

The government has declared a state of disaster in 10 southern districts that have been hardest-hit by the storm.

Rescue workers are overwhelmed, and are using shovels to try to find survivors buried in mud.

“We have rivers overflowing, we have people being carried away by running waters, we have buildings collapsing,” police spokesman Peter Kalaya told the BBC.

The government’s disaster relief agency said the death toll had risen from 99 on Monday to 190, while about 584 people were injured and 37 were still missing.

More than 20,00 people have been displaced, it added.

Officials at the main referral hospital in Blantyre said they could not cope with the sheer number of bodies that they were receiving.

They appealed to bereaved families to collect the corpses for burial as the hospital’s mortuary was running out of space.

The death toll is expected to rise as some areas remain cut off because of relentless rain and fierce wind.

The storm has also crippled Malawi’s power supply, with most parts of the country experiencing prolonged blackouts.

The national electricity company said it was unable to get its hydro-power plant working as it had been filled with debris.

Densely-populated poorer communities, living in brick and mud houses, have been hardest-hit.

Some of these houses have crumbled into flood waters, while others have been entirely swept away.

The collapse of roads and bridges had hampered rescue operations, while helicopters could not be used either because of the heavy rains and strong winds.

The UN and other agencies have warned that the timing of the storm could exacerbate a cholera outbreak - one of Malawi’s worst public health crises.

The government has appealed for help for the tens of thousands of people who have been left without food and shelter.

Freddy is the strongest tropical cyclone on record and could also be the longestlasting one, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

On Sunday the storm struck Mozambique as a cyclone - for the second time in a less than a month - after battering the island nation of Madagascar in the

Indian Ocean, causing severe destruction.

It has been difficult to determine the extent of the damage caused in Mozambique and the number of deaths, as power supply and phone signals were cut off in some parts of the affected areas.

About 10 deaths have so far been reported.

Experts says climate change is making tropical storms around the world wetter, windier and more intense.

Freddy had broken records for the strength it accumulated over the 8,000km (5,000-mile) path it travelled across the Indian Ocean from north-western Australia.

Storm Freddy: Malawi declares state of disaster as nearly 200 killed South Africa’s long wait for justice over apartheid crimes

Lukhanyo Calata’s earliest memory of his father is his funeral. He remembers the cold, and his mother wracked with grief. It was the winter of 1985, in the small South African town of Cradock in the Eastern Cape.

He recalls feeling as if the ground was moving beneath him as it reverberated with the toyi-toying - stomping and chanting - of thousands of mourners.

They had come from all over the country to pay their respects to Lukhanyo’s father, Fort Calata, and three other young men who would come to be known as the Cradock Four.

Despite being one of the apartheid era’s most notorious crimes, the alleged perpetrators have never been taken to court even though they were not given amnesty by the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

But now a push to reopen investigations into this, and hundreds of other crimes from the racist apartheid era, is gathering momentum.

The 1985 murder of the Cradock Four sparked outrage across the country.

The president of the then-banned African National Congress (ANC), Oliver Tambo, addressed the masses attending the political burial through a message sent from exile.

That day, President PW Botha announced a state of emergency in the Eastern Cape, extending it nationwide the following year. The measure gave the police and security forces sweeping powers to crack down on activities demanding an end to whiteminority rule.

As a rural organiser for the United Democratic Front (UDF), a prominent umbrella organisation of hundreds of groups fighting racial segregation, one of the four, Matthew Goniwe would sometimes travel to the city of Port Elizabeth for meetings. For

Fort Calata and his wife, Nomonde, on their wedding day

The four community leaders were known to the police for their anti-apartheid activities. As they made the 200km- (125 mile) drive back to Cradock that night, they were intercepted by a police roadblock.

Their burnt bodies were later found at separate locations.

The government at first denied any involvement in their deaths and a 1987 inquest found that the four men were killed by “unknown persons”.

But a second inquiry was opened at the tail-end of white-minority rule in 1993, after a newspaper reported that a secret military signal had been sent calling for the “permanent removal from society” of Mr Goniwe, his cousin Mbulelo Goniwe and Mr Calata.

It concluded that security forces were responsible for their deaths but did not name any individuals.

Justice pending Lukhanyo Calata was three years old when his father was killed. Thirty-eight years later, the families of the Cradock Four are still waiting for the perpetrators to be held accountable.

The incident was one of thousands of crimes heard by the TRC to ease South Africa’s delicate transition following the end of apartheid.

President Nelson Mandela asked Archbishop Desmond Tutu to lead the commission, which advocated the healing of the country through reconciliation and forgiveness in order to head off the risk of

vengeful violence following the decades of brutality.

It brought together perpetrators, witnesses and victims of human rights violations carried out during the apartheid era to testify in public. The TRC offered the chance of amnesty to those who fully confessed to their crimes, which would at least give relatives the comfort of knowing what had happened to their loved ones.

Six of seven former police officers who confessed their involvement in the killing of the Cradock Four to the TRC were denied amnesty on grounds of not making a full disclosure.

The case was one of about 300 that the TRC referred to the prosecuting authority in 2003 for further investigation and prosecution.

But for relatives who had been waiting decades for justice for their loved ones, what

followed was yet more waiting as almost all the cases remained untouched.

It is not entirely clear why the authorities have been dragging their feet.

A possible explanation for the delay came to light in 2015, when the sister of Nokuthula Simelane, a young activist who went missing in 1983, filed a court application for a formal inquest into her disappearance.

The case saw former officials from the prosecuting authority come forward to allege that the government had obstructed the investigation and prosecution of the TRC cases, including that of Ms Simelane.

The claims cited fears that investigations into some cases could lead to calls for the prosecution of members of the governing ANC for their possible involvement in human rights violations during the fight against apartheid.

Source: BBC

one such trip on 27 June, he was accompanied by Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli.

The destruction of roads and bridges has hampered relief efforts

The alleged killers of Fort Calata (second from right) and Matthew Goniwe (R) have never been prosecuted

Ukraine war: Russian soldier arrested ‘after six months in hiding’

ARussian soldier who claims to have avoided detection in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region for six months has been detained, Ukrainian police say.

The 42-year-old serviceman was stopped by members of the Ukrainian armed forces while they were patrolling the Kupiansk district, Kharkiv’s regional police department said.

The area was retaken by Ukrainian forces last September.

The soldier told police he had hidden in abandoned buildings since then.

After they found him on Monday, police discovered that the man - dressed in civilian clotheswas a serviceman with Russia’s 27th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade and was a resident of the Moscow region.

The soldier was taken to a

local police station for further investigation, a police statement said.

Kupiansk - home to an important railway junction - has witnessed fierce fighting since the war began last year, with Russia taking control in a matter of days, and occupying the town for several months.

Though the area was retaken by Ukrainian troops last September, it is under threat from Russian attempts to retake it once more. Some residents were ordered to leave the area due to the “unstable security situation” by Ukrainian officials earlier in March.

On Tuesday, the head of Kharkiv’s regional administration, Oleg Sinegubov, said the cityalong with others in the region - was under fire from Russian troops.

Aukus deal: US, UK and Australia agree on nuclear submarine project

The US, UK and Australia have unveiled details of their plan to create a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, aimed at countering China’s influence in the IndoPacific region.

Under the Aukus pact Australia is to get its first nuclearpowered subs - at least threefrom the US.

The allies will also work to create a new fleet using cuttingedge tech, including UK-made Rolls-Royce reactors.

Beijing has strongly criticised the significant naval deal.

Its foreign ministry on Tuesday accused the three nations of “walking further and further down the path of error and danger”.

China’s UN mission had earlier also accused the Western allies of setting back nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

But US President Joe Biden said the deal was aimed at bolstering peace in the region and stressed the submarines would be “nuclear-powered, not nucleararmed”.

Speaking alongside the UK and Australian prime ministers - Rishi Sunak and Anthony Albanese - in San Diego, California, Mr Biden said the deal would not jeopardise Australia’s commitment to being a nuclear-free country.

For Australia, it is a major upgrade to the US ally’s military capabilities. The country becomes just the second after the UK to receive Washington’s elite nuclear propulsion technology.

The submarines will be able to operate further and faster than the country’s existing dieselengine fleet and Australia will also be able to carry out long-range strikes against enemies for the

first time.

Under the deal, Australian navy sailors will be sent to US and UK submarine bases from this year to learn how to use the nuclear-powered submarines.

From 2027, the US and UK will also base a small number of nuclear submarines in Perth, Western Australia, before Canberra will buy three USmodel Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s - with options to purchase two more.

After that, the plan is to design and build an entirely new nuclearpowered submarine for the UK and Australian navies - a model that is being called SSN-AUKUS.

This attack craft will be built in Britain and Australia to a British design, but use technology from all three countries.

President Biden said all three countries were committed to ensuring the Indo-Pacific region would remain free and open.

“Forging this new partnership, we’re showing again how democracies can deliver our own security and prosperity... not just for us but for the entire world,” he said.

He also pledged of $4.6bn (£3.7bn) to expanding the US’ submarine construction capacity and improving maintenance of its current nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines.

Australia’s PM said the plan - which will cost Canberra up to A$368bn (£201bn) over 30 years - marked the “biggest single investment in Australia’s defence capability in all of its history”.

Anthony Albanese said building the submarines in Australian shipyards would also create thousands of local jobs. The UK PM also said thousands of jobs would be created in Derby

and Barrow-in-Furness, where some of the construction would take place.

Mr Sunak said that in the 18 months since the Aukus alliance was unveiled, the challenges to global stability had only grown.

“Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, China’s growing assertiveness, the destabilising behaviour of Iran and North Korea - all threaten to create a world codefined by danger, disorder and division,” Mr Sunak said.

As part of his visit to the US, Mr Sunak has also pledged to increase defence spending by nearly £5bn ($6bn) over the next two years to counter threats from hostile states.

The Aukus security alliance - announced in September 2021 - has repeatedly drawn criticism from China. Beijing’s foreign ministry last week reiterated

its position that the pact risked creating an arms race.

But the three Western countries say the security deal is aimed at shoring up stability in the Indo-Pacific.

While all three leaders have stressed how the deal will strengthen their co-operation, it hasn’t been without its political fallout.

In 2021, Australia scrapped a multi-million dollar dieselpowered submarine agreement with France in favour of the trilateral agreement - causing a political rift with Paris.

Australia also faces a delicate diplomatic situation with China - its largest trading partner. Analysts say the question will be whether it can continue to strengthen its military ties with US, while fostering commercial ties with Beijing.

Bali plans tourist motorbike ban over misbehaviour

The Indonesian island of Bali is planning to ban foreign tourists from using motorbikes after a spate of cases involving people breaking traffic laws.

“You [should] not roam about the island using motorbikes, without wearing shirts or clothes, no helmet, and even without a licence,” Governor I Wayan Koster said.

Under the proposals tourists would use cars provided by travel agents instead.

The plan has been divisive as tourism continues to recover from Covid losses.

More than 171 foreign nationals have violated traffic orders from late February to early March, according to local police records. Some tourists also use fake licence plates.

Source: BBC

Male students returned to class in Herat and other universities this week

The US, Australia and UK will jointly build a new class of submarines

Property

Use direct, indirect methods to get clients in property marketing-ESV Tochukwu Agu

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

An Estate Surveyor and Valuer, ESV Tochukwu

Emmanuel Agu said for individuals and consultants to get clients for their property there is a need to integrate both direct and indirect methods into the marketing program.

Agu made the disclosure, yesterday in Abuja, saying that marketing is one of the most important areas in consulting.

He said to build a dynamic practice, “No matter your level of expertise without clients, the business and the practice cannot freely exist”.

He explained seven direct methods of marketing which can be used.

“This includes Direct Mail, Phone Calls, Direct Response Advertising, Directory Listings, Yellow Page Listings and Brochure”.

The Estate surveyor gave more insight on direct mail and others, according to him,”with direct mail, you send potential clients a letter, brochure or both, advertising your services. The key is to establish personal communication with the potential client.

Direct Mail Letters- not everyone can write compelling copy for direct mail address. There are plenty of good copywriters around who make this their business, and plenty of very successful consultants have their advertising copy written by someone else. You can write your own direct mail copy, but you must be a competent writer and be willing to work at doing this special type of selling in print”, he said .

He said there are numerous formulas to help in write mail copy.

Which are getting attention, Think of important things you have done. Develop Interest, list some more of your accomplishment Demonstrate benefit Show prospective client some benefit he or she could receive,show credibility, Quote from letters from clients or former clients and Deliver a call to action: Finally, a call for immediate action.

Also speaking, he described cold calls as a method that can be extremely effective in obtaining clients.

However, it is a timeconsuming and it involves

significant rejection, which you must learn to cope with if you are to use this method.

You can maximize your success in using the Phone Call method by doing the following:

“Write out exactly what you want to say ahead of time.

Use creative ways to get around the secretary, Combine your calls with a direct mail campaign and Direct Response Space Advertising”. He stated that

today a number of different types of consultants are using it successfully.

He said executive search for consultants, for instance, advertise in magazines, trade journals in their areas of specialty.

However, depending on the type of services you offer, advertising may be effective and acceptable.

“For directory listing, There are many directories that list consultants and the particular services they provide. Some are free; some charge for listings. Usually, this method of advertising is not very effective for a sample reason: few potentials clients use directories when seeking consultants.

Yellow Pages Listings,Listings in the yellow pages of your telephone book may be effective for certain types of consulting practices. Clients who have never used a consultant before may turn to yellow pages in search of services. It is important you buy a large ad. The psychology of this is simple: A larger ad will attract readership over a competitor’s smaller ad”.

He added that Brochures, the basic purpose of any brochure is, first, to advertise your type of work and, second, to convince the reader that you are the most capable individual available to do this work.

Therefore, if you are going to do your own brochure, try and answer these two questions: ‘what is it that I do’ and ‘why am I the best’?

The basic contents of brochure include who you are, what you do, how you wok, what you‘ve done and how to contact you.

The target market is also important. An expensive brochure says that you are high priced. That’s fine if your market has the money,” Agu stated .

Speaking on indirect

marketing method, he stated that indirect marketing will usually not bring instant clients as can direct marketing methods. However, over the long term, the benefits of indirect methods are considerable. So, make no mistake about it, indirect methods may not work instantaneously, but they are necessary for any consulting practice.

He said the Indirect method of Marketing include, speaking before groups, sending out newsletters, joining and being active in professional associations, Joining and being active in social organisations, Writing articles

Writing a book and Writing letters to the editor.

(1) Speaking before Groups

Speaking in public is an excellent way of building your consultant practice. Dr. Pedro Chan, an immigrant from Macao, China used this method to build his acupuncture consulting for physicians. You can do the same thing. Now go to your telephone book and look for local organisations that appear to have meetings and therefore may use guest speakers.

After your speech, let your listeners know how to contact you for additional information. A

business card is good and handout.

“Sending Out Newsletters, the way to use a newsletter to get clients is not simply to dispose news but to dispose news of interest and value to potential clients and to remind those that have already been your clients that you are still around. Every time a client or potential client receives one of these newsletter with your name on it, he or she thinks of you”.

He emphasized that the need of joining and being active in professional Associations.

“Professional associates are excellent for making contacts especially if you take an active role. Plan to participate actively in programmes, for example hold a position.

Joining and Being Active to Social Organisations

Social organisations are more for contacts than credibility. When a social relationship is established, a client relationship often follows. Individuals see you, get to know you, and begin to trust you. If they happen to have a need in an area you are consulting in, they may think of you. It is no wonder that ‘relationship marketing’ is now considered an important idea for

all businesses”.

“ Writing Articles, Your article must pertain to the type of consulting you do, and it must be interesting and valuable to the reader. Management consultant trainer Howard L. Shenson used to tell the story of a consultant who wrote a single article and syndicated it to ninety differ inhouse publications, it resulted in so many requests for his services ad he turned to consultant broker.

Writing a Book, Publication gives you a credibility edge over your competitors who do not write. Having your book published demonstrates expertise in a certain area because your readers knows that your writing has passed a vigorous screening by the publisher. Others are writing Letters to the Editor

These are frequently called ‘op-ed’ pieces because they appear opposite editorials in the newspaper in which they appear. The letters and magazine should contain comments resulting from your expertise in a certain field, and you should identify yourself as a consultant in the area of which you are consulting”, he stated .

An Estate Surveyor and Valuer, ESV Tochukwu Emmanuel Agu

Could waste plastic become a useful fuel source?

Plastic waste dumps, says Prof Erwin Reisner, could be the oil fields of the future.

“Effectively, plastic is another form of fossil fuel,” says Prof Reisner, who is professor of energy and sustainability at the University of Cambridge. “It’s rich in energy and in chemical composition, which we want to unlock.”

But the chemical bonds that make up plastics are made to last and, of the seven billion tonnes ever created, less than 10% has been recycled.

Dilyana Mihaylova, plastics programme manager for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, says: “Our extractive, take-makewaste economy [means] billions of dollars’ worth of valuable materials are lost.”

Worldwide, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year - roughly the same weight as all of humanity. Today, around 85% ends up in landfill or is lost to the environment where it will stay for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years.

Now the race is on to find the best way to break those chemical bonds and reclaim the Earth’s precious resources locked into plastic.

Mechanical recycling, where waste plastic is washed, shredded, melted and reformed, degrades plastic over time and can result in inconsistent quality products.

The plastics industry is keen on chemical recycling, where additives are used to alter the chemical structure of waste plastic, turning it back into substances that can be used as raw materials, perhaps for making fuel like petrol and diesel.

But that approach is currently costly and inefficient and has been criticised by environmental groups.

“So,” says Ms Mihaylova, “just as we can’t recycle our way out of the plastics pollution crisis, we can’t rely on plastics-to-fuel processes to solve the problem either.”

Could a new solar-powered system show the way forward?

Prof Reisner and his team have developed a process that can convert not one, but two waste streams - plastic and CO2 - into two chemical products at the same time - all powered by sunlight.

The technology transforms CO2 and plastic into syngas - the key component of sustainable fuels such as hydrogen. It also produces glycolic acid, which is widely used in the cosmetics industry.

The system works by integrating catalysts, chemical

compounds which accelerate a chemical reaction, into a light absorber.

“Our process works at room temperature and room pressure,” he says.

“Reactions run automatically when you expose it to sunlight. You don’t need anything else.”

And, assures Prof Reisner, the process produces no harmful waste.

“The chemistry is clean,” he says. Other solar-powered technologies hold promise for tackling plastic pollution and CO2 conversion, but this is the first time they have been combined in a single process.

“Combining the two means we add value to the process,” says Prof Reisner. “We now have four value streams - the mitigation of plastic waste, the mitigation of CO2, and the production of two valuable chemicals. We hope this will bring us close to commercialisation.”

In addition, Prof Reiner says his system can handle otherwise unrecyclable plastic waste.

“Usually, plastic contaminated with food waste goes to incineration, but this plastic is really good for us. In fact, food is a good substrate - so it makes our process work better.”

Researchers around the world are looking for ways to turn unwanted plastic into something useful.

When broken down, the elements of plastic can be remade into a myriad of new products including detergents, lubricants, paints and solvents, and biodegradable compounds for use in biomedical applications.

Nature has found ways of breaking down polymerssubstances made up of very large molecules - and plastic is a synthetic polymer.

“There are already bacteria out there that have enzymes designed to break [polymers] down,” says Dr Victoria Bemmer, senior research fellow at the University of Portsmouth.

“We can tweak these enzymes by changing the structure of them very slightly - to make them go faster, make them more firm or stable.”

Using machine learning, Dr Bemmer and her team have developed variants of enzymes adapted to deconstruct all varieties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of polyester.

The enzymes break the plastic down in a similar way to chemical recycling, says Dr Bemmer but, because they are akin to enzymes found in nature, the process can be done in much more “benign conditions”.

So,” says Ms Mihaylova, “just as we can’t recycle our way out of the plastics pollution crisis, we can’t rely on plastics-to-fuel processes to solve the problem either. There are already bacteria out there that have enzymes designed to break [polymers] down,” says Dr Victoria Bemmer, senior research fellow at the University of Portsmouth

Where chemical recycling uses chemicals, the Portsmouth University team are able to use water. And the highest temperature they need is 70C, meaning energy consumption can be kept low compared to other processes.

Dr Bemmer and her team are

developing their enzymes further and hope that their work will help them create a sustainable circular economy for plastic-based clothing too.

Polyester made from PET is the most widely used clothing fibre in the world.

However, recycling synthetic fabrics using enzymes is not easy. The addition of dyes and other chemical treatments make it

difficult for them to be degraded in a natural process.

“Polyester is an absolute pain,” says Dr Bemmer. “Plus, it’s very rarely just pure polyester. You find mixed fibres as well.”

The team hope their enzymes will reduce the PET in waste textiles to a soup of simple building blocks, ready to be made back into new polyesters.

Source :BBC

These plastic bales are heading for recycling - but most plastic is discarded

Erwin Reisner (left) and his team Subhajit Bhattacharjee (centre) and Motiar Rahaman (right)

Victoria Bemmer from the University of Portsmouth is developing enzymes that can break down plastic

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SAIDU

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THE OLD NAME : ANYA HANNA-ROSE FOUNDATION CAC/IT/NO.191061.

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ABSU 1994 ACCOUNTANCY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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6. ANYANWU KINGSLEY CHUKWUDI

7. OKOROAFOR EUNICE NGOZI

8. OGUH MARK CHUKWUEMEKA

9. OGBUAGU AGWU OKENWA

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TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE A CONTINUING INTEREST IN AND LOYALTY TO ACCOUNTANCY DEPARTMENT OF ABSU; ETC; ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED, UCHE GINIKA, ESQ.

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2. SUNMONI, ADESOLA OLUMAYOWA PHD - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

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2. TO COLLABORATE WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS WITH SIMILAR OBJECTIVES TO CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT CANCER.

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6.JAMES ADEJOKE COMFORT

7.AKINWALE YETUNDE OLUBOLA

8.NWACHUKWU CHUKWUDI MARTIN

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OKAMA CARE FOUNDATION

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TRUSTEES ARE

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2. FORTRESS OSEMUDIAMEN UHUMUAVBI - SECRETARY

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2. TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN SOCIETY.

3. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS OF THE FULANI ASSOCIATION IN KWARA STATE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR – GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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DIVINE CORNERSTONE PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.REV. JEREMIAH BAKO NYIZOMA

2.PAST.(MRS) NYIZOMA LADI

3.GWATANA ISAIAH RIZAMA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT

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MRS. CHIDINMA

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DIVINE CORNERSTONE PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.REV. JEREMIAH BAKO NYIZOMA

2.PAST.(MRS) NYIZOMA LADI

3.GWATANA ISAIAH RIZAMA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

MRS. OKEKE-EZUMEZU

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS OKEKE CHIAMAKA PEACE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. OKEKEEZUMEZU CHIAMAKA PEACE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

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TIJANIYYA YOUTH ASSOCIATION KOGI CENTRAL

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.IBRAHIM SADIQ OJIVO--CHAIRMAN

2.MUHAMMAD AHMAD RUFAI--VICE CHAIRMAN

3.ABDULSALAM BASHEER OWUDA--SECRETARY

4.MUHAMMAD SANNI NASIR--SPEAKER

5.SALL IBRAHIM BABA--PRO

6.ABDULSALAM OMENESA SHAIBU

7.LAWAL KAMARUDEEN MUHAMMED

8.SHAIBU ABDULAZEEZ

9.ISAH ZAKARIYAU

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY

2.TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

IBRAHIM

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MR OLUBOYE

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MRS OLUBOYE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MRS FAKUNLE JOY OLUSEUN. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS OLUBOYE JOY OLUSEUN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS. ISAIAH

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS IGBOZURUIKE CHIKWADO BETTY NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ISAIAH CHIKWADO BETTY. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

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TIJANIYYA YOUTH ASSOCIATION KOGI CENTRAL

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.IBRAHIM SADIQ OJIVO--CHAIRMAN

2.MUHAMMAD AHMAD RUFAI--VICE CHAIRMAN

3.ABDULSALAM BASHEER OWUDA--SECRETARY

4.MUHAMMAD SANNI NASIR--SPEAKER

5.SALL IBRAHIM BABA--PRO

6.ABDULSALAM OMENESA SHAIBU

7.LAWAL KAMARUDEEN MUHAMMED

8.SHAIBU ABDULAZEEZ

9.ISAH ZAKARIYAU

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY

2.TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

IBRAHIM

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM GARBA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IBRAHIM MU'AZU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION DES FRANÇAIS DE L’ETRANGER IN NIGERIA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. PEYSSON ROMAIN OLIVER-CHAIRMAN

2. PATUREL NANA FATIMA-SECRETARY/MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROMOTE FRANCOPHONE CULTURE AND PRACTICES.

2. TO BE NON-POLITICAL, NON-RELIGIOUS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL, NONPROFIT MAKING AND NON-RACIAL.

3. TO OFFER SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY TOWARDS THE INTEGRATION AND RECEPTION OF ALL FRANCOPHONES PERSONS.

4. TO PROMOTE RECEPTION, INFORMATION AND INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY NEWLY ARRIVED FRANCOPHONES FAMILIES IN NIGERIA.

5. TO AFFILIATE AND CO-OPERATE WITH OTHER SISTERS ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA FOR THE PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTEREST OF THE ASSOCIATION

6. TO ORGANIZE AND HOST COCKTAILS, PROGRAMS INCLUDING MEETINGS AIMED AT ENHANCING INTER-PERSONAL CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION.

7. TO CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES, PROJECTS, AND PROGRAMS TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT AND ATTAINMENT OF THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

UFEDO ENYO OJO GLOBAL EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1.SUNDAY AMEH

2.SUNDAY OJONE

3.SUNDAY JOSEPH

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE :

1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

MRS. ISAIAH

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS IGBOZURUIKE CHIKWADO BETTY NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ISAIAH CHIKWADO BETTY. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSOCIATION DES FRANÇAIS DE L’ETRANGER IN NIGERIA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. PEYSSON ROMAIN OLIVER-CHAIRMAN

2. PATUREL NANA FATIMA-SECRETARY/MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO PROMOTE FRANCOPHONE CULTURE AND PRACTICES.

2. TO BE NON-POLITICAL, NON-RELIGIOUS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL, NONPROFIT MAKING AND NON-RACIAL.

3. TO OFFER SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY TOWARDS THE INTEGRATION AND RECEPTION OF ALL FRANCOPHONES PERSONS.

4. TO PROMOTE RECEPTION, INFORMATION AND INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY NEWLY ARRIVED FRANCOPHONES FAMILIES IN NIGERIA.

5. TO AFFILIATE AND CO-OPERATE WITH OTHER SISTERS ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA FOR THE PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTEREST OF THE ASSOCIATION

6. TO ORGANIZE AND HOST COCKTAILS, PROGRAMS INCLUDING MEETINGS AIMED AT ENHANCING INTER-PERSONAL CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION.

7. TO CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES, PROJECTS, AND PROGRAMS TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT AND ATTAINMENT OF THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

KUNWE

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Indonesia 2023: Nigeria’s nemesis, Portugal and Argentina, fail to reach World Cup finals

By Albert Akota

Portugal, who got the better of Nigeria in a 2-0 in the Final of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Riyadh in 1989, and Argentina, who beat the Flying Eagles to the trophy in The Netherlands in 2005, have both failed to make the cut as the field for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Indonesia filled up at the weekend.

Europe’s flag bearers will be England, France, Israel, Italy and Slovakia, while South America will be represented by Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador – leaving out both Portugal and Argentina from the equation. Even Cup holders Ukraine got bumped in the qualifying race.

All 24 finalists have emerged following the conclusion of the Africa U20 Cup in Egypt at the weekend, with champions Senegal, vice champions The Gambia, third-placed Nigeria and fourth-placed Tunisia to bear the touch for

the continent.

Reigning vice champions Korea Republic, Uzbekistan, Iraq and Japan will be flying Asia’s flag, while USA, Honduras, Guatemala and Dominican Republic will represent North and Central America. Fiji and New Zealand will bear the flag of Oceania.

All the teams will be in the four different pots for the Draw to be conducted at the Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Centre in Denpasar, Bali with Nigeria already slotted into Pot 3. African champions Senegal stay in Pot 1 alongside Italy, USA and France while The Gambia and Tunisia have homes in Pot 4.

The teams will be drawn in six groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-place finishers in the six groups making the progress to the Round of 16.

Ukraine won the last championship in France in 2019, having defeated Korea Republic 3-1.

CAF appoints Sudanese officials for Nigeria, Guinea U23 AFCON qualifying match

By Albert Akota

The Confederation of African Football has appointed officials from Sudan as referees for Wednesday’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture, first leg match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Sabri Mohamed Fadul will be the referee with his compatriots Abdelgabar Mohamed Abdelgabar and Ahmed Subahi as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2 respectively, while Ring Akech Malong from South Sudan will work as fourth official.

Munkaila Nassam Adam from Ghana will be the match commissioner.

The encounter will kick off

at 4pm, and offers the Olympic Eagles the opportunity to build an impressive lead ahead of the return leg scheduled for Morocco’s administrative capital, Rabat on Tuesday, 28th March.

CAF has appointed officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo for the second leg, which will hold at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan starting from 7pm Morocco time.

Yannick Malala Kabanga will be referee for the encounter, with his compatriots Guylain Ngila, Rambo Neushiye and Tanguy Lopembe Tangi in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

Mr. Boussairi Boujlel from Tunisia will be the match commissioner.

flying Eagle players

S P R T

World Cup 2026: Fifa switches back to four-team group format

Fifa has switched the format for the expanded 2026 World Cup back to four-team groups.

The competition in the United States, Mexico and Canada was due to feature 16 groups of three because the number of teams is increasing from 32 to 48.

But the success of the four-team format at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar caused the governing body to reconsider.

The move expands the competition from its projected 80 matches to 104, including a new round-of-32 stage.

Fifa said the top two and eight best third-placed teams would progress to the last 32.

“The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams,” said world football’s governing body.

The move was approved at Fifa’s council meeting in Rwanda.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino said in December that the governing body was considering a format change after the group stages in Qatar included some exciting final games.

The four-team group format, with the top two going through to the knockout stages, has been used since the men’s World Cup expanded to 32 teams in 1998.

The new round-of-32 stage means teams will have to play eight matches to win the tournament, compared to seven at the 2022 World Cup.

Fifa approved a men’s international match calendar from 2025-2030 and said that “based on the new calendar, the Fifa World Cup 2026 final will be played on Sunday, 19 July 2026”.

It added that the “mandatory” date for which clubs must release players for the tournament will start “on 25 May 2026, following the last official club match on 24 May 2026” and that “exemptions may apply to the final matches of confederation club competitions until 30 May 2026 subject to Fifa approval”.

The women’s international match calendar keeps its six international windows per year and includes the women’s Olympic football tournament, which will take place from 25 July to 10 August 2024.

A 32-team Club World Cup set for 2025

Fifa also approved the access list for the 32-team Fifa Club World Cup, which will take place every four years from June 2025.

Teams who win their confederation’s top tournament in “the four-year period of the seasons ending in 2021 and 2024” will qualify where they have enough places.

Europe has 12 places in the new tournament and Chelsea and Real Madrid, who won the Champions League in 2021 and 2022 respectively, have already secured their spots.

The other qualifying teams from each continent will be determined “by a club

ranking based on the same four-year period”.

There will be a cap of two clubs per country with the exception being if more than two teams from the same country win their confederation’s premier tournament over the qualification period.

Fifa also wants to keep a yearly club competition and this will be “between the winner of the Uefa Champions League and the winner of intercontinental playoffs between the other confederations”.

What about the players?

Player organisations and club managers have regularly voiced concerns about the demands on players, and Fifa is to set up a task force to look at player welfare and “principles such as mandatory rest periods”.

“Our fundamental objective is to have clarity on this topic, and to have meaningful football matches while protecting the wellbeing of the players and recognising that many regions need more competitive football,” said Infantino.

However, the general secretary of players’ union Fifpro Jonas BaerHoffmann reiterated that “ongoing research provides new evidence of the excessive demands on elite players”.

“We are now observing a growing awareness among players about the harmful effects these pressures have on their performance, careers, and personal lives,” he added.

“They realise that their match calendar

is not sustainable, affects their mental and physical health, and leaves them exposed, and without any protection, to an accelerated cycle of poorly coordinated competitions.”

Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Maheta Molango said: “Fundamentally, the football calendar needs a complete reset.

“The expanded World Cup format being announced for 2026 means that, yet again, more games are being forced into an already overcrowded schedule.

“It is right that Fifa have listened to players’ concerns and announced a working group to address the critical issues surrounding fixture congestion and player welfare.

“It is also encouraging to see that key concerns raised with Fifa by the PFA, such as the need for a minimum of 72 hours between games, a mandatory day off each week, and an annual rest period, are being prioritised.

“When Gianni Infantino came to Manchester to meet with us last year, these were the changes that our Premier League and Women’s Super League members said they wanted to see.

“However, it’s very difficult to see how that aligns with the constant expansion of the domestic and international calendar.

“We know that the current workload players face is having an ongoing impact on their wellbeing, both on and off the pitch. We can’t simply push them until they break.”

Argentina played seven matches on their way to winning the 2022 World Cup, but the winner of the next tournament will play a game more

2023: Lessons to political neophytes, the youths

Cont. from page 32

they would immediately start digging his past and look for whatever they will label as his many sins.

The 2023 presidential election came with evidence to defend its fairness and credibility; yet, they have chosen to be blind to realities. In all the history of elections in Nigeria, we have never until now witnessed an election where unbelievable upsets were thrown at all of us as that of February 25th. it remains presently unexplainable how the ruling party and the president-elect lost his home state of Lagos; how the incumbent president lost his home state of Katsina for the very first time in his history of elections; how APC lost in Kano, Kaduna and several other states that were taken by the party before the election. We just had an election that saw sitting governors losing senatorial bids and unknown contestants winning elections across the states of the federation. These are tenable and enough proof of the fairness and credibility of the election.

While this is the most credible election and most transparent one so far in the history of Nigeria and we are supposed to be giving kudos to the electoral umpire for a job welldone, Peter Obi and his foot soldiers have robbed the country of the chance to have that; rather, we have found ourselves at the point where INEC is under an unprecedented attacks.

Peter Obi has chosen the path of continuously weaponising his Obedient bloc. He has told them he

won the election; he has told them the election was stolen from him, and a monster is already unleashed upon all of us. We can only imagine what the next years ahead hold for the coherence of our nation and the legitimacy of the coming new administration, all thanks to Peter Obi.

Peter Obi is telling his followers that INEC refused to transmit results in order to be able to change figures in favour of the president-elect. Peter Obi knows the truth but he chose to lead his supporters in this destructive way. The same Peter Obi and his party had approach the court long before the election, on August 22nd, 2022 in an originating summon marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/1454/2022 to sue INEC as the sole respondent, praying the court to force INEC to transmit the election results from the polling units.

The Labour Party sought two injunctive reliefs in the events that the questions were resolved in its favour; one, “A declaration that the respondent has no power to opt for manual method other than the electronic method provided for by the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; and one other.

On January 23, 2023, prior to the presidential election, Justice Emeka Nwibe, of the Federal High Court Abuja dismissed the suit after submitting that INEC has the prerogative right to decide whatever method it deem fit for the exercise without external interference or control.

Obi knew this before the election; he knew INEC would not transmit results electronically but chose not to disclose or educate the Obidients on the court verdict. Peter Obi and his party ran an election situation room where they accessed all polling units results real time and they collated them. They knew very well they didn’t even come second, but have chosen to turn the country upside down. Is that how you run a democracy?

The same Obi and his Obedient followers, post-election, set up a parallel iReV collation center to prove their victory as promised. They had the entire Obedient population waiting for the final tabulation to serve as part of their evidence for a tribunal hearing. Suddenly, reality dawned on them, as results from their own agents and fellow Obedients across the country started reflecting the reality of a Tinubu victory. They shut down the process inconclusively; now it is no more an issue. What they are told is what matters.

In all ramifications, Peter Obi’s decisions and unprincipled conducts, politically speaking, have become a challenge to the country. We have Nigerians ready to rise against Nigeria, only waiting for the final whistle. We are sitting on a powder keg now. We need to get our country back. Will Obi be patriotic enough to do the needful? For instance, to use his platform to educate the Obidients on democracy, healthy civil engagement, sportsmanship and on fostering national unity. Rather, what we have

seen so far is the man claiming he is not challenging the outcome of the election even though he had earlier claimed to had won, but that he is contesting the process of the election which in itself is strange. Because the only legal ground to contest the outcome of the election under our law is well captured under Section 134(1)(c) of the Constitution which is the ground to contest the outcome of the election. If he pursues a strange course which is what he seems to be doing and the court throws his case out of the window, I do hope he and the Obidients will accept the outcome in good faith.

I think it is high time for all those who feel disappointed in the election to accept the reality and for once show true sportsmanship. This message is particularly important to the leaders and elite who are supposed to lead by examples. One must give credit to Pastor Chris Oyahkilome who has demonstrated this good stance and rallying others to accept the President-elect who has paid his dues politically and has emerged victorious despite all the obstacles that he faced. In his words, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the man from the house of Pharaoh who knows the system and he hopes that he lives for history. The Nigerian youths need to learn and seize this election as an opportunity to begin their journey into politics and most importantly, to begin learning leadership and politics from the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect.

PEOPLES DAILY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY MARCH 15, 2023

2023: Lessons to political neophytes, the youths

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira ‘convinced’ side can turn around poor form

So much has happened since after the February 25 presidential election. The citizens have become more partitioned along a new divide that is apparently more dangerous than the usual religious and ethnic segregations that we have perennially created for ourselves since independence. While we are concentrating on the election results and the hurt that comes from the stark reality of the outcome that did not go the way we want it; and the ensuing arguments and counter arguments for cancelation or otherwise of the declared result, we have collectively become victims of the hits on the delicate fabric of the Nigeria nation.

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira says he is “feeling the pressure” but is “convinced” his side can turn around their poor form.

The Eagles have won one of their last 13 Premier League matches and are three points above the relegation places.

They travel to Brighton on Wednesday, having not had a shot on target in their last three defeats.

“The table doesn’t lie, we need to win games,” said Vieira. “We need to play in a better way and to score goals.”

Just five points separate the bottom nine teams in the league, from Palace in 12th to bottom club Southampton.

“We have the quality to improve our game,” the Frenchman added.

“I’m feeling the pressure like the other nine managers in the table. This is part of the game.”

In Vieira’s first season as manager of Palace, he was praised for the attractive style of football his side produced, but a lack of goals in this campaign - just 21 and the joint second lowest - means they have struggled to turn good performances into points

“When you do well in the first season people expect you to keep improving but it’s not always the case”, Vieira said.

“It’s important to understand where we are, what we want to achieve and the direction we want to go. It will take time to be consistent and this is why it’s important for us [the football club] to remain calm, and to keep working and believing in the players we have in the building.

It began a long time before the 2023 election. It began with the rising urge in Nigerians, especially the youth population, to become more involved in Nigeria public affairs. The youths have become heavily driven by the propensity to have a say, and even increasing voice in the running of the affairs of the country and much more to survive, given the continued insecurity, unemployment and what they considered government insensitivity to their plight. And no one can rightly blame Nigerians for this position. It is a decision long due. Perhaps, if we had risen up long ago to ask questions and take actions that put our leaders on their toes, much better it would have been for us and our nation.

Unfortunately, this decision and the energy of the youth were apprehended and coordinated still by individuals who had been part of the rot in the national system to their own advantage. While the youths thought they were fighting for themselves and for their country, the reality is that they have become ready tools in the hands of politicians and regional leaders who want to re-allocate the national cake to themselves.

The ENDSARS outburst

was the beginning. The motive was quite right, but when it was planned and financed by politicians whose sole objective was to discredit the sitting government and certain individuals who were already becoming stumbling blocks to their political aspirations, the whole national disturbance became a nuisance and a misrepresentation of the energy of the Nigeria youths. Regrettably, the youth, by and large, failed to recognise the reality of the situation; they failed to realise they have only become expendable pawns in the hands of their oppressors.

Then, the Yoruba Nation agitation, spearheaded by Sunday Igboho, a known PDP member over the years, emerged. The strategy was to hide behind fighting against Fulani attacks to organise the youths ahead of the 2023 elections for the PDP. The youths once again fell for it hook, line and sinker, and took to the street in support of the man.

While it appeared that both the ENDSARS and the Igboho uprising were defeated, the truth remains that the youths were already prepared subconsciously for an attack on the status-quo, that is the establishment and were only waiting for any ripe opportunity to rise up as we witnessed in the Obedient phenomenon.

Then the greatest error in the history of the Nigeria nation was committed when Peter Obi split away from PDP; by some unbelievable occurrence, the bottled readiness of the youth was set free and they erroneously mistook the man Obi for the messiah who would lead them to the new Nigeria of their dreams.

We then saw the rare mass movement that constitutes the Obedient population, and the manifestation of the irregular behaviour associated with youth energy. These youth wanted the best for the national system, but they had a misstep and took the same wrong decision that our leaders took from the onset that landed us where we are today.

Peter Obi took advantage of the youths’ political innocence and sincerity; the youths’ desire to see a better Nigeria. He accepted the false image created for him - by his handlers and the naive youths - even when he knows he is no way different from all other regular politicians in the country. The youths have made up their mind; Obi is God’s sent and nothing would change that. But the real Obi is the exact opposite of the image created for him as he possesses recorded antecedents that negate the new found image and persona of him that were created for the 2023 presidential election.

Peter Obi wore the toga, he became the new face of sanity among Nigerian politicians, the saint who would take the nation to its Eldorado. He created a fresh rhetoric to back the new image and it sold like fire. A mob of Nigerians has been created who would do anything to defend the image of Obi that they have created; they are not five million plus that cast their votes for Obi, they are in tens of millions of our citizens inclusive of those who are under eighteen and could not vote and countless others who for whatever reason did not vote.

We are dealing with a sizable number of our population who are ready to go

against all of us if that is what it would take to enthrone their messiah. Nothing would stop the Obedients; we saw it all in the build up to the election. We saw the pattern of the irrational campaign they run. We saw what we all meant to them by the path they took in the last season of the campaign and build up to the elections.

The Obidients who largely are political neophytes believe their messiah won the election; they are absolutely sure Peter Obi was rigged out of victory by INEC’s connivance with the APC candidate. No one would be able to talk them out of that illusion. What we have to deal with is way beyond IPOB or the Boko Haram onslaught; we are dealing with a relatively significant population that has compromised all known truth and rationality, by believing and accepting things that are either not verified or are not veritable as truth; a population that is bent on believing without evidence.

We are dealing with a oneway mob that takes instruction only from their lord and master, Peter Obi. We are dealing with a population that would accept the devil as a saint today if he speaks out in support of Obi. They would claim he was chased out of heaven because he challenged godfatherism; he would become their hero of democracy. And today, if Jesus would speak against their Obi,

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