Thursday, February 16th, 2023 Edition

Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed inspecting the Quarter Guard reception mounted for him by Corps Members in Niger State Orientation Camp in Paiko on

during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘A’ Stream

Naira Redesign: Supreme Court Joins Katsina, Lagos, Cross Rivers, 4 others in suit against FG

old Naira subsists

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

TheSupreme Court of Nigeria has joined the Attorneys General of Katsina, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Sokoto states as co-plaintiffs in the suit challenging the Naira Redesign policy of the Federal Government.

The various state governments had, through their Attorneys General, applied to be joined in the suit against the FG.

The Supreme Court also explained that its February 8 order barring the Federal Government and its agencies from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes still subsists, and that there was no need to issue another one as demanded by the plaintiffs.

The court gave the explanation Wednesday after the lawyer to Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) complained that the Fed Govt and its agencies had refused to comply with the order and had allegedly directed the rejection of the old notes.

Mustapha said the plaintiff filed a notice of non-compliance with the court order made on February 8. He demanded that the court take action against the respondent to protect the dignity of the court.

He added: “That order has been flouted by the government. We are talking of executive lawlessness here. We have filed an affidavit to that effect…We want

the court to renew the order for parties to be properly guided.”

Justice John Okoro, who presided over a seven-member panel of the court, asked Mustapha to file a proper application to put forward his complaints and to enable the respondent to respond appropriately.

Justice Okoro said there was no need for a renewal of the court’s order.

He noted that since the order made by the court on February 8 was made pending the determination of the motion for injunctions filed by the plaintiff, the order still subsists since the motion was not yet heard.

The court had, in the February 8 ruling, said: “after a careful consideration of this ex-parte application, and the grounds in support of same, this court finds that there is real urgency for this court to intervene by the grant of this application.

“Accordingly, this application is hereby granted as prayed.

“That is to say, an order of interim injunction restraining the Federal Government of Nigeria, either by itself or acting through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and/or the commercial banks, its agents; agencies, corporations, ministries, parastatals, organizations or through any person or persons (natural and artificial) howsoever, from suspending or determining or ending on the 10th of February 2023 the timeframe within which the now older versions of the 200,

500 and 1000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs/ applicants’ motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”

The Supreme Court has however fixed Wednesday, February 22 for hearing of the suit filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states challenging the propriety the naira swap policy of the Federal Government.

The court chose the date after joining the Attorneys General of Katsina, Lagos, Cross River, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti and Sokoto states as co-plaintiffs in the earlier suit filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states.

The court ordered that the suits filed by separately by Nasarawa, Rivers and Kano states on the same issue be consolidated with the one filed by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states.

The court ordered parties to file all necessary documents before the hearing set for next Wednesday.

Justice Okoro, before adjourning, told lawyer to the AGF, Kanu Agabi (SAN) to advise his client to ensure the availability of currency for the people.

“Tell your client to let people have money.... Make money available to the poor masses.

“You should know that a hungry man is an angry man. I say no more,” he said.

Responding, Agabi said Nigerians were only blaming the government for their poverty..

“Things have been bad for long. It is not today that the problems started,” Agabi said.

Governors Nasir El-Rufai and Yahaya Bello of Kaduna and Kogi states were in court to witness proceedings.

Speaking after the court proceedings, Bello said the states were not at war with the Fed Govt over its cashless policy, but are only concerned about its negative impact on the citizens, who are now denied access to their funds.

However, Bayelsa and Edo states, applied and were joined by the Apex court as co-respondents in the matter. Both states chose to side with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) originally listed as the sole respondent.

The 7-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, had earlier ordered the plaintiff to amend the originating process to reflect the co-plaintiffs joined.

Recall that in a unanimous ruling on February 6, the Supreme court granted an interim injunction restraining the FG, CBN, commercial banks etc from implementing the February 10, deadline for the old 200, 500 and 1000 Naira notes to stop being a legal tender.

The court further held that the FG, CBN, commercial banks etc must not continue with the deadline pending the determination of a motion on notice in respect of the issue on February 15.

yesterday

Rivers PDP

governorship candidate’ll sustain Wike’s legacies -Semenitari

Ibim Semenitari, Director, New Media, PDP Campaign Council for Rivers governorship election, says the party’s candidate, Mr Siminalayi Fubara will sustain Gov. Nyesom Wike`s legacies if elected.

Semenitari who said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said that Fubara would sustain the dividends of democracy being enjoyed by Rivers people under the Wike-led administration.

She said this would be done through investment in infrastructure, to underpin a stronger economy and improved

security and capacity development.

The director said Fubara had a proven track records of public service, having served meritoriously nearing two decades and rose to the position of Accountant General of the state.

She said the PDP candidate had a clear understanding of issues facing the people of the state, adding that he has a vision to create better future for his people.

Semenitari said Fubara was committed to creating a more prosperous future for the people and achieving the goals of inclusive development.

“His disposition and promotion of peace and stability is unparalleled, he is a fervent advocate of human capital development,“he said.

She said the governorship candidate would invest in energy solutions, to tackle electricity issues, installing CCTV cameras and drones to combat insecurity and reforming the public sector.

According to her, these would be achieved through industrialisation, creating more jobs and improved social infrastructure and healthcare.

“By executing these measures,

Fubara hopes to transform Rivers into a modern, vibrant, and secure environment that enables its citizens to thrive,” she said.

She said his cabinet would comprise a sizeable number of youth and women that would truly reflect his beliefs in the untapped potentials of the groups.

Semenitari said this was aimed at leveraging their capacity to promote inclusiveness for a more efficient state.

The director said that this would foster an environment where Rivers people could take pride in their state. (NAN)

L-R: Executive Director, Institute for Media and Society, Dr. Akin Akingbolu; Chief Executive Officer, Albino Foundation, Jake Epelle; Executive Director, International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade and Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, during the Media/CSO Roundtable on the 2023 Elections with Theme” Avoiding Landmines, Overcoming Obstacles/ Conducting Credible Elections ,

in Abuja .. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

• Bayelsa, Edo States joined as respondents

• Feb 8 order on status of

2023 UTME: JAMB extends registration to February 22

By Maryam Abeeb

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended its 2023 UTME registration exercise by one week.

A statement signed by JAMB’s Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained that the sale of ePINs would end on Monday, 20th February, 2023, while the UTME registration ends on Wednesday, 22nd February, 2023.

The statement also stated that at the close of the sale of ePINs

on Tuesday, 14th February, 2023, 1,527,068 candidates had successfullyl registered for the 2023 UTME exercise inclusive of the 168,748, who indicated their interest to take the Mock-UTME.

Recall that in line with the Board’s 2023 Schedule of Activities, as earlier released, the closing date for the sale of both the ePINs and the 2023 UTME application documents was slated for Tuesday, 14th February, 2023.

The statement said, “It should also be noted that the Board, based on its projections, had expanded its capacity to register

up to a hundred thousand candidates per day. With this, it was possible to register all desiring candidates within the space of a few days.

“However, less than fifty thousand candidates were turning up for registration which is less than the installed registration capacity.

“Surprisingly, in the last two days before the closing date, the pace picked up remarkably with over a hundred thousand candidates registering on a daily basis.

“Furthermore, the Board,

Group provides water, sanitation services to 7.5m Kaduna residents

as a responsive and proactive agency, took cognisance of the reports from across the country indicating some difficulties being faced by many Nigerians in using their electronic channels to purchase the ePINs or obtain cash readily within the stipulated period.

“It has, as a consequence, granted this extension to ensure that all candidates who desire to register for the 2023 UTME are given the opportunity to do so especially when the extant challenges are not of their own making.”

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

TheSustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SUREWASH), Kaduna Implementation unit, will provide portable drinking water and sanitation services to 7.5 million residents of the state.

The programme’s Social Safeguard Consultant, Mr Leonell Echa, stated this at the opening of a two-day training and inauguration of Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs), in Kaduna on Tuesday.

Echa explained that a total of 6.1 million people would be provided with clean drinking water services, while 1.4 million would be provided with improved sanitation services through the World Bank-supported programme.

He added that 2,000 schools and healthcare facilities would be provided with improved Water Sanitation and Hygiene facilities, and would also support 500 communities to attain Open Defecation Free status.

According to him, the objective of the programme was to increase access to WASH services and strengthen sectoral institutions in seven pilot states in the country.

He identified the benefiting states to included; Kaduna, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Katsina and Plateau.

“The SUREWASH programme was designed to enact necessary policy reforms and enhance the capacity of institutions required for effective and sustainable service delivery in urban and rural areas, as well as small towns.

“This includes development of priority infrastructure to improve water supply and WASH infrastructure in institutions such as schools and healthcare facilities as well as markets and motor packs,” he said.

Earlier, the Project Coordinator in the state, Mr Esau Ambinjah, explained that the project was designed to eradicate water, sanitation and hygiene related diseases in the state.

Ambinjah said that the programme was being piloted in six out of the 23 local government areas (LGAs), of Soba, Sabon Gari, Chikun, Igabi, Jema’a and Jaba in the state.

NDDC, centre trains 70 staffers on policy formulation, security management

The Niger Delta Development Commission, in collaboration with the Savannah Centre for Development and Training L.td., on Wednesday in Abuja trained over 70 staffers of the commission on policy formulation and security management.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the training was: ” A management Implant on Policy Making in a Dynamic World and Security Management.”

Speaking to newsmen during the training, the Executive Director of the centre, Amb. Sani Bala, said that the aim of the training was to enhance the performance of the commission’s personnel.

Bala also said that the training would equip the staffers to have a better understanding of security issues in the Niger Delta, with a view to enabling them collaborate

with the security agencies to ensure the security of the entire communities in the region.

He topics of the training centred on policy formulation, ”because all activities of organisations are largely dependent on the policies they produce to achieve our objectives and goals.

Bala said: “So, if you don’t have the right policy definitely you are going to have difficulties in attaining your goals and objectives and that is why we trained them on how to formulate policies.

” If you look at the content of the presentation on policy formulation it is very rich, comprehensive and garmane. The other aspects is on management. There is going to be a presentation management.

“How do you plan, organise, coordinate and also direct or implement the policy direction of the organisation? Then the third aspect is the issue of security

because security is a very serious challenge, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

” And for any organisation that is going to operate in the Niger Delta region must be conscious of the security. So it is very important we equip the staff of NDDC on the issues of security challenges. How do you management, prevent the situation that may challenge the security of the region.”

Also, a Deputy Director at NDDC, Mr Chris Ekah, affirmed that the training was designed, among others, to equip the staffers with the relevant knowledge on policy making and assist them on how to deliver on the mandate of the NDDC.

“The second aspect of the training is on security management. As you are aware Niger Delta is a very volatile area unlike Abuja here, so we are training our staffers to be very

mindful of the environment.

”It also focuses on how to guard themselves in the area as well as safeguard our information in terms of our work tools, information flow within the system and the commission,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, an Assistant Manager, Abuja Liaison Office of the commission, Mr Utin Archibong, said the training had been very incisive, educating and it brought to fore what policy formulation in context should look like.

He said: “It simply means that our policy should be more domesticated here, within our environment, the Niger Delta region and the country at large.

”And that it should be more inclusive because when we have a lots of inclusiveness, the outcome will be much more better than we see now.” (NAN)

He explained that the benefiting LGAS were selected after declaration of interest and adjudged to be the best among the other LGAs.

He added that the training was part of efforts to mobilise critical stakeholders and community members towards success of the programme.

Also, Mrs Jummai Ibrahim, a Social and Gender Officer, said that the objectives of the programme was to train stakeholders in the six benefiting LGAs on GRCs, and inaugurate same at that level.

Ibrahim added that the training was also organised to deliberate on gender perspectives and GenderBased Violence that may arise at the course of the implementation of the programme.

She added that at the end of the training the GRCs, designed to resolve issues on the spot in a fair, effective and credible manner, would be inaugurated in the six benefiting LGAs.

“The GRCs will be providing a voice for beneficiaries of the project, resolving environmental and social related complaints, reducing the likelihood of escalation of grievances and promote “do no harm,” Ibrahim said.

2023 Election: APC Edo North Senatorial Candidate, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at Okpela during Ward Campaign at Edo State ahead of General Election, recently

Elections: Google commits $2m on fight against misinformation

Google.org has announced a grant of two million dollars for Nigeria Fact Checkers to leverage Artificial Intelliegence (AI) to fight against misinformation at the forthcoming general elections.

Dawn Dimowo, Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Google Nigeria, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Dimowo said that Full Fact, a UK-based charity, would partner with some organisations to fight misinformation during the forthcoming general election in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Full-Fact tackles misinformation through fact checks and campaigns.

Dimowo said that Google. org would continue to use its resources and technology to make a positive impact on society.

She said that continued support for Full Fact in Nigeria was an exciting opportunity to help stop the spread of misinformation and promote accurate information during the election.

2023: Gov Yahaya, other candidates sign peace accord in Gombe

From David Hassan, Gombe

Gombe state governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya alongside other candidates in the state have signed an agreement of peace accord ahead of 2023 general elections.

It was gathered that the signing of agreement was aimed at maintaining peace during and after the elections.

Performing the function, the Resident Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe state Alhaji Umar Ibrahim stated this on Wednesday during the signing of peace accord by governorship candidates and chairmen of political parties.

He said relative peace is an ingredient to conduct credible elections, adding that such elections should not be compromised as voters will not turn out en-mass to exercise their franchise due to intimidation.

“This builds on our ongoing efforts to support local factchecking initiatives as Google is proud to support this important project and make a positive difference in the world.

‘’Collaborating with International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) members Africa Check, Dubawa, and FactCheckHub, Full Fact will expand the use of its AI tools to stop the spread of misinformation during the election.

‘’The project made possible by a $2 million grant from Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, has already seen remarkable results.

‘’With the support of seven dedicated technical Google. org Fellows who worked on a pro bono basis, Full Fact’s AI technology has seen a 1,000x increase in claim detection.

“That is identifying which claims are most important to fact-check and help scale their fact-checks to appear in 237 million search results in 2020,’’ she said.

According to her, the technology developed by Full

Fact since 2015, will be used in Nigerian election for the first time.

Dimowo said that the technology would offer instant transcription services and real-time fact-checking during debates, speeches and throughout the election process to increase the speed and accuracy of information dissemination.

She said that Full Fact would also provide training and support to its local fact-checking partners during the election process.

According to her, despite the emergence of organisations and initiatives aimed at countering the spread of misinformation and promoting accurate information in Nigeria, fact-checking still faces challenges such as limited resources and difficulties in accessing information.

‘’However, with the help of AI technology, Full Fact is determined to make it harder for false and misleading claims to spread and erode trust in democracy,’’ she added.

Will Moy, the Chief Executive Officer Full Fact, said that every vote should be an informed vote.

“We have seen firsthand how bad information spreads during an election and it should not be allowed to undermine democracy,” Moy said.

According to Moy, our AI tools, with support from Google. org, help fact checkers stay ahead of false claims and promote accurate information. We’re proud to support our partners in Nigeria during this important time.

Opeyemi Kehinde, Editor, FactCheckHub, said that using the Full Fact AI tool, built in collaboration with Africa Check, had enhanced the work ahead of the general election.

Kehinde said that since being onboarded, our team of factcheckers and researchers at the Nigerian Fact-checkers Coalition (NFC) have been utilising the AI platform to source claims for debunking easily.

He said that the platform also comes in handy for our live checks of political town halls and debates for candidates, especially its live transcription feature, which we hope to utilise in the days before the election.

Kemi Busari, Editor, Dubawa, said, Full Fact AI has been very helpful in the lead up to the elections in Nigeria because of the tools searching for claims and even identifying persistent spreaders of falsehood.

Busari said that these tools, combined, would further help fact-checkers to hold politicians accountable and help people access accurate information about the election.

David Ajikobi, Nigerian Editor at Africa Check, said that Full Fact’s AI Tools, which Africa Check helped to develop, allows the coalition to monitor news websites, social media pages and transcribe live TV or radio to find claims to fact check.

Ajikobi said that this had boosted the coalition’s resolve to significantly reduce the spread and impact of electionrelated misinformation and disinformation.

He said that during the course of the Nigerian elections, Full Fact AI would share fact checks images, videos, and impact stories from their fact-checking service. (NAN)

L-R; United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth, Special Assistant, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ms. Holly Mackey and President Muhammadu Buhari during an audience at the State House on Tuesday in Abuja.

Kebbi University gets FM station

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

TheKebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero has established the Campus FM Station.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in his office, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ladan Aliero who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research and Renovations

Professor Sa’adu Umar Birnin Yauri said that the FM was established last year by the students of electric and electronic technology engineering department with effort to streamline their academic

performance and intelligence. He added that the newly established FM was tested for more than a month and suspended due to the licence by the Nigeria Broadcasting Cooperation (NBC).

Inmates reintegration key to productive citizenry – NCoS boss

The Comptroller General, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Haliru Nababa says reformation and reintegration of inmates into the society is key to having responsible, empowered and productive citizenry.

Nababa said this during the presentation of income generating materials to 25 ex-convicts on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the materials were for ex-convicts who acquired vocational skills while serving their prison terms.

This, he said, was in fulfilment of the core mandate of the service of reforming offenders and reintegrating them into the society.

“Today’s symbolic distribution to 25 ex-inmates, flags off the

annual aftercare programme for the year 2023 which is expected to be replicated in various Commands across the Federation.

“The essence of this scheme is to retool ex-offenders thereby encouraging them to be productive and self-sustaining.

“This remains the best way to keep them away from crime and criminality, making our

communities and the country at large safe, as well as a better place for all,” he said.

The Comptroller General encouraged the beneficiaries to put the tools to good use and work hard to improve their living conditions and become employers of labour.

Nababa called on well meaning Nigerians to wholly accept the reformed citizens, patronise

their businesses and desist from stigmatising them.

“Ex-offenders, if not treated with special care and support are likely to return to their old ways hence, rekindling their criminal world and endangering the society.

“The onus lies on us to break the cycle of criminality by helping ex-offenders to fully embrace better life,” he said.(NAN)

Photo: State House

Court orders Evans to refund 233,000 Euros ransom taken from kidnap victim

ALagos High Court presided over by Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi on Wednesday ordered convicted kidnap kingpin,, to refund 233,000 Euros he collected as ransom from his victim, Donatus Dunu.

The judge also ordered the convict to pay N50 million to Dunu as general damages.

Onwuamadike and his gang kidnapped Dunu, a pharmacist on Feb. 14, 2017 and held him hostage before he managed to escape.

After his escape, Dunu, Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Company filed Suit No: LD/5243GCM/2018 demanding the refund of the 223,000 Euros he paid as ransom while in the custody of the kidnap kingpin.

He also demanded N50 million as damages.

In his testimony before the court, the claimant added that the

defendant asked him to instruct his brothers, Anslem Dunu and Innocent Dunu to pay the ransom.

The pharmacist stated that the 233,000 Euros was paid but Onwuamadike refused to release him but he eventually escaped from captivity.

Dunu’s brother, Anslem, also gave evidence and said that on Feb. 14, 2017, another brother of his, Innocent Dunu informed him that the claimant had been abducted.

Anslem told the court that on Feb. 15, 2017, a day after Dunu’s abduction, he spoke with the claimant on phone and he instructed him to pay his abductors N100 million as ransom for his release.

He stated that the abductors later demanded for one million Euros.

Anslem added that it was one of his relatives, one Uchenna

Okagwu that delivered the sum of 233,000 Euros to the abductors.

The witness was not cross examined.

In his defence, Onwuamadike contended that the strength of the claimant’s case was predicated majorly upon the criminal trial against him and others in Suit No. 1D/5970C/2017.

The defendant also submitted that the only evidence before the court as to the payment of the 233,000 Euros was the evidence of Okagwu, who allegedly delivered the money to the abductors.

He added that in the criminal trial in Suit No. 1D/5970C/2017, Okagwu testified that he dropped the said sum on the ground and fled and that he did not see anybody or deliver the money to anyone.

He argued that the evidence of Okagwu who delivered the said ransom to the abductors was the

only direct evidence and must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the defendant, the judgment delivered by Justice O.H. Oshodi on Feb. 25, 2022 is now subject of an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.

In his judgment on Wednesday, Justice Ogunjobi held that the defendant gave inconsistent evidence and could not be recognised as a witness of truth.

“It is settled law that no witness who gives materially inconsistent evidence on oath is entitled to the honour of being accorded with any credibility and such does not deserve to be treated as a truthful witness.

“Aside adducing conflicting pieces of evidence on oath, I have watched the demeanour of the defendant in the witness box when giving evidence and came to the conclusion that the defendant is not a witness of truth.

“I accept the unchallenged and uncontroverted evidence of the claimant and his witnesses. Their evidence is consistent with the reliefs sought.

“Consequently, the claimant is entitled to be repaid and or recover from the defendant, 233,000 Euros ransom coercively paid by the claimant to defendant when the defendant kidnapped him in 2017 and held him hostage for months.

“The sum of N50 million is awarded as general damages in favour of the claimant.

“Post-judgment interest is also awarded on the said sum of 233,000 Euros at the rate of 10 per cent per annum from judgment day until final liquidation,’’ Justice Ogunjobi declared.

The adjudged ruled that the sum is to be paid or recovered from the assets of the defendant. (NAN)

L-R: Sporkman Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed with Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, during the Ten Years Anniversary and General Assembly of NEF, yesterday in Abuja.

We’re committed to credible polls, peaceful transition- Northern Elders’ Forum

The

Elders Forum (NEF) has committed its support to the conduct of a credible election and a peaceful transition.

The forum urged members to vote for any candidates that can work for the interests of the group. The forum made the adoption at the General Assembly of the Northern Elders Forum as

Patriotic citizens of Nigeria, in Abuja on Wednesday.

It also urged to respect the popular will expressed by credible elections, irrespective of the origin and identity of the winner, and also resist any attempt to

subvert our democratic system by any unconstitutional means.

“We would support the next administration to address major challenges that inhibit the growth, development, peace, and security of the North and Nigeria.

“We would engage the rest of Nigeria as respected equals, and continue to demand that the rights of Northerners will not be abused, sacrificed, or neglected by any government or group.”

Photo: BASHIR BELLO

From Abubakar Yunusa

Northern

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State and Mediation Working Committee (KSMWC), recently inaugurated by the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), has called on international partners and local civil society organizations to work harder towards mitigating electoral violence through intensive campaigns for tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

A communique issued and read by Nurudeen Dauda at the end of its meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, said, “We are also calling on international partners and local civil society organizations to work harder toward mitigating electoral violence through intensive campaigns for tolerance and peaceful coexistence.”

The communique added, “INEC should also do something to douse inter-party tensions thereby assuring and guaranteeing safety of voters at their respective polling units.”

The committee expressed delight with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for taking steps to protect the integrity of what could be a particularly complex electioneering process.

He explained that records showed that more than 90 million Nigerians, in a population estimated at over 210 million, are eligible to vote in 2023, saying that the number is considerably larger than the 84 millions of those who cast their votes in 2019.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its readiness to conduct credible, free and fair election on Feb. 25 in Imo, in spite of the violence in the state.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. Sylvia Agu gave the assurance on Wednesday at a news conference to announce the commission’s preparedness for the election.

Agu said that about 2.4 million registered voters in Imo were eligible to vote during the election.

“As at the close of work on Feb. 3, about 375,004 Permanent

Voter Cards (PVC), comprising 206,463 old cards, 116,734 new cards and 51,807 reprints have been collected,” she said.

Agu said that over 4,500 people who filled forms on issues relating to PVCs had been attended to.

The REC assured that the commission had made adequate arrangements to carry out voting in volatile areas of the state, particularly in Okigwe and Orsu Local Government Areas.

She noted, however, that election would not hold in 38 polling units in the state where the commission recorded zero registration.

Agu said that zero registration were recorded in Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ezinihite Mbaise, Ideato North, Isiala Mbano, Isu, Njaba, Ohaji/Egbema, Orlu, Oru East, Owerri Municipal and Owerri North Local Government Areas.

“On level of preparedness, INEC in Imo State is fully ready for the elections.

Imo: INEC reaffirms readiness for Feb. 25 election 2023: Work toward mitigating electoral violenceGroup tells international partners

“All non-sensitive materials have been received and distributed to various Local Government Areas.

“Diverse trainings have been concluded and the training of presiding officers and assistant

presiding officers is still on-going.

“The next set of trainees will focus on registration areas, technical collation officers.”

Agu said that after the training, the commission would recruit a reasonable number of ad hoc staff for the elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that INEC had suffered up to four attacks on its facilities since 2022 in Imo, resulting to the death of some staff of the commission.

The commission has however, restated its determination to conduct the elections, in spite of the attacks. (NAN)

2023: PRNigeria calls for proactive action in stemming violent threats

PRNigeria, a nongovernmental organisation has called on security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to be proactive in order to stem any violent threat to the 2023 general elections.

Mr Yushau Shuaib, the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation made the call at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

Shuaib said criminal activities across the country like kidnapping, terrorism and violent separatist agitations among others might affect the peaceful conduct of the elections.

He added that these negative activities might occur, “if security agencies and other relevant stakeholders are not proactive in stemming them”.

According to Shuaib, there are reports of politically –

motivated killings in some states of the federation.

“In November 2022 for instance, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, reported that there were 52 cases of political violence across 22 states in one month.

“Between 2019 and 2022, hoodlums attacked more than 50 offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), in 15 States.

“Also, there are cases of destruction of billboards, campaign vehicles, offices and other properties. Several campaign rallies have been violently disrupted and convoys attacked,” he said.

Speaking on PRNigeria’s investigations and findings, Mukhtar Madobi, Staff Writer, Emergency Digest, observed that the rash of unscientific opinion

polls and partisan projections had heightened public anxiety.

Madobi further said that this could influence extreme optimism among candidates and their supporters, which could undermine national security.

“Since some electorates are of the view that their votes do not really count on the assumption that the outcome of most elections are predetermined, voter apathy may still be an issue in some places,” he said.

Madobi recommended that political parties and their supporters should adhere to electoral rules and be quick to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, whenever the outcome of any election was announced.

“There is the need for political candidates to demonstrate mature and exemplary leadership

by eschewing inciting utterances and actions capable of provoking social unrest.

“Also, community leaders should preach the gospel of peace and unity, while encouraging youths to shun political thuggery and other forms of violence.

“There is the need for individual communities to support the government in launching sensitisation campaigns and advocacies on tolerance and peaceful coexistence through appropriate communication channels,” he said.

Abdulsalam Mahmud, Deputy Editor PRNigeria said that the general public should at their discretion avoid any form of violence that might scuttle the successful conduct of the election and undermine national security.

Mahmud urged the security agencies to remain steadfast in discharging their constitutional mandates of protecting lives and properties before, during and after the elections.

On his part, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi while commending the organisation for the initiative, assured the general public of the security agencies’ readiness towards ensuring peaceful election.

Adejobi said the security apparatus would continue to sustain inter-agency collaboration and synergy to foster quick emergency response as well as effective joint operations.

PRNigeria is a subsidiary of award-winning communication firm, Image Merchants Promotions Ltd.(NAN)

Endurance Tracking by Women with disability to seek inclusion in politics and governance, yesterday in Kaduna

We will not condone attacks on our staff — MD

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

the company.

are brought before the law.

The

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kaduna

Electric, Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya, has sent out a stern warning to members of the public that the company shall no longer condone unwarranted attacks on its staff.

He said henceforth any community that assaults Kaduna Electric staff while carrying out their lawful duties will have to face the consequences of living without power supply due to unsafe working environment for

The MD/CEO made these assertions at an interactive session with representatives of various customer groups in Rigasa, Kaduna, who visited the Kaduna Electric headquarters.

Engr. Yusuf lamented the sad incident that occurred in Kabala where some staff were assaulted saying the company has written to heads of security agencies and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission stating why it withdrew its services from the community. He said the company shall not rest until the perpetrators

The Kaduna Electric helmsman took time to educate the visitors on the power supply situation being experienced in Rigasa and also the commercial performance of the area which records presented showed was abysmal. He harped on the need for closer collaboration between the company and community/religious and youth leaders to bring about attitudinal change for the benefit of the two parties.

He urged the community representatives to help sensitise customers on the need to

avoid all forms of energy theft, which he said contributed to complaints of high bills from paying customers. He also urged customers to always insist on collecting a receipt for every payment made by the company to ensure payments reflect on customer accounts.

Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, who led the community representatives expressed satisfaction with the visit saying they were better enlightened about the power sector and promised to cascade the information to other members of the communities.

Niger CP presents N37.9m cheques to families of slain officers

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Ogundele J. Ayodeji, has presented cheques of over N37 million to the families of Police personnel who died in active service in the Command within the last five years.

Presenting the cheques to the next of kin and family members, under the IGP Family Welfare and Group Life Assurance Schemes at Minna Police Headquarters, the CP said losing personnel in the line of duty is a painful experience.

He expressed shock over the recent unfortunate incident, where the Command lost some of its personnel in active service.

The CP appreciated the IGP for his effort in providing succor to the families of deceased personnel, as he noted that the money will go a long way to assist them.

One of beneficiaries, Daniel Asar and Abubakar Moh’d appreciated the IGP, the CP, Niger State Police Command and particularly, the Insurance officer of the Command for their efforts towards getting the claims.

2023: Gov Yahaya other

candidates sign peace accord in Gombe

NDDC Chairman assures Niger Delta people of transparency, fairness

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, has assured that the new leadership at the Commission under her watch will work to impact positively on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region by making transparency and fairness the order of the day

Speaking during the Anticorruption and Social Inclusive Reform Initiatives in Nigeria

project mid-term review meeting organised by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), yesterday, she said it is imperative to chart a new course for the NDDC, different from what obtained in the past.

She added that the new NDDC leadership is there to do things differently, saying they will work with new ideas to be able to achieve the objective of fast-tracking the development of the Niger Delta region.

Mrs. Lauretta Onochie stressed that NDDC was

established specifically for the people of the Niger Delta region as an interventionist agency, meant to bring prosperity to the Niger Delta region.

“We are here to serve the people of the region and by extension serve Nigeria. We are here to reposition the NDDC.

“Our interest is to improve the lives of Niger Delta people. The monies meant for the development of the Niger Delta must be used for the region. ” She said

The NDDC boss assured Person with disabilities, women

and youths robust relationship during her tenure.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor said Enhancing Anti-corruption and Social Inclusive Reform Initiatives in Nigeria project is being implemented by ANEEJ and eight partners as part of the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project, saying that it is design to enhance local civil society’s organizations’ ability to be positive and responsible change agents in the country.

From David Hassan, Gombe

Gombe state governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya alongside other candidates in the state have signed an agreement of peace accord ahead of 2023 general elections.

It was gathered that the signing of agreement was aimed at maintaining peace during and after the elections.

Performing the function, the Resident Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe state Alhaji Umar Ibrahim stated this on Wednesday during the signing of peace accord by governorship candidates and chairmen of political parties.

He said relative peace is an ingredient to conduct credible elections adding that such elections should not be compromised as voters will not turn out en-mass to exercise their franchise due to intimidation.

L-R: Director PRNigeria, Alh. Yushau A. Shuaib, Deputy Editor, PRNigeria, Mr. Mahmud Abdulsalam, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Director, Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Commodore Kabir Aliyu (rtd) and a staff writer of PRNigeria, Mukhtar Ya’U Madobi, during the special report presentation on the 2023 General Elections Swot Analysis of Major Presidential Candidates and Security Matters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Currency swap: Gbajabiamila launches second transport scheme to ease residents’, students’ movements ...rolls out 35 new buses to commute 7,000 people daily

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has launched the second edition of the GbajaRide community transportation initiative as part of plans to ease the movement of residents and students in Surulere, Lagos, particularly due to the hardship occasioned by the ongoing currency swap policy and fuel scarcity.

At the launch of the second phase of the GbajaRide initiative at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila announced that a total of 15 medium-sized buses with a 26+1 capacity and 20 airconditioned 18-seat buses were earmarked for the transportation scheme.

He said the two different sets of buses would commute an estimated 5,000 Surulere residents and 2,000 students on daily trips, noting that “we intend to add more buses to the service.”

The GbajaRide scheme was first launched in June 2018, when the Speaker was serving as the

House Leader in the 8th Assembly. It kicked off with 30 brand new buses, 160 motorcycles, and 25 tricycles, used to empower and ease the movement of residents of Surulere.

He said: “GbajaRide is part of the relief designed to provide transportation service for the people of Surulere at a discounted rate. We must commend the government of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for the rollout plans to ease the pains Lagosians go through during this period.

“While GbajaRide will be moving residents of Surulere at a discounted rate, the transport service will move all our secondary school students, teachers and residents of age 75 and above from designated bus stops in Surulere free of charge.”

“The GbajaRide transport service in partnership with Lagos State Government will key into existing rules of engagement of LAMATA on routes and operations that will meet the transportation needs of the people of Surulere.”

The Speaker said, learning from the first phase, GbajaRide

ICD: NACA, AHF intensify condom awareness

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

In their determination to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) have intensified awareness on the use of condom.

Speaking at the event on Monday to commemorate the International Condom Day (ICD), a Deputy Director at NACA, Ezinne Okey-Uchendu said, condom programming is a major pillar in prevention HIV/ AIDS.

“Condom prevents against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and unplanned pregnancy. This message is very important to the young ones and there is need to always intensify awareness on the usage to avoid spread of diseases.”

Speaking further, she said the agency ensures that people with HIV/AIDS are on drugs so that they will not be able to transmit.

On Total Marketing Approach (TMA), she said the approach helps to subsidized condoms, saying all are not free.

She added that the government is working to ensuring an effective condom programming in the country.

Similarly, Oluwakemi

was now structured under a proper management service that would run the new service in partnership with the Lagos State Government and with the cooperation of members of the Lagos State Park and Garage Administrators.

Gbajabiamila noted that as the representative of his people, he had a good understanding of the current hardship and discomfort being faced by many Nigerians, including his constituents.

“The House of Representatives under my leadership has been on the side of the people, working tirelessly to rescue you from economic saboteurs seeking to derail the successes of President Buhari and the APC administration. I am glad that the judiciary also confirmed our position on the implementation of the naira redesign policy of the central bank. The good news is that relief is underway.”

He said as Nigerians prepare to vote on February 25 and March 11, the development of Surulere, Lagos State, and Nigeria will be on the ballot for consideration, and that the sustenance of the

transportation initiative would “be guaranteed if we choose APC in the forthcoming elections.”

“I strongly believe that residents of Surulere, irrespective of tribe or religion, will affirm and attest to all the developmental projects facilitated in Surulere 1 and 2 Federal Constituencies and beyond.

“Surulere is enjoying all these developments because our community has enjoyed the support of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu from 1999 till date. It is our time to return this support and love to the man we believe will bring relief and succour to many Nigerians when elected.

“As we all go out on February 25, 2023, I urge you to vote APC in the Asiwaju for President, Rt. Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun for Senate and my humble selfFemi Gbajabiamila - for House of Representatives. While on March 11, 2023, we should vote APC to return our Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Hon. Desmond Elliot back into office.”

Gbajabiamila also urged the people of Surulere and Lagos Park

and Garage committee members to cooperate with the management of the GbajaRide Transport service for ease of movement of residents and students.

“I also urge the management service and drivers of GbajaRide to make safety a top priority, and I pray that GbajaRide will be safe from accidents and our people will find joy in subscribing to GbajaRide any day any time. God bless you all.”

Also at the function was the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Rep. Jimi Benson; APC Lagos State Chairman, Hon Cornelius Ojelabi; Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Transportation, Hon Sola Giwa; SSA to the Lagos Governor on Sports, Mr. Anthony Adeyinka; MD of Lagos State Housing Development Corporation, Hon. Ayo Joseph; the Oniba of Iba, Lagos, Oba Suleiman Raji; the Onikate of Ikate-Surulere, Oba Lateef Adams; Secretary of Lagos GAC, Alhaji Mutiu Are; Member of Lagos GAC, Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun, among other dignitaries.

Nigeria to become preferred investment destination — NIPC

Badamosi, Director of Advocacy and Policy Management, AHF Africa Bureau, said the event is commemorated a day before Valentine’s Day to caution you people who indulge in unprotected sex.

“The message is important for the young ones to protect themselves. It is also strategic because a lot of activities and expression of love that happens during Valentines. We are saying that they should also show love by using condom.

“We need to help young people make informed choices. This is Al a time to increase investment because of the prevalence.

“Everyone has a role to play so as to effectively curb the spread”.

On his part, Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, said the programme calls for emergency need to step up awareness. We also want to demystify stigma and misinformation.

“Condom advocacy is necessary because of millions of cases world wide. We want improvement in the use of Condom.

“The young ones need improvement and sensitisation so as to do better when it comes to the use of Condom”.

TheNigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), has expressed its commitment to ensure that Nigeria becomes a preferred investment destination of choice for investors.

The Executive Secretary of NIPC, Mrs Saratu Umar, said this at the NIPC stakeholders’ engagement forum with state Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Umar said that NIPC was also strategising to increase national attractiveness and branding strategies at the national and subnational levels to deepen Nigeria’s investment promotion drive.

While calling for improved synergy among stakeholders in the investment promotion ecosystem, she expressed concern that the investment promotion drive of the country was fragmented.

According to her, the investment promotion drive of the country is largely fragmented, thereby, depriving us of cohesive leverage we can achieve if we synergise our efforts and resources.

“Consequently, all stakeholders in the investment promotion ecosystem ought to work in synergy and complement our mandates and competences to facilitate a national investment promotion campaign under the National Investment Promotion Master plan.

“This will also holistically accommodate investment opportunities at the state levels,’’ she said.

Umar said that the absence of a coordination and monitoring mechanism had left the investing community in a state of confusion.

She said that the coordination of investment promotion activities between the national IPAs,

NIPC, and sub-national IPAs for the effective implementation of investment promotion activities was largely absent.

“To avoid a ‘race to the bottom’ conduct, the country’s effort should be created for investment promotion under the coordination of the national IPA, NIPC,’’ Umar said.

She said that Nigeria is a resource rich country with a potential that was unrivalled by any other country in the world, “but this potential is yet to be fully harnessed’’.

“The level of resource mobilisation is insufficient to harness this potential for inclusive growth and national development.

“And this is where the role of investment promotion comes in to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and mobilise Local Direct Investment.

“Global FDIs market over the last decade has become very competitive and versatile.

“The investment promotion thrust of successful jurisdictions that are attracting the largest global market share of FDIs inflows are driven by effective, efficient and performance driven IPAs.

‘With almost 180 IPAs worldwide competing to channel FDIs to their different countries, a compelling imperative is established that NIPC is positioned to ensure that Nigeria gets a fair share of this global market.

“The commencement of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) makes it imperative for Nigeria to enhance its investment promotion drive and outclass other economies within the Area.

“This is in order to remain the preferred investment destination of choice because with AfCFTA, an investor can establish operation in any African country that is signatory

and still access the Nigerian market,” she said.

According to Umar, the central and strategic role of NIPC in the coordination of all investment promotion should, therefore, be activated to ensure Nigeria’s investment promotion drive was given traction.

“This is to onboard investments into the different sectors of the economy in a bid to facilitate economic growth and national development as well as job creation, import substitution, foreign exchange generation and reduction of our reliance on debt among others.

“Therefore, in order not to lose out of the tremendous opportunity that has now presented itself, we must collaborate under NIPC’s coordination to implement investment facilitation measures to maximise the impact of investment facilitation activities.

“Thus, under the national investment coordination framework being evolved, NIPC will provide a clear strategy for a seamless collaboration and coordination of the investment ecosystem as well as usher in a robust and effective stakeholder communication and engagement.

“This will result in effective partnership with all stakeholders including sub-national investment promotion players,’’ she said.

Umar also said that a national council of investment promotion would be inaugurated by NIPC under its chairmanship and membership of all sub-nationals.

According to her, it is with investment promotion roles to facilitate and ensure seamless coordination of the activities of the national and state IPAs for holistic growth and development. (NAN)

Buni’ s reelection campaign harps on major policy initiatives

From Uche Uche, Damaturu

As governor Mai Mala Buni flags off his reelection campaign, his messages to the electorate is a reflection on issues that would form major policies of his second term administration if he wins.

While flagging off the campaign at the Potiskum stadium in Yobe south,designated zone ‘B’, the governor listed some of the achievements of his first tenure in office as governor.

These include the provision of accessible and reliable

Gov. Bello urge traders to be patient over CBN Naira policy

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Governor Abubakar Sani

Bello of Niger State has urged traders to be patient while awaiting the verdict of the Supreme court on the new naira note policy of the CBN.

Governor Bello encouraged the traders to continue to use the old notes along the new ones until the court verdict is pronounced while interacting with traders at Kure Ultra Modern Market, Minna.

He said that the state government along other States filed a case against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the time frame to discontinue the usage of the old notes.

The governor acknowledged that the naira redesign was a welcome development, however, he disclosed that the CBN needed to give a long time to allow the old notes in circulation before it eventually fades out.

He described it as a bad situation where traders in the state especially in Minna cannot get access to money even with the concentration of banks not to talk of people at the grassroots.

electricity to both urban and rural communities to enhance the economic wellbeing of the citizenry, construction of new roads and rehabilitation of existing ones, and in the area of education, the government has established new facilities to reduce overcrowding of pupils and students in classes.

The state government. he said is also putting finishing touches in the construction of Potiskum Trailer Park which would soon be complicated and commissioned, in addition to the construction of primary health care centers in

different wards in other to provide health care service delivery to people in the rural areas among other of dividends of democracy to the people.

He therefore called on the electorates to vote for all APC candidates assuring that the party would continue with the good works it has started.

Speaking. during the occasion, the vice presidential aspirant, the governor of Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima lauded the APC administration for giving strong political will in fighting Boko Haram insurgency which the

then ruling PDP fell short of and called on the people people to vote massively for APC.

He assured that the APC incoming administration would initiate a robust ecological program to mitigate effects of flooding in the state.

, Earlier, the governor used the occasion to commission a mega school, comprising of primary and government day junior secondary schools sections which was named after the emir of Fika and chairman, Yobe state council of chiefs, Moi Muhammadu Abali.

Though education is capital

intensive, the governor took the initiative with a view to provide a functional education for the teaming children in the area.

A large crowd turned out to grace the event, thus showcasing the support the party enjoys in the zone.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of party flags to all the candidates seeking elective seats and or reelection come the 2023 general elections in the state and the presentation of award of excellence to the governor by the zonal party.

Kebbi Gov’s wife charges women to warn their wards against thuggery

She made this call yesterday at the presentation of food items to the over 1000 widows and youths in the state, adding that the

women are the brain of the house.

“If anyone of them meets you, tell them that they should bring their own

children to do it together. I love women and am also a mother, so let us plan good future for our children.”

Aliaa laments underdevelopment of Igede people

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue

State Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has lamented over the insensitivity of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP to the plight of the Igede people.

He made the lamentation on Monday at the commencement of the party’s campaign in the State.

Fr. Alia who toured Oju and Obi local government areas promised to rescue the people

of Igede from the deplorable state of the roads in their communities. He also pledged to provide adequate and quality water and the general enhancement of economic, social and general well-

being of their lives, adding that the roads the PDP led government has been using to solicit for the votes of the Igede community was in deplorable State.

From Ahmes Idris, Birnin Kebbi

Ahead of the February 2023 elections, the wife of the Kebbi State Governor

Hajiya Aisha Bagudu Abubakar has charged women not to allow politician to used their children for political thuggery.

2023 Election: APC Edo North Senatorial Candidate, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole entertaining his Constituency Members at Okpela during Ward Campaign at Edo State ahead of General Election, recently

Benue Govt debunks claim of non payment of scholarship allowance for 4 years

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State government has disclosed that it disbursed over N400 million between 2017 and 2021 as scolarship allowance to students in the state.

Executive Secretary of the State Scholarship Board, Dr Isaac Igbe made the disclosure during an interaction with correspondents in Makurdi on Tuesday.

The scholarship boss disclosure was against the backdrop of a petition written by a factional leader of the Nigeria Union of Benue State Students, NUBESS Amb. Yoosu Soonen Skyt, alleging that the state government has failed to pay their scholarship allowance for more than four years, even as it extorted 5,000 from the students for forms.

The group had also passed a vote of no confidence on Governor Samuel Ortom.

However, Dr Igbe said that the government had so far paid scholarship allowance seven times under the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom to different category of beneficiaries in the state.

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday congratulated the incoming Chief Executive Officer of the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, Nigeria’s

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna Minister of Environment, Barr.

Mohammed Abdullahi on Wednesday, unveiled the report of the Gap Analysis Report of the Solid Waste Management Sector, National Roadmap on Solid Waste Management and User Guide for the use of Solid Waste Management Database.

The event was witnessed by the Ambassador of France to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs. Emmanuelle Batman AFD Country Director, Nigeria, Mr. Xavier Muron.

The Minister said that Nigeria, with a population of about 200 million people generated about 1.5million tones of plastic wastes every year of which less than 10% was recycled.

He therefore said that the report couldn’t have come at a more auspicious time in view of daunting challenges Nigeria was facing as a result of poor

Solid Waste Management.

The Minister described the problem of pollution in the country as exacerbated by issues including; inadequate waste management infrastructure, poor behavioral attitude, unskilled waste collection workforce, indiscriminate dumping and burning of plastic wastes, poor awareness, inadequate funding.

He said: “It is against this background that we welcome this Technical Assistance to support the Federal Management Framework on Solid Waste.

“The Technical Assistance is part of a series of actions being undertaken by Government to address the challenges of Solid Waste in the Country in a holistic and sustainable manner, particularly in our quest for alternatives to drive investment in the right direction and support sustainable development objectives to which Nigeria subscribes.”

It would be recalled that the Technical Assistance project which commenced in 2020, had attained all expected deliverables, including the engagement of National and SubNational stakeholders for effective Solid Waste Management in Nigeria.

The Minister said: “It is therefore, a thing of great joy to me that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the study was successfully carried out and validated by stakeholders and it is now ready for unveiling”.

The Minister said that the project had also delivered capacity building workshops for State and Federal level actors on; waste collection and transportation, dumpsite management, waste recycling and recovery, waste wise cities and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

He said: “Let me at this juncture, appreciate and thank the Government of France for supporting this Technical

Assistance.

FG unveils Nigeria’s solid waste management sector report, data base Buhari congratulates Dr. Pate on Gavi appointment

Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate saying he looks forward to working closely with him to strengthen the nation’s health system and on other global health issues. This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Special

Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, Grana Shehu.

President Buhari, according to the statement, described Dr Pate’s rise across racial and other barriers to become the first black/

African to lead Gavi as a very important historical moment not only for him personally but Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“Our hope is that Dr Pate will bring his knowledge, expertise and very rich experience in the

“The representative(s) of Agence Francaise De Developpment (AFD) present here, is a testimony to the importance, the AFD attaches to this Technical Assistance and the level of partnership between the AFD and Federal Ministry of Environment.

“I believe that the partnership will continue in our quest to ensure sustainable development in Nigeria.

“My appreciation also goes to the Project Focal Team for its diligence in ensuring this Technical Assistance was carried out as designed.

“It is on this note that I unveil the Report on the Gap Analysis of the Solid Waste Management sector in Nigeria, Database User Guide Manual and National Roadmap on Solid Waste Management in Nigeria to be used by all sectors and all stakeholders in Solid Waste Management in the country.”

administration of vaccines and immunization in Nigeria and many parts of Africa to increase access to vaccines to further reduce the disturbing levels of child mortality on the continent and all over the world as his job

Niger NUJ advocates for orphans support

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Government and public spirited individuals have been enjoined to support

From Umar Dankano,Yola

Acoalition of Civil society Organisations under the auspices “The Education Champions Network”(ECN) have advised the Adamawa state Government to increase its annual budget for education to at least 22.5%.

The Coalition(ECN) gave the advice at a press briefing in Yola Wednesday stressing that the call for increase in the state level financing for education is in line with the federal government commitment in improving the

organisations providing care and wellbeing to the orphans and less privileged in the society.

The Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu

education sector.

Spokesperson of the group

Hassana Shuaibu stated that the CSOs deliberately set basic education agenda for political candidates ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state with a view to ensuring they prioritise education in their manifestos and even after elected in to offices.

Shuaibu announced that records available at their disposal have shown that not only is the standard of education failing but also the rate of out -of - school children particularly the girl child does not give hope for the future

made this known when the Founder of Marvelous Foundation Mrs Mary Adams Datto paid him a courtesy call at IBB Pen House Minna yesterday.

Comrade Nmodu explained

of the girls and people in the state (Adamawa).

Shuaibu added that in Adamawa 30.2% of primary schoolage children are not enrolled in any school while 32.7% of the girls of primary school age are out of school compared to 27.7% of boys noting that the government must ensure schools are truly free for 12 years.

She maintained that the state should provide counterpart funding to access UBE funds to allow for increased financing of the education sector.

The Coalition appealed to the government to strengthen

that both Islam and Christianity enjoined the people to invest in the welfare of the orphans, adding that, such humanitarian activities attracted reward from God.

In her remarks, Mrs Mary

the education monitoring and evaluation systems by implementing the UNESCO National Education Account to guide proper budget preparation and implementation, and make budgets genderresponsive,transparent and utilized in education.

She further charge the critical stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient strategies to make schools safe.

“The current administration in Adamawa state has done its best by providing free education at the basic education levels but more needs to be done concerning girl

Adams Datto represented by a care giver, Amina Ali said the visit was to appreciate the NUJ chairman for his leadership qualities and also explored areas of partnership for the general wellbeing of the orphans.

child education in the state”.ECN appealed.

“The education manifesto was developed by civil society organisations in Adamawa state under the Election Education Advocacy project being implemented by Ace Charity, Centre-LSD,Inclusion Project,SCAAD Initiative and LEDAP to ensure political candidates prioritise education in their manifestos.

“The project is part of the joint Action Grant supported by Malala Fund”, Shuaibu explained.

ECN charges Adamawa govt. to increase budget for education to 22.5% annually

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), preside the Federal Executive Council Meeting (FEC), at the State House yesterday in Abuja. Photo: State House

Despite CBN moves and assurances, where have all the redesigned Naira notes gone?

By Isaac Asabor

Toadd to the several moves made by the apex bank and baggage of assurances given, the CBN on Friday says the scarcity of naira notes is not due to a shortage of printing materials at the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) and assured that printing company was working to print all naira denominations to accommodate Nigerians’ transaction needs.

There is no denying the fact that since President Muhammadu Buhari and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched the new naira banknotes on November 23, 2022, by virtue of the power vested in the apex bank of Nigeria, the CBN Act of 2007 (as amended), and consequently put the notes into circulation on Thursday, December 15, 2022, that Nigeria’s fiscal system has never remained the same as it has been distorted in favor of moneybags. As originally planned by the CBN, the existing N200, N500, and N1000 notes would cease to be regarded as legal tender by January 31, 2023.

Unfortunately, the old notes that were expected to be out of circulation from January 31, 2023, unprecedentedly became extremely scarce as banks could not dispense them to their respective customers, so much so that the demonetization exercise has to be extended to February 10, 2023.

The situation has been so bad that the exercise has to be further

extended by 10 days for the old notes to be swapped for new ones as the cash squeeze continued across the country while millions of Nigerians struggled to complete transactions for goods and services, and even to eat and to transport themselves from one destination to the other.

To worsen the situation, not a few bank customers have continued to experience service downtime on Internet banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and Point of Sales (PoS) terminals. These challenges especially that of accessing cash over the counter, ATMs, and POS, have in the last few days, taken a downward trend as banks failed to give out cash to customers. The situation is even chaotic as various ATM terminals were (and still) not dispensing cash, while those dispensing minimally had a huge crowd to contend with.

In fact, the story of anger and pain has been the same across the country, particularly at the POS outlets as operators lament the inability to get cash. However, POS merchants with cash charge between N1, 500, and N2000 for N10,000 withdrawals, as against the usual going rate of N200.

Without resorting to denigrating anyone in this context, the first gaffe that presaged Nigerians should expect from banking services was when the Deputy Governor of the apex bank in charge of Financial Stability, Aisha Ahmad in December 2022, while responding to a question by a lawmaker on the quantities of the redesigned naira notes

said she did not have the exact figure and did not want to give a wrong account. She however ostensibly guessed and disclosed that the apex bank ordered the printing of 500 million pieces of the redesigned notes.

Without any scintilla of hyperbole, the shortage of the newly redesigned naira notes has worsened in recent days resulting in long winding queues and black markets where the naira is unusually trading against itself. The situation has deteriorated substantially so much that some sellers and providers of various services have started rejecting the old notes, despite the scarcity of the newly redesigned naira notes.

As if the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele, is not perturbed about the chaos that the monetary policy he has unleashed on Nigerians has caused, he on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, said there was no need to extend the February 10 sunset date for the old naira notes, as efforts are in top gear to ensure more redesigned notes are available nationwide, in addition to alternative banking channels.

Emefiele made the disclosure when he unfolded the apex bank’s monetary policy programmes to members of the diplomatic community in Abuja.

According to him, several strategic steps were taken before venturing into the currency redesign programme.

His position is coming after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, amid an existing Supreme

Court interim order kicking against the implementation of the currency redesign programme, though the CBN was not a party to the suit.

It is expedient to recall that the apex bank’s governor has all along been giving Nigerians the impression that “All is well” whereas it is crystal clear that all is not well as far as the circulation of the new naira notes is concerned.

It is expedient to recall that prior to the foregoing assurance given by the CBN under Emefiele’s leadership that not a few moves and assurances have been made since the cash crunch began. For instance, the apex bank had directed banks to pay the redesigned naira notes over the counter at the limits of N20, 000 per day, yet bank customers could not get either the old or the new notes from the counter or the ATMs in virtually all the banks despite the apex bank’s promise to join the Police and other agencies to prosecute sellers and abusers of the naira.

Ostensibly raising the collective hope of Nigerians, Osita Nwanisobi, Director, Corporate Communication, CBN, disclosed in a statement that the apex bank will collaborate with the Nigeria Police, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to prosecute abuses and sellers of the naira.

He said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed, with grave concern, the activities of persons who

sell the newly redesigned banknotes and those who flagrantly abuse the legal tender by hurling wads of Naira notes in the air and stamping on the currency at social functions.

“We have equally noticed the queues at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across the country and an upward trend in the cases of people stocking and aggregating the newly introduced banknotes they serially obtain from ATMs for reasons best known to them. Also worrisome are the reported cases of unregistered persons and nonbank officials swapping banknotes for members of the public, purportedly on behalf of the CBN.

Even before the situation became this ugly, the CBN says it allocates N30 million new naira notes daily to each branch of commercial banks to increase customers’ access to the new notes.

To add to the several moves made by the apex bank and baggage of assurances given, the CBN on Friday says the scarcity of naira notes is not due to a shortage of printing materials at the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) and assured that printing company was working to print all naira denominations to accommodate Nigerians’ transaction needs.

Given the foregoing, the question remains, “Despite CBN’s moves and assurances, where have all the redesigned new naira notes in Nigeria gone?

Isaac Asabor is a Public Policy Analyst.

Buhari’s new Naira notes and death of Penkelemes’ Musician

By Festus Adedayo

In1984, Nigeria happened to Ayanyemi Atokowagbowonle. Atokowagbowonle was a musician whose style was unique, his delivery peculiar and he was the official musician of the stormy petrel of Ibadan politics, Adelabu Adegoke, a.k.a. Penkelemes, of the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC). The then new Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, had just violently seized the reins of power in Nigeria. That year April, Buhari had ordered the colours of all banknotes in circulation to be changed. The currency trafficking prevalent at the time and stolen funds by politicians must be repatriated, he said. The Naira’s official exchange rate was $1.30 but was worth only 33 cents in the black market..

These destructive politicians were same set of people he had just overthrown. Buhari had tar brushed Umaru Dikko, Adisa Meredith Akinloye (A.M.A) and others as enemies of the people. He needed to halt them from repatriating stolen loots into the country. His propaganda army circulated to the world champagne bottles which had labels of A.M.A Akinloye’s name and photograph emblazoned on them as evidence of the ostentatious and profligate lives lived by the Second Republic politicians with our commonwealth. It was later we realized that such fancies were achieved with a farthing.

Excitement lit the firmament. Nigerians had had enough of their corrupt politicians and their ill-gotten wealth. The excitement was to later turn crimson as anguish, exploitation inside banking halls, kickbacks and deaths hallmarked this policy. Buhari granted just two weeks after the policy commencement date of April 1, 1984, for changing the old notes. The amount an individual could legally exchange was pegged. The new Head of State sealed land borders and passengers leaving or coming into the country by air or sea got thoroughly frisked. The gangling General with a no-smiling face declined every entreaty for extension of the deadline.

The harrowing experiences that followed this sudden change of Nigeria’s

legal tender were palpable. Ordinary Nigerians, rather than these politicians, eventually became direct victims of the new policy. Many people died of frustration and social dislocation. Petty traders slid into humongous debts and many who were frustrated about their inability to change their money and meet their social obligations resorted to the nihilistic thought encapsulated in the quip “death is preferable to shame.” They took their own lives. The gangling General was blind to the deaths and pain. He drank his fura inside his Dodan Barracks base and planned how to crate Dikko back into the country from England.

Atokowagbowonle’s real name was Ayanyemi Ayinla and his long alias, Atokowagbowonle, literally translated, meant one who comes from the village in order to earn money in the city. He hailed from Bankole village in Ibadan and his matrilineal family home was Akinajo, very close to Arulogun village, also in Ibadan. I was told he picked up the sobriquet, Atokowagbowonle to stave off his mischristening as Atokowabaleje – one who comes from the village to foul up the town – by musical traducers who, pissed off by how he could come from the village to Ibadan and seize the musical stratosphere, wanted to drag him down. Incidentally, that quest for the money of the city, believed to reside in urbanity, as against the purity of the life of the village, was to be the death of Atokowagbowonle. He was one of Ibadan, then Western Nigerian headquarters’ most valuable bards who sauced his poetic renditions with the symphony of an ensemble of Sekere, dundunand Iya Iludrums. The Sekere, a group of coral beads entangled by tiny cords wrapped round a big calabash gourd provided accompanying conspiratorial melodies for the drums. Together, the drums and the Sekere produced a medley that women wagged their buttocks to at gigs.

Atokowagbowonle was unusual among musicians of his time. He communicated with his drum. He was a deft drummer whose voice was remarkably penetrating with unusual messages of war to the family compounds of “enemies” who wanted a fight and philosophy of existence laced with

proverbs and aphorisms. His Sekere gourd twisters and backup vocalists surrounding him effortlessly vocalized, by way of interpretation, the messages of his drum. Scholars who study the Yoruba nonverbal channel of communication hold Atokowagbowonle’s musical model as unique for its highly specialized form of expression.

In one of his songs, Ayanyemi went the route of his usual philosophizing. The shrew, that species of rat which the Yoruba call asin, in the words of Atokowagbowonle, was not a rat of mean or ordinary pedigree. Yepere k’eku asin o, he began and compared asin’s motherly qualities with that of witches who he said nurse their own children as well as children of unknown townfolk – Aje ni wo’mo re, ti wo’mo olomo, yepere k’eku asin. Moving forward in the track, Atokowagbowonle called on these witches to help him attain wealth and stardom, which he drummed as, Bamise o, iya mi agba, ba mi se, ipa mi o da se, ba mi se o…And as ifforetelling his imminent death, he drummed, Eni o ku, t’oluwa re lo gbe (struggle not to die as, if you do, you dissolve into emptiness). Then weaving the panegyrics of his parents to the need for him to maintain the family name and pedigree, he drummed, Ilu o gbodo ya lowo Ayanyemi – literally, the drum must not burst in ‘my hand’ because he is the correct descendant of his father – Ayanyemi baba mi lo bi mi. Inaolaji baba mi lo bi mi, being correct replica of his parents – B’omode o jo sokoto, yi o jo kijipa, Baba mi lo bi mi; Mo dupe mo jo’ya mi, b’omode o jo sokoto, yio jo kijipa…

Yet, in Yorubaland, Atokowagbowonle’s unique communicative style was not unexampled. The drummer held same importance as the musician. Drummers hold their audiences spellbound even more than the singers. Though only people who “have the ear of the drum” and those who hail from drummers’ ancestry can penetrate the messages of these drums, the rhythm of the drum is enough admiration for non-initiates. Adewole Oniluola, lead drummer of late Apala music lord, Ayinla Omowura, had told me in an interview in 2019 that he owned the band which later transmuted into a global brand and only invited Omowura to be the lead singer.

Ibadan’s Amuda Agboluaje’s musical group was also formed and led by Amuda, the talking drummer whose band bore his name. Even among other Yoruba musicians like Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Kollington Ayinla, drummers carved out remarkable renown for themselves. So, you had drummers like Ojubanire for late Apala prodigy, Haruna Ishola, Ayansola for Barrister, Adio Olalere for Dauda Epo Akara and Orikanbodi and Ayelegan for Kollington Ayinla.

A very potent story surrounded Atokowagbowonle’s eventual passage at age 65. On May 4, 1984 at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, the bard died. Though his son, who is also a musician of the hue of his late father, told me in an interview that he could not confirm the story, not having been in Ibadan as at the time of his father’s passage, he claimed that his father had “a mere fever” when he was taken to the UCH. As said earlier, a month before Atokowagbowonle’s death, Nigeria’s General Buhari had frozen the old notes and redesigned new Naira notes. The story that gained currency was that the musician had also queued to have his old notes changed to Buhari’s new Naira. So this day, so goes the story, as Ayanyemi Atokowagbowonle joined the queue for an exchange of his Naira notes for the new currency, armed policemen, who were the insignia of the authoritarian military rule of the time, came in their beastly best to rally the rowdy crowd to order. Their baton reportedly landed on Atokowagbowonle which immobilized the old man. Ayanyemi, it was said, never recovered from this.

I spoke to Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadanland and Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife, Oloye Lekan Alabi who met Atokowagbowonle in 1971 while he was a teacher at St. John’s Primary School, Akinajo. On his impression of the bard, he said he was a lover of the countryside and deeply intelligent. He recollected how the musician attempted to lure him from his pastime of going to Ibadan city at weekends with a musical gig he invited him to in the village. This event eventually became one of the most enjoyable and memorable local parties he ever attended. As Atokowagbowonle was Adelabu’s

official musician, Ilorin Dadakuwada exponent, Odolaye Aremu, was Ladoke Akintola’s and Hubert Ogunde was Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s.

On Friday, as I walked around the Nigerian city of my domicile, I remembered Atokowagbowonle. Nigerians looked like war refugees queuing to collect their rations. For those who were old enough to witness what happened immediately after the “no victor, no vanquished” BiafranNigerian war, that was how the crowd queued to exchange their Biafran currency for Nigeria’s. The crowd coiled for upwards of two kilometers round banks to access amounts as paltry as N2,000. They were like conquered people. You could see frustration lacing their visors. If you stopped by their midst, insurrection was their lingua franca. They freely pelted Muhammadu Buhari and Godwin Emefiele with stones by their incendiary tongues. When these incandescent conversations reached their zenith, one of them suddenly comes forward – still on the queue – to thaw the ice with ribcracking jokes which momentarily sends the crowd laughing like hyenas, in spite of themselves. At that moment, the crowd, for a moment, forgets its lamentable suffering in the hands of the Nigerian state. The same atmosphere is replicable at fuel queues.

As Ayanyemi Atokowagbowonle reportedly met his death in the hands of Buhari in 1984, so many others have met theirs since the duo of Buhari and Emefiele began their currency redesign roulette. Were we a statistical country, we would have graphically seen how some people’s fancy has landed their countrymen and women weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. So many people have died unsung due to inability to access cash to buy essential drugs while patients in hospitals, unable to pay their bills, are disconnected off treatment. Hunger of the status of war is wracking the bellies of many Nigerians because of this haphazardly thought through policy. Psychologists and psychoanalysts would need to help examine what lies inside the orifice of Buhari’s mind. I tend to think he enjoys inflicting pains on people.

Festus Adedayo is a Public Policy Analyst.

The horror and futility of CBN cashless policy

By Nwogboji Emmanuel Usulor

Oneof the best quality any policy maker should have is the ability to conduct researches on policy factors.

Research helps to conduct a comparative analysis of potential policy pros and cons.

In this this article, I detailed the experience of two major countries that have tried full implementation of cashless policy.

1. India, EXPERIENCE FROM INDIAN’S CASHLESS POLICY, In November 2016, India introduced its demonetisation policy to remove certain high- denomination banknotes from circulation to crack down on corruption, tax evasion, and other illegal activities and push towards a digital economy.

Like Central Bank of Nigeria’s directives, cash withdrawals from ATMs were restricted to a maximum of 2,000 rupees (US$30) daily; it was later increased to 4,000 rupees (US$60).

Cash withdrawals from banks were also restricted to 10,000 rupees (US$150) daily and 20,000 rupees (US$300) weekly.

The policy made it impossible for people to access their money for a long time, resulting in many controversies and a negative economic impact.

Critics referred to it “as forcefeeding cashless transactions down the throats of such a large population.” Still, the currency in circulation continued to grow.

India’s cashless policy was unsuccessful because it did not adequately address the challenges and concerns of the country’s population.

Six years later, it is not clear by how much demonetization has brought India closer to being a cashless economy despite significant growth in digital payments. Within a year, however, the currency in circulation returned to pre-demonetization levels. Today cash usage in India is at an all-time high.

EXPERIENCE FROM SWEDEN CASHLESS POLICY, For the past 20

years, the use of paper money in Sweden has dwindled monumentally. Currently, less than 1% of its transactions are done in cash, and many banks no longer accept cash deposits.

This means that the Sweden’s central bank—Riksbank, can sufficiently account for the amount of cash in circulation. In place of cash, residents use digital wallets, credit cards, fintech apps, and other mobile money solutions. In contrast, the Central Bank of Nigeria couldn’t account for over

₦26 trillion in the country in 2021. Sweden’s adoption was largely made possible by robust Internet infrastructure, early digitization of bank accounts, cultural discrimination against cash brought about by public education, free real- time mobile transactions, and widespread adoption of card payment methods.

Records show Sweden took the first steps towards automating its banking system in the 1960s. By the mid-1990s, the number of terminals receiving card payments had increased.

In the meantime, Riksbank invested in and improved its payment settlement system, making it robust enough to encourage banks to carry out e-transactions. Four decades later, the cash in circulation had increased by 55%, even with the increasing popularity of electronic payments.

The years that followed saw banks and card companies make an effort to convince the retail economy to ditch cash payments for e-card payments; they also introduced fees for cheque withdrawals.

The 2000s saw the proliferation of mobile payments through phones, with new payment services springing up. Tax incentives and thorough vetting were also introduced to players in the informal economy, forcing them to be transparent with their books.

However, by 2007, cash in circulation was at its highest ever, leading Riksbank to set plans in motion to introduce new bills and coins after 30 years. This didn’t happen until between 2015 and 2017.

Another propeller of the country’s cashless policy is its growing eCommerce sector; from 2010 to 2020, the number of Swedes using cash fell from 39% to 9%.

A school of thought argues that even though a sect of the Swedes is averse to getting rid of cash, many are adopting e-payment, having built trust in the government’s ability to stabilize the Swedish currency—krona.

To a large extent, how much citizens trust the government influences their acceptance of a cashless policy measure.

Swedish law says that cash is legal tender, and the government must accept it. However, as established by the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court in 2015, businesses and shops are within their rights to reject cash or credit cards under the contractual freedom between businesses and consumers.

In other words, contract laws have precedence over banking and payment laws. By implication, a storeowner insisting on cashless transactions is protected by the law and any buyer willing to patronize the store is bound by the law to agree to storeowners’ terms despite cash being considered a legal tender.

Notwithstanding, an amendment to the Swedish Act of Payment in 2021 required banks to provide access to cash services or be sanctioned because people have the right to reasonable access to cash throughout the country.

Another thing the Swedish government did was make sure the cost of using cash was more than the cost of making card payments.

Despite these attempts, some residents in rural areas, the elderly, people living with disabilities, and immigrants who only have access to cash are hurt by the no-cash policies.

The question remains, which of these countries does Nigeria’s current economy resonate with?In India’s case, cashless policy measures need to take into account the unique challenges and circumstances of the country, including factors such as the availability

of technology, the level of economic development, and the preferences and concerns of the population.

For Sweden, a successful cashless policy would need to be implemented in a fair, transparent, and convenient way for all stakeholders, including individuals, businesses, and financial institutions. It would also need to address any potential security and privacy concerns.

Ultimately, the success or failure of a cashless policy will depend on a variety of factors and will require careful planning and implementation.

What sets successful nations apart from those struggling to implement cashless policies are the incentives offered to encourage mainstream adoption.

People often reject such moves because there is insufficient evidence to suggest successful implementation and, of course, a lack of trust.

Like Nigeria, after announcing the withdrawal of 500 and 1000 rupee notes, India imposed daily withdrawal limits, causing long queues around ATMs which soon ran dry. Between November 9 and December 31, 2016, the Reserve Bank of India issued 57 official circulars constantly revising the conditions for deposits and withdrawals as the government struggled to manage the fallout of the cashless policy.

Nigeria’s central bank seems to be following this path. But it is a path that puts it at odds with agency banking, which is a core part of the central bank’s financial inclusion strategy.

In Nigeria, agency banking is operated by agents who facilitate cash withdrawals and deposit with mobile POS devices.

Driven by high unemployment and poor ATM service that leads to frequent queues, agent banking and mobile POS devices have become ubiquitous in towns, cities and some rural parts of Nigeria.

By limiting daily cash withdrawals to N500, 000 weekly, the CBN’s new rule may affect whether agents will be able to access the daily float they need

Peter Obi and the final push

By Gabriel Agbo

Orcan you compare him with any of his so-called competitors? No way! In fact, one of them that is currently struggling to force himself on us is addressed as Satan in the spirit. Yes, Satan! You heard me well. Can you imagine that? He has all the money, all the connections and everything. But why should a human being be addressed as Satan in the spirit?

With few days to the presidential elections, Nigerians have finally come to the very decisive stage for the last push to save their traumatized country from the current pain, bondage and chaos. Yes, the country is in total mess. As I write, there is an acute scarcity of fuel and currency, worsening insecurity and even scarcity of hope that things will get any better soon. And if we miss this opportunity to get it right at the poll, then prepare for the generational consequences. I mean, this is that time to mobilize everybody around you to vote for the Moses that has been sent to deliver Nigeria. Our country is presently like a woman in the final moments of labour. We just need a little push to give birth to that baby – a new Nigeria. Do you still wonder why all the forces of hell and retrogression are at high alert, enraged and are making their last desperate efforts to, scuttle the process and keep us in pain? Now, how did you feel watching that JS 2 teenager Alabi Yusuf Quadri spreading his arms in front of Peter Obi’s campaign jeep

in Lagos? The convoy stopped as Obi smiled at the young boy. I knew what was going on in the Labour Party’s candidate’s mind that moment. “These are the people I came for” I also know that his heart will be bleeding for the damage those rouges have done to the country and to the future of the young Alabi’s generation. The boy said that he had dropped out of school to help his widowed mother. Sadly, there are tens of millions of Alabis scattered all over the country today. They pine away in hopelessness as our taskmasters steal and hoard our common wealth. The boy also said that his mother told him that Peter Obi is a good man and that was why he came to identify with him. My God! My dear I don’t envy this guy at all. The stakes and the expectations are indeed very high. Nigerians are really expecting so much, miracles from Obi as he ascends the presidency.

I also struggled with emotions as I watched the natural expression of love as demonstrated by Nigerians for Mr Obi as he visited Oshodi Market, Ladipo Market, Alaba markets, Ikeja computer village and other parts of Lagos this week. It was like a triumphal entry. It was like Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In fact, at one of those town hall meetings, women were removing their wrappers and spreading them on the floor for Obi to march on. This is indeed an interesting and very emotional moment for our country. We have not seen this level of acceptance before. The other day it was

his helicopter pilot that ‘rescued’ him from the ‘mob’ and forced him into the aircraft. People, students were falling over him – they practically refused to let him go. In fact, the pilot acted like a Delta Force commando. You can check outs the clip online. I think Obi’s coming looks messianic. This is what you see all over the country. Nigerians are indeed desperately looking for the true, trusted savior to pulled them out of the present hopelessness. Look at the followership, the acceptance within few months. Nigeria, Africa has not seen anything like this before. It is phenomenal. The man is indeed divinely sent. And we will surely regret if we miss this rare opportunity. Have you listened to him before? I see opportunity meet with preparation, grace and destiny. He always has the answers, the statistics, the solutions, the models and the examples at his finger tips. And yet, he is completely humble, original and natural, unlike, the other corrupt, shadowy, evasive, proud, incompetent and integrity-challenged gangs contesting with him.

Like Moses, God has prepared Peter Obi for this time. Both also came at the peak of their people’s pain and humiliation. Moses was trained, prepare in all the arts of Egypt, in Pharaoh’s court and also in the University of Life at Midian. For Obi he was prepared for the task ahead at the great University of Nigeria and at some of the best Ivy League institutions in the world. Like the Harvard Business School, London School of Economics, Columbia

to run their business.

The cashless policy might have the reverse effect of encouraging people to hoard cash, and keep more transactions away from the banking system.

Also, the limitation on cash withdrawals could create a black market for local currency, run by people who have backdoor access to cash given the rampant corruption in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

However, this policy has the potential to encourage more people to come into the formal payment system because of the numerous benefits that accrue. It will open up the rural areas –the under- served areas – to economic opportunity, to payment opportunity and connecting them to the formal system.

For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the world saw the negative impact on physical cash as no one could go anywhere. It was the electronic banking system that protected and served those below the poverty lines that could have had their livelihood at risk.

This policy might reduce cash processing costs, minting costs, the cost of destroying old notes and the cost of moving the physical cash from place to place; the cost of protecting it.

All these costs are passed on typically to the banking public. Getting rid of these costs means that charges will be less in that respect.

Also, cash withdrawal limits has the opportunity to promote Nigeria’s positive image from a money laundering perspective.

Even the recently passed antimoney laundering law has limits for cash for a reason because cash is usually the medium by which some of these nefarious activities are done.

The benefit of cashless policy can only be tapped if and only if a due procedure is taken. Thus, pain/cost of the current CBN cashless policy is much more than the inherent benefits.

Nwogboji Emmanuel Usulor BSc, ACA, ACFP, CCAFAFI, CAICA, FMVA, BIDA

Business School, Oxford University, Cambridge University, Lagos Business School, Kellogg Graduate School of management, Institute of Management Development, Switzerland, and so many others. He has also been a colossus in the banking and corporate world. Wow! And you still wonder why even the professors envy his accuracy with statistics and facts? You cannot get tired listening to him on any subject. Obi is simply an encyclopaedia of developmental studies and statistics. After taking he will always ask you to go and fact-check him. We have never seen anything like this before. In-fact, he is an institution. This is what God has provided for us at this time of need. He has also sealed these with unmatchable integrity, humility, honesty and competence.

Or can you compare him with any of his so-called competitors? No way! In fact, one of them that is currently struggling to force himself on us is addressed as Satan in the spirit. Yes, Satan! You heard me well. Can you imagine that? He has all the money, all the connections and everything. But why should a human being be addressed as Satan in the spirit? He has sold himself to the devil because of wealth and power. That is why he is insisting that it is his turn to rule over us. He must rule at all cost. They entered into demonic, satanic covenant over Nigeria. Have you noticed that his friend will always come back to support him, even when in his heart he knows that he is not good for

the country. He is being pulled by this satanic agreement. Everything about them is fake. I won’t say more than this for now. Read between the lines. Money and power is their ‘life’. They worship Satan for it. And some want to be politically and tribally correct. True. Are you still surprised that some leaders, even spiritual leaders who should speak out and also give directions to where we should go are keeping quiet. It is not usual. Their mouths have been shut with demonic powers and gifts. But there must always be a Moses. Yes, he was not the only man in Egypt at that painful moment in the life of Israel, but he understood the times and season and what should be done. He knew why he came. I call on all Nigerians to go out on the 25th February and vote for Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party. He is the one to help us. I call on all our political, traditional and spiritual leaders, organizations, families, denominations to immediately, formally instruct their members, associates, friends, imams, pastors, members to vote for Obi in the coming presidential elections. Look out for the logo with three people. Instruct your people on what to do now. For me, my family, congregation and my denomination we will vote for Mr Integrity – Peter Obi of the Labour Party. May God help us! Please, share this message with others.

Rev Gabriel Agbo can be reached at gabrielagbo@yahoo. com

2023: PWDs in Northwest endorse Atiku

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Ahead of the general elections, Person’s With Disabilities (PWDs) on Tuesday endorsed the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as their candidate.

The Director General, North PWDs, Atiku Campaign Council, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo stated this during the flag-off of People With Disability for Atiku 2023 in Kaduna.

Senator Gwarzo explained that Atiku is the only presidential candidate that have the PWDs at heart.

“We are supporting Atiku because of his caring and love towards the people with disabilities. It has been long that we know how he treats people with special needs”.

“His political approach is unique, he joined us to celebrate our special day last year, he was the only presidential candidate that came to celebrate with us, because his value us”.

“We assured Atiku that we will canvas vote for him because of the way he is carrying us along, he has plans to rescue people with disability.

“Atiku promised to work with us once he emerges the Nigeria’s next President.

He promised to establish a commission where PWDs would be taken care of”.

Hayatu who is also the Chairman, PDP Northwest zone, said “Alhaji Atiku also promised to make provision of at least 5 per cent of PWDs in his government”.

The Deputy Director, North PWDs, Atiku Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Ephraim Balarabe reiterated that the PDP presidential candidate is the only candidate who has the PWDs at heart.

According to him, Atiku is the only presidential candidate that will run an inclusive government.

He promised to mobilize PWDs across north with FCT to ensure Atiku emerge as the county’s next President.

Buhari gets ‘friend in diaspora’ title from Imo traditional council

By Egena Sunday Ode

Imo State Traditional Council on Tuesday in Owerri honoured President Muhammadu Buhari with a traditional title, “Nwanne D’namba’’, A Brother in Diaspora, appreciating the him for love shown to the South East, and sustained legacy of promoting peace and harmony in the country.

President Buhari thanked Eze Imo, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr Emmanuel Chukwuagina Okeke, CFR, for the recognition, assuring that he will continue to demonstrate his love for the South East and citizens.

“I thank you so much for this honour that I will continue to remember for the rest of my life. Thank you for getting all the senior citizens to receive us.

“We have experienced difficult times as a country and discovered that it is better to carry on together,” the President said.

President Buhari noted the value of shared national vision that enhances cohesion, urging more harmony across state and national levels as “good neighbours”.

The President urged Nigerians to remain good neighbours

and show themselves as good neighbours.

“God has brought us here, and the party also brought us to you,” he said.

President Buhari noted that he came to present All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the council and indigenes.

The President said he had already followed Asiwaju to some states, including Nasarawa, Katsina and Sokoto and was prepared to showcase the candidate in more places.

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, said the honour was well deserved considering the historical impact of President Buhari’s administration on infrastructure in the state, with upgrade of higher institutions, road constructions and appointments in key positions.

The Governor said the commissioning of the MCC road in the central city by the President further revealed the penchant for approving projects that will improve the livelihood of the people.

“Words are not enough to show our appreciation to the President,” he said.

The Governor noted that

crude oil theft in the state had been halted by creation of a naval base by President Buhari, and more security structures had been put in place for wellbeing of the people.

“To further show love by our people on Valentine’s Day, our people have agreed to support our presidential candidate and other APC candidates in the polls.

“Traditional rulers are not partisan, and they have told me in confidence that they will support our party because of love for President Buhari,” the Governor added.

In his remarks, the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu thanked the Imo Traditional Council for the recognition on Valentine’s Day.

“I pay respect to all the traditional rulers that have received us at the palace. I present myself as the most capable and competent person to step into the shoes of the man you have just honoured.

“I want to be, and deserve to be the President and I will follow the footsteps of President Buhari when elected, not if elected.

‘’I will consolidate on our unity, development and camaraderie. It is only in peace that we can

develop.

“You mentioned upgrading of educational institutions. Education is the greatest weapon we can deploy against poverty. We are here today because of the benefit of education,’’ the presidential candidate said.

The Chairman of the Imo State Traditional Council said giving the President the friendship title on Valentine’s Day reflects a new level of relationship inspired by President Buhari’s integrity, magnanimity and charity.

He thanked the President for elevating educational and health infrastructure in the state, like upgrading Alvan Ikoku College of Education to a university and the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri to a teaching hospital.

“Coincidentally today is Valentine’s Day and it is a day to show love all over the world. The President is not only here to commission a project and attend a campaign rally, but to share his love with us,’’ Eze Imo said.

President Buhari commissioned the 12.5kilometer MCC road, appreciating Imo State indigenes for supporting Governor Uzodinma and the federal government.

Niger Gov. directs demolition of structures on water pipelines

From Yakubu Mustapha

Minna

Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has directed the Ministry of Lands and its Water Resources counterpart to ensure that the Chanchaga Police Divisional

Headquarters and all other buildings on water pipeline in the area are pull down.

The Governor gave the directives when he inspected a bursted water pipeline located at the Police station which has prevented the supply of water to not less than 200 residents in the

area.

He expressed displeasure on why structures including a Police station will be built on water pipeline which leads to one of the biggest reservoirs in Minna that supplies water to homes, describing the situation as unfortunate.

He reiterated that his administration in 2016, made a lot of investments in buying low and high lift pumps as well as other accessories to ensure adequate and constant clean water supply to the people, saying, that not being able to pump water due to bursted pipe is not encouraging.

The Managing Director Niger state Water and Sewage Corporation, Hassan Mohammed Chado, explained that the bursted water pipeline was laid over 40 years ago, pointing out that there was no building around the area at the time.

L-R; United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth, Special Assistant, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ms. Holly Mackey and President Muhammadu Buhari during an audience at the State House on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: State House

From

Abubakar Yunusa

The Convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, has warned that any attempt to subvert the conduct of a free, fair, and credible election will be countered.

Abdullahi gave the warning at the General Assembly and 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Northern Elders Forum, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the North had given its support and had “rubbed more backs” of leaders from other regions of the country without sentiments.

He added that those warning the North against their aspirations to the Presidency had no right to do so, as it was also their right to contest the office, as many times as they wished to.

The NEF convener also called for the acceptance of the presidency of whoever emerged at the end of the conduct of the election without sentiments, stating that

elections should only be won based only on thumbprints.

“The constitution is very clear that I can stand the election twenty times, and I can lose twenty times. But nothing should stop me from contesting elections if I want. Then when you look at it in terms of well, ‘do me I do you’, rub my back and I rub yours, the North has rubbed more backs than its back has been rubbed. Even if you are talking about the years in power from 1999 till date, Obasanjo did eight years; Jonathan six, that is 14; Umaru two, and now Buhari eight years. So, I am being owed even in the number of years, four years.

“The issue should not have been we are not qualified to contest, we have no right to contest. Certainly, this is the reason we are saying now that the issue in the Nigerian political environment, must be based on democratic tenets only. There should be no issue of reserving anything for anybody. If you win an election, you win on the basis of this thumbprint. If you win, we will accept.

“But for us to begin to see threats that if this happens, and we do not like it, we’ll do something negative, we are warning that the election will be contested hopefully free and fair, and credible. And anybody who wins the election must be accepted as the winner of the election, without sentiments. And if there is any attempt to subvert it, then we’ll be ready to also counter,” he said.

North has four year deficit against South - Ango Abdullahi APC calls for cautions over FaniKayode’s police invitation

On his part the Director-General of the Forum, Prof. Doknan Sheni, in his address said “the north will continue to accept any candidate that wins the elections fairly, on the terms of one man one vote. We do not intend to be intimidated by improper or uncivil utterances or threats of violence. Nor will we be coerced to supporting a candidate based on non-democratic principles”.

Also in attendance at the event are the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir ElRufai, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, and a representative of the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the All-Progressives Congress, Senator Kashim Shettima.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for caution over police invitation of Femi Fani-Kayode, Director of Special Projects and New Media of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, after his coup tweet.

The ex-Minister of Aviation had alleged that Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met some Army Generals over the general elections, alleging an attempt to overthrow the government.

The APC recalled Fani-Kayode was invited and vigorously interrogated by the Department of State Services, DSS, over the same matter.

The former presidential aide was admitted to administrative bail and ordered to report daily to the DSS as they continue their investigation.

In a statement on Wednesday, Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary suggested the invitation over the same matter was unnecessary.

The spokesperson said it gives cause for concern not only on account of duplication of effort by coordinate law enforcement agencies but possible implications for its member’s fundamental rights.

Morka described Fani-Kayode as an upstanding and law-abiding citizen of Nigeria who honoured the invitation by the DSS and submitted himself fully to their investigative authority.

“While we recognize the constitutional authority of the Nigeria Police Force to initiate and conduct criminal investigations, we urge extreme caution,” he noted.

The APC, however, accused the PDP of “relentlessly exploiting and politicising the matter” that is the active subject of law enforcement investigation.

Enugu: Youth, women present charter of demand to gubernatorial candidate

By Abubakar Yunusa

Ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Enugu State, young women and youths in the State have presented their charter of demands to candidates for them to work with and place functional security infrastructure and job creation as their priority.

The Charter of demand was titled, “Good Governance banners ‘and contained all pressing demands of young women and youth including; water, steady salary payments, security, quality education, access to opportunities and jobs, and protection of women and girls from sexual

and gender-based violence as priority areas for the incoming government.

While presenting the charter of Demand during a press conference in Enugu, Yesterday, Project Lead, Achenyo Ochijenu, emphasized the critical role women and youth play in shaping the future of communities and the nation.

This is as she described the project as specifically listening to women to understand their voting patterns, the challenges they have with exercising their franchise as citizens, and their expectations of the next governor of the state.”

According to her, the Signpost

Project, launched with support from the MacArthur Foundation through the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), began in Enugu in 2022 by engaging young women and youth at different fora, documenting their challenges, and creating the good governance banner.

Speaking further, “We went to the markets, we went to universities, we listened to civil society, we listened to youth speak about the Enugu of their dreams. We did all these to build and invest in the elections, for our young women and youth to get involved in elections but beyond that, continue to demand accountability

and excellence from their leaders,” Ms. Ochijenu said.

They lamented the ASUU strike, disruptions caused by insecurity and the sit-at-home order, inflation, and the absence of pipe-borne water in the state. Several respondents said they recognized the importance of participating in civic processes via engagement with the Signpost Project and pledged the continued exercise of their franchise.

Meanwhile, TechHerNG is a community of learning, support, and collaboration for women; keen to reduce imbalances in access to technology and amplify the voices of women in society.

2023 Election: APC Edo North Senatorial Candidate, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole entertaining his Constituency Members at Okpela during Ward Campaign at Edo State ahead of General Election, recently

Naira crisis: Gov Abdulrazaq suspends campaign rallies indefinitely

By Christiana Ekpa

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara

State has put on hold his campaign rallies for his secondterm ambition until further notice.

This followed violent protests which rocked Ilorin the state capital on Wednesday as a result

of residents’ frustration over the naira swap policy.

Five suspects were arrested by police in connection with the disturbances which spread across the state capital.

In a special broadcast to the people of the state at 5 pm in Ilorin, the capital of the state, on Wednesday, Governor Abdulrazaq, expressed sincere

sympathy with the citizens on the continuous scarcity of the naira as a result of the recent CBN’s currency redesign.

He said: “for clarity, the Supreme Court has granted an injunction that allows the old and the new notes to coexist. This injunction is still valid until the highest court rules otherwise.

I, therefore, want all of you

to be calm, law-abiding, and peaceful. Let us not attack one another or destroy one another’s properties.”

He appealed to the citizens to remain calm and peaceful, and not give in to any frustrations or engage in any form of violence.

Governor Abdulrazaq testified to the inconvenience the development has brought on

the populace and asserted: “We are in this together, and I assure you that this will be over in the shortest possible time. I really appreciate your patience.”

He then declared: “In solidarity with the mood of the public, I’m putting my public rallies on hold until further notice.”

Wike,

G5 govs can’t decide Atiku’s fate in presidential election – Segun Showunmi

By Musa Baba Adamu

Achieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has said that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his fellow members of the G5 governors have no power to stop the victory of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on February 25.

Showunmi said the G5 governors were being deceived by their supporters to think that they have control over the votes in their states.

Wike as well as governors

Samuel Ortom of Benue, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu had all opposed the candidature of Atiku, saying they would not support him because the national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu is also a northerner like Atiku.

The insistence of the G5 governors that Ayu must resign his position and the refusal of the national chairman to budge has torn the party apart as the governors distanced themselves from Atiku’s campaign.

But when condemning the act in Abeokuta during a workshop for party mobilisers and collation agents from all the 236 wards of Ogun, Showunmi insisted that Atiku would win the election with or without the support of the five governors.

According to him, the new electoral act has made it impossible for state governors to

decide the result of an election in their states unlike in the past.

The governorship aspirant maintained that the party had endured Wike’s decision to foist Uche Secondus on the party as the national chairman of the party, saying “it is now the turn of Wike to accept the decision of the party.”

Showunmi stressed that it would be foolish of any governor to think that he has control of all the votes in his state, asking Wike and others to retrace their steps.

Members of the Women Wing and Network of Women with disability, holds Endurance Tracking by Women with disability to seek inclusion in politics and governance, yesterday in kaduna.

APGA founding Chairman, Okorie ask NJC, NBA, others to defend Apex Court

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The founding National chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie, has asked the National Judiciary Council (NJC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), among others to rise up and defend the Supreme Court over incessant attacks on the institution by politicians.

Okorie made this call against the background of the controversy surrounding who is the authentic APGA Chairman, between Edozie Njoku and Victor Oye, in which there was confusion over who should benefit from the suit decided by the Apex Court.

In the statement issued yesterday by Okorie, he said “The mad ambition to control the soul of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at all cost has led

Chief Victor Oye and his sponsors to induce the Nigeria Police to throw all cautions over board to drag the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the apex court of the land to an unprecedented opprobrium and disgrace.

“This irregular action of the Police landed Chief Njoku and Mr Nwoga in an unwarranted and unfair incarceration at the Suleja Correctional Centre. Two days after, Chief Njoku and Mr Nwoga were granted bail by the Federal Capital Territory High Court at Bwari and the matter was adjourned to 14th February, 2023.

“On the resumption of hearing on the adjourned date, the Police amended its charges against the defendants to now include Mrs Ogunseye Adebiyi who was Secretary to Justice Mary Odili at the material time as an accused person and Hon. Justice Mary

Odili (retired) and Hajo Sarki Bello, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court as witnesses.

“The Police in its amended charges unashamedly alleged that it was Mrs Adebiyi that forged the judgment at the behest of her boss, Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili (retired).

“This summersault by the Police effectively transferred the offence of forgery from their earlier victim Chief Njoku to a new victim Mrs Adebiyi.

“This is a new twist and an abominable act in Nigerian jurisprudence where the presiding Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Registrar and a staff of the Court will be dragged to a trial court on a “criminal” charge for merely carrying out their statutory function as Judicial Officer and staff of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“The Supreme Court of Nigeria has been embattled in recent times on multiple allegations including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that referred to it as one of the most corrupt institutions in Nigeria. But what the Police is reducing the Supreme Court to in this APGA controversial case is unprecedented. It poses the danger of destroying the Nigerian Judiciary.

“We therefore call on the leadership of the Supreme Court to protect itself. We call on the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to rise to the occasion and save our Judiciary from destruction by the inordinately ambitious politicians who have access to State Treasury and use same to bring Nigeria to local and international ridicule”.

2023 election: PDP, INEC plan to tamper with BVAS – Delta APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the forthcoming election by tampering with BVAS machines.

The APC also alleged that a PDP senatorial candidate (name withheld) is holding nocturnal meetings with INEC’s officials at his Abuja residence.

The allegations were made

by Delta State APC Publicity Secretary, E.V. Onojeghuo during a press conference at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Warri Correspondents Chapel.

He said: “We write to humbly inform you of the grand connivance between INEC officials in Delta State (and at the national headquarters of the commission) and PDP officials, including, Gov. Okowa to subvert the 2023 general elections in the state, by tampering with the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System

(BVAS) machines using financial inducement.”

Warning that the plot, if allowed, has devastating consequences, APC alleged: “The plot that is presently on ground is to input predetermined figures into the BVAS machines that will be deployed to the polling units, before the commencement of voting on election day. It is in high gear, especially for the presidential, senatorial and governorship elections. The already loaded figures will be credited to the PDP, to give the party a headstart even

before the election begins.”

The APC also alleged: “Already, a senatorial candidate of PDP is holed up at his Life Camp [by Lento Aluminum] Abuja residence, where he holds nocturnal and clandestine meetings with INEC’s officials on how to subvert the operations of the BVAS machines in his senatorial district and the state, in general, to confer an undue advantage on PDP.

“The unscrupulous INEC officials have opted to perfect the nefarious mission and requested that the notorious senatorial

candidate, who is a strong member of Governor Okowa’s inner circles, come up with a list of individuals, who would be trained to achieve the subversive results.”

The APC also claimed that a serving commissioner in the cabinet of Gov. Okowa hijacked PVCs meant for eligible voters in Ewu Ward 1 in Ughelli South LGA of the state.

The APC further charged that “all parties must be given equal opportunity and a level playing ground in the elections.”

By Musa Baba Adamu

Don’t vote without BVAS accreditation –Plateau PDP guber candidate tells voters 2023 election: YPP collapses structures into PDP in Plateau

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang has advised residents of the state not to insist on casting their votes when BVAS fails to accredit them during the 2023 elections.

While noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has deployed the BVAS technology to eliminate

2023:

rigging and other electoral frauds, he stressed that the 2022 Electoral Act also empowered INEC to cancel election where there is overvoting.

Mutfwang gave the advice while rounding off his political engagement across the 17 local government areas in Mangu LGA of the state.

He urged residents to resist the temptation of selling their PVCs or allowing the opposition to pick their PVC numbers which can be

cloned to disenfranchise them at the polls.

“INEC has introduced BVAS machine to help eliminate rigging and double voting for the 2023 elections, but you should not insist on voting when the BVAS did not recognise you because it will amount to cancellation of the result in that polling unit,” he said.

Mutfwang urged youths to shun violence and any act capable of undermining the success of the electoral process.

Mutfwang urged the citizenry to vote massively for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and all of the party’s candidates to rebuild and unify Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Director General of Atiku-Mutfwang Campaign Council, Latep Dabang said: “With Atiku Abubakar as President, Plateau will have free access to the presidency to attract developments and also unify the country.”

L-R: Director Human Resource Management Department, Mr. Muhammad Mogaji Taura, Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi receiving an award of recognition from Director (Reforms & SERVICOM), Mrs. Maryam Dalhatu Abdulmalik during the Joint Union Day Celebration on Tuesday in Abuja.

By Christiana Ekpa

Ahead of the general elections, Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Plateau State has collapsed its structures into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The YPP, subsequently said it will support PDP candidates at all levels in the upcoming general elections.

Chairman of the PDP in Plateau state, Chris Hassan, received the 17 local government chairmen of YPP into the party while rounding up the party’s political engagements in Mangu LGA of the State.

While urging them to vote for the party in all elections, said: “The PDP is well prepared for the upcoming elections and it is only the PDP that has the face of Plateau State and will work to protect Plateau heritage.”

Earlier in his remarks, Ibrahim Adamu, who led the local government chairmen into the PDP, said the party set up a committee of 25 people and 22 agreed that the YPP should be collapsed into PDP.

“From today, we have collapsed our party’s structure into PDP to support Atiku Abubakar, Caleb Mutfwang and all candidates of the PDP in the next elections,” he assured.

We’re not reserving presidency for any region — Northern elders

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has stated that the northern part of the country is not reserving the presidency for other regions in the February 25 presidential election.

The group’s convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, who noted this on Wednesday at the occasion of the Northern Elders General Assembly in Abuja, claimed that the North still has an outstanding of four years to rule in order to equate the southern

part of Nigeria.

“The North has paid its dues, if there is any part of this country that has made sacrifices for the unity of this nation, there is no other section of the country that has contributed as much as Northern Nigeria.

“The issue shouldn’t have been that we are not qualified or have no right to contest, and certainly, this is why we are saying now that the issue in Nigeria political space must be based only on democratic tenets.”

Speaking further, he said: “the

constitution is very clear that I can contest 20 times and also lose 20 times, but nothing should stop me from contesting elections, but in terms of ‘do me I do you’, rub my back and I rub yours, the North has rubbed more backs than its being rubbed.

“Obasanjo couldn’t get 10,000 votes in front of his house, I told the newsmen that always spoke to him rudely that he will become Nigeria president with the Northern votes and he did, we got paid back somehow, it was not appreciated as such.

The North voted Abiola to defeat Tofa, in my sitting room. All these are sacrifices being made by northerners.

“Talking about the years in power since 1999 till date, Obasanjo ruled for 8 years, Jonathan ruled for 6 years which is 14 years, Ya’ardua did just 2 years while Buhari is doing 8 which is 10 years,” he said.

Also in his welcome address, the Labour Party, LP, Vice Presidential Candidate, Yusuf Datti Ahmed, wondered “why should people who stole public

funds be given power?”

He said: “where you see the problem, we see the solution, we have already seen it. The bandits, the terrorists, and armed robbers are not more formidable than constituted authorities. Our history and records have shown that we were able to create wealth, we didn’t derive money from the government. And logically speaking, we know how to move Nigeria from consumption to production.”

Nobody can stop Tinubu’s rally in Ibadan – Oyo APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council in Oyo State said nobody can stop the party from holding its rally in the state.

The council made this disclosure on Wednesday, barely 24 hours before its scheduled presidential and governorship mega rally.

The APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other chieftains of the party are billed to campaign at a rally at Mapo Hall in Ibadan on Thursday, February 16.

Chieftains of the party

expected at the rally included state governors and ministers from the South West including the immediate past governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Oyetola.

Others expected at the rally include governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa) and Abubakar Sanni Bello (Niger).

There had been some pockets of protests in some parts of Ibadan.

The APC, however, said the protests that broke out on Wednesday in Ibadan will not affect the rally.

The Oyo State Director General of APC campaign council, Dr Isiaka Kolawole made this disclosure while addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Kolawole, flanked by chieftains of the party including the state APC Chairman, Isaac Omodewu, Kehinde Olaosebikan, Hakeem Alao, Dokun Odebunmi, Demola Omotoso, Yemi Aderibigbe and Idris Adeoye among others, insisted that no individual or group can hold the party to ransom.

He added that the rally will hold at Mapo Hall despite reports of protests in some parts

of Ibadan.

Kolawole who spoke on behalf of other chieftains of the party added: “Nobody can stop us from holding the rally tomorrow. The presidential rally of our party, the All Progressives Congress APC scheduled to hold tomorrow the 16th of February, 2023 at Mapo Hall will hold as planned.

“The nefarious activities of some hoodlums being sponsored by the state government, Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP and their evil agents to cause strife in the state in order to forestall the actualization of the rally would not work.”

He called on security agencies to prevail to ensure a hitch-free rally of the party on Thursday.

“We are hereby calling on the security agencies to stop these sponsored protests forthwith and clear all the blocked roads and streets in the interest of the masses of this state.

He accused PDP leaders and the state government of orchestrating the protest.

“They are only taking undue advantage of the present situation in the country to cause more hardships for the people to cover their failure and the lacklustre performance in the state,” he alleged.

Photo: Min of Police Affairs

SEC DG stresses importance of investors’ education

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

TheDirector General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Mr. Lamido Yuguda has enjoined the Management of the Lagos Free Zone to step up their investor enlightenment campaign as the company prepares to access the capital market.

Yuguda who stated this during a meeting between the SEC, the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority and the Lagos Free Zone in Abuja Wednesday, said this will further enlighten potential investors on the operations of the Zone.

The SEC Boss stated that there is a lot of ignorance among investors in this regard, stating that when companies are planning to access the market there is need for aggressive investor education to enable them make informed decisions.

According to him, “when you come to the market to list, you need to massively educate people. The reason why companies list is to be able to have access to a wide range of investors, from small to big. The key thing between companies is cash flow and if you have a positive cash flow over a long period of time it makes your company attractive to investors. If you add this to the fact that you are operating in NEPZA regulated Free Zone, that adds another layer.

“Investors would need to have as much information as possible about the operations of your company, especially since it operates within a Free Zone. They want to know how the NEPZA Act affects your cash flows, and what is available to investors. These are important so investors can see the value the companies in the Free Zone have over the ones that are not operating there. They also want to know what the goal of listing is as you need to erase those doubts and scepticism before listing”.

Yuguda stated that given the

quantum of development and investment domiciled within the Free Zone, it holds the key to Nigeria’s future and commended the Management for already contributing immensely to the economy by attracting international brands like Kellogg’s, Dano, BASF and Colgate to the Zone.

“Lagos Free Zone is enough to give domestic and international business communities the hope and courage to make valuable investments in Nigeria. You can imagine how much we spend travelling to buy goods abroad. With LFZ, I am convinced that we can transfer some of our demand to local production. I believe this is a bold

step to bring back Nigeria’s industrial prowess”.

He then pledged the SEC’s backing to ensure that the Free Zone remains attractive to investors and all other stakeholders by providing prompt regulatory backing where necessary.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer Lagos Free Zone Mr. Dinesh Rathi said his organisation has assisted in creating employment for more than 7,000 people and investment has also gone up by considerably since they commenced operations.

Rathi expressed appreciation to

Old naira notes remain legal tender, says supreme court

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

The supreme court has adjourned the hearing of the case brought against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the naira redesign policy.

With the adjournment, Nigerians are left wondering whether or not the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes remain legal tender.

The court session held on Wednesday provided clarity on the issue.

Abdulhakeem Mustapha, counsel to Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara, asked the court to make an order directing the federal government not to implement a deadline on the old notes.

However, a seven-member panel of the apex court led by John Okoro, said there was no need to issue a fresh order as “the interim order is pending the hearing on the motion on

notice”.

Reacting to the pronouncement, Adeola Adedipe, a lawyer, said the federal government is still bound by the supreme court ruling until the suit is heard and determined.

“It simply means that the interim order subsists pending the determination of that motion having not been set aside,” he told TheCable.

“And if it is perceived that any organ of government that ought to comply with it is in breach, then the plaintiffs know what to do. Which is to commence enforcement proceedings. But the court won’t tell them that.”

Ruling on an ex parte application brought by three states: Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara, the supreme court, on February 8, restrained the CBN from giving effect to the deadline on the use of old notes.

The court issued an interim injunction “restraining the federal government through the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the commercial banks from suspending or determining or ending on 10 February, the time frame with which the now older version of the 200, 500 and 1,000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction”.

Abubakar Malami. attorneygeneral of the federation (AGF), the sole respondent in the suit, subsequently filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

However, Malami said the federal government would obey the order in line with the rule of law.

Despite the assurance to comply with the order, some commercial banks, filling stations, and traders have stopped accepting the old naira notes from customers.

the market. It is very crucial in a lot of ways and the faster it is done the better for all. We want to get past the finishing line quickly”.

In his comments, Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba stated that the aim of the Free Zone scheme was to bring companies that are faraway to operate within Nigeria where they can build their factories here, employ Nigerians and also export the products using the relevant laws beneficial to them.

“To make it efficient, they are like a country within a country not subject to normal Nigerian laws. Since the SEC is efficient, we can allow you in to regulate these companies. People need to understand that investment into this enclave before now was an FDI, no tax and the investors can take away 100% of their profit.

“They will be able to make reports to shareholders, the governance structure that is being utilized is as stipulated by the SEC. SEC stipulates the rules before listing is done”.

Adesugba said that as a Nigerian, he prefers that Nigerians also benefit from the profits of these companies operating within the country hence his support on the listing desire of the Lagos Free Zone.

the SEC Management for the support and progress on the draft regulation to enable the Zone access the capital market.

He said, “We hope the entire regulatory framework on Free Zone listing is completed by April. We solicit your support as this will pave the way for other operators who are having their own free zones to follow suit.

“Listing is not only a financial step, but will also help deepen the market and attracts more investors. Listing creates a lot of positivity. Once the Free Zone is listed, part of the port gets listed too. In future, there is a possibility of the port also coming to

“I would not want people to come here, develop a port and take away profit 100% without Nigerians benefiting from it. We need to design the regulations in such a way that the funds that are coming from the capital market suits our purposes. It is like a foreign country, but it is still in Nigeria and Nigerians should be able to invest and het paid the dividends of their investments. The Free Zone is more efficient and does not allow those things that affect commerce ordinarily affect it” he said.

He therefore commended the SEC Management on their efforts in ensuring the listing process is expedited. We need to finalise this work together and ensure that we meet the timelines

NCC says inactive mobile lines in Nigeria declined by 13% in 2022

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo, ABUJA

Thenumber of unused or abandoned lines across the networks of MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile declined by 13% in 2022, showing that more Nigerians used their lines in the year.

According to the latest subscriber data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), inactive lines on mobile networks stood at 94.4 million as of December 2022, down from 109 million recorded at the end of 2021.

The NCC data revealed that the four mobile network operators had a total of N316.6 million connected lines as of December 2022. However, active lines across the networks at the end of the month stood at 2222.2 million. This shows that the telecom operators were able to generate revenue from 70% of their customers in the period under review.

A mobile line is considered to be inactive if it is not used by the subscriber to make or receive calls and/or access data services for 90 days, at the minimum. Such lines are separated from active lines as they generate no revenue for telecom operators within the stated period.

Impacted by government policy: Many Nigerians have had to abandon their mobile lines in 2021 as a result of the government’s policy that mandated every user of SIMenabled devices to link their National Identification Number or be barred. While the deadline for the exercise was shifted several times from December 2020 until April 2022, millions of lines were affected as the government ordered the telcos to block unlinked lines.

In its 9-month financial results for the period ended December 2022, Airtel, for instance, reported that 13.6 million of its customers were barred due to non-submission of NIN information by the deadline of April 2022.

“As of December 2022, 6.2 million customers (46%) have subsequently submitted their NINs and 3.2 million customers (23%) have been fully verified and unbarred. Revenue growth for the first nine months of the year was impacted by the effect of barring outgoing voice calls in Nigeria for those customers who had not submitted their NINs. We estimate that this resulted in the loss of approximately $87 million of revenues in the nine months,” the company stated.

L-R, Managing Director Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority Prof Adesoji Adesugba, Executive Commissioner Legal and Enforcement Securities and Exchange Commission Mr Reginald Karawusa and Director General SEC Mr Lamido Yuguda during a Meeting between The SEC, Lagos Free Zone and NEPZA in Abuja yesterday

BU$IN€SS

Nigeria’s inflation rate rises to 21.82% amid naira redesign policy

...food inflation increases to 24.32 percent

From

Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The consumer price index (CPI), which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services, surged to 21.82 percent in January 2023, up from 21.34 percent in the previous month.

The inflation rate data is contained the latest consumer price index (CPI) report released on Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to the NBS, the January 2023 inflation rate showed an increase of 0.47 percent points when compared to that of December 2022.

However, on a year-on-year basis, the “headline inflation rate was 6.22 percent points higher compared to the rate recorded in January 2022, which was 15.60 percent”.

FG inaugurates dutyfree ‘shopping village’ for diplomats to promote economic growth

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo, ABUJA

The federal government has inaugurated a diplomatic duty-free village in Abuja where diplomats can buy items and enjoy tax-free services in the country.

The village, according to the federal government, was established in compliance with the United Nations Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations which exempts diplomats from all duties and taxes, whether national, regional, or municipal.

Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday, Zubairu Dada, minister of state, foreign affairs, said the facility would help in reducing the level of shipment by individual diplomats.

He described the facility as a one-stop shopping village that will take care of all the needs of the diplomats in Abuja, even as he assured them of their safety.

“No doubt, the services provided by the dutyfree facility will drastically reduce the volume of diplomatic shipments into the country,” the minister said.

“It is my hope that the services of the duty-free facility will further provide an additional platform and opportunity for members of the diplomatic community to enjoy this dividend stay in our country.

“I understand that the facility has different interesting and top-notch sections ranging from shopping centre, recreational services, spa, eye centre, restaurants, clinic, etc.

“This affirms that the federal government of Nigeria has so far demonstrated its commitment towards ensuring the success of the duty-free facility by giving the needed support for each operation.

“Which will by no small measure, contribute immensely to the economic growth of Nigeria.”

On her part, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance and national planning, said the establishment of the facility was important to ensure coordination of imports for the diplomats.

She said the diplomatic immunities and privileges act of 1962 empowers the ministry of finance to exempt diplomats from all taxes including diplomats enjoying duty-free shopping facilities in several countries.

According to Ahmed, the village will have strict control or cessation of individual requests for waivers on imported items by diplomats which presently, is largely uncoordinated and originated.

Th minister said the duty-free facility will enable the government to maintain a database of products.

Also speaking, Uche Odozor, managing director of the village, said the village would improve diplomatic relations between Nigeria and representatives of other countries and multilateral institutions in the country.

Odozor also said it was fulfilling to see the unveiling of an edifice that started in 2010.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in the month of January 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e. January 2022)” NBS said.

“On a month-on-month basis, the percentage change in the all-items index in January 2023 was 1.87 percent, which was 0.15 percent points higher than the rate recorded in December 2022 (1.71 percent).”

This means that in the month of January 2023, on average, the general price level was 0.15 percent higher when compared to December 2022.

NBS said items (on a class basis) that contributed to the increase in the headline index include bread and cereal (21.67 percent), actual and imputed rent (7.74 percent), potatoes, yam and tuber (6.06 percent), vegetable (5.44

percent), and meat (4.78 percent).

The report added that food inflation rose to 24.32 percent in January 2023 on a yearon-year basis, showing a 7.19 percentage points higher compared to the rate recorded in January 2022 (17.13 percent).

The statistics body said the rise in food inflation was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, oil and fat, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, vegetable, fruits, meat, and food products.

“On a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in January 2023 was 2.08 percent. This was 0.20 percent points higher compared to the rate recorded in December 2022 (1.89 percent),” the report reads.

“This increase was attributed to increase in the prices of some food items like oil and fat, bread and cereals, fish, potatoes, yam and

tubers.

“The average annual rate of food inflation for the 12 months ending January 2023 over the previous 12 months average was 21.53 percent, which was a 1.44 percentage points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in January 2022 (20.09 percent).”

Meanwhile, Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had said the new currency redesign policy had led to a reduction in the country’s inflation rate since its introduction.

“The policy is typically expected to cause deflation in the market as less cash holding reduces currency outside banks and retards money circulation,” Emefiele had said.

The policy was introduced in October last year.

NGX seeks more government incentives to boost listings, tax revenue

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has advocated for more government incentives to motivate companies to list on the NGX.

The NGX’s CEO, Temi Popoola, who made the call during an interview, explained that exploring the capital market would help the government to boost revenue and stimulate the sustainable economic growth required to increase wealth and reduce poverty in Nigeria. He said:

“The reality is that because listed firms must adhere to regulatory requirements and corporate governance standards to maintain their listing on the Exchange, they are typically more consistent and reliable with their tax compliance. Consequently, the more companies we can get to list, the more revenue the government can make.”

Top priorities: Speaking on what the institution’s top priorities are for the year the CEO noted that the Exchange is looking to address some age-long issues

bordering on new listings which will, in turn, deepen trade.

He recalled that in December 2022, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) approved NGX’s Technology Board rules which permit it to list fintech start-ups and tech companies on the Exchange.

“In order to push its digital transformation agenda, NGX had gone one step further and established an advisory panel on digital technology products. The Panel would give the Exchange a platform to communicate with the capital market community and the fintech ecosystem to enhance and increase NGX’s digital product offerings.

“We are interested in expanding beyond financial services, the construction industry and Telco. For instance, NGX admitted the first-Generation power company, Geregu Power Plc on the Exchange in 2022 and BUA foods which led to the deepening of the market and a fair representation of GDP. The Agric industry is one sector that has been often said to be underrepresented on the Exchange. As

we move to get such listings, we are also looking for companies and sectors with low representation in order to promote a market with equal representation.”

In a bid to diversify, Popoola also mentioned an interest in exploring listings from free zone companies like the listing of the second tranche of the Lagos Free Zone N25 billion series 2 bonds, the first 20-year corporate infrastructure bond in Nigeria on the Exchange.

Whilst citing ongoing projects within the Lagos Free Zone which were projected to generate $461 billion in the next five decades, he added that NGX in partnership with regulators will be taking steps to accommodate more listings from free zones in 2023.

“Futuristically, we are looking at promoting financial literacy by exploring data dissemination through telco partnerships. We are also keen on aligning our activities to drive the UN SDGs and more importantly to promote the work we are doing in enabling a sustainable capital market ecosystem,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), preside the Federal Executive Council Meeting (FEC), at the State House yesterday in Abuja. Photo: State House

Fire outbreaks: Minister okays clampdown on erring petrol stations

By Stanley Onyekwere

As part of measures to curb incessant fire incidents in Filling Stations around Abuja, the nation’s capital city, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has ordered immediate clampdown on erring Petrol Filling Stations.

It was gathered that within three months, about 12 tankers conveying petroleum products have exploded into flames, while

3 Petrol Stations were said to have burnt to ashes, due to negligence or abuses of safety rules by operators.

Consequently, the Director General of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Dr. Idriss Abbas disclosed the Minister’s order for sanctions yesterday, in Abuja, during the Emergency Stakeholders Meeting.

Abbas, who was represented by FEMA’s Director, Forecasting,

Response and Mitigation, Florence Wenegieme, noted that the disturbing situation was created by Petrol stations owners and operators, who have continued to violate basic safety rules.

He added that the sanction which would come in different dimensions was targeted at ending the wanton destruction, because the administration cannot continue to allow unscrupulous business mangers to endanger

lives and property.

He said: “ There is a seeming lack of adequate knowledge of basic safety rules, absence of functional fire fighting equipment and trained safety officers in most of our Filling Stations.

“In addition, discharging petroleum products while the premises is already filled with vehicles and other customers waiting, and the activities of black marketers in and around the vicinity of the Filling Stations

and highways, are dangerous developments that need to be addressed by all stakeholders to avoid catastrophic outcomes in the near future.

“Based on the above worrisome situation, the Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, directed that any Filling Stations that records a fire outbreak would be sanctioned as no responsible government will fold its arms and allow loss of lives and property to be the order of the day.

We’ve rekindled passion for hardwork in FCTA staff - Bello declares

By Stanley Onyekwere

One of the legacies of the current FCT Administration is that it has been able to rekindle in the staff of the Administration, the passion for hard work which has translated to progress within the system and better service delivery to members of the public, according to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.

Bello, made the assertion in his remarks as he received the Executive Committee members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) who paid him courtesy visit, on Tuesday.

In his words: “One legacy I feel very proud of as I move in the next three months is the fact that we have encouraged staff to have confidence in themselves, for Directors, Heads of Departments and Agencies to know that as heads, they have responsibilities and they have capacity and

should use it.

“We also tried to rekindle in the workers the passion to work and the moment you have hard work and passion, the result is progress. That’s what we’ve been able to do and I’m very happy that you (ASCSN) have been able to notice that. I hope and pray that the next team coming over will build upon that”.

He also noted that FCTA has over time recognized the need for the unions to work together with the management for the benefit of the citizenry.

According to him: “Our objective is to provide service to the citizens and that’s why in all my public assignments, I had always given the Unions a very good listening ear because our objectives are the same and if you don’t listen and you don’t understand what is happening, how can you correct errors?”

“That’s why we’ve worked together with all the Unions across board in the FCT particularly

under JUAC (Joint Unions Action Committee) where all of them are represented and we have been able to work carefully and gradually. It has not always been smooth but that is why we have a relationship.

“But regardless of what happens, we are always conscious of the fact that we are here to work and serve and that is the bottom line. So, you find that even where there are areas of diverging views, we eventually would meet”.

He continued: “Our efforts in this regard is reflected in a letter which we received from the SERVICOM, commending the FCT for the level of substantial improvement in service delivery.

“All these would not have just come like that without the conscious efforts and hard work of all the workers across board”.

“What we just did as an Administration was to provide the right environment through proper training and also encouraging people to know what

the rules and regulations are and also for people to appreciate that everything does not revolve around the Minister.

“The Minister is just an individual and a Minister will come and go but the system is there and that’s what we have tried to do, to encourage the system to work, irrespective of who is Minister”.

Furthermore, Bello reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of civil servants especially in the area of the provision of affordable housing where he mentioned the Administration’s efforts in seeing to the Success of the Federal Government’s FISH Programme amongst others.

Earlier in his remarks, the National President of the Association, Comrade (Dr) Tommy Etim Okon said that the visit to the FCTA was to extend the appreciation of the Association to the FCT Minister for his efforts in ensuring that workers are able to

perform their duties optimally.

Okon said: “Actually, we came to say a big thank you, because we’ve had a good feedback from our representatives here, what you have done so far and we feel that since the government is winding down, it will be unfair for us not to come and say a big thank you.

“We’ve seen that symbiotic relationship between you and the Union and that has led to very good successes which you have recorded.

“We must say and convincingly so, that we’ve had Ministers of FCT, but you have demonstrated the leadership that is uncommon and very worthy to be emulated”.

Also present at the event were the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, SSA to the Minister on Security, Amb. A.S Muhammed, SSA on Legal and Multi-lateral Cooperation Bass Lawal Yusuf and other senior officials of the FCTA and ASCSN.

L-R; United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth, Special Assistant, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ms. Holly Mackey and President Muhammadu Buhari during an audience at the State House on Tuesday in Abuja.

Photo: State House

Notorious Russian nationalist Igor Mangushev shot dead in Ukraine

Notorious Russian army captain and mercenary Igor Mangushev has died in hospital, days after he was shot in the head at close range in occupied Ukraine, his friends have said.

Mangushev’s wife Tatyana described his killing as an execution.

He commanded an anti-drone unit in occupied Luhansk, but had also been one of the founders of a mercenary group fighting Ukrainian forces in 2014.

He took to a stage last summer holding a man’s skull.

In a video posted on social media in August, Mangushev was filmed saying the skull belonged to a Ukrainian fighter killed defending the Azovstal steel works in the southern port of Mariupol.

An extreme nationalist, Mangushev said Russia was not at war with people, but with an idea of Ukraine as an “anti-Russian state”, and it did not matter how many Ukrainians died.

Mangushev emerged from a neo-Nazi movement to co-found

private mercenary group Yenot (raccoon).

He was later known to have collaborated with Russia’s most notorious mercenary boss,

Yevgeny Prigozhin, as a political strategist.

The shooting has prompted widespread speculation about who might have carried out the

Gabby Petito appears bruised and bloodied in new photo

Aphoto of killed blogger Gabby Petito has been released by her family’s lawyers, revealing cuts, bruises and smeared blood on her face.

Lawyers say it was taken moments before police stopped her and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in Utah in August 2021 on a domestic disturbance call.

Ms Petito was found dead weeks later in a Wyoming campground. Mr Laundrie later shot himself. Her family is suing Utah police over negligence.

The photo was released on Monday by her family’s lawyers and was previously described in a lawsuit the family filed against the Moab City Police Department in November.

The family have accused the police of negligence in its hiring and training practices. They also allege negligence against the officers who handled the domestic violence report.

The city of Moab issued a statement denying responsibility for Ms Petito’s murder and said it would contest the lawsuit.

Ms Petito, 22, and Mr Laundrie, 23, had been on a cross-country excursion in a van during the summer of 2021. Ms Petito posted several images of her picturesque road trip on social media. But at some point, things turned terribly wrong.

Ms Petito’s family reported her missing in September, not too long after her distressed selfie was taken.

A witness who saw the couple at a grocery store in Moab, Utah, on 12 August 2021, called police and reported that Mr Laundrie had hit Ms Petito and attempted to take her mobile phone and leave her stranded outside the store.

Moab City Police Department officers later encountered the couple and interviewed them for almost an hour. Bodycam footage showed Ms Petito crying and complaining about her mental health to officers. She also said the couple had been arguing more frequently.

A police report of the incident said Mr Laundrie claimed Ms Petito hit him after an argument. The

officers recommended they spend the night apart, but did not file any charges.

Ms Petito allegedly revealed her injuries to Moab police, who the family’s lawyers say ignored her “and did nothing more to investigate or document the injury”.

Ms Petito’s body was found on 19 September at a campground near Grand Teton National Park in north-western Wyoming. The coroner ruled her death a homicide.

On 20 October, Mr Laundrie’s body was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in a Florida nature preserve near his parents’ home.

Source: BBC

attack at a checkpoint in the occupied Ukrainian town of Kadiivka, some distance from the frontline.

Russian reports said he had

been shot at close range with a 9mm bullet fired into the top of his head at an angle of 45 degrees. Russian authorities are investigating the killing and have so far said nothing about the circumstances.

The bullet had reportedly lodged in his brain. Before he died, pictures showed him lying in a hospital bed.

Another extreme Russian nationalist, Pavel Gubarev, said everyone knew who was behind the shooting and observed that Prigozhin had for the moment gone quiet.

The 11-month war in Ukraine has energised the murky world of extremists in Russia and sparked rivalries between them.

After the attack, Russia expert Mark Galeotti said it demonstrated that Russia was sliding back towards aspects of the 1990s, “when murder was a business tactic, and the lines between politics, business, crime and war became nearmeaningless”.

MH17: Putin likely to have supplied missile that downed plane - investigators

Thereare strong indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to supply the missile that downed flight MH17 in 2014, international investigators say.

The passenger aircraft was hit by a Russian-made missile over Ukraine, killing nearly 300 people.

Prosecutors said there was evidence that Mr Putin decided to provide heavy weaponry to Moscow-backed separatists.

There is no suggestion that Mr Putin ordered the aircraft be shot down.

The conclusions of the Joint Investigation Team - made up of investigators from five countries - follow a Dutch court ruling from last year which found two Russians and a Ukrainian guilty of murder in absentia.

Moscow - which has denied all involvement in the downing of the plane - dismissed those verdicts as “scandalous” and politically motivated.

The international team, charged with looking into those responsible for launching the missile, said on Wednesday it had exhausted all leads and could not continue with any more criminal proceedings.

The Boeing 777 was flying from the Dutch capital to Kuala Lumpur when it was hit by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile in July 2014 during a conflict between pro-Russia rebels and Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Of the 298 passengers and crew, 196 were Dutch while many of the other passengers came

from Malaysia, Australia, the UK, Belgium and other countries.

The Joint Investigation Team cited the Dutch court which last year ruled that Moscow had “overall control” over the Donetsk People’s Republic, which controlled the area in July 2014. It described recorded telephone conversations where Russian officials said the decision to provide military support “rests with the President”.

“There is concrete information that the separatists’ request was presented to the president, and that this request was granted,” it said.

But it added it was not known whether the request “explicitly mentions” the system used to shoot down MH17.

“Although we speak of strong indications, the high bar of complete and conclusive evidence is not reached,” investigators said.

“Furthermore, the President enjoys immunity in his position as Head of State.”

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) is made up of members from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukrainethe countries worst affected by the shooting down of MH17.

The team wanted to prove the identities of the missile’s crew members, and who was in the chain of command, but admitted that was not possible for now.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said: “We will seek to employ all the existing international legal mechanisms to bring [Mr Putin] to justice” over MH17.

Mangushev’s wife complained that nobody was investigating his shooting

The photo was released by the lawyers representing Ms Petito’s family in a lawsuit against police

Grave robber hunt launched in SA

after

corpse stolen

Police in South Africa have launched an investigation and appealed for witnesses following the theft of a corpse from a grave in the northern province of Limpopo.

A relative made the discovery on Sunday when she went to the cemetery to clean the area in preparation of the upcoming unveiling of the tombstone.

To her shock she found a gapping hole by the grave and the body of Modike Philemon Masedi missing.

The suspects accessed the graveyard by cutting the fence then dug a hole next to the grave to gain access to the coffin and stole the corpse, the police said.

Mr Masedi reportedly died on 15 January and was buried seven days later.

“The motive for this incident is unknown at this stage,” Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, a police spokesperson, said.

The BBC’s Victoria Phenethi in Johannesburg says it is rare for a body to be robbed from a grave in South Africa and a more common practice is for tombstones to be stolen as stone is expensive.

Provincial police boss Thembi Hadebe has urged people in the area to “desist from pointing fingers” to avoid any form of vigilantism.

Mozambique shuts Chinese firm over fraud allegations

AChinese-owned private security firm has been closed in Mozambique’s port city of Beira for alleged involvement in money laundering.

The attorney general’s office (PGR) accuses the owner of Panda Security, Jiye Zhuo, of defrauding the state of about $13m (£11m) through tax evasion.

Another of his firms, the Thian Hai petrol station, was closed by the authorities two months ago, also on allegations of money laundering.

The PGR also suspects him of financing terrorism, forging documents, conspiracy and environmental crimes. Mr Jiye has not commented on the allegations.

In response to the latest closure, more than 3,000 of Panda Security’s workers demonstrated, demanding two months of back pay.

It is unlikely that they will receive their money, as their employer’s current whereabouts are unknown.

But a PGR spokesperson told journalists that he would be found. “The administration of justice is gathering evidence to hold him, his associates and all those who contributed to his various crimes, accountable.”

Christian Atsu: Ghana player’s whereabouts are unknown, says agent

Christian Atsu’s agent says the footballer’s whereabouts are unknown, a day after it was reported he was pulled from the rubble of a building “with injuries” after the Turkey earthquakes.

More than 11,000 people in southern Turkey and northern Syria are now known to have been killed.

Ghana forward Atsu plays for Hatayspor and the club’s vice-president Mustafa Özat had said the player was rescued.

“We are doing everything we can to locate Christian,” said Nana Sechere.

“As you can imagine, this continues to be a devastating time for his family.”

In a social media post, the agent added: “Following yesterday’s update from the club that Christian had been pulled out alive, we are yet to confirm

Christian’s whereabouts.”

Hatayspor manager Volkan Demirel told Turkish sport website Spor Arena there was “no news yet” on either Atsu or sporting director Taner Savut, who was reported missing on Monday along with the player.

Savut’s location and condition is currently unknown.

“If they were in hospital, don’t you think I would share this? Please don’t be sure that he survived. This should not be written as he survived,” he said.

Ghana’s Ambassador to Turkey, Francisca Ashietey-Odunton, told radio station Joy FM there was “confusion” as to where Atsu had been sent.

“Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here informed me that they wanted to confirm if Christian Atsu had been found

and rescued, and sent to a medical centre,” she said.

“However, in all the confusion - which is understandable under the circumstances [as you are rescued you are put in an ambulance and sent to the hospital] - they are not sure yet which particular hospital or health facility he has been sent to.

“This morning again, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured me they are working feverishly to find out which facility he was sent to and will get back to me as soon as possible because I have been on them that I need to go and see him.”

Atsu, 31, played 107 games for Newcastle and had spells with Chelsea, Everton and Bournemouth.

He has won 65 caps for Ghana and joined Hatayspor in September after a season with Saudi Arabian team Al-Raed.

UN helping displaced in Tigray go home

The UN says it has helped 50,000 people return to their home areas in northern Ethiopia’s war-hit region of Tigray, three months after a peace deal was signed.

Around two million people were forced to flee their homes during the two-year conflict.

The war created a humanitarian emergency and one academic study last

year estimated total civilian deathscaused by the fighting, starvation and lack of health care - stood at between 385,000 and 600,000.

The head of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, made the announcement at the end of a three-day visit to Ethiopia.

He said everyone he had met in Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, wanted to go back home, but this would be easier to achieve in some

areas than others.

“Peace will be successful if people go back home,” he said.

Humanitarian access to conflictaffected regions had increased since the deal, but relief efforts still needed to be accelerated as the needs remained “very big in northern Ethiopia”, Mr Grandi said.

Kenya investigating suspected migrant-smuggling case

AKenyan court has ordered that 41 Ethiopian nationals should remain in custody for another six days pending investigations into how they entered the East African nation.

They were arrested on Monday at a house

in the capital, Nairobi.

Two suspected people traffickers - a Kenyan and an Ethiopian - were also detained.

The head of Kenya’s Transnational Organized Crime Unit, George Mutonya, told the BBC that the Ethiopians did not have the

right documentation to prove their legal status at the time of the police raid.

Kenya is often used as a route for illegal migration to neighbouring countries like Tanzania and further afield to South Africa and also countries in the Middle East. Source: BBC

Death sentence in Egypt for Islamic State links

An Egyptian court has sentenced one man to death and 11 others to life imprisonment after convicting them of links to the Islamic State group. Six more were jailed for between 10 to 15 years.

All were said to have either led or joined a terrorist group between 2015 and 2019. In recent years jihadists - some inspired by IS - have carried out a wave of attacks in the Sinai Peninsula and others areas of Egypt.

Mass trials of this kind there are not uncommon there.

In a single case last year, 215 defendants received sentences ranging from 10 years to the death penalty.

Christian Atsu signed for Hatayspor in September

Asia&Middle-East

Turkey earthquake: Anger at building standards grows

The BBC has verified examples of recently built blocks that collapsed in the latest disaster.

One building in Malatya (seen below) was finished last year and screenshots circulated on social media of an advert saying it was “completed in compliance with the latest earthquake regulations.”

The text stated that all materials and workmanship used were “first-class quality”.

There’s no trace of this advert now, but a number of people had taken pictures and videos and posted them online. The advertisement matches the style of similar ones on the company website.

Another recently built apartment block in the port city of Iskenderun has been pictured largely destroyed.

The construction company for this building posted an image showing it was completed in 2019.

The BBC has verified that the image of the destroyed building (right) matches the location of the company’s publicity shot of the block (left).

Another building which was opened in Antakya in 2019 can be seen largely destroyed in a picture verified by the BBC.

We found a video of the housing complex’s opening ceremony from November 2019, in which the owner of a construction company involved says: “The Guclu Bahce City project is particularly special compared to the others in terms of its location and construction qualities.”

Although the quakes were powerful, experts say properly constructed buildings should have been able to stay standing.

“The maximum intensity for this earthquake was violent but not necessarily enough to bring well constructed buildings down,” says David Alexander, Professor of Emergency Planning and Management at University College London.

“In most places the level of shaking was less than the maximum, so we can conclude out of the thousands of buildings that collapsed, almost all of them don’t stand up to any reasonably expected earthquake construction code.”

Failure to enforce building regulations

Construction regulations have been tightened following previous disasters, most recently in 2018.

Stricter safety standards were also brought in following the 1999 earthquake around the city of Izmit, in the north-west of the country, in which 17,000 people died.

The latest rules require structures in earthquake-prone regions to use high quality concrete reinforced with steel bars. Columns and beams must also be distributed to effectively absorb the impact of earthquakes.

These laws, however, have been poorly enforced.

“In part the problem is that there’s very little retrofitting of existing buildings, but there’s also very little enforcement of building standards on new builds,” says Prof Alexander.

Why is enforcement so weak?

The government has provided periodic “construction amnesties” - effectively legal exemptions for the payment of a fee, for those structures built without the required safety certificates. These have been passed since the 1960s (with the latest in 2018).

Critics have long warned that such amnesties risk catastrophe in the event of a major earthquake.

Up to 75,000 buildings across the affected earthquake zone in southern Turkey have been given construction amnesties, according to Pelin Pınar Giritlioğlu, Istanbul head of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects’ Chamber of City Planners.

Just a few days before the latest disaster, Turkish media reported that a new draft law is awaiting parliamentary approval which would grant a further amnesty for recent construction work.

Geologist Celal Sengor said earlier this year that passing such construction amnesties in a country riven by fault lines amounts to a “crime”.

After a deadly earthquake hit the western province of Izmir in 2020, a BBC Turkish report found that 672,000 buildings in Izmir had benefited from the most recent amnesty.

This same report cited the Environment and Urbanisation Ministry as stating in 2018 that over 50% of buildings in Turkey - equivalent to almost 13 million buildingswere constructed in violation of regulations. We’ve contacted the Environment and Urbanisation Ministry for comment about building standards in Turkey following the most recent earthquakes, who said: “No building constructed by our administration has collapsed. Damage assessment studies are continuing rapidly in the field.”

Turkey earthquake: Erdogan ‘responsible for this’ opposition leader says

Anger is growing in Turkey over the government’s perceived failure to prepare after thousands died in two huge earthquakes on Monday.

On a visit to one of the worst-hit regions, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the official death toll in Turkey had climbed to 9,057.

The main opposition leader has blamed him for the scale of the devastation.

But Mr Erdogan hit back, saying it was “not possible” to be prepared for such a big disaster.

Many in the worst affected areas have have criticised the response by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) for being too slow. Others say the government was not sufficiently prepared in advance.

“If there is one person responsible for this, it is Erdogan,” said Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party.

The president rejected this. He also described those who said they had not seen security forces at all in some areas as “provocateurs”.

“This is a time for unity, solidarity. In a period like this, I cannot stomach people conducting negative campaigns for political interest,” he told reporters in Hatay.

During another stop on his tour of areas in the disaster zone earlier today, he acknowledged some initial problems, but said

the situation was now “under control”.

In the southern Turkish port of Iskenderun on Tuesday, Arzu Dedeoglu said two of her nieces were trapped under the rubble. Her family had arranged a digger with their own resources to remove the debris, but she said officials did not allow them to use it.

“We waited till late in the evening, but nobody came,” Ms Dedeoglu said. “We brought in a caterpillar (digger) with our own means, but they did not want us to use it - they stopped us. We have two kids under the rubble: my sister’s daughters, Ayşegül and İlayda.

“They are gone now, they are gone.”

When emergency services eventually arrived, Ms Dedeoglu yelled that they were “too late”. Rescue workers paused for a moment, but the girls’ family begged them not to stop.

“Please don’t leave - maybe my kids are still alive,” said their mother.

Mr Erdogan has announced a threemonth state of emergency in 10 provinces worst-affected by an earthquake. It will end just before elections on 14 May, when the 68-year-old will attempt to stay in power after 20 years.

His main opposition is an alliance of centre-left and right-wing parties, known as the Table of Six. Mr Kilicdaroglu is expected to be the presidential candidate.

In a video posted on Twitter, he vowed

not to meet the president “on any platform”, accusing the government of conducting “PR work” since the quakes.

Anger is also mounting over an “earthquake tax” levied by the Turkish government in the wake of a massive quake in 1999 that killed more than 17,000 people.

The estimated 88bn lira ($4.6bn; £3.8bn) was meant to have been spent on disaster prevention and the development of emergency services.

Questions about the “special communication tax” - as the authorities call it - are asked every time there is an earthquake in Turkey. But the government has never publicly explained how the money is spent.

And Mr Kilicdaroglu said Mr Erdogan’s government “has not prepared for an earthquake for 20 years”.

But it is not just the president’s main political rival who is voicing anger at the government’s lack of preparedness.

“Where have all our taxes gone, collected since 1999?” Celal Deniz, 61, told the AFP news agency in the city of Gaziantep. His brother and nephews remain trapped under rubble.

Social media users have also criticised some Turkish mainstream and progovernment news channels for “muting” criticisms by people in affected areas.

Videos have been shared showing an NTV correspondent in Kahramanmaras

saying locals were complaining that “aid is inadequate”, with residents heard in the background asking: “Where is the state?”

The channel then appears to cut the correspondent short before returning to the studio.

Another video shared online showed a survivor telling a reporter on mainstream Haberturk network that “no one has come” to rescue them for days. The reporter subsequently moves away from the survivor and says rescuers have been “looking everywhere”.

Speaking in Kahramanmaras, Mr Erdogan acknowledged there had been difficulties with the initial response to the disaster, but blamed the delays on damaged roads and airports.

He said people should only listen to communication from authorities and ignore “provocateurs”.

He is also scheduled to visit Hatay and Pazarcik, epicentre of the quake.

“The state is doing its job,” he said.

But for many in Iskenderun, the state arrived too late.

“Why didn’t you come yesterday, we were still hearing voices from the rubble yesterday!” one woman shouted at rescue workers on Tuesday.

Another woman was in tears.

“We could have saved them if you’d arrived yesterday,” she said.

Source: BBC

Before and after: A recently built apartment block in Iskanderun

Climate change: presidential candidates proffer solutions to environmental challenge

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Four Nigerian presidential candidates have proffered solution to lingering environmental issues affecting the country.

The four candidates spoke at the presidential town hall meeting on environment and climate change, organised by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), We the People, Health of the Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and the University of Abuja held yesterday in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, the presidential candidates of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adebayo Adewole, said, one of the major cause of environmental problem is poverty, which leads people to get involved in environmental degradation.

He said “Our responsibility is to form a government that privatized the welfare of Nigerians, by educating them on natural and social environment.

It is very important for citizens to have an understanding on what climate change and environmental issues are beyond sanitation “.

“Their knowledge about environment and environmental justice is very key”, prince Adewole stated.

According to him “Our lands environment is good, it will help the world, in afforestation which will in turn provide more oxygen to the world .

Similarly,Presidential candidates of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso said promotion of clean energy system is one of his top priorities to tackle climate change impact.

Kwankwaso represented by National Chairman, Prof. Rufuai Alkali, said “Every part of Nigeria is blessed with abundance of solar radiation which makes our potential among the highest in the world”. He emphasized that , solar energy compliments energy efficiency by providing a renewable energy source to power building system and reducing grid dependency .

Similarly, The Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu,said, we must ensure that what we do with the environment matters.

“ What are doing with our environment have affect it nature and has brought

devastating impact on it “.

Kachikwu explained that with such impact,” our government will make more impactful reforms by using our indigenous professional in various university to research on how we can handle our environmental issues and change issues .

“We must aline with science to protect our people , there is a need not just to depend on foreign scientists but also allow our local scientists to bring in their inputs .

He added that, companies that flames gas in various part of the country will face huge penalty.

“We needs to protects our lives and keep our environment safe our for habitation”, he said.

The presidential candidates of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, stated that one of the major problem of climate change has to to with the Lakechade basic,he said to proffered solutions,the boarders must be fortified very well.

“We will encouraged individuals to do private ranchers for individuals and group that are raring cattles to patronize them , pay money and to feed or neither keeps cattles there within the environment in

order to curtail farmers and Herdsmen clashes”, Sowore.

He said, his government will tackles enviromental issues by studying and understanding all the geographical environment of all the states in the country.

Meanwhile,The Director, Health Mother Earth Foundation( HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, said the reality is that , the focus of political leaders on the environment has been largely tokenish.

“The indicator is that they care at all about the environment is often only when the move to destroy underserved and largely autonomous communities termed slums”.

He said Enviroment sustainability has lost much of its meaning.

“Since it is hung mostly on economic plank which sees the environment as a thing to be exploited and transformed for the extraction of tents often termed foreign exchange earring”.

“ This drive for foreign exchange has allowed rapacious exploration that has scarred our environment and our peoples, leading to a catastrophic and shameful fall in life expectancy “,Bassey said .

Lavrov in Africa: Have Wagner mercenaries helped Mali’s fight against jihadists?

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has promised continued military support for Mali, which has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2012.

Last year, Mali turned its back on former colonial power France favouring help from Russia instead.

This is the foreign minister’s second visit to Africa in two weeks.

Russia aims to shore up allies as the Ukraine war continues, but its involvement in West Africa pre-dates that and has been growing over time.

Mr Lavrov, who is on a twoday trip to Mali, outlined Moscow’s ambition to provide military backing for governments across West Africa in the battle against Islamist militants.

Mali’s military government has batted away criticism of this shift to Russia.

“We will no longer justify our choice of partner. Russia is here on demand by Mali and responds efficiently to our strategic needs,” Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said during a joint press briefing with his Russian counterpart.

It is now more than a year since Wagner Group fighters began operating in Mali, though the authorities have never formally confirmed this.

But evidence suggests that they have not been any more successful than other forces in dealing with the decade-long jihadist threat and insecurity may have worsened.

Civilian casualties as a result of violence more than doubled last year, according to data from the crisis mapping organisation Acled Info.

Moscow lionised

Nevertheless, Mali’s military junta has dismissed reports about the country’s deteriorating security situation as “fake news”.

It has instead lionised Moscow for empowering the Malian armed forces after despatching heavy military equipment to Bamako on several occasions since the army seized power in August 2020.

These include Sukhoi fighter jets, as well as surveillance and combat helicopters.

“The military success we achieved in the past two years outweighs anything that was done in past decades. Our weapons are the pride of the entire nation,” Mali’s interim President Col Assimi Goïta said in a speech on army day last month. He said that people had been able to return to their homes but did not offer specific examples.

Yet, the presence of Russian mercenaries abruptly halted a decade of efforts by France and its European allies to bolster Mali’s attempts to counter the jihadists.

Wagner’s deployment was in response to waning patience with French forces which had initially made significant strides against militants when first deployed in 2013.

The capacity of the nearly 18,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission (Minusma) to protect civilians threatens to be weakened with the impending withdrawal of nearly 3,000 troops from Germany, the UK, Ivory Coast and Benin.

Attacks by branches of the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda have over time spread into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, while militant activity is gradually moving south towards the Gulf of Guinea.

Social media success

Emboldened by their work in Mali as well as its success in influencing public opinion, Wagner is making overtures to Burkina Faso - which experienced two military coups in 2022 - and possibly Ivory Coast.

But concerns have been raised about the way Wagner Group fighters operate and the UN has demanded investigations into possible war crimes by Malian soldiers and the mercenaries, which Malian authorities consistently deny.

Rights groups have documented reports of torture, summary executions

and sexual assaults during joint counterinsurgency operations dubbed Keletigui that began in December 2021.

Analysis of data from Acled shows that civilians died in larger numbers than militants in such operations in 2022.

At least 700 people were killed in incidents involving the mercenaries, largely in the volatile central regions of Mali.

One of the highest death tolls came in March 2022 when at least 300 people were reportedly killed in week-

long counterinsurgency operations in the central town of Moura.

Survivors told Human Rights Watch that Malian soldiers and “white soldiers speaking in a strange language” summarily executed dozens of men.

The army denied this and instead talked about how its forces had become stronger thank to Russian instructors and military equipment.

The Wagner Group - which the US alleged were contracted at a cost of $10m (£8.3m) per month - has not publicly commented on its activities in

Mali.

Rather, propaganda associated with the mercenaries has inflated their military capabilities particularly in Mali and sought to discredit France and the West.

This has been widely spread on social media and the pro-Wagner messages gain some public appeal when they were shared by those Malian pressure groups which have held protests agitating for increased co-operation with Moscow.

Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has cheered the propaganda campaigns as “the new era of decolonisation”, exploiting longstanding distrust of former colonial power France.

Forced into hiding

People and organisations trying to scrutinise Russia’s influence and Wagner operations have come under attack, which has led some to fear for their safety.

Last March, Mali banned broadcasts by French public media outfits RFI and France 24 over their reports on alleged atrocities by Wagner and Mali’s army. The government accused them of “sowing hatred and ascribing an ethnic angle to the insecurity in Mali”.

Prominent activist Aminata Dicko was forced into hiding last week after pro-junta activists accused her of being unpatriotic for outlining alleged atrocities by the army and Wagner mercenaries while addressing the UN Security Council.

At the weekend, the junta later expelled Minusma’s human rights chief for purportedly collaborating with Ms Dicko. The authorities have trumpeted military gains, but overall deaths from violence have increased between 2021 - when there were 1,913 fatalities - and 2022, which had 4,803 fatalities.

Last month, Mali’s Ministry of Health and Social Development said humanitarian needs had spiked by 17% compared with 2022 because of mass displacements induced by militant violence.

In addition, mounting claims of civilian casualties by Wagner and the Mali army have given militant groups ammunition to stage retaliatory attacks and expand recruitment.

About a third of propaganda statements issued by the al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM in 2022 explicitly mentioned the Wagner Group as a target or used their presence to justify anti-army attacks.

Its IS-linked rivals also said they had killed 15 mercenaries and downed a drone belonging to the Wagner Group.

Despite these concerns, Russian, and Wagner, assistance to Mali looks set to continue.

During his visit to Mali, Mr Lavrov described how “Russian aviation equipment” was used to “carry out successful operations against terrorists in recent times”.

But perhaps more significantly, he hinted that Russia could help others in the region dealing with a similar jihadist threat saying that “this concerns Guinea, Burkina Faso and Chad and the Sahel region generally and even the coastal states on the Gulf of Guinea”.

Amid Russia’s international isolation following its invasion of Ukraine, it is a friendship that can only blossom. Source: BBC

“ Emboldened by their work in Mali as well as its success in influencing public opinion, Wagner is making overtures to Burkina Faso - which experienced two military coups in 2022 - and possibly Ivory Coast

Mali Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop (R) welcomed Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to Bamako

Demonstrators in Mali last year showed their support for Russia and its President Vladimir Putin

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT DISCLAIMER! DISCLAIMER!! DISCLAIMER!!!

THE ABOVE NAMED PERSON RASHIDAT ZUBAIRU ADETUTU WHOSE PHOTOGRAPH APPEAR ABOVE IS NO LONGER A STAFF OF SHINERY DESIGNS

LIMITED

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND OUR ESTEEMED CUSTOMERS ARE HEREBY ADVISED NOT TO TRANSACT ANY BUSINESS PERTAINING TO OUR BUSINESS WITH HER ANY LONGER. ANYONE WHO DO SO IN DISREGARD TO THIS NOTICE IS DOING SO AT HIS / HER OWN RISK. YOU HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY ADVISED.

•MRS SHALINI ALIMCHANDANI* FOR THE MANAGEMENT SHINERY DESIGNS LIMITED.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT DISCLAIMER! DISCLAIMER!! DISCLAIMER!!!

THE ABOVE NAMED PERSON RASHIDAT ZUBAIRU ADETUTU WHOSE PHOTOGRAPH APPEAR ABOVE IS NO LONGER A STAFF OF SHINERY DESIGNS LIMITED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLICAND OUR ESTEEMED CUSTOMERS ARE HEREBY ADVISED NOT TO TRANSACT ANY BUSINESS PERTAINING TO OUR BUSINESS WITH HER ANY LONGER. ANYONE WHO DO SO IN DISREGARD TO THIS NOTICE IS DOING SO AT HIS / HER OWN RISK. YOU HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY ADVISED.

*MRS SHALINI ALIMCHANDANI* FOR THE MANAGEMENT SHINERY DESIGNS LIMITED.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TERRASKILLS GES EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

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. ISA SANUSI BADAMASI

2. ADAM ISA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO PROMOTE, TRAINAND EQUIP COMPETENTAND SKILLED GRADUATES INTO THE WORKFORCE.

2.TO BRIDGE THE SKILLS GAPS OF THE NIGERIAN GRADUATES.

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

TATIYE VILL RESIDENCE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, BERGER QUARRY, MPAPE

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. EZEMA ANSELEM OZOR (CHAIRMAN)

2. NWAFOR JOHNBULL BADIFU (SECRETARY)

3. OKORIE MICHAEL OKORIE (MEMBER)

4. HARUNA ALHASSAN AYUBA (MEMBER)

5. IBRAHIM KABIR (MEMBER)

6. MAJIA ABDULJAMID ADAMU (MEMBER)

7. SIMDA FRANCIS SIMON (MEMBER)

8. ADOMI-MAGOH PETER OJOH (MEMBER)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION:

1. TO ENGAGE IN VIABLE PROJECTS AIMED AT PROMOTION, PROTECTION, MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF SECURITY OF LIVES AND PROPERTIES IN THE ESTATE FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF BETTER LIVING STANDARDS OF MEMBERS.

2. TO ENSURE MEMBERS ARE ACCORDED THEIR RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES IN ALL RAMIFICATIONS.

3. TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT OF UNITY, LOVE, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AMONG THE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS IN THE ESTATE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : IBRAHIM MUHAMMAD ABDULRAHMAN ESQ

1. THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS ARE SATISFIED THAT THE COMPANY CAN NO LONGER CONTINUE ITS BUSINESS AND CONSIDER IT ADVISABLE TO WIND UP THE BUSINESS, AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED.

2. THAT THE COMPANY BE WOUND UP VOLUNTARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020.

3. THAT BARR CHARLES UGWU OF NO. 54, LOBITO CRESCENT, WUSE

2, ABUJA-FCT, BE AND HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE WINDING UP.

BRIGHTER HOPE FOUNDATION FOR ADOLESCENTS AND MATERNAL SUPPORT CAC/IT/NO.62510 .

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC),ABUJAFOR CERTIFIED TRUE COPY (CTC) OF LOSS OF ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES REMAIN THE SAME.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION 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

NEW LIBERATION CENTER 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.AIGBEDION KENNETH AIGBIREMON--CHAIRMAN

2.AIGBEDION MARIAN DIVERE--SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL, CHARITABLE WORKS, TEACHING AND PREACHING THE BIBLE

2.TO WORSHIP GOD AS A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS,IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST

3.TO MINISTER TO EACH OTHER AND ALL THE WORLD.

4.TO NURTURE CHRISTIAN GROWTH THROUGH PREACHING, TEACHING, DELIVERANCE AND FELLOWSHIP.

TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

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. SALIM SHITU MOHAMMED

2. HAJARA SHITU MOHAMMED

3. MARYAM SHITU MOHAMMED

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ADVOCATE FOR THE ERADICATION OF CHILD LABOUR, TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE AND FOCUS ON THE EDUCATION AND RESETTLEMENT OF ABUSED AND DEPRIVED CHILDREN IN THE SOCIETY. SELF-ESTEEMAND SELF-CONFIDENCE OF YOUTH IN THE SOCIETY.

2.TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AND ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ESPECIALLY WIDOWS AND GIRL CHILD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ZULUM FOUNDATION

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. UTHMAN GARBA ABUBAKAR SADIQ (CHAIRMAN)

2. HAYATUDDEEN YUSUF (SECRETARY)

3. BUGAJE RUMAYSA (MEMBER)

4. TAR MAMMAN (MEMBER)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION:

1. TO PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

2. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF ITS MEMBERS.

3. TO FACILITATE POSITIVE LEADERSHIP, UNDERSTANDING AND TRAINING OF YOUTH TOWARDS ACHIEVING THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC GOALS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : VICTOR IKEM AGUGOESI ESQ.

TEL: 08035757908.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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. OZZOUDE NETOCHUKWU TIMOTHY

2. OSHODI ADEDOYIN WUSAMATU

3. AMINU SULEIMAN

4. EL-YAQUB ZAHRADDEEN AHMAD

5. SULEIMAN MUBARAK MOHAMMED

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : TO UPHOLD THE UNITY OF THE ASSOCIATION THROUGH CONSTANT INTERACTIONS, COLLABORATION, PARTNERSHIPS AND VIABLE NETWORKING FOR AN ALLINCLUSIVE SERVICE TO OUR ALMA MATER. 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

COMMUNITY HEALTHAND WELLNESS PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION, LAFIA

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 DAUDA KARSHI

2. BUTUS AHMED LUKA

3. OBIYA ABDULMALIK OSEDE

4. BUBO AUTA MAGAYAKI

5. JIBRIN DANLADI MAKPA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO FOSTER UNITY AND PROMOTE PEACE AND WELFARE OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR ETHNIC, POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND. 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.

AMINA YAKUBU SHITTU FOUNDATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

RAYMOND AKAM CHARITY FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

1. AKAM RAYMOND MOSHE

2. AKAM ROSEMARY MANYA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. TO EMPOWER YOUTH, ORPHANS AND HANDICAPS BECOMES LEADERS WITH SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO ACTIVELY DEVELOP POSITIVE CHANGE.

2. TO EMPOWER THE LESS PRIVILEGE AND TO RENDER CHARITY AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.

3. TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL TRAINING, CRAFT AND SKILLS ACQUISITION TO YOUTH, WOMEN, ORPHANS, LESS PRIVILEGE, WIDOWS AND DESTITUTE.

4. TO PROTECT CHILD TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

5. TO FOSTER GOOD HARMONOUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE FORUM BY ASSISTING EACH OTHER IN TIMES OF NEED.

6. GIVING FIRST AID TO ORTHOPEDIC VICTIM.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL BOROKIRI, CLASS 81 OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

1. GREEN, BARR. CHRISTOPHER - (CHAIRMAN)

2. KIOLAWSON DATOM - (SECRETARY)

3. WILLS, INIRUO

4. ALABOSON, COLLINS DEINGIKUMO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(A) TO FOSTER UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS.

(B) TO INITIATE PROGRAMMES OR ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS.

(C) TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND UPLIFTMENT OF OUR ALMA MATER SO AS TO ACHIEVE A COMMON GOAL IN THE PURSUIT OF CORPORATE AND EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR OUR ALMA MATER.

(D) TO ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS THE CLASS MAY DEEM FIT IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ALL OR ANY OF THE ABOVE IDEALS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GLORY EWALEFOH FOUNDATIONS

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

(

1) GLORY EWALEFOH. CHAIRMAN.

(2) ESTHER OKPETE -SECRETARY .

(3). TSOLA OMATSOLA TAWIAH ORITSEJAFO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR UNDER PRIVILEGED CHILDREN

2. TO PROVIDE DEPRIVED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE POWER TO EARN A REGULAR AND DECENT LIVELIHOOD BY GIVING THEM ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION

3. TO INTEGRATE CHILDREN WHO ARE MARGINALIZED BY POVERTY AND LACK OF EDUCATION INTO MAINSTREAM SOCIETY THROUGH WORK PLACEMENTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

4. TOASSIST IN THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION TO UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE SOCIETY

5. FACILITATING VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO THE YOUNG ADULTS TO REDUCE THEIR SKILL GAP WHICH WILL HELP THEM IN EITHER GETTING EMPLOYED OR START THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: MADUAKOLAM IGWE ESQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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’

TONGKOP

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS LINUS RANGZANG. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TONGKOP LINUS RANGZANG. ALL DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

BALE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS BALA. ISHAYA NAPCHAK. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS BALE ISHAYA NAPCHAK. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

YAKUBU

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS YAKUB MATAH NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS YAKUBU MATAH ESTHER. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

JIBRIN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS USMAN FATIMA WITH THE DATE OF BIRTH 08/01/1987 NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JIBRIN FATIMA WITH THE CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH 20/08/1988. ALL FOR DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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. EBAH JAMES PATRICK - CHAIRMAN

2. ENWERE FRANCIS NNAMAKA - TRUSTEE/SECRATARY

3. ADEYEMI OLUWABUKOLA MOSES THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY, IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND DISADVANTAGED BY PROVIDING MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WILL HELP REDUCE DISEASES PREVALENT IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ANNELLA AUTISM AND ADHD FOUNDATION

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. ATIGWE PRISCILLA UJUNWA -CHAIRMAN

2. DAVID MERCY OSHIOMEYE-SECRETARY/MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. THAT THROUGH AWARENESS, SENSITIZATION AND OUTREACH, AUTISM AND ADHD WOULD BE KNOWN AMONGST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THAT MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC GETS BEFOREHAND INFORMATION ON AUTISM.

2. TO SEEK TO REACH OUT TO THE KIDS WITH ADHD WHO ARE NOT YET DIAGNOSED; PARENTS WHO MIGHT STILL BE STRUGGLING TO TAILOR SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND BEING IGNORANT ABOUT THIS NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION.

3. TO REACH OUT TO FAMILIES THAT CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY FOR INTERVENTIONS AND THERAPY SECTIONS TO GET THE RIGHT SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN; MOST KIDS LACK BEHIND IN SCHOOL DUE TO THIS CONDITION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RAIN OF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

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. LUCKSLEY INDI IGENEGBAI (CHAIRMAN)

2. KATE MODUPE FALANA (SECRETARY)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO RESCUE MEN THROUGH THE TEACHING AND PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD AND PREVAILING PRAYERS.

2. TO RUN AND ESTABLISH VIBRANT CHURCH BRANCHES AND NETWORK WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN BODIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA.

3. TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WELFARE, AND BENEVOLENCE PROJECTS. 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

PATRIOTIC ELITE CLUB OF AMASSOMA

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. YERI, WAIBODEI, PETER (CHAIRMAN)

2. AYOGOI, AYOGOI, SIMON (SECRETARY)

3. AMBAIOWEI,TARI,EBIOWEI (MEMBER)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND BAYELSANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN NATION BUILDING AND SUCH OTHER LECTURES THAT WILL AFFECT THE SOCIETY POSITIVELY.

2.TO FOSTER UNITYAMONG MEMBERSAND INCULCATETHE ESSENCE OF CITIZENSHIP,MUTUAL CO-OPERATION, PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND PROGRESS.

3.TO FIGHT AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATIONS AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL, SEX, RELIGIOUS, FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY IJAW NATION.

4.TO EFFICIENTLY HARNESS AND DIRECT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF BAYELSANS ASSISTING DESERVING STUDENTS MORALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

5.TO BE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY AND SOCIAL VICES IN SOCIETY.

6.TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE IN ANY DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMME IN AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND OTHER PARTS OF BAYELSA STATE.

7.TO PROMOTE THE OBSERVANCE OF THE TENET OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, EQUITY, FAIMESS, RIGHT AND JUSTICE IN AMASSOMA AND BAYELSA AT LARGE.

8.TO ADEQUATELY ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND IDEOLOGIES OF GOOD GOVENSANCE

9.TO HONESTLY SEEK FOR THE INTEREST AND PROGRESS OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR AND BAYELSA STATE IN GENERAL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TREASURE MINDS CLUB

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. KUDIRAT MOSUN ADEYEMO-CHAIRMAN

2. NOJEEMDEEN O.OLADIPO-SECRETARY/MEMBER

3. PHILLP DAMILOLA ABIOLA MEMBER

4. AWE GRACE OLUWAFUNMIKE MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY.

2. TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE LESS PRIVILEGED (ORPHANS, WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS)

3. TO SET UP ON A HUMANITARIAN GRAND.

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.

PATNAB HEALTH INITIATIVE

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Christian Atsu’s two pairs of shoes found, his club not helping in rescue Him - Agent

By Amaechi Agbo

Ghana football star, Christian Atsu’s two pairs of shoes have been found but the player is still missing 10 days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey killing thousand of persons.

Atsu agent, Nana Sechere in an official statement on Tuesday accused his club Hatayspor of Turkey of not doing enough in rescue effort to pull the player out of the rubble.

Mr Sechere who said that his room has been located and two pairs of shoes found, added that rescue efforts have been slow due to lack of resources.

“We’ve been able to locate Atsu’s exact room location, and we have found two pairs of his shoes.

“We received confirmation that thermal imagery was showing signs of up to 5 lives,however, real confirmation of life is through sight,smell and sound.”

“Things are moving incredibly slow and as a result of that many rescues are being delayed, and lives are being lost due to the lack of resources available to the workers.

“It is unfortunate that the club is not on the ground with us, side by side, in the search for Atsu”.

“Their position and influence, accompanied with their local knowledge would be extremely helpful. We implore the President of the club and mayor of Hatay, Lütfü Savaş to provide additional resources to speed up the rescue efforts as a priority”, the statement read.

Over 33, 000 persons have been confirmed dead from the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday last week.

Atsu’s wife, Marie-Claire Rupio, said she still prays and believes Atsu is alive.

“He is still trapped under the rubble, but the problem is they don’t have the necessary equipment needed to get them out.

“So he is still missing, and they don’t know where he is.”

“I still pray and believe he’s alive.”

Atsu scored the only goal in his “last” match on Sunday, February 5 as Hatayspor defeated

Kasımpaşa 1-0 in the Turkey League

The 31-year-old has won 65 caps for Ghana national and joined Hatayspor last September after a season with Saudi Arabian team, Al-Raed.

Medical and Anti Doping Training will Reduce Doping Temptations by Athletes, Coaches - Rugby President

President of Nigeria Rugby Football federation, Dr Ademola Are has itemised the benefits of forthcoming level 1 medical and Anti -Doping training course in conjunction with Sports and Youth Development Academy, SYDA and African Sport Connect, ASC

The president while speaking to media in

Abuja said Rugby is a contact sports so the tendency to want to be fit at all time is there which may lead to taking of substance that is banned by international rugby federation.

‘we want to be proactive by not allowing anything to derail us,our medical personnel and athletes must be in tip top shape physically and psychologically’.

“We are organizing Level 1 medical and Anti -Doping training course to prepare our medical personnel and athletes for any eventualities, knowing how challenging the sports can be and the tendency to want to take illegal substance. In view of this, we deemed it fit to educate these personnel who will also go back to their various zones and

implement it in their treatment and training of athletes”

About 44 participants are expected to take part in the three-day programme that will see Nigerian based accredited facilitator; Doctor Rotimi Akinola and Mr Femi Ayorinde a World Anti-Doping Agency accredited Educator handling the course.

Photo: Christian Atsu has been missing since Monday last week

P R T

NPFL MD8: Profigate Niger Tornadoes held at home

The Ikon Allah Boys were held by a resilient Bayelsa United who were resolute at the back, no thanks missed chances in front of goal by the hosts, as spoils were shared at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna in a match day 8 NPFL encounter.

As early as the 5th minute on the clock, Jonas Emmanuel had a chance to put the hosts in front but directed his effort towards the goalkeeper.

David Okoromi broke the deadlock in the 26th when he smartly connected to Abba Khalid’s corner kick and smashed the ball in to the net for the opener and Tornadoes first home goal in 3 games.

What appeared first like a roller coaster for the Ikon Allah Boys turned out to be a tough game as the visitors snatched an equalizer almost in a similar fashion like the hosts, when Robert Mizo reacted quickest to a corner kick and hit the ball in to the net

to level things up before half time.

Second half resumed with the hosts piling more pressure and pushed the visitors into defending.

Midway through the half, Munir Idris spectacularly played a fine ball to David Okoromi who drived into the area but was hacked down by a United defender and the referee awarded a corner kick instead of a penalty appeal.

The Ikon Allah Boys made several

incursions into the opponents end, all in an effort to grab the winner but luck ran out on them even as the visitors remained resolute at the back.

The result means Tornadoes have picked three successive home draws and remain 6th on Group ‘B’ Abridged League Table.

The Minna based side will be on the road on Sunday as they tackle Dakkada FC in matchday 9 fixture

BAL 2023: Kwara Falcons, REG, champions Monastir drawn in Sahara Conference

Nigeria Premier League Champions

Kwara Falcons, Rwandan representatives, REG, and Basketball Africa League ((BAL) defending champions US-Monastir of Tunisia are among six teams drawn in the Sahara Conference group phase of the regular season of the BAL 2023.

The group phase is due to run from March 11-21 at Dakar Arena in Senegal. Besides, Kwara Falcons, REG and US-Monastir, the Sahara Conference also features Abidjan Basket Club (Côte d’Ivoire) AS Douanes (Senegal) and Stade

Malien (Mali).

Other six teams were pooled in the Nile Conference group phase that will take place at Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex in Cairo from April 26 to May 6.

The Nile Conference will bring together debutants Al Ahly of host nation Egypt, Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), BAL 2022 runners-up Petro de Luanda (Angola), City Oilers (Uganda), Ferroviario da Beira (Mozambique) and Seydou Legacy Athlétique Club (Guinea).

The top four teams from each conference will qualify for the BAL Playoffs

and Finals which will feature a singleelimination tournament at BK Arena in Kigali from May 21-27.

“There is an incredible momentum leading up to the third BAL season, and each of the 12 teams have fought hard to earn their spot through intense competition,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.

“We are very excited to see the oncourt action tip off next month in Dakar and look forward to delivering worldclass basketball and entertainment to our passionate fans across Africa and around

the world,” he added.

Champions from the national leagues in Angola, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia earned their participation in the 2023 BAL season by winning their respective national leagues.

The remaining six teams, which come from Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa and Uganda, secured their participation through the Road to the BAL qualifying tournaments conducted by FIBA Africa across the continent from October to November 2022.

S P R T

FIFA to conduct 2030 World Cup host vote in September next year

The 2030 World Cup hosts are expected to be picked in September next year, FIFA said Tuesday.

FIFA’s ruling council confirmed a timetable for bidding and a vote to be held in the third quarter of next year by around 200 member federations. FIFA has long targeted a decision in 2024 for the tournament that is currently scheduled to have 48 teams.

A separate election meeting will be held earlier in 2024 to pick a host for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, soccer’s governing body said.

The three 2026 hosts of the men’s World Cup _ the United States, Canada and Mexico all had their expected automatic entries in the 48-team finals tournament confirmed Tuesday. It will be the first edition expanded

from the 32-team tournament that was introduced in 1998.

FIFA also picked Saudi Arabia a potential candidate in the 2030 contest to host the next Club World Cup from Dec. 1222 in the latest addition to the kingdom’s sports hosting ambitions.

In the 2030 hosting race, co-hosting bids from South America and Europe have been the expected favorites, with Morocco also in the picture and speculation about a Saudi-led and unprecedented threecontinent project.

The inaugural 1930 World Cup host, Uruguay, is part of a centenary bid with Argentina, Chile and Paraguay.

Spain and Portugal were joined last October for their longstanding European candidacy by Ukraine.

Morocco committed to taking part in the 2030 contest more than four years ago immediately after losing the vote for the 2026 tournament to the North Americans.

At the World Cup in Qatar in December, Moroccan soccer federation leader Fouzi Lekjaa was still open to reviving an old idea of Morocco joining its near-neighbors Spain and Portugal in an intercontinental bid.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to host more soccer events have led to unconfirmed speculation of a 2030 bid with Egypt in Africa and Greece in Europe. It is unclear how European soccer body UEFA would deal with a member federation joining a rival bid.

Such a bid also would require sending the tournament back to Asia and the Persian Gulf only eight years after Qatar hosted, so a

Saudi bid for 2034 could be more realistic.

The Saudi-hosted Club World Cup in December should be the last in the current seven-team format of continental champions plus the host nation’s domestic league winner.

FIFA has set a June 2025 target to launch a tournament of 32 teams with European teams taking 12 entries.

Continental allocations for the tournament were confirmed Tuesday with South America to get six teams, and four each going to Asia, Africa and the CONCACAF region, plus one to Oceania. The host nation will get the last slot.

The United States is a potential host for the 2025 Club World Cup as a test event for the following year’s World Cup.

NPFL: Bendel Insurance Maintain Unbeaten Run After Pipping Nasarawa As Enyimba Overcome 3SC

Bendel Insurance continues their impressive start back to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), after defeating visiting Nasarawa United 1-0 in Wednesday’s Group A game, Completesports.com reports.

The result means Bendel Insurance remain unbeaten after eight league games played (six wins and two draws).

Ebuka Akobundu was the hero for Insurance after netting the only goal in the 52nd minute.

Akobundu drove in with the ball to the edge of the box, exchanged pass with his teammate, danced his way in and fired a rocket into the back of the net.

Insurance remain top in the 10team Group A standings with 20 points and are four points ahead of second-placed Enyimba.

And in Aba, Enyimba recorded a 2-0 win against Shooting Stars of Ibadan thanks to a brace from Chukwuemeka Obioma.

Obioma gave Enyimba the perfect start as he broke the deadlock just two minutes into the game before adding the second on 45 minutes.

Other results in Group A saw Plateau United hammer El Kanemi 5-0 and Remo Stars held Kwara United to a goalless draw away.

And results in Group B saw Dakkada beat Sunshine Stars 2-1, Abia Warriors lost 1-0 to Doma United, Niger Tornadoes were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourist saw off Lobi Stars 2-1.

The game between Rivers United and Rangers was postponed due to the formers’ Confederation Cup engagement.

Lobi, on 16 points, top Group B and are closely followed by Abia Warriors on 13 points, Rivers United who are also on 13 points are third.

NPFL Game Week 8 results:

Bendel insurance 1-0 Nasarawa

United Enyimba 2-0 Shooting Stars

Kwara United 0-0 Remo Stars

Plateau United 5-0 El-Kanemi

Dakkada 2-1 Sunshine Stars

Doma United 1-0 Abia Warriors

Niger Tornadoes 1-1 Bayelsa

United

Wikki Tourist 2-1 Lobi Stars

2023: Democracy and the lean economy

We earnestly need a new foundation that can ably translate the hopes and aspirations of all Nigerians than a privileged few across the country. The Nigeria’s economy would experience rapid growth with each of these zones coming up with sound economic policies that may offer a credible alternative to the federal government’s economic proposals.

Nigeria Democracy Day

Except for politicians across the country, Nigerians already have a deep-rooted fear to be worried about “the way forward” in 2023 given the ongoing fourth republic in which Nigerians have had twenty-three years of uninterrupted democratic experience with dividends of democracy amid unprecedented inflation in the economy, widespread hunger, massive job loss and the increased spate of terrorism. With all these antecedents, no single individual today or tomorrow can resolve these hydra-headed crises facing the country. Point blank!

Under the present Administration of PMB it is inevitable to chart a new direction through a small roundtable talk devoid of partisanship amongst notable leaders across the six geopolitical zones under the presidency to look into the undercurrents of the multiple crises which besieged the present political economy and help the president to midwife a way out for Nigeria’s political future, as we anguished towards the 2023 general elections.

The truth is that the federal government has done very well, saves that Nigeria’s woes have outgrown, and at par with the population explosion and the latter is much bigger than the accomplishments of the federal government that might be estimated at a ratio 10% of the population of the country. Thus, Nigerians do not just groan for nothing. The country is really in a tsunami of poverty despite the consistent efforts of the PMB Administration to fund the economy at all costs.

With the nation’s survival at the precipice due to the cost of living and all its attendant consequences, we cannot continue to miss the promised land for too long anymore in a failed democracy that is due to no one’s fault, but collectively. The presidential system has failed and failed again to provide basic survival for Nigerians and put a permanent end to the rising threat of terrorism in the country. The current structure of governance needs an overhaul because of its antithesis. The institution is our general enemy, not any individual.

With the loss of food security as a major challenge confronting overwhelming Nigerians, what are the hope of survival of the masses and how do we navigate into the 2023 general elections? 2023 is no best bet for solving the long-sufferings of Nigerians unless the federal government take a

Guest Columnist

By Reuben Hopo

cursory look at the effect of the rising U.S. dollar on the common man and average citizens in the economy. The findings would help to adjudge better that despite all the efforts of the federal government, the masses are not faring better. Hence, the need to go back to the drawing board to chart the way out against 2023 as a lasting legacy for Nigeria and her people to live above poverty and to promote peaceful coexistance. Making a terror attack in Nigeria a forgotten history requires more diligence.

To better manage Nigerians together and strengthen a more virile economy for all, the wisdom is that Nigerians can no longer survive as a single nation but as an integration of six mutually exclusive nations. This is the secret and the way out for Nigerians in 2023. We earnestly need a new foundation that can ably translate the hopes and aspirations of all Nigerians than a privileged few across the country. The Nigeria’s economy would experience rapid growth with each of these zones coming up with sound economic policies that may offer a credible alternative to the federal government’s economic proposals.

With a population of over two hundred million, the solution to the present “lock jammed democracy” is to have a collective agreement for one president for the country and six vice presidents to oversee the affairs of each of the six geopolitical zones in the country. The president would govern the country jointly with the six vice presidents and shall retain the title of being the sole commander-inchief of the armed forces. The six vice presidents may not necessarily belong to the same political parties to form the presidency and federal government.

Nigerians have a major problem

and we need to do away with it urgently to set the country free from the hegemony in different quarters. We are too gluttonous to anything foreign without a quick sense of self-examination to nativise foreign political systems in a way that suits the peculiarities and challenges of the Nigerians’ environment. Let Nigeria have six vice presidents to make each zone a coordinate equal of the others. Enough of this absolute power play. It has been the source of absolute corrupt power and abuse of power in the political landscape. The only way to grow a bigger and more vibrant economy is to isolate absurd power from the democratic system.

Providing more tips for a new political order, the Senate at the centre should be abolished, leaving the Houses of Representatives and Assembly in the various states as the main democratic assemblies for both the federal and state governments. The Senate should be for each of the zones and the composition of its membership should not be on partisanship but strictly on meaningful and recognised interest groups across the country such as the traditional rulers and all professional associations recognized by Acts and Decrees of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The selection and zoning for a fixed term among the diverse group must be determined by the civil service in each of the new Senates. The purpose of the new Senate Assemblies is to check and balance power across the country. On the other hand, the judicial system operating across the country would remain status ante.

The Senate will have a Senate leader and other principal officers as usual, and permanent staff. The vice president in each zone shall preside over

the Senate and the vice president and the Senate shall form the government in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country. The new Senate would also take over the functions of the current Senate and shall perform them in a dual relationship alongside the House of Representatives.

Going by the origin of the Senate as a federal necessity in the United States of America, it is a federal arrangement to balance the power of the House of Representatives to avoid bigger States dominating the smaller ones. So, being a senator is not a senior partner to a honourable member of the House of Representatives, but a co-partner in the legislature. The Senate serves no purpose other than this, and as Nigerians, we have come a long way to be mindful of the huge expenses consumed by a senator and the Senate at large. During the first republic, the Senate was a hotbed for political casualties across the country. Nigeria can maintain a credible Senate with low expenses if this institution is shelved to the zones.

Nigeria can only take the lead again in agriculture in Africa to eliminate hunger, poverty, unemployment, promote wealth creation and rejuvenate the economy if we toll this new, well-reasoned political order to eliminate unbridled corruption, indiscriminate waste, inordinate political ambition and “sit-tight syndrome” peculiar within the political class are overbearing on the leaned economy. We would set this country on the right path of good governance and make it a giant in Africa again if we can adopt this new initiative.

These recommendations are achievable in the march to 2023 under six months as a new transition of governance. Let Nigerians hear the loudest voice in their interest to save the country from the impending peril that may confront us again. We must look ahead beyond the impending eight years of the next president in waiting.

Email: reubenhopo619@gmail. com

DAN GAYE

DAN GAYE

POS agents charging above N200 for cash swap will go to jail, says Emefiele

Hope you have enough sapce in prison?

“

With the loss of food security as a major challenge confronting overwhelming Nigerians, what are the hope of survival of the masses and how do we navigate into the 2023 general elections