Tuesday, January 17th, 2023 Edition

Nigeria’s inflation rate drops to 21.34% in Dec 2022

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Nigeria’s inflation rate eased to 21.34% in December 2022 from 21.47% in November 2022, first drop in about 11 months.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest inflation report showed a decline of 0.13% between November and December.

“In December 2022, the

headline inflation rate eased to 21.34% compared to November 2022 headline inflation rate which was 21.47%,” the NBS report partly read.

“Looking at the trend, December 2022 inflation rate showed a decline of 0.13% when compared to November 2022 inflation rate.

“However, on a year-onyear basis, the headline inflation rate was 5.72% points higher

compared to the rate recorded in December 2021, which was (15.63%). This shows that the headline inflation rate increased in the month of December 2022 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., December 2021).

“On a month-on-month basis, the percentage change in the All Items Index in December 2022 was 1.71%, which was 0.32% higher than the rate recorded

in November 2022 (1.39%). This means that in the month of December 2022, the general price level was 0.32% higher relative to November 2022.

“The percentage change in the average CPI for the twelve months ending December 2022 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 18.85%, showing 1.89% increase compared to the 16.95% recorded in December 2021.”

Civil Defence, hunters beat senior Police officer in Bauchi

Apersonnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp and some local hunters have beaten and injured the 2iC, Azare Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Bauchi State Headquarters, Superintendent of Police, Suleiman Umar.

The security personnel are attached to the Senior Special Assistant to the Bauchi State Governor on Security, Alhaji Umar Shayi.

The NSCDC personnel, ASC Hassan Usman, allegedly led the team of Baushe Hunters in the state to perpetrate the act on the Senior Police Officer.

In a telephone interview with our Correspondent , SP Umar, said he was brutalized by the security team without any provocation.

“It happened on Saturday, 14th January, 2023, I went to drop my children at school and was returning and heading towards our family house to greet them around the Emir’s Palace roundabout. And while I was driving, I got to this place, there was a Hilux Van belonging to Baushe Hunters which

parked on the middle of the road, they were trying to get at a Keke NAPEP driver who did a reckless driving in front of them.

“So, since I was behind them and had no business with them, I drove past them and immediately I did that, they started abusing me. So I asked them why they were abusing me and I drove and when I got close to the roundabout close to the Emir’s Palace, I got down and was about to enter our family house which is there,” he said.

He narrated further that: “Suddenly, they parked close to me, alighted from their vehicle and started coming towards me. Immediately they got me, the leader of their team, a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, one ASC Hassan Usman, brought out a cable and started flogging me with it.

“I told him, “don’t beat me, I’m a Superintendent of Police, what have I done to you,?” but he refused to stop. He was in uniform and was with some men of Baushe Hunters. In fact, one of the hunters told him to stop saying that he knows me as a Police Officer, but that too did not pay off, even though my gun was in

my hand.

“They descended on me and kept beating and I even fell on the ground but they kept on beating me. The people around tried to stop them telling them I was a Police man but he didn’t listen.

‘It was when people started gathering at the scene that they entered their vehicle and sped off. Although I was on mufti, they saw my uniform in my car and I tried showing them my identity card and I was with my gun in my hand, but they just wouldn’t listen.

“He is the only security personnel among them and he was the first that started beating me with the cable, and they wounded me on my head and my face. They used their shoes to march me while I was on the ground. They broke one of my phones.”

He said that after they left, a Policeman who was at the scene in mufti took him to the A’ Division where he reported the incident there and was taken to the Emergency Unit of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

The 2iC said all he was after was justice for what was done to him by

the security team led by the NSCDC personnel.

He said: “I have reported the incident at the A’ Division and they said they will commence investigation and the signal would be sent to the Police Headquarters for action. All I want is justice.

“They gave me some injections and placed me on medication. As I speak with you, I am currently lying down and I am in pains. This is very unfortunate and all I want is justice.

“This is an act of illiteracy, I told you that I am a Superintendent of Police, I showed you my ID Card, you saw my uniform in my car, and saw my gun but yet, you treated me this way.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident.

He said that the Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan, had ordered for an immediate investigation into the incident.

“We received a complaint of criminal conspiracy and assault, thuggery and causing serious hurt on the 14th of January, 2023, at about 1.pm, from SP Suleiman Umar.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor declaring open the Forest Hunters Pain Balling Festival to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Abuja on Sunday (15/1/23)

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

Buhari to be honoured by Abu Dhabi peace forum in Nouakchott

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, receive “African Award for Strengthening Peace’’ in Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, for his leadership role in promoting peace on the continent, through regular interventions, counsels and conciliatory position.

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

The award will be presented to President Buhari by the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, which is an assembly of leaders established in 2014 to pursue new ways to embrace inclusive citizenship, promote lasting peace, and work towards a safer and more

sustainable world for everyone, the statement noted.

Before the international recognition for serving Nigeria, and the larger interest of peace in Africa, the President will participate in the Programme of the Third Forum of the African Conference for Peace, where he will deliver a speech on milestones and gains in the African peace process, the added.

President Buhari will depart for Nouakchott on Monday and return Wednesday, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi, National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Mohammed B. Monguno and Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, according to the statement.

Niger: Court vacates COAS, others warrant arrest order

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

AFederal High Court, sitting in Minna, Nuger State has vacated an earlier warrant of arrest order against the Chief of Army Staff(COAS) General Farouk Yahaya and the Commandant, Training and Doctrine Command Major General Sternson Olugbenga Olabanji.

The vacation order was following motion filed by the counsel to the sixth and seventh defendants, Barrister Piye Yakubu Garuba, seeking the vacation of the earlier order.

Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik gave the vocation order pursuant of order thirtynine rules one and two of the Niger State High Court Civil procedure rules 2018 section thirty-six sub one of the 1999 constitution as amended.

In her ruling, Justice Halima held that the order is in view of the compliance with the order of the court made last year which is hereby vacated.

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Agroup of civil society organizations known as Patriots Network Nigeria and Citizens Stability Forum

(CSF) has called on detractors of move made by the Department of State Services (DSS) on arrest and investigation of CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.

The call was contained in a

statement, signed and issued to news men by the lead convener of the forum comrade Mukhtar Lawal during a press conference organised by the forum.

He explained that, the forum

Buhari salutes Bisi Akande at 84

President Muhammadu Buhari has saluted the former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, the first National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, on his 84th birthday, describing him as a

true statesman and a man of the masses.

In a message to commemorate the occasion, the President paid homage to the sacrifices of one of the champions of the nation’s democratic struggle, a man he said rose from humble

beginning to occupy the party’s highest constitutional position through hard work and discipline.

The statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said

decided to organize the press conference to looking at how the move to arrest and investigate CBN governor is taking another dimension.

The defence counsel also informed the court that the witness they served to appear be to give evidence in respect of the case was assigned official assignment and pray court for an adjournment on the matter.

Chief Akande will continue “to bask in the sun as a true statesman and a symbol of sacrifice, bravery and moral integrity.”

He wished him many more years of service to the Party and the nation.

The court, therefore adjourned the case to the 6th February for continuation of hearing. The defence counsel also informed the court that the witness they served to appear be to give evidence in respect of the case was assigned official assignment and pray court for an adjournment on the matter.

The court, therefore adjourned the case to the 6th February for continuation of hearing.

2023: Ortom urges PDP members not to succumb to politics of intimidation

not to succumb to politics of intimidation.

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has urged Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP members in the State

Governor Ortom who stated this on Monday in Wannune,Tarka local government area of the State during the Party’s Governorship

campaign, also noted that the era of ballot box snatching is gradually fading away.

He urged the Tarka people to come out massively and vote for PDP candidates in the

forthcoming election.

“PDP is the only party that will protect you. Tarka local government shares boundary with Guma and due to activities of herdsmen, most of Guma people

are taking refuge in Tarka, so you are aware of what I am saying. Your people have also been killed.

“We must therefore, vote wisely. Vote massively for PDP”, Ortom appealed.

Allow DSS to carry-out their constitutional duty on CBN Gov - Group tells detractors

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election and former Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007, Atiku Abubakar and others in a group photograph at the end of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group presidential dialogue with Atiku in Lagos on Monday, 16 January 2023 in Lagos.

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Governor of Niger State Abubakar Sadiq Sani Bello has entirely condemned the rude and shocking killing of the Parish Priest of Saint Peter and Paul, Kafin-Koro Rev Father Isaac Achi.

He was said to have been killed by unknown gunmen and the entire Parish house burnt down in the early hours of Sunday.

In a statement issued by the State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Emmanuel Umar Musa said the Governor is saddened with the unfortunate incident and condoled the entire Christian Community in the State.

He therefore, directed all the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state strongly condemned the gruesome killing of the Catholic Priest.

Niger Govt, CAN condemn bandits killing of Catholic Priest Emir tasks govt on security

Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

The Emir of Yauri Dr. Mohammad Zayyanu has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to redesign their security architecture in rescuing the remaining Birnin Yauri Federal Government College Students who are still under captivity.

He made this call yesterday while receiving the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship campaign train team.

He also commended the efforts of the Federal, State Governments as well as the security agencies for quick interventions during the incident.

Our operatives did not invade Emefiele’s office at CBN —DSS

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Department of State Services (DSS), has said that its operatives did not invade the Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN).

The DSS in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya said, “the attention of the Department of State Services

(DSS) has been drawn to the false news making the round that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria and arrested its Governor, today 16/1/23. This is fake news and

quite misleading.”

Meanwhile, the social media was agog on Monday, with report that the DSS arrested the governor of the apex bank.

Niger APC support groups to mobilize for party’s candidates

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

All Progressives Congress (APC) groups from the twenty-five Local Government Areas of Niger State have vowed to mobilize votes for their presidential candidate,

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the State governorship candidate, Umar Muhammad Bago in the forthcoming general elections.

At a meeting by Presidential Campaign Council Support Groups to strategize for Tinubu and Umar Bago ahead of 2023 elections held

in Minna, the groups reiterated their determination to bring Tinubu and Bago to power for continuity.

The Acting Coordinator, Alhaji Umar Shuaibu explained that meeting of all APC Support Groups was aimed at coordinating them into one umbrella to ensure victory

for all the APC candidates in Niger state.

According to him, the youths in the state will ensure that they give their all to the party’s presidential candidate as well as the Governorship candidate to ensure victory.

From

L-R: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe; birthday celebrant and Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Dr. (Mrs) Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika; former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; husband of the celebrant, Pst. (Dr) Olubayode Awosika and Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, during the 70th birthday celebration of Dr. ‘Dere Awosika in Lagos.

Troops kill notorious bandits’ kingpin, Ibrahim Kachalla

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised Ibrahim Kachalla Gudau, a notorious and one of the most dangerous bandit leaders carrying out kidnappings and killings in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and part of Niger Republic.

The military also said sores of his gang members were eliminated.

This is coming after President Muhammadu Buhari assured Nigerians of his administration’s determination to consolidate gains recorded in the fight against insecurity in the country.

Kachalla’s gang was believed to have killed the

seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were ambushed and killed by bandits in Kaduna State while on official duty, last week.

According to available intelligence, Gudau, whose corpse had gone viral in the social media, was one of those killed by the troops as they

repelled an attack on the Kankami village in Kaduna State.

Recalled that Buhari had in the course of the week, pledged that the gains recorded in security would be further consolidated and more attention would be given to the economy, before handing over on May 29.

The president stated this

when he received the Executive members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House, Abuja, Wednesday.

Buhari said that the security situation had improved over the years, particularly in the North East, where the focus had shifted to rebuilding infrastructure and re-orientation on education.

Peter Obi sued over alleged dual citizenship, faces disqualification

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has been dragged before a Federal High Court, Abuja facing a fresh disqualification suit over his alleged possession of dual citizenship.

The plaintiff, National Rescue Movement Party (NRM) among others, alleged that the presidential candidate is no longer fit, proper and qualified for the highest plum office in Nigeria on account

of his dual citizenship.

The party is praying the court for an order to disqualify him from the presidential race on the ground of breach of the 1999 Constitution.

Defendants in the suit are Independant National Electoral Commission (INEC) Peter Obi and Labour Party as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectfully.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1842/2022, the Labour Party candidate was accused of acquiring citizenship of Dallas in Texas, United States of America in breach of sections 1

and 137 of Nigeria’s Constitution.

The party through its counsel, Mohammed Danjuma asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, dealing or affording Peter Obi any right or privilege to stand for the presidential election.

In a 14-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, Peter Obi was said to have voluntarily acquired Dallas citizenship and the certificate of citizenship presented to him by the Mayor of Dallas, Mr Eric

Johnson.

The party produced the picture and video recording of the presentation of the citizenship certificate to establish its case against the defendant.

When the matter came up on Monday, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo lambasted the plaintiff for the inability to serve the originating summons on the defendants.

Justice Ekwo, thereafter fixed February 10 for mention of the suit and threatened to strike out the case should the plaintiff fail to serve the court process on Peter Obi before the adjourned date.

Gombe State NNPP Governorship Candidate Alhaji Khamisu Mailantarki (In blue) presenting party membership cards to new defectors from the PDP yesterday in Billiri local government area.

Niger Gbagyi group to proffer economic, security solution

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

ASocio-Cultural group under the auspices of Paigokni Development Association has held the maiden economic and security summit to enhance security, economic and cultural development in Paikoro local government of Niger state.

The president of the association, Alhaji Yahaya Tatiko said it become necessary to look inward aimed at addressing some of the problems confronting their community which include; portable water, poverty, unemployment, infrastructure, security and economy among others.

Tatiko explained that the association is devoid of religious, political and tribal sentiments, but that the essence was to ensure peace, unity and progress of the community.

The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abdullahi Kwatu reiterated that no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence while calling on the youths to ensure peace and tranquility ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Zamfara APC distributes 15 campaign vehicles to support groups

7 NSCDC personnel killed by bandits laid to rest in Kaduna

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The remains of seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), ambushed and slain by bandits in Birnin Gwari community on Monday, 9 January, 2023, while on routine duty of protecting a mining site in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, were laid to rest.

A statement signed by Director of Public Relations NSCDC National headquarters, Abuja, DCC Olusola Odumosu, on Sunday said their corpses were handed over to families and loved ones at the NSCDC Kaduna Command after a brief interment ceremony.

The Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, bids the officers and men

goodbye when he paid his last respect at the lying in state ceremony, held on Saturday, 14 January, at the Kaduna State Command of the Corps.

Dr Audi expressed rude shock while consoling families, friends and loved ones on the sad loss and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Represented by the Commandant, Kaduna Command, Idris Yahaya Adah, the CG praised the efforts of the gallant officers who lost their lives in defence of the country and described them as “Heroes, never to be forgotten.”

Addressing people during the ceremony, Dr Audi said, “they died in active service, they fought a good fight to the last drop of blood in their veins to safeguard the country.

“Although the loss is painful

and the tears are many, but God knows best.

“We cannot question God; therefore, let us live right, be in peace, love and harmony with our fellow men because one day, all of us will give account to God.”

See also Cameroon Repatriates 5,000 Nigerian Refugees To Borno State

He described the 7 personnel who died as committed and dedicated members of the Corps who will be greatly missed by colleagues and friends at work.

“They paid the supreme price for the nation, they died for us, they are our Heroes and we shall always remember them.

“The world is saddened, the President and Commander in Chief is saddened, Officers and men of the Corps are also saddened.

“What has happened has happened, we however, look unto God, and pray for forgiveness of their sins and for acceptance on the last day,” he said.

The CG assures families and next of kins of the deceased of timely dispatch of benefits accruable to them.

He thanked the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, for remembering the Corps at this trying period.

According to Audi, “Mr President’s Condolence Message motivated us greatly, it renewed our strength and rekindled our hope that we are not alone.

“This means a lot to us as a service and we are grateful for the support we are getting from the presidency and we feel proud serving the nation.”

The Zamfara State Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Tukur Umar Danfulani has distributed 15 saloon cars to various groups in support of Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara’s second term bid in office.

Presenting the vehicles to the beneficiaries at Old Livestock Market in Gusau the state capital, the APC Chairman noted that owing to the increasing support being registered for the governor in the state, there is need for individuals and corporate support groups to meet the logistics needs of the campaign train.

He said the APC has been overwhelmed by the increasing number of support groups wishing to be involved with full individual and collective commitment in the campaign to return the Governor for the second term in the upcoming 2023 election in the state.

Sambo pays tribute to Nigeria armed forces, salute gallantry effort

By Albert Akota

As

In a message by his special Assistant (Media) Dr Sam Idiagbonya

available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the Minister described the fallen soldiers as heroes who paid the

ultimate sacrifice inorder to protect the country’s sovereignty.

According to the Minister, the country remembers and honours them for their gallantry and bravery, adding that the ideals for which they laboured will be upheld.

“This day we salute the

gallantry and bravery of our men and women who paid the ultimate price for the safety of our father land.

Today we remember them and honour them. The labour of our heroes past shall never be in”, the Minister said.

Nigeria marks the 2023 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu jaji Sambo has paid glowing tribute to the

men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

made

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

L-R Chairman, PDP Vice Presidential Candidate and Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, Representing FCT, PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, flanked by Former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Chairman, PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Akwa -ibom state Governor, Obong Udom Emmanuel during the Presidential Campaign Rally held on Saturday in Lokoja, Kogi state.

Irabor’s statement on ‘no possibility of military take over’ big relief —APD

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Agroup, Alliance for Protection of Democracy (APD) has described a statement by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, where he said, there is “no possibility of the military taking over power in Nigeria”, as a big relief to many.

Irabor made this known while speaking at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja.

He added that democracy has come to stay in the country.

The CDS assured that the Armed Forces would support the Nigerian Police Force, the lead security agency to ensure safe, free and fair general elections in 2023.

“Let me say, democracy has come to stay. I mean, government of the people, by the people and for the people in Nigeria has come to stay. That is an assurance, and then of course for the elections, I am sure you know, that the police are on the lead,” the CDS stated.

APD in a statement on Monday, by its Secretary, Bimbo Salau said the assurance coming from the topmost person in the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a big relief for those who are giving negative narratives on the outcome of the elections.

It said the statement by the CDS will not be taken for granted because he (Gen. Irabor) kept to his words to degrade insurgency and has continued to carry men and officers of the Armed Forces along in ensuring their unalloyed loyalty to the constitution.

“This is not the first time the CDS has reiterated their support for the success of the elections. This is indeed commendable.

“This statement is a message to those who want to cause trouble that they will “land in hot soup” by daring the resolve of the CDS and military to ensure democracy is sustained in Nigeria.

“Nigerians must support the AFN and other security agencies to ensure a peaceful general elections. We can’t afford to add to the current security challenges.

“We in APD commend the CDS and the AFN for unwavering disposition towards sustenance of democracy in our country. Without doubt, Gen. Irabor is showing the way forward positively for his troops”

Gunmen attack INEC office in Enugu

By Lateef Ibrahim , Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State has been attacked by unknown gunmen.

The incident occurred around 9.12pm last Sunday.

This was confirmed in a statement yesterday by an INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye in Abuja.

The security gatehouse of the office, according to Okoye, was razed. Fortunately, the attackers, the statement said, could not gain access to the main building as a result of the rapid response from the Police and Army personnel

from 82 Division.

The statement indicated that the State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner ,(REC) were personally at the scene immediately they received information about the attack.

Of the two policemen deployed to protect the facility, one of them lost his life while the other sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.

The statement by Okoye reads, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka J. Chukwu, has reported that our office in Enugu South Local Government Area was attacked by unknown gunmen.

“The incident occurred around 9.12pm yesterday, Sunday 15th January 2023.

“The security gatehouse was razed. Fortunately, the attackers could not gain access to the main building as a result of the rapid response from the Police and Army personnel from 82 Division.

“The State Commissioner of Police and the REC were personally at the scene immediately they received information about the attack.

“Of the two Policemen deployed to protect the facility, one of them lost his life while the other sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.

“The Commission prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased policeman and the speedy recovery

of the injured.

“The attack is being investigated by the security agencies.

“Furthermore, a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Enugu State co-chaired by the REC and the Commissioner of Police has been convened to discuss the latest incident and design additional strategies of fortifying the offices and protecting the personnel and materials.

“Meanwhile, the destroyed gatehouse will be rebuilt, and the Commission is proceeding with its preparations for the 2023 General Election in Enugu State and the entire country as scheduled”, it said.

APC support group says Tinubu’ll do better than Obi, Atiku

Asupport group, Likeminds Initiative for Tinubu, says Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress(APC) is better qualified to lead Nigeria, than any other candidate in Feb. 25 presidential election.

Mr Augustine Esiekpe, the National Coordinator, LikeMinds Initiative For Tinubu, said this at a strategic meeting to mobilise voters for Tinubu/Shettima for the general election in Abuja on Saturday.

According to him, an Asiwaju as president will do a better job as president than Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, he will be

sagacious, strong will and effect the needed change in the country.

Esiekpe said that Tinubu had a better character than any other presidential candidate in the race.

He said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar shouldn’t have joined the 2023 presidential race, because it was the turn of the South to rule.

“The North as represented by President Muhammadu Buhari has had its eigth years share, so what is Atiku looking for, where is he representing.

“The presidency should rotate between the North and the South

because there must be justice, fairness and equity.

“If we give Obi or Atiku our future is not secured, we should look at Tinubu who is better with record of performance to show,” he said.

He said the group would mobilise voters in the Federal Capital Territory to ensure landslide victory for APC.

Speaking on mobilisation, he said it was key to winning election, adding that in Lagos people hardly vote but rather resort to playing football on election day.

He said that the group’s major

work was to identify people with PVC and move them to vote on the day of election, adding that it would also bring INEC officials to educate members on BVAS.

This according to him, would enable the group to sensitive others so they would understand process on election day and would be able to educate others. “The Obidient camp is doing this sensitisation seriously.

These are some of the sensitisation we need to embark upon, campaign isn’t about gathering people at rallies, but going from place to place to sensitive voters.(NAN)

L-R: Treasurer, OBI/DATI People Movement Nigeria and Diaspora Faustina Ikedi; European Coordinator OBI/DATI, Hon. Abada Iwuchukwu; and National Coordinator OBI/DATI People’s Movement, Hon. Charles Obiora, during their press briefing over the OBI/DATI Campaign rally on Wednesday in Kaduna.

•Policeman killed, another injured, gate house razed

Bauchi Community rejects govt’s plan to allocate 50 hectares of land to CAN for Cemetery

From, Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

Members of YolanBayara, situated behind Bayara General Hospital, in Birshi Ward of Miri District in Bauchi local government area of Bauchi State, have kicked against the state government’s plan to allocate 50

hectares of land to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the Christian Cemetery.

In a petition addressed to the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed through the Secretary to the State Government, which was given to journalists at the NUJ Secretariat during a press conference on Saturday, the community called

for an “urgent intervention to avert the occurrence of communal clash.”

The petition which was dated 10th January, 2023, was entitled: “Petition against Bauchi State Government’s move to allocate Christian Community, a 50 hectare of land belonging to the Muslim Community of Yolan-Bayara for the purpose of

Christian Cemetery.”

It was signed by the leader of the Community, Sani Yakubu and six others, and copied the Director, State Security, Bauchi State; Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State; Commissioner of Religious Affairs, Bauchi State, Emir of Bauchi, Rilwan Adamu, among others.

IBBUL don calls for enforcement of Land Use Act, regulations

Yakubu Mustapha Minna

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

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

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

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

Nasarawa scholarship board Secretary drums support for Sule

Max Air appoints Mangal as new CEO

The Management of Max Air Limited has approved the appointment of Alhaji Abubakar-Dahiru Mangal as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.

A statement made available to newsmen by the company’s media officer on Monday in Abuja said that the appointment followed the the death of the company’s CEO, Alhaji Bashir Barau Mangal.

Until his new appointment as CEO, Mangal was the Deputy Director of Finance of the Airline.

He holds Bsc Economic from the American University of Nigeria Yola, MSc International Business Salford, UK, MBA Finance and Investment Bayero University Kano ( and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree in Business Administration at Apollos

University in the United States.

“The management of Max Air is optimistic that the new CEO will bring his wealth of experience in the Aviation Industry to boost the growth of the company, focus on delivering exceptional customer service and expand the global reach of the Airline.

“We look forward to Alhaji Abubakar’s leadership in driving the Airline’s growth and

success,” the statement added.

Max Air is a leading Airline in Nigeria with long years of operation in the domestic market and some West African countries, especially in the airlift of Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Max Air is also a global charter Airline and was recently involved in the evacuation of stranded Nigerians from Libya, Ukraine and other countries.

Executive secretary of the Nasarawa sate scholarship board, Hajiya Sa’adatu Yahya has admonished youths in Nasarawa state to rally round Governor Sule to victory in the 2023 general elections.

Hajiya Sa’adatu who gave the admonition to the youths while speaking in an interview with Peoples Daily in Lafia maintained that governor Sule has achieved remarkably in the area of education with emphasis on Scholarship disbursement.

She further stressed that the governor’s cardinal policy is to ensure that youths in the state acquire education in all skills.

From

From Gambo Ahmed lafia

Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari (middle) flanked by the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora (2nd left), Minister of State STI, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Okoh (right) and the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) (left) unveiling the Ministry’s Ethanol value project, during the official opening of the 7th Edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2023, theme: Actualizing Effective Diversification of Nigeria Economy through Science, Technology and innovation, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo.

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Kano state Commissioner, Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Zahara’u Muhammad Umar, has cleared the air over confusion on allegation of assault against a senior staff of the state’s Children’s Home, Nassarawa GRA in the state.

Making the the clarification in a statement on Monday, signed by Aishatu Haruna, Director, Public Enlightenment of the ministry Dr Zahara’u traced the source of the allegation to two female inmates of the children’s home, whom she described as scandalous.

The commissioner said, the two inmates in question caused the confusion after being pained by the refusal of the senior staff to give in to their constant request for official food stuff for personal use.

After the senior staff refused to be giving the food stuff to

Kano Women Affairs Commissioner clears air over allegation against staff

the two ladies, according to the Commissioner, they resorted to false accusations and other evil machinations.

Throwing more lights on the matter, she said, the two female inmates, who had previously been married off to different men, had constantly remained nuisance in the children’s home.

According to the the Commissioner, “the female grownups who are both above 30 years of age, have refused to abide by an order to vacate the home, in compliance with the rules governing the home

which does not have provision for inmates above the age of 18.

“To further pave ways for their exit, she said the two were equally settled, by offering one a permanent and pensionable job at one of the state’s ministries, while the commissioner herself secured an admission for the other in a School of Nursing and Midwifery. Yet, the duo refused to leave the children’s home.

“The two badly behaved adults, she asserted, have so far remained a bad influence on other little inmates, and a big threat to

the smooth administration of the home,” the Commissioner said in the statement.

She therefore, stated that the ministry had resolved to send the two ladies packing, as recommended by the committee earlier set up to investigate the allegations, which eventually found same false.

The statement also quoted the Chairman, Child Fostering Committee, Malam Kabiru Zubairu, as clearing the Commissioner of further allegations surrounding the question of child fostering.

The chairman also explained

how one of the two, ladies, which the statement describes as “scandalous adults of the home” recorded five cases of gross misconduct, including the one that led to her being divorced, and rejected by five different foster-parents.

He also added weight to findings by the committee of investigation that the allegations were false, by displaying written confessional statements from other inmates and the two female grown-ups in question, categorically denying any form of assault by any staff of the Nassarawa Children Home.

Group trains academic staff of Kadpoly on prevention of SGBV

Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) an (NGO), has sensitised members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter, on the prevention of Sexual and GenderBased Violence (SGBV).

EWEI’s Programme Officer, Gender, Mr Mendie Jeremiah, at the opening session of the seminar in Kaduna, said that the orientation was under the “We for Them (WFT)” project.

Jeremiah, who is also the Secondary Focal Person, WFT, explained that the project was being implemented in partnership with Africa Women’s Development Fund.

He said the project was specifically aimed at decreasing the frequency of SGBV, with particular focus on sexual harassment and abuse in public spaces.

He said EWEI would be working with allies from ASUP, a male-dominated union of Kaduna Polytechnic to implement the project in the next two years.

He added that a total of 50 academic staff members was selected from five colleges of the institution to participate in the implementation of the project.

He identified the schools as College of Engineering, College of Science and Technology, College of Environmental Studies, College of Administrative Studies and Social Sciences, and College of Business and Management Studies.

“It is important to state that this project recognises the power, influence, and intellectual nature of the union as a strategic ally to reform.

“This will ensure the implementation of existing legal instruments that address sexual harassment in this institution.

“Together, we will speak out against this social problem that has prevented members of our communities from developing and using their full potential, especially women and girls,” he said.

He described sexual harassment as an “unwelcome, unwanted sexual advances, and other verbal or

physical contacts of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or offensive environment”.

He described sexual harassment as a physically and emotionally dangerous form of violence against women given its propensity to cause them distress.

“For example, it is harassment when women ask for sexual favours in return for grades, jobs, promotions, or salary raise in places of work.

“WFT is similarly being implemented with members of the Kaduna chapter of the National

Union of Road Transport Workers and together, we expect to reach more than 4,500 primary and secondary beneficiaries,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Courage Galah, EWEI’s Senior Programme Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning, said

that the approach would include raising awareness about GBV tollfree helplines and support systems for survivors.

He said other approaches included advocacy, training, community mobilisation, and service delivery.

Kogi East Senatorial district throws weight behind Tinubu, Shettima

Nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kogi East Senatorial District have thrown their weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the LGAs on Sunday organised a mega rally in support of the candidature of the duo and show support to the APC.

NAN also reports that the mega rally was organised by Mr Suleiman Isyaka, the National Coordinator of an umbrella APC support group, ‘Tinubu/Shettima Ordained Movement’.

NAN further reports that a mammoth crowd of APC supporters attended the event and recommitted themselves to ensuring the victory of Tinubu and Shettima during the Feb. 25 presidential poll.

The event which held in

Ejule in Ofu LGA also attracted APC supporters from Ankpa. Olamaboro,Idah, Ofu, Ibaji, Dekina, Omala, Bassa and Igalamela/Odolu LGAs.

Speaking to NAN, Isyaka said that the event tallied with the APC’s foundation which involved the actualisation of the Tinubu/ Shettima ambition to win the 2023 presidential election.

“The purpose of everyone being here today as part of the activities lined up to secure a landslide victory for Tinubu and Shettima in the presidential poll.

“As at Dec. 30, 2022 when I was confirmed as the chairman of one of the strong support groups of the Tinubu/Shettima presidential candidacy, i came to my village in Ejule-Alle ward and swung into action.

“On that day, we had a lot of people who came for the occasion and they were very ready to support

the APC at all levels.

“That proved to me that when i am out with the APC existing structure in my locality, I can replicate it to the other LGAs in the Eastern Senatorial District of Kogi.

“Also, our mission is to sensitise and to generate votes for our presidential candidate come Feb. 25,” he said.

Isyaka also urged all the members and the people of the nine LGAs to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), so that they can exercise their rights at the polls for the presidential candidate of the APC.

Mr Yahaya Shagari, the APC Chairman in Ofu LGA commended Isyaka for organising the laudable event by uniting all the party loyalists in Kogi East Senatorial District.

He added that the act displayed by Isyaka showed that APC was in the right direction in bringing all the nine LGAs in Igala land together to support the Tinubu/Shettima

Ordained Movement.

What is on the ground shows that we are waiting eagerly for the general election to cast our votes for our presidential candidate and his running mate,” Shagari said.

Also speaking, the DirectorGeneral of the Amalgamated APC Support Group (AASG), Dr Nasiru Mohammed lauded the organiser of the event for putting together the laudable initiative.

Mohammed, who was represented by Mr Musa Otigba, the Director, Campaign and Mobilisation for AASG said: “A vote for Tinubu/ Shettima is a vote for a renewed hope for you and future generation.

“It is remarkable to note that the Tinubu/Shettima Ordained Movement is already a registered member of the AASG and that is why we are here to give you moral support.

“We are also here to encourage you to continue to do more for the

From left, Director, Special Media Projects/ New media

Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, Femi Fani Kayode; Special Adviser, media Communications and Public Affairs, Mr Dele Alake; Director Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson PCC, Festus Keyamo and Director Strategic Communications Alhaji Idris Muhammed during a world press conference on corruption charges and money laundry leveled against the former Vice President and the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar by the PCC, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO: Mahmud Isa

From:

Consider remuneration, reward of those offering special services, says Rivers LG Boss

Mr Erastus Awortu, Chairman, Andoni local government area in Rivers, has called for review of remunerations and reward system for Nigerians offering special services in the country.

Awortu made the call on Sunday at Ngo, the council headquarter, during an emblem launch to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

According to him, this will encourage more patriotism and dedication among those categories of persons in the service of their fatherland.

“Those aspiring for leadership positions in the country should reconsider workers welfare because we cannot continue to neglect those who are doing the most sensitive jobs,” he said.

The council boss specifically commended officers serving in the area for their commitment to his peace initiative.

RMAFC Chairman eulogises late NNPC GMD

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Chairman Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC,) Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu has urged Nigerians to emulate the exemplary lifestyle of the late former Group Managing Director GMD of NNPC, Engineer Sani Bello.

Dr MB Shehu stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Kaduna yesterday.

He noted that during his lifetime, Engineer Sani Bello initiated various programmes and policies which uplifted the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

According to him the late chemical engineer was also a man of wisdom and proven integrity who practiced his Islamic religion accordingly and supported the needy in the society.

Dr MB Shehu said the engineering family in Nigeria would continue to remember his transparent leadership qualities and support to the noble profession.

He prayed Allah SWA to grant him eternal rest in Jannatu Firdausi ameen.

“As a government, we appreciate the service Chiefs, particularly those officers serving in Andoni in the past 18 months.

“These officers have played a major role in enthronement of the peace we are enjoying today in Andoni.

“They’re always at alert responding to distress calls and as such should be appreciated alongside widows of fallen

soldiers,” he said.

Awortu pledged an empowerment package for widows of army officers in honour of the fallen heroes.

He said that the empowerment package would be disbursed to the widows by the end of the month in order enable beneficiaries set up small businesses to cushion effects of the economic hardship in the country.

Earlier, in his address, retired Maj. Humphrey Mesharacks, Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Andoni local government area chapter, sued for continued support for the military.

“One of the objectives of today’s gathering is to consider how to ameliorate the challenges faced by officers, particularly, families whose breadwinners have died in the process of keeping the

peace and unity of our fatherland,” he said

The legionnaire also called on government and well-meaning individuals and philanthropists to support the military emblem launch.

“The donations will enable Legionnaires in the area cater for widows, the aged, deformed, orphans and dependants of fallen soldiers,” he said. (NAN)

IPOB: Group calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s release over worsening health condition

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Agroup of medical practitioners under the auspices of Biafra Medical Practitioners (BMP) has called for immediate release of detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, over his alleged worsening health condition.

The group made the call in a statement issued over the weekend in Abuja by Dr. Sam Agubosim, M.D. Anesthesiology and Pain Management, including eleven other doctors and health professionals.

According to the statement dated January 13, 2023, the medical practitioners averred that Kanu required immediate release for urgent medical assessment and treatment.

It will be recalled that Mazi Kanu was arrested by security

officials in Kenya and renditioned to Abuja, Nigeria on June 27, 2021.

He was subsequently arraigned with a blindfold before Binta Nyako, a Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu was discharged and acquitted of charges bordering on treasonable felony as instituted against him at the court in response to years of campaign for the independent Republic of Biafra through IPOB.

The medical practitioners claimed a recent Medical Report released in Nigeria revealed that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has a pre-existing heart condition which, according to them, has exacerbated by his continuous imprisonment, “due to poor nutrition, psychological torture, social isolation and electrolyte imbalance.”

The statement titled “Re: Mazi

Nnamdi Kanu’s Declining Health and Request for Humanitarian Intervention” reads:

“We, Biafra Medical Practitioners (BMP),would like to bring your attention to the urgent need for proper medical care to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently in solitary confinement under the custody of Nigerian Department of State Services (DSS).

“Mazi Kanu requires immediate release for independent medical treatment. He is a British citizen and as such should be sent to his country of citizenship for proper medical treatment.

Mazi Kanu was kidnapped from Kenya and renditioned to Abuja, Nigeria on June 27, 2021, where he remains incarcerated, despite several Nigerian trial court rulings, including a Nigerian Appellate Court ruling in October

2022, acquitting and discharging him of all charges.

“A recent Medical Report released in Nigeria revealed that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has a preexisting heart condition. This condition is exacerbated by his continuous imprisonment, due to poor nutrition, psychological torture, social isolation and electrolyte imbalance.

“In light of Mazi Kanu’s kidnapping and rendition by the Nigerian government, he cannot receive proper medical care in Nigeria. In order for him to receive fair, humane and adequate medical care, he must be sent abroad. Since his detention at the DSS facility, it is reported that he has been denied food and proper medication, which has led to worsening of his health. Evidently, there is an inherent bias in his treatment, which is in violation of his human rights.”

L-R: Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora , Director General / CEO, FIIRO, Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa and Directort, Biotechnology dept FIIRO, Dr. Lawal Kunle, inspecting productd develop by FIIRO, during the official opening of the 7th Edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2023, theme: Actualizing Effective Diversification of Nigeria Economy through Science, Technology and innovation, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Obiozor’s unity flame goes out

The death of Professor George Obiozor, last year, eclipsed a flame of hope lit in 2020 and was burning very brightly. He was elected President of Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo in December of that year but died in December 2022.

Imo state governor Hope Uzodinma announced Obiozor’s death in a statement he personally signed. It read, “A renowned academic, an exceptional diplomat and statesman and a tenacious patriot, Prof George Obiozor passed on recently after a brief illness. The death of this foremost Igbo leader and former Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States and the State of Israel is a big loss to Imo state, the South-east and the entire Nigeria. I have no doubt that both Nigeria and the international community will miss his profound intellectual contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues.”

The governor is absolutely correct. Obiozor’s passing due to illness, we have been made to understand, is a calamitous loss to not only his immediate Igbo speaking people but also Nigeria as a country. The Igbos are striving at being reintegrated into mainstream Nigeria after a failed secession attempt. Obiozor, everybody thought and believed, held out that torch of reunion.

In an August 3, 2021 People’s Daily editorial, we said, “It is true, in Obiozor, a well respected diplomat, the Igbo have found the right man to sell their ambition to produce Nigeria’s next president in 2023. He is the right hand to reach across the Niger for Northern solidarity if that sentiment must sell. But first, a badly politically splintered homeland must be reconciled to itself. Will Obiozor be able to pull that off? Only time will tell.

lives in that failed attempt at breakaway.

“Ohanaeze and the Igbo political establishment were simply overwhelmed by the frenzy whipped up by a youngster called Nnamdi Kanu until the Buhari government applied the wedge by declaring it a terror group and banning it. Even so, the group still wields much influence in Igbo land through its reign of terror. Obiozor must stop it and push for greater Igbo involvement with the Nigeria Project.”

Obiozor did push hard but the adversity against him was just as tenacious. Last year, masked gunmen attacked his house and burned down a half of the spatial compound. Luckily, the Professor was out of the country. Gov. Uzodinma described the attack as “cowardly and the height of desperation” on the part of some politicians. He said at the time that the government was working with security agencies to identify and punish the perpetrators. “The time of those who unleash this kind of mayhem in the state is over. We shall hunt them down to face the full weight of the law,” he said.

Our next editorial ( March 25, 2022) on Obiozor condemning the attack on his property, said he must not underestimate the enemy. That job he had taken on came with a huge risk to his personal life and family

“The significance of the Obiozor victory goes beyond that narrow Igbo unity. It lies in what President Muhammadu Buhari said in his congratulatory message to Obiozor. The message sent by presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, urged the ex diplomat to ‘deploy his immense experience within and outside to forge greater unity in the country.’” Our editorial continued: “The import of Buhari’s exhortation to Obiozor is in the background to his emergence as leader of Nd’Igbo. Under his predecessor, John Nwodo, Ohanaeze ceded its place to an ultra nationalist Igbo platform that stands to reenact the disastrous misadventure of Igbo secession that led to a civil war in 1967-70. Millions lost their

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Our next editorial ( March 25, 2022) on Obiozor condemning the attack on his property, said he must not underestimate the enemy. That job he had taken on came with a huge risk to his personal life and family. The attack on his house in his absence, we said in the editorial, was “a foretaste of the worst to come. Kanu, the leader of IPOB, made a show of condemning the attack but he was only shedding the proverbial crocodile’s tears. We know he had a hand in the burning of Obiozor’s home.”

However, we advised the Nd’Igbo President to not abandon the noble cause he had chosen to fight. “We implore the Nd’Igbo leader to stay the course, no matter what the enemy brings his way. His role is cast in that of the biblical voice in the wilderness, crying to prepare the “way of the Lord”. Obiozor, never you waver in your duty to your mother land.”

Yes, Obiozor did stay the course and paid with his life. But he hasn’t died in vain. His effort has put an Ibo man in the presidential race coming up in February. The greatest tribute Nd’Igbo will pay Obiozor is to complete the national reconciliation project he started.

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Climate change governance: Challenges and way-forward

By Muhammad Mumtaz

The issue of climate change is being tackled in short-term and only address the immediate effects of the crises. However, the ‘wicket’ problem of climate change demands proactive and concerted efforts where climate impacts must be anticipated and relevant actions should be initiated.

Climate change is real and its impacts will be severe. World is facing multiple challenges related to climate change such as floods, heatwaves, rise in temperature, unpredictable rainfall and storms among others. Martin Weitzman and Gernot Wagner in their book Climate Shock indicated that “Climate change is unlike . . . any other public policy problem. It’s almost uniquely global, uniquely long-term, uniquely irreversible, and uniquely uncertain—certainly unique in the combination of all four”.

Scientific evidences prove that the impacts of climate change will be more devastating and disruptive by 2050 than today. According to Germanwatch, it is estimated that about 500,000 people died and US$3.5 trillion was lost as a result of extreme weather event during last 2 decades. More floods, droughts, fires, and heat waves will likely to be occurred in upcoming times. However, these events may vary from region to region and country to country. These variations in impacts and uncertainties of climate change have complicated the situation and set complex challenges for global community to respond. These complexities of climate change demand proactive and long lasting sustainable governance initiatives from local to global level.

Climate change has recognized a global issue and efforts are being initiated to handle the devastating impacts of climate change. Global leaders from all over the world (almost 200 countries) gather annually in conference of parties events for climate talk, to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C alive, discuss what has been achieved so far, what actions are needed to be taken and how to move forward in relation to handling climate change.

In 2015, governments adopted the Paris Agreement (PA), agreeing to hold global average temperature rise “well below 2°C” and, if possible, 1.5°C. However, according to United Nation Environment Programme, countries’ collective emission reduction pledges remain far from sufficient: if implemented, they would lead to a temperature increase of more than 3°C, with devastating consequences for both ecosystems and humans. In light of these global actions it is far to state that the world has launched a successful drive against climate change rather need to do much more. It is therefore imperative to examine the current structures and dynamics of global climate governance so as to uncover the key climate governance challenges.

At international level, the realistic scenario of international politics is unclear with respect to climate change due to diverse political and economic ambitions and it is uncertain whether all countries especially the developed countries who are the major emitters of global greenhouse gases will consistently hold the political will to engage in climate negotiations and climate actions. Distorted perceptions of the climate crisis still exist at the global level and climate forums do not always attract the required levels of urgency or multi-sectoral leadership. Enormous promises and wishful decisions are made in international negotiations on climate change but normally they are not materialized as such or partially operationalized.

Most decisions made at the global level are not mandatory and the implementation relies on good faith. However, it has seen that multilateral institutions are normally slow to act, jeopardizing the fast, ambitious, and concerted actions required to address climate change. Climate actions are taken around the world but with a slow pace and importance is given to the responses as per requirement of their own relevancy. However,

climate crisis demands aggressive, coordinated and a cross-cutting approach connecting, social, environmental, and economic efforts. The issue of climate change is being addressed on an ad hoc basis but it must be taken on planned and permanent basis in view the challenging nature of climate change.

The issue of climate change is being tackled in short-term and only address the immediate effects of the crises. However, the ‘wicket’ problem of climate change demands proactive and concerted efforts where climate impacts must be anticipated and relevant actions should be initiated. It is therefore, global community has to come out of the business as usual approach and it is high time to mobilize global resources considering the cruelty of climate change and the stakes of upcoming generations in order to produce effective climate governance.

The 2009 UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen has often been described as a turning point for global climate politics that paved the way to replace top-down universal approach to global climate governance to a much more decentralized climate policy architecture. This conference has set the ground for the ‘hybrid multilateralism’ which was institutionalized through the PA. The PA was crucial milestone in climate governance that has brought together the international community’s consensus to actively respond to climate change. The PA recognizes the role of nonParty stakeholders in addressing climate change, including cities, other subnational authorities, civil society, the private sector and others. The shift in climate governance from top-down to bottom-up promoting multi-level governance appears a promising way but it has also various challenges and hurdles that must be addressed.

The subject of climate change has been devolved to lower level of governments in many countries such as Pakistan. The formulation of climate change policies and action plans rest with subnational or local governments. However, these lower level of governments may not be fully in a position to devise comprehensive policies and plans due to lack of coordination and absence of experience dealing with such complex issue at subnational and local level. Climate change decision-making processes are complex and involve multiple actors.

Governments at local level also consist of multiple agencies, each with a defined portfolio of responsibilities. One department might work for managing water resources while other might provide sewerage services and others are engaged with other services. To manage the complex challenge of climate change, these all departments and institutions have to work in coordination. However, evidences show that there is limited coordination among the local departments while dealing with climate change. To be successful against climate drive, nations need to integrate coordination among different government levels and non-government actors must be involved.

The PA institutionalizes an intricate interplay between state and non-state, multilateral and transnational climate action. It is assumed that power and authority are drifting from sovereign states to non-state actors at reginal and local scale, making it complex climate regime changing mechanisms where national governments have limited power and influence in decision making. However, there is need to understand that local governments are in a better position to act against the local challenges but they need full supports from upper tiers of the governments. It is therefore highly desirable to align non-state and intergovernmental relations especially at horizontal and vertical level to produce robust climate governance and meaningful actions. Efforts are needed to accelerate climate actions by facilitating dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation among governmental institutions and state and non-state actors to shape effective climate governance.

The writer is working as Assistant Professor at the Department of Public Administration, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He can be reached at mumtaz86@ hotmail.com

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Policing witch hunting and mob justice in Zambia

By Leo Igwe

Again the police should know those communities where elders are likely to be accused or killed. They should identify parts of the province where accusations and mob violence are rampant and place them on a watchlist. The police should liaise with other agencies to sensitize the public and urge people who suspect witchcraft not to take laws into their hands.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches commends the police for arresting suspects linked to the brutal murder of a 70-year-old man, Albert Katoka, on suspicion of witchcraft in Zambia. Unfortunately, the police did not arrive early enough and could not save the life of this innocent man. According to news reports, Katoka’s case is among so many instances of the murder of elderly persons accused of witchcraft in the country. Accused persons are subjected to jungle justice and mob violence. Very often the police arrive when harm has been done. They arrest suspects, if at all. In the case of Katoka, he died after a mob stoned and hit him with sticks. His killing was public, and involved many people.

While the arrest of those linked to the gruesome murder of Katoka is a welcome development, there is a need for the police to change its approach to addressing the problem of witch persecution in Zambia. There is something fundamentally wrong with policing witchcraft

accusations in Zambia. There is an urgent need to review how law enforcers treat cases of witchcraft accusations in the country. As the report has noted, many elderly people accused of witchcraft are killed. So this incident is not an isolated case. There is a known and existing pattern of accusing and murdering old people for witchcraft in Zambia. So the police have no excuse for allowing the horrific killings to continue. The police are aware of this situation, that is, the tendency to accuse and murder old people. So they should be more proactive than reactive in addressing the problem.

The police should be ready to intervene and help nip accusations in the bud. They should put in place some intelligence network in the communities that can notify them of potential cases of allegation and persecution. The police should have a mechanism to reward local whistleblowers and informants. For instance, the murder of Katoka did not suddenly happen. It took some time and involved some people and planning. People in the community must have rumored and pointed accusing fingers at him for some time. Some people must have gone to consult or invite witch-finders and hunters.

Within this period, some people could have contacted and put the police on alert. Katoka was the head of the community. It takes some effort and time to attack or kill him. Some of the community members received information about the allegation before he was attacked and

killed. But they did not pass the information on to the police. Again the police should know those communities where elders are likely to be accused or killed. They should identify parts of the province where accusations and mob violence are rampant and place them on a watchlist. The police should liaise with other agencies to sensitize the public and urge people who suspect witchcraft not to take laws into their hands.

They should warn the Nganga against charlatanism and certification people as witches or as perpetrators of occult harm in the communities. Witch doctors who claim to identify and exorcize witchcraft are part of the problem. They should be sanctioned. The police should work with health institutions to combat witchcraft accusations and persecutions because witchcraft allegation is a public health issue. Witchcraft accusation is rooted in medical misinformation and misrepresentation. Witchcraft is a narrative to make sense of illness and death. In the case of Katoka, he was accused of being responsible for the sickness and death of a female member of his community. There was no evidence of how he caused the illness. The police should collaborate with health agencies and make the people of Zambia realize that no one can cause the ailment or death of others through magical means.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches…

Philips Curve and Nigeria’s economic reality: A macroeconomic analysis

By Muhammad Sagir Bauchi

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate has been consistently high, averaging around 11% in the past decade. The high inflation rate can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the devaluation of the naira, an increase in the cost of imports, and a rise in fuel prices.

Stabilization of prices and achieving full employment are among the core goals of every economy’s macroeconomic policies. In this case, there are two main approaches to curtailing inflation, recession, unemployment, and other macro-economic phenomena. These approaches are monetary and fiscal policies. While monetary policy refers to the activities of the central bank that are directed toward influencing the quantity of capital (money) and credit in an economy, fiscal policy refers to the government’s decisions on taxation and spending. Both monetary and fiscal policies are used to regulate economic activities over time. They can be used to accelerate growth when an economy starts to slow or to moderate growth and activity when an economy starts to overheat. In addition, fiscal policy can be used to redistribute income and wealth.

The overall goal of these monetary and fiscal policies is the creation of a healthy economic environment that could sustain economic growth, facilitate positive employment, and maintain a stable inflation rate.

In plain language, the main aim of these two policies is to steer an economy in such a way that it does not experience an economic boom that could be followed by a period of low or negative growth, a high level of unemployment, and an unstable price. In this situation, people can feel safe in their consumption, savings, and investment decisions, and the government could concentrate on economic decisionmaking. And this is where the idea of the monetarist, classical, and keynesian schools of economics comes into play, where they have different views with respect to the effectiveness of the two policies.

PHILIPS CURVE FROM A SHORT GLANCE: The issue of inflation and unemployment is not a new concept in the realm of economics, and it’s one of the concepts that reflect the science of economics as a true reflection of reality.

Since that, almost everyone is feeling the impact of either of the two.

The history of the Philips Curve can be traced to the research findings of A.W. Philip, an economist who analyzed the relationship between unemployment and the rate of change of money wages in the United Kingdom in the years 1861–1957. At the end of his findings, he suggested that there is an inverse or negative relationship between wages and unemployment. In simple terms, he meant that whenever there’s growth in unemployment, there will be a low level of inflation. And the rationale behind the justification of his idea is that where there’s employment, people have more money, which leads to high demand for goods and services, pushing prices up. On the other hand, when there’s a rise in unemployment, inflation will go down since there will be low demand for goods and services as there’s less money in circulation.

Philips and Other Economic Perspectives: There are different opinions in regards to the application of the curve and the measures to contain the phenomenon. According to the monetarist school, the issue of unemployment is a supply-side phenomenon; therefore, demand-side measures cannot be used to curtail it, and even if it occurs, it can be temporary and will accelerate price instability at the end. According to the Keynesian school, there can only be “demand-deficient unemployment,” and in times of recession, demand-side measures can reduce unemployment long-term with little inflation.

Nigeria’s Economic Reality: In Nigeria, since its independence, unemployment and inflation have been among the major distractions from the growth and development of the nation’s economy. This is evident as we are all witnessing a scenario where too much money is chasing few goods and another case of high supply of labor with low demand for it. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate has been consistently high, averaging around 11% in the past decade. The high inflation rate can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the devaluation of the naira, an increase in the cost of imports, and a rise in fuel prices.

In an effort to curb inflation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced and implemented a number

of monetary policies, such as the recent cashless driven economy module, a strictly enforced weekly withdrawal limit, increasing interest rates, tightening liquidity, and devaluing the naira. However, these policies have not been entirely successful in bringing inflation under control. Additionally, the Nigerian government has also implemented fiscal and monetary policies, such as capping government debt. As cash withdrawals are limited to a minimal amount, increasing taxes and cutting government spending are implemented to curb inflation; the effectiveness of these policies, however, remains uncertain and challenging.

Same goes to the apex bank’s ongoing monetary policy, especially the weekly withdrawals limit policy, which poses an unprecedented threat to urban and rural businesses due to the poor mobile and internet banking mechanisms in the country. As such, the apex bank should address these concerns by shifting the effective implementation date until all the proper mechanisms required to operate a cashless economy are in place, in order to constitute a committee that includes technocrats, bankers, and internet service providers that will make sure effective mobile and internet services are made available to cover the whole country before the policy kicks in.

In conclusion, the relationship between inflation and unemployment as represented by the Philips curve is a complex one that is influenced by a variety of factors. The Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges in terms of cashless economy application, high inflation, and unemployment rates, and finding effective solutions to these issues will require a rigorous political will and careful consideration of both monetary and fiscal policies. It is important for the government and the central bank to continue to monitor and analyze economic data and make adjustments to policies as needed in order to create a stable economic environment that supports growth and employment.

Sagir Ibrahim is a graduate of Economics from Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau, Bauchi State, and can be reached via ibrahimsagir1227@gmail.com.

How to reposition economy for productivity

By Felix Oladeji

Government spending should be channeled to have effects on the economy, enhancing and promoting growth and development in the process. All non-productive activities and expenditures need to be reviewed forthwith while the role of the government should be reappraised with more emphasis on providing the enabling policy environment for private sector initiatives.

Developing economies have been faced with increasing size of government operations, and its impact on economic growth has become an emerging major public debate. However, the observed growth in public spending appears to apply to most countries regardless of their level of economic development. Over the years, the size, structure, and growth of government expenditure have increased tremendously and become increasingly complex. Not only have recent political developments engendered expenditure growth, but the challenge of raising additional and identifying alternative sources of revenue to meet the ever-increasing needs of governance has made it imperative to take a more focused look at government activities, especially its expenditures.

Pigou, in his legendary book, Public Finance, noted that in every developed society there is some form of government organisation. The governing authority, whether central or local, is endowed with functions and duties, the detailed nature of which varies in different places. These duties involve expenditure and, consequently, required also the raising of revenue. Although, this perception of what a government and its accompanying responsibility is, has undergone a tremendous transformation, both in size and complexities over time, the underlying concept of public expenditure as a veritable instrument through which government policy choices are carried out remains intrinsically unaltered in today’s economies.

Specifically, some of the reasons adduced for the growth in public expenditure over time are inflation, public debt, tax revenue, and the population. Inflation is one of the most crucial macroeconomic problems facing most countries of the world, especially underdeveloped and developing countries. Some of

the adverse effects include decreasing purchasing power of the country’s currency, unemployment, and uneven distribution of income. The extent to which inflation affects the size of public expenditure in less developed countries, such as Nigeria, indicates that inflation is truly a notable factor found to be significant.

Tax is a compulsory levy. It is a liability imposed upon the masses, individuals, or other legal entities. The fund gotten from this levy is what is termed tax revenue. Although the primary objective of taxation is to raise revenue for the government to sponsor the provision of essential services for the people, tax revenue is highly significant, indicating the strong impact it has on government expenditure. A percentage increase in government tax revenue could potentially expand government expenditure by as much as 29.

Changes in population growth generate changes in age distribution, and this trend is reflected in expenditure for education as well as care for the aged. Population growth is a major and dominant contributory factor to the growth of expenditure as government policies are geared towards narrowing, as much as possible, the gap between social and economic services with population growth. The provision of schools, hospitals and other social amenities necessary has to grow with the population. In Nigeria, the demographic factor (population) is an important determinant of public expenditure growth exerting a direct, strong positive, and significant relationship with the level of government expenditure.

However, the Federal Government over the years has proven to be a bad manager of resources, which is why there is a global trend toward a market-oriented system of economic management. The government has failed to play its role in the process of economic growth and development; hence, the need for the gradual withdrawal of government and increased participation of the private sector in the developmental process. The role of the government should be reappraised with more emphasis placed on providing the enabling policy environment for private sector initiatives. The government should stop capital expenditure on economic services and social and community services since the government is not supposed to make profit in the provision of

these services. The government should, therefore, only provide the enabling environment for the private sector to take over the provision of these services, so that there will be efficiency and reduction in cost.

Nigeria’s experience in public expenditure management has not been quite inspiring. The current economic crises, with the attendant macroeconomic problems- high inflation, exchange rate distortions, debt overhang, balance of payment disequilibrium, and high unemployment – have been attributed largely to reckless and poor management of public expenditure, coupled with widespread corruption. It is on this note that current news is preaching the failure of Keynesian economics. The rate of adjustment parameter in the regression reinforced the position that the government is not a good investor.

The magnitude of the parameter shows that it will take approximately four years for the economy to feel the impact of government expenditure in the system. This could also be justified through the budget where the government expects to execute a budget worth trillions and yet the economy fell no impact of such a budget. There is a need for minimal government participation in economic activity and for the government to concentrate on the provision of the enabling environment for the direction of economic activities in all sectors of the economy. This, among other things, calls for good governance as well as transparency and accountability in the use of public resources.

Hence, there is an urgent need to instill fiscal discipline in government expenditures by initiating far-reaching effective internal control measures and more proactive economic management coordination and implementation as well as discouraging all non-productive activities and expenditures in all tiers of government forthwith. Government spending should be channeled to have effects on the economy, enhancing and promoting growth and development in the process. All nonproductive activities and expenditures need to be reviewed forthwith while the role of the government should be reappraised with more emphasis on providing the enabling policy environment for private sector initiatives.

Oladeji writes from Lagos.

Bringing back double-digit economic growth

By Olugbenga Jaiyesimi

Bottom-up investment in the transportation industry, as opposed to assemblage currently done by Innoson should be addressed. We can start by producing in the country the many parts needed in motorcycles and tricycles. Cottage industries can spring up to produce primary parts for these means of transportation with the potential to contribute immeasurably to GDP.

For the first time in our politico-economic discourse, aspiring for double-digit economic growth is taking centre stage, but this is belated. Pundits are talking about it and it was a subject of discourse at the just concluded Nigerian Economic Summit Group conference in Abuja. It appeared in party manifestos and presidential candidates have given it a mention. Former Governor Donald Duke was the first politician from whose lips I heard the DDG. Unfortunately, he has withdrawn from aspiring to lead the nation.

That politicians make pronouncements doesn’t equate to their being knowledgeable on achieving what they spout, recent history confirms this. To them, it’s for vote catching, not that they are schooled in such economic niceties. So, looking up to politicians would amount to beaming the light in the wrong place.

Fortunately, economists have come forward to join the discussions on DDG. As in economic matters, two clear positions have emerged as to achieving DDG. In a report that was published on its website, the World Bank reiterated that Nigeria could return to the path of stellar growth that was achieved in the first decade of this century if we deepened the policies in place of the first decade.

On the other hand, a seasoned economist writing on the national economy postulates that DDG will be achieved by building on what has been put in place in the last eight years. In eight bullet points, he laid out reasons for his optimism, which is more or less about Nigeria building on Buharinomics. Let’s investigate some of the economic points raised. Let’s be clear that Buharinomics is a departure from the liberal economic policies pursued in the first decade.

The first reason given is the coming on board of a number of projects, mostly infrastructure, including the Dangote Refinery which is not infrastructure. He mentioned the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the 2nd Niger Bridge, and Calabar Port as adding to economic activities. Do they? The use of infrastructure does not add to economic activities directly, they lubricate existing economic activities. How much more economic activity has the Lagos-Ibadan Rail or the 2nd Niger Bridge added? What the 2nd

Niger Bridge does is make the passage of existing goods easier, not exactly add to it. But the Dangote fertiliser or petrochemicals and refinery add directly to GDP. Remember we are debating not just minuscule GDP improvements, but stellar growth to double digits.

The renowned economist is hinging DDG on business cycle boom that comes after a bust; unfortunately, this is not Nigeria’s story. The country’s story is a commodity-bust story, specifically crash in oil prices. This has been the trigger for the two previous recessions Nigeria has suffered. Also we have remained a depressed economy after exiting the 2016/17 recession, by not returning to any boom. This premise for a DDG is nonexistent. Our counterparts in Asia do not experience recessions as we do, meaning boom-bust cycles are for mature economies in the West and Japan.

The third policy on which a DDG is hinged is the famed import substitution policy of this administration. The ‘produce what you consume and consume what you produce’ import substitution policy pursued for the last 60 years, and not six years has delivered grief and it has made Nigeria an import-dependent insular economy unable to export manufacturing products. Without the export of items manufactured within the country, the ISIP is just one leg of a bipod; the reason we are always under forex pressures once oil prices crash.

Only nations that have in place industrial export with their import substitution being industrialisation have achieved DDG. A comparison of South American countries steeped in ISIP and Asian countries steeped in export-led industrialisation shows a clear path to DDG. Expecting policies that have not worked to spur Nigeria’s annual growth above three per cent to deliver doubledigit economic growth is laughable. Yet, there is a suggestion for a new policy; a forced cashless policy that has been wrapped with currency redesign and limit on cash withdrawals. No one is sure how this will work in an economy that has a large informal sector that is cash and carry based. Other economists are skeptical about the wisdom of the forced intervention, offering not to bet on it spurring DDG.

Buharinomics and Emefielism are not going to deliver laudable single-digit growth, not to speculate delivering doubledigit growth. These are twin babies that should be put away with the bath water in 2023. Let’s beam our attention on the recommendations of the World Bank as published in a report available on their website. Paraphrasing, the report states that “the hard won income gains of the 2000s evaporated between 2011 and 2021 due to lack of deeper structural reforms, global shocks, conflicting macroeconomics policy and increasing insecurity.”

The report continues by saying that “attracting private investments requires a solid macroeconomic foundation which has been weakened in recent times. Nigeria can become a growth star if it implements a comprehensive set of bold reforms in a timely manner.”

There is hardly a sounder prescription than that given by the World Bank, asking us to go back to what had worked for us and delivered between six per cent and eight per cent growth for the country for almost a decade and half. Simply put, move away from the statism, multiple exchange rates, and fuel subsidy; then in subsequent years deepen the reforms.

We should no longer talk of the between six to eight per cent growth, we are looking at scaling up to double-digit growth for decades so as to create quality jobs that will lift millions into the middle class. Not poverty reduction, but serious societal wealth creation for Nigerians and the rest of Africa.

New mental attitudes would be needed for this; old habits and ideologies would have to be shed, meaning our journey to DDG starts from within before it can emanate outside of us. We need to restructure our mental attitudes from bottom-up. This will give room for more export economic life beyond oil and gas.

A well-thought-out rearranging of the polity is also necessary; not a hasty one but one that addresses the contradictions in the values of our peoples. These contradictions are bearing negatively on peace and security that is needed for sustained transformation. Economic gains can be wiped out through the blow out of political issues

While the World Bank has advised us to deepen the structural reforms done in the 2000s, the bank did not give details. To deepen and protect the economy from oil shocks, attention should be shifted from demand control of forex market to intensifying supply of the dollar into the economy through sectors other than oil and gas. RT 200BN is a step in this direction, albeit a belated one. By joining the global supply chains beyond crude oil Nigeria’s GDP will have avenues for new growth.

Doubling the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP from 13 per cent to 25 per cent is of great importance. Investment in heavy industries, being done by the Dangote Group and BUA, is a right step in this direction. Bottom-up investment in the transportation industry, as opposed to assemblage currently done by Innoson should be addressed. We can start by producing in the country the many parts needed in motorcycles and tricycles. Cottage industries can spring up to produce primary parts for these means of transportation with the potential to contribute immeasurably to GDP.

Jaiyesimi writes via jerry3jaiye@gmail.com

Tinubu’s track record ‘ll ensure victory for APC -Group

City Boy Movement, a support group for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress(APC) says his track record will ensure victory for the party in the Feb. 25 general election. Gbodi Ajose, Director, Programmes, City Boy Movement, said this at ‘Door to Door’ campaign for Tinubu/ Shettima on Saturday in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group visited Mr Bulus Yerima Pada, the District Head of Maitama Kubwa in his palace in Kubwa. “The group decided to restrategise in a bid to ensure that the APC clinch the presidency. “We have decided to ensure that in FCT we are going to deliver this town and city for Asiwaju come 2023. “Though APC has never won the FCT, we are ensuring that with our new strategy, that is door to door campaign, we are going to tell everyone about Tinubu and Shettima. “Through the door to door campaign, we are telling Nigerians the things he has done in the past because Tinubu is the person that has the track record that you can easily talk to any body about. It is seen, it is not something you are going to be debating about,” he said. The director said that Tinubu’s manifesto has spoken about his programmes for Nigerians when elected. “We are here to talk to the women, youths and we have a principal that is going to run an all inclusive government. “Tinubu said it in his manifesto that he will ensure the public service system runs perfectly,” she said. Also, the group’s Director, Mobilisation, Mr Francis Shoga said that the visit was to sensitise eligible voters on how to cast their votes on the election day. He described Tinubu as a man who would move Nigeria forward and make it great Similarly, former Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Mr Musa Dikko decried neglect of the area by previous administrations saying they never carried along FCT indigenes in the scheme of things. “Since inception, we were resettled in 1990 alongside other Nigerians, no government under the PDP has ever remembered our existence. “This palace was build under my administration in 2018-2019; the roads were build by APC-led government. “The market was build under my administration within two years. The intra state motor park was build under APC administration in two years. “You are in the home of APC,” Dikko said. Dikko assured of continuous support to the group for victory at all levels. “We want to assure the traditional

FG, Eastern States governments urged to immortalize Mbazulike Amechi

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The national planning committee for the funeral of the first Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi has called on the federal government as well as the governments of South Eastern States to immortalize the revered elder statesman.

The planning committee based its call for the immortalization of Chief Amechi on his contributions to the nationalist struggles and devotion to a just and peaceful Nigeria.

The committee made the call in a communique issued at the end of its meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital and signed by its Chairman, Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Chief Mbazulike Amechi, it will recalled, died on the 1st day of November 2022 at the age of 93 years.

The meeting resolved to involve the governments and people of the South East and beyond in the funeral activities and solicited their support and that of other stakeholders in giving the late elder statesman a befitting farewell.

The committee members also resolved to set up a State Organizing Committee to implement its decisions on the ground in Anambra State.

According to the communique, “The meeting called on the authorities of the Federal Government of Nigeria and governments of South Eastern States to immortalise the revered elder statesman for his

contributions to the Nationalist struggles and devotion to a just and peaceful Nigeria.

“The meeting resolved to involve the governments and people of the South East and beyond in the Funeral activities and solicited their support and that of Other stakeholders in giving the late elder statesman a befitting farewell

“Meeting resolved to set up a State Organizing Committee to implement its decisions on the ground in Anambra State; the SOC reports to the NPC. SOC to be headed by Chief Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson)

“Meeting resolved to use technology to ease the process of collating tributes for the elder statesman.

“Meeting resolved to have an

additional day of tribute in Abuja on February 7, 2023, because Chief Mbazulike Amechi was a national figure, the first Minister of Aviation in Nigeria and a former member of the House of Representatives who stood and fought also for a United Nigeria”, the communique said.

The remains of Chief Amechi have been scheduled to be interred on Thursday, 16th February 2023 after a Lying-in-State @ the Dara Mbazulike Amechi Family Compound.

The interment of Chief Amechi will however be preceded by days of tributes at the Shehu Yar’Adua Center, Abuja and the International Convention Center (ICC), Awka, Anambra State and Vigil Mass at the Dara Mbazulike Amechi family compound, Amihe, Ukpor by 5pm

I will restore Kaduna lost glory -ADP Guber candidate

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) Sani Shaaban has promised to restore the State as the pride of the North.

He asserted this while interacting with Journalists in Kaduna yesterday.

Shaaban who is an in -Law to President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and at the national level.

According to him With the Muslim-Muslim ticket, the ruling party has only succeeded in putting fire on the residents heads. Saying, their brothers from the Southern Part no longer feel comfortable with them from the North.

He explained that, the Muslim-Muslim ticket in Kaduna today is nothing but a disguise and when there is suspicion and lack of confidence the society cannot develop as expected.

Speaking further, he vowed that if given the mandate at the polls by Kaduna residents, he would restore the state’s lost glory.

“I want to bring back the glory of Kaduna. I am what I am today because of God.

“I would do the best I can to ensure Kaduna State becomes the envy of all. Kaduna is not a poor state. If there is any state that is strategically located on the planet, Kaduna is the one.

“Kaduna used to be number one in textile industry, but today the case is different. The tomatoes we have, the ginger, the pepper the grains we have, yet people are hungry,” he lamented.

“We don’t need to fall back on national grants, Kaduna State is strategic and has all it takes to stand on its own,” he declared.

“If you talk of debts, today after Lagos, Kaduna State is the most indebted in Nigeria.

“I have the will and I believe God is always with the righteous. He will not forget Shaaban and I will turn around the fortunes of the state for good

“The way they say it is indebted, that it is only a fool that would want to take over from this present government, I can weather the storm,” he declared

“I see what they do and how they do it. There are lots of African countries today, they are what they are because of my contributions. I want to replicate same here.

“We are not coming on board for the glory of the siren. We want to give back to the society

the knowledge God has given us. Two years after Sani Shaaban in Kaduna, other states will start copying us, if possible I would be a governor of more than one state,” he said.

“I want to send some words of caution to my good friends in the media. You saw what transpired from 2015 to date nationally and in Kaduna. What roles did you play in the laws brought in. Or are you being paid? ” He queried.

“Some of us know some students in the Kaduna State University (KASU) who were thinking of graduating in their 400 level, but sent back to square one because of the school fees increase. I have met some of those students, riding Keke NAPEP. Please be part of this stream, check out the situation and have love in your hearts,” he charged.

“Can you remember the case

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election and former Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007, Atiku Abubakar and Dr Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director, Policy Innovation Centre, Nigerian Economic Summit Group at the NESG presidential dialogue on Monday, 16 January 2023 in Lagos.

By Christiana Ekpa

Aformer chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Marcellinus Nlemigbo, has urged stakeholders to ensure a level playing ground during the 2023 general elections.

Nlemigbo, a former Chairman of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.

He urged the Independent

2023 elections: Former IPAC chairman urges level playing ground

National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the political parties to synergise for smooth elections.

He called on the electorate to support efforts by INEC and government at all levels for a hitch-free election.

He commended Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo for his efforts at

addressing insecurity in the state, adding that improved security would enable a better electoral process.

“Security is everybody’s business, government and the people alike. We commend Gov. Hope Uzodimma for his efforts to create an enabling environment

for a smooth electoral process.

”An enabling environment will provide a level playing ground for all actors in the electoral process and ensure that the will of the masses is respected in the long run,” he said.

He further called on youths to embrace education and pursue

a career so as to have a sense of belonging rather than pursuing get-rich-quick schemes.

This, he said, would enable a better society and equip them with the requisite knowledge and experience to manage the country in the future.

NRM asks Court to disqualify Peter Obi over alleged dual citizenship

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi is facing a fresh disqualification suit at a Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged possession of dual citizenship of two countries.

Obi was dragged before the Court by another political party, the National Rescue Movement (NRM) which among others, alleged that the presidential candidate is no longer fit, proper and qualified for the highest plum office in Nigeria on account

of his dual citizenship.

The plaintiff in the fresh suit against Obi is praying the court for an order to disqualify him from the presidential race on the ground of breach of the 1999 Constitution.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1842/2022, the Labour Party candidate was accused of acquiring citizenship of Dallas in Texas, United States of America in breach of sections 1 and 137 of Nigeria’s Constitution.

The party through its counsel, Mohammed Danjuma asked for an

order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, dealing or affording Peter Obi any right or privilege to stand for the presidential election.

In a 14-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, Peter Obi was said to have voluntarily acquired Dallas citizenship and the certificate of citizenship presented to him by the Mayor of Dallas, Mr Eric Johnson.

The party produced the picture and video recording of the presentation of the

citizenship certificate to establish its case against the defendant.

When the matter came up on Monday, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo lambasted the plaintiff for the inability to serve the originating summons on the defendants.

Justice Ekwo thereafter fixed February 10 for mention of the suit and threatened to strike out the case should the plaintiff fail to serve the court process on Peter Obi before the adjourned date.

Defendants in the suit are INEC, Peter Obi and Labour Party as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectfully.

L-R: The Chairman, Commerce and Industry Correspondence Association of Nigeria Abuja, (CICAN), Comrade Ifeanyi Onuba, Executive Director / CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Dr. Ezra Yakusak, Director, Corporate Services Department NEPC, Mrs Uduak Etokowoh and the Director International Export Office NEPC, Mr. Babatunde Faleke, during the Council Press Conference / the Presentation of NEPC year ended 2022 progress report on non oil Performance ,the highest yearly contribution in export history to the Nigerian Economy, held recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

POLITICS

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the security agencies, including the Department of State Service (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) among others to arrest or invite the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, for questioning over his alleged involvement in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) saga.

Recall that a video trending in the social media by one Michael Achimugu, purportedly a former aide to ex Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, claimed that Atiku used a Special Purpose Vehicle to launder money while in power.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the joint Media Directorate of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, led by Dele Alake, Special Adviser,

2023: North paying price of voting based on religion, ethnicity

– LP’s Yusuf Datti

By Christiana Ekpa

The Vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Yusuf Datti BabaAhmed has said Northern Nigeria is paying an extremely high price for voting based on religion and ethnicity.

The former lawmaker disclosed this during ‘The Peoples Townhall’ organised by Channels Television and its partners on Sunday. The presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi also made an appearance at the event.

Baba-Ahmed said he and Obi would collectively work towards solving all problems, including insecurity and corruption.

He said, “The day you will hear the sentence “President Peter Obi”, Nigeria has already united. Once Nigerians are united, we will collectively work towards solving all problems – insecurity, failed-failing economy, and unprecedented aggravated corruption.

“We truly deserve the votes of Nigerians because this is one election that is turning out to be about character backed by record, competence and capacity. This is clearly not supposed to be an election about sentiments of religion and ethnicity because right now, Nigeria is paying a very high price; northern Nigeria is paying an extremely high price for voting based on religion and ethnicity.

“We are going to stop the killings and start the healing; stop the stealing, start the keeping; stop the slide of our currency and start the climb of our society.”

Tinubu asks DSS, EFCC, others to arrest Atiku over alleged Special Purpose Vehicle

Media, Communications and Public Affairs, said enough of playing the ostrich regarding the Special Purpose Vehicle saga.

“We strongly demand the immediate arrest and/or invitation, interrogation and possible prosecution of alhaji Atiku abubakar”, APC said regarding the alleged Special Purpose Vehicle scandal.

He said “for about a week now, Nigerians have been in deep shock over the grave revelations by a whistle-blower, Mr. Michael Achimugu, who has provided the nation with iron-cast evidence of letters of appointment by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, emails, documents, audio clips, sworn affidavit and direct oral evidence as to how Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (who happens to be the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party) during his tenure as Vice-President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, colluded with his then boss,

President Olusegun Obasanjo, to fleece the country and steal public funds using what he termed “Special Purpose Vehicles” (SPVs).

“Those SPVs were companies Atiku admittedly registered upon assumption of office as Vice-President (with the approval of President Olusegun Obasanjo) using “trusted allies” as shareholders and Directors. The purpose was to divert government contracts to these companies as “consultants” and then paid monies into these companies and used those monies to fund the PDP and their private businesses and family activities. We can all vividly recall that during that tenure, both President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar built the Bells University and American University respectively. Now, we know from where the funds came.

“We hereby make available Certified True Copies of the affidavit sworn to and released to

the public by the whistleblower, Mr. Michael Achimugu, giving graphic details of all that transpired, including attached documents. Let us also play to you the voice recording he did of Atiku Abubakar. Note that he provided the time of the call, the phone number used and the emails immediately preceding the call.

“We understand that the law enforcement agencies may be reluctant to act simply because of the perception of persecution of a Presidential candidate that this may evoke.

“However, facts are sacred. The facts so far presented to the world clearly indicate that Atiku Abubakar has a case to answer.

In other climes when such serious allegations arose in the middle of campaigns, the law-enforcement agencies acted decisively. You may recall that, in 2016, in the middle of campaigns for the exalted office of the Presidency of the United States, the FBI opened

investigation into allegation of misuse of private emails against Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State.

“In fact, the case was referred to the Justice Department for likely prosecution few weeks to actual voting. Though, she was later cleared, it bears restating that a sane and dispassionate system never allowed such side talks to dissuade or distract them from initiating a process of investigation. It is the minimum expected in a constitutional democracy. That is what we call on the authorities to do in the case of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar”, Tinubu Media team said.

To this end, APC Presidential Campaign Council called on Atiku, in the light of the revelations, to immediately tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian people and step down from the Presidential race forthwith, and hand himself over to the law enforcement agencies.

Tinubu

2023: Yoruba Leader tasks politicians on electioneering promises

By Usman Shuaibu

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

elections.

Obi trade minister if I become president – Imumolen

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

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

peaceful election in 2023.

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

He solicited the cooperation of the traditional rulers to counsel their subjects for the smooth conduct of the

2023 general elections, while advising the parents on moral upbringing of their children in order to shun act of thuggery in the society.

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

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (right) and the newly appointed acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye during her swearing-in inside the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa, on Monday

will be special envoy,

POLITICS

By Christiana Ekpa

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, was a guest of Chatham House, the famous British international Policy institute, saying that Nigeria Presidency with him and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed in charge will dismantle inefficiency and eliminate transactional policies that breed corruption in government.

Obi who took over 15 questions from the audience after his elucidating paper on various sectors said they will dismantle the structure of criminality which they have been using to hold the country.

Stating that “there will be no sacred cow” under the Obi-Datti administration, the Labour Party Presidential candidate said that “our objective is to dismantle these structures of criminality and enthrone competence, character, and capability so that talents and ideas can flourish.”

On how he intends to cope with possibly having a National Assembly that may be dominated by other parties, Obi said he went through such experience as Governor of Anambra state when none of the 30 members of the State of Assembly came from his political party, adding that what he needed to navigate such case is to do the right thing, avoid nepotism and transactional policies, because even the parliamentarians desire good governance.

Responding to question on the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and why he has not condemned them, Obi said that for him and many other reasonable Nigerians including Igbos, the Biafra war ended 53 years ago. But he is not oblivious of the agitators’ demands for justice.

According to him, “we are going to look into the issue of justice and marginalization which some of them are hinging their grievances.

“We are going to apply the carrot and stick in dealing with the agitators. But in the end there can only be one government and we will be in charge.”

On the how to attract investors to Nigeria which was asked by a former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, Obi likened what he intends to do to attract investors to bee and and honey, he will create enabling environment where rule of law thrives and will avoid any transactional policies which breeds corruption and weakens governance.

At Chatham House, Obi vows to dismantle inefficiency, transactional policies

On security, he said it will be his top priority because everything will be done to secure the environment and he will do this by first turning the country into production and pulling people out of poverty and adequately utilizing our military.

Obi noted: “Our military once secured Africa and they should secure Nigeria and we will provide the needed leadership and political will.”

He also answered questions on

the independence of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying that what is happening in the apex bank now is a consequence of mix up of responsibilities and not necessarily of competence, a situation he assured his regime will correct by ensuring that square pegs are in square holes both in personnel and policies.

Obi also said that the ongoing fiscal rascality in the system will be dismantled and order and discipline injected into the

country’s monetary policies.

On how to navigate the so called ‘big boys’ to be able see through his beautiful policies if elected, the LP standard bearer said the challenge will be surmounted as there will be no sacred cow.

The former Anambra state Governor also provided convincing answers to questions on education, Health, debt servicing among others to win the consistent applause from the audience.

Obi gave indication of his

preparedness for the program when he was offered seat by the moderator of the program and he respectfully rejected it saying the problem in Nigeria his country is so serious not for sitting down and he stood all through the nearly two hours program.

Obi-Datti Media office reports that millions of people within and outside the country followed the program via social media and 99% of the comment’s eulogized the Candidate for his fantastic outing.

Maikalangu appoints politician as MD Of AMAC Community radio

By Usman Shuaibu

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

This was contained a press statement issued by the Senior

Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Madaki and made available to Peoples Daily correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday.

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

The statement said the Chairman had enjoined the new Managing Director to live up to

the expectation by harnessing the opportunities of the present administration of the Council to widen the scope of the proposed AMAC Commercial radio station in order to generate revenue for the station.

“Pam, before his appointment was a Special Assistant on Media and ICT to the former national Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur and also a member of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura

Namoda, Zamfara State and currently Chairman of FCT Gymnastics Sports Association,” the statement explained

The statement added: “Pam was also the Executive Director, production system Designs, Ikeja Lagos, Nonlinear Editor with a Germany firm, sylvio projects studio, Asokoro, Abuja. Nonlinear Editor with Quest Media Abuja and production, manager with Elopce. Worldwide television”.

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

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

L-R: Director Chemical Technology, Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), Mr. Mej Bassey, Permanent Secretary FMSTI, Mrs Monilola Udoh, Minister of State, Science Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, Director, Science Technology and Innovation Promotion department FMSTI, Mr Umar Shuaib and the CEO Mirakon events, Expo event planner, Mr.Micheal Okokon, during the Minister’s media briefing and inspection of the venue of the 7th Edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2023, theme: Actualizing Effective Diversification of Nigeria Economy through Science, Technology and innovation, held on Friday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

MultiChoice to support INEC’s PVC collection drive through BBTitans reality show

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

MultiChoice Nigeria, says it will fully support the nationwide campaign by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the collection of the permanent voters’ card (PVC).

MultiChoice Nigeria, the subsidiary of MultiChoice Africa, owner of DStv and GOtv, said this in a statement on Monday.

The PVC is a measure to improve the credibility of the electoral process through identity theft elimination and is a prerequisite for participation in the coming general elections.

The elections are expected to kick off on February 25, 2023, with the presidential and national assembly elections, while that of the governorship and states houses of assembly elections will hold on March 11.

MultiChoice Nigeria said it aims to support the collection of PVC “in the shape of regular and free broadcast of INEC’s messages on PVC collection by registered eligible voters on channels on its DStv and GOtv platforms.”

According to the company, the broadcast will (in particular) be targeted at youth, the country’s biggest voting demographic category, through DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 29, as that the two channels are dedicated to the round-the-clock broadcast of BB Titans — the new edition of the Big Brother Nigeria reality TV show.

Speaking on its decision to support INEC’s PVC collection drive, John Ugbe, chief executive officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, said the company is committed to country’s democratic development, especially the credibility of electoral processes and procedures.

This, Ugbe said, can only be accelerated through mass participation, especially by the youth, and begins with the possession of valid means of voting, which is the PVC.

“As a Nigerian company, we are invested in the country’s democratic advancement through mass participation and highfidelity electoral procedures and

Oando issues update on release of audited financial statements

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Oando Plc has issued an update on publication of its outstanding audited earnings reports for the financial years 2020 and 2021 as well as its financial statements for the first, second and third quarters of 2022.

The energy firm said in a statement it conducted its

43rd annual general meeting last August when shareholders endorsed its 2019 audited accounts and appointed new independent auditors BDO Professional Services to audit its books for 2020 and 2021.

“Unfortunately, due to the lengthy onboarding process required for new external auditors and the complexity of auditing the several companies that make

up the Oando Group, we wish to notify the market that the conclusion of the audit has been slightly delayed”, Oando said.

It expects its 2020 audited financials to reach the public by 28 February and those for 2021 to be released by 31 May.

Unaudited earnings reports for Q1 to Q4 have been scheduled for release on 30 June while the 2022 audited financial statements

are due on 31 August.

“The Company sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to our esteemed stakeholders by this further delay and can confirm that concerted efforts are being made to finalize the above-stated accounts as soon as possible so as to ensure that the Company is in full compliance with its regulatory obligations”, the document said.

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it has discovered antifree market practices such as price-fixing being perpetrated by importers and sellers of generating sets in Nigeria.

Babatunde Irukera, chief executive officer (CEO), FCCPC, said this in an interview on Arise TV.

He said through intelligence gathering, FCCPC also saw that some of the companies were equally shortchanging the government in payment of duties for imported spare parts.

Irukera said some of the companies importing and selling generators took “undue advantage” of the opportunity provided by government through exemption of duty payment on imported completely knocked down parts (CKDs) intended to boost alternative energy and increase affordability of alternative power sources for consumers.

The FCCPC boss explained that the policy is part of the government’s efforts to address power generation, transmission and distribution deficits in the

country for the people to access supply at an affordable price.

“The least that a society should experience is that the candle doesn’t burn from both ends and is not shortchanged even with respect to the cost of providing alternative power, typically referred to as renewable energy,” he said.

“So, we got credible intelligence that in the generator sector, there were a few things that were going wrong.

“Number one, in order to address generation, transmission and distribution deficits, one of the things the government has done is to relax certain rules with getting your alternative power.

“One of them is reducing or even eliminating duties with respect to CKDs to build a generator and so, most generator importers bring in these CKDs and then assemble.

“That does two things: The lack of duties makes it more affordable for consumers, and then, it also promotes local industry in the sense that, at least, it brings the value-adding process to be done domestically, which is the assembling.”

On the alleged price fixing by the companies, Irukera

explained that the council also discovered that there was some level of coordination where some companies were talking with themselves and agreeing by signaling on how the prices moved.

“So, with all that information that we had, we presented that to the judge of the federal high court and when the judge was convinced, the judge issued a search warrant, an order for us to execute and that’s what we did.

“We executed a search warrant simultaneously on multiple operators in the industry at the end of last year.

“Usually, an investigation of this nature takes quite a while because you now have to start slicing the information that you have got.

“Certain terabytes of information was downloaded from their computers, their emails and telephones and so, we are analysing that information”.

Irukera also said the enactment of the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 has limited the council’s powers over the Nigerian banking industry, especially in dealing with

complaints by customers.

The FCCPC boss explained that the law excluded the FCCPC act from the banking industry.

This, according to Irukera, meant that the oversight work that FCCPC does with resolving complaints in financial institutions became limited.

“So, essentially, the real statutory platform for resolving banking complaints is now the central bank exclusively,” he said.

“However, because banking constitutes the second largest complaints we receive, what we have done at the FCCPC is to continue to do the work in the banking sector based on an understanding that withdrawing that channel would absolutely be chaotic.

“And so, we’re struggling with having the statutory tools to deal with the banking sector as we used to.

“And one of the results of this is that we don’t have the visibility that we would have to be able to contribute to policy and execution of policy in a way that would truly and fully capture what we know based on our experience in dealing with banking customers and what we understand the landscape of the

FCCPC probes ‘sharp practices’ by importers, sellers of generators

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), says it will start the process of reviewing the national minimum wage on January 23.

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the minimum wage act that approved N30,000 for both federal and state workers in 2019.

Speaking in Abuja recently, Emmanuel Njoku, the spokesperson of NSIWC, said the commission had held a series of training and meetings

FG to start minimum wage review January 23

in preparation for nationwide monitoring of the act.

“The exercise will enlighten the public and private employers and organisations on the economic benefits of adhering to the payment of the national minimum wage,” he said.

“It will also help in obtaining baseline data on remuneration policies and practices of private sector organisations to enrich the commission’s data bank on staff compensation.

“The monitoring exercise will cover the 36 states of the federation including the federal

capital territory.”

In October 2021, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), called on the federal government to look into reviewing the current minimum wage, citing increment in prices of goods and services.

Ayuba Wabba, NLC

president, who spoke on Workers Decent Work Day said: “N30,000 cannot buy a bag of rice, and we know how the cost of goods or services has gone up. In fact, the worst is that when you retire, you have to struggle to get your benefits.”

BOI clarifies processes for NG-CARES grants disbursement

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Bank of Industry (BOI) says states are responsible for selecting the beneficiaries of grants under the Nigeria COVID-19 action recovery and economic stimulus Program (NG-CARES).

BOI, in a statement, made clarifications on the processes of implementation and disbursements of the grants, following questions raised by some stakeholders.

NG-CARES is an initiative of the World Bank and the federal government of Nigeria to support the recovery of communities, households, and businesses affected by COVID-19.

The programme is stateowned, as state governments are fully responsible for funding and selection of beneficiaries.

So far, BOI has received over one million applications for the NG-CARES MSME grants across states.

In the statement, the bank said the funding arrangement allows each state the autonomy to determine their preferred grant sizes and number of grants across different programme components as approved by the World Bank.

“Based on the Bank of Industry (BOI)’s successful track record of building field networks and technology infrastructure for the transparent implementation of MSME intervention programmes, the World Bank nominated the bank to provide this infrastructure for the delivery of the MSME component of NG-CARES (RA3) nationwide,” the statement reads.

“Following this nomination, 28 out of 33 states chose BOI as their preferred execution partner to leverage the bank’s MSME infrastructure to deliver NGCARES.

“Under this partnership, the states are solely responsible for nominating the beneficiaries and selecting those grants are to be disbursed to, following successful verification.

“BOI’s role as execution partner is to manage the end-toend application and verification

processes, and present successful candidates to enable states’ decision-making for disbursements. BOI disburses as instructed by the state.”

The bank further explained that beneficiaries will not receive the grant if they do not meet the

criteria.

“While several beneficiaries may apply or be nominated, beneficiaries do not receive the grant if they do not meet the criteria to qualify, or if their states do not select them for disbursement as the states seeks

to manage the funding available for the programme and ensure the equitable distribution of benefits across business categories, local government areas, gender, or other demographics.”

It added that further enquiries on the eligibility requirements,

implementation status, and other programme information can be made through the NG-CARES federal CARES support unit, state delivery agencies, or the official program website www.ngcares. gov.ng.

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Adetokunbo Kayode, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and five other senior advocates of Nigeria (SAN) have asked Abubakar Malami to prevent the Department of State Services (DSS) from arresting Godwin Emefiele.

The other SANs, who wrote under the aegis of Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, included Oba Maduabuchi, Emeka Ozoani, M.M Nurudeen, Abdul Mohammed, and Emeka Obegolu.

Following the announcement of the new cash withdrawal policy, there have been speculations over a plot to frame Emefiele, the CBN governor.

The DSS had recently filed an

application before the federal high court sitting in Abuja, seeking a warrant to arrest Emefiele over allegations that he was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.

In declining the ex parte motion — usually filed by an applicant in the absence of the respondent — John Tsoho, the chief judge, said the secret police did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims.

Also, a federal capital territory (FCT) high court sitting in Maitama issued an order restraining the DSS from arresting the CBN governor.

In the letter dated January 6, the senior advocates urged Malami, the current AGF, to ensure the DSS abides by the court orders.

“In spite of these two categorical judicial decisions, we observe moves to still

proceed and sidetrack and disobey the court decisions and unduly and unlawfully interfere with Mr. Emefiele’s fundamental rights,” the lawyers said.

“In the circumstance, we wish to urge the Hon attorneygeneral of the federation to use his good offices to guarantee and ensure that the government, especially the security agencies, observe the rule of law as a foundation of a democratic society by complying with court decisions.

“The court, as the last hope of the citizen, has made a pronouncement on the legal rights and obligations of citizen Godwin Emefiele. It behoves on all agencies of government to obey the order of the court until such order is set aside by an appellate court.

“The constitutional role of the judiciary as the third arm

of government includes to serve as a bulwark against oppression and intimidation. The judiciary remains available to both the government and the citizens in the ventilation of perceived grievances.

“Consequently, we respectfully urge the Hon. attorney-general, as chief law officer of the federation, to ensure adherence to the rule of law and advise the security agencies, especially the Department of State Security (DSS) to comply with the order of the court and not do anything that will cast this government in a very negative light In this circumstance.

“This is very important as it will signal to Nigerians and the international community that the government is committed to the rule of law as we proceed into this transition era.”

Emefiele: Ensure DSS abides by court order, senior advocates write Malami

Pupils of The Manor International School at the assembly session during the school resumption from Christmas and New Year holidays, yesterday in Kubwa, Abuja

Nigeria’s inflation rate drops to 21.34% in Dec 2022

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Nigeria’s inflation rate eased to 21.34% in December 2022 from 21.47% in November 2022, first drop in about 11 months.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest inflation report showed a decline of 0.13% between November

and December.

“In December 2022, the headline inflation rate eased to 21.34% compared to November 2022 headline inflation rate which was 21.47%,” the NBS report partly read.

“Looking at the trend, December 2022 inflation rate showed a decline of 0.13% when compared to November 2022

inflation rate.

“However, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 5.72% points higher compared to the rate recorded in December 2021, which was (15.63%). This shows that the headline inflation rate increased in the month of December 2022 when compared to the same month in the preceding year

(i.e., December 2021).

“On a month-on-month basis, the percentage change in the All Items Index in December 2022 was 1.71%, which was 0.32% higher than the rate recorded in November 2022 (1.39%). This means that in the month of December 2022, the general price level was 0.32% higher relative to November

2022.

“The percentage change in the average CPI for the twelve months ending December 2022 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 18.85%, showing 1.89% increase compared to the 16.95% recorded in December 2021.”

FG approves over N4.7 Billion for 219 TETFund research grants

By Maryam Abeeb

The Federal Government has approved the sum of N4,736,782,352.21 for the award of 219 research grants to successful participants under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) programme for the 2021 grant cycle.

A statement by the Acting Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi said that this followed the report of the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC) which recommended the funding of the 219 research proposals after a rigorous screening exercise which commenced with the receipt of 4,810 Concept Notes from prospective applicants in November 2021.

According to him, a breakdown of

the approval indicates that the sum of N3,066,156,844.61 was approved for the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) thematic group, N806,381,998.00 for Humanities and Social Science (HSS) while Cross Cutting (CC) received N864,242,509.60, with individual grants ranging from N4.5 million to over N41 million.

It’s reads,” some of the approved research works tailored towards enhancing national development include Molecular epidemiology of recurrent cholera outbreaks in Nigeria and pre-clinical evaluation of indigenous medicinal plants for its management; Effective High Throughput Phenotyping and Artificial Pollination for Improved Yield in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) with Autonomous Drone and Investigating Nigerian medicinal plants as

sources of lead compounds for development of chemotherapeutic interventions for uterine fibroid and Production of Cartridge made from Hydrochar for the Treatment of Textile and Tannery Wastewater in Nigeria: ″Emerging Technology for Sustainable Water Purification using Biomass Waste; all under the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) thematic group.

“Projects under Cross Cutting thematic group include Design and Fabrication of Efficient Solar Energy Storage System for Electricity Generation to Rural Communities; Adaptation of Conventional Septic Tank to Bio-digester for Sustainable Energy Generation and Viable Economy for Households Use in Nigeria and Development of Polymer-soilcrete Blocks and Pozzolanic Cement Concrete for

Integrated and Sustainable Mass Housing in Nigeria, amongst others.

“Approved under Social Science are Development and evaluation of phytoestrogenic transdermal nanogel for the management of menopausal symptoms and associated diseases; Fabrication and Characterization of New Glass Series from Rice Husk and Bismuth-Tin Ores for Application in Radiation Shielding and Green Pathway for Barite Production towards Decarbonisation of Mining Sector in Nigeria, amongst others.

“The National Research Fund (NRF) Grant was introduced to encourage cuttingedge research which explore research areas relevant to societal needs of Nigeria such as power and energy, health, security, agriculture, employment and wealth creation etc.

METRO

Maikalangu tackles Candido over relaunched Abuja ‘Park And Pay’ Scheme

By Stanley Onyekwere

Following the planned revamping of the suspended controversial ‘Park and Pay’ policy by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu has lampooned the Secretary, FCT Transport Secretariat, Hon Abdullahi Adamu Candido for allegedly misleading the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, on the policy.

Maikalangu, who is the successor of Candido as AMAC Chairman, said the plan by the FCTA would not be accepted by the Council, as it wasn’t the Administration’s duty to do so according to extant law.

The Council boss, in a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Community

Development, Yunusa Yusuf, described the move as unjustifiable and aimed at denying AMAC the right to get its legitimate revenue to provide social amenities to the people at the grassroots of the nation’s capital city.

He noted that the law does not permit another body to collect or manage motorists’ activities, especially on streets and motor parks in FCT, describing the recent announcement by the FCT Transportation Secretariat to reintroduce the ‘Park and Pay’ policy as very disturbing.

The statement reads: “ It was worrisome for the Transportation Secretariat to be cooking up a kangaroo way to implement the ‘park and pay’ policy, which ideally the law does not permit it to do and does not have the power to do.

“The FCTA should hands off the policy

which has been planned to take off by the end of the first quarter of 2023. Because if it is allowed to return, it will affect revenue generation in the council.

“We want to clearly warn that nobody should cajole the minister to do the wrong thing. We know that the minister is lawabiding.

“It is clear that it is the responsibility of the local government to collect the park and pay or cooperate parking or any other name they want to fine tone or call it, so we want to tell the Transport Secretariat not to mislead the FCT administration.

“We want to say clearly as AMAC, we reject whatever action that will be introducing park and pay from the FCT Administration, it is not their duty, it is the duty of the local government, we have it in our laws, in our

by-laws, in our acts, whatsoever you want to define it, and it has been both in the court of law, and it is clear that it is our responsibility.

“There are so many laws FCTA should concentrate on, not the ‘park and pay’. We have issues like that of the train station, people are dying, and neighboring communities are sacrificed for train stations and railways.

“They should go and attend to those issues, we know how people’s bags are been snatched in train stations.

“I think the FCTA has enough job to do, rather than concentrating on how to collect park and pay or cooperate parking or whatever it is called.

“It is solely the responsibility of AMAC and we have all the manpower required to enforce it and ensure that we get it done”.

NGO seeks stronger collaborations in humanitarian services

By Stanley Onyekwere

ANon-governmental Organization (NGO), Gracious Foundation has sort for a stronger partnership with the government, local and international donors and other spirited individuals to excel in its humanitarian services to the people.

The Foundation made this point at a workshop/ sensitisation, where health professionals gave talks on different areas, ranging from; menstruation, menstrual cycle, menstrual hygiene and everything a growing and maturing girl should know concerning her developing body.

Also, participants were exposed to the dangers inherent in unprotected sex and the need to maintain sexual purity as growing up girls.

The seminar, which centered on the consequences of engaging in early sexual intimacy with the opposite, also touched on how unwholesome practices could lead to unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV/ AIDS, amongst others.

Speaking at the, founder of the NGO, Miss Amarachi Smart Ukonu, while distributing free sanitary pads to 96 teenage girls from Ndi Uduma Awoke Community of Abia state, decried

poor usage and lack of awareness of its health implication.

Ukonu, the lead organiser of the Pad a Girl Child Outreach, reeled out the vision/mission of the Foundation to include:

reaching out to vulnerable children and the youth in rural and semi-urban areas with the Gospel of Christ, health awareness and needs, educational empowerment, food provision, poverty alleviation,

skill acquisition.

She also revealed that an extensive- random research conducted by her team and other concern Organizations showed that about 80 percent of

adolescent girls in rural and semiurban areas use rags and tissue papers during menstruation, due to high cost of sanitary pads and lack of awareness of their health implication.

FCTA tasks directors on excellent service

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has enjoined the newly promoted Directors to justify their elevation in their respective cadres by ensuring excellent service delivery.

Recall that the Administration promoted 6,784 staff with 174 for the position of Directors and 6,610 for Deputy Directors and below across the Secretariats, Departments and Agencies.

FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, who gave this charge, said out of 7,144 that participated in the process, 6,784 were successful.

He said promotion exercise in Civil Service is not automatic, but only those who work hard and dedicate themselves to the service will earn it.

He added that the FCT Administration has always considered the restructuring of administrative system as priority to enhance effective and efficient productivity.

The Permanent Secretary, in a statement from Director, FCT Information & Communication, Muhammad Hazat Sule, noted that the promotion was transparent and unbiased; adding that those who got it, truly earned it.

He, however, warned the staff of the FCT Administration against indulging in acts inimical to Civil Services rule; adding that the Administration will not hesitate to apply necessary sanction to anyone found wanting in the discharge of his/her function.

The Permanent Secretary commended the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, for his support in the course of the exercise.

Earlier, the Director, Human Resource Management Department, Mallam Muhammad Bashir explained that the examination for the promotion of the officers was conducted in accordance with the Civil Service rules and regulations.

He equally urged the newly promoted officials to redouble their efforts in the service of the FCT Administration.

L-R: Project Coordinator, Fiscal Accountability for Inequality Reduction, Oxfam in Nigeria, Mr Henry; representative of the Country Director, Oxfam in Nigeria, Ms Regina Afiemo; Executive Director, Connected Development, Malam Hamzat Lawal; and the Coordinator, Climate Justice Project, Oxfam in Nigeria, Mr Kenneth Akpan, during the World Economic Forum/Davos 2023 news conference on ‘how we must tax the super-rich now to fight inequality’ and the unveiling of Davos 2023 Inequality Report, yesterday in Abuja . Photo; Justin Imo-owo

world news

Italy’s most-wanted Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro arrested in Sicily

Italy’s most-wanted Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested in Sicily after 30 years on the run.

Messina Denaro was reportedly detained in a private clinic in Sicily’s capital, Palermo, where he was receiving treatment for cancer.

He is alleged to be a boss of the notorious Cosa Nostra Mafia and he was tried and sentenced to life in jail in absentia in 2002 over numerous murders.

More than 100 members of the armed forces were involved in his arrest.

Italian media reported that Messina Denaro was captured just before 10:00 (09:00 GMT) and taken to a secret location by the Carabinieri. He was reportedly visiting the clinic under a fake name for a course of chemotherapy.

A video circulated by Italian media appears to show people standing in the street and applauding the Italian police as Messina Denaro is led away.

Messina Denaro once boasted he could “fill a cemetery” with his victims.

The Mafia boss also oversaw racketeering, illegal waste dumping, money-laundering and drug-trafficking for the powerful Cosa Nostra organised crime syndicate.

He was reportedly the protege of Totò Riina, head of the Corleone clan, who was arrested in 1993 after 23 years on the run.

Clans nicknamed Messina Denaro “Diabolik” - the name of an uncatchable thief in a comic book series - and “U Siccu” (Skinny).

He is thought to be Cosa Nostra’s last “secret-keeper”. Many informers

and prosecutors believe that he holds all the information and the names of those involved in several of the most high-profile crimes by the Mafia, including the bomb attacks that killed magistrates Falcone and Borsellino.

Although Messina Denaro had been a fugitive since 1993, he was thought to have still been issuing orders to his subordinates from various secret locations.

Over the decades, Italian investigators often came close to catching Messina Denaro by monitoring those closest to him.

This resulted in the arrest of his sister Patrizia and several other of his associates in 2013. Police also seized valuable businesses linked to Messina Denaro, leaving him increasingly isolated.

However, few photos of Messina Denaro existed and police had to rely on digital composites to reconstruct his appearance in the decades after he went on the run. A recording of his voice was not released until 2021.

In September 2021, a Formula 1 fan from Liverpool was arrested at gunpoint in a restaurant in the Netherlands after being mistaken for Messina Denaro.

Italians were glued to their screens on Monday morning when news of the arrest of the mafia boss broke.

For years, Messina Denaro had been a symbol of the state’s inability to reach the upper echelons of the organised crime syndicates.

His arrest will be an unexpected sign of hope that the Mafia can be eradicated even in the southern regions of the country,

where the state is perceived as largely absent and ineffective.

University of Essex criminology professor Anna Sergi told the BBC that Messina Denaro’s arrest was “symbolic not just because he was the boss of Cosa Nostra, but because he represents the last fugitive the Italian state really wanted to get its hands on.”

She said the reason people applauded in Palermo and the state felt “triumphant” was because the news felt like closure.

However, questions are likely to arise over the timing of the arrest.

Prof Sergi suggested it was still unclear

how the morning raid on the clinic came about, who tipped the authorities off and crucially, how it was possible for Messina Denaro to “run around Sicily, presumably protected, for 30 years”.

Messina Denaro was being treated for cancer so was “quite sick”, the professor said, adding people were speculating that someone in the crime world had decided he was no longer useful.

“This means he was likely still part of structure where there is an exchange of favours between the Mafia and state, and where one can be given up in return for something,” she explained.

Met Police officer David Carrick admits to being serial rapist

AMetropolitan Police armed officer who used his role to put fear into his victims has admitted dozens of rape and sexual offences against 12 women.

David Carrick, 48, who met some victims through dating websites, pleaded guilty to 49 offences across two decades.

The Met has apologised after it emerged he had come to the attention of police over nine incidents, including rape allegations, between 2000 and 2021.

A senior officer said his offending was “unprecedented in policing”.

Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray, the Met’s lead for professionalism, said: “We should have spotted his pattern of abusive behaviour and because we didn’t, we missed opportunities to remove him from the organisation.

“We are truly sorry that being able to continue to use his role as a police officer may have prolonged the suffering of his victims.

“We know they felt unable to come forward sooner because he told them they would not be believed.”

Carrick, who admitted 24 counts of rape, was suspended from duty when he was arrested in October 2021.

His offences spanned 2003 to 2020 and most took place in Hertfordshire, where he lived.

Carrick, from Stevenage, would control what the women wore, what they ate, where they slept and even stopped some

of the women from speaking to their own children.

He was finally stopped when one woman did decide to report him. In October 2021, following publicity about disgraced Metropolitan Police officer PC Wayne Couzens, she contacted police.

Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Carrick held a role where he was trusted with the responsibility of protecting the public, but yet over 17 years, in his private life, he did the exact opposite.

“This is a man who relentlessly degraded, belittled and sexually assaulted and raped women.

“As time went on, the severity of his offending intensified as he became emboldened, thinking he would get away with it.”

She said the “scale of the degradation Carrick subjected his victims to is unlike anything I’ve encountered in my 34 years with the Crown Prosecution Service”.

Carrick, who served with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, met some victims through online dating sites such as Tinder and Badoo, and used his role as a police officer to gain their trust.

He admitted four counts of rape, false imprisonment and indecent assault relating to a 40-year-old woman in 2003, at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.

It can now be reported that Carrick

had already pleaded guilty to 43 charges, including 20 counts of rape, in December.

Carrick admitted raping nine women, some on multiple occasions over months or years, with many of those attacks involving violence that would have left them physically injured.

Speaking outside court, Det Ch Insp Iain Moor, from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “The details of David Carrick’s crimes are truly shocking.

“I suspect many will be appalled and sickened by his actions, but I hope the victims and the public more widely are reassured that no-one is above the law and the police service will relentlessly pursue those offenders who target women in this way.”

He said he expected even more victims to come forward.

Carrick admitted to false imprisonment offences, having on a number of occasions forced one of his victims into a small cupboard under the stairs at his home.

Det Ch Insp Moor, the senior investigating officer, said: “I have seen bigger dog crates.”

After Carrick’s first guilty pleas, the Met stopped his pay and began an accelerated misconduct process, with a hearing due to take place on Tuesday.

Harriet Wistrich, director of campaign group the Centre for Women’s Justice, said: “We have known for some time that

there has been a culture of impunity for such offending by police officers.

“Recent reports show a woefully deficient vetting and misconduct system and a largely unchallenged culture of misogyny in some sections of the Met.

“That Carrick could have not only become a police officer but remain a serving officer for so long whilst he perpetrated these horrific crimes against women, is terrifying.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said he was “absolutely sickened and appalled” by Carrick’s crimes.

He said “serious questions must be answered about how he was able to abuse his position as an officer in this horrendous manner”.

In the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer, the force publicly proclaimed its commitment to protecting women and launched an “action plan” to try to regain trust.

But it has now admitted its professional standards department made no attempt to check the full record of another officer accused of rape.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said it was “an appalling case” and that Rishi Sunak’s “thoughts are with all of [Carrick’s] victims”.

“There is no place in our police forces for officers who fall so seriously short of the acceptable standards of behaviour and are not fit to wear the uniform.”BBC

Matteo Messina Denaro was reportedly detained in a medical clinic

What is the UK’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda?

The UK government plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The High Court has ruled the scheme is legal, but the decision is facing further challenges in the courts.

What is the Rwanda asylum plan?

The five-year trial will see some asylum seekers sent to Rwanda on a one-way ticket, to claim asylum there.

They may be granted refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If not, they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or seek asylum in a “safe third country”.

The government says this will deter people arriving in the UK through “illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods”, such as on small boats which cross the English Channel.

However, the numbers crossing have not fallen since the policy was announced on 14 April. More than 45,000 people used this route to come to the UK in 2022, the highest figure since records began.

Is the Rwanda scheme legal?

Opponents argue that Rwanda is not a safe destination for asylum seekers and that the scheme breaks human rights laws.

But in December the High Court ruled that the plan is legal. It said the Rwanda scheme does not breach the UN’s Refugee Convention.

However, on 16 January, the High Court ruled that the some of the groups who lost the case have the right to appeal against parts of its decision.

That means flights will not be able to take off to Rwanda while the case goes to the Court of Appeal. No date has been set.

How many people could be sent to

Rwanda?

The UK government previously said “anyone entering the UK illegally” after 1 January 2022 could be sent, with no limit on numbers.

Rwanda says it can process 1,000 asylum seekers during the trial period, but has capacity for more.

Under the deal, Rwanda can also ask the UK to take in some of its most vulnerable refugees.

However, no asylum seeker has actually been sent to the country. The first flight was scheduled to go in June, but was cancelled after the legal challenges.

Privilege Style - the airline which was scheduled to take asylum seekers to Rwanda - has said it will withdraw from its contract with the Home Office, following a campaign by refugee charities.

How much will the plan cost?

So far the UK has paid the Rwandan government £140m for the scheme.

Other costs would include flights to Rwanda, food, accommodation, access to translators and legal advice. Removing people from the UK by charter flight cost more than £13,000 per person in 2020.

When the policy was announced, former Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove said the cost would be “similar to the amount of money we are spending on this currently”. He said that “longer term, by getting this under control, it should help us to save money”.

The UK’s asylum system costs £1.5bn a year. Almost £7m a day is spent on hotel accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers.

Critics say the daily cost is so high because of the time taken to decide on applications, and a ban on asylum seekers working while waiting for confirmation of their status.

What is an asylum seeker?

The UN Refugee Agency defines an asylum seeker as someone who has applied for shelter and protection in another country.

A refugee is a person who has fled conflict or persecution in their own country.

The legal rights of refugees are protected by international law. However, it is up to host countries to decide whether an asylum seeker is granted refugee status.

In the year to September 2022, the UK received 72,027 asylum applications, the highest number for nearly 20 years. Of these, more than 17,000 people and

Rwanda asylum policy: Migrants granted right to challenge

Migrants facing potential removal to Rwanda under the Home Office’s relocation scheme have won permission to challenge the policy.

Last month the High Court ruled that the scheme was lawful.

Today’s ruling means there is no prospect of flights leaving immediately while it goes to the Court of Appeal.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said she is committed to making the Rwanda policy work.

SharedZimbabwe activists in court accused of illegal gathering

Twenty-five Zimbabwean opposition activists have appeared in court after being arrested on Saturday.

They were accused of holding an illegal gathering at the home of Costa Machinate - an MP from the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change.

The party says on Saturday a lawyer who was trying to meet the detained opposition activists was badly beaten by the police who broke his arm.

Anti-riot police armed with assault rifles, batons and teargas prevented many journalists from attending the trial.

The opposition and rights groups say the governing Zanu-PF party has launched a campaign of violence ahead of this year's elections.BBC

Under the controversial scheme, asylum seekers who arrive from a safe countrysuch as in a small boat from France - can be told they will be sent to Rwanda, to have their claim for protection dealt with there.

The scheme has so far cost the UK £140m - but no migrants have been sent to the country.

During Monday’s High Court hearing, Lord Justice Lewis and Mr Justice Swift said that 11 migrants could ask the Court of Appeal to consider whether Rwanda’s assurances to the UK amounted to sufficient guarantees of safe and fair treatment.

No date has been set for the case to go before the Court of Appeal, and the Home Office is abiding by an injunction from the European Court of Human Rights, which blocked flights until after British judges had finally ruled.

The court said the group could argue that sending them to Rwanda penalised them for seeking protection and that the entire plan is systemically unfair.

In December’s judgement, the High Court had ruled that while individual migrants earmarked for the Rwanda flights had been treated unfairly, the scheme as a whole was legally permissible and the government had acted rationally in choosing the African nation as a partner.

Asylum Aid, a charity, is also expected to lodge an appeal, saying that it can provide the court with expert evidence that Home Office decision-making is systemically unfair.

Three organisations who were part of the original case - Care4Calais, the PCSU union that represents immigration caseworkers and Detention Action, had their cases thrown out last December - but have another fortnight to consider trying to appeal.

This morning, the home secretary’s lawyers urged judges to only allow an appeal on issues that were genuinely

compelling - while also acknowledging the case could progress to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal has ruled.

In practice, that could mean the plan could remain in limbo for much of 2023 - or even into next year if judges do not prioritise the appeals.

Ms Braverman has not said when she hopes a flight will leave for Rwanda.

Rishi Sunak has made ending English Channel crossings a priority and the Rwanda scheme aims to deter migrants from taking small boats across the sea.

Somali forces take key coastal town from al-Shabab

The military in Somalia has captured a strategic coastal town that al-Shabab jihadists had held for more than a decade.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre described the taking of Haradhere, in central Galmudug state, as an historic victory.

He said the enemy of the nation had

been destroyed.

Other officials said the Islamist militant group fled without putting up a fight.

The loss of the port and supply route is seen as a set-back for al-Shabab.

In recent months it has lost swathes of territory during a sustained offensive by government forces working with clan militias. But the al-Qaeda-linked insurgents have responded with frequent bomb attacks.

Ethiopia dead likely in hundreds of thousands - official

The number of people who died during the two-year-long civil war in northern Ethiopia is likely to be in the hundreds of thousands but it is very hard “to tell the exact number”, head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission Daniel Bekele told BBC Focus on Africa.

He was responding to an estimate of 600,000 dead given by Africa Union mediator Olusegun Obasanjo to the UK’s Financial Times newspaper.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has

said she is determined to make the Rwanda policy work

Siamak Namazi: American jailed in Iran begins hunger strike

An American-Iranian imprisoned in Iran has begun a seven-day hunger strike to protest against the failure of the US to free him and other dual nationals.

Siamak Namazi appealed to President Joe Biden in an open letter to honour his government’s promise to make bringing them home its highest priority.

He asked Mr Biden to spend one minute a day for seven days thinking about them.

Namazi was arrested in 2015 and later sentenced to 10 years in jail on spying charges that the US said were baseless.

The 51-year-old oil executive started his hunger strike seven years to the day that Iran released five Americans in a prisoner exchange that coincided with the implementation day of a nuclear deal with the US and other world powers.

“When the Obama administration unconscionably left me in peril and freed the other American citizens Iran held hostage on January 16, 2016, the US Government promised my family to have me safely home within weeks,” he wrote in the letter to President Biden.

“Yet seven years and two presidents later, I remain caged in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.”

His father Baquer, 86, was arrested a month after the 2016 swap, after he had travelled to Iran to visit his son in prison.

That October, a Revolutionary Court convicted both men of the charge of “co-operating with a foreign enemy state” and handed them 10-year sentences.

They had denied the charges and a UN working group condemned their detention as arbitrary and in violation of international law. It also warned

that Siamak had been subjected to prolonged solitary confinement and allegedly tortured, beaten and tasered by Revolutionary Guards at Evin.

Baquer’s health declined significantly while he was in detention, and in 2018 he was released to house arrest on medical grounds. His sentence was commuted to time served in 2020, but he was only allowed to leave Iran for treatment last October.

Siamak - who was also not included in two prisoner swaps negotiated by the Trump administration - told Mr Biden that only the US president had the power to bring him home along with the two other imprisoned American-Iranians - Morad Tahbaz, who is also a British citizen, and Emad Shargi.

“In the past I implored you to reach for your moral compass and find the resolve to bring the

US hostages in Iran home. To no avail. Not only do we remain Iran’s prisoners, but you have not so much as granted our families a meeting.

“So today I feel compelled to

adjust my ask. All I want sir, is one minute of your days’ time for the next seven days devoted to thinking about the tribulations of the US hostages in Iran.”

Nepal air crash: Indian passenger’s video caught plane’s last moments

In the hours after Nepal’s deadliest plane crash for 30 years, a video went viral in India - it showed one of the victims, Sonu Jaiswal, livestreaming from the plane just seconds before the crash.

He was part of a group of four friends from Ghazipur in India who were visiting Nepal, and were on the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

In the footage, Pokhara airport’s surroundings are visible from the doomed plane as it comes into land, those on board unaware they are just moments from death.

None of the 72 people on board are believed to have survived the crash.

The video shows the plane gliding gently over the honeycombs of buildings dotting brown-green fields, before the man filming it turns the camera around and smiles.

He then turns it around again to show other passengers in the aircraft.

The following details could be distressing to some readers.

Moments pass, then there’s a deafening crash.

Within seconds huge flames and smoke fill the screen as the camera keeps recording. What sounds like the screeching of an engine is audible, as well as breaking glass and then screams before the video ends.

Friends and family members of Sonu Jaiswal told reporters that they had watched the video on his Facebook account, confirming its authenticity.

“Sonu did the [livestream] when the plane crashed in a gorge near the Seti River,” Mukesh Kashyap, Jaiswal’s

friend, told reporters.

Local journalist Shashikant Tiwari told the BBC that Kashyap showed him the video on Jaiswal’s Facebook profile, which is set to private.

It is not clear how Jaiswal accessed the internet to stream from the plane.

Abhishek Pratap Shah, a former lawmaker in Nepal, told Indian news channel NDTV that rescuers had recovered the phone on which the video was found from the plane’s wreckage.

“It [the video clip] was sent by one of my friends, who received it from a police officer. It is a real record,” Mr Shah told NDTV.

Officials in Nepal have not confirmed his claim or commented on the footage, which could help crash investigators in their work.

But for the loved ones of the four men - Jaiswal, Abhishek Kushwaha, Anil Rajbhar and Vishal Sharma - none of this matters. They say they are “too shattered” to care.

“The pain is hard to explain,” said Chandrabhan Maurya, the brother of Abhishek Kushwaha.

“The government needs to help us as much as they can. We want the bodies of our loved ones to be returned to us.”

Authorities in Ghazipur in northern Uttar Pradesh state said they are in touch with the four families and the Indian embassy in Kathmandu to offer any possible help.

“We have also told the families that if they want to travel to Kathmandu, we will make all the arrangements for them,” district magistrate Aryaka Akhauri told reporters.

Several villagers remembered the four men as “kind, funloving souls”. They said they were devastated by the tragedy that had struck their otherwise quiet lives.

Some of them also joined protests, demanding compensation for the families.

The four men, all thought to be in their 20s or early 30s, had been friends for many years, and often spent time together.

Locals say they had gone to Nepal on 13 January to visit the Pashupatinath temple, a grand shrine on the outskirts of Kathmandu which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

The trip was reportedly Jaiswal’s idea - a father of three, he wanted to pray at the temple

for another son.

After visiting the temple, the friends set off on Sunday to Pokhara - a picturesque tourist town nestled near the Annapurna mountain rangeto paraglide. They planned to return to Kathmandu.

“But fate had something else in store for him,” an unnamed relative of Jaiswal’s told news agency PTI.

The four men were among five Indians on board. Officials said 53 of the passengers were Nepalese, along with four Russians and two Koreans. Others on board are reported to have included one passenger each from Ireland, Australia, Argentina and France.

On Monday, social media in

India was awash with images from the crash site and of the video shot by Jaiswal.

Jaiswal’s father, Rajendra Prasad Jaiswal, said he could not bear to watch the clip himself. “I have only heard about it from Sonu’s friends. Our lives have come crashing down.”

While groups of mourners stood around the neighbourhood in disbelief, Anil Rajbhar’s father stayed away.

His son had left for Nepal on 13 January without informing his family. While his father was busy in the family’s fields, Anil quietly packed his bags and left with his friends, neighbours said.

His father is still in disbelief at the news. Source: BBC

Siamak Namazi was arrested in 2015 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges

Hundreds of rescuers were sent to the site of the crash

Can humanity’s new giant leap into space succeed?

There is a new order emerging in space - a race between America and China. But with the demands of space exploration, even these great superpowers won’t be able to do it alone.

Hugely technically challenging and costly goals have been touted, not least the aim of people living and working on other worlds, possibly within ten years - but in a divided world where international good will is scarce, are they realistic?

Nasa’s return to the Moon has begun with its Artemis programme. The first of three missions has been successfully launched. This uncrewed flight tested that the rockets and technology worked. The second mission will take humans further in space than they have ever gone before and the third launch will put astronauts on the Moon for a week, where they will carry out experiments. The long-term goal is to use the Moon as a jumping off point to get to Mars.

But the programme is estimated to cost $93bn (£76bn), a heavy price tag for the American taxpayer, who is already feeling the economic squeeze.

In a report to Congress last year, the US Auditor General’s office warned of an “unrealistic development schedule” and likely overruns, adding that Nasa needed to make cost estimates “more reliable and transparent”.

Yet although Nasa will get less overall funding than it asked for in 2023, Congress, at the moment, still supports its human space exploration ventures.

China has achieved its own fully operational space station, Tiangong, in orbit on schedule. The Chinese space programme has launched probes to the Moon and Mars. It plans to establish an unmanned research station on the Moon by 2025 and then land astronauts on its surface by 2030.

Pallab Ghosh and Kate Stephens look at the rapid expansion in space exploration which will lead to people living and working on other worlds.

Putting an astronaut on the Moon has been done before but the next step, to Mars, is much more difficult. It is 250 times further away than the Moon and there is no spacecraft currently capable of sending humans to the red planet.

Even if scientists can find a safe way to launch a fuel-heavy rocket and land it on a planet with such a thin atmosphere, there is the further challenge of returning the astronauts safely home after months in space.

Historically superpowers have jostled for supremacy above the Earth. America and Russia vied for dominance in the 1950s and 1960s. The Russians put the first man in orbit. The Americans landed a man and planted their flag on the Moon a few years later.

In the 1970s a golden era of cooperation was forged culminating in the construction of the International Space Station (ISS), which began in 1998.

Along with 13 other partner nations, the two superpowers built what is now the largest structure in

space. It is not owned by any one nation, and each depends on the other to operate.

It was a symbol of what humanity could achieve if nations put aside their differences and worked together.

But the reality was somewhat different. Notably America prevented China from becoming a partner in the ISS, so the Chinese went their own way.

More recently, within weeks of the invasion of Ukraine, nations stopped working with Russia. Two joint Moon missions between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Russia have been cancelled, as has a joint Mars Rover project to search for signs of life on the red planet.

Yet scratch the surface and collaboration continues on the ISS, where Western countries have to work with Russia to maintain it in orbit. Americans and Europeans even still train in the centre of Moscow at Russia’s Space HQ, Star City.

But what happens once the ISS comes to the end of its lifetime in 2030?

Juliana Suess, a space policy analyst at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London says Russia has much less to offer partner nations than it once did because its technology is outdated. She raises the possibility that the first nation into space could be the first one out.

“If the Russians haven’t figured out an alternative by the time the ISS is decommissioned or develops its own space station, which given the current circumstances and sanctions is quite unlikely, it might not have any human spaceflight,” she says.

Russia’s plight comes at a time when China’s space programme is advancing rapidly. In the last ten years it has launched more than 200 rockets, even though America’s spending on space still makes China’s look small.

China is mindful that partnerships offer technical knowhow and money. It has invited other nations prohibited from access to the ISS to join them and has made a call for proposals for scientific experiments.

Seventy-two countries now have their own space programmes because they can’t afford to be left behind in what has become a new space race.

The billionaire spacefarers

Space is a vital part of our everyday lives. We depend on satellites for weather forecasts, communications, bank transactions, not to mention valuable surveillance tools for nation states. And it’s getting busy out there. In 2021 about 5,000 satellites were launched. Going back 20 years, about 800 were launched annually.

Space is an expensive and technically difficult business. No one country can do it alone. New partnerships are being forged, notably with the new brash billionaires on the block.

Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, is already taking passengers into orbit. The billionaire entrepreneur is bringing down costs with a

reusable rocket. Not to be outdone, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos wants to build a commercial orbiting station, called Orbital Reef.

Helen Sharman, who was the UK’s first astronaut, on a mission to the Soviet Space Station Mir in 1991, believes that current international rivalries could be put in the shade by the pragmatism of the private sector.

“It really is going to be commercialisation that brings companies together worldwide,” she told the BBC. “We don’t care where they are registered, what matters is what they do for the benefit of the world.”

The prospect of financial gain and scientific discovery drives collaboration. Private companies may help to bring a new cooperation in space but they have to obey the laws of their home country. When nations imposed sanctions on Russia in 2022 firms were obliged to withdraw from contracts with Russia.

Dr Josef Aschbacher, who is head of the European Space Agency, is determined to keep Europe in the new space race. He has recently had a £2bn ($2.4bn) increase in funding, despite the financial squeeze facing governments.

“Space is one of those sectors which is expanding very fast and much faster now than in the last few decades. We cannot lose out,” he told the BBC. “We really need to participate strongly in this sector because I want to create new business opportunities for companies in our member states to participate in.”

It will be nations that lead space exploration of the future. But the challenges will require them coming together as a single group or “bloc” of countries to share information and to compete with other blocs. The European Space Agency has been doing this successfully for years.

New laws for space

But what is potentially going to hold back the next big push to other worlds is the set of international laws governing space. The marvellously named “Outer Space Treaty” has not been updated since it was signed in 1967, when 31 nations, including the US and the

Soviet Union, pledged not to have nuclear weapons in space.

According to Juliana Suess of the Royal United Services Institute, it is not fit for purpose.

“It doesn’t talk about companies; it doesn’t talk about billionaires,” she said. “Space is entirely different to what it was like in 1967.”

New rules to regulate the commercial exploitation of the Moon, Mars and beyond were introduced by the UN in 1979 but

the US, China and Russia have all refused to sign it.

ESA’s Josef Aschbacher believes the new space race will be hampered until a new outer space treaty is hammered out.

“In space we are using the same orbits for satellites, using the same Moon surface for China, the US, Europe,” he said. “We need a way to work together to establish rules of engagement and establish rules of how we work there.”

Source: BBC

Nasa’s Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket lifts off for the uncrewed Artemis I mission

Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union was the first man into space

A US astronaut and Soviet cosmonaut shake hands in orbit, paving the way for a golden age of cooperation in space between the two superpowers

Issues The killer job at INEC

BY Eric Teniola

Professor Mahmood Yakubu (60), Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a date with history in February. He will be the only Chairman of the Electoral Commission to conduct two presidential elections in Nigeria. He conducted the Presidential election on February 23, 2019. He will do the same on February 25 this year.

No doubt the February 25 election will make or mar him. If he succeeds, Professor Yakubu will go quietly and live the rest of his life in Kobi, his hometown, in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi state or remain in Abuja like others. He may even go back to the University since that is his calling. He may decide to write a book since he is an author. He has written more than three books already namely CRISIS AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA SINCE 1980, WESTERN EDUCATION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA:CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES AND EMIRS AND POLITICIANS:REFORM, REACTION AND RECRIMINATION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA.

If on the other hand he fails, his remaining life, is better imagined. In the last few weeks, he has been assuring Nigerians that he will succeed. Words don’t always depict reality. The only way to make something happen is to make a tangible action. Saying it is different from doing it. What you do is more important than what you say. Actions speak louder than words. We pay less attention to what Professor Yakubu and his team are saying but watch what he and his team will do.

For anyone who loves Nigeria must wish Professor Yakubu best of luck during and after the elections.

This is a country of over 200 million people whose lives must not be messed up by desperate politicians.

In ancient Greece, a young man asked Socrates the “secret to success”. Socrates told the young man to meet him at the nearest river the next morning.

Next morning, the young, being very determined to learn something from the great philosopher, was very prompt and they met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him into the river. Wondering what Socrates was about to do, the young man was very apprehensive. “Perhaps one of Socrates’ many philosophies”, the young man thought…

The water was now up to their waist…

When the water got up to their neck, Socrates suddenly seized the young man by surprise and pushed him under the water. The boy struggled to get up but Socrates, being a strong man, held him under the water until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled his head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp for air, choking and breathing desperately to stay alive.

Socrates asked, “What did you want the most when you were down there?”

Still in shock, the young boy

replied, “Air”.

Socrates remarked, “That is the secret to success”.“When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it. There is no other secret of success”, Socrates said. But sometimes a successful conduct of an election does not necessarily guarantee stability. And this has happened to the past chairmen of the Nigeria’s electoral body. These past chairmen included Eyo Esua (1964–1966), Michael Ani (1976–1979), Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1980–1983), Eme Awa (1987–1989), Humphrey Nwosu (1989–1993), Okon Uya (1993, June-November), Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994–1998), Ephraim Akpata (1998–2000), Abel Guobadia (2000–2005), Maurice Iwu (2005–2010), Attahiru Jega (2010–2015) and Mahmood Yakubu (2015-present).

Let us take Chief Eyo Esua. (14 January 1901 – 6 December 1973) as an example. He was a teacher and trade unionist. He was the first chairman of the Electoral body in the country. Chief Esua was a school master and a founder member of the Nigeria Union of Teachers. He was the first full-time general secretary of the union from 1943 till he was appointed Chairman of the electoral body. He was an Efik, Calabar man, renowned for his dedication to duty and uprightness. He did all he could to ensure a successful 1964 general election.

On December 29, 1964, the then President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe GCFR (16 November 1904 – 11 May 1996) held a meeting in State House with the four Regional Premiers—Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola(West), Dr. Michael Okpara(East), Sir Ahmadu Bello(North) and Chief Dennis Osadebe(Midwest) and Governors and the Prime Minister-Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) . Sir Ahmadu Bello(12 June 1910- 15 January 1966) and Chief Ladoke Akintola declined to turn up. The Prime Minister announced after the meeting that it had been agreed the elections were to go ahead as planned. This was denied later by UPGA’s McEwen. The Electoral Commission announced that it was deadlocked on the question of the holding of the elections.

Two of its members, Mr. Aniegolu (East) and Mr. Akenzua (Mid-West) resigned. At that time, the regions were represented in the commission. UPGA said its boycott continued. Sit-down strike was called for by Mr. Wahab Omorilewa Goodluck(11 July 1923- 10 September 1991) a leading unionist who later became the founding President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, but with apparently limited response. UPGA vans patrol Lagos announcing “Don’t vote.”

Sir Ahmadu Bello said that the President’s meeting in the State House was to discuss the secession of Eastern Nigeria from the Federation. If it wanted to do so “because of its oil interests” it should be allowed to do so in peace. Since the discovery of oil in the East the NCNC has been growing steadily colder about their relations with other parts of Nigeria and had tried to “make themselves so

intolerable that other Nigerians will take the initiative of getting Eastern Nigeria outside the Federation and thereby winning sympathy for the NCNC in the world at large.” A conference to divide assets should be called as the President had already suggested.

Socialist workers and Farmer’s Party (SWAFP) announced that it too would boycott the election.

A “partial” election took place with “brisk voting” in the North, “moderate” in the West, where there had been some destruction of polling booths, very limited in Lagos, where booths had also been destroyed and one man was injured in a riot, and non-existent in the East, where the UPGA boycott was complete. In the evening, UPGA issued a statement saying it would not accept any government formed on the basis of the elections which would be “compromising with evil.” It called on the President to summon a conference of all political leaders to “break up the Federation peacefully.” A statement from the President denied Sir Ahmadu’s allegation that the State House meeting of December 29 was to discuss secession. The object was to preserve Federal unity.

Chief Esua also conducted the 1965 election in Western Region which was marred with misconduct and thuggery. The then Prime Minister appointed Chief Michael Ani to replace him.

In his book, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Allison Akene Ayida (19302018) gave insight into how Chief Ani was appointed to the head of the electoral Commission by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Chief Ayida wrote “When I was appointed to act as Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Economic Development, in 1963, I was the youngest permanent secretary in the federation. It was part of an experience to try out the then new breed in the civil servant as PermSecs. I had to look up to senior colleagues such as the late Chief Ani for guidance and leadership. We received their full co-operation. If the experiment succeeded, it was partly due to Chief Ani’s fatherly guidance and support.

It is not generally known that Chief Ani retired prematurely from the Federal Civil Service in 1965 to accept the challenge of the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, for him to be appointed the Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission. I was one of those people he consulted and I advised against the move. But Chief Ani decided to accept the appointment for two reasons: first, as a good civil servant he felt obliged to respect the Prime Minister’s wishes and, second,

he was anxious to demonstrate that Nigerian elections could be conducted fairly and justly without fear or favour. Before he could demonstrate this, the Military seized power on 15 January 1966 and Chief Ani suddenly became an unemployed pensioner at the tender age of 49 years, judging by the standard of those days.

But an act of providence, when the Obasanjo administration was, in 1976, conducting the search for a suitable person to head the Federal Electoral Commission to supervise the elections for return to civil rule in 1979, I was the Secretary to the Federal Military Government and Head of Service. When consulted, I advised that the man the late Prime Minister appointed in December in 1965, never functioned and was untainted. But I told General Obasanjo that the late Chief as a good civil servant, might not be sufficiently independent of the Government to be seen to conduct the election fairly and that the Federal Military Government might be seen to have a preference for one of the presidential candidates. The General, to my surprise, replied ,”that is the man we want.”

When Chief Ani was approached, he came to my house to seek my opinion once again as a trusted friend. I told him candidly what transpired between General Olusegun Obansanjo and me and once again, I advised him against accepting the reappointment as Chairman of FEDECO but he still saw it as a challenge and an opportunity to establish that Nigerians could conduct an impartial and fair democratic election. The rest of the story is better left to the verdict of history but I believe the Chief did his best in the difficult circumstances of the countervailing powers and conflicting instructions on the 1979 elections”.

During the tenure of Chief Ani as chairman of Electoral Commission, he was very generous to me in giving me exclusive stories on the commission including the disqualification of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Mallam Aminu Kano from the 1979 polls until the court restored them, the twelve two third issue on the outcome of the 1979 Presidential election and many other numerous stories.

Through the then INEC Commissioner, Alhaji Alade Odunewu alias ALLAH DE ( 20 November 192726 July 2013), former Editor of THE DAILY TIMES , I was able to access Chief Michael Ani regularly. He was a seasoned civil servant and I will say a patriotic Nigerian.

In anticipation of a stalemate in the Presidential election, General Olusegun Obasanjo, the then Head of State promulgated a decree. The decree is titled Decree 32 of July 23 1979, which created an Electoral

College to decide the Presidential Election.

The Decree states “Supplement to Official Gazette Extraordinary Na.34, Vol. 66, 23rd July,1979 ELECTORAL (AMENDMENT) (No. 3) DECREE 1979 Decree No. 32. [23rd July 1979]

THE FEDERAL MILITARY GOVERNMENT hereby decrees as follows:—SS . 1. Section 34a of the Electoral Decree 1977 (as inserted by the Electoral Amendment (Amendment) Decree 1978) is hereby amended as follows, that is— (a) for subsection -- (3) thereof, there shall be substituted the following new subsection— “(3) In default of a candidate duly elected under‘ subsections (1) _(b) and (2) of this section, the Electoral Commission shall, within 7 days ‘of the result of the election held under the said subsections, arrange for an election by electoral colleges composed as follows, that is to say— (a) of all persons who were elected to both Houses of the National Assembly and convened at the same venue ; and (5) of all persons who were elected to the House of Assembly of every State in the Federation with each such group being convened separately for each such State ; with a view to determining which of the two candidates shall be elected _ President, and the candidate who las a simple majority of all votes ‘cast at such election shall be deemedto have been duly elected as President.” ; and (6) for subsection “6) thereof (as substituted by the Electoral (Amendment) Decree 1979), there shall be substituted the following new sub-section— “(6) In default of a candidate duly elected in accordance with subsection (5) (6) of this section, the Electoral Commission shall, within 7 days of the result of the election, arrange for an election by an electoral _ college comprising all persons who were elected to the House of Assembly of the State concerned at which the only candidates shall be— (a) the candidate who secured the highest number of votes at the election ; and . (b) one among the remaining candidates who secured a majority of votes in the highest number of local government areas in the State, so however that where there aré more than one candidate with a majority of votes in the highest number of local government areas, the candidate among them with the highest total of votes cast at the election shall be the second candidate ; and the person who has a simple majority of votes cast at such election shall be deemed to have been duly elected as Governor of the State.” 2. For section 2: of the Electoral (Amendment) Decree 1979, that is Decree No. 26 of 1979, there shall be substituted the following, that

Prof Mahmood Yakubu

Humphrey Nwosu

Abel Guobadia

The killer job at INEC

is— “Citation. 2. This Decree may be cited as the Electoral (Amendment) _ (No. 2) Decree 1979.” 3. The Electoral (Amendment) Decree 1979, that is Decree No. 15 of 1979, is hereby consequentially repealed. 4, This Decree may be cited as the Electoral (Amendment) (No, 3) Decree1979. .

MADE at Lagos this 23rd day of July 1979.

GENERAL O, OBASANJO, Head of the Federal Military Government, ‘ Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, _ Federal Republic of Nigeria

The Decree amends the Electoral Decree 1977 to provide that in the case of a run-off election relative to the President, all persons elected to the National Assembly and State Assemblies shall be constituted into electoral colleges to elect one of the two most successful candidates as President while in the case of a Governor, the persons elected to the House of Assembly. of the State concerned shall similarly be constituted into an electoral college for the run-off election”.

There were five major contenders in the 1979 Presidential ElectionAlhaji Waziri Ibrahim(GNPP), Alhaji Aminu Kano (PRP), Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe (NPP), Chief Obafemi Awolowo(UPN) and Alhaji Shehu Shagari(NPN).

On August 11, 1979, the Presidential election was held. Chief Michael Ani and his team including the then Chief electoral officer, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, who was then the Secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, thought they have conducted the best election ever.

On August 12, the results started coming in and as expected, the results of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo,Ondo and Bendel states were the first to be announced. It was not until August 14, 1979, that the results of Kano, which was the last to come and Alhaji Shehu Shagari only scored 19.9% of the votes which made it impossible for him to be declared President since he had 25% in twelve states and could not secure 25% in Kano state. There were nineteen states in the Federation at that time. The assumption was that you must secure 25% in 13 states before you could become President.

The night before Chief Michael Ani’s FEDECO had completed arrangements for an Electoral College for the two candidates with the highest votes, Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the NPN and Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the UPN. As a matter of fact their spokesmen, Alhaji Suleiman Takuma(14 April 1934- 1 September 2001), from Takuma Village in Niger State of the NPN and Chief Mele Chukelu Kafu Ajuluchukwu (10 February 1921-9 October 2003) from Nnewi in Anambra state of the UPN, addressed the media that, their Principals were ready for an Electoral College.

The newly appointed Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Gidado Idris, was at FEDECO headquarters to collect the names of the elected members of the National Assembly who would now vote in the Electoral College. He told newsmen that the list of the members of the Electoral College has been given to him and that the former House of Representatives at Race Course would be the venue for the holding of the Electoral College.

The Supreme Council did not want to take chances on who should

be the next President.

The Supreme Military Council then headed by General Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, drafted officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice to the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) office at Onikan, Lagos.

At the end of the marathon meeting, the Chief Returning Officer of the Presidential Election, Mr. F.L.O. Menkiti announced to the anxious media men and women in the conference room of FEDECO that day, that the percentage scored by Alhaji Shehu Shagari in the twelve states and the 19.9% scored in Kano was tantamount to his being declared as President. He therefore declared Alhaji Shehu Shagari as the next President of Nigeria.

The declaration was a nullity to the Decree signed by General Obasanjo on July 23, 1979. The expectation was that there would be an Electoral College who would elect a new President.

At the Press Conference that day, I sat next to Chief Osuolale Abimbola Richard Akinjide SAN (4 November 1930 – 21 April 2020).

Chief Akinjide who was then the Chief Legal Adviser to the NPN, only echoed the conclusion of the officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Military Council. He was not the author of the twelve two third formula, which later made him famous.

Nobody knew who Chief Menkiti was until that day. I later inquired through gazette No 78 Volume 55 of 1976, that he was an administrative officer grade 1. He was transferred from the eastern state public service to the Federal Public Service on February 27, 1967. In the modern day regulation, he would have been a director.

When Chief Menkiti made that announcement that day, we were stunned; Chief Menkiti’s declaration was expectedly challenged by Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the UPN. The case ended in the Supreme Court presided over by Mr. Justice Atanda Fatai Williams GCON (22 October 1918 – 10 April 2002) of which two judges in the court, Justice Kayode Eso(1925-2012) and Justice Andrew Otutu Obaseki(1925-2017) objected to the majority judgment in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court verdict was made 72 hours before the inauguration of President Shehu Shagari.

I covered the 1979 campaign, the Supreme Court Judgment and the inauguration of President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari GCFR (25 February 1925 – 28 December 2018) on October 1 1979.

Inspite of his success in 1979 election, Chief Michael Ani had no hand in what happened after the August 11, 1979 election.

This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election. Professor Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu(81) from Ajali in Anambra state conducted the election and he did all he could in ensuring a successful Presidential election.

He wrote in his book titled “LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY” “given the peculiar position of the Chief electoral officer in Nigeria, which includes being an impartial arbiter in electoral competitions, it became clear to me that whatever major decisions and actions the chief electoral officer

decides to take, must serve the best interest of Nigerian State and nation. My actions and decisions throughout my tenure were directed to serve the corporate existence of Nigeria, It is the duty of the chief national electoral commissioner of the federation to advise the Nigerian Government on actions and measures that will not only enhance the existence of a credible electoral system but which will result in the conduct of “Free and Fair Elections”.

I devoted my four and half years as the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission in erecting basic logistics, infrastructure and creating congenial social environment within and outside the commission for the conduct of free and fair elections. Towards achieving these goals, I remained accountable and responsible to President Babangida, who in turn supported my efforts. He generally accepted my reforms and innovations up to the conduct of June 12, 1993 presidential election. Finally, a Chief National Electoral Commissioner worth his calling would own accountability and responsibility to his conscience and his family.

As I stated earlier, any action that is not in accordance with the dictates of ones conscience inflicts a permanent psychological wound on the person. Conscience and family honour were two steady companions that strengthened me throughout the difficult days of June 10 and 11, 12 and 23, 1993. Above all, whoever believes in God will be rightly guided in all his endeavours in good conscience done in the service of humanity”. No doubt, Professor Nwosu and his team did all

they could to ensure a successful 1993 Presidential elections.

At the eleventh hour of announcing Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola GCFR (24 August 1937 – 7 July 1998) from Abeokuta in Ogun state as the winner of that election, the Armed Forces Ruling Council of General Ibrahim Babangida (81)GCFR, issued the following statement “in view of the spirit of litigation pending in various courts, the federal government is compelled to take appropriate steps in order to rescue the judiciary from intra-voyaging. Those steps are taken so as to protect our legal system and the judiciary from being ridiculed and politicized, both naturally and internationally.

In an attempt to end this ridiculous charade which may culminate in judicial anarchy, the Federal Military Government has decided to stop forthwith, all court proceedings pending or to be instituted and appeals thereon in respect of any matter touching, relating or concerning the presidential election held on June 12, 1993.

The Transition to Civil Rule Political Programme (Amendment November 3), Decree Number 32 of 1992 and the Presidential Election (Basic Constitutional and Transitional Provisions) Decree Number 13 of 1993 are hereby repealed. All acts or omission done or purpoted to have been done by any person, authority etc, under the above named decrees are hereby declared invalid.

The National Electoral Commission is hereby suspended. All acts or omissions done or purported to have been done by itself, its officers or agents under the repealed Decree number 13, 1993 are hereby nullified”.

The rest is history.

From 1993 till 1999, we did not have any election. Certainly no one can blame Professor Nwosu for this.

Now turning to the February election, money cannot be a problem to Professor Yakubu and his team. The INEC is to spend three hundred and fifty-five billion naira. The National Assembly had earlier approved three hundred and five billion naira but the electoral body has budgeted another N50 billion for its annual budget in 2023, an increment of N10 billion compared to 2022 budget which was N40 billion as approved by the National Assembly.

According to INEC, the N2.6 billion would be used for the provision for elections , referenda and recalls expenses such as : Operation dept cost covering , printing of ballot papers, result sheets , printing of forms and Envelopes ,arterials and supplies , logistics expenses , honorarium for officials , supervision, RAC preparation, security /intervention support etc “Election ICT system support, printing of voters’ register for off season and bye elections , F$A Election fund management logistic.”

According to INEC, in the 2023 Budget of the agency, N50 million will be spent to buy firefighting equipment, Motor Vehicles – N150 million, N250 million to repeat offices and residential building.

Professor Yakubu has got a date for the Presidential election. He has got the personnel to conduct the election. He has got the money too. What else?

When he was appointed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission on October 20, 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, two questions came

to my mind. Why has a woman not been appointed to the position of the Chairman of INEC and why has someone from the Southwest not appointed to that position.

I never knew much about the man except that he was a lecturer, guerrilla warfare expert, and Professor of Political History and International Studies at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. Prior to his appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood served as the executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, being appointed to office in 2007 by then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

During his tenure as secretary, a National Book Development Fund was established, supporting 102 journals of professional associations. Professor Yakubu Mahmood also served as Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administration at the 2014 National Conference. I am told he is a team player.

The other question that have been troubling me since, is that as human, can Professor Yakubu’s partisanship decide the outcome of the election or rather does the INEC Chairman has the power to short change voters inspite of assurances, pronouncements and declarations? No one can answer that question except Professor Yakubu and his team and they can only answer the question by their actions. The question becomes relevant because the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin(1879–1953) said “I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this—who will count the votes, and how”.

The Foundations of Leninism (1924) also added that “The State is an instrument in the hands of the ruling class, used to break the resistance of the adversaries of that class”.

The INEC job over all these years had become too impossible. Through that job you can be a hero or a villain, you can be popular or esoteric. Professor Nwosu conducted a free and fair election, the events that followed were not of his making. He did a good job. Till today he has not been compensated with a National award. Same with Chief Esua.

The Military took over on January 15 1966 citing the irregularities of the 1964 and 1965 elections as an excuse. Chief Esua witnessed the civil war—a fallout of the military coup. He never witnessed democracy till he died in the ancient city of Calabar on December 3 1973. He died in utter disappointment.

The killer job at INEC has all the elements of failures and successes, adoration and condemnation. I don’t know what will happen after the election. Life is necessarily ambiguous and just when we think we have a clue about what’s next, things shift again. The constant flux can be exhausting and exacerbating. Given how much we want to know and the extent to which we crave understanding, a rigged election will threaten the fragile stability we are experiencing in this artificial country. Professor Yakubu should know this. A rigged election may lead to imminent danger, for we are already sitting on a powder keg which may explode into violence and chaos.”

Teniola is public affairs commentator

Nnamdi Azikiwe

Obafemi Awolowo

Prof Maurice Iwu

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JOY

WONDER AMBASSADORS GLOBAL EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

ON HUMANITY. 2. TO TRAIN AND EQUIP TEENAGERS IN VOCATIONAL SKILLS ACQUISITION. 3. TO ORGANIZED CARRIER OPPORTUNITY SEMINARS FOR TEENAGERS TO KNOW THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND PICK WHAT’S BEST FOR THEM AND COACHING TO PREPARE FOR EXAMINATIONS.

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IHF Challenge Trophy: Nigeria handball teams record mixed results in Congo

By Amaechi Agbo

The U-18 and U-20 Nigeria national handball teams on Monday recorded mixed results in the opening day of the International Handball Federation, IHF Challenge trophy in Brazzaville, Congo.

The U-18 team under the tutelage of Coach Emeka Nnamani showed that they were in the Congo capital for serious business as they comfortably defeated Burundi 45 - 30.

However, it was not similar results for their elder brothers, the U-20 team who came up short as they lost slimly to Guinea 28-26 to the disappointment of Coach Fidelis Obi who is the gaffer of the side.

They have a chance of changing their fortune as they face Madagascar at 9am while the under 18 team hope to continue on their good form howbeit with a tough one against host, Congo at 3pm on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, president of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Mr Samuel Ocheho has praised the leadership of the president of the Confederation of Africa Handball (CAHB) Dr. Mansourou Aremou as the continental handball governing body celebrates fifty years of existence.

Ocheho in a congratulatory message on Monday lauded the leadership qualities of Dr. Aremou that has made CAHB a professionally run governing body that the Africa handball family is proud of.

Founded on the 15th of January 1973 after the 2nd AllAfrica Games in Lagos, Nigeria, CAHB has represented the national handball associations of Africa under the supervision

of the International Handball Federation (IHF) and has ensured that handball grow leap and bound as evidenced in the ongoing IHF Men World Cup wherein Egypt, Cape Verde, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria are doing Africa proud.

The Africa handball governing body comprises members of all the Africa National Federations who are affiliate of the International Handball Federations (IHF)

CAHB currently has 53 national federations members and It is also the continental

confederation with highest numbers of members within the IHF.

The founding congress took place on January 15, 1973, in Lagos, Nigeria during the 2nd All-Africa Games. It was attended by Alberto de San Roman

(Spain), the Vice-President of the International Handball Federation.

Dr Mansourou Aremou Benin Republic has been the President since 2008 while his compatriot, Mansourou Aremou has been the Secretary-General since 2012.

Nathaniel Ayanwale promises to help Cynosure FC achieve 2023 NNL target

The newly appointed head coach of Nigeria National League, NNL side, Cynosure FC, Mr Nathanael Ayanwale has promised to help the team to “deliver the success they deserve”, bestchoicesports.com. ng can report.

The former City FC of Abuja

ha elee disclosed this during his unveiling by the club on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Aside City FC, Ayanwale also worked with Gombe United and You’ve Desert Stars

In his first interview, the new tactician who signed a one year

contract with a performance-based option of extension, expressed excitement on joining the Ebonyi State FA Cups champions and the prospect of the challenge ahead.

“It is a great honour to be appointed head coach of Cynosure FC and I am hugely excited by the

challenge ahead. I have been told the ambition of this great club and how passionate our fans are and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.”

Nathaniel Ayanwale holds a CAF B- License, LALIGA Coaching

Certificate, pius certificates from several other courses attended.

Ayanwale an attacker in his playing days featured for Rangers Int, Plateau United, Sharks Football Club, Calabar Rovers, Elkanemi Warriors, Gombe United, Katsina United and Amica Wronki Football Club Poland.

By Amaechi Agbo

In continuation of its determination to train 1200 Nigerian girls on Netball tagged Project 2027, a sports NGO (Non-governmental Organisation) Community Sport and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative over the week trained 35 netball coaches in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital and donated netball equipment to the Sports Council.

The two-day netball seminar for Physical and Health Education teachers was held as part of the NGO’s effort in promoting the right to play netball by Nigerian girls and bringing netball to the attention of one million Nigerian school girls before the end of 2027.

The netball training in Bayelsa State was organized in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Youth and Sports and Bayelsa State Ministry of Education and it was held inside the indoor sport hall of the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa on 11th and 12th January 2023.

The seminar which is the first netball training be held in Nigeria since the sport was demonstrated at the National Sports Festival (Asaba 2022) had in attendance 25 Physical Education, teachers (drawn from various schools across the state) and 10 Sports Council coaches.

Among these 35 newly trained netball coaches are Mrs Catherine Sasuode (Head of Department of Sports in Bayelsa State). The theory and practical aspect of netball was taught to the participants by two Netball Africa certified coaches, Godwin Edema Fuludu (CSED National Coordinator) and Onome Fuludu (a UNIBEN undergraduate).

The trainers stressed the importance of “safeguarding” in sport and netball in particular.

Mr Fuludu said that the knowledge base of the attendees, will ultimately promote the safety and well-being of their students and athletes. The organizers highlighted that the only way netball can

grow at the grassroots level in Nigeria is to back up training of netball coaches by activating them with netball starter packs.

As a result, netball training kits/ equipment which includes: two netball rims/nets, two netball balls, two sets of netball training bibs, and one packet of finger-held whistles were freely distributed to the attendees by the event organizers.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Daniel Igali was represented at the closing ceremony of the event by the Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi. The Director of Sports said that he was very pleased to host CSED Initiative at no cost to them. Sir Braverman Wodi stated that they look forward to future collaboration with

CSED Initiative in other areas of sports development.

The Champion ommissioner (Hon. Daniel Igali) as he is popularly referred to stated: “CSED Initiative is the ideal NGO to partner with.”

The Bayelsa Commissioner for Education, Hon. Dr Gentle Emelah, who was represented by the Deputy Director Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Ikobho A.

Clinton, thanked CSED Initiative for the training and provision of free starter packs. He admonished the teachers to go back to their schools and put into good use the knowledge and equipment that they have acquired in the netball seminar.

The National Coordinator of CSED Initiative, Godwin Edema Fuludu thanked

CSED trains 35 netball coaches in Bayelsa, donates equipment FC Barcelona humiliate Real Madrid to win Spanish Super Cup

FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-1 to win the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de Espana) on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Last week, Real Madrid knocked out Valencia on penalties to reach the final but were beaten at the King Fahd International Stadium.

FC Barcelona dominated the two halves of the match with over 55% of ball possession and passes.

Pablo Gavi, the youngest player in the Spanish Super Cup history to score in the final, made a spectacular appearance by scoring the opener in favour of his team in the 33rd minute.

FC Barcelona maintained its leadership following a second goal scored in the 45th

minute of the game by Robert Lewandowski

FC Barcelona continued its brilliant form during the match by scoring a third goal in the 72nd minute of the game through its 20-year-old player Pedro Lopez known as Pedri.

Karim Benzema netted a late consolation for Madrid, who have been far from their best since the World Cup break and also fell three points behind Barcelona in La Liga last weekend.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in a final since 2014, with Los Blancos surrendering the trophy they earned last season to Barcelona, who have now won the Super Cup a record 14 times.

Xavi crucially deployed four central midfielders, with Gavi drifting inside off a

nominal starting position on the left and frequently giving Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal the slip.

Toni Kroos played as Madrid’s deepest midfielder with Aurelien Tchouameni out injured, and he was overrun by the energetic Pedri, ably supported by Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets.

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was outstanding in his team’s semifinal victory over Valencia on Wednesday, made a brilliant early save to deny Lewandowski, tipping his low drive against the post and out.

At the other end Benzema headed narrowly off-target after finding space in the box to meet Ferland Mendy’s inviting cross.

the participants for the enthusiasm they showed during the period of the training event. He also thanked the Hon commissioners of Youth and Sports and that of Education for their synergy in making the programme a huge success. The participants thanked the Trustees of CSED Initiative for extending their “PROJECT 2027” netball training to Bayelsa State.

The Bayelsa State training event brings to 178, the number of P.E. teachers that CSED Initiative have trained and activated since June 2022 in five states of Nigeria. The Trustees of CSED are currently in discussion with other Niger Delta States in order to extend their pioneering and netball status changing training to their P.E. Teachers.

Barcelona broke the deadlock when Busquets won the ball high up the pitch after a loose Antonio Rudiger pass, leading to Lewandowski feeding Gavi, who slotted home confidently with his left foot.

Pedri and Ousmane Dembele were also involved in an exchange of slick passes before Lewandowski teed up the 18-yearold, whose clever run went untracked.

Gavi turned provider for the second, running on to De Jong’s pass and sliding the ball across the face of goal for Lewandowski to finish clinically.

The Catalans’ dominance brought back memories of their 4-0 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last season, which had been the highlight of Xavi’s time at Barcelona until now.

The Trainees during CSED Netball seminar in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Walid Regragui ranked World’s Thirdbest National Team Manager

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) ranked Morocco’s national team’s coach Walid Regragui as the third-best men’s national coach in the world with 30 points.

Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni, who led the team to their third World Cup title in Qatar, ranked first with 240 points, enjoying a large margin over second place Didier Deschamps, who led France to the final and got 45 points.

“It is the first time in history that an African coach took place on the world podium!” the federation’s website said.

During the 2022 World Cup, Morocco enjoyed a Cinderella run that saw the team become the first ones from Africa to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

Regragui’s tactical prowess and the team’s performances received international praise, as they managed to clinch fourth place despite suffering from injuries and sickness.

Over the course of the tournament, Regragui also became the first African coach to take charge of a team in the quarter-finals and the semifinals.

The Atlas Lions took down several giants during their World Cup journey, including Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, before losing 2-0 against France in the semi-finals.

Despite a 2-1 loss against

11 more Cameroon players fail age test ahead of 2023 U-17 AFCON qualifiers

Eleven more Cameroon U-17 players have failed the Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI test on Thursday

The fresh failed tests results came after 21 players also failed the test late last year.

The Cameroonian Football Federation, FECAFOOTpresident, Samuel Eto’o ordered the tests in an effort to curb age cheating in the country with the U-17 team preparing for the UNIFACC tournament qualifiers, contested by Central African Football Federations’ Union countries, starting next week.

Goal reports that of the initial 30-member squad that was submitted for tests, 21 failed, necessitating a second round, of which 11 were found to have falsified their age, leaving coach Jean Pierre Fiala with limited time to find replacements for the qualifiers that will take place between January 12 and 24.

Cameroon host Congo, Chad, DR Congo and Central African Republic but their squad has been ravaged after Eto’o insisted on using MRI screening at their training camp in Mbankomo, on the outskirts of Yaounde.

Czech Republic champions Slavia Prague have announced the signing of former Nigerian U-20 defender Igoh Ogbu on a four-year deal.

The club confirmed the contract on its official website on Friday with Ogbu, a member of the Flying Eagles squad to the 2019 FIFA World Cup, switching from Norwegian top-flight outfit

Lilleström.

Club manager Jindrich Trpisovsky has confessed his delight at finally getting his primary target.

“He is a player we have been talking about for a long time, we were already interested in him during the summer transfer window,” Jindrich said.

“He really caught our

attention, but unfortunately it didn’t work out in the summer for many reasons.

“Our interest continued, we continued to follow him. After long and complicated negotiations, the transfer has now been successful.

“We are really happy about it, he is the player we were looking for typologically.”

A centre-back by trade, Ogbu

Flyings Eagles star Igoh Ogbu signs four-year contract with Slavia Prague Ex Cameroon, PSG midfielder Modeste M’Bami dies At 40

Former Cameroon and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Modeste M’Bami has reportedly died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

His death was announced on the official website and verified Twitter page for PSG.

According to reports, he had

a heart attack at his home in Le Havre, France, on Saturday. He died at 40.

“Paris Saint-Germain is in mourning. Modeste M’Bami passed away at the age of 40 after suffering a heart attack. We offer heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” the

club’s statement read.

Before his demise, M’Bami played for several French clubs, including PSG and Marseille.

He won the Coupe de France with PSG in 2004 and 2006.

M’Bami scored three goals in 37 appearances for Cameroon and was part of the squad that

is dominant in ground and air battles, and can also threaten going forward.

Ogbu has represented Nigeria at youth level. He made seven appearances for the Flying Eagles, two of which were at the U-20 World Cup in 2019.

He will team up with compatriots Peter Olayinka and Moses Usor at Slavia.

According to the BBC, Eto’o gave “strict instructions” for the actions to be taken “in order to put an end to the tampering with civil status records” which have, in the past, tarnished the image of Cameroon football.

“Fecafoot urges all actors, in particular educators, to ensure that the ages by category are respected,” read part of Fecafoot’s statement.

won gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Paris Saint-Germain learned with deep sadness the death today of our former player Modeste M’Bami.

The Club sends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones

African teams have previously been accused of age cheating, especially in junior tournaments, and Eto’o vowed to weed out the vice in Cameroon when he assumed office in December 2021.

This is the second time in the last five years that Cameroon has been rocked by age cheating after Fecafoot blocked 14 players from taking part in the 2017 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon after they failed the tests.

Croatia in the battle for third place, the team’s fourth place finish remains the best result

ever achieved by a Moroccan or Arab team.

The IFFHS’ ranking also

featured Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic, Japan’s Hajime Moriyasu, and the Netherlands’ Louis Van Gaal.

Morocco Head Coach, Walid Regragui

NPFL23: Niger Tornadoes record away victory against Wikki Tourists in Bauchi

Niger Tornadoes Football of Minna stunned host Wikki Tourists FC 2-0 at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi on Sunday as two second half goals from Idris Saidu and Musa Abdullahi Wakili ensured the Ikon Allah Boys ran out victorious in what was a fantastic display of football in the matchday of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.

The game started with both teams trying to dictate the pace with fluid attacking display. Wikki Tourists took control at the later stages of the game, as they continued to threatened, but Lucky Abdullahi in goal for the Ikon Allah Boys pulled off some eye-catching saves to keep his team in the game before the half time break.

Second half resumed and Coach Bala quickly made a tactical change bringing in Ifeanyi Okoye in place of Shamsudeen Hashim as he switched game plan.

The substitution paid off, as Okoye steadied things in the middle complementing Musa Wakili who was equally brilliant on the day.

Wikki Tourists’ Abubakar Aliyu had a good game as he consistently torments Tornadoes backline with his silk movement of the ball and dribbles, but Sunday Akinmoladun and co made sure he didn’t cause any havoc.

Tornadoes initiated a beautiful build up with David Okoromi finding the ball on the edge of the box, but was charged from behind as he attempted to shoot and the referee Patience Madu awarded a free kick, few meters from the area. Left full back Idris Saidu stepped forward, set the ball and curled it into the net in a spectacular fashion to put the visitors ahead on 74th minute.

Few minutes after the first goal, new entrant and Tornadoes form player Munir Idris who did not waste time before settling in into the game, became a thorn in the flesh of Wikki Tourists defenders with his dazzling moves on the flanks, he received the ball, dribbled his marker and passed to David Okoromi whose effort from a close range was parried towards the direction of Musa Wakili who slotted home to double the lead and the dark skinned Bauchi born midfield maestro refused to celebrate as a mark of respect for the home fans.

There were chances for Jonas

China-Nigeria Cooperation in the New Era

End of March in the year 2023 marks the second anniversary of my assignment in Nigeria. This is a country beloved by me, with splendid ancient culture, diversified social formation, colorful natural endowments, peaceloving and hardworking people, and immeasurable development potentials.

Meanwhile, the year 2021, when I kicked off my posting here, marked the 50th anniversary of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations, a unique occasion co-celebrated by both in an extensive manner. The two countries indeed share a lot in similarity, while the most typical one in recent years is that both are entering into a new era of national construction and development.

Nigeria has gained achievements on national development, by resisting economic recessions, overcoming coronavirus pandemic, coping with humanitarian challenges, and keeping 23 years of uninterrupted democracy process, which make Nigeria as one of the leading countries in Africa. As Ambassador of China, I had several chances to meet and talk with President Buhari, most recently at the ground-breaking ceremony of the new ECOWAS Headquarter building last month. I have been always touched and encouraged by his enthusiasm and determination to the country’s development and people’s wellbeing.

Meanwhile, China, under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, who doubles as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China(CPC), the ruling party in China, has eliminated the historical problem of absolute poverty, and achieved moderate prosperity in all respects. In October 2017, “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” was added to the CPC Constitution at its 19th National Congress, a remarkable milestone at China’s national development. Last October, CPC’s 20th National Congress was successfully held. It re-affirmed President Xi’s leadership status, and also brought the entire party and the Chinese people to embark on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance towards the country’s Second Centenary Goal.

As a diplomat, my focus is always on the bilateral cooperation between the host country and my home country. Thus, it’s my pleasure to see that, taking advantages bred by the new era, Nigeria-China pragmatic cooperation in major sectors also witnessed a rapid development, driven by wheels of guiding strategy, trade, investment and contracted projects, development assistance, and initiative of “Sharing Chinese Harmony and Performing Nigeria-China Symphony” (Harmony-Symphony Initiative).

Guiding strategy functions as the fundamental guarantee for cooperation. President Buhari and

By H.E. CUI Jianchun

President Xi have kept close and regular communications through different manners over bilateral relations and multilateral issues of mutual interest, which draws up the general guidance for the two countries’ cooperation. Besides, based on the experience, perception and feelings of my engagement and out-reach with all walks of life of Nigeria, I proposed the Nigeria-China 5-GIST Growth, Development and Progress Strategy, aiming at advancing bilateral relations and cooperation in the next 50 years in a holistic, systematic and comprehensive manner. This strategy has received overwhelming support from both Nigeria and China, and catalyzed our future cooperation.

Trade acts as the engine for cooperation. In 2021, despite the adverse impact of the pandemic, China-Nigeria trade reached 25.68 billion USD, rising 33.3% year on year, and Nigeria’s exports to China reached 3.04 billion USD, rising 22.4% year on year. From 2016 to 2021, this bilateral trade increased by nearly 142%. According to uncompleted statistics, in the first ten months of 2022, the bilateral trade volume reached 20.04 billion USD. Currently, Nigeria is China’s third largest trading partner in Africa, and China is Nigeria’s largest source of imports.

Investment and contracted projects inject impetus for cooperation. Nigeria is one of the African countries attracting the most investment from China. By 2021, cumulative investment has exceeded 20 billion USD, mainly in construction of free-trade and exportprocessing zones, oil extraction, home appliances and vehicle assembly, agricultural production, etc. The two free trade zones, Lekki FTZ and Ogun-Guangdong FTZ, have attracted investment of more than 1.51 billion USD and created more than 7,000 jobs opportunities. China is the leading contributor to Nigeria’s infrastructure development. More than 20 Chinese companies are participating in the construction of major projects concerning the economy and people’s livelihood in Nigeria, comprising of railways, roads, electricity, ICT and oil refineries. The Abuja-Kaduna Railway, the Lagos-Ibadan Railway, the new airport terminals, the Lekki deep seaport, the Zungeru Hydropower Station, etc., are making important boosts to the economic and social development of Nigeria.

Development assistance provides

guarantee for cooperation. At outset of the pandemic, China was the first to offer relief materials in support of Nigeria’s fight against the pandemic. Last year, the new ECOWAS Headquarter building project and the second phase of the Abuja Traffic Lights project have been officially started, and the agricultural technology demonstration center was officially handed over to the Nigerian competent authority. China will continue to support Nigerian people’s pursuit of better life.

Harmony-symphony Initiative stimulates vitality of cooperation. The work and life experience in Nigeria has left with me a deep feeling that, harmony is indeed a common value pursued and cherished by both societies in Nigeria and China, which performs a natural bond for the furtherance of our bilateral cooperation. For the wide application of this harmony philosophy, I put forward the Initiative of Sharing Chinese Harmony and Performing Nigeria-China Symphony early last year, which was warmly received from governmental agencies to academic sector in both countries. The structure of this Initiative is summarized as “four beams and eight columns”. The “four beams” refer to Harmony in Coexistence, Harmony in Integration, Harmony in Diversity, and Harmony in Development. The “eight columns” refer to Kindness& Harmony of Citizen&Nature; Happiness&Friendliness of Family&Society, Unity&Concordance of Nation&Culture, and Peace&Consonance of State&Governance. With this Initiative, the mutual understanding for cooperation between Nigeria and China has been deepened, the foundation of cooperation has been enhanced and the level of cooperation

has been scaled up.

Why could Nigeria and China keep such robust relations and fruitful bilateral cooperation? In my view, Nigeria-China cooperation is the epitome of Africa-China relations. Its essence was summarized by President Xi as the everlasting spirit of ChinaAfrica friendship and cooperation, at the opening session of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) held in November 2021. This spirit features sincere friendship and equality, win-win for mutual benefit and common development, fairness and justice, and progress with the times and openness and inclusiveness. At the session, President Xi also proposed to jointly build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, which was unanimously endorsed by African participants.

As a proverb goes, “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”. Over the course of pursuing common development and world peace, Nigeria and China should always be good friends and good partners who share weal and woe. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China will adhere to the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and pursuing the greater good and shared interests, and work together with Nigeria to advance high-quality cooperation and contribute to building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

The year of 2023, according to the Chinese lunar calendar, is the Year of Rabbit, being a symbol of earnestness, optimism, wittiness, longevity and prosperity. As the Chinese New Year celebration, also known as the Spring Festival, is approaching later this month, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all Nigerian friends and the Chinese community in Nigeria a happy, healthy and prosperous Chinese New Year.

CUI Jianchun is Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria

annoy God

H.E. CUI Jianchun