Monday, April 17, 2023 Edition

DSS investigates attack on staff in Adamawa

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has commenced investigation on attack on some of its staff in Adamawa state.

DSS in a statement issued on Sunday by Peter Afunanya, its Public Relations Officer, said its attention has been drawn to a trending video on the social media in which someone suspected to be its staff was allegedly manhandled

by some political miscreants in Adamawa State.

“This followed developments arising from the supplementary governorship election in the State.

“The Service wishes to inform the public that it has commenced

a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident.

“While calling for calm, the Service also implores concerned parties in Adamawa State to remain peace loving and shun violence.”

Buhari, Chadian leader agonize over ongoing crisis in Sudan

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari said the ongoing fight, which erupted in the Sudanese capital between the military and powerful para-military, Rapid Support Forces, RSF, is unwelcome.

Speaking during a visit to him by the Transitional President of Chad, Gen. Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, President Buhari described the fighting that claimed tens of lives as unfortunate.

A statement by the Senior Special to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the two leaders reviewed the unfortunate

situation and called on all neighbouring countries and the international community to prevail on the warring sides to stop fighting and negotiate.

“The situation in Sudan is unfortunate,” said the President, adding that Sudan deserved peace after all that it had gone through in the past.

President Buhari commended the Chadian leader for his “efforts to see a calming down, and for them to live peacefully. But you have to keep trying.”

Deby-Itno told President Buhari that the situation in Sudan was worrisome.

“Unfortunately, if not arrested, it will have serious repercussions on neighbouring

countries,” Deby-Itno stated.

As for the steps his country took in response to the crisis, President Deby-Itno said, “we have closed our borders to Sudan and reinforced our security.

“I have spoken to the leaders of both factions. If everyone tries, it will calm down the situation. African leaders, especially the elders (President Buhari), Macky Sall (Senegal) and AU Chairperson Azali Assoumani (Comoros) need to step in. For two days, they have been killing themselves.”

The Chadian leader wished President Buhari a successful Umrah and “all the best as you prepare to leave office.”

Motorsport NGO trains 100 Children in Karting, gives prices

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

About 100 children have been successfully trained in a kart (motorsport) training and competition for children in Abuja. The training was done by a motorsport nongovernmental organization known as Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN).

Participants were trained on the techniques and rules of kart racing both in theory and practical demonstration using e-karting devices and Go-Kart vehicles.

The first three day of the event

took place on the premises of Abuja Enterprise Agency while the day four, which was the final and competition day took place at the Eagle Square Parking Lot, Abuja.

The four-day event under the name Karting in School Phase 2 had about 100 participants which was supported by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile(FIA) through its FIA Sports Grant Programme hosted by ATCN in partnership with Abuja Enterprise Agency and Abuja Investment Company Limited.

About 100 children participated in the competition

out of which the best 16 were selected, and then the best 8 out which the best 4 qualified for the final.

In the category of boys, the first price went the 17-year-old Bassey Akilahyel who emerged over all winner while Usman Suleiman and Muhammad Suleiman came behind as first runner-up and second runner-up respectfully.

In the female category of the Karting in Schools, 11-year-old Ummusalma Abdullateef was the winner, while Sunday 9th April, 2023 saw 18 students participate in the eSport in eKarting Category, 12-year-old Abdullateef Junaid

emerged overall winner, followed by Mubarak Muhammad and David Shaibu who came second and third, respectively.

The president of ATCN Mr Isaku Bamayi, in his closing remark charged the kart drivers to show “dedication and commitment because the training and the outcome of the competition will definitely impart on your life, especially for those of you who want to obtain licence to participate in National and international competitions”, he said.

All the participants were given certificates while winners went home with trophies.

L-R: Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor, General Counsel, Mrs. Olubisi Makoju, Executive Director, Corporate Services & Operations, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kolawole Owodunni, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer, and Mr. Victor Sesere, Financial Controller, all of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) during the institution’s presentation

its 2022

Bureau Chiefs in Abuja.

Special Congress ratifies Ododo as Kogi APC guber candidate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Special Congress on Saturday in Kogi ratified Alhaji Ahmed Usman-Ododo as the party’s governorship candidate for the Nov. 11 Governorship election in the state. Ododo had on Friday defeated six

FG committed to empowering nomads -Perm sec

The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to partner with the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) to empower and strengthen the capacity of nomads in the country.

Dr. Sani Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Afftairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said this in a statement by the Information Officer of the Ministry, Mrs Rhoda Iliya, in Abuja.

Gwarzo was speaking during submission of concept note by NCNE for Critiquing and Production of training manuals for Nomadic Youth on Skills acquisition and sustainable livelihoods.

He underscored the need for the Commission to partner with the relevant agencies towards building the capacity of nomads through education, training and empowerment in various skills.

” We both have a lot to do in terms of training and empowerment of nomads,” he said.

The permanent secretary urged the executives of NCNE to use its radio services to intensify campaign towards reorientation of nomadic communities against any act of indiscipline.

Gwarzo also urged the commission to use their existing radio service to create awareness by airing the programmes of the Humanitarian Ministry.

In his response, the Executive Secretary of NCNE, Prof. Bashir Usman, said the commission had widened its scope to accommodate new realities occasioned by the devastating impact of climate change.

Usman said, the commission was initially established 1989 with the mandate to cater for the education of nomads, pastoralists, migrants and fish farmers.

He, however, said there was changes in their mode of operation due to the impact of climate change and insecurity which necessitated a review of the commission’s establishment act.

The NCNE boss also said, the review was necessary to respond to the emerging issues affecting the nomads in the country.

According to him, three different new Skill Acquisition Centres were established in addition to extramoral classes for the educational advancement of the nomads.NAN

other aspirants to emerge candidate and flag bearer of the APC in the party’s Direct Primary Election held across the state

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ratification, held at Mohammadu Buhari Square Lokoja by a special Congress of the party, was done in conformity with the party’s guidelines for the primary election across the state’s 239 wards on Friday.

The special congress, presided over by Gov Mohammed Bellomatawale led Kogi APC Election Committee, superintended over the ratification which was widely attended by party members that came from different parts of the state.

Mr Patrick Obahiagbon, the Secretary to the committee, represented the Zamfara Governor.

Obahiagbon said, “After the carefully conducted primaries, devoid of rancour and with no violence recorded anywhere in the state, and

Ramadan Timing Day 26

having scored 78,704 votes, Alhaji Usman Ododo has been returned as the governorship candidate of our great party.”

“By the election and ratification, Ododo will fly the party’s flag in the November 11 Governorship Election in the state,” he said.

Ododo, in his acceptance speech, promised to continue to improve on the security template laid down by the incumbent Gov Yahaya Bello, among many other life-changing legacies of the current administration.

Bello, at the event, said he was sure that Ododo would not disappoint kogi people, adding that the crowd at the congress was a pointer to his acceptability across the length and breadth of the state, without consideration for ethnic or religious bias.

“Today’s event shows that there is no opposition in Kogi State. We are one big family; we have won everything election in the state.NAN

Mob Killings: Security Expert wants urgent attention to curb trend

Asecurity expert, Mr Dickson Osajie, on Friday called on the government and law enforcement agencies to urgently check the growing trend of mob killings in the country.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Osajie, owner of DBreeze Protection and Security Service Ltd, said public extrajudicial killings had become the order of the day across the country.

He said that the menace needed to be addressed urgently as the killing of a person for a crime without recourse to law enforcement officers was not acceptable in any given society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osajie, a former Army personnel, spoke on the backdrop of recent mob killings in the country within the month of April.

Osajie recalled the cases of a 40-year-old man who was reportedly killed over alleged theft of N2,000 watermelon in Bauchi and that of a 22-year-old man, who was set ablaze in Calabar on April 9 for stealing an Android phone.

He also recalled the cases of a driver, who was stoned to death for crushing two persons to death in Ondo on April 10, and the lynching of a final-year student of the Obafemi Awolowo University for alleged phone theft on April 11.

“It is a disturbing situation that Nigerians are resorting to jungle justice, killing people because of simple or minor crimes.

“Those who engage in lynching are not innocent, some of them are also criminals; If you lynch a person for stealing a bike, your crime is even worse because you have committed murder.

“There have been killings all over the country, and the perpetrators are difficult to track.

“In more modern societies where the police have sophisticated equipment, the perpetrators of such crime will be trailed and arrested.

“We need to place priority on human life; it is sad that Nigerians are dying everyday, people are being killed like chickens, it is totally unacceptable,” he said.

The security expert said that jungle justice was caused by emotions that were not well directed.

“A lot of Nigerians are angry, especially the jobless ones. They feel that in any situation they can vent their anger on their fellow citizens.

According to him, mob killing is putting the country in negative light, adding that it also makes people to think that Nigeria is a lawless nation.

Osajie said that the police and judiciary needed to do more to tackle the growing menace, such as putting in place an effective punishment system to ensure that those who engaged in such crimes are made to face the wrath of the law.

“One beautiful thing punishment does is that it serve as a deterrent. If you don’t punish people, you will not flourish.

“If we have a criminal justice system where the perpetrators are taken to court, tried, and jailed, possibly given life sentence or execution as the case maybe, then the deadly act will be mitigated,” he said.

Osajie also urged the police to desist from extra-judicial killings as that could also send wrong signals to Nigerians.

He called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other agencies to embark on sensitisation that would inform the public about the consequences of their actions.NAN

(Source: Society for the Propagation of Islam Kaduna)

TIPS ON HEALTHY ‘IFTAR’

Choose lean proteins to get the benefits with little saturated fats. Include fish, skinless chicken or turkey and low-fat dairy to have as part of your iftar meal. If you’re vegetarian, you can select other protein sources such as legumes, beans and nuts.

(HealthyEating #Alarabiya.net)

Compiled By Al-Amin Ciroma

Ekweremadu: Group

begs

Presidentelect, Tinubu, NASS to intervene

Igbo Indigenes Without Border, a socio-cultural organisation, has begged the Presidentelect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to intervene in the case of the former Deputy President of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu.

The President of the group, Dr Bernard Oshi, made the appeal at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice, were convicted by the United Kingdom Central Criminal Court, London, for organ harvesting.

Oshi also appealed to Tinubu and the incoming 10th National Assembly to look into the matter with a human face and prevail on the government of the United Kingdom to temper justice with mercy.

Similarly, he called on the members of the diplomatic corps, particularly those of the United Nations, the United Kingdom and the United States of America to come to the help of Ekweremadu.

According to him, the organisation as a concerned institution, monitored with keen interest the sterling public and private service record of Ekweremadu as a lawyer, philanthropist, politician and a patriot.

“The Ekweremadu parental instinct to provide care for his sick daughter even at the distressing cost of having to seek for a kidney donor. This is not the type of crime a man should be abandoned to face alone.”

Oshi, used the news conference to congratulate the President-elect, Tinubu, the Vice President-Elect, Sen Kashim Shettima, all members of the National Assembly, governors and state assembly members either reelected or newly elected.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership and commitment to keeping the country united, particularly through the past past difficult years.

“Our hope and prayer is for Nigeria to continue to witnessed peace and prosperity as we continue our democratic journey.”

NAN reports that Igbo Indigenes Without Border, is a socio-cultural organisation with membership within and outside Nigeria, particularly in China, United Kingdom and the United States of America. (NAN)

NDLEA arrests Lekki businessman over illicit cargo from US, pregnant woman, cripple in Edo

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency

(NDLEA) said its operatives arrested a Lekki Lagos based businessman, Cyril Chidiebere on Friday 14th April along with two of his freight agents: Mejabi Peter Sunday and Oyeyinka Babatunde over their involvement in the importation of twelve (12) parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 6.50kg, which was part of a consolidated cargo brought in from the United States of America.

A statement issued by Femi Babafemi, the Director, Media & Advocacy, said the arrest and seizure followed a three-day intelligence led operation.

“Following the arrival of the cargo at the NAHCO import shed

of the MMIA, its movement out of the airport was closely monitored in a sting operation until the actual importer, Cyril Chidiebere, was arrested in his house at Abraham Adesanya estate, Ajah, Lekki area of Lagos. Both Mejabi and Chidiebere have made useful statements to confirm that the latter has been involved in dealing on illicit drugs in the past.

“Meanwhile, a pregnant woman, Rabetu Abdulrasak, 24, and a cripple, Shehu Adams have been arrested by NDLEA operatives in Agbede, Etsako West LGA, Edo state while over 14 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol and swinol were recovered from them on Saturday 15th April.

“A 22-year-old HND 1 female

student of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun state, Isoyo Iveren

Susan was on Saturday 15th April arrested opposite 2nd Gate of the institution for dealing in illicit drugs. Recovered from her include 1,100ML of codeine-based cough syrup and 283grams of cannabis. This is just as operatives in Lagos arrested two suspects: Nonso Peter, 21, and Bright Chibike, 23, with 43.4kg cannabis at Ile-Epo, Abule Egba area of the state on Friday 14th April.

“In Katsina state, no less than 1,730 bottles of codeinebased syrup were seized from a suspect, Bishir Saadu in Katsina metropolis on Sunday 9th April just as Muhamadu Yusuf was equally arrested same day with 8,000 capsules of tramadol inside a commercial bus along

Kano - Katsina road. In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Kaduna on Thursday 13th April raided a clandestine laboratory where mist potassium citrate was being produced in a residential apartment at 16 Sabon Gari, Zaria. The owner of the lab, Christopher Agodi was arrested and 102 cartons containing 2,448 bottles of the substance recovered. While a suspect, Salisu Abdullahi, 25, was arrested along AbujaKaduna road with 11.7kg cannabis concealed in two jerrycans, which he was moving from Port Harcourt to Kano, operatives also on Saturday 15th April nabbed one Atiku Abubakar, 22, on the same road with 50 blocks of cannabis weighing 28kg while travelling from Lagos to Shinkafi in Zamfara state in a commercial bus.

Don tasks men on welfare of widows, orphans

An academic, Prof. Rafatu Abdulhamid of the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Abuja has enjoined men to accord priority attention to the welfare and wellbeing of widows and orphans.

She made the call on Saturday in Abuja at a Ramadan lecture she delivered on: “Divorce and Widowhood’’ organised by the AlHabibiyyah Islamic Society.

She cited several verses of the Glorious Quran, where Prophet Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, encouraged men to be sympathetic and be kind and supportive of widows.

“My advice to men is that they should emulate Prophet Muhammad’s gesture to widows. In Islamic history, many of the prophet’s wives were widows; but

today we see a different thing.

“Today, wealthy men are not ready to take widows as wives and sometimes when the widows have children, the men run away from them because they don’t want added responsibilities.

“Those men forget that such responsibility is what will earn them paradise.

“For them to earn paradise, they have to take care of widows and orphans as Prophet Muhammad and verses of Qur’an has encouraged us,’’ she said.

Abdulhamid also expressed concern at the alarming rate of divorce in the society due to insincerity and misconception about marriage, saying: “nowadays marriage is not taken as an act of worship.’’

The lecturer noted that in

Islam, every couple is expected to make good intention to marry so as to serve God.

“Once we have that sincerity of intention, everything will go smoothly, but insincerity is one of the major causes of divorce.

“Intending couples must ask themselves at the beginning why they want to come together.

“Is it about serving God so that we can earn His pleasure or looking at materialism? And this is why we make a lot of selections and some of these selections are very bad.

“At the end of the day, we pay the price of insincerity because we are not looking at the real concept of marriage from the Islamic perspective,’’ Abdulhamid noted.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the Ramadan lecture, Dr Bilkisu

Magoro explained that it centred on the rights of women as widows and divorcees with a view to educating women more on what Islam is all about.

Magoro, who stated that Islam has a guide and rights for divorcees, urged Muslims to always abide by the teachings of Islam in whatever they did.

Similarly, the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, enjoined all Muslim women to continue to maximise the spiritual benefits of the month of Ramadan.

“In a nation where women are conscious of God, we shall have a nation that is conscious of God because women control all aspects of human endeavour, including their children and husbands,’’ he said. (NAN)

L-R Chairman National Assembly Service Commission, Engr Ahmed Amishi; President of the Senate, Sen Ahmed Lawal;Deputy Minority Leader, Sen Robert Borofice; Minority Leader,Sen Philip Aduda and Member National Assembly Service Commission,Sen Abubakar Tutare Shortly after the National Assembly Service Commission Presentation of 2022. Report to the Senate at the National Assembly Complex

Scores killed as troops engage gunmen in fierce battle in Zangon Kataf

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Several people were killed in a fierce encounter between suspected terrorists and troops of the Nigerian military in Southern Kaduna.

The battle was still on going, according to sources, as at time of filing this report.

Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of

Adamawa

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, in a statement on Sunday,explained that the military has informed the Kaduna State Government of an attack in Runji village, Zangon Kataf LGA, in which several lives were lost on Saturday night.

“The preliminary report further informed the government that the attack also left some residents injured and an

Guber:

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national leadership has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, for illegally declaring the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Aisha Binani as the Governor-elect of the state, while collation was still on going.

The party also called on the Inspector General of Police to immediately arrest Mallam Yunusa Ari and make him face the full wrath of the law for his conduct.

The PDP made the demand at a press conference addressed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Sunday.

The party specifically declared the action of the REC as a criminal usurpation of the duties and powers of the Returning Officer, Prof Mohammed Mele, while collation was on-going.

The PDP pointed out that it was even more absurd that the Adamawa State REC did not only usurp the powers of the Returning Officer but attempted to declare a winner without figures in reckless violation of the provisions of

unspecified number of houses burnt down in the community.”

“According to the report, troops had a fierce encounter with the attackers and are still in the general area.”

“While waiting for a detailed report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai who received the preliminary report in the early hours of Sunday, has condemned the killings as unacceptable and unjustifiable.”

“The Governor condoled the families that lost their loved ones and prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

“The Kaduna State Government will update the public on the incident as soon as detailed reports are received from the security agencies,” the statement added.

FCT Minister eulogises Emmanuel Yepwi, late Etsu Karu

By Stanley Onyekwere

L-R: Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Reuben Muoka, receiving the “Africa’s Best Institutional Regulator” Award on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, from the Special Assistant on Strategy to Ebonyi State Government, Chuks Okoh, at a book presentation and award ceremony organised by publishers of Political Economist magazine in Lagos recently.

PDP demands arrest, prosecution of REC

•Wants Fintiri declared winner without delay

the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines as well as the sensibility of the people of Adamawa State.

This reprehensible criminal conduct of the Adamawa State REC, Ologunagba maintained, “confirms the earlier alarms by the PDP which demanded for his immediate removal from Adamawa State following evidence of his complicity and being compromised by the APC and its candidate to manipulate the election in their favour notwithstanding the votes by the people of Adamawa State”.

The leading opposition party further described the action of the REC, Yunusa Ari as subversive and calculated to cause crisis in Adamawa State, destabilize the nation’s democracy and peaceful co-existence as a nation.

According to Ologunagba, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calls on the people of Adamawa State, Nigerians and the International Community to disregard the purported declaration of the defeated Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Binani as winner of the Adamawa State Governorship election.

“The PDP also demands for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, for making such illegal declaration in criminal usurpation of the duties and powers of the Returning Officer, Prof Mohammed Mele, while collation was on-going.

“It is even more absurd that the Adamawa State REC did not only usurp the powers of the Returning Officer but attempted to declare a winner without figures in reckless violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines as well as the sensibility of the people of Adamawa State.

“This reprehensible criminal conduct of the Adamawa State REC confirms the earlier alarms by the PDP which demanded for his immediate removal from Adamawa State following evidence of his complicity and being compromised by the APC and its candidate to manipulate the election in their favour notwithstanding the votes by the people of Adamawa State.

“Mallam Yunusa Ari’s action is subversive and calculated to

cause crisis in Adamawa State, destabilize our democracy and peaceful co-existence as a nation. We call on the Inspector General of Police to immediately arrest Mallam Yunusa Ari and make him face the full wrath of the law for his conduct.

“The PDP notes the pronouncement by INEC Headquarters that the action of Mallam Yunusa Ari is “null, void and of no effect”. The PDP therefore demands that INEC Headquarters should immediately direct the Returning Officer to conclude collation, announce the results from the Polling Units and declare our candidate, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as winner, having scored the majority of lawful votes cast.

“From the results already collated across the 69 Polling Units where the supplementary elections held and which are on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, Governor Fintiri clearly won the election.

“Our Party therefore demands that INEC should, without further delay, announce the results as already collated from the Polling Units and declare Governor Fintiri as winner.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has eulogized late Etsu of Karu, HRH Emmanuel Kyauta Yepwi, the Sa'karuyi of Karu, as man of peace and an epitome of wisdom who was steeped in the culture and traditions of his people.

Bello also commiserated with the Karu Chiefdom in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), over the death of their monarch, aged 76 years, who reportedly died after a brief illness over the weekend, at medical facility in Kano State.

The FCT Minister who led a delegation of senior officials of the FCT Administration on a condolence visit to the palace of the Etsu Karu on yesterday, described the late monarch as a person of wisdom who contributed immensely to the development of his domain, adding that his guidance and counsel will sorely be missed.

Represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Minister also stressed that his reign brought peace, stability and development to Karu Chiefdom and indeed, the FCT,.

He however, prayed that Almighty God will grant the royal father eternal rest and his family and the Karu Chiefdom, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Speaking on behalf of the Palace, the District Head of Jikwoyi, Mr. Nicodemus Machi, appreciated the FCT Administration for the condolence visit to the Karu Chiefdom and prayed that the good relationship between the Palace and the FCT Administration will continue to flourish.

On his part, the Senator representing the FCT at the National Assembly, Phillip Aduda, thanked the FCT Minister for coming to commiserate with the Karu people and for his support.

Aduda however, disclosed that, in line with the tradition of the chiefdom, the formal declaration of the transition of the late Etsu would be made on Saturday, April 22nd, to be followed by other traditional burial rites.

Other dignitaries present during the visit include the Secretary, FCT Transportation Secretariat, Abdullahi Adamu Candido, the Chairman FCT Secondary Education Board, Yahaya Musa Arada, Members of the Traditional Council of Karu and Directors in the FCTA, among others.

From Umar Dankano, Yola

Following the controversial and illegal announcement of the Adamawa State governorship election, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has appealed for calm due to palpable tension and uncertainty in the state.

Governor Fintiri made the appeal at a press briefing held at government house Yola Sunday, accusing the embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner,Yunusa Hudu Ari and his cohorts for pushing the collective patience of Adamawa citizens to his limit.

“Fellow Citizens of Adamawa State, this morning we all woke up to an illegal announcement by merchants of anarchy headed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner - Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, who since the beginning of this election is bent on pushing our collective patience to its limit.

“It is on record that we went to the polls for the first round of the election on 18th of February, 2023. Even when it was apparent that I was coasting home to victory, this same gang aided the confusion that rendered the election inconclusive.

“As civilized citizens who were committed to democratic ethos, we accepted the situation in good

Balami tasks incoming presidentelect to combat insecurity

By Usman Shuaibu

The retired Judge of the Federal Capital Territory

(FCT) High court of Justice, Hon. Justice Mwada Balami, has charged Nigeria president elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet members to deem it necessary to wage war against security challenges facing the country.

He also urged the incoming government to always move towards fighting corruption which had eaten deep into the fabric of our nation for so long now.

Balami, who gave the charge in an interview with newsmen in his residence in Gwagwalada to mark the remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ.

He called on both Muslims and Christians to live in peace with each other for the sake of togetherness, noting that no country could move forward in the atmosphere of rancor and acrimony.

He, however, pleaded with Christians and Muslims to cultivate the habit of living peacefully with their neighbours anytime of the day.

Fintiri appeals for calm as INEC suspends collation of results

faith and prepared for the rerun. On Saturday, 15th – April, the rerun was held peacefully across the State. The appropriate officers commenced the process of the collation. The first round of the collation went well with 11 LGAs collated, before the process was adjourned to continue on 16th April at 11.00 a.m. Just when we

were waiting for the resumption of the collation, the REC this morning took up a task, he is not constitutionally empowered to do by making an illegal announcement of the outcome of the election without result.

“This action is no doubt provocative, but in this situation, I appeal for calm as always. I

assure you that as your leader, I will ensure NOBODY thwarts your democratic rights.

“The independent National electoral Commission has demonstrated its umpire status by first distancing itself from the act of the REC and assured that the right thing will be done. The right thing in this context is

the conclusion of the collation at the designated location and the declaration of a winner by the Returning Officer in the person of Mele Kyari.

“I must thank you for your resilience and resolve to not only exercise your democratic rights but to also protect it. We are on this until justice is done.”

PS tasks accountants managing Nigeria’s wealth to prevent leakages

Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, has called on accounting professionals to manage the country’s wealth effectively and prevent leakages.

He said this at the 2023 Annual Dinner and District Award ceremony, organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Nyanya-Mararaba and District Society, in Abuja.

Ogunbiyi, who was the chairman of the occasion, said accountants are custodians of public trust and should endeavour to uphold the ethics of their profession as they carry out their duties.

“Accountants are supposed to be trustworthy because they hold and control the liquid asset of the organisation and as such they are meant to be trustworthy, honest, manage wealth and prevent leakages in the affairs of government.

“So accountants should be officers in the service who can be relied upon and be able to identify

areas of inappropriate spending and support government and make sure that leakages are blocked,” he said.

Also, Malam Tijjani Isa, 58th ICAN President, represented by Dr Oyemolu Akinsulire, ICAN Council member, said that the institute would continue to support its members in their various endeavours.

He,however,called on accounting professionals to abide by the ethics of profession and ensure that they carry out their duties with integrity and accountability.

“By our training, we are utility managers, we fit in anywhere and we perform, we get our colleagues and ask questions.

“That is why when you see us anywhere, we go the needed mileage and achieve the needed result.

“My advice to our members is to continue to keep the flag of the institute flying higher,” he said.

Mr Adewale Adeagbo, Chairman, ICAN NyanyaMararaba and District Society, said the event was aimed at recognizing and appreciating persons who had contributed to

the growth of the district and the ICAN brand.

Adeagbo also called on members of the district to ensure they make the institute proud by being good examples in their places of work and in the society at large.

“My advice to members of the district society is to keep the flag flying, even though the district is barely two years, we are doing things as though we have been in existence before now.

“We don’t want to crawl, we want to fly and with God on our side, we believe that we will make the institute proud.

“To the incoming executives, I urge them to continue from where we stopped, though the previous excos laid the foundation, we tried to build on but we stopped at a certain stage, so we advice them to continue from there,” he said.

Dr Salisu Saad, Deputy Director at the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and the guest lecturer at the event called on Nigerians to pay their taxes as it was their civic responsibility.

Saad who spoke on the topic, “The Nigerian Tax System

– Implications on Revenue Generation for the Country”, said that tax evasion had continued to impact the drive for infrastructural development in the country.

“There is a high level of tax evasion and tax avoidance, this is related to the way government spends the money because there is a perception by some Nigerians that there is corruption in the country.

“They believe that when they pay taxes, the revenue would go to other pocket that is why some individuals try to evade it, but that is not an excuse, we need to pay taxes as part of our civic responsibility,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the bestowment of awards on 12 distinguished personalities for their contributions to the growth of the district and the accounting profession in Nigeria.

NAN also reports that the highpoint of the event was the decoration of Mr Joshua Basiru as the Patron of the district society.

(NAN)

Uztaz Huseyn Zakaria (middle), during the closing ceremony of the annual Ramadan Tafsir 1444, at Uthman Bin Affan Masjid, Wuse II, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

The International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE) has offered free medical treatment to over 700 indigent women, children and the elderly in Karmo, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre is the custodian of AlNoor Mosque, Abuja.

Addressing newsman during the exercise, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim, Chairman of the Medical Outreach Committee, said most of the beneficiaries have illnesses that are easily treatable, but lack access to healthcare.

“We have been doing this free medical outreach regularly until the time when we had the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and we had to slow down.

“During this month of ramadan this is our second outing. This is a community which deserves medical care, a lot of them have illnesses that are easily treatable, but unfortunately they have no access to healthcare.

“We are here to help where we can and people have come out in large numbers and our volunteer doctors, nurses and others are ready to help.

“We are going to be here until we see everyone who has a complain,” he added.

Ibrahim, who is also a member of the Advisory Board of ICICE, said those with

serious medical challenges would be referred to appropriate health facilities under the sponsorship of the centre.

“It is very important for communities and organisations like ours to go out to help people in need, to complement government efforts,” he added.

The centre’s Director-General, Dr Kabir Kabo-Usman, said the over 700 people who turned up included persons with disabilities.

He explained that Karmo was chosen based on need assessment earlier conducted by the centre, in line with its mandate of offering assistance in the areas of poverty reduction and healthcare.

“These people don’t have adequate drinking water, they don’t have good roads and they don’t have good schools.

“We are doing our best to give them all the necessary medical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and relevant medication and medicaments that they require.

“Not only that, we also make sure that they are referred to general hospitals, and those that are tremendously urgent, the centre takes care of that; that is part of our responsibility,” Kabo-Usman added.

Head of the Medical Team, Dr Amina Kumaliya, said most of those attended to were hypertensive and diabetic, while some have malaria, peptic ulcer, respiratory tract infection and diarrhea. (NAN)

FCT: Centre offers free medical care to 700 indigent women, children Institute strengthens capacity of artisans, craftsmen

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has commenced capacity building of artisans and craftsmen in the built industry to address skills’ dearth and skill importation in the country.

The NIOB President Prof. Yohana Izam said this at the 2023 Mandatory Continuous Professional Workshop for External Quality Assurance Managers on Saturday in Abuja

Izam represented by 2nd Vice President, NIOB, Mr Bimbo Kolade said that the the twoday capacity workshop was organised by the Artisans and Craftsmen Qualification Awarding Board of NIOB

Izam said the workshop was inline with the National Skills Qualification programme of the Government.

“The nation is coming up with the skill qualification. Our youth rather than just going to acquire an education they should alongside with the education acquire a skill.

” And under the National Skill Qualification framework, the Nigerian institute or building is the awarding body that awards skill qualification certificate for the construction workers.

“There are levels with which you go through before you can be and you get qualified in this various levels of training.”

According to him, there are seven trades and these include plumbing, piping jobs, carpentry, aluminum framework, masonry and roofing.

” So we have three levels of assessor, there is the Quality Assurance Assessor. The Internal Verifier Assessor, those ones superintend over the QAA.

“In this training that you are doing now, there is a specialized training for those who are at the highest level of the skill acquisition society which are the External Quality Assurance Assessors. These are quality assurance is managers.

“The participants come from all over the Federation, for now within the construction industry sector, we have 25 of them that are already qualified.

“We have seen some of them going into Morocco or the United Kingdom from where they are recognised and they can practice as quality assurance assessors even in those countries,” Izam said.

Dr Christopher Belonwu, Chairman Artisans and Craftsmen Qualification Awarding Board, said the essence of this training was to bring the participants, up to speed with current practice National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

“At the end of the training you know that so many intervention projects linked to this NSQ, you have the n-power project, the n-skills project, the world Bank ideas project, project teamers, are all on NSQ.

“We want to make sure that all these various intervention projects, the ones that are construction related are executed better in the right way they should be.

“It means that era when certificates are given when people are not qualified, is gone. At the end of this workshop we expect that the skillsmanship of our craftsmen will be sharpened.”

Explaining further on the essence of the workshop on skills importation Belonwu said it would be an end to such practice because Nigerian craftsmen would also do better jobs.

“In doing better it means they have a predefined step of doing the work, they understand the steps, there are actual trade secrets that they try to carry out to do that better.

“So under this NSQ, we now have the standard which other countries do we call it the National Operating Standard.

“It is what all the artisans follow so that they can reach that point that foreigners have

INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR E-LEARNING COURSES DEVELOPMENT AND CONTENT CONVERSION FOR THE CORPORATION.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) hereby request reputable and competent firms with good track records of performance and experience to submit Expression of Interest (EOI) for E-learning courses development and content conversion for the Corporation.

2.0 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT SHOULD INCLUDE:

I. The timeline for E-learning courses development shall be 6-8 weeks and the projected courses shall include:

a. Work ethics and values.

b. Work ethics and corporate culture.

c. Overview of Nigeria’s Macro-economic environment and its linkage with Supervision,

d. Concept of banking Supervision and prudential regulation.

e. Premium Assessment.

f. Performance Management

II. The courses will be SCORM-Compliant and compatible with NDIC current Learning Management System (LMS)

III. The courses should have simple intuitive interface for both technical and non-technical staff and create user-friendly learning environment.

IV. The content should have video, learning games, illustrative images, interactive graphics and simulation etc. to make learning more engaging.

V. Provision of top quality media content to support each course and ability for compatibility with other learning resources.

VI. Customization for the local environment (Using NDIC staff as actors to introduce courses).

VII. Involvement of NDIC workforce during development and implementation of the application.

VIII. There shall be meticulous quality assurance of courses to ensure correctness of the course content on the platform.

IX. Provision of post implementation support after development of courses.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Interested Firms who wish to respond to this request for EOI should submit their company profile along with the following documents:

a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7. Business Name with Form BN1 is also acceptable;

b. Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate (or Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificate of all the Partners in case of Business Name) for the last three (3) years valid till 31st December, 2023; with minimum average annual turnover of N150 million;

c. Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 15 and above);

d. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 5 and above or the bidder’s annual turnover is N50m and above);

e. Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023;

f. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31/12/2023 or valid Certificate issued by BPP.

g. Sworn Affidavit:

- disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars;

- that no Director has been convicted in any Country for any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation or falsification of facts relating to any matter;

- that the Company is not in receivership, the subject of any form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings

h. Evidence of current Licence/accreditation with Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA);

i. Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years (2020, 2021 & 2022).

j. Evidence of Financial capacity to execute the project by submission of Reference letter from a reputable deposit money bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when required.

k. Detailed Company Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of key staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications.

l. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least one (1) similar jobs executed within the last three (3) years including Letter of Awards, Valuation Certificates and Job Completion Certificate;

m. Provide Proof of Concept (POC) as part of the technical bidding process

n. For Joint Venture/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be provided. Where a bid is submitted by a joint venture (JV) partners each member of the JV must fulfil requirements i to vii under eligibility criteria.

o. All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM no.) and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm.

Note: Technical Evaluation Bid should have a Table of Content and be paginated.

4.0 SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF (EOI) DOCUMENTS

Three (3) bound copies of Expression of Interest documents in sealed envelopes and clearly marked “Expression of Interest for E-learning courses development and content conversion for the Corporation. addressed to: Director, Procurement and Management Services Department, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Plot 447/448 Constitution Avenue, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria.

5.0 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION

Furthermore, each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box on the Ground floor, reception area at the Head Office Building not later than 11:00a.m. Wednesday, 3rd May, 2023. Please, ensure that you sign the Bid Submission Register in the Procurement and Management Services Department, 2nd floor, as NDIC would not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted documents. Further requisite information required can be obtained from the following e-mail address info@ndic.gov.ng.

6.0 OPENING OF EOI DOCUMENTS

The opening would hold immediately after the deadline for submission at 11:00a.m. Wednesday, 3rd May, 2023, on the Ground Floor, Visitors Waiting Room at the NDIC Head Office Building in the presence of the bidders or their representatives.

7.0 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

i) EOI must be in English Language and signed by an official authorised by the bidder.

ii) Any submission received after the deadline for submission would be returned un-opened.

iii) All documents must be paginated and items required under eligibility requirements are to be arranged in the order of sequence and legible.

iv) Due diligence exercise shall be conducted to verify all the claims made by bidders

v) A company should not submit for more than one bid.

vi) Failure to comply with the instructions will lead to disqualification.

vii) NDIC is not bound to shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

SIGNED: MANAGEMENT

Insurgency: Foundation calls for release of remaining Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu

Kalthum Foundation for Peace ( KFP), a charity organisation, has appealed to armed groups to release the remaining Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu and others that are still in their custody in the spirit of the Holy month of Ramadan.

The Chairperson of KFP, Amb. Ummu Kalthum Rabiu, made the appeal in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Rabiu also called upon the families of the victims whose wards are now in their 14th year of captivity to keep hope alive and surrender to the will of Allah.

She also called upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to live up to its responsibility of ensuring security of lives and property, especially for innocent school girls.

“We are all witnesses to how governments and opposition armed groups in countries like Chad, Yemen, Niger and Ethiopia have used dialogue and mediation to negotiate for peace and the cessation of hostilities.

“It is against this backdrop that we are pleading with Boko Haram militants, ISWAP, and the federal government of Nigeria to come to the negotiation table and dialogue for peace.

“We call upon the 19 state governments in Northern Nigeria to provide adequate security for schools across their states,” she said.

KFP is a registered charity organisation based in Maiduguri that is in the forefront of using non-kinetic efforts to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency. (NAN)

Emir of Zazzau represented by Barden, Zazzau, HRH. Haruna Abubakar,- Presenting a foodstops to one of beneficiary widow Salamatu hafiz,during the Innitiative for Muslimwonen of nigeria (IMWON) distribute foodstops to Over 1000 orphanane and Widows, in kaduna on Sunday 16/4/23

INEC declares Idris as winner of Kebbi guber poll

From Ahmadu Baba Idris Birnin Kebbi

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Kebbi State has declared Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the governorship polls held in the state.

Announcing the result of the

supplementary election held last Saturday, the Returning Officer, Professor Saidu Yusuf, said Nasiru Idris scored 409,225 votes against his closest rival, General Aminu Bands, of the PDP who has 360,940 votes.

The victory instantly sent airs of celebrations across the length and breadth of the state while the

supporters of the PDP were left in utter disbelief at how they lost the elections.

In his acceptance speech, Governor-elect Idris promised to run an all-inclusive government promising to build on the existing achievements of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

He further said, “Let me use this

opportunity to thank our teeming supporters who turned out en masse to vote APC into the office to continue enjoying the dividends of democracy. “To those who we contested with from other parties, you should know we have no other state than Kebbi. You should therefore join hands with us to move the state forward,” he said.

Trawler operators attribute vessel depletion to illegal fishing

The Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association (NITOA) has said that the menace of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing had led to the depletion of fishing trawlers in the country .

Mrs Benedette Okonkwo, President of the association, said this at the Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd., Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting (MBRBM), on fishing and fisheries in Lagos.

Okonkwo said that members of the association had a combined fleet of over 250 vessels and over 20 fishing companies.

This, she said, had drastically

reduced to 150 vessels with about five presently struggling to survive.

She added that illegal fishing activities in the country was threatening Nigeria’s blue economy prospects.

Okonkwo called on the government to introduce initiatives that would boost the fishing industry.

“NITOA has been involved in industrial fishing activities in Nigeria since 1986 when some notable Nigerians initiated the idea of having a unified body to represent its members on issues of mutual interest.

“There is the need to establish Fisheries Terminal here in Lagos where about 95 per cent of the industrial fishing operators are based.

“Also, government should do well to resucitate the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) Scheme, to make it more robust, workable and transparent,” she said.

She said that trawler owners were overburdened by overzealous government agencies overseeing sea fishing.

This, she said, was affecting the growth of the industry that should be a veritable source of local

fish supply and foreign exchange earnings for the country.

“There is the need for the government to sit down with NITOA to chart a common course so as to harmonise the processes and procedures to attract more local and foreign direct investments.

“ Other areas that government must look into include; high cost of statutory registration and renewals of trawlers particulars from the regulatory agencies; occasional pirate attacks at high sea leading to loss of lives and property and damage of vessels and machines,” she said.(NAN)

Remains of former army spokesman buried in Abuja

The remains of the former Director of Army Public Relations, retired Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, was on Friday laid to rest at the Guards Brigade Cemetery, Lungi Barracks, Abuja.

Chukwu, who passed on in Abuja after a brief illness on Jan. 5 was appointed army’s spokesperson in February 2018.

The burial rites of late Chukwu commenced at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mambilla Barracks before the interment.

While giving charge at the church, the Deputy Director, Chaplaincy (Roman Catholic), Rev. Fr Martins Bako, a Colonel, admonished the living to be mindful of the last day by making their ways right with God.

Reading from the book of second Samuel 13:18-23, Job 1:1; 2:9-10, he urged all to recognise that human beings were just caretakers of their lives, while God who gave it could take it at any time.

According to him, every death

reminds us that we are mortals and we are going to depart someday appointed by God.

Reading the burial oration, the representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Brig.-Gen. MA Ameh, described the late Chukwu as a professional who served the army and the nation meritoriously.

He said the late retired officer served the army in different capacity, and contributed greatly to the development of the service especially the Directorate of Army Public Relations.

A former army spokesman and late Chukwu’s course mate, retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, described late Chukwu as a perfect gentleman and jolly good fellow.

Usman said the demise of Chukwu was a big loss to him personally, adding that he was the closest person to Chukwu after his immediate family.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased`s soul to find eternal rest and pray to God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss. (NAN)

Niger NDE begins registration of unemployed

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has concluded plans to embark on registration of all unemployed persons in the 25 local government areas of Niger state as directed by the NDE headquarters.

Niger state NDE Coordinate Mohammed Dantsoho Abubakar in a statement issued in Minna, said the

10th NASS: Delta Rep joins race for Deputy Speaker, pledges equity, fairness

Rep. Francis Waive (APCDelta) has declared interest in the race for Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly, billed to be inaugurated in June.

The lawmaker said this in a notice to the 10th House of Representatives members-elect, a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja

He said that his aspiration, aside from overriding competence and capacity to deliver, would be driven by equity and fairness.

The lawmaker’s notice of intent read in part: “I believe the 10th Assembly deserves a leadership sensitive to the needs of members and serves all without any discrimination.

“I believe in the equality of members, in equal opportunities, both on the floor and in committee. I offer to serve you as Deputy Speaker, if zoned to the South-South.”

Waive said that he would be easily accessible and help the first-timers to quickly find their footing, adding that he would also carry everyone along during his tenure.

“Those who know me personally in the current 9th Assembly will describe me as a calm, cool and collected lawmaker. My antecedents have always been that of service to humanity.

“As our induction and inauguration ceremonies draw near, I am available to interact with you personally and privately at your convenience,” the lawmaker said. “Those who know me personally in the current 9th Assembly will describe me as a calm, cool and collected lawmaker. My antecedents have always been that of service to humanity.

“As our induction and inauguration cerehe lawmaker said. (NAN)

state registration is scheduled to start on Monday.

According to the statement, the registration exercise will hold at NDE state office, Ladi Kwali Road

adjacent NTA Minna for those within Minna and environs, while those in the local government areas are expected to register at their respective councils secretariat.

Dantsoho urged all unemployed in Niger state to register themselves in their designated local governments in order to benefit from the programme.

He stated that the federal government wants to have the full statistics of the unemployed in the country so as to make a proper plan for them.

Cleric tasks elected leaders on fulfilling campaign promises

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Deputy Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque Kaduna, Sheikh Umar Usama has called on newly elected political

leaders in the country to fear God and fulfil their electioneering campaign promises when they resume office.

The Islamic Scholar, gave the charge during the 28th Annual end of Ramadan

Lecture organised by the Federation Of Muslim Women’s Associations

In Nigeria (FOMWAN) Kaduna state Branch yesterday.

The Cleric noted that the mandate given to them

represented the lives, hope and voices of the people, hence, the elected leaders must justify the confidence reposed in them through constant engagement and delivery of dividends of democracy

Supplementary Election: CDD asks INEC to sanction Adamawa REC

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “sanction all erring officials who carried out the illegal” declaration of Aisha Binani as the winner of the Adamawa governorship poll.

Yunusa Ari, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) of INEC in Adamawa, declared Binani as the winner around 9am on Sunday, sparking controversy.

The collation of results in the state had been suspended on Saturday night after results from 10 LGAs were announced.

Based on the announced figures, Binani was trailing Ahmadu Fintiri, the incumbent governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

The collation of the remaining 10 LGAs’ results was expected to commence by 11am on Sunday.

Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, was not present when Ari announced Binani as the winner of the election.

According to sections 64 and 65 of the Electoral Act, only Lamido is empowered to declare the winner of the election.

The electoral commission had promptly reacted by suspending the collation of results and declaring the announcement of the REC as null and void.

Commenting on the situation, the CDD said: “The laws and procedures guiding Nigeria’s elections are such that only the returning officer can make such

winner

a declaration, which makes this recent announcement null and void.

“We call on INEC to immediately exercise its powers by continuing the collation process that was scheduled to resume today, sanction all erring officials who carried out this illegal announcement and ensure that results are publicly available to all citizens.

“It is important that laid down processes are adhered to avoid a breakdown of law and order in a heightened political environment. CDD will release a statement on the conduct of the elections later today.”

Fintiri, the Adamawa governor, has described the development as the handiwork of the “enemies” of democracy.

Group sensitises civil society, humanitarian workers on mental health

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Good Deeds, a global movement of people dedicated to doing good has sensitised civil society organisations and humanitarian workers on mental health and selfcare while providing humanitarian services.

The Focal Person of the group in Kaduna State, Mrs Itama Okhuelegbe, said at the event in Kaduna, that the exercise was to also appreciate civil society and humanitarian workers for their selfless service to humanity.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Thinkers Children Foundation, as part of activities to mark the 2023 Good Deeds Day.

Okhuelegbe explained that the Good Deeds Day sought to promote people giving back to their community, thereby promoting harmonious relationships among people.

She said that since 2007, Good Deeds Day had been uniting people from around the world with the aim of spurring them to help others and do good for their communities.

“The act of charity and good deeds towards people in need, or communities in despair, is never forgotten by their recipients.

“Today, we are celebrating civil society organisations, individuals and groups rendering humanitarian services first responders to people in need, putting smiles on people’s faces and keeping families together.

“We want to thank groups and individuals that have been rendered selfless help to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, marginalised, neglected, and exploited groups.

“We want more people to become ambassadors of doing good things to those in need in whatever way they can – feeding the hungry, providing shelter to the homeless, and clothing the poor, among other good deeds,” she said.

While acknowledging the good deeds of humanitarian service providers, Okhuelegbe, however, stressed the need for humanitarian and development workers to also care for themselves to avoid mental breakdown.

On his part, Mr Peter Ebeh, Senior Psychologist with Neem Foundation, Kaduna Office, described mental health as emotional, psychological and social wellbeing of people.

According to him, mental health affects how people think, feel, and behave.

“It particularly determines how people handle stress, anxiety, depression, and insecurity; how they relate to others and the kind of choices they make”, he said.

He pointed out that with too much demand on the humanitarian workers, they could encounter stress, which in the long run, would affect their mental health.

“People need to know that in the attempt to do good and extend a helping hand without taking care of themselves, they may end up in

a dysfunctional mental state.

“There is, therefore, the need for people to balance their work with self-care, to be able to function normally and maintain stable mental health,” he said.

One of the participants, Mr Sunday Awulu, Secretary, Kaduna State Branch, Nigerian Red Cross,

acknowledged the absence of a balance between humanitarian work in the field and the workers’ self-care.

Awulu identified psychological stress due to pressure to meet set targets as one of the major causes of mental breakdown among humanitarian workers.

Group calls for deliberate action to tackle barriers preventing women’s political participation

ANon-Governmental Organisation, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) has called for deliberate action to tackle the structural and social barriers preventing women from fully participating in Nigerian politics.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs Adaora Onyechere, made the call at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

The conference was themed: 2023 Election: Women’s Participation and the Call for Inclusivity in Governance.

According to Onyechere, barriers such as discriminatory

laws, a gender stereotype, and violence against women in politics, have undermined women’s participation in politics in Nigeria.

“It is tragic that women are marginalised in the Nigerian society and this is particularly evident in the political arena.”

She noted that women’s under-representation in the parliament and governance must be ratified to achieve greatness as a nation.

The inclusion of women in politics she added would prioritise healthcare, education and social welfare for national development.

The director, however, advocated for a corporate responsibility, to create a more inclusive society, where women can participate in all aspects of public life.

Also, Amina Agbaje, Country Vice President, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), said the conference was timely because the election Tribunals have just begun.

Agbaje stressed the need to fill a major gap through appointing women in positions, since the 2023 general elections didn’t favour many women.

Similarly, Miss Zainab Abdulrasheed, Program Officer,

Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), advocated the inclusion of women in the nation’s decision making processes.

On his part, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, FCT Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), also urged the incoming 10th National Assembly, to appoint a woman as a Speaker.

He appealed to the 10th Assembly, to reintroduce the gender bills, jettisoned by the 9th Assembly and urged the media to aid in shaping the nation’s narrative for more women participation in politics.(NAN)

Yunusa Ari

•says ‘only returning officer’ can declare

Russia really getting serious with Africa

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Squeezed between rapidly changing geopolitical situation, the United States and European stringent sanctions and its own ‘special military operation’ in neighbouring Ukraine, Russia is now stepping up serious efforts to elevate its existing relationship with Africa. It plans to hold the next African leaders gathering late July despite the fact that it has not implemented already signed 92 bilateral agreements and largely not delivered on its words concerning engagement in various economic sectors in African countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on its official website that Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov held a special meeting with ambassadors of African countries to present drafts of final documents to be adopted at the second Russia-Africa summit due to be held in St. Petersburg.

“Drafts of the summit’s final documents and the architecture of the Russia-Africa economic and humanitarian forum’s program were presented to the African diplomatic corps. The sides also coordinated their positions on an entire spectrum of issues related to the organization of the summit, including on protocols for the stay of African official delegations in St. Petersburg,” it said.

“It was noted unanimously that the upcoming summit will be a framework event which will give a weighty impetus to the development of comprehensive long-term strategic cooperation between Russia and Africa,” the ministry noted.

Several reports monitored by this author further show that Russian officials are talking these days –mostly focusing on trade, investment and economic cooperation with several African countries. The officials are, as previously, shooting at important areas spanning the financial sector, energy, mining industry, building infrastructure, digital technologies, cybersecurity, healthcare, education, and food security.

The latest additional step taken in propelling partnership efforts are also being taken by a number of Russian enterprises, rattling their hyperbolic plans at various business conferences and webinars. For instance, TenChat, a Russian social network for professionals, is holding talks to potentially launch in a number of new countries, including Iran and India, founder of the network Semyon Tenyaev said at the Russia-Africa IT forum.

“Iran, India, many CIS countries [are in talks] at the final stage, and [negotiations are underway] in Africa. In fact, global negotiations are being held in twelve countries already,” Tenyaev said on the sidelines of the forum. Five to seven countries intend to enter into agreements shortly, he noted. The social network’s founder also announced the launch of an “export and import marketplace” in the near future.

The founder of the social network compared TenChat to

the LinkedIn business networking site when talking about what the platform is all about. “It [Linkedin] was launched a long time ago; and in my opinion, it leaves something to be desired in today’s age,” Tenyaev told TASS.

“Imagine combining Linkedin with Tinder’s AI system. This is what we are doing. We now want to bring it not merely to the scale of the B2C audience but also to B2B among countries,” he noted. There will be an option to log into the local version or to the global version, the founder said, answering a question about future domain names of the social network in other countries. Local versions will be controlled by the country of origin, he added.

Local Russian media Interfax reported, quoting Andrei Filippov who is the deputy director for international cooperation at the Digital Economy autonomous non-profit organization, that Russia was willing to share technologies for implementing AI with African countries, in terms of the experience of implementing both experimental legal regimes and best business cases.

“We have rather extensive experience in implementing experimental legal regimes, including in the field of artificial intelligence, in data processing, and working with medical data – what is now considered cutting edge. And we know that a number of countries in Africa are also implementing similar projects, and a lot of attention is paid to them,” Filippov said at the IT forum “Russia – Africa: Digital Technologies as a Driver of State Development and International Cooperation” on April 13.

Along with participating in regulatory strategic sessions and sharing experience, it’s also important to create best practices, to describe the business models themselves, and to share them, he said. “Our organization has gained extensive experience in such cases. Now we are mainly dealing with industry cases – I mean the introduction of artificial intelligence [within] industry. We would happily share the emerging technologies, the results that they produce when implemented, and everything related to this,” Filippov said.

The Digital Economy autonomous non-profit organization acts as a platform between businesses, technology companies, state bodies and the expert community for implementing various digitalization approaches and practices, he said. The organization is implementing the Digital Advancement of the Regions project in Russia, where business representatives and experts visit a region and elaborate plans and strategies for implementing modern digital technologies, including those based on the GosTech platform, jointly with representatives of local organizations.

“Since last year, this format has gone international, and we suggest that all interested countries, including in Africa, carry out international digital advancement, so that project initiatives can be set up jointly for implementation in these countries, in multilateral and bilateral formats,” Filippov said.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development Dmitry Oguryayev said that the export of Russian IT and

information services to African countries in JanuarySeptember last year amounted to $8.1 million, and the value of imports reached $2.7 million. The ministry expects an increase in the trade turnover between Russia and African countries thanks to the expansion of cooperation.

Commenting on the level of digitalization in Russia, Oguryayev said that the share of socially important public services in electronic format already exceeds 99%, with a target of 65%, and the proportion of households provided with broadband Internet access now exceeds 85%. He said that the volume of investment in domestic IT solutions has already exceeded 500 billion rubles.

The Digital Economy autonomous non-profit organization was established by leading domestic hightech companies to ensure a productive dialogue between businesses and the state in implementing the national program of the same name, alongside the Russian Presidential Executive Office and the government.

In addition to above event, the press service of the Roscongress Foundation, reported that Anton Kobyakov, who is an Advisor in Russian President’s office, presented some details on the upcoming Russia-Africa economic and humanitarian forum planned in St. Petersburg from July 26 to 29.

“Africa and Russia are the new centers of the emerging multipolar world. Helping each other, we are moving along the path of building up strong, flourishing and safe regions. The keynote topic of the forum this year is technology and security for the sake of sovereign development to benefit human beings,” aide to Russian President Anton Kobyakov said.

The forum’s program will consist of four large thematic blocks and include panel sessions and topical events on critical issues of interaction between Russia and African nations, Roscongress said.

International security, fertilizer market stability, issues of food security as well as a discussion about joint efforts to combat epidemics and emergencies will be the key topics of the “Integrated security and sovereign development” block. Prospects for cooperation in the energy sector, the trade and economic sphere, and creation and development of new logistics routes will be discussed within the “Economy of the new world” block.

A large block of the program will be dedicated to cooperation in the technology sphere. Education, tourism, the motion picture industry and development of volunteer movements will be covered in the fourth block – “Humanitarian and social sphere: together toward a new quality of life.”

A media forum, a congress of presidents of universities, and a roundtable of senior audit officials will also take place on the forum’s sidelines. The second Russia-Africa summit and economic forum will be held in St. Petersburg from July 26 through 29. The first such summit was held in October 2019 under the motto “For Peace, Security and Development.”

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh is a Public Policy Analyst.

Labour Market: After NYSC what next?

By Muhammad Bello Umar

Some of the irregularities happening with the society is that they sidelined the ideology of picking a life coach that would shape your thinking and mindset towards attaining a goal no matter how it is, than to be of mere lips or body resonance that triggered the heart and make the situation becomes irrational with fear of facing the stage of life.

A lot of people have been trying hard to know the true nature of life after service, whereas some of these patriotic citizens don’t plan their service life well before storming the labor board meeting that is filled with scavengers of job all around every corner of the society.

Looking at some hagard situation and things that need to alter in the thinking of how can these saga be of interest and hold stronger opinion for the citizens nd what can be done to ensure that myopic view is positively removed from the situation that is unfortunate and unbearable for the masses.

These petrified nature has made or thrown alot of people to a different address of life that made them to be like of no great impact on the academic performance they had during the school day, or even the service year nd then the jackpot ‘ labour market’.

Some of the irregularities happening with the society is that they sidelined the ideology of picking a life coach that would shape your thinking and mindset towards attaining a goal no matter how it is, than to

be of mere lips or body resonance that triggered the heart and make the situation becomes irrational with fear of facing the stage of life.

Do the needful before the needful do you, or else you be confused and be a story that would cleanse you out of the minds of thousand society for you were unable to be of great importance or relevance to the effect of holding stronger opinion for the society to be happy with achievements that the patriotic citizens like you can bring before the situational awareness.

Muhammad Bello Umar writes from Mass communication department Abubakar tatari Ali polytechnic bauchi and can be reached via: princemub28@gmail.com

One year without you, dear Mama: A tribute to my late mother

By Ibrahim Dahiru Gambarawa

Today, I summon the courage to overcome the mind riddling and sad event that occurred on Monday 25th April, 2022 which is equivalent to the 24th Ramadan, 1443 at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina.

Hajiya Maryam Alkali Dahiru Gambarawa, known to many as Malama Mairo or Malama Yaya, her ailment worsened a month to her death. We began shuttling from one hospital and medical facility to another looking and hoping to get her cured despite the fact that we deep within our hearts, we knew she may not make it as we were informed that her cancer is in 4 stage. Despite that, we kept hope alive and found solace that with Almighty Allah, nothing is impossible.

Certainly, death is inevitable and every living soul has its death coupon already issued depending on when, where and how but it is most certain that we will all embark on that eternal journey someday. In spite of this, we still grieve when we lose our beloved ones, especially parents.

Mama, I am still grieving at your demise, my heart aches in sadness and silent tears still flow!. Your death has made I and my siblings a full-blown orphans with the loss of our beloved Father 35 years ago. May Aljannatul Firdaus be his final abode, Ameen.

I wonder where else we can get the wholehearted love and care you lavished on us? In any case Mum, we feel at peace and are proud that you lived a good life. As a health worker, many patients lamented how kind and generous you have been to them, how you supported them financially and how you consoled them to accept their health conditions in good faith. Some people within our locality approached me and confessed that you assisted them every month to support their life. My heart finds more peace especially when I hear people around me emotionally proclaiming the same song with us (your family) that they have lost a pillar, meaning you have been a pillar to all and sundry. You were truly a mother, a responsible wife, an in-

law, a sister, a daughter, a trusted friend and a good neighbor who accommodates all even at your own inconvenience - This was what she stand for various people who in one way or another crossed your path.

Hajiya has left a vacuum in our lives that we have to bear till we meet in the hereafter.

I have sweet memories of her from early age when I lost father to the time she passed away, I remember how she painstakingly raised me to become the person I am today. She was there to teach me how to eat healthy, dress decently and how to respond to any kind of situation I may find myself. She taught me how to do my school homeworks perfectly, how to tie my Shoes. Best of all, she shaped my mind and installed morality in me and God fearing. She remains a voice of reason in the back of my head.

My dear mama, always encouraged me to reach my potential and go after my dream. she was always there to advise me when I make a wrong decision and helped me to get through my bad days and makes my good days better. She was so passionate about her little boy achieving his aims. As her last born, no matter how bad her day seemed, she was there to listen to her little boy’s enthusiasm and drama-filled with

I can’t conclude this without expressing appreciation to all those that stood with us at the time of our grief, no doubt, your presence, prayers and consolatory calls and messages was overwhelming, calming and encouraging I really can’t thank you enough but I pray to Allah almighty to rewards you abundantly and may HE continue to keep us together and forgive our shortcomings. Ameen

young age gossip and how overwhelming life could be. I remember my constant chatter and request didn’t bother her as she has to put up with my mood swing. Whenever things become too much for me, she was always there calming me down and telling me not to bother and how it will come to pass and that everything was going to be well. She does all this smiling on her face even when I forgot to say NAGODE (thank you).

She used to tell me various stories that teach one lesson or the other and I learned a lot on how to run my life from her stories. Oh Mama!, you were such an organized woman that was always at peace with yourself and those around her.

Even while she was bed-bound and could not talk, she beckoned on me even though I could not comprehend what she was saying but seeing her raising her hands up, it was clear to me that she was praying for me. Hajia Yaya was understandable mother, she loves us (biological children and her relatives) unconditionally even as we used to do things wrongly and felt guilty afterward but it was a matter of knowing how to apologize to her and she forgave us because she understood the type of human being we are. She managed to keep the home and everyone in order despite her tight schedules. It is hard to remember sometimes but it is something unforgettable.

Mama, may almighty Allah forgive all your shortcomings and grant you Aljannatul Firdaus, Ameen ya Hayyu ya Qayyum.

I can’t conclude this without expressing appreciation to all those that stood with us at the time of our grief, no doubt, your presence, prayers and consolatory calls and messages was overwhelming, calming and encouraging I really can’t thank you enough but I pray to Allah almighty to rewards you abundantly and may HE continue to keep us together and forgive our shortcomings. Ameen.

Ibrahim Dahiru Gambarawa Can be reached at ibgambarawa@gmail.com

Between the US and Nigeria’s elections

By Binzak Azeez

The US has continued to reform her electoral system ranging from the Electoral Count Act (ECA) of 1887, recently amended as the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, 2022, the Voting Rights Act (VRA), 1965, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 2002, amongst other electoral legislative reforms. The United Kingdom (UK) which introduced democracy into Nigeria was not left out in this electoral fraud.

The primus inter pares (first among equals) status of the United States of America (USA) among the comity of nations which pride themselves as the proponents and bastions of modern constitutional democracy was not achieved on a silver platter. The US indeed underwent some turbulent flows in their democratic transformations. It is a forward-looking thought to continually juxtapose Nigeria’s democratic practices with the USA.

In assessing, the US long and epic journey from crude democratic practices to the current cherished and developed democratic system must be considered. As the modernday democracy was fundamentally embedded in periodic elections, the trajectory of the electioneering process in the US at the early stage of her political independence was marred with electoral irregularities, ballot snatching, voters’ suppression, widespread mayhem and vote buying.

The most controversial electoral fraud in the US political history was the 1876 presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden. The election was pervaded with the campaign of calumny, disenfranchisement of political opponents through intimidation at both candidates’ strongholds and the alteration of electoral results. The election almost tore the nation apart as both presidential candidates lay claim to victory. Besides the prevalence of electoral fraud, there was no clear-cut legal

and institutional framework to determine the winner.

Despite the political conundrum, the US overcame the internal menace without any foreign intervention. The Electoral Commission Act, 1877, was specifically enacted to resolve the 1876 electoral crisis. The Act, provided a 15-member Electoral Commission to arbitrate the disputed result. The pronouncement of the Electoral Commission alongside some political negotiations eventually ended the electoral impasse as Birchard Hayes was declared the actual winner of the US 1876 presidential election.

The US has continued to reform her electoral system ranging from the Electoral Count Act (ECA) of 1887, recently amended as the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, 2022, the Voting Rights Act (VRA), 1965, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), 2002, amongst other electoral legislative reforms. The United Kingdom (UK) which introduced democracy into Nigeria was not left out in this electoral fraud. The attempt to curb the menace prompted the enactment of the 1872 Ballot Act and the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act,1883.

In the present day, the electoral fraud in the US has been reduced to the barest minimum. It took the nation many decades of electoral reforms before they achieved the current illustrious electoral status. Though, Nigeria still lags behind in comparison to the US electoral standard, the pace of electoral development in Nigeria is more rapid. More than a hundred year after the US had gained her political independence, the likes of Isaiah Rynders, John Kelly, amongst other notorious rogues violently engaged in ballot snatching, voters’ intimidation and disruption of opposition political meetings. Many elections also recorded cases where the registered voters’ names were found on tombstones.

Having shed light to the electoral antecedents of the US, it is pertinent for Nigeria to emulate the US by resolving her electoral obstacles internally and democratically.

Every nation which emotional outbursts of her people had prompted to embrace a direct foreign intervention into their polity has lived to regret their actions. Uninterrupted democratic system has just lasted for 24 years in Nigeria since the country attained political independence in 1960. Between 1999 and 2023, Nigeria has undergone numerous impactful electoral reforms. The continuous overhaul of Nigeria’s electoral institution and laws could only guarantee her the typical US electoral standard.

The radical departure from the era of manual electoral processes to the digital system coupled with the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2022, have set Nigeria’s path to achieving electoral accuracy, transparency and credibility. The digital processes which range from the Electronic Voter Register (EVC), the Smart Card Reader (SCR), the Automated Fingerprint Identification System ( AFIS), the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), and now the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the IReV portal, are all giant strides to achieve and sustain electoral integrity.

Nigeria’s electoral system has evolved though it is not free of infractions. Gone are the days which it was almost impossible to unseat a sitting president, states’ governors, national and states’ lawmakers and their adopted candidates. The political reality and electoral signal from the just concluded elections have shown otherwise. It would be unfair to describe the entire 2023 general elections as sham. Any candidate who has sufficient evidence to disprove the electoral results should seek redress in court rather than resorting to extral-judicial measures. The judiciary remains a democratic institution to right the wrongs.

Binzak Azeez writes from Newworth LLP (Legal Practitioners), Onikan, Lagos

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NGO trains participants on creating wealth job from used tyres

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Anongovernmental motorsports organization that promotes motorsports and road safety advocacy in Nigeria has trained participants on the “opportunities available for entrepreneurs to create employment and wealth thereby reducing poverty” in the country.

The programme which was organized by the Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), a nongovernmental motorsports organization that promotes motorsports and road safety advocacy in Nigeria, took place at the the Cyprian Ekwensi Arts and Culture Centre, Area 10, Abuja.

More than 200 participants who were trained on how diesel and furniture could be produced

from used tyres by Umar Yabo and Priscilla Babajide respectively and took part in the street rally were presented with certificate of participation.

The president of Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN), Mr. Isiaku Bamayi, stated that, the “program aims at raising awareness on the hazards posed by improper disposal of used tyres and to promote a circular economic approach via extended producer responsibility (EPR) to the environmentally sound management of used tyres, which in turn will promote environmental quality an aspect of the environmental pillar of the FIA Sustainability Roadmap.

“This awareness campaign will also educate Nigerians on the opportunities available

for entrepreneurs to create employment and wealth thereby reducing poverty. In essence, there will be training on the uses of waste tyres to develop materials to enhance your knowledge”, he said in his speech.

Engr. Chukwudi, an assistant director, plastic sector in the National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Agency (NESREA) who took day one training session explained that “the essence of applying EPR is not only to control and manage solid waste but to also engage manufacturers to ensure a policy action on how to re-use spent tyres instead of burning them and polluting the environment”. The president of Association of Erudite Entrepreneurs of Nigeria, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, said that, “the advocacy helps us to

understand that Tyre burning is a problem in terms of environmental hazards”.

Hon. Billy Nwoye, the managing director of Used Tyres Producers Responsibility Organisation of Nigeria (UTPRON), charged the participants to ensure that they take advantage of the entrepreneurial opportunities and tips the training would give to them while the principal technical officer of the VIO, Mr. Moses Daniel, commended ATCN for the advocacy programme.

More than 200 participants who were trained on how diesel and furniture could be produced from used tyres by Umar Yabo and Priscilla Babajide respectively and took part in the street rally were presented with certificate of participation.

Expert advocates robust Gas Asset Magt Plan to achieve Net Zero target

Dr Victor Ekpenyong, the CEO of Kenyon International, has urged the Federal Government to harness the abundant oil and gas resources for economic and industrial development.

Ekpenyong, a Well Controls Specialist, said that harnessing the expertise of Nigerian oil workers in a robust Gas Asset Management Plan to achieve Net Zero target will tackle oil theft and vandalism.

A statement by Mr Ifechukwu Muonyili, Public Affairs Manager at Kenyon on Saturday, reported Ekpenyong as making the call while addressing industry experts at the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that OLEF 2023 was held at the PTDF Hall in Abuja on April 6, 2023.

L-R: Executive Director, African Leadership Strategy & Transparency Development, Comrade Nelson Issaieze, Chief Executive Officer, Alice Wanny Development Foundation, Owan Alice Adamuji, the President, Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, Comrade Ogakwu Dominic, Executive Director, Initiative for Leadership and Economy in Nigeria, Amb. Splendour Agbonkpolor and the Executive Director, Center for Leadership Network Initiative, Hon. Myke Ngbe, during the Coalition of civil society groups world press conference in why the South- East Deserves the Speakership of the House of representatives of the 10th National Assembly held on Friday at the NUJ FCT Secretariat Utako Abuja. Photo: Justin Imoowo

Gen. Umo to lead other notable Nigerians for honorary doctorate awards in Lagos

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

At the forthcoming Leadtimes Africa magazine’s summit on good Governance in Leadership billed for University of Lagos later this month, Amb. (General) Godwin George Umo, the immediate past Nigerian ambassador to the Holy See(Vatican) will lead the pack of other distinguished Nigerians for honor.

General Umo, for his outstanding leadership and service to humanity both within and outside Nigeria will bag doctorate degree award of the Prowess University, Delaware USA in International Law and Diplomacy during the ceremony.

The theme of this year’s edition is titled:Enhancing Accelerated Capacity Building Through Entrepreneurship in governance and the guest lecturer is Professor Basil C. Nwankwo of Kogi state University.

According to the press statement credited to Professor Buba S. Mshelia, Advisory Board chairman of Leadtimes Africa magazine, “two

universities including Prowess university, Delaware USA and Triune BIBLICAL University Global Extension New-York USA would confer honorary awards on deserving Nigerians for their exceptional leadership qualities and professionalism in service; Triune BIBLICAL University Global Extension New-York USA will use the occasion to present certificates of honour to its successful graduands and the Prowess University will confer upon the appointment as professorial chairs on four eminent Nigerians including Dr Abubakar Inuwa Tata, Executive chairman of Gombe state Internal Revenue service;Dr Bala Baba Ma’aji,North East Zonal Head of First City Monumental Bank;Dr Remi Olukoya, Lead Consultant/CEO of Pecksgrey Group and; Dr Alecander Utieyin-Scott, Managing Partner of Alex Scott and Partners.

Outstanding personalities nominated for honorary doctorate awards in this epic occasion incude the CEO of Signatures Ltd, Greg Cynthia, who will bag honour in Safety and Security management;Group

Executive director of BrookHeritage Holdings,Femi Adebayo Olukotun listed for honorary doctorate award in Business Administration. The Managing Director of PRESCO PLC,Felix Onwuchekwa Nwabuko will be decorated with doctorate in Strategic Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Governance Strategy while the Managing Director of Dynamic Mayor Edge Nig Ltd, Olumayowa Olurishe, will bag honorary doctor in Business Administration; Sir Emmanuel Okere, CEO of Methods Consultants will bag honorary doctor in Human Development and Strategic Management as the CEO of Stand Out Properties, Sir Bldr Blessing Obomovo will be conferred upon with honorary doctorate in Real Estate Development.

Other honorary doctorate awardees include the CEO of Lucky Bay Homes Nig Ltd, Ujomu Lucky Ikechukwu; Alhaji Ilu Auwal Ahmed, CEO of Ultimate Gas Ltd;the Vice president/CEO of Multi Chase Energy Services,Wole Yusuf;the CEO of Life Card International

Investment Company, Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu and the Director of Malvin Meadow School, Chika Mgbamena,is expected to bag honor in Educational Leadership and Management, among others.

In a statement by Professor Prince Eze Nwauba, African Representative of Prowess university, Delaware, USA/ Registrar/CEO of the Institute of Arts Management and Professional Studies, he stressed on the selection process:”the nomination process was strict and transparent and was anchored on the leadership qualities of the prospective nominees which is very key including the virtues of integrity, transparency and accountability;we also carried out research on the positive impacts made by the various nominees as well as recommendations made on them by their constituents”, the don stated.

Two first Ladies-Amb.(Dr) Mrs Gloria Diri of Bayelsa state and her Kwara state counterpart Amb.(Dr) Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq and other prominent Nigerians were honoured last year respectively.

According to Ekpenyong, who was a keynote speaker, there is need for Nigeria to develop a strategy for oil and gas asset management to ensure effective oil and gas resources utilisation.

The proposed plan, he said, would enhance energy security and achieve net-zero emission goals earlier set by the Federal Government, driven by its policy of gas utilisation as a transition energy.

Ekpenyong stated that Nigeria had been blessed with abundant oil and gas resources, but the lack of proper management had resulted in cases of vandalism and obsolete oil and gas assets still in use.

“One cannot utilise what one has not properly managed and Nigerian industry experts need to take decisive action to implement a comprehensive strategy to bring these assets under control, properly managed and secured.

“We at Kenyon International, an industrious oil and gas service company, have developed a home grown panacea to oil theft and vandalism in oil and gas fields.

“Our solution has been helping some operators to manage their assets, and it comes with so much risks to lives of our employees who implement the process.

“As patriotic Nigerians, we go through a lot in a bid to secure assets and prevent tampering and pollution that could potentially pollute and destabilise the ecosystem and we urge the industry-wide deployment,” Ekpenyong said.

INEC declares APC candidate winner of Taraba rerun election

By Musa Baba Adamu

The candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mark Bako Useni, has been declared winner of the just concluded supplementary election for Takum, Ussa and Donga Federal Constituency for Taraba State.

Useni, who was the former speaker of the State House of Assembly, recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC where he emerged as the party’s flag bearer for the aforementioned federal constituency’s election.

Declaring the former Speaker winner of the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the APC candidate scored a total votes of 25,929 to beat his opponents in both PDP, Istifanus Haruna Gbana and Rimam Shawulu of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP.

According to the returning officer, Professor Luka Juma, the election which was keenly contested, saw the incumbent member of the constituency seeking reelection on the platform of the NNPP, pulling 25,350 votes to come second in the election.

The PDP candidate, who resigned his appointment as a chief of staff to the incumbent state to jostle for the National Assembly position, came third with a total votes of 20,234.

opponents.

He beckoned at them to join hands with him to move the constituency and the state at large forward.

He was also observed to have

vowed to give priority to the return of Internal Displaced Persons, IDPs, within the constituency.

Following the pockets of violence that characterised the February National Assembly

elections in some polling units of the constituency, election the affected polling units, were observed to have been declared incoming by the INEC, the actions which necessitated the rerun.

APGA’s Nwobashi wins Ebonyi Reps seat

By Christiana Ekpa

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has won the rerun election for Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency in Ebonyi.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, declared Joseph Nwobashi the winner.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Augustine Ibegbu of Alex Ekwueme University, announced Nwobashi

won with 11,890 votes.

He defeated Emmanuel Nwite of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 11,150 votes; Chinedu Oguta of Labour Party (LP), polled 8,076 votes.

Nwobashi is former majority

At the time of filing this report, it has not been ascertained whether the candidates of both the NNPP and PDP will be challenging the outcome of results in the election tribunal.

leader in Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

APGA spokesperson in Ebonyi, Chibuike Nwanchor has congratulated him and urged party members remain united for more success.

Elated by the outcome of the exercise, the member elect, as noticed by our correspondent, extended hands of friendship to his Gov.

Isah, Williams pick APM, ADC guber tickets in Kogi

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Arch Dauda Isah has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Kogi State. Isah, who was a consensus candidate of the party, scored 69 votes to emerge as the flagbearer of APM.

The primary election was held at APM Secretariat in Lokoja with a heavy security presence.

The election was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), returning officer Oyadeji Ayodele

Adebayo.

Speaking shortly after his election, the flagbearer of APM, said the party is determined to rescue Kogi State from bad leadership.

He described the exercise as peaceful, expressing optimism that APM will take over Lugard House during the November 11th governorship election in Kogi State.

In a related development, Dele Williams has emerged as another governorship candidate of the Kogi State Chapter of the African Democratic Party, ADC.

Dele Williams emerged at a state congress under the leadership of the Ogga Kingsley

Temitope faction as the ADC state chairman.

In a unanimous endorsement by all the delegates in the State Congress held at Lilly Ground Hotel, Williams was announced as the ADC governorship candidate by Hon. Kennedy Odion, the ADC Acting National Secretary, who was the Returning Officer.

Don-Norman Obinna, ADC Chairman Abia State, and Comr. Oba Ehigiator, ADC FCT Chairman, were members of the electoral committee.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was also on hand to monitor the conduct of the governorship primary election.

Kogi guber: Group urges PDP to take cue from APC

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been urged to take a cue from the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the conduct of its primary election in Kogi State.

The National Democratic Front, NDF, made the remark while applauding the

APC for adopting direct primary during its primary in Kogi State.

Recall that a former Auditor General of local government in the state, Usman Ododo, clinched the APC governorship ticket during the party’s primary election on Friday.

Ododo garnered 78,704 votes to defeat the six other contestants.

Speaking after his emergence, he assured of a leadership that would bring democracy dividends to the doorsteps of the people.

He promised to create wealth for the people of the State, through employment and empowerment.

The ADC candidate promised to revamp the State education sector, with emphasis also on Agriculture.

In his remarks, the ADC State Chairman, Ogga Kingsley Temitope, described the Congress as a hitch-free exercise, expressing optimism that the ADC would win overwhelmingly in the forthcoming November governorship election.

over rancour free primaries

Reacting, Suleiman said the primary election was peaceful and calm, adding that the outcome was a true reflection of the decision of the faithful.

In a statement by its SecretaryGeneral, Abdulkadir Suleiman, NDF described the exercise as free, transparent and fair.

He applauded the “APC, party

leaders and delegates for their conduct throughout the exercise.”

According to Suleiman, the “success of the primary and congress is an indication that the APC is ready for governance.

The National Democratic Front, however, urged the Peoples Democratic Party to take a cue from the APC in Kogi.

Fintiri delivering statewide broadcast on the suspended rerun elections in Adamawa state yesterday.

PDP’s Rep Adigun defeats APC candidate to win another term in office

By Christiana Ekpa

Amember of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East Federal Constituency, Abass Adigun, has been re-elected for a second term in office.

The election held on Saturday, 25th February 2023, was declared inconclusive due to some irregularities.

The supplementary election was held on Saturday in the constituency.

Adigun, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has, however, been declared the winner of the election.

He was declared elected after he polled 28,111 votes to win the supplementary election.

The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Benjamin Olley of the University of Ibadan, announced him as the winner at the Mapo Hall, the collation centre for the election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Adedapo LamAdesina, polled 27,338 votes.

With this announcement, the APC has secured nine House of Representatives seats, while the PDP has secured five seats.

There are 14 House of Representatives seats in Oyo State.

INEC declares Nasiru Idris winner of Kebbi gubernatorial election

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Idris winner of the Kebbi State gubernatorial polls.

The Kebbi State Returning Officer made the declaration on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

Idris defeated his closest opponent, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Maj-Gen. Aminu Bande (rtd.).

Bayelsa guber election: Former teacher clinches APGA ticket

By Christiana Ekpa

Aformer teacher, Waibodei

Subiri, has clinched the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship ticket ahead of Nov 11 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State.

Subiri polled 92 votes to defeat his only opponent, Tati Sesei Efebo, who got 70 votes, in the delegate election that was conducted in Yenagoa, the capital city on Sunday.

Announcing the results, the Chairman, Special State Congress, electoral panel, for APGA in Bayelsa

State, Engr. Uche Onyemere, commended the delegates for conducting themselves before and after the elections, adding that there is no better way to conduct an election than what he experienced today.

He also thanked the two contestants for the show of sportsmanship, noting that it will further unite the party towards achieving their goals.

He said, “Bayelsans are very organized and disciplined people, and I also want to congratulate the two aspirants. In a battle of two we all

know only one person will win. And God has chosen the winner for us today to u seat the PDP in the state.

“The Chairman of the party in the state has done a very wonderful work, I have witnessed several conventions and primaries no one is this organized.”

In his acceptance speech, the winner, Mr. Waibodei Subiri, said the pivot of his administration, the youths, will be considered, adding that the only way to achieve a better state is to get a greater percentage of youths involved in governance.

“In management if you approach

from top to bottom u are destined to fail. So the youths will have a greater part of governance,” he said.

The State Chairman of APGA, Brisibe Kpodoh, said the party is a very big and responsible family and that was why they could achieve a successful election devoid of rancour. He also stated that the election was been described by all as the most credible elections conducted.

The first runner up, Tati Sesei Efebo, said the party has a way of conducting an election and it was done transparently devoid of rancour.

Adamawa guber buttresses game plan to upturn wishes of voters in 2023 election - Atiku

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that there is a “game plan of upturning the democratic wishes of the people of Adamawa State”.

Atiku stated this on Sunday through a press release signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday, following a declaration by Hudu Yunusa, the Resident Electoral Commissioner

(REC) in Adamawa, of Aisha Dahiru, as the winner of the election in the State.

Recall that the electoral body suspended the collation of results in the supplementary gubernatorial election held on Saturday in the State, following non-adherence to election guidelines and process.

Atiku said that the voided election in which Binani was declared winner has become a case study of the shambolic nature of the 2023 elections in general.

“It must be put on record that the people

of Adamawa State will not allow themselves to be cheated three times in a row. It must also be put on record that whatever the consequences of the scheme being scripted, both the INEC and those vested with state powers should be blamed for the consequences of such actions,” he said.

Atiku demanded that the Adamawa REC and other parties involved in the voided declaration, which he described as a treasonable act, should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to anti-democratic forces.

INEC declares Adamawa guber result declaration void, summons REC

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has denounced the purported declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Barrister Hudu Yunusa.

INEC also suspended the collation of results of the supplementary election.

The electoral body said the action of the REC amounts to usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer, insisting it is null, void

Dino

and of no effect.

It said that the process had not been concluded before the declaration.

The commission announced this on Sunday via a statement on its verified Twitter handle, following the supplementary election held Saturday.

The announcement issued by Barr Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner, Information & Voter Education, directed the REC to report to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja with immediate effect.

The statement read: “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported

declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.

“The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect.

“Consequently, the collation of results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.

“The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.

wins Kogi PDP governorship primary

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Kogi

State.

Dino was declared winner by the returning officer on Sunday.

He scored 313 votes to defeat Idoko Ilonah who had 124 votes.

Others, Awoniyi Sunday had 77 votes while Musa Wada had 56 votes

The former lawmaker will be up against Usman Ododo, the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the election.

Adamawa Guber: I’m not afraid, results uploaded already – Gov Fintiri

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has expressed optimism that he will emerge victorious despite the controversy surrounding the gubernatorial election.

Fintiri, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this on Sunday while addressing journalists in Yola, the

state capital.

The governor’s assertion is coming amid the controversial announcement of Aisha Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Ari Hudu, unlawfully announced the APC candidate, who is popularly known as Binani, winner without the full results from the poling units where

supplementary election held on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had voided the announcement with immediate suspension of collation of results.

Speaking to the press shortly after the controversial announcement, Fintiri expressed confidence that the electoral umpire will announce the right winner at due time, saying the

results have already been uploaded.

“It will not be compromised because of the technology of INEC. All 69 units are on IReV. Since yesterday, the results have been uploaded, so it is there for everybody to see, the world has seen it,” the governor said.

“I am not afraid of anything whether the result will be tampered with or whatever will happen to the result”.

By Musa Baba Adamu

Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June, newly elected legislators especially of the House of representatives are insisting on having a credible and democratic leadership based on credibility, competence and acceptability.

The members said the issue of zoning will not be a determining factor in the emergence of the new legislature because they want to have a stable house built on mutual respect, separation of powers and that which values the independence of the apex legislature.

Speaking separately in Abuja at the weekend, a group of MembersElect said in their various joint meetings since their election last month, no issue of zoning has been given any credence above that of competence and general acceptability of those seeking to lead them.

Recall that Premium Times had reported the alleged plot by some APC governors to cow their elected legislators into submitting to zoning few days ago.

But reacting , a Member-Elect, Hon Dr Ali JC Isa ( Biliri/ Ballanga Federal Constituency of Gombe State said they will do the needful for the sake of the image of the legislature and the legislators.

“ I can tell you for free that we are too experienced not to kniw what to do. We cannot be dragged backward by zoning. We are here as colleagues, duely elected legislators to work for our country and not for any party. Yes we belong to different parties but the nature of our work demands internal collaboration, cooperation and mutual understanding and respect to succeed. It’s when we agree among ourselves that the input is felt outside. So therefore we must do what can bring about this in-house cooperation before we relate with the other two arms of government. We must put our house in order before anything succeeds so therefore zoning cannot be a consideration for such an Assemblage. If its an Assembly of a party, we can sit in our various party secretariats to take such decisions based on zoning but we belong to different political parties. Whoever is bringing that to the table must be ready for shock amd surprises. We have learned alot from previous experiences and would not want to repeat such “ , a returning lawmaker said.

According to Hon Ali,”All of those who are contesting

10th Assembly Leadership: Legislators insist on competence, acceptability not zoning

the Speakership have gone far mobilising support using their resources to seek for the votes of their colleagues and it will be very unfair amd immoral for either the Apc and PDP to seek to undermine this by showing selective favouritism innthe name of zoning. Why didn’t they announced the zoning before the general elections. From history we all know that the most stable and most productive legislatures all over the world are those build on mutual understanding where members

vote from among themselves their leaders and not imposed from the executive. Such practices are no longer fashionable because of the ill wind the blow on democracy “.

Other Members-Elect opined that the legislature on Nigeria has come of age and therefore it will be primitive and a set back to continue to introduce zoning which has caused more harm than good to legislative progress.

A cross section of the legislators interviewed from all the political

parties are of the opinion that the executive should respect the independence of the legislature and not try to ridicule the foundation of the 10th National Assembly by such miscalculations.

“ Besides you that the composition of the 10th National Assembly especially that of the house of representatives is very unique. We have about 162 elected Apc members and 163 of the other parties put together. We are waiting for the remaing 30 or so members

to join us amd who knows which party will be higher in number. We must be allowed by our respective parties being ruling or opposition to take our decisions regarding our leadership. We can only respect our own leadership. Any person brought to us through zoning means that person is most likely deficient and can only use zoning to ascend to that position. We want those that can do the job. We want those that can be more conscious of their mandate and not those to be teleguided”

Don’t elect corrupt people to lead National Assembly – HEDA

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) a leading anti-corruption group, has called on political parties and newly elected members of the National Assembly for the 10th Assembly to elect only corrupt-free lawmakers for leadership positions in the upcoming Assembly.

In a statement released by HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the organization expressed deep concern

over the rampant corruption and involvement of politically exposed persons across the broad spectrum of political officers in the country and which has infiltrated every sector of society and hindered the country’s development.

Suraju emphasized the need for measures to be taken to prevent its further spread as we progress in the consolidation of the country’s democratization.

HEDA charged political parties to rigorously vet all aspirants

before allowing them to contest for positions, ensuring only individuals with a clean record and demonstrated commitment to public service are given clearance to vie for offices in the forthcoming Assembly.

The organization reminded the newly elected parliamentarians and their political parties of the inglorious experiences of Assembly leaderships shutting the parliament to attend court sessions during prosecution for corruption and also manipulating the parliamentary power to harass

NYSC member shot as INEC cancels Reps rerun election in Akwa Ibom

Wide-spread violence has compelled INEC to cancel Saturday’s Ikono/ Ini Federal Constituency rerun election in Akwa Ibom.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Cyril Omorogbe, told journalists in Uyo that the rerun election in the area was abysmal.

He said the election was cancelled in all 17 polling units because of the snatching of electoral materials, including Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

“The fact is that we had about four local government areas where we conducted elections and one major one was Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.

“We were there early enough

and at about 8:30 a.m., polling units were opened. Couple of hours after we opened the polls, I received a call that BVAS machines were snatched.

“Two hours after that I received another report that was not good. So, the election in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency has been cancelled.

“They were fighting all through the local government area in the 17 polling units. I received a report from Collation Officers in the area that election did not hold.

“In the 17 polling units, materials were either snatched or the process disrupted.

“The Collation Officers have all returned and have written their reports. The result sheets they were supposed to fill are all here in Uyo.

Apparently, there was no election,’’ he said.

Mr Omorogbe expressed regret that the violence led to the shooting of one of the corps members on election duty in the leg.

He wondered why politicians would be so desperate in a federal constituency election to the extent of shooting an innocent corps member.

“The corps member was shot; he is still in the hospital,’’ he said.

Mr Omorogbe added that no untoward reports had been received in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency and that results from there would be declared.

He said INEC would decide the next line of action on the Ikono/Ini federal constituency after a meeting in Abuja. (NAN)

Binani calls for peace, unity in acceptance speech after INEC declaration

By Musa Baba Adamu

The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa state, Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, delivered an acceptance speech shortly after she was illegally declared the governor-elect of the state by the resident electoral commissioner (REC).

This follows Saturday’s supplementary election held in the state.

Dahiru was hoping to upstage the incumbent governor, Ahmadu

Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored more votes during the substantive election on 18 March.

According to Nigeria’s electoral law, the REC, Hudu Ari, has no power to announce the winner of the election. That responsibility solely lies with the state collation officer appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Results from the remaining local government had not been received by the INEC when the REC announced Mrs Dahiru as the winner.

In a short acceptance speech, she thanked the people of the state for electing her.

She said her election as the first female governor in the country would encourage other women to participate actively in politics.

“……You’ve made history in electing the first female governor in our dear country, Nigeria. This will no doubt broaden political participation by encouraging our daughters, sisters, aunties, mothers and indeed the girl child….,” she said.

However, a statement released

by INEC and signed by its spokesperson, Festus Okoye, said the declaration is null and void.

“The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void and of no effect. Consequently, the collation of the results of the supplementary election is hereby suspended.

“The REC, Returning Officer and all involved are hereby invited to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately. Detailed statement to follow shortly,” Okoye said.

leadership of the anti-corruption agencies.

Mr Suraju also urged Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable and demand transparency in governance. He emphasized that building a Nigeria free from corruption requires a collective effort from all Nigerians. He condemned the report of money inducement against some of the aspirants for leadership positions in the forthcoming Assembly, especially those under investigations by EFCC and those standing trials for corrupt practices in their previous political offices.

HEDA is a non-governmental organization committed to promoting human rights, transparency, and good governance in Nigeria. The group has been at the forefront of the fight against corruption and impunity in Nigeria and has contributed significantly to the development of the country.

PDP defeats APC incumbent Rep in Jigawa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of PDP for Birnin Kudu Constituency, Ibrahim Kabiru, as the winner in the House of Assembly supplementary election in Jigawa State.

The Returning Officer, Usman Haruna of the Federal University Dutse, declared Mr Kabiru as the winner in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area on Saturday.

He said Mr Kabiru polled 36,050 votes to beat his closest rival and the incumbent of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammad Surajo, who polled 34,545 votes.

Mr Haruna said that Muhammad Yakubu of ADC scored 283 votes, Halilu Aliyu of ADP scored 117 votes, Ahmad Abdullahi of LP scored 17 votes, Sulaiman Abdullahi of NNPP scored 722 votes, Musa Mahmud of PPP scared 460 votes and Shuaibu Basiru of SDP scored 14 votes.

“That Ibrahim Kabiru of PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner and returned elected,” the returning officer said. (NAN)

GTCO’s annual profit falls despite revenue hitting record N539 billion

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) recorded its peak revenue ever in 2022 as surges in lending rates across the banking industry during the year impacted interest income and spikes were reported across all of the income sources of the financial services group.

But the rise in the top line did not lift profit as earnings took a battering from cost pressures amid record inflation in Africa’s largest economy.

Gross earnings leapt 20.4 per cent to N539.2 billion mainly on account of improved interest income, according to the lender’s audited earnings report issued on Friday.

Net interest income grew to N259.3 billion, jumping 17.5 per cent from the figure reported a year earlier.

The group put N12 billion aside to cover potential defaults from borrowers, which was 40.5 per cent higher than the figure reported a year earlier.

At N77.5 billion, net fee and commission rose by 18 per cent, driven by improvement in e-business income and account maintenance charges.

Other income climbed to N82.9 billion from N77.1 billion, boosted by higher foreign exchange revaluation gain.

The bulk of cost pressure resulted from a jump in other operating expenses, which advanced by more than one-third to N126.4 billion on the back of increased communications and technologically related expenses and administrative expenses.

GTCO incurred N35.9 billion in net impairment charge on other financial assets, which compares with N760.8 million a year prior.

Pre-tax profit slightly declined by 3.3 per cent to N214.2 billion, while profit for the year slid to N169.2 billion from N174.8 billion.

The board has proposed a final dividend per share of N2.70, having paid an interim dividend of N0.30 during 2022. That translates to a planned payout of N88.3 billion.

National savings sensitisation takes off soon

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

The capital market community is to commence sensitization and stakeholder engagement on the implementation of the National Savings Strategy (NSS).

To this end, an Implementation Committee would be established to ensure success of this initiative.

This was disclosed by the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Mr. Lamido Yuguda at the end of the First Quarter Capital Market Committee meeting held virtually weekend.

Yuguda explained the need to establish a National Savings Strategy as outlined in the Capital Market Master Plan “as one of the key strategies to enhance capital formation by mobilising domestic funds for investment to drive rapid economic growth.

“It envisaged the deliberate provision of risk capital as venture capital and private equity that are naira based and more committed to the long-term prosperity of Nigeria as well as create a buffer to the instability created by foreign investors. The CAMMIC commissioned a white paper on a National Savings

Strategy and recommended to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning the formation of a working group to explore the feasibility of the report findings.”

This initiative Yuguda stated, would aid the mobilisation of funds in order to boost the national economy.

The SEC DG also stated that as part of its accomplishments, the Technical Committee on the Commodities Trading Ecosystem has collaborated with the various Commodities Exchanges in discussions with NAICOM, the regulator of the Insurance industry.

The aim of the engagement he said, was to explore ways of deepening the market by encouraging the involvement of insurance companies, expanding insurance coverage for the commodities trading value chain, and implementing other mechanisms for mitigating risks in the ecosystem.

“Additionally, the Committee engaged the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) on modalities to establish an Energy Exchange. On its part, the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) worked with the Commission to continuously reduce risks in

the agricultural value chain. The Commodities Trading Ecosystem Implementation Committee (CTEIC) welcomed the NAIC as a member to foster greater collaboration and support for the ecosystem.

“The Non-Interest Capital Market Implementation Committee provided updates on various activities, including its ongoing engagement with the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) on the recently released regulations on taxation of noninterest financial instruments.

Yuguda stated that the committee informed the meeting that SEC has received feedback from stakeholders on exposure of draft Rules on Shari’ah Advisory

Services.

The SEC DG disclosed that given the availability of tax regulations for the non-interest segment of the market, and advancements in information technology, issuers of securities and their advisers were admonished to take advantage of the conducive environment to come up with financial products that will appeal to target classes of investors

He expressed optimism about the growth potential of the Nigerian Capital Market and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to building and maintaining a vibrant, fair, and transparent market for investors and issuers alike.

Nigeria’s inflation hits 22.04% as food prices rise

Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate rose to 22.04 per cent in March from 21.91 per cent in the previous month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Saturday.

The statistics office said the March inflation rate showed an increase of 0.13 per cent points when compared to February 2023 headline inflation rate.

According to the latest inflation report, the food inflation rate quickened to 24.46 per cent in March from 24.35 per cent in the previous month

Inflation has remained high in Africa’s largest economy, prompting the apex bank to hike interest rates to their highest level in nearly two decades.

In recent months, Nigerians have faced an unprecedented cash crunch as a result of the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Earlier in March, the Supreme Court ruled that the CBN must extend the use of old banknotes until 31 December

due to the negative impact of the policy.

In an aggressive push to contain the nation’s inflationary pressure, the Central Bank of Nigeria in March raised its benchmark lending rate to 18 per cent.

Elevated inflation rate, slow economic growth and high unemployment rate are some of the challenges facing Africa’s biggest economy as a new president prepares to assume power in May.

In its inflation report Saturday, the NBS said the headline inflation rate was 6.13 per cent points higher this March compared to the rate recorded in March 2022, which was 15.92 per cent.

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

The report noted that the contributions of items on the divisional level to the increase in the headline index are food & non-alcoholic beverages (11.42 per cent), housing, water, electricity,

gas & other fuel (3.69 per cent), clothing & footwear (1.69 per cent), transport (1.43 per cent), furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (1.11 per cent), among others.

However, it said on a monthon-month basis, the All-Items Index was 1.86 per cent, which was 0.15 per cent points higher than the rate recorded in February 2023 (1.71 per cent).

“This means that in March 2023, on average, the general price level was 0.15 per cent higher relative to February 2023.

“The percentage change in the average CPI for the twelve months ending March 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 20.37 per cent, showing a 3.83 per cent increase compared to 16.54 per cent recorded in March 2022,” the report said.

The food inflation rate in March 2023 was 24.45 per cent on a year-on-year basis; which was 7.25 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in March 2022 (17.20 per cent).

The bureau said the rise in food

on- year on year basis was caused by increases in prices of oil and fat, bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, fruits, meat, vegetables, and spirits.

“On a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in March 2023 was 2.07 per cent, this was 0.16 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in February 2023 (1.90 per cent).

“The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending March 2023 over the previous twelve months’ average was 22.72 per cent, which was a 3.50 per cent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in March 2022 (19.21 per cent),” it said.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Core inflation rate was 1.84 per cent in March 2023, up by 0.78 per cent from 1.06 per in February 2023.

“The average twelve months’ annual inflation rate was 17.41 per cent for the twelve months ending March 2023; this was 3.85 per cent points higher than the 13.56 per cent recorded in March 2022,” it said.

From

L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun and Chief of Staff to the President, Amb. Ibrahim Gambari during 8th Day Fidau Programme for Prince Bola Ajibola at Crescent University, yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Photo; State House

CBN to invest funds in dormant accounts in treasury bills

From Abubakar Yunusa,Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has proposed that banks transfer funds in accounts that have been dormant for up to 10 years into a trust fund account which will ultimately be invested in treasury bills.

The move comes in response to requests from banks and other stakeholders for the CBN to clarify the procedures for the management of dormant and inactive accounts by banks in the country.

Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System data recently showed that, of 191.4 million bank accounts, active bank accounts in the country stood at 133.5 million as of December 2021.

The CBN in a circular dated 6 April and signed by the Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department of the apex bank, Chibuzor Efobi, said the guideline takes effect immediately.

The circular also called for inputs from stakeholders, which should be sent within three weeks.

The guideline states that banks and Other financial institutions (OFIs) are expected to transfer all unclaimed balances in accounts that have been dormant for up to 10 years into an Unclaimed Balances Trust Fund (UBTF) pool account which will be domiciled at the CBN. The funds in the account will then be invested in Treasury Bills.

The CBN listed the eligible dormant accounts and unclaimed balances to include current, savings, and term deposits, domiciliary accounts, prepaid card accounts, and more. The category also includes unclaimed salaries and wages, proceeds of stale local and foreign currency drafts, and judgment debts that have not been claimed by the creditor.

The bank said it reserves the right to designate any other deposits or financial assets to be included in the list of eligible dormant accounts.

This move is aimed at ensuring that unclaimed monies in dormant accounts are put to good use and will contribute to the development of the Nigerian economy, it said, adding that it will also help to reduce the number of dormant accounts in the banking system.

The CBN also assured that the inputs of experts and other concerned parties will be considered before the final guidelines are issued.

The bank said the objectives of the guidelines are to “Identify dormant accounts/unclaimed balances and financial assets with a view to reuniting them with their beneficial owners; hold the funds in trust for the beneficial owners; standardise the management of dormant accounts/unclaimed balances and financial assets; and establish a standard procedure for reclaim of warehoused funds.”

TotalEnergies appoints new director

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Board of Directors of TotalEnergies on Thursday announced the appointment of Bunmi Popoola-Mordi to its board as an executive director.

Mrs Popoola-Mordi was appointed executive director of Human Resources & Corporate

Services effective 1 April.

TotalEnergies made the disclosure in a statement posted to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), signed by company chairman Jean-Philippe Torres.

Mrs Popoola-Mordi is a Law graduate, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries

and Administrators. She has several post-graduate degrees in Law and an MBA in oil and gas management.

Her career spans legal practice, banking, human resources management, industrial relations, communication, corporate governance, investor relations, and public relations amongst

others.

She joined TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc in 2011 as Legal Affairs Manager/Company Secretary, was promoted to General Manager of Human Resources & Corporate Services/Company Secretary in 2015 and appointed Executive General Manager of Total Country Services in 2019.

A cross section of participants at a training programme on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on tyres organised by Automobile and Touring Club of Nigeria held at Arts and Culture Centre in Abuja.

NNPC distances Kyari from claims of receiving gratuity worth billions of naira while in service

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said claims that Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO), and Umar Ajiya, chief financial officer (CFO), are receiving gratuity worth billions of naira while in service are false.

On Wednesday, a report said Kyari and Ajiya paid themselves billions of naira as gratuity despite still in service over fears of being retired compulsorily by the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu, the president-elect.

Some other top officials of the NNPC were also said to have been paid.

According to the report, most of the staff were displeased with the way the corporation was being managed by Kyari.

“He and Umar Ajiya are running the company like their personal fiefdom; our morale is down at the moment. We are calling on President Buhari to constitute a committee to investigate the massive corruption being perpetuated by Kyari and Ajiya,” the report reads.

In a counter statement, Garbadeen Muhammad, NNPC

spokesperson, described the report as false and malicious.

Muhammad noted that based on the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the new tenured roles Kyari and Ajiya assumed with NNPC Limited cannot be regarded as a continuance of their previous positions in the defunct corporation.

He said the termination of their previous roles entitled them to gratuity benefits while they served in different positions under the new NNPC.

“Our attention is drawn to the malicious publication by Sahara Reporters alleging inappropriateness of the disengagement of the GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari, and GED F&A, Mr Umar Ajiya from the services of the old corporation and their subsequent appointment by Mr President to commence a new tenure as Group CEO and CFO in the new NNPC Limited,” the statement reads.

“The general public may recall the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act and the successful transition of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to a commercially driven National Energy Company, the NNPC Limited.

“The PIA 2021, has in addition to the creation of NNPC limited made clear and unambiguous provisions relating to Governance, Administration, and the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Board of Directors by Mr. President.

“The PIA 2021 is deliberate about the long-term sustainability of the 20 years long petroleum industry reform that climaxed in the creation of NNPC Limited as a commercially driven National Energy Company, with a focus on sustainable value creation.

“Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the appointment of the CEO and CFO of NNPC Limited by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is on the basis of distinct terms and conditions of service, including tenure, employment benefits and termination. The appointment of CEO and CFO is not a career posting as erroneously presented by Sahara Reporters.

“Specifically, section 59(3) of the PIA 2021 has clearly stipulated the conditions to be considered in appointing the CEO and CFO of NNPC Limited, without recourse to previous employment ranks in

the Corporation. The previous rank of GMD or GED F&A was therefore not a consideration in the appointment of the CEO or CFO of NNPC Limited.

“Consequently, by virtue of the appointments of Mallam Mele Kyari and Mr. Umar Ajiya as NNPC Limited Group CEO and CFO respectively by Mr President for a tenure of five years each with effect from 16 September 2021 has ended their employment with the Corporation, and are thus entitled to their terminal benefits in respect thereof.

“Based on the provisions of the Act, the new tenured roles they assumed with NNPC Limited cannot be regarded as a continuance of their previous positions in the defunct Corporation.”

Muhammad asked the public to disregard the claims adding that the NNPC does not pay gratuity in billions.

He said the group CEO and CFO demonstrated patriotism by ending their career appointments with the corporation to serve the nation on five years tenured appointment in NNPC Limited.

The NNPC spokesperson said the company would take necessary legal steps to seek redress.

Dangote Sugar pays N18.22bn Dividends, to produce 170,000 Tonnes next season

Despite the economic headwinds that characterised 2022, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (DSR) will pay N18.22 billion as dividends to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2022, while also targeting the production of over 170,000 tonnes of sugar next season. The dividend payout will translate to N1.50 kobo per share held by shareholders.

Chairman of the Company, Aliko Dangote said: “The shareholders are very happy with the way we have been running their company and also in re-investing the profit into the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) for the sugar industry. We are going to play our part in ensuring that Nigeria

becomes self-sufficient in sugar within a very short period. We are not the only players, but we will surely play our part. We should be able to produce over 170,000 tonnes which are by far, in the history of Nigeria, the highest to be produced locally.”

The company recorded an impressive turnover of N403 billion, a 46 per cent increase over N276 billion recorded during the same period in the year before, and posted a Profit before Tax (PBT) of N82 billion.

Dangote attributed the company’s remarkable performance to the pragmatic approach the management deployed by focusing on continued cost and process optimisation, improved efficiencies in every area of operations, and service

delivery to our customers. He pledged that the management would continue to implement strategic actions to sustain the performance with the support of all stakeholders with complete adherence to the tenets of the Federal Government’s Sugar Master Plan.

Dangote said part of the success recorded by Dangote Sugar was made possible by the management’s continued implementation of the Dangote Sugar Development Master Plan with the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Dangote Sugar Refinery’s Numan operations, facilities and land development, as well as the development of the Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited, the greenfield sugar project, and Tunga in Nasarawa

State.

He said: “Concerted efforts were made during the year to rise above the various challenges that came about due to the COVID–19 lockdown which affected project timelines considerably and continued to generally impact economic activities due to its spill-over effect, which also led to the lack of forex to finance most of the project deliverables.

“We however continued to surge ahead supported by the various stakeholders in the industry and government parastatals, with the resolve to ensure that the goals of the Nigeria Sugar Development Master Plan are achieved.”

The Company Chairman noted that during the year under review, the first phase of the Sugar

Master Plan implementation period came to an end and that the Federal Government approved the second phase over the next 10 years. “This extension came on the back of the review of the first phase by the National Sugar Development Council and other government parastatals with cognisance of the challenges and several circumstances that were unforeseen which riddled the first phase of the programme,” he added.

Dangote stated that the board and management were, however, focused on the achievement of the goals of the strategic initiative, and thus considerable progress was recorded in the project development, despite the numerous challenges faced.

Not minding the obstacles ahead, Dangote promised that the management would continue to create sustainable value for all stakeholders through an inclusive approach to growth and development, with continuous engagement with all parties, to enable the company make a positive impact, support poverty eradication and food security, infrastructure development, empowerment for members of the immediate communities, and the society at large.

In her remarks, the Coordinator of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association, Mrs. Adebisi Bakare expressed the satisfaction of shareholders with the performance of the company, noting that despite all the encumbrances in the sugar sub-sector of the economy, the company still performed far and above the previous year.

L-R: Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Temitope Hassan; Chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Aliko Dangote; and Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Ravindra Singh Singhvi; at the Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc 17th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on 14th April, 2023

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has assured investors that the interest of minority shareholders would be protected during all transactions in the capital market.

The Director General, SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda gave the assurance in Abuja yesterday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the first quarter Capital Market Committee meeting, CMC.

This follows the decision of Oando Plc to delist from the

She urged the board and the management to continue in the direction they have taken to get the company to the current winning, assuring that the management has the support of the shareholders to post even better performance in the coming years.

SEC vows to protect minority interests in Capital Market

Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX.

He noted that protecting the interests of both majority and minority shareholders was the primary responsibility of the Commission.

“Protection of investors is the central mandate of the Commission and when the Commission protects investors, we do not discriminate between minority and majority shareholders.

“When there is a case of delisting, the application for the delisting cones to the Commission and we go through it very carefully to ensure that the shares of the company being delisted are fairly valued because fair valuation is what protects all the shareholders”, he explained.

Mr. Yuguda also noted that the Commission was working at ensuring that foreign and retail investors were retained and more

attracted to the capital market, observing that relative to other markets on the continent, the NGX has performed very well.

He expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the Investors and Securities Bill, ISB, into law before leaving office in May, noting that the new law was long overdue.

“The meeting was officially informed about the passage of the Investments and Securities

Bill (ISB) 2023 by the Senate. Some of the provisions in the ISB include stiffer punishment for operators of Ponzi schemes, expansion of the categories of issuers of securities, and better coverage of some new products among others.

“The ISB also has provisions for regulation of commodities exchanges and other operators in the commodities trading ecosystem”, he added.

Relief as Rotary, REA provide solar-power to clinic, households in Galuwyi community

By Stanley Onyekwere

There is a sigh of relief for inhabitants of Galuwyi 1&2 and Ruga Fulani communities as Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, in partnership with with Rural Electrification Agency (REA) light up a medical clinic and 30 households with 30 solar panels.

Also, the Club carried out the renovation of the health centre, refurbishing of furniture and hospital beds as well as foundation laying for maternity wing of the clinic.

It was gathered that since the creation of Galuwyi community, located within the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for over hundred years ago, the inhabitants have been in living in darkness, as there was no access to electricity supply, until a month ago when the 30 solar power panels were installed.

According to the District of Galuwyi, one of the beneficiary communities, Chief Ezekiel Sarki, in recent times, while a few people in the area have been depending on alternative power generators and other unclean sources, majority of them have been staying in darkness, since the creation of this community over hundred years ago.

Sarki said: “As a member of the community, if God opens way for any member of the community, then you will be able to buy a generator to get electricty to boost your household and economic activities. Otherwise, you will remain in darkness.

“But, the people are happy that through the solar energy that provided by Rotary and REA, they enjoy access to electricity for a month now, even before its official commissioning.

“We are using the solar energy to light up our homes, charge rechargable touch lights (lanterns), phones and even radio stereos”.

He disclosed that since Rotary adopted the village, it has been helping people through its 13 impactful projects in the area.

Conveying the gratitude of the people to Rotary and its partners, the community leader said” they are our local government, because no any government has come to do to us what they are doing for us, so we are saying thanks to them”.

On safeguarding the solar project, he said the community has a vigilante group working to help protect lives and property in the area, they l have been instructed to provide effective security cover for the facility.

In the same vein, Mai Angwan (Village Head), Ruga Fulani, Muhammed Ardo, said with the installation of the solar panels people are feeling more lively as other people of the FCT.

He said through the intervention, their youth will be economically empowered, to make better choices, thereby repositioning them to be agents for the expansion of such facility.

However, speaking during the commissioning of the solar power scheme as part of the Rotary 3-1 community projects in Galuwyi, at the weekend, the President of Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, Rotarian Yusuf Ali, explained that the project, which was concieved about ten months ago, when the Managing Director of REA, who is one of the key coordinators of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy attended his

inauguration ans investiture as the president of the club.

Yusuf, said the club did needs assessment, and discovered that the village has not experienced any form of electricity supply, so the Club in collaboration with REA decided to intervene with the solar energy project, that 30 households are benefiting from.

He added that the electricity provided free of charge can carry 40 wats strength, so that if the users mainly poor forks in the village have maintenance culture, it is a lifelong project.

In addition, he noted that the project will also promote economic activities, communication and communal cohesion, thereby enhancing security and reducing poverty in the community.

According to him, the only healthcare centre in the area operate without electricity supply or even a generator, but now it is powered with the solar energy project to ensure that patients are not treated in darkness.

“ On our own as a Club, and Rotary being a charitable organisation, this community is actually our adopted village, and in the last 10-11 years, we have carried out many projects ranging from provision of borehole, primary school, clinic, and now we are providing electricity, and laying a foundation for the maternal wing of the clinic, which the next president that would take over from me will build.

He noted that it is work in progress, because when the club adopts a community, it carries out projects that would be very positively impactful.

Similarly, REA Managing Director, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Modi, described the execution of the project as a fantastic achievement, which REA is happy to be part of it.

Modi noted that in partnership with Rotary Club, the Agency was able to find needful communities, where power is one of the major issues affecting their wellbeing.

“We work with federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning as this is part of the

Vice President’s National Poverty Reduction and Strategy Growth programme, so REA is one of the implementing agencies. So, we are happy that we were able to find extremely remote three communities - Galuwyi 1&2 and Ruga Fulani that would benefit from the intervention.

“Although, we do work with a lot of data in its offices, however sometimes, working with people on ground especially those carrying out a lot of interventions on other aspects of development like healthcare services, water supply; and the agency is able and willing to complement such efforts with electricity supply.

“This is not the first time that we have worked together, and we will continue to work together every time we have such kind of interventions especially where we can find

unelectrified Nigerians in FCT and other parts of the country”, REA boss stressed.

On his part, the host, District Governor D9125, RTN Goddy Nnadi commended the decision to ensure the effective preservation and expansion of the its healthcare centre for continuous better service of the people in the community.

He said they are very impactful projects on humanity especially hygiene, the girl child child and women (maternal health) in the society

He adds: “I’m so pleased that Club has done so well in this area. And the collaboration with REA is a wise decision, which is what leadership is all about.

“When you have a good leadership, the thinking is always what to do to help our people”.

EU rejects Ukraine grain bans by Poland and Hungary

The European Commission has rejected bans introduced by Poland and Hungary on Ukrainian grain imports.

The two countries said the measures were necessary to protect their farming sectors from cheap imports.

The ban applies to grains, dairy products, sugar, fruit, vegetables and meats and will be in force until the end of June.

The Commission said it was not up to individual member states to make trade policy.

While the Commission has said that unilateral moves will not be tolerated, it has not yet specified what measures it would take against Poland and Hungary.

“In such challenging times, it is crucial to coordinate and align all decisions within the EU,” its spokesperson said in a statement.

Most Ukrainian grain is exported via the Black Sea, but Russia’s invasion last year disrupted export routes and resulted in large quantities of the grain ending up in central Europe.

A deal with Russia, brokered by the UN and Turkey, allows Ukraine to continue exporting by sea - but Ukraine accuses Russia of slowing the process with overzealous inspections.

Poland and Hungary announced the move on Saturday. The decision came after complaints from local farmers who

said they were being undercut by cheaper Ukrainian grain flooding their markets.

On Sunday, Polish Economic Development and Technology Minister Waldemar Buda clarified that the ban applied to goods in transit as well as those staying in Poland.

He called for talks with Ukraine to set

up a scheme to ensure exports pass through Poland and do not end up on the local market.

Ukraine says the move contradicts bilateral trade agreements.

A statement by Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry said it had “always been sympathetic to the situation in the Polish

agricultural sector and responded promptly to various challenges”.

“At present, unilateral drastic actions will not accelerate the positive resolution of the situation,” it added.

Ministers from Poland and Ukraine are due to meet to discuss the issue in Poland on Monday.

Atiq Ahmed: The brazen murder of an Indian mafia don-turned-politician

Footage from Saturday night shows mafia don-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed getting out from the back of a police jeep near a hospital in the city of Prayagraj, also known as Allahabad.

A heavyset man, Ahmed, a former MP and convicted criminal, is helped down by a policeman and his brother Ashraf. The brothers are being led by a chain attached to their handcuffs.

As they start walking, surrounded by a ring of police constables, local TV reporters besiege them - among them are gunmen pretending to be journalists.

A second later, a gun is pulled close to his head, his white turban detaches from his head as he collapses to the ground. A moment later, his brother is also shot.

Two gunmen and another man immediately surrender to the police.

• Former Indian MP shot dead live on TV

The Uttar Pradesh state government has ordered an investigation, but Saturday evening’s daring murder has unleashed a torrent of criticism from major local and national politicians who say it shows law and order has broken down there.

Lawyer and politician Kapil Sibal said there had been “two murders” in Uttar Pradesh“one, of Atiq and brother Ashraf and two, of Rule of Law”.

Vikram Singh, former director general of Uttar Pradesh’s state police, told the BBC that Ahmad’s murder was unacceptable. “Death in custody is bad enough, murder is worse,” he said.

To say Ahmed was a controversial man is an understatement.

The 60-year-old was born in a poor family in Prayagraj and was a school dropout, but over the years he amassed huge wealth, enjoyed political patronage and power and

came to wield immense influence in the city of his birth and beyond.

Starting in 1989, he was elected five times as a legislator to the state assembly from the city, and was also elected to the parliament from Phulpur constituency in 2004.

Mr Singh describes him as a sort of “Robin Hood, a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde type of character” who “spent lavishly to help poor people - paying for weddings, giving them money during Eid festivals, and helping poor women buy school uniforms and books for their children”.

• Why do Indians vote for ‘criminal’ politicians?

• Politics and the barrel of the gun

But this persona unravelled as Ahmed was accused of kidnappings, murders, extortion and land grabs.

More than 100 cases were registered against him and he was said to be involved in as many more “but the victims were too afraid to lodge complaints”, he added.

Over two decades Ahmed had spells in prison but but he maintained his sway over Uttar Pradesh’s underworld and ensured his men were protected.

But after the regional Samajwadi Party severed ties with him and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the state that Ahmed’s influence began to wane.

He was arrested for assault in 2017 and was later moved to a prison in the western state of Gujarat.

The most recent action against him started in February when footage emerged that showed a group of men killing Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder of Raju Pal, a lawmaker belonging to the regional Bahujan Samaj Party. The Ahmed brothers had been accused of involvement in Pal’s murder.

The February murder caught on video set in motion a chain of events that has left

Ahmed and several members of his family and supporters dead, his wife on the run with a bounty on her head, two of his sons in jail and the remaining two sons who are minors in government protection homes.

• Why India’s ‘fake encounters’ are shockingly common

Ahmed was brought to Prayagraj to face charges in the case after India’s Supreme Court last month declined to hear his petition alleging that there was a threat to his life from the police. His brother was also brought to the city from a prison in another district in the state.

On Thursday, his 19-year-old son Asad and an aide were killed by the police in a so-called encounter - with accusations flying that they were shot dead in a planned execution.

Many parts of Prayagraj were a ghost town on Sunday morning. The main bazaars in

the old city - usually buzzing with activity at this time of the year as Muslims celebrate the festival of Eid - were deserted.

Police vans and officers are deployed on almost every street. Internet services are down in most parts. And locals are reluctant to talk to the media or say anything about the murders.

A 40-year-old Muslim man, who didn’t want to be named, told the BBC that people were shocked.

“How can somebody be killed in front of the media and the police? He was a convicted criminal I agree, but that doesn’t mean he can be shot like that. What about the rule of law?” he asked.

“Many of us are wondering if he was killed because he was a Muslim. I don’t know if that’s true, but this incident has terrified the city. We deserve better.”

Source; BBC

Polish farmers have been protesting against the flood of Ukrainian grain, which they say has depressed prices on the local market

A forensic team examined the spot where the Ahmed brothers were killed

Sudan crisis: Further fierce fighting as clashes spread

Fierce clashes have been reported across Sudan as fighting between rival armed factions continues to spread.

The escalation came on the second day of clashes between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries which have now left at least 59 dead.

The Sudanese army said it had taken hold of RSF bases in Port Sudan, Kasala, Kadaref, Demazin and Kosti.

The RSF claimed to occupy sites in Omdurman and Darfur, as well as Merowe Airport in the north.

But later accounts indicated that the army had regained control of the airport, with the military saying they were dealing with “small pockets of rebels”.

Witnesses in Sudan told Reuters news agency that the army appeared to be gaining the upper hand in the country’s power struggle after blasting RSF bases with air strikes.

Earlier, the two sides observed a temporary humanitarian ceasefire to allow the wounded to be evacuated.

It followed complaints from doctors’ unions that it was difficult for medics and sick people to get to and from hospitals while the fighting was

raging. The brief pause in the fighting came as a chorus of international voices called for a permanent end to the violence.

Leading Arab states and the US have also urged a resumption of talks aimed at restoring a civilian government, while the African Union has announced that it is sending its top diplomat, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to try to negotiate a ceasefire.

Egypt and South Sudan also offered to mediate between the warring factions, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.

For its part, the UN World Food Programme has suspended its operations in Sudan after three of its workers were killed on Saturday.

The RSF, led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has claimed to control key sites in the capital, Khartoum.

However, that assertion was rejected by Sudan’s leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads the country’s governing Sovereign Council.

Sudan state television is reported to have stopped transmissions, but it was not immediately clear what caused the break in programming.

Sudan has been run by a

council of generals since a coup overthrew the country’s longstanding authoritarian president, Omar al-Bashir, in 2019.

The violence broke out on

Saturday after days of tensions over the roadmap for the country’s transition to civilian rule.

One of the main sticking

points is over the plans to incorporate the 100,000-strong RSF into the army and who would then lead the new force.

Sudan crisis: Shock and anger in Khartoum, a city not used to war

Khartoum city streets were mostly empty of people and traffic on Sunday, with both warring sides mounting roadblocks.

But long queues formed at bakeries and the few shops that remained open, as some people briefly ventured out to buy food before returning home to safety.

In the afternoon, there was a three-hour pause in hostilities to allow thousands of locked-down people to move and for the injured to get to hospital.

Among residents, there was shock - and also anger.

Unlike other parts of the country, such as the often turbulent western Darfur region, Khartoum is not used to war. This is the first time that people in the capital have seen such clashes.

Early on Sunday, Sudan’s doctors’ union said at least 17 civilians had been killed in the city but after two days of fighting the true number of victims is likely to be higher.

Khartoum resident Kholood Khair told the BBC that residents could not be sure of safety anywhere.

“All civilians have been urged to stay at home, but that has not kept everyone safe,” she said.

“There are lots of people either being in their homes or being sort of in and around their homes, on the rooftops, in the gardens et cetera, that have been either hurt or killed by a stray bullet.”

Those victims included an Indian national, Albert Augestine, who was working in Sudan and was hit by stray gunfire on Saturday, the Indian embassy said.

Heavy fighting and explosions continued to shake the city, including in areas held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), suggesting that their claim to control 90% of Khartoum had little to back it up.

Hamid Khalafallah, a researcher and policy analyst at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy in Khartoum, told the BBC that the Sudanese military appeared to be bombing targets within the city.

“We woke up to sounds of very heavy gunfire and bombings, in some cases even louder than yesterday,” he said, adding that jet fighters had been heard overhead.

“Basically, the Sudanese armed forces are trying to target locations where the Rapid Support Forces’ militia are located.”

Ms Khair said the Sudanese military had told residents that they would be sweeping neighbourhoods for RSF forces, who she said had embedded themselves in densely populated areas.

She said she feared this could result in “indiscriminate killing”.

Katharina von Schroeder from Save the Children had been trapped in a school in the capital Khartoum since the fighting started on Saturday morning.

“Every time we thought that it’s calming down then suddenly there is another noise,” she told the BBC. “The strongest explosions were this morning when we also saw some air force being deployed, or fighter jets, and we decided to go down to the basement for about an hour.”

Fighting has been taking place across the country, from Darfur in the west, where three World Food Programme (WFP) staff were killed, to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast in the east.

In Port Sudan, residents woke up to explosions, but later in the day said things seemed to have quietened down.

“I woke up to the sound of fighter jets hovering above my neighbourhood. Seeing the planes in the sky the RSF started targeting them with anti-aircraft missiles. The land

was shaking, literally. Again my whole family gathered in one room. We were really scared,” Othman Abu Bakr said.

But the sound of fighting later subsided and Mr Abu Bakr said he went outside and saw army soldiers celebrating in the streets.

Hospitals in Khartoum have been struggling to cope with the rising numbers of casualties, complaining of a lack of doctors and infrastructure.

With next Friday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the start of the Eid al-Fitr festival, the citizens of Khartoum are wondering whether they will have anything to celebrate.

Even before the violence broke out, there had been days of tension as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country, in a move that the army saw as a threat.

Those tensions disrupted the normal pattern of socialising during Ramadan, with people unable to follow their usual habits of celebrating and praying at the end of each day’s long fast.

During the Eid festival, people usually move about a lot, visiting family members, neighbours and close friends, but all that is in doubt this year.

As they wait for an outcome, people’s anger has focused on the two military men at the centre of the dispute - army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Their feud erupted over plans for a transition from military to civilian rule. But right now, many Sudanese want peace and stability more than they crave democracy.

Source: BBC

People carry their belongings down a Khartoum street on Sunday

Thick black smoke was seen over Khartoum (satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies)

FROM ASIA

Punjab: The Indian ‘American dream’ which ended in a scam in Bali

Like millions of others in India, Sukhjinder always dreamt of migrating to the US in search of a better life.

Now he shudders at the very idea.

“I have chills down my spine when I hear someone talk about going abroad. That one decision ruined everything for me,” said the 35-year-old, who goes by only one name.

A resident of Tarn Taran, a small town in Punjab, Mr Sukhjinder is among at least 150 young men and women in the northern Indian state who were duped by a gang which extorted huge sums of money in exchange for false promises of getting them settled in the US.

Police said the gang, which is entirely made up of Indians, would fly out its victims to new destinations such as Bali in Indonesia and hold them hostage for days to extract a ransom from their families.

They said they suspected the gang chose countries like Indonesia or Singapore as their base because of cheap flights and the “visa on arrival” facility available to Indian citizens in these countries. Besides Punjab, men in three other states - Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh - were also targeted, they added.

Last year, police said they had arrested “the gang leader” Sunny Kumar’s wife and his father and recovered 15m rupees ($1.82m; £1.47m) from their home in Punjab. So far, 11 people have been arrested in connection with the scam, they added.

But Kumar and other gang leaders are still absconding, believed to be hiding in Indonesia. Police say they are in touch with the Indian federal government to get their whereabouts. Those under arrest have not made any statements. The BBC has contacted the Indonesian police for comment and the story will be updated when they respond.

The gang, which has been active for over two years, mostly targeted young, but not very educated, people in Punjab.

“The members approached their victims with the promise of taking them to the US via Mexico,” Gursher Singh Sandhu, police commissioner of Mohali city, told the BBC.

“They would fly their clients out of the country and then force them to call their family and lie that they had reached safely, and ask their family to pay the gang’s fee,” he said.

Some members of the gang, based in Punjab, would then go and collect the money from the victims’ families. After that, the gang would either abandon the victims or put them on a return flight to India, Mr Sandhu added.

Mr Sukhjinder said he first got in touch with Sunny Kumar in October after a relative told him he could help him reach US.

Kumar told Mr Sukhjinder he would get him there if he paid 4.5m rupees. The plan was that Mr Sukhjinder would first travel to Bali, from where Kumar and his men would chart a route for him to get to Mexico and then to the US.

Mr Sukhjinder said he trusted the offer because Kumar sent him a ticket to Bali without him making any advance payment.

On October 29, he boarded a flight for Bali from Delhi. From here on, things took a sinister turn.

Mr Sukhjinder alleged he was held hostage at an unknown location for 23 days. “I was beaten so severely that I had no option but to agree to lie to my family.”

He said he was allowed to take a flight back to India after his family paid 4m rupees to the agents.

This is not the first time Indians have taken desperate steps to migrate to the US.

Thousands of Indians dream of moving to foreign countries, especially the US, in the hope of a

better life. Some even fall victim to human smugglers in their desire to reach their goal.

US government data shows that 19,883 Indians were arrested while entering the country illegally in 2020. The numbers went up to 30,662 in 2021 and to 63,927 in 2022.

Experts say while a lot of families try to cross over from Canada, many end up going to Mexico, where they get in touch with smugglers who push them to undertake treacherous journeys across the border. Many die along the way.

Last week, four-members of an Indian family were found dead in a river marsh near the US-Canada border. In January 2022, bodies of

another family of four were found frozen to death near the border. In 2019, the death of a six-year-old girl from Punjab, who had illegally entered US from Mexico with her mother, had caused widespread outrage in India.

Ranjit Singh Ghuman, an economist from Punjab, says the situation is particularly alarming because of the lack of jobs in the state. Data from India’s Economic Survey shows that the rate of unemployment stood at 7.2% in 2021 and 2022.

“The youth here are frustrated and desperately want a way out from their dismal lives. So they take such extreme decisions,” he said, adding that the government should increase investments to spur more

Atiq Ahmed: Former Indian MP and brother shot dead live on TV

Aformer Indian politician convicted of kidnapping has been shot dead live on TV along with his brother.

Atiq Ahmed, who was under police escort, was talking to reporters when a gun was pulled close to his head in Prayagraj, also known as Allahabad.

After the shots were fired on Saturday night, three men who had been posing as journalists quickly surrendered and were taken into custody.

Ahmed’s teenage son was shot dead by police days earlier.

Dozens of cases, including kidnapping, murder and extortion, were registered against Atiq Ahmed over the past two decades. A local court sentenced him and two others to life in jail in March this year in a kidnapping case.

Ahmed had previously claimed there was a threat to his own life from the police.

Video showed Ahmed and his brother, Ashraf, both in handcuffs, speaking to journalists on the way to a medical check-up at a hospital seconds before they were both shot.

In the footage, shared widely on social media and TV channels, Ahmed is asked whether he attended his son’s funeral.

His last words to camera are: “They did not take us, so we did not go.”

The three suspected assailants had arrived at the site on motorcycles, the police said. A policeman and a journalist were also injured at the scene.

Following Saturday night’s incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a judicial probe into the killings and banned large gatherings in the districts of Uttar Pradesh state to ensure peace.

Experts have raised questions on how a man could be killed in front of the media and the police. BBC Hindi correspondent Anant Zanane reported from Prayagraj that the city was in a lockdownlike situation.

Who was Atiq Ahmed?

He had a long stint both in politics and with the criminal world. He was first accused in a murder case in 1979. In the next 10 years, he emerged as a person who had strong influence in the

western part of Allahabad city.

He won his first election as an independent candidate and became a state lawmaker in 1989. He went on to win the seat for two consecutive terms and his fourth win came as a lawmaker from the regional Samajwadi party (SP).

In 2004, he won a seat in the federal election as an SP candidate and became an MP. Meanwhile, cases continued to be filed against him in Allahabad and other parts of the state.

Ahmed contested a few more elections in the next decade but lost all of them. In 2019, India’s top court ordered that he should be moved to a jail in Gujarat state after it emerged that he planned attacks on a businessman from a prison in Uttar Pradesh where he was being held awaiting trial in another case.

He was brought back to Prayagraj in March from Gujarat to appear in a local court as it announced his sentencing in a kidnapping case.

Ahmed was also brought to the city to be questioned in other cases. His brother Ashraf, who was in a jail in Bareilly district,

was also brought to the city to be questioned.

They were both being questioned in the February murder of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder of Raju Pal, a lawmaker belonging to the regional Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Raju Pal had defeated Ashraf in the 2004 assembly elections in Atiq Ahmed’s political stronghold.

Umesh Pal was killed in February this year when several people fired at him.

Atiq Ahmed’s teenage son Asad and few others were named as the main suspects in the Umesh Pal murder case. Asad and another man were killed by police earlier this week in what was described as a shootout.

‘Crime has reached its peak in UP’

Last month India’s Supreme Court declined to hear Ahmed’s petition in which he alleged there was a threat to his life from the police.

Uttar Pradesh is governed by the Hindu-nationalist BJP, and opposition parties criticised the killings as a security lapse.

“Crime has reached its peak in UP and the morale of the criminals is high,” Akhilesh Yadav, chief the opposition Samajwadi Party, tweeted in Hindi.

“When someone can be killed in firing openly amidst the security cordon of the police, then what about the safety of the general public. Due to this, an atmosphere of fear is being created among the public, it seems that some people are deliberately creating such an atmosphere,” he added.

More than 180 people facing various charges have been killed by police in the state in the past six years.

Rights activists accuse the police of carrying out extrajudicial killings, which the state’s government denies.

The police usually calls them “encounters” - many say these are really staged confrontations which almost invariably end with dead criminals and unscathed police.

Encounters carried out by police are - at least in part - a response to India’s grindingly slow and dysfunctional criminal justice system. Source: BBC

Sukhjinder is among hundreds of Indians who were duped by a gang of smugglers

Education Nigeria to translate research into commercialization - TETFund

By Maryam Abeeb

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has said that academic research from Nigerians will soon be translated into commercial purposes for the benefit of all.

The Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, said this during a tour to Innov8 Hub for the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) Prototype Development Bootcamp in

Abuja. The Innov8 Hub is a creative space where ideas are conceptualised and transformed into development.

At the Innov8 Hub, aspiring inventors, researchers and academics are trained and developed to navigate through

the Nigerian innovation and invention ecosystems. Echono further stated that the hub serves as an opportunity to make a difference in the life of people as well as transform the fortune of the country both intellectually and materially. According to him, of all the

gifts God has given mankind; it is the intellect that will make the most impact, hence the need to invest in researchers.

“A lot of what is happening in this hub is agriculture and Nigeria has a comparative advantage in agriculture.

“With dedication,

commitment and the right policies, we can be able to move into that agricultural space to help our people.

“At the Fund, we are doing a lot of intervention in the innovation space this year. We want to replicate the hub in our tertiary institutions.”

JAMB announces date for mock-UTME re-sit

By Maryam Abeeb

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed candidates, who had registered for the 2023 optional Mock-UTME but could not sit the examination, which was held on Thursday, 30th March, 2023, on account of technical challenges, to print their Notification Slips from Friday, 14th April, 2023 for the rescheduled mock examination coming up on Tuesday,18th April, 2023.

In a statement by the Head, Public Affairs and protocol in Abuja, Dr. Benjamin Fabian stated that candidates, who took the earlier Mock-UTME on Thursday, 30th March, 2023, and whose results have been released, are not eligible for the rescheduled mock examination.

According to him, in essence, the rescheduled Mock-UTME is only for candidates, who indicated interest, at the point of registration, to sit the mock examination but who were not successful during the Thursday, 30th March, 2023, exercise on account of technical challenges.

“All candidates for the rescheduled Mock-UTME are to visit https://www.jamb.gov.ng and click on “SUPPLEMENTARY

MOCK UTME SLIP PRINTING” on the menu bar to know the time and venue of their examination.

“The rescheduled (supplementary) Mock-UTME Notification Slip would contain the Candidates’ Registration Number, Venue, Date, and Time of the Examination to enable them to easily locate their centres before the examination. Candidates are

also enjoined to be at their centres one hour before the examination for biometric verification.

“The Board enjoins candidates to note that the commencement time for the rescheduled examination as contained in their Notification Slips, is sacrosanct. In addition, the Board also restates its zero tolerance for examination malpractice and urges candidates

to refrain from any ignoble act or conduct during the rescheduled examination.

“In the same vein, candidates are advised against going into the examination halls with prohibited items such as wristwatches, calculators, flash drives, phones, among others. They are also warned to desist from the application of “laale” (henna) to do

fancied drawings and paintings on their hands to avoid unnecessary interference with the whorls of their fingers which could impede biometric verification.

“Similarly, the Board wishes to use this opportunity to inform the general public that the 2023 UTME will hold between Tuesday, 25th April and Wednesday, 3rd May, 2023,” it’s reads.

Chibok Girls: UNICEF calls for end to children violence, abuse in Nigeria

Maryam Abeeb

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has called for an end to all forms of violence and abuse that have reportedly claimed the lives of over 6,800 children in Nigeria’s northeast region.

This was made known in a statement by the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Mundate in commemoration of the nine years the abduction of the Chibok Girls.

It could be recalled that on April 14, 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School at the town of Chibok in Borno State.

Munduate expressed worries over the increasing reported cases of killings and

abduction of children in the region.

Munduate said the statistics are disturbing and the reality devastating.

“It has been 9 years since the horrendous abduction of the Chibok girls, yet the nightmare continues as children are still being kidnapped, forcibly recruited, killed, and injured – their futures torn away.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of Nigeria’s children. We must do everything in our power to ensure they grow up in safety, with access to education and the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” she said.

While commending the Government of Nigeria’s signing of the UNICEF-supported handover protocol and its commitment to invest N144.8 billion ($314.5 Million) towards the Safe Schools Financing Plan in

2022 Munduate added that UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in its implementation to ensure that all children encountered in the course of armed conflict in Nigeria or released from armed groups are quickly reunited with their families and benefit from reintegration programmes.

“UNICEF Nigeria calls on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law and protect the rights and well-being of children.

“UNICEF Nigeria stands committed to working with the government and partners to ensure that every child in Nigeria can enjoy their rights and live in a peaceful and prosperous society”.

The statement also disclosed that since 2014, there have been over 2,400 incidents

of grave violations verified, affecting over 6,800 children in the northeast.

“The most common violations are recruitment or use of children by armed groups with 700 verified cases, followed by abductions of children, with 693 incidents, and killing and maiming, with 675 incidents.

“The impact of the conflict on education is alarming, with repercussions that will likely affect generations.

“The Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) reports that, between 2009 and 2022, around 2,295 teachers were reportedly killed in attacks, over 19,000 teachers were displaced, more than 1,500 schools closed because of insecurity, and 910 schools were destroyed,” Munduate said.

Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah (middle), Directors of the Ministry, Education stakeholders and the cross section of participants at the National Dialogue on Educational issues, Organise by the Ministry of Education, held recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Meet the hacker armies on Ukraine’s cyber front line

When Russia initiated its fullscale invasion of Ukraine, a second, less visible battle in cyberspace got under way. The BBC’s cyber correspondent Joe Tidy travelled to Ukraine to speak to those fighting the cyber war, and found the conflict has blurred the lines between those working for the military and the unofficial activist hackers.

When I went to visit Oleksandr in his one-bedroom flat in central Ukraine, I found a typically spartan set-up common to many hackers.

No furniture or home comforts - not even a TV - just a powerful computer in one corner of his bedroom and a powerful music system in the other.

From here, Oleksandr has helped temporarily disable hundreds of Russian websites, disrupted services at dozens of banks and defaced websites with pro-Ukraine messages.

He is one of the most prominent hackers in the vigilante group, the IT Army of Ukraine - a volunteer hacking network with a Telegram group nearly 200,000-strong.

For more than a year, he has devoted himself to causing as much chaos in Russia as possible.

Even during our visit he was running complex software attempting to take his latest targeta Russian banking website - offline.

Ironically though, he admits the idea for his favourite hack actually began with a tip from an anonymous Russian, who told them about an organisation called Chestny ZnakRussia’s only product authentication system.

He was told all goods produced in Russia - including fresh foodhave to be scanned for a unique number and a barcode supplied by the company from the moment of their creation at a factory, up till the moment of being sold.

Oleksandr smiles as he describes how he and his team found a way to take the service offline, using a hacking tool that floods a computer system with internet traffic - known as a targeted DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack.

“The economic losses were pretty high, I think. It was mind-blowing,” says Oleksandr.

In reality, it’s hard to gauge the disruption prompted by the hack, but for four days last April Chestny Znak posted regular updates about the DDoS attack on its official Telegram feed. Traders were offered advice and a helpline to call for assistance.

Eventually Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade was forced to

relax some rules on food labelling to allow perishables to be traded.

More recently, around the first anniversary of the invasion, Oleksandr joined a team of hackers, called One Fist, to hijack Russian radio stations and broadcast the sound of fake air raid sirens and an alert message telling citizens to take shelter.

“We feel ourselves like military,” says Oleksandr. “When my country calls me to pick up a rifle I am ready, but hacking Russia now, I feel that I am helpful.”

Many experts predicted that people like Oleksandr - hacktivists - might play a part in the Ukraine conflict, but the scale of the activity has come as a shock - with hacker armies emerging on both sides.

Officially Ukraine is defending itself from cyber attacks, aided by Western cyber military teams and private cyber-security companies - funded by millions of dollars in donations.

But unofficial links are also beginning to emerge between vigilante groups going on the offensive and carrying out criminal attacks and military officials.

On both sides, lines between targeted, state-sanctioned cyberattacks and ad-hoc vigilante hacking have been blurred. The consequences could be far-reaching.

On a visit to Ukraine’s cyber defence HQ in Kyiv, officials claim they have evidence that the Russian hacktivist gang, Killnet, which has a Telegram group of nearly 100,000, is working directly with the cyber section of the Russian military.

“These groups, like Killnet or the Cyber Army of Russia, started off carrying out DDoS attacks - but have since recruited more talented and skilled people,” says Viktor Zhora, deputy chairman of the State Service of Special Communications.

He alleges the groups have consultants from the Russian military and are now capable of launching sophisticated cyber attacks.

Russian commanders are uniting all of the hacktivist groups and activities into a single source of aggression in cyber-space against Ukraine and its allies, he claims.

The link would be problematic for Russia if proven.

Since the invasion, Russia has been relatively targeted in its cyber attacks - sticking to Ukrainian targets that are loosely linked to the war effort.

But Killnet has called for and

Killmilk refused to take part in a face-to-face interview, but after weeks of messages on Telegram he sent video responses to our questions - before breaking off communication.

In his recordings, Killmilk boasts that the hackers devote 12 hours a day to Killnet. “I see no equal in the world to Russian hackers. Useless and stupid Ukrainian hackers cannot succeed in confronting us,” he says.

carried out disruptive - albeit temporary - attacks on hospital websites in both Ukraine and allied countries.

The Geneva Convention, rules aimed to limit the savagery of physical wars, prohibit such attacks on civilians. But there’s no Geneva Convention for cyber warfare. The International Committee of the Red Cross argues that existing codes should apply - so targeting hospitals, for example, would constitute a breach.

The fact that hacker attacks are being carried out on Nato countries could also trigger a collective response if they caused serious harm.

The Russian government did not respond to requests for comment from the BBC - so instead, we went directly to Killnet’s leader, who goes by the moniker Killmilk.

Killmilk refused to take part in a face-to-face interview, but after weeks of messages on Telegram he sent video responses to our questions - before breaking off communication.

In his recordings, Killmilk boasts that the hackers devote 12 hours a day to Killnet. “I see no equal in the world to Russian hackers. Useless and stupid Ukrainian hackers cannot succeed in confronting us,” he says.

Killmilk insisted his group is completely independent of Russian special services, asserting that he has a regular job as a factory loader and is “a simple person”.

Before the war and Killnet, he says he started a criminal DDoSfor-hire business - but, when the invasion began, he was determined to dedicate his hacking efforts to disrupting Ukraine and its allies.

“Wherever I am, my laptop and everything I need is always with me. In this, I am mobile and efficient and devote almost all my time to our movement.”

Whilst some hactivist vigilante groups, like the infamous Anonymous collective, have slowed down activities against Russia and moved on in the past three months, Killnet has increased its activity and is also focussing on the West - urged on by bombastic videos from Killmilk which show him urinating on flags representing Nato and the US.

Over the Easter weekend, Killnet’s Telegram channel was used to create a pop-up team called KillNATO Psychos. Within hours, it was hundreds of members-strong and proceeded to carry out a wave of

attacks which temporarily disrupted Nato member websites. The group also published a list of Nato staff email addresses and encouraged people to harass them.

Source; BBC

Oleksandr says he is not scared of Russian reprisals and refuses to hide his identity

A masked Killmilk - Killnet’s leader - sent a video, responding to the BBC’s questions

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Heavyweight Joe Joyce says his ‘journey will continue’ after losing to Zhilei Zhang in London

Joe Joyce declared his “journey will continue” after his world-title ambitions were rocked by a shock first career defeat against Zhilei Zhang.

The British heavyweight, 37, suffered a sixth-round technical knockout at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday.

Referee Howard Foster stopped the fight as Joyce struggled with a swollen eye, having suffered repeatedly against the hard hitting of China’s Zhang.

“I’ve had my loss but I’ll be back,” Joyce told BBC Sport.

“The journey will continue.”

Joyce’s swollen eye, inspected twice by the ringside doctor, was hindering his sight by the time Foster called a halt.

But the Londoner said: “I can still see through it, I think it’s just bruised. It’s a formality to go to the hospital now to check it’s not fractured or anything.”

In addition to his undefeated record, Joyce’s defeat has also cost him his WBO interim belt and his status as mandatory challenger for unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO title.

Joyce had made his ring entrance to

the theme from sci-fi film The Terminator, but said afterwards: “It looks like I’ve got a terminator eye now. It’s unfortunate but I’ll be back. I thought I was doing well in there.”

Heavy hitter stops the ‘Juggernaut’

Throughout fight week, there was much talk on when Joyce - who had held mandatory challenger status since July 2021 - would get his world-title shot.

Although it was not something Joyce was guilty of himself, many fans and pundits may have overlooked the threat of ‘Big Bang’ Zhang.

Joyce’s relentless approach, which often leaves his defences exposed, has earned him the nickname ‘Juggernaut’.

In previous fights, such as last September’s win over Joseph Parker, Joyce’s much talked about ‘granite chin’ enabled him to shrug off a heavy hit as if it were a gust of wind.

But in east London, Joyce faced arguably his biggest-hitting opponent to date. Zhang, who was 1st 9lb heavier at Friday’s weigh-in, is a considerably bigger puncher than Parker.

A southpaw heavyweight with strong amateur pedigree - winning silver at the 2008 Olympic Games - the 39-year-old’s only loss came on points to Filip Hrgovic in August, in a fight many observers felt he won.

“I couldn’t get away from his straight left. He kept on nailing me in the eye and it swelled up my eye,” Joyce said.

“That’s what happens when you take risks. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way which is it’s annoying. I thought I’d reach a victory here and it’s just disappointing I didn’t.

‘I might have a fight before the rematch’

Referee Howard Foster waves off the fight between Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang

Joyce was twice seen by the ringside doctor before the fight was called off in the sixth

Zhang has catapulted himself into world-title contention and is now the WBO’s number one challenger for Ukraine’s Usyk.

The sanctioning bodies have a rotation policy for mandatory defences, meaning Usyk must first defend against WBA

mandatory Daniel Dubois, with IBF number one Hrgovic second in line.

Joyce’s promoter George Warren confirmed there is a rematch clause with Zhang. Much will depend on the extent of the Putney fighter’s eye injury, but there is sufficient time for Joyce to avenge his loss and reclaim the number one WBO spot before the mandatory is called.

But Joyce is slightly cautious in committing to an immediate rematch.

“We’re going to discuss it,” he said. “I could have one in between. I’m just going to decide. I’m going to have some time off and reflect and watch the tape back and see where I went wrong.”

With a packed heavyweight division, there are other options for Joyce should a world-title shot not materialise.

Fellow Briton Dillian Whyte was in attendance and, before the fight, declared his interest in a domestic match-up.

Joyce has also previously said he would one day like to face two-time world champion and former amateur team-mate Anthony Joshua.

Joe Joyce says his ‘journey will continue’ after Zhilei Zhang loss

West Ham 2-2 Arsenal: Gunners showing signs of self-doubt as they throw away two-goal lead again

“We have to remember we are still top of the league with everything in our own hands.”

While some Arsenal fans will be despondent and some pundits will write off their hopes of becoming Premier League champions after twice throwing away two-goal leads in a week, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard is staying positive.

Everything looked rosy for Arsenal after only 10 minutes of their game on Sunday at London Stadium against a struggling West Ham side.

Gabriel Jesus had opened the scoring after only seven minutes, with Odegaard’s volley making it two as the Gunners looked set to restore their six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.

But, just as they did seven days ago at Anfield against Liverpool, 2-0 to the Arsenal early on became 2-2 at full-time.

Said Benrahma’s penalty, after poor play from firstly Thomas Partey and then Gabriel, gave West Ham hope, Gunners forward Bukayo Saka fired his own spot-kick wide and Jarrod Bowen scored an equaliser soon after in a Premier League thriller.

Even Gunners manager Mikel Arteta admitted his side should have secured the three points.

“Very disappointing,” said the Spaniard. “The way we started was superb again, we were in total control, then we lost purpose.

“We gave them hope, conceded a terrible penalty, then credit to them. We got on the rollercoaster where everything is going, corners and throw-ins, and we never got away from that.

“The purpose we needed for the third and fourth goal, I didn’t see it.”

As Odegaard says, Arsenal are still clear at the top, by four points, but reigning champions Manchester City have a game in hand and, with Erling Haaland breaking goalscoring records, Pep Guardiola’s side are looking unstoppable as they chase down a potential fifth title in six seasons.

It is now 10 wins in a row for City in all competitions as they push to win the Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and the long-term target of the Champions League.

P R T

Ciro Immobile: Lazio forward in hospital after car accident involving tram

Italy striker Ciro Immobile is being treated for back and rib injuries in hospital after his car was involved in an accident with a tram in Rome.

Photographs show police at the scene of a collision between a tram and a car.

Immobile, 33, scored in Lazio’s 3-0 Serie A win at Spezia on Friday.

Lazio said he had a “sprain trauma of the spine” and a “compound fracture” of his right rib but that “conditions are currently good”.

A club statement read: “The player remains under observation at the department of emergency medicine directed by Professor Francesco Franceschi of the Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS in Rome.”

Lazio host Torino in their next game on Saturday.

Chelsea beat Villa to reach Women’s FA Cup final

Holders Chelsea booked their place in the Women’s FA Cup final with a narrow victory over Aston Villa and remain on course to win the trophy for the third year in a row.

Sam Kerr headed in the winner at the back post in the second half but there were chances for both sides throughout an evenlymatched encounter at Bescot Stadium.

First-time semi-finalists Villa almost took the lead when Rachel Daly’s effort was blocked by defender Magdalena Eriksson, before Chelsea’s Eve Perisset sliced a golden opportunity over the bar on the brink of half-time.

Carla Ward’s Villa side grew into the match but lacked quality in decisive moments which proved costly as they looked to cause an upset.

In contrast, Blues striker Kerr only needed one chance to make her mark, rising highest to meet Guro Reiten’s cross for her 24th goal in all competitions this season.

“You can’t [stop her]. I’ve never seen a centre forward move as much as her. It’s not just a single movement. It’s double movement,” said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.

“Her energy levels - it’s like she’s a 12-year-old. It’s infectious. But I don’t know a striker in world football that can do what she does. She’s the best.”

Kerr’s decisive goal came after Villa’s Alisha Lehmann had

fired inches wide at the other end - and the Swiss winger had another chance later on but fizzed it across the face of the goal in the 77th minute.

Chelsea were forced to hold on in the latter stages as Villa pushed desperately for an equaliser, with full-back Sarah Mayling striking the post, but the Blues held their nerve to reach another final.

They will meet Manchester United at Wembley on 14 May after the Red Devils’ dramatic late victory over Brighton on Saturday.

Chelsea find a way to win…

again

This was not a vintage Chelsea performance but the Blues have been in this position several times before this season and usually found a way through.

They did so again on Sunday although Villa gave them a real test in the second half, creating a number of chances and building pressure in front of a crowd of more than 5,000.

“I think the game played exactly the way I thought it would,” said Hayes.

“Villa were tremendous and gave everything to the game.

That pitch is difficult to play on. I thought we looked quite leggy and Villa threw everything at us.”

On-loan Manchester United winger Kirsty Hanson was the hosts’ most dangerous outlet, causing havoc on the left and putting crosses into the box which team-mates Daly, Kenza Dali and Lehmann failed to capitalise on.

But Chelsea did enough to ensure their quest for a third successive FA Cup crown continues - and they remain in the hunt for three trophies this season.

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Uneasy respite on medical brain flight

Two sets of events recently brightened the hope for a possible containment of the worrisome brain flight in the very critical medical profession in Nigeria. One happened on the floor of the House of Representatives, while the other took place in the United Kingdom. Both events were landmarks in their own right and have the potential to cut down on the intractable brain flight of health workers out of the country.

Year in, year out, medical doctors and other health workers trained in Nigeria jet out to overseas in search of greener pastures giving rise to shortage of medical personnel to attend to the burgeoning local population.

Monday Column

By Hameed M. Bello, PhD

is a government-to-government agreement in place to allow managed recruitment undertaken strictly in compliance with the terms of that agreement.

graduates, whereas emigration from an area with a surplus of trained people could lead to better opportunities for those remaining. But emigration may cause problems for the home country if the trained people are in short supply there, as it is turning out to be the case now in Nigeria.

Antony scored one and assisted another as Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League table with a clinical win over Nottingham Forest who missed out on a chance to move out of the relegation zone.

The visitors deservedly went in front in the 32nd minute as Antony stabbed home after Forest keeper Keylor Navas had kept out Anthony Martial.

And Antony played through Diogo Dalot who slotted in United’s second with 14 minutes remaining.

The win puts United three points clear of fourth-placed Newcastle United and six points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, who have played a game more than the Red Devils.

Forest, who could have gone three points clear of the drop with a win, stay 17th, inside the bottom three on goal difference.

Antony starred, but it was Christian Eriksen who was the true lynchpin for United.

The Denmark midfielder started his first match since picking up an ankle injury in January, replacing Marcel Sabitzer who sustained a groin injury in the warm-up.

“Sabitzer felt something, we decided not to take the risk and we will find out tomorrow what it is,” Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag told BBC Match of the Day.

“But when you have Eriksen on the bench, it is definitely not a disadvantage.”

Alongside Bruno Fernandes, Eriksen helped United dominate the first half with Jadon Sancho and Fernandes having early chances.

After Antony’s opener only an inspired performance from Navas and some wasteful finishing kept Forest in the fixture.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

The United Kingdom Government had in a report last week stopped active recruitment of medical doctors, nurses and other health workers from Nigeria by health and social care employers in the UK. The UK disclosed this in its updated ‘Code of Practice’ for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel’ posted on its website. The implication of this is that Nigeria has now been included in the red list of countries facing critical shortage of health workers as contained in the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s health workforce support and safeguards list.

In March, the WHO published the safeguards list comprising 55 countries, including Nigeria, struggling with a shortage of health workers.The UK government said that Nigeria and other countries on the red list should be prioritised for health personnel development and health system-related support as well as provided with safeguards that discourage active international recruitment of their workers.

The code of practice reads: “Consistent with the WHO Global Code of Practice principles and articles, and as explicitly called for by the WHO Global Code of Practice 10-year review, the listed countries should be prioritised for health personnel development and health system-related support, provided with safeguards that discourage active international recruitment of health personnel.

“Countries on the list should not be actively targeted for recruitment by health and social care employers, recruitment organisations, agencies, collaborations, or contracting bodies unless there

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“Countries on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards list are graded red in the code. If a governmentto-government agreement is put in place between a partner country, which restricts recruiting organisations to the terms of the agreement, the country is added to the amber list.”

It said that if a country is not on the red or amber list, then it is green. The amber countries where international recruitment is only permitted in compliance with the terms of the government-togovernment agreement are Kenya and Nepal.

Recall also that a bill to prevent Nigeria-trained medical and dental practitioners from being granted full licences until they have worked for a minimum of five years in the country, passed second reading at the House of Representatives a few days ago.

The bill is aimed at addressing the increasing number of medical doctors leaving Nigeria for greener pastures, and making quality health services available to Nigeria.

Sponsored by Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, it is titled ‘The Bill for an Act to Amend the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 2004’.

Johnson said it was only fair for medical practitioners, who enjoyed taxpayer’s subsidies on their training, to “give back to the society” by working for a minimum number of years in Nigeria before exporting their skills abroad. Many lawmakers supported the bill though a number of them called for flexibility and options in the envisaged law.

Uzoma Nkem-Abonta said tying a doctor down for five years in Nigeria before seeking employment outside is akin to enslavement.

However, a majority voice vote

passed the bill for second reading at the plenary presided by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila. As it stands, the bill may require the House to call for a public hearing to take inputs from the public, if need be. Otherwise it is set to be passed for a third reading which marks the end of the legislative process. The bill will then be sent to the Senate for concurrence and subsequently for the assent of the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. Once this is achieved, it becomes an offence for medical workers to take their trade overseas without practising substantially for at least five years or more within the country. The likely benefit of the bill is that it will control unrestricted emigration of medical personnel which could lead to a breakdown in healthcare delivery to the average and the ordinary Nigerians. The elite can always find their way.

One food for thought is that the emigration and engagement of Nigerian medical personnel shows that there is something good about the quality of our medical graduates which is why there is the demand for their services in Europe and America. However, not many foreign doctors immigrate into Nigeria in search of greener pastures in the medical profession which suggests that the conditions of service may not be competitive, aside from the question of availability of tools of work.

In occupations with a surplus of graduates, immigration of foreign-trained professionals can aggravate the underemployment of domestic graduates, whereas emigration from an area with a surplus of trained people leads to better opportunities for those remaining. But emigration may cause problems for the home country if the trained people are in short supply there. In occupations with a surplus of graduates, immigration of foreign-trained professionals can aggravate the underemployment of domestic

A column on this page on October 31, 2022 with the title, “Rising brain drain and our collective inertia” had recalled how a week earlier then, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) revealed that the country was battling with its worst situation of brain drain in history, as no fewer than 10, 296 Nigerian-trained doctors were practising in the United Kingdom alone. Dr Uche Ojinmah, the National President of the association, raised the concern at a press briefing to mark the 2022 Physicians’ Week in Ibadan. Ojinmah, represented by Dr Wale Lasisi, the NMA Chairman in Oyo State was quoted to have said inter alia:

“Currently, Nigeria has the third highest number of foreign doctors working in the UK after India and Pakistan.

“While we are losing our human resources to health in geometric progression, Lassa Viral Hemorrhagic fever, Malaria, COVID, Ebola, Marburg, and so on, are still very much available in the face of worsening incidences of Systemic Hypertension with or without complications, Diabetes mellitus with or without complications, osteoarthritis and so on.

“We call on our governments, at all levels, to quickly declare emergency action in Nigeria’s health sector for the sake of its citizens,” he said.