Monday, June 19, 2023 Edition

Father's

Day: Cleric admonishes women to appreciate spouses

Emefiele: DSS uncovers planned campaign of calumny against govt

I was poisoned at PDP Secretariat, my liver, kidney shut down – Wike

Police arrest suspected kidnapper in Niger, 2 suspects for killing 14yr old girl also

Don't use internet to acquire wrong knowledge, FG charges students

10th Reps: I’ll work for all Nigerians

-Speaker Abbas

TETFAIR develop “Chord Hearing Device”, get international recognition

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L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, during a thank you visit by the Speaker and his team in Abuja over the weekend.

Photo: Speaker’s Office

Atiku congratulates Eze Anaba, others on their election, hails NGE for successful conference

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has congratulated the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) for a successful election of its executive officers.

The former Vice President, in a press statement signed by

his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe on Sunday, specifically felicitated with the newly elected President of the NGE, Eze Anaba and other officials of the Guild.

Atiku noted that the theme of this year’s NGE conference titled: Post 2023 Election: Promoting Professionalism For Enhancement Of Democracy And Good Governance, is a reflection of the mandate of the NGE as

gatekeepers of the media, to ensure that democracy thrives in the country.

According to him, “The theme of the National Biennial Convention was germane.

“The huge attendance, arguably the highest in the history of the conference, is an indication of the priority that the editors attach to the task of pulling Nigeria out from the brink.

“To this end, I am happy that the media in Nigeria is still a partner in progress as far as the fight for deepening democracy is concerned.

“I will urge the newly elected president and other executive members of the NGE to continue keeping focus on safeguarding democracy as a tool for rallying citizens to development,” Atiku said.

Stallion Group leads with Hyundau Kona Electric Vehicle Over Energy Costs, Environmental Impact

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Stallion Motors Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership in the Nigerian automobile industry with the commendation of the company’s Hyundai Kona EV, Nigeria’s first locally produced electric vehicle by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Produced from its Lagos plant, the Hyundai Kona EV is projected to be the toast of Nigerian automobile enthusiasts and corporate organisations given the advantages it brings on energy costs, environmental

friendliness and overall rest of mind.

The company showcased the first locally produced electric vehicle at the Thursday meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC with Vice President Kashim Shettima saying that the prospects for electric vehicles in Nigeria as being bright.

Vice President Shettima test drove the vehicle in the company of the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, Jelani Aliyu.

The Hyundai Kona first introduced in Lagos, Nigeria

in 2020 is sold with 5 years of battery warranty and 5 years of vehicle warranty.

The battery-pack on full charge allows the Hyundai Kona to drive 482 km (300 miles) approximating travel from Lagos to Awka, Anambra State or from Kano to Sokoto. The battery can be recharged at home or in the office.

Speaking after the endorsement of the NEC, the Managing Director of VON Automobiles, Stallion’s auto assembly unit, Dr Harpreet Singh, explained that the innovation from the company was a step towards an eco-

friendly green Nigeria.

According to him, “The Stallion Group is in full support of the moves by the government of Nigeria towards a clean environment.

“We have brought the Hyundai Kona EV as our support towards this initiative that would not only enhance our environment but also bring economic advantage to the market for those who also consider energy costs”, he said.

Dr Singh promised that the sale of the Hyundai Kona EV is backed with the company’s comprehensive after sales service.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awaal Gambo (M); Principal Staff Officers of the Naval Headquarters and Branch Chiefs, during the inauguration of Senior Staff Quarters at Kudu in Abuja at the Weekend

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (PhD) has assured that the 10th House of Representatives would work for all Nigerians.

He said the overwhelming mandate given to him by his colleagues would spur him to work assiduously with every member to achieve a Nigeria that every citizen desires.

Speaker Abbas was speaking over the weekend in Abuja when he led a delegation of members,

CSOs float platform to deepen legislative engagement, accountability in Kaduna

Some members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and development partners, have established a platform, tagged “Civil Society-Legislature Engagement and Accountability Platform (CLEAP)”, to deepen legislative engagement and accountability in Kaduna State.

A founding member, Mr Yusuf Goje of the Coalition of Association for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment and Development (CALPED), made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Goje described CLEAP as a “multi-stakeholder platform of civil society and legislators, championing reform initiatives for a more open, transparent, accountable, and responsive Kaduna State House of Assembly”.

He explained that the platform drew inspiration from the Memorandum on Parliamentary Engagement adopted by the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Steering Committee in 2021.

According to him, the platform seeks to promote OGP principles and practices in the legislative processes, to enable more openness and effective citizens’ participation and engagement.

Goje added that the CLEAP would serve as a platform for dialogue and partnership between the legislature and civil society for effective horizontal and diagonal accountability.

He stressed that the platform would increase interaction between legislators and constituents to strengthen the legislative process and deepen the culture of open governance through law-making, oversight and evaluation.

“This is crucial because, the legislative arm of government is at the heart of democracy being the institution of government that gives meaning to the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

“It is also worthy of note that good governance can only be actualised when we have an effective legislature.(NAN)

10th Reps: I’ll work for all Nigerians - Speaker Abbas

alongside his deputy, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to thank the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for the support given to them to emerge as the Presiding Officers of the 10th House.

He said they did not take the First Lady’s support for granted, which was why they resolved to visit and thank her, saying the 10th House would give the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration all the support to succeed.

Abbas said the current administration would have a smooth sail as the President, the Vice President, the First Lady, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation were all members of the National Assembly, a development that would make them relate with the Parliament from the point of knowledge.

“This is the first time we are having this kind of arrangement in our history,” the Speaker said, adding that the 10th House would ensure that the government succeeds.

He said: “Today is a very historic day. We have come to thank you for your support. We were here before to seek your support and prayers. Here we

are today; we have won. It was through your collective efforts— Mr. President, yourself, governors and all the other stakeholders.

“We have emerged in an unprecedented manner—353 out of 359 voted for me. It has never happened in our history. Our leadership is a leadership for all Nigerians.

“This is your leadership. We’ll collaborate and partner, particularly in one area that you requested last time, which is to carry the women along.”

He said the 10th House would ensure that gender-based bills being passed by the 9th Assembly but not signed into law were reconsidered and passed by the 10th House.

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, in her remark, congratulated the Speaker and his deputy on their victory, saying with the caliber of leadership and membership of the 10th Assembly, Nigeria would be great again.

“We didn’t come out to play. We came out to build and unite the old path that generations will take. Nigeria deserves all that we can put to keep it back on its feet. We have a great Nation,” she said.

“Your victory, it’s God that did it because without God, even if we put all our strength, it won’t happen. By the grace of God, we

will work,” she said, calling on other political parties to join hands and work for Nigeria.

Earlier, the Deputy Speaker, Kalu, said the visit was to thank the First Lady and assure the first family of their readiness to work with the Executive for the growth and development of Nigeria.

He said the president and his wife inspired and encouraged them before, during and after the contest for Speaker, noting that President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) made the right choice by endorsing the current leadership of the National Assembly.

“We want to pledge again. We won’t fail you. What happened means stability had been given to this government. He has encouraged people who believe in his mission and vision.”

Also speaking, the chairman of the Joint Task - 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usman Bello, whose forum ran the Abbas/Kalu Campaign, said as responsible and respectful individuals, they deemed it fit to visit the First Lady and thank her for the role she played in the emergence of the two Presiding Officers.

“We are here to say thank you to you for being supportive of your husband. Your Excellency, you are unique. The country is

Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (PhD)

lucky to have you as the mother of the nation. You’re coming from the point of knowledge because you were with him when he was governor, you were in the National Assembly, and now you’re the mother of the nation.

“You have given us a lot of support for Tajudeen and Kalu to emerge. We also want you to thank our father, the father of the nation, for what he did to us. We want to reiterate our unflinching loyalty to the President and the country. We know you’d advise him from the point of knowledge to make the country better.”

SCI calls for safe, accessible digital environment for children

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Save the Children International (SCI), Nigeria, has called for a safe and accessible digital environment for children to learn and grow up healthy.

Amanuel Mamo Director, Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media of Save the Children International Nigeria, stated this on Friday in Abuja to mark the Day of the African Child 2023.

“To this end, the theme for the Day of the African Child 2023, “The Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment” reminds stakeholders and duty bearers to be accountable to progress being made in adopting policies to protect children as well as reflecting on what more needs to be done to effectively promote the right of children for quality, safety and access to e-learning.

“The digital space comes with huge opportunities and challenges for sure, but it brings more prospects if it is maximized for the growth and development of children. The internet has provided invaluable opportunities for the realization of children’s fundamental rights and freedoms such as the right to education, freedom of expression,

and freedom of association, among others. However, lack of access to the internet remains a primary challenge to children to meaningfully participating in the digital sphere, especially the children who live in the rural communities, internally displaced children, refugee children and children in conflict affected areas, among others.

“Save the Children calls for law formulation and implementation to tackle violations of children’s rights online through the adoption and domestication of the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data (Malabo Convention) and other applicable international instruments and the ECOWAS Directive on Fighting Cyber Crime (2011) which provide for offenses related to child pornography while also firming up appropriate regulatory frameworks to hold businesses accountable where they are found to have participated in online sexual abuse and exploitation.

“Unsafe use of the internet and the digital environment may expose children to risks that, unless managed properly, could undermine their protection, learning, mental and social wellbeing. As the rapid take-up of digital technologies and social

media by Africa’s children and young people continues, it is crucial to adopt an approach that minimizes the risks without restricting the considerable opportunities and benefits digital technologies and social media have to offer.

“As we celebrate the Day of African Child today, Save the Children joins the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) to call for the participation of children in decision-making processes using digital technologies presented in a child-friendly format. We support that caregivers and teachers are sufficiently equipped to assist children in safely navigating the digital environment and training for members of law enforcement and the judiciary to empower them in order to comprehensively address issues of child online protection.”

Also speaking, Gumut Edith Nankiling, Advocacy, Campaigns and Policy Manager, Save the Children International, said the discourse on the rights of a child in the digital environment cannot be complete without the safety and security of children in that sphere.

She added that the internet originally was not designed with children in mind hence the need to be proactive in safeguarding the children who are one third users of it.

“Since the inception of technology, there has been a paradigm shift from the analog ways of doing things to the digitalized form. This has positively impacted on children, through learning, playing, socializing and innovations. Digitalization has accelerated the capacity of the African child as they engaged often with the internet.

“Nevertheless, the ills of the digital space dance right in front of us, according to UNICEF, one in three internet users globally are internet users. By this statistics most children are at risk of being exposed to obscene content, cyber bullying, discrimination, hate / violent materials, and impostors for sexual exploitation. These are pararell to the rights of a child.

“The rights of a child in the digital environment provides room for privacy and data protection, freedom expression and information, accessibility, participation and play, protection and safety alongside the UN convention on human rights.”

•Pledges support for gender-based legislation

Police arrest suspected kidnapper in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Police Command has arrested one Mohammed Bande a.k.a Kachalla of Saminaka

village, Lapai LGA, with the sum of N1.207 million.

He was arrested by the operatives of the AntiKidnapping Unit attached to SCID Minna.

The suspect based on credible intelligence was arrested in Lambata area of Gurara LGA for being suspected to be in possession of cash to purchase arms and ammunition.

During interrogation, he confessed that the money was given to him by one Gora of same village presently at large, to meet a yet-to-be-identified arms dealer at Lambata to

Oil theft: Group tackles Dokubo, says allegations unfounded

Unity Advocacy Group, (UAG), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has condemned allegations by ex-militant, Asari Dokubo, that some Nigerian military personnel are behind most of the oil thefts in the country.

The group, in a statement by its Convener, Mr Ifeanyi Aigbedion, on Friday, accused Dokubo of being economical with the truth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Dokubo levelled the allegations against

the military while addressing newsmen after his meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Friday.

According to Aigbedion, Dokubo could have gone ahead and lobby for political patronage without raising unfounded allegations.

“Asari Dokubo can meet President Bola Tinubu and offer suggestions on the way forward, if he has it, without raising unfounded allegations at a time the new government is trying to settle down and proffer solutions to the

economic crisis in the country.

“Even volunteering to use his boys to assist in tackling oil theft raises an eye brow and is more of selfish endeavour.

“Would the military and other security agencies have come in to the region if there had been no oil theft?

“Who are the real actors that are angry with anti-crude theft operations?

“Can Asari Dokubo mention names of the culprits, if he has them?,” the group queried.

Aigbedion said the armed

forces under Gen. Lucky Irabor, should be commended for its sincere approach towards unraveling oil theft in the Niger Delta.

According to him, Nigerians are aware that no other Chief of Defence Staff has visited the sites of oiltheft like the present chief.

“Asari Dokubo and other persons in the region should reciprocate the sincerity exhibited by the leadership of the armed forces and chart a way forward,” he said. (NAN)

2023 Hajj: CSO commends airlines over patriotism,

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has commended the Nigerian airlines engaged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for 2023 Hajj, for their patriotism and cooperation toward the success of the ongoing exercise.

National Coordinator of the organisation, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, made the commendation in a statement on Saturday in Makkah.

Mohammed disclosed that based on the agreement reached with the airlines, NAHCON was expected to pay at least

50 per cent of the total fare before the commencement of the journey to the Holy land, but failed to do so due to some exigencies.

he, however, explained that the airlines provided full services without NAHCON meeting the terms of agreement.

“We are aware that after receiving all deposits from across the states, the Federal Capital Territopry (FCT) and the armed forces, NAHCON had gone ahead to deposit these monies into its accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

“The normal practice is for the apex

bank to provide the dollar equivalent of monies deposited based on the approved official rates for disbursement by NAHCON to meet its obligations.

“But it is gratifying to note that after receiving assurances of payment whenever the dollars is made available, the airlines have gone ahead to not just offer full services, but they are so far doing a wonderful job.

” Over 50,000 pilgrims have so far been transported to Saudi Arabia by the airlines. We commend them for being patriotic,”he said

procure AK-47 ammunition. He further said that the purpose of the intended procurement was to boost their arms capacity for continued kidnapping and cattle rustling activities around Saminaka, Lapai, Lambata and its environs, while he also said that he was promised two hundred and fifty thousand naira for the transaction.

However, effort is ongoing to apprehend the said Gora who is on the run, with a view to arresting others, as the suspect is under investigation in SCID Minna.

Adedeji’s appointment well deserved, CNG says

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has commended President Bola Tinubu over appointment of Adelabu Zacch Adedeji, as Special Adviser on revenue and said it is a welldeserved appointment.

CNG, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said Zacch Adedeji’s appointment, a renown champion of youth and bridge builder with vast network of friends across the North and Southeastern Nigeria, is another significant pointer to President Tinubu’s passionate belief in the organic links between generations.

He said: “President Tinubu’s meticulous selection of those who would carry his vision forward is displayed in the choice of Zacch who in 2011, at the age of 33, was appointed as the commissioner for finance by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.”

cooperation

The coordinator urged NAHCON officials to ensure that proper arrangements were done toward the smooth take off of the second batch of pilgrims that would be airlifted after the hajj rites were performed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAHCON had engaged seven airlines including; Max Air, Azman, Air Peace, Aero Contractors, Ari Air, Value Jet and Saudi based Flynas, to convey Nigerians pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj.(NAN)

From left, Executive director, School of Politics, Policy and Governance,(SPPG) Mr Anthony Ubani, Former director, Political Affairs ECOWAS Dr. Aderemi Ajibewa and Team lead Admission, SPPG Temilola Achakobe during the launch of the SPPG’s Big Ideas Platform with the theme ‘ Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development’, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO: Mahmud Isa

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has identified persons and groups planning to stage campaigns of calumny against it and the Government over the suspension and investigation of Mr Godwin Emefiele.

DSS in a statement issued on Saturday by Peter Afunanya, its Public Relations Officer, said such groups intend to gather at different points in Abuja and Lagos in the coming week with placards depicting the Service and Government in bad light as well as calling for the immediate release of Emefiele.

It said the Service is, therefore, aware of a cheap propaganda aimed at demotivating and distracting it from professionally executing the onerous responsibilities assigned to it.

It has also noted the misleading commentaries, speculative narratives, storylines and videos being circulated in the social media by uninformed parties, critics and/or desperadoes. “It is mindful of orchestrations to infiltrate its fold for the purpose of using disloyal staff for subversive aims against its leadership. While these efforts are considered as hatchet jobs designed to distract, the Service warns the plotters to desist forthwith from their plans. This is more so that the arrow heads are already under watch and will be apprehended when and if it becomes necessary.

“It is instructive to state that the Service had granted the family of Emefiele,

Emefiele: DSS uncovers planned campaign of calumny against govt

medical officials and appropriate persons access to him, right from the day he was taken in and long before the court order requesting so. The

Service implements Standard Operating Procedures on Suspect Handling and Investigation to the latter. It conducts its affairs

transparently, professionally and respects the rule of law in compliance with democratic governance.

“For the avoidance of

doubt, it assures of its professionalism in the current matter(s) under its purview. It will, however, not be distracted or intimidated. “

Bandits kill traditional ruler, his 4 children in Zaria - Family source

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Suspected armed bandits have killed a traditional ruler, the Ardon Birni and Kewaye of Zazzau, Alhaji Shuaibu Mohammed and his four children when they invaded his residence at Dorayi in Zaria Local Government.

A family source said the bandits numbering about

five invaded the residence on Saturday Night at about 10pm.

The wife of the deceased, Malama Halima Shuaibu told newsmen that “the Ardo was brought out of his bedroom and shot twice in his head, and he died instantly.

She further explained that “ the bandits went from room to room in the compound and killed her four children who are

married with children.

The children are Adamu Shuaibu, Musa Shuaibu, Abubakar Shuaibu and Ibrahim Haruna.

She said, after attacking the compound, the bandits also rustled over 100 cows.

Also narrating the ugly incident, the only survivor of the attack among the Ardo’s children, Abdurrahman Shuaibu said the

bandits shot two other people on their way out of the village.

However, the Kaduna State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP. Muhammad Jalige said he was yet to get the details of the incident from the DPO Zaria City as at the time of filing this report. Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral prayers yesterday (Sunday) at about 11. 00 am.

2 Qatar-based drug lords arrested as NDLEA intercepts their meth consignment at MMIA

By Maryam Umaru Gwamna

Qatar-based drug kingpins, Eyah Celestine Nnamdi, alias Murphy and Ugwuoke Peter Oluchukwu have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA following the interception of their methamphetamine consignment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.

A statement issued yesterday by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, said Ugwuoke was the first to be arrested on 9th June during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers at the departure point, Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport. NDLEA officers discovered that the suspect was travelling to Doha with an Ivorian international passport with the name Hien Narcisse. “A further scrutiny of his black carry-on luggage led to the discovery of a false bottom concealment of two parcels of crystalline substance that tested positive to methamphetamine

weighing 1.00kg.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a Nigerian who had gone to obtain an Ivorian passport for his travels. He confessed that he travelled to Qatar in August 2022 and returned from the Arab nation about two months ago to perfect arrangement for the movement of the drug consignment.

“A further probe led operatives to discover that his Qatar-based senior partner in the trade simply identified as Murphy was lurking around in Eziani, his home town in Nsukka LGA, Enugu State. “Ugwuoke who hails from Igboeze North Local Government Area of the State claims he holds a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering from the Federal Polytechnic Oko.

“A prompt deployment of NDLEA operatives on 10th June to Eziani community of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, led to the arrest of ‘Murphy’ whose true identity was later discovered to be Eyah Celestine Nnamdi, who had lived in Indonesia for some

years before relocating to Doha, Qatar.

The statement added that antinarcotic officers of the Agency have arrested a female Pharmacist, Ikwebe Ori Hellen in Kaduna following her attempts to use forged documents to purchase and distribute six cartons of pentazocine injection with 2,000 ampules. “She confessed she used fake documents of a Kaduna hospital to order the drug, which she planned to distribute in Kaduna, Abuja and Sokoto. The consignment was initially intercepted at the local wing of the MMIA, Ikeja while being sent to Kaduna by a freight agent.

“In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Niger state have seized a total of 1,072 kilograms of cannabis in two raids. On Thursday 15th June, 726kg of the illicit substance was recovered at Oyoyo filling station along Kaduna - Abuja express road where four suspects: Aminu Mohammed, 50; Nasiru Mohammed, 30; Rabiu Haruna, 29, and Hamza Abubakar, 18 were arrested. The following day, 16th Friday, operatives intercepted a

Mercedes 1422 truck marked MKD 116ZM on its way from Umunede, Delta state with gallons of palm oil to be delivered at Garki market in Abuja.

However, the truck driver, Jekwe Udenze, 38, along with his two assistants: Gabriel Nzekwube, 43, and Chima Uzoma, 42, stopped over at Uromi, Edo State and loaded 19 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 346kg, to be delivered at Dumez Luxury Park along Kaduna road, Suleja to Ignatius Mokwe, 47. Both the driver and his two assistants as well as the owner of the illicit consignment, Ignatius Mokwe have been arrested.

“Meanwhile, a total of 30.9 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed in Delta, Edo and Ondo in the past week.

In Delta, 18 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed on Monday 12th June in Umuchime village, Ogume, Ndokwa West LGA by NDLEA operatives supported by soldiers. Four suspects arrested on the farms include two men and two women: Kingsley Atuola,

40; Okikiolu Adekunle, 44; Osai Doris, 40, and Ublenu Joy, 28. “

From left, Representative of the Chief Executive officer Connected Development (CODE), Mr Kingsley Agu; CEO Outsource Global Amal Haman; Managing director GSK Kunle Olemana and the representative of Deputy National Chairman (North) Salihu Lukman during the official launch of the SPPG’s Big Ideas Platform with the theme ‘Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development’, yesterday in Abuja.

PHOTO: Mahmud Isa

NPC updates Jigawa journalists on 2023 Census exercise

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The National Population Commission (NPC), organized a one day breakfast meeting for media executives in Jigawa state on the 2023 population and housing census.

Speaking during the meeting, the state Director National Population Commission in Jigawa Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Iro, explained that, the objectives of the meeting was to update the media executives on the status of preparations for the 2023 census and the next steps forward in the light of the postponement.

The director maintained that, the process and systems put in place for the census are therefore being currently reviewed to determine what needs to be done to ensure that the preparation do not become obsolete for the exercise.

According to him, the commission had carried out massive advocacy and publicity for 2023 census at national and state levels.

Gombe PDP stalwart supports Betara for stepping down for Tajudden as speaker

From: David Hassan, Gombe

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stalwart in Gombe state and Deputy chairman Kumbiya-kumbiya ward, Auwal Usman Goni has supported Hon. Mukthar Betara for stepping down for Tajudden Abbas for speakership of the 10th House of representatives. He made the disclosure yesterday in an interview with Journalists which according to him, Betara has proved maturity by paving way for rancor free election of the speakership, adding that politicians should emulate his stlye of leadership.

“Although being a member of the opposition party, I decided to support Betara because he is from the north east and the north east already had the Vice-president which is number two in government.” He added that the emergence of Akpabio and Abbas as Senate President and Speaker of the House of representatives shows fairness in government.

N8bn Jattu Dam in Edo to be ready in 2028 – Official

Managing Director of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, Mr Saliu Ahmed says the N8 billion Jattu Dam in Edo will be completed in 2028.

Ahmed made the declaration on Saturday at the dam site in Ayoghena, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo during site visitation and first meeting report of stakeholders.

At the visitation were officials of the Federal Government, those of Edo State government and the contracting firm – Prospective Multilink Ltd. and Havage Engineering Services Ltd. Joint Venture.

He said Edo State has committed 25 per cent counterpart funding on the project, the contract of which was awarded by the Federal Government in April.

“This is a special project of

the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resource and co-financed by Edo State government.

“Edo State has committed 25 per cent counterpart funding for the project,’’ Ahmed said.

He thanked Edo’s Gov. Godwin Obaseki for his commitment in ensuring that water supply becomes a thing of the past in the area.

“Public water supply has become cumbersome, so the dam will address the challenge in the area,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Mr Nyamali Joseph, Permanent Secretary, Edo Ministry of Water Resources said the project would help to solve water supply challenge in the area.

He said the state government was committed to working with the Federal Government to ensure that the project is

delivered on time.

“We are looking forward to ensure that the project comes to logical conclusion,’’ he stressed.

Earlier, the Project Manager, Eng. Oni Stephen said the project was being handled by Prospective Muiltlink Limited/Havage Engineering Services Ltd. Joint Venture.

He explained that the project covers an area of about 19,600sq. kms with pedestrian bridge, access road, storage reservoir and more than 5,000 hectares of irrigable land, visible downstream of the dam embankment.

“Jattu Dam is located across Ogio River just before the AuchiApana Bridge in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo,’’ he said.

Stephen said the dam would provide potable water for Jattu and Auchi and their neighbouring communities and promote fishing

and other aqua-cultural activities. It would also increase food production through all-season crop cultivation and animal husbandry, he added.

The dam would provide gainful employment for many farming families and support cottage industries in areas of storage, processing and marketing, he stressed.

Stephen said, however, that no payment had been made to the contractor company.

“No advance payment has been made on the project. The work programme for site camp erection and construction work programme has already been submitted to the river basin authority.

“The revision of the work programme may be required depending on the time that mobilisation fees are paid,’’ Stephen noted. (NAN)

Father’s Day: Cleric admonished women to appreciate spouses

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Senior Pastor, House of Purpose Ministry, U/ Sunday, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Apostle Yakubu Yusuf, has admonished women to appreciate their spouses for whatever provision they make

for the family.

In a message on Sunday to mark the 2023 Father’s Day celebration with the theme “Transformed Fathers; Transformed Homes,” said it is not an easy task to be a father, therefore wives and children should encourage them to fulfil the task.

He, however, urged fathers to lead and discharge spiritual responsibility at home to grow their families in the path of God.

In his sermon titled” Visitation of Divine favour, Pastor Yakubu said it is time for families to start living righteously to enjoy God favour.

Reading from Psalm 5:

12 the Cleric stressed that for any family to be favoured, righteousness must be their watch words.

He advised Couples all over the globe to always embrace love, understanding and absolute devotion to the Almighty God in all ramifications to enable their marriages grow and flourish

From left:Mr. , Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, First Bank; Chuma Ezirim, Director General, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, (SMEDAN) Olawale Fasanya and Executive Director, Chief Risk Officer, FirstBank Olusegun Alebiosu at the signing of the MoU between FirstBank and SMEDAN on access to finance SMEs in Nigeria ,at weekend

Gov. Sani, CLEAP mourns Kaduna lawmaker, Madami

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has expressed shock over the death of Madami Garba Madami, the member representing Chikun Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

This was contained in a statement signed by his, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammad Lawal Shehu.

Madami died, yesterday, of an undisclosed illness at a hospital in Kaduna.

Although he received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the winning the State Assembly election, but he was unable to attend the inauguration on June 13, 2023 due to the illness that eventually claimed his life.

According to Shehu, the governor commiserated with his immediate family and the people of Chikun Constituency, noting that the lawmaker was known for promoting peaceful coexistence and was greatly respected.

Sani prayed to God to grant the soul of Madami eternal rest and comfort his family, associates, friends, and constituents he left behind.

Similarly, CS-Legislature Engagement & Accountability Platform (CLEAP) said the shocking news is coming just days after the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, saying this is indeed a great loss not just to his immediate family and Chikun Constituency, but also Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.

In a statement signed by Yusuf Ishaku Goje stated that CLEAP was looking forward to working with the late legislator, among other former and current legislators as Ambassadors, in championing reforms that promote Open Parliament with a focus on legislative transparency, public accountability and citizens’ engagement.

“ We hereby extend our heartfelt condolence to his entire family, Chikun constituency and Kaduna State. He will be greatly missed. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

In his lifetime, Madami, served as Member, representing Chikun Constituency, in the Kaduna State House of Assembly; Chairman of Chikun Local Government Area; Commissioner of Planning and Budget and Special Adviser

Police arrest 2 suspects for killing 14yr old girl

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state police command have arrested two suspects, Nuhu Mohammed and Sani Usman both of Izom town for culpable homicide from Izom, Gurara local government of the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO DSP Wasiu Abiodun in Minna.

It said the incident was reported at Gawu-Babangida Div, that a young girl Ubaida Surajo 14yrs of Izom was killed at her parents residence, when the mother was away to the market.

According to Abiodun, during the interrogation, Nuhu who was a tenant in the same residence, confessed that in the early hours of the same date, there was an altercation between him and the deceased mother, about her

missing sum of ninety thousand naira, as he was accused to have stolen the money.

He however, claimed that the accusation got him angry, consequently, he invited his friend Sani to the house and attacked the daughter (the deceased) immediately after the girl returned from school.

He confessed further that the girl was injured on the head and strangled to death by the duo.

He said that they immediately left the scene, locked the house gate from outside and went away untill when the mother came back from the market before the incident was discovered.

He stated that the suspects have also been transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation, and they will be arraigned in court for prosecution as soon as the investigation is concluded.

Group sensitises 500 pupils on digital rights in Kaduna community

Agroup under the auspices of Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation has sensitised more than 500 school children on digital rights in Kauru, the headquarters of Kauru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs Grace Samuel said during the event yesterday that the sensitisation was in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the African Child.

Samuel said that the event was organised in collaboration with Save the Children International (SCI), under the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme.

She said that the sensitisation was in line with this year’s theme, “The Rights of the Child in the

Digital Environment”, to remind stakeholders of their duties toward protecting the rights of children.

She pointed out that the global digital revolution has significantly changed the world, adding that no child should be left behind in the digital age while in search of education.

She explained that the Day of the African Child, being celebrated on June 16 of every year, brings global attention to the barriers faced by African children in their quest for quality education.

The Executive Director urged parents and caregivers to support, motivate and inspire their children to learn and acquire quality education for a better future.

She disclosed that the Foundation was working with stakeholders to tackle extreme

poverty, which she described as a “huge barrier” to accessing quality education in Africa.

Mr Michael Oche, SCI’s Community Mobilisation Coordinator, under the PLANE programme said that collaboration with Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation would ensure children’s access to quality education in the area.

Oche pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic and poverty had pushed a lot of children out of school, particularly in rural communities, adding that PLANE intends to reverse the situation.

One of the pupils, Hafsat Mohammed, who commended the organisers of the event, said that the knowledge of the advantages of digital technology in learning was quite helpful.

Mohammed called on the government and other stakeholders to support children

to access their rights in the digital environment and tap from its numerous benefits.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Kauru LGA, Alhaji Bashir Dawaki who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr Augustine Baye commended the foundation and SCI for the support.

Dawaki lamented that the absence of electricity in the area would frustrate any attempt to expose children with digital learning and urged the State government to address the problem.

Mrs Hauwa Amwe, an official of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kaduna State Wing, pointed out that most children in rural communities have been left behind in the digital age. Amwe stressed the need to expose children to digital learning platforms for improved learning outcomes.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

L-R: Secretary, Arewa New Agenda(ANA), Hajiya Halima Idris, Vice Chairman of ANA, Prof. Adamu Kyauka Usman, member of ANA, Dr. Abdul Ahmed Isiaq, Chairman, Senator Ahmed Abubakar, and a member, Ambassador Hassan Ardo Jika, during the Press conference on the recent appointments by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, how it affects the North and an appraisal of his two weeks in Office, held at weekend in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Gov. Bago calls on diaspora Nigerlites to return home for devt

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called on Nigerlites in the diaspora to come back home and contribute to the growth and development of the state.

Governor Bago made the call when he received a blueprint from a pressure group code-named Technocrats and Professionals in Niger State at the Government House, Minna.

The Governor assured that his administration would work closely with professionals in different fields.

He said the report of the group is in line with the vision and mission of his administration, disclosing that plans are underway to cultivate eight million hectares of land in the state under its onefor-one policy.

In his remarks, Professor Mohammed Yahaya Kuta who led the team congratulated the Governor on his emergence as the Governor of the state and presented the blueprint for an integrated approach to support the implementation of his transformation agenda for the state.

Prof. Yahaya Kuta called on the Governor to consider and explore the document for full implementation.

Traditional rulers to sensitize Gombe citizens on roles of family planning

From: David Hassan, Gombe

Traditional rulers who are major stakeholders in society are to engage themselves actively in creating awareness concerning family planning among women.

According to report, Gombe state has a high maternal mortality ratio of 813 per 100,000 lives and out of this number, in 1000 children born, at least 8 women die of complications.

With this report, evidence also showed that with childbirth spacing practice among women, the figure can reduce by 33 percent.

According to NDHS 2018, the rate of sexual activities among young people is high considering that 22 percent young women aged 15 to 24 had sex before 15 years.

Don’t use internet to acquire wrong knowledge, NHRC charges students

By Albert Akota

The National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC) has charged students to use the internet to improve their knowledge positively rather than having online relationships that will distract you from studying.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, SAN who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during celebration of Day of the African Child 2023 with the theme; “the rights of the child in

the digital environment” implored them to use internet knowledge rightly not wrongly.

He noted, though internet was not created particularly for children but it has become essential features and must be positioned at the heart of any process involving children as a too for their development because millions of students are increasingly spending time online for learning purposes and to derive personal development or social lives.

Ojukwu added that, the digital environment has a plethora of benefits such as enhancing innovative and inclusive education, free access to information and opportunities for self-expression, wider horizons of awareness and a radically extended scope for social interaction as well as exposing children to risk and challenges including harmful information.

Speaking earlier, chairperson of the African committee of experts on the rights and welfare

of child, Hon. Joseph Ndayisenga, said that, in 2022, about 590 million internet users in Africa and the figures include children who represent a third of all internet users in the world and increasingly exposed to virtual environment.

She noted that, the lives of children are impacted by the digital environment which means online need to be considered in the context of rights set forth under the African children’s charter.

Prof Sulaiman congratulates Akpabio, Abbas, reaffirms NILDS’ commitment to technical support

By Christiana Ekpa

The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman extended his congratulations to the newly elected President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, and his Deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, CON. He also congratulated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbss,Ph.D.

and his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on their victory in the recent Presiding Officers’ election of the 10th National Assembly.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Prof. Sulaiman described their election as a remarkable achievement and a testament to their exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions to the development of Nigeria’s parliamentary institution.

He expressed confidence

that, under their capable leadership, the Legislature would be significantly strengthened to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.

Prof. Sulaiman assured them that the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), as the only statutory agency mandated to provide capacity building and related support to the Legislature, was fully prepared to offer sustained technical and specialized assistance to

their offices and the National Assembly as a whole.

He further stated, “We have full confidence that, under their guidance, the National Assembly will serve as a beacon of hope and progress. Their strong leadership skills, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles will guide the National Assembly in addressing the pressing issues facing our nation and ensuring that the voices of the people are heard.”

From left: Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Hansatu Adegbite; representative of the Executive of CODE, Kingsley Agu; Chief Executive Director, Outsource Global, Amal Hassan; and the Managing Director, GSK Nigeria, Kunle Oyelana, during the inauguration of the Big Ideas Platform theme: Reawakening the African Renaissance, pathways to inclusive growth and development, in Abuja at the weekend.

ANEEJ calls for independent investigation of suspended EFCC Chairman

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, a leading anticorruption watchdog in Nigeria, has called for an independent investigation of the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

The Executive Director of ANEEJ, the Rev David Ugolor stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Rev. Ugolor also expressed deep concern over the recurring dismissal of EFCC chairpersons pointing that it does not only undermine the fight against corruption, but gives a wrong signal to the international anti-corruption community.

He expressed deep concern over the recurring incidences of removal of successive EFCC chairpersons. Recall the case of Farida Waziri, Ibrahim Magu and now Abdulrasheed Bawa and it undermines the fight against corruption.

According to him the case of Bawa is even more damaging, considering the weighty allegations made by former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mattawale against the suspended EFCC Chief.

“The President has to find a way round the current approach of firing a sitting EFCC chairman and start investigation.

“ In other climes, the approach is that you carry out your detailed investigations and be armed with your core evidence, you then proceed to arrest and charge to court.

“Here, the President announces removal, the State then arrests and starts shopping for evidence even for months and year

“ Since Ibrahim Magu was removed, the investigations have been on and on and nothing came out of it. Nigerians have not been told, till date what his offence was and if there was no offence, government should apologise to him.

““President Tinubu should rise beyond the traditional approach of removal of the EFCC Chair via fiat orders which creates a culture of instability in the crusade against corruption in Nigeria. I expected a new approach with the Tinubu’s administration.”

The ANEEJ helmsman further notes that an independent investigator will do a more thorough investigation that Nigerians and the international community would be proud of in taking the war against graft beyond the usual ways of doing things.

Our fire fighting Mimi trucks will navigate crowded terrains —FFS boss

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji, has said that the newly procured 15 rapid firefighting mini trucks by the service has the capacity to navigate crowded terrains.

The CG stated this on Thursday in Abuja when the new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade paid a maiden visit to the Service’s headquarters.

He said the service can now boast of going to places which were previously inaccessible to the larger firefighting appliances.

He said that the ministry

recently commissioned Nigeria’s first Metropolitan Fire Station located in Kubwa, Abuja.

He further said 12 other Metropolitan Fire Stations are at various stages of completion.

Speaking further on the achievements of the service, the CGF said the service recently completed and commissioned the first Fire House props in West Africa located inside the National Fire Academy Sheda.

“Procurement of 15 Ford Built Rapid Intervention Vehicles, already delivered to the Service awaiting commissioning and deployment.

“Approval of Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to include the Service Rapid Intervention Vehicle

in his motorcade. This is the first in the history of Nigeria.

“Other firsts include celebration of the International Firefighter’s day

“Approval of a large expanse of land for the building of the Service National Headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, FCT”.

Responding, the permanent secretary called on State Governments to assist the service in carrying out its duties.

She harped on the need for training and retraining of officers to make them more equipped.

“Your mandate is very important to Nigeria as a whole. I don’t know of anything more frightening by fire. It is destructive and quick to do so but yet when you are called, you

move in immediately. Therefore, I say well done.

It is therefore important that citizens of Nigeria know and are assured that fire will not ravage them. But peradventure there is a fire outbreak, that the FFS will be able to put out the fire before lives and property are lost.

“Building codes are not usually obeyed and when there is fire, big trucks cannot go through. So these mini trucks can go through such areas but 15 are not enough. That cannot even serve the FCT alone. We need more. Therefore, funding, housing, training and everything that can build up the morale of firemen have to be taken into account.”

EU-SDGN advocates inclusive government, calls for appointment of PWDs in public offices

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) has called for an inclusive government and appointment of persons with disabilities into key positions in the country.

Members of the EU-SDGN said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja at the end of the ‘Able to Serve” event.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that EU-SDGN is an European Union funded programme, aimed at reinforcing democracy in Nigeria through six component areas.

The areas included support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), support to the National Assembly, judiciary and political parties.

Others were support to media, support to women, youth and persons with disabilities and support to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Mr Jake Epelle, Chief Executive Officer, TAF Africa, and implementing partner for EU-SDGN said there was need for Nigeria, especially the current administration, to hear the voicess of PWDs that they were qualified for any and every appointive office.

“The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should take the bull by the horns and appoint persons with disabilities as Ministers.

“Let him take pride in being the first President to do that; Elected Governors across the sub-national should also appoint persons with disabilities as Commissioners.

“We are grateful that in the past, we have been appointed Special Advisers and some other Heads of Establishments, especially establishments for PWDs , but we need to go a notch higher. Who says we cannot be Ministers?,” he said.

Epelle called on governments at all levels to appoint a person with

disability as Minister.

“Hold me responsible and we will make sure that, that person will perform. We may be disabled in our physical body, but we have the ability in our brain.

“If you take us out of governance, then what you’re going to run is an exclusive government, and an exclusive government is not a government of national unity,” he said.

Epelle said that if Nigeria truly want to run a government of national unity, then that government should be inclusive of all, irrespective of their gender, status and religion.

He said that whatever needed to be done so that everyone would sit on the table would be the way forward.

Epelle said that PWDs were very prepared to serve.

According to him, they are PhD and Master’s degree holders, but it’s not just about the degree but because of their preparation for leadership.

“We have the right people that will make us proud. Just give us the opportunity, that is what we are asking for. When you pursue true inclusion, it eliminates cultural stereotypes.

“Service is not written on anybody’s face. Give everybody that is qualified the chance to serve. Don’t give us a Minister because we are PWDs.

“Give us a Minister because we have the ability to run that office, make a difference and be part of nation building,” he said.

Ms Auta Lois, Founder, Network of Women with Disabilities, said there was need to remind policy makers and decision makers, traditional leaders, clergy, student groups, civil society organizations, media institutions, and other stakeholders that PWDs have the right to be appointed and elected into a public office.

NAN

Navy Special Forces displaying, during the Inauguration of Rear Adm AO Suleiman Special Forces Holding Bay in Abuja on Weekend

U.S Institute mulls collaboration on peace building, trains community members

US Institute of Peace (USIP),has advocated collaborative effort towards peace building in Nigeria and equipping community members in conflict states with mediation and dialogue skills.

Dr Chris Kwaja, Interim USIP Country Director Nigeria, made this known at the Network of Nigerian Facilitators workshop themed: “Reflections and Prospects for the Future” on Thursday in Abuja”.

According to Kwaja, USIP works across the world, both with government and non governmental actors in ensuring a peaceful world, supporting conflict states by training men and women with peace building skills specifically for mediation and dialogue .

He said that USIP has worked in over 11 states in Nigeria including Kano ,Rivers ,Kaduna Plateau ,Benue ,Adamawa ,Imo ,Katsina ,Borno,Nasarawa ,Yobe among others.

” Here in Nigeria, we are involved in peace related advocacy; we support local level actors who are involved in mediation and dialogue; we support governmental institutions that are committed to working for peace.

“We are involved in the governance space, because you have a government that is committed to a peaceful society.

”Then people will be able to benefit from the dividends of democracy which has to do with the rule of law, participation of citizens, diversity, equity and inclusion.

” This is because these are some of the key drivers of disenchantment and discontent in our society, these are some of the issues we advocate for, support and pursue across the world working with research centres, civic groups at the community level.

” We build their capacities in the area of mediation and dialogue and they have been quite active in supporting our communities to identify commonalities around this whole notion of shared humanity.”

Kwaja said that the first responsibility of every government in a diverse society as Nigeria, was that the leadership must be committed to the management of diversity.

He said that the government should be true to the oath of office with a conscious effort to ensure allocation of resources is done in a way that shows equity , fairness and justice among all individuals and groups.

FFS boss decorates senior, junior officers

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Controller General of Federal Fire Service, Engr Jaji O. Abdulganiyu has decorated the Officer in Charge of Planning and Examination Unit alongside ten other senior officers as they get promoted from the rank of Superintendent to Chief Superintendent of Fire.

A statement issued on Friday by FFS PRO, ACF Abraham O. Paul said the promotion

included other officers across cadres.

He listed them include:

117 officers from Deputy Superintendent of Fire (DSF) to Superintendents of Fire (SF); 104 officers from Assistant Superintendents of Fire I (ASF I) to Deputy Superintendents of Fire (DSF); 28 officers from ASF II to ASF I; 64 officers from Inspector of Fire (IF) to ASF II; and 7 officers were upgraded/

converted to ASF II.

“This brings the total number of those promoted to 320 in the 2022 promotion exercise conducted by the The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).

“The CGF, Jaji Abdulganiyu congratulated and encouraged them to brace up for higher tasks and challenges that are pertinent with rising through the ranks. He added that their

new positions will demand a more careful and discrete conduct in the discharge of their duties because to whom more is given, more is expected.

“Finally, the CGF concluded by intimating the newly promoted officers to set up for postings, as it is in the culture of progress and growth – that no growth happens without a shift in position. It is part of every thriving organization including the Public Service.”

LARMFON congratulates Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on inauguration as Speaker House of Rep

The Leadership and Role Model Foundation of Nigeria (LARMFON) has congratulated the newly elected Speaker of the House of Representative Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. Following his inauguration.

Executive Secretary of (LARMFON) Hon Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha made this known in a statement made available to newsmen

LARMFON noted the challenges facing the nation at the moment of his inauguration, but was optimistic that as Speaker of the House, he possesses the leadership, character and experience to navigate the course of legislative responsibilities towards national socio-economic and political renewal.

The Group enjoined members to join hands with the new leaders in addressing the daunting task of rebuilding the nation for a new lease of life for the people.

“This is a momentous time in our national history with great promise and we rejoice with you,” he said, adding that“With many years of legislative experience, we are confident that you will lead House to greater heights.

“Although the task ahead is daunting in view of our national challenges, we have no doubt in our minds that your leadership, character and experience will make a difference for the betterment of all Nigerians.

“On our part, we are committed to supporting the Federal Government along the path of reviving the economy, insecurity, others vices and

creating an enabling environment for the investment to attain greater productivity.”

LARMFON added that the emergence of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas was in line with the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that it was a testament to the confidence reposed in him by the party and their colleagues to steer the ship of the legislative arm of government

Describing the new leadership as a round peg in a round hole, the Group said Abbas has a wealth of knowledge to deploy in managing the affairs of the House because he has garnered the requisite legislative knowledge for a smooth working relationship with the executive.

The Group noted that Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was stood out as the most

experienced legislator for he has been a member of the House of Representatives from 2011 till date and has sponsored a recordbreaking 74 bills out of which 21 were signed into law, and has also served as a member of more than seven committees in the House including Commerce, Finance, Defence and Public Procurement.

LARMFON stated that the emergence of the experienced legislators as principal officer in the independent chamber will surely add value to the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as their promises to be synergy between all the arms of government to make a better Nigeria.

“Sir, accept our warm congratulations and best wishes for your success as you take up the responsibilities and challenges of your high offices”.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo (5th R); Former Minister of State, Amb. Mariam Katangum (M); Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State (5th L); Permanent Secretary, FMITI, Dr Evelyn Ngige (4th R),other Heads Parastatals under FMITI and Directors of the Ministry, during a send-forth dinner in honour of the immediate past ministers at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

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Nigerians should counter hate speech

By Ike Willy

The Plan of Action was also aimed at arriving at a comprehensive assessment of the state of implementation of the prohibition of incitement in conformity with international human rights law and the identification of possible actions at all levels.

On June 18 annually, the United Nations celebrates the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. It is important for Nigerians to counter hate speech.

The Nigerian public space has become a treacherous terrain of toxicity no thanks to cheap talk that is whipping up cheap hate, especially on social media.

Nigeria’s multilingual, multiethnic and incredibly diverse society has come to steadily confound and dumbfound critics, cynics, and analysts in equal measure.

While Lord Lugard’s amalgamation of 1914 brought the Northern and Southern protectorates together in 1914 to form the country as it is known today, independence took until 1960. Nation building has taken ever since, with the sobering events of 1967 to 1970 when Nigeria cascaded into an avoidable civil war defining many things.

Nigeria has not done badly as a country, even if there have been many painful moments.

Many a Nigerian problem today comes down to a lack of unity. For all that corruption has stolen from the country, the canker worm has benefited from the fact that the country’s challenge has been enfeebled by a lack of unity of purpose.

Because Nigerians have struggled painfully to mine their diversity, there are those who have come to weaponize ethnicity. Their primary tactic is hate speech with which they seek to becloud reason and appeal to primitive and primordial sentiments.

According to the United Nations, Hate speech calls out real or perceived “identity factors” of an individual or a group, including: “religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender,” but also characteristics such as language, economic or social origin, disability, health status, or sexual orientation, among many others.

It’s Important to note that hate speech can only be directed at individuals or groups of individuals. It does not include communication about States and their offices, symbols or public officials, nor about religious leaders or tenets of faith.

Recently, in the face of Nigeria’s security issues which have weighed heavily on public consciousness, the country has made efforts to tackle hate speech, especially in public and on social media by those determined to sunder the country.

It appears that every region of the country today has its demons to battle. In most of the North it is insecurity at the hands of bandits. In most of the South, it is secessionist agitations that have snowballed into vicious insecurity. At the heart of these existential challenges is the relentless desire of some people to see just how much dent they can make on the country.

In Nigeria, hate speech has taken different forms, with each form more dangerous than the last. There have been long, windy speeches dripping with venom, vitriol, and hate directed to different individuals within the country.

These speeches deliberately designed as they have targeted people for their religions.

As Nigeria has moved to tackle hate speech by aid of legislation, it has found itself confronted with structures imposed by law.

In 2020, an audacious attempt by legislation to check hate speech especially on social media was met by stiff resistance from Nigerians who saw it as a poorly disguised attempt to impinge on their

freedom of speech. But there is a clear line between countering hate speech and impeding free speech.

The Rabat Plan of Action was adopted by experts at the wrap-up meeting in Rabat on 4-5 October 2012.It was aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of legislative patterns, judicial practices and policies regarding the concept of incitement to national, racial, or religious hatred, while ensuring full respect for freedom of expression as outlined in articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR.

The Plan of Action was also aimed at arriving at a comprehensive assessment of the state of implementation of the prohibition of incitement in conformity with international human rights law and the identification of possible actions at all levels.

The Plan of Action include a broad range of recommendations for how religious leaders and actors can prevent incitement to violence and contribute to peace and stability. It is meant primarily as a tool to inform the work of religious leaders and actors, but is also relevant for States and institutions, secular civil society organizations and the media.

Nigerians must each take countering hate speech as a personal responsibility. Hate speech is a weapon in the hands of those who do not want to see the prosperity of Nigerians. It no coincidence that a lot of hate speech usually goes into politics and elections. It is often a well-hatched ploy to turn Nigerians against each other, heat up the polity and lead to the commission of vicious crimes as it is an open secret that hate speech leads to hate crimes.

For every Nigerian, whether on social media or in everyday conversation, speech must be directed and dedicated to building a more peaceful and prosperous country where restraint is important and alienation, exclusion, discrimination and hate are eschewed.

Ike Willy can be reached at Ikewilly9@gmail. com.

Northern Insecurity: Memo To President Tinubu

By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should help the state governors through military and other logistics support. For a better policing, the president should invest heavily in intelligence gathering, scale up recruitment of security personnel, re-jig our security architect and above all work with neighbouring countries to eliminate insecurity in Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hit the ground running since the time he was inaugurated. Tinubu has proven he is fully prepared to take tough decision for the interest of the country. The supersonic speed with which he removed petroleum subsidy, the appointments he made all pointed his readiness to take the country to the pedestal of growth and development. But no nation can develop with ravaging insecurity dogged its territory.

While the country has recorded remarkable progress since the restoration of democracy in 1999, the deteriorating insecurity resulted in wanton killings of defenceless nigerians by non-state actors and other criminals eroded the gains achieved so far. There is lost of confidence by nigerians over the inability of successive governments to tame the monster of insecurity bedevilled the country particularly in northern nigerian. While the immediate past administration was able to contain the dreaded boko haram insurgents, leaving

remnants to attack soft targets, the emergency of banditry activities in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kaduna state and farmers/ herders clashes has compounded and escalated tension in the region.

Northern Nigeria, the food basket of not only Nigeria but also African countries has become a shadow of its former self. while North East is struggling with Boko Haram, North-central is battling with farmers/herders crises. The once peaceful North-west has since turned to a home of banditry. The intractable security challenges in the north have continued to pose threat to food security and education development.

Many rural farmers have deserted their ancestral homes as bandits impose levies, abduct and kill dafaulters at their will. Schools are frequently being attacked and students forceful kidnapped. The horrible situation has discouraged parents from sending their children or wards to schools. The lamentable figures of school dropout which is estimated to have hit over 15millions children, couple with activities of rapacious bandits paints gloomy picture of education in the region.

The region has become a killing field. Hardly a day passes without report of gory massacre of people in their villages, farms, markets or even in the roads. Though, concerted efforts have been put in place by government to arrest the situation, no doubt insecurity has defied lasting solution. However, with the new governors in the troubled states, one

foresees an end to the lingering insecurity in the region. Already, the Zamfara state governor, Dauda Lawal Dare, held a close door meeting with chief of Defence Staff, lucky Irabor, in a bid to tackle the menace of banditry in his state. Also, Kaduna state governor, malam Uba Sani, in an interview granted to Channels Television, bared his mind on the need to create state police. He emphasised that only state police can address security challenges. In Benue state, governor Alias Mba has promised to review the anti-grazing laws implemented by his predecessor, Samuel Orthom. Katsina state governor, Dikko Radda, during his inauguration promised to exploit every avenue to confront insecurity in the state.

Interestingly, the governors have a good ideas and passion for the protection of their people from the activities of criminals terrorising their states. The affected governors should liase with federal government to achieve this feat.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should help the state governors through military and other logistics support. For a better policing, the president should invest heavily in intelligence gathering, scale up recruitment of security personnel, re-jig our security architect and above all work with neighbouring countries to eliminate insecurity in Nigeria.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua writes in from Kaduna state.

Expediency of setting aside our differences

By Isaac Asabor

This situation seems to give the opposition a competitive edge in rallying the public against the government. But let us face the facts straight and analyze the prevailing situation without prejudice or vendetta if we truly want to prescribe the right remedy for economic recovery.

On October 1, 2023, Nigeria will celebrate her 63rd birthday. Given the years that have passed since she attained her independence from the British in relation to the slow rate of development recorded so far, it will not be an exaggeration to say that in many aspects that this country is very different from what the founders could have imagined.

In fact, there is no denying the fact that the slow growth which Nigeria has so far recorded in all ramifications of its economic sectors has remained questionable and a subject of debate, particularly as it is richly blessed with an abundance of resources. The country is most widely known for its vast hydrocarbons wealth. It is home to massive oil reserves. As gathered, “In January 2023, crude oil reserves for Nigeria were 1,412.94 thousand barrels per day. Crude oil reserves of Nigeria fell gradually from 1,542.94 thousand barrels per day in February 2022 to 1,412.94 thousand barrels per day in January 2023”.

In fact, Nigeria possesses much more than simply oil and gas. It is home to significant deposits of coal, iron ore, lead, limestone, tin, and zinc. Just as importantly, it has rich land and water resources that are ripe for further agricultural exploitation. Indeed, the agricultural industry remains a mainstay of the economy, accounting for 23.9% of the GDP and upwards of 70% of the country’s workforce. Approximately 83.7% of Nigeria’s land area is agricultural, although only 40% is arable. Substantial water resources also assist the agricultural sector. The country has 230bn cu metres of total renewable water resources. This ought to have helped in expanding productivity through irrigation. As gathered, only a paltry percentage of Nigeria’s total land area is been irrigated.

For the better part of the period since Nigeria became an Independent nation, Nigeria has been the largest oil and gas producer in Africa and a major exporter of crude oil and petroleum products to the United States of America and it remains one of the most blessed nations mankind has ever seen.

But alas! There is trouble on the horizon. Despite Nigeria’s endowments, which should have earned her the opportunity of being developed and wealthy enough to make her citizens prosperous, evidence abounds that a huge spectrum of Nigeria’s population is poor. The statistics provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) when it launched the results of the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Survey speak volumes on the foregoing view. In a similar vein, the UN in a recent report says “Around 40.1 percent of Nigerians live on less than the national poverty line of N137,430 per person per year. This means that some 82.9 million Nigerians were living in poverty. Some 84.1 percent of poor Nigerians lived in rural areas. This, in itself, is a marker of Nigeria’s spatial inequality.” Given the foregoing grim statistics, it is little wonder that not a few Nigerians are leaving the country in droves to other lands even as the trend has

been tagged “Jappa”.

Graphically capturing the grim situation in an article titled “Nigeria and leadership failure”, which was published in the Nigerian Tribune on April 26, 2021, its author whom the newspaper by-lined as “Our Reporter”, wrote, “Despite her huge endowments, which should earn her a prominent place among global giants, Nigeria is a dwarf struggling for relevance in West Africa. For a country that started on a very promising note, its current state is a great disservice to those who put their lives on the line for her independence. Compared with other countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, which also gained independence about the time Nigeria got hers, Nigeria is a study in retrogression. The per capita income in Nigeria today is lower than it was in 1960. Infrastructure was in a better state then than now. The education system was better in the 1960s than it is now; ditto for health services. The rate of employment in 1960 was higher than it is in 2021. The rate of poverty is higher today in Nigeria than it was in 1960. Why is the situation this way in this country?”

Given the foregoing facts, it is not an exaggeration to say that a sense of pessimism reigns today, among both intellectual elites and everyday citizens, about the current state and future of this nation. In fact, not a few Nigerians believe that former President Muhammadu Buhari literarily steered the ship of Nigeria inthe wrong direction, particularly in the 8-year period he served as the captain. In fact, despite the emergence of a new president in Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the public still appears to be losing hope in the Nigerian project. The reason for the growing pessimism cannot be farfetched as not a few Nigerians feel increasingly alienated, not just economically, but also politically, socially, and culturally. It is hardly surprising that many are asking the question: “Does the new president has what it takes to resuscitate the country’s economy? Well, since the president was just sworn-in close to 3-weeks ago, only time will tell.

In his book, “The Trouble with Nigeria”, Professor Chinua Achebe of blessed memory, sadly noted that the trouble with Nigeria is leadership failure. According to him, “There is basically nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air, or anything else”. The trouble with Nigeria, Achebe insists, is “simply and squarely a failure of leadership”. Period! This is no mere storytelling by the iconic storyteller. This is “simply and squarely’’ the truth. Paradoxically, Nigeria is brimming with ambitious political leaders, but sadly very few matchups to the traits of good leadership. In fact, many political leaders appear to be severely lacking in some of the most essential qualities of a good leader, such as integrity and accountability. It is no coincidence that the word “politician” has many negative connotations. But experience tells us that there is only a handful that comes near to the principles of leadership and shows strong indicators of a successful political leader.

Over the years, we have had leaders who, prior to ascending leadership positions, are sold to the masses as beacons of hope amidst the misery viciously staring them in the face, courtesy of previous leaders. They scream their way into the hearts and minds of unsuspecting masses with their humble disposition, camaraderie, or seeming understanding of the plight and sufferings of the people, only to assume leadership positions and become total strangers. However, given the prevailing deficit in credible leaders, it is

not out of place that Nigeria needs political leadership that has what it takes to focus on the country’s long-term betterment, above and beyond any short-term personal gains. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as strong political leadership requires a mixture of charm and honesty, and the capacity to evaluate a circumstance and make a judgment based on what will be better for the majority.

Above all, leadership in a democratic system needs statesmanship, as compared to just becoming a ‘politician’, which implies possessing the honesty and ability to stand up for what is fair, even though it means resigning from a government post or losing an election.

At this juncture, it is expedient to task our politicians that efforts toward the revival of Nigeria’s economy should no longer be business as usual, even as our political differences should be set aside and help extended to the ruling party in order for the economy to be revived.

The reason for the foregoing clarion call cannot be farfetched as it is not a secret any longer that we are walking on quicksand. The cost of living has reached an unprecedented level never witnessed in independent Nigeria.

This situation seems to give the opposition a competitive edge in rallying the public against the government. But let us face the facts straight and analyze the prevailing situation without prejudice or vendetta if we truly want to prescribe the right remedy for economic recovery.

It is only fair to admit that all previous regimes before the nascent Tinubu’s regime perpetuated economic crimes against our country; there is no doubt about that, with the only variance being the extent of the economic injury.

For instance, over time, unemployment and the high cost of living have emerged out of a long and sustained conspiracy against the economy.

At this juncture, it is expedient to recall that in the president’s campaign promises, and in his inaugural speech he indicated his concern and intention to reduce unemployment and the high cost of living. But the current economic situation is too dire for the new administration to fix alone.

Thus, it is time all concerned parties, regardless of political affiliation, put their minds together and find ways of reviving our economy.

Against the foregoing backdrop, the government should establish a rapid economic recovery unit across the 774 local government areas where all public and private members are encouraged to submit initiatives and ideas that they think can shore up the economy for evaluation and implementation.

This should go hand in hand with the idea of pausing our capital-intensive infrastructural projects to make room for the most basic and high-return ventures like agriculture, manufacturing, and value addition.

At this juncture, therefore, we must cease our political rivalry, witch-hunting, blame games and repair our leaking economy jointly. Otherwise, in due course, we will all be indiscriminately wiped out by this hostile economic storm.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Policy Analyst.

Suspension: A pattern of naming, shaming, remove from office in Nigeria

By Tife Owolabi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and leaders across the country, must prioritize ending this ineffective approach and instead focus on establishing a system that promotes thorough investigations and accountability. By doing so, Nigeria can ensure that suspensions of public officials are not mere acts of shame but meaningful steps towards addressing allegations and upholding justice.

In Nigeria, the pattern of suspending public officials when allegations are made against them without reaching a logical conclusion has become a troubling phenomenon. This repetitive suspension tactic serves no purpose other than to shame the individuals involved, with no concrete actions taken to investigate or address the allegations. It is a disheartening pattern that perpetuates a culture of impunity and undermines the integrity of public office.

One prime example of this pattern is evident in the case of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Numerous officials within the EFCC have faced suspension in the past, only for the allegations against them to fade away without any proper investigation or resolution. This lack of accountability not only undermines public trust in the institution but also enables corruption to persist within its ranks. If the purpose of suspension is merely to name, shame, and remove individuals from their positions without any follow-through, then it serves no meaningful purpose.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should take note of this

concerning trend and ensure that his administration breaks away from this ineffective approach. It is crucial to establish a system that focuses on reaching logical conclusions when allegations are made against public officials. This means conducting thorough investigations, allowing due process to take its course, and holding individuals accountable for their actions if found guilty. Only then can the suspension of public officials serve its intended purpose of maintaining transparency, upholding the rule of law, and deterring misconduct.

Recent suspensions, such as that of Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and AbdulRasheed Bawa, the Chairman of the EFCC, have further highlighted the need for a change in this pattern. Suspending high-ranking officials without promptly addressing the allegations against them creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and undermines the institutions they lead. It is crucial to break away from this cycle and ensure that the suspension of public officials is not just a temporary measure to appease public opinion but rather a means to ensure justice is served.

Additionally, the suspension of the Assistant Director In Charge of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for alleged salary padding reinforces the urgent need for a logical conclusion to these matters. While allegations of misconduct must be taken seriously, it is equally important to ensure that investigations are

conducted thoroughly and efficiently. Allowing allegations to linger indefinitely without resolution not only harms the reputation of the individuals involved but also hampers the effectiveness and credibility of the respective institutions.

To break the pattern of suspension without conclusion, Nigeria must prioritize the establishment of a robust and independent investigative framework. This includes empowering relevant agencies with the necessary resources, ensuring their autonomy, and holding them accountable for conducting comprehensive and impartial investigations. By doing so, Nigeria can move towards a system where allegations against public officials are taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and brought to a logical conclusion. This will help restore public trust, uphold the rule of law, and ultimately create a culture of accountability in the country’s governance.

In conclusion, the current pattern of suspending public officials in Nigeria without reaching logical conclusions is detrimental to the integrity of public office and the fight against corruption. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and leaders across the country, must prioritize ending this ineffective approach and instead focus on establishing a system that promotes thorough investigations and accountability. By doing so, Nigeria can ensure that suspensions of public officials are not mere acts of shame but meaningful steps towards addressing allegations and upholding justice.

Tife Owolabi is a Public Affairs Analyst.

SON issues conformity certificates to seven companies in Niger

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Niger state 2 office has issued Mandatory Conformity in Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificates to 7 companies in Suleje, Niger state. SON said the products are 12

in number, saying six companies are majorly food related, which includes: water,rice and potatoes chips.

The agency added that a foam manufacturer also acquired certification while another company had its certificate revalidated.

Speaking at the presentation

state

of the certificates, Director General/ Chief Executive of SON, Farouk Salim said that the event was a continuation of the organisation’s mission to promote consumers’ confidence and global competitiveness of made-in-Nigeria products through standardisation and quality assurance.

Salim who was represented by the Director, North Central, Babaji Saleh commended the awardees for ensuring that their products comply with all SON processes.

He said, “These certificates have expiration date. After three years it will expire. We expect all the manufacturers to come for

Gov. Sule calls for peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has called for peaceful coexistence among the different ethnic groups in the state.

Sule made the call at a reception in honour of Rep. Jeremiah Umaru, representing Nasarawa Eggon/Akwanga/ Wamba Federal Constituency of the state, on Saturday in Wamba Represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, the governor

said that elections were over and called on the people to shelve their differences and give room good governance.

“Nasarawa belongs to all of us and elections are over; it is now time for governance and so we must put our differences behind us and collectively forge ahead.

“This is because anybody who wants to run a race and continues to look back will definitely stumble and fall; we don’t want to stumble.

Abbas, NILDS

By Christiana Ekpa

DG

mourns

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen

Abbas (PhD) has expressed grief over the Kwara boat mishap, which claimed the lives of 104 people.

Rt. Hon. Abbas said he was deeply pained that the precious lives of over 100 of our compatriots were lost during the unfortunate incident, which occurred at the Patigi Local Government area of the state.

He said the news of the mishap was as devastating as it was heartbreaking, noting that such incident must be avoided to save the lives of Nigerians.

“Nasarawa State cannot afford to stumble; so, we must therefore come together as one people to support our leaders to succeed.” Sule called

The governor described the lawmaker as a committed and resourceful youth that the state is proud of at all times.

“We are very proud of this young man because he is a man who spring surprises when you least expect.

death

“My heart bleeds. I was pained and devasted at the news of the boat mishap in Kwara. The lives of 104 Nigerians were so precious, but we lost them just like that in one fell swoop.

“The incident was one too many. We must guard against such occurrence in future. Necessary actions must be taken to prevent such incident.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that lost their loved ones during the incident,” Speaker Abbas said.

He sent his heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of Kwara State over the losses of lives, which he described as sorrowful.

Abbas prayed for the repose of the

”Nobody gave him the chance of winning, but God did.

“Nasarawa state is proud that indeed we now have an ambassador in the National Assembly,” he said.

In his remarks, Umaru, thanked his constituents for electing him to represent them.

He promised to initiate and support bills that would have direct bearing in the lives of his constituents.NAN

re-registration of products when the certificates expired.

“SON has the mandate to protect your business and certificates, that is why our officers will be visiting your companies from time to time for inspections and cross examination of products to ensure that the right standard is maintained continuously”.

He emphasized that, “The certificates we are giving you all today is based on trust from the government and from you who are beneficiaries to protect the citizens”.

On his part, State Coordinator SON, Niger 2 office, Adamu Ahmed, said the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme, MANCAP, is a policy put in place by the Federal Government of Nigeria; with the objective of improving quality of lives of citizens of the country by ensuring that all locally manufactured products conform to relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards.

According to Ahmed, the MANCAP certification has a lot of economic benefits to the country, one by promoting healthy competition among domestic manufactures for individuals development.

“ It also encourages excellent products and healthy products through consistent compliance while providing confidence to the consumer that the products he or she is buying has value for his money”.

He appealed to Nigerians to always send feedback to SON, saying it will enable the organization to deliver more . One of the manufacturers, Mrs Hannah appreciated SON for ensuring that all the standards are being complied and also approving their companies. The companies approved by SON are Mohzang Table Water,Jdoe pure soya oil, Lopab Foods and HH Water. Others are Farm feast juice and yoghurt, NEXTEL Rice,and Amaco foam products.

of 104 in Kwara boat mishap

souls of those that lost their lives, and wished those that sustained injuries from the incident a very quick recovery.

Equally, Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, the Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has Extended Condolences to Emir of Patigi Following Tragic Loss of Lives in Boat Mishap.

Sulaiman, in A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja said,

“In these trying and grieving times, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Emir of Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar Boligi II and the residents of Patigi Local Government

Area in Kwara State. We mourn the tragic incident of the recent boat capsizing, which occurred just a week ago, resulting in the loss of over a hundred lives.

“I beseech Almighty Allah to grant forgiveness to the souls involved and provide their families and the entire community with the strength to endure this profound loss.

“Furthermore, I urge the government to take immediate and thorough action in investigating the cause of this unfortunate incident. It is crucial to implement adequate and necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Please accept my heartfelt condolences” he said.

L-R Wife of the deceased, Olori Funmilayo Olorunishola; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye; Regent of Ikogosi, Princess Bola Olorunishola; a relation, Mr. Jide Adedipe; and Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; during the burial service for the late Onikogosi of Ikogosi Ekiti, Oba Elijah Abiodun Olorunishola; at First Baptist Church, Ikogosi- Ekiti,at the weekend .

Imo NNPP crisis: NWC directs return to status quo

By Christiana Ekpa

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has directed the leadership of Imo State chapter of the party to return to status quo, saying their action contravenes the Constitution of the party.

Briefing journàlists at the weekend, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Agbo Major said all actions taken by the two sides in the leadership disagreement are null and void, and of no effect in running the affairs of the party in Imo State.

Recall that recently, there was a leadership disagreement in the Imo State Chapter of the party in which the State Chairman, Charles Duruimo was suspended by aggrieved officers in the State over alleged anti-party activities.

But Duruimo dismissed his removal, stating that his leadership had earlier suspended the officers and members involved in the plot to sack him.

To this end, the party said its national leadership led by Alhaji Abba Kawu-Ali has stepped into the matter with a view to amicably resolving it in the interest of the party and the good people of Imo State who desire a new and better Nigeria on the platform of NNPP.

“Accordingly, the National Working Committee (NWC) directs that status quo should be maintained in the Imo State Chapter Executive led by Chief Charles Duruimo.

“The affected officers of the party in Imo State did not explore the appropriate channel of communication and procedure in handling the dispute in line with the clear provisions of NNPP’s constitution. In the next few days, the Imo State Executive will be invited to Abuja to firmly resolve the matter and move the party forward.

“The need for peace, unity, teamwork and synergy in running the affairs of the party in Imo State cannot be overemphasized as we prepare for the November 2023 governorship election in the

Arewa group says Tínubu will succeed if it defeats monsters of corruption, insecurity

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Anorthern political group, Arewa New Agenda (ANA) has charged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to focus on defeating the twin monster of corruption and insecurity in the country, saying achieving this will make his administration a huge success.

ANA, in a statement issued yesterday by the Convener, Sen. Ahmed Abubakar MoAllahyidi, said also that insecurity and corruption has become the two major maladies bedeviling the country, urging the Lagos born politician to tackle them headlong without compromise.

“ANA had posited in one of its public comments that “Two things will define Tinubu’s Presidency as a success or failure: What he does to insecurity and what he does to corruption. Why? Because these maladies are the two burning issues in the country today which if not taken down will take down the country or perhaps better put, will burn down the nation”

“We shall dwell on these two by x-raying how the president has signaled his intention to tackle the twin menace of security and corruption; as this forms the

bedrock of this press statement tagged “Taking the right steps in the right direction- the case of the appointments of Sen. George Akume, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and others.

“The excitement following the appointment of the special adviser on security is still revibrating around the country; there is a palpable feeling that we will get it right this time!

“Prior to his appointment as the Chairman of EFCC in 2003, Ribadu served as key operational officer in the General Investigation and the Force Criminal Investigation Departments of the of the Nigerian Police. He was a member of the highly commended Failed Banks Tribunal that sanitized the rottenness in the Nigerian Banking sector of the late eighties”, ANA said in the statement.

The statement titled: ‘the Tinubu Administration: Taking the right steps in the right direction’, also in their effort to promote the continuing prominence, relevance, involvement and participation of “the north” in national sociopolitical and economic activities through their vision of a Nigeria where the north is capable,

vibrant and takes ownership of its future, it will continue to add its voice in the promotion of social harmony and peaceful coexistence in the country.

“The president is taking on the issue of rising cost of living and provision of palliatives to cushion the impact on Nigerians. He signed into law the longawaited student’s loan bill and other ground breaking laws.

“ANA is elated that the President, who the association actively supported his emergence

as the APC Flag bearer and eventual winner of the 2023 presidential election is doing the right things at the right time. President Tinubu has hit the ground running, as every new day since he took over brings in a new tide.

“Hope in the country is being renewed and Nigerians are coming to terms with the President’s passion and commitment to setting the country on a sound footing”, ANA said.

L-R: Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma with the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Ababa, when the latter led the new executive members of the

APC Reps candidates seek party, Tinubu’s support on election petitions

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

House of Representatives candidates who contested the 2023 general election on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) have enjoined the leadership of the party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support them in the ongoing cases before the election petitions tribunal.

Briefing journàlists in Abuja at APC secretariat weekend, chairman of the Coalition of APC House of Representatives Candidates, Hon Chisom Promise Dike, asked for patronage from the Tinubu administration, pointing out that they are available and willing to make their contributions to the new administration.

It also urged Nigerians to be patient with the Tinubu administration as it unveils its economic policies and agenda.

Dike said, “The task of nation-building requires a careful planning, consultation, and deliberate action. Let us extend our trust and confidence to the President as he embarks on this journey of transformative changes. “

Congratulating the new presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly, they prayed that their “tenure be marked with accomplishments, unity, and a steadfast commitment to the welfare and advancement of our great nation. “

According to them, “Our main objective is to bridge the gap in public service delivery in areas without elected representation from our party and to serve as a medium for discussion on important socio-political and economic issues, supporting government initiatives and offering collaborative solutions to challenges in our society.

“As candidates and representatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the nation, we embrace the fulfillment of the Renewed Hope campaign mantra of our President. We recognize that the battle ahead is not an easy one, but we firmly believe in the potential of a better Nigeria. We stand with His Excellency, President Tinubu, and we are committed to supporting his vision for development of our nation.

“We appeal to Mr President to capture the interest of the House of Rep candidates that couldn’t make it through during the election but are ready to Contribute their expertise to his administration successes through government patronage.

“We however seek support of the party leadership to support many of the APC candidates currently in tribunals to reclaim

their stolen mandates.

“We are reassured by the President’s competence in selecting a diverse and capable administrative team, comprising resourceful professionals and party faithfuls from within and outside Nigeria to provide Nigerians with best team and we are optimistic that our nation will witness positive and impactful transformation across various sectors.

“We therefore appeal to fellow Nigerians to exercise patience and allow the president the opportunity to fully unveil his policies and agenda for the nation. The task of nationbuilding requires a careful planning, consultation, and deliberate action. Let us extend our trust and confidence to the President as he embarks on this journey of transformative changes.”

Guild on a courtesy call to the Governor on Saturday in Government House Owerri,

POLITICS

By Musa Baba Adamu

Seven members of the Imo State Working Committee (SWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have resigned from their various positions and dumped the party.

The officials announced their resignation in a statement they jointly signed, which was made available to journàlists by Collins Opurozor, the Imo PDP State Publicity Secretary, on Sunday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Those who resigned are

Peter Obi’s legal team an embarrassment –Omokri claims

By Musa Baba Adamu

Reno Omokri, a popular social commentator, has claimed that the legal team of Peter Obi of the Labour Party at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal is an embarrassment.

Omokri, media aide to expresident Goodluck Jonathan, disclosed this in his official Twitter handle on Saturday.

Omokri, a staunch supporter of Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said he is disappointed at the nature of the witnesses and evidence Obi’s legal team brought before the Tribunal.

He alleged that Obi’s counsels are making ‘schoolboy errors’ by blundering their schedule of documents and then asking for more time.

He noted that the way Obi’s team is going about the petition will not yield results.

“Peter Obi’s legal team and their witnesses at the Presidential Election Petition Court are simply an embarrassment.

“It was a man boasting that he had all his evidence and witnesses. And look at the type of witnesses they are producing. A mathematics professor blamed his inability to prove that Peter Obi won the #NigerianElections2023 on lack of time.

“Another, Lawrence Nwakaeti, got confused in court. Lawyers who make schoolboy errors by blundering their schedule of documents and then asking for more time. It is not looking good for Peter Obi. Not looking good at all”, he wrote.

On Friday, Peter Obi presented additional witnesses to the Tribunal to prove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not win the 25th February election.

Seven Imo PDP Working Committee members resign as party crisis deepens

Sir Martins Ejiogu, deputy chairman, Ray Emeana, secretary, and Greg G.O.C. Nwadike, youth leader.

Others include Collins Opurozor, publicity secretary; Mrs Maria Mbakwe, women leader; Josiah Eze, treasurer; and Chibuisi Obido, vice chairman, Orlu Zone.

The group of seven members of the Imo PDP SWC claimed that there is no indication that Senator Anyanwu is running for governorship in November. “If he claims to be running, it is not to our knowledge as members of the State Working Committee,” they claimed.

According to the statement: “The party does not know what his program looks like. That is, if he has any. Governorship campaigns have started, yet the party does not also know if there is anything like a campaign council.

“The rent for the Party Secretariat has since expired, and the landlord has kept harassing us. Party staff have gone without salaries since Senator Anyanwu

emerged as the candidate of the party. The party cannot afford to fuel our power generating set and even purchase stationery for our offices.

“Yet, someone is parading himself as our governorship candidate. This deceit cannot be allowed to continue, and we cannot lend ourselves as tools for the deception of the Imo people. Never.

“In view of the foregoing and many other shocking discoveries which will soon be made public, we, the undersigned members of the Imo State Working Committee of the PDP, have resolved to resign our various positions in the party and dump the party en masse.

“We have today opened the floodgate of resignations and defections, and in the next couple of weeks, there will be only Senator Anyanwu left in the party.”

On why they resigned their positions, the party officials said: “It is heartbreaking to inform all that some of us in the State Working Committee have

severally escaped assassination attempts because of the wicked lies which our National Secretary sold to his violent supporters, that they misappropriated party funds.”

They avowed that when Emeka Ihedioha held sway as leader of the party, they saw a robust, vibrant, inclusive, and functional political party system.

“Every success recorded by Imo PDP is owed to the ingenuity, resources, and outstanding leadership of former Governor Ihedioha,” they claimed.

Their statement further reads: “Conversely, all the maladies that have lately befallen us are squarely the making of Samdadday. And the unjust imposition of Samdadday on us as governorship candidates by the Ayu-led National Working Committee is the second most cruel occurrence in history after Cain murdered Abel.

”When Senator Anyanwu eventually succeeded at crowning himself the governorship candidate of the party, he convened a meeting

of all the LGA Youth Leaders at his residence in Owerri and confessed openly that he had lied to them about financial mismanagement in the party by the State Working Committee.

“He also apologised to the State Youth Leader for the attacks and elimination attempts he had passed through because of the falsehoods he (Samdadday) had propagated. He also recanted the lies and repeated the apologies during the only meeting he has had with us as members of the SWC since he emerged as a governorship candidate. He said all the falsehoods peddled against us by him were a result of his fight for survival.

“When the State Chairman, Charles Ugwuh, made efforts to bring the police to investigate the attack, Senator Anyanwu stood against it. Is that not shocking? How can a man who says he wants to make Imo safe again be caught aiding and abetting acts of violence and insecurity, even against his own party members?”

Oil bunkering: Stop denigrating our military – APC Rep Agbese cautions Asari Dokubo

By Christiana Ekpa

Chief Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/ Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, has urged former Niger Delta militant Asari Dokubo to stop undermining the efforts of the Nigerian military. Dokubo had alleged that the bulk of cases of oil theft recorded in the oil-rich region of the Niger Delta were

traceable to troops.

He expressed this view when he paid a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Friday.

The lawmaker, who admitted to sharing the same views with the Niger Delta leader on numerous issues, said he doesn’t buy into his latest statements.

A statement by Agbese reads: “I appreciate Dokubo, who is my good friend, for his unequivocal stand on a lot of

issues, but I think he missed the point on this particular subject.

“Our officers are not in any way complicit, even though much can still be achieved in the area of protecting our national assets in the Niger Delta.

“Dokubo simply wants to be involved, which is in his right. We must, however, not destroy the reputation of others to get what we want.

“The sacrifices of our

military officers and men, who make all the sacrifices to keep the country together, should not be taken for granted. If there are lapses, we expect Dokubo, as an elder statesman, to provide relevant information and support to the troops.

“We have gone past the era of militancy. If that is what Dokubo is clamouring about, I’m sorry it is not an option. Our military has shown itself to be equal to the tasks.”

Members of the Men’s Missionary Union (MMU) pose for a group photograph after the 2023 Father’s Day celebration at Gloryland Baptist Church, FHA Lugbe, yesterday in Abuja,

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has assured Nigerians and the international business community of the readiness of the 10th National Assembly to work with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to provide an enabling business environment and also make life worth living for the generality of Nigerians.

Akpabio gave the assurance in his goodwill message at the Reception Dinner in honor of the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja at the weekend.

According to Akpabio, “I believe strongly that Nigerians are in for the best of times under this administration. Members of the National Assembly will enjoy a lot of cooperation and support from the Executive because for the first time, we are going to have a very serious accord between the Executive and the Legislature. I see good things coming for Nigerians.”

Speaking further, Akpabio noted, “in less than 20 days in office, the Stock Market has gone up allover the world. The world is already applauding Nigeria. I believe strongly that Senator Akume has a hand in most of the policies that are coming out and you are just starting. You can imagine the celebrations that would come again, in the first 100 days of this administration in office. You are indeed a square peg in a square hole.”

“We are celebrating two things tonight; Excellence and Humility. You are a man of excellence. You leave your mark in everything you do and I have no doubt you are going to leave your mark in the present administration of President Tinubu. Your humility disarms all,” he declared.

Akpabio said the 10th Senate would work seamlessly with Senator Akume as the SGF to develop policies that will change the economic situation in the nation.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, in his message stated, “Senator Akume has a proven track record in coordinating government activities and stringing government, while the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, described Akume as “a welfarist who puts the needs of others first. His appointment, he noted, ‘is an evidence of efficient representation of the North Central in President Tinubu’s

administration.”

In his response, the SGF thanked all the dignitaries for their goodwill messages, assuring

Nigerians that he will do his best and he will not disappoint

Akpabio assures Nigerians, business community of favourable environment Jigawa: We will not fail you – Governor Namadi

By Christiana Ekpa

The Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, has assured that his administration will not fail the people of the state who have put their trust in him.

Governor Namadi stated this on Saturday, while speaking at an event organized to celebrate the victory of the senator representing Jigawa Northwest Federal Constituency, Alhaji Babangida

Hussaini, in Kazaure.

He assured the citizens that his administration is working towards improving the lives of its people.

“I want to assure the good people of Jigawa State that, from the governor to the senators, House of Representatives members, and state assembly members, Insha Allah, we will not fail you. You will not regret voting for us as your leaders. We will join hands to work for you because our only goal is Jigawa State,” he said.

“From the start of this journey, we outlined a 12-point agenda blueprint that was published in both Hausa and English and was widely shared with the people. We will implement these developmental ideas, and I urge every citizen of Jigawa to join hands with us and make this a reality.”

Mallam Namadi said that his administration will place more emphasis on youth development as it is critical to the development

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC.

and progress of the state.

“The youth are the backbone of our progress. Based on the recent mock census, the population of Jigawa State as of now stands at 7.5 million, and out of this, 3.2 million are youths.”

“We have set up an agency that would cater to the needs of the youths in the state.”

The governor encouraged the people of the state to advise the government whenever there was a need for that.

We’ll make Anambra farmers employers of labour – Gov Soludo

By Christiana Ekpa

The governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has said that his administration is aiming to make farmers in the state employers of labour.

Soludo said this will be achieved through purposeful support for farmers in the state, both through loans and the presentation of modern farm equipment that will aid their work and increase their yield.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr

Onyeka Ibezim, stated this at the weekend, during the flag-off of the 2023 farming season in Awka, the state capital.

Addressing farmers in the state after the presentation of agricultural enhancement equipment estimated at N21 million, which was made possible by the Adani-Omor Zonal Staple Crops Processing Implementation Unit of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase-One (ATASP-1), the deputy governor said: “I have confidence that the equipment presented to you today will turn

the beneficiaries into employers of labour and major contributors to the food supply in the state and the country at large.

“The multiplier effect of this empowerment is what the government of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has been talking about. We advise you to make good use of the equipment.”

Beneficiaries of the equipment are five farmers’ cooperative groups drawn from various communities in the state.

The equipment included a mobile thresher, rubber mill, rice destoner, dryer machines,

handheld planter, cassava grater, knapsack sprayer, and hammer mill.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, explained that the equipment was provided with loans from the African Development Bank (AfDB), which could be paid back by the federal and state governments over time.

ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zonal Programme Coordinator, Romanus Egba, disclosed that the 13 beneficiary farmer groups were selected based on needs assessments.

L-R: President Ijaw National Congress, Hon. Benjamin Okaba, Spokesperson Ijaw Caucus House of Representatives AwajiInombek Abiante and a member of the caucus, Hon. Fred Agbeji, during a press briefing on the plight of the Ijaw nation, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja Thursday Photo: Mahmud Isa

I was poisoned at PDP Secretariat, my liver, kidney shut down – Wike

By Musa Baba Adamu

Former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, on Sunday, disclosed that he was poisoned at the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2018.

Wike said the poison affected his liver and kidneys, adding that it almost killed him but for God’s intervention.

He disclosed this during a special

Thanksgiving service organised by his family at the St. Peters Deanery, Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpor area of the state.

The former governor said he was flown to Beirut at midnight, where doctors informed him that his liver and kidneys were gone.

According to wike, after attending to him, the doctors informed him that the organs were working again.

He said the doctors discharged

him after about a week and asked him to return home, noting that he altered his itinerary during the campaign for his second term.

The former Governor said everybody became a suspect as he decided that he would not enter any party leader’s home during the course of his campaigns.

Narrating how he almost died of poisoning, Wike said: “God was in charge, everybody who knew how we

came to power in 2015, knew it was turbulent.

“But God saw us through. When you are in office, many people think things are going well with you. Nobody wants to find out the problems you are facing as a human.

“In December 2018, it was the day my former Chief of Staff was going to have thanksgiving. I was to attend that thanksgiving. From that Sunday on, I never came down from

my room. It was bad.

“But those who attended the January 1 state banquet of 2019 will know that I never spoke that day. I just sat down there and told the deputy governor to speak on my behalf. I thought it was over.

“I didn’t know I had been poisoned at our party’s secretariat, the doctors, after some treatments, returned and told me my organs had started working again.”

Canada confirms sale of aircraft leased to Arik Air, asks EFCC not to interfere

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Export Development Canada (EDC) has asked the Economic Financial and Crime Commission (EFCC) to stop interference in the sales of its mortgaged aircraft by JEM Leasing, the owner.

EDC is a crown corporation, wholly owned by the government of Canada.

The aircraft, CRJ 1000, is a twinengined regional airliner with a capacity of 100 passengers.

Earlier in the month, Arik Air had said it removed the CRJ 1000 aircraft from its fleet, due to the decision of JEM Leasing Limited, the owners of the CRJ 1000, and its financiers to sell the aircraft.

Following a petition filed by Johnson Arumemi, founder of Arik Air, the EFCC is said to be working to lay off EDC’s mortgage rights.

A legal mortgagee has a right or remedy to enter upon and take possession of the mortgaged property until the amount of the loan with interest is recovered.

In a letter addressed to the commission, and seen by TheCable, EDC said it financed, in part, Jem Leasing’s acquisition of the aircraft; and became the mortgagee as a condition to the financing.

“The aircraft remains mortgaged to EDC. We confirm the veracity of the statements set out in the owner’s letter, including that the owner has entered into an agreement with Alberta Aviation Capital Corp (the buyer) to sell the aircraft to the buyer,” EDC said.

EDC said the agreement was entered into with its consent and at its request.

“We understand that the EFCC may have taken certain steps that prevent the buyer from having access to the aircraft,” EDC said.

EDC said it also understands that “certain press reports allege that the owner has dissociated itself from the sale of the aircraft to the buyer and the plan to tear down the aircraft, and called for an investigation into his asset destruction and the claims of Arik Air in relation to the aircraft”.

The Canadian corporation said the allegations are untrue, stating that the owner has “confirmed that it has agreed to sell the aircraft to the buyer, that the buyer is authorised to tear down the aircraft, and that Arik Air has no interest in the aircraft”.

“As stated in the owner’s letter, any interference action by Arik, or any other person, which impedes the buyer’s access to the aircraft, or any of the other steps, matters, processes or transactions, will constitute improper interference with the owner’s (and/or the buyer’s) rights in respect of the aircraft,” EDC said.

“Any such interference would also constitute improper interference

Tinubu’s advisory council recommends sale of assets to settle Nigeria’s debt obligations

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

President Bola Tinubu’s Policy Advisory Council has proposed the sale of Nigeria’s assets to settle existing federal government debt obligations.

The advisory council, put together by Mr Tinubu to support the delivery of sustainable and inclusive economic growth, consists of Tokunbo Abiru (chair), Yemi Cardoso, Sumaila Zubairu and Doris Anite, with KPMG listed as the consultant.

The council called on Tinubu’s administration to set a policy directive that all proceeds from the sale of assets must be used to settle the existing federal government’s debt obligations.

Other fiscal recommendations, according to the council, include listing the shares of strategic and profitable Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited

(NNPCL) subsidiaries, leveraging blockchain to create and provide access to a government land registry and regionalising and concessioning the power transmission grid.

The council also recommends privatising, concession or selling down the federal government’s stake in corporate assets to partners and other investors (possibly with a buyback option) to generate liquidity in short to medium term, with a focus on sub-optimal assets such as NNPCL refineries.

It also recommended that the government move to a wellfunctioning, market-oriented power sector; and conduct a forensic review of the outstanding balances and utilisation of Federation funds, e.g. stabilisation, natural resources development fund, ECA (Excess Crude Account) etc.

In addition, the advisory

council said the administration should address oil theft and pipeline vandalism and substantially grow oil and gas Production.

It added that the government must deepen and expand the coverage of security contracts in the Niger Delta and deploy special security forces; increase the visibility of production volumes by deploying technology to track crude oil production; and implement technologies to ensure effective tracing of stolen Nigerian crude.

It further suggested the implementation of a domestic refining capacity of two million barrels per day and the provision of economic opportunities for host communities.

It called on the government to ramp up production capacity to 4m barrels from offshore and onshore assets within four years and grow crude oil revenue

and savings into Excess Crude Account (ECA) and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

According to the council, the administration should fast-track the implementation of the Host Community Trust Fund in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and implement measures to double Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)) production from 22m MTPA to 40m MTPA in eight (8) years.

The council also recommended the elimination of the Premium motor spirit (PMS) Subsidy.

To unlock the potential of the solid minerals sector, the council called for the implementation of a framework to formalise and legitimise illegal mining activities and the development of a mining industry roadmap to reposition the sector and attract prominent international players.

Nigeria, Morocco, others sign agreements on gas pipeline project

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) said it had signed four significant agreements related to the NigeriaMorocco gas pipeline project.

The NNPCL in a statement by Garba Deen Muhammad, the chief corporate communications officer of the company, said the four memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed on Friday in Abuja as part of the NigeriaMorocco gas pipeline project.

It said these tripartite MOUs were signed between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) of Morocco on one hand; then the Société Nationale des Opérations Pétrolières of Côte d’Ivoire (PETROCI), the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures of Benin (SNHBenin), and the Société Nationale des Pétroles of the Republic of Guinea (SONAP) on the other hand.

NNPCL explained that these agreements were similar to those signed with ECOWAS on 15 September 2022, Mauritania and Senegal on 15 October 2022, and The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Ghana on 5 December 2022, reaffirming the commitment of the parties to this strategic project.

The NNPCL had last year

signed agreements on the gas pipeline project with the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines of Morocco and the ECOWAS Commission.

The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline was proposed in a December 2016 agreement between the NNPCL and the Moroccan Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines.

The Federal Executive Council in June last year authorised the NNPCL to enter into an agreement with ECOWAS for the construction of the pipeline.

The government says the gas pipeline, designed to be 7,000km long, will contribute to accelerating access to energy for all, improving the living conditions of the populations, integrating the economies of the sub-region, and mitigating desertification.

It will further achieve these goals through the provision of a sustainable and reliable gas supply that aligns with the continent’s new environmental commitments while providing Africa with a new economic, political, and strategic dimension.

Once completed, the project will enhance the monetisation of the natural gas resources of the affected African countries and also offer a new alternative export route to Europe.

“Today, another important milestone was achieved at the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States as four significant Memoranda of Understanding related to the

Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project were signed. Additionally, the project’s steering committee convened to discuss the progress of the project and its strategic direction,” NNPCL said Friday.

“The signings took place on the sidelines of the steering committee meeting of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas pipeline project, which was attended by representatives from ECOWAS and all the participating countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, GuineaBissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco,” the statement added.

In his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, thanked President

Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government for entrusting the company with the strategic project as the national energy company.

“As a commercial enterprise, NNPCL sees this project as an opportunity to monetise Nigeria’s abundant hydrocarbon resources, by expanding access to energy to support economic growth, industrialization, and job creation across the African continent and beyond,” Mr Kyari said.

Also speaking, the Director General of ONHYM, Amina Benkhadra, said that the gathering represents a progressive step in ensuring social and economic development through energy security and accessibility geared towards attaining total development of Africa by Africans.

reports

From Abubakar Yunusa

The executive management of Heritage Bank Plc has denied online reports of diversion of funds by a member of staff, describing the allegations as “wrong and defamatory”.

In a press statement shared with journalists the bank said “no funds were diverted by any member of staff”.

“These allegations are wrong and defamatory. These articles have used unrelated facts and conjecture to create a fictitious arrative,” the statement reads.

“Recently, Heritage Bank began implementation of its long-term sustainability plans premised on restructuring the bank, ensuring cost efficiency, management of its assets and resources towards restoring the financial institution.

“The reduction in the workforce, who were duly compensated in line with the bank’s policy, was necessary to improve our pace on the path of growth, in line with our turnaround targets, to be able to continue providing outstanding financial services to our customers.

“We remain focused and committed to collectively drive growth and deliver exceptional service to all. We will continue to work together to build a longterm sustainable future for our customers, employees and all our stakeholders.”

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Tony Elumelu, chairman of the United Bank for Africa, has asked investors to invest in critical sectors of Africa, saying the era of “making policies for the continent from outside is gone”.

Elumelu, who is also the chairman of Transcorp Power Limited, spoke at the ongoing Vivatech conference in Paris.

He said investors must look beyond the challenges of Africa, focus on the economic potential and prosperity of the continent, and invest.

Speaking on the economic potential of Africa, Elumelu said the continent is a major region where there is evidence of

investment.

“If you look at Africa from the point of view of investment, there is nowhere you make the kind of returns on investment that you make in Africa. I speak as someone who invests in Africa.

“In 2013, our group invested in the power sector. We invested in power generation. I don’t know anywhere in the world where you invest in power generation because it is highly capital intensive, and you break even and start making profit from year two to year three. It is only in Africa that this can happen.

“We do have a lot of opportunities and we also have challenges. But the challenges are not daunting. They are not the

kind of things that will not want to make you invest in Africa.

“It’s about risk and returns. People should know that in Africa, we have challenges but we have more opportunities, more prosperity, and more progress than the challenges that we have on the continent. So, Africa is open for investment.”

On how investors can strategically leverage opportunities on the continent, Elumelu said “those who want to support Africa to develop in this 21st century, should rethink how to intervene in Africa”.

“Gone are the days of sitting outside of Africa and formulating policies and programmes that you think would be good for Africa,”

he added.

Elumelu tasks investors to invest in strategic sector in Africa Heritage Bank denies ‘defamatory’ online

“If you want to actually create people who become the future, self-reliant, self-independent, then we need to invest long-term in Africa, invest in key strategic sectors of the African economy that will help to drive sustainable development and to ensure it is not to gain profit for self but for everyone.”

Elumelu also called for investments that would drive economic development, growth, and alleviate poverty, create jobs and empower women.

He noted that the government must play its role in helping to drive development and ensuring private investors succeed in economic development efforts.

NRC’s revenue from passengers dropped by 63% in Q1 2023, says NBS

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the total revenue generated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) from passengers dropped by N1.31 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023.

The figure represents a decline of 63.02 percent relative to the corresponding quarter of 2022.

The latest NRC data is contained in a new report by the NBS, titled, ‘Rail Transportation Data Q1, 2023’.

The report said 441,725 passengers travelled via the rail system in Q1 2023 as against 953,099 recorded in the same quarter last year.

‘The rail transportation data for Q1 2023 showed that a total of 441,725 passengers travelled via the rail system in Q1 2023, lower than the 953,099

reported in the corresponding quarter of 2022, representing a growth rate of -53.65 percent,” the report said.

“In addition, 59,966 tons of goods were transported in Q1 2023, compared to 39,379 tons reported in Q1 2022.”

Analysis of the data shows that the decrease in the number of passengers also had a strong effect on the revenue generation of the corporation.

The revenue generated from passengers in Q1 2023 was N768.44 million, while income stood at N2.08 billion in the same period last year.

However, the NBS report said revenue generated from goods and cargo increased insignificantly.

The federal government raked in N181.27 million from goods/cargos in Q1 2023 — a 99.28 percent surge from N90.96 million earned in Q1 2022, according the report.

Further Checks by this medium Index show that other receipts amounted to N34.17 million, indicating a decline of 41.02 percent in Q1 2023, compared to the N57.92 million collected in Q1 2022.

In March 2022, the NRC suspended its Abuja-Kaduna train operations after an attack by gunmen.

The incident had occurred around the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna — close to the train’s final stop.

In a bid to provide security and confidence to passengers, in August 2022, the federal executive council (FEC) approved N718.19 million to two security outfits to protect the 45-kilometre Abuja rail tracks and stations.

After an eight-month suspension, in December 2022, the government lifted the suspension and resumed operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route.

Meanwhile, in all categories in the

report, the year 2020 (particularly Q2 2020) suffered the most losses and turnout of passengers due to the COVID-19 lockdown imposed by the federal government to curtail the spread of the virus across Nigeria. The incident had occurred around the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna — close to the train’s final stop.

In a bid to provide security and confidence to passengers, in August 2022, the federal executive council (FEC) approved N718.19 million to two security outfits to protect the 45-kilometre Abuja rail tracks and stations.

After an eight-month suspension, in December 2022, the government lifted the suspension and resumed operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route.

Meanwhile, in all categories in the report, theernment to curtail the spread of the virus across Nigeria.

Dangote Sugar attracts strong bids

Dangote Sugar’s strong earnings are attracting strong bids for its stock, leading to a 36.21 per cent appreciation in the first half of 2023.

In 42 months, investors were richer with a 48.85 per cent capital gain between 2020 and June 31, 2023. Kasimu Garba Kurfi , managing director, APT Securities and Funds Limited attributes this to the 2022 full year and Q1- 23 results.

In its 2022 financial year, the company announced a 46.02 per cent increase in revenue to N403.24 billion from N276.05 billion. Profit before tax grew 137.72 per cent to N82.30 billion from N34.02 billion. Profit after tax increased 148.25 per cent to N54.74 billion from N22.05 billion. The company paid a huge tax of N27.56 billion, up from N11.96 billion in 2021.

Dangote Sugar also delivers good dividends which compels investors, including bargain hunters to take positions. Months before dividend payment in anticipation of cash reward, and exit later to take advantage of price appreciation. In 2022, the company announced N12, 146, 874 to its shareholders.

The uptrend in profit came amid rising costs as the cost of sales rose from N225.85 billion in 2021 to N311.28 billion in 2022. The increase in cost is due to currency depreciation, a rise in the cost of raw material importation, an uptick in distribution cost, a rise in diesel price and tax expenses.

The company, however, deployed efficient cost management strategies to tame spiralling costs. It successfully cut down selling and distribution expenses to N741 billion from N906 billion in 2021. Finance cost fell to N3.42 billion from N5.21 billion.

Fund managers expect Dangote Sugar to maintain its stellar performance for the rest of 2023. The optimism is on the back of the impressive Q1-23 result and price gain in H1-23. In Q1-23, revenue rose 8.23 per cent from N94.44 billion in Q122 to N102.22 billion.

Profit before tax grew to N18.33 billion from N13.60 billion. This is in spite of an increase in finance cost to N8.05 billion from N3.50 billion. The result confirmed the effectiveness of the company’s cost containment strategies as selling and distribution expense declined to N174.56 billion from N260.81 billion in Q1-22. The cost of sale rose only marginally from N74.98 billion in Q1- 22 to

N76.47 billion in Q1- 23.

Dangote Sugar’s backward integration policy is building further investor confidence in the company’s ability to successfully contain the cost of raw sugar importation, and grow bottomline and returns.

The company pursues its 10year sugar development plan tenaciously. By the sugar development policy, Dangote

Sugar aims to produce 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum from locally grown sugarcane.

In pursuant of the plan, the company has committed enormous resources to its Dangote Sugar Taraba Limited, Dangote Sugar Nassarawa Limited and Dangote Sugar Adamawa Limited in which it targets expanding sugar

refining capacity from 3,000 tonnes per annum to 9,000 metric tonnes.

As part of the backward integration project, Dangote Sugar is poised to grow its sugar plantation from a land area of 8,700 hectares in 2022 to about 24, 200 hectares in 2030.

In the face of global economic uncertainty, the

company has put in place sound risk management strategies and sustainability plans to shield investors’ capital from the vagaries of the business environment.

To assure shareholders of its culture of transparency, the company’s Board of Directors has put in place a corporate governance culture that is topnotch.

With them is the Director,

Cross River Gov, Otu promises gender parity in appointments

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has assured women in the state of fairness and equity in his appointments.

The governor disclosed this in Calabar, Wednesday, when a socio-political organization, Team Mma-Adiaha, hosted him and his wife, Rev. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Otu, to a post-election grand reception.

According to Otu, who was very enthusiastic by the massive support by the women, “I know that as we have started here, the sky is not even going to be the

limit. Don’t despair. They talk about 50%, we don’t know how it will be, but I can assure you it might be more than that.

“I believe that the women have shown their strength and in order to recognize, strengthen and encourage them, we must appreciate the level of hard work which they have put in handsomely.

“Be rest assured that there will be more than enough for everybody. All we are begging at the moment is please, exercise some patience.”

Continuing, he said, “People are talking about employments,

appointments and so on, but I assure you that there’s going to be something magical which I am unveiling that will transform the socio-economic status of our people soon.”

Wife of the Governor, Rev (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, who was visibly excited by the women group for hosting them, praised the women for the honour accorded them and promised to ensure that women have fair representation in the administration.

She said, “Your Excellency, the women said you promised them 50 percent inclusion in your

administration, you know I will not allow you to rest till you fulfil that to us. I know you are a good man, kind-hearted, with beautiful soul and you always honour your words and I am confident that you will keep to your promise and do even more for our women because a deal is a deal.”

Coordinator of the group, Mrs Uduak Ofem, disclosed that the group was birthed over a year ago to mobilize women across the 18 local government areas to support the ambition of Sen. Out, even as she expressed excitement that their support led to the dream coming true.

PermanentSecretary,FederalMinistryofIndustry,TradeandInvestment(FMITI),DrEvelynNgige(M)presentingaplaquetotheFormerMinister ofState,FMITI,Amb.MariamKatangum(R),duringasend-forthdinnerinhonouroftheimmediatepastministersattheTranscorpHiltoninAbuja.

Human Resources Management, Mojisola Mimi-Abu

METRO

2023 Census: NPC to deploy 14,000 ad-hoc field officers in FCT

By Stanley Onyekwere

No fewer than 14, 969 field ad-hoc personnel will be engaged by the National Population Commission (NPC), for the conduct of the 2023 Census, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Out of the total number of field ad-hoc officers to be deployed, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has the highest number of 9,804, given its large Enumeration Areas (EAs), while the other five Area Councils shared the remaining spots, due to the numbers of EAs in their respective domains.

Disclosing this, NPC Federal Commissioner, in charge of the FCT, Hon. Joseph Shazin Kwali,said the planned Digital Census will lay a proper foundation for a quality Census that would accurately capture the nation’s demographic data.

Kwali, who spoke during a chat with some Media Executives, recently in Abuja, revealed that all the prospective field functionaries were trained, including facilitators, Data Centers monitoring, evaluation as well as supervisors, as the Commission had before the postponement, effectively carried out Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in FCT and across the 36 States of the federation.

The former Chairman of Kwali Area Council disclosed that the Commission has taken delivery of about 500 thousand Digital Personal Assistants, and assured that it will deliver a

credible and acceptable National Population and Housing Census.

Kwali said the Commission is poised to bequeath to the nation, accurate, reliable, and evidencebased demographic data for development planning.

According to him, the postponement of the 2023 Census from May this year, to a later date will allow the Commission to reappraise its preparation and perfect its plans for a successful national head count.

He observed that the postponement was to give the new Government time to settle

down and make inputs to the census.

The Commissioner noted that the Federal Government had while announcing the postponement of the exercise, stressed need to continue with advocacy and other activities that would assist to conduct a hitch-free. Census.

According to him, it is important for the Commission to sustain the sensitization and reinforced its activities to maximize the resources already spent, so that the nation does not need to start preparations afresh whenever a new date is fixed.

He however, assured FCT residents that the Commission will sustain its public advocacy it began before the postponement of the 2023 National Population and Housing Census to safeguard both human and material resources already expended on the exercise.

Earlier, the Territory Director of National Population Commission, FCT, Madiu Zakariyau commended the Media for the robust partnership.

He said the FCT Office of the NPC will continue to interface with the media for adequate sensitization of the public.

Also speaking, Director, Information and Communication, FCTA, Muhammad Hazat Sule, said the. FCT Administration is ever willing to support the Commission to effectively discharge its statutory function.

Sule, who is representing the FCT Administration on the Publicity Committee of the 2023 Census, disclosed that the Administration has plans to fully mobilized residents in the nooks and crannies of the Territory to participate in the forthcoming Census whenever it is fixed.

FCT-IRS tasks MDAs, Contractors on remittance of withholding tax

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has urged Ministries Departments and Agencies of government (MDAs) as well as contractors in the FCT, to ensure that Withholding Tax (WHT) due to the Service is remitted accordingly.

FCT-IRS in a circular released on Sunday, noted that Withholding Taxes meant for the Service were wrongly paid to tax authority other than the Service, hence the need to educate concerned organisations and contractors in the FCT.

It explained that it is necessary for a taxpayer to understand the tax

jurisdiction rule; WHT for limited liability companies is remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) while WHT for enterprises and individual contractors goes to the State IRS such as the FCT-IRS, if the transaction is done in the FCT.

The circular signed by Head, Corporate Communications, FCT-IRS, Mustapha Sumaila reads: “Regrettably, we have observed instances where the wrong tax jurisdiction is entered on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform by the MDA desk officers.

“This error can lead to contractors suffering the loss of WHT credit and

the relevant tax authority experiencing revenue loss. The beneficiary of the WHT may also be denied the WHT credit.

“To prevent such losses, we urge all MDA desk officers to ensure accurate data entry at the point of initiation. We also wish to draw the attention of enterprises and individual contractors in the FCT to this issue and caution them of the potential consequences.

“Henceforth, the FCT-IRS will not grant Tax Clearance Certificate on WHT credit that was wrongly sent to another tax jurisdiction by the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform.

“We advise all taxpayers to liaise closely with their respective MDA

desk officers to ensure the correct tax jurisdiction is selected during WHT remittance.

“Our aim is to ensure a seamless tax administration system that supports compliance, promotes ease of doing business, and upholds the principles of transparency and accountability”.

It will be recalled that the FCT-IRS took over the administration, collection, and accounting of taxes in the FCT in 2018. Prior to this, FIRS was responsible for these functions. With the advent of GIFMIS, payment for contracts and the deduction and remittance of the WHT for both companies, enterprises, and individuals is done using the GIFMIS platform.

Cross section of participating Corps members at the official launch of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) Big Ideas Platform with the theme ‘Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development’, yesterday in Abuja.

PHOTO: Mahmud Isa

Antony Blinken hails candid talks on high stakes China trip

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held “candid” and “constructive” talks with China’s foreign minister in Beijing at the start of two days of meetings with Chinese officials, the US State Department has said.

Mr Blinken emphasised the need for diplomacy and keeping “open channels of communication” US officials added.

The trip, the first by a US diplomat to China in almost five years, comes months after an earlier Blinken visit was postponed when a suspected Chinese spy balloon flew in US airspace.

US officials say the main goal of the talks is to stabilise a relationship that has become extremely tense.

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang told Mr Blinken that Beijing was committed to building a stable, predictable and constructive relationship with the US, state media said. US officials said he had agreed to a visit to Washington at the talks.

Mr Qin said Taiwan was the “most prominent risk” for ChinaUS relations and described the Taiwan issue as one of “China’s core interests”, state media said.

China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing’s

control, but Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and leaders. US President Joe Biden said last year that the US would defend Taiwan in the event of an attack from China, a move condemned by Beijing.

Mr Qin greeted Mr Blinken on Sunday morning at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, a lavish estate that typically hosts visiting dignitaries.

The two shook hands as they stood before their respective flags, then sat down with their delegations at long tables to begin their meetings.

The greeting was business-like, underscoring the chilly relations that have developed between the two superpowers in recent years.

The US had been lowering expectations for the trip and both sides have made clear they do not expect any major breakthrough.

The war in Ukraine, trade disputes over advanced computer technologies, the fentanyl drug epidemic in the US and Chinese human rights conduct are all topics the Americans were expecting to be discussed.

Chinese officials have reacted coolly to Mr Blinken’s visit, questioning whether the US is sincere in its efforts to mend

relations.

It is not clear whether he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Mr Blinken is the highestranking US government official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.

“If we want to make sure, as we

Greece boat disaster: Ship tracking casts doubt

The BBC has obtained evidence casting doubt on the Greek coastguard’s account of the migrant shipwreck in which hundreds are feared to have died.

Analysis of the movement of other ships in the area suggests the overcrowded fishing vessel was not moving for at least seven hours before it capsized.

The coastguard still claims that during these hours the boat was on a course to Italy and not in need of rescue.

Greek authorities have not yet responded to the BBC’s findings.

But the UN has called for an investigation into Greece’s handling of the disaster, amid claims more action should have been taken earlier to initiate a full-scale rescue attempt.

Greek officials maintain those on board said they did not want help and were not in danger until just before their boat sank.

The BBC has obtained a computer animation of tracking data provided by MarineTraffic, a maritime analytics platform.

Their data shows hours of activity focused on a small, specific area where the migrant boat later sank, casting doubt on the official claim it had no problems with its navigation.

The fishing boat had no tracker so is not shown on the map. Neither are coastguard and military vessels which do not have to share their location.

Timeline of official coastguard account challenged

Frontex, the EU’s border force, says it first spotted the migrant boat at around 08:00 GMT on Tuesday and informed the Greek authorities.

Alarm Phone, an emergency hotline for migrants in trouble at sea, say they received a call at 12:17 GMT saying the boat was in distress.

We have used video and photographs

authenticated by BBC Verify, as well as court records and shipping logs, to analyse the movement of vessels in the area in the following hours.

The Marine Traffic animation shows a ship called the Lucky Sailor abruptly turning north at 15:00 GMT.

The owner of the Lucky Sailor gave us its log book and confirmed it had been asked by the Coastguard to approach the migrant boat and give food and water.

About half-an-hour later at 15:35 GMT, the coastguard helicopter found the migrant boat. Authorities have continued to claim it was on a steady course at the time.

But two-and-a-half hours later at around 18:00 GMT, another vessel, the Faithful Warrior, travelled to the same area and also gave supplies to the boat.

The owners of Faithful Warrior referred us to the investigating authorities.

Video has emerged - reportedly shot from the Faithful Warrior - claiming to show supplies being delivered to the migrant ship via a rope in the water. No other ships can be seen.

BBC Verify checked it and found the vessel - which is not moving in the footage - matched the shape of migrant ship seen in photos and the weather conditions were a match for those reported at the time. It’s not know exactly when this video was filmed.

Between 19:40 until 22.40, Greek officials originally claimed the boat was keeping a “steady course and speed”.

Their initial statement claimed they observed from a discreet distance, but a closeup image they later themselves publishedfrom this time-period - suggests the migrant boat is not going anywhere.

This picture of the fishing boat in the hours before it sank was released by the

do, that the competition that we have with China doesn’t veer into conflict, the place you start is with communicating,” Mr Blinken told reporters on Friday.

Later he said he hoped to meet President Xi in the next few months.

on

A meeting between President Biden and Xi Jinping in Bali in November briefly eased fears of a new Cold War, but since the balloon incident high-level communication between the two leaders has been rare.

Greek Coastguard’s account

coastguard on Thursday

A government spokesperson later said the coastguard had attempted to board the boat to assess the danger but that those on board removed a rope that been attached and did not want help.

All of the shipping activity of the past seven hours between was focused around one specific spot, suggesting the migrant boat had hardly moved.

The scale of the animated map suggests it travelled less than a few nautical miles, which may be expected of a stricken vessel buffeted by the wind and the waves in the deepest part of the Mediterranean Sea.

The actions of people in distress, rocking the vessel, would also have contributed any movement.

During this time period, Greek officials have insisted it was not in trouble and was instead safely on its way to Italy and so the coastguard didn’t attempt a rescue.

At 23:00, the boat sank with hundreds on board and the tracking animation shows a frenzy of ships coming to help.

This included the Celebrity Beyond from which footage of the aftermath of the disaster was filmed and later sent to the BBC.

A luxury yacht, the Mayan Queen, is then instructed to help take some of the 104 survivors ashore.

Those rescued reached the safety at the port of Kalamata but left behind a series of troubling questions about the whole Greek response.

Source: BBC

Antony Blinken, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday, is the highest-ranking member of President Joe Biden’s administration to visit China

The overcrowded vessel was pictured a number of times before tragedy struck

Sudan crisis: Five children among 17 killed in air strikes

Seventeen people - five children - have been killed in an air strike in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, officials say.

Twenty-five homes were destroyed in Saturday’s strike in the densely populated Yarmouk district.

It came a day after a top army general threatened to step up attacks against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF broke out midApril as a result of a vicious power struggle within the country’s military leadership.

In early June, the RSF claimed full control of Yarmouk, an area of the capital which houses an arms manufacturing facility.

Later on Saturday the warring factions agreed a 72-hour ceasefire starting at 06:00 (04:00 GMT) on Sunday. It was announced by Saudi and US mediators. Similar ceasefires in the past have not

been observed.

Precise figures on the number of people killed in the fighting are difficult to establish, but it is believed to be well over 1,000, including many civilians caught in the crossfire.

Roughly 2.2 million people have been displaced within the country and more than half a million are sheltering in neighbouring countries, according to the UN.

Several ceasefires have been announced to allow people to escape the fighting but these have not been observed.

The recent attack targeted civilians in Mayo, Yarmouk, and Mandela areas, according to the RSF. The army has not commented.

Since the hostilities began, tens of thousands of civilians have fled across the border into neighbouring Chad.

Doctors and hospitals there have been overstretched and struggling to cope.

Ukraine war must end, South African President Ramaphosa tells Putin

The war in Ukraine must end, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has told Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin.

Mr Ramaphosa’s remarks came as he met Mr Putin in St Petersburg on Saturday as part of a peace mission with six other African countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the delegation on Friday that he would not enter talks with Russia while they occupied Ukrainian land.

Mr Putin told the African leaders Ukraine had always refused talks.

At the meeting in St Petersburg, Mr Ramaphosa also called for both parties to return their prisoners of war, and said children removed by Russia should be returned home.

Mr Putin has been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court over the forced removal of hundreds of Ukrainian children from their families during Russia’s occupation of Ukraine.

As the African delegation called

for the return of children to their families, Mr Putin interrupted their speech and claimed Russia was protecting them.

“Children are sacred. We moved them out of the conflict zone, saving their lives and health”, he said. The UN said they have evidence of the illegal transfer of hundreds of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Mr Ramaphosa also warned Mr Putin of the impacts of the war on Africa, and said it should be settled by diplomacy.

“The war cannot go on forever. All wars have to be settled and come to an end at some stage,” he said. “And we are here to communicate a very clear message that we would like this war to be ended.”

The war has severely restricted the export of grain from Ukraine and fertiliser from Russia, which has affected African countries in particular and intensified global food insecurity.

But Mr Putin blamed the West

for the grain crisis - not the war in Ukraine - as he said only 3% of the grain exports permitted under a UN-sponsored deal to ensure its safe passage through the Black Sea had gone to the world’s poorest countries.

Russia has repeatedly complained that Western sanctions are restricting its own agricultural exports. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there were “no grounds for extending” the grain deal, because “so far what we were promised has not been done”.

Mr Putin praised what he described as Africa’s balanced position on the war, which Russia continues to call a “special military operation”.

The African delegation, made up of representatives from South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, CongoBrazzaville, Comoros, Zambia, and Uganda has been specifically designed for breadth and balance, with members from different parts of Africa with different views on the conflict.

South Africa and Uganda are seen as leaning towards Russia, while Zambia and Comoros are closer to the West. Egypt, Senegal and Congo-Brazzaville have remained largely neutral.

African countries have primarily seen the conflict a

confrontation between Russia and the West.

The delegation also met with Ukrainian leaders on Friday, where Mr Ramaphosa warned the war in Europe was affecting between 1.2 and 1.3 billion people in Africa.

Uganda school attack: Dozens of pupils killed by militants linked to Islamic State group

Nearly 40 pupils have been killed at a school in western Uganda by rebels linked to the Islamic State group (IS).

Five militants attacked the Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe at around 23:30 (20:30 GMT) on Friday.

They entered dormitories, setting fire and using machetes to kill and maim the pupils, officials said.

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) - based in the Democratic Republic of Congo - have been blamed and a manhunt is under way.

• Warning: Some people may find details in this story distressing.

More than 60 people are educated at the school, most of whom live there.

Uganda’s information minister

said 37 students were confirmed to have been killed, but did not give their ages.

Twenty of them were attacked with machetes and 17 of them burned to death, Chris Baryomunsi told the BBC.

The Ugandan army said the rebels had also killed a school guard and three members of the local community.

Survivors said the rebels threw a bomb into the dormitory after the machete attack. It is not clear if this resulted in a fire in the building which was reported earlier.

Six students were also abducted to carry food that the rebels stole from the school’s stores, he added. The militants then returned across the border into the DR Congo.

Some of the bodies are said to have been badly burnt and DNA tests will need to be carried out to identify them.

Eight people remain in a critical condition after the attack.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the “appalling act” and called for those behind it to be brought to justice.

Soldiers are pursuing ADF insurgents towards the DR Congo’s Virunga national park - Africa’s oldest and largest national park which is home to rare species, including mountain gorillas.

Militias including the ADF also use the vast expanse, which borders Uganda and Rwanda, as a hideout.

“Our forces are pursuing the enemy to rescue those abducted

and destroy this group,” defence spokesperson Felix Kulayigye said on Twitter.

The Ugandan army has also deployed helicopters to help track the rebel group over mountainous terrain.

The two neighbours have held joint military operations in the east of DR Congo to prevent attacks by the ADF.

Security forces had intelligence that rebels were in the border area on Congolese side for at least two days before Friday night’s attack, Maj Gen Olum said.

But local residents have criticised the authorities for not being prepared for an attack.

“If they are telling us the borders are secure and security is tight, I want

the security to tell us where they were when these killers came to kill our people,” one resident told reporters.

The deadly episode follows last week’s attack by suspected ADF fighters in a village in DR Congo near to the Ugandan border. More than 100 villagers fled to Uganda but have since returned.

The attack on the school, located less than 2km (1.25 miles) from Congolese border, is the first such attack on a Ugandan school in 25 years.

In June 1998, 80 students were burnt to death in their dormitories in an ADF attack on Kichwamba Technical Institute near the border of DR Congo. More than 100 students were abducted. BBC

The violence has also resurrected a two-decade-old conflict in Sudan’s western Darfur region.

FROM ASIA

Three key priorities in crucial US-China talks

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s first visit to China on Sunday comes nearly five months after a major rupture in relations over a Chinese spy balloon.

His original trip was abruptly cancelled because the balloon, which China says was monitoring weather, drifted across the continental US before being destroyed by American military aircraft.

Mr Blinken’s visit includes meetings with China’s top foreign policy officials but there is no word yet on whether he will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, who appeared with Microsoft founder Bill Gates in Beijing on Friday.

The two global superpowers have a long list of issues that concern them, including highprofile disagreements as well as potential areas of co-operation.

Here are three key areas that could be at the top of the agenda.

Mending relations

First and foremost, Mr Blinken’s visit is about re-establishing diplomatic interactions of any kind.

Last month there was an initial breaking of the ice when senior US officials met in Vienna, Austria.

But Mr Blinken is the most senior Biden administration official to travel to China, and it marks the first visit by a US secretary of state

to Beijing since October 2018.

Now is a good time to be talking again because that in itself reduces the risk of conflict, said Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, in a pre-trip briefing.

“We can’t let the disagreements that might divide us stand in the way of moving forward on the global priorities that require us all to work together.”

The Chinese response to the Blinken visit has been somewhat frosty, however.

In the official Chinese account of a call with Mr Blinken on Wednesday night, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is reported to have told him that “it is very clear who is to blame” for the recent deterioration in relations.

“The United States should respect China’s concerns, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, and stop undermining China’s sovereignty, security and development interests in the name of competition,” Mr Qin reportedly said.

The US has downplayed any significant announcements coming out of this visit. It seems the only “deliverable” from the meetings, in diplomatic parlance, will be that the meetings have happened at all.

Don’t expect some sort of

breakthrough or transformation in the way that the two deal with one another, said Daniel J Kritenbrink, the State Department’s senior East Asia diplomat.

If the meeting leads to further interaction between US and Chinese officials, that would be something both sides could build on.

Easing trade conflicts

President Biden’s relations with China started off on a rocky note, in part because he has been unwilling to cancel trade measures enacted by

his predecessor, Donald Trump.

That includes billions of dollars in import tariffs on Chinese-made products.

In some areas, Mr Biden has squeezed even harder, with restrictions on US computer-chip exports to China in an effort to maintain US superiority in the most advanced electronics technologies.

China responded by enacting its own ban on computer memory chips sold by Micron, the largest US manufacturer.

Mr Campbell acknowledged China’s concerns but said the US would defend and explain what it’s done so far and what could lie ahead.

If computer technology is an area destined for fierce competition between the two superpowers, the illicit drug trade may provide more room for co-operation.

The US wants to limit the export of Chinese-produced chemical components used to make fentanyl, a synthetic opioid many times more

Iraq: displays 2800-year-old stone tablet returned by Italy

A2,800-year-old stone tablet has gone on display in Iraq after being returned by Italy following nearly four decades.

The artefact is inscribed with complete cuneiform text - a system of writing on clay in an ancient Babylonian alphabet.

Italian authorities handed it over to Iraq’s President Abdul Latif Rashid in the city of Bologna last week.

It is not clear how the tablet was found - or how it made its way to Italy where it was seized by police in the 1980s.

Iraqi Culture Minister Ahmed Badrani said that it might have been found during archaeological excavations of the Mosul dam, which was built around that time.

Iraq, often described as the “cradle of civilisation”, is known, among others, for the world’s first writing.

In the late 8th Century, the country’s Bayt al-Hikmah [House of Wisdom ] was home to the largest library of books on science, art, maths, medicine and philosophy.

Looting of the country’s antiquities intensified following the US-led invasion 20 years ago.

Iraq’s president praised the co-operation shown by Italy and said he would work to recover all the archaeological pieces of Iraqi history from abroad.

The Ashes 2023: Australia hit

England between Edgbaston showers

England were hit by a onetwo punch from Australia in a devastating 21-minute spell before rain ruined the third day of the first Ashes Test.

Only 22 balls were possible after 14:15 BST at Edgbaston, but in that time Australia were rampant under slate skies and floodlights to claim two wickets for two runs.

Ben Duckett poked Pat Cummins to gully, where Cameron Green took a trademark catch, and a shuffling Zak Crawley edged Scott Boland behind.

Joe Root was also the subject of a review off Cummins before the second and final heavy shower of the day allowed England to escape on 28-2, 35 ahead.

All this came after England had much the better of the dry morning, running through the Australia lower order to claim a first-innings lead of seven runs.

After Usman Khawaja was outthought by another ingenious plan from Ben Stokes and bowled by Ollie Robinson for 141, Australia lost their last four wickets for 14 runs to be dismissed for 386.

Robinson and Stuart Broad bounced out the tail, each ending with three wickets.

Overall, 47.3 overs were lost to rain, with more forecast for day five on Tuesday. The wet weather, wearing pitch and clash of styles add fuel to what could be a thrilling

conclusion to an enthralling series opener.

Soggy Sunday still full of action

Less than 33 overs of play were possible on a soggy Sunday in Birmingham, but there was still time for some engrossing and dramatic Test cricket.

ADVERTISEMENT

England were superb in the morning session, taking advantage of Australia’s lack of intent to perfectly execute some carefully laid plans and delight the riotous Hollies Stand.

But the Australian passiveness disappeared in the small window between the showers that arrived as forecast after lunch.

With the ball nibbling more than any time in the match, Australia made the benign surface look full of danger. England were lucky to get out only two down.

Monday is set to be dry, but the rain predicted for Tuesday will have an influence on any potential England declaration - if they bat long enough for that luxury.

There is the suspicion the pitch will deteriorate and turn, in theory helping Moeen Ali. However, the England off-spinner has a nasty cut on his spinning finger that affected his bowling on Sunday morning.

Australia surge under slate sky

When England returned at 15:30 after a 75-minute rain delay, Duckett and Crawley had everything to lose and nothing to gain. The clouds provided perfect

conditions for Australian pace bowlers that knew they could give their all to a short, sharp burst.

With the groundstaff readying themselves, Cummins hung the ball wide of off stump and lefthander Duckett, as is his wont, pushed at the ball. Green, who is building a catalogue of fine gully catches, swooped low to grab the ball in his left hand.

For the first time in the Test, Australia played with classic Australian aggression. Gone were the boundary sweepers employed for the whole of England’s first innings, in favour of four catchers.

In the next over, Boland got Crawley for the second time in the match, again with a beauty that kissed the edge on the way through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. England had lost two wickets for no runs in the space of four balls.

In their excitement, Australia screamed for an lbw decision against Root off Boland, then a review off Cummins detected no edge when Root had been given not out on the field.

Neither Root nor Ollie Pope had managed to get off the mark when the merciful arrival of torrential rain at 15:51 sent England to the sanctuary of the dressing room.

England blitz passive Aussies

From 311-5 overnight, 82 behind, Australia were marginal favourites to earn a lead and benefitted from Carey being put down off the inside edge from

James Anderson’s first over of the day - wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow’s third miss of the innings.

Despite Carey being bowled through the gate for 66 to give Anderson his 1,100th first-class wicket, Australia took 44 from the first eight overs of the day, mainly because the injured Moeen bowled poorly. When Moeen, who turned 36 on Sunday, came off, Australia stalled and England pounced.

Khawaja scored 15 runs in nearly 100 minutes of batting, and six of those came in one shot off Moeen. Though his progress was slow, the left-hander was the barrier between England and a lead.

The came another ingenious Stokes plan. First Khawaja was faced with four catchers on the leg side, then three on either side. Perhaps expecting a cutter, or looking to squeeze the ball through the off side, he gave himself room and was beaten by Robinson’s speared yorker.

Roaring in triumph, Robinson was transformed from the bowler that struggled on day two. He teamed with Broad for a short-ball plan to the tail that will surely set the pattern for the rest of the series.

Nathan Lyon hooked to deep square leg, Boland fended limply to silly point and Cummins miscued to mid-wicket. Australia lost their last four wickets in the space of 22 deliveries. Source; BBC

Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden smiled for the cameras at the G20 summit in November

Education

TETFAIR develops “Chord Hearing Device”, gets international recognition

By Maryam Abeeb

Innovative products developed under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund,TETFund, Alliance for Innovative Research, TETFAIR, programme have started getting global attention as the “Chord Hearing Device” developed by a team under the TETFAIR initiative recently got opportunity for exhibition at the prestigious Sheba ARC (Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate) Global Entrepreneurship Programme.

A press statement obtained from TETFund, explained that

the Chord Hearing Device is an innovative, affordable, and self-programmable hearing aid developed by Dr. Adebolajo Adeyemo and his team (Team 12) comprising Associate Professor Bolanle Oladejo and Dr. Oluwasola Adeniji), all from the University of Ibadan.

The statement noted that the team was selected to participate in TETFAIR based on its idea for a solution to the challenge of affordable and accessible hearing aid devices in Nigeria. Since the inception of TETFAIR, with the support of innovation, technology and venture creation experts, the team has made

significant progress with the completion of the development of the first prototype, which is now being tested with users, as part of the proof-of-concept phase of TETFAIR.

“Dr. Adeyemo represented the team at the ARC Programme, where for 12 weeks, 29 startups from Israel, USA, Germany, Japan, Colombia, Nigeria, South Africa and Australia worked on finding solutions to pressing healthcare challenges.

“Based on the viability of his idea and good impression, Dr. Adeyemo was selected among 11 healthcare researchers from five continents to present

their innovation to investors and experts at the final event of the Sheba ARC Global Entrepreneurship programme, held in Israel.

“Eventually, his innovation and pitch led him to also being selected among the 3 startups that presented their innovations at the ARC Global Summit in Tel Aviv on 14th June 2023.

“The TETFAIR journey of Dr. Adeyemo and his team is still ongoing and in the coming months, based on feedback from the user tests, the prototype will be refined and the product development will continue with the support of TETFAIR experts

at Innov8 Hub, Abuja,”the statement read in part.

TETFund, however, said the Chord Hearing Aid will be presented at TETFAIR’s final showcase event at Innov8 Hub, Abuja, among other innovative solutions developed by members of the Nigerian academia.

“TETFund through the TETFAIR initiative, continues to support and guide members of the Nigerian academia through the critical journey of translating researches into innovation, solution and enterprise,” it said.

UNESCO urges Tinubu to partner education stakeholders in tackling child labour

By Maryam Abeeb

UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF) on Monday called on President Bola Tinubu to engage genuine education stakeholders to curb the menace inherent in child labour.

President of UNESCO REF, Abdulsalami Ladigbolu made the call in a statement as Nigeria joins other parts of the world to celebrate the International Child Labour Day, Ladigbolu spoke of the need for the president to be pragmatic in addressing the issues at stake in child labour.

According to him, June 12 has been set aside by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to remind the world about the menace associated with child labour.

”Child labour is a complex phenomenon and seems to have prevailed in spite of its being hazardous with associated consequences on the child and the laws of the land.

”We should also remember that child labour is a global issue and not peculiar to any country.

”An estimated 250 million children are working worldwide. This is important to remind us of the need for collective effort to address this problem because the majority of the children undergoing these circumstances are meant to be in school.

”As a concerned citizen and strong believer and supporter of smart intellectuals, I urge President Tinubu to take stronger action and strategic dynamics to address the issue,” he said.

Ladigbolu said it was important to study the factors contributing to child labour in various states/communities so

that sincere and holistic action plans could be designed to address the fundamental causes of Child labour in Nigeria.

”This issue of child labour in Nigeria keeps increasing and changing in pattern, putting into consideration the generic

factors and issues contributing to the children scrambling for purchasing power to cater to their immediate needs,” he said.

L-R.... Mr Sunday Osunrayi, Mrs Yinka Akirede, Mr Oladimeji Omiwole National president Wesley College of Science ( WESCOSA) Alumni 95 Set Elekuro Ibadan, Mrs Olanike Mustapha and Dr Bodunde Onifade during the inauguration of WESCOSA 95 Set Abuja Branch at NUJ press Center Utako yesterday in Abuja

African Child’s Day: UNICEF proposes Digital Learning Platforms

By Maryam Abeeb

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the government and other stakeholders to exploit the opportunities digitalisation offers for learning and development of Nigerian children.

This was contained in a statement issued by the UNICEF to commemorate the day of the African Child’s Day with the theme: “The Rights of the Child in the digital environment.”

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate in the statement lamented that

the disruption to education by school attacks has meant millions of children have significantly missed out on learning, noting that about 10 million children are not in school at the primary level.

Munduate added that attacks on schools and the abduction of learners exacerbate these challenges, as parents have become fearful of sending their children to school.

The statement further disclosed that UNICEF had last year collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Education to launch the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), an online, mobile, and offline digital

learning platform powered by Microsoft that enables continuous access to 15,000 curriculum-aligned learning and training materials in local languages for learners, teachers and parents.

It said this was to bridge the access to quality learning opportunities, adding that since its inception, the Nigeria Learning Passport has provided access to quality teaching and learning resources to 280,000 learners, teachers, parents and young people.

Munduate noted that the education sector in Nigeria faces many challenges, including access to quality learning

inhibited by low domestic spending on education, resulting in limited school infrastructure and qualified teachers, high levels of poverty, and social norms not supportive of education, especially for girls.

“Digital technology provides us with a platform to innovate and seeks ways for inclusive quality education for all children. I urge all stakeholders in the education sector to adopt and take the Nigeria Learning Passport to scale to reduce the number of children not receiving any education in Nigeria. It will also improve foundational literacy and numeracy”, she said.

PEOPLES DAILY , MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023

“We’ve been fighting for more than 10 years to get the truth about what happened to my father acknowledged,” says Rosa María Payá.

Ms Payá, 34, never had any doubt that the car crash which killed Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá and fellow activist Harold Cepero in 2012 was no accident.

“The Cuban regime killed my father and Harold Cepero,” she told the BBC after the release this week of a new report - issued by the leading regional human rights entity for the Americas - which concludes that Cuban state agents “participated” in their deaths.

Oswaldo Payá was one of Cuba’s main pro-democracy campaigners, who spent decades pressing for human rights and democracy on the Communist-run island, where political opposition is banned by law and actively persecuted.

Cuban authorities have long insisted that the death of Oswaldo Payá, denounced by state media as an allegedly CIA-backed “well-known counterrevolutionary leader”, was an accident. State media commentators have also attacked his daughter as a “liar”.

In 1988, Oswaldo Payá founded what became one of Cuba’s largest opposition groups, the Christian Liberation Movement.

He also created the Varela Project, a campaign aimed at gathering the 10,000 signatures needed under the Cuban constitution to petition the National Assembly for a referendum.

His plan was to bring about change in Cuba, which had been led by Fidel Castro since 1959, from the bottom up.

In the referendum, Cubans would have been asked if they backed changes to the law to guarantee freedom of expression and association, free and fair elections, and an amnesty for political prisoners.

Payá and his fellow activists went door to door asking for support and, in May 2002, they carried cardboard boxes bearing the signatures of 11,020 Cubans to the National Assembly.

But even though it had met the target, the Varela Project was not widely known at this point.

Cuba’s tightly controlled state media had ignored the petition, so many Cubans hadn’t heard of it.

That changed when former US President Jimmy Carter praised the

Feature

Varela Project, in a speech he gave in Spanish at the University of Havana a few days later - in the presence of none other than Fidel Castro.

As a result, Oswaldo Payá and those who backed the project were catapulted into the forefront of the opposition to the Castro government.

Cuban officials lashed out, accusing the Varela Project of being “financed, encouraged and directed by foreign interests”, while the National Assembly gave no formal response to the petition.

A month later, groups linked to the government called for a referendum of their own to approve an amendment declaring Cuba’s socialist system untouchable.

Fidel Castro led a march of hundreds of thousands of Cubans through the streets of Havana in support of the amendment, in what many saw as an attempt to counter Payá’s calls for more democracy.

The amendment received the backing of 99% of Cuban voters, which was hailed by the government as a sign of the invincibility of the Cuban revolution, but critics said was evidence that most Cubans were too afraid to vote against the government.

A year later, many of the promoters of the Varela Project were imprisoned. Oswaldo Payá was not among them, but denounced being subjected to constant surveillance and harassment by the Cuban authorities.

The extent of these measures against Payá and his family is listed in a report by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

It found that Cuban authorities “chased him through the streets in various cars, followed him to church, to work, and agents were stationed at the door of his house”.

Undeterred by these reprisals, Oswaldo Payá carried on his campaign in support of democracy.

On 22 July 2012, he was travelling with Harold Cepero, also from the Varela Project, and two young European politicians - a Spaniard and a Swede - through eastern Cuba when the car they were in crashed.

His daughter, Rosa María, was 23 years old at the time. She recalls how she and her mother received a phone call from supporters of the Varela Project in Europe, who alerted them to the fact that they were getting worrying messages from the two Europeans. “They told us that

On 22 July 2012, he was travelling with Harold Cepero, also from the Varela Project, and two young European politicians - a Spaniard and a Swedethrough eastern Cuba when the car they

something had happened to them.”

“I frantically called my dad’s phone and no-one answered, until finally a forensic doctor picked up,” Ms Payá recalls.

“When I shouted at her asking where the owner of the phone was, she at first appeared confused, until she finally told me that there had been a fatality and hung up.”

Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero, who had both been sitting in the back of the car, had both died in the crash.

The driver, 26-year-old Spaniard Ángel Carromero, and Swedish youth politician Aron Modig, survived with only minor injuries and were taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Bayamo.

According to the report, the two survivors told friends shortly after the accident that they had been run off the road by another car, which had hit them from behind.

Rosa María Payá says that her family immediately suspected that the crash had been no accident.

They were suspicious because just over a month earlier Oswaldo Payá had survived a similar incident.

Oswaldo Payá and his wife, Ofelia Acevedo, had been driving in the capital Havana, when they were hit by another vehicle from behind with such force that it caused their Volkswagen van to flip over into the opposite lane.

Rosa María Payá told the BBC that she was lucky not to have lost both of her parents that day in June.

According to the report by the IACHR, which has been 10 years in the making, what happened in the aftermath of the crash which killed Payá and Cepero was highly irregular.

The hospital the survivors were taken to was surrounded by soldiers and Mr Carromero told the IACHR that he was “drugged, beaten, and forced to make a false confession by Cuban authorities while in detention that he was at fault for the accident”.

Cuba’s interior ministry created a digital recreation of how it said the accident had unfolded which was shared by state-run media.

It stated that the car had veered off the road and crashed into a tree on a stretch of road which was under repair, full of gravel and therefore “very slippery”. It also quoted three

eyewitnesses as saying that the car had been driving “at excessive speed”.

Angelita Baeyens from the advocacy group Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, which brought the case before the IACHR on behalf of the victims’ families, says she has no doubt as to why the Cuban government “pushed the narrative of the accident”.

“They wanted to silence him [Payá] but they could not kill him in a way which would make it too obvious that the state was behind it,” Ms Baeyens, who was the lead lawyer in the case, told the BBC.

The IACHR found many omissions and irregularities in the way Cuban officials investigated the incident. The report says there was an eyewitness who backed up Mr Carromero’s testimony that his car had been hit from behind by an official car, but that witness was neither questioned by police nor called to appear at Mr Carromero’s trial in Cuba.

Mr Carromero was found guilty in October 2012 of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.

BBC

‘The Cuban regime killed my father’ - dissident’s daughter

The testimonies of Rosa María Payá and her mother Ofelia Acevedo were key to the 10year investigation

Oswaldo Payá was 60 years old when he was killed in the car crash in Bayamo

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Super Eagles breathed a sigh of relief at the blast of the final whistle after they withstood a late onslaught from Sierra Leone to qualify for the 2023 AFCON following a last-gasp 3-2 victory in their matchday 5 qualifier yesterday.

Defender Zaidu Sanusi burst through the Sierra Leone defence with a slaloming run to set up substitute Kelechi Iheanacho

to score from about one inch out in added time to snatch all three points for Nigeria after Sierra Leone had pegged back the three-time African champions.

Striker Victor Osimhen had put Jose Peseiro’s side two goals up at the halfhour mark with his 16th and 17th goals for Nigeria, and it appeared the Eagles were on their way to a straightforward

win.

But Mustapha Bundu pulled one back for the Leone Stars just before half time, before Augustus Kargbo restored parity for the hosts with an unstoppable drive from outside the area to conjure up memories of the 2020 encounter between both sides when Sierra Leone snatched a draw from four goals down.

Eagles qualify for Cote D’Ivoire after Sierra Leone victory FA: FCT SWAN Congratulates Mouktar, Edeh on Election Victory

By Albert Einstein

The leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN)

FCT Chapter has congratulated Alhaji Mohammed Adam Mouktar and Barrister Paul Edeh, on their re-election and emergence as Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FA) and Benue State FA Chairman respectively.

The unopposed victory of Mouktar came as a result of his track record and wealth of experience in football as well as his style of administration which play a significant role in swaying voters in his favour.

Also, the overwhelming electoral victory of Paul Edeh followed his philanthropic gesture, revolutionary exploits as well as his full involvement in sports developments at various categories.

In a congratulatory message conveyed via a press statement on Sunday June 18, 2023 in Abuja, FCT SWAN Chairman, Mr. Ndubueze Chidoka, said both Mouktar and Edeh deserved the victory, in view of their numerous football innovations as well as grassroots sports development.

“I have known Mouktar as a man of good and track records at any position or responsibility he is faced with. I’m not

surprised with the victory.

“I believe this will continue to spur him to do more in the future as one who is endowed with sound leadership skills.

“We strongly also believe in the qualities and abilities of Edeh and are confident that Benue State FA will never regret having him as their chairman because he has what it takes to lead them to the next level with regards to football growth and development in the state.

“We implore both Mouktar and Edeh, who doubles as the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) to keep up their good works and ensure they

The Sierra Leoneans had decent chances to claim all three points at the Samuel Kanyon Doe stadium in Monrovia, where the game was played, for want of a suitable ground in Sierra Leone, but debutant goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye kept the Eagles in it before Sanusi’s inspired run and Iheanacho’s finish spared Nigeria’s blushes.

make sports gain greater momentum,” the SWAN, FCT Chapter’s boss said.

Mouktar polled 12 out of 12 casted to emerge unopposed at the elections held at Bwari Area Council, while the first Vice Chairman, Hon. Saliu Kolo lost his reelection bid with 5 Yes and 7 Nays, after initially heading to the ballots unopposed.

Edeh on the other hand, won his election following a landslide victory of 28 votes out 29 to defeat his challenger, Coach Godwin Uwa, a former Super Eagles Assistant Coach who got only one vote in the elections held in Makurdi, Benue State.

Norway 1-2 Scotland: Erling Haaland upstaged by Scotland’s act of escapology in Oslo

And it was and is and probably always will be. Everybody looked stunned, Scots and Norwegians alike. McLean was hugged by each team-mate in turn, the gist of the reaction being something akin to: “What just happened?”

Did Scotland gain some sort of psychological lift when they saw Haaland departing? Did the Norwegians collapse when Dykes made it 1-1? They looked for the big man, but the big man wasn’t there anymore.

The only giant left on the field was the Tattooed Tank rather than the Norse God. It was Dykes’ subtle lay-off to McLean for that gobsmacking winner.

Scott McTominay dives on his Scotland team-mates in celebration

Kenny McLean’s late winner sparked wild celebrations among Scotland players and fans

When these games are over, give Dykes a large Cohiba. Damn it, give him a box of

El Gigantes. The proper stuff. Put him on a private jet to Ibiza.

Stick him behind the decks and let him party like he’s Haaland. In a handful of minutes, with his goal and his assist, he stole Haaland’s thunder in his own backyard. Nobody saw that one coming.

It was a victory that defied logic because Scotland were way below par for much of it. When Dykes scored, the sense of relief at salvaging a hugely valuable point at the death was seismic.

We got ready to hail Scotland’s character, their never-say-die spirit. How admirable it was to dig out a point when failing to deliver anything like your best stuff. Sign of a good team, that.

When McLean made it 2-1, there was a surreal air. They’ve scored again! They’re ahead! They’ve won! Now the praise turned into superlatives. This was a match played in searing heat, away from home, against an opponent that was better than them for 86

minutes.

McLean had scored one goal all season, away to Rotherham United in November. The only time he’d scored for his country was against San Marino more than four years ago. It would have only been marginally more surprising had it been goalkeeper Angus Gunn who materialised up front and curled in the most perfect finish.

‘Georgia can’t come quickly enough now’

McLean’s goal, though, could prove to be deeply significant. Clarke was fantastically deadpan when asked about the overall significance of the win, but Scotland are still sitting on top of the group with a handsome nine points, seven goals scored with only one conceded, which was that Haaland penalty that we all thought was going to be centre-piece of the post-mortem. Was it harsh or not? Was Ryan Porteous daft or unlucky? It doesn’t matter now. Scotland can leave that stuff behind in their

slipstream as they motor back to Glasgow and a game with the Georgians on Tuesday night.

It cannot come quickly enough now. Scotland beat Cyprus in their first game, as you expected them to do. They thoroughly outplayed Spain, which was a surprise. But Oslo? That was a sensation, nothing less.

An act of escapology that made you rub your eyes in wonder, a footballing marvel that had the Tartan Army floating on air despite the gallons of beer in their bellies.

They will have enjoyed their night in Oslo. You really get the sense now that there’s plenty more of these nights to come and that some of them will be most likely happening at the Euro 2024 finals in Germany next summer.

The masses may not be at the bookingthe-flights stage just yet, but they’re close. Routes are being examined, options explored. Bank balances might be creaking before long.

Kenny McLean's late winner sparked wild celebrations among Scotland players and fans

World Cup 2022: Almost 20,000 abusive social media posts - Fifa report

On a night when the Mayor of Norwich became the King of Norway, when a Queens Park Rangers man outshone the greatest striker on the planet, Scotland took a mighty leap towards the Euros in Germany next summer.

A Burglars XI couldn’t have pulled off a smash-and-grab to rival Scotland’s caper in Oslo. Lyndon Dykes’ late equaliser set the alarm bells ringing in the Norway camp and, before they knew what was happening, Kenny McLean scored the winner and scarpered. It was stunning and seismic stuff.

Until that dramatic endgame, it looked like Erling Haaland’s night again. He left the pitch in the 84th minute having put his country 1-0 ahead from the penalty spot. Boy, did he look happy.

Home again and scoring again. It wouldn’t have been a surprise had somebody stuck a giant Cuban cigar in his beak and a glass of something sparkling in his hand and told him it was time to start partying again.

After touching the ball eight times in the first half - the fewest touches of anybody on the pitch bar the referee - Haaland suckered Ryan Porteous and put Norway in front from the spot, his 22nd goal in 24 games for his country, his 59th goal since June last year, his 209th goal from 257 games for his clubs and his country. The guy is 22 years old.

He’d been nowhere near his lethal best, but his threat was growing just before the penalty. And Norway celebrated like they’d already won the match.

When Haaland was taken off with six minutes to go, the Norwegians on the bench high-fived him like the hard work had been done, as if what was left of Scotland’s stuffing had been knocked out of them. They could see no response from the

visitors, no threat, no hope of a comeback.

They wouldn’t have been the only ones. A goal down and McLean, a defensive midfielder, coming on instead of the attacking Lewis Ferguson?

Lawrence Shankland or Kevin Nisbet not appearing for the toiling Dykes?

Across Scotland, tens of thousands of armchair managers would have screamed their tactical wizardry at Steve Clarke. Turns out that the head coach knew better than the rest of us. Fancy that.

Minutes after an epic finale, McLean struggled to explain the madness that had

Benue FA Chairman Edeh donates

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

New Chairman of Benue State Football Association Barr. Paul Edeh has donated 10 million naira as take off grant for the new board.

Barr. Edeh emerged chairman at the elective Congress of the State FA held a the weekend in Makurdi.

He defeated former U-21 coach Chief Godwin Uwua 28 votes -1 vote to succeed former Benue Speaker Chief (Mrs) Margaret Icheen who is now a member of Nigeria Football Federation Board.

In an acceptance speech, the FA Chair promised to give a direction and hope to football in the State, adding that he will run an investment driven football association.

He also, pledged to eliminate corruption and entrench transparency, accountability solidarity, courage and

rule of law.

“I will exceed and surpass your expectations. I assure that we will search through the nooks and crannies for youngsters.

We will bring back glory days of football, more Benue indigenes will play in the national teams.

Head of Member and Association Nigeria Football Federation, Ali Abubakar lauded the peaceful conduct of the election and acknowledged the zeal and commitment of the new chairman to take the State FA to heights. “I will exceed and surpass your expectations. I assure that we will search through the nooks and crannies for youngsters.

We will bring back glory days of football, more Benue indigenes will play in the national teams.

Head of Member and Association Nigeria Foommitment of the new chairman to take the State FA to heights.

unfolded, the two minutes 45 seconds between Haaland’s triumphant exit and Dykes’ battling equaliser and the one minute 44 seconds between the equaliser and his outstanding winner.

Defeat turned into victory in less time than it takes to boil a kettle.

“It’s hard to put into words,” McLean said with a look of happy befuddlement. Just after he spoke, Martin Odegaard appeared in front of the cameras. The Norway captain repeated McLean’s opening remark verbatim. “It’s hard to put into words.”

10 Million to Benue State FA

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Nottingham Open 2023 results: Andy Murray beats Arthur Cazaux in final

Now that fuel subsidy is gone!

Andy Murray won the Nottingham Open for backto-back grass-court titles to maintain a perfect Wimbledon build-up.

A week after victory in the Surbiton Trophy, the 36-year-old hoisted more silverware with a 6-4 6-4 victory over France’s Arthur Cazaux.

He was then left stunned when his four children and wife delivered an even more perfect Father’s Day present - surprising him by being in the crowd.

Katie Boulter faces fellow Briton Jodie Burrage in the women’s final on Sunday.

Hopes of more British success at the event in the women’s doubles were extinguished though, with Heather Watson and Harriet Dart losing 7-6 (8-6) 5-7 10-8 to Norway’s Ulrikke Eikeri and Estonia’s Ingrid Neel in the final.

Before last week, it had been seven years since Murray had won a singles title on grass, but the Scot now has claimed two in seven days.

And he has achieved this one without dropping a set.

The former world number one got off to a fast start against Cazaux in a final that had been brought forward because of bad weather forecast for later in the day, going a double break ahead against the 20-year-old world number 181.

The top seed was broken to love by the qualifier while serving for the first set, although then served it out to love at the second time of asking, sealing it with an ace after a series of winners that wrongfooted his opponent.

By presidential declaration on May 29, the fuel subsidy removal was put to rest and some bottled up unrest. It was put to rest because the highest authority in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said so, and there does not seem to be any going back. Critical stakeholders have also been dissecting the subject matter vis a vis its operational framework after the initial shocks. Subsidy removal has equally been put to unrest because the presidential declaration has awoken the proverbial sleeping dogs - the civil tension and the resultant high cost of livelihood it has caused are manifesting in the market places, in rents and in transportation costs among others. On one hand, the President had talked about reviewing the minimum wage of workers and provide palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of subsidy, while on the other, the workers umbrella union, the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC would not buy into that, insisting on return to the status quo, which is reversal of the subsidy removal. As all these engagements are going on, with the president taking up the gauntlet in confronting the challenges of governance to master the dynamics of the power game at the centre, the fate of the ordinary Nigerians who legitimized the government in the first place is hanging in the balance. Some will argue, however, that it is a sacrifice that Nigerians have to make in the interim to bring about a better country in the future. But they must not die before the desirable outcome comes.

Monday Column

By Hameed M. Bello, PhD

hamdbelo@yahoo.co.uk

explained the development was neither a new one nor an action of his new administration.

The Tweet reads: “The public is advised to note that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration that “subsidy is gone” is neither a new development nor an action of his new administration.

the subsidy withdrawal, with Federal Civil servants taking the minimum wage of N30, 000 thousand monthly. In many states of the country, minimum wage still remains at N18, 000 monthly, not to talk of workers in the local government areas who hardly get paid. According to reports, minimum wage in countries like the USA and Germany among others hovers around N500, 000 and N600, 000 in our local currency equivalent. It can only be imagined how much of the salary of workers will be increased, as promised, to be able to cope with the new order.

“He was merely communicating the status quo, considering that the previous administration’s budget for fuel subsidy was planned and approved to last for only the first half of the year.

“Effectively, this means that by the end of June, the Federal Government will be without funds to continue the subsidy regime, translating to its termination.

“Furthermore, President Tinubu was clear about his plans to re-channel the funds previously devoted to the payment of subsidies into better investments that will cushion the effects of the removal on the general public, especially the poor of the poor.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

The Frenchman made it more of a contest in the second set but Murray made the key breakthrough at 4-4 when Cazaux netted twice in succession to hand the Briton a break that left him serving for the match.

Recall that President Tinubu had in his inaugural speech as President on May 29 said there was no provision for a fuel subsidy beyond June 2023 by the previous administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The implication of that is that, according to the President, “fuel subsidy is gone.” The presidential declaration had initially provoked needless fuel scarcity and panic buying. It was subsequently followed by a high cost of transportation and of living, especially with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL swiftly raising pump price of petrol from N195 per litre to N537 per litre across its platforms. According to the Chief Corporate Communication Officer of the Nigerian National

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Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Garbadeen Muhammad, the changes were in line with the current reality. The action of the NNPCL raises the question as to why it had to fix prices in a deregulated market regime, rather than allowing market forces of demand and supply in the competitive market to determine prices. Such a question may appear simplistic or naive, but it is indeed worrisome to the man on the street as to why pump price of fuel was fixed on products already in stock before subsidy removal was proclaimed. This is especially because the products already in stock were not produced and supplied before the take-off of the policy on fuel subsidy removal. On its own, removal of subsidy makes economic and commercial sense when market forces are allowed to determine prices which could crash in the face of a healthy competition in the long run. This is why questions are asked when the NNPCL had to quickly fix prices in an apparent breach of the principles of deregulation since no market force had impacted on the prices at the time of the increase. The question is could the increment by the NNPCL be arbitrary or not? Besides, the increment from N195 to N537 per litre of fuel seems rather mechanical than systematic, which is about 200% increment done without prior stakeholders consultation.

And at the time of the withdrawal of subsidy on May 29, the government had said it made provision for subsidy only up till the end of June, about a month away then, and now the subsidy is removed before the target date. We are not sure if the already budgeted funds for the subsidy between May 29 and June will be returned to the government coffers.

Another grey area of concern is whether the minimum wage for workers will be sufficient to cushion the crushing impact of

It is needless to revisit the appropriateness or otherwise of President Tinubu’s declaration on the removal of fuel subsidy considering that government is a continuum. Perhaps the President could have relied on the legacy he inherited and allowed the situation to go seamlessly after June by gradually introducing his own touches. Arguably, the Presidential declaration could be received either as an accidental or deliberate strategy. It could be a deliberate style to hit the ground running with a controversy that launches the new government into public consciousness, and a reminder of the existence of a new political order. But such a style could come with gain and pain.

Realising the enormity of the effect of the declaration, a media officer of the president responded to manage the impact of the declaration. A tweet in that respect said contrary to his unequivocal pronouncement during his inaugural speech that fuel subsidy was gone, a pronouncement that led to immediate scarcity of the product, President Bola Tinubu had reviewed his position, resorting to a cautious approach to the issues. The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Media Centre explained that the announcement of the removal of the fuel subsidy by the President would no longer take immediate effect. The statement

“This includes but is not limited to investments in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions of Nigerians and increase their earning potential.”

The brand new President clearly has good intentions, but he may have played into the hands of fuel supply cathel. They capitalized on the president’s announcement to hoard products and hike price to maximize profit. If the policy will not take immediate effect, as the President’s media office said, why then did the NNPCL arbitrarily fix prices without waiting for the appropriate time to do so, and even doing so without consulting critical stakeholders?

Father’s Day: Cleric admonishes women to appreciate spouses —News

Hope they hear!