Tuesday, March 21, 2023 Edition

Zulum wins big with 85% votes, leaves PDP with 15% in Borno

to declare election result, as SDP rejects outcome in Adamawa

Atiku calls on

APC Uba Sani emerges gov-elect in Kaduna Collation of results suspended in Abia, Enugu

Alia’s victory ushers new dawn For Benue -Akume

NHRC vows to invite Oluomo, Gov Yahaya Bello over hate speech, electoral violence

Two women clinch Kogi Assembly seats

Dangote makes N460bn in a day, overtakes four billionaires

Experts call for urgent solution to naira scarcity as Monetary Policy Committee holds meeting

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

APC candidate, Fr Alia, wins Benue gov’ship election

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday’s Benue State governorship election, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has been declared winner of the

election on Monday.

Alia garnered 473,933 votes to defeat his closest challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP), Titus Uba, who scored 223,913 votes. Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Herman Hembe,

recorded 41,881 votes.

21, 2023. This decision followed an inadvertent mix-up of some of the sensitive materials for the two State Assembly constituencies in the area i.e. Kwande East and Kwande West.

From left : Director General, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria SMEDAN ,Olawale Fasanya with his predecessor and Governor Elect of Katsina State , Dr Dikko Umaru Radda during a congratulatory visit to the governor Elect at Government House Katsina , yesterday

Experts call for urgent solution to naira scarcity as MPC holds meeting

ome financial experts have urged the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take urgent steps to address the perennial shortage of cash.presently is the cash situation, and I think the committee should discuss it as a matter of urgency.

he said.

The experts spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, against the backdrop of the 290th meeting of the MPC.

The meeting is scheduled to hold on Monday and Tuesday.

According to a financial expert, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, the MPC should discuss the cash situation as a matter of priority.

Unegbu, a past president of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), said that the apex bank’s claim of circulating more than N900 billion did not reflect on the Nigerian economy.

He, however, said that the problem would likely ameliorate as elections had been concluded in the country.

“Our biggest challenge

“The CBN says it has over N900 billion in the system, but it is not reflecting because cash is still scarce.

“But I believe that with the elections over, cash will start to circulate,’’ he said.

He urged the committee to also address the “rumblings in the economy’’ in terms of inflation and exchange rates.

On the policy rates, Unegbu advised for retention of all existing parameters until the next meeting.

“I suspect that because of rising inflation, which is now 21.91 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the MPC may be tempted to raise the rates again.

“But my suggestion is that all the rates should be held constant to allow the MPC study the situation until its next meeting,’’

Another financial expert, Mr Muktar Muhammed, urged the apex bank to explain to Nigerians the reasons why Naira notes were still scarce.

On policy expectations, Muktar said the MPC would have liked to increase the prevailing rates but could be discouraged by the already high inflation rate.

Ordinarily, we could see a hike in rates but as it stands now, because of the Naira shortage and what it has done to the economy, I do not think they will want to do that.

“Again, inflation is already high and I do not see how hiking rates, alongside the cash shortage will help the economy grow better,’’ he said.

According to Uche Uwaleke, a Professor of Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, the use of cash scarcity to stifle demand is not a sustainable way to tackle inflation.

Uwaleke said that such a step could hurt economic growth and could lead to loss of jobs thereby, fuelling unemployment.

“Going forward, the CBN should ensure that measures are put in place to ease the cash crunch while gradually implementing its cashless policy.

Inflation rate rose from 21.82 per cent in January to 21.91 per cent in February, the economy witnessed a slight downward pressure in the general prices of commodities.

“This may not be unconnected with the cash scarcity which resulted in low demand for goods and services in view of the cashbased nature of the Nigerian economy.

“Recall that as a result of the cash scarcity and low demand, many traders who deal in perishable items were forced to sell them at below purchase price or cost of production due to lack of storage facilities,’’ he said

S

Kano guber: INEC declares NNPP’s Abba as winner

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Abba Kabir-Yusuf, as winner of the March 18 governorship election in Kano State.

Niger Governor congratulates Bago

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has congratulated the Governor-elect, Mohammed Umar Bago on his victory at the just concluded Governorship and State Assembly elections held in the state.

Governor Sani Bello in a statement described the victory of Bago as a victory for a stronger Niger.

The Governor applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a successful exercise, acknowledging that despite the few flaws recorded in the entire process, there were many positives in the 2023 general elections in its entirety.

He called on the governorelect to extend hands of fellowship to those that contested with him and ensure that he operates an open door policy as he has been elected to serve everyone. He called on the governor-elect to extend hands of fellowship to those that contested with him.

Announcing the result on Monday in Kano, the state Returning Officer, Prof. Doko Ibrahim, the Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said Yusuf polled 1,019,602 votes to clinch the seat.

Ibrahim said that Yusuf defeated

his closest rival and incumbent Deputy Governor of the state, Nasiru YusufGawuna, of the All Progressive Congress (APC), who scored 892,705 votes.

He said: “That I, Prof. Doko Ibrahim, declared that the election was contested by

18 candidates.

“Having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, Abba Kabiru Yusuf of the NNPP is hereby declared winner and returned elected,” he said. (NAN)

Zulum wins big with 85% votes, leaves PDP with 15%

Borno Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has secured 85% of votes after collation was concluded across the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs)

Zulum got 545,543 and left his closest opponent, Mohammed Ali Jajari of the PDP with 82,147 votes representing about 15% of the votes.

Zulum gave Jajari a gap of 463,393 votes.

Prof. Jude Rabo, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Wukari, Taraba State, and Returning Officer for the Borno Governorship Election, declared the result few minutes past 6pm.

“Having satisfied the requirement and won 25 percent in all the 27 Local Government Areas, I, Professor Jude Samani Rabo, hereby declare Babagana Umara Zulum the valid winner of the March 18 governorship election and returned as validly elected,” he declared.

He explained that 636,246 was the total valid votes recorded from 650,533 accredited votes, while the total votes cast stood at 649,835.

Zulum won in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.

Prior to a live declaration of Zulum’s re-election, Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, APC National Vice Chairman-North, Abubakar Kyari, senators newly elected national assembly members and some party stakeholders

converged at the official residence of the governor to monitor the announcement.

Led by Shettima, the stakeholders sat around Zulum and rose with standing ovation as soon as INEC’s returning officer, Professor Jude Samani Rabo, declared Zulum as reelected.

There was overwhelming jubilation at the Government House and on the streets of Maiduguri, especially from the collation centre.

Hon. Muktar Betara sets up Medical Centre in Biu – Media Head

Hon. Muktar Betara, the member representing Biu, Bayo, KwayaKusar and Shani Federal Constituency of Borno, has set up a Medical Centre in Biu to cater for his constituents.

The Head of the Betara Media Team, Aishatu Ibrahim, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

She said the establishment of the centre was announced by the member after the National Assembly election that returned him for the fifth term to represent his people under the umbrella

of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to her, the centre will serve as referral point for patients from Shani, Bayo and Kwaya-Kusar local governments, while patients in Biu will use facilities at the Biu General Hospital.

The media team head said arrangements had been concluded to commence medical outreach to the constituents starting next Tuesday through Wednesday.

She said that the outreach is to treat cases such as Herniorrhaphy, Appendicectomy, Lipoma and Ganglion excision.

Other treatments include Caeserian Section, Laparatomy (Typhoid perforation), breast lump and eye surgeries.

She added that the effort is in collaboration with Binhamz Integrated Ventures, in conjunction with the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe and a continuation of Betara’s development efforts in the health sector.

Ibrahim said ”our amiable member has significantly been impacting on all sectors of human endeavour in all the four local government areas he is representing.

”Before now, the areas were far left behind but I can confidently tell you that this constituency has now been transformed by Betara in terms of development.

”It is certainly because of his efforts that he became the first federal legislator whose constituents genuinely contributed over N150 million to purchase the APC’s N10 million nomination form for him.

”This was also why he won his election with landslide victory in show of appreciation by the people of our constituency.”

(NAN)

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Inter-parliamentary Relations and protocol, National Assembly,Felix Orumwense; Ag. Deputy Clerk, National Assembly, Barr. Kamoru Ogunlana and Ag. Secretary, Human Resources and staff development Directorate, Barr Birma Maina, during the 2023 Commonwealth Day celebration at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Climate Change: Innovation Hub will harness our youths potentials - Tambuwal

By Christiana Ekpa

The Clerk of the National Assembly Magaji Tambuwal, on Monday disclosed that the recently established of national climate change innovation hub will help harness the potentials in youths towards addressing climate challenges in the country.

Tambuwal disclosed this at a forum to commemorate this year’s

Commonwealth Day at the National Assembly in Abuja.

He observed that the ongoing RussiaUkrain war and other climate issues in the world if not properly managed, posed great danger to world peace and sustainable future.

Represented by the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana the clerk pointed out that the federal government had put measures

in place to address some issues on climate change, which includes the establishment of youths climate change hub to harness their ideas and include them in decision making process as well as developed a long term vision for zero gas emissions.

The guest speaker Mrs Rabi Audu stressed the need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders towards forming a sustainable and peaceful environment.

She urged the youths to engage in activities and programmes that promotes innovations and inclusivity for all Some of the students who participated in the programme called for a platform and enabling environment to enable them contribute effectively towards a peaceful and sustainable future.

The theme of the event is Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future.

Guber Poll: INEC suspends collation of results in Abia, Enugu

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has suspended, forthwith, further collation of the Governorship election results in some parts of Abia and Enugu States.

Specifically, the Commission has suspended the collation of results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State and the two outstanding Local Government Areas of Enugu State which are yet to be collated.

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

The Commission declared that a review will be undertaken immediately before the process is concluded.

According to the statement by Okoye, “The Commission met today, Monday 20th March 2023, and reviewed the conduct of the Governorship and State Assembly elections held nationwide on Saturday 18th March 2023.

ECA

“Arising from the meeting, the Commission took the decision to suspend forthwith further collation of the Governorship election results in some parts of Abia and Enugu States.

“It will be recalled that our office in Obingwa Local

Government Area was invaded by thugs yesterday Sunday 19th March 2023 and our officials held hostage in relation to the collation of results from the Local Government Area. “Similarly, reports from Enugu State call for a review of the results for the Governorship election from

the two outstanding Local Government Areas of Nsukka and Nkanu East.

“Consequently, the Commission hereby suspends the collation of results in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State and the two outstanding Local Government

Areas of Enugu State which are yet to be collated.

“A review will be undertaken immediately before the process is concluded.

“We appeal for the understanding and patience of voters, parties and candidates in the affected States”, it said.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya being cheered by the people during a thank you rally in Gombe after he was declared winner of Governorship election, yesterday

report urges Africa to tackle poverty, social inequality

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), says many African countries are struggling to meet the continent’s development goals due to the impact of severe and mutually reinforcing shocks.

Mr Adam Elhiraika, ECA’s Director, Macroeconomic Policy Division, in a statement said the continent encountered severe developmental challenges due to increased poverty, high inequality rates and lack of decent jobs.

Elhiraika said that the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukrainian war and resultant food and energy crisis, rising inflation, debt tightening, and natural disasters were critical factors to the challenge.

The director said this while presenting

an overview of recent Economic and Social Conditions in Africa at the ongoing meeting of experts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was held to herald the 2023 Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Ethiopia.

According to the Report, growth in Africa dwindled from 4.6 per cent in 2021 to 3.6 per cent in 2022.

“In 2022, an additional 18 million new poor emerged in Africa, with more than half the highest proportion of the world’s poor at 54.8 per cent.

“This is alarming because 546 million people were living in poverty in 2022, which is more than half of the continent’s population,” Elhiraika said.

According to the director, women and girls remain particularly vulnerable, and the continent is facing a potential reversal of the hard-won gains made on gender equity.

He said another challenge stressed during the meeting was inequality which remained pervasive across all African sub-regions and was exceptionally high in Southern Africa.

“Among the top ten countries where wealth inequality is the highest, seven of them, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Angola and Malawi, are in Southern Africa.

“While two are in west Africa, GuineaBissau, and Sao Tome.

“ECA estimates that although the economic outlook remains bleak, Africa

is anticipated to grow by 3.9 per cent in 2023,” he said.

Elhiraika said the commission had cautioned that the growth might experience headwinds.

“Especially with an unfavourable external environment created by the recession in both the United States and the Eurozone and expected to weigh on commodity prices,” he said.

Fostering recovery and transformation in Africa to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities is the theme of the ongoing meeting in Addis Ababa.

At the meeting, countries were urged to pursue pro-poor and inclusive macroeconomic policies and ensure access to affordable and innovative finance for an inclusive recovery. (NAN)

Atiku calls on INEC to declare Governorship election result as SDP rejects the result in Adamawa

From Umar Dankano,Yola.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to with immediate effect announce the 2023 governorship election result for Adamawa state.

Abubakar disclosed the development at a press conference in Yola Monday expressing concern over the delay by INEC in announcing the Saturday’s

18th March governorship in the state which he believes can create suspicious on the integrity of the electoral body.

Abubakar said the INEC has declared results of twenty (20) local government areas out of the twenty one (21) councils insisting that the delay is causing serious tension in the political tension in the.state.

“The delay in official announcement of the election result by INEC is not a healthy

development in Adamawa state where there are multi ethnic and multi-religious people.

“I personally spoken to the INEC Chairman,Professor Mahmoud Yakubu over the delay and he promised me that the result will be announced today “.Abubakar stated.

Similarly the Social Democratic Party,SDP in Adamawa state has rejected the governorship and state Assembly election results in its entirety for alleged gross

malpractices and irregularities.

State collation officer of the party (SDP) in the state,Abdulwahab Abdulrahaman made the position of the party public in an interview with the media at the 2023 election collation centre in Yola yesterday lamenting that the exercise was a “charade and manipulated”.

Abdulrahaman accused the state government of compromising the exercise in its own advantage by using money from government’s coffers to buy votes from electorates

“Election didn’t take place substantially in most of the places as claimed by INEC and the state Governor deliberately suspended the activities of local and international Non governmental organisations who are supposed to play observer role .

“We as a law abiding political party are calling on the INEC to do the needful by cancelling the exercise for fairness and justice”. Abdulrahaman pleaded

CDD expresses fear over likely high post election litigations

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has expressed the fear that post-election litigations, arising from the recently conducted elections in the country, may lead to high rate of judicially declared poll winners.

This was revealed in the CDD Election Analysis Centre (EAC), CDD-EAC post election report presented at press conference, addressed on Monday by the Chair of the CDD EAC, Prof. Adele Jinadu and Director, Idayat Hassan in Abuja.

The organisation expressed concern that post-election litigations may, lead to judicially declared poll winners.

The CDD, which disclosed that it deployed 1, 200 observers to keep a close watch on the process, explained that the step provided insights deduced from the treasure trove of data it collected during the polls.

The CDD-EAC maintained that with the scale of violence as seen in the recent elections, a wave of post-election litigations was likely.

The organization warned that the situation could result in courts determining the legality of the election mandates secured.

“This has the added effect of seeing courts have a role in determining ‘elected’ officials, further undermining voters’ sense that their vote is valued and has an impact on the outcome of an election process,” the CDD report said.

The CDD observed with sadness that Saturday’s governorship and state houses of assembly elections were

characterized by incidents of vote buying, violence and intimidation.

Both Jinadu and Hassan expressed concerns that the improved conduct of the governorship and houses of assembly elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been undermined by the combination of violence, vote buying, online and offline intimidation of voters, disinformation and decreased citizens trust in INEC.

The CDD said that despite INECs improved performance during these elections, the perceived questionable credibility of the conduct of presidential and National Assembly polls in the minds of many voters has shaped how Nigerians viewed the 18 March process and their engagement in it.

According to the group, diminished trust in INEC as an institution will shape wider perceptions when it comes to

the acceptance of the results returned, particularly in races where a narrow margin of victory is recorded or where presidential results are not replicated at the sub-national level.

The CDD, in the post-election analysis, equally made reference to the mind boggling violence, which affected the elections.

The CDD reported that its data showed that violence occurred in 10.8 percent of polling units (PUs) observed.

It said that voter suppression,

voter intimidation and the destruction or theft of election materials predominantly by political party agents and politically aligned thugs was recorded across all six geopolitical zones.

It said, “10.8 percent of observed PUs recorded violence and/or fighting, this was most pronounced in the northwest (19.9 percent) and south-south (11.6 percent) geopolitical zones with Bayelsa and Zamfara the two states with the most incidents recorded by our observers,” the report said.

Dangote makes N460bn in a day, overtakes four billionaires

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

Nigerian business tycoon, Aliko Dangote, overtook two Russians, one Chinese and an Indian on the

billionaires’ list on Monday, after making N460bn in a day.

The Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group made the profit following increased demand for Dangote Cement,

beating his fellow billionaires by earning about $100 million.

He maintains a majority share at his Cement company, following the company’s announcement of a significant

share buyback two weeks ago.

According to Bloomberg Billionaire Index, Dangote remains Africa’s richest man, a feat he has maintained for 12 years in a row.

Ag. Deputy Clerk, National Assembly, Barr. Kamoru Ogunlana(4th right),Permanent Secretary, Inter-parliamentary Relations and protocol, National Assembly, Felix Orumwense(5th right), Ag. Secretary, Human Resources and staff development Directorate, Barr Birma Maina(3rd right), with Directors of the National Assembly and Students of Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Academy, during the 2023 Commonwealth Day celebration at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

•Says judicially declared winners expected

From: Maryam Abeeb

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reopened the registration for the 2023 direct entry registration starting March 20, 2023 to elapse in April 28, 2023.

Making this announcement on Monday, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede disclosed that the Board had to suspend the registration which had earlier commenced on February 20, 2023 following the discovery of devices and machinations to circumvent and compromise the standard of A ‘level qualifications required from DE candidates.

“Recall that recent joint operations of the Federal

JAMB reopens 2023 direct entry registration

Ministry of Education and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on DE qualifications brought to light some of these unsavoury and nefarious activities. Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has also consistently brought to the fore the high rate of forgery of A’Level qualifications for DE.

“For instance, it was discovered that, in previous years, some candidates used unacceptable and forged A’ level certificates/qualifications to register for Direct Entry and

eventually got admitted. For example out 148 candidates verified by BUK, only 6 were found to be genuine. By implication 142 of the results were forged,” he said.

Oloyede noted that JAMB and other concerned stakeholders and institutions are working assiduously to detect candidates who have engaged in such activities adding that the ones already found, are being dealt with according to the provisions of the law.

The Registrar also stated that the 2023 DE registration will

only be restricted to JAMB PTCs and will also be done under strict supervision.

While speaking on the guidelines for the registration, Oloyede explained that all candidates must fill in registration/ matriculation number of the previous school attended, subjects of qualifications, awarding institution and institution attended.

He added that JAMB will only recognize and accept 13 qualifications/certificates for the direct entry exercise.

For the First Degree, University Diploma, Higher National Diploma(HND), Ordinary National Diploma/ National Diploma(OND/ ND) and Nigeria Certificate in Education(NCE) holders, Oloyede stated that the candidates must upload copy of their certificate and letter of admissions offered by JAMB for the certificate obtained.

He noted that statement of result can only be accepted for qualifications obtained after 2018 adding that ‘awaiting results’ is not acceptable.

Expert seeks use of innovation to improve livelihoods

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Supervisor at Centre of Excellence in STI, African Union Development Agency (AUDA –NEPAD), has called on Nigeria and other African countries to take advantage of innovation to improve livelihoods of citizens.

Akinbo made the call while responding to questions on genome editing technology in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

He said: “Since Africa is naturally agrarian, the opportunity this technology offers should be utilised.

“This is by adding value to the available rich natural resources through innovation, in order to improve the livelihood of the citizenries.”

Akinbo noted that many African governments had strong policies for innovation as a milestone that would improve the economy as well as create enabling environment to support innovative ideas.

“I’m talking about innovation in technology, agriculture, petrochemical among others because innovation is the pathway that many African countries have now taken in trying to improve the lives of citizens.

“A case in point are countries that have established ministries and parastatals that focus specifically on innovation and some of these ministries have

added innovation to the name of the ministry.

“That shows government’s commitment to innovation and in most of the AU decision process, there have been decisions that support innovations for the improvement of livelihoods,’’ Akinbo said.

The AU Official stated: “African countries also commit some percentages of national budgets to support innovation but in this context, nothing is too much as there is always scarcity of

resources.

“Governments have been making efforts to ensure that they are part of the agenda, as well as creating enabling environments to enhance innovation.

“Nigeria is an example, Nigeria is a leader and we witnessed how the Ministry of Science and Technology was changed to Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, indicating that the government supports innovation.

“There are also many start-ups

in Nigeria these days and Nigeria is actually a leader in so many things in Africa especially in the area of innovation and creating enabling environment”.

According to him, out of the 55 member states in Africa, South Africa had taken advantage of innovative way of breeding plants.

Akinbo listed other countries that had also moved in this direction to include: Ethiopia, Malawi and Eswatini, who had all adopted biotechnology crops.

He said Kenya had not

only adopted biotechnology crops but had also established research institute that focuses on biotechnology.

The AU Official recalled that Nigeria had adopted two biotechnology crops, both for feed and food while others were in the pipeline.

He said: “Looking at this, for a government to have approved these biotech crops is indicative of its willingness and even establishing an agency that sees about safety.’’

School takes steps to promote retention of students in school

In an effort to promote the retention of children in school, Broadoaks British School (BBS), Abuja, says it will offer scholarships to selected students for its September 2023 admission.

The Head Teacher of the school, Mr Franklin Adjetey, disclosed this in Abuja at a news conference organised to invite members of the public to the school’s open day.

Adjetey said the scholarship offers

would enable the Nigerian child to access world-class education and serve as support to those families in need of it the most.

“Currently, in Nigeria, there are 20 million children out of school.

“This is millions of potential doctors, lawyers, accountants, business gurus, technology experts, and so much more that have their potentialities untapped.

“We believe that every child needs a

safe and secure environment where they can access high-quality education.

“We understand that 20 million children out of education are a very big problem and one which will take more than one person to solve.

“We seek to be a contributor to the solution as we aim to educate one million children for free in Nigeria.

“One way that Broadoaks British school seeks to do this is through our

scholarships,’’ Adjetey said.

The head teacher noted that BBS is a school where the educational, social, and emotional development of the child is key.

He described the school as an institution “where solid foundations are set for life; where children are encouraged to become all-round achievers; and where all individuals have a high expectation of themselves.’’

President Muhammadu Buhari with Governor of Katsina State Aminu Masari departing Katsina to Abuja at the conclusion of the Governorship and State Assembly Elections yesterday.

PHOTO BY STATE HOUSE

NHRC vows to invite Oluomo, Gov Yahaya Bello over hate speech, electoral violence

By Albert Akota

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has vowed to invite MC Oluomo, the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello over incidences of hate speech, electoral violence, obstruction of voters and other infractions reported against them in the course of the presidential,

national assembly, governorship and state assembly elections.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the preliminary findings of the Situation Room set up by the Commission specifically for the 2023 general election.

lOjukwu who was responding to questions said he

was sure, the affected persons are gentlemen who would not hesitate to respond to invitation from the Commission to clear their names on the allegations.

The NHRC boss said while the Situation Room received over 300 complaints after the presidential election, it has so far got nearly 150 within few hours after the governorship and state assembly elections,

adding that more are being expected.

He said that the Commission would soon announce the date of the commencement of investigation of reported cases sent to it by the public including hate speech, violence, obstruction of access to polling units, extrajudicial killings and gender related assaults, among others.

Voters apathy: We will change situation for future electionsOgunleye

Aformer Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, says the All Progressive Congress (APC) will ensure Nigerians enjoy more dividend of democracy that will change the narrative for future elections.

Ogunleye, Chieftain of APC and member of the state Governors Advisory Committee, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

The APC chieftain said this after casting his vote during the Governorship and House of Assembly Election at PU 012, Solomade, Ikorodu.

Ogunleye, who said that though voters’ turnout was low compared to the presidential election, noted that the electoral process was peaceful.

“The job we have to do now, not only in Lagos, is to make sure we energise and encourage voters to come out and vote.

“Things were different during the times of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the early days of Mr Babatunde Fashola.

“I’m a party man and I know some reasons I can’t be saying in the public.

“We have the blueprint, my colleagues and I will sit down and work with it to change the situation in future election,” he said.

Ogunleye said that he believed in a free, fair and transparent electoral process, noting that the deployment of BVAS had reduced electoral malpractice.

Polls: Yiaga Africa commends INEC, condemns suppression, vote buying

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Nigeria’s frontline election observer, Yiaga Africa has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the significant improvement in the management of election logistics especially the early commencement of polls due to the prompt arrival of election officials in a majority of polling units.

Yiaga Africa stated this in its preliminary statement on the March 2023 Governorship Election on Sunday in Abuja.

“Unlike the February 25 presidential election, the INEC Election Results Viewing (IReV) portal functioned optimally enabling citizens to download polling unit-level results.

“Electronic accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was successfully implemented in a significant number of polling units observed by Yiaga Africa. “

Yiaga Africa further commended the resilience of voters for participating in the election despite the tense election climate, and trust deficit in the electoral process.

“The elections benefited from the vigilance and resilience of citizens who expressed determination to vote and reported cases of manipulation, violence and intimidation.

“The governorship/ state assembly elections were signposted with voter suppression, electoral violence, electoral impunity, vote buying

and capture of the results management by political thugs in Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Taraba states.

“Yiaga Africa is saddened by the cases of attacks on voters, INEC officials, journalists, election observers and personnel of the EFCC by political thugs. These stakeholders suffered grievous bodily harm and psychological trauma. Reports also indicate that at least eight fatalities were recorded within the last 24hrs.

“These election-related deaths are unacceptable and highly condemnable. It is important for security agencies to hold the political thugs and their sponsors accountable for these deaths and attacks.”

Yiaga Africa condemned in unequivocal terms acts of voter

suppression fuelled by ethnic profiling, political thuggery and desperation to secure electoral victory at all costs.

“In flagrant abuse of the constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act, registered voters and fellow citizens were denied the right to vote in some states. Voting is a constitutionally guaranteed right of voters that requires free and fair participation of all eligible voters in safe and secure environment. A denial of this right undermines the credibility of electoral outcomes. Yiaga Africa further condemns the cases of voter inducement reported across the country in the election as this act perpetuates electoral corruption and political inequality.”

He advised the citizens to vote for a competent leader who had the interest of the people in mind and could also drive development.

He also urged the youth to shun violence and inciting statements that could lead to chaos and disruption of electoral process.

According to him, when you have violence, you are enthroning mediocrity and those who aren’t qualified to rule will be put in the position to lead.

He noted that even if a leader was a PhD holder but don’t take care of people at the grassroots, citizens would suffer.

“I believe that development should start at the grassroots, and for this kind of country, Nigeria, we shouldn’t be suffering.

“What has been missing is a leader that has strong-will, ready and courageous to take decisions.

“I know that the presidentelect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, is a courageous person and have strong-will. We will continue to pray for him and for his success,” he said. (NAN)

R-L: Director CDD, Idayat Hassan Chairman CDD, Prof. Adele Jinadu, Member EAC, Dr. Joe Abah, during the CDD final report on the Governorship / States Assembly election media briefing, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Mohammed wins re-election bid in Bauchi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sen. Bala Mohammed as the winner of the Saturday’s governorship election in Bauchi State.

The incumbent governor polled 525,280 votes to clinch the seat.

Announcing the result on

Monday, the state Returning Officer, Prof. Abdulkarim Mohammed, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Dutse (FUD), said that Mohammed defeated his closest contender, APC’s retired Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who came second with 432,272 votes.

He said that Sen. Halliru Jika of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) came third with

60,496 votes.

According to him, the PDP secured victory in 15 of the 20 local government areas of the state, while the APC won five.

He said: “I, Prof. Abdulkarim Mohammmed, the Returning Officer, declared that Bala Mohammmed of the PDP having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and returned elected”.

Meanwhile, the Agent to the APC, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kundak rejected the governorship result, saying, “it is a doctored result so I will not accept it”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that political party agents, security agencies, observer groups and the media attended the collation of the governorship election result. (NAN)

Kogi commissioner, senator-elect commend INEC for improvement, decry low turnout

Kogi West senator-elect, Mr Sunday Karimi, and the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, on Saturday commended INEC’s conduct of the House of Assembly elections in the state. Governorship election in Kogi is off-cycle and would not hold until November.

The duo gave the commendations in separate interviews with newsmen after casting their ballots at Egbe, Yagba West and Takete in Mopamuro Local Government Areas of Kogi, respectively.

Karimi said the election was peaceful but noted voter apathy as many eligible voters did not turn up at the polling units.

He said the low turnout might not be unconnected with the fact that governorship election did not hold in Kogi on Saturday.

He added that the poor turnout on Saturday could also have resulted from the shock of the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Feb. 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

“There was low turnout of voters compared to the large turnout at the presidential and National Assembly elections on Feb. 25.

Guber Polls: CODE commends INEC over BVAS

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

ACivil Society Organisation (CSO), Connected Development (CODE) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over prompt deployment of election materials in the gubernatorial and the State House of Assembly elections, stating that the BVAS machines function well.

Speaking at a press conference to give an update on the election, the Chief Executive of CODE, Hamzat Lawal, said the BVAS functioned well.

“Successfully, we deployed 20,000 citizen observers who to this hour keep populating our database with reports from various polling units across the country.

“Despite all of these faults

that we have observed we cannot say that the commission has not done well in some areas.

“For example we observed that we recorded the early opening of polls in 79% of polling units observed by CODE as opposed to the less than 30% in the February 25th general elections.

“We must commend the functionality of the BVAS in this election. This indicates the commission’s commitment to embracing this new technology in our electioneering process.

“Officially all polling units across the country are closed even though voting is still ongoing in some polling units. We want to remind INEC of their promise of electronic transmission of results for the gubernatorial elections. While we still debate the issues around

the February 25th Elections it is not too late for INEC to redeem itself. We would like to remind INEC that they set these standards for themselves and asked us to trust them in executing them, “ Lawal said.

According to him, “Because we observed in the morning at the junction of Odogbolu/Iyarere, PU: 093, Aguda, Surulere area of Lagos, where at the opening of polls the presiding INEC official announced that there would be no uploading of results. Our observer at this polling unit has just updated us that counting, sorting and announcement of results have been made, and the INEC staff lived up to their earlier warning by refusing to upload. While citizens insisted they upload, the Nigeria Police put them in their cars and drove off.

“We must, however, commend INEC on the uploads of results on the IReV. We have noticed that as of 3:30 pm this afternoon, some results from various polling units have already been uploaded on the IReV portal. We are watching this progress very closely.

“We are on the precipice of monumental change in our democracy right now. The dynamics of our voting pattern and our electioneering processes are improving significantly and we must not allow logistical failures to thwart necessary change.

“The people have done their part, they are out there either still voting or counting their votes, and following the results, it is time for the commission to do its part as well, “ Lawal added.

“There was an improvement in logistics by INEC, however. There was early arrival of election officers at the polling units contrary to what obtained on Feb. 25.

“Also, the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines worked perfectly on Saturday, except in few cases where it rejected fingerprints,’’ Karimi said.

On his part, Fanwo commended INEC for organising credible, free and fair elections.

“Materials were brought on time and the BVAS worked perfectly. The electoral officers were very professional as they provided a level playing ground for everybody to exercise their franchise.

“We also want to commend the security operatives; they were very professional in their conduct, and the voters conducted themselves very well.

“I commend INEC for organising this very credible, free and fair elections,’’ Fanwo said. (NAN)

L-R: President, Global center for leadership ànd Good Governance, Comrade Ogedengbe Ayodele Monday, Country Director, Vote Must Count international Initiative (VMCII), Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson and the President, African Emancipation Movement for Good Governance , (a support group for Obidatti presidency), Hon. Lucky Obiyan, during the VMCII World press conference on the 2023 just concluded Governorship and States Assembly election, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Patriotism fundamental for peaceful elections – Group

Patriotism and integrity have been identified as essential attitudes for peaceful elections in Nigeria.

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), anNGO, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Ikokwu who condemned the

cases of violence and hate displayed by some politicians in the justconcluded elections, said such acts of animosity were alien to Nigerians.

She identified neighbourly love as part of Africa’s culture, saying it was foundational to building patriotism in politicians.

“Patriotism is a character trait that the ideal person would possess.

“Our culture teaches us to embrace good character and most importantly love for one another,” she said.

The culture advocate advised Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used against one another by politicians.

She explained that hatred and ethnic divisions were negations of Africa’s culture.

She also deplored the use of hate speech in social media, saying they do not foster unity in the country.

According to her, no well bred man or woman will like to plant seeds of hatred and discord among the same people he or she wants to rule.

Ikokwu, however, called for reorientation of politicians to begin

to be patriotic for a united and progressive Nigeria.

She said that leadership must be built on love for one’s nation not on selfish aggrandisement.

The Culture Advocate called on new generation politicians not to toe the path of some older politicians whose actions threaten democracy and good governance. (NAN)

INEC declares APC Uba Sani winner of Kaduna guber poll

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared Senator Uba Sani of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Saturday governorship election in Kaduna State.

Declaring the result, Kaduna State Collation Officer, Professor Lawal Suleiman Bilbis said Senator Uba Sani of the APC polled 7,30002 votes.

He said, Hon. Mohammed Isa Ashiru of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) scored a total of 719196 votes.

According to him, “Senator Uba Sani having scored the highest number of valid votes and met the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate, Hon. Mohammed Isa Ashiru Kudan won in 13 local government areas of Kaura, Sanga, Kajuru, Makarfi, Jaba, Jema’a, Zangon Kataf, Soba, Chikun, Kagarko, Lere, Kachia and Kudan.

The APC gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Uba Sani won only in 10 local government areas of Giwa, Ikara, Kauru, Sabon Gari, Kubau, Zaria, Kaduna North,

Kaduna South, Igabi and BirninGwari.

The results as collated by INEC from the 23 local government areas are as follows:

Kaura LGA

APC: 7,748

LP: 12,950

NNPP: 618

PDP: 15,108

Giwa LGA

APC: 30,773

LP: 221

NNPP: 547

PDP: 28,869

Sanga LGA APC: 12,338

LP: 2,135

NNPP: 457

PDP: 13,119

Kajuru LGA

8,271

1,773

Kogi commissioner,

senator-elect commend INEC

for improvement, decry low turnout

Kogi West senator-elect, Mr Sunday Karimi, and the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, on Saturday commended INEC’s conduct of the House of Assembly elections in the state.

Governorship election in Kogi is offcycle and would not hold until November.

The duo gave the commendations in separate interviews with newsmen after casting their ballots at Egbe, Yagba West and Takete in Mopamuro Local Government Areas of Kogi, respectively.

Karimi said the election was peaceful but noted voter apathy as many eligible voters did not turn up at the polling units.

He said the low turnout might not be unconnected with the fact that governorship election did not hold in Kogi on Saturday.

He added that the poor turnout on Saturday could also have resulted from the shock of the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Feb. 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

“There was low turnout of voters

compared to the large turnout at the presidential and National Assembly elections on Feb. 25.

“There was an improvement in logistics by INEC, however. There was early arrival of election officers at the polling units contrary to what obtained on Feb. 25.

“Also, the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines worked perfectly on Saturday, except in few cases where it rejected fingerprints,’’ Karimi said.

On his part, Fanwo commended

INEC for organising credible, free and fair elections.

“Materials were brought on time and the BVAS worked perfectly. The electoral officers were very professional as they provided a level playing ground for everybody to exercise their franchise.

“We also want to commend the security operatives; they were very professional in their conduct, and the voters conducted themselves very well.

“I commend INEC for organising this very credible, free and fair elections,’’ Fanwo said. (NAN)

INEC declares Niger APC guber candidate, Bago, as gov elect

From: Yakubu Mustapha -Minna

National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon Muhammed Umar Bago as the winner of the March 18th Governorship election in Niger State.

The state Collation officer of the Governorship Election in the State, Professor Clement Alawa, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic University of Abuja announced the result at the INEC headquarters in Minna.

The returning officer announced that, Muhammad Umar Bago of the APC scored 469, 896 to defeat to defeat his closest rival Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi of the Peoples Democratic party who scored 387,476 votes

“I professor Clement Alawa, the returning officer of the March 18th Governorship election in Niger State hereby declared that Hon Muhammed Umar haven satisfied the requirement of the law is declared the winner and returned elected

In his acceptance speech, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago appreciated Nigerlites for finding him worthy and gave him their mandate, to become the Niger State governor.

The Governor elect appreciates Isah Liman Kantigi who conceded defeat for showing sportsmanship in good faith

The Apc candidate won in twenty one out of the twenty five local government Areas of Niger State while his PDP Counterpart won in four councils namely Edati, Mokwa, Lavun and Gbako local government Areas.

Two women clinch Kogi Assembly seats

Two female candidates have been declared winners of the just-concluded House of Assembly elections in Kogi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two female candidates are Mrs Omotayo Adeleye-Ishaya and Mrs Comfort Nwuchola won in Ijumu and Ibaji State Constituency seats, respectively.

Both Nwuchola and AdeleyeIshaya were candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and were also first females to represent their respective constituencies in Kogi Assembly.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, the Ijumu Local Government Returning Officer, Mrs Grace Abalaka Haruna, at the result Collation centre in Iyara, said Omotayo Adeleye-Ishaya scored a total of 8,568 votes to win.

The Returning officer added that the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alaga Tokunbo, polled 3,899 while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate got 2,648 votes.

In Ibaji, Dr Suleman Danubian, the INEC Returning Officer for the

Local Government, announced that, Mrs Comfort Nwuchola of the APC polled 7,718 votes to defeat the candidate of the NNPP, Peter Egwuda, who garnered 6,737 votes.

Danubian added that the candidate of the PDP polled 4,630 votes to come third.

Meanwhile, Mr Olawumi Jacob of APC has been announced winner of Mopamuro Local Government House of Assembly election.

Prof. Mohammed Suleiman, the Returning officer for Mopamuro, who announced the result in Mopa, said Olawumi

polled a total of 4,389 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Jones Olorunjuwon Daniel of the PDP who scored 2,516 votes.

Suleiman added that Mr Olabode Makinde of ADC came third with 1,733 votes.

The next Assembly will be the first time Kogi House of Assembly will have two female lawmakers making laws for the people of the state.

Since the first Assembly in 1992, Kogi House of Assembly has had just three female members, but one at a time.

(NAN)

Expert wants Nigeria, Qatar to take advantage of EU gas market

Prof. Olanrewaju Aladeitan has urged other gas producing countries to take advantage of the vacuum created by the non-supply of oil to Europe by Russia and expand their gas projects to penetrate the European market.

“This is where countries like Qatar and Nigeria come in,” Aladeitan, an oil and gas expert said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Aladeitan, a Professor of Energy and Natural Resources, University of Abuja said the major off-taker of Nigerian gas was in Europe and there were ongoing viable projects to actualise that.

On issues bordering the Russian-Ukraine war and the strategic position of Russian Gazprom, the strategic producer and supplier of gas, he said the crisis left some shortfalls in continental Europe, the UK and

NATO allies.

“Now ordinarily, it is elementary business logic that vacuum created by the nonsupply of oil by Russia should be taken advantage of by any other gas producer and this is where countries like Qatar comes in.

“So North Europe is looking at where to readily get supply to make up for the shortfall or nonsupply from Russia.

“So, definitely, there is an implication, there is an effect of the Russian special operation or invasion on Ukraine on gas supply.

“Now gas countries, of which Nigeria is one and a country like Qatar are willing to take advantage of that opportunity of course, because there is a demand.

“But how do you take advantage of that particular gap that has been left as a result of the decision of Gasprom to withdraw supply from that region,” he

asked.

On Nigeria’s preparedness to catch in on that opportunity, he said Nigeria would have been prepared if it had done what it needed to do as far back as the 1970s, or even in the early 1990s and 2000.

He said that these periods were when the whole idea of the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project was mooted and revisited again which would have aided penetration to the EU market.

“If we had done that then, by now we would be smiling to the bank because we would have utilised the opportunity of market that was left by the withdrawal of Russia,” he said.

He said Nigeria took deliberate action, starting with the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company in developing the gas sector.

This he said was in a bid to cut down on gas flare, and also to

take advantage of the economic potential of the gas reserves in the country.

He said the major off-taker of Nigerian gas was in Europe, but how to reach there, and derive the utmost benefit, had also been of concern to the country.

According to him, it is why the idea of the TSGP project has always been there as piping the gas all the way through will cost less because the cost of transportation through the vessel is something else.

“So if we can achieve the same aim through the Trans-Sahara pipeline, it will be fine.

“We also have the West African Gas Pipeline, which passes through Benin Republic, Togo to Ghana, and that has also been in the works for some time.

“This is what has informed Nigeria looking at constructing these pipelines to Europe and the gas can flow from there,” he said. (NAN)

Hon Muhammed Umar Bago

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore (middle), in group Photograph with the delegation from the United Arab Emirates National Defence College, led by Mr Maheli Alan Babi (3rd left), during their courtesy visit to the Ministry of Interior, recently in Abuja . Photo: Min. of Interior

Africa stands for an equal partnership with Russia

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Jean-François Buzonni, deputy spokesman assistant for the Union of the Congolese Nation (Congo) political party, said he was very pleased that Russia had turned its attention to the African continent, “which for many years has been under the yoke of Western countries.”

Parliamentarians from Russia and Africa discussed issues of development of economic cooperation during the first day of their conference March 19 to 20 in Moscow.

The objectives of the conference are to strengthen parliamentary cooperation with African countries in the conditions of formation of a multipolar world, to develop relations and develop common approaches to legal regulation in the economy, science and education and security.

Round table discussions on the topic “Legislative Response to Economic Challenges” was held as part of the events of the International Parliamentary Conference RussiaAfrica.

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, Alexander Zhukov, stressed that Africa “is a rapidly developing region with great prospects, and that Russia is currently actively working to enhance cooperation with the countries of the African continent.”

“Unlike many Western countries, Russia does not have colonial experience, and the contribution of the Soviet Union to the liberation of African countries from colonial dependence is also well known to everyone,” he explained.

“An important part of the cooperation should be the exchange of legislative experience with African countries in key areas,” he said.

“Our mutual economic interests include investments, cooperation within production chains, cooperation in strategic infrastructure projects, energy, medicine, financial technologies, and that, of course, along with the traditional supply of grain and fertilizers,” said the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma.

Africa stands for an equal partnership

Jacob Mudenda, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe, stressed that there should be a “specific approach” to provide legislative response to economic challenges.

“Africa has resources, including those that cannot be found in other countries, even in developed ones. That is why Africa is the best investment option,” he said.

“Africa is against economic colonization, Africa stands for equal partnership,” said Jacob Mudenda.

Speaking about legislative issues, he said that the continent needed infrastructure and its development, such as roads improvements, rail and air transport.

“If there is no infrastructure, it will be impossible to trade even with developed countries such as Russia and with Africa,” said the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

He also noted the necessity to develop energy sector for industry and sufficient water for agriculture.

Energy cooperation

The Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy, Pavel Zavalny, said that the signing of intergovernmental agreements was an important tool of political support for enhancing energy cooperation between Russia and African countries.

He emphasized that energy was one of the most promising areas of economic cooperation between Russia and African states. There is an economic growth and energy demand shifting to Asia and Africa in the conditions of global economic and geopolitical transformation.

“One of the tools for intensifying economic cooperation is political support. Currently, there have been established economic cooperation with 14 countries of the continent at the state level, there were created high-level bilateral commissions, and signed intergovernmental agreements,” stressed Zavalny.

“The development and harmonization of energy legislation can play an important role in enhancing mutually beneficial energy cooperation between Russia and African countries. And that is the work that we should do in the interests of our nations,” concluded the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy.

Multipolar world instead of hegemony

Jean-François Buzonni, deputy spokesman assistant for the Union of the Congolese Nation (Congo) political party, said he was very pleased that Russia had turned its attention to the African continent, “which for many years has been

under the yoke of Western countries.”

“The world no longer lives under the hegemony of one country. We see the transformation processes of multipolar world,” he stressed.

“I am glad that Russia is seeking to develop equal, partnership relations with the countries of the region for the common benefit,” added Jean-François Buzonni.

Transition to national systems of settlement

According to Maxim Topilin, the Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, the sanctions and pressure that Russia is experiencing just prove that “any situation in which a country maintains its independent position can lead to the destruction of all economic ties.”

“That should be a lesson to us,” he added.

Topilin said that in relations between Russia and Africa, it is necessary to focus on national systems of settlement. “It is very important not to be based on those standard principles, use those currencies that we used in the framework of joint projects,” he said.

Topilin is convinced that for further cooperation between Russia and Africa, it is necessary to create new international organizations. “We should think about new supranational institutions for recognition, certification, admission to the markets of certain goods. There is a lot of work that should be done,” said the Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy.

Topilin also recalled that a draft law on Islamic banking was being prepared for the second reading, and members of the State Duma plan to adopt it during the spring session. “From the point of view of cooperation with Islamic countries, that definitely will be a very serious breakthrough in the financial strategy,” he added.

More than 40 parliamentary delegations from African countries arrived the conference, which also attended by members of the State Duma, senators of the Federation Council, representatives of the educational and business community. The conference held just few months before the second Russia-Africa summit, which is planned to be held in July 2023 in the city of Saint Petersburg.

47 years after: The talk of NYSC and national unity

By Ogungbile Emmanuel Oludotun

It’s will be of no bizzare fact if I bear out that the 1914 Lord Lugard amalgamation mothered the present day Nigeria of over 200 million people residing in the shores of its geographical locations. With a dynamic population comprising of the present day complexity, one which is weighed in the diversity of our brands of cultures. The ‘consequential’ amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates was matched up to birthing out the peace and unity from these incompatible people of dissimilar culture and religion. A task which they thought the merging of these two regions will achieve.

Consequently, many years after the amalgamation, it was perceived that the so much reason for the commingling of all these people didn’t come to stay as predicted. The ‘Nigeria country and it people’ veered out of it purpose into the ‘bad pretensions’, with the two subjects of concentration cannot but sink daily and helplessly in the pool of discordance and incompatibility. Her inter-ethnic clashes, inter-religious fights, the civil war case of 1967 and many others would not seize to grow unceasingly in all intensity. It‘s thus evident that only the geographic landmass and locations were the only thing amalgamated and not even the leaders nor it people.

Therefore, there was a quick need to find an effective solution to this problem. Wherefore it was a thing of emergency to mother out an exigency scheme that will encompass unity amidst Nigerians, most especially after the civil war quagmire.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) came up in the light of it in 1973 with the intention of fixing the conundrum of disunity that Nigerians have been battling with, most especially to stitch harmony in the minds of Nigerians. Indeed it was created by decree of post civil war plan to “RECONSTRUCT, RECONCILE, AND REBUILD the country after the bitter civil war which claimed millions of lives”. It was designed by the then military government led by General Yakubu Gowon to foster national integration and to engage fresh Nigerian graduates of tertiary

institutions in national development. The NYSC scheme was set up with a view to the “proper encouragement and development” of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity by posting of young graduates outside their home states. However, the Youth corps scheme didn’t wait for it lasting fufilment. There would be thus no need to conceal but reveal that NYSC has become this lion’s den and jeopardizing band vulnerable to religious and ethnicity riots of reasons that are still unknown to the populace.

Looking back after 47 years of NYSC scheme establishment, together with her emblem of nourishing peace and unity among young graduates, one can blatantly say that the system had failed in her course to uphold the purpose of national unity that she was created for. It seems to have lost its valuation and her priced pretensions. Corps members resides in everyday dangers and harzards, with their lives regularly trapped in the legs of attacks from insurgencies and inter-ethnic pickles. It’s no news that many get bumped off and decimated while serving their father’s land, Nigeria.

Consequently, as NYSC is getting closer to 50 years of existence, it is obvious and yowling that the scheme is not living up to its expectations. The programme has failed to achieve her ambitions and aspirations, as It was believed that all Nigerians who went through the program would be provided with a good guidance and orientation according to the needs of the whole Nigeria. The objective also hoped to make them more amenable to mobilization in national interest, inculcating a sense of patriotism and loyalty. Now, the National Youth Service Corps is this mare’s nest, no wonder a writer once described the situation that “while the objectives of NYSC remains undoubtedly noble, the crisis that has apparently bedeviled their implementation has compelled a re-think of it’s founding vision”.

Without much Ado my dear readers, it’s evident that NYSC chimera has been compromised and tampered with. Corpers are exposed to many unimaginable vunerabilities. Take for instance for corps members who are used for National assignments, such as Elections and National

Population Census. Though voluntary to participate in, these young people are exposed to all sorts of dangers, especially during elections. The large scale violence visited on unarmed NYSC members used a polling booth officers showed that corps members have become regular victims of politicians’ lust and struggle for political power. Some of them have been brazenly killed by agents of politicians during elections. The scene of nepotism and tribalism cannot be under emphasized, the unfair favours being given to some corps members over their other mates is becoming unbearable. Some members also serving in the North East will not seize to witness grueling incidents in the hands of terrorists, most especially in states like Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and the likes where the lives of this people are massively in threat. The Government of today however seems not to be concerned about upholding the aims and objectives of NYSC by not making the environment condusive for youth services to their father’s land. The unity is polluted, and no one seems to be taking about how this system has failed us, and will continue to fail us, if nothing substantial is introduced as soon as possible.

In conclusion, if the crux of Nigeria’s National unity will be solved permanently through National Youth Service Corps, there would be a swift need for a attachment of this scheme with other political and other social processes of national transformation.

Government must be ready to fine-tune, revamp and rectify the youth corps scheme till it’s not only seen as a complusory act but as a duty of national unity. There must be a gurantee of corps members safety to ensure them serving the country without the fear of menace or death. The vision of NYSC must also continue to be bulwarked and palisaded, as the Nigeria government should not think of scrapping the scheme but restructuring it, that it might enhance the national integration which we have been pretensioning since amalgamation.

Ogungbile Emmanuel Oludotun is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh is an Int’l Affairs Analyst.

Why 65-year retirement age bill should be rejected

By Abiodun Adesanya

For about five years now, there has been an attempt by the Nigeran Union of Teachers to gain the attention of the government at both federal and state levels. One key demand from this body is that the retirement age of public primary and secondary schools’ teachers should be increased from the usual 60 years to 65 years. In the same spirit, 35 years of meritorious service should be increased to 40. Apparently, this is an attempt to allow teachers to stay longer in service for another 5 years.

The efforts of the NUT in actualising this move is not only glaring but persuasive as the attention of the presidency has successfully been drawn. However, in this unsolicited but crucial opinion, I shall be adducing why the government and the populace should reject this proposal, owing to the socioeconomic implications it will have if passed into law.

It is pertinent to state grounds buttressed by the NUT for arriving at her proposal. Among these are; (i) that the current retirement age is no longer in fashion and that some of them retired but not tired. (ii) That it will remove discrimination between them and their higher institutions’ counterparts. (iii) That it is a way the country will gain more from their wealth of experience and lastly (iv) For a better performance and to increase quality teachers.

On the first ground, it is trite said that “age is just a number” and as such, has nothing to do really with effectiveness. Also, it is commendable that some of our teachers retired but not tired. It is rather crucial to reiterate that there is time for

everything under the sun. Let us call a spade a spade, even if the retirement age is 70 years or more, there will still be a number of teachers who will not be tired of teaching. As regards the second ground, NUT needs to be reminded that the basic qualification(s) for lecturing in a higher institution is not the same as that of primary and secondary teachers. Would it be said that there is a university in Nigeria where one can be employed as an academic staff member with NCE, OND, HND or even B.Sc certificate?

On the third premise, I stand to be corrected that 35 good years is enough for one to contribute immensely to the advancement of education. I believe our Nigerian teachers are highly competent and industrious. As the saying goes, “what worth doing at all is worth doing well”. I restate, 35years is enough to share and to draw from their wealth of experience, as an extra 5years will have little or no effect. The principle of wear and tear should be also taken cognisance of. On the forth premise, I see it as a mere move to persuade the Nigerian populace as thirty-five years is more than enough to improve oneself let alone a league of teachers.

Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that if the 65-year Retirement Bill is passed into law, it will have great financial implication and increase in the rate of unemployment. Talking about unemployment, it is quite unfortunate that while majority of graduates are yet to be gainfully employed, the NUT is clamouring that incumbent teachers should stay longer for five years. The Minister for Education was quoted to have said “Nigerian teachers to some extent require a reasonable retirement age like their counterparts in India,

Canada, Belgium that have increased the retirement age for teachers to 65 years” _(Vanguard, December 14th, 2018)_. But he failed to remember that while the rate of unemployment in Nigeria stands at 23.1% and underemployment is 20.1% , making a total of 43.3% (as of 2018 Q3, NBS), that of India is 6.1% (NSSC Report, 2018) and Belgium is 5.20% (Nov. 2019).

On the financial implication of the bill, if passed, it will increase the recurrent expenditure of government budget at both federal and state levels. Monies meant for other key issues in the education sector which would have better improve the quality of Nigerian education would be diverted to paying salaries throughout this 5 years. I am of the opinion that the NUT should focus more on how government would provide more funds to the education sector and not increasing retirement age. Also, the Federal government only allocated 6.7% (N691.07b) of 2020 budget to the education sector. This is far below the UNESCO recommendation for any serious government as far as education is concern.

In conclusion, I urge NUT to channel her demand towards proper funding of education and not increase in retirement age. NUT should remember that her members are only government employees who should not be dictating how many years they will use for the government (employer). I urge government at all levels, the National Assembly and the good people of Nigeria to reject the 65-year Retirement Bill as such does not mean well to an average Nigerian.

Deafening silence on Nigeria’s restructuring

By Adetunji Ayobrown

We spend so much time planning our lives, convincing ourselves of what we want to do or have to do but often we don’t see what we are meant to do. World over, it is a known fact that self defence has always been the best line of defence. From north to south, east to west, angry reactions continued to trail the Miyetti Allah Kaute Hore’s comments that the South West should terminate its security outfit codenamed Operation Amotekun, warning that failure to do so may affect the region’s chance of producing the next president in 2023. It is now clear that only very few in the entire north are suspicious of the Amotekun security outfit.

Let us create space for wisdom, is daily killings and kidnapping for ransoms a good way of life, when the developed countries are looking for way to better the lives of their citizen? And then in Nigeria, a region or group is thinking otherwise.

Who will want to lie down and allow marauding herdsmen to kill them and their people with impunity? No one except a bastard!

Control freak, or how else can this be termed. The truth we all know, the oga knows this himself; was the submissions of Nigerians after watching all the recent unfortunate scenarios. How do they arrived at this, please let me use the little but biggest gift you gave me, your attention to do the analysis.

How come the organisation that should have been cast out from our society, but for highhandedness and ‘I-don’tcare’ attitudes of our rulers and leaders, should now be the decider of who becomes Nigeria president? Where then is our democracy? If a group of herders now see the protection of lives by other regions as bad politics, then we are definitely in a wrong and impossible country.

At this age and time, why are they still like this? This is the question I woke up with from thinking and waking up to listen to government’s inconsistencies in both body language and statement about the creation of Amotekun for instance. Was the FG and security agencies not part of several meetings held in the cause of creating Amotekun Sincerity to Nigerians should rather be my president’s number one priority. Little wondered, many see Buhari as the wrong number. ***If what report said is not true, Niger state just had his share of the high level insecurity.

Since all this while, Mr President just saw the need for community policing, which he just approved with the promise that it would be funded, an action many Nigerians felt has taken too long. If southwest would be colonised, of course it will not be by those **should employ on ranches will do that.

The need to know is now greater the desired to be fooled.

Certainly, we detest those feeding upon the gullibility of the masses. In reality, Amotekun outfit is in line and in tune with community policing or multi-layered policing, which is very effective in ensuring safety and crime prevention. Warning the South-West to give up on the idea of Amotekun because they felt the security outfit is politically motivated is rather not it. But shouldn’t the government tag those bandits and herders that are killing across the country? This has, however, drawn reactions from notable Nigerians who said that Miyetti Allah Kaute Hore should go to hell with its presidency. This came as Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, yesterday, said the Community Police already in the state would soon grow into a state police. Also, backing Amotekun, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, said the outfit has come to stay, warning that nothing untoward should happen to the outfit.

Everywhere in this world, self defence is the best form of defence, if these killer herders can abandoned stick to carry guns, and not just ordinary guns but sophisticated and expensive guns, many are wondering why a whole region should wait. Amotekun’s castigation and classification by this government seems to have crossed the bar and rather unnecessary considering what Nigerians are suffering from Miyyetii Allah.

Other regions should rather wake up before it is too late. The Yorubas are ready to rise against their governors if they dare attempt to go back on this present arrangement of securing the area with Amotekun, even if Miyyetti Allahi needs to speak before its godfather uttered a word concerning the outfit, nothing should make the governors shiver in this regard. Perhaps, the FG had tried and done its best, but maybe they just could not give us the needed security, Nigerians are not just too dense to be hypnotised in this age with flimsy excuses. Indeed, Nigerians can now see through this smoke screen, many agreed they choose a wrong number in their previous support. If they see the protection of our lives as politics, we are definitely in a wrong and impossible country.

Buhari seems to be the bane and burden of this country. I believe the citizens of this country now know the need for an enlightened government that would be tough on the likes of the killer herdsmen, a government that would speak with a strong voice whether he is their godfather or not.

Alas, as it is, Buhari’s government does not fit that description as anecdotal evidences of this administration is preaching. A sharp divide cutting the Nigeria’s society.

It has now become a crime that many tribes inhabit the same country, a group now owns the presidency, which they feel they can give as gift to who they want and deny who they choose? Many saw this as an act of insolence, a slap on the face to true Nigerians. Imagine cow herders threatening

a people that produced the first lawyer in 1879. ‘We have our own defence mechanism’, Miyetti Allah said this openly. Buhari did nothing, none of his ministers too, including that of justice raise an eyebrow to declare Miyetti Allah illegal. And to crown it all, this group of killer herders does not want a whole region with millions of people to have any form of protection. Can you imagine the callousness? So, who is incharge of the country? To say that many have lost faith in the present leadership is saying the least.

Nothing is ever locked, democracy is about freedom. If the killer and terrorists thinks they can have a field day, they better think twice because even the north central and other parts of the country are following the southwest in protecting themselves. Police authorities were involved in the setting up of Amotekun and the promoters of the project made it clear that it was in response to the security challenges in the zone and that it was designed to complement efforts of the established security agencies.

Balkanization of Nigerians was never intended, and if the motive of the security outfit is not clear to these few, they should consult those who are involved like the police IGP team, other security agencies and even Buhari himself (who was in full knowledge) for clarity and better understanding. For the records, mannerism has just been proven to be accurate. The entire South West made a bold and brilliant move, though some are of the opinion that it is in alliance with the Biafrans, which probably is not true.

If you want rainbow, you have to deal with the rain, let us embrace our destiny, because people don’t understand the purpose of their making. It is rather better to express concerns when security situation is not palatable. Most Nigerians are interested in the restructuring of the country but are not keen on who becomes the president come 2023. As it is, defending yourself is not a political scheme, a self defence scheme as the constitution expressly allows such to defend ourselves. Nigerian foundation allows forming organisations and agencies to defend ourselves. Even this was stated by Nasarawa Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who said the community police already in the state would soon grow to become a state police.

Doing what might constitute a sequel. Nothing untoward should happen to an outfit like Amotekun, many Nigerians warned the federal government. Issues of kidnappings, banditry and armed robbery along the highways are totally condemnable; our security agencies are seriously overwhelmed, therefore, self defence is the best line of defence. If any group felt offended, then restructuring the country may rather be the best solution before we start the unnecessary cold war while trying to do what we are not prepared for. Let’s restructure Nigeria now.

Adetunji Ayobrown is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Abiodun Adesanya writes from Obafemi Awolowo University.

Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani, representing Enugu-East Senatorial District has withdrawn his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nnamani, a former Gov. of Enugu State who announced his exit from the PDP in a statement in Abuja on Monday, expressed appreciation to his constituents for the unalloyed support over the years.

According to Nnamani, he

Niger: Tafa

LG Chairman impressed with peaceful polls

By Usman Shuaibu

The Executive Chairman of Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, Hon. Danladi T. Iya, has expressed joy over the peaceful conduct of the Governorship/State House of Assembly elections in the area.

Iya, who stated this in an interview with newsmen while motoring the election in the Local Government Area on Saturday, said he was impressed by the turned out of voters in some polling units.

He called on the electorates to always support the All Progressives Congress (APC) party in Tafa and Niger State at large and warned the electorates to shun electoral violence during the election.

He expressed the hope that APC would emerge victorious in the state by the grace of the almighty God, noting that some electorates were still committed to the electoral process.

He then noted that in spite of the postponement of the election, some electorates came out to vote for the candidates of their choice, pointing out that people are truly desirous of change.

Iya, who voted in his polling unit, however, said the process of the election had been impressive and very encouraging.

Also speaking to newsmen in Tafa, the APC Chairman in the area, Mr. Isyaku Suleiman expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the election in some polling booths.

He pointed out that APC would do well in the election, lamenting that good number of voters had not come out to vote. when asked on the low turnout of voters, the Tafa APC Chairman said the inability of the electorates to come out to vote would not prevent Party candidates to win the election.

Meanwhile, it was observed that there was low turnout of voters in Seleja, Tafa and Gurara during the poll.

Sen. Nnamani quits PDP

has consulted with his associates and constituents and has decided to quit the PDP on account of irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the party.

He said that he had moved on and hoped that his modest contributions to the development of his constituency would be the building blocks on which his successors could build on.

Nnamani thanked Nigerians, especially the ‘Ebeano’ political family and urged them to remain steadfast in the years ahead.

The former governor reaffirmed his acquaintance with the President-elect Sen. Bola Tinubu and promised to continue to partner with him.

He expressed optimism that a Tinubu-led administration would promote good governance,

rule of law and human rights for the interest of all Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nnamani had in the build up to the 2023 general elections, insisted that he won’t rescind his decision to support the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Tinubu, now President-elect.

According to Nnamani, he

decided to align with Tinubu, because the PDP has breached its Constitution by subverting the principle of power rotation.

NAN also reports that Nnamani lost his reelection bid to the Senate to Labour Party (LP) candidate, Kelvin Chukwu. The LP candidate polled 69,136 to beat Nnamani of the PDP, who scored 48, 701 votes. (NAN)

Niger Governor congratulates Bago

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has congratulated the Governor-elect, Mohammed Umar Bago on his victory at the

just concluded Governorship and State Assembly elections held in the state.

Governor Sani Bello in a statement described the victory of Bago as a victory for a stronger Niger.

The Governor applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a successful exercise, acknowledging that despite the few flaws recorded in the entire process, there were many positives in the 2023 general

elections in its entirety.

He called on the governor-elect to extend hands of fellowship to those that contested with him and ensure that he operates an open door policy as he has been elected to serve everyone.

By Albert Akota

The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed has hailed the selfless and tremendous contributions of Corps Members across the country during the Governorship and State

House of Assembly elections held yesterday.

He said their participation in the elections has earned the Scheme another accolade in its giant strides for national unity and socio-economic development of the country.

General Ahmed, who monitored

the performances of Corps Members that served as INEC ad-hoc staff during the elections in Bunu East Ward 012 Shalgwatar, Dass Central Ward 005 and other areas in Polling Unit 003 Botong Tapshin Ward, Polling Unit 001 Kofar Sarkin Fada Tapshin Ward in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi

State also lauded their resilience while the period lasted.

The Director General also monitored the Corps Members that worked at as electoral officers at Government Junior Secondary School Bogoro and Polling Unit 003, Gwaranga in Bogoro Local Government Area of the State.

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; his wife, Oluremi; behind her is State Chairman of APC, Hon Cornelius Ojelabi and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, during Governor Sanwo-Olu’s acceptance speech after being declared winner of the governorship election by INEC, at the Lagos House, Marina, at the early hours of Monday, 20 March 2023.

Kano guber: NNPP congratulates Abba Yusuf, says Kano voted new Nigeria

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has congratulated the party’s Kano State Governorship Candidate, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for his resounding victory in the Saturday 18th March 2023, saying it is a well deserved victory for a new Nigeria which the party represents.

A statement issued yesterday by the National publicity secretary of the party, Agbo Major, NNPP also congratulated the people of Kano State who overwhelmingly voted for a new and better Nigeria and ensured that their votes were counted and count in the overall result, adding it is democracy in action.

“The journey to a new Nigeria starts with Kano State and moves speedily across the nation as we collectively redefine the destiny of Nigeria.

“The party also congratulates all the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly candidates elected on NNPP platform across the country. It is victory for democracy, effective representation and progressive governance.

“The people have spoken loud and clear for change and expressed confidence in our great party to provide strong leadership and dividends of democracy to assuage the pains of poor governance inflicted on them by the outgoing All Progressives Congress government in Kano.

“NNPP equally congratulates the party’s National Leader and Presidential Candidate, Senator (Engr.) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a man of indefatigable endeavour with enormous political sagacity and savvy for his leadership acumen and direction that led to the victory of party candidates across the nation, as well as the Founder and Spiritual Leader/BOT Chairman, Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam. The party commends the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party for winning these elections that are very crucial in charting the way forward for the country.

Guber polls: ‘Vote buying in southeast, violence in north-west’ — CDD

From Abubakar Yunusa

The Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) says vote buying was more in the south-east than in any other geopolitical zones during the governorship and state house of assembly elections.

The elections were held on March 18 in 28 states across the country.

Briefing journalists and election stakeholders during the post-election briefing, Chair of the CDD EAC, Professor Adele Jinadu and Director, Idayat Hassan, said voters were more focused on what they would get than the ideology of the candidates.

It said the vote-trading was made possible due to the prevailing economic hardship amid the current cash crunch.

“In total, 25.3 percent of observers noted vote buying at their polling units across the country with the highest figures reported in the northwest (35.4 percent) and southeast (41.4 percent),” the statement reads.

“In Anambra state, party

agents were observed using materials, phones, and other souvenirs to entice voters. In the south-south, multiple party agents reported a desire for voters to show proof of their vote before being paid, with party agents reportedly compiling a list of their voters in Esan Central LGA, Edo state.

“The prevailing economic hardship in the country – 133 million Nigerians were estimated to be multidimensionally poor in 2022 according to the National Bureau of Statistics – and the continued shortages of fuel and particularly Naira were undoubtedly a factor in this.

“Votes were being traded for between N1,000-2,000 in parts of Edo and Benue states for example, with goods of similar value used in many cases in lieu of cash given the continued currency shortages. Across the region, manifestations of vote buying included the use of fabric, toiletries, ‘I-owe-youvouchers’ and food items.”

The CDD said electoral violence was more in the northwest with voters being

threatened with death in some polling units.

“Voter suppression, voter intimidation, and the destruction or theft of election materials predominantly by political party agents and politically aligned thugs were recorded across all six geopolitical zones,” it said.

“A total of 10.8 percent of observed polling units recorded violence and/or fighting; this was most pronounced in the northwest (19.9 percent) and south-south (11.6 percent) geopolitical zones with Bayelsa and Zamfara, the two states with the most incidents recorded by our observers.

“These violent incidents were often focused in political strongholds of opposition or perceived opponents which suggests that the use of BVAS – which can limit overvoting in principle has resulted in a more concerted effort to stymie votes than to try and stuff ballot boxes in order to rig the outcome of an election.

“Conventional forms of voter suppression were recorded by observers across the northwest

zone, and most apparent in Zamfara where the bandits and vigilante groups, particularly Yan Sakai, were reported to have threatened voters with death if they voted for the incumbent.

“Similar incidents of intimidation were reported in all geo-political zones, and were most pronounced in the southeast zone (9.8 percent as compared with a nationwide average of 4.7 percent), with party agents involved. In Lagos, for example, voters were told to vote for the incumbent or they would be flogged in Lagbasa and Ado primary schools in Ajah LGA.”

The CDD said the outcome of the presidential and gubernatorial elections would either worsen or strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. It added that some of these determining factors include, the pronounced ethnic divisions, the electorate’s increased awareness and involvement in the process, the political influence of alternative parties, and the incorporation of technology amongst others.

SDP Senator-elect, Wadada congratulates Governor Sule on reelection

By Musa Baba Adamu

Senator-Elect, Nasarawa

West Senatorial district, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, on Monday congratulated Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on his reelection into office.

Wadada, recently elected under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), conveyed his message in a statement in Keffi.

He said the victory of the governor was a testimony of the people’s believe in his capacity and leadership style in the state.

The lawmaker said Sule’s reelection was a reward for the tremendous achievements recorded by his administration in the areas of health, education, infrastructure development, security and youths empowerment.

Wadada advised the

governor to justify the confidence reposed in him by the electorate by redoubling efforts towards ensuring that the people of Nasarawa enjoyed more dividends of democracy.

He said: “On behalf of my family and the good people of Nasarawa West I congratulate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule on his resounding victory at the just concluded Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

“I also appreciate the electorate in the state for comporting themselves decently and in order, and for exhibiting conduct that indicates that Nasarawa is making progress in its electoral behaviour.”

The two-term member of the House of Representatives commended the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, credible and transparent election and the security agencies for ensuring orderliness.

He thanked the people of Nasarawa for keeping faith with their governor, noting that “the people know the person that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms.”

INEC declared Sule, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the governorship election in Nasarawa state.

Prof. Ishaya Tanko, INEC State Collation and Returning Officer, made the declaration on Monday in Lafia at the state collation centre.

The returning officer said that the APC candidate polled a total of 347, 209 votes to defeat his closest opponent, David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 283, 016 votes.

Ahmed Aliyu Wadada

APC NWC member, Bankole commends Gov. Abiodun over victory at polls

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC), Tolu Bankole has congratulated governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun on his re-election during the March 18 polls.

Bankole in a statement on Monday in Abuja, tasked the governor to fulfill all his campaign promises in even infrastructural development, education, agriculture and security across the state.

He said “I congratulate and felicitate with His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Her Excellency, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele on your divine and well deserved re-election by the good people of Ogun State with another four-year mandate to continue the even development of our dear State.

“The display of love and support for you and all candidates of the APC during Saturday’s election is an unequivocal statement of your acceptability and support for your government in the State and the party.

“Undoubtedly, this victory is for the people. The next four years in office like you aptly said “is a direct charge to invest more in the State and people, leaving Ogun State in the next four years better than we met it in the last four.

“As we have so far done and as we conspicuously promised during our statewide campaigns, we will maintain equitable distribution of state resources to the betterment of Infrastructure, Social welfare and wellbeing, Education, Youth development, Agriculture and food security (ISEYA).”

“As you continue the onerous task of leading our great State, please know that you have my unwavering support. I know that the road ahead will be challenging, but I also know that you have demonstrated that you are more than up to the task.

Assembly poll: Soludo denies spending N3.5bn state funds to buy votes

By Christiana Ekpa

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has denied that he spent N3.5 billion of state funds to buy votes during last Saturday’s House of Assembly election.

A rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) had in a press statement signed by its Chairman Board of Trustees, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi accused Soludo of disbursing state funds to stakeholders, to work for the election of

candidates of his party; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the March 18 poll.

But Soludo, reacting through his Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, said the rumour was false, and could not have been true.

Aburime in a statement he signed and issued in Awka on Monday described the rumour as “satanic, despicable and illogical”.

He said: “N3.5 billion could not be disbursed at a time when the society was passing through a cashless phase.

“The allegation is further baseless against the

background that it is coming at a time of acute shortage of cash due to the Federal Government Naira Redesign Policy which sadly exposes the devilish intentions of the writer(s).

“Anambra people are advised to disregard the group which made the allegations as it had been known to be serial blackmailers over the years and do not serve any useful purpose to society.

“Governor Soludo does not need to buy votes to win an election. He is a Democrat who enjoys the overwhelming support of the good people of Anambra State.”

Ogun guber: PDP asks INEC Chairman to reverse result declaration

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reverse its verdict on the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election.

INEC had declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the Ogun election.

But the PDP said the mandate of the masses given to the party had been stolen.

At a press conference on Monday, the PDP Chairman in Ogun, Sikirulahi Ogundele, said INEC was in unpatriotic connivance with the ruling All

Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the security agencies provided support, alleging that they “brazenly rigged the results of the governorship and house of assembly elections.”

Ogundele stated that the police, the military and other security agents ”provided virile cover for gun-wielding criminals to disrupt and burn ballot boxes in over 100 polling units across the State.”

It was said that the party had, before the election, alerted security agencies of the “devilish plans” to launch a large-scale disruption of electoral process and possible snatching of ballot boxes in any polling units perceived to be

PDP’s stronghold.

“But despite our warnings, those who should be at the forefront of confronting these assaults aided them,” Ogundele regretted.

He expressed concern that the Chairman of a local government, who was arrested with AK47 automatic rifle and other condiments, was released within one hour.

He also said leaders of transport unions in Ogun, “Efele and Danny were arrested leading criminal squads to disrupt polling units only to be released within one hour.”

The party Chairman

maintained that that Saturday’s election was heavily characterized with unprecedented violence in several local government areas like Sagamu, “where 54 polling units were attacked by APC sponsored thugs and ballot boxes and other sensitive election materials were carted away and burnt to ashes.”

It was added that similar occurrences took place in 14 local government including: Odogbolu, Remo North, Ipokia, Ogun Waterside, Ikenne, Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ado Odo Ota, Ifo, Ijebu East, Ijebu North East, Obafemi Owode and Ijebu Ode. A total of 14 local governments out of the 20.

APC rejects Bauchi guber result, asks INEC to probe widespread electoral fraud

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the result of Saturday’s governorship election in Bauchi state.

This is coming barely hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the incumbent governor, Bala Mohammed the winner at the end of results collation on Monday.

The ruling party alleged widespread cases of overvoting, massive electoral fraud, thuggery, harassment, intimidation, and violence that marred the Bauchi State Governorship election.

The spokesperson of the APC, Barr. Felix Morka in a press statement on Monday believed that the election was characterized by so many irregularities such as over voting and harassment of eligible voters

among other malpractices.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expeditiously investigate reports that its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was compromised in many voting units and cancel invented results of affected polling units in the state.

“Specifically, in Alkaleri, Kirfi, Toro, Warji, Ningi and Zaki Local Government Areas of Bauchi State which recorded widespread violence, overvoting and massive rigging against the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Rtd.), it is perplexing that inexplicable massive figures were invented in polling units in which voting didn’t take place, and in which results were never collated.

“Extensive cancellations of polling units results in APC

Candidate’s strongholds were made without valid justification, except to depress his vote count and give undue advantage to the PDP candidate, the incumbent Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.

“Specifically in Alkaleri LGA, APC polling units’ Agents were chased away by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs who took control of affected polling units and thumb-printed ballot papers without BVAS accreditation, and results were gratuitously awarded and written up without voting, as mandated by law. The bogus “result” in the same Alkaleri LGA with recorded and verifiable over-voting, and in which INEC’s returning officer was molested and threatened at gun point to sign the “result” sheet was irregularly collated and used in the declaration of final result of the election in the state.

“In one of the many brazen cases recorded by polling unit agents, a reportedly serving PDP Commissioner in the state was captured buying votes in open and full glare of cameras, citizens, and assisted by security officials that bore a constitutional duty to arrest and take the criminal into custody for further investigation and prosecution.

“The APC rejects the invented election figures and INEC’s declaration of the Governor-elect in Bauchi State, and calls on INEC to cancel the election in the afore-mentioned LGAs that were characterized by over-voting, destruction of electoral materials, harassment, intimidation, and widespread violence and other irregularities in line with its power to review declaration of result within 7 days under Section 65 of the Electoral Act” the statement concluded.

Adeleke

Presidential, NASS polls: Imo PDP saboteurs did anti party –Anyanwu

By Musa Baba Adamu

National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu on Monday expressed displeasure over the existence of saboteurs in the party in Imo State, adding that all their efforts are tailored towards the liquidation of PDP in the state.

Anyanwu said the primary objective of the alleged saboteurs during the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections was to starve the party and its members of funds earlier approved and released as election intervention funds.

The PDP scribe stated this in a statement, signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to the National Secretary of PDP, Ikenna Onuoha, made available to journàlists in Owerri, Imo State capital.

He regretted that all entreaties, appeals and convictions to release the funds approved to appropriate authorities in line with the national template to enable them to deliver candidates of the party were flagrantly ignored, noting that the ulterior motive of the saboteurs was to frustrate PDP by ensuring that its candidates lose the election.

According to him: “After hijacking the election intervention funds released to the party in Imo State, some of the saboteurs turned against candidates of PDP and played anti-party [politics] in order to justify the deal they had with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The PDP national scribe, therefore, called on the party’s candidates and other aggrieved members who were betrayed by saboteurs to remain calm, assuring that all legal means shall be utilized to bring those directly and indirectly involved to book.

Alia’s victory ushers new dawn For Benue -Akume

Fom Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Minister for Special and Intergovernmental Affairs Sen. George Akume has stressed that the administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia will usher a new dawn of development for Benue State.

Sen. Akume said this on Monday while speaking with Journalists in his residence in Makurdi, after the declaration of Fr. Alia as Governor-elect of Benue State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC maintaining that the State will experience a dawn of prosperity.

He averred that the new Governor has an elaborate plan for the people of Benue State, adding that as an indigene, he is aware of the problems and difficulties that have confronted the people particularly in the deficiencies in the provision of essential amenities, the issue of health care services and educational decay asnwell as so many other issues that are begging for solutions.

He said basically, an agragrian State, his program is rich in agricultural content and is in line with Asiwaju/Shettima administration.

“They have made a strong

Obasanjo, Abiola

By Christiana Ekpa

promise to help Benue to rebuild, restart, recover from 8 years of neglect, hopelessness, wastefulness. It is so rich and engaging,we had an engagement with Asiwaju/Shettima and the content is so rich. Benue will definitely take off meaningfully and purposefully. The Staate will witness a dawn of prosperity. Good debt we will look that, a committee will look at that. Commenting on the conduct of the Governorship/State Assembly elections in the Swhat was basically expressed last

Saturday in spite of threats from the opposition to unleash violence like bees on honey, the people were not deterred and the conventional security were on ground to ensure a calm and cool election in a very meaningful manner in compliance with the provision of the law.

“The people are expecting so much from this government. At my own personal level, am thrilled and expect that the new government will live according to aspirations and expectations of the Benue people who have

got highest votes from S’East – Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has reacted to the ethnic strife brewing in some states, especially Lagos, following the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections and the upcoming governorship and state assembly polls.

There have been anger and disagreement in Lagos since Obi defeated the All Progressives

Congress, APC, candidate and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the state.

Peter Obi’s Labour Party and his Obidient movement are also working towards unseating the incumbent Governor of the State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in the March 18 governorship election and for this reason, there appears to be a clash of interest between the Igbo and Yoruba in the state.

Just last week, properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed

suffered incalculable damage for the past 8 years. Everybody was talking about change,money did not swerve them. We did not have money, money was not the issue. If you give them money and Maggi, they will shout Yes Father. It is a mandate that is freely given and it has worked and there is total commitment to musical chair to the changing of the regime in Benue State to a new dawn, a dawn of a new era of development for the benefit of the people”, the ex Governor said.

says over attacks on Igbos

following a fire incident alleged to have been orchestrated by suspected political thugs in a market predominantly occupied by Igbo.

Obi recalled that past presidents, such as Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and MKO Abiola, all recorded their highest votes in the SouthEast during their respective elections, insisting that politicians are trying to pit the Yoruba against the Igbo.

The Obidients’ leader said that the ethnic strife is the handiwork of

politicians who are bent on creating trouble where there is none, adding that those who voted for him in Nasarawa, Lagos, Plateau, Abuja and other states where he claimed victory were people from all across the country and not just Igbos.

“People are just trying to hide in what does not exist to cause confusion. There’s no such thing. The vote I got in Lagos State cut across everybody in Lagos. Call it Yorubas, Igbos, Hausas, Ijaws and all the tribes that are resident in Lagos.

I’m the Governor, I can arrest anybody – Abiodun warns Amosun, Adebutu

By Christiana Ekpa

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has boasted that he is still the Chief Security Officer of the state and he can arrest anybody, no matter how highly placed.

Abiodun, who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sent a cryptic message to his opponents in the gubernatorial race.

In a veiled reference to former

Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Abiodun reminded them that his gentility must not be mistaken for cowardice.

While Amosun has been going about the State to campaign for Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Adebutu is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, Abiodun threatened to order the arrest of anybody

who tries to intimidate his supporters on election day.

The governor told his supporters not to allow anybody to intimidate them, saying he is in charge of governance in the state.

Addressing his supporters at his country home in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state in a short video clip, Abiodun said he could order the arrest of anybody.

Abiodun and Adebutu, his main rival in the governorship race, both hails from

Iperu.

The governor alleged that his opponents have started importing political thugs into the Iperu township ahead of Saturday’s election.

Speaking in Yoruba, he said: “Don’t allow anybody to intimidate you on election day. I am sure you know that I am the governor, I am the governor of this state. I am the Chief Security Officer of this state and I can arrest anybody, anybody!

Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia

Sen. George Akume

NGX

penalises 6 firms over ‘late filing, nondisclosure of information’

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

The Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX) says three listed companies have violated its rules on unauthorised publications and non-disclosure of material information.

This is contained in the exchange’s X-Compliance Report dated March 17, 2023.

The X-Compliance Report is a transparency initiative of NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo), which is designed to maintain market integrity and protect investors by providing compliance related information on all listed companies.

Every listed company is required to provide NGX with timely information to enable it efficiently perform its function of maintaining an orderly market.

The report said Multi-Trex Integrated Foods Plc violated NGX’s rule on submission of notice and other information documentation.

Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Plc was said to have violated the provisions of rule 17.5 on price sensitive information, rulebook of the exchange 2015 issuers’ rules.

The bank also reportedly failed to disclose the confirmation of the appointment of its new managing director.

Multi-Trex Integrated Foods Plc and Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Plc were sanctioned to undergo mandatory compliance training (MCT).

Meanwhile, the NGX imposed a fine of N453,600 on Guinea Insurance Plc for allegedly failing to utilise the issuers’ portal to file sensitive information.

“In accordance with the provisions of Appendix III: General Undertaking (Equities), Rulebook of NGX, 2015 (Issuers’ Rules) and NGX’s Circular No. NSE/LARD/LRD/ CIR3/17/05/12 on Publication of Announcements or Press Releases via the Issuers’ Portal, listed companies are required to obtain prior written approval from NGX RegCo before publications that affect shareholders’ interests are made in the media or via the Issuers’ Portal,” NGX said.

“In addition, companies are also required to disclose material

Experts call for urgent solution to naira scarcity as Monetary Policy Committee holds meeting

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Some financial experts have urged the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to take urgent steps to address the perennial shortage of cash.

The experts spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja, against the backdrop of the 290th meeting of the MPC.

The meeting is scheduled to hold on Monday and Tuesday.

According to a financial expert, Okechukwu Unegbu, the MPC should discuss the cash situation as a matter of priority.

Mr Unegbu, a past president of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), said that the apex bank’s claim of circulating more than N900 billion did not reflect on the Nigerian economy.

He, however, said that the problem would likely ameliorate as elections had been concluded in the country.

“Our biggest challenge presently is the cash situation, and I think the committee

should discuss it as a matter of urgency.

“The CBN says it has over N900 billion in the system, but it is not reflecting because cash is still scarce.

“But I believe that with the elections over, cash will start to circulate,’’ he said.

He urged the committee to also address the “rumblings in the economy’’ in terms of inflation and exchange rates.

On the policy rates, Mr Unegbu advised for retention of all existing parameters until the next meeting.

“I suspect that because of rising inflation, which is now 21.91 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the MPC may be tempted to raise the rates again.

“But my suggestion is that all the rates should be held constant to allow the MPC study the situation until its next meeting,’’ he said.

Another financial expert, Muktar Muhammed, urged the apex bank to explain to Nigerians the reasons why Naira notes were still scarce.

On policy expectations, Mr Muktar said the MPC would have liked to increase the prevailing rates but could be discouraged by the already high inflation rate.

Ordinarily, we could see a hike in rates but as it stands now, because of the Naira shortage and what it has done to the economy, I do not think they will want to do that.

“Again, inflation is already high and I do not see how hiking rates, alongside the cash shortage will help the economy grow better,’’ he said.

According to Uche Uwaleke, a Professor of Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, the use of cash scarcity to stifle demand is not a sustainable way to tackle inflation.

Mr Uwaleke said that such a step could hurt economic growth and could lead to loss of jobs thereby, fuelling unemployment.

“Going forward, the CBN should ensure that measures are put in place to ease the cash crunch while gradually implementing its cashless

policy.

Inflation rate rose from 21.82 per cent in January to 21.91 per cent in February, the economy witnessed a slight downward pressure in the general prices of commodities.

“This may not be unconnected with the cash scarcity which resulted in low demand for goods and services in view of the cash-based nature of the Nigerian economy.

“Recall that as a result of the cash scarcity and low demand, many traders who deal in perishable items were forced to sell them at below purchase price or cost of production due to lack of storage facilities,’’ he said NAN recalls that at its last meeting in January, MPC increased the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, by 100 basis points from 16.5 per cent to 17.5 per cent.

It, however, retained the Assymetric Corridor of +100/700 basis points around the MPR, the Liquidity Ratio of 30 per cent and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of 32.5 per cent.

Harvard alumnus advises incoming govt on economic growth

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

Aformer Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ms Ifueko

Okauru, has urged the incoming government to focus on policies that will bring collective economic growth.

She advised the incoming administration to create an enabling environment that would foster the private sector to thrive which would also help reduce unemployment.

Okauru spoke during the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria’s dinner, where the association

hosted 64 students from 24 countries on the Africa Policy trek.

Also, Nigeria for the first time, hosted the ‘Harvard trek’ which was an opportunity for students whose backgrounds were in public policy and government administration to interact, learn and understand policies in countries they visit.

On her advice to the incoming administration, Okauru said, “The economy is at the heart of propelling a better quality of life for every Nigerian. Whatever we do, must translate to a higher level of disposable income for everyone to live, at the very

minimum a decent life.

“So, if we do not focus on growing the economy, providing jobs, and ensuring that whatever we do, truly translates, we are not just discussing at a higher growth level, but truly translates to testimonials of the common man.”

She added, “The Harvard Kennedy School is a public policy, government intervention part of the Harvard University so all it does is really help to build those people that will go back to their various countries and influence public policy and drive government in a manner that will position countries at a

much higher level.”

Also speaking on the sidelines, the President Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria, Adaora Ugwu, said, “About 64 students and faculty of the Harvard Kennedy School from Cambridge have come to Nigeria on what they call an Africa policy trek.

“This trek they’ve done in Nigeria and Ghana and usually on these tracks they come to find out about the country, talk to the public and private sector, they want to understand governance policy and culture. So they visited Accra first and then they now come to Nigeria.”

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

Clem Agba, minister of state for budget and national planning, says relevant committees on post-petrol subsidy palliative measures have not harmonised their discussions.

Agba spoke recently while addressing journalists after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The federal government budgeted N3.35 trillion for petrol subsidy payments in the first half of the year, after which the subsidy will be scrapped.

The minister said the committee, headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, had been working with the

FG yet to harmonise discussions on palliatives for petrol subsidy removal —Minister

national economic council (NEC) for over a year on palliatives that will help to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.

Membership of the NEC comprises the 36 state governors, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other co-opted government officials.

However, he said the suggestions from the federal government and the governors were yet to be unified.

He explained that the situation requires time as it would affect

the entire nation, adding that the committees wanted to ensure that every citizen was carried along.

Agba said the ministry of petroleum resources and other relevant agencies have also been working on the issue.

“For over a year plus now, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has been leading a committee working on this and the National Economic Council also has a committee that has also been working on this,” he said.

“So, the stage that we are in now is how to finalize the suggestions that have come out from both the federal government and the governors’ side. Like you know, it is something that is going to affect the entire nation.

“They will just have to ensure that everyone is carried along, that is both the federal and subnational governments.”

Agba said the council also approved Nigeria agenda 2050 which aims to make Nigeria a high-

income economy.

He said the initiative is designed to transform the country into an “upper-middle income country and subsequently to the status of highincome countries.

The plan aims to fully engage all resources, reduce poverty, as well as achieve social and economic stability.

Agba explained that the “Nigeria Agenda 2050 projects annual average real GDP growth of 7.0 percent”.

FG rakes in N10tn VAT under Buhari – NBS

The Federal Government has raked in N10.1tn from the collection of Value Added Tax under the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

This comes against the backdrop of the advice by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, that the incoming government should increase the VAT from the current 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent.

VAT is a 7.5 per cent consumption tax administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service when goods are purchased and services are rendered, and it is borne by the final consumer.

Revenue generated from VAT is usually disbursed to the three tiers of government through the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee.

An analysis of reports obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the VAT earnings continued to rise annually throughout the eight-year period.

The country earned N759.4bn in 2015, N777.5bn in 2016, N972.4bn in 2017 and N1.1tn in 2018.

VAT collections in 2019 amounted to N1.2tn, N1.5tn in 2020, N2.1tn in 2021 while N2.5tn was paid in 2022.

Economists have cautioned against raising the VAT from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent by the incoming administration, as they argued that it would stifle the country’s economic growth.

The finance minister who

made the call during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of Voice of Nigeria in Abuja recently, had said, “VAT is one of the ways to increase revenue and we still have to increase VAT because, at 7.5 per cent, Nigeria has the lowest VAT rate in the world, not in Africa, in the world.

“In Sub-Saharan Africa, the African average is 18 per cent, when you increase your VAT, your Gross Domestic Product will grow.

“So, tax compliance has increased. As a result, we have also adjusted our VAT rate from five per cent to 7.5, even though our target was 10 per cent. But

you know how it is in Nigeria, we are targeting 10 per cent by the second year, we did so to increase revenue.”

Reacting to this, the Director, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, said the advice was coming too early considering the previous increase in 2020.

He said it was better to bring more people into the tax net than to impose more burden on those in the tax net.

He said, “The revenue performance from VAT has generally been excellent in recent years. My view is that it is perhaps too early to review it

again, especially in light of all the challenges that businesses are facing.

“Businesses are the main contributors of VAT and there are some other taxes that have already been proposed under the finance bill like excise and telecom tax. So, we have to be careful so as not to increase the burden on businesses.

“The better thing is to bring more people into the tax net than to impose more burden on those in the tax net.”

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Assets, Johnson Chukwu, pointed out that the decision to review the

tax should be taken by the new government.

He said, “The call is on the new government to decide how they want to review the taxing system and not on the current government to decide.

“We also have to look at how effective tax collection was and not about the amount received. One of the hallmarks of a good tax system is the ease of collection, low cost and convenience of payment.

“VAT is easiest to collect and difficult to avoid but it impacts consumption. Let us allow the new government to come and define their mode of collection.”

Unilever Nigeria to exit home care, skin cleansing markets

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Unilever Nigeria, has said that it will be exiting the home care and skin cleansing markets to reposition its business for sustained profitability.

This was revealed in a corporate notice

to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and signed by its Company Secretary, Abidemi Ademola.

The company said that it was changing its business model to accelerate the growth of the company and meet the needs of consumers, shareholders, and employees better.

Part of the statement read, “This will involve repurposing the portfolio by exiting the home care and skin cleansing categories to concentrate on higher growth opportunities.

“Strengthening business operations with measures to digitise and simplify processes; and focusing more on business

continuity measures that reduce exposure to devaluation and currency liquidity in our business model.”

The company added that its exit of these two categories over 2023 was envisaged to result in the overall improvement in profitability, growth and a more sustainable business.

Tax administrators must match the pace of global technological advancements — CATA President

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

Tax administrators must keep up with the dynamics occasioned by disruptive new technologies of the 21st century, and arm themselves with the necessary skills, capacity and character for effective and efficient tax administration in the fourth industrial revolution age.

This was the position expressed by the President of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA), and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami in his charge to the 2022 CATA Senior Leadership cohort, during the closing ceremony of the programme held at His Majesty’s Treasury Headquarters, London, United Kingdom, on Friday.

Mr. Nami, in his remarks, highlighted that due to technological advancements in actualising human needs, fulfilling social interactions and conducting commercial activities, the way and manner of tax administration is constantly changing. He thus called for tax administrators to keep up with the times by improving on their skills and competence in line with these changes.

“The global tax arena is continually changing,” he noted. “The growing reliance on technology for much of basic human needs, social interactions and business dealings means that the tax-turf remains in a state of constant flux.

“The taxman is only able to match the depth and pace of the changes if equipped with relevant, adequate and up-todate skills.”

The CATA President praised the Commonwealth association for its investments and contributions through its Senior Leadership Programme, which he noted has helped bridge the capacity gaps of tax officials in member countries.

“I am glad to note that CATA has, over the years, continued to organise the Senior Leadership Programme in order to meet the capacity development needs of tax officials in commonwealth countries. It has become a tradition for CATA to provide participants at this programme with top-notch tuition using case studies in a fun-filled environment.

“The 2022 edition did not depart from this tradition. The

classes, according to reports, were very interactive all through the various sessions whether at home, in India or in the UK.

“Without doubt, the capacity of participants to lead themselves, to lead others, and to lead their functional units have been greatly enhanced.”

Quoting the renowned African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am, because we are,” Mr. Nami urged the twenty (20)

participants drawn from senior tax officials in commonwealth countries to put the knowledge and skills they have acquired during the programme into good use for the benefit of their countries, while further calling on the cohort to maintain and sustain the network of colleagues they have met during the programme.

The CATA Senior Leadership Programme is a yearly senior-

level Leadership Programme delivered by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on behalf of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators.

It pools together senior leaders of tax authorities in Commonwealth countries to equip them with the requisite leadership skills to navigate their organisations in a dynamic and complex landscape.

The programme recognises the importance of good leadership to result-driven tax administration in the 21st century.

The 2022 edition combined residencies in India and the UK, accompanied with virtual sessions, and work within the domestic tax authorities of participants.

PAPSS implementation will aid diversification - SEC

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Securities and Exchange Commission has said that it is excited about the implementation of the Pan-African Payment Settlement System PAPSS as it will encourage intraAfrican trade and aid diversification within the capital market.

This was stated by Head, Office of the Chief Economist of the SEC, Dr. Okey Umeano during an interview in Abuja.

The Nigerian Exchange and the Pan-African Payment Settlement System recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support crossborder payments across capital markets in Africa.

According to Umeano, “this MoU begins to implement something that we have been very excited about. PAPSS makes it easy to trade across Africa. It makes Intra-African trade more efficient and we have always wanted it. It was created initially for just the usual everyday trade but we have always wanted it for the capital market because we think that if we can link

the exchanges and the markets across the continent we will have a bigger opportunity set for everybody, so we have been working on that.

“We have two projects the West African Capital Market Integration project and the African Exchanges Linkage project but the problem we have always had was how to settle, how do we make payments happen?

If I want to buy a Ghanaian stock, do I have to change my naira to dollars and then from dollars back to cedi’s and all that. These where all the problems we had but with PAPSS, we can make this trades more efficient and easier. I can trade in naira and whoever I am buying from in Ghana or wherever in Africa receives in the local currency so this is a good thing and we thank Afrexim bank.

Umeano also commended the NGX for taking the lead on this, the MoU allows them to stick this up with the Ghana stock exchange and we hope that other exchanges and other market players will key in and take this opportunity.

He stated that given the way the markets are, this implementation

will improve opportunities for diversification and make markets able to perform better.

“Given the way the markets are; it improves the opportunity for diversification. It improves the opportunity set everywhere. Let me give you an example, a couple of years ago when our market didn’t do so well, our bond market didn’t do so well we had issues around currency and we had the foreign investors leaving. It was reported that the market in Côte d’Ivoire, the eight nations French union their market did much better.

“So from a fund manager point of view if I could invest across the markets in the region, it will help my diversification, it will help improve returns, it will help my portfolios so I think that there’s appetite for it, I think that fund managers, pension, funds and all that will take advantage of it so I think it’s a good thing” he said.

On where the initiative is going next, Umeano stated that it is a very big step that is expected to scale to other markets and reap the enormous benefits adding that Nigeria and

Ghana have always been traditional partners and I think it’s easier to start off with Ghana.

“I think that as time goes on we can scale to the BRVM market; we can scale even away from West Africa to other parts of Africa. I see this growing first, I would prefer this is me not NGX but I would prefer that the next stop becomes the Capital Market Integration project and it’s something that I am actively pushing that we can link these markets in West Africa first and PAPSS will be an enabler and after that we will go on to other markets but of course this decision is one that NGX has to make and other exchanges that join.

Umeano stated that in the integration project currently ongoing, the SEC and other regulators are encouraging issuers to be able to access markets that are different from the market of the primary issue, because when issuers know that the chances of their issues being more successful given that they have a larger market to sell into, it will increase or encourage them to issue more.

Firms urged to support FCT’s infrastructure plan

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has called on well established companies in the Territory to compliment government’s efforts in providing and sustaining quality infrastructure in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Bello gave this charge yesterday during the opening

of Abuja Furniture Production (AFP) shown room, at Maitama, in Abuja on Monday.

Represented by the director, FCT Public Building, Adebowale Ademo, the Minister noted that the administration is concerned with quality work in and around the city, and would always work with competent firms that could add value to the government efforts.

While commending the company, he explained that

Arrest, impound vehicles without plate numbersAdesola charges VIO

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration, Olusade Adesola has directed officials of Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) otherwise known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) to rise to the challenge posed by drivers of vehicles without appropriate plate numbers, as such menace contravenes the traffic regulations of the Territory.

Adesola particularly declared that henceforth, the FCT Administration will arrest and impound vehicles without

plate numbers in the Territory. He spoke during the unveiling of the Online Vehicle and License Registration Portal held at the FCDA Conference Hall, Central Business District, Abuja.

According to a statement, Director, Information & Communication, FCT, Muhammad Hazat Sule, the Permanent Secretary noted that the e-process will drastically curb incidences of touting, racketeering and other unpleasant practices that negatively affect the integrity of the process and database of the FCT motor-vehicle registration.

FCT administration will always go for the best to make the aesthetic of Abuja a world class one.

He described the take off of the company as very impressive considering the quality of product that the firm produces.

“AFP has been a major partner in the development of the city, it is well known for producing high quality furniture over the years. So, we want it to compliment

government’s efforts “.

“This is what the administration has been looking for, a situation whereby people can come in with a lot of commitment to the city and also provide the necessary services that will compliment the efforts of government by ensuring that Abuja becomes one of the 20th habitable city in the world.

“The government has made a lot of efforts to ensure that the aesthetic of the city is respected,

when we have outfits that contribute to the development of the city, respecting the laws and also requirements of the master plan, it is also help”, he stressed.

On his part, AFP General Manager, Oliver Cohnen said the company which is an arm of Julius Berger has been using furniture for over 30 years, which the services cover all categories of people, would keep to the standards.

FCT-IRS prioritises institutional framework to boost revenue drive

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has disclosed the prioritisation of institutional framework as key strategy to steadily boost revenue generation in the territory.

FCT-IRS Acting Executive Chairman of Mr. Haruna Abdullahi stated this while giving a key note address on “Accounting for a better world” at the Annual Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Members, Partner Employers and Students Summit 2023, in Abuja.

Abdullahi explained that what the management of the Service under his leadership has been doing in the last two years was to build a strong and robust system that would outlive them, thereby making processes and procedures of tax administration easier and seamless with a view to enhance tax collections.

In a statement signed by Head Corporate Communications, FCT-IRS, Mustapha Sumaila, he disclosed that the Service has carried out a number of reforms, in order to reshape and enhance its revenue drive in the FCT.

According to him: “What we have been doing in the last two years is to build the institutional framework to fit into globally recognised institutions that will be a model for not only our counterpart agencies in Nigeria but in Africa.

“We have stepped up on our awareness campaigns to educate taxpayers on all our processes as well mobilise the prospective taxpayers to be in tax net.

“Our engagement with our major stakeholders has been enhanced overtime as we constantly engage them, update and educate them on decision, direction and

introduction of any policy in order to carry them along.

“Capacity building of staff has been an utmost priority for the Service more than ever. We cannot have efficient and committed workforce if the staffers are not well trained to deliver optimally.

“From what we have done so far, in the next few years, there will be visible impact in terms of what the Service will be generating”.

Furthermore, the FCT-IRS boss while speaking to students at the Summit, admonished them on the importance of mentorship when making career choices, as guides

from their mentors would go a long way in shaping their career paths.

Abdullahi l, who is also a Fellow of ACCA underscored the need for mentors and successful persons in their choosen endeavours in the society to identify talents and build them to become great people in their careers.

Also, while commending the ACCA for organising the summit, Tthe FCT-IRS chairman noted that the association had given him global opportunity to work around the world hence urged the participants to tap from this privilege to change their destiny.

VIO officials on duty

world news

DeSantis defended Trump - then took a dig at ‘porn star hush money’. What’s his strategy?

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, when asked about rumours of former President Donald Trump’s impending indictment, denounced the man in charge of the investigation, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

What the man who might be Mr Trump’s most formidable presidential rival said next, however, was telling.

“I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair,” he said. “I just I can’t speak to that.”

He went on to mention “porn star hush money payments” a second time, before pivoting back to criticism of what he called a “high-profile politicised prosecution” by someone he said was backed by deeppocketed liberal donor George Soros.

The Florida governor seemed to go out of way to emphasise the tawdry origins of the potential crimes being investigated, even while denouncing the investigation itself.

That could be a sign of how Mr Trump’s presidential rivals handle a possible arrest and criminal trial for falsifying business records and state campaign finance law violations.

But even oblique attacks risk attracting Mr Trump’s attention - and ire. And it wasn’t long before the former president fired back at Mr DeSantis

“Ron will probably find out about this sometime in the future when he’s unfairly and illegally attacked by a woman (or possibly a man!) with false accusations,” he posted on his social media site. Mr Trump later deleted the post and replaced it with a lengthier response. His campaign team also sent out a press release criticising what they painted as a tepid response from the governor.

Mr DeSantis had been under pressure from Trump supporters to defend the former president and denounce the prosecution ever since the Mr Trump speculated on his social media website that he would be arrested on Tuesday.

“Pay attention to which Republicans spoke out against this corrupt BS immediately and who sat on their hands and waited to see which way the wind was blowing,” Mr Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, tweeted on Sunday.

Jason Miller, one of Mr Trump’s closest 2024 campaign advisers, on Saturday

specifically denounced Mr DeSantis’s “radio silence”. He contrasted the Florida governor’s lack of a response with the quick and direct denunciation by former VicePresident Mike Pence, one of Mr Trump’s other possible 2024 campaign rivals.

“I think many Americans are taken aback at the unprecedented indictment of a former president, but also the fact that the Manhattan DA, in the midst of a crime wave in New York City, then says that indicting the former president is his highest priority,” he said on Saturday. “It tells you everything you need to know about the liberal left in this country.”

Mr Trump’s possible arrest poses a unique set of challenges - and opportunities - for his presidential rivals.

With so many Republicans quick to attack Mr Bragg and paint the investigation as a liberal political vendetta, it could boost Mr Trump’s popularity among conservative voters, who would view a lack of enthusiastic support for the former president to be tacit support for his Democratic antagonists.

An “us against them” where “us” centres around Mr Trump could relegate all of Mr Trump’s Republican opponents to the

political sidelines. It’s why Mr DeSantis’s decision to emphasise “porn star hush money payments” could be sound political strategy. Republican voters have told pollsters in the past that while they approve of Mr Trump’s policies, they have concerns about his lack of focus and chaos surrounding his time in office. Mr DeSantis may want to remind them that this investigation arose from personal indiscretions.

Even without direct attacks on the former president by his Republican rivals, an indictment comes with serious political risks for Mr Trump, and not just the possibility of an eventual criminal conviction. If he is arrested, Mr Trump will be fingerprinted and photographed - mug shots that will be splashed across newspapers and television programmes throughout the campaign.

A criminal trial could also be a serious distraction for the former president, potentially taking him off the campaign trail for court appearances and to prepare his legal defence.

It is a politically fraught situation as much as it is a legal one - a high-wire act for Mr Trump and his fellow Republicans, where a misstep could have serious consequences.

UN climate report: Scientists release ‘survival guide’ to avert climate disaster

UN chief Antonio Guterres says a major new report on climate change is a “survival guide for humanity”.

Clean energy and technology can be exploited to avoid the growing climate disaster, the report says.

But at a meeting in Switzerland to agree their findings, climate scientists warned a key global temperature goal will likely be missed.

Their report lays out how rapid cuts to fossil fuels can avert the worst effects of climate change.

In response to the findings, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres says that all countries should bring forward their net zero plans by a decade. These targets are supposed to rapidly cut the greenhouse gas emissions that warm our planet’s atmosphere.

“There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all,” the report states. Governments had previously agreed to act to avoid global temperature rise going above 1.5C. But the world has already warmed by 1.1C and now experts say that it is likely to breach 1.5C in the 2030s.

The UK government responded that the report makes it clear that countries must “work towards far more ambitious climate commitments” ahead of the UN climate summit COP28 in November.

“The UK is a world leader in working towards net zero, but we need to go further and faster,” a spokesperson said.

The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - the scientific body that advises the UN on rising temperatures - is agreed on by all governments involved.

Their new study aims to boil down to one slim volume several landmark findings on the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change that have been released since 2018.

It outlines the significant impacts that climate change is having on the world already, and explains that these will get much worse.

By 2100 extreme coastal flooding that

used to happen

once-a-century is expected to occur at least annually in half of the world’s tidal gauge locations - places where sea level recordings are made.

Concentrations of the warming gas CO2 in the atmosphere are at their highest in 2 million years. The world is now warmer than at any time in the past 125,000 years - and will likely get warmer still over the next decade.

“Even in the near term, global warming is more likely than not to reach 1.5C even under the very low greenhouse gas scenario,” the report states.

“If we aim for 1.5C and achieve 1.6C, that is still much much better than saying, it’s too late, and we are doomed and I’m not even trying,” Dr Friederike Otto, from Imperial College, a member of the core writing team for this report, told BBC News.

“And I think what this report shows very, very clearly is there is so much to win by trying.”

The synthesis shows that projected emissions of CO2 from existing fossil fuel infrastructure, such as oil wells and gas pipelines, would bust the remaining carbon

budget - the amount of CO2 that can still be emitted - for staying under this key temperature threshold.

And while not explicitly mentioning new projects like Willow oil in the US or the Cumbria coal mine in the UK, the scientists involved have few doubts about their impact.

“There’s not a cut-off day (for fossil fuels), but it’s clear that the fossil fuel infrastructure we already have will blow through that carbon budget,” Dr Oliver Geden, from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs and a member of the report’s core writing team, told BBC News.

“The remaining carbon budget in opening new fossil fuel infrastructure is certainly not compatible with the 1.5C target.”

The document argues strongly that going past 1.5C will not be the end of the world as this may only be a “temporary overshoot”.

The authors say that they are optimistic that dramatic changes can be achieved rapidly, pointing to the massive falls in the price of energy made from solar and wind.

They also argue that changes driven by consumers in terms of diet, food waste and switching to low carbon transport can

achieve significant cuts in emissions from many sectors.

But the report also acknowledges that in addition to getting to net zero emissions as soon as possible, large scale use of carbon dioxide removal technology will be needed.

Some observers have their doubts. “We know what needs to happen, but the carbon removal part and carbon capture and storage ideas are a massive distraction,” said Lili Fuhr, from the Centre for International Environmental Law, who attended the approval session.

Responding to the report’s call for more urgent action, the UN secretary general is calling for countries to bring forward their plans for net zero by a decade.

“Leaders of developed countries must commit to reaching net zero as close as possible to 2040, the limit they should all aim to respect,” he said in a statement. He also calls on the likes of India and China who have announced net zero plans for beyond 2050 to try and bring them forward by a decade as well.

Source: BBC

Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change met in Switzerland where glaciers are melting

Jeffery Woodke and Olivier Dubois finally freed in West Africa

AUS aid worker and French journalist who had been kidnapped by militants in West Africa have been released.

Jeffery Woodke and Olivier Dubois arrived at an airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Monday.

Mr Woodke went missing in Niger in 2016, while Mr Dubois was held hostage in neighbouring Mali for nearly two years. Their release was secured following efforts by authorities in Niger.

Speaking in Niamey, Mr Dubois, 48, said it was “amazing for me to be here, to be free”.

“I feel tired, but I’m fine,” he told journalists, smiling but visibly overwhelmed.

“I want to pay tribute to Niger for its skills in this delicate mission and pay tribute to France, to all those who have helped me to be here today.”

Niger Interior Minister Hamadou Souley said the pair had been freed after “several months of efforts” by Nigerien authorities, before being handed over to French and US officials.

It is not clear exactly how or when the men were released from the captors.

Mr Woodke’s release was announced days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Niger for an official visit, becoming the first top US diplomat to do so.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he was “relieved” and thanked the authorities in Niger for “bringing [Mr Woodke] home to all who miss and love him”.

“I thank so many across government who’ve worked tirelessly toward securing his freedom,” he added in a tweet.

Mr Woodke, who had served as a missionary and humanitarian aid worker in Niger for more than 30 years, was seized at gunpoint from his home in Agadez in October 2016.

Mr Dubois, meanwhile, began working as a freelance journalist in Mali in 2015 for Parisian daily newspaper Libération

and news weekly Le Point. He himself announced his abduction in a video posted on social media in May 2021, saying he had been kidnapped in the northern city of Gao by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) - the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel region of Africa which is linked to Al-Qaeda.

Following his release, Libération editor-in-chief Dov Alfon said: “We are deeply relieved and happy about this outcome.”

French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Niger in a tweet and said Mr Dubois was in “good health” after speaking to him.

Kenya protests: Raila Odinga’s convoy tear-gassed in Nairobi

Kenyan police have tear-gassed opposition leader Raila Odinga’s convoy as he spearheaded the biggest protest against President William Ruto’s government since it took office.

At least one person was shot and several lawmakers were arrested in the crack down in the capital, Nairobi.

Mr Odinga accuses the government of being “illegitimate”, and of failing to tackle the high cost of living.

Mr Ruto has rejected the opposition leader’s claims.

Kenya’s highest court upheld his victory in last year’s election, but Mr Odinga insists that the election was “stolen”.

He has been driving through Nairobi’s residential suburbs to rally his supporters and has vowed to organise weekly protests against the government.

It has caused many businesses to shut in the city, due to fears of looting.

Running battles have taken place on the main Kenyatta Avenue between police and demonstrators, some of whom are throwing stones at the security officers.

Roads leading to key government buildings have been blocked and the president’s official residence sealed off.

Mr Odinga’s convoy was tear-gassed by police as he left a hotel after addressing the media. Hundreds of his supporters were part of the procession.

An adviser to Mr Odinga later tweeted that the opposition leader’s vehicle had been hit by a bullet.

“Our windscreen has been badly damaged,” Prof Makau Mutua said. He did not give further details, and it is unclear exactly where the

alleged incident took place.

Police had earlier denied the opposition permission to hold the protest, and warned that any gathering would be illegal.

Mr Ruto said the government would not condone “impunity”.

“We have a responsible government in office who have a constitutional duty to protect life and property. We have a country to run,” he said.

Some of the fiercest scenes have been in Nairobi’s Kibera settlement - a poor neighbourhood with a strong history of supporting the opposition.

“We came here peacefully, but they teargassed us,” 21-year-old Charles Oduor told the AFP news agency in another district of Nairobi.

“They lie to us everyday. Where is the cheap maize flour they promised? Where are the jobs for the youth they promised? All they do is hire their friends.”

Riot police have also confronted protesters in the western town of Kisumu, where Mr Odinga draws a fanatical following.

Footage shared by Kenya’s Standard newspaper earlier on Monday appears to show local bus operators fleeing their transport hub in central Nairobi.

Meanwhile, the second-biggest opposition party in South Africa, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), also held nationwide protests to demand the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa over the worsening economy, power cuts, and widespread corruption.

Several thousand people marched to his official residence in the capital, Pretoria.

“Our demands are simple, we want Ramaphosa to leave this house,” EFF leader Julius Malema said.

The government said it had authorised the

deployment of more than 3,000 troops to help police maintain law and order, and 85 people had been arrested.

China’s President Xi Jinping condemns killings of miners in CAR

China’s President Xi Jinping says the killers of nine Chinese goldmine workers in the Central African Republic (CAR) must be “severely” punished.

Two Chinese workers were also wounded when gunmen stormed a mining site near the central town of Bambari on Sunday.

The local mayor blamed a rebel group for the killings.

But the rebels said Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group were behind the attack.

The Wagner group has not yet commented

on the claim.

Its fighters are widely reported to have been deployed to mineral-rich CAR to help government forces defeat the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), an alliance of rebel groups.

Both China and Russia have been investing heavily in Africa to tap into its mineral resources, as well as to rival the influence of Western powers.

In a statement, China’s foreign ministry called on its nationals to “leave high-risk areas as quickly as possible”.

“The entire Central African Republic, with the exception of its capital Bangui, is rated red in terms of security risks,”it added.

The statement quoted President Xi as saying that every effort should be made to save the lives of the wounded, and to ensure the perpetrators were arrested and “punished severely” under the law. Source; BBC

Olivier Dubois (left) and Jeffery Woodke (second from right) in Niamey on Monday

Opposition supporters are demanding the resignation of the president

Amritpal Singh: Punjab police step up search for Sikh separatist preacher

Police in India’s Punjab are searching for a Sikh separatist leader who has been on the run since Saturday.

Mobile internet is suspended across the state and more than 100 of Amritpal Singh’s supporters have been detained.

But despite numerous roadblocks and a dramatic livestreamed car chase, they have not caught the self-styled preacher whose whereabouts are unclear.

His calls for a separate homeland for Sikhs have revived memories of a 1980s insurgency in which thousands died.

Amritpal Singh claims to draw inspiration from Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a preacher accused by the Indian government of leading an armed insurgency for a separate Sikh homeland - Khalistan. Bhindranwale was killed in the Indian army’s storming of the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine in the Sikh religion, in 1984.

On Sunday, people carrying “Khalistan” banners protested outside the Indian High Commission in London. Videos showed a man detaching the Indian flag from the balcony of the building.

Angry Indian officials summoned the UK’s deputy high commissioner in Delhi to protest.

Indian authorities extended the mobile internet blackout in Punjab on Monday, as the hunt for Amritpal Singh continued.

Addressing a news conference, Punjab’s Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill said five of the 30-year-old preacher’s associates had been arrested and

charged under India’s stringent National Security Act.

He said a number of weapons and vehicles used by the separatists had been recovered, including a Mercedes that Amritpal Singh had used to get away from police on Saturday.

Police say Mr Singh remains at large but his legal adviser has accused them of “illegally and forcibly” detaining him - and demanded he be produced in court. The Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear the petition on Tuesday.

The police crackdown comes weeks after Mr Singh’s supporters stormed a police station, demanding the release of an aide who had been arrested.

On Saturday, police declared Mr Singh “a fugitive” and launched a state-wide search for him. Traffic blockades were set up across the state to check vehicles.

Local media reported that Mr Singh travelled in a cavalcade and dodged the police near the Shahkot-Mehatpur area in Jalandhar district after a dramatic chase.

The chase through villages was live-streamed by some of his associates, the Times of India newspaper reported, adding that they also uploaded videos on social media urging supporters to gather near Jalandhar.

One of the videos showed the preacher’s convoy being stopped at a check post near Jalandhar and then being followed by several police vehicles.

Mr Singh’s uncle Harjit Singh, who was part of the convoy and surrendered to police on Sunday

night, told the Indian Express newspaper that his nephew had been in the car with him as they were heading to Moga district in Punjab.

He said that they were alerted about a “heavy deployment of

armed forces” and so they changed route and Mr Singh switched to another car.

On Sunday, a top police official told ANI news agency that the preacher had managed to escape after “he had been chased for 20-

25km (12-15 miles)”.

The police have marched through the streets in several areas of Punjab to “instil confidence in the public” and to urge them to maintain law and order in the state.

Putin to Xi: We will discuss your plan to end the war in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has said he will discuss Xi Jinping’s 12-point plan to “settle the acute crisis in Ukraine”, during a highly anticipated visit to Moscow by the Chinese president.

“We’re always open for a negotiation process,” Mr Putin said, as the leaders called each other “dear friend”.

China released a plan to end the war last month - it includes “ceasing hostilities” and resuming peace talks.

But on Friday the US warned the peace plan could be a “stalling tactic”.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms.”

He added: “Calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest.”

China’s plan did not specifically say that Russia must withdraw from Ukraine - which Ukraine has insisted as a precondition for any talks.

Instead, it talked of “respecting the sovereignty of all countries”, adding that “all parties must stay rational and exercise restraint” and “gradually de-escalate the situation”.

The plan also condemned the usage of “unilateral sanctions” - seen as a veiled criticism of Ukraine’s allies in the West.

On Monday, a military band gave Mr Xi a warm welcome to Moscow. Mr Putin hailed China for “observing the principles of justice” and pushing for “undivided security for every country”.

In return, Mr Xi told Mr Putin: “Under your strong leadership, Russia has made great strides in its prosperous development. I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their firm support.”

Before Mr Xi’s arrival, Mr Putin wrote in China’s People’s Daily newspaper that the two nations would not be weakened by “aggressive” US policy.

Publicly, Ukrainian leaders have been emphasising the common ground they have with China - respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

But privately, they have been lobbying for a meeting - or telephone call - between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr Xi.

The fear in Kyiv is that China’s support for Russia - currently based around technology and trade - might become military, potentially including artillery shells.

“If China does move to openly supply weapons to Russia, it will in effect be taking part in the conflict on the side of the aggressor,” said Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council.

It was in Beijing’s interests to stabilise the relationship with

Russia, with which it shares a 4,300km (2,700 mile) border, said Yu Jie, a research fellow on China at Chatham House.

Russia is a source of oil for Beijing’s huge economy, and is seen as a partner in standing up to the US.

Ms Yu added that Mr Xi had just scored a diplomatic victory in mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which have now resumed diplomatic ties.

This could be a chance for him to explore the opportunity to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr Xi will be treated to a seven-course meal including nelma fish from the Pechora River in northern Russia, a traditional Russian seafood soup and pancakes with quail - alongside Russian wine.

Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has indicated there will be a “detailed explanation” of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine over dinner. Russian and Chinese

delegations will hold talks tomorrow - the main day of the visit.

The meeting comes days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president over war crime allegations.

This means Mr Putin could technically be arrested in 123 countries - though neither China nor Russia are on that list.

Making a trip to Moscow so soon after the ICC’s announcement suggests China feels “no responsibility to hold the Kremlin accountable” for atrocities in Ukraine, Mr Blinken said.

Western leaders have been attempting since last February to isolate Russia, following its fullscale invasion of Ukraine.

But they have been unable to establish a global consensus, with China, India and several African nations reluctant to condemn Mr Putin.

Source: BBC

Police are out in force in Punjab - and have been trying to catch Amritpal Singh for days

Narrowing Down Search for Next Speaker

By Olu Jacobs

It seems fairly certain now that the Senate President for the 10th Assembly will come from the South East or South South, a Christian, to assuage the feelings of those who felt marginalized and to make the All Progressives Congress the party it always claimed to be, one that belongs to us all, irrespective of religion, region or ethnicity, one where every Nigerian may aspire to greatness.

With 57 Senators so far, the party has a comfortable majority in the Senate and because of the famous “cognate experience” rule which presumes that only ranking senators may vie for the office of the Senate President, the battle is going to be amongst the returning senators of whom there are half a dozen or so who fit the bill; a Christian from the South East or, perhaps, the South South, a leader in a previous assembly and a former Governor. Names like senators Orji Uzor Kalu, David Umahi, Godwin Akpabio and Adams Oshiomhole, all former governors, top the list.

What this means is that baring any seismic changes, the Speakership will be zoned to the north, possibly between the north west and the north central, mainly because the north east already has the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima. This may well truncate the ambition of someone like Hon Mukthar Aliyu Betara, the current chairman of Committee on Appropriations who represents Biu/Bayo/ Shani/Kwaya Kusar federal constituency of Borno State. It is the same principle that has knocked off Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila who comes from the same Lagos State as the President-elect Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In the north west, names like Rt.Hon. Sada Soli from Katsina State, Aminu Jaji from Zamfara State and Tajudden Abbas from Kaduna State, appear to be at the forefront of those vying for this office. The current Deputy Speaker, Hön Ahmed

Idris Wase who is from the north central state of Nasarawa and has shown serious interest in the job is a major contender.

In the end, nearly everything will depend on how the party chose to zone the offices and how it wishes to share the spoils among the six geopolitical zones. Recently, the leadership of the party and the President and Vice President elect have been working out a zoning formular for the extant offices. Although, officially, the President-elect has said he would not interfere with the elections of the presiding officers into the National Assembly, it is clear that both Tinubu and Shettima, former senators themselves, will be taking a more active role in the process - if only to avoid the debacle that saw Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Senator Bukola Saraki upset the applecart a few years ago when they took the Speakership of the House of Reps and the Senate Presidency away from the chosen candidates of the party. At the time, Bola Tinubu was said to very furious and though he eventually got his men, Gbajabiamila and Senator Ahmed Lawan on the saddle in subsequent assemblies, it is doubtful if he would allow that sort of clumsiness to play out on his watch.

It is clear that the north west has some edge over the rest of the regions in this quest for Speakership and there is a more than

even chance that it would provide the candidate for that office. First, the zone was able to provide the party, and thus the President-elect the largest number of votes during the Presidential and National Assembly election of 25th February, 2023 and may well do so again in the Governorship and State Assembly elections. But beyond that fact is a nebulous but nonetheless profound fact: in an election where the president elect was buffeted from all sides, harassed and harangued by almost every power block, the northern governors, led by the formidable governors of the northwestern states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara in the persons of Ganduje, Nasiru El Rufai, Aminu Masari and Bello Muhammad, Mutawalle, stood by him in plain sight, defending him at every turn. Tinubu would certainly feel that he owes them some political capital.

In the end it may come down to who has the largest number in the National Assembly and in that case Katsina State holds the ace with its three Senators and nine members of the House of Reps, giving it the largest

contingent of APC legislators from any zone.

So while there is no shortage of quality in the 10th Assembly, these permutations may well have skewed the process in favour of some. One of these is Hön Sada Soli, the calm but highly influential member who represents Jibia/ Kaita federal constituency in Katsina State and is the current committee chair for Water resources. His name stands out in the House of Reps today because of the trust he elicits from colleagues and Assembly staff alike, but also as a result of his remarkable, extraordinarily particular experience: a former civil servant who worked for a decade and a half in the National Assembly, clerking for committees in both the Senate and the House of Reps, he spent four years at the Nigerian Mission in Washington as Special Assistant and Minister Counsellor to Ambassador Jibril Aminu on the approval of President Olusegun Obasanjo through a Special Dispensation that is granted by only the president when a crucial need arises.

After gaining crucial

After gaining crucial diplomatic experience, Sada returned to Nigeria and was posted as Clerk to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. Three years later he resigned and joined politics

diplomatic experience, Sada returned to Nigeria and was posted as Clerk to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. Three years later he resigned and joined politics. Hön Sada Soli was first elected into the green chamber in 2007. In 2011 he became Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Reps, Hön Aminu Tambuwal. He returned to the House in 2019 where he was chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources. This, his third term in the chambers, may be the charm, and having won his election in the February 25th election he is being prevailed upon to run for the Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

His slogan, Better Together resonates with those who believe that the last elections was fractious and exposed the raw underbelly of our problematic union, our tendency to revert to atavistic ethnoreligious groupings. The clear path available for us is to find ways to come together and heal by agreeing that no part is more important than the whole.

A man of great generosity of spirit who likes to walk the talk, Hon Soli is determined to make his campaign about experience, about issues and about competence, but even more clearly, about unifying the nation through the efforts of the foremost symbol of democracy, the House of Representatives. Jacobs, a former newspaper editor, wrote in from Abuja

Sada Soli

Hön Ahmed Idris Wase

Godwin Akpabio

Orji Uzor Kalu

Why asylum seekers are choosing Canada in record

Last year, nearly 40,000 migrants crossed into Canada at an unofficial border crossing at the end of a remote rural road in upstate New York - a record number - to seek asylum. Many are driven by the belief that the country is more welcoming than the US. But can Canada handle the influx?

On a snowy winter day, Roxham Road is cold and quiet. The silence is interrupted by the sound of wheels approaching the end of the path, or the crunching of footsteps on snow.

Around 150 migrants are dropped off here each day, determined to step foot into Canada. Many began their journey as far away as Brazil, with this road in New York state as their finish line.

Roxham Road is not an official border point. There are no border agents at the end of it, only police officers who arrest those who cross.

But it has become known as an accessible spot to enter Canada from the US in order to claim asylum.

Last year marked the highest influx of migrants into Canada via that pathway - with thousands lured by the country’s reputation for helping those fleeing war and conflict.

The influx has led to growing frustration on both sides of the border about the path, increasing concerns about its safety, and questions about what the future holds for those who make the journey.

Roxham Road rose to national attention in 2017 when migrants, fleeing displacement and conflict, began crossing there in large numbers.

Some pinned its sudden popularity to fears of deportation from the US under the Trump administration, others to a tweet by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that read: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you”.

The influx caught Canadian officials off guard. Montreal’s Olympic Stadium was briefly converted into housing for newlyarriving migrants. The federal government tried to stem the tide with warnings that arrival in Canada was not an automatic ticket to stay.

The Covid-19 pandemic closed the route under emergency health measures enacted by the federal government but demand for a safe haven never dissipated.

Thousands of asylum seekers came again when those measures were lifted some 16 months ago.

Many come from Haiti, a country rocked in recent months by political and gang violence. There has also been a surge of people arriving from Latin American countries like Venezuela and Colombia, or from as far away as Afghanistan, all dealing with their own domestic turmoil.

At the same time, the Biden administration has extended some Trump-era pandemic policies like Title 42, which has been used to block land entry at the US-Mexico border for some migrants.

Migrants who spoke to the BBC in Quebec said they increasingly view the US as not a viable country for refuge, where asylum claims can often take years before they are heard, and where they feel they are not welcomed.

Joshua arrived in Montreal two days after Christmas and now shares a rented flat with other migrants as he awaits for his claim to be heard.

A native Venezuelan, he had been living in exile in Chile for five years without travel documents when he decided to make the trek up to Canada, he told the BBC.

“Other countries, they’re not so friendly with irregular immigrants,” said Joshua, whose name has been changed to protect his identity as someone fleeing political persecution.

But Canada, he said, has welcomed him.

Behind the influx is a nearly two-decade old agreement with the US - the Safe Third Country Agreement - which requires migrants to file for asylum in the first ‘safe’ country they step foot in.

A migrant coming from the US would be turned away at a Canadian border point but Roxham Road, an unofficial path, is a loophole.

Mr Trudeau has dismissed calls to close the crossing, suggesting it would be futile given the thousands of kilometers of undefended border with the US and that migrants would dangerously attempt to cross elsewhere.

He has focused instead on renegotiating the agreement - an issue he is expected to raise with Joe Biden when the president visits Ottawa later this week.

But the prime minister is facing pressure to take action as the new arrivals strain social services, especially in Quebec, where many of the migrants settle.

Around 150 migrants are dropped off here each day, determined to step foot into Canada. Many began their journey as far away as Brazil, with this road in New York state as their finish line.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has called the situation in the province untenable, saying services have been “pushed to the brink” and that some migrants are facing homelessness as a result.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to receive asylum seekers with dignity,” he said in February.

Migrants also face a growing backlog of refugee claims, which grew from 56,300 in January to almost 71,000 by December - a 26% increase. Claims can now take up to two years to process. Around 28% of all claims were rejected last year, meaning success is not guaranteed.

There are also lengthy waits for work permits.

It used to take a week to get a social insurance number for a new asylum seeker. Now, the wait for an appointment for the ID document is nearly two years, said Maryse Poisson, who works at the Welcome Collective, an organisation assisting newcomers in Montreal.

Many migrants have struggled to make ends meet as a result, and some have resorted to accessing food banks and other social supports as they wait, advocates told the BBC.

“Some of them are in a situation where they have to accept work under the table,” said Suzanne Taffot, an immigration lawyer based in Montreal who helps asylum seekers with their claims.

Ms Poisson said she fears some of them are falling through the cracks without additional government support.

“We’re really worried that the most vulnerable, those that have trauma, those that have a lot of barriers of language, don’t get the help they need at all,” she said.

US border agents have noted an uptick of people crossing back from Canada. In January, US Border Patrol apprehended 367 people attempting to cross north to south - more than the number of such crossings in the last 12 years combined.

Republican lawmakers have since spoken out about a “crisis” brewing at the northern border.

Some of those who cross back have done so from frustration with being unable to find work in Canada, or to reunite with family, people who work with asylum seekers in Montreal said.

Despite the growing challenges in Canada, migrants continue to cross Roxham Road in record numbers, undeterred even in the midst of the bitter Canadian winter.

On the New York side of the crossing, taxi drivers Terry Provost and Tyler Tambini said they often drive people to the border from the Plattsburgh bus station - sometimes for free as some migrants run out of money towards the end of their journey.

“This guy had no money. He’s been waiting and waiting at a motel,” said Mr Provost as he

Even in the bitter Canadian cold, a record number of migrants continue to cross from the US to Canada through Roxham Road

dropped off an asylum seeker from Afghanistan.

Once the migrants cross, they are greeted by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who warn them that they will be placed under arrest if they step forward.

Once a ditch with some brush and trees, since 2017 the Canadian side of the border has turned into a small police compound, complete with trailers to process those who cross and buses that wait to bring

the newcomers to hotels nearby.

Mr Provost said he sees people hesitate before they make the final step, unsure of what awaits them on the other side.

But for migrants like Joshua, Canada is the last safe place on the line.

“The American dream died many years ago,” he told the BBC. “Montreal is my new home. The only home I have.”

Source: BBC

Joshua, a migrant from Venezuela, may not get his Canadian work permit until 2024 due to backlogs

Tyler Tambini is one of a handful of upstate New York Taxi drivers who transport migrants up to Roxham Road, sometimes for free

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Premier League: Arsenal & Man City - who will win the title?

The Premier League title race is building up to a dramatic finale as we enter the final two months of the campaign.

Arsenal extended their lead at the top to eight points by thrashing Crystal Palace 4-1 on Sunday and have 10 games left as they look to end their 19-year wait for a title.

Manchester City have a game in hand but are also still in the FA Cup and Champions League, meaning they could potentially play seven more fixtures than Arsenal.

The two teams meet in what is likely to be a pivotal match at Etihad Stadium on 26 April.

So who are favourites for the title? And who has the more favourable run-in?

BBC Sport has crunched the numbers and analysed the fixture list to try and find out...

Snapshot of the top of the Premier League: 1st Arsenal with 69 points, 2nd Man City with 61 points

Who do Arsenal and City have left to play?

Let’s start with the fixtures.

Arsenal’s outlook is simple: they need 26 points from those 10 games to take the title, assuming City win all their remaining matches. Arsenal’s final match is at home to Wolves on 28 May.

Pep Guardiola’s City have 11 games remaining but also face a two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich and an FA Cup semifinal against Sheffield United at Wembley.

Should City win both, the FA Cup final takes place on 3 June and the Champions League semi-finals are scheduled for 9/10 and 16/17 May, before the final in Istanbul on 10 June.

Data company Nielsen’s Gracenote has worked out the percentage chance each side have of winning their remaining Premier League matches, according to its Euro Club Index formula.

Remaining fixtures

Arsenal Win chance

Man City Win chance

Leeds (h) 1 April 78%

Liverpool (h) 1 April 61%

Southampton (a) 8 April

71% Liverpool (a) 9 April 21%

Bayern Munich (h - Champions League QF) 11 April

Leicester (h) 15 April 85%

West Ham (a) 16 April 44%

Bayern Munich (a - Champions

League QF) 19 April

Southampton (h) 21 April

79%

Sheffield United (FA Cup semifinal) 22/23 April

Man City (a) 26 April 14%

Arsenal (h) 26 April 66%

Chelsea (h) 29 April 54% Fulham (a) 30 April

68%

Newcastle (a) 6 May 37%

Leeds (h) 6 May 88%

May

Potential CL semi-final 9/10

Brighton (h) 13 May 65%

Everton (a) 13 May 68%

May

Potential CL semi-final 16/17

Nottingham Forest (a) 20 May

58% Chelsea (h) 20 May

70%

Wolves (h) 28 May 75%

Brentford (a) 28 May 62%

West Ham (h) TBC 82%

Brighton (a) TBC 55%

Potential FA Cup final 3

June

Potential CL final 10

June

‘This is a genuine title race which is very difficult to call’

According to Gracenote’s simulations, Mike Arteta’s Arsenal have a 53% chance of lifting the Premier League trophy, while City’s chance of retaining their title is 47%.

“Despite Arsenal’s eight-point lead, it is still close to a 50/50 race because the Gunners have played a game more than Manchester City and still have to play away at three of the top six: City, Newcastle United and Liverpool,” said Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis at Gracenote.

“City’s toughest remaining trip in the Premier League is to Brighton next month.

“If we use probabilities from our Euro Club Index for each remaining match to calculate the expected points for Arsenal and Manchester City at the end of the season, Arsenal finish on 87 points and City on 86.

“If we partially subjectively allocate a win, draw or loss to each of the remaining fixtures led by the Euro Club Index probabilities, both teams end on 88 points. Either way, this is a genuine title

race which is very difficult to call.

“The match between the two on April 26 will clearly be a key fixture in deciding the destination of the Premier League trophy.

“On the basis of an estimated 66% win chance for City according to the Euro Club Index, we have given City three points. If Arsenal avoid defeat, or even win, this will have a major impact on the title race.”

Gracenote’s top-two chart Arsenal have history on their side

Nervy Arsenal fans dreaming of a first title since 2003-04 may take some comfort from the history books.

According to Opta, only three teams in the Premier League have held an eight-point lead or more after 28 games and not won the title.

In 1997-98 Manchester United led Arsenal by nine points after 30 games but the Gunners, who had three games in hand, closed the gap to seal their first Premier League title. Five years later Manchester United gained revenge by chasing

down Arsenal’s eight-point lead after 29 games.

But United were on the receiving end again in 2011-12 when City wiped out their eightpoint advantage before taking the trophy on the final day thanks to that goal from Sergio Aguero.

Looking back further, of the 12 teams to have more than 69 points after 30 games in the First Division or Premier League (converting to three points for a win) only one team have failed to win the titleLiverpool in 2018-19.

English top-flight teams to have 69+ points after 28 games

Season Team Points

Final position

Mikel Arteta (left) was appointed Arsenal manager in 2019 after three years as Manchester City assistant under Pep Guardiola (right)

Rangers vow To Defeat Rivers United as birthday gift to Secretary

Players of the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C have promised the club’s Administrative Secretary, Barrister Ferdinand Ugwuarua, a grand birthday present with an outright win in their rescheduled match day 8, Group B, NPFL 2022/2023 Abridge season fixture against reigning champions, Rivers United F.C in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Captain of the side, Uche John, while reacting to an address by the young football administrator whose birthday is on Monday, March 13, before the team departed for the ‘Garden City’, Monday morning, wished the administrator a warm birthday celebration with a promise of returning with the maximum points at stake in the fixture.

“On behalf of the players, I wish you a wonderful birthday celebration laced with a bountiful blessing from God just as we promise to present you with a grand birthday present after our game in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. Like we did last year in Uyo, it shall happen in PortHarcourt against Rivers United. It shall be a double celebration after the match,” stated the hard-as-anail defender.

Earlier, while addressing the match day squad before they departed the Coal City for PortHarcourt, Monday, Barrister Ugwuarua charged the players to go all out and get the needed result that would send a message to other contenders in the league that Rangers was back to challenge for its proper position on the log.

“I challenge you to go to PortHarcourt and show the real stuff that you are made of. They are the champions but we have what it takes to reclaim our position in the league of club football in the country. It will be a perfect birthday present for me just as you did at my last celebration in Uyo.”

Recall that the league organizers, I.M.C had rescheduled this fixture for Wednesday, March 15, 2023, inside Adokieye Amiesiamaka Stadium, PortHarcourt with kickoff fixed for 16.00 hours due to Rivers United’s participation in the CAF Confederation Cup, 2023.

Barcelona snatch dramatic El-Clasico win over Real

Franck Kessie scored a dramatic late winner as Barcelona beat Real Madrid to move 12 points clear in La Liga.

Real went ahead in El Clasico against the run of play as Vinicius Jr’s cross was headed into his own net by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.

Barca equalised just before half-time through Sergi Roberto’s shot after Raphinha’s effort had been blocked.

Marco Asensio saw a late strike for Real ruled out for offside, before Kessie scored the injury-time winner.

Both sides have 12 league matches remaining and Barca are in a dominant position as they look to win the title for the first time since 2018-19.

Barcelona v Real Madrid as it happened

Roberto said: “You can never say [the title] is over but we have now gone 12 points clear so it’s difficult for them.

“It’s down to us and that’s the most important thing. I’m just glad to have helped the team with a goal. It was epic at the end and I’m pleased for Franck to get the goal.

“The game swung when we thought Asensio had scored, it was ruled offside and we scored. It feels even better when you win with a late goal and it’s fantastic to do so in front of our supporters.”

Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto

Barcelona are aiming to win La Liga for the 27th time

equalises against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp Sergi Roberto equalised for Barcelona at the Nou Camp with his fourth La Liga goal of the season Reigning Spanish champions Real came into this game having beaten Liverpool 1-0 on Wednesday to complete a 6-2 aggregate victory to move into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Karim Benzema, who scored against the Reds, had the first shot of the match inside the opening minute but

saw his effort from outside the penalty area well held by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

But the visitors were then indebted to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as he made excellent saves to keep out Robert Lewandowski’s wellstruck 25-yard effort and Raphinha’s header.

Real took a ninth-minute lead, but Barcelona, 26-time Spanish champions, had the better of the first half.

Andreas Christensen was unable to take two

opportunities and Raphinha had a shot tipped over by Courtois before Roberto levelled in the 45th minute. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr pats Ronald Araujo on the shoulder after the Barcelona defender’s own goal Ronald Araujo scored the first own goal in El Clasico in La Liga in the 21st Century Lewandowski, the top scorer in La Liga with 15 goals, had a shot deflected just wide, before Real substitute Rodrygo fired over at the other end in his first involvement.

Ekene Adams dedicates House Rep election victory to Remo Stars’ chairman, Soname

Sports Administrator, now members-elect of the House of Representatives, Ekene Abubakar Adams has given glory to God as he specially thanked the President of Remo Stars Football Club of Ikenne, Honourable Kunle Soname.

Adams will represent the good people of the Chikun/ Kajuru Federal Constituency in the 10th National Assembly and clinched his ticket under the platform of the (Labour Party) in the elections of the lower legislative chamber, held alongside the presidential on Saturday 25 February.

Adams, who was General Manager of Remo Stars before he clinched the ticket could not

hide his delight after he and other 324 members-elect of the Green Chamber were presented their certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

While speaking when he presented his certificate of return issued him by INEC as a member-elect to Soname, Ekene Adams showed encomiums on the billionaire gentleman, business mogul, philanthropist and passionate football lover.

“I give glory to God, my family and the good people for giving me the mandate to serve them in the Green Chamber. All credit goes to Soname for his father’s

role in my political growth.

“I must from everything that I have learnt from him (Soname) in the many years I have been with him, serve humanity. Without him, we wouldn’t have been talking about this feat that I just achieved.

“Soname is not keen about ‘God-Fatherism’ but he is my political ‘godfather, as he’s a government despite not holding any position in government, he doesn’t have a tribal or religious bias as he sees every Nigerian as one.

“Our philanthropic gesture is what we learnt from him as it knows no bounds. At KADA City in the NPFL four years ago, he single-handedly paid monthly

salaries and other logistics, regardless the club was based in Kaduna.

“As a branch of his good works, we must emulate him by making this new government better for the common good of all Nigerians.

“We have nothing to offer Soname than to extend the hands of goods to people. My prayer to God is to keep Soname alive for Nigerians

“Without much ado, I had to come to present my certificate of return to him, as a member-elect in the 10th National Assembly.

“I want to state here clearly that others and I, are his products and will remain his product.”

UFC 286: Leon Edwards’ title defence continues inspiring underdog story

In 2019, Leon Edwards was booed in front of his home fans at the O2 Arena in London. On Saturday, he was celebrated in the same venue as potentially the greatest British mixed martial artist in history.

In earning a majority decision win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, Birmingham’s Edwards, 31, followed in fellow Briton Michael Bisping’s footsteps of defending a world title for the first time.

Should Edwards win his next fight, he will surpass Bisping as the Briton with the most UFC title defences.

The fans showed their love for Edwards throughout the event in London, chanting his nickname “Rocky” while passionately cheering every strike he landed on his Nigerian opponent, but it has not always been that way.

Only four years ago, the crowd sided with Edwards’ popular Icelandic opponent Gunnar Nelson and jeered the Briton as he fought his way to a split decision win.

“I took the longest road to get here. I’ve earned my respect the hard way. No one gave me nothing. It makes [this win] even more satisfying for me, my team, the UK and mixed martial arts,” said Edwards.

“It means the world to me. I feel it’s every kid’s dream, and to have it happen at 31 years old after such a rough patch in my career, it’s really the icing on the cake.”

Edwards retains title at UFC 286 in London

Briton Mokaev remains unbeaten with epic comeback

‘I’m a kid born in Jamaica with nothing’

Edwards was born in Jamaica but moved to the UK around the age of nine.

In Jamaica, Edwards’ father was the leader of a gang which saw him exposed to drugs, gun violence and murder.

Edwards’ father brought his family - which included Edwards, his mother and his brother Fabian - to Britain for a safer upbringing, but tragedy would soon strike with his father killed in a shooting in London.

The loss caused a “spiral effect” which led Edwards into the world of gang violence in Birmingham, before finding a way out after joining an MMA gym at the age of 17.

Edwards never looked back.

“I’ve been through thick and thin and I truly believe the journey I’ve been through helped me be here,” he said.

“I’m a kid born in Jamaica with nothing. My dad was involved in gang crime. A single mum raised me. It’s a great story to tell, and to make my son proud of me for what I’m doing, means the world to me.”

After joining the UFC in 2014,

Edwards’ hit a bump when he suffered defeat by Usman in 2015.

Edwards has said previously that was the moment he knew he could beat the 35-year-old.

He then embarked on a 12-fight unbeaten run which has included winning the title from and then defending it against Usman, while also overcoming the disappointment of multiple fight cancellations and being removed from the UFC rankings in 2020 because of inactivity.

Edwards has never been as outspoken as most other UFC champions, instead preferring to let his fighting do the talking, but in winning over and capturing the hearts of MMA fans, he has shown

how embracing your personality can reap rewards.

UFC president Dana White says Edwards’ title-winning story is a “game changer” for the UK.

“England has a world champion, looks like we’ll be doing a lot more title fights here,” he said.

“If the champion fights three times a year and we do him over here in London, it makes sense.

“The first time we came over here was in 2002. We came to Manchester and that started the explosion over here. Now we have a champion bringing title fights over here, it’s a game changer for the UK.”

What’s next for Edwards?

White said in his post-fight

news conference that American welterweight Colby Covington will get the next shot at Edwards’ belt.

Covington, 35, weighed in as the backup for the main event in London and was sat cageside at the O2 Arena.

However, it is not a decision with which Edwards agrees.

“I don’t know how that makes sense. He’s not fought for over a year and half,” said Edwards.

“I don’t know how he gets a title shot when there’s other guys who have been active and deserve a shot and didn’t sit out. I’m the king now and I feel I should decide who’s next.”

Another fighter who has been touted as a potential opponent for

Edwards is Jorge Masvidal.

Masvidal and Edwards have history, with the American striking Edwards backstage following his win over Nelson in 2019.

The pair were due to meet in December 2021 but Masvidal pulled out with injury.

He will fight Gilbert Burns in Miami next month - a fight Edwards says he may attend.

“If Masvidal beats Gilbert that’s the fight to make, PPV [payper=view] wise,” said Edwards.

“I feel like there’s a storyline to tell. If he gets the job done, I’ll consider it.

“But anyone can get it. I’m the champion, I’m still young. Prove your case in the division and I’ll

Plateau State Governor mourns Mabo

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong says he received with shock but total submission to the will of God, the death of Coach Isma’ila Mabo, whose departure was announced on 13th March 2023..

In a release signed by his Press Secretary, Makut Simon Macham, Lalong said the death of Coach Mabo is a great loss not only to his immediate family but to the entire people of Plateau State and Nigeria at large considering the impact he made in his sporting career and football in particular.

He said “Coach Mabo in his playing days devoted his strength, energy and talent playing for many great clubs including the famous Mighty Jets Football Club of Jos and the national team, Green Eagles.”

According to the Governor, as Coach, Isma’ila Mabo is credited

with discovering and mentoring young talents, grooming them and exposing them to great clubs in the State, Nigeria and the world thereby enhancing the sport.

“We remember fondly his exploits as the Head Coach of the female national team, the Falcons during the FIFA 1999 Women’s World Cup; 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games; as well as the Quarter Finals of the World Cup among others. During his lifetime on earth, Coach Mabo loved people and promoted peace, unity and oneness irrespective of ethnic, religious or political considerations” he said.

Lalong said he has lost a personal friend and mentor who did not only offered him support during his football days, but also offered him advise on enhancing the game of football when he became

Governor.

The Governor on behalf of his family, the people and Government of Plateau State, prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort the family.

Similarly, Plateau United FC have expressed shock over the death of of the octogenarian.

According to a statement by the Media Officer of the Club, Albert Dakup , described the death as a great loss not only to the state , but Nigeria as a whole in view of his invaluable contributions to the growth of female football in the country and the world at large.

The late Coach Mabo who was the pioneer Head Coach of the Super Falcons , took the senior female national team to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games , a record yet to be equalled by his successors.

“We are saddened by the

passing away of coach Samaila Mabo. He impacted positively on female football in Plateau State and Nigeria and the vacuum he left behind, will difficult to fill” the statement said.

The Statement urged the family to accept Coach Mabo’s death in good faith , stressing that one cannot question the will of God and prayed for the repose of his soul.

The late Coach Samaila Mabo played for the famous Mighty Jets Football Club of Jos and the Super Eagles before venturing into Coaching where he became the pioneer Super Falcons Head Coach that led the team to the maiden edition of the female World Cup held in China.

Until his demise, he is the Board Chairman of the Plateau State Sports Council, Jos.

Governorship polls: Champions and fall guys

Euro 2024 qualifiers: Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope withdraw from England squad

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Newcastle keeper Nick Pope have withdrawn from the England squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Rashford picked up a knock during his side’s FA Cup quarterfinal win against Fulham on Sunday.

Pope, who has 10 caps, suffered an injury in Newcastle’s 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest on Friday.

Mount is also recovering from an injury and will stay with Chelsea.

England manager Gareth Southgate had included him in the initial 25-man squad but Chelsea boss Graham Potter said afterwards that the 24-year-old would not be joining up with the international team.

Mount has not featured for Chelsea since February because of a pubic bone injury and missed Saturday’s Premier League draw against Everton.

Rashford has been in fine form for Manchester United this season, scoring 27 goals in total including 19 since returning from the Qatar World Cup, where he found the net three times in five games for England.

Tottenham keeper Fraser Forster, 35, has been called up to replace Pope.

Forster won the last of his six England caps in 2016 though he was included in the squad for two friendly games last season.

“No further replacements are planned and 23 players arrived at St. George’s Park on Monday,” said an England statement.

The just concluded governorship election was just as keenly watched as the presidential poll. Apparently the two major political parties as we knew them, viz, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP were taken unawares by the Labour party (LP) as it won the presidential election in all of the south east states, majority of the south south states, some north central states like Plateau and Nasarawa as well as places of national importance, namely, Lagos State (the nation’s commercial nerve centre and Abuja, the federal capital territory. Having seen the embarrassing result of not reckoning with the LP, these parties went back to the drawing board to restrategise for the governorship poll, taking into consideration, the LP factor in their new campaigns cum strategy. The result is that the LP was largely subdued in the governorship and State House of Assembly elections, not least in the south east zone where it had the largest percentage wins in the presidential/national assembly polls, dismantling the old order and sending some veteran politicians to political oblivion.

In Ebonyi, Governor Dave Nwaeze Umahi who defected from PDP to APC a few years ago, proved that when the push comes to shove, the tough gets going. The governor’s anointed successor, Francis Nwifuru (incumbent Ebonyi state House of Assembly Speaker) won the gubernatorial election comfortably. For Governor Umahi’s candidate to have defeated both LP and PDP in the election on a platform (APC) that is not so popular in this zone, I give kudos to him. Umahi is a champion in this general election for being able to endear APC to the electorate in Ebonyi state. Leader of APC in Ebonyi state, his party lost only the presidential election, winning all others --national Assembly, Governorship and House of Assembly polls. There was no gubernatorial election in Anambra and Imo states. However, Imo state governor Hope Uzodinma of APC proved his mettle as his party cleared 25 of the 27 State House of Assembly seats. That is a massive victory in the HOA poll. One cannot declare Uzodinma a champion as yet until November when he will be standing for reelection. If he is able to win it he would be considered a political

By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO

colossus worthy of an award. Similarly, though Anambra state governor, Charles Soludo was not up for election, his APGA party won the majority seats in the House of Assembly seats -- 17 of the total 30. Labour had 7, PDP and YPP three each. As I predicted in my column titled, ‘Governors on tenterhooks as electorate give judgement’, LP is likely to win only Abia and Enugu states in the south east zone. As at the time of writing this column, the Labour party candidates were leading in both states although INEC was yet to officially declare a winner.

Governorship election was held in five of the six states in the south south zone, all of which had been PDP controlled states since birth of the fourth republic in 1999. The odd state is Cross River whose governor, Ben Ayade defected from PDP to APC sometime ago, automatically making him the APC leader in that state. Ayade lost his senatorial bid and his APC also lost the presidential election in February. For being able put aside its setback in the presidential and National Assembly elections to emerge tops at the governorship poll, Ayade’s Cross River state APC is a champion in this March 18 election. More so when the APC candidate’s closest rival, PDP’s Sandy Onor was backed by PDP heavy weights like former governors, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke, among others. Most especially too, when winner of the presidential election in the state, LP’s Peter Obi was in Cross River state to personally direct his supporters (the Obedient movement) to vote for Onor. Notwithstanding these obstacles APC’s Bassey Otu still won the guber race and is now GovernorElect. Kudos to him. Edo and Bayelsa states are not due for gubernatorial polls yet. The other states in this zone, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta states are still controlled by the PDP as the party won in these areas.

Expectedly, there were no

surprises in the south west zone. This columnist had predicted that notwithstanding the noise about the President-Elect losing his home state of Lagos in the presidential election to the LP, the APC would win the March 18 poll as the party would tighten up and restrategise. And, it so happened as Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu beat the LP candidate by a wide margin according to INEC’s result. Ditto Katsina state where the APC’s national leader cum Nigeria’s president, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari suffered a rather embarrassing defeat in Febuary as his party lost both the presidential and National Assembly election polls to the PDP. Indeed, apart from losing the presidential poll, APC lost all three senatorial seats in the state. This huge loss made Governor Masari to sack a number of his appointees. Much water passed under the ground in the intervening three weeks before this election. APC Katsina intensified its campaigns, some PDP members crossed over to APC. And as I rightly predicted some weeks ago, APC’s Dikko Umar Rada beat PDP’s Garba Yakubu Lado 859,892 to 486,620 votes and declared governorElect, thereby saving President Buhari further blushes.

My prediction for Nasarawa state was correct. Though a close call, Governor Abdullahi Sule scored 347,209 votes as against PDP’s candidate David Ombugadu’s 283,016 votes. However, APC did not win majority seats in the State House of Assembly election. It won nine seats, PDP 8 while SDP and NNPP have two seats each in the 20 member House. Of course Rabiu Musa Kwankwoso and his NNPP is a champion of this election. He was the only one that won with over a million votes in the presidential election in Kano state and his candidate again won the guber election with over a million votes. Kwankwoso delivered through his NNPP and in style. Champion. I predicted he would

have a sole governor.

APC Benue state and its leader George Akume are joint champion for winning all four elections, Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and House of Assembly; a feat which none of the states that border it could achieve. Akume deserves special kudos for getting a winning team led by its gubernatorial candidate, Rev. Father Hyacinthhe Alia that galvanised the electorate to vote for APC. Significantly, APC regained Sokoto from PDP. Last time when PDP’s Governor Aminu Tambuwal was re elected in 2019, he won by a slim margin of about 300 votes over the APC candidate.

The ‘fall guy’ in this governorship poll is the Labour party. LP was the ‘man of the match’ so to speak in the February polls as its presidential candidate gathered over six million votes in just nine months of entering the race while the party also won a number of National Assembly seats, the most significant being the senate seat of Abuja, the nation’s capital. In this election however, LP was found out. It did not win any governorship election in the south west and south south regions. It only managed to win two in the south east (one yet to be confirmed as at time of writing). In the whole of the northern region it was somewhat invisible as the governorship race here was between APC and PDP.

Thumps down too to the social media with its fake news, one of which was the trending social media news that the APC’s sole female governorship candidate in Adamawa state won the election. Congratulatory messages were already pouring in for her, including one from the British embassy (later deleted). It was false. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of PDP retained his post, reelected.