Thursday, February 23, 2023 Edition

EFCC moves against vote buyers, deploys operatives across states

As police bars personnel from escorting VIPs to polling units Presidential, NASS elections will hold as scheduled -Security Council

From left (front roll.. Chairman Vanguard media Mr Sam Amuka Peru, Emeritus Bishop of Abuja Cardinal John Onayikan Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammed Chairman National Peace Committee (NPC) and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; General Yakubu Gowon; President Muhammadu Buhari; former South African president, Oliver Tambo Mbeki; former Malawian president, Dr Joyce Banda and Secretary general of Commonwealth, Scotland Hon. Baroness Patricia with presidential candidates and their party chairmen during the signing of the 2nd National Peace Accord in preparation for the forthcoming general presidential elections, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Naira Swap Policy: FG, 16 state Govs, know fate March 3

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Supreme Court has fixed March 3, 2023 for judgement in the suit filed by the sixteen states governors against the federal government over the naira swap policy.

Justice Inyang Okoro, who headed the seven-man panel of the court fixed the date after taking arguments from counsel in the matter.

In the suit, the plaintiffs are in the court, contesting with the Attorney-General of the Federation(AGF)and the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) over the policy.

In their briefs of arguments, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors posited that the policy was with the view to make the ruling party unpopular ahead of the elections.

They told the court that the

implementation of the policy has caused untold hardship for Nigerians.

in his argument, counsel to Kaduna and Kogi states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, wants the court to set aside the preliminary objection of the AGF, opposing the suit, adding that it is contempt of the supreme court order made on February 8.

Also, counsel to Jigawa state, Abiodun Owonikoko, asked the court to set aside the directive in President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech delivered on February 15.

“We urge the court to set aside the directive of President Buhari limiting the supreme court’s directive to only the old N200 note. It is a disrespect to the authority of the court.’’

On his own part, the AttorneyGeneral of Lagos, Moyosore Onigbanjo, prayed the court to stop the AGF or President Buhari,

from being granted an audience until they comply with the order made on February 8.

According to him, the suit was not filed for Lagos residents but for the state government itself, emphasizing that the policy has impacted on Lagos state and it is affecting the government from carrying out its constitutional functions.

Earlier in the proceeding, the supreme court ruled on the preliminary objection to the suit filed by the AGF arguing that the supreme court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

In the objection, the AGF said the plaintiffs failed to join the CBN in the suit, which has just the AGF as the sole plaintiff.

Justice Inyang Okoro held, “You are not a stranger to this country. We don’t want a situation where the judiciary will

be a scapegoat. We refuse to be the scapegoat.

“We are hearing this matter today. We don’t intend to keep this matter longer, whether they obey it or not.”

At the last adjourned date, more states joined as plaintiffs in the matter and the apex court made an order stopping the FG to from going ahead with the policy.

Ondo, Ekiti, Katsina, Ogun, Cross River, Lagos, and Sokoto states joined the suit as coplaintiffs, while Edo and Bayelsa states have joined the AGF as defendants.

In the fresh documents filed before the apex court, the three states –Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara cautioned the AGF and Emefiele about the consequences of their continued failure to comply with the apex court’s order made on February 8.

Going by the adjournment of the court, the judgment can only be delivered after the presidential election billed for Saturday, February 25.

2023: We're stronger than before, Jigawa LP replies to Kano ex- LP guber candidate

From Mika'il Tsoho, Dutse

Isa

NPC trains Jigawa journalists on effective reporting of Census

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The National Population Commission (NPC), has embarked on capacity building workshop of Jigawa journalists on effective reporting of 2023 population and housing census.

Speaking during the flaggingoff of the capacity building, the state commissioner NPC Jigawa state, Alhaji Garba AD Zakar said, about 786,741 personnel are to work in the forthoming

2023 census.

According to Umar Jingino those trained are; 623,797 enumerators, 125,994 Supervisors, 24,001 Data Quality Assistants, while 12,000 are Field Coordinators.

He said others are; 1,000 Data Quality Managers, 1,639 Training Centre Administrators and 59,000 LGA level facilitators.

He explained that adequate training of personnel to work in the fourth coming headcount

census is a key preparatory activity for the exercise, while the quality of the data depends on the competence and skill of the personnel engaged.

Also speaking, the HOD said that, the training which is organized in stages commenced with the training of Census Specialized Workforce (CSW) and facilitators who will in return train enumerators, supervisors, field supervisors,data Quality assistants and data quality managers.

As a counter reply to exKano state Labor Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Bashir Ishaq, the Jigawa state chapter of Labour Party (LP) said, the party is stronger then ever in the state. This was contained in a statement signed by the Labour Party governorship candidate, Alhaji Aminu Abdul'aziz Yahaya and made available to news men in Dutse.

“It has come to our notice that the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate of Kano state, Engr. Bashir Ishaq who recently defected to the ruling all progressive Party (APC) that his defection is with the entire structures of the party in the Northwest Zone".

The statement maintained that "This is not true and his defection to APC has strengthen the Labour Party in the entire North West, more especially, here in Jigawa State.

"The Jigawa State Labour Party leadership structures and candidates remain intact, with all Obidient supporters across the 27 local government areas and will deliver her mandate for ObiDatti towards victory".

L-R:, Director of organization, Alhaji Sule Maina, receiving the expression of interest and nomination forms from Kogi state APC governorship aspirant, Prince Shuaib Abubakar Audu with them is the younger brother of late Abubakar Audu, Prince Ibrahim Audu during the submission of the governorship nomination forms at the APC national secretariat, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud

Lawyer seeks protection for journalists during election

Alegal practitioner, Mr Daniel Agada, on Wednesday in Abuja called for adequate protection for journalists covering the 2023 general election,

Agada made the call in Abuja on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“Journalists put their lives in danger to report the news as it is for the public good only to be made to face harassment, intimidation, and sometimes physical attack.

“Their impartial account and accurate reportage serve a fundamental public good which can have decisive impact on the development of the nation.

“In view of the fact that they their roles cannot be overemphasised, there’s the need to ensure that they protected while performing their duties.

“This need is further heightened by the insecurity challenges in some parts of the country.

“The government needs to put measures in place to ensure that journalists are adequately protected while performing their duties including the coverage of elections,” he said.

Agada also said that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution As Amended, provides for the rights to freedom of expression of the press.

“Section 22 , the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people,” he said.

The lawyer called on employers of journalists to play a pivotal role in ensuring that journalists are adequately protected while performing their duties.

“The employers of these journalists benefit greatly from the work journalists do,” he said.

Agada also advised the journalists to be vigilant and in case of any violence, they should protect themselves”.

(NAN)

Election: EFCC moves against vote buyers, deploys operatives across country

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed its operatives to the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory to combat votebuying ahead of Saturday’s general elections.

EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Uwujaren said that apart from the teams deployed across the country, the anti-graft agency had also released incidents reporting

hotlines for the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

He said the move was part of efforts to ensure the integrity of the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

He quoted the Executive Chairman of the commission, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, as urging the operatives to be conscious of the interest of the nation and to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“You are out on a national assignment and

I expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly in line with our core values of professionalism, integrity and courage.

“You have a responsibility to ensure that this election is devoid of financial malpractices, especially inducement of voters.

“The attention of the world is focused on Nigeria and we must do what is necessary to ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections.”

Bawa also urged members of the public to report any case of vote buying or selling, or other evidence of financial

malpractices designed to compromise the electoral outcome through these hotlines.

“Members of the public can also report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store.

“Additionally, the public can reach the Commission through our social media handle, @officialefcc or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng.” (NAN)

Robotics championship designed to discover young Nigerian innovators, says organiser

Mr Olajide

Ajayi, National Coordinator, First LEGO League robotics championship says the competition is designed to inspire and discover young science and technology innovators across the country.

Ajayi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was important for the country to focus on science and technology in order to innovatively solve the nation’s problems.

He said the robotics challenge which was put

together by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with Coderina Education and Technology Foundation was a step in unveiling creative thinkers.

“This creative programme is meant to inspire the young generation of people coming behind us to take technology and science very seriously”

“For any economy to be productive, you have to have creative thinkers, innovative thinkers, you have to have critical thinkers.

“As you know there will always be problems around, so you need to proffer

solutions and find a way of solving our problems as a nation.

“That is why we want to catch these young talents early and develop them into critical thinkers and problem solvers using modern trends in technology,” he said.

Ajayi explained that the FIRST LEGO League competition is focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) skills using robotics and is open to students aged 9 to 16.

While the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is designed

for older students (12-18 years) and emphasizes the design and development of robots.

NAN reports that more than 600 students participated in the national championship, where they showcased their robots, inventions, and research projects to a panel of judges.

Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC) Usi-Ekiti won the 2023 edition of the competition held in Abuja, Queens College emerged second, FSTC Ilesa finished third, while GDSS Karu placed fourth.(NAN)

Permanent Secretary FCTA Mr Olusade Adesola (middle in suit) flanked by senior officials of the FCTA and award winning students and teachers of FCT schools following the reception held for award winning teachers and students by the FCTA in the office of the FCT Minister, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

FG unveils Portal for Buhari’s achievements

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The federal government has unveiled portal for Buhari’s administration legacy.

President Muhammadu Buhari stated this during the unveiling of the programme, ‘’preserving PMB legacy,’’ tagged; ‘’PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’’ in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Represented by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari noted that the programme made easy gauging of the impact of the programme and some accompanying policies over the years.

“ Time and history will speak more eloquently of his stewardship”.

Buhari, who described the

Engr Dada Pre- Season NNWLC tournament ends in Niger State

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The pre season tournament of Engineer Ibrahim Dada annual Nigeria Nation Wide League Competition has ended in Makunkele, Bosso local government area of Niger state.

The football competition during its 10th Anniversary tournament with 20 clubs participated which final ended 2-0 in favour of Tornadoes Feeders Club of Minna against the Alheri Babes of Nasarawa.

Engineer who is the annual sponsor of the competition in an interview said the aim is to contribute his quarter by engaging youths for the development of the state and the country.

Dada emphasized that sports is the easiest means of unifying youths and the people rather than allowing them to be involved in social vices like restiveness, drug abuse, thuggery and others hence the idea for the competition to the betterment of their future.

compiled Ministerial Score card series, and PMB legacy portal, as an attempt at keeping a faithful record in audio, video and print of the achievements of the his administration in the last eight years, said the Minister of information and his team deserve commendation.

“The whole exercise is important for various reasons. First, it is a historical record, and a fairly reliable one because it is a nearly contemporaneous record of what transpired in that eight year period.

“Second, the records being kept in many different forms help to reinforce their accuracy and authenticity.

“Third, this detailed record, even though some will argue is the biased view of active participants in the matters being recorded, will

nevertheless provide very useful source materials for researchers and historians in the future whether they are for or against our administration.

“In other words, by undertaking with great diligence and commitment this incredibly difficult task of record keeping, the Minister and his colleagues in this effort have provided a body of systematically structured facts in writing , photographs and film footage on the most recent eight years of almost a quarter of a century of democracy in Nigeria.

“Fourth the Scorecard series is more than a self report card it is also, a programmatic agenda that has provided a platform for Ministers to highlight their challenges, and unfolding plans for their respective ministries.

“The records of PMB will

be a useful soft material for researchers”,He said.

In his remarks, Lai Mohammed said the event marks the highpoint of the programme launched on October 19th, 2022 by his ministry to massively showcase the achievements of the Buhari’s administration. According to him, the testimonials of the actual beneficiaries indicate that his administration practically presented the largest social investment programme in Nigeria and beyond.

Similarly, the Minister of Information and Culture,Lai Mohammed,has unveiled four different programmes aimed at preserving the legacy of the BuhariAdministration.

He said the programme tagged ‘’PMB Administration Scorecard

Series (2015-2023)’’, has five variants: Scorecard Presentation, Documentary, Testimony Series, Compendium of the Administration’s achievements, and the Legacy Portal.

Mohammed stated that the Scorecard Series ran from October 19th 2022 to February 14th 2023 and witnessed presentations by 25 Ministers and the Chairman of the National Population Commission, stressing that it was a huge success, going by the feedback received.

Meanwhile,He assured that the newly-launched programmes would also benefit from the multidimensional strategy to ensure their success.

“We also went beyond the moment by creating the Legacy Portal which is an electronic storehouse of the achievements”.

Atiku: We are ready for Saturday’s election

* Promises to work for better Nigeria, if elected

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, has declared that it is fully ready for the Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

This is as the national leadership of the PDP has expressed the firm optimism that its five aggrieved Governors, popularly called G-5, who are led by the Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyeson Wike, will work for the party in the forthcoming elections.

The Director, Voter Intelligence and Strategy of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Osita Chidoka and the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Hon Debo Ologunagba made these disclosures at separate press conferences on Wednesday in Abuja.

Chidoka, who spoke at the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign office, pointedly declared that the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, as a team are ready and willing to work to ensure a better country for us all.

According to him, “The PDP is ready for the elections. The election day plans are driven by data, technology, tested process and most importantly, our people on the ground in the entire 176,606 polling units in the country.

“PDP is fielding candidates for

all 109 senate seats and 360 house of representative seats. Every single person on the PDP ticket is committed to making the country great again.

“We have seen first-hand what 8 years of APC has done to our people and we are determined to right the wrongs of the last 8 years.

“No doubt Nigeria is currently moving at great speed in the wrong direction. But together, we can pull the brakes and reverse the direction.

“Our party, the PDP has done it before, and the records are there for every Nigerian to see.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s manifesto has shown the plans for Nigerians and we, as a party, pledge to deliver on our promises to all Nigerians when you elect us back into office.

“Come out to vote on Saturday, and let us open a new, prosperous page in the book of our national history.

“We have spent time and resources training all our agents across the 176,847 polling units. We have also trained all the agents in the 8,809 wards and 774 local governments. Our agents will ensure nobody your vote.

“We have campaigned across the length and breadth of the nation, and not just spoken to Nigerians about what our plans are, but listened to you tell us what problems you want us to solve for you.

“Our presidential candidate, Alhaji

Atiku Abubakar and vice-presidential candidate Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa both know the pains ordinary Nigerians are going through because of the ruinous and poorly implemented policies of a poorly. We, as a team are ready and willing to work to ensure a better country for us all”, he said.

On his part, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon Ologunagba pointed out that members of the G-5 Governor’s of the party are all stakeholders who have benefitted from it and would not do anything to hurt the party’s interest.

He stated that the differences between the PDP and the G-5 Governors can still be resolved, saying, “24 hours is too much in politics for issues to be resolved”

Speaking about the party’s presidential candidate and his campaign, the National Publicity Secretary said, “Through the course of the campaign, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa energetically traversed the nooks and crannies of our country, engaging various segments of Nigerians in diverse fora; consultative meetings, interactive sessions, Town Hall meetings, faith-based platforms, media interviews and political rallies articulating their plans, solutions and selling the message of hope to Nigerians.

“Atiku Abubakar continues to demonstrate that he is a Pan-Nigeria

leader with the required experience, capacity, integrity, stamina, presence of mind, commitment, sense of duty and readiness to lead our nation at this critical time.

“In contrast however, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its embattled Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in their vacuity, arrogance and entitlement mentality treated Nigerians with unpardonable disdain by refusing to engage the people in interactive sessions, debates and media interviews. “This is a clear indication that the APC and its Presidential Candidate are incapable and have nothing to offer Nigerians.

“While Atiku Abubakar continues to engage Nigerians on issues that are critical to our nation; including National Unity and Stability, Security, Restructuring, Infrastructural Development, empowerment of the people through diversification, Asiwaju Tinubu abdicated because he has no solution to the myriads of problems brought upon our nation by the APC which he admitted to have brought into office.

“Since his emergence as the Presidential Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Tinubu and the APC have not been able to engage in campaign on issues rather their focus have been on individuals and irrelevances, even display of unseriousness and comics”, he said.

Tinubu, strategic leader Nigeria needs in these turbulent times — Prof. Abubakre

Prof. Razaq Abubakre, former Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin says Nigeria needs a strategic leader like Sen. Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, in these turbulent times.

Abubakre, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja said that among other things, Tinubu had a strategic outlook on the unity of Nigeria.

He said the presidential candidate knows the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s diverse cultures and regional comparative advantage for sustainable development.

The former Vice-Chancellor said that as a principled leader, Tinubu was the only political candidate that has been consistent.

Abubakre added that the presidential candidate also has a

cosmopolitan outlook.

“Tinubu is the only primary contestant among the top four candidates who had worked for global multinational firms such as Deloitte in the USA and Exon Mobil in Nigeria.

“Tinubu’s transferable skillsets from his work at renowned multinational companies include his appreciation and pedigree in championing processes,

good governance, efficiency and effectiveness required to transform Nigeria for the better.

“This had helped him to be prepared for the leadership requirements of being a successful President of a diverse Nigeria; for example, Tinubu appreciates the power of equity, inclusivity and diversity,” he said.

Abubakre said that through Tinubu’s strategic leadership, he

will unlock win-win public-private partnerships for innovative solutions to Nigeria’s many challenges.

He said Tinubu has a unique track record of always being ahead of his time; for example, via his decision to invest Lagos State government resources in Econet which he said has multiplied many folds in return on investment for the state. NAN

* G-5 Governors won’t help PDP, Ologunagba

Cash swap riots: Govs under investigation for inciting utterances - IGP

By Egena Sunday Ode

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, on Wednesday revealed that the force is investigating individuals, including state governors, whose utterances may have incited citizens to riots in parts of the country over the naira redesign policy of the federal government.

Baba briefed newsmen alongside the Attorney General

of Federation, Abubakar Malami, after a meeting of National Security Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The IGP said however that despite the investigation the police cannot prosecute the state chief executives because they enjoy immunity at the moment.

Recall that some governors led by the Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, had openly

denigrated the Buhari policy, asking their citizens not to comply with the expiration of the legality of the old N500 and N1000.

The aggrieved governors did not stop at making reckless utterances, they have, in addition, dragged the Federal Government to the Supreme Court over the matter, asking that the new naira policy should be reversed.

In league with El Rufai are,

the governors of Kano, Lagos, Ondo, Zamfara, Katsina, Kogi and Niger among others.

Asked why the governors had not been cautioned, the Police boss stated: “We all know why, unless you want to hear from the mouth of the Attorney General. We are investigating, we are investigating. Whoever does anything can be investigated.

“But for him to be prosecuted, there are some people who have immunity. I think that is some

of the reasons. But that will not stop us cautioning them, from warning them, from advising them, and we are doing so. That’s for the incitement by governors.”

The IGP also explained that the deployment of security personnel in the streets of Lagos and Ogun states was to ensure that the states were stabilized before the election, owing to the disturbances over the naira swap policy that occurred in the two states.

APC National Chairman optimistic over Tinubu, party’s victory at polls

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

National Chairman of the All Progressives

Congress, APC, Senator Adamu Abdullahi has expressed the firm optimism that the party and it’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will emerge victorious in the Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Senator Adamu equally said that he is not aware of any ‘cabal’ in Aso Rock presidential villa working against the aspiration/ interest of the APC presidential candidate.

The APC National Chairman, who spoke yesterday in Abuja during a media briefing, similarly declared that the party and it’s Governors are firmly united and that they are all working together with a common objective of ensuring victory for the ruling party in the general elections commencing on Saturday.

According to the two-term Governor of Nasarawa State, “As you are very much aware, in the last few months, our party, the APC and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have been traversing every part of the country campaigning and soliciting for the support of Nigerians ahead of the coming general elections.

“During these campaign rallies, in all the places we visited, we were greeted by massive turnout of supporters and

loyalists which has confirmed the fact that we are the biggest party in Nigeria. “Just yesterday (Tuesday), we held our final mega rally in Lagos. The number of our supporters who turned out for the rally gives me cause for joy.

“I am convinced that with what I have seen across the country, victory at Saturday’s election belongs to the APC”, he said.

In his speech titled, “Victory Is On The Horizon”, Senator Adamu added, “Our campaign rallies have provided opportunities for us to explain to Nigerians the policies and programmes of the APC for the next four years.

“We laid before the voters how we intend to build on the legacies of President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR in the area’s infrastructural development, agriculture, security and youth development.

“We told Nigerians to have confidence in the ability of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to bring renewed hope to them.

“I assure every Nigerian that the next APC administration will not only build on monumental achievements of the past eight years, it will open new areas of development for the Country.

“In keeping with our commitment to a peaceful

electoral system, our party, the APC, ran an issue-based and hitch free campaign that is devoid of mudslinging and other provocative acts.

“We focussed on issues that are of concern to Nigerians and assured them that the APC has everything it takes to reset the country towards renewed.

“In spite of many provocations from the other parties, the APC resolved that what was important to Nigerians is not the amount of mud we can throw at each other. but what ideas we bring to the table. In this connection, we assure that the APC remains committed to implementing ideas that will continue to make Nigeria the biggest economy in Africa”, he stressed.

The APC National Chairman however said that he is unaware of any cabal at the Aso Rock presidential villa working to thwart the presidential aspiration of the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

His words, “I don’t belong to any mafia. It takes a mafia person to identify another. I am not aware of any cabal in the Villa. This is a democratic government. I have not seen any cabal”.

He dismissed insinuation that there is division between the

Bola Ahmed Tinibu

APC and some of its governors, stating emphatically that the party is a united and strong one Adamu said, “Finally, our party, the APC, goes into this election as a united front. “The National Working Committee and all organs of the party are working together to deliver victory to the APC and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“And, by the grace of God, we shall surely come out of this weekend’s election, the

victorious party”, he said.

He described Tinubu as a fit and healthy person, who is able and competent to shoulder the responsibility of the nation’s presidency.

The APC National Chairman dismissed the belief that Tinubu will be a proxy president, when elected, stressing that he had been working with Tinubu as far back as 1999, when both of them were Governors of Nasarawa and Lagos respectively.

Election: Police prohibit personnel from escorting VIPs to polling units

The police has banned its operatives and other security personnel attached to governors, ministers and other government functionaries from escorting their principals to polling units in the 2023

elections.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the command, SP Yemisi Opalola, in Osogbo on Wednesday.

“Any officer found to have flouted this directive will

be subjected to disciplinary actions.

“Also, the use of siren, revolving lights and tinted car windows by unauthorised citizens during the elections period will not be allowed.

“The command also

warns other security outfits/ organisations that are not constitutionally empowered to participate in the election duty to steer off the electoral process” She added.

“Any organisation/groups found flouting this would

definitely be sanctioned in accordance with the extant laws.

The police released hotlines during the election.

The numbers are 08039537995, 08075872433 and 08123823981. (NAN)

*Dismisses talk of ‘cabal’ in Villa

Presidential, NASS elections will hold as scheduled -Security Council

By Egena Sunday Ode

The National Security Council (NSC), has expressed satisfaction with the level of security across the country, saying that there’s no gong back on the scheduled February 25 date for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

It also assured that the exercise would be conducted in a safe, secured and peaceful atmosphere.

The Council’s verdict which came on Wednesday after its meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja has finally put paid to insinuations that the federal government might order a shift in dates scheduled for the elections.

There had been palpable fears, especially expressed by some political

Ash Wednesday: Cleric advises Christians to shun evil

Rev. Fr. Godfrey Gopep, the Parish Priest of St Finberrs’ Catholic Church, Rayfield, Jos, has advised Christians and Nigerians in general to shun evil during the lenten season.

Gopep gave the advice in his sermon in commemoration of the 2023 Ash Wednesday in Jos.

The cleric, who decried the spate of evil acts among Christians, urged them to have the fear of God at all times.

”Al ot of us are deliberately doing evil to hurt others; we stay awake at night to plan evil instead to pray and think of positive things.

”So, I urge us all to use this lenten season to shun evil and be good to those who come our way; you should fear God in your thoughts and all your dealings.

”We should also use this holy season to serve God in sincerity and show love by serving the poor.

”By so doing, we will eradicate class of the poor in our society,” he said.

Gopep also advised Christians to be change agents in their families, work places and communities in general.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent.

It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares christains for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

(NAN)

office holders, that the various unpleasant developments, including the intermittent violence and chaos recently witnessed in different parts of the country, in reaction to the pressure mounted by the cash scarcity crisis may be a good reason for the elections to be postponed.

However, briefing newsmen on the outcome of the Council meeting, which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari , the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, said the members expressed satisfaction with the situation report and agreed that the elections are good to go.

According to Malami, Council was fully briefed by the Chief of Defence Staff, the three service chiefs, the IGP

and heads of other security agencies, about their readiness to provide the necessary security back up for Saturday’s poll.

He said flowing from this, the Council gave a marching order that the February 25 election should hold as planned.

According to him, the Council’s meeting was a follow up to earlier meetings of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Council of States held last week to affirm the readiness of the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police and security agencies to go ahead with the general elections in the country.

“Now out of desire to further consolidate and appraise the comprehensive and general

preparation of the system, relating to the conduct of the election, this meeting, which is third in series of appraising and reviewing the state of preparedness is called upon by the President, which is the National Security Council meeting.

“At the National Security Council meeting, briefings were made by security agencies generally and service chiefs. National Security Adviser made submission; Chief of Defense Staff made one; Chief of Army Staff made submission; Chief of Naval Staff made submission, Chief of Air Staff did; Inspector-General of Police, who incidentally is equally addressing you, made submission; Director-General, State Security Service did; and indeed DG NIA and CDI all made submissions.

“The summary and conclusion

of all submissions was to the effect that the system is wholeheartedly ready for the conduct of the election and arising there from, the position of the government, the position of the President is to the effect that the election is holding of the 25th day of February, 2023 and Mr. President and the National Security Council are happy with the preparations on the ground and wholehearted arrangements are put in place in that direction.

“So we have been mandated, arising from the conclusions of the Security Council meetings to now brief you accordingly, but the summary of it, the conclusion of it, the resolution of the Council, is to the effect that the elections are holding and there is no going back about it”, Malami said.

Niger APC guber candidate begs for massive votes for Tinubu, others

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

All People Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Niger State, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Bago has called on the electorates to support the candidature of the APC Presidential candidate

Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others by voting massively for APC during the Saturday elections.

Bago made the appeal during a ground finale campaign tour at the stadium in Chanchaga Local Government area of the state.

The gubernatorial candidate

however announced monetary donations to the less privileged and other organizations in the local government, adding that “Chanchaga people come and vote for the APC from the least to the top most position in Niger State and Nigeria”, he stated.

The APC Niger East (Zone

B) senatorial candidate, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa 313, also pleaded to Nigerlites to vote for the APC however, donated N100 Million Naira for registration of JAMB and other secondary School Examination for students in his Constituency.

R-L: Chairman National Peace Committee (NPC) and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; President Mohammadu Buhari; former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon; Chief of Staff to the President Prof Ibrahim Gambari; Convener NPC, Bishop Matthew Kukah; former South African president, Oliver Tambo Mbeki former Kenyan President / leader African Union Election Obsercer, Uhuru Kenyatta and former Malawian president, Dr Joyce Banda during the signing of the 2nd National Peace Accord in preparation for the forthcoming general presidential elections, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO: Mahmud Isa

Group says Atiku most experienced presidential candidate

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations has said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming election is the most experienced presidential candidate and best qualified for the number one job in the Country.

The Group stated this during a press conference addressed by Murtala Abubakar; Convener and Raphael Makama Convened and Director of Communication and Public Affairs. Of JACOM respectively.

The Group said Atiku knows, understands, appreciates Nigeria and Nigerians just as he knows, understands and appreciates his loving family. Nigeria is Atiku’s family.

The Group added that none of the presidential candidates have been in politics and ran for offices like Atiku, adding that none but he has occupied the number two position of Vice President of Nigeria and for 8 years.

“None of them knows Nigeria like Atiku. None can boast of having biological family ties across Nigeria like Atiku. None has built political bridges across Nigeria and beyond like Atiku. Atiku is not going to rely on anyone or groups to teach him how to lead Nigeria.

“As a result of these and more that time and space will not allow us to say here, we hereby, on behalf of our members cutting across all the states and the FCT, endorsed and adopted Atiku Abubakar as our Presidential candidate in the forthcoming Presidential election,” he said.

Ebonyi PDP Guber: Appeal Court dismisses suit against Ifeanyi

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Again, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, has thrown away a fresh appeal challenging the nomination of Chief Chukwuma Odi Ifeanyi as the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State.

The suit filed by Okoroafor Tochukwu Okorie, was dismissed on the grounds that it constituted a gross abuse of court process against Ifeanyi.

In the unanimous judgment read by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, the appellate court affirmed the five million naira fine imposed on the appellant’s lawyer for engaging in court abuse.

Okorie had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and PDP before the Court of Appeal challenging the nomination of Ifeanyi and the setting aside of a default judgment he secured at the

Federal High Court in Abakaliki.

A Federal High Court judge in Abakaliki, Justice Fatun Fiman had on February 1, 2023, in a suit number: FHC/ABJ/ CS/1696/2022, filed by Okorie against INEC and PDP set aside and earlier decision of the same court which was granted in favour of the plaintiff.

Justice Riman set aside all reliefs granted in favour of Okorie upon becoming aware that the plaintiff (Okorie) grossly suppressed material fact, especially the final judgment of the Supreme Court on the same subject matter to secure the default judgment.

Dissatisfied with the setting aside of the judgment, Okorie had approached the Appellate Court in Abuja praying that all the reliefs granted him by the Federal court in Abakaliki be restored to him.

His request was however, vehemently opposed by the PDP through its counsel, Chief Chris

Uche SAN, who informed the court that the Supreme Court had in its judgment last year settled all issues relating to the nomination of the PDP’S governorship candidate in Ebonyi State.

Specifically, the senior lawyer informed the Court of Appeal that the Apex Court affirmed Chukwuma Ifeanyi as the governorship candidate.

Uche SAN also told the ppellate court that the Federal High Court in Abakaliki reversed the default judgment in line with the provisions of the law on suppression of fact and pleaded with the Court of Appeal to dismiss the case of the appellant.

In her judgment, Justice Banjoko agreed with the PDP counsel that the appellant was in gross abuse of court with multiple cases over the same subject matter.

The Appeal Court Justice, specifically held that the fresh case by Okorie was an affront to the final decision of the Supreme Court

on the Ebonyi PDP governorship ticket tussle.

The appellate court thereafter dismissed the appeal and affirmed the N5 million fine imposed on counsel to the appellant.

The Supreme Court had on September 14, 2022 in a judgment in an appeal marked: SC/CV/939/2022, affirmed Chukwuma Ifeanyi as the lawful governorship candidate of the PDP having emerged from a primary election conducted by the National Working Committee of the PDP.

The Apex Court had struck out the appeal filed by a factional governorship aspirant, Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba on the grounds that the issue of nomination of candidates for election is a domestic affairs of political parties.

Reacting to the latest judgment, Chief Uche admonished lawyers to always counsel their clients against engaging in abuse of court process.

I’m optimistic Atiku will be winner of Saturday presidential poll - Shekarau

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The senator representing Kano Central Senatorial Zone, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, expressed confidence on Wednesday in Kano State that the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will emerge victorious during Saturday’s election.

Shekarau stated this on Tuesday during a media interactive session heralding his book launch event.

The two books, “Exemplary Leadership & Effective Representation” and “The Making of a Green Revolution through the Transformation of Smallholder Agriculture in Kano State, Nigeria,” highlighted his achievements in the Senate.

The ex-Kano state governor and former education minister, who expressed optimism about Atiku’s victory, disclosed that Atiku has already unfolded his

blueprint, which contains five priority areas, as a launch pad to pilot the country to the promised land.

“Among other disturbing challenges, Atiku is already working toward addressing the untold hardship the citizenry is currently undergoing following the currency swap, the scarcity of cash, and the controversial deadline when the old naira notes cease to be legal tender,” he said.

While responding to a question on the occasion, Shekarau dismissed incumbency advantage as immaterial and irrelevant to clinching victory in elections.

“Any serious politician cannot pass judgment, following the unprecedented crowd that besieged its campaign rally.

“It is just a jamboree, as rallies are simply symbolic outreach. The incumbent factor does not scare the PDP.”

“PDP is very ready for the presidential race, alongside other elective offices in the

country.

The PDP is the readiest for the General elections of all the political parties in the country, as all relevant staff has been trained to main the various polling units.

Atiku has concluded his election campaigns, which took him to all 36 states of the country, marketing the five-point blueprint of the PDP.

According to Shekarau, topmost on Atiku’s agenda is to ensure the unity of the country as well as restructure the country, stressing that if there is no unity, there cannot be peace, just as he promised to revisit the devolution of power, which the late General Sani Abacha proposed to implement but failed to do so due to his sudden death.

He disclosed that Atiku will achieve this dynamic goal by evenly spreading appointments to all ethnic and diverse tribes within the polity on an equal basis,

irrespective of their political affiliations, when he clinches the presidential seat.

“If there is no unity, there cannot be peace. I will put aside religious and tribal sentiments by spreading appointments across all ethnic and tribal groups, as well as treating all Nigerians as one single and indivisible entity.

“Apart from that, Atiku, as a matter of priority, will tackle security headlong by ensuring comprehensive training for all security personnel in the country.”

“Besides providing them with adequate incentives to remain committed to their duties, Atiku assured that they will also be provided with modern equipment with which to ensure peace and security.”

“With the series of meetings held with security agencies, I am confident that they possess the capacity and are ready to ensure peaceful, free, and fair elections,” he added.

Action for Democratic Congress (ADC) House of Representative Candidate Holds Press briefing to resing electorate on Credible leader on their Constituency, yesterday in Kaduna

Kaduna Guber: I remain authentic candidate of ADP - Sani Sha’aban

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Former chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) Mallam

Sani Sha’aban, has said that he remains the authentic Governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the forthcoming general election.

Sha’aban made this known while fielding questions from Journalists shortly after the agenda One on One Policy Dialogue, a program organized by Civil Society Groups in Kaduna state on Tuesday.

He alleged that a lot of political actors are trying everything possible to ensure he does not emerge in any political party, the same way he was sabotaged from the Hausa Programme during the Kaduna Guber candidates, noting that unknown to them, the process that produced him was witnessed by relevant agencies.

Don’t use your position to intimidate electorates, Forum tasks security agencies

By Abubakar Ojimaojo

Women In Politics Forum (WIPF) has called on all security agencies to prioritize the protection of lives and property.

The forum in partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with the recent launch of the N-Alerts app to ensure the safety of Nigerians at the 2023 polls urged all Civil Society Organizations deploying observers to make use of the N-Alerts as part of the measures to combat violence against women in the forthcoming elections.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, the President of the forum Ebere Ifendu also called on all Nigerian citizens who are eligible to vote to come out, vote peacefully, and protect their vote.

Presidential candidates, parties sign peace accord ahead Saturday’s poll

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, the nation’s registered political parties and their candidates on Wednesday signed another peace accord, organized by the National Peace Committee, NPC, under the chairmanship of the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).

Yesterday’s signing of the peace accord, held at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja, was the third to be signed by them.

Speaking at the colourful ceremony, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof

Mahmood Yakubu urged on Nigerians to be confidence that their votes would count in the forthcoming general elections.

Yakubu, who said that INEC has commenced movement of sensitive materials to the various Local Government Areas nationwide, added that the commission was committed to credible elections.

According to him, “Campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections ends at midnight tomorrow Thursday Feb. 23. Election will hold on Saturday this week.

“INEC is ready. This morning, we commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various Local Government Areas

nationwide.

“By Friday, we will activate the Registration Area Centres (RACs) so that at first light on Saturday, polling units will open on time.

“The Commission is committed to free, fair and credible elections in compliance with the electoral legal framework and the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord.

“ All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the Commission’s neutrality. Above all, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count”, he said.

The INEC Chairman explained that over the next two days beginning from Thursday, INEC would be holding daily media

briefing at 3pm at International Conference Center.

“ The purpose is to provide update on preparations for the elections and to respond to issues that may arise.

“The briefing is open to political parties, civil society organizations, observers, the media and security agencies”, he said. Yakubu expressed appreciation towards the effort of the National Peace Committee (NPC) for convening the event, saying it comes at a critical moment in the Nigeria’s electoral calendar.

He urged political parties and their candidates to abide by the letter and spirit of the accord.

African Union devt agency calls for violence-free elections

The African Union Development Agency and New Partnership for African Development (AUDANEPAD) have advised Nigerians against acts of violence before, during and after the general elections.

Princess Gloria Akobundu, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, AUDANEPAD/APRM Nigeria, gave the warning at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said that judging from the tension-induced elements that have pervaded

the environment prior to the election, it was important for Nigerians to say no to political thuggery and violence.

“Electoral violence has been a re-occuring problem and threat to achieving democracy and good governance in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“This challenge is inimical to democracy and efforts must be made to combat it.

“African Union has currently expressed serious concern in elections and political transitions which often poses serious threats to the unity and

stability of member states and Nigeria inclusive,” she said.

Akobundu further said that the objective of its sensitisation programme tagged “Silencing the Gun”, was to create awareness on management of democracy and the need to build positive mindset in electoral processes.

According to her, voters education, civic rights, new voting technologies, prevention of electoral crisis, pre and post electoral crisis management have been its focus.

She said that the campaign

which started in Bauchi, Lagos and Abuja was in line with the early warning mechanisms and measures to ensure a free, fair and credible elections devoid of violence and related casualties.

“As an agency, our overall objective on violence-free election is sensitisation through workshops, press briefings and advocacy.

“We want to ensure that every nook and cranny is sensitised on the dangers of electoral violence and its impacts,” she added. (NAN)

L-R; SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN, President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of Coalition Against Covid-19, Alh Aliko Dangote Governor CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, CEO and Group MD Access Holdings Plc, Managing Director Access Bank Plc, Mr Herbert Wigwe and other during the Launch of Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID-19) Security Equipment at the Council Chambers, State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

Niger INEC distributes Saturday election materials to 25 LGAs

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Niger State office has taken delivering of sensitive electoral materials from Central Bank of Nigeria, Minna Branch for onward delivery to 25 local councils of the state.

It has commenced the distribution of the materials

to local government electoral officers at the premises of CBN, Minna branch.

Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ahmed Yushau Garki noted that the sensitive materials were handed over to INEC by CBN accordingly,and would be distributed to 4,950 registration centres across the state.

He lauded the management

of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN,Minna branch,for the support to the commission adding that the commission had earlier distributed the non-sensitive materials across the state without stress.

The REC also commended the stakeholders,representatives of various political parties as well as security agencies for their unretired support to the

commission since the election process began.

The representatives of various political parties were available to monitor the distribution, however praised the INEC for timely distribution and enjoined it to maintain the tempo in all the electoral process in the state,before,during and after the 2023 general elections.

Polls: NRC suspends rail services nationwide

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo Abuja

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, announced in Lagos on Tuesday that rail

services would be suspended from Saturday, Feb. 25 to Monday, Feb. 27. NRC’s spokesman, Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the suspension was to enable Nigerians to exercise

their franchise at the presidential and National Assembly elections of Feb. 25.

Train services to be put on hold are Abuja-Kaduna, Warri- Itakpe, Lagos-Ibadan, and Iddo, Lagos-Ijoko

interstate mass transit service. Mr Yakubu stated that normal train services would resume from Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Group appeals to NASS for speedy passage of NBAIS Establishememt bill

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), has called on the National Assembly to hasten the process of the bill on the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) to be presented for third reading and subsequent assent by President Muhammadu Buhari

before the expiration of the present administration.

The Concerned Northern Forum, which is a coalition of over 73 Civil Society Organizations domiciled in Northern Nigeria, also called on the National Assembly to increase budgetary allocations to NBAIS to enable the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) effectively carry out constituted

functions.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna yesterday, the spokesman of the group, Comrade Abdulsalam Mohammed Kazeem, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Education for their continuous support to the entire NBAIS management. The group called on well meaning Nigerians especially

members of the Civil Society, religious and political leaders across the country and northern Nigeria in particular to come to the aid of NBAIS, stressing that at a time like this that Nigeria is determined to reform the almajiri system of education, all hands must be on deck to make it a success.

According to him, “We therefore want to use this

opportunity to call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency and national development look into the many challenges of the Board in the area of staffing, mobility and the procurement of furniture and comfortable office accommodations throughout the country. So far, the Board has offices in 26 States of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

.State Administration Secretary Independent National Electoral commission Kaduna State, Awwal Mohammed Mashi, Handing over Presidential Sensitive Material to Electoral Officer From Zango Kataf Local Government Mrs, Dinnah Yakubu at Central Bank premises, yesterday in Kaduna.

FCT LP senatorial candidate promises credible representation, infrastructural development

The Labour Party senatorial candidate in the Federal Capital Territory, Hajiya Ireti Kingibe, has promised to deliver credible representation and provide infrastructural development to residents of the FCT once elected into office.

She said this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Kingibe, who is the only female candidate contesting for the position in the nation’s capital, said she was ready to give the FCT a new direction.

“I am running because I have seen great lapses and lacuna in the representation of the FCT.

“I have lived in the FCT since 1988 and I have watched

the FCT grow from a place where people only lived in the life camps to one when it was developed to the number one place and now it has been regressed to irrelevance and poverty.

“The senatorial seat is the highest elective position in the FCT and the senator works closely with the FCT minister to represent the people and to also take care of FCT infrastructure which is under the minister’s purview.

“But the senator is there to keep an eye on the needs of the people because he is representing them.

“But now, if you remove

Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Wuse 2, CBD and the Airport road, there is nothing in other places, development is zero.

“You can’t go to Nyanya for instance and see good roads, no place has water or lights, in 2023 and the FCT has two budgets; truly we should be able to do more than that.

“What I am bringing is credible representation, I am not trying to put anything in my pocket,” she said.

Kingibe said she was contesting because she was determined to give back to society and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.

She said that she would

Election: Police warns miscreants in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command has warmed strongly that miscreants who will try to truncate efforts made to ensure a successful election in the State will not be handled with levity.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass who gave this stern warning in a statement signed by Police Public Relations’ SP Catherine Anene, called on parents/ guardians to warn their children/wards to desist from being used for election violence, even as he urged the electorates to come out and perform their civic duties without fear of any kind.

focus on bringing development and empowerment to the people at the grassroots because that “is the ideology of the Labour Party’’.

According to her, she will be working closely with her colleagues in the Senate to make laws that will be favourable to the people of the FCT.

“What I am bringing to the FCT is goodwill, determination to work, integrity and sincerity.

“I am going to make a difference in the lives of the people and residents of the FCT and that is what I am bringing to the table once elected,” she said. (NAN)

The CP stated that as the lead security agency on internal security in the state, the command, under his watch has been able to liase with other security Agencies to assess strength, challenges and threats, and plan towards allocating available resources/ assets to successfully manage the electoral process in the state.

He also, directed all police officers to be guided by extant laws, rules and regulations as well as standard norms and practices as summarized in the Revised Standard Operational Guidelines/ Rules for Police Officers and Other Law Enforcement Agents on Election Duties- a handbook produced by the Force and issued to every police officer, emphasizing the need for them to be apolitical.

Forum takes election sensitisation to FCT IDP camp

West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), has sensitised Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on electoral activities.

WACSOF National Coordinator, Mr David Olatunji, addressing IDPs at Durumi areain Abuja, said that the programme was structured to encourage youths to come out enmasse to vote for their preferred presidential candidate.

Olatunji advised the residents, who he described as violence-prone people, to avoid being used as tools by politicians to disrupt the electoral process.

“We know that people will come with their money and resources to bribe the less-privileged and uneducated ones to influence their choice of votes, hence the need for this sensitisation,” he said.

According to him, Durumi and Area 1 of the FCT are hot spot areas, based on past experiences during elections.

“We have youth representatives from Area 1 and nearby communities here and hope they serve as ambassadors to promote peace as that’s what we seek to achieve during this programme,” he said.

Mr Oluwasegun Oyedijo, WACSOF Youth Team Lead, said that there was the need to sensitise those at the grassroots on how to properly vote.

“We have decided not to stay in the heart of town for this sensitisation but to come to the grassroots to ensure they shun violence.

“It is wrong for someone to be used negatively as long as election is concerned, so we expect them to be positive and embrace peace,” he said.

Oyedijo educated the participants on the right finger to use in voting as he urged them to vote for the candidate of their choice with the aim of having a better Nigeria.

An IDP, Thomas Yakubu, said that the programme has educated participants on the right finger to use in voting.

Yakubu said that many were unaware of the voting process but knew that all they needed to vote was their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Buhari hails CACOVID for donating 350 security vehicles, thousands of vests

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the support his government received from the private sector in addressing social ills is enough to make him the ‘’envy of many presidents of the world.’’

He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the commissioning and handover of security equipment valued at over 12 billion to the military and Nigeria Police Force.

The items were donated by the Coalition of Private Sector Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) - a group of eminent Nigerian industrialists, including Aliko Dangote and Herbert Wigwe, who had also pooled N40 billion to combat COVID-19 in the country.

‘’Ladies and gentlemen. Today is indeed a very happy day for all Nigerians, and I can happily say that I am the envy of many Presidents in the world.

‘’I am exceedingly honoured to be the President and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at this time.

‘’I am gratified to have the honour of leading a country whose private sector willingly galvanises itself to raise funds

to enthusiastically support government in resolving social ills.

‘’I am proud to say that there is nowhere in the entire world, except in Nigeria, where the private sector has voluntarily come together to assist government efforts.’’

President Buhari, on behalf of the Nigerian populace, thanked all members of CACOVID, the leadership team and technical committee, for their support and patriotism.

‘’This final gesture from CACOVID as you wind down your activities is equally very important.

‘’Thank you for supporting our Administration’s efforts to strengthen the Police and Military as we face the security challenges that all modern nations face.

‘’These 350 vehicles and thousands of vests and helmets you are handing over today will go a long way in boosting the capacity of our forces,’’ he said.

The President noted that such a patriotic gesture was proof that nationalistic determination is still alive in Nigeria, in the face of enormous challenges pervading the world and the country.

Recounting the history of CACOVID, the President said the initiative was set up following a quick-

thinking recognition of the impending crisis that could erupt due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

‘’The main objective of this concept was primarily to assist the government, at all tiers, in combating Covid-19 and mitigating its impact on Nigerians.

‘’Accordingly, the Coalition designed a mechanism to pool funds voluntarily from an alliance that included more than 100 private sector institutions, organisations, banks, and individuals in order to build Isolation Centres, procure remedial Covid-19 medications, and provide palliatives to indigent Nigerians or those whose livelihoods were temporarily impacted by the outbreak.

‘’I am very much aware that in the first tranche of funds pooling, CACOVID collected almost N40 billion from the various private sector organisations who were more than happy to participate in the initiative and support its cause.

‘’Out of the initial N40 billion contributed by the Coalition, about N17 billion was applied to speedily build Isolation Centres, acquire various medical equipment and gears, facilitate vaccine delivery, and urgently procure vital Covid-19 medications for those

critically in need of them nationwide.

‘’The balance sum of N22.2 Billion was utilised to purchase staple food items, including rice, Garri, noodles, Soya, Semolina, Sugar, Pasta and Salt etc, which were delivered to all states of the federation and the FCT, and distributed among all Nigerians who were in most need of them,’’ he said.

According to the President, in its drive to play its part in ensuring a golden Nigeria, CACOVID, which also received the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria, expanded its scope beyond combating Covid-19.

He added that following the unsavoury national unrest in 2020 and the continuing security challenges in the country, the Coalition again galvanised support among private sector organisations to support the Federal Government in surmounting the security challenges.

‘’In this regard, the Coalition commendably raised the sum of N12 billion, which was used to procure critical security equipment for our domestic law enforcement and defence organisations,’’ he said.

The following state-of the-art security vehicles and equipment were procured for use by law enforcement agencies in Abuja and Lagos:

Governor Inuwa mourns Ambassador Yusuf Jonga

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has commiserated with the family of the late Ambassador Yusuf Jonga Hinna over the death of the diplomat and retired senior naval officer.

Ambassador Jonga died recently in Kaduna after a brief illness.

In a message of condolence signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe, Governor Inuwa described the late former Ambassador to Italy as a fine gentleman and outstanding personality who carried out his military and diplomatic duties with a deep sense of patriotism and dedication.

“We have indeed lost a great man, a diplomat per excellence,

who made great marks in his service to the nation. Even after active service, he continued to offer useful counsel that helped in the development of our dear state and nation. Gombe State has indeed lost an illustrious son”.

He urged the deceased’s family to take solace in the fact that the late Ambassador Yusuf Jonga lived a great life of service to God and humanity, and positively impacted many lives leaving behind a good name.

The Governor conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, his associates as well as the people of Yamaltu Emirate, praying Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Aljannat Firdaus.

2023 Election: Group declares support for Atiku

By Maryam Habeeb

Agroup known as One Nigeria Group (ONG) has declare total support for the People Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

The President of ONG, Muhammad Hassan, while addressing pressmen at the 2023 general elections world press conference held in Abuja.

He urged Nigerians to tread the path of hope for good governance that the nation has been aspiring for.

“At this juncture, I like to declare unequivocally that One Nigeria Group’s choice is the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. While we need to get ready to cast our votes for him in an overwhelming magnitude, we also urge everybody here today and all Nigerians to tread this path of hope for good governance that we have all been aspiring for,” he said.

According to him, the exercise will determine the fate of Nigerians in their yearnings for economic wellbeing, progress and prosperity.

He added that the election is

very crucial to the future of the nation and the interests of the people.

“One Nigeria Group (ONG), a Non-Governmental Organisation and advocate of unity, peace and progress of our dear country, Nigeria, deemed it fit to put this programme together with a view to sensitising us on the need to tread the path of peace in the spirit of unity that we can not afford to compromise for any reason as the country embarks on this very important exercise.

He lamented that It is apparent that elections in Nigeria are usually fraught with violence and different

kinds of misconducts that threaten the credibility of the exercise.

He warned that there is need for Nigerians to conduct themselves in civic manners marked by loyalty and respect for the rule of law to be able to achieve the purpose of electing the right leaders.

He called on the security agencies and personnel, particularly the Police, Army, Civil Defence, DSS etc to, as usual, conduct themselves in ways capable of guaranteeing peace and security before, during and after the elections.

The ONG president enjoined government at all levels to put all

hands on deck to guarantee peace and security as well as a credible exercise to be able to sustain the country’s integrity and her Africa giant status in the comity of nations.

He advised that all Nigerians to come out enmasse to perform their civic responsibility to determine their fate in the democratic dispensation.

“We also call on separatist movements and agitators, particularly the Yoruba Nation and IPOB, to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign as we go out to elect our leaders again

Vote buying menace: The reminiscence of Esau’s nemesis

By Clement Uwayah

Nature is so deep and far from the fullness of human comprehensions. It specializes in giving back what is inputted in a different form; every input begets output, popularly referred to as sowing and reaping. It is a clear case of actions and reactions or consequences, and the results surely spiral back in due course of time. Such outcomes are either positive or negative, depending on what actions were at play. When negativities begin to trail actions, they become what is often referred to as nemesis. Unfortunately, nemeses are believed to be beyond human control when it begins to unfold. To this effect, one can only hope that actions be weighed thoroughly before being embarked on.

Indeed, certain actions carry very strong, painful and long life consequences, much more than ever imaginable. In order words, the dimension of the consequential outcomes of such actions are so mind blowing and eternally regrettable. The dimension, that is, the measurable extent of a particular kind, such as length, breadth, depth, or height often seem hidden until the fullness of time, with emerging manifestations. And off course, in reality, such manifestations are never greeted with pleasantness. They come about as offers or attractive deals hastily accepted, but perhaps unknowingly, with hidden charges that are not easily seeing, thought out or considered until sealed. In other instances, they may result from the usual human proclivity of being complacent, often in the belief that nothing much would matter in the long run.

It seems quite an auspicious time now, more than ever before, to reminisce actions and consequences of actions as we go to the polls to elect those upon whom the governance of our nation shall be entrusted. As a nation, we have been quite unlucky with leadership, as successive ones always seems worse than the one before it. Looking back at the massive gang up against the then Goodluck Jonathan, one expected the succeeding regime to be heralded by very well thought out interventionist programs laced with needed succour. However, and very unfortunately, after nearly eights years, it is clear that we went from a bad to worse situation. While one may not categorically describe the president as a weakling, it is however uneasy to extricate him from been a captor in the web of a cabal controlled mechanism. The bottom

line of the fact of his undeserved return back for a second term lies chiefly on two factors, namely; the apathy and complacency of the citizens towards elections, and very painfully, the plethora of election malfeasances, now typified by vote buying.

Vote buying have long assumed a monstrous dimension in Nigeria politics, that, if it is not killed, it would kill and bury our democracy and ultimately push us to an institutionalized kakistocracy. As it is now, we are not far from being on that lane with political parties continuously being entangled with transactional politics that keeps paving way for the unfit in our lots. Way back in history, there used to be intense campaigns, accompanied by inducements especially on party members. That was a way of setting them on the path of ensured participations. However, since this fourth republic, there has been a new twist whereby votes are out rightly bought. This happens by either buying the voters card off people or paying them cash on election days. As absurd as this appears to have been, it was even often done in the full knowledge and view of law enforcement agencies, notably the Police. As a matter of fact, there have been clear evidences that the law enforcement agencies themselves are aids to such electoral criminality. What a shame!!!

A former Returning Electoral Commissioner (REC) in AkwaIbom State, Mike Igini lamented deeply on the menace of vote buying, saying that it has “assumed the level of an epidemic and it is the greatest thing that we need to deal with.” The understanding from his lamentations gives two very deep implications of vote buying. The first implication is that, it is going to remove performance politics. Normally, the opportunity is that when an incumbent has performed well, in the next election for instance, the fellow should be rewarded on account of that performance. But because of vote buying, if not dealt with right away, there will be no performance anymore, because all that was needed is to keep money to buy votes. Secondly, vote buying, if not stopped, reinforces inequality in the society because it would be the case of only the rich and the wealthy winning elections. He said, “It will also lead to what is called class bias politics. There is what is called the quality of voting of all citizens but when you allow vote buying to thrive, you are going to flood the society with inequality of public franchise.” There are no doubts, some huge nemesis awaits the perpetrators, especially those who sell their votes. They are the Esaus of the land, having sold their birthrights.

As Nigerians, our birthright is to enjoy our God’s given resources, and to resist elements against such enjoyments. But come to think of it, why would someone sell his or her vote? Some persons have alluded to the fact that it is because of the enticement, poverty, greed, or ignorance. Any of the above may pass for the reasons. However, whatever the reason may be, one could only concede to the fact that it can only be a matter of total ignorance, because ignorance itself is the basis for the others. The vote buying situation brings to remembrance, Esau’s loss of his birthright, patrimony and heritage. What manner of hunger could have made somebody trade his destiny with a plate of porridge? What an irony to arrogate destination for destiny. Eating porridge to satisfy immediate hunger could not have amounted to eradicating future hunger. So, why the inability to resist a seemingly enticing but temporarily satisfactory offer in lieu of a long life heritage? Why yield to the waiting hands of those lurking around and awaiting to set you on the retrogressive path wherein redemption is unassured? When Esau threaded this path of impatience and foolishness, he paid the prize dearly, and though he sought redemption, it became impossible. This is not the road we should allow people get us through again.

As a way of enlightenment, a recent calculation of the real cost of vote selling was done, and the result translates to mean that beyond ignorance, whoever sells vote may have been under curse. The highest we have heard of as the cost of buying a vote was ten thousand naira per vote. Even if we raise it by as much as 500% to become fifty thousand naira, what still does it worth to the person selling? Work it out to discover for yourself, that either ways, vote selling is cancer worm that has no good outcome in anyway. I choose to emphasize on the selling more than the buying because there would always be desperate politicians and agents who would always be ready to buy. There’s no point in time that evil would not rare up itself. Winning the war against evil tendencies is always best achieved by reason of their resistance. Vote buying is the current electoral evil that needs be resisted, and squarely too. The vile of the ignominy of vote buying is so much that a popular pastor recently pronounced curses on all who would get involved.

Clement Uwayah, a public affairs commentator writes from Edo State.

APC, 2023 presidential election and the future of Ndigbo in Nigeria

By Gozie Irogboli

Indeed, to Ndigbo this is seen as the defining moment. This would not be about party affiliation but about the survival and the well-being of the Igbo race. Ndigbo have been advised to shelve their differences, apply their nous and native intelligence in this instance and vote for their long term interest.

Since the end of the civil war in 1970, there have been telltale stories of marginalization of the Igbo of Southeast Nigeria; something that has made the Igbo troop out of their territory to other regions where there are more federal presence in search of better opportunities thereby making them ubiquitous and vulnerable in a Nigerian state that operates indigene and nonindigene dichotomy.

Regime after regime has followed this obnoxious pattern of punitive retribution against Ndigbo in varying degrees in the federal appointments, in the location of government infrastructure and the allocation of state resources.

But by far no regime in country has marginalized Ndi-Igbo more than the current All Progressives Congress (APC) regime that deliberately formulated and implemented revanchist policies against the Igbo. In the APC regime, the Igbo have been made to bear the brunt of official highhandedness and maladministration. The APC government took the marginalization of Ndigbo to egregious level with the importation of terrorism into Igbo land, which hitherto was regarded as the most peaceful region of the country, so much so that you cannot visit Igbo land now without fear because of the nefarious activities of unknown-gun men. However, there is no space in this piece to catalogue the atrocious things done by the APC regime against Ndigbo.

Thus, as the windup to the 2023 presidential election campaign beckons, some concerned Igbo intelligentsia have began to do a realistic assessment of the position of Ndigbo in the unfolding political scenario. And their position unequivocally is that a vote for the continuation of the APC regime is a vote for the perpetuation of the obnoxious policy of Igbo marginalization given the antecedent of the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his declaration to continue with the policies of the present regime that is generally seen to be undesirable but which he has appraised to good.

Again, the open hostility against Ndigbo by Tinubu’s men and his apparent tacit approval of it, are something concerned

Igbo leaders of thought have not lost sight of. Since the dramatic entrée of Peter Obi into the presidential race, Tinubu and his cohorts in Lagos have subjected Ndigbo in Lagos to all forms of harassment, intimidation and extortion. And this is taken to be a clear signal that Ndigbo are in for a raw deal should Tinubu wins the presidential election.

Besides, Tinubu has not hidden his disdain for Ndigbo. In his false sense entitlement, Tinubu believes he can do without the Igbo. When Tinubu held sway as the governor of Lagos State many Igbo traders lost their stalls in Lagos without compensation. Tinubu renamed Eleke Crescent a very popular street in Victoria Island, named after Mr. Paul Onwu Eleke an Igbo educationist and politician in the colonial era, Walter Carrington Crescent in honor of the former US ambassador to Nigeria without renaming another street in honor of Mr. Eleke. Tinubu’s horde of areaboys has no respect for Ndigbo; they behave as if Ndigbo owe their lives and existence to them. They believe Ndigbo should be grateful to them for being in Lagos which Tinubu claimed, he built. There is unwholesome harassment and exploitation of Ndigbo by Tinubu’s men. Tinubu’s wife and his daughter have molested and threatened Ndigbo in Lagos forcing them to close their shops at will to attend rallies and make contribution towards Tinubu campaign against their wish. Everything done by Ndigbo in Lagos is erroneously interpreted to be against Tinubu. On many occasion the thugs loyal to Tinubu have been mobilized to harass the Igbo during election period. Evidently, Tinubu’s preferment of the Area-boys to which he professes to be one of them and whom he had never cautioned or tried to rein in directly or indirectly despite their untoward behavior would portend grave danger for the Igbo if Tinubu wins the forthcoming election.

In contrast, some of his acolytes in the Southeast have argued albeit feebly that he appointed Igbo people into his cabinet when he was governor of Lagos State. But that again is a puerile argument.

Igbo population in Lagos is over 40% of the Lagos population and that means it is no big deal if Igbo man is elected the governor or deputy governor of Lagos. It is only that Ndigbo seem to be apolitical and lethargic in their political engagements. And looking at it critically, the so-called appointments were not made to represent Igbo interest and the appointees were not nominated by any known Igbo group. And a look at the so-called appointees will show that they may bear Igbo names but they had no Igbo contents in them. Why should Ndigbo be grateful for the appointment of

one who is given the inglorious job of clearing Lagos drainages and who takes every occasion to denigrate and gloat at the misfortune of the same people that he is supposed to represent? It seems the so-called appointments were made to amuse their principal who has never cautioned them for the insults they heap on the people they are supposed to represent. In truth bearing a name associated with a group does not make you a member of that group if you do not have the consciousness to identify or belong to the said group. So the appointment of political mercenaries or reprobates that bear Igbo names into his cabinet would not be interpreted to mean that he did Ndigbo a favor. The said appointments may be an affront on Igbo people if you ask me.

But beyond all that is the fact that Tinubu presidency would retard the political participation and progress in Igbo land. It is clear that if Tinubu wins, that he would want to go eight years after which the power will go up North for another eight years and that means for any Igbo man to think of coming close to Aso rock, the seat of power, it must be another sixteen years. Again, his choice of a fellow Muslim as his running mate is a proof of his winnertakes-all mentality and disdain for inclusive government. This is seen by Ndigbo as the reenactment of the alleged North-Southwest alliance entered after the fratricidal war to share power to the exclusion of the Igbo.

But an Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi presidency would be different. It is believed that Atiku or Obi presidency will bring about a resurgence of creativity and productivity among Ndi-Igbo who thrive on merit and who always advocate for a level-playing ground. Atiku and Obi are both accomplished business men with broad world views and liberal political philosophies. And Ndigbo who crave for equal opportunity for all would like to pitch their tents with either of the two rather than cast their votes for Tinubu and deliberately accept the position of hewers of wood and drawers of water; for, Tinubu presidency will mean more torture and harassment for Ndigbo. Moreover, Tinubu will not invest anything in Igbo land if he is elected because of the pervading and unreasonable fear among his people that developing Igbo land would reduce the status of Lagos. So, it is naïve for anyone who knows Tinubu antecedents to think that he will favor Ndigbo if he is elected president.

Gozie Irogboli, an economist, a consultant and a novelist and can be reached at (goziei@yahoo.com)

The way this vote should go

By Lekan Sote

If it is true that a people get the government they deserve, Nigerians had better be more intentional in choosing the next set of public officers. With this coming election, Nigerians must think, avoid violence, vote wisely and take their country back. This Hobbesian state of affairs must end soon.

The all-important presidential election is just four days away, and it promises to be earthshaking. It will likely determine if Nigerians will continue the rollercoaster of denial of voters’ choices, disruption of the yet unfolding democratic values and structures, continued poverty; and dismal economic development.

German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, thinks Nigeria will likely become a major superpower by the mid-21st century. This next election will significantly advance or delay the actualisation of this profound prediction.

If Nigerians do not vote wisely, if they mess up with their ballot paper, and do not wait to ensure that the votes are counted, verified and (electronically) transmitted via the BVAS device to the collation centres, their efforts would have been in vain.

So the billions the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties and Nigerians would have spent on election logistics would amount to an absolute waste of priceless resources.

Do not waste your vote, guard your Permanent Voter Card and your vote, and do not engage in any violent acts near the polling units. Stay calm and insist that other voters and the polling officers comply with the rules of the game.

If you engage in thuggery or any other type of violence near the polling unit on election day, you will play into the hands of the enemies, who profit from the current confusion, those the Yoruba describe as, “Arije ni madaru.”

Broadcast journalist and a dear friend, Jumoke Alawode-James, suggested that you could counter electoral violence with the FlagIT app promoted by a non-government organisation, the Akin Fadeyi Foundation.

Alawode-James says, with the FlagIT app on your phone, you can report electoral violence and other malpractices during the elections in real-time, and thus compel some healthy dose of decency during the coming elections.

She hopes that INEC, midwife of the crucial elections, would collaborate with the promoters of FlagIT app so that everyone at the polling units, knowing that their actions can be recorded and reported, will comport themselves.

In case you’d like to know, FlagIT app can also help you report bribery and corruption acts by law enforcement officers; human trafficking, genderbased violence and sexual abuse; as well as election malpractices.

With this app, that is worth celebrating, both the (usually ignored) Nigerian mass media and journalists and the oppressed citizens of Nigeria can hold the government, its agencies and agents accountable.

Samson Itodo’s Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement has the following tips for voters and observers on election day: Go early to the polling unit, to enable you observe every action, like verifying ballot papers and result sheets and ascertaining that the BVAS has zero figures before voting commences.

After voting, wait to ensure that ballot papers are counted and recorded on appropriate forms, be sure that voting figures are uploaded unto INEC’s Elections Results Viewing Portal with the BVAS device. If network fails, follow the INEC officials to wherever they will get network to upload the results electronically.

Finally, insist that the INEC officials should post the voting results at the polling unit, and go with them to the ward election results collation centres to ensure there are no “mago mago,” or collation manipulations.

On its part, INEC has promised to introduce a Results Viewing Portal that will enable voters view polling results real-time at the end of voting on election day; curb misinformation from mischievous fake news portals; and enhance voting transparency.

In addition to ensuring that the “hygiene” aspects of the elections are upheld, citizens must intelligently cast their votes in this election. Anyone who allows himself to be swayed by vote buying or other wayward means to cast his vote must be an enemy of this country.

As Alawode-James further counsels, voters must carefully place their thumb in the appropriate box against the name(s) or the logo and name of the party of their candidate, fold properly and ensure that the ink does not smear into the box of another political party. If it does, that invalidates the vote.

But, to the meat of this discourse: Nigerians, who

occupy the highest office of citizens of this country, have an obligation to themselves and to their posterity, to vote the best candidates to run the executive branch and the legislative arm of Nigeria’s Federal Government from May 29, 2023.

The 1999 Nigerian Constitution, almost a carbon copy of the military-inspired 1979 Constitution, confers immense political, military and patronage powers on the President, who is a military President in borrowed civilian garb.

When President Umaru Yar’Adua was completely incapacitated, and it was imperative to invoke Section 144(1,a) of the Constitution, so that “two-thirds majority of all members of the Executive Council of the Federation (or the Cabinet)” could call for a medical examination of the President, they were feigning ignorance.

It took the uncommon courage of Prof Dora Akunyili, Minister of Information and Culture, before the needful could be done. Even then, it took a doctrine of necessity before Vice President Goodluck Jonathan could be elevated to Acting President, and inaugurated substantive President.

Because the Nigerian President has so much patronage to dispense, many people grovel before him, lying and generally making fools of themselves, when they should be demanding good governance from him.

Though Section 22 of the Constitution requires the media to “uphold the fundamental objectives contained in (the social justice provisions of Chapter II) of the Constitution and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people,” the Section 6(6,c) ouster clause denies the courts the authority to entertain them.

Section 308 provides that no sitting President, Governor and their deputies can be prosecuted, imprisoned or compelled to appear in court on civil or criminal matters. So, ab initio, the President of Nigeria, invested with so much power, is not expected to be responsible.

He has immunity from prosecution in his personal capacity for any wrong acts of omission or commission that he may commit whilst he is in office. In other words, the Nigerian President is infallible and can do no wrong whilst in office.

Twitter@lekansote1, lekansote.blogspot.com

As Tinubu goes to election with bribery hope

By SKC Ogbonnia

Tinubu sees the election as do-or-die, regardless of the consequences. To sustain his bribery hope, his agents are alleged to be buying up the new naira notes at higher rate, as seen in viral video clips.

In a normal clime, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be doing time in a prison instead of dreaming to become Nigeria’s president. What a country…

The man in question is well known to have no legitimate source for his billions. Yet, he brandishes the latest samples of private jets, launders money in bullion vans, and once boasted to be richer than a whole state. The first serious attempt to trace the source of his wealth resulted to a narcotics case, where he eventually forfeited a whopping sum of $460,000 to the authorities in the United States of America. Nigeria’s anticorruption agency followed by declaring at a Senate hearing that the degree of Tinubu’s corruption is one of an “international dimension.”

Combine the above with the fact that no known Nigerian can vouch for the authenticity of his biographical details, such as name, age, parents, state of birth and origin, schools attended and certificates received.

Also consider that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not only challenged by old age and stark ill-health, but his public

outings also do not portray a man who is physically or mentally fit for any serious assignment, let alone the presidency of a country.

Yet, the same character is desperate to lead Nigeria. Even worse, Tinubu refuses to answer simple questions about his past or present. He refuses to take questions from the press. He refuses to participate in debates with other candidates.

The reason for the arrogance is not far-fetched: As in the past, Tinubu is counting on a bribery hope. Having snatched the APC presidential ticket with influence of money bags, he is hoping to do the same at the general elections.

And he makes no apology for his unending sins. Since emerging the APC flagbearer, he has been caught in open daylight along with his family members influencing voters with money. Of course, these practices are illegal, but his financial muscle seems to place him above the law. To that end, he was boasting that he was headed to victory.

But “every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner.” Nigeria suddenly redesigned its currency along with stringent rules. Part of the target are corrupt politicians who have stockpiled cash to influence the 2023 elections. The implication is that Tinubu’s dream of becoming presidency has taken a harsh hit.

But the situation has also exposed the true Tinubu. It

has become clearer that he is not only the most arrogant, most immodest, most dictatorial, most autocratic, and most diabolic presidential hopeful, but also the most narcissistic, the shadiest, and the most shameless politician in the Nigerian history.

This is a man who has stood firmly behind all the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari and ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), which have been adjudged as the most inhuman and atrocious in the nation’s democratic journey. Shamelessly, because the currency policy inadvertently punctured his bribery hope, the same Tinubu and his associates are suddenly criticizing their own government, acting as if somehow they care for the ordinary people. But that is not all.

Tinubu sees the election as do-or-die, regardless of the consequences. To sustain his bribery hope, his agents are alleged to be buying up the new naira notes at higher rate, as seen in viral video clips. This goes to worsen the scarcity of legal tender in the land, which has left the ordinary people helpless.

But the Nigerian masses have become wiser. They now know to pocket the bribery money and still vote their conscience. They know to finally make election bribery a vain hope.

SKC Ogbonnia, former APC Presidential Aspirant, writes from Abuja, Nigeria

Jigawa lawmaker dumps APC for PDP

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Few days to the general election, a lawmaker representing Garki/Babura federal constituency in Jigawa state, Alhaji Musa Muhammad Adamu, dumped his All Progressive Congress (APC) and defected to opposition of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmaker, who is representing the serving governor’s constituency announced his defection to PDP shortly after he was received by the gubernatorial candidate in the state, Alhaji Mustapha Sule Lamido in Dutse the state capital.

He explained that, he decided to join PDP to support his friend (Alhaji Mustapha Sule Lamido) and ensure his victory in the forthcoming election as next governor of Jigawa state.

Benue APC guber candidate vows to stamp out criminality

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue state Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has promised to give honest and profitable amnesty to militia and other criminals in the state if elected governor.

He said the promise will be easier to fulfil if Bola Ahmed Tinubu is elected President, adding that he can vouch for the proactive and candour of the APC presidential flag bearer.

Fr. Alia who said this during his campaign tour of KatsinaAla local government area on Monday, decried a situation where an amnesty was hurriedly arranged with by the present administration in the state just to achieve a cheap popularity.

He noted that unfortunately the programme failed to achieve its purpose as many criminals that would have been properly rehabilitated and reintegrated to be useful to the society had gone back to perpetrating societal ills.

It should be noted that Tordonga, a surburb in KatsinaAla and the neighbouring communities remain dreaded as hub of criminal activities even after the death of a criminal kingpin, Terwase Akwaza aka Gana who reigned supreme.

Feb 25 Polls: CP tasks personnel on neutrality

Mr Ahmed MagajiKontagora, the Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, has tasked police personnel of the command to remain neutral while discharging their duty during the forthcoming general elections. MagajiKontagora gave the task while interacting with newsmen at the Police Command Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday. He observed that the task became imperative because of the important role the police played toward providing security of lives and property before, during and after any election across the country. “With reference to the 2023 general elections, the police, as the lead security agency in the election security processes, have the statutory obligation to ensure the maintenance of security, law and order, with the active support of other relevant security agencies. “To

achieve this, the Kebbi State Police Command under my watch, has been organising workshops, seminars and conferences bothering on electoral laws/human rights violation, civility to members of the public, crowd control as well as arrest of electoral offenders,” he said. The essence, he said, was to refresh the memories of its personnel and to acquaint them with the best international policing standard. “In the same vein, the command has always been warning its personnel to be neutral and apolitical while discharging their duties during the general elections,” he noted. The CP reminded them that severe disciplinary measures awaited any erring police officer before, during and after the electioneering period. According to him, threat analysis has also been conducted, whereby all the trouble areas in the state has been identified and the police tactical teams and

other security agencies will be deployed in those areas to forestall any unforeseen circumstances. He assured that the police would maintain an oath of neutrality in accordance with the Electoral Act, adding that the police would always be more careful during electoral security deployments, exhibit a high degree of professionalism and fairness in their dealings with all parties. The CP advised political parties and their candidates to publicly declare their firm commitment to abiding by the verdict of the polls, saying “to accomplish this, political parties must know that they have a primary role in educating their supporters to promote peace, dialogue and consensus. “In the light of this, I commend civil society, religious and traditional leaders for their important roles in this national assignment.” MagajiKontagora noted that the

police would always be more careful during electoral security deployments and exhibit a high degree of professionalism and fairness in their dealings with all parties.

“In view of this, all security agencies are also expected to adopt a professional orientation that encompasses democratic values, respect for human rights and dignity, while being mindful of the duty imposed on us by the law to protect all electorate against illegal acts and dispense our duties without discrimination.

“In view of the forgoing, the Kebbi State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, hereby advise against the use of youths for any form of violence and thuggery that will truncate the electoral process as this will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly,” the CP assured. (NAN)

Dattijo launches Education Support Program

In a bid to provide equal opportunities to indigent students, the Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Muhammad Sani Dattijo at the weekend launched ‘Education Financial Support Programme’ under the Dattijo Empowerment and Development Initiative (DEDI).

Under the first phase of the programme, students studying

in higher institutions of learning across the country were given financial support of N50,000 each to ease their educational pursuits. Similarly, the Senatorial Candidate paid for the registration fees for JAMB and WAEC candidates across the 81 wards of Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun and Kajuru local government areas of Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

In an event held in Kaduna,

the Senatorial Candidate said the gesture will help the beneficiaries pursue and achieve their educational dreams with hindrance.

“In line with our unveiled blueprint, we want to ensure every person gets the opportunity to study and accomplish their dreams and aspirations without hindrance.” Dattijo said.

Students Union Leaders who were at the event, expressed gratitude to the Senatorial

Candidate for the kind gesture.

In her remarks, the Vice President, National Association of Kaduna State Students (NAKASS), Comrade Amatulla Saulawa said; “on behalf of the entire beneficiaries, we thank Dattijo for the support to Students. This certainly reduces the burden on our parents. And it clearly shows that you have the genuine interest to give equal opportunities to children of the poor.”

R-L: Chairman National Peace Committee (NPC) and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; President Mohammadu Buhari and former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon; during the signing of the 2nd National Peace Accord in preparation for the forthcoming general presidential elections, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP, APC turn Nigeria into personal estate - Obi support group

By Abubakar Ojimaojo

Agroup, the Peter Obi Support Network (POSN), has urged Nigerians to reject Peoples Democratic Party PDP and All Progressive Congress (APC), saying they have turned Nigeria into a personal estate.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, The Co-convener of POSN, Tochukwu Ezeoke, said Nigerians should not vote for someone that will supervise the “burial of the nation” which is already in an “intensive care unit’ under President

Muhammadu Buhari.

We urged Nigerians to come out en masse to vote for Peter Obi this weekend. It is the pathway to the nation’s promised land.

He said “Our decision to support Peter Obi is out of the realization that the ruling party and main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), do not care about the insecurity and poverty that has bedeviled our nation.

“All the APC and Peoples Democratic Party PDP care about is to enrich themselves, their families, and their

cronies. They have turned Nigeria into a personal estate where they can do whatever they like with the lives of over 200 million Nigerians without any consequence.

“A vote for Peter Obi is a vote for prosperity, a vote for security, a vote for employment, a vote for good governance, a vote for good roads, a vote for the quality educational system, a vote for quality health facilities, a vote against nepotism and a vote to destroy the structures of corruption in the country”.

Speaking on structure, “We are proud to announce that the Obedient Movement

that sprang out of these early efforts has spread like wildfire across the country.

POSN has achieved the Establishment of a Functional Network in all 36 states and FCT,Diaspora chapters functioning in over 15 countries abroad, and recruited and submitted about 50,000 thousand Polling Unit Monitors for the 2023 elections.

“We have also organized three regional conferences in Jos Plateau State, Kaduna, and Asaba, Delta State. We have recruited and trained about 5000 LGA and Ward coordinators on mobilizations and sensitization operations.

Group endorses Peter Obi, hails Afenifere, PANDEF, SMBLF, ADC, Northern Leaders

By Christiana Ekpa

Pan-Igbo sociopolitical pressure group, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has formally endorsed the Presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed for president, thanking the Northern APC Christian leaders, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Afenifere, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), the African Democratic Party (ADC), Nigerian women and youths for their total support for their supporting the Obidient Movement.

The group urged Nigerians to ignore the distracting voices of insignificant few and selfish elites in the South East region who appear to be against the the Peter Obi candidacy.

In a statement signed by its President and National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the SERG stated that it has to formerly declare support for the Obi-Datti Presidential bid and appreciate Nigerians the support for Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed for a new Nigeria.

“We therefore hail the Nigerian people who saw the light at the end of the tunnel and opted to pass through the difficult route to ensure that there is a better tomorrow for the country men and women born and yet to be born.

“The SERG insists that our support for Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has nothing to do with ethicism as Mr Obi is not the only Igbo man running for President in 2023. It is a choice already made by the Nigerian people that we are backing.

“This is because Nigeria needs resetting to be able to function optimally and effectively. That’s the way to go and that is what Peter Obi presidency represents for Nigeria.

“We urge all Nigerians and people of good conscience across the world to continue to support the choice of the ordinary people of Nigeria, Mr Peter Obi, to give the country the kind of leadership that has eluded us for a long time.

“To demonstrate his examplary love for the country, Peter Obi is the only Presidential candidate that defied security challenges and traveled to Borno South of

Borno State in the North East at the expense of his own life to be able to see things for himself and feel the pulse of the people of the insurgency ravaged region.

“Peter Obi said the he believes that a man can only die once and has proven that he love Nigeria and the oneness of the most populous country in Africa by refusing to yield to persuasions not to visit Southern Borno.

“He has a track record as he led Anambra in an examplary manner, tackled insecurity in the state and became the only Governor in recent times that left as high as N75 billion for his successor after paying salaries, all executed contracts, pensions and gratuities.

“As President, Nigeria will come out of the woods if Peter Obi is given the opportunity to reboot country by reshaping its leadership.

“At this juncture, we call on all Nigerians to ignore the antics of the insignificant few and the anti-Peter Obi elitist voices in the South East because elections are about the choice of the majority.

“In the South East, Igbos’ love

Peter Obi

for Peter Obi will be unequivocally expressed at the ballot boxes across the South Eastern states and the entire country on Saturday

when the majority would have had their way and the minority would have had their say”, the SERG stated.

Don’t use your position to intimidate electorates- Forum tells security agencies

By Abubakar Ojimaojo

Women In Politics Forum (WIPF) has called on all security agencies to prioritize the Protection of lives and Properties, adding that they not to used their position to intimidate the electorates but use it to support them to have a seamless election day experience.

The forum in partnership with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with the recent launch of the N-Alerts app to ensure the safety of Nigerians at the 2023 polls and we urge all Civil Society Organizations deploying observers to make use of the N-Alerts as part of the measures to combat violence against women in the forthcoming elections.

Addressing journalists in Abuja

yesterday, The President of the forum Ebere Ifendu also called on all Nigerian citizens who are eligible to vote to come out, vote peacefully, and protect their vote.

Ebere said, “We call on all security agencies to prioritize the protection of lives and properties. We urge security agencies not to use their position to intimidate the electorate but use the position to support electorates to have a seamless election day experience.

“We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to the provisions contained in the electoral act for a free, fair, and credible 2023 General Election. We urge INEC to ensure that ad-hoc staff is treated fairly, to carry out their role effectively and efficiently.

“We call on all observers to obey the guidelines and provisions for election observation. Observers should observe and report, remembering that intervening is not part of their roles on Election day.

“We call on all political parties to ensure that all their agents on election day obey the guidelines and provisions on election day, and information and reports that will provoke the populace to violence, chaos, and conflict should be avoided completely”.

Speaking further, she urged political parties to activate structures that give women the opportunity to assume decisionmaking positions within the political party structure other than the Woman Leader and Welfare positions.

She explained that Incidences of electoral violence can then be reported

immediately from the observer’s location to the NSCDC and will be acted upon swiftly once the command in charge receives a signal for action and The N-Alerts application is available on the play store and can be downloaded easily.

“Violence Against Women has increased significantly especially in politics during this electioneering cycle. Women have experienced different forms of violence ranging from sexual harassment, bullying, blackmail, and even murder.

According to her, women In Politics Forum will be deploying 100 election observers in 11 states in the 2023 General Election in Nigeria; Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Cross River, Kogi, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto, and the FCT.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Three days to the presidential polls in Nigeria, a coalition of Civil Society Groups has called on Nigerians to vote for Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

The coalition which in a press briefing on Wednesday endorsed Senator Kwankwaso also urged Atiku to step down for the NNPP presidential candidate.

National coordinator of the group, Bishop Godwin Abba described Senator Kwankwaso as a dynamic, pragmatic, energetic and resourceful politician.

Bishop Abba said, “It was also the opinion of the rural Nigerians that the Coalition interfaced with that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should set aside his presidential aspiration for a dynamic, pragmatic, energetic and resourceful Kwankwaso.

“Accordingly, the Coalition calls on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate to step down for the NNPP presidential candidate, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to avoid unnecessary splitting of votes in the North.

“Kwankwaso will inject fresh air in governance, restore hope to a bewildered nation that has seen more carnage than dividends of democracy and build a new Nigeria we all desire.

CSOs endorse Kwankwaso, urge Atiku to step down for north’s block vote

“Atiku has done his best for the nation, we appreciate his contribution as Vice President of Nigeria. He remains a statesman.

“Today, the nation is at a crossroads, the destiny of Nigeria is at stake and requires the political sagacity, capacity,

savvy and tenacity of purpose of Kwankwaso - Idahosa Presidency to redirect the country from its perilous course. Kwankwaso stands out among other contenders for president.

“The Coalition of Civil Society Groups calls on Nigerians to vote

for Kwankwaso ‘s New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Vote for competent leadership, vote for a new, better, greater and prosperous Nigeria. Ensure your votes are counted and count in the overall result.

“This is our chance, God

helping us Kwankwaso will emerge the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on February 25. Join us to make history. It is a new dawn in democratic governance in Nigeria. Kwankwaso -Idahosa ticket is the key.”

the State.

Peter Obi is our candidate’ – SDP denies adopting Bola Tinubu, Seyi Makinde

By Christiana Ekpa

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has denied adopting the All Progressives Congress (APC).presidential candidate and Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde ahead of the general elections.

A statement by the National Secretary, Saleh Dass, made the clarification in a

statement on Wednesday.

Dass recalled that the National Working Committee (NWC) only gave advice to state chapters due to the lingering court case over the legitimate constitution of the leadership.

The directive issued was that they were at liberty to enter into alliances “with an opposition party”, for the purpose of the

elections in February and March.

Dass noted that those who decided to align with the ruling APC as well as the PDP in Oyo took a position that violated the resolution of the SDP.

The NWC has constituted a fivemember committee with Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina as Chairman, the secretary announced.

Mallam Nasiru N’Abba, Mr Kelvin Damara, Mrs Y. Nolan are members, while Mrs Adenike Olujembola will serve as Secretary.

The committee is to meet regarding the reports that some leaders of the SDP in Oyo and elsewhere are supporting Tinbu and Makinde “contrary to the directive of the party”.

2023: Opinion polls predicting Obi’s victory will lead to post-election violence - APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, APC-PCC, has berated sponsors of opinion polls who projected Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, as winner of Saturday presidential election, accusing them of preparing ground for post-election anarchy. Director of strategic communication of the APC-PCC, Dele Alake, who stated this at a press conference Wednesday in Abuja, said the Labour Party does not have a pathway to victory in the coming election.

Alake said the race to the presidential villa is between Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the APC, and Atiku Abubakar, standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said opinion polls such as ANAP/ NOI and Nextier are creating grounds for unrest, and have given Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the LP, false hope.

“There is no evidence and reality on ground anywhere in Nigeria as far as the presidential

election is concerned that supports Mr. Obi winning this election,” h said.

“The Labour Party has no pathway to victory.

“This presidential election is going to be a straight contest between the candidates of APC and PDP and from more studious and rational polling, our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is coasting home to victory despite the current challenges in the implementation of the currency swap and fuel scarcity that have caused some difficulties for almost all Nigerians regardless of social and economic status.

“We particularly find amusing the ANAP/ NOI and Nextier polls that predicted Mr. Obi as the winner or preferred candidate to win the presidential election. We have had cause to alert the security agencies to keep these pollsters under watch because their intention is to prepare ground for unrest by giving false hope of winning to Mr. Obi’s motley crowd of supporters who have a predilection for violence with the way they bully, harass, intimidate and insult anyone who thinks

differently from them.”

Alake said Tinubu has redefined the template of presidential campaigns in the country.

“Our campaign introduced town hall interactive sessions into this campaign to take our message directly to the people across various sectors and segments of the society,” he said.

“In so doing, Asiwaju Tinubu and Senator Shettima took their programmes to the people. They used the opportunity of the interactive sessions to directly share their plans and visions with the electorate and align those with the people’s own desire and aspirations.”

Meanwhile, a support group of APC under the auspices of Tinubu) Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council has promised to give Asiwaju a minimum of five million votes in the presidential election.

Speaking at a press conference Wednesday to give account of the stewardship of the council in the last couple of months, National Coordinator of TSGICC, Silas Agara said: “am particularly excited to reveal that our

structure is in every of the 1,776,974 polling uni ts. We are in every ward of all states in the country.

“I am extremely delighted to reveal the structu res we have in place nationwide have assure dus of a minimum of five million (5,000,000) votes for our presidential ticket.

“We optimistic that the over ten thousand (10, 000) Tinubu and Shettima registered support groups with the TSGICC have the potentials of delivering additional twenty seven million votes (27,000,000)!

“We have also Set up a ‘situation room and ‘call centres’ to monitor the election process and outcome in real time.

“Gentlemen of the press, finally let me seize this opportunity to call on all supporters of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain calm and law abiding as we approach the zero hour.

“We firmly believe that our party and candidates have a date with history. Both are making his tory. Lets join hands with all progressive elements to take the nation to a new higher level.”

Sokoto State PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Mallam Asaidu Umar arrives at Isa Local Government Area, during the PDP Governorship campaign rally, yesterday in

2023: NLC endorses Peter Obi for President

By Christiana Ekpa

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi for President.

The union also called on workers across the country to Vote for the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election which comes up on Saturday.

This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Chris Uyot, the National Secretary, NLC National Political Commission, President: Joseph Ajaero, General Secretary: Emmanuel Ugboaja and Treasurer: Abali Akeem Olatunji

The statement reads in part, “All Labour Political Committee members in the states are to intensify their work in mobilising workers and the Nigerian people both at the local, ward and polling units to vote for the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and all candidates of the Labour Party contesting the elections.

The political committees are also enjoined to work with our allies in civil society organisations and students to take all necessary steps to safeguard the people’s votes by ensuring that the electoral process is transparent, free and fair.

NLC called on workers in Local government, wards and polling unit levels to ensure that they provide at least 10 ward coordinators and canvassers to not only mobilise but defend the peoples votes.

The NLC said that Saturday’s polls promise to be the most decisive in the history of the country.

Peter Obi was at the International Conference Centre on Wednesday where all the presidential candidates of all the 18 political parties came together to sign National Peace Accord

Presidential election: Every supporter works as our polling agent - Labour Party

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, has called on party supporters across the country, especially in the Southeast, Northeast and Northwest, to ignore threats of violence and turn up for the elections and stay as polling agents for the party to monitor the elections.

Abure also called on Nigerians to cast their votes, stay back and serve as LP agents at polling units in Saturday’s presidential election.

Abure, who made the call at a press conference Wednesday in Abuja, also revealed that the party was aware of moves by opposition political parties to cause commotion in some parts of the country “in order to discourage people from coming out to vote”.

“I, therefore, want to urge all our supporters that on the 25th of this month which is Saturday, they should all come out en masse to cast their votes for the Labour Party.

“I am aware that some sponsored persons especially in the South East are being paid and

sponsored by opposition political parties to continue to threaten citizens not to come out to vote, deployed to deliberately reduce our vote.

“We, therefore, want to plead with our supporters that they should come out in their numbers wherever they are, to come out and vote. It is a mere threat to stop them from or to instill fear in them, to prevent them from coming out to vote.

“Secondly, we have been assured by the security agencies that they are on top of the matter. They have assured us that they will guarantee security for the people.

“I, therefore, want to call on all our supporters, that they must not be discouraged, they must all come out and vote for the party. All the support that we got, if they are not translated to votes, come Saturday, it would have amounted to effort in futility.

“I want to say clearly that all supporters of the Labour party and Peter Obi must realise that they are all agents of the party.

“The responsibility to defend our votes, the responsibility to act as agents should not be left in the

hands of accredited party agents alone.

“If you are a supporter of Peter Obi, if you are a supporter of any of the candidates of Labour party, if you are a supporter of the party, you must therefore be an agent for the party on that day of the election.

“I will therefore expect that you will not only go to the polling booth to cast your vote but have a responsibility to also defend your votes.

“We appeal to you to vote, be on standby, keep an eye on INEC officials, keep an eye on security agencies, keep an eye even on the accredited party agents so that you can provide checks and balances on whatever is being done. You have the responsibility to question any activity that you find will compromise the processes of this election.

I am therefore saying that all our supporters are polling unit agents. In order, you are one of our ambassadors, you are one of those who will help us to stand and defend our votes,” he insisted.

The leading opposition party, while noting that the 2023 poll

is the first time that Nigerians will be having a voice, called on the people not to “allow this opportunity to elude us. We must take our destiny in our hands realizing the fact that opportunity lost can never be recovered.”

He further added that “the opportunity we have today in this country, has never been available. We have never had this opportunity where the activities of a political party, the activities of an individual candidate is driven by the people.

“Nigerians must rise to the occasion. Our own supporters must rise to the occasion and ensure that their dream of having a new Nigeria, a Nigeria that guarantees security, a Nigeria that has service delivery to its people, a Nigeria that will be free from poverty, from hunger, from unemployment.

A Nigeria that will be free from the paradox of where you have crude oil yet you import petroleum products, pay subsidy and all the attendant costs. A Nigeria that truly will be in tandem with the mission and vision of the founding fathers of Nigeria.”

L-R; Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Zubari Gambo, Director General DSS, Mr Magaji Bichi and Governor CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele during the Launch of Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID-19) Security Equipment at the Council Chambers, State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

Presidential election: Ikpeazu supporting Peter Obi, not Tinubu – Ohanaeze

By Musa Baba Adamu

Three days before the presidential election, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has urged Nigerians to disregard reports alleging that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State is supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

Ohanaeze said contrary to reports, Ikpeazu is backing the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and not Tinubu.

The Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said enemies of Igbos are behind the fake news of Ikpeazu supporting Tinubu instead of Obi. Isiguzoro said Ikeazu would never support Tinubu due to competence, equity and justice.

The statement reads: “Ohanaeze wishes to urge Ndigbo to disregard the fake news being currently peddled that Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, the Abia State Governor is supporting the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Ordinarily, it is not the duty of Ohanaeze, the Igbo apex sociocultural organization to respond to such. However, we view this fabricated story as an attempt by enemies of Ndigbo to sow discord and suspicion among the ranks of Igbo leaders, at this eleventh hour, with the 2023 presidential election a few days away.

“From our records, Dr Ikpeazu is among the Igbo Governors that have been very supportive of the presidential campaign of Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, based on the fact that he believes in supporting

competent candidates, regardless of party affiliations.

“He also believes that Nigeria can only become great if it is run on the basis of equity, justice and fairness. That is the basis of the disagreement of the G-5 Governors with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate.

“He has never hidden his support for the Igbo presidency project. Also, Ikpeazu has been a bastion of support to the Obidient movement in Abia State. He has had interactions with their leaders in the past and even recently

appointed some of them as his aides.

“Unlike some other Igbo states where Obidients are being harassed and intimidated, the reverse is the case in Abia State. In the spirit of Igbo brotherhood, he even provided logistics for Obi’s recent campaign activities in Abia State, including venue.

“Finally, we wish to assure these enemies of Ndigbo and their hired Igbo collaborators that their scheme has failed woefully. Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges all Igbo Governors, Igbo leaders and the entire Igbo nation to keep

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the National Pensions Commissions on areas that would assist in further deepening the commodities ecosystem.

Director General of the SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda stated this when the Management of the Commission along with the Lagos Futures and Commodities Exchange held a meeting with Pencom in Abuja Tuesday.

Yuguda who was represented by the Executive Commissioner Corporate Services of the SEC, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi, stated that the SEC is very passionate about the commodities sector as it has enormous benefits for the economy of the nation.

According to him, “One of the key pillars of the Capital market Master Plan is the development of the commodities ecosystem which gives our nation the opportunity to diversify both the capital market and the economy and also create more products.

SEC, Pencom to collaborate in deepening commodities Sector

“We have recorded a lot of successes in the sector so far and we see a lot of progress in the development of the sector. We are currently working with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to develop standards that would make these our commodities acceptable in the international market. This would further boost our foreign exchange earnings and create wealth for our people.

He said the SEC is seeking collaboration with PenCom to ensure economic development adding that the sector has huge potentials if optimally developed.

“We have witnessed major achievements by the LFCE and we are happy to see them progress. We are committed to creating the rules that will ensure investor protection. It is a strategic focus for us to deliver one of our key mandates which

is market development that will lead to economic development. Our focus remains market integrity, market fairness and investor protection.

Speaking earlier, Managing Director of LFCE, Mr. Akin Akeredolu-Ale said the commodities exchanges are interested in exploring avenues for investing pension funds in the capital market.

He expressed his joy that the SEC is spearheading the ISB to further boost the utilisation of pensions funds in the market adding that if pension funds are not reflated, inflation would keep affecting it.

“The primary part of our economic raw materials in crude oil, if you don’t capitalise the primary sector, the manufacturing sector will suffer, same as the service sector. SEC has made provisions for the PFAs

to invest in the commodities sector and this is expected to catalyse our economy and spur growth” he said.

Akeredolu-Ale reassured that the reflation of the assets under management is going to benefit people that have their assets as globally pension assets are used to stimulate economies adding that the nation’s economy needs to be activated to create opportunities for pension assets to participate in the exchanges.

He therefore urged Pencom to look into its rules and encourage PFAs to develop and interest in investing in commodity assets on the commodities exchanges like LFCE.

In her remarks, Managing Director of Lotus Capital, Mrs. Hajara Adeola said the commodity space is very central to the progress and development of Nigeria’s economy and it is

important the entire financial system participates as it is developing globally.

“The capital market is creating instruments, creating avenues for investments to grow the market and the economy. It is important we put these infrastructures in place to make it profitable for our nation” she said.

Responding, Commissioner Technical of Pencom, Mr. AnyimNyerere said the Pension laws are not static but dynamic adding that the Commission expects a comprehensive request to enable it expedite actions on the matter.

He expressed the desire of Pencom to work with relevant agencies to boost the economy and assured the SEC that Pencom will work within available laws to support the commodities trading ecosystem.

22

ships discharge petroleum products, other items at Lagos ports

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, on Tuesday said that out of the 20 ships expected at the Lagos Port Complex, seven were carrying petroleum products.

The NPA listed the petroleum products as butane gas, petrol and automobile gasoline.

It said that the remaining 13 ships expected at the port were carrying bulk salt, containers, bulk sugar, sulphur, bulk wheat, bulk urea, palm oleum and frozen fish.

The NPA said the ships are expected to arrive at the Lagos Port Complex from Feb. 21 to March 4.

It also reported that three other ships were waiting to berth at the port with petrol, general cargo and containers.

The organisation said that 18 other ships had arrived at the port and were discharging bulk wheat, general cargo, containers, bulk sugar, bulk fertiliser, trucks, frozen fish, petrol, bulk gypsum, butane gas and bulk urea.

L-R; Governor CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, CEO and Group MD Access Holdings Plc, Managing Director Access Bank Plc, Mr Herbert Wigwe, Chairman of Coalition Against Covid-19, Alh Aliko Dangote and President Muhammadu Buhari DURING THE Launch of Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID-19) Security Equipment at the Council Chambers, State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

CBN vows to fish out purveyors of ‘fake’ statement on old N500, N1,000 notes

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it is working with law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute the purveyors of a “fake” statement on the validity of the old N500 and N1,000 notes.

The apex bank issued the threat in a statement jointly signed by Edward Adamu, deputy governor, corporate services, and Osita Nwanisobi, director of corporate communications, on Tuesday.

PEOPLES DAILY had

earlier reported that Aisha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, shared a statement which claimed that President Muhammad Buhari has approved the reissuance and release of old N500 and N1,000 notes as legal tender in the country till May.

The statement was alleged to have been released by the CBN but the apex bank later described it as “fake news”.

The CBN insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on the old N200 notes still stands.

Buhari, in a televised nationwide address on February 16, had directed the apex bank to recirculate the old N200 notes.

The old N200 is expected to circulate as legal tender till April 10.

“The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to a FAKE PRESS RELEASE purported to have emanated from the Bank to the effect that President Muhammad Buhari has approved the reissuance and release of old N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender in the country,” the statement

reads.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Central Bank of Nigeria reiterates that in line with the directives of Mr. President, only N200 old notes are to be reissued and to circulate concurrently with the new notes.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore this fake news.

“The Bank is working with the law enforcement agencies to investigate, apprehend and prosecute the purveyors of this fake news. Please be guided accordingly.”

BU$IN€SS

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says it is working to revive shutin oil wells.

To shut in a well is to close off a well so that it stops producing. Speaking on value optimisation in the upstream

theft

poses

petroleum sector at a recent event, Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer (CEO) of NUPRC, said the commission was focused on regulatory initiatives aimed at reviving declining wells.

FG will add 900,000 bpd to oil production by restoring shut-in oil wells, says NUPRC Osinbajo: Oil

clear

threat to national security

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says oil theft and sabotage of oil assets pose a “clear and present danger” to the economy and national security.

Osinbajo spoke in Abuja at a stakeholders conference on oil theft and losses in Nigeria.

He said the acts also have a negative effect on the revenue accrued to the federation and the business opportunities for oil and gas investors.

“All theft and sabotage of oil and gas assets are a clear and present danger to our economy and national security,” he said.

“Not only do they pose a serious threat to all exploration and our energy economy, they also impact negatively on what is accrued to the federation and the business prospects on investors in the oil and gas sector.”

If left unchecked, Osinbajo said, the menace will fuel crises that will paralyse the government and leave the country extremely vulnerable to shocks and other unexpected consequences.

He added that large-scale theft of crude oil undermines government efforts to optimise its intended vision.

“Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) put the audited figure of oil theft and losses at something in the order of 619.7 million barrels of crude oil daily,” he said.

“And this is valued at $46 billion or N16.25 trillion; and all of these losses occurred between 2010 and 2020.

“In addition, Nigeria lost about 4.2 billion litres of petroleum products from refineries, which were valued at over $1.4 billion at the rate of 140,000 barrels per day from 2009 to 2018.

“This is just an average, because there are peaks where we see losses between 200,000 to 400,000 barrels in a day.

“As part of our strategy for value optimization and increased production from our national oil and gas reserves, the commission has focused on regulatory initiative aimed at reviving declining wells through enhanced oil recovery approach,” he said.

Komolafe added that the commission is working with operators to identify candidate wells and appropriate interventions that would lead to increased production.

“In addition, the commission is focusing on shut-in wells which can be revived. In pursuance of this, the commission inaugurated a committee on June 23, 2022, to conduct industry-wide study on reactivation of shut-in strings,” he said.

“The committee has submitted its report, and includes recommendations categorised into ‘quick wins’, medium- and long-term initiatives that will enhance national oil and gas production volumes.”

The NUPRC boss said findings from the report revealed that “over 900,000 barrels of oil per day can be earned from the quick win interventions while

the medium- and long-term initiatives could potentially add 1.2 million barrels of oil per day if properly and fully implemented”.

He said the total number of strings that need to be revived is also known and “we have commenced engagement with the relevant operators to operationalise the initiative”.

“We have also completed the 2020 marginal field bid round and issued fifty (50) petroleum prospecting licenses (PPLs) to deserving awardees. It is expected that with the existing discoveries in the awarded fields, early field development plan (FDP) would be pursued by the awardees leading to incremental oil and gas

production,” Komolafe said.

“On its part, the commission is facilitating timely approvals for expedited re-entry and early production.

“The estimated incremental production from the awarded fields is approximately 58,000 bpd and 87mmscf/d.

“In the short/medium term, we expect an estimated incremental volume of 461,000bpd and 565mmscf/d from new wells and well reentry.

“In the long term, we expect an estimated incremental volume of 162,000bpd and 868mmscf/d from FDPs which have been approved and are at various stages of execution.”

Report: CBN in talks with R3, US-based firm, for tech revamp of eNaira

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is in talks with potential technology partners to develop a new system to run and manage the eNaira, Bloomberg is reporting.

The newspaper cited two sources familiar with the matter who asked not to be named due to confidentiality issues.

The sources said that the apex bank had discussed the plans

— which are in the early stages —with R3, a New York-based technology firm.

They said the new software for the eNaira would be created to allow the CBN to have full control of the effort.

In 2021, the CBN engaged Bitt Inc, a global fintech company, as its technical partner for the digital currency, eNaira.

When it was rolled out in October 2021, Nigeria became the first country in Africa to

launch its own central bank digital currency.

The sources told Bloomberg that the new technology partner, whether R3 or another company, would not be expected to take over Bitt Inc’s job immediately, but would work with CBN to achieve their long-term objective “to control the underlying technology.”

Commenting on the development, Bitt said that it is cognizant of the fact that the

CBN collaborates with a variety of partners on its technical advancements.

The company further explained that it is working closely with the apex bank in developing “additional features and enhancements” for the eNaira system.

Recently, the CBN asked Nigerians to embrace eNaira and internet banking as alternatives to cash transactions.

L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, NSA Maj Gen Babagana Monguno Rtd, Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, Chief of Air Staff Isiaka Oladayo Amao and Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Zubariu Gambo and Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman during the Security Council Meeting held at the Council Chambers, State House yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

PenCom: Contributory pension scheme reforms have eased challenges faced by employees

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says reforms under the contributory pension scheme (CPS) have eased challenges encountered by employees.

The commission said this recently in a video message to Nigerians.

The contributory pension scheme (CPS) is an arrangement where both the employer and the employee contribute towards the payment of the worker’s pension at retirement.

In a bid to improve the sector, PenCom said it has implemented several reforms including the recovery of over N10 billion outstanding pension contribution, and the payment of outstanding pension liabilities.

The commission recently approved the increase of monthly pensions for retirees on “programmed withdrawal” under the CPS.

“The online enrollment and verification exercise, multi-fund structure, non-interest fund, retirement savings account transfer system, and data recapture exercise have eased all the challenges that contributors experience,” it said.

PenCom said it has also ensured that all pension fund administrators (PFAs) increase their share capital to at least N5 billion.

“As we speak, the total pension assets in the country has amounted to over N14 trillion and PenCom has launched the new edition of pension enhancement for retirees on programme withdrawal under the contributory pension scheme,” the commission said.

“The most exciting benefit is that [it is] not only public and civil servants will be enjoying pension in our country; private sector, traders, tailors, fashion designers, shoemakers, civil societies — almost all citizens — can enrol in the pension scheme under the micro pension plan.

“This means that everyone can begin to plan for their lives and in the future, and the national security problem will end in our country.”

PenCom further lauded the federal government for revamping the pension scheme, enjoining Nigerians to make wise use of them.

FAAC accuses NNPC of using lower FX rate for crude oil revenue

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Federation Account Allocation Committee

(FAAC) has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) of using an exchange rate lower than the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official rate for the sale of domestic crude oil between 2015 and 2022.

The committee said this in a report signed by Kabir. M. Mashi, chairman of its post mortem subcommittee (PSMC).

The report was presented the sub-committee at FAAC’s monthly plenary meeting held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

The FAAC sub-committee said it observed some underpayments

of N185.45 billion to the federation account as a result of the low exchange rate applied by the NNPC.

“On the exchange rate application by NNPC on domestic crude, FIRS PSC crude and NUPRC royalty crude sale values, the sub-committee observed some under payments of N185,458,842,270.76 to the federation account as a result of NNPC using exchange rate lower than the CBN official rate on domestic crude sale for the period 2015 to 2022,” the report reads.

FAAC also said the CBN has confirmed that “NNPC did not use the rate advised” by the bank.

It added that the national oil firm has not yet responded to

the matter after “several months of being given the analysis to review”.

“Despite the concerns of FIRS, NUPRC and other stakeholders, NNPC Limited has continued to use a different exchange rate in remittances to the federation account till date,” the committee.

Consequently, the FAAC subcommittee recommended that the plenary should take a decision on the appropriate exchange rate to be used by NNPC Limited on remittances to the federation account going forward to avoid underpayments to the federation account.

It also said the plenary should engage a third party forensic auditor to validate the established

underpayments to the federation account by NNPC.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the FAAC subcommittee said it also observed that within the post-mandated period, the issue of nonapplication of mandated rates by CBN for the months of March, April, and May 2020 resulted in the underpayment to the forex equalisation account by N67. 1 billion.

The sub-committee said it had earlier submitted its report to FAAC and awaits its investigation with CBN to ascertain why mandated rates were not used in the months under reference.

L-R: GMD/CEO, Access Corporation,Herbert Wigwe; MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, and executive director, African 2027) in Lagos, yesterday.

Cash crunch: FCT Hospitals adopts as POS payment option for patients

By Stanley Onyekwere

In the wake of the current currency crunch, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has deployed alternative measure of payment by patients, in order to ease their difficulty while trying

to access medical attention in hospitals.

Making this disclosure to Journalists in Abuja, the Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA, Dr. Abubakar Tafida, said all the Medical Directors are mandated to engage the service of

multiple Point of Sale (PoS) operators in their various hospital, as an alternative means of payments for the medical bills.

Tafida noted that, the directive following the challenges faced by patients in making their payment in the hospital to receive medical attention.

He also warned that the administration will not hesitate to sanction any medical officials that refuse to attend to patience and turn them back because of the current situation at across the country as a result of the CBN new cashless policy.

While assuring residents of

Service delivery: No SOP, no overhead - FCTA charges SDAs

BY Usman Shuaibu

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA ) has issued a two-months ultimatum to its Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDA’s) that are yet to submit their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to do so or be sanctioned.

Permanent secretary FCTA, Adesola Olusade gave the deadline while addressing participants at a one -day validation workshop for the optimization of SOP manual held in Abuja.

Olusade said any SDAs that didn’t submit its SOP before April, would not access the month’s overhead.

He said: “April’s over-head will be paid only to SDAs that have submitted their SOP, since the commencement of the exercise in FCTA and the measures the administration have taken so far , it is expected that all Secretariats, Departments and Agencies should key in.

“SOP is very important to us, since we started some experts came in to see that the exercise meet the international best practice, we have to abide by it.

“This will strengthen FCT Administration’s SDAs and bring about efficient service delivery in all areas”.

Olusade also directed the department of Treasury that effective from April, over-head should only be paid to SDAs that have submitted their SOP, and have the proof.

According to him: “There must

be a form of sanction to encourage submission, the easiest one we could do is to get your SOP ready before any over-head, if the SOP is not there, the over-head can not be released. So, we are insisting that finish your SOP and get your overhead”.

On her part, the Director FCTA Reform Coordination and Service

Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, said the remaining SDAs will be encouraged to submit their SOP before the deadline.

According to her, “We have been on this matter for almost a year now, and the turn-out is not very encouraging from the SDAs that are yet to submit their SOP. The permanent secretary is clear about

the FCT that the administration is doing everything possible to ease their challenge, Tafida explained that the situation is not just peculiar to the FCT, but a national challenge, which according to him, will soon be over.

it, he has tied it down to the release of over-head.

“As civil servants, we take directive. I believe that the remaining SDAs will submit their SOP before the deadline given by the the permanent secretary”.

Ahmadu explained that the SOP would help SDAs do well without set backs, if guided by the Procedure.

L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari, NSA Maj Gen Babagana Monguno Rtd, Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, Chief of Air Staff Isiaka Oladayo Amao and Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Zubariu Gambo and Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman during the Security Council Meeting held at the Council Chambers, State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

Salka community raises alarm over imposition of village Head

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Ollopu Youth Association Salka, Magama

Local Government Area of Niger State has raised alarm over happenings in Salka town, following alleged imposition of the village Head of Salka and violation of fundamental human right, by the emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Muhammad Barau, the Police Area Commander And associates.

Briefing Newsmen on the development, a Community Leader, Bala Bako Salka, recalled that on 2nd February, 2023 the King Makers and Women Representatives in Salka were invited to Kontagora by the Emir, Alhaji Muhammad Barau through the District Head of Salka, Alhaji Shehu Bawan Dodo, where the Emir informed them that after due consultation with the people

of Salka and other stakeholders, he has decided to return the embattled Village Head to the throne.

He however, added that responding, the Adide of Salka, one of the highly respected kingmakers informed the Emir that the Kingmakers of Salka were not consulted, insisting that the people of Salka have resolved not to have the embattled village head back on throne.

“On hearing this, the palace guards (Dogarai) descended on him with horse whip (koboko) lashes and beating until one of the women representative stood up and held the King maker, in order to shield him, and was also hit by the koboko.

“It was at that point that the Emir ordered them to stop the beating. They inflicted physical injury on him and was thereafter taken to the Police area Command

Office Kontagora like a Common criminal not even allowing him to wear his shoe.

“He and his colleagues were detained in the police area command office from morning till late evening without food and were later released.All these happened under the watch of the Police Area Commander, Alhaji Gawuna and Divisional Police Officer, Magama Local Government Mallam who were supposed to be representatives of the Inspector General of Police and the Chief Law Officer of the Federation”, he stressed.

According to him: “This is a flagrant abuse of office and an infringement on the rights of Adide of Salka, as he is constitutionally allowed to express himself.

“For Avoidance of doubt, the embattled Village Head of Salka ran out of Salka on 17th October,

2022 as a result of a protest by the people of Salka against abuse of office, misrule, maladministration and lack of respect for human dignity exhibited by him. This was followed by a letter of appeal to the Emir for his immediate removal as the village head dated 21st October, 2022 but no action was taken.

“For allegations bordering on security to be made against the village head and no action is taken at all by either the Emir and/or the Police raise more questions than answers. And the Kingmakers of Salka deserve respect like any other king maker in Nigeria and must be treated as such.

“With all due respect, they are the rightful institution to choose a village head for Salka town. This is in consonance with Section 3(2) of the Appointment and Deposition of Chiefs Act of Niger State, 1989( as amended).

He further alleged that the kingmakers and the women were under duress, asked to sign documents which content they did not know since they could not read in English but the police kept telling them that if anything happens in Salka, they will be held responsible.

“The Niger State Commissioner of Police and Inspector General of Police are kindly invited to take note, as the actions of the Emir and his cohorts to our King makers are unacceptable and condemnable.

“We therefore plead with the media, Human Rights Organizations and the Nigerian Government to call them to order and keep watch on their actions”. We are firm believers in the tenets of democracy which allows for freedom of choice by the people and rule of law.

Further delays to US flights expected after FAA issue

Normal air traffic operations are slowly resuming in the US after flights were halted on Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

It follows a problem with the system that alerts pilots to potential hazards on flight routes.

The FAA had said flights would begin to take off again from 0900 ET (1400 GMT), though further delays are expected due to a backlog of flights.

Airports nationwide were affected, from Denver to Atlanta to New York City.

As of Wednesday morning east coast time, more than 6,700 flights in and out of the US had been delayed and more than 1,000 were cancelled.

One issue airlines are facing is trying to get planes in and out of crowded gates, which is causing

further delays.

US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the FAA glitch, and the White House said there was no evidence of a cyberattack “at this point”.

Speaking to reporters, the president said the FAA “expect [that] in a couple of hours they’ll have a good sense of what caused it, and we’ll respond at that time”.

In a tweet, the White House Press Secretary said the president had called for a “full investigation”.

The FAA said the source of the problem was its Notice to Air Missions System.

According to the FAA, the system provides real-time safety information to pilots “about closed runways, equipment outages, and other potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the flight.”

Elon Musk’s drop in fortunes breaks world record

Major US airlines said they were closely monitoring the situation. American Airlines, which carries the most passengers annually in North America, said it was working with the FAA to minimise customer disruption.

United Airlines said it would waive change fees and any difference in fare for customers rescheduling flights departing on or before 16 January, 2023.

Delta said it was “safely focused on managing our operation during this morning’s FAA ground stop for all carriers”, adding it would provide updates as soon as possible.

For international passengers, Air Canada - the foreign carrier with the most flights into the US - said the outage would impact on cross-border operations on Wednesday, but it couldn’t initially say to what degree. The

carrier said it would put in place a “goodwill policy” so affected passengers can change their travel plans.

Meanwhile, airports in Paris - Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly - said they expect delays to US flights. Air France said it is monitoring the situation.

For UK passengers, British Airways said its flights to and from the US will operate as planned, and Virgin Atlantic said it was continuing to operate its schedule of US flights departing from the UK. However, some US departures, the airline said, may be affected by delays.

Germany’s Lufthansa and Spain’s Iberia said they are still operating flights to and from the US as normal for now.

US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he had been

in contact with the FAA on Wednesday morning, and that they were working to resolve the issue “swiftly and safely”.

Passengers have posted on social media that they are experiencing delays.

“Always great to get up at 0400 to be at the gate in plenty of time for your flight that is now delayed by 37 minutes and counting,” said Daniel Huard in a Facebook post. “This will be a long day of travel.”

Michael Remy arrived to an airport in Virginia at 0600 ET (1100 GMT) planning to head to North Carolina for vacation. His flight was delayed right before boarding. “It is what is, so, you can only get so upset,” he told the BBC. “I may have seen it differently if I was headed to a wedding or a funeral, though.”

The mystery buses behind Brazil Congress attack

Hundreds of the protesters who stormed Brazil’s Congress have been arrested but mystery still surrounds the identity of the people pulling the strings. Could a fleet of buses seized by police hold the key?

Two months ago, 60-yearold Odair boarded a bus in the southeastern state of Parana, bound for Brazil’s capital more than 1,460 km (907 miles) away.

His mission: to spend weeks showing his support for a man he affectionately refers to as “the Captain” - former President Jair Bolsonaro.

For Odair, the trip ended badly.

While he claims he did not participate in the riot at Brazil’s Congress on 8 January, he was among the more than 1,500 taken into custody by police at nearby Bolsonaro supporters’ encampments - where many had been for weeks - in the immediate aftermath.

From November 2021 to December 2022 he lost around $165bn, Guinness World Records said in a blog on its website.

The figures are based on data from publisher Forbes, but Guinness said other sources suggested Mr Musk’s losses could have been higher.

It follows a fall in value of shares in Mr Musk’s electric car firm Tesla after he bought Twitter last year.

His $44bn (£36bn) takeover of the social media company has sparked concerns among investors that Mr Musk is no longer giving Tesla enough attention.

Mr Musk’s losses since November 2021 surpass the previous record of $58.6bn (£47bn), suffered by Japanese tech investor Masayoshi Son in 2000.

The estimated loss is based on the value of his shares, which could regain their value, meaning Mr Musk’s wealth would increase again.

In December, the Tesla boss lost his position as richest person in the world to Bernard Arnault, the chief executive of French

luxury goods company LVMH, which owns fashion label Louis Vuitton.

The value of Tesla shares dropped around 65% in 2022, in part because of Tesla’s performance. The firm delivered just 1.3 million vehicles during the year, falling short of Wall Street expectations.

However, Mr Musk’s takeover of Twitter - where he has sparked controversy by firing large numbers of staff and changing content moderation policies - is behind most of the share slump.

Many Tesla investors believe he should be focusing on the electric vehicle company as it faces falling demand amid recession fears, rising competition and Covidlinked production challenges.

“Long-term fundamentals [at Tesla] are extremely strong. Short-term market madness is unpredictable,” Mr Musk tweeted after the stock markets closed for the year in December 2022.

Mr Musk is now worth about $178bn (£152bn), according to Forbes, while Bernard Arnault has an estimated value of $188bn (£155bn).

“There were old ladies in there, crying. They had lost contact with everyone,” he told the BBC after his release, clad in the blue and yellow Brazilian football gear that has become synonymous with Bolsonaro supporters. “This is really sad business.”

Those detained hail from at least 10 Brazilian states and like Odair they made a long journey to Brasilia.

Four days before the riot, a video inviting people to the Brazilian capital for a “party” went viral. It promised free buses would take people from different parts of the country, with coffee and food laid on.

Who or what group was behind this idea, and financed it, remains something of a mystery - one that has gripped the attention of people across the country.

“It’s obvious to everyone they didn’t do it themselves,” Alice Teixeira, a Brasilia resident, told the BBC at a local filling station. “They were from many places.”

What have authorities said?

Earlier this week, Brazil’s current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the rioters are “possibly victims” of manipulation at the hands of still-unknown financiers.

So far, much of the investigation

has focused on a fleet of approximately 40 buses seized by authorities after the riot. Many of these brightly-coloured buses are currently parked in a police lot on the outskirts of the city, where they are clearly visible from the highway.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Justice Minister Flavio Dino said that unnamed “business executives” rented the buses to transport Bolsonaro supporters to Brasilia from across the nation who had been offered “free trips” on social media.

While Mr Dino offered no names amid the ongoing investigation, he described the alleged organisers as being involved in the agriculture industry and the gun lobby in Brazil’s conservative midwestern and southern states. Othersincluding President Lula - have suggested that mining and logging firms may also be involved.

Politically, these regions are considered bastions of support for Mr Bolsonaro.

Paulo Abrão, a Brazilian law professor and human rights expert, said that backers are likely from groups that “benefited from a lack of government control” under the Bolsonaro government.

“The financiers of this incident could be groups that harm the environment, or who violate human rights in their work,” he said. “These groups would benefit from attacking the institutions of the state.”

Denials from ‘Bolsonaristas’

Many hardline supporters of the former President continue to cling to the narrative that the events of 8 January were the work of leftist provocateurs who, they say, wanted to derail peaceful protests against the Lula government.

Among them is Telma Viera, a Sao Paolo resident who spent weeks at a camp in the city alongside other Bolsonaro supporters. On Tuesday, she was in Brasilia, where she was visiting two friends taken into custody following the riot.

“This was not something done by our patriots,” she said outside the police facility where the alleged rioters are being held. “There were people from the left there, before ours.”

Another Bolsonaro supporter,

Edson Varela, echoed Viera’s statement, saying that “infiltrators” started the violence at the riot “to give the government another reason for coming after Bolsonaro”.

As evidence, Ms Varela and Ms Viera both pointed to Instagram and social media videos which purport to show known Lula supporters among the crowd.

While none of these videos have been substantiated, these opinions are being widely shared and gaining traction among large swathes of Brazilians, both at home and abroad.

Juscelino Colares, a US-based Brazilian law professor, told the BBC that his numerous Brazilian friends have sent him “videos that document Bolsonaristas telling rioters how to burn or destroy public property”.

“Like me, they all believe many agent provocateurs from the left took advantage of frustration among some native right-wing protesters,” he said.

What’s next?

While Brazilian officials have vowed to identify and punish those responsible, they have so far offered little detail on the investigation, although Brazilian telecom carriers have been ordered to preserve data that may be related to the riot.

Any potential penalties for those who organised the riot remain unclear.

Some Brazilians, like Mr Abrão - a former executive secretary of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights - are now calling for a congressional commission to probe the riot and what led up to it, as was the case in the US with the committee that looked into the 6 January 2021 riot.

“This country really needs to establish an instrument like that, that involves the judiciary and other government powers,” he said. “We need to create the conditions to make that possible. It’s vital.”

In the meantime, many Brazilians will be anxiously waiting for answers.

“I believe some will [eventually] be identified,” said Geomar Andre Bender, a lawyer and author. “But some will never leave their mark.”

Source: BBC

2023: IGP orders election security duties guidelines released to police officers, others

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the distribution of more than a million copies of a handbook produced by the Nigeria Police Force on “Revised Standard Operational Guidelines/Rules for Police Officers and Other Law Enforcement Agents on Election Security Duties ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

A statement by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters in Abuja said yesterday. The 36 paged handbook, the statement

said, contains a page for the details of the officer to whom it is issued, a foreword by the IGP, rules on general conduct, duty parade, briefing/debriefing, dress and accoutrement, managing political parties’ convention/rallies, and crowd control, use of force and lethal weapon, escorting and protecting election materials, the procedure of arrest, command and control and other salient electoral security rules.

The strategic distribution covers the Force Headquarters, Zonal and State Police Commands, Formations and trickles down

to Units of the Force and Divisional Police Stations to ensure that every police officer will have a copy of the guidelines for ease of reference before the commencement of deployments. Similarly, the IGP has ordered distribution to the Presidency, Ministry of Police Affairs, Police Service Commission, the Military, and all other security agencies engaged alongside the Police in election security management based on their expected deployment for the elections.

According to the statement, the

Inspector-General of Police reiterates his expectation that the Police and other security agents involved in election security management will find the handbook to be a valuable operational companion.

Also, the book could act as a standard in holding them accountable in the line of their electoral duties, as all hands must be on deck to actualise the mandate and commitment of the NPF to have free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, the statement said.

How we can overcome religious sentiments, by Buhari

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari has alleged that some people hide under the canopy of religion to advance their economic and political agenda, and continuous education is needed so that the larger populace would not be hoodwinked. The President spoke at Nouakchott, Mauritania, Tuesday, while meeting with Rashad Hussain, United States Ambassadorat-Large for International Religious

Freedom.

Recounting his private meeting at the White House with former President Donald Trump, the Nigerian leader recalls Trump asking him: “why are you killing Christians in Nigeria,” and how he proceeded to tell him that the issue in the country was not religious, but rather criminal, and a usage of religion by some elements to further their economic, and sometimes, political interests.

“It’s a problem Nigeria has been struggling with for a long time, and it is

completely unnecessary,” President Buhari said. “Some people use religion as sentiment, but with adequate education, people are seeing through it now. Majority of the people just want to practice their religion without problem, but some people cash in on religious misunderstanding for their own ends.

“When people are educated, they are able to discern when others want to use religion for certain ends. They do it mostly for material reasons.

“Also, when some people are incompetent,

they bring in all sorts of excuses, including religion.”

Ambassador Hussain said the United States of America is interested in partnering with Nigeria in the areas of formal and non-formal education, towards religious harmony.

“There’s so much we can do together to promote peace, promote communal harmony. We love what you are doing, and we would be glad to assist as appropriate,” he said.

L-R: Director General / CEO, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa, Minister of Science ,Technology and Innovation (STI) Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, Director Finance and account FIIRO, Mr. Joshua Oderinde, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), Mrs Monilola Udoh, Director Chemical Technology FMSTI, Mr. Mej Bassey and the Board Chairman, FIIRO, Alh. Ibrahim Gwarzo, inspecting products develop by FIIRO, during the FIIRO day at the ongoing 7th Edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2023, theme: Actualizing Effective Diversification of Nigeria Economy through Science, Technology and innovation, held in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo.

Asia&Middle-East

Soledar: Ukraine battle hints at rift in pro-Russian forces

Russia’s defence ministry says its forces are taking part in the battle for Soledar, a town north of Bakhmut in east Ukraine which has been the focus of recent fighting.

It comes after the head of Russia’s notoriously brutal Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed his fighters were in full control there and boasted that only his troops took part.

Mr Prigozhin will most likely use any victory to bolster the reputation of Wagner as an effective fighting force in the eyes of President Putin.

But the Russian defence ministry appeared to contradict the controversial oligarch’s claims.

Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in the military’s daily update that: “Soledar has been blockaded from the north and the south by units of the Russian Airborne Forces.

“The Russian Air Force is carrying out strikes on enemy strongholds. Assault troops are taking part in battles inside the town.” There was no mention of Wagner forces.

Ukraine’s defence ministry also said on Wednesday that heavy fighting continues, and Wagner forces have had no success in breaking through its defences.

If Soledar falls, it will be a boost to Mr Prigozhin. In a statement released on Tuesday night, he boasted that “no other units took part in the storming of Soledar apart from Wagner”. Ukrainian and US officials have said that Wagner units make up a large part of forces fighting in the area.

Analysts have long spoken of tensions between the military and Wagner, and Mr Prigozhin has publicly criticised generals for allegedly being out of touch with the realities of the war in Ukraine.

While it is difficult to know for sure exactly whether infighting is going on in the corridors of power, there are some clues.

Yesterday, news agency Tass reported that Colonel-General Alexander Lapin was appointed as Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces. Russian media quoted sources who claimed that the announcement of Gen Lapin’s position - he was one of those slammed by Mr Prigozhin last year - was made as a warning to the oligarch: don’t mess with the military.

But many here have been quick to praise Mr Prigozhin and Wagner for their apparent progress in Soledar. Influential media boss Margarita Simonyan gushed about how “polite” he is, signing off with a thanks to Wagner fighters, who she called “my little darlings!”

Likewise, pro-Kremlin military bloggers on Telegram lavished praise on the mercenary group. One blogger thanked them for “the emotions you’ve given us

Ukraine cast doubt on a photo claiming to show Yevgeny Prigozhin inside a Soledar salt mine tonight”.

Another said “When Soledar and [Bakhmut] are liberated, it will be a new chapter in Russian military history. The first time that a private military company

has shown such results in a highly intensive military conflict”.

The strategic significance of Soledar is disputed by military analysts. But if Russian forces do succeed in establishing

full control over the town, it will certainly be a symbolic victory for the Kremlin. That is because Moscow’s troops have failed to take a single significant town from Ukrainian forces since the summer of 2022.

Alireza Akbari: Iran preparing to execute British citizen - family

The family of a British-Iranian dual national sentenced to death in Iran have told BBC Persian that authorities are preparing to execute him.

Alireza Akbari’s wife, Maryam, said she had been asked to come to his prison for a “final meeting” and that he had been moved to solitary confinement.

The ex-deputy Iranian defence minister was arrested in 2019 and convicted of spying for the UK, which he denied.

The UK urged Iran to halt the planned execution and immediately release him.

“This is a politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has total disregard for human life,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly tweeted.

Earlier, a Foreign Office spokesperson

told the BBC that it was supporting Mr Akbari’s family and had repeatedly raised his case with Iranian authorities.

It has requested urgent consular access, but Iran’s government does not recognise dual nationality for Iranians.

BBC Persian also broadcast an audio message on Wednesday from Mr Akbari in which he says he was tortured and forced to confess on camera to crimes he did not commit.

He says that he was living abroad a few years ago when he was invited to visit Iran at the request of a top Iranian diplomat who was involved in nuclear talks with world powers.

Once there, he adds, he was accused of obtaining top secret intelligence from

the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, “in exchange for a bottle of perfume and a shirt”.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

Mr Akbari served under Mr Shamkhani when the latter was defence minister during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami, a reformist who was in office for two terms between 1997 and 2005.

Hours after the audio message was broadcast, the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency confirmed for the first time that Mr Akbari had been found guilty of espionage, and that the Supreme Court had rejected his appeal.

It cited Iran’s intelligence ministry as

saying that Mr Akbari had been “one of the most important infiltrators of the country’s sensitive and strategic centres” for the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, better known as MI6, and that he had been “compiling and consciously transferring sensitive information”.

Iran is second only to China in the number of executions carried out annually.

At the end of November, state media reported that authorities had hanged four men convicted of “co-operating” with Israeli intelligence.

Another four have been executed since December after being sentenced to death in connection with the anti-government protests engulfing the country.

Source: BBC

The battles around Bakhmut are among the fiercest of the war

NEMA commences food distribution for Internally Displaced person’s in Borno

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Following an approval by the Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Mustapha Ahmed Habib and staff of NEMA North East zonal office led by the Zonal coordinator Muhammad Usman Muhammad Aji have commenced the routine distribution of food items for Internally Displaced person’s in camps, host communities and liberated communities in Borno state with Shuwari / Ngwom Host communities.

Aji said each benefitting household is expected to recieve a ration consisting of Rice, Beans,Maize, vegetable oil, salt, Tomato paste and seasoning.

FG inaugurates presidential committee on Nguru ecological intervention

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Federal government has inaugurated the presidential committee on the implementation of the “Nguru ” ecological intervention programme.

The Minister of Environment

Muhammad Abdullahi inaugurated the committee for the project in Abuja, recently.

He said the programmme is a collaborative partnerships of all stakeholders including Royal Fathers as government alone cannot solve and mitigate afforestation.

According to the minister, “You may recall that the Emir of Nguru, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mustafa Ibn Mai Kyari on behalf of the Forest Farmers (Nguru) Cooperative Society, requested ecological funds for the afforestation of degraded land to mitigate climate change impacts within the Emirate.

“He said the land was cleared in 2017 through the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to enable implementation of the livelihood project called Rural Agriculture Re-modelled Project Strategies Since this request conforms with the vision and developmental agenda of the present administration especially the attainment of the NDC and global emission reduction.”

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that an interministerial committee comprising relevant Ministries

and Agencies be set up to consider this lofty request and come up with recommendations that must include but not be limited to the modalities for its implementation and cost implications.

“I am confident that the Committee being inaugurated today is composed of seasoned professionals and bureaucrats that would produce results that would assist not only in the delivery on the assignment at hand but also in the achievement of the far-reaching Government policies” He stated.

He noted that the government is committed to tackling climate change and environmental challenges, food security, as well as other socioeconomic problems across the country while improving the general well-being of the people.

“This is being demonstrated through our various policies,

programmes and initiatives some of which as you are aware, are inter-sectoral”.

He said this has also being demonstrated by Mr. President’s directive to the effect that this committee should be established.

The minister said the committee membership is consists of the Federal Ministry of Environment represented by the Department of Forestry, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Agricultural and Rural and Management Training Institute Forest Farmers of “Nguru” in Yobe State Northeast Nigeria.

He said on this note, I have the pleasure to inaugurate the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of

Nguru Ecological Intervention Programme as follows while it is expected to submit its report by the 27th January, 2023:

They are Sami Hajara Umar - Director, Forestry (Chairperson), Aiwuyo Christopher O. - Deputy Director, Forestry (Member) , Bagudo Ahmed Majidadi - Deputy Director, NAGGW (Member) and Mustapha Iyabo - Assistant Director, FMA&RD (Member).

Others are: Engr. Peter Henry Sule - Chief Irrigation Engineer- Federal Ministry of Water Resources (Member) Bayo David - Head Montane Research Outstation, FRIN (Member), Dr. Olufemi A. Oladunni – ED. ARMTI (Member)

Mm,Representative - Forest Farmers of Nguru (Member)and Dr. Innocent Alenyi - Assistant Director, NGGW (Secretary).

Decorated NPS assured of environment minister’s support

The Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, has given assurance of more support from his Ministry to the National Park Service (NPS) for efficient performance in its duties.

Abdullahi gave the assurance at the NPS’s presentation of some international awards won by the Service, to him recently in Abuja.

He assured the officers of the Service of his ministry’s support in the area of better equipment, trainings and orientation.

“I know that the officers are faced with danger and their lives are being threatened in most places due to the hazards of the job,” Abdullahi said.

The Minister commended the NPS for the outstanding awards and performances in spite of the limited resources within their reach.

He added that the awards were certainly testimonies of their hard work.

”There is an unrelenting commitment to achieving the core objectives for which the National Park Service is set up over the years.

”Therefore, it is no gainsaying that the Service has taken its rightful position in the comity of conservation enclaves across the globe and has successfully written its name in gold in the international arena.

“I also want to use this

occasion to call on spirited individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the National Park Service,” Abdullahi said.

He said aid could be given by donating projects and programmes that would foster conservation and ecotourism in national parks across the country.

The Minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for always prioritising the programmes and activities of the Ministry whenever the need arose.

Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator General (CG) of NPS, while presenting the three international Conservation Awards from 2018 to 2022,

commended the Minister for the support given to the Service which enabled it to achieve the feat.

The three awards are the 2018 African Ranger Award, Wildlife Ranger Challenge Award and the Service Management Team award.

Goni said that the Service emerged 2nd runner-up out of the 80 nominations across Africa for the African Ranger Award under the category “Best Conservation Team in Africa”.

“The contest involved 88 teams from 20 African countries in a 21-kilometre marathon race,” the CG said.

Source : EnviroNewsNigeria

The inaugurated presidential committee on the implementation of the “Nguru ” ecological intervention programme and the minister of Environment Muhammad Abdullahi, recently in Abuja .

NEMA officials carrying out post assessments at sagamu market fire incident in Ogun state, recently.

Ukraine war: Why so many Russians turn a blind eye to the conflict

In the weeks leading up to Russia’s invasion, I would walk for hours in the central Moscow district of Zamoskvorechiye, where I had lived and worked in the BBC office for seven years.

An unspoiled and peaceful part of the city, for me it embodies Russia’s complex present and past.

For centuries Muscovites have come here to build homes and businesses and get on quietly with their lives, leaving their rulers to pursue greater ambitions on a bigger stage where ordinary Russians have never had a part to play.

It is bordered by the Moskva river and the Kremlin on one side, and on the other by imposing Stalinist apartment buildings and 21st Century skyscrapers on the noisy Sadovoye ring road.

A maze of narrow streets echo the past, dotted with churches and aristocratic mansions from the 19th Century. Bolshaya Ordinka street takes its name from Tatar-Mongol rule, hundreds of years before, when emissaries would come to collect tributes from Moscow’s princely leaders.

I was there last February when I was phoned by a friend, born in Ukraine’s second-biggest city Kharkiv, who now worked in Moscow.

Was Putin really going to start a war with Ukraine, he asked. Neither of us wanted to believe it.

But surrounded by reminders of Russia’s often relentlessly violent past I felt war was now inevitable. My daily walks were my way of saying goodbye to a world, and perhaps even a country, that could never be the same again.

Hundreds of thousands of Russians have left Russia, including me and my BBC Russian colleagues. But for the majority who have stayed in Russia, life outwardly is pretty much the same as it always was.

Especially in the big cities.

In Zamoskvorechiye, most of the shops, cafes, the businesses and the banks are still open. Many of the hipster journalists and IT specialists may have left

but others have replaced them.

Shoppers complain about rising prices, but local alternatives have replaced some imported goods.

Bookshops still have a wide variety of titles, although books deemed inappropriate are sold in plastic covers.

The popular car-sharing service still works, but the cars are now largely Chinese-made.

International sanctions have not brought Russia to the brink of 1990s-style economic collapse. But, as Belfast-based Russian academic Aleksandr Titov has observed, Russia is nonetheless living through a crisis.

It is a slow-burning crisis, but look closely and there are signs of it everywhere.

In Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border and just 80km (50 miles) from the now war-torn city of Kharkiv, local people are now used to convoys of military trucks roaring towards the front line.

If they are troubled by Russia bombing a city where many have friends and relatives, then they’re trying not to show it.

Most Russians either do not know or do not want to know what their military has done to Ukraine’s second biggest city Kharkiv

Cheery street festivals organised by the local governor are well attended, a friend tells me.

But local doctors are leaving their jobs in droves, unable to cope with the numbers of warwounded being brought for treatment in local hospitals.

Residents feel abandoned and angry in the little frontier town of Shebekino, where crossborder shelling has become a daily reality.

One local family visiting St Petersburg were shocked to find nothing had changed while their own lives had been turned upside down.

In Pskov, near the Estonian and Latvian borders, the atmosphere is gloomy and everyone pretends the war has nothing to do with them, I am told.

Pskov is home to the 76th Guards Air Assault Division, now

troops are accused of carrying out in Bucha, outside Kyiv. A bus service has started up connecting the city to the

local cemetery where growing numbers of soldiers killed in Ukraine are being buried. Under a bridge someone has daubed PEACE in big red letters.

notorious for the war crimes its

On a train heading for Petrozavodsk, near the Finnish border, a friend meets a group of teenagers playing a “Name that city” game. Source; BBC

“ But surrounded by reminders of Russia’s often relentlessly violent past I felt war was now inevitable. My daily walks were my way of saying goodbye to a world, and perhaps even a country, that could never be the same again

Patriotic posters such as this, saying “The motherland that we defend”, attempt to stir up patriotic fervour for the war

Russians have left their country in droves - many when Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation last September

You can still meet for coffee and the logo looks similar, but the Starbucks chain is long gone

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1.TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND BAYELSANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN NATION BUILDING AND SUCH OTHER LECTURES THAT WILL AFFECT THE SOCIETY POSITIVELY.

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3.TO FIGHT AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATIONS AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL, SEX, RELIGIOUS, FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY IJAW NATION.

4.TO EFFICIENTLY HARNESS AND DIRECT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF BAYELSANS ASSISTING DESERVING STUDENTS MORALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

5.TO BE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY AND SOCIAL VICES IN SOCIETY.

6.TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE IN ANY DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMME IN AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND OTHER PARTS OF BAYELSA STATE.

7.TO PROMOTE THE OBSERVANCE OF THE TENET OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, EQUITY, FAIMESS, RIGHT AND JUSTICE IN AMASSOMA AND BAYELSA AT LARGE.

8.TO ADEQUATELY ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND IDEOLOGIES OF GOOD GOVENSANCE

9.TO HONESTLY SEEK FOR THE INTEREST AND PROGRESS OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR AND BAYELSA STATE IN GENERAL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TREASURE MINDS CLUB

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. KUDIRAT MOSUN ADEYEMO-CHAIRMAN

2. NOJEEMDEEN O.OLADIPO-SECRETARY/MEMBER

3. PHILLP DAMILOLA ABIOLA MEMBER

4. AWE GRACE OLUWAFUNMIKE MEMBER

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY.

2. TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE LESS PRIVILEGED (ORPHANS, WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS)

3. TO SET UP ON A HUMANITARIAN GRAND.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PATNAB HEALTH INITIATIVE

PEOPLES DAILY , THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023

Gara Gombe: Redefining Grassroots Athletics Competition In Gombe State

Alhaji Shuaibu Gara Gombe, the Special Assistant to Gombe State Governor on Information and Strategy is a man who has and is still paying his due in sport development in the country.

The former Chairman, Gombe State Football Association and ex Special adviser to Kano State Government on Sports has since this year devoted his time, resources in organising athletics completions in his home state as thousands of spectators including school children thronged the Pantami Stadium in Gombe to witness the maiden edition of Dr. Ahmed Gara Shuaibu Gombe AthIetics Grand Prix.

The competition which brought together athletes in and around the Gombe metropolis was keenly contested in 100m, 400m, 1500m, long jump and 4×100m relay boys and girls.

The Gombe State Amateur Athletics Association (GSAAA), also staged some demonstrations events during the one day event.

The competition is the first of its kind at the Pantami Stadium and a good number of students and pupils attended the grand prix sponsored by the chairman of GSAAA, Dr. Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe.

The competition was tailored, and dedicated to meets the need of the huge number of kids in attendance and was also aimed at rekindling their interest in the sport that has the power and potential to launch their sporting career at a very tender age.

The sponsor of the competition, Alhaji Gara Gombe, stated that packaging the competition with a few AthIetics events is aimed at arousing the interest of young athletes mostly school kids who form the bulk of young talents that the state and the country needs.

“It’s our hope that after the kids had watched the athIetics events, they will develop interest in the sport and finally embrace it, this would also make them take their education seriously and cut off street hawking and other vices.” Honourable Ahmed Gombe added.

Dignitaries from all works of life, including politics, education, business, showbiz and the sporting circle graced the august occasion.

Nigeria’s marathon legend, Abass Mohammed, Chairman Gombe State Sports Commission, Director of notable schools and politicians witnessed the event.

Most of the dignitaries in attendance extolled the virtue of the sponsor and organiser of the event and promised to make

their individual contributions to the effort of CATCHING THEM YOUNG project of the Chairman Gombe State Amateur AthIetics Association.

During the grand prix event, the Gombe State chapter of National Association of Technical Officials (NAATO) was inaugurated after their training and refresher course.

Twelve members our of 70 participants in the training were endorsed as executives of the chapter and were immediately sworn in by NAATO’s national first vice president.

Coaches that anchored the event include,

Dr. Alex Miana, Mohammed Kolo, Solomon Achi, Simon Ayuba, Abass Mohammed, NAATO secretary among others.

In his remarks after their inauguration, Honourable Gara Gombe demanded loyalty and absolute seriousness in their conduct as individual and as a unit, pointing out that their determination would spur others to join them to make athIetics officiating in Gombe State successful.

This is the second Competition to be staged in Gombe State less than four months since the seasoned sport administrator,

business man and a social as well as political commentator, Alhaji Gara Gombe was appointed chairman of GSAAA, late last year by governor Inuwa Yahaya.

The chairman of GSAAA also rewarded members of the State Athletics team to the 21st National Sports Festival tagged Delta 2022 despite their not too impressive showing.

Gara Gombe, stressed that, in rewarding them, it will go a long way is lifting their spirit and morale to do more in their chosen career path.

Liverpool, Everton fined after ‘mass confrontation’ in Merseyside

Two English Premier League sides, Liverpool and Everton have been sanctioned by the Football Association, FA after a mass confrontation between both sets of players during the Merseyside derby last week.

Several players from both sides, including substitutes, clashed in an 86th-minute scuffle

during the Monday February 13 game.

The confrontation began with Liverpool 2-0 up, when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford approached Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson.

Both players appeared to be in good spirits but as others became involved, the situation worsened. Pickford and Robertson were subsequently booked.

“Everton and Liverpool have been fined £40,000 and £25,000 respectively for a mass confrontation that took place during their Premier League match on Monday 13 February,” an FA statement read.

“Both clubs admitted that they failed to ensure their players and benches conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained

from provocative behaviour during the 86th minute.

“An independent Regulatory Commission imposed their fines during a subsequent hearing, and its written reasons will be published in due course.”

Liverpool won the match 2-0 with goals from Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

School children at the Ahmed Gara Shuaibu Gombe AthIetics Grand Prix.

World Cup: Zambia Thrash Uzbekistan in Turkish Invitational Tournament

Zambia women’s national team coach Bruce Mwape is pleased to see his side end their Turkish Women’s Cup outing with an efficient 4-0 win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

The win was Zambia’s biggest at the three-nation round-robin tournament Turkiye is hosting from February 13-22.

All four goals came from the Zambia teams’ senior figures and Grace Chanda got the show

on the road with an 8th minute goal to see Shepolopolo take a one-nil halftime lead.

Rachael Nachula and her namesake Kundananji added to the score sheet in the 58th and 61st minutes respectively.

Barbara Banda then capped the rout with a captains treat with a sublime free-kick in the 67th minute.

Coach Bruce Mwape said that the result and performance

are exactly what his bench has been crying for in Turkiye.

“The result of today’s game was good, this is what we wanted as a technical bench,” Mwape said.

“We wanted to see our players score more goals.”

Zambia started the tournament with a 1-0 win over North Macedonia on February 15 and lost by the same score line to Slovenia on February 18.

“In the last game that we played, we created a few chances but we failed to score goals but this time around we have managed to score at least four goals which is a good thing,” Mwape said.

The Turkiye trip was Zambia’s first engagement in 2023 ahead of their debut appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be co-hosted by Australia

Leeds United Appoint Javi Gracia As New Manager

Leeds United have agreed terms with former Watford boss Javi Gracia to replace Jesse Marsch as manager.

BBC report that Marsch was sacked on 6 February but Leeds have faced several setbacks in their hunt for his replacement.

Spaniard Gracia, 52, took Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019, before managing Valencia and Qatari club Al Sadd.

Leeds are 19th in the Premier League and host bottom club Southampton in their next game on Saturday.

The club say Gracia has been appointed on a “flexible contract” and will take charge of the side against Saints “subject to obtaining the necessary work permissions”.

Under-21s boss Michael Skubala has been in interim

charge since Marsch’s sacking despite club owner Andrea Radrizzani initially promising a quick appointment.

An approach for Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola was blocked, while Feyenoord’s Arne Slot ruled himself out.

Former Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder fell out of contention after a negative reaction from many fans, and Carlos Corberan

- who previously worked under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds - signed a new contract at West Brom.

Gracia was sacked by Watford in September 2019 after a poor start to the season.

Having been appointed in January 2018, he led the Hornets to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League and a first FA Cup final in 35 years in his only full season in charge.

and New Zealand from July 20August 20.

Zambia has another confirmed pre-World Cup friendly against the Republic of Ireland away in Dublin.

The friendly will come as the early phase of the pre-FIFA Women’s World Cup camp window on June 22.

The second 2023 FIFA Women’s match window will run from April 3-11.

He won 18 of his 56 matches as a manager in the Premier League, taking an average of 1.18 points per match.

Leeds have won just four league games this season, their last coming against Bournemouth on 5 November. On Saturday, they failed to register a shot on target in a 1-0 defeat by fellow strugglers Everton.

Zambia Women team celebrating their victory against Uzbekistan

NNL lists guidelines

for Stadium Approval ahead of new season

Seventeen criteria

to be met by the forty-three clubs expected to feature in the 2022/2023 season of the Nigeria NAtional League, have been reeled out by the management of the nation’s second tier domestic football league.

Fresh from the tripartite meeting on Monday with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation and representatives of the NNL club Presidents, head of Operations Mr. Emmanuel Adesanya said swinging into action is to also ensure the league catch up with the calendar for the season under review.

“We have a road map to navigate and the calendar period to start and end the league, so it is important we begin by ensuring that our stadium facilities that will host our games meet required standard “

Some of the criteria listed are quality playing pitch, standard changing rooms with modern toilets facilities, medical facilities, Safety and crowd control, controlled perimeter fencing amongst others.

In a strong letter to the clubs, the NNL warned that clubs who fall short of the needed items, will be sent to alternative venues to play their homes matches.

Nasarawa United defeat Remo Stars To Record Second Victory in 2023 NPFL

Joshua John and Emmanuel Ogbole scored in each half of a pulsating Group ‘A’ Abridged Nigeria Premier Football League match-day nine encounter as their goals secured a crucial 2-0 victory for Nasarawa United over Remo Stars and moved them out of the drop zone.

In what was a nervy encounter at the temporarily adopted home of the Solid Miners, the New Jos Stadium, United took an early lead in the 8th minute after constantlyimproving midfielder, Joshua John, powerfully headed home King Osanga’s corner kick in what was the youngster’s debut league goal.

The Solid Miners were forced to effect a change five

minutes before the interval after Goalkeeper,Jerry Isaac, had to be rushed to the hospital after picking up a knock trying to save a deadly ball inside his territory, with Ameh Godwin taking his place.

Two minutes into the resumption, another youngster, Emmanuel Ogbole, nudged off a Remo defender before striking a thunderbolt with his weaker left foot beyond the grasp of goalkeeper, Kayode Bankole, to make it 2-0 for the hosts, and the first league goal for the attacker this season.

Remo Stars regrouped in search of redemption, with the trio of Andy Okpe, Godwin Odibo and Oluwaseun Odunsi all threatening the United’s goal area but to no avail.

United held on for the deserved victory. The result moves them up to 8th place in Group ‘A’, one point above the drop zone after taking six points from their last three games in what is Coach Bala Nikyu’s stabilisation process.

The 2022/23 Abridged Nigeria Premier Football League Season will go on a three-week break and will resume after Nigeria’s General Elections, where United are expected to travel to Ikenne, Ogun State, for a return leg clash against 5thplaced Remo Stars.

Reacting after the victory, Coach Bala Nikyu said it was a good result but bemoaned that the team did not start the league as expected.

“It’s a good result for us

today, even though we didn’t start the league as expected.

“The back-to-back home win for us isn’t surprising to us. Two seasons ago, we maintained our second position on the league table until the last day of the league; it’s quite unfortunate that we are where we are for now.

“However, we still have the believe that the second round will be favourable to us.

“We have plans to strengthen the team during the break in order to up our game in the second phase of the league.

“In all honesty, Jos has been a wonderful home away from home for us, and even if we return back to our original home ground, we will still cherish every moment we have spent here.

2023 Season: NLO Releases Registration Guidelines For Division One Clubs

The Secretariat of the Nationwide League One (NLO) has released a strict registration guidelines for clubs in Division One, as it prepares to kick start the 2023 season in April.

The development arose after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) directed the NLO Secretariat to commence registration for the 2023 season

with amendments to registration charges after seven (7) years of maintenance due to current inflation in the prices of materials used for clubs’ registration.

Sequel to the above, the NLO has informed all the clubs in the nation’s third-tier league that preparation for the 2023 season has commenced, and made the registration procedures and guidelines public on Monday.

According to a correspondence issued by the NLO media department, players must be registered on the NLO database at www.nigerianationwideleague. com.

Clubs must make their registration fee payments to (FCMB Bank, Nationwide League One account number3267800014) to enable them to obtain a registration code for

access to the database.

All clubs’ must present their Certificate Of Incorporation as a football club any club, not on FIFA CONNECT will not be registered.

The collection of players’ hard copy licenses will be made available from 13th February.

The NLO has also warned that no club will be registered without payment of registration

fees, as club registration closes on Monday 6th March 20223.

Lastly, the Two Hundred Thousand Naira (200,000) registration fees - Division One includes pre-competition medical assessment, comprehensive insurance cover for players and officials, tamper-proof hologram security seal and other materials ( for 35 players and 7 officials).

Nasarawa United players celebrating a goal against Remo Stars

The sugar revolution

Morocco Lionesses neat Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup

Morocco’s women’s national football team defeated their opponents from Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in a friendly game that took place on Tuesday.

The game was held in Antalya, Turkiye, the match started with an early goal in the 7th minute from Rosella Ayane, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in England’s Women’s Super League.

Nesryne El Chad, the 19 year-old defender who plays for LOSC Lille in France, scored the game’s second goal in the 39th minute.

The victory came as part of the Atlas Lionesses’ preparations for the Women’s World Cup, which will be held in July in Australia and New Zealand.

It is also the second in a row for the team, after they beat their Slovakian counterparts 3-0 in another friendly on Friday.

Morocco will play in Group H of the World Cup, alongside Germany, Colombia, and South Korea.

The team qualified for the competition for the first time in Morocco’s history after beating Botswana 2-1 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-finals.

After the men’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, all eyes will be on the women’s team as they seek to produce similarly impressive performances.

Steadily and successfully, Nigeria is moving faster than what most people anticipated in the area of improving and diversifying its revenue base and exporting its products to the world market.

Prior to the coming of the President Buhari administration in 2015, Nigeria depended largely on meeting its Sugar needs through importation. This implies that the industry has been comatose before the arrival of its messiah in 2015.

It is not an exageration to say that Nigeria had spent so much of its foreign reserve on financing Sugar importation over the years due to the failure of previous governments to patriotically look inwards to producing sugar in the country.

After a recent weekly meeting of the country’s highest decision-making body, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, it gave an instant approval for the take-off of the second phase of the National Sugar Masterplan. The first phase of the masterplan which was approved in 2012, was to last from 2012 to 2022.

The 10-year plan is billed to save $350 million annually from the country’s foreign reserve and create 110,000 direct and indirect jobs in the sugar industry value chain.

The country’s Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Niyi Adebayo who made the disclosure was quick to add that the country looks forward to save $65.8 million on ethanol import and generate 400 megawatts of electricity.

The PMB administration has committed itself to emphasising that investments in national sugar policy were aimed at stimulating self-sufficiency

Guest Columnist

By Musa Ilallah

in the commodity, It is on record that due to a number of incentives offered by the Federal Government since 2015 as part of the National Sugar Policy, key players in the industry like Dangote, BUA, Golden Sugar Mills, among other stakeholders, today jointly own about 200,000 hectares of sugarcane plantations in the country.

The second phase which runs from 2023-2033 for another 10 years is for the development of the sugar industry towards self-sufficiency in sugar production.

Indeed the sugar masterplan had witnessed many successes since 2012 when it was first approved. Presently, Nigeria has a sugar refining capacity of three million metric tons of raw sugar yearly.

It is very heartwarming that the PMB administration’s Backward Integration Project, BIP which has attracted over $3 billion worth of investments from the four major investors to the industry is on course

for the good of all Nigerians.

Further investments have also been made in Greenfield Sugar Projects supported by government which included smaller projects across the country in Jigawa, Kogi, Zamfara, Oyo and Sokoto States. Furthermore, Government established the National Sugar Institute in Ilorin.

Going by the current attention government is giving to the industry, Nigeria is hopeful that it will be able to produce 1.7-1.8 million metric tons of sugar yearly, thus eliminating the $350 million that we spend on the importation of raw sugar.

The country also hopes to produce 161 million litres of ethanol and 1.6 million tons of animal feeds annually. If these are not milestones to celebrate, i dont know what else can.

Government, in its strategic plan to ensure free flow of the mechanisms built to protect the flow of the masterplan, had adopted a two-tier monitoring and evaluation framework.

Towards this end,

Government has set up a Sugar Roadmap Implementation Committee, SURMIC as a multi-agency committee charged with the responsibility of supervising the implementation of the National Sugar Masterplan. Similarly. Government has also established another committee, the Sugar Industry Monitoring Group, SIMOG comprising of chief executives of all the local sugar manufacturing companies. This is like a peer review committee charged with the responsibility of ensuring that there is no distortion of the country’s sugar masterplan.

All these efforts are, in addition, geared towards leading the country to self suffiency in sugar production and also exporting raw sugar to the outside. World.

Without mincing words, Nigeria is surely getting it right in its diversification agenda. This is becoming real as it is boosting its revenue base and preserving forex for basic and other necessary needs through this breakthrough in sugar production.

Ilallah wrote in from Emeka Nyaoku Street, Abuja musahk123@yahoo.com

Naira slides to N748/$ at parallel market

What is this?

“

Going by the current attention government is giving to the industry, Nigeria is hopeful that it will be able to produce 1.71.8 million metric tons of sugar yearly, thus eliminating the $350 million that we spend on the importation of raw sugar.