Friday, December 23rd, 2022 Edition

1,671,738 Persons receive COVID-19 vaccine in FCT

By Stanley Onyekwere

Atotal number of 1, 671, 738 eligible persons (18yrs and above) have received doses of COVID-19 vaccinations, in Abuja, the nation’s capital, the FCT Administration has revealed.

In particular, a total number of 990, 445 persons has received at least one shot of the vaccine, while 792, 437 has been fully vaccinated and 204, 839 has received the booster shot.

Making this disclosure yesterday, during a briefing on the state of preparedness and response of the FCTA health sector, Acting Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Isah Yahaya Vatsa, said the figure was at 20th December,

2022.

He noted that although the COVID-19 protocols have been relaxed, the FCT will sustain vaccination and other measures against the pandemic.

He said the FCT had projected target population for the eligible persons for the COVID-19 vaccination is 3,089, 849.

He adds “our target is to vaccinate at least 70% (2, 162, 895) of these eligible persons by end of December 2022”.

According to him, a total number of 246 Vaccination Teams (90 fixed post teams & 156 Mobile/Outreach Teams)

supported by state and partners are currently deployed in the FCT and are disaggregated across the 6 Area Councils.

“Partners like UNICEF, WHO, USAID, IHVN, Pathfinder International, Breakthrough Action of Nigeria, Vaccine Network etc have been very supportive to the FCT for the purposes of the COVID-19 Vaccination.

“The COVID-19 Vaccination roll-out started on March 5th, 2021 with a National flag off at the National Hospital Abuja, and since then the COVID-19 Vaccination has been happening

Court declares late Abacha’s son, Mohammed as Kano PDP guber candidate

Mustapha Adamu, Kano

AFederal High Court sitting in Kano, on Thursday, declared Mohammed Sani Abacha, son of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, as the duly elected gubernitorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State.

The Court presided over by Justice A.M Liman, nullified the primary election that gave

the ticket to Sadik Aminu Wali, who before the judgement, had been recognized as PDP’s governorship flagbearer in the state.

The Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, with immediate effect, recognize Abacha as PDP’s governorship candidate in Kano.

The court also ordered INEC to replace Wali’s name with Abacha’s on the list of

governorship candidates in the state.

The Court, during the judgement which was delivered virtually, via zoom meeting at about 4 p. m, granted all the prayers of the plaintiff in the suit.

Mohammed Sani Abacha had dragged Sadie Aminu Wali, PDP and INEC to a Federal High Court seeking his restoration and recognition as the Kano PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 election.

across the country with varying degree of success”.

Also, Director, Public Health Department, Dr. Sadiq Abdulrahaman, who highlighted measures and responses to the health issues in the FCT from January to December 2022, said zero Covid-19 cases within the period.

He attributed the successes recorded in curtailing Covid-19 and other epidemic diseases to proven political will of the government and support of critical stakeholders including the mass media.

FG assures farmers of adequate inputs, equipment

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has reassured farmers of deploying infrastructures and other climate smart agric technologies to reduce the effect of future floods in the country.

The National Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP-VC, Dr. Fatima K. Aliyu made this known during the flag-off ceremony of Flood Recovery Input Distribution in Bida, Edati, Katcha, Mokwa and Borgu local governments of Niger state.

She explained that supporting them will go a long way in alleviating the adverse effects of the floods and assisting farmers to recover from their losses and restore their livelihoods in states to include; Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun and Taraba.

FG’s 132KV Yobe substation excites Buni

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approving the construction of 132KV substations in Nguru and Geidam.

Buni, in a statement by his

Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Thursday, said the substations would improve the lives of people in the border communities.

He said the communities were enterprising with robust

commercial activities and would be improved with steady electricity supply.

Buni said the substations would also boost power supply to create wealth and employment opportunities.

“The Buhari administration

has given the people of Yobe a sense of belonging and we truly appreciate that,” the governor was quoted as saying.

He called on the people of the state to continue supporting the Buhari administration for more dividends of democracy.(NAN)

From

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (2nd right) with the Inspector General of Police, IGP

Usman Alkali Baba (2nd left), the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Abutu Yaro (right) and the Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Hon. Ikenna Nwodo, during the inauguration of 76 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti LGA, constructed by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, yesterday.

NASS expresses support for raising carbonated drinks prohealth tax

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS), has expressed support for raising carbonated drinks pro-health tax.

This was disclosed when the National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition recently took its appeal to the National Assembly to visits the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the House Committee of Health Care Services.

The Chairman House Committee of Health Care Services, Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu and the vice chairman Hon. Dr. Samuel Adejare.

both expressed their support for the carbonated drinks tax.

Dr. Sununu further advised the coalition to urge policymakers at the Finance Committee to channel tax funds towards the National Health Insurance Authority.

Similarly,Hon Dr. Samuel Adejare emphasized the health implications of consuming carbonated drinks and sugarsweetened beverages.

“Sugary beverages are the most significant source of added sugar in the diet and leave consumers at risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes”.

Hon. Adejare stated that the beverage industry claims of people losing their jobs “is a lie.”

Responding to beverage industry claims, he stressed that tax contributions amount to a paltry sum compared with industry profits.

He advised the coalition to extend its advocacy to the HouseC ommitteeonFinance,aswellastothe Senate, with the advocacy message that more funds, including SSB tax revenue, should be allocated to healthcare services provision

The Honourable Members commended the efforts of the National Action on Sugar Reduction for their unflagging efforts, while promising to investigate the current use of tax funds.

The Coalition representatives Omei Bongos-Ikwue and Shirley Ewang commended the Honourables on their history of support to health policies in the country.

However, the coalition called for an increase to the tax because it says the tax rate is not high enough to lead to a significant reduction in consumption and make a noticeable health impact on type 2 diabetes and heart disease which are caused by drinking sugary beverages.

During the visit, the coalition presented the House Members with copies of an open letter calling on the Minister of Finance to increase the current 10 naira per

Atiku plans to plunge Nigeria in food, security crises, alleges FG

By Our Correspondent

The Federal Government has accused the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of desperately plotting to destroy the gains recorded in food self-sufficiency and empowerment in the agricultural sector of the economy in the last seven years.

The FG also alleged that Atiku plans to return the country to the era of uncontrolled importation of goods and services at the expense of promoting export of Nigerian goods and services.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who made the allegations in Abuja, Thursday, in his opening remark at the 15th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari Scorecard Series, 2015 to 2023, also said that by his comment during campaign, Atiku will worsen the inflow of illicit weapons into the country if he is elected president in 2023.

Atiku was quoted to have said during a campaign stop over in Katsina last Tuesday that he will reopen all Nigerian borders if

elected President.

Responding, Lai Mohammed said that by that statement, Atiku has simply informed Nigerians that he will reverse all the efforts made by the Bihari Administration to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of many staples, especially rice.

Lai’s words: “By that statement, the former Vice President has informed the country’s millions of rice farmers that they will soon lose their jobs when imported rice floods the country.

“By that statement, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar has told the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians working in the various rice mills that have sprung up under this Administration that their jobs are over.

“By that statement, Alhaji Atiku will shut down most, if not all, of our new fertilizer blending companies, with thousands of jobs going down the drain.

“ And by his declaration, the former Vice President has told Nigerians that he will worsen security in the country by allowing arms and ammunition to flow unhindered into the country.”

Lai also said that as a reminder to Atiku, the Buhari Administration has increased the number of fertilizer blending plants in the country from 10 in 2015 to 142 today; the rice mills in the country from 10 in 2015 to 80 integrated rice mills today, and that in addition, 10 large scale integrated rice mills are currently being built across the country.

He said His Excellency Atiku Abubakar may also want to know that while Nigeria was the number one export destination for rice in 2014, our country has now moved to number 79, according to Thai Authorities.

He said: “By throwing open the borders indiscriminately as he has pledged, Alhaji

Atiku Abubakar has simply announced that he intends to return Nigeria to the number one importer of Thai rice in 2023!

“It is now clear that in his desperation for power, the presidential candidate of the PDP will not hesitate to export Nigerian jobs, put millions of Nigerians out of job, and ruin the fertilizer companies and the rice mills that have grown exponentially

in number since Nigeria shut its land borders in 2019 (with some of them later reopened) due to the smuggling of rice as well as arms and ammunition into the country.

“For sheer expediency, Alhaji Atiku, a former Customs Officer who rose to the pinnacle of his career, is ready to erase the gains made since 2015 in pushing Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency in the production of staples. Out of desperation, he is ready to worsen the security situation in Nigeria by throwing open all the borders and allowing a massive inflow of small arms and light weapons into the country.

“Only an inordinatelyambitious candidate will wish to return Nigeria to an era of massive importation of food, to the detriment of local farmers, and an era of unbridled inflow of weapons. This is a red flag to Nigerians who, in line with the admonition of President Muhammadu Buhari, have been striving to produce what they eat and eat what they produce.”

FG recruiting more policemen to enhance security, safety nationwide – Minister

Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Dingyadi says the Federal Commitment has recruited more policemen to enhance security and safety nationwide.

Dingyadi said this on Thursday in Abuja at the 15th edition of the PMB Administration Score Card, organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

The minister also said that the government has been strengthening community policing to enhance the flow of actionable intelligence to aid security agencies in their operations.

Dingyadi said so far, the ministry had supervised the recruitment of 30,000 police personnel out of the 40,000 additional police constables approved by the government.

He added that community volunteers were also trained nationwide to support police

operations at the grassroots.

“It is worthy to note that about 25,000 were trained in several police colleges across the country, through arrangements with state governors, local government chairmen and traditional rulers,” he said.

He said the volunteers, trained on basic police duties, modern intelligence gathering techniques and rule of law, were deployed to their local governments of origin to aid intelligence gathering and improve police visibility.

The minister also said that the signing into law of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund bill by the President Muhammadu Buhari has bridged funding gaps for the Police.

“This has since been made operational by the Ministry of Police Affairs to realise a laudable objective of insulating financing gaps for police operations.

“The fund has successfully delivered on its 2020 budget with purchase of operational vehicles, arms and ammunition, bullet proof vests and helmets for police operations.

“The fund has also, purchased medical items to meet the health of policemen nationwide while renovation of offices and barracks also received attention,” he added.

According to Dingyadi, the Police Trust Fund has upgraded facilities in some police training institutions as well as procured and installed intelligence equipment at Force Headquarters.

The minister said the fund had constructed and provided hospitals and health centres for police personnel and established the Nigeria Police Cyber Crime Control Centre in Abuja.

He said the re-establishment of the Ministry of Police Affairs by

President Buhari on Aug. 21, 2019 was to strengthen internal security architecture in the country.

Dingyadi said the priority projects and deliverables assigned to the ministry by the presidency include the enrolment of personnel of agencies under the ministry into the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS).

He said the ministry was also assigned to supervise the implementation of government’s policy on community policing and recruitment of additional 40,000 policemen nationwide.

“The ministerial mandate of enrolment on IPPIS was achieved within our first few months in office.

“Personnel of the Nigeria Police, Police Academy, other Police Formations and staff of the Ministry of Police Affairs have been fully enrolled on IPPIS platform,” the minister added. (NAN)

L-R: Minister of Youths and Sports Mr Sunday Dare, Emir of Daura His Royal Highness Alh. (Dr) Umar Farouk Umar and Minister of State Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva after receiving staff of office as Sarki Wasanni Kasar and Sarki Kudun Hausa respectively, on Thursday, in Daura, Katsina State

FG declares 3 days public holiday for Christmas, New year

The Federal Government has declared Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th December 2022 and Monday, 2nd January 2023, as Public Holidays, to mark Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day celebrations respectively.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

Aregbesola, in a statement issued and signed by Dr. Shuaib M.L. Belgore, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Aregbesola enjoined Christians to emulate Jesus Christ in deeds and follow his teachings, especially on faith, hope and love.

“We must imbibe the life of Jesus Christ in His practice and teachings on Humility, Service, Compassion, Patience, Peace and Righteousness, that His birth signifies. This will be the best way to portray Christ and celebrate his birth,” he noted.

He emphasized that peace and security are two critical conditions for economic development and prosperity. He urges Christians and Nigerians to make the best use of this festive period to pray for the total eradication of any vestige of insecurity in our dear nation.

The Minister reminded Nigerians that the coming year, 2023, is an election and political transition year and Nigerians

should prepare to make it a huge success by voting peacefully and avoiding anything capable of marring the exercise in any way.

Ogbeni Aregbesola also assured that the Government has put in place effective measures for the security of lives and property and expects Nigerians to support the efforts of security agencies by providing useful information that will assist them in the performance of their duties.

The Minister urged Nigerians to be security conscious, asking them to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency and through the N-Alert application on Android and IOS, saying “when you see

something, do N-Alert, as this would elicit prompt response from security agents.”

Speaking further, the Minister said this Yuletide calls for spartan discipline in order to protect lives and properties of everyone in our community and the nation as a whole.

He advised Nigerians to “moderately celebrate the festival and act responsibly by refraining from spreading fake news on the country, the government and our neighbours.

Aregbesola, therefore, admonished all citizens to remain focused even as he expressed confidence that the year 2023 would be a better year for us all.

Reps probe activities of Fintech lending companies, illicit Financial Flow

By Christiana Ekpa

Court affirms expulsion of Kenneth Udeze from Action Alliance

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

AFederal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed the expulsion of Kenneth Udeze, a fictional chairman of the Action Alliance (AA) from the party.

Giving the judgment at the Federal High Court 4 Abuja, yesterday, Justice Zanab Abubakar, also struck out a suit brought before the Court by the said Kenneth Udeze to stop INEC from setting aside the Court Order directing it to release upload code to the party, saying that the case lacks merit.

According to the judgement, “the court viewed that Kenneth is not a member of Action Alliance, hence his lack of statutes to institute any matter at all on behalf of the party.”

Recalled that the party’s National Think Thank committee, which is the highest ruling organ of the party had since 2019 suspended and subsequently expelled Kenneth Udeze from the party.”

The House of Representatives, Thursday resolved to investigate alleged sharp practices levelled against operators of unregulated online fintech lending companies and abuse of mobile digital loan applications in Nigeria.

The House resolution followed the adoption of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Alhaji Satomi, who solicited for the House intervention.

Hon. Satomi, while Presenting the motion expressed grave concern over the “proliferation of online loan apps across Nigeria by some fraudulent and unscrupulous profiteers affecting many low-income Nigerians, who are coerced to borrow and get trapped in the web of sham loan apps hosted on Google Play Store by individuals and companies to swindle the low-income earners.

“Aware that the COVID-19 pandemic affected many economies including Nigeria as jobs were lost and incomes were affected, due to the lockdowns, restrictions on movement and face-to-face interactions sped

up the pace of digitalisation of financial services and the infiltration of some unscrupulous unregulated financial service operators.

“Disturbed that these predatory lending apps are disguised as platforms where unsuspecting members of the public are promised access to quick loans with no collateral except the provision of a bank verification number (BVN).

“The House is also disturbed that such victims are expected to repay loans at astronomical interest rates within 3-7 days as against the 91 to 365 days claim on Google Play store which has over 83.07% market share in Nigeria.

“The House is also aware that most of these loan apps or companies and individuals operate with no regulation by the government, expired licenses and in some cases, no licensing.

“The House is concerned that searches for the registration status of loan apps in Nigeria from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) show that founding directors of such apps or companies were foreign nationals without the required license to operate the volume of

financial transactions and illegally operating in the country.

“The House is worried about the operations of Kash Kash with a hosted operating account under the name Super Car Universal Limited with a certain commercial bank in Nigeria where Kash Kash, carries out activities of the loan app, such as the exorbitant interest rates they collected from customers and defamatory messages sent to contacts of their customers when they missed their repayment date.

“Worried that such an account holder did not have the required license to operate as a money lender, which led the Commercial Bank to close the first account, but such operations were moved to another account named Speedy Choice which is still operational and managed by the same people who managed the previous account.

“The House is again worried that many of such online loan apps operating in Nigeria disbursing loans to customers with no collateral and defaulters are always sent threatening messages and that Loan apps and other fintech products can be used for money-laundering and other

forms of illicit financial flows (IFF).

“The House is pained that these unregulated Nigerian fintech companies shame, and threaten customers for late payment of loans.

“The House is cognizance of the need to investigate activities of these fintech companies including OKash, Opay, PayLater, PalmCredit, Branch, QuickCheck, Aella Credit, FairMoney, KiaKia, EasyCredit, NewCredit, Umba, Carbon, FirstNell, SoftNaira, SharpCash, Newcredit, Cash Mall, NairaLand, Naira9ja, New Credit Loan App, Future Cash, SharpCredit, MoneyHub, 9jaCash, Henloan, Get Loan, Plenty Cash, Fundy, iMoneyPlus, CashCredit, LifeLine, Lumos Loan, NairaPlus, Care Finance, Cashbean, CashMe, LoanMe, LifePurse iLoanPro, LairaPlus, OxLoan and NoNowMoney etc,” he noted.

The House mandated it’s joint Committees on Banking and Currency, Financial Crimes and Telecommunications to investigate the alleged sharp practices and abuses by fintech and online mobile digital loan apps and companies in Nigeria and report within four weeks.

Jewish community leader pledges united Nigeria for economic devpt

Mr Abido Jator, newly elected Nigeria’s representative, Sub Saharan Africa Jewish Alliance (SAJA), say he will work with the Federal Government to ensure Nigeria remained united for economic development.

Jator, who is also the Jewish community leader and an environmental rights activist, said this on Wednesday at a news conference in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) reports that Jator, also known as Yatov Ben Yisrael, emerged as Nigeria’s representative on SAJA Governing Board with nine votes, to emerge winner on Dec. 18, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

His opponent got three votes.

“I will devote my time to work with the Nigerian Government and security agencies, to ensure that Nigeria becomes a place where all religious and ethnic groups can live in unity for

economic development,” he said.

Jator also called on members of the Nigerian Jewish community to actively participate in politics, especially as the 2023 general elections drew near, to ensure that their voice and aspirations were heard.

“in the Nigeria constitution, every citizen has the freedom of association and it will be unfair if the Nigeria Jewish communities continue to be marginalised in the politics and governance of the

country.

“I therefore call on the Jewish community to mobilise en masse to ensure their votes counted, to guarantee recognition, protection and freedom of worship.

“Nigeria alone has more than 80 Orthodox Jewish communities that operate without any form of uniform practices.

“Lessons learnt from the conference will no doubt strengthen our worship and social life as a people,” he said. (NAN)

Alhaji Lai Mohammed

By Christiana Ekpa

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on Thursday said that new cashless policy was not based on political consideration, even as he revealed that the CBN ordered for 500 million pieces of currency for the printing of the redesigned Naira notes

Emefiele disclosed this, when he appeared before the House of Representatives to brief the lawmakers on the CBN’s redesign of the Naira as well as the new cash withdrawal limit.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability, Mrs Aisha Ahmad, CBN Governor said the pieces of currency were ordered from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited

Speaking on the issue of fake currency, he said, “We are doing a lot of sensitization because we believe that sensitization can’t just be the newspapers, the television and radio. We need to go into the rural areas, the markets and use people in the communities to actually drive home the message. It takes time but over time it improves.”

He also said the new cashless policy was not based on any political consideration as the CBN is an independent institution, whose decisions are based research, data and the efforts of many teams working together across its different directorates.

The CBN Governor said electronic transfers in the country as at October 2022 stood at 300 trillion naira from N3 trillion in 2012, when the cashless policy was introduced.

He said this represents a 7, 000 percent increase.

He also said in 2012, the country had N48 billion in POS transactions, but today it has N6 trillion.

He said the policy pronouncement on December 5 was a continuation of the cashless policy started 10 years ago and was in recognition of the positive

500m naira notes ordered for redesign -Emefiele

•Says new cashless policy not driven by political considerations

changes recorded in the financial and payment system since it first launched.

He said, “Today, we have a very robust payment system that includes bank branches, branches of micro-finance banks, POS machines, ATM machines, agent banking, E-Naira and many other options. To be specific, between the bank and the micro-finance banks, we have 6,500 locations, 900,000 POS terminals, 14,000 ATMs across the country and 1.4 million agents nationwide and every single local government in Nigeria has agent represented. We also have a proliferation of electronic transactions. Just by way of quick example, in 2012, we had N48 billion in POS transactions. Today, we have N6 trillion in POS transactions.

“On electronic transfers, we had N3 trillion in 2012. Today, we have 300 trillion as at October, 2022. That’s a 7,000 percent increase. We have also seen an improvement in financial inclusion to 54.1 percent and lastly, perhaps, more importantly, we have seen the evolution of the Nigerian payment system on the global stage. Nigeria is judged 6th in the world for instant real payment and we are only behind countries like India, China, Thailand, Brazil and South Korea. We are the only African country in the top 10 and this has been as a result of some of the initiatives that have gone on. Also, electronic payment and real time data payments have been estimated to contribute about 0.67 percent to our GDP.

“Going to the cash withdrawal

limit that was issued in response to the feedback from Nigerians in response to the comments made by this revered chamber, we took those feedback on board. CBN mentioned that we will be flexible in the implementation of this policy in response to the stakeholders’ sentiments. We have since reviewed the limit significantly from N100,000 that we had per week to N500,000 per week for individuals; from N500,000 per week for corporate to N5 million per week for corporate. We have also amended the processing from 5 and 10 percent downward to 3 and 5 percent. We have clarified the strategic importance of agents as important participants in the financial system because they play a key role in certain underserved segments in the rural areas and in certain markets areas and they as well would be covered by this new revised rule.

“Just to roundup, I thought it was important Mr. Speaker, to give some justifications as to why this limits are required now and why it is time for us to get cashless nationwide. The data available to us shows that 94 percent of all cash transactions falls below the N500,000 limit and this includes in areas in the country that are not part of the cashless policy. 82 percent of corporate transactions also are below this limit. What does this mean? It means that 94 percent of all individual transactions will not be affected by this fees that we have talked about.

“I have seen some misconceptions about the fees

that we are charging the fees on the entire amount that wants to be withdrawn. No. The fees are to be charged on any withdrawal above the limit. For example, if you are withdrawing N550,000, the fee will be on the N50,000. We also looked at transactions for agents. So, transactions by Nigerians that go to the agent’s location and transactions by the agent’s themselves, the average cash transactions of agents is N2,184,000 which is clearly within the current limit. The average transaction per individual that walks up to an agent is about N18,000. What the policy is trying to do is to encourage more people to come into the formal payment system because of the numerous benefits that accrue. It means opening up our rural areas, the underserved areas to economic opportunity, to payment opportunity and connecting them into the formal system.

“During the COVID-19 period, we saw the negative impact of physical cash. No one could go anywhere. We couldn’t go to the banks. People couldn’t leave their homes. It was the electronic banking system that protected and served those below the poverty lines that had their livelihood at risk. To clarify some misconceptions, I think it is also important to mention from the data that we have, we have seen the denominations that are not going to be redesigned, the N100, N50, N10 and N5 are predominantly used in the hinterlands and in the rural areas and those are not going to be

affected by the policy. Also, you have access to your money. So, there is prohibition in terms of what you want to collect. It is for certain large amount, you need to provide additional information.

He said the cash withdrawal limit will help tackle kidnapping and reduce cost of minting new notes.

“We just want to reiterate the overall benefits of the cashless policy. It is to reduce cash processing cost, minting cost, the cost of destroying old notes and cost of moving the physical cash from place to place. All these costs are passed on typically to the banking public. Getting rid of these costs means that charges will be less on that respect. Also this is an opportunity to promote Nigeria’s positive image from money laundering perspective.

“Even the recently passed anti-money laundering law has limits for cash for a reason because cash is usually the medium by which some of these nefarious activities are done. Suffice it to say that the advantages around protecting people from armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism financing goes without gainsaying.

“We will continue to be open, engage, listen as we implement this policy in response to the sentiments of Nigerians. It is not intended to disenfranchise anyone particularly those in vulnerable situations, in the rural areas, markets, it is meant to bring everyone into the significant economic opportunity that comes when you are fully included,” he said.

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Nigerian Military said its Troops have neutralized 27 terrorists, arrested 36 suspected terrorist and rescued 35 abducted civilians in the north west.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General, Musa Danmadami, stated this on Thursday in Abuja, while giving update on the military operations in the country.

He added that the troops recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 1 baretta pistol, 1 locally made rifle, 3 locally made pistol, 4 locally made guns, 3 dane guns, 4,308 rounds 7.62mm special, 7 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 11 rounds of 7.56mm ammunition and 5 cartridges.

“Also recovered are 55 motorcycles, 7 uncoupled motorcycles, 13 mobile phones and 820 rustled cattle as well as

the sum of Two Million Three and Two Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Five Naira (N2,302,195.00) only.

“All recovered items, rescued civilians and arrested suspects were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.”

He said the success were recorded during sustained operational activities through the conduct of fighting patrols, raid and clearance operations to clear bandits and terrorists enclaves within various towns and Local Government Areas of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna States respectively.

“On 3 December 2022, troops conducted fighting patrols to an identified bandits hideout at Ungawan Babale and Rafin Sarki in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with the terrorists. Following the fire fight, troops neutralized 5 terrorists while

others fled.

“Equally, on 7 December 2022, troops on fighting patrol at Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State arrested a suspected gun runner who has been on the wanted list of troops at a filling station while refueling his car. Items recovered from him include 5 AK47 rifles, 4,000 rounds of 7.6mm special ammo concealed in a sack, 4 magazines, teargas cannister as well as knives.

“Also, on 4 December 2022, troops responded to distress call on terrorist attack at Maigamji village in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State and made contact with the terrorist, during the operation, 3 bandits were neutralized while others fled with gun shot wounds. Troops exploited the area and recovered a bag containing 7 AK 47 magazines loaded with 204 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 motorcycles and a mobile phone.

“Same day, troops made contact with bandits at Mahuta village in the same Funtua Local Government Area. Following the fire fight, troops neutralized 3 terrorists and recovered 2 dane guns, 4 mobile phones and daggers among other items. Furthermore, on 8 December 2022, following a tip off, troops intercepted a truck conveying uncoupled motorcycles with 5 suspects along Gusau-Dansadau road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State. It was revealed that the items were intended for delivery to a suspected terrorists collaborator who has been on the watch list of troops. Items recovered from the suspects include 1 baretta pistol, 1 magazine, 11 rounds of 7.56mm ammunition, 7 uncoupled motorcycles and the sum of Fifty Five Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Naira (N55,150.00) only”.

COREN to implement CPD January, 2023

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigerian(COREN),said implementation of the introduced Continuing Professional Development (CPD),will be effective from January, 2023.

This was signed in a statement by COREN president Engr.Ali Rabiu, yesterday in Abuja.

He said this will be part of the requirement procurement for practice licence, a quality control mechanism to ensure that only competent practitioners are issued with practice license.

“This is in pursuance of the COREN amended Act which has made practice license compulsory for all engineering practitioners and Firms”.

Engr.Rabiu maintained that, in compliance with the provisions of the Engineers (Registration, among others) CAP E11 2004 Act as amended is in line with his commitment to uplift COREN as a formidable Engineering Regulatory Organisation in Nigeria.

The president disclosed that Council had ensured the deployment of more effective strategies that will guarantee best practice among the various professionals in Engineering.

“The review of curricula for Nigerian Engineering Programme has transited from the traditional input based to Outcome-Based Education (OBE) with the aim of raising the competency level of the Nigerian Engineering practitioners”.

He further explained how the council was successful in its investigation, reprimanding, prosecution of erring Engineering practitioners.

“This is in relation to building collapse and other sundry offences associated with the Built Industry in Nigeria”.

Meanwhile,the President revealed that COREN has effectively put Nigeria engineering on the world map.

“ We ensured that there is adequate visibility and participation in activities of World Federation of Engineering Organisations. Such as the world engineering summit in march 2022 at Costa Rica, 30th Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) General Assembly, the 6th FEIAP Convention of July, 2022, which held in the Philippines and also the 8th Edition of African Engineering Week/6th African Engineering Conference in Ethiopia.”

He said COREN also championed mobility of Nigerian Engineers within the African Region,by recently hosting delegations from Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers and Ghana Institution of Engineers.

Kano government confiscates 1,200 substandard tricycle tyres

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano State Consumer Protection Council, KSCPC, has confiscated more than 1,200 substandard tricycle tyres in the metropolis.

The council said it had uncovered a warehouse, located in a rice mill company at Kuyan Ta Inna in Kumbotso Local Government area, where the said tyres were stored.

The spokesman of the Council, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai in a statement sent to BizPoint on Wednesday night, said the

substandard tyres were sold to tricycle owners and riders at a lower price in the state.

The statement said, speaking at the scene of the operation, the Managing Director of the Council, Abubakar Ali Muhammad said they bursted the warehouse following a tip off by some good samaritan.

On getting the secret information, according to the statement, the agency swung into action, where it uncovered the warehouse and confiscated the goods.

The statement said the MD urged tricycle operators in the

state to always ensure thst they use standard spare parts of their machines in order to save their lives and properties, and that of their passengers.

He also appealed on people of the state to be volunteers of KSCPC in order to achieve the set objectives.

The Managing Director reiterated his commitment towards fighting expired, fake and substandard products in the state, while commending governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for giving him supports and the opportunity to serve the people of Kano.

Also speaking, the chairman of Amalgamated Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Kano, TOAKAN, Mansur Tanimu who was among the team of the operation expressed happiness for witnessing the operation, adding that the association is being receiving reports and complaints from its members about the tyre.

He commended the Managing Director of the council for inviting them to be part of the operation.

He also said the owners of the warehouse would be prosecuted after investigation in order to serve as deterrence to others.

R-L: Mr. Edward Adamu, Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs Aishah Ahmad, Deputy Governor, Financial System stability and Honourable Victor Nwokolo, Chairman, committee on Banking and Currency, House of Representatives at the briefing by the Central Bank of Nigeria on the Redesign Naira and Cash-less Policies, in Abuja yesterday

2023: Foundation, Legislative institute task political parties on peaceful conduct

The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on Wednesday, urged political parties to ensure the peaceful conduct of the fast approaching 2023 general election.

Country Director, WFDNigeria, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola made the call at the launch of “Political Party Watch Project” held in Abuja.

Olorunmola who called on political parties to be more open

and inclusive in their practices also urged them contribute towards the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election.

He said that the project was launched to promote inclusion in the political party systems of Nigerian polity.

The country director also called on citizens to participate actively during the election.

He added that the participation of citizens in the ongoing electoral process was fundamental to advancing the democratic process in the country.

“West Minister Foundation for Democracy and NILDS calls on all voters to turn out enmasse and make their votes count, while placing national interest above personal interest.”

Olorunmola further said that the initiative was funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), under the Inclusive and Accountable Politics project.

“We will work closely with key stakeholders, including the INEC’s Electoral Institute and the Election and Party Monitoring

Family Planning: Kaduna domesticates commodities

As part of measures to ensure availability of Family Planning commodities in Kaduna, the State government yesterday announced the domestication of the national guidelines for procurement of Family Planning Commodities. This was disclosed by the

Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Umma Aboki, at the State Level Dissemination of National Guidelines for State-Funded Procurement of FP Commodities, supported by UNFPA.

She explained that the National guidelines was developed to guide States that have expressed willingness to

(EPM), as well as the 18 registered political parties.”

He said that the Political Party Watch Project would monitor, analyse, and evaluate the conduct of the 18 political parties before, during and after the presidential elections.

This, he said was to measure the extent to which tenets of inclusive practices were upheld.

“The project will also increase public knowledge towards inclusive citizen’s participation and engagement with political parties in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

procurement guidelines

begin state level procurement of family planning commodities that will help address the incessant stock out of the commodities in their State.

“FP commodities have always been procured centrally through the National Contraceptives Basket Fund, which was established in 2011 for the procurement of contraceptives

with the support from donor agencies and UNFPA as the procurement agent.

“However, Nigeria faces uncertainty about the sustainability. This uncertainty is largely attributed to the dwindling financial resources, donor fatigue, untimely and often incomplete release of Federal Government Counterpart Funding.”

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Insurgency: Benue Govt distribute vehicles, motorcycles to security outfits

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue state Government has distributed motorcylcles, security vehicles to traditional chiefs and its security outfit as part of measures to combat crime in the State.

These include,460 motorcycles to Benue State Community Volunteer Gurads, BSCVG, 30 motorcyles to Livestock Guards and 279 motorcylces to District Heads

Gov Yahaya to upgrade clinic, schools others at Todi community

From David Hassan, Gombe

Governor Muhammadu

Inuwa Yahaya has said that his administration is fully prepared to upgrade the standard of health centers, schools and other facilities in communities if re-elected in 2023.

The governor stated this on Thursday while addressing APC supporters at campaign rally at Todi in Billiri local government area of Gombe state.

After listening with keen interest for request made by the community to build a befitting Church and Mosque in the area, governor Yahaya promised to construct the two worship centres for the community without delay.

He directed the community to allocate a land in due course for the construction of the project.

The governor also said there is urgent need to reduced the 500 capacity hall for pupils sitting for exams.

According to him, government has listened to your request and is ready to approve your plea.

He called on them not to hesitate in voting the All Progressive Congress at the forthcoming general elections.

in the state as well as another 25 BSCVG and Livestock Guards.

The governor said the vehicles will facilitate movement of the traditional rulers as they carry out their responsibility and help the Community Volunteer

Guard in curbing insecurity at the rural communities

Governor Ortom commended the volunteer guards for the work they have done so far, in assisting the conventional security in

maintaining peace in Benue despite intimidation.

He also, lauded Operation Whirl Stroke, Civil Defense, DSS and all the security outfits in the state in their fight against insecurity, saying from 2018 to

date, no fewer than 120 security men have been killed by the insurgents.

He said despite blackmail from people who don’t mean well for Benue, he will continue to fight for his people.

NDE trains 26 youth on environmental beautification

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced the training of 26 participants on Environmental Beautification

Training Scheme (EBT$).

The State Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Dantsoho Abubakar disclosed this while flagging off the scheme in Minna.

He said the programme commenced in batches, hence

the turn of Niger state which is going to be simultaneously across the nation.

Dantsoho Abubakar explained that the beneficiaries were selected fairly, adding that the participants will be entitled

to soft loans which is repayable.

He urged the trainees to pay the required attention to acquire the requisite knowledge to achieve the mandate of the federal government and NDE of job creation.

NSCDC unveils 270 special female squad in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has unveiled 270 number of special weapon handling female squad trained

to complement insecurity challenges facing the country and the state.

The Commandant of the Command, Ahmed Mohammed Dandare also unveiled the Female Armed Squad in the command during the Passing

Out Parade of the trained personnel in Minna, Niger State.

Mohammed Dandare revealed that the Female Armed Squad were trained to complement the male counterpart in the fight against abduction of school children in

schools in the state.

He said female squads were also trained on different techniques to engage in rescue operations, weapon handling, VIP protection, intelligence gathering and tips to tackle sexual gender base violence.

L-R: Chairman St. Uincent De Paul Society of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Apapa, Bro. Fabian Ezinwa; Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Catholic church Apapa, Rev. Fr. Osbert Egbe; Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Head Fleet Operations Engr. Salisu Isah, and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Admin Manager Mrs. Oluyemi Adebayo during the Dangote Sugar Staff Employee Volunteers Annual Charity Day Donation to charity organizations in celebration of the yuletide season in Lagos, yesterday.

An NGO, Teach the Child, driving interactive learnercentred literacy has called for the prioritisation of education of vulnerable children in underserved communities. Ms Pearl Utuk ,Founder of the NGO, in a statement said the call became imperative after a high-level engagement in Copenhagen, Denmark. Utuk said the organisation at the General Assembly of Crossing Borders, one of its partner organisations demonstrated how children from low income families in public schools in Nigeria had been impacted by the project. She said the organisation engaged with schools and students in Copenhagen to serve as a resource tool from the African perspective. This ,she said, was to develop impact-driven projects on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utuk said the projects were afro-centric and relevant to the realities of people and

Nutrition: SWODEN targets 71,000 pregnant women in Jigawa

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

No fewer than 71,000 pregnant women, parent and care givers in Jigawa state, are targetted by the Society for Women Development and empowerment in Nigeria, on behavioral change towards increasing Iron Folic Acid uptake and Anti-natal care.

This was announced by the Nutrition International (NI) coordinator Mr Patrick Odeli during a meeting with stakeholders to disseminate the outcome of the desk review at state Secretariat Dutse.

The NI coordinator who was represented by SWODEN program officer comrade Lawan B. Ahmad said, ten communities from two local governments of Ringim and Dutse will benefit from the intervention.

He explained that, SWODEN in collaboration with Nutrition International (NI) is implementing a project to reach over 71,000 pregnant women, parent and care givers with behavioral change messages towards increasing Iron Folic Acid IFA uptake and Antinatal care, LO-ORS/ZINC intake.

NGO seeks prioritisation of education of vulnerable children

communities in Africa. She said: “Following the success, Teach the Child hosted its inaugural annual assembly that attracted participants from Mauritania, Kenya, Nigeria, Denmark, Cameroon, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. “The hybrid meeting served as a platform for Teach the Child to present its vision and impact to new partners. “The initiative which started as a community project in 2020, had expanded its global networks, leveraging technology

and collaboration to ensure access to education for all children in Nigeria. “Some of the activities the NGO has been involved in include teaching and distributing ‘talking books’, which support children from low income areas in their literacy journey. ” Utuk added that Teach the Child’s innovative means of teaching children how to read resulted in high levels of engagement and excitement in learners. According to her, it aligns with SDG four that aims

to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all through quality education. She said that as a woman-led organisation, the initiative was also investing in the next generation of female African leaders and influencers. Utuk said that through partnership with the African Leadership Academy, an institution in Johannesburg, South Africa, Teach the Child works with a diverse team of young women from across Africa. She said the NGO had attained its first international

funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Civil Society in Development (CISU), in partnership with Crossing Borders. Utuk added that this demonstrated the commitment of the global community in the development of Africa. She said: “This goes on to illustrate the start of a new trajectory of growth for Teach the Child in becoming a renowned pan-African project that revolutionises the image and quality of education in Africa.”(NAN)

NIIA critical to harnessing Nigerian blue economy – Jamoh

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) has crucial role to play for Nigeria to fully harness blue economy potential.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Jamoh said this while delivering a paper titled: “Opportunities and Challenges in Harnessing the Blue Economy,” at a seminar organised by the NIIA.

It had the theme: “Safety, Security and Development in Nigeria’s Maritime Domain: Problems, Strategies and Prospects.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that blue economy

is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.

Jamoh said that collaboration among government agencies and the organised private sector would accelerate the gains of the blue economy in Nigeria.

He noted that the successes of the Deep Blue Project was hinged on collaboration.

“Our task at NIMASA is to explore how Nigeria can maximise the benefits derivable from our Blue economy.

“This concept of blue economy which gained prominence some few years ago requires local, regional and international collaborations to manage critical factors.

“The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs should play a role in advising government on policies which will facilitate the realisation of the blue economy,” he said.

Jamoh noted that just as in maritime security, the Deep Blue project, had shown that through cooperation and collaboration, great results could be achieved.

“This is the reason why I appreciate the participation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Customs Service as well as the Nigerian Navy,” he said.

On his part, the DirectorGeneral of the NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, while acknowledging the progress made in securing the Nigerian maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea, highlighted the

importance of the blue economy globally.

Osaghae called for sustainable use of ocean resources to be considered when shaping government policies.

“When considered in economic terms, the global Blue Economy will be the seventh largest in the world which highlights its importance.

“As such, sustainable use of the blue economy for economic growth should be at the core of any policy formulation by government,” he said.

The Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) is Africa’s foremost foreign policy think tank with the goal of assisting governments and societies in creating a world that is secured and prosperous. (NAN)

PDP Guber candidate condemns attack in Kaura

Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna, Isa Ashiru has condemned the attack in Malagum 1 and Sokwong communities in Kagoro Chiefdom in Kaura Local government area of Kaduna State.

Ashiru expressed dismay over the loss

of lives during the attack and extended condolences to the Chief of Kagoro, the families of the victims and the entire people of Kaura Local Council.

In a statement he personally signed in Kaduna, the guber hopeful said it is disheartening and reprehensible that such senseless act could still be found within societies.

Ashiru disclosed that the party has suspended the town hall meetings scheduled to commence in Kaduna South Senatorial Zone on Tuesday, 20th December, 2022, as a mark of respect to the deceased, the injured and those grieving.

“Also, all the PDP party offices in Kaduna

South Senatorial zone have been advised to fly their flags at half-mast as a mark of respect to those that have been affected by this incident.”

“It is my sincere hope that as we work together to bring on board a new government at the state and federal levels by the special grace of God, we would be able to collaborate and develop strategies that would curtail future incidents,” he stated.

From:

“This is totally condemnable and should have no place among civilized people like us.”

Ekiti State First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji with children during the Christmas party hosted for children at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti...on Wednesday

Xmas: Police assures of violence free celebration in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Police Command has assured residents of the state of safety before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities in the state.

The Commissioner of Police Ayodele Ogundele gave the assurance in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO DSP Wasiu Abiodun in Minna.

Ogundele said that the command had put in place

security measures that would enable residents of the state to celebrate the two festivals without threats to lives and property.

He said that the command was working with other security agencies in the state to ensure crisis-free festivities.

He said that an effective operational order on how to provide security in each of the 25 local government areas in the state had been issued to the area commanders and divisional police officers for implementation.

Respite for policemen as FG moves to pay arrears of their allowances

By our correspondent

Respite came for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force yesterday as the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi revealed that arrears of their new

salary package are set to be paid.

The Minister made the revelation in his presentation at the 15th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari Scorecard Series 2015 to 2023 which was held in Abuja on Thursday.

He said although salaries of

officers have been ongoing, but that arrears for the new pay package has accumulated for about six months.

He noted that pay package of policemeb was increased to introduce some allowances, adding that it is the increased allowances that have been outstanding for six

months.

“What we are now trying to do is to pay the outstanding arrears to the police officers concerned,” the Minister said.

“I want to assure you that we are working to pay those arrears as soon as possible,” he added.

Ortom signs N179bn for 2023 budget

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has signed the 2023 Benue Appropriation Bill into law.

The 179 billion naira budget has a recurrent expenditure of 106 billion naira and capital expenditure of 73 billion naira.

Signing the budget yesterday at the Government House, Makurdi, Governor Ortom noted that it is the last of his administration.

He acknowledged the effort of the House of Assembly in speedy passage of the budget and in record time, maintaining that the executive and legislative arm of government have enjoyed a seamless synergy which has accounted for the success of his government.

Ortom stressed that the year 2023 is expected to be one of turn around, rebranding and reawakening.

Yuletide: Benue Govt distributes relief materials to IDPs

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Benue State Government has distributed relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons,IDPs, for the Christmas celebration.

Executive Secrerary of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA Dr. Emmanuel Shior disclosed this during an interaction with newsmen in Makurdi, yesterday.

2023: Group urges Nigerians to shun corruption

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Ahead of the 2023 general election, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has urged Political parties and Nigerians to shun the disaster of corruption, embrace honesty and unite to build a great country, because integrity

and trustworthiness are vital attributes for success.

The Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, Mr. Leo Atakpu asserted this during a one day town hall meeting yesterday to secure the commitments of political parties for the 2023 general elections.

The program was part of the Strengthening Civic Advocacy

and Local Engagement (SCALE) project, which Palladium is currently implementing with support from USAID.

Welcoming the participants Mr. Atakpu said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently revealed that 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty and recent Index reported by Transparency

International put Nigeria as the 154 least corrupt nations out of 180 countries.

This statistic he explained has put public infrastructures such as power, roads as well as social services, particularly educational and health institutions in dire conditions necessitating an unprecedented upsurge in brain drain and jakpa syndrome.

He said items distributed include; 4000 bags of rice, 5000 noddles, condiments(tomatoes, maggi, salts),mats, beds,buckets and many others.

He added that relief materials were also, received from Sen. Emmanuel Orker Jev, Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District and Presidential committe on flood.

Shior lamented over persistent attacks on communities in the State which has resulted in increase in the IDPs, even as he decried continuous neglect from the Federal Government.

L-R: Deputy National Chairman (Politics), African Democratic Party (ADC), Dr.Bamidele Ajadi, National Legal Adviser ADC, Barr.Peters Iyiola Oyewole, National Chairman ADC, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and the Party National Secretary, Alh. Saa’d Baba Abdullahi, during the ADC World Press Conference on the Current State of ADC and the party Preparation toward the 2023 elections, held yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FCT: Nupe celebrate cultural festival

By Usman Shuaibu

The leadership of Nupe Development Association (NDA) which comprised of Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday celebrated the first Nupe cultural festival, special award ceremony and launching of the 2023 calendar in a grand style.

The first Nupe cultural festival which took place at Angwan Dodo Primary School in Gwagwalada was attended by the important dignitaries within and outside the FCT.

Speaking at the occasion, the president of NDA in charge of Zone A, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin Makun said: “The association is formed for the purpose of promoting unity, peace and progress of its members thereby setting a pace for our future generation yet to come”.

He called on those who have not registered as the members of Nupe Development Association to do so, saying that the door is opened for every Nupe person in the FCT.

He then appealed to highly placed individuals to support the association both cash and kind to purchase a plot of land to erect a befitting secretariat for the association in the FCT.

Makun thanked the executives of the association as well as the members for their efforts towards the progress of the festival.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Mohammed Saba who is the Secretary of Gwagwalada Area Council, said he would not hesitate to assist the association when the need arises.

On her part, the mother of the day, Dr Sarah Jibrin, urged the Nupe people to always speak with one voice for the progress of the association.

Not left out, the President of NDA in charge of Zone B, Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar said his leadership would continue to carry the members of the association along.

On her part, the mother of the day, Dr Sarah Jibrin, urged the Nupe people to always speak with one voice for the progress of the association.

Not left out, the President of NDA in charge of Zone B, Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar said his leadership would continue to carry the members of the

Gov Matawalle sympathizes with victims of Air Force operations in Zamfara

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle has expressed his heart felt sympathy to the families of victims earlier caught in military fire against marauding bandits in Maru Local Government area of the state.

In a press briefing Tuesday,

Governor Matawalle said he was saddened to hear the latest development when the Nigeria Air Force was out to eliminate a marauding group of bandits which, unfortunately, caught a number of civilians leaving behind a mixture of casualties involving both the bandits and a number of civilians.

“This unfortunate incident has come at a time when both

the state Government and the Nigeria Military are poised to effectively end the menace of the bandits, especially by taking the fight to their enclaves.

“I wish to, on behalf of myself, my family, the state Government and the entire good people of Zamfara state, extend my sincere sympathy to those who were injured and the families of those who died as a

result of this collateral damage,” the Governor added.

According to him, the state government has already swung into action aimed at addressing the remote and immediate causes of the incident with a view to avert any further ugly incidence such as hitting innocent citizens by the stray bombs in the future.

Club tasks Nigerians on investments

By Usman Shuaibu

Nigerians to deem it necessary to use their resources to invest meaningfully.

He gave the charge in an interview with Peoples Daily Correspondent during the club’s end of the year get-together in Tunga-Maje.

He said the club was established to enable the members to contribute the money for future use, pointing out that every member of the club is entitled to keep N500 or N1,000 every week based on his or her financial capability.

Orji called on the general public to join the club for the purpose of keeping the money for investments.

On his part, the treasurer of the club, Mr Kingsley Azuzu promised to keep the monies of the members intact at all times.

NGO empowers 180 vulnerable people in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ayewosai Global Foundation, Mary Noel Berje said the mission of the foundation is to empower Nigerians at the grass-root level. She stated this during the

maiden official lunching of the Foundation’s magazine and relief distribution to about one hundred and eighty beneficiaries in Minna.

The CEO who is also the governor’s Chief Press Secretary noted that it’s further to make information available, embarked

on sensitization,education, resources as well as create opportunities for them to succeed in their businesses.

Mary Berje stated that Ayewosai Global Foundation has over the years embarked on humanitarian support to the vulnerable groups in the society.

She explained that they have courageously gathered widows/ orphans and the less privileged yearly to support them with foodstuff and other non-food items, adding that this year, the foundation has provided for 180. families.

The Chairman of Good Friends Club (G.F.C) Tunga-Maje in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Francis Orji, has charged

L-R: Associate Professor, Media and Cultural Studies at School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Anuli Agina; Chief Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria, Tobechukwu Okigbo; Winner of MTN Foundation Chairman Award for Innovative Reportage on MTN Foundation, Vanness Obioha; General Manager, Corprorate Affairs, MTN Nigeria, Omasan Ogisi; Winner of MTN Nigeria Chairman Award for Innovation, Mike Okwoche and Director, Professional Education, SMC, Pan-Atlantic University, Isaac –Ogugua Ezechukwu at the Graduation Ceremony for the pioneer Fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

Train did not kill her, our road environment did

By Greg Odogwu

No, the rail lines do not have magnets. No, there is no voodoo involved. Yes, a human being could be shocked into hypnosis by an approaching force of death at that critical moment. There is also a natural splitsecond hesitation to leave a danger zone when one has something valuable to abandon.

In what could easily pass for a scene from a Nollywood movie, Nigerians watched as a moving train viciously crushed a black car sitting in the middle of a level crossing in the Kubwa area of Abuja. Inside the vehicle was a woman, who was later revealed to be a staff of the NTA Channel 5, Abuja. She died on the spot. It is not every day that one sees accidents happen live. But last week – thanks to social media and its unsympathetic army of live-action vultures – it was available free of charge on our phones and even on some mainstream media.

Thereafter, many versions of the accident story surfaced. This is ironic, considering that we all just watched the video. There was a report that the woman was stuck in the level crossing because she was waiting for another vehicle in front to clear the rail line before she could pass. Another version said her car broke down, and that a man was trying to help her take it off the tracks. Yet another story was that her car could not move fast enough as the train zoomed into the crossing. Put these tales side by side with the video you just watched, and you are staring at a blatant mismatch.

Nevertheless, let us stick to the bare facts. A Nigerian woman was killed by a speeding train while driving through a level crossing that has no warning signs and safety infrastructure. Contrary to standard health, safety and environment protocol, the Chikakore, Kubwa, level crossing does not have warning lights, sirens and boom gates. Hence, the community in that area depends on the horn of the oncoming trains to know when to clear the rail lines.

If in doubt of this basic truth, let us listen to the words of a crucial witness, the Chairman, Chikakore Community Zone-E, Ismail Olakposoyosi. According to the Punch newspaper report, the community head said the victim was driving out of the community before she met her untimely death.

Olakposoyosi said, “As she got to the train tracks, that was when she saw the train coming. Most times, the train will not even give adequate notice, it will not horn, sometimes when it horns, it will be when it is close to the community; that was how the incident happened. She was caught unawares at the

rail tracks and the train dragged her vehicle with her inside some kilometres before it stopped.”

I am of the view that the country’s road environment killed the lady. We build roads, rails and other public infrastructure without considering ambient environmental impacts or adding basic safety structures. This is the same reason we are having building collapse right, left and centre. We are a nation with many experts with glowing certificates but little impact on the everyday life of the average citizen. All our government institutions have departments of health, safety and environment, with full-time civil servants receiving monthly salaries. Yet, they fail to serve the nation in this regard. Who would believe that in this modern time, rail lines would be laid through communities populated by thousands of citizens, with no thought for their safety and the safety of the environment?

As a matter of fact, our road environment belongs to the Stone Age. This is why many linear communities in rural areas (with ‘federal roads’ passing through them) resort to self-help. They construct speed bumps and the likes by themselves because the government never considered the road environment as part of the road construction project. As far as the government is concerned, you are privileged to have a road and it does not matter if it comes with unnecessary deaths. Obviously, it is in this spirit that those that built our Kaduna-Abuja rail line gave it to us. We are faced with two tragedies; a government that shirks its duty to the people it swore to serve; and a government that lacks creativity, compassion and candour. This government says to us,“now you have a rail and a train; the rest is up to you!”

Generally, features of a road environment include a footpath, driveway, zebra pedestrian crossing, pedestrian crossing with lights, children’s crossing, pedestrian refuge, traffic lights, railway crossing, laneway, fence, road, road sign, road marking, nature strip, kerb, verge, median strip, roundabout, street vegetation (trees, shrubs), street furniture (bus shelters, post boxes, benches), and tram stops. But then, our road environment must align with our burgeoning population, the vehicles at our disposal and the different classes of citizens that are on our roads. For instance, we have never considered bicycles as part of our transportation reality, while it is actually used by many Nigerians; the same with baby strollers, skateboarders (now in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos), wheelchairs and motorised scooters.

It is, therefore, not surprising that a government that waits for disasters to happen before planning for safety has once again left everything to chance after introducing train

transport to its citizens.

Truly, the most painful aspect of the matter is that Nigerians have yet to come to grips with the fact that the government’s negligence killed that NTA staff. I read several comments that insinuated that the hapless lady might have driven to the level crossing with suicidal intent. Understandably, when one watches the video of the accident, such an assumption naturally appears as an option. But we should also remember that there are natural habits that could have pinned the woman to her car in that split second she had the opportunity to escape.

No, the rail lines do not have magnets. No, there is no voodoo involved. Yes, a human being could be shocked into hypnosis by an approaching force of death at that critical moment. There is also a natural split-second hesitation to leave a danger zone when one has something valuable to abandon.

This is why sometimes laws are made to save us from ourselves. If there was a barricade or a boom gate that goes down when a train approaches the crossing, no car would be stuck on the rail line. If there was a warning light and/ or a siren that comes on to warn pedestrians and drivers alike, nobody would be left in doubt that the level crossing is a danger zone during those crucial moments. But as we are wont to do in this clime, we have left our work for God to do for us. Still, the sad truth is that there may actually be some other level crossing deaths that never came to the public view because they may have happened in rural areas, and to citizens without flashy cars – where there is no smart phone to record.

That brings us to a troubling reality. From the lens of rail line safety, it seems our nation is moving backward instead of forward. This is because decades ago, the safety culture and structures were better than what we have today. I remember those days when level crossing safety culture was imbibed by every city dweller, and the Federal Government had its manpower fully on the ground at every one of them. At every level crossing in the towns and cities of Nigeria, there were warning lights and boom gates, fully manned and operated by railway staff working from the attached level crossing booth/ office. It is, therefore, highly reprehensible that while other nations are innovating for the future – at the international symposiums on level crossing – we are stuck in our own crude ways, killing the environment and our citizens.

Greg Odogwu is a Public Affairs Analyst.

The challenge of chemical weapons

By Rufai Ibrahim

Chemical weapons are chemical agents whether gaseous, liquid, or solid, that are employed because of their direct toxic effects on humans, animals and plants. They inflict damage when inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or ingested in food or drink. Some of them are chlorine, lewisite, mustard, phosgene, sarin, soman, and tabun . They fall into four major classes: nerve, blister, choking and blood agents.

Ben Wallace as British Defence Secretary in 2021 reportedly warned that a breakdown in the international order has led to a growing threat of chemical attacks around the world. Wallace said some regimes around the world increasingly believed it was acceptable to use nerve agents and pathogens against their opponents.

Only recently the Turkish police detained the president of the country’s medical association , Sebnem Fincanci , after she called for a probe into the use of chemical weapons against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq. This was in response to the fighters release of names and photos of people portrayed as alleged ‘martyrs’ killed by poison gas in the region.

Turkish officials strongly rejected the allegations that its military used chemical weapons against the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The group however is considered a terrorist organisation in Turkey, Europe and the United States that must be exterminated. Despite the dangers of chemical weapons , state-sponsored scientists continue to develop the weapons under various guises around

the world . A pentagon fact - sheet released on June 9 this year read that US government sponsored civilian laboratories and health care institutes in Ukraine as part of a peaceful campaign during the past 20 years.

Commenting on the Pentagon factsheet, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, demanded that the US disclose full and detailed information about the activity of the US military laboratories in Ukraine ; especially when it has been stated that during the special military operation in Ukraine, foreign officials discovered evidence pointing to an emergency clean up by the Kiev regime of traces of a military biological program conducted in Ukraine and financed by the US Defense Department.

The Defense Department reportedly gave out millions of dollars to EcoHealth Alliance, the New York city-based non-profit that funnelled federal grant money to the Wuhan Institute of Virology for bat coronavirus research – with most of the Pentagon money reportedly going toward murky research on countering biological weapons.

In fact Eco-Health Alliance has already come under scrutiny for redirecting funds from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to the Chinese lab, from where many believe COVID – 19 leaked to set off the worst pandemic in a century.

Richard Ebright, a professor of Chemistry and Chemical biology at Rutgers University and Lab Director at the school’s Waksman Institute of Microbiology, told the New York Post that such grants from the defense and intelligence communities are distributed “outside the normal processes” for such

research, with no transparency and oversight beyond what can be provided by the members of congress.

For several years, the USA Today conducted an investigation into the biosecurity of US germ labs and found systematic safety failures and repeated non-compliance to safety procedures with US GAO –the investigative arm of Congress – reaching similar conclusions regarding these lapses.

For example, in 2015 the Pentagon discovered that one of its laboratories in Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, had inadvertently sent live anthrax to almost 200 laboratories worldwide over the course of 12 years, because the lab’s “inactivation” (removal of hazardous effects) of the pathogen was found to be incomplete.

In the latest warning regarding DNA testing, two US Representatives have reportedly warned that DNA testing could lead to gene-specific bio weapons.

The use and possession of chemical weapons is prohibited under international law but several nations continue to maintain active chemical weapons programs.

The alarm raised by Wallace last year of the growing threat of chemical attacks around the world was justified recently when the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco brought together medical emergency response experts from African countries in Rabat , Morocco, and trained them on toxic chemical incident preparedness for hospitals (HOSPREP) .

. Ibrahim Writes from Kaduna

Sad, as Nigerians are been taken to the era when rice was eaten once a year

By Isaac Asabor

Ostensibly sounding divinatory, it would be recalled that the governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Douye Diri, early this year at a media parley on Channels TV said, “Before now, the rice here in Bayelsa, it was eaten once in a year. It was seen as food for the rich, today the story is different. Rice is like a daily thing at everybody’s table.”

It is not an exaggeration to say that there was an era when rice was eaten once a year in most homes. The reason why it was eaten once a year cannot be farfetched as it was then unaffordable by many and considered to be food for the rich. However, today the story is different as rice meal has become so common that it is today eaten by virtually every family on a daily basis. It has now become common on everybody’s table”.

At this juncture, permit me to nostalgically and unapologetically recall that in those days that it was very common for a teen to challenge his or her playmate with the puzzle, “Guess what my mother is cooking”, and if the puzzle is rightly or correctly guessed, the respondent will be invited to join in devouring the then staple food, which was always sumptuous. In fact, the aroma of the stew that was being fried within a neighborhood was enough to make neighbors become envious and jealous.

However, sometime in the early 80s rice became common and affordable ostensibly as a result of massive importation that commenced under the

regime of Alhaji Shehu Shagari who was Nigeria’s president from 1979 to 1983. In fact, there was stupendous rice consumption in Nigeria which created a substantial surge and made rice a political commodity in the country. To worsen the situation, smugglers were on their own aggressively bringing cheap rice into the country so much that rice was no longer eaten once a year in many homes but every day.

In fact, on the one hand, rice became a critical component of the Nigerian diet and on the other hand, a major consumer of the country’s foreign exchange. Against the foregoing backdrop, the federal government in 1985 imposed a ban on rice importation in order to facilitate and increase local production of the grain, ostensibly to meet the high demand for the product.

Given the foregoing backdrop, it is sad to opine that the ongoing government led by President Muhammadu Buhari may take not a few Nigerians to the era when rice was eaten once in a year. This is because the prices of the food item; depending on their sizes or quantities have gone up. It would be recalled that during Jonathan’s administration that Nigerians were buying a bag of rice for N7, 000.

Contrariwise, the price of a bag of rice in November 2022 jumped to 54% in two months. Though findings showed that the price of the item soared on the back of the floods that ravaged many parts of the country a few months ago. However, to most Nigerians, the widely reported floods that affected many parts of the country were merely a contributory factor to the price

We once had a language

By Maclawrence Kolapo Famuyiwa

In as much as I clamour for more relevance to be given to Pidgin English since many Nigerians are more at home with ‘Naija’ than ‘Nigeria’, we should still not sing an obsequious dirge for our own indigenous languages, a balance of relevance should be given to the two at the expense of the English of the British or of other adoptation.

It is rather lugubrious that we are standing and watching our indigenous languages in Nigeria going into a desuetude on its final peregrination into obscurity. It is amusing that our children are being moulded to speak the English language better than the real owner of the language. It is ludicrous that any child that mistakenly chatter in his or her mother tongue is maligned, but the one that speaks the English language is adulated.

I still can’t phantom the incipient of this craze, because I know it used to be a vogue that the early education of any Nigerian used to be in his or her mother tongue, at least that was the case when I was growing up. But nowadays there’s no where, whether at home or at school, that these children are taught languages of their parents any longer. They are taught in English at schools and they come home to continue their lessons of improving their proficiency in it. Even, when the parents are illiterates, they still struggle to catch up to help their wards in the pedagogy of the language of our colonialists.

The ludicrousness of this is also noticed when children acting in our indigenous language movies are made to speak English and their parts have to be translated to the original languageof the film. One then wonders, is there anything wrong in speaking our indigenous languages? Do we need mastery of English language for us to be great as individuals or as a country? If countries like China, Japan, France, England etc can be great without adopting other peoples’ languages, why can’t we?

Our governments are not helping matters as well by making it compulsory that anybody that wants to further his or her education into any higher institution of learning, should compulsorily pass English at a

credit level. This is a hinderance a child in other clime is not subjected to, since he or she doesn’t need the encumbrance of mastering other peoples’ languages, before he or she can become whatever he or she wants to become, unless what he or she decides to venture into has a direct relationship with that foreign language.

I once met a classmate of mine who was average in school, but his albatross, to become a mechanical engineer, was his inability to have a credit pass in English language. Even though he had all the other requirements and even was always well above the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) cut off mark for the course. He ended up being a road side mechanic, because he couldn’t have a credit pass in English language. The craze still continues today with successes in both West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams are based on the percentage of students that had credits in English Language and Mathematics.

Even if our insistence is to destroy our indigenous languages must it be because of another man’s language? Can’t we even develop our own lingua franca? Although, attempts were made in the past to develop a Nigerian language using words from the three main languages of Nigeria, a project called ‘WAZOBIA’ coined from the words for “come” in Yoruba (wa), Hausa (zo) and Igbo (bia). But this has long been jettisoned, we only see it written as a word not spoken as a language. But why do we even need a ‘Wazobia’? When we have a ‘pidgin English’.

Pidgin English is a language not ever formally taught, but almost all Nigerians understood it, and the majority of Nigerians could speak it. It is a language that both the literates and illiterates can speak and comprehend, why can’t we adopt this language formally? I am sure if our children are taught in this language they would cope better, rather than having this massive rates of failure in our major exams. Whether we like it or not ‘pidgin English’ comes more natural to any Nigerian than the Queen’s English or is it now King’s English? No wonder, now anything Nigerian is better promoted with pidgin English.

We have to take a cue from our musicians that

increase in rice. The government is been blamed for not being able to keep its electoral promises.

However, the prevailing market price of rice in Lagos shows that a 50kg bag of locally parboiled rice now sells for N48, 000 or more in some places, up from N28, 000 in September. The price of a 50kg bag of foreign parboiled rice rose to N48, 000 from N31, 000, and even slightly higher in some markets.

In fact, despite the various measures taken by the Federal Government to drive down the price of a 50kg bag of locally produced rice rose by about 92 percent between January 2016 and December 2021.

Ostensibly sounding divinatory, it would be recalled that the governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Douye Diri, early this year at a media parley on Channels TV said, “Before now, the rice here in Bayelsa, it was eaten once in a year. It was seen as food for the rich, today the story is different. Rice is like a daily thing at everybody’s table.”

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is sad that 5 years down the line when the federal government at the time the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, briefed the State House Correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja that there is every indication that Nigerians are going back to the days when rice is eaten once in a year, which was invariably on Christmas Day.

Isaaac Asabor is a Public Affairs Analyst.

are breaking new grounds and winning hearts and awards, even Grammy’s, using the pidgin language, or how much of pidgin English does Robin Van Persie or Jermaine Jackson understand for them to attest to listening to the music of P’Square? Or how well does Ed Sheeran understands Pidgin English before he forced a collabo with Fireboy? And there are many other such examples.

In as much as I clamour for more relevance to be given to Pidgin English since many Nigerians are more at home with ‘Naija’ than ‘Nigeria’, we should still not sing an obsequious dirge for our own indigenous languages, a balance of relevance should be given to the two at the expense of the English of the British or of other adoptation.

I doff my hat for the Lagos State House of Assembly that passed a bill making the teaching of Yoruba language compulsory in schools in the state into law in October 2017. The bill makes the teaching of Yoruba language compulsory both in private and public schools in the state. It also makes it a core subject at all levels and stipulates a fine of N500,000 for a corporate offender while any school in the state which fails to comply with the law faces closure and a fine of N250,000. It is now expedient that all other states in Nigeria should emulate this. The Federal Government of Nigeria should also consider adopting as our lingua franca or as a second official language.

The colonialists came to steal our religions on the pretence that it is demonic, that foreigners now worship “ifa” more proudly than the Yorubaland, wherebit indigenous. They stole our cultures under the pretentiousness that it is barbaric, that you hardly see any boy prostrating to greet their elders. They took our mode of dressing under the façade that it is inferior that guys are more comfortable in shirt and trousers than in ‘buba and sọ̀rọ̀’. Now the siege is now on our language. We should take caution before we place the memory of our language on a linguistic epitaph as “we once had a language”.

Maclawrence Kolapo Famuyiwa is a Public Affairs Analyst.

CSOs, media

develop advocacy strategy for health financing in

Kaduna

Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media group have commenced the development of advocacy strategies to improve healthcare financing in Kaduna State.

The development of the strategy was supported by Save the Children International (SCI) under the Gates Anchor IV Grant project which focuses on citizens’ engagement for accountability, policy environment and strengthening health financing.

Mr Farouk Abdulkadir, SCI Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator, said at the three-day workshop in Zaria on Tuesday, that the idea was to review the state budgeting process, health service delivery in line with the target outcome.

Abdulkadir explained that the participants would not only track health budget performance but also assess how public health expenditure was delivering the expected results.

“This will enable the civil society and media partners to identify clearcut advocacy issues that will improve healthcare financing in the state.

“The evidence generated will be used to engage stakeholders in 2023, starting with a public policy dialogue,” he said.

Mr Yusuf Goje of Coalition of Association for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment & Development, equally said that the meeting was to review the state public financial management.

This, according to him, will enable the CSOs and the media to identify fiscal blockages that hinder adequate health financing.

“It is also to assess public funding of the health sector and its contribution to delivering the target results in the state development plan.

“The meeting will also facilitate experience-sharing and develop advocacy strategy and brief on ways to influence the government to prioritise funding of the health sector,” he said.

Goje, who took participants through the state Public Finance Management (PFM) circle, said that understanding public financing was key to developing a result-based advocacy strategy that would impact on the health sector.

Earlier, Mr Philip Yatai, Chairman, State Media Working Group, who spoke on Stakeholders in the PFM Circle, stressed the need for every stakeholder to play its role in ensuring proper financing of the health sector in the state.

Yatai identified the stakeholders as the citizens, CSO, media, state assembly, executive arm of government, implementing and oversight agencies, anti-graft agencies, judiciary, lender, contractors, and other development partners.

Kano APC guber candidate promises to strengthen PHC

Dr Nasiru Gawuna, Kano State

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, has promised to strengthen Primary Healthcare (PHC) service delivery.

Gawuna, also the Deputy Governor of the state, said this at a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Abuja.

He said that a better and functional primary health care would not only reduce pressure on

tertiary hospitals but create access to quality healthcare for all.

The governorship candidate said that such would address inequalities existing in healthcare delivery.

“I promise to make healthcare service delivery qualitative and effective to expand access to services in all government hospitals.

“I will also strengthen health institutions by placing priority on construction of health

infrastructure, ensuring availability and timely supply of drugs,” he said.

Gawuna who reiterated of his commitment to improving healthcare for residents, said that he would improve on the flagship primary healthcare programme to increase the number of quality public healthcare centres.

The governorship candidate assured of his readiness to reduce poverty and lack of access to potable

water in the state.

He promised to explore ways of expanding the current water treatment plant to address water shortage in the metropolis.

Earlier, Prof. Mangal Jibril described the Gawuna as a man of impeccable character, intensity and integrity.

Jibril said he was happy associating with the governorship candidate who had all it takes to take Kano to higher levels. (NAN)

2023: Group says desperate politicians behind CBN, DSS face-off

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Acitizens led anti sabotage organisation under the aegis of The Natives, has said some desperate politicians responsible for the face-off between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) to sabotage the forthcoming general elections.

The Natives, however, warned those involved in the act to stop or else they will be exposed.

Addressing a joint press conference Wednesday in Abuja, with other Civil Society Organisations, youths groups, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lawyers, among others, leader of The Natives, Hon. Smart Edwards, urged citizens to be weary of calculated plots that may not be the reason or hidden interest behind the recent turn of events and ignition of heat in the country by elements of confusion.

According to Edwards, All agencies have their modus operandi guiding their operations. The CBN is insulated to be independent in developing its policies and so is the DSS empowered with capabilities to interrogate issues of concern, so also are the courts approachable in cases of infractions. This are not any reason to call for protests.

The group expressed worry that

certain Nigerians are being hog washed into another debacle of a non-existing threats to the CBN, in another permutation to keep the streets in chaos as the Yuletide season approaches, “this is political gymnastics and we are not ready for it.

“The story of Nigeria is not all gloom today, our Air Force is making superior strides in the North-east and forests, the Military and Defence Intelligent forces are recovering lost grounds, peace is gradually returning to Nigeria and people are travelling the roads home for the holidays. The Kaduna Trains have resumed and working, the EAST-WEST Road is almost completed, security situation is improving, the NDDC Board is reconstituted, our Naira is slightly recovering, our elections are around the corner, politicians have come to their seasons, Nigerians must come to their senses.

“Indeed, politicians can be mischievous, I mean the Youths Population are the largest voters in this country, particularly the Students, and rather than politicians and political parties reaching out to them with their well-defined manifestos and water tight integrity based assurances of a visionary government and campaigns that should rest on their records, so as to gain their acceptance, they are busy sponsoring chaos.

“Let it be made abundantly clear that as a Citizens led Anti Sabotage Organisation we are fully motivated and committed to free and fair elections. We are fully aware of saboteurs in nocturnal meetings, preparing to scandalise and blackmail persons of high reputation as a precursor to sponsor protests across the country, this has already failed because we will resist.

“During the EndSars youths suffered the most, whilst politicians sat in the comfort of their homes either financing and dishing out commands, this is our only country, we will not allow agents of destructions to distribute crisis across the Nation.

There is no Political Party, Politician or Candidate new to us, they have all been around, therefore our country and the country all seek to govern must not explode in the name of their ambitions.

“As Citizens, we know that this Nation has reached combustion stage in the past few years, however the security agencies in our country have been faced with challenges on all fronts, we will not allow the relative peace being enjoyed to be truncated, in the roll down to the General Elections in February.

“Let all Nigerians be aware, alert and recognise that there is nothing better than the peaceful transfer of power so there will be no room for

Saboteurs. The Security Agencies, Defence forces and intelligence community should rise urgently to man our borders and curtail any threats to our National Affairs.

“On the recent debacle between the DSS and the CBN, these are two institutions that will be saddled with our elections therefore we can see fifth columnists and emergency activists mixing up within politicians to rubbish institutions that should be apolitical.

“Bichi is going nowhere and CBN by their mandate are empowered to and can deepen policies that would help grow and stabilize our Naira and Economy.

“The President and Commanderin-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an APC man, yet he has given a clear body language readable by all parties including his own, of an unmistakable resolve and determination to ensure free and fair elections.”

While asking Nigerians to to be peaceful, be safe and be their neighbours’ keepers, Edwards said: “ *Politicians, Be warned,* we want leaders and not dealers! You have the mastery of changing and cross carpeting dramatically, we want the mastery of our peace, having gone through the torturous era of banditry, Kidnapping and terrorism.

L-R: DIG Sanusi Lemu, Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, DIG Dandaura Mustapha during IGP Meeting with Commissioner of Police ahead of 2023 General Election and Attacks On INEC Facilities, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Musa Baba Adamu

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has explained why the Senate decided to shift the passage of the 2023 Appropriation Bill to next Wednesday.

Lawan gave the explanation at the commencement of the plenary on Thursday against the backdrop of an earlier announcement that the Bill would be passed before the chamber adjourned for Christmas recess on Thursday.

He told his colleagues during the session: “Today was scheduled for us to receive and consider the report of our committee on Appropriation for the 2023 Appropriation Bill.

“However, due to some challenges, we are not able to receive the report of the committee, and the main reason is that the Appropriation Bill came to the National Assembly with some problems and when our committees on appropriation in the senate and the House of Representatives started to reconcile the figures of what we have done and what was presented, the problems became very obvious and they were not easy to deal with, and therefore our committees had to start a process of cleaning up the Bill first.

“That process, of course, also engaged the executive arm because the problems came from there. It was concluded only yesterday, and our committee secretariats are not able to finish processing the budget for us to take today nor tomorrow, nor Saturday nor Sunday because this are periods that are for festivities, Christmas period. Monday, Tuesday are public holidays.

“Consequently, we can only receive the report and consider it on Wednesday, the 28th December, 2022. That is the earliest, that’s

Why NASS shifted passage of 2023 budget to next week - Lawan

next week.

“So far, this ninth National Assembly has done so much to pass the previous appropriation Bills since 2019, before the end of the year to date and I’m sure that this would remain one of the cherished legacies of the ninth National Assembly.

“So by the Grace of God, on the 28th of this month, the senate and indeed the House of Representatives will all come back to receive and consider the budget report from our committees.

“Secondly, our committee on Finance is this morning holding a public hearing on the Finance Bill 2022, and of course the finance Bill is the basis on which the Appropriation Bill 2023 is built.

“We had arranged yesterday that the finance committee will present a report of the Finance Bill Hearing at 2pm today. That of course would not be possible. This is the reason: We also receive two communications yesterday - Supplementary Budget 2022 and of course, Ways and Means. So our committees on Appropriation, Finance, Water Resources, Agriculture and Works and Housing will be processing the Bills for today.

“In that respect, the senate will adjourn immediately so that our committees start the action they are supposed to take and therefore those reports will also be available to us on 28th December when we will be here.”

Senator Ahmad Lawan

By Christiana Ekpa

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has said that Nigeria is a failed state today but he and his running mate are in the race for the Presidency to rescue and turn it around.

Obi told a large crowd of supporters in Port Harcourt, Rivers state that he used transforming and turning around failed businesses and if elected by February 25, 2023 he and Yusuf Datti Ahmad will turn Nigeria around.

“Datti Ahmed and I are not in this business for anything, we are committed to building, a new Nigeria that is possible. Hold us

responsible, we are prepared for the job.”

In a response to a question from an Obidient, he said, “Somebody asked me today, with all these monies they have stolen how would you transform Nigeria, and I said, I have turned around failed businesses; Nigeria is a failed country , give it to us we will turn it around. We want Nigerians to hold us responsible for turning around this country.

“I am not looking for anything. I have been a governor for 8 years. I didn’t owe salary or gratuity or pension, but I left 150 million dollars and 30 billion naira. Go to Anambra State, if you see one piece of land allocated to Peter Obi, the

wife or anybody close to me, I will stop running”

Obi reiterated his earlier position that next year’s election would not be on my turn, tribe or religion but to be based on the character we can trust, who has capacity, and competence.

The LP candidate told the jubilant crowd that his desire is, “to build a society where people will be secured, where a child of nobody will be able to be president of this country.

According to the former Anambra state Governor, time is now to change this country, “We must vote for someone with competence, someone with capacity and capability. This job is a job for

PDP a degenerate alarmist, afflicted by its infamy - APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

All Progressive Congress (APC) has said opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to outdo its own record of disgraceful display of despicable desperation and despondency in the conduct of its public affairs.

In a statement issued yesterday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said utterly discombobulated by prospects of impending annihilation at the polls, the PDP has dived deeper into its murky cesspool of confusion, calumny and unmitigated irrationality.

“Barely Sixty-Five days to

the 2023 Presidential Election, the PDP remains preoccupied with spewing gibberish and falsehoods as choice electoral strategy at a time when serious political parties are digging deep, canvassing votes and building viable electoral networks. Afflicted by its infamy, the PDP’s latest incoherent press conference built entirely on malicious lies and unimaginative conjecture only certifies the party’s irredeemable descent into the dark abyss of inglorious political history.

“At a recent press conference, the PDP, alleged that our great party was plotting to scuttle the 2023 general election by sponsoring attacks on

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) facilities, allegedly, to prevent new registrants from collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs); destroy PVCs to forestall collection by potential voters; destroy INEC’s equipment and cripple it’s capacity to conduct elections; and create tension across the country to “validate a narrative that elections cannot hold, then orchestrate a constitutional crisis with a view to justifying a shift of the elections and perpetuate certain APC elements in office beyond May 29, 2023.” And the only basis for these dumb allegations is what decrepit PDP calls “intelligence available to our Party”.

“As a responsible ruling Party that we are, the All Progressives Congress (APC) abhors all forms of violence and electoral malpractices. We stand united with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its effort to conduct a free, transparent and fair election next year. We have and continue to, unequivocally, condemn attacks on INEC’s facilities and staff, and urge our security agencies to protect these important facilities, and to bring perpetrators of these acts to justice.

“Violent attacks against INEC facilities and staff are very serious matters of national concern and security and has potential to destabilize our set

people with physical and mental energy, not retirement home”

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Bar Julius Abure who also addressed the rally said that 2023 Presidential election offers Nigerians the opportunity and time “to recover our country from those who have put us in poverty, in hunger and unemployment. Therefore, the choice we must make in 2023 is Labour Party and Peter Obi.

He reminded Nigerians that why the country has failed and why Nigerians have been suffering is because, “we have been voting for the wrong people. It is now time for us to vote the right people who will recover this country again”

electoral program on which the viability and sustainability of our nascent democracy depends. It is not a flimsy matter that anyone or political party should appropriate as material for a morbid comedy skit as the PDP chooses to do and has done quite consistently during this electoral season.

“A responsible political actor or party that has any credible and actionable intelligence on matters as serious as plots to destabilize our national elections would turn that information or “intelligence” over to our many law enforcement agencies for full and thorough investigation and possible arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.”

Nigeria has failed, but I’ll turn it around - Peter Obi

Collect their money, vote for me –Obi urges supporters ahead 2023

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has urged his supporters to collect the money offered to them by opposition political parties and still vote for him.

The Labour Party candidate made the call on Thursday at the Labour Party presidential rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to Obi, the money belongs to Nigeria but was “stolen” by those in government.

He said “Let me tell you, that money they are giving you is your money, collect it, eat it and vote

2023 election: I’ll tell Nigerians my presidential candidate in January - Wike

By Musa Baba Adamu

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said he will make his preferred presidential candidate known in January 2023.

Wike stated this while speaking during the commissioning of the Rumukurishi flyover in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The governor also said he would campaign for his adopted candidate across Nigeria.

He said, “From January next year, I’ll campaign to my people who they’ll vote for.

“So, all of you who’ve been in suspense, who’ve been saying all kinds of things, abusing me, wait. January is here.”

He added, “I’ll move from state to state [for campaigns], and why they should vote for the person, nothing will happen.”

for me.

“The money that I will give to you is that you will be employed, you will have healthcare, you will get education, I will make society

work and you will become rich. I want to build a society where everybody is secure, where a child of nobody will be able to become President of this

country.”

Obi also expressed his intention to unite Nigeria and move it from consumption to production.

He urged Nigerians to hold him accountable, while promising to revive the country, the same way he had “revived dead companies” in the past.

Court quashes suit seeking removal of Kola Abiola as PRP presidential candidate

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed a suit filed by an aspirant, Madam Patience Key to challenge the emergence of Kola Abiola as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a judgment, held that the suit was statute-barred, hence, the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.

Justice Mohammed, who said the suit was a pre-election matter, said it ought to have been instituted within 14 days from the date of the occurrence of the cause of action in compliance with Section 285(9) of the 1999 Constitution.

The judge agreed with the defendants that though the PRP presidential election was conducted on June 5, the plaintiff

filed the suit on June 28, when the case ought to have been instituted no later than June 19.

Mohammed held that though Madam Key raised weighty allegations against the conduct of the poll, which she alleged was marred by irregularities, vote buying, non-compliance with Section 84 of the Electoral Act and gross violations of the party’s guidelines for the conduct of primaries, he said these could not take preeminence over failure to file the case within the time prescribed by law.

The judge consequently dismissed the suit for lack of jurisdiction to hear it, having been statute barred.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaintiff, Key, had, on June 28, sued PRP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

and Mr Latifu Abiola as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

Key, in her earlier originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1001/2022, had challenged the emergence of Mr Abiola as the party’s presidential candidate, among others.

She had prayed to the court to nullify the poll that produced Abiola as the PRP’s presidential candidate, among others.

But in an amended originating summons granted by the court dated Aug. 31 and filed on Sept. 2, the plaintiff sought a consequential order setting aside the submission of Abiola’s name by PRP to INEC on June 15 as the flag,-bearer and presidential candidate for 2023 election on account of gross violations of the party’s guidelines for the conduct of primaries and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

She said the party was in breach of Section 84 (5)(b){i) and (ii) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Political Party Primaries, Article 5 (13(a)(i-ix) of the Constitution of the PRP’s Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2023 General Election,” among others.

She argued that the presidential primary was conducted across the 36 states and FCT, against the provision of the Electoral Act which stipulates that the primary should be conducted in one venue.

Besides, Key averred that INEC did not monitor the June 5 presidential primary in breach of the law, citing the previous case of Uche Nwosu Vs. APP, to back her argument. (NAN)

By Christiana Ekpa

Delta State Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the people of Warri South Local Government Area of the State to vote out the government of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Okowa spoke at a PDP rally held at the Warri township stadium.

He noted that the APC had accused his administration of wasting the State’s resources on appointments, explaining that he appointed so many people to provide food on the table of Nigerians.

Governor Okowa who insisted that it is time for the APC government to leave pointed out that the party brought hunger to Nigeria.

According to Governor Okowa, “We don’t want poverty to continue. 8 months ago, students were at home. Not going to school because they couldn’t pay. In Delta, people were going to school. We were able to pay salaries. We don’t want that party that’s spoiling things for us. Vote them out.”

Governor Okowa also said there’s no hope for the Labour Party, “it is only in PDP you can find a road. Let’s vote for PDP.”

He expressed the belief that the PDP in Delta State will win the

forthcoming elections landslide.

Governor Okowa however, begged the people of Warri to begin a “door-to-door campaign” and vote en mass for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Presidential

Candidate, Atiku Abubakar and other candidates of the party in the forthcoming election to save the country from the dungeon which, he claimed the APC government has plunged it into.

2023: PDP safest platform for Plateau, Nigeria – Guber candidate, Mutfwang

By Musa Baba Adamu

The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang has adjudged the Party the most credible platform for the state ahead of the 2023 elections.

He said the plot orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to take

the PDP out of the ballot in 2023 has failed; urging citizens to shun the APC and vote for PDP in the coming polls.

Mutfwang disclosed this on Thursday while appreciating Plateau people for coming out en mass to receive the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar during the recent presidential campaign rally in Jos, the State Capital.

He described PDP as a probable wife who was rejected and after marrying another one which is the APC, the people turned out disappointed and reverted to the first wife which is the PDP.

Mutfwang apologized to Plateau people for the shortcomings of the PDP in the past and assured that the mistakes of the past would not be repeated

going forward.

He acknowledged that he does not have all the solutions to the challenges currently confronting Plateau but assured that everybody would be brought on board to galvanize valuable initiatives and ideas to move the state forward.

“There are people who have lost hope in the 2023 elections, we have people who are drowning, we

have our opponents who have lost hope and they already know that they are defeated at the polls and the only thing they can do is to try to raise fears in the minds of loyal voters to the PDP, but I wish to tell you that there is no such thing.

“I can tell you that there are some attempts sponsored by the APC government to take the PDP out of the ballot, but sadly, they failed.

If you don’t want poverty in Warri, vote APC out – Gov Okowa to Deltans

Gov Okowa

Wike, others

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has told Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike and others expecting him to retire from politics if he fails to win in next year’s general election, that presidency is a life-long ambition, vowing to keep pushing until he succeeds in becoming Nigeria’s president.

Speaking with Financial Times, the PDP presidential candidate said he would keep pursuing his ambition as long as he is alive and healthy.

“It is a life-long ambition and as long as I’m alive and strong and healthy, I will continue pursuing it,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President is one of the top candidates vying for the 2023 presidential election.

It’s widely believed that the Waziri of Adamawa has been vying for the presidency since 1992 when he stepped down for MKO Abiola.

During the last presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari defeated him to retain power.

However, mixed feelings have continued to trail Atiku’s 2023 presidential pursuit, as some believe that he has no chance while others feel he is better positioned to win.

Buhari kicks as Atiku vows to reopen all borders if elected President in 2023

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Federal Government has slammed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for saying he would reopen all Nigerian borders if elected as President of Nigeria in 2023.

Atiku had, during his campaign stop in Katsina on Tuesday, said that he would reopen all borders if elected President.

But during the 15th edition of the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’ on Thursday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the former Vice President had informed Nigerians that he would reverse all the efforts made by Buhari to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of many staples, especially rice.

According to Mohammed, by that statement, Atiku has informed the country’s millions of rice farmers that they will soon lose their jobs when imported rice floods the country.

He also said that Atiku has just informed Nigerians Atiku told hundreds of “Nigerians working in the various rice mills that have sprung up under this Administration that their jobs are over.”

He also said that Atiku would be shutting down most, “if not all, of our new fertilizer blending companies, with thousands of jobs going down the drain. And by his declaration, the former Vice President has told Nigerians that he will worsen security in the country by allowing arms and ammunition to flow unhindered into the country.

“Atiku Abubakar has simply announced that he intends to return Nigeria to the number one importer of Thai rice in 2023!

“Out of desperation, he is

ready to worsen the security situation in Nigeria by throwing open all the borders and allowing a massive inflow of small arms and light weapons into the country,” he said.

Court affirms expulsion of Kenneth Udeze from Action Alliance

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed the expulsion of Kenneth Udeze, a factional chairman of the Action Alliance, AA, from the party.

Giving the judgment at the Federal High Court 4 Abuja, Justice Zainab Abubakar, also

struck out a suit brought before the court by the said Kenneth Udeze to stop INEC to set aside the court order directing INEC to release the upload code to the party, saying that the case lacks merit.

According to the judge: “The court viewed that Kenneth is not a member of Action Alliance, hence his lack of statutes to institute any matter at all on behalf of the

party.”

Recalled that the party’s National Think Thank committee, which is the highest ruling organ of the party had since 2019 suspended and subsequently expelled Kenneth Udeze from the party.

Similarly, an Abuja Court of Appeal, in a judgment dated 11th November 2022, affirmed

the expulsion and suspension of Barrister Kenneth Udeze from the party, Action Alliance.

In his reaction, the National Chairman of AA, Dr Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, described the judgement as a welcome development and called on INEC to immediately release the code and pin to the party to upload its candidates to INEC.

Don’t sell your destiny for bags of rice – SDP’s candidate, Adebayo tells Nigerians

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has urged Nigerians to vote right in 2013.

influence their choices during the election.

Atiku Abubakar

He also said that Nigerians must think of their destiny and not allow money or bags of rice

Prince Adebayo stated this on Tuesday, 20th December 2022, during a solidarity rally organized by the party’s candidate for Oyo North Senatorial District, Hon. Mulikat Adeola, in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.

He said, “Look at your life and

ask yourself, is this the life God created me to come and live? Is this the life my children will live? Will I serve these people and my children will come and serve them too?

“Use your vote to fix your destiny, do not look at bag of rice or N2 000, so you will use your hands to repair your destiny”.

Prince Adebayo further noted that with SDP in power, hunger, poverty, unemployment and homelessness will be a thing of the past.

He urged Nigerians to punish the politicians who have stolen money meant for the people and buried it in their houses by voting them out.

Delta Boat Mishap: APC chieftain, Onowakpor condoles bereaved families

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress

(APC) Candidate for Delta South Senatorial District for the 2023 general elections, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has condoled the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate boat mishap on their way back from a campaign in Ugborodo and Okerenkoko, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Joel-Onowakpo, in a condolence

message signed by himself and made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, expressed deep sympathy with those directly affected and the APC family, urging them to take solace in the Lord.

While describing the incident as tragic and unfortunate, he said that the only thing one can do in these circumstances is to pray to God to give the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.

According to the message, “I want to sincerely express my heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones

in a boat mishap on December 20th, 2022, after the governorship campaigns at Ugborodo/Okerenkoko in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.”

“This is a tragedy! I am deeply saddened and my heart is broken by the unfortunate occurrence.”

“My heart and prayers are with the bereaved families. May God give them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable and irreparable loss.”

Two persons were confirmed dead,

three still missing, and seven others in hospital following the boat mishap involving loyal party members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress.

The incident which took place in the night was said to have happened when a commercial boat travelling in the opposite direction rammed into the boat carrying the party’s supporters, as they were returning from a rally in Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area, 20th December 2022.

Alhaji

President Muhammadu Buhari

As long as I’m alive, I’ll keep contesting for president – Atiku tells

CBN highlights security features of redesigned naira notes

By Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed the position of security features on the new series of N200, N500 and N1,000 notes.

The apex bank made this known in a document released on Wednesday.

On December 15, commercial banks began dispensing the redesigned naira notes to customers across the country.

The CBN, in a statement on its website, said the new notes were protected by a number of security features to facilitate easy recognition of genuine ones in case of counterfeiting.

It said the distinguishing features, which can be recognised by touch and visibility, are the raised print, the security thread, and the watermark.

According to the CBN, other areas such as the portrait, lettering and the denominational numerals on the obverse and reverse of the notes are embossed.

The apex bank explained that raised prints provide the tactility, while the security thread, which ordinarily looks broken but is not when held up against light, has “CBN” in small lettering printed on both sides of the notes.

The CBN said the naira notes are protected against photocopying as they contain features which are visible under ultraviolet light: for example, the serial number on each note is black but turns green under ultraviolet light.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, had said the redesigned naira notes cannot be counterfeited due to its security features.

“Let me tell you this, these notes cannot be counterfeited because of the security features in them; nobody can counterfeit them,” Emefiele had said after President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the notes.

“What you could only find will be people making photocopies of these notes. If you follow due process to check the authenticity of a currency and take them through the UV (ultraviolet) light, you will find that this currency cannot be counterfeited. The best you will find is photocopies.

“What I am trying to say is that to reduce that incidence of counterfeiting or photocopying, that is why we are saying that the CBN must now, without waiting every five to eight years, redesign and reissue these notes.

“So that those who think they can take advantage of the system by counterfeiting will know that the game is over for them.”

FG offers 7 deepwater oil blocks in new bid round

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced the commencement of the 2022 mini-bid round.

The landmark development is the first bidding round after the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

In a statement , Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer (CEO), NUPRC, said in this year’s mini-bid round, seven offshore blocks are put on offer.

He said the mini-bid round is an opportunity to spur new exploration and drilling activities in the prospective deep waters offshore Nigeria.

“The mini-bid round is the first in a series of bid rounds, aimed at further development of this prospective petroleum basin will be held in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA), with its enhanced legal and regulatory frameworks that seeks to encourage new investors and investments into

the next phase of exploration in this region,” the statement reads.

Komolafe said the mini-bid round will be managed by the NUPRC — in line with the provisions of the PIA — as the statutory body responsible for ensuring compliance with petroleum laws, regulations, and guidelines in the Nigerian upstream petroleum industry.

“The national data repository (NDR) of NUPRC and our multiclient partners are delighted and ready to support the mini-bid round underpinned by high-quality datasets,” he said.

“The blocks have extensive 2D and 3D seismic data coverage, including multi-beam and analog data. Additionally, a remarkable quality, 3D MegaSurveyPlus reprocessed Pre-stack Time Migration (completed October, 2022), with angle stacks and gathers is also available to prospective bidders. Links to all data can be accessed via the dedicated NUPRC portal.

“The mini-bid round is a market-driven programme and

will follow a transparent and competitive procurement process designed to attract competent thirdparty investors from across the world that have the capability and proficiency in operating in deepwater environment.”

Komolafe added that exercise aims to build on the last mini-bid round held in April 2007 under the old regulatory regime and offered 45 blocks.

“Historically, this mini-bid round intends to build on the successes of the last bid round that held in April 2007 during which a total of 45 blocks, drawn from the inland basins of Anambra, Benue and Chad; the Niger Delta continental shelf; onshore Niger Delta and deep offshore were put on offer. The 2007 bid round was held under a different regulatory regime (the Petroleum Act, 1969) and generated massive interest and participation with its attended revenue which made the exercise a success,” he said.

“In this year’s mini-bid round, seven (7) offshore blocks covering an

area of approximately 6,700 km2 in water depths of 1,150m to 3,100m is put on offer.

“The success of the mini-bid round will ensure all stakeholders gain value from the country’s resources, whilst paying close attention to reduction in carbon emissions, as well as overall environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.

“A dedicated programme portal (br.nuprc.gov.ng) for the minibid round has been published by NUPRC, which provides details of the bid round process, including the registration and prequalification requirements, and detailed guidelines for applicants. “

He added that a pre-conference is scheduled for January 16, 2023 to provide potential applicants with an opportunity to ask questions about the mini-bid round process and requirements.

Interested companies will then be asked to submit prequalification applications by January 31, 2023, he said.

L-R:Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, during the Minister’s of Police Affairs, briefing Nigerians on the achievement of the Ministry under the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’ anchor by the Federal Ministry of Information , held yesterday in Abuja.

FEC approves $23m for power projects in Taraba, Yobe

By Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved the sum of N3.4 billion for the restoration of power supply in Borno.

Abubakar Aliyu, minister of power disclosed this while speaking with journalists after the council’s meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister said the council approved a memorandum for the provision of alternative power supply line to Maiduguri, Borno state capital.

He noted that the region had been disconnected from the national grid for 24 months due to insurgency.

“As you are aware, Maiduguri got disconnected from the national grid due to the activities of insurgents. They have been disconnected for over 24 months,”

he said.

“About nine months ago or thereabout, we were able to supply Maiduguri through an old line which we resuscitated through the effort of the Borno state government’s rural electrification agency and the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“They resuscitated a single line of 33 KV from Damaturu, Yobe state and through that, we took a very small quantity of electricity which could only give electricity on the 11 KV line.

“So, we are now trying to supply through another new line, a double circuit 33 KV which can take up to around 40 Megawatts from the Damaturu 330 substation. This is at a cost of N3,164,293,880 plus N250,000 million for security and other logistics, a total of N3.4 billion and is awarded to SodoGuru Nigeria Limited with a completion period of three months.”

Aliyu further disclosed that $23.9 million was approved for the construction of power substations in Gaidam, Yobe state, and Zing in Taraba.

He also said the ministry got the approval for the construction of five multimillion dollars one-line power substations in Birnin Kudu, Babura, and Kazaure in Jigawa state; Nguru, Yobe; Oro, in Kwara, and a 22-kilometre transmission line passing through Birnin KuduMissau-Ningi-Azare in Jigawa and Bauchi.

Speaking also to journalists, Mu’azu Sambo, minister of transportation, said the ministry got approval for the four memos it presented.

The memos included N1.78 billion for the upgrade of a data centre for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

“The first to be approved is in respect of the award of contract

for the upgrade of the data centre of the Nigerian Ports Authority, its servers, storage, and business continuity at the cost of N1,787, 203, 792.65 inclusive of 7.5 percent value-added tax with a completion period of six months, ” the minister said.

“The second memo that was approved was for a concession of the eastern zone offshore waste reception facility, in line with international conventions and environmental laws signed by Nigeria, which require that offshore wastes generated by ships be disposed of in an organised manner in order to protect biodiversity and human beings.”

Sambo said when completed, the project would generate $25 million within 20 years.

The minister said he obtained a similar approval for the Western and Central zones of the maritime domain of Nigeria, for 10 years.

Photo-: Justin Imo-owo

Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, says its policy of cash withdrawal limit is not based on politics, contrary to insinuations.

Aisha Ahmad, the Deputy Governor, CBN, said this in Abuja on Thursday when she answered questions from lawmakers at the House of Representatives during plenary.

Mrs Ahmad, who represented the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said the policy was a sequel to critical thinking, research and other considerations.

She was responding to a question by Chinedu Obidigwe (APGA-Anambra) who wanted to know if the policy was aimed at favouring the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2023 general election.

CBN to Reps:

CBN to Reps: Cash withdrawal limit policy not intended to favour APC in 2023 elections

Mrs Ahmad said that the CBN had ordered for N500 million to be printed for circulation, adding that the bank had been flexible by reviewing the policy upward from N100,000 to N500,000 for individuals and from N500,000 to N5 million for corporate bodies.

She said that the policy was expected to create new jobs

in the ICT sector, contrary to insinuations that it would lead to job lost.

She said the operators of Point on Sales, POS, would not be affected by the policy, adding that that the CBN was aware that the POS had created a means of livelihood for about 44 million Nigerians.

Mrs Ahmad was grilled by the

lawmakers who asked questions bothering on the cash policy.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker, said the reason why the house should be briefed on such policy was that the lawmakers represented the people.

He added that although naira redesign may be a good intention, it was necessary for the apex bank to carry the lawmakers along.

Mr Gbajabiamila queried the CBN rationale for three months’ notice, when other apex banks usually gave more than a year’s notice for such policies.

“How come can we rationalise three months’ notice in a cashfull society compared to England where a year notice was given,” he said.

Senate postpones passage of 2023 budget

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the national assembly is unable to pass the 2023 appropriation bill because of some “obvious problems” in the document.

Lawan said this on the floor of the senate on Thursday.

In October, President Muhammadu Buhari presented a sum of N20.5 trillion as the budget estimate for the 2023 fiscal year to a joint session of the national assembly.

In the same month, both

chambers of the assembly passed the proposal for a second reading.

Lawan said the senate and house of representatives committees on appropriations have since begun cleaning up the document.

“We are not able to receive the report of the committee (appropriations),” he said.

“The main reason for this is that the appropriations bill came to the national assembly with some problems and when our committees on appropriations of

the senate and the house started to reconcile the figures and what was presented, the problems became very obvious.

“Therefore, our committees had to start the process of cleaning up the bill first. That process, of course, also engaged the executive arm – because the bill came from there – and that was concluded yesterday.

“Our secretariat of our committees is not able to process the budget for us either today or tomorrow, not Saturday nor

Sunday.”

The senate president said the national assembly would likely consider and pass the budget after the Christmas holidays next week.

In the 2023 budget proposed by the executive, N744,109, 468,797 was earmarked for statutory transfers while N6,557,597,611,797 was fixed for debt service.

The sum of N8,271,882,354,405 was put aside for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure while N4,934,352,745,705 was fixed for capital expenditure.

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Aishah Ahmad, deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says 500 million new naira notes have been ordered and would be printed soon.

Ahmad spoke on Thursday while being grilled by members of the house of representatives during the plenary session.

In November, President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the redesigned naira notes of N1000, N500 and N200 denominations.

Since it went into circulation on December 15, there have been complaints of insufficient quantities available at deposit money banks.

Commenting on the number of notes in circulation, the CBN deputy governor said she does not know “how much of new naira notes were printed”.

Her response caused a stir in the chamber as the lawmakers wondered why she would not be aware of the figure.

The CBN deputy governor however said she was being careful so as not to give a wrong figure.

The lawmakers also grilled Ahmad, who is representing Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, on the new cash withdrawal policy of the apex bank.

Speaking on the controversial issue, Ahmad said the newly introduced withdrawal limit was not done for political reasons.

Lai to Atiku: Your plan to reopen borders would make Nigeria top importer of Thai rice

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has criticised former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar for pledging to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president.

Atiku, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the pledge during his campaign rally in Katsina state on Tuesday.

Reacting on Thursday in Abuja, Lai said Atiku’s plan would return Nigeria to the era of “unbridled inflow of weapons and massive importation of food to the detriment” of local farmers.

The minister said Atiku’s

pledge, if implemented, would put millions of Nigerians out of jobs and destabilise the fertiliser companies and rice mills that have grown since Nigeria shut land borders in 2019.

He said the planned policy would worsen the security situation in the country and encourage an inflow of small arms and light weapons into the country.

He added that millions of rice farmers would lose their jobs when imported rice floods the country while hundreds of thousands of Nigerians working in the various rice mills established by the Muhammadu Buhari administration would be

rendered jobless.

“By that statement, Alhaji Atiku will shut down most, if not all, of our new fertiliser blending companies, with thousands of jobs going down the drain,” he said.

“Also, by his declaration, the former vice-president has told Nigerians that he will worsen security in the country by allowing arms and ammunition to flow in unhindered into the country.

“His excellency, Atiku Abubakar, may also want to know that while Nigeria was the number one export destination for rice in 2014, our country has now moved to number 79,

according to Thai authorities.

“By throwing open the borders indiscriminately as he has pledged, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has simply announced that he intends to return Nigeria to the number one importer of Thai rice in 2023!

“For sheer expediency, Alhaji Atiku, a former customs officer who rose to the pinnacle of his career, is ready to erase the gains made since 2015 in pushing Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency in the production of staples.”

The minister said Atiku’s promise is a red flag to Nigerians who have been striving “to produce what they eat and eat what they produce”.

I don’t know number of new notes printed — but 500m has been ordered

Tax & Technology: FIRS board celebrates members of management team for gobal recognitions

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami has joined members of the Board, management and staff in felicitating with two members of the FIRS management team for receiving global recognition awards in tax and technology respectively.

While Mr. Mathew Olusanya Gbonjubola, the Group Lead Special Tax Operations Group at the FIRS is listed among the World’s Top 50 Tax Persons for the year 2022, Mrs. Chiaka BenObi, the Group Lead, Digital and Innovation Support Group, FIRS emerged as winner of the 2023 ISACA Technology for Humanity Award, for championing efforts to transform Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service to a digitised organisation.

ISACA, the awarding institution is an international professional association focused on IT governance.

In a congratulatory message to the duo, Mr. Nami stated that they were deserving of these awards as it was a testament to their hard work and contributions to the successes of the Service.

“Indeed you are deserving of this wonderful achievement which is a testament to your hard work, analytical insight into tax issues, and immense contributions to the success of my administration.

“I appreciate every effort you put in to make tax administration in the country richly beneficial

to the citizens of this potentially great country.”

The Executive Chairman, FIRS further stated that the qualities of Mr. Gbonjubola and Mrs Ben-Obi were the kind needed for Nigeria’s progress and development.

He urged them to continue to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation as they worked to build a robust tax system for the country.

“I dare say that this country

is in dire need of committed and selfless people like you who are passionate about its progress and development.

“Let us continue to forge the necessary synergy that will lead to the actualisation of our collective vision of a robust tax system for the country. I strongly believe that this is the only way we can leave an indelible mark on the sand of time,” he noted.

Mr. Gbonjubola, who is a chartered accountant, is a Co-

Chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters. He has vast experience in auditing, finance and taxation with over 25 years’ experience in the FIRS.

Mrs. Chiaka Ben-Obi, who holds both Bachelors of Science in Political Science and Public Administration, as well as an MBA, oversees the departments of the FIRS saddled with the responsibility of transforming

FIRS into a digitalised organisation.

She was before her appointment as Group Lead Digital Innovation Support Group the Director of the Modernisation Department where she took on the assignment of delivering on modernisation agenda projects aimed at transforming the Service into a modern, efficient and effective tax administration agency.

Buhari receives PSC audited report, assures of improved police welfare

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday restated his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, this is necessary for effective policing by the force.

The President stated this in Abuja, as he received the 2021 audited report and 2023 budget proposal of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

According to him, “this administration has made the welfare of police officers and men a priority and police reforms a sacred duty.

“I particularly note that accommodation for police officers and men is very critical and this administration has made the welfare of police officers and

men, and indeed, the armed forces a top priority,” he said.

To underscore the importance of quality welfare in effective service delivery, the President declared:

“I know that when officers and men are posted on duty or assignments and they know that their families live in barracks with facilities, schools, clinics and a conducive living environment, their morale is boosted and they would discharge their duties with courage and efficiency.

“I am pretty aware of the problems and challenges confronting the Nigeria Police Force and the Armed Forces.

“The problem is relative to time and resources and this administration has done a lot with the limitations.”

While assuring the Acting Chairman that their requests

would be considered, President Buhari said that dwindling resources arising from fall in crude oil price and local production posed a major challenge which the present administration had to contend with.

Presenting the 2021 audited report and the 2023 budget proposal to the President, Acting Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC (Rtd), expressed her delight at performing the statutory function of presenting the report, in accordance with Section 17 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act 2001.

The Acting Chairman stated that upon inauguration, the present Management made it a point of duty to keep the President abreast of happenings in the Commission:

“Upon the inauguration of the present Management on the 28th July, 2018, we made it a duty to keep you abreast with the progress, problems and challenges of the Commission through this procedure. This is the 5th in the series.”

Hon. Justice Ogunbiyi commended the administration of President Buhari for always upholding the rule of law, noting that “as members of the Management Team of the Commission, we have no other alternative than to guard this mandate jealously as expressed by the framers of the Constitution. Thus, the Commission has been consistent in ensuring that disciplinary sanctions are meted out to erring Police Officers; making sure officers are promoted as at when due, taking into consideration

available vacancies and seniority ; and ensuring that proper and fit persons are recruited into the Nigerian Police Force.”

The Retired Justice ,while lamenting that inadequate funding had continued to hamper its activities, requested that the Commission’s budget be placed among the first line charge in budget allocation, as that will allow the Commission to be more effective.

She also expressed appreciation to the President for the prompt release of funds towards the completion of its headquarters and requested for a convenient to perform the commissioning.

The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammadu M. Dingyadi led members of the Commission to the presentation.

METRO

Abuja water theft: Board begins massive disconnection of illegal connections

By Stanley Onyekwere

In a bid to save about N400 million loses from illegal connections to Abuja water supply facility, the FCT Water Board has embarked on disconnection of all such connections.

Making this disclosure yesterday, the Board’s General

Manager, Engr. Tauheed Amusan, lamented that while huge amount of money was being spent on maintaining all major sources of water supply, including the lower Usuma Dam and trunk lines, certain individuals and organisations have continued to break its pipes and engaging in illegal connections.

Amusan also noted that the

Lower Usuma Dam, which is the major sources of water supply in Abuja, has the capacity to generate 20,000 cubic litre of water per hour, but only about 15,000 to 16,000 cubic litres are being pushed out.

He said regardless the efforts that government make to subsidize water supply, there are individuals and organizations that do not want

to pay.

“ One of the challenges we have, is a lot of illegal connections in our trunk loops. Abuja’s water system designed to deliver treated water through the tanks, but we have a situation where some people are connected to the trunks before it gets to the tanks.

“ And this compromise what

we have in the tank. We are gradually disconnecting these illegal connections. When we do that the tanks will be better and we will be able to deliver water to various destinations.

“ There are also the challenges of leakages, vandalization and many more”, he added.

Trouble looms in Karu market over ‘planned’ protest

By Stanley Onyekwere

There are indications that some shop owners in Karu market are planning a massive protest against AMAC officials and market unions, over alleged connivance to make the market unconducive for business.

It was gathered that crisis was averted on Wednesday when the unions and AMAC officials tried to collect N2,000 security and sanitation levy from shop owners.

Also, observations showed that the road leading to Jikwoyi and other parts of the satellite town was completely blocked, causing heavy discomfort to the motoring public as traders have started season sales on the road.

The car park under construction was also wholly taken over by umbrella shops, making it difficult for buyers to access the market for purchases.

When asked, one of the traders who refused to give her name for obvious reasons said the AMAC officials and the market unions allocated those spaces

to the traders for ‘ season sales ‘ for the sum of N1,000 each, and that the illegal allocation would be valid till January.

She hinted that shop owners are planning a demo station to notify the FCT Minister and the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, owners and operators of the market.

According to her, the purported planed peaceful protest would visit the FCT Minister’s office before proceeding to AMAC chairman’s office.

On the reason for the tension on Wednesday, one Danjuma Dodo, a shop owner said the illegal allocation made trading difficult and has cut off their customers as they can’t access their shops, but simply buy on the road and go back, yet the same people who caused them this pain are demanding N2,000 from them for security and sanitation.

He said they are ready to fight to restore sanity and pleasant business environment in the market, adding that they will not pay that money till the illegal

allocations are stopped.

Recall that in February this year, the SSA to the FCT Minister

on Monitoring, Enforcement and Evaluation, Ikharo Attah led his enforcement team and removed

all infractions in the market and opened up space for the developers to commence work.

Guzape: Demolition of illegal structures not targeted at natives - FCTA

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Administration has declared that the ongoing demolition of illegal structures at Guzape and other parts of the Territory are not targeted at the Abuja natives.

Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah, made the clarification while answering question from newsmen, at the scene of the demolition, yesterday in Abuja.

Attah, who explained that the exercise was target at removing squatters’ settlements and illegal structures built on a land demarcated for school, said most of them were built on flood plains and swampy area.

He noted that the FCT Minister,

Malam Muhammad Bello has strong love and regards for the 17 Graded Chiefs and all the original inhabitants or natives of the nation’s capital.

According to him, “It is false and misleading for anybody to think or insinuates that the ongoing demolition of illegal structures at Kpaduma II village in Guzape and other part of the FCT is target at the Abuja natives.

“ The Abuja natives are very peace loving people and the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has strong love for the Abuja natives. If you observed the minister and the 17 graded FCT Chiefs are very close. From the Ona of Abaji to the Sapeyi of Garki and several others are all very close to him.

“ Therefore, the efforts of the

FCT Administration in trying to rid the territory of environmental nuisances and illegality is not and never target at the Abuja natives”.

Attah said most of the people that were affected by the exercise are those who bought land from the natives.

He said: “And that is the irony. Take a look at all of these places is not an area for the natives. If it were the native houses you will have seen them gathered because they will have nowhere to go.

“ But up there you could see the village and it is not touch because the villagers have right to resettlement and compensation.

“ So, the minister has ask us to remove all the squatters who bought land from the natives in contravention of the law, while the natives have to be respected and

be allow for possible reintegration and resettlement depending on what the FCT Administration intend to do.”

On his part, Kaka Bello, the Head of Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), also said that the area was earmarked for school but some people decided to defiled the plan on the land and allocated it for illegal commercial activities.

“ If you look around you will see a timber shade, you can see blocks making factories and you can see bamboo sale spots there. All these illegal commercial activities are not supposed to be here.

“ And that is why we are here to remove all these illegalities to ensure that the proper lan use designated as a school can be in place,” Bello said.

Reacting to the demolition, one of the occupants of the affected structures, Mr Matthew Igba, appealed to the FCT Administration to ensure constructive engagement with the people when embarking on such exercise.

He alleged that the structure were he was living with his family was not marked for demolition, “ but we only see bulldozers coming to demolish our structures.

Also, James Ibekwe, who sales building materials, said “everything that has happened has happened. This is where we do our business and get out daily income.

“ All of a sudden we just see something like this. The FCT Administration only give us three days notice and before we know what is happening our business place is gone”.

R-L; The Representative of the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen Ahmed Tijani Jibrin, the National Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril (Rtd), undergoing medical checkup from the medical personnel during the Nigerian Legion Humanitarian Armed Forces Remembrance day celebration, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

world news

Ukraine war: Zelensky urges US to help it defeat Russia

Ukraine is “alive and kicking” and will never surrender, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, in a defiant address to US lawmakers on his first foreign trip since Russia’s invasion.

US military aid to Ukraine was not charity, but an investment in security for the future, Mr Zelensky said.

His appeal comes amid signs US support is likely to face greater scrutiny by Republican lawmakers in Congress.

But President Joe Biden vowed to stick by Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.

Mr Biden pledged a new $2bn (£1.7bn) aid package and promised another $45bn.

At a joint news conference, Mr Biden told reporters he was “not at all worried” about holding the international coalition together.

Zelensky makes his pitch - will US sceptics buy it?

Fact file: Patriot missile defence

Amid concerns that some allies may be feeling the strain of the conflict’s cost and disruption to global food and energy supplies, the US president said he felt “very good” about the solidarity of support for Ukraine.

As Ukraine’s most important ally, the US has already committed $50bn (£41bn) of humanitarian, financial and security assistance - far more than any other country.

Mr Zelensky - wearing his trademark combat-green sweatshirt and bootsexpressed hope that Congress would pass an extra $45bn in aid to Ukraine - currently before the US Senate - to “help us to defend our values and independence”.

Republicans - who will take control of the House of Representatives in January

- have warned they will not write a “blank cheque” for Ukraine.

In fact, Republican support for continued assistance has been eroding. In a survey conducted in November, just over half of Republican voters supported aid to Ukraine - down from 80% in March.

But Mr Zelensky, who travelled on a US Air Force jet from the Polish city of Rzeszow, said that “regardless of changes in the Congress”, he believed there would be bipartisan support for his country.

And he made his plea in emotive terms before a joint session of Congress - a speech that was interrupted 18 times with standing ovations by nearly all members of Congress, with the exception

of some Republican lawmakers who did not clap.

Speaking in English, he told them his country was still standing “against all odds” and predicted “a turning point” in the conflict next year.

To illustrate the brutality of the war, Mr Zelensky evoked US troops fighting the Nazis during World War Two.

“The Russians’ tactic is primitive. They burn down and destroy everything they see. They sent convicts to the front lines, to the war. They threw everything against us, similar to the other tyranny, which in the Battle of the Bulge threw everything it had against the free world.

“Just like the brave American soldiers who held their lines and fought back

Hitler’s forces during the Christmas of 1944, brave Ukrainian soldiers are doing the same to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s forces this Christmas,” he said. “Ukraine holds its lines and will never surrender.”

Concluding his speech, Mr Zelensky presented Congress with a battle flag signed by the defenders of Bakhmut, a frontline city in the east of Ukraine that he visited on the eve of his Washington trip.

The package of security assistance announced by Washington on Wednesday includes a new Patriot missile system, which is expected to help Ukraine protect its cities from missiles and drones that Russia has fired at critical facilities.

Russia-Ukraine war: Top official Rogozin wounded in Ukrainian

ARussian former deputy prime minister has been injured after shelling hit a hotel in a Russiancontrolled area of eastern Ukraine, reports say.

Dmitry Rogozin, who also once led the space agency, said he was hit above the shoulder blade.

Another person is said to have been killed in the attack on the outskirts of Donetsk city.

Vitaly Khotsenko, who heads Russia’s proxy Donetsk People’s Republic, was also reportedly wounded.

Mr Rogozin is widely known for his anti-Western rhetoric and his support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He was replaced as Roscosmos space agency chief in the summer, following suggestions that the Kremlin would give him a key role in Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine. Instead he appears to lead a volunteer unit called Tsar’s Wolves that provides support to Russia’s proxy forces in the east.

He turned 59 on Wednesday but denied reports that he was celebrating

his birthday at the local Shesh-Besh hotel, adding someone had leaked details of where he was ahead of the attack.

“It was a business meeting with a close circle of associates after returning from one of the volunteer units,” he posted on social media on Thursday. “We’ve been staying in this hotel all these months and in eight years the enemy never shelled this place.”

An aide told Russian media the hotel had been targeted by precision-guided munitions, probably fired by a Frenchmade howitzer.

Donetsk has been controlled by Russia’s proxy authorities since 2014, who have repeatedly accused Ukrainian forces of targeting the city.

Although Russian forces have seized areas of the Donetsk region further south since the invasion began in February, they have struggled to push the Ukrainian army back from the outskirts of the city itself.

Source: BBC

President Zelensky’s US visit in 90 seconds

Dmitry Rogozin who lost his job as head of Russia’s space agency in July is known for his anti-Western rhetoric

Gambia navy officer behind failed coup bid - government

Anavy officer has been named by The Gambia’s government as the alleged ringleader of a failed coup plot.

Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera had been detained, along with three other officers - from the navy, presidential guard battalion and military police, a government statement said.

A retired military officer said he doubted the plot was serious, as all the officers were junior.

Loyalist troops were still searching for three alleged accomplices.

The Gambia is a largely stable country in West Africa which is popular with holidaymakers because of its beaches and wildlife.

Life has continued as normal in the capital, Banjul, since the government said on Wednesday that it had foiled a coup plot the previous day.

The West African regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), condemned the attempted coup, and said it “stands firmly” by President Adama Barrow’s government.

Meanwhile, the campaign manager of the main opposition party, Momodou Sabally, has been detained by police over a widely circulated TikTok video which suggests that Mr Barrow would be unseated before next year’s local government elections.

The police statement did not link Mr Sabally, who was a presidential affairs minister in former leader Yahya Jammeh’s regime, to the alleged coup plot.

Mr Sabally’s United Democratic Party (UDP) demanded his immediate release, saying the “short edited” video did not accurately reflect his views.

“There is no indication that Mr Sabally in any way stated or suggested that there will be a change of government through any unlawful or illegal means,” it added in a statement.

Mr Barrow defeated Mr Jammeh, who ruled for 22 years, in a shock election victory in December 2016, and won a

Nairobi foots detained patients’ bills for Christmas

In Kenya the governor of Nairobi has directed all state-run hospitals to release any patients who are being held because of unpaid bills.

It is common practice for hospitals there to refuse to discharge patients until all medical fees have been paid.

Johnson Sakaja said the county government would foot the bills and described the waiver as a Christmas gift so that people could celebrate with their families.

Kenyans routinely complain that private and government-run hospitals charge exorbitant fees, which mean many are unable to seek treatment.

second term last year.

Mr Jammeh was forced into exile in Equatorial Guinea, though he remains an influential figure in The Gambia, one of Africa’s smallest countries.

Many senior officers left the army after Mr Barrow took office.

He has been distrustful of the military, with troops from neighbouring Senegal in charge of his personal security, while the

main international airport and sea port are guarded by troops from Nigeria and Ghana respectively.

This has made him unpopular with many Gambians, who feel that he has undermined the country’s sovereignty by relying on foreign forces.

Mr Barrow also became unpopular after he broke away from the UDP, which propelled him to power in 2016, and

formed the National People’s Party (NPP) to contest last year’s election.

His popularity plummeted further when he announced that he had formed an alliance with Mr Jammeh’s old party, in what was seen as an attempt to boost his chances of securing a second term.

On the other hand, some of Mr Jammeh’s allies, like Mr Sabally, crossed over to the UDP.

UN eases DR Congo arms embargo

The UN Security Council has eased a weapons embargo on the Democratic Republic of Congo in a move which could help the army to fight rebel groups.

Countries are no longer required to notify the Security Council of arms sales to the government.

Cameroon reporter

After being in detention for more than six years and his trial inexplicably adjourned more than 100 times, the former head of Cameroon’s public broadcaster has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Amadou Vamoulké was convicted by a court in the capital, Yaoundé, of embezzling money and awarding staff salary bonuses without authorisation.

The 73-year-old denied any wrongdoing.

His trial was widely criticised by human rights groups.

Vamoulké was arrested under Operation Sparrowhawk, which critics say has been used by President Paul Biya’s government to lock up people seen as problematic.

Vamoulké is known to have drastically cut his own salary when he took up the job at the public broadcaster.

A lawyer who represented him at the beginning of the trial, Alice Nkom, said the whole case was political and illegal.

An embargo was first imposed after the end of a civil war in 2003.

The government had been complaining that the restrictions were hampering its fight against rebels including the M23 group

It welcomed the decision, saying it corrected an “injustice”.

The UN has also extended the mandate of its peacekeeping force in eastern DR Congo for one year.

In July there were deadly protests against the UN force which has faced criticism for not doing enough to protect civilians from rebel attacks.

detained since 2016 jailed for 12 years

The Gambia is known to many outside the country as an ideal beach holiday location

The 73-year-old was arrested in July 2016 and denies any wrongdoing

N ews F rom A s IA

Afghanistan: Taliban arrest women protesting against

The Taliban have arrested five women taking part in a protest in the Afghan capital, Kabul, against the ban on attending women universities.

Three journalists were also arrested. Protests are also understood to have taken place in the Takhar province.

Guards stopped hundreds of women from entering universities on Wednesday - a day after the ban was announced.

It is the latest policy restricting women’s education since the Taliban returned to power last year.

Girls have already been excluded from secondary schools.

The new ban was implemented with immediate effect by the higher education minister on Tuesday, with public and private universities ordered to bar women from attending.

The education ministry said its scholars had evaluated the university curriculum and environment, and attendance for girls would be suspended “until a suitable environment” was provided.

Footage shared on social media on Thursday showed around two dozen Afghan women dressed in hijabs marching through the streets of Kabul, raising banners and shouting slogans.

The group had initially planned to gather in front of Kabul University, the country’s largest and most prestigious educational institution, but changed location after the authorities deployed a large number of security personnel there.

A protester at the rally said “some of the girls” had been arrested by women police

officers. Two were released, but several remained in custody, she added.

Some men have responded

with acts of civil disobedience in solidarity with the protesters.

Around 50 male university professors at public and private

institutions have resigned their positions while some male students have reportedly refused to sit their exams.

Coronavirus: China’s hospitals seem to be filling up - WHO

Hospitals in China appear to be filling up amid concerns about a fresh Covid-19 wave hitting the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

Dr Michael Ryan says intensive care units (ICU) are busy despite officials saying numbers are “relatively low”.

China figures show no-one died of Covid on Wednesday but there is scepticism about the disease’s real impact.

In recent days hospitals in Beijing and other cities have been filling up as the latest Covid surge hits China.

Since 2020, China has imposed strict health restrictions as part of its zero Covid policy.

But, the government ended most of those measures two weeks ago after landmark protests against the strict controls.

The number of cases has since soared, raising fears of a high mortality rate among the elderly,

who are particularly vulnerable.

Despite the rise, the official figures show only five people died from Covid on Tuesday and two on Monday.

‘Everyone I know is getting a fever’ - Covid hits China

It has led to WHO emergencies chief Dr Ryan urging China to provide more information about the latest spread of the virus.

He said: “In China, what’s been reported is relatively low numbers of cases in ICUs, but anecdotally ICUs are filling up.

“We’ve been saying this for weeks that this highly infectious virus was always going to be very hard to stop completely, with just public health and social measures.”

Speaking during a weekly news conference in Geneva WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he is “very concerned over the evolving situation in China”.

He appealed for specific data on disease severity, hospital

admissions and intensive care requirements.

Dr Ryan added that “vaccination is the exit strategy” to coronavirus outbreaks.

China has developed and produced its own vaccines,

which have been shown to be less effective at protecting people against serious Covid illness and death than the mRNA vaccines used in much of the rest of the world.

His comments come as the

German

Covid-19: Indians told to mask up amid China coronavirus surge

India’s health minister has called for a return to Covidappropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in public, as the country steps up surveillance of cases.

Top health officials have also asked people to get vaccinated and take booster doses.

India had relaxed its maskwearing rules earlier this year after a drop in infection levels.

But a surge in cases in neighbouring China has put the country on alert.

Over the past few months, India reported four Covid-19 cases caused by BF.7, the

Omicron

The cases - three in Gujarat state and one in Odisha - were detected in July, September and November and the patients have recovered, health officials have said.

According to government data, India currently has only around 3,400 active coronavirus cases, but reports of the surge in China have created a sense of fear among many people.

Several experts have said that India - which witnessed two deadly waves of Covid in 2020 and 2021 - does not have reason

to panic.

On Thursday, India’s health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in parliament that though cases in China were rising, those in India were “depleting”. He added that the ministry was closely monitoring new variants and advised states to increase genome sequencing.

Earlier this week, the federal government had asked states to send samples of all Covid positive patients to labs runs by a health ministry forum which monitors various strains of Covid in India.

Mr Mandaviya also asked states to encourage people to

follow social distancing and other rules during the upcoming festive season.

Officials have now started conducting random Covid-19 tests on international passengers at airports .

India had relaxed air travel guidelines in November, making it optional - “though preferable” - for passengers to wear masks on flights and for international passengers to be fully vaccinated. There has been no official announcement about a change in air travel guidelines yet.

On Wednesday, Mr Mandaviya had chaired a high-

level meeting with health officials to review the Covid situation in the country and appealed to people wear masks, maintain social distancing, wash hands frequently and get vaccinated.

Over 2.2 billion Covid vaccine doses have been administered so far in the country, but only 27% of the population have taken the booster dose - which India calls a “precaution dose” - so far.

Chief ministers of several states have been reviewing their preparedness to deal with infections if needed.

government announced on Wednesday it had sent its first batch of BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines to China.

President of China Xi Jinping welcomed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

subvariant linked to a spike in cases in China.

Female university students were stopped by Taliban security personnel in Kabul on Wednesday

China reported coronavirus-linked five deaths on Tuesday as Covid-19 cases spread

Environment

COP15: High stakes in Montreal as negotiators seek new global biodiversity framework

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened for its resumed Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15),yesterday in Montreal, Canada, and to close on Monday, 19. Negotiators will be working to clinch a new global biodiversity framework (GBF) that will set a series of goals and underlying targets for a “nature-positive future.”

The previous set of goals and targets that have guided international biodiversity conservation efforts in recent years, the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi Targets, expired in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic stymying plans to already have a GBF ready to take their place.

The first part of the CBD COP15 took place in Kunming, China, and online last year. While China is the meeting’s host, travel restrictions and other challenges related to the pandemic led to the resumed COP15 venue being moved to Montreal, where the CBD secretariat is located.

Discussions in Montreal are numerous and include issues related to addressing environmentally harmful subsidies; the final shape of the 30×30 target; the signals that COP15 sends for scaling up naturebased solutions, including naturebased infrastructure; the linkages between nature-based solutions finance and climate finance; and how the results of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties (COP27) can inform the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), remarked: “We need a ‘Paris Moment’ in Montreal. Similar to the legally binding global climate agreement to hold global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and aim for 1.5 degree Celsius, governments gathering at the world nature summit COP15 in Canada need to set a limit to nature destruction. To safeguard our life-support system on Earth, we need to halt nature loss to zero, which means protecting all remaining intact nature. Only if we protect and regenerate Earth’s nature, we can really protect Earth’s climate.”

“This is potentially an historic moment for biodiversity,” said Andrew Gonzalez, a professor in the biology department at McGill University in Montreal and founding director of the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science.

He added: “The rate of global change in nature during the past 50 years is unprecedented in human history,” the report said, pointing to five key drivers: land- and seause changes, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, and invasions of alien species.

Environmental crisis: Nigeria seeks UN interventions on GGW, HYPREP issues

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the United Nations (UN) to assist in addressing Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and Great Green Wall issues (GGW) to enable restoration of lost lands in the country.

Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, said this while receiving the Deputy Secretary-General of UN, Amina Mohammed, on courtesy visit, in Abuja, recently.

Abdullahi said that the ministry was committed to ensuring that the two major projects were implemented effectively, adding that the UN’s intervention would boost the ministry’s efforts.

“There are two important projects which we will need more of your support, the HYPREP and GGW. We are doing our best to ensure that it’s working greatly.

We have the team for the HYPREP. We are doing our best to make sure that the structure put in place is maintained to ensure checks and balances for good governance and transparency.

“This is what we are doing and we hope we will get robust support from you.

“You have always been there for us and we still have hope that you will continue to give us your full support,” he said.

Responding, Mohammed said that the UN would give its best to support in restoring the loss lands.

“So, it’s really important that we put in place the teams that will help us to look at those programmes and to see that GGW issues is properly addressed.

She said the GGW project was an economic corridor, which would offer empowerment to both youth and women, if properly addressed in the country.

According to her, the GGW project will really empower our people, but at the same time, it is able to give less reason for people to destabilise countries when they get involved in conflicts of different types.

“So again, we are at your disposal; the UN will support any efforts that you want with the GGW, particularly the wetlands,” she said.

Mohammed, however, advised agencies, parastaltals and other relevant stakeholders to support the ministry in ensuring that the environmental programmes were implemented effectively.

She thanked the minister

for his strong leadership and commitment in ensuring that environmental crisis were being tackled as well as ensuring that Paris Agreement was achieved effectively.

HYPREP was established in 2012 under the Federal Ministry of Environment to achieve the under listed objectives in Ogoniland and other impacted communities:

“To determine the scope, means and modalities of remediation of soil and ground water contamination in impacted communities as may be recommended by HYPREP Governing Council and remedy them, “Enhance local capacity for better environmental management and promote awareness of sound environmental management as

well as ensure livelihoods and sustainable development, and “Ensure security and promote peace building efforts in impacted communities as well as strengthen governance, transparency and accountability in the region.”

The Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative, launched in 2007 by the African Union, aims to restore the continent’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in the Sahel.

Its ambition is to restore 100 million hectares of currently degraded land, sequester 250 million tonnes of carbon, and create 10 million green jobs by 2030.

In Nigeria, the GGW Initiative also seeks to recover degraded land, preserve ecosystems, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities.

PILIWA launched in Nigerian

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Lawyers, civil society, and media executives converged to Benin, the Edo state capital recently for the launch of the Public Interest Lawyering Initiative for West Africa (PILIWA) Nigeria chapter.

The initiative which was founded in 2016 has a membership that cuts across nine West African countries including Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Niger, among others, and supports young lawyers interested in public interest cases technically, financially, and intellectually.

A member of PILIWA and Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN), Chima Williams said that public interest lawyering is a special area for legal practitioners

with passion for public good.

Williams explained that the PILIWA was particularly interested in Nigerian lawyers because of the peculiarity of environmental and human rights abuses perpetrated by big corporations aided by the state in all parts of the country where natural resources are found.

On the Nigeria launch of the PILIWA initiative, the ERA/FoEN boss said a desk office will be set up in Benin which will receive an endowment of N250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand naira only).

The initiative will equally train young lawyers and imbue them with the relevant knowledge on sources of evidence, how to gather evidence and how to present it before a court of competent jurisdiction.

In his intervention, Jonathan Kaufman, Executive Director of

the Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) said that he owes his association with legal work and particularly public interest cases with his experience as a young lawyer, when he was conscripted into the cases filed by families associated with the Ken Saro Wiwa case as well as victims of the Parabe Oil Platform case caused by Chevron in Ondo State.

The two cases, Kaufman pointed out, encouraged him to reach out to and start associating with local lawyers that are classified as stubborn because of their quest for justice.

He revealed that many legal cases suffer because of information gathering deficit, financial constraints, and lack of thoroughness in terms of minute details. Sometimes lawyers are not able to obtain cross border information that their peers may

be able to obtain and pass onto them if a platform for cooperation exists.

He said that the PILIWA platform will bridge the identified gaps to help public interest lawyers secure what they need to push and win unconventional cases.

The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of zonal coordinators for the PILIWA in Nigeria. The nominated coordinators of the South-South, South-east and North Central Zones are Courage Nsirimovu, Kalu Emmanuel Chisom and Redzie D. Jugo respectively. The coordinators for the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest will be announced later.

Participants were drawn from the legal profession in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, Imo, Enugu, Niger and Kogi states, among others.

Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi (right), with Deputy Secretary-General of UN, Amina Mohammed, in Abuja Recently.

Feature

Fleeing China’s Covid lockdowns for the US - through a Central American jungle

China may be easing some of its severe anti-Covid restrictions but its draconian pandemic policies have driven many citizens to seek a better future elsewhere - whatever the risks in getting there.

Three days into their trek through a Central American rainforest, some 9,300 miles (15,000 kilometres) away from home, the Sun family threw away their camping gear to lighten the load, thinking they would be out by nightfall.

Instead, they were stranded in the jungle by heavy rain.

That night, Sun Jincai, his wife and three children - aged six, nine and 11- squeezed into a small tent they found on the trail, likely discarded by other migrants, like themselves, while trying their best to ignore the cold water seeping through the thin fabric.

“Luckily none of us got sick,” said Mr Sun.

It was just one of many perilous steps on their journey from China to the US.

Mr Sun, 34, his wife and youngest child used to spend the better part of a year living on the coast of China, where jobs were abundant.

The other two children lived with their grandparents about 400 miles away in Jiangxi, a landlocked province in China’s east, as it was hard to enrol in school outside their hometown.

But as the Chinese economy lost momentum amid tough Covid-19 restrictions and a growing tide of authoritarianism gripped the country, Mr Sun began searching for ways for the family to leave the country together.

“China is going backwards,” said Mr Sun. “My wife and I want a better future for the kids.”

The US seemed out of reach until earlier this year, when Mr Sun came across a young woman who shared details of her journey on WeChat, a Chinese messaging platform. She said she hiked through rainforests in Central America, then up north across the 2,000-mile US-Mexico border. “If she can do it, why can’t we?” Mr Sun thought.

So in August, he boarded a plane to Ecuador with his family and set out on one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world - one that more and more Chinese are taking.

Mr Sun’s journey would require a multi-day trek through the Darien Gap, a 60-mile stretch of dense, road-less rainforests connecting the north-western tip of Colombia to Central America, with waist-deep rivers to ford and steep slopes to climb.

Along the way, many migrants face attacks by armed bandits and drug cartels.

Yet, propelled by economic hardship and regional conflicts, over 200,000 people from around the world have crossed the Darien since January.

Most are from South America, with others hailing from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia.

The ‘walking route’ north Migrants from China remain a smaller group but their presence is growing. According to the Panamanian government, at least 1,300 people from China crossed the Darién in 2022, nearly three times more than in the previous decade. This has contributed to the record number of people eventually arriving at the US southern border.

Though a well-known route to many, the path had been virtually unknown to Chinese people until last year, when a handful of posts describing the trek began popping up on social media.

Then, when the lockdown of Shanghai began in April this year, online searches for “run”a euphemism for emigrationskyrocketed in China. Many saw the country’s draconian pandemic policy as the driving force.

Most online discussions centred on obtaining foreign residency through education and investment. But those like the Sun family, who did not have the means to emigrate legally, are forced to take riskier journeys.

The Darien Gap route that they took is known as zouxian which roughly translates to “walking route”.

A search for zouxian returns thousands of posts on Twitter, YouTube, and Chinese apps such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu.

Some Chinese migrants formed chat groups on Telegram to bypass censorship on WeChat.

Those who had completed this journey to the US shared meticulous tips, including places to exchange money, how to avoid immigration enforcement, and how to pack light for the rainforest.

“Always be meticulous with planning your hotel bookings and return flights,” advises one traveller.

“You don’t need to pack your whole house,” says another post, with a photo of a rucksack. “If they can survive with this, so can you.”

The recent popularity of zouxian attests to the mounting desperation for some migrants to leave China, said Alexis Zhou, a freelance researcher who writes about Chinese migration in North America. Since the pandemic, it’s been very difficult for an average Chinese person to obtain a visa from Mexico or Central American countries, she said.

“Zouxian may well be the only way for them to reach the United States.”

On the road

As they set out on their trip around the world, Mr Sun, like the compatriots he had found on social media, began by documenting the journey with a photo of his family’s passports and boarding passes on Twitter.

“Finally, our family made it out,” he wrote in Chinese, “Wish

me luck.”

Over the course of weeks on the road, he posted updates. His children bound down a marble staircase at Macau’s international airport. The family then made a brief stop in Taipei before flying to Thailand and from there to Turkey, where Mr Sun captured a seaport draped in the rosy glow of sunset.

They eventually landed in Quito, Ecuador - one of the only countries on the American continents that does not require a visa for Chinese visitors - where they took in the sights before embarking on the most dangerous part of the trip.

The clips take a more serious turn as the family head into the Darién Gap on a boat ride with other migrants from all over the world before sitting in a wagon drawn by a mule. From there, they headed into the roadless rainforest.

At one point a fellow migrant is seen holding the hand of Mr Sun’s six-year-old son as their group treks through muddy trails in the forest. In another, Mr Sun comforts his children after they are detained by Mexican authorities.

But the most treacherous parts were often not captured by the camera. While wading through a deep river in the jungle, Mr Sun’s wife was swept off her feet by the rapid currents.

She would almost certainly have lost her life if not for three South American migrants who rushed to her rescue, Mr Sun said.

Because of the language barrier, the Chinese and the South Americans didn’t talk much, he said. “But we were all in this together.”

His family eventually made it to California, where Mr Sun found a job working in a warehouse through networks of Chinese diaspora. The whole trip from China to the US took three months, he said.

‘In China, I don’t see hope’ It took Wentao, 30, three

weeks to pack up his life in eastern China, where he had worked odd jobs like teaching martial arts and fixing computers.

As with Mr Sun, China’s zero-Covid policy and tightening political control meant he saw no future there for himself. For fear of retribution for his family back home, he only gave his first name for this story.

Wentao said he made up his mind to leave when China abolished the presidential term limit, clearing the way for Xi Jinping to rule the country indefinitely. In October, Mr Xi secured a third term.

Under Mr Xi, Beijing has

tightened control over the economy, rolling out strict regulations over the private sector. He has also instituted a hard-line Covid policy that meant some could not leave their neighbourhood or sometimes even their apartment building.

In November, protests broke out in many Chinese cities, with some calling for Mr Xi’s removal from office. Beijing responded by relaxing some of the most unpopular measures.

But many like Wentao are worried that if the authoritarian trend continues, the economic growth that has driven the country forward would no longer hold.BBC

The Sun family in the rainforest

The Darien Gap has become a popular route for migrants around the world trying to enter the US

Image source, Sun Jincai

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2025 AFCON: if Morocco becomes an obstacle, we’ll crush them –Peseiro

Super Eagles Head coach Jose Peseiro has vowed to “crush” any team that will stand in the way of the Super Eagles as they prepare to go all the way and win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON title

Giving credit to Morocco, the Portuguese tactician agreed that Morocco has put football in Africa on a higher pedestal; but he still insists that Morocco will be crushed should they pose an opposition to his team.

“Morocco’s performance as the World Cup shows African football has come of age and many teams especially from the rest of the world will now show more respect to teams from the continent,” Peseiro told the Media.

“On our part, the aim still remains to win the next AFCON and we are ready to beat any team that comes our way.”

“That’s the target and it remains the same,” he added.

The gaffer further stated that he’s got his tactics, which will be transmitted to the players, and when the transmission is finally over with everybody understanding each other, even Argentina will not stop them.

Peseiro was in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup which ended on Sunday to understudy teams and their tactics.

I don’t wear masks to scare defenders - Osimhen

Amid speculations that Osimhen has stuck to his facial masks because he thinks defenders will be more scared of his abilities, the Super Eagles striker has come out to debunk the rumours.

Osimhen has explained that he is still wearing the mask because it protects his face and he feels comfortable with it.

“The injury was heavy, that was the reason for the operation and the long period in which I was out,” Osimhen said as per Napoli Magazine.

“I really don’t think about removing the mask for now. The mental aspect has nothing to do with it. The mask is physical protection and I wear it I keep it. It’s not a superstitious thing, I’m more relaxed like this.

“I protect my face better by wearing it and I don’.

Osimhen has been wearing a face protection since he had injury in November 2021

Ahmed Musa unveils ultra-modern sports complex in Kaduna

Super Eagles captain and Nigerian star, Ahmed Musa, shared a video of the imposing, ultra-modern sports complex that he built and which was unveiled in Kaduna State.

On account of how frequently he has given back to society, the 30-yearold has managed to capture the hearts of many people in Nigeria and all across the world. The latest facility is situated in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria, in the Old Kamazo, Janruwa Layout, along the Yakowa motorway.

In the video of the complex that the former Leicester City forward shared on Twitter, courts for badminton court, volleyball, lawn tennis, squash court, and a football field can all be seen with an embedded gymnasium to complete the top-of-theline facilities.

Musa is a forward and left winger for the Nigerian national team as well as Sivasspor in the Turkish

Super Lig. He is one of only three Nigerian centurions crossing the 100-cap mark, having played in 107 games

so far, scoring 16 goals, and helping the Super Eagles to lifting the Africa Cup of Nations.

Messi wins World Sport Star of the Year after World Cup triumph

Argentina’s World Cupwinning captain Lionel Messi has been named BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year for 2022.

Messi, 35, led Argentina to their first World Cup triumph in 36 years in Qatar on Sunday

The Paris St-Germain forward won the tournament’s Golden Ball - awarded to the best player - after scoring seven goals at his fifth World Cup.

The former Barcelona star is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest footballers of alltime.

Messi scored twice in the World Cup final and also converted a penalty in the shootout as Argentina beat holders France 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw.

It meant he added football’s biggest prize to a list of trophies that includes seven Ballons d’Or titles - awarded to the best footballer each year - four Champions Leagues, one Copa America, 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona and a Ligue 1 crown with PSG.

In addition, he has scored a staggering 793 goals in his career.

“It’s everyone’s dream when they’re little. I’ve been lucky enough to achieve everything and what I was missing, I found here,” Messi said after lifting the World Cup on Sunday.

With Paris St-Germain, Messi won a first French title in April and since the 2022-23 campaign began in August, has scored 12 times and provided 14 assists in 19 club appearances.

Messi will turn 39 during the next World Cup in 2026 and had hinted previously the finals in Qatar would be his last. If it was, it truly was the perfect way to end his international career following Argentina’s Copa America victory last year.

He does not plan to retire from the national team just yet, saying after lifting the World Cup that he would like “to continue by experiencing a few more games as a world champion”.

The BBC World Sport Star of the Year is awarded by a panel to the athlete who has achieved the most notable sporting success on the world stage during the course of the year.

The 2021 winner was Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore.

IOC boss, Bach congratulates Gumel on re-election as NOC President

By Amaechi Agbo

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), President, Dr Thomas Bach, OLY, has congratulated President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Engr. Habu Gumel on his re-election.

Dr Bach conveyed his congratulatory letter to Engr Habu Ahmed Gumel who is an a Honorary Member of the IOC from Lausanne, dated December 20.

In the letter personally beside by the IOC Boss, added that the International Olympic Committee is predisposed to collaborating with Nigeria Olympic Movement to continue to support and assist

NOC in performing its mission and daily activities.

‘’Please allow me to extend my sincerest congratulations to you on your re-election as President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee on 15 December 2022, and my very best wishes for a successful term.

‘’The IOC looks forward to pursuing its fruitful collaboration with your NOC and remains fully at your disposal to continue to support and assist your NOC in performing its mission and daily activities.

‘’Wishing you and your NOC a happy and successful New Year 2023, remain, Thomas Bach,’’ the statement stressed.

Super Eagles Would Have Suffered Embarrassment In Qatar World Cup – Siasia

By Amaechi Agbo

ExSuper Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia has stated that Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2ouodbhave suffered humiliation had they participated in the just concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina no Sunday beat France 4-2 on penalties to win their 3rd World Cup diadem after regulation and extra time had ended 3-3 apiece.

Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the tournament - the second time they are missing out since they debuted in 1994the 2008 Olympic silver winning coach noted that they would have exited the World Cup from the group stage.

The Bayelsa born coach made this known to journalist at a football event in Lagos.

Recall that the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the global soccer fiesta after losing to perennial rivals, Black Stars of Ghana in the playoffs.

Super Eagles had played a 0-0 draw in Kumasi but played out a 1-1 draw in Abuja to miss making it to the Mundial on away goal rule.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco made history at the competition by becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals.

Current African champions, Teranga Lions of Senegal made it to the second round. Cameroon and Tunisia although failed to progress beyond the group stage, recorded victories against former champions, Brazil and France.

Siasia dismissed talks the Super Eagles would have done well if they had qualified for the mundial.

“We would have been embarrassed out of the World Cup with shocking scorelines,” Siasia told Football Live.

“The Super Eagles have no business going to the World Cup and losing out to the Ghana team we played against is enough proof.”

The Super Eagles had made it to the second round on three occasions at the World Cup in 1994, 1998, and 2014.

Right, Engr Habu Gumel, NOC President in a handshake with IOC President, Dr Thomas Bach recently

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As

has been stripped of 400m hurdles gold from London 2012 on the basis of historical data from a Moscow testing laboratory.

Antyukh, now 41, is already serving a four-year ban after being named in a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) investigation into cheating by Russia.

American Lashinda Demus will be promoted to gold in her place.

All three gold medals won on the track by Russian athletes at London 2012 have now been rescinded on doping grounds.

Mariya Savinova and Yuliya Zaripova, the initial winners of 800m and 3000m steeplechase gold, have been disqualified.

Ivan Ukhov’s high jump title and Tatyana Lysenko’s hammer victory in the field have also been wiped from the record books.

The McLaren Report, commissioned by Wada and published in 2016, claimed that more than 1,000 Russian athletes across various sports had been involved in a state-sponsored programme of systematic doping

It added that London 2012 was “corrupted on an unprecedented scale”.

Brett Clothier, the head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), which disqualified Antyukh, said it was committed to “clean and fair competition and results, even if a decade later”.

“The AIU remains committed to investigating all cases of potential violations and securing the appropriate outcomes,” added Clothier.

“The integrity of the sport of athletics is our utmost priority and we are pleased, in this instance, that athletes who competed fairly at the highest level will ultimately be acknowledged as the rightful medal winners.”

Antyukh has struck a defiant tone on social media. Her last Instagram post on 18 August is a photo of her showing off her silver and bronze medals from the 2004 Olympics. Those medals remain unaffected by the latest AIU decision.

World Cup comes to an end: What is the most important legacy of Qatar 2022

“I am not here to debate who is the GOAT, COW, ANTELOPE, LEOPARD, or LION. Those silly exercises of banging heads against each other are worthless. I am here to talk about what makes this tournament run so special. I am here to talk about what no media has applauded Qatar for and to thank them for hosting a successful World Cup and using it to promote peace. Qatar, which has no ties with Israel, allowed Israeli fans to enter the games in an unprecedented move. Palestinian flags were visible in Qatar to show solidarity, even though they were not in the World Cup. The peace move shown by Qatar tells us why, in a chaotic world, sport is a unique and vital connective tissue that brings people together both across and within societies.

Soccer fans will remember the just concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a showcase of the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of the most beautiful game on this planet. On the pitch, Lionel Messi ended his long wait for the World Cup. Beyond that, the tournament had several controversies with international observers criticizing the Gulf state for human rights violations. Some may argue that the World Cup has boosted Qatar’s international reputation. But others allege that it has served as a spotlight on issues that Doha would rather keep hidden from the world’s view. However, from my point of view, there are positive takeaways we can draw from this World Cup. Here are some memorable moments from the Qatar 2022 World Cup that we may have likely overlooked.

A World Cup that opened without a beer ban ended without a champagne toast. A tournament that started with a call for cultural sensitivity ended up celebrating a cultural icon. The first World Cup held in the Middle East and the first played in a majority-Muslim country will someday be remembered for many things. First, Qatar defeated the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Australia to win the bid in 2010. A bid awarded by Sepp Blatter-led FIFA. It is the first World Cup to be played during the winter months. The idea of hosting it during this time was to beat the heat of June and July that Qatar experienced and to avoid the potential health risks of playing in such extreme heat. Even at that, there was still the possibility of heat. Hence, to contain the heat, the stadiums had an air conditioning system, among other unique features. Thirty-two teams competed for the final showdown. This year, how the small country of Qatar managed the FIFA World Cup is unquestionably remarkable and teaches many salient lessons. But what is the size of Qatar compared to past hosts? Qatar is ranked 164th in the area and 148th in the population if compared to the world’s sovereign states. The United States is about 849 times bigger than Qatar. The U. S. state of Connecticut is the closest comparison to the size of Qatar. And even then, Connecticut is 8% larger than

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the host nation, with a population of 1.1 million. Qatar will be several times or more the size of Nigeria. It has a population of almost three million, many of whom are expatriates. Nigeria is about 80 times bigger than Qatar. Qatar is more or less 11,586 sq km, while Nigeria is about 923,768 sq km, making Nigeria 7,873% larger than Qatar. Many people expressed that Qatar was too small to host 32 other countries, which included players, coaches, administrative staff, medical teams, caretakers, security, and thousands of supporters. Before the tournament, analysts estimated that over one million foreigners would descend on Qatar for this prestigious event. It was a huge undertaking. However, after the World Cup, the planning and execution of the event were superb. In my opinion, it outclasses many traditional hosts in the past.

Drinking alcohol in public and getting drunk in public is illegal in Qatar. The G-7 countries and their liberal counterparts thought they could arm-twist the Qatari authorities into condoning drinking alcohol inside the stadium. Qatar put its foot down and stuck to its principle by forbidding alcohol in public places. According to the officials, people and large crowds can still enjoy themselves without alcohol. Many thought this law would go against the local rhetoric that fun cannot be if alcohol is not present. Qatari leaders did not bow to pressure. The Qatari authorities reiterated that you could face a six-month prison sentence or be charged as much as $850 if anyone disobeyed the law. From the beginning of the tournament to the end of it, the authorities did not allow alcohol during matches. However, they set up fan zones around the country where fans could have a drink in designated areas. Before the tournament, Qatari World Cup chief Nasser Al Khater confirmed there were designated areas for drunken fans to get sober. So, we did not see the usual drama with naked or half-naked spectators running onto the field. There were no fights between supporters or people throwing missiles on the field. Also, there were no stampedes among the crowds. Qatar set the example for others to follow in good planning, commitment, discipline, and top-notch execution.

This World Cup will stay in the collective memory as a tournament of upsets. This year, Morocco ripped up the history books by becoming the first African country to reach the final four of the World Cup – beating European

heavyweights Belgium, Spain, and Portugal. Their run – ended with a 2-0 defeat to France – overturned all expectations. Morocco won its first World Cup match since 1998 – its third ever – by securing a sensational 2-0 victory over Belgium, knocking the world’s second-ranked team out of the competition. Things get even better for Morocco: A draw against the 2018 finalists Croatia and another victory against Canada saw the Lions roar to the top of their group. Images of players tossing the coach joyfully into the air in celebration – and the players prostrating on the lawn in prayer became viral, not only to Africans and Arabs from across the globe but to everyone who loves to root for an underdog. Hence, the 2022 FIFA World Cup became the best tournament Africa has ever participated in.

Qatar 2022 made history as the first men’s FIFA World Cup to have female referees in charge of matches. For the first time at the men’s World Cup, FIFA included three women among the 36 referees selected for Qatar 2022. Stephanie Frappart from France, Yoshimi Yamashita from Japan, and Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda have had a good reputation in the previous tournament when they officiated some games. Frappart is arguably the most high-profile of the trio. She took charge of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final before officiating the UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea later that year. In December 2020, Frappart became the first woman to referee in the men’s category of the UEFA Champions League when she oversaw a 3-0 win for Juventus against Dynamo Kyiv. Japanese official Yamashita has also made Champions League history, albeit on a different continent. She was the first female referee to take charge of a match in Asia’s AFC Champions League earlier this year. For Mukansanga, the 2022 World Cup will be her second crucial men’s international tournament in less than 12 months. Mukansanga from Rwanda led an all-female officiating team at the Africa Cup of Nations in January when Zimbabwe met Guinea in the group stage.

In perhaps the most unexpected upset of the tournament, Saudi Arabia beat two-time World Cup winner Argentina in a Group C encounter. Led by Lionel Messi and ranked third in the world, many had expected Argentina to sweep aside Saudi Arabia, especially as Argentina was unbeaten for three years and among the favorites to win the tournament before kickoff, while

48 places separated the two teams in the world rankings. But what would a World Cup be without a did that happen moment? As the game progressed, other underdog teams made history. For example, for the first time, teams from all continents advanced to the round of 16. Teams like Australia, Japan, and the Korean Republic reached the knockout stages – a competition record for the Asian confederation, which in previous tournaments only had two, in 2002 and 2010. The outcome of the group stage shows the extent to which more countries have acquired the tools to compete at the highest level. This success is because of better preparation and analysis of the opponents, which is also a reflection of equal access to technology. It is very much in line with the efforts of FIFA to increase the competitiveness of football on a global scale.

Qatar 2022 produces another new kid on the block. For fans who have not been paying attention for the last three years, Kylian Mbappe proved he is as good as his potential suggested back in 2018. The 23-year-old led France to its second straight appearance in the World Cup Final, scoring several goals. Mbappe was unstoppable at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The eight goals from the games he played put him in a better position to claim the Gold Boot. Despite France missing the likes of Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema, Mbappe did not miss a beat as he gave defenders headaches. The 23-year-old already picked up two Man of the Match awards at the 2022 World Cup and turned more heads with a very subtle act. Throughout the tournament, Mbappe showed he could score with skills and grit when his team needed it most. He became the second man to score a World Cup final hattrick – winning the Golden Boot in the process – with still plenty of time and energy to play in subsequent world cups before retirement. While he left Qatar without a first-place medal, he gave the world plenty of entertainment on the pitch throughout the month. Watch this kid in the next four years or subsequent World Cups.

Russia’s Natalya Antyukh

Russian Athlete Natalya Antyukh stripped of London 2012 Olympic gold medal