Friday, April 28, 2023 Edition

President Muhammadu Buhari participating at the Nigerian Army Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade 2023 held at the Eagle Square, yesterday Abuja.

PHOTO; State House

48m barrels probe: Loss of $2.4bn oil sale to China baseless allegation, unfound - Malami

By Christiana Ekpa

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami on Thursday dismissed claims that the country lost over $2.4bn revenue from alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil exported in 2015 to China.

The Minster revealed this before the rAd-hoc Committee investigating on the alleged sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil amounting to over $2.4 billion and crude oil export to global destinations from 2014 to date.

Malami who is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation described the allegations as baseless, unfounded, lack merit and substance.

The House had in December last year resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to probe the allegation when it adopted a motion sponsored by Isiaka Ibrahim from Ogun State, at plenary.

The committee was also mandated to investigate all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 till date with regards to quantity, insurance, revenue generated, remittances into the federation accounts or other accounts as well as utilisation of the revenue for the period under review.

Ibrahim had said in the motion that, “a whistle-blower alleged in July 2020 that he had in July 2015, brought to the attention of a committee purportedly set up by the president for the recovery of missing crude oil exports, the existence of 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude oil in storage at several ports in China, under the authorisation of the then Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to sell the cargo.”

But speaking at the hearing on Thursday, Malami said that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation had filed a criminal suit against the individuals who purportedly raised the allegations being investigated by the Ad-hoc Committee.

According to him, the Individuals had attempted to defraud the Federal Government under the guise that the alleged crude oil stolen in China had been recovered.

Malami explained that the ongoing investigation initiated by the House was unconstitutional and subjudice, and argued that the prosecution of the petitioners which started in 2019 suffered setback as a result of series of adjournment caused by the absence of the accused persons.

He said the allegation in its own

right is devoid of any reasonable ground pointing to a material suspicion cogent enough to invoke the constitutional oversight of the Committee.

He said: “Let me state on record and for the benefit of Nigerians and the committee that the allegations relating to the 48 million barrels are baseless. The allegation is unfounded. It lacks merit and indeed substance.

“The allegation in its own right is devoid of any reasonable ground pointing to a material suspicion cogent enough to invoke the constitutional oversight of the Committee.

“Why do I say so? Sometimes in 2016 allegations were rife and hyped in the social media. There were allegations of existence of stolen 48 million barrels of Nigerian crude in China said to have been valued at 2.4 billion.

“President Muhammadu Buhari informally requested the attorney-general, making reference to my humble person, Mele Kyari, Lawal Daura, former DG of DSS; and late Abba Kyari; to look into it and advise. But unfortunately, for there to be a reasonable ground for suspicion, at least, you require certain basic facts.

“If you’re talking of a product, you cannot establish the substance relating thereto, without confirming

the origin of the purported product in China. If you talk about a product in China. Is it of Nigerian origin? That can be ascertained by sample and specifications. Is it Bonny Light for example, which you know emanate from Nigeria or what is it.

“The basic details of the existence of the product and connecting it to Nigeria was not there at all. If you are talking of a product, the vessel perhaps that has taken it, what are the particulars and details of the vessel. There were not available at our disposal at all.

“Which authority is it that has taken custody of the product? There was no information at all. So the issue is simple. There were no reasonable grounds for suspicion of the fact that the purported oil product either exist in spirit or in fact or in indeed exist in China — and it is in no way connected to Nigeria. And all effort on our part to get details have proven abortive.

“So, it was a committee that was dead on arrival because it has not been formally constituted.

“So, we could not establish the substance in the allegation because detail information to confirm the existence and origin of of the shipment such as sample of the oil, vessel involved loading point etc, location of the crude in China etc were not provided

Emir of Zazzau bags doctorate degree of law

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Senate and Governing Council of University of Jos has approved the award of Honorary Doctorate Degree of Law, Honoris Causa to its Chancellor and Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli. This was contained in a

statement signed by the Media and Publicity Officer of Zazzau Emirate, Abdullahi Aliyu Kwarbai, in Kaduna on Thursday.

According to the letter of Award presented to the Emir by the University Vice Chancellor, Professor Ishaya Tanko, while leading Management team of the University on a courtesy

visit to his Palace, indicated that the award would be made immediately after his investiture as Chancellor of the University during the 33rd/34th Convocation Ceremony scheduled for May 13, 2023.

The statement also disclosed that the Senate and Governing Council of the University deem

it fit to award the Emir with the Honorary Degree after carefully studying his profile, experience, dynamism, integrity and identifying with his wide range network.

The Emir of Zazzau is also the Chancellor of Capital City University, Kano and Greenfield University, Kaduna.

L-R:Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state,Gov Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state,Gov.Simon Lalong of Plateaue state,Gov.Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi state,Chairman of the Forum Gov.Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state,Gov.Sani Bello of Niger state,Gov.Muhammed Badaru of Jigawa state and Gov.Nasir el-Rufai of . during the NGF meeting on National,Sub-national,democracy and good governance on Wednesday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

2 women killed, 3 injured at Bauchi mining site accident

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

Two women have died following the collapse of a mining site at Bar-Kudu in Bogoro local government area of Bauchi State.

Our reporter gathered that three other women working on the site sustained life-threatening injuries.

The member representing

Bogoro constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Musa Maiwada, made the disclosure under matters of urgent public importance during plenary of the House on Thursday.

“Five women miners involved in a mining site accident after mining pit collapsed on them at Bar Kudu.

“Two of the women died while others survived with different types of injuries and fractures,”

2023 UTME: 947,000 candidates participated - JAMB

By Maryam Abeeb

the lawmaker said. Nakwada said that funeral arrangements for the deceased persons have been arranged while the injured persons were receiving medical treatments.

Reacting, the Speaker of the House sent sympathies of the State House of Assembly to the people of Bogoro Constituency and called on the Bogoro Local Government Council to come to the aid of the victims.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says about 947,000 candidates have so far sat for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) within the last two days.

Dr Fabian Benjamin, Head of Public Affairs and Protocol of the Board, made this known after monitoring the ongoing UTME alongside Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede and others, on Thursday in Abuja.

Fabian, who assured that everyone registered for the exam would be given the opportunity to take part in the exercise, said the Board has resolved the technical hitches that was experienced in the first of day the UTME in some centres across the country.

His words : “This is the best exam we have had over a period of time, but I know many will like to contest that because of what happened on Tuesday, but I know if you have been in the system and be following our exams, you will know that the first day is always turbulent, as we progress we stabilise and continue the exercise.

“And one assurance we want to give Nigerians, is that every candidate that has registered for this

Kogi Guber: Sen Adeyemi, Abubakar, others want APC primary cancelled

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Smart Adeyemi, a son of Former Kogi State Governor, Shuaibu Abubakar and three others want immediate cancellation of the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC’s) primary in the state.

The plaintiffs want the primary election for selection of the party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election be declared as illegal, unlawful and invalid.

They called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidentelect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President-elect, Senator kashim Shettima and the Arewa Consultative Forum to intervene in order to save democracy in Kogi State.

In the suits marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/556/2023 and FHC/ ABJ/ CS/557/2023, filed by Senator Adeyemi and Abubakar respectively, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare as illegal, unlawful and invalid the purported direct primary election said to have been conducted by APC and which produced Ahmed Usman Ododo as the governorship candidate of the APC in November this year.

The grouse of the aggrieved governorship aspirants was that the alleged unlawful selection of Ododo ran foul of Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 29 and 84

of the Electoral Act as well as Article 20 of the APC’s Constitution.

Apart from Adeyemi and Abubakar, other aspirants who have already commenced legal action against the outcome of the primary include; a former Minister of State for Education, Professor Stephen Ocheni, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, Martala Yakubu Ajaka and Dr Sanusi Ohiara.

The plaintiffs amongst others are praying the court to invoke Section 177 of the Constitution, Section 29 and 84 of the Electoral Act and Article 20 of the APC’s Constitution, to declare the purported primary election invalid.

They also asked the court for an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject and refuse recognition of the name of Ahmed Usman Ododo as APC’s governorship candidate on the grounds that he emerged from an invalid primary election.

Similarly, the aggrieved governorship aspirants also prayed for another order compelling APC to conduct a fresh primary election and to give all aspirants equal opportunity as prescribed by the Electoral Act, 2022.

Senator Adeyemi’s suit and that of Abubakar are instituted on their behalf separately by Dr Adekunle Oladapo Otitoju.

In a 35 paragraph affidavit in support of his own originating summons, Senator Adeyemi

claimed to have obtained his nomination and expression of interest form at N50 million upon which he was screened and cleared to participate in the primary election slated for April 14, 2023. Adeyemi further claimed that while waiting at his constituency to cast his vote along with his people, he was shocked when information came to him that the purported primary election had been conducted and a purported winner had emerged.

Addressing a joint press conference shortly after filing the suit Senator Adeyemi and Abubakar described the purported primary that produced Ododo as a phenomenal rape of democracy and must not be allowed to stand if democracy is to thrive in the country.

Adeyemi alleged that the governor had asked all the aspirants to step down for his preferred candidate who is from the same zone with him, adding that it is the turn of Kogi West which had not produced a governor in the history of the state to do so.

While noting that some aspirants have been subdued already, the Senator assured that he would fight the injustice to the last in the interest of Kogi people and democracy. “If election was rigged, we know that election was rigged, but election never took place at all”, he said.

examination, he or she will certainly be given the opportunity to take the examination.

“ On the first day, there were candidates who were unable to sit for the examination because of technical issues and we have rescheduled those candidates, some of them are taking the exam as we speak and some will also take tomorrow.

“ We urge candidates particularly those who could not sit for yesterday’s exercise to continue to check their profile and print their slip as we reschedule them for the examination.”

Asked on when the results of the results of the examination would be released, Dr Fabian said the management would announce the results soon.

“ We are looking at the results and by the grace of God, we will release the first batch of the results soon,” he said.

On the number of candidates that have encountered technical issues in sitting for the examination, he said : “In the last two days, excluding today, we have examined 947, 000 candidates. Out of the 947,000 candidates we had issues with about 60,000 candidates and these candidates are being rescheduled (for the exam).

GMO: Biotechnology agency solicits medical practitioners support

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), has solicited medical practitioners support to educate Nigerians on the safety of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).

Abdullahi made the appeal at a one-day sensitisation programme for medical practitioners in Abuja with the theme “Science, Safety and Benefits of Agricultural Biotechnology Products”.

“Nigeria is faced with challenges of rapid population growth and urbanisation hence the need to double food production by 2050. In essence, Nigeria is growing poorer, and the agricultural environment is deteriorating.

“Seed varieties perform low, are obsolete and do not correspond to the new climatic factors. There is high pressure of insect pests and diseases; soil fertility is low with lack of capital funding for investments,” he said.

Abdullahi urged the medical practitioners and other critical stakeholders to support the Federal Government’s drive in enhancing food production and availability to deepen Nigeria’s biotechnology experience.

According to him, the country requires modern technology for an increased and sustainable food production.

The D-G said it was important that medical practitioners be enlightened on the safety gauges put in place to ensure that technology deployment did not harm Nigerians

and the environment.

He said that biotechnology deployment in Nigeria had yielded enormous fruits, given a number of genetically modified crops that had been successfully developed and commercialised, with a good number of others at various stages of development.

In a presentation, Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology at NABDA, said the workshop was expected to bridge all existing information gaps between agricultural scientists and medical practitioners on activities of GMOs. Gidado noted that scientists through biotechnology have succeeded in using living organisms and biological processes to improve life on earth.

She said that biotechnology application had become very necessary in almost all sectors of the economy, especially in the health sector where various vaccines are saving lives.

According to her, the application of biotechnology cuts across various fields ranging from medicine to industry, environment and agriculture.

Gidado said that the agriculture sector serves as the resource factor for other sectors including medicine, industry and environment.

The one-day sensitisation workshop, which was organised in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and regulators, included Programme for Biosafety Systems (PBS).

L-R: Anthony General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, with the Solicitor-General of the Federation Beatrice Jedy-Agba when the AGF appeared before the Ad-Hoc committee to investigate alleged theft of over 2.4 Billion in revenue from illegal sales of 48 million barrels of crude oil, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

OPEC warns IEA on further undermining oil industry investments

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has called on the International Energy Agency (IEA) not to further undermine the oil industry investments.

OPEC Secretary-General, Haitham Al Ghais said this in a statement obtained in Abuja on Thursday while responding to the latest comments by the IEA again criticising OPEC and OPEC+.

Al Ghais said the finger pointing and misrepresenting OPEC and OPEC+ actions was counterproductive and blaming oil for inflation was erroneous and technically incorrect as there were many other factors causing inflation.

Al Ghais reiterated that OPEC and OPEC+ were not targeting oil prices, with the focus being solely on market fundamentals and enabling vital oil industry investments that the world desperately required.

“The IEA knows very well that there are a confluence of factors that impact markets. The knock-on effects of COVID-19, monetary policies, stock movements, algorithm trading, commodity trading advisors and SPR releases (coordinated or uncoordinated), geopolitics, among others.

“The finger pointing and misrepresenting OPEC and OPEC+ actions is counterproductive and blaming oil for inflation is erroneous and technically incorrect as there are many other factors causing inflation.

“Other energy markets have been far more volatile with oil markets less so, mainly due to the stabilising role of OPEC and the OPEC+ group,” he said.

He said that the IEA’s repeated calls to stop investing in oil could lead to future volatility.

According to him, it is known that all data-driven outlooks envisage the need for more of this precious commodity to fuel global economic growth and prosperity in the decades to come, especially in the developing world. (NAN)

Alleged treasonable felony: FG brings 9 new grounds against Kanu’s release

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Federal Government, has secured leave from the Supreme Court, to bring nine new grounds of appeal against the release the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.

The apex court also asked them to include these nine new grounds as part of the its amended notice of appeal dated 28th October 2022.

A five member panel led by Justice John Okoro granted the leave while ruling on the motion by the counsel to the FG, Tijani Gadzali.

At the resumed hearing, Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Mike Ozekhome, informed the court of his motions seeking for bail of his client and another seeking for his transfer to Kuje correctional facility to get proper medical attention.

Ozekhome hammered on Kalu’s failing health at the Department of State Security (DSS) custody.

Consequent to the above, the senior lawyer prayed for an accelerated hearing of the matter.

Speaking on the motion for transfer of Kanu out of the custody of the DSS, the Counsel to the federal government, prayed for

an adjournment to file a counter affidavit, stating that he just took over the matter.

As it seems likely that hearing of the motion particularly that seeking transfer of Nnamdi Kanu may likely delay hearing of the main suit, the court advised Ozekhome to withdraw the pending motions and enable him focus on the main appeal.

Subsequently, the court fixed May 11, for hearing on the pending motion and the main appeal.

Recall that the Appeal court had on October 13, 2022, cleared Nnamdi Kanu of Alleged treason and terrorism charges against him after dismissing the remaining six

counts levelled against him by the federal government.

The Appeal court panel faulted the process of extraditing him back to Nigeria from Kenya on grounds of it being in breach of International Protocol.

Another panel of the same court however, on the 28th October, 2022, reversed it’s earlier decision ordering stay of execution pending hearing and determination of the appeal of the supreme court.

The counsel to the Federal Government, however declined to speak on its nine new grounds of appeal against Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

Hajj: NAHCON urges compliance with Saudi health guidelines

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Thursday urged members of the 2023 Hajj National Medical Team to comply with the Saudi Arabian health guidelines for operation.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made the call while inaugurating the 230 members of the National Medical Team, at Hajj House, in Abuja. Hassan also advised the team against infractions of Saudi Arabian health regulations during the operation.

He said the medical team

was the first committee to be inaugurated for the 2023 Hajj because of the importance the commission attached to medical issue.

“The first thing we all need to comply with is to ensure total compliance with the Saudi Arabian health guidelines. As far as Saudi Arabia is concern, it will not tolerate any infractions on their guidelines.

“I am sure the leadership of the National Medical Team is fully aware of this and they will adhere to that. I don’t need to remind you of your medical ethics which you are aware yourselves.

“There is going to be much work in this year’s hajj because we have been given a quota of 95,000 Hajj slots which means more work for the members of the medical team,’’ he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the team and Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Sheikh Suleiman Momoh, said that the selection of members of the team was very rigorous.

“Having been chosen, you have to display your capacity that you are fit for the job. One thing that I want to sound to us is that the management of the

commission will not tolerate any officer leaving his duty post.

“Over 10,000 people applied to be part of the 2023 hajj medical team so you must prove that you worth it,’’ he said.

Also, the NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi MagajiHardawa, urged members of the team to take their responsibility seriously.

“Whether you are a monitor or not, Allah is watching you. Any acts of negligence, Allah knows better. The chairman of NAHCON may not be aware but Allah is watching you,’’ he said. (NAN)

Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (right) presenting the award of Best State in ease of doing business to Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Mannasah Daniel Jatau ( Left), during the 5th PEBEC awards ceremony at the presidential villa, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NEC: No fuel subsidy removal for now

By Egena Sunday Ode

The National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday resolved that “the timing for the removal of subsidy should not be now,” but more consultations and discussions on the contentious matter should continue in collaboration with the incoming administration as well as states and other key stakeholders.

Briefing newsmen after their valedictory session in the state House, Abuja, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning,

Zainab Ahmed, said “council agreed that the fuel subsidy must be removed earlier rather than later because it is not sustainable. We cannot afford it anymore. We have to do it in such a way that the impact of the subsidy is as much as possible, mitigated on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“So, this will require looking at alternatives to the post subsidy that needs to be planned for and subsequently put in place but also what needs to be done to support the people that would be most affected as a result of the removal.

“So, we will be working together with

representatives of the state, we will have a plan that we will start working on putting the building blocks towards the eventual removal of the fuel subsidy.

“If I May remind the forum, that the budget for 2023 has provision for for subsidy only up to June 2023 and also the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has a provision that requires that all petroleum products must be deregulated 18 months after the effective date of the PMs removal and that period is also up to June 2023.”

The minister disclosed that federal government committee currently handling the issue of

palliatives and other soothing balms to cushion the impact of subsidy removal would be expanded to accommodate other stakeholders.

She explained that the expanded committee which would advise government on the best way forward would take into confidence the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act as they relate to subsidy removal.

According to her also, the committee would be in a position to advise government on the appropriate time for the removal of the subsidy under the incoming adminstratin regardless of the PIA.

We equipped security, subdue terrorists, bandits, Says Buhari

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu

Buhari Thursday in Abuja said the robust plan to improve the security architecture of the country had been realized, with upgrading of hardware, building of facilities, training, and equipping of staff and officers, and structuring of a welfare system that caters for more than 50,000 children of fallen heroes.

Speaking at a ceremony attended by two former leaders of the country, Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and President, Goodluck Jonathan, the President said he instituted the recruitment of 60,000 soldiers into the Armed Forces, and thousands graduated from the Nigerian Defense Academy and other security institutions to tighten security.

At the event, President Buhari presented 81 new, symbolic flags to the various units of the Nigerian Army.

“At the inception of this administration, the nation’s security situation was greatly challenged by the activities of violent non-state actors. Today, I am pleased to specially note that the situation has tremendously improved and I wish to also proudly highlight that we have made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgents, militants, oil bunkers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in the country.

“This administration has achieved a remarkable transformation of the military in the areas of fighting power, training, operations, manpower, remunerations, and medical services. These are in addition to maintenance efficiency, accommodation, and expansion of forces. The

improvements in these areas have collectively enhanced the Army’s capacity to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate,’’ he said.

President Buhari, who endorsed 81 flags for the various units of the Army, noted that the fighting power of our military was at a low ebb as of May 2015, adding “However, 7 years later, its fighting power has increased significantly making it fourth in ranking among African militaries as against seventh in 2015.’’

He said interventions and yearly budgetary allocations to the Army, between 2020 and 2022 alone, had been able to procure hundreds of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Troops Carrying Vehicles, utility vehicles, tanks, and Armoured Personnel Carriers to augment those earlier procured.

“From 2017 to 2022, significant numbers of new fighting and utility vehicles along with supporting artillery guns, machine guns, rifles, and corresponding ammunition were acquired and inducted into various theatres of operations. This translates to a significant increment in the Army’s equipment holding since 2015.

“With the significant improvement in the fighting power as a result of the procurement of equipment and mission-specific training, the Army was empowered to rejig its operations. Accordingly, the Army has restructured the conduct of its operations to meet current realities.

“The quantum of platforms inducted into the Army since 2015 had enabled troops to take the battle to the terrorists and criminals, particularly in the North East

resulting in the recapture of territories hitherto held by the insurgents,’’ the President stated.

President Buhari told the gathering of top security chiefs, traditional rulers, and top government officials, who witnessed the ceremony, that creation of the Army Aviation was one of the major aspects of the ongoing expansion process in the Nigerian Army.

According to him: “The renewed vigor for the operationalization of the Army Aviation emanated from a strong desire to effectively tackle contemporary security challenges across the country. This unit, when fully operationalized, will provide rapid deployment, close air support, casualty evacuation, and prompt delivery of logistics supply, among other roles.

“As an administration, we have demonstrated commitment to increasing the strength of the Armed Forces in my resolve to secure the country’s challenges. It is instructive to state that from 2015 when I was sworn in as the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, I facilitated the recruitment of over 60,000 soldiers from Depot Nigerian Army aside from thousands commissioned from the Nigerian Defense Academy Kaduna.’’

The President said the efforts of the Administration paid-off with records of unprecedented successes, evident in the increased number of neutralized insurgents and those that voluntarily surrendered alongside their families for deradicalization and rehabilitation through Operation Safe Corridor.

“This feat has continued to

be replicated in other theatres of operation within the country leading to the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes and restoration of economic activities in addition to the contribution of the Nigerian Army to global peace through Peace Support Operations.

“In the area of troops’ welfare, this administration has facilitated the approval of Manual for Financial Administration which has greatly enhanced the pay and allowances of troops. This has no doubt boosted troops’ morale and enhanced their zeal to discharge their constitutional mandate.

“Furthermore, in line with my resolve to cater for the families of deceased personnel, over 50,000 children and wards of personnel who died in active service are on the Nigerian Army scholarships from 2015 to date,’’ he stated.

On infrastructural development, the President said the administration had made determined efforts to surmount the deficit in accommodation and other amenities. As the strength of the Army increased, special interventions were made to construct new barracks accommodations and renovate the old ones.

“So far, hundreds of new blocks of accommodation were constructed and thousands of the old housing units were renovated and remodeled in various formations and units across the country between 2016 and 2022.

“Currently, massive construction works are ongoing in the new Muhammadu Buhari Barracks, Abuja, and other barracks to provide the requisite offices, houses, and facilities to cater for the increasing strength of the

Army personnel,’’ he noted.

President Buhari commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, and all the other Service Chiefs and heads of all paramilitary organizations for their commitment and selfless service to this nation.

“The Nigerian Army that we celebrate today, would not have been able to discharge its responsibilities optimally including today’s Trooping and Presentation of Colors without your collaborative support,’’ he said.

President Buhari noted that the colors he presented to the units were revered symbols of the identity of a unit, and display a regiment’s battle honors or those inherited from predecessors while playing huge roles in the operational successes of their regiments.

The President explained that the last Trooping and Presentation of Colors Parade was held in 2007, and since then new units had been established and operationalized in line with the increasing commitments of the Army.

“Additionally, existing colors have been extensively involved in multiple operations in various geo-political zones of the country as well as foreign countries, hence deserving of retirement. Today’s ceremony is a continuation of our effort to re-invigorate the fighting spirit of our troops through the inculcation of greater pride in their units.

“Let me use this medium to sincerely commend the officers and men of the Army, all members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their exceptional performances in the various operations across the country,’’ the President added.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

NEPZA targets $22bn investment from Delta special economic zone

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) is targeting 22 billion dollars investment from Delta as a special economic zone.

The Managing Director of the agency, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba made this known at the presentation of licence to the Delta Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) on Wednesday in Abuja.

While commending the state government’s efforts in reactivating the free trade zones scheme, the managing director restated NEPZA’s commitment towards supporting full implementation and the success of the project.

According to him, FTZ scheme has been able to turn the tide of economic development in different nations.

“We need to be very competitive and that is why NEPZA is very happy to be working with you.

“Everybody is talking about Lagos. There about 22 billion dollars investments in free zones in Lagos and we believe that we can replicate what is happening in other states.

“Delta stands to gain, it is well positioned and all it needs is that leadership and vision which you have shown and we pray that your successor will key into this and ensure we actualise it.

”NEPZA is willing, ready and capable to give you all the necessary support,’’ Adesugba said, and emphasised the the need for the Nigerian market to be more competitive.

Also speaking, Dr Kayode Adetokunbo, the consultant for the project noted the importance of the project which include job creation for the teaming Nigerian youth among others.

Adetokunbo said the state government invested heavily on peace and security, capital investment, health, education and created enabling environment for business to thrive.

“The opportunities are eminent, Delta is relatively safe and set for business,’’ he said.

Also, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa commended the NEPZA boss

FG reitrates commitment to revamp rubber industry

The Federal Government has restated commitment to revamp the rubber industry for economic growth of the country.

Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated this on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the government was also committed towards diversifying the economy of the nation from oil to agriculture, with focus on arable and cash crops for economic growth and development.

The ministry over the years prioritised and promoted the development of the Rubber Value

Chain with the distribution of improved budded rubber stumps plating materials.

“We have also provided growth enhancers to farmers to raise plantations and the facilitation of training on nursery development as well as Tapping Techniques,” he said.

Umakhihe said that part of the initiative was the identification and management of White Rot Rubber Diseases under the Rehabilitatio, Management and Replanting of rubber farms across rubber producing states nationwide.

He said the ministry in collaboration with the Lohashilpi Sheeting Processing Technology,

established the Rubber Resource Centre (RRRC), in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

Umakhihe urged the organisation to ensure full implementation of the plan by engaging the relevant stakeholders towards actualizing the dream for mass rubber production.

The permanent secretary reitrated readiness of the ministry to support the initiative by creating an enabling environment for the business to thrive.

Also speaking, Prof. Joseph Adelegan, Executive Secretary of the IRSG, said that part of its mandate is to revive the rubber sub-sector and also stimulate

investment in the sector.

He identified some of the challenges militating against rubber production to include low productivity due to old age, poor agronomic practices and continued use of low yielding seedlings among others.

Similarly, the Director, Tree Crops Division in the ministry, Mr Bernard Ukattah appealed to the agency and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the programme. The programme, he said, geared towards improving the rubber sub sector to achieve economic growth. (NAN)

Foundation tasks Tinubu, governors-elect on appointing PWDs to key positions

The Albino Foundation (TAF Africa) has tasked the president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu and governorselect to appoint Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) as ministers and commissioners.

Mr Jake Epelle, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer ,TAF Africa said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Epelle also advised Tinubu to incorporate PWDs into his transition committee as there was non in the committee presently.

He said that at the onset of preparations for the 2023 general elections, TAF Africa through its European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria II programme built the capacity of PWDs to contest for elective positions.

He said that although none of the engaged PWD candidates

was successful at the polls, their willingness to contest was a strong message that PWDs were capable of contesting for elections and will be willing to perform when given the opportunity.

“With the end of the 2023 general elections and the emergence of elected individuals, an opportunity to drive disability inclusion and strengthen the political voices of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s political process has been birthed.

“These elected individuals have a duty to entrench disability inclusion in their governance by making their political appointments disability inclusive.

“By being appointed as ministers, commissioners, heads of parastatals, special advisers, among others , PWDs are empowered to take their place alongside other citizens in affecting

wide-ranging policies as it affects disability inclusion.

“As it is said “Nothing About Us Without Us” relies solely on the principle of participation, no policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group affected by that policy.

“Hence the need for disability inclusion in every sphere of governance,” he said.

Epelle expressed disappointment that in spite of the disability inclusion interventions at the national level, the transition committee of the president-elect had no representation of the community of PWDs.

He said that this could have been a unique opportunity to break down social stigmas by ensuring that PWDs appear alongside other citizens as active participants in the transition process of the president-

elect.

“As the world beams its torchlight on disability inclusion in electoral processes, we call on the President-elect, Governorelect, and all elected individuals in the thirty-six (36) states of the federation including the federal capital territory to take the opportunity.

“This ,is to collaborate and commit to driving disability inclusion in their governance, by appointing persons with disabilities to become political office holders in their respective states,” he said.

Epelle also encouraged all elected individuals to priorities the appointment of persons with disabilities who contested for positions during the 2023 general elections but could not make it at the polls.

NAN

Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau ( M), Minister of Finance, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed ( 2nd R), Presidential Adviser on Enabling Business Environment Council, Dr. Jumoke ( 2nd L), Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Malam Muhammad Gambo Magaji ( R), Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Nasiru Muhammad Aliyu ( L) during the 5th PEBEC awards ceremony at the presidential villa in Abuja, yesterday

UNICEF urges youth to embrace digital learning for up skilling

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has urged youth to embrace digital learning platforms in accelerating skilling, up skilling and employment opportunities.

Mrs Blessing Ejiofor, UNICEF Communication Specialist, said this on Thursday in Lagos at a two-day workshop organised in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos Office, for young people and journalists across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day workshop is tagged: “Media Dialogue on Digital Learning Platforms.”

Ejiofor said the programme was aimed at galvanising the media to support advocacy on digital learning solutions with a focus on bridging the digital divide, especially for girls and young people in hard-to-reach communities.

She noted that UNICEF had collaborated with governments and other partners in creating the enabling environment for skills development that would enable young people to thrive and better able to respond to the country’s social and economic needs.

Ejiofor also said that the deployment of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), an online offline and mobile digital learning platform that supports learning and skills acquisition for Children and youths as well as the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) platform, were avenues to skill as well as connect young people to opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and social impact.

Mr Joannes Yimbesalu, UNICEF Programme Specialist, said that the workshop was an opportunity to explore, learn and share ideas on the benefits and opportunities available to young Nigerians on the NLP, YOMA and U-Report digital platforms.

Yimbesalu enjoined the media to help amplify these digital platforms to the youths.

In her remarks, the NOA Director in Lagos, Ms Adetola Adegboyega, said that the training was important due to the importance of technology in day-to-day activities.NAA

N86m car deal: Tripple C motors demands compensation from bank, others

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

AKano based car dealer, Tripple C Motors Nigeria Ltd, has dragged Pagmat Oil and Gas Nig. Ltd, Prudential Steps Savings & Loan and a new generation bank to court, seeking compensation in respect of an N86million car supply deal.

A writ of summons issued by Ojonimi Apeh Esq. against the defendants was filed pursuant to Order 2, Rule 2(6) of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, (Civil Procedure Rules) 2018.

When the matter was called at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Kuje, the court discovered that Pagmat Oil and Gas Nig. Ltd (the 2nd defendant), has not been served with the court processes.

Responding, counsel to the Plaintiff, Ojonimi Apeh assured the court that he would file an ex parte application for the defendant to be served by substituted means.

Consequently, the trial Judge, Justice C. E Nwecheonwu, adjourned the matter till June 21 for hearing.

Specifically, the Plaintiff is claiming against the defendants jointly and severally, the sum of over N40million as compensation for unlawful withholding of it’s money for a period of 43 months.

Tripple-C Motors wants the court to declare that the refusal and failure of the defendants to pay it the sum of ₦86,000,000.00 (Eighty-Six Million Naira Only) for supply of cars it made for, and at the instance of the defendants as at when due resulted in the loss of profits/earnings to the claimant in the sum of at least N4,300,000.00 (Four Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira) only per month for a period of 43 months cumulating loss of at least N34,400,000.00 (Thirty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) only for that period and thereby rendering the defendants liable to the claimant in damages.

“An order directing the defendant to pay the claimant the sum of N34,400,000.00 (Thirty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) only as projected returns and/or loss of anticipated profits/earnings. 20 percent interest on the judgment sum per month from the date of judgment until the judgment debt is fully liquidated.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimant the sum of ₦6,000,000.00 (Six Million Naira) only as cost of this suit.

“A declaration that the claimant was entitled to payment of the sum of ₦86,000,000.00 (Eighty-Six Million Naira Only)

by the defendant within 30 days of the supply of the cars for and at the instance of the defendant being the value of the cars supplied for and at the instance of the defendant by the Plaintiff on 28/12/2018.

‘A declaration that the refusal and failure of the defendant to pay the Claimant the sum of ₦86,000,000.00 (Eighty-Six Million Naira Only) within 30 banking days from the date of supply of the cars by the claimant for, and at the instance of the defendants is a breach of contract between the claimant and the defendants.

In the alternative, the Plaintiff seeks “A declaration that the refusal and failure of the defendants to pay the Claimant the sum of ₦86,000,000.00 (Eighty-Six Million Naira Only) for supply of cars made by the claimant for, and at the instance of the defendants as at when due renders the defendants liable to payment of compensation to the claimant for wrongly holding onto the money of the claimant in a commercial transaction.

“An order directing the defendant to pay to the plaintiff an amount which is equal to 20% (twenty percent of N86,000,000.00 (Eighty-Six Million Naira Only) per annum from 12/02/2019 when the said

sum of N86,000,000.00 (EightySix Million Naira Only) was due but not paid by the defendant until 06/10/2022 when the defendant paid the claimant the principal contract sum of N86,000,000.00 (Eighty-Six Million Naira Only) as compensation for the wrongful withholding of claimant’s money in a commercial transaction for a period of over 43 months without justification.

20 percent interest on the judgment sum per month from the date of judgment until the judgment debt is fully liquidated.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimant the sum of ₦6,000,000.00 (Six Million Naira) only as cost of this suit.

In a statement of claim, the Claimant avers that the vehicles were only delivered based on the fact that the Block Funds/ Irrevocable Standing Order, dated 20th December, 2018 was issued by the bank’s Utako branch Manager and handed to Dr. Adamu Kukuri, the Claimant’s Director.

The Claimant avered that upon the expiration of 30 (Thirty) banking days after delivery of the 7 vehicles, no money was paid into her account with Zenith Bank Plc as agreed to and undertaken in the Block Funds/Irrevocable Standing Order.

Invictus Africa, BudgIT introduce index to track gender equality, GBV interventions

Two Non-Government Organisations — Invictus Africa and BudgIT Foundation, on Wednesday, introduced “Womanity Index”, a tool to track annual ranking and reports on gender equality and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The Executive Director of Invictus Africa, Ms Bukky Shonibare, at a news conference in Abuja, said that the index would also focus on issues affecting women, especially girl-child education, women’s health, economic empowerment and political representation in Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.

She explained that it would be carried out through field and technology-based data collection to assist state and local governments to understand the context and identify gaps, as well as challenges peculiar to each state in addressing GBV.

She said “the Womanity Index is novel as it helps subnational governments, as primary duty bearers, to know their

performance in their efforts to prevent and respond to GBV in their states.

“It will also identify the gaps and challenges that impede their performance, and the specific actionable recommendations which, when implemented, will result in ensuring laws and policies that guarantee GBV prevention, effective support systems, and allocation of adequate budget and spending to address GBV.

“It will also aid accountability by duty bearers (governments) and provide the relevant data and evidence needed by citizens to track implementation and advocate for effective GBV prevention and response,” she said.

Mr Gabriel Okeowo,the Country Director, BudgIT Nigeria, said data from the research in some states would serve as reference documents on GBV to ensure state-specific recommendations.

“So this first work is very important and will serve as a

base line.

“We will then have a basis of comparison to be able to say as at 2023 this is where this state is and as at now this is what the results is showing,” he said.

Mr Folarin Johnson, the Senior Project Officer, Nigeria Governor Forum World Bank SFTAS programme, said the index would enable government measure all interventions on GBV

in their various states.

According to him, it is a research and it is not just about the field data collection.

“We are going to be building on some of the data that are in existence.

“So the reason this partnership exist is for everybody involved to bring out what they have done in the past and it is what will form the basis of what it is.” (NAN)

NEMSA warns against importation of substandard electricity materials

Mr Aliyu Tahir,Managing Director, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency(NEMSA), has warned against importation of substandard electricity materials into Nigeria.

Tahir, who is also Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, gave the warning at the 2023 First Quarter Interactive Session with Energy Reporters in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the agency was collaborating with Standard Organisation of Nigeria(SON), security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that only standard electrical materials were imported into Nigeria.

He said NEMSA had begun removing such materials across the country, adding that 68,168 substandard materials were removed in 2022.

The managing director said the agency had equally set up a tax force on monitoring and evaluation of existing networks to stem the use of substandard electrical materials.

Tahir said NEMSA would not relent in its effort to achieve its mandate, particularly in the area of substandard materials.

“Four distribution companies in Abuja, Ibadan, Ikeja and Eko were monitored by the Tax Force set up by NEMSA last year.

“This year, the monitoring exercise will continue to cover the six other distribution companies in Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Yola, Jos, Benin and Enugu.

“The essence of this effort is to maintain stability in the existing electricity networks.

This is also to stem use of substandard materials, cables and equipment in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry(NESI),” he said.

On other achievements of the agency in 2022, Tahir said 10, 876 new electrical projects were inspected, 10, 598 existing networks were monitored while 771 of them were resolved.

He further said 3, 480 factories, public places and hotels were inspected, 2, 576, 607 electricity meters tested, 2, 719 electrical personnel certified and 6, 332 certificates renewed.

According to him, the agency also inspected 647 pole manufacturers in the country, investigated 376 electrical accident sites and established first Meter Generation Museum and Gallery. NAN

Yola court urges DSS to release 3 PDP members in detention

From Umar Dankano, Yola

Ahigh court sitting in Yola has asked Directorate of State Services,DSS, to release 3 members of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, unconditionally.

Recalled that, the party led by its state (Adamawa) Chairman, Barrister Tahir Shehu in company of some local government area chairmen and their supporters staged a peaceful protest demanding the release of their members allegedly detained in

its(DSS) facility over controversies surrounding the state gubertorial elections.

Justice Christopher Dominic Mapeo in his summary ruling at the court Thursday ordered the DSS to release the applicants without further delay, stressing that, any further detention is illegal.

Justice Dominic, however adjourned the matter to the 3rd May, 2023 for hearing of the motion on notice and for the Counsel to the 3rd defendant to file defence.

The 3 affected PDP supporters through their counsels led by Chief L. D. Nzadon, approached the court on the 20th April, 2023, with their separate applications, asking the court to admit them to bail.

Addressing the court at the resumed sitting, Counsel to the appllicants, Barrister Abayomi Akamode, informed the court that the DSS had sent text messages that people should come for applicants’ bail.

He told the court that they do not want DSS to dribble them,

instead, prayed the court for an emphatic order for the release of their clients.

On his part, Counsel to the 3rd defendant, U. F. Ahmed, who held no objection, asked for adjourment to enable them file their defence.

Reacting to the development,a political analyst who pleaded anonimity said what is happening in the Adamawa political atmosphere showed that, wrongdoings have envaloped the electoral process in the just acclaimed governorship election.

ICPC warns CEOs on implication of decisions taken in office

Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has cautioned Chief executive Officers (CEOs) of public agencies of the implication of negative decisions taken while in office.

Owasanoye said this in Abuja on Thursday at the Executive Session of the chairman of ICPC with CEOs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by Anti-Corruption Academic (ACAN), the research and training arm of ICPC with the support of MacArthur Foundation.

According to him, the reality is that, there is personal responsibility for every decision, on every action taken while in office.

He said the good thing about the law was that, any bad decision taken today no matter how far it lasted, there would be a day that you must be call upon to face the law.

He further explained that, “the law and order says that, if You go contrary to the law, this is the

consequence.

“You took a decision today and it wasn’t the best decision and you get out of that, some day, you will be called upon to answer it.”

The ICPC boss further stated that CEOs were highly exposed to all kinds of pressure which are associated with the ecosystem and the mandates of their appointment itself.

He added that, until you lead an agency, you would not understand the practical pressure of what leadership entails.

“I do not understand how people will build career in a particular field and are globally recognised as experts in their field and when they go to international conferences to present papers the world listens.

“And such people if they get appointed to head one small agency then they become something different.

“How can you ruin the career you built for over 30 to 40 years just because you are given an appointment to head an agency for a period of 4 to 8year, ” he

question.

He added that this does not only ruined everything such people built but also the family’s name, its reputation and sometimes implicated their health condition.

According to him, law and order is important because if people are not sanctioned for wrongdoing, there will be no reforms.

“The aims of criminal punishment is not just punishment, there is deterrence and there is reform as well. We have seen not just in Nigeria, but in many countries that the law and and order approach alone is not effective to diminish crime.

“Especially when you are dealing with corruption to stabilise the polity. So, there are prevention measures but more critical is the need for behaviour change.

“If people change their approach to issues, then of course, there will be a marked improvement in the outcomes, ” he added.

Owasanoye further stated that paper qualification was not the most critical requirement for leading an agency, adding that, that does not guarantee success.

“Indeed, if you want to be able to make a determination between people qualification and character, character should be first because with character every other thing falls into place.

“If you have papper qualification without character, the system will collapse.

He further explained that most times, reasons that brought some of these head of agencies, parastatals to ICPC to face trial were mostly avoidable.

He said the conversation with CEOs was important as it would avoid some of these challenges the country was facing.

“This interaction is designed to help us to resolve as part of our prevention mandate and we try to avoid agencies that are in the eye of the storm in our office for the moment so that somebody will not think that this interaction is an aspect of our investigation, it is not.

“You cannot say the peron who stole 50 kobo is less morally guilty than the one who took 1.2 million. Your defence cannot be that everybody is doing it. That is not a recognisable defence.NAN

Members of the Natives Support Group during a solidarity match to APC National Secretariat in support of the President elect, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FGN Securities: DMO, CSL woo Gombe investors, say all Nigerians qualified

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has called on residents of Gombe State to take advantage of the FGN Securities to invest and earn regular income.

Director-General of the DMO, Patience Oniha, made the call while delivering her opening remarks at the FGN Securities Issuance Awareness Programme held in Gombe on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised in collaboration with CSL Stockbrokers Limited, the stockbroking firm for the Federal Government, Oniha, who was represented by Mr Sani Abubakar, Head, Policy Strategy and Risk Management Department,

Gov. Bello appoints new Executive Secretary for Niger State Pilgrims Board

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani

Bello has approved the appointment of Muhammad Awwal Aliyu as the new Executive Secretary, Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

A statement issued by Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) disclosed that the appointment of Muhammad Awwal Aliyu to the challenging position was based on professionalism, merit, proven credentials, integrity, and outstanding records of decades of experience.

Ahmed Matane reminded the Executive Secretary that he is also expected to bring his knowledge, skills, and wealth of experience to bear in the performance of his new assignment by working assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in him.

According to the SSG, “the new Executive Secretary is expected to comply with the operational structure and policy objective as contained in the State Pilgrims Welfare Board”.

DMO, said the risk-free nature of FGN securities made them an advantage and better investment option for Nigerians.

She said that the different investment products provided by FGN Securities had given a rare opportunity for all Nigerians to invest based on their financial capacities.

According to her, the Federal Government had introduced additional products to make it more inclusive, and to meet the aspirations and demands of investors.

She said that all Nigerians, irrespective of their financial status, were qualified to invest

and get good and safe returns on their investments.

She listed some of the products being offered to include FGN Bonds, Nigerian Treasury Bills, FGN Sukuk, Green Bonds and FGN Savings Bond.

On some of the benefit of investing in FGN Securities, Oniha said it would provide citizens with opportunity to contribute to national development by helping to provide some of the resources needed by the government to address infrastructure deficits.

The DG urged participants to pay attention to all presentations during the workshop to ensure

that they get the required information on operation and investment procedure of FGN Securities.

Also speaking, Mr Abiodun Fagbulu, the Managing Director, CSL Stockbrokers Limited said FGN Securities were best suited for all categories of Nigerians, adding that no one should be left out.

Represented by Foluke Samuel, Lead Sales, Northern Region, CSL Stockbrokers Limited, Fagbulu urged Nigerians to invest in FGN Securities, as they would have no need to worry in view of the safety that comes with such investment.

“With as little of N5, 000 you can become an investor,” he said. NAN reports that reports that the awareness programme, which commenced in Lagos in March, 2022 has also been taken to Enugu, Ibadan, Kano, Yola and Umiahia.

Gombe is hosting the first edition of the programme in 2023, to be followed by Oshogbo on May 4.

In January, the DMO had also created an FGN Securities portal to make subscription seamless and to attract more investors, especially young Nigerians, to FGN Securities.

(NAN)

Kokona crísis: Displaced Mada victims cry for help

From Gambo Ahmed lafia

Mada victims of the recent clàsh wíth herders in Tattara villàge in Kokona local government council

of Nasarawa state have made a passionate appeal to the federal and state governments as well as spirited individuals to come to their aid.

Speaking in an interview

with Peoples Daily Thursday in Garaku, one of the victims Malls Sundày Francis said that the call became imperative because many people fled their homes without carrying anything.

According to him,”we are calling on the state government under the leadership of Governor Sule and other relevant agencies to assist us from this predicament.“

Billiri LG APC support Yahaya’s programme

From David Hassan,Gombe

The All Progressives Congress( APC) in Billiri local government area of Gombe state has pledged to

support Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s programmes.

Secretary of the party Mr. Boyi Gidado who spoke on behalf of the chairman of the party Mr. Isiaka Zakari stated this

on Wednesday while briefing Journalists at Government lodged in Billiri. He said they are fully ready to support the governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya

programmes after winning his second term bid.

The party also congratulated the governor for its deserved role at the just concluded general elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari meets with APC Governors at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; State House

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

As the world commemorates World Immunization Week, Save the Children International Nigeria urged governments and stakeholders at all levels to accelerate actions toward reducing and ending under-5 mortality rate of children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

It said the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2021 indicated that about 1 in 10 children in Nigeria die before their 5th birthday.

Owing to this, SCI said, all stakeholders should strive to ensure that no child dies from preventable causes before their fifth birthday.

Furthermore, according to the findings of the 2021 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) & National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS) carried out by the NBS as part of the global MICS programme, the infant mortality rate is 63 deaths per 1,000 live births for the 5-year period preceding the survey, while the under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) for the same period is 102 deaths per 1,000 live births. The neonatal mortality rate is 34 deaths per 1000 live births. Child mortality is 42 deaths per 1,000 live births. The under-5 mortality rate of children born in the poorest households (133 per 1000) was nearly three times the under-5 mortality rate for children born in the richest households (47 per 1000).

Save the Children believes that immunization saves millions of lives, and it is recognized as one of the world’s most successful health interventions.

It said the benefits of vaccines are fully realized when children receive all recommended vaccine

SCI urges govt, stakeholders to end under-5 mortality

doses in a timely manner.

“Immunization coverage in Nigeria is below the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) goals, i.e., only 36% of children aged 12- 23 months received all recommended vaccines and 18% did not receive any, putting a substantial number of children at risk of vaccine preventable

diseases. Substantially more children are fully vaccinated in the southern zones compared to the northern zones, according to the National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS), 2021.

“Therefore, we would like to urge all stakeholders to continue to build strong political commitment for

an increased immunisation coverage and other primary healthcare interventions, thus contributing to increased domestic investment in health to meet the Abuja Declaration of 15% (2011) as against the present 8% budgetary allocation to health by Nigeria in 2023 at the national level. Save the Children

will work with partners and stakeholders towards ensuring that increased health spending directly improves child health services, including removing catastrophic health spending, reducing non-financial barriers to accessing care, and prioritizing primary health services in Nigeria.”

Delta partners media, others to deepen awareness on TB

The Delta government has urged partnership with the media and all stakeholders to deepen awareness on the danger of Tuberculosis (TB) in the state.

The call was made on Wednesday in Asaba at a oneday training workshop for journalists and media workers by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with its technical partners, KNCV and Breakthrough Action Nigeria with support from the USAID.

Dr Christian Tetsola, Director, Department of Public Health in the State Ministry of Health, in a welcome address, said the prevalence of TB was alarming and taking a high dimension in the state.

He noted that there was an urgent need to mobilize committed efforts of all stakeholders to spread awareness and educate the people of the state on the danger of the airborne disease.

He said that TB if detected early was treatable but for ignorance and lack of awareness,

many suffer and die from the disease.

“Tuberculosis is one of the oldest contagious disease that many people don’t know it is very common around us.

“Here in Delta, many people don’t know that TB is real and that the disease is treatable and preventable if diagnosed early.

‘This is why this training workshop for journalists is very important because the media is a critical stakeholder in our crusade to spread information about public health.

“However, we must all take action because tuberculosis is here with us. It is so bad that we are seeing the high rate of TB in the state,” he said.

Tetsola added, “the campaign against TB must be intensified if we must achieve positive results and that is why we need the media in this respect.”

He expressed the state government’s displeasure over the poor attitude of the people in utilizing the public health facilities in the state.

According to him, most people

shy away from undergoing test and treatment that would help early detection and check the spread of the disease.

The director used the medium to appealed to health workers in the state to exhibit good attitude at work places towards patients who visit health facilities to seek counsel or treatment.

In his presentation at the workshop, Dr Emmanuel Ajumuka, the Senior Programme Officer for KNCV Nigeria, said that resistance from patients was a major challenge in the campaign against the disease.

He said, “one of the problem we are having in Delta state is that most diagnosed TB patients always refuses to continue with their treatment and drugs.

“Most people who go to health facilities for treatment, don’t want to submit their sputum for test that would help facilitate early treatment.

“Also, many parents who take their children for treatment always refuse to bring stool samples.

“They will say that they do

not want someone to use their children stool for ritual purpose, you can imagine their belief.”

Ajumuka said that available records showed that four out 20 persons tested TB positive and mostly children were impacted. He, however, urged parents to allow their children undergo diagnosis and treatment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training workshop was attended by selected media workers and public health information officers in the state. (NAN)

UK firm celebrates re-elected Nigerian gov., legislators

TEXEM UK, a leading executive education and consulting services provider, has congratulated its esteemed stakeholders and alumni on their recent success in the Nigerian bipartisan political landscape.

Dr Alim Abubakre, the founder of TEXEM, UK, stated that “by celebrating these visionary stakeholders and spurring them to do more, the organisation is acting as an excellent corporate citizen and living its ethos”.

Abubakre said in a statement on TEXEM’s website, www. texem.co.uk, that the company’s ethos includes inspiring executives and organisations to motivate their stakeholders, optimise performance, maximise impact and achieve sustainable

success.

The TEXEM stakeholders/ alumni that the organisation celebrates their victories include Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, of Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, who has been re-elected to the House of Representatives for another term.

Another stakeholder is Hon. Akin Alabi, of Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency in Oyo State, also re-elected to the House of Representatives for another term.

Hon. Chinedu Ogah, currently serving as the Federal Representative representing the Ezza South/Ikwo constituency of Ebonyi State, is re-elected to the House of Representatives for a new term.

Hon. Amadu Jaha is also re-elected, representing the Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok constituency of Borno State at the Federal House of Representatives.

Sen. Umar Sadiq of Kwara North Senatorial district, Kwara State, is re-elected to the Nigerian Senate for another term.

Sen. (Mrs) Akon Eyakenyi, another stakeholder, is elected Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Sen. Mpigi Barinada is also re-elected as Senator for the South-East Senatorial District of Rivers State.

His Excellency, Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, is another TEXEM stakeholder/ alumni re-elected for a second term.

“TEXEM UK is proud to have

Hon. Abdullahi Halims, Hon. Akin Alabi, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, Hon. Amadu Jaha, Sen. Umar Sadiq, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, Sen. Mpigi Barinada and His Excellency Dapo Abiodun as its esteemed stakeholders and alumni.

“We recognise their remarkable achievements and contributions to developing their constituencies and the Nigerian nation.

“Their re-election and election victories are a testament to their dedication, hard work, and commitment to service,” Abubakre said.

He said that as a leading provider of executive education, TEXEM UK remains committed to promoting leadership excellence and professional development in

Nigeria and beyond.

“I hope this congratulatory message will encourage these politicians to renew their determination to help more people and deploy their communication prowess and quick-witted capability for societal good.

“We believe that these impactful leaders are vital to the development and progress of Nigeria, and we are committed to supporting them in their endeavours,” Abubakre said.

He said the renewed call to service should buoy them to act more decisively and enjoy receiving criticism as it is a means of growing and optimising their capability to enshrine good governance.

(NAN)

Governor Okowa

Black & White Colour st

Special Positions

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2. Series discount is subject to the stipulated number of insertions and it is payable only at the end of the campaign (to be deducted from balance paid).

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4. Cancellation of advert placement in less than 24 hours to publication date will attract 25% surcharge.

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6. Advertisers will be surcharged 10% of the applicable rate where artwork are not provided.

7. Adverts may not be published if the visual given is too poor as to attract the production.

8. Alteration to original order should be conveyed in writing 24 house to desired alteration date.

9. The Management of Peoples Media Limited reserves the right not to publish advert that is libellous or considered distasteful for public exposure.

Bayelsa State: A tale of two governorship primaries

By Oweigha Julius

APC in Bayelsa State remains under the sole ownership of Timipre Sylva and his machinations are just to hold firmly on to the party structures.

This is not about Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities but about two Governorship primaries ahead of the November 11th governorship race to Creek Haven and the candidates thrown up by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri and the All Progressive Congress, Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Though, other political parties such as the Labour Party (LP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) have produced their own flagbearers, candidates of PDP and that of APC remain the two top contenders.

The forthcoming election means so much to the people and so, will base their support or otherwise on the capacity and antecedents of the two leading candidates on offices held previously.

The people will equally ask them, how well have the candidates supported or otherwise compromised the Peace, security and development of the people?

Given the pedigree possessed by the PDP and the APC, and of course the candidates, the people are already judging the duo of Governor Douye Diri and Chief Timipre Sylva from position of service in the last three years.

While Chief Timipre Sylva’s areas of assessment is becoming a mountain to climb with misgivings being expressed over his decision to vie for the Governorship seat after years of Eldorado at the Federal Level, and the protracted protest against his emergence, Governor Douye Diri’s performance in office in the last three years is visible to the electorate and the generality of the people of the State.

It was then no surprising that Governor Douye Diri emerged the sole candidate in the Governorship primaries held in the state and attended by all stakeholders of the PDP including the immediate past Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial district, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

It was clear enough that Senator Diri emerged from a very transparent PDP Primaries conducted by a panel

headed by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The same cannot be said of the emergence of Sylva from the disputed Governorship primaries of which process is now being challenged by at least two of the APC aspirants. David Lyon and Festus Daumiebi described the APC primaries as a fraud and that no election held in any ward as prescribed for direct primaries. For APC under Sylva, it’s all about controversy.

They have both rejected the outcome of the election, alleging that the process was marred with irregularities and compromise.

Indeed, a tale of two primaries; one conducted with no rancour and the other marred with irregularities. One united all PDP members and the other divided the party with impunity.

APC in Bayelsa State remains under the sole ownership of Timipre Sylva and his machinations are just to hold firmly on to the party structures.

The people of Bayelsa are not with him on this failed governorship journey.

A simple Governorship primaries could not be conducted in a free and fair manner. What manner of leader is that.

For the people, the message is, Not Again, and have rejected Timipre Sylva!

Oweigha Julius is a Current Affairs Commentator based in Bayelsa.

Stage Fright: The way down

By Kayode Esther Omowunmi

So as a public speaker you should get ready to use the apps to overcome you stage fright never forget stage fright cannot be eliminated but it can only be manage if you improve on yourself.

Have you ever imagine yourself walking to a stage to deliver a speech and then your body turns cold and your vision turns black just with the thought of it, it is a sign that your fear of public speaking is all set to ruin opportunities for you. So now is time to start working on your fear, because in times of cutthroat competition you cannot afford to lose your limited opportunities to a phobia called stage fright. What if I tell you that you can overcome this fear just by using your phone. In today’s progressive world some apps have been designed to help you overcome your fear of public speaking and out all these apps five are uniquely use according to research which are promptsmart pro, orai, vocabulary builder,word of the day and speakometer.

For a public speaker to carry papers and prompters with one to the stage could be quite embarrassing. You might jumble them or even lose them at the last moment. Well, PromptSmart Pro is a app that allows you to make notes, write scripts, and even create presentations based on the speech you wish to deliver. It substitutes a teleprompter very well, and the best part about it is that you can easily record each of your practice sessions and compare it. Also, it uses advanced voice recognition technology and its unlockable cloud-based feature allows

it to manage documents well. It allows public speaker to create presentations and can also convert the notes to PDF for storage or sharing. Also, Orai is the best apps that can help you brush up your public speaking skills. It helps you identify what aspects you need to work on. It can help you work on such things as conciseness, filler words, energy, pace, pausing, confidence, and facial expressions.When a public speaker talks about them lacking in vocabulary when writing their speech is surprising but now there is an amazing app that can help solve that problem and this app is called vocabulary builder. We must not forget that vocabulary is one of the most important factors that could make or break your confidence about speaking in public. If you do not know which word best conveys what you are thinking, you could end p uttering by using unnecessary fillers. Also,

for a good and impressive speech you must use word that can catch your audience mind so vocabulary builder can help you find solution to that problem.

Furthermore, word of the day is also one of the apps that suggests to you some words each day with their definitions and pronunciations. It also helps you reinforce your vocabulary through quizzes and competitions. This will help you keep adding words to your vocabulary which will provide the choice of words available to you when you need to write a speech. Speakometer is the last of them. A well-written piece of content may not be effective if you do not pronounce the words in it correctly. Speakometer help suggests appropriate words to you but if you find it hard to pronounce words in your speech, the app will teach you how to pronounce them correctly. So as a public speaker you should get ready to use the apps to overcome you stage fright never forget stage fright cannot be eliminated but it can only be manage if you improve on yourself. Lastly, speaking publicly is a fear that holds back a lot of people so now several apps are available that can help you overcome your fear of public speaking. some of the apps helps in creating short notes, writing speeches, and making presentations. Some assess and analyze your speech based on factors like conciseness, filler words, energy, pace, pausing, confidence, and facial expressions. While others helps one improve one vocabulary, improve one pronunciation. Once you make up your mind to fight fear, you are already halfway there. Fight and win over your fear through these apps.

Kayode Esther Omowunmi is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Indeed, a tale of two primaries; one conducted with no rancour and the other marred with irregularities.

Also, Orai is the best apps that can help you brush up your public speaking skills. It helps you identify what aspects you need to work on. It can help you work on such things

Tension in Sanwo-Olu’s camp as Jandor pushes to reclaim mandate

By Isaac Asabor

Barnabas Abiodun Raji, the leader of the People Living with Disabilities, and Kola Alatise, the chairman of Coalition of Artisans in Badagry, pledged the support of their members for the gubernatorial bid of Jandor and his running mate, Olufunke Akindele.

The latest move by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in submitting a petition before the Lagos governorship election tribunal, challenging the outcome of the state guber election is unsettling the high echelon of Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s camp.

Inside sources say that Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State and his men, who are of the APC, are aware of the groundswell of allegations of corruption surrounding the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial elections in the State and are afraid that if these allegations are properly proven, it might upset the apple cart at the elections tribunal.

Besides, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, the PDP governorship candidate, (popularly known as Jandor) has presented a very strong case at the tribunal with weighty evidence that will likely upturn the election results.

Jandor is calling for the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) candidates in the election for “non-compliance” with the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the petition marked EPT/LAG/GOV/01/2023 dated April 7, the petitioners said APC did not comply with the INEC timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election which stipulated that all political parties must give 21 days notice to INEC before the conduct of the primary election.

While INEC is the first respondent, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Obafemi Hamzat, his deputy governorship candidate; APC; Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, LP governorship candidate, and the LP respectively are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th respondents.

Besides the allegation of non-compliance with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, Adediran added that at the time of the governorship election, Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, and Rhodes-Vivour were not qualified to contest the election.

He asked that all votes cast for them in the election be declared wasted.

According to the petition, the APC also failed to comply with the requirement of the Electoral Act 2022 which states that every political party sponsoring a candidate in the general election shall submit the nomination form of such candidate(s) not later than 180 days before the conduct of the general election in forms EC9.

Adediran and the PDP added that Sanwo-Olu failed to attach a copy of the GCE O’Level result he claimed to have sat for in 1981 along with his form EC9 as required by the Electoral Act 2022 among other allegations.

However, Governor Sanwoolu’s 2019 form CF001 received from INEC and attached as exhibit to Jandor and PDP petition to the tribunal, revealed an attachment of a purported 1981 statement of WAEC result from Ijebu Ife community grammar school with examination number 17624/118. WAEC’s response on the Verification of this result via WAEC DIRECT RESULT VERIFICATION PORTAL indicated the non-existence of the Candidate’s name in the specified year and Exam diet.

Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour who’s the candidate of the Labour Party, as seen in the evidence attached to Jandor and PDP petition to the tribunal, claimed under oath to have joined the Labour Party on the 18th of June, 2022, meanwhile, an application letter personally signed by him to be the PDP deputy governorship candidate for the same 2023 was dated 19th June, 2022. A day after he claimed under oath to have joined the Labour Party. He also attended the screening

exercise for PDP deputy Governorship Aspirants at the party National Secretariat in Abuja on the 22nd of June 2022, 4 days after he claimed under oath as seen in the evidence attached to Jandor’s petition to the tribunal.

Some lawyers that looked at the breakdown of the petition gave Jandor kudos for doing a thorough job capable of disqualifying Sanwo-Olu and the Labour Party candidate at the tribunal.

Analysts believe that Jandor did a yeoman’s job and with experienced Lawyers, Sanwo-Olu may just be on his way out of the government house if the case is properly decided.

Jandor came third in the election with 62,449 votes, behind the duo of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Gbadebo RhodesVivour of the Labour Party.

Sanwo-Olu scored 762,134 votes to edge out the LP candidate who got 312,329 votes.

Before the elections, Jandor had expressed confidence in winning, irrespective of the antics of the ruling party or enemies within. He declared that no candidate including the incumbent Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had ever worked like he had done in the electioneering, going to meet people in various communities across the 245 wards in the state.

Bolstered by this and the reception he was getting from fans, he took the offensive. Addressing newsmen sometime at his campaign office in Ikeja, the 45-year-old Adediran said he was in the race to win and bring in a breath of fresh air.

According to him, “We know they (APC) have been collecting Permanent Voter Cards, PVC, from the electorate to manipulate the polls’ result. But we are assuring them they will meet their Waterloo this time.

“They (APC) do not have the monopoly of madness. Machinery has been put in place to check for any fraudulent moves. We will protect our votes from polling to collation centres.

“This election is to send the ruling APC packing. Remain steadfast, and calm down because the battle is of the Lord. We will win this election.

He urged his fans not to succumb to their threats and intimidation, adding, “We will protect our votes. Our votes will count this time, come out en-masse to exercise your rights.”

The weeks leading to the elections came with much turbulence for Jandor with allegations of rape, stepping down for other candidates, his campaign DG who’s a personal assistant to Chief Bode leaving for LP on the instruction of his Boss, as well as perceived backstabbing by trusted members of his party.

Jandor believed that the campaign of calumny and machinations was orchestrated by members of the opposing party who saw his rising profile and wanted to pull him down by all means.

He told the media in one of his briefings: “We are all aware of the whirlwind in the polity towards this governorship polls in Lagos as a result of activities of some godfathers in PDP and APC who are bent on subverting the wishes of the majority.

“It is about the candidate that has been everywhere to see things for himself. It is about time that we elected a governor that is not tied to the apron of any godfather.

“We are here stating that all the rumours that are out there purportedly being sold by some people in some quarters is nothing but false.

“Lagos PDP is not in alliance with any political party. As the candidate of the party, I have not stepped down for, and I’m not stepping down for anybody, and we are not going to step down for anybody.

“There has not been any formal meeting between Lagos PDP and any political party as such to say that we are on a round-table discussing alliance,” he said.

“The leaders have been beating the drums of war for the

last few weeks with provocative statements, harassment, and propaganda. But am sure all these will soon subside. God has exposed them as they are beating the drums of war.

Jandor however weathered the storm, bearing the burden without shaking. The PDP candidate stressed that he ran the governorship campaign without any support from the party.

“We went into this election against all odds and even against some of our leaders within the PDP. Some respected leaders, supposedly, in the party had to leave us for crumbs.

“I didn’t get a single money from the party at the state or national level after February 25 presidential and National Assembly Elections.

“We stayed behind to see this to the last. Even when some left the party to form a false alliance, we stood our ground to see this to fruition.

“I want to commend the people of Lagos, all loyal PDP leaders who stayed to see that the election came to a logical conclusion.

Analysts believe that Jandor, who hails from the Ojo/ Badagry division, is a better alternative to replacing Sanwo-Olu whom many see as a lackey, lily-livered and a non-performer.

Besides, his division is seen to have been marginalized all these years by the APC government. He promised to work for its development, to erase years of neglect by successive administrations in Lagos.

Adediran is his familiarisation tour urged the artisans and people living with disabilities to vote for PDP candidates at all levels in the state, stressing that the ruling party and their candidates have failed Lagosians.

Barnabas Abiodun Raji, the leader of the People Living with Disabilities, and Kola Alatise, the chairman of Coalition of Artisans in Badagry, pledged the support of their members for the gubernatorial bid of Jandor and his running mate, Olufunke Akindele.

Also, Jandor in an interactive session with the league of Pastors in the Igbede/Iyana axis of Ojo Council, yesterday, said that the state needed a breath of fresh air that would make it work for all and sundry.

According to him, the Badagry Division, where Ojo LGA is also located, has suffered long neglect, hence the need to support him as an indigene of Ojo LGA, to change the story of the division for the better.

Promising free and compulsory education, security and massive infrastructural development, Adediran said that he would ensure that the wealth of the state worked for the residents, especially the masses.

While at the palace of the Royal Majesty, Elekunpa of Ekunpa Kingdom, Oba Abu Kazeem Kosoko in Ojo Council, Jandor promised never to let the traditional institutions down.

He told the Oba that he would run a government of the masses that everyone would be proud of.

His running mate Funso Akindele also helped to enhance the saleability of Jandor to the people especially the women. Akindele said that their administration would give women opportunities and ensure total inclusiveness.

Akindele said that Jandor would implement 35 per cent affirmative action for women if elected.

Also speaking during a visit to a coalition of artisans and physically challenged people in the Agamadeh part of Badagry, Jandor promised to set up a ministry for the physically challenged in the state and it would be headed by one of them.

“I want to appeal to all of us that this election is about giving Lagos a breath of fresh air. It is about time we did something else in the state. Analysts believe that the outcome of the court case by Jandor will be a make or mar for the APC government in the state.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Policy Analyst.

Demise of an elected lawmaker and the law

By Alhussain Ibrahim

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide and to provoke robust discourse on the topic. Specialist advice should be sought about specific circumstances.

Recently, there are discourse on what happens if an elected lawmaker dies before assuming office. This is yet another situation in our electoral process not contemplated/ captured in the Electoral Act.

In a related development, a House of Representatives member-elect, Isma’ila Maihanchi died yesterday, the announcement was contained in a press statement from the office of the Speaker House of Representatives dated 22/04/2023.

This sad and shocking news occurred few weeks to the

inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

Mr Maihanchi was elected to represent Jalingo, Yerro, and Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State during the 25th February National Assembly election.

Its imperative to note that the 2022 Electoral Act did not vividly state what happens next, in case of the demise of an elected and returned lawmaker.

However, section 34 of the Electoral Act only made provisions in respect of death of a nominated candidate. Section 34(3) of the Act went further to cure a situation where a candidate died after commencement of polls and before the announcement of final results. Furthermore, the section states that in case of Presidential or gubernatorial or FCT Area Council election, the running mate shall continue with the election and nominate a new running mate.

Notwithstanding, for lawmakers (National and State

Assembly),that died after the declaration of winner/ collection of certificate of return but before taking oath of office, the Electoral Act 2022 is silent.

Section 76(2) of the 1999 Constitution provides that if a legislative seat becomes vacant, an election will be conducted not later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs. This provision can be invoked to remedy the situation.

To conclude, a “bye-election” can be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission to fill the vacant position which occurred as a result of death of the elected lawmaker.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide and to provoke robust discourse on the topic. Specialist advice should be sought about specific circumstances.

Alhussain Ibrahim Esq is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Centre engages stakeholders on improved courts management reporting

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has engaged stakeholders on the improvement of courts management reporting.

This came to the fore at a twoday workshop tagged: “Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Building Training”, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Chairman, National Programme Coordinator for the Court Admi ofre nistration Management (CACM) Project, Dr Oluwatoyin Badejogbin said there had been challenges of managing court cases efficiently and in a timely manner.

2023 Census will be acceptable by NigeriansFederal Commissioner

By Usman Shuaibu

The 2023 census would be acceptable by Nigerians, the Federal Commissioner representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Joseph Shazin Kwali has said.

Shazin, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kwali, also said the 2023 census would be free, fair and credible.

He then assured the people of the FCT and Nigeria at large that the security agents would be engaged during the census exercises.

He revealed that adequate preparations had been made in terms of sensitisations, advocacy, demarcations as well as inauguration of the publicity committees towards achieving the victories during the census.

He said his leadership would deem it necessary to give the necessary support and cooperation to the enumerators to carry out their duties effectively.

When asked on the security challenges facing the country for so long now, the Federal Commissioner called on the in-coming government to complement the efforts of the out-going administration in order to wage war against insecurity for the benefit of Nigerians.

Badejogbin said the project sought to adress these challenges by helping courts and departments of public prosecutions to work more efficiently.

This, he said, was with the hope that such efficiencies can improve the output of courts and help to further decongest courts.

Badejogbin said that the organisation would look at the implementation of other interventions that would strengthen case management and help speed up cultural processes through digital recording devices.

“All across courts in the country, we experience challenge of managing cases efficiently and in a timely manner.

“We are looking at implementing a whole range of interventions that will not only

strengthen case management, but will help to speed up courts processes through digital recording devices.

“The practice has been that judges write in long hand and that contributes a whole lot of delays in cases so by introducing recording devices, we hope to bring down the delay considerably.

“We also want to strengthen the capacity to manage a couple of courts very efficiently so that we don’t have cases of records being lost,” he said.

The Board Chairman, PPDC, Chibuzo Ekwekwo said the project was already implemented in three states, adding that new states will soon benefit from the programme.

“The states themselves will also invest and take up the programme and improve its expansion across

the judicial systems.

“We have to help the court systems improve their manual process because without improving the manual process, digitising becomes difficult.

“The next step is to deploy the infrastructure to digitise the process and have a full impact of using the new system,” he said.

Mr Jibril Shittu, Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, said that the effect of the project on justice was in a way that justice would no longer be delayed but accelerated.

“It is very important because we see the potential impact on the lives of the average citizens.

“When we talk about efficiencies in court systems and processes, court administration scheduling in our various judicial

offices and systems need to improve,” he said.

Executive-Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, Nasarawa State, Yahaya Shafa said some of the challenges faced were lack of facilities in court rooms Nigeria.

“This project will help us do better case management, help in acquiring evidence and all these will lead to better administration of criminal justice,”he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CACM project is a pilot that is being implemented in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau States.

The project seeks to improve access to and the dispensation of justice for Nigerians, enhance citizens’ interaction with the government and law using transparency tools. (NAN)

Market’s demolition: Chief of Army Staff accused of disobeying court order

By Usman Shuaibu

The Chief of Army staff

Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya has been accused of demolishing multi-purpose building materials market in Maitama, Abuja which was allocated to the traders without obeying court order.

The Abuja-based businessman, Chief Dr Wasiu Tunwase, who is also the Otunba of Yoruba

community in the FCT made this accusation in an interview with newsmen in his residence in Zuba.

Otunba disclosed that the allotees were given 25 years to operate in the market and subject to renewal, adding that the traders only spent about three years before the Chief of Army Staff ordered for the demolition of the market.

He further revealed that about 2,500 traders were disengaged in the market due to the demolition,

expressing worry the way and manner at which the Nigerian military men were disobeying court injunction in the country.

According to Otunba, we do not have judiciary in this country because Chief of Army Staff does not obey the rule of law, but nobody is above the law of the land.

He pointed out that some traders had already sued the Chief of Army staff to the High Court of Justice 49 in Gwagwalada, Abuja

on the demolition of the market and urged the court to do justice to the case.

Tuwase, however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the Attorney-general of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to look into the matter of the demolition of the market along Mammi street in Maitama, and charged the incoming government to work on Nigerian Judiciary in terms of its responsibilities.

Members of the Natives Support Group during a solidarity match to APC National Secretariat in support of the President elect, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) after its general assembly meeting on national issues which was held in Abuja, has backed the South East or South South for the position of Senate President in the 10th National Assembly.

In a communique issued yesterday after the meeting, IPAC said the meeting before arriving at its resolutions, deliberated on issues that will further consolidate the nation’s participatory democracy

The Council, in a communique signed by the National Chairman, Yusuf Sani Yabagi, said to ensure federal character as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, and ethno-religious balancing, the Senate President should be zoned to the South-East or South-South geo-political zone.

“The candidate that will emerge will address the required ethnoreligious balancing in view of the fact that the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President-elect, Alhaji Kashim Shettima and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola are all of the same faith.

“This will help to restore confidence of the people from the South-East and South-South geo-political zones and indeed all Nigerians in the unity of the country. Also, the historic precedence is the example of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s PDP Government in 1999 when it deliberately zoned the Senate Presidency to the South-East and ensured that every zone was accommodated in the power sharing equation thereby helping to calm frayed nerves and peace throughout his eight years administration”, the Council said

Senate President: IPAC tips East or South, seeks more slots for women, youth

in the communque.

IPAC also called on all relevant stakeholders to embark on deliberate actions that will help to reconcile, heal and unite the nation, saying this will eliminate the winner takes all syndrome and further ethno-religious inclusivity and a strong, virile, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable and just democratic nation.

It said this is without prejudice to the ongoing election petitions at various election petition tribunals in the country.

“IPAC was deeply concerned by the ethno-religious sentiments that characterized the 2023 general election nomination of Presidential candidates and campaigns, which adversely polarized the nation and undermined issues-based campaigns that would have strengthened our frail electoral process.

“Nigerians witnessed the

worst campaign since 1999 when democracy was restored in the country. Council is strongly determined to stop the dastardly do-or-die politics, garrison politics, ethno-religious profiling and stomach infrastructure that have impeded our hard-earned democracy and impoverished the masses who sold their votes for a mess of electoral porridge.

“IPAC demands more appointments of women and youth in government as the most vibrant demographic groups in the country. The continued marginalization of women and youth in the previous and incumbent governments must stop forthwith.

“No nation makes progress without the active participation of women and youth. Their involvement in the 2023 general election was an eloquent testimony of their preparedness to serve the

fatherland and should be given the opportunity to do so. Council urges all the key stakeholders to be proactive and run an inclusive government. This is the only way to carry Nigerians along in governance and provide the

essential dividends of democracy. “As the umbrella body of all the registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will always be in the vanguard for sustainable democracy and good governance in Nigeria”, IPAC said.

Adamawa REC writes police, SSS, NSA from hideout how Binani ‘won’ guber poll

By Musa Baba Adamu

Suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),.Hudu

Yunusa Ari, currently in hiding, has insisted without evidence that Aisha Binani won the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa, according to a letter he sent to the nation’s top security agencies.

In the lengthy message received at the Force Headquarters on April 20, copied also to the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), National Security Adviser (NSA) and the chairman of the Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ari asserted that the two national commissioners, Baba Bila and Abdullahi Zuru, who had been tasked to assist him with the supplementary election on April 15, were secretly working with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the results.

Yunusa Ari has been on the run since April 16, minutes after he suddenly declared Mrs Ahmed winner, while collation in the supplementary exercise was still underway.

The INEC chief did not present any evidence to support his declaration, which he appeared to

have made offhand. He was seen later that day leaving the state in a chartered flight and has not been seen ever since.

Mr Ari defended his actions to be well within his rights as contained in the Electoral Act 2022.

“I want to categorically say that my action is within the responsibility vested on me and within the ambit law, particularly of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.”

In the letter, Mr Yunusa Ari reaffirmed his position as the chief collation officer but did not say he had the powers to declare a

winner, which is reserved for the returning officer.

A spokesman for Mr Fintiri strongly denied the allegations that the governor bribed electoral chiefs. INEC did not comment on the allegations of bribery raised by Mr Yunusa Ari against Messrs Bila and Zuru.

At least seven aides to the governor were arrested for their involvement in the attack on the SSS agent, who was said to be an assistant director, The Gazette learnt. It was not immediately clear whether some or all of them have been released as of Wednesday morning.

Cede 10th Assembly Deputy Speaker to South South - Coalition tells members

By Christiana Ekpa

Acoalition of Civil Society Organizations under the aegis of Progressive Parliamentary Support Alliance (PPSA) on Thursday urged all Members-elect in the 10th Assembly to unanimously cede the position to a Christian lawmaker from South South region.

The Coalition’s position followed a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Hon. Bala Mohammed and Secretary, Hon. Boboye Akinrefon which was made available to Parliamentary Correspondents in Abuja,

They expressed their solidarity for the incumbent Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power, Honourable Reverend Francis Waive, member

representing Ughelli North Ughelli South Udu Federal Constituency of Delta State.

The coalition stressed that the election of a Christian Deputy Speaker will go a long way to balance religion, equity and justice in tandem with federal character principle in the 10th Assembly, the Coalition revealed that Honorable Reverend Francis Waive has all it takes to deputize the Speaker in the 10th Assembly.

The Coalition specifically emphasised the need to ensure that Christians have adequate representation in the Body of Principal Officers in the Green Chamber, urging President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cede the position of Deputy Speaker in the 10th Assembly to Christians from the South South geopolitical zone in person of Hon. Francis Waive.

The Group equally argued that after diligence assessment of all the lawmakers from the South South region, it found Honourable Reverend Francis Waive worthy of being elected as the Deputy Speaker.

Hon. Waive is the incumbent Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power and member of several Standing Committees in the 9th Assembly.

“We wish to put on record that we are not opposed to the choice of a Muslim Speaker in the 10th Assembly, but we wish to unequivocally demand for religious balancing especially among the two Principal Officers - Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

“This becomes very germane to the principles of fairness and equity. Recall that Nigerians and Christian Community

took it in good faith when the leadership of APC resorted to the Muslim-Muslim joint ticket in the 9th Assembly.

“And it is very expedient to point out that with the Muslim-Muslim joint ticket which was replicated with the choice of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kasim Shettima, the Parliament should reflect religious balancing.

“From a series of assessments carried out on all the three geo-political zones - South South, South West and South East, we can attest to the character and personality of Honourable Reverend Francis Waive as the man fit for the job.

“Our assessment was premised on the proficiency and high sense of responsibility discharged by Hon. Francis Waive as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power.”

INEC presents certificates of return to 3 Imo Assembly members-elect

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, presented certificates of return to three Imo House of Assembly members-elect.

The certificate presentation was sequel to the April 15 supplementary polls conducted in three local government areas where elections were earlier declared inconclusive.

The assembly memberselect are: Nkem Otuibe (Ahiazu Mbaise-APC), Chief Vitalis Azodo (Ideato South-

Accord) and Modestus Osakwe (Isu-PDP).

Presenting the certificates to the trio, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo, Prof. Sylvia Agu, congratulated them, noting that their victory was by the grace of God.

“For us in INEC, today’s occasion marks the end of a phase in our electoral cycle,” Agu stated.

According to her, the presentation of the certificates to the winners within 14 days is in compliance with the provisions of Section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Agu expressed the commission’s appreciation to all the stakeholders saddled with the conduct of the 2023 general elections for their unrelenting support before, during and after the polls.

Responding on behalf of the elected members, Otuibe commended the REC for encouraging free and fair elections in the state.

“I want to thank you all. It is a day of joy for us and secondly, I want to say God knows why He brought you here because you have shown capacity and strength.

“You have shown that you

don’t belong to any party but to all.

“Thank you for ensuring that the electorate exercised their rights of choice,” Otuibe, who was re-elected for a second term, said.

In an interview, one of the elected members, Osakwe, of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a first timer, expressed delight with the issuance of certificates.

Osakwe urged INEC to remain independent in future elections to ensure that only the right people were elected into offices.

“The electoral laws are

there to guide every step all the way. If followed to the letter, there won’t be too much rancour,” he said.

Similarly, Azodo, of Accord, said “let us follow the laws, particularly in the area of uploading of results to the IReV portal.

“This will ensure that only popular candidates are elected,” Azodo, another first timer, said.

He reiterated his promise to provide quality, effective and efficient representation to the people of Ideato South State Constituency.

Reverse suspension of C’River commissioner – APC chairman orders ward

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Alphonsus Eba has ordered the Ward 8 exco in Calabar Municipality to immediately reverse the purported suspension of the commissioner for culture and tourism, Ntufam Ekpenyong Iso.

Eba summoned the ward Exco yesterday for a meeting where he

reportedly scolded them and cancelled the suspension.

According to media reports, the ward exco suspended Iso, citing alleged antiparty activities.

According to party officials, Eba said that there was nothing like suspension in the party for now, charging them to retract the announcement of the suspension.

“The State party chairman has reversed the suspension and directed the ward 8 chairman, Kingsley Ekpe to retract

the announcement immediately as there was no suspension in the first place since due process was not followed”, a stalwart who attended the meeting said.

Findings indicated that the ward chairman and the secretary, Gilbert Bassey Otu allegedly used fake names and signatures for attendance at a meeting where they discussed the commissioner’s suspension.

They then attached list of attendees to the purported suspension letter.

When contacted, the commissioner said the purported suspension was the handiwork of some evil persons in his ward.

“That purported suspension was fake. People who thought that they can become Commissioner through blackmail were behind it.

“I am happy that the ward exco during the meeting with the state party chairman yesterday confessed and dissociated themselves from it,” he said.

L-R: Registrar Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (CITM) Olumide Adedoyin (left) and President Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Professor Benjamin Osisioma, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between CITM and ANAN, yesterday in Abuja Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday asserted that while the All Progressived Congress, APC was working hard to retain power in the recent elections, the combined opposition was a victim of over confidence- the main reason why he believed they lost.

Speaking at his residence in the State House where he received the Progressive Governors Forum led by their Chairman, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, the President said: “They were already telling their foreign backers that they would defeat the APC. Our Party blended confidence with caution, we worked hard and won. Now, their over confidence is creating more problems for the opposition than anyone else. They are finding it hard to convince those who supported them from outside why they are unable to beat us.

“A combination of over confidence, complacency and bad tactical moves made them lose, plain and clear. This has created more problems in their camp. Why did they fail to remove us?”

Speaking in response to an issue raised by Governor Bagudu, the leader of the Forum, President Buhari said “an important reason I congratulate Asiwaju on winning is because the opposition got support and false hope from outside and went on to create the impression that they will win, that they will defeat us. How more wrong could anyone be?” he asked.

The President charged the Progressive Governors to stick together and openly address issues among themselves.

“Try and keep solving problems. Be courageous to discuss them openly between yourselves. This is the best way to survive politically in Nigeria,” said the President, urging that “you (Governors) have a program to meet regularly and to discuss issues and how to maintain the Party nationwide.”

President Buhari spoke at length about his retirement proposal, saying that he intended to be at home in Daura for six months before moving eventually to Kaduna.

He thanked Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State for the infrastructure he has provided that would make life for his retirement and that of the people of the state much better, adding that the Governor of Kano had equally done the same.

The Chairman, Atiku Bagudu said the visit was ostensibly to say “Happy

2023 Polls: PDP, APC, others victims of over-confidence, says Buhari

Sallah” to the President and to thank him for the leadership he had given to the Party and the nation.

This being their first visit since the elections, they congratulated the President on the Party’s victory in the Presidential Polls, saying, “Congratulations, your Party won the Presidency, a majority in the Senate and for being the leading Party in the House of Representatives. These successes would not have happened without your support.

“History will remember you kindly. Around the world, the election is being celebrated because of the turbulence in the region and in the developing world, all courtesy of your leadership. We won by sheer hard work, the same thing you have always encouraged us to do. We thank you immensely for everything,” he added.

The Governors in attendance in addition to Kebbi were from Plateau, Imo, Kwara, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kogi, Lagos, Cross

Rivers , Jigawa, Katsina, Ogun and Nasarawa States.

The Deputy Governors of Kano, Gombe, Borno and

Ebonyi were in attendance, as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Delta Rep joins race for Deputy Speakership

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

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

in Abuja.

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

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

“I believe in the equality

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

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

“Those who know me

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

“As our induction and inauguration ceremonies draw near, I am available to interact with you personally and privately at your convenience,” the lawmaker said. (NAN)

Court restrains Rivers APC chairman, legal adviser from parading as executives

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

ARivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained Emeka Beke and Iheanyichukwu Dike from parading themselves respectively as the state chairman and legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

Omiete Eferebo and nine others had asked the court to stop Beke and Dike from parading themselves as executive members of APC in the state.

Justice D. G. Kio granted the ex-parte application by the plaintiffs.

Confirming the development to newsmen, the factional spokesman of the APC State Working Committee, Eyinda Dike urged members of the

public to desist from transacting with Beke and Dike.

“We, the executive members of the All Progressives Congress, APC Rivers State chapter, wish to reiterate to the general public today, the 13th day of April 2023, the suspension of the former chairman, Emeka Beke and the legal adviser, Mr Iheanyichukwu Dike.

“You will recall that their suspension was made known to the public on the 4th of April, 2023. As law-abiding citizens, the entire executive approached the court to validate their suspension, pending ratification by the National Executive Committee.

“The Rivers State High Court sitting in PortHarcourt, presided over by Justice Dakakima Kio has graciously granted our prayers, hence, restraining Chief Emeka

Beke and Mr Iheanyichukwu Dike from acting or parading themselves respectively as chairman and legal adviser of APC in Rivers State.

“Consequently, we notify the public to desist from transacting or dealing with them in that capacity. Whosoever transacts or deals with them, do so in his or her own peril.

“Furthermore, the acting chairman and the entire members of the state executive committee, wish to advise all chairmen and leaders of our various strata, that is, the local government areas, wards and units to desist forthwith from all forms of abuse of office capable of generating rancour in the party.

“We, therefore, appeal to members of our great party to remain calm as the executive

is working round the clock to overhaul, reposition and align the party with the centre,” he said.

Addressing newsmen, the factional APC state Chairman, Omiete Eferebo, further disclosed: “In line with repositioning the party and ensuring permanent peace, I am delighted to inform you that the following committees have been set up.

“Reconciliatory committee, [with] the purpose to reach out to all aggrieved members of our party, APC;

Investigative and Disciplinary Committee, vested with the power to investigate all victimisation-related incidences and recommend findings to the state executive council for ratification.”

President Muhammadu Buhari

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

In an avowed drive to further deepen the capital market and attract more young people to the market, the need to embrace fintech has again been emphasised.

This was stated by the Director General Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Lamido Yuguda during the Supernews Nigeria Fintech Conference held in Lagos Thursday.

Yuguda who was represented by Director Registration, Exchanges, market Infrastructure and Innovation of the SEC, Mr. Abdulkadir Abbas stated that fintech is a game changer in deepening the capital market and enhancing financial inclusion.

He said the theme ‘Imperative

Oando introduces electric vehicles to Lagos transport sector

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) has made inroads into the transportation business in Lagos State, acquiring and taking delivery of an undisclosed number of electric vehicles from Chinese carmaker, Yutong Bus.

OCEL is the clean energy arm of Oando Plc, largely owned by Wale Tinubu. His company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) on April 28, 2022.

The Oando, Lagos State agreement will see Oando Clean Energy roll out 12,000 electric mass transit buses, supporting charging infrastructure, and service centres (EV Infrastructure Ecosystem).

In a statement released to the capital market authority on Wednesday, it was disclosed that the electric mass transit deal would lead to the phase-out of current combustion mass transit buses in the state.

Commenting on the acquisition and deal between the state and his firm, Wale Tinubu, who is the Chairman of OCEL, said: “The arrival of our electric mass transit buses and development of an EV infrastructure ecosystem is a reminder that the only way to remain ahead of the curve is by being unafraid to break new ground and consistently looking for opportunities to leapfrog.

“Public-private partnerships have been critical to getting the project to this point and will continue to fuel our expansion across the entire country.”

Fintech will enable financial inclusion -Yuguda

of Fintech in Promoting Financial Inclusion in Nigeria, is very important to the capital market as transformation in the sector is incomplete without fintech.

Abbas said “We can see a kind of game changer and rapid transformation in the financial sector due to fintech. It is a building block for enhancing financial inclusion.

“Traditional means can no longer work, the average age of investors in the capital market is 45-50 years and we are currently trying to attract the millennials to the market and this can be achieved with the aid of fintech.

“We are exploring ways to leverage on fintech to bring on the young people to the market. The capital market sees fintech as an opportunity and that is one of the ways we intend to change the dynamics of the capital market.

Abbas stated that it was in view of the importance of fintech that the capital market initiated the fintech roadmap which enabled the SEC to come up with innovations and rules to support the initiative.

According to him, “We need innovation to deepen and broaden the market and we had to come up with rules to support it like the rules on crowdfunding among others.

“We all saw the success achieved with the electronic offering by MTN, a lot of Nigerians were able to subscribe with their phones and other gadgets conveniently. We realised that one of the ways to unlock investment opportunities is through fintech and we are stepping up such strategies to deepen the market”.

He however expressed the need to strike a balance between investor protection and innovation adding that financial inclusion cannot be achieved with it a good

strategy for financial literacy.

Abbas expressed the readiness of the SEC to collaborate with other regulators and stakeholders in the quest to attract more investors to the capital market and grow the economy.

In her remarks, Publisher/ CEO of Supernews Nigeria, Mrs Ngozi Onyeakusi said the conference centres on Fintech and Financial Inclusion which holds a great potential for the Nigerian economy and for the financial stability of the country.

She said the emergence of Covid-19 no doubt projected the need for adoption of fintech in daily activities and businesses but not without its attendant challenges.

Onyeakusi said the choice of the theme was aimed at contributing its quota to the financial inclusion target of the federal government.

“This conference centres on fintech and financial inclusion which holds a great potential for the Nigerian economy and for the financial stability of the country”

Federal govt suspends subsidy removal

From

Abubakar Yunusa

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday suspended the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, made this known to State House correspondents shortly after the valedictory Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The minister stated that the council deliberated on the matter and resolved that the fuel subsidy cannot be removed for now, according to Punch newspaper.

The council however agreed on the need to continue the discussion on the matter and the necessary preparatory work in conjunction with states and representatives of the incoming administration, she said.

“Council agreed that the timing of the removal of fuel subsidy should not be now. But that we should continue with all of the

preparatory works that need to be done and that this preparatory has to be done in consultation with the states and other key stakeholders including representatives of the incoming administration,” she said.

“Council agreed that the fuel subsidy must be removed earlier rather than later because it is not sustainable. We cannot afford it anymore. But we have to do it in such a way that the impact of the subsidy is as much as possible, mitigated on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“So, this will require looking at alternatives to the fuel subsidy that needs to be planned for and subsequently put in place. But also what needs to be done to support the people that will be most affected as a result of the removal.”

Mrs Ahmed added that the federal government is working with other institutions of government towards the eventual removal of the fuel subsidy.

“And if I may remind this forum that the budget for 2023 has a provision for fuel subsidy only up to June 2023 and also the Petroleum Industry Act has a provision that requires that all petroleum products

must be deregulated 18 months after the effective date of the PMS removal and that that period is also up to June 2020,” the minister said.

Earlier in January, Mrs Ahmed said that it will be more appropriate for the government to begin the implementation of its fuel subsidy policy in the second quarter of the year.

The minister noted that the country needs to exit the fuel subsidy regime because it is a very significant contributory factor to revenue loss.

“You can look at it in two ways, the payments made are revenues that would have come to the government but don’t because it is being spent on fuel subsidy.

“Also, where there is not enough revenue to buy the refined petroleum products, we have to borrow to buy the products, so, if we take that out, that is over N3 trillion, it’s a significant relief if we do not incur any more than that number that we projected for 2023,” she said.

The Nigerian government has, for decades, subsidised fuel and fixed retail prices of petroleum products. The payment has,

however, threatened the nation’s fiscal position and impacted government’s ability to fund developmental projects across the nation.

In November 2021, the federal government announced its plan to remove the fuel subsidy and replace it with a monthly N5,000 transport grant for poor Nigerians.

But the government later suspended the plan after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) threatened to embark on mass protests.

In February, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the Nigerian government to deliver on its commitment to remove fuel subsidies by mid-2023.

The Washington-based lender in a report titled ‘IMF Executive Board Concludes 2022 Article IV Consultation with Nigeria’ urged the authorities to deliver on their “commitment to increase welltargeted social spending.”

Despite rising oil prices, the IMF said, the government’s fiscal deficit is estimated to have widened further in 2022, mainly due to high fuel subsidy costs.

L-R: Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, Chairman / CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa , Former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and the Secretary NIDCOM, , Dr Sule Bassi Yakubu, during the Global African Diaspora Symposium Abuja 2023, theme: “building stronger connections between Africa & the Global Diaspora”, held yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Wednesday signed an agreement with a Norwegian company, Golar LNG (GLNG), to build a floating Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Nigeria.

The signing of the agreement took place at the NNPC headquarters in Abuja.

According to NNPCL, the agreement was in furtherance of its efforts to deepen Nigeria’s domestic gas utilization and enhance gas export.

“NNPC Limited has signed a

NNPCL, Norwegian firm to build floating gas plant in Nigeria

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Norwegian company, Golar LNG (GLNG), to build a Floating Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Nigeria,” the company said.

“Group CEO of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari and CEO of Golar LNG, Mr Karl Fredrik Staubo, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective companies during a brief ceremony held

at the NNPCTowers in Abuja, yesterday.”

Golar LNG is one of the world’s largest independent owners and operators of marine-based LNG midstream infrastructure.

The LNG infrastructure is active in the liquefaction, transportation and regasification of natural gas, the oil firm said on its official Twitter page.

UN: Large-scale oil theft, cash scarcity stifled Nigeria’s economy

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The United Nations says large-scale oil theft and the recent cash scarcity crippled the Nigerian economy and strained finances.

In a new report, titled, ‘Trade and Development Report Update: Global Trends and Prospects’, for April 2023, the intergovernmental organisation said the scarcity affected the informal sector the most.

The report was produced by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), an arm of the United Nations that promotes the interests of developing countries in world trade.

“In Nigeria, a shortage of cash, triggered by the replacement of the highest denominations of the country’s currency, hobbled the economy, especially the informal sector,” UN said.

“Meanwhile, the continuing decline of oil production, accompanied by large-scale oil theft, poses a main threat to strained finances in Africa’s most populous nation.”

The UN also projected that the general African economy will expand by 2.5 percent, which is a drop from last year, and “at a pace insufficient to make a dent in poverty levels”.

Like in other developing regions, the UN report explains, “weaker external demand and tighter financial conditions have made growth prospects gloomier for the region”.

“In the case of commodity exporters, the fading of the initial effects of the 2022 price boom will add to the equation,” the report said.

“Rising global interest rates have triggered significant capital outflows and have further constrained fiscal space, at a time when public finances were already severely affected by costly subsidy schemes aiming at contending the adverse effects of high food and energy prices.”

The United Nations also said, with half of African countries recording double-digit inflation in early 2023, many are at risk of stagflation in 2023.

Stagflation is an economic cycle characterised by slow growth and a high unemployment rate accompanied by inflation.

According to experts, a stagflationary situation presents a dilemma for economic policy, since

actions intended to lower inflation may exacerbate unemployment.

‘The risk of stagflation is a key concern for many African economies. In approximately half of the countries, inflation remained double digits in early 2023,” UN said.

“In many instances, these

recent inflation spikes relate to the continuing depreciation of several African currencies in early 2023 — often following a loss in 2022 of 10-30 per-cent of their value visà-vis the dollar.

“Public debt, in many cases standing at levels not seen since the early 2000s, is another worry

across the continent. Out of the 38 African countries that are part of the Debt Sustainability Framework (DSF) of the IMF and World Bank, eight entities are already ‘in debt distress’, while 13 are considered ‘at high risk’ of distress.

“Furthermore, many African

economies are approaching a maturity wall as maturities on international bonds issued in the previous decade are expected to peak in 2024 and to remain elevated for the next decade, with most governments unable to tap international capital markets to roll over maturing debts.”

How we resolved PENGASSAN strike crippling Mobil production – NNPCL

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its strike across Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) facilities.

A statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) said the industrial action was suspended following high-level mediation between the leadership of the company, NNPCL, and PENGASSAN.

“The industrial action across all Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) facilities which commenced on 13th April 2023, effectively constraining 300,000 barrels of oil production daily (BOPD), as well as export activities forced Mobil to declare

a force majeure across all their locations, has finally been called off by PENGASSAN,” NNPCL said in a statement.

The company said that the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, successfully led mediation efforts between the union and Mobil through a series of meetings and engagements for an immediate and unconditional return to work and resumption of production and export activities across all Mobil locations in Nigeria.

“At a tripartite meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, 26th April 2023, between the leadership of Mobil, PENGASSAN led by the National President of the Union, Comrade Festus Osifo, and NNPC Ltd, at the instance of Mr Kyari, the Union’s grievances were holistically addressed and firm commitments were put in place to avoid a repeat of the regrettable situation.

“Industrial relations broke down at Mobil as a result of the 2023 collective bargaining agreement stalemate and proposed changes to the rota schedule of operations staff,” it said.

During the mediation, the statement said the NNPCL leadership prevailed on both Mobil and the Union to shift grounds and find a common position in the interest of all parties and the federation.

“A pay adjustment acceptable to the union and within the threshold of Mobil was collectively agreed upon and signed off, while both parties have also agreed to put together a working team that will have a 5-month timeline to review the proposals for a possible change in rota schedule for operations staff and parameters for implementation,” it added.

Furthermore, Mr Kyari implored the union to always

explore alternative means of dispute resolution rather than resorting to strike actions with far-reaching implications beyond the operations of the company involved in the dispute.

NNPCL explained that the industrial action commenced in the aftermath of the recovery of national production from an all-time low of sub-one million barrels of crude oil production per day in July 2022 to over 1.67 million barrels per day in March 2023.

“With NNPC Ltd asserting its industry leadership and the current sustained efforts at curbing production losses, Nigeria’s crude oil production output is poised to hit 1.8 million barrels per day before the end of the year. An improved production output implies significant economic benefits for the Country and all stakeholders,” it said.

R-L: Executive Director / CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr Ezra Yakusak, Director Product Development NEPC, Mrs Evelyn Obidike and the Director Export Development / incentives NEPC, Mrs Babatunde Faleke, during the NEPC 2023 1st quarter media briefing on increase Export Trade volume, held yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Nigerian CSOs top chart in West Africa – WACSI report reveals

From

Abubakar Yunusa

Anew research report has indicated that Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria lead the way in digital security attack in the last one year.

The country has experienced the highest percentage of attacks at 10.75%, with Ghana following closely behind, just as 25% of such attacks happened multiple times.

This is contained in a Statement by the Head, Knowledge Management Unit, West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), Jimm Chick Fomunjong.

This comes as the Institute launched a recent groundbreaking research report “Landscape Mapping of Civil Society Digital Security in West Africa.”wherein the Statistics that 31% of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in West Africa experienced a digital security attack lately.

“The study further revealed that, while 45% of CSOs were unaware of national laws and regulations on digital security, CSOs in the region faced a multitude of digital security challenges that threatened their efforts in pursuing their mandates.

“This study was commissioned by WACSI with support from Mott Foundation,” the Statement added.

The Statement decried

the disturbing rate of digital insecurity in the West African region as contained in the 144page report, while also disclosing that far-reaching steps to right the wring have been advanced.

“The report, a result of extensive research work led by Evans Tindana Awuni, a Doctoral Researcher at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt in Germany, examined the state of digital security among 284 CSOs.

“These organisations were sampled from a pool of over 2000 CSOs across the fifteen ECOWAS countries, plus Cameroon, Chad and Mauritania.

“Among other things, it assessed the most common digital security threats that CSOs in West Africa encounter; the level of exposure of CSOs to these threats and attacks, and their preparedness in tackling them.”

The report revealed that a higher percentage of the victims were community-based organisations and local NGOs compared to international NGOs.

It also came out that the majority of CSOs did not have adequate knowledge and training on how to protect themselves from digital threats and attacks whereas limited financial resources prevented many CSOs from allocating a budget for information security.

“While uncovering the

inadequate preparedness of CSOs towards responding to digital security threats and attacks, the study also found that only a small portion of CSOs (23.6%) had computer and information security policies in place. Even that, just a handful understood its contents not to talk of applying these policies.”

Addressing over 100 attendees at the virtual launch, Executive Director of WACSI, Nana Afadzinu said the Institute, in its 2023 to 2027 strategy, has a priority of ensuring that CSOs in the region were adequately supported to leverage technology to promote their developmental initiatives.

This, she explained, informed the Institute’s decision to commission the research to gain a holistic appraisal of how digital security affects the work

of CSOs in the region.

Although there has been considerable research work on the adverse and positive impacts of digitisation on CSOs, Afadzinu noted that the extent to which the work of civil society actors is aided or hampered by digitisation has not been comprehensively examined.

“While this is critical in informing and shaping the Institute’s work going forward, it constitutes a rich body of knowledge that can inspire a diverse pool of stakeholders to contribute, together with WACSI, to improve the digital landscape to enable the work of CSOs,” she added.

Presenting some of the recommendations, Evans Tindana Awuni, the lead researcher on the project charged CSOs to increase awareness on

digital security, invest in digital security infrastructure and also train employees on digital security.

These efforts, Awuni said, are proactive measures to “prevent attacks, data breaches and intrusions.”

While the report boldly sets the records straight on the yawning gaps in digital security among CSOs in West Africa, it has the potential to trigger further research into key technological issues in the civil society ecosystem.

It comes as a wake-up call to civic actors and development players to become well informed and proactive in the face of fastgrowing digitalisation especially in ensuring that technology does not become “a helper but an enemy” asset in the work they do.

LG unveils latest cutting-edge innovations at 2023 MEA, aims to enhance customer experience

From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

LG, the electronics giant, has disclosed that its LG Showcase MEA 2023 is now open, marking the first time in four years that LG Electronics is presenting its latest products in the region.

According to the company, the two-day event will be taking place at Habtoor City in Dubai, UAE, and will be attended by over 400 guests. Visitors will have the chance to witness LG’s latest innovations, which will soon be rolled out in the region.

The LG Showcase, which was last held in 2019, brings together the largest group of participants ever, reflecting their confidence and expectations towards LG’s brand and its exciting range of new products. The event reaffirms the company’s “Life’s Good”

philosophy, which aims to bring innovative products to the market that enhance the overall customer experience.

Giving his Keynote Speech, Mr. Il Hwan Lee, Chief Executive Officer of LG MEA Region, said, “We are thrilled that LG Showcase MEA has resumed in Dubai in the post-pandemic period. This event has built a reputation for providing visitors with first-hand experiences with the most innovative technology that LG has developed, providing our customers with ‘First, Unique, and New’ experiences. Despite the industry’s challenges over the past few years, it is wonderful to see so many guests and partners at the event today.”

The company has also made its range of strategic products available, including QNED TV, Vivace washing machine, and DualCool air conditioner. Guests

can also experience LG’s new emerging products range featuring dishwashers, dryers, audio systems, gaming monitors, PCs, vacuum cleaners, stylers, and more.

In his remarks, Mr. Dongyoun Kim, Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations said, “Everyone at LG is excited for the start of LG Showcase 2023 MEA. We have a whole host of innovative new products and devices on display for visitors to use and experience.

With almost 400 guests confirmed to attend, we expect plenty of interest from visitors about how LG sees the future of technology in the coming years. The event is also a wonderful opportunity for LG to further enhance our business relationships with local partners. As a company, we are fully committed to supporting local customers and

partners by fulfilling their needs as well as sharing the values the company stands for with ‘Life’s Good’.”

Visitors at the showcase will have the opportunity to get handson with LG’s newest high-end premium products, including the LG SIGNATURE second generation line-up, Wireless OLED TVs (including 10-year anniversary editions), and refrigerator with MoodUP™.

This year’s highlights feature “First, Unique, and New” experiences with lifestyle TVs and WashTower™. A particular focus is LG’s built-in home appliance range of products that further enhance LG’s presence and position in the market.

Not only did LG Showcase 2023 introduce the company’s wide-ranging products, from the revolutionary wireless TV

to the second-generation LG SIGNATURE lineup, but it also gave attendees a hands-on experience of what the future holds with LG’s restless efforts to provide its customers with smart life solutions showing what the company means with ‘Life’s Good’. There really was something for everyone, with all four distinct zones of the LG Showcase 2023 offering visitors F.U.N. – first, unique and new –customer experiences

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of LG OLED this year, the OLED TECH zone presented the lineup’s diverse sizes and features. As a pioneer of the premium TV market and winner of many prestigious accolades from journalists and industry experts, the LG OLED TV lineup provides superb picture quality, vibrant colors and deep blacks that bring images to life.

By Stanley Onyekwere

Some stakeholders in the health sector have stressed the need to prioritise overall improvement of Primary Health Care Centres ((PHCs) for the delivery of effective services to the teeming people at the grassroots across the FCT.

This, they noted can be achieved by strategically tackling issues of inefficient infrastructure, manpower, power supply and dearth of political will to execute articulated policies.

They spoke recently, at a sensitisation campaign during the commemoration of the World Oral Health Day, in Kubwa, Abuja.

For, Chairman, Nigerian Dental Association (FCT-NDA), Dr. Olatunji Abdulhakeem, there is serious concern over the difficulties experienced by patients who have dental health challenges and have to leave their local health centers to secondary health facilities to receive treatment.

Abdulhakeem noted that oral health affects the body’s overall wellbeing, hence the need to prioritise it at the PHCs.

Also, the FCT-NDA scribe called on policymakers to make and implement policies that would accelerate and encourage the availability of Dental health

Residents implored to help mitigate vandalism

By Stankey Onyekwere

In order to mitigate the incessant vandalization of critical public infrastructure in Abuja, the nation’s capital city, residents are enjoined to cooperate with security agencies to tackle the menace.

The appeal was contained in a recent statement from Director of Press, office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye.

In the statement, residents are implored to cultivate the habit of reporting to security operatives when they see something unusual.

Also, they are encouraged to call and inform security agencies of what is happening around them concerning vandalization, so that they can quickly nip it in the bud, as timely information is required”, he said.

However, they are assured that relevant agencies of government have put various measures in place to deter the vandals as well as ensure that they are caught and prosecuted.

METRO

Gov’t asked to prioritise strengthening PHCs at rural communities

services across PHC facilities. Similarly, the convener of the Sensitization campaign and Executive Director, Center for School Health Education and Environmental Hygiene (CSHEEH), Dr. Folashade Momoh educating school children was as important as the message of oral hygiene.

Momoh noted that children are change agents and will easily assimilate, practice and disseminate information to their family and friends.

She therefore, called on parents to be good role models by practicing oral hygiene with their wards as children easily imitate whatever they see. She further

highlighted that Schools should include the practicality of oral hygiene in their curriculum to drive home the needed message.

World Oral Health Day is marked to raise awareness on a myriad of issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene by calling on governments and agencies to

work together towards healthier mouths. And, the theme for 2023 is “Be Proud of Your Mouth, for a Lifestyle of Smiles”.

It was gathered that as part of activities to drive the sensitization campaign, about 270 pupils in Kubwa received a health talk on the importance of oral hygiene and some dental hygiene kits.

Foundation seeks acceleration of justice for SGBV victims

By Stanley Onyekwere

In order to ensure justice for the victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Voice of the Girl Child and Vulnerable People’s Foundation (VGCVPF), has advocated for measures, to help generate and keep track of those involved in such menace and other nefarious acts.

The Foundation noted that security agencies need citizens to

help them in tackling the menace and other security challenges.

Also, it explained that it conceived and developed Guardup’ mobile internet application, designed to avail information as evidence and engage with critical stakeholders such as Government agencies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), security agencies amongst others.

Executive Director of the Foundation, Aisha Bello, said with the app, it is easy to monitor activities and prevent criminalities,

so as to serve as a deterrence to criminal minded people, thereby help to reduce the level of crime in the society.

Bello said it will also assist to mitigate SGBV especially empowering the victims to access with proven evidence captured on the app, as well as boost tackling some of the insecurity challenges in the society.

“We realised that when we take SGBV cases to courts they keep asking for evidence, that’s what makes is to lose the cases. And if

the perpetrator is not punished, definitely, there would be more people involved in that particular crime.

“So, if it is evidence that is required, lets come up with what can help people get the evidence ready, so as to have evidence for whatever that is done to them.

“We are ambassadors. We can the phones to capture evidence even for others, who may not have Android enabled phones. So we are not going to keep quiet”, she stressed.

President Muhammadu Buhari Participates at the Nigerian Army Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade 2023 held at the Eagle Square, yesterday Abuja. PHOTO; State House

Ukraine war: Partisan attack kills police chief in Russian-occupied Melitopol

Apolice chief in the occupied Ukrainian city of Melitopol, who defected to Russia after they seized the city, has been killed in an apparent partisan bombing.

Oleksandr Mishchenko died when an improvised device exploded at the entrance to the block where he lived.

There have recently been reports of heightened Ukrainian partisan activity in the region.

Melitopol’s exiled mayor said the dead officer was a traitor.

The city is in Zaporizhzhia province, one of four regions that Russia claimed to have annexed last year following its invasion, despite only partially controlling them.

After Mariupol, Melitopol is the largest city on territory occupied by Russia since February 2022.

Russia’s Interior Ministry said the explosion happened at 05:20 local time (02:20 GMT).

It added that two policemen were injured and hospitalised but subsequently one of them died.

A video of the scene showed a crater next

to the apartment building and nearby cars with broken windows.

“The path of each collaborator is predictable: yesterday betrayal, today panic, tomorrow massacre,” exiled Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov wrote on his Telegram channel about the killing.

He said that before the invasion Mishchenko had been chief of the Priazovsky district police department, adding that he not only defected but also “tricked his employees into becoming traitors”. It is unclear what Mr Fedorov meant by the allegation.

Volodymyr Rogov, a Russian-installed official in Zaporizhzhia region, said Mishchenko had several times been threatened by “terrorists” for “restoring peace to the region, preventing illegal acts and creating order in his native land”.

Last year a number of Russian-installed officials were killed in attacks in occupied areas, including Zaporizhzhia region.

One of them was Oleh Boyko, the deputy mayor of the city of Berdyansk, who died along with his wife in September in an

apparent assassination.

And a number of Russian-installed officials were killed in the southern city of

Kherson last year by partisan activity ahead of the successful Ukrainian offensive that captured the city.

Jerry Springer: Era-defining TV host dies aged 79

Jerry Springer, the TV presenter best known for his raucous talk shows, has died aged 79.

The controversial host fronted The Jerry Springer Show for nearly three decades from 1991.

Springer died peacefully on Thursday at his home in Chicago, his publicists confirmed to BBC News.

In a statement, Jene Galvin, a friend of Springer’s and spokesman for the family, described him as “irreplaceable”.

“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” he said.

“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humour will live on.”

Springer’s chat show became a symbol of low-brow television over the course of almost 5,000 episodes with its on-air fights, swearing and infidelity revelations.

Fellow chat show host Ricki Lake led the tributes on social media, writing: “Just waking to the very sad news of the passing of my longtime talk show rival and friend Jerry Springer. A lovely man. May he rest in peace.”

Broadcaster Piers Morgan described Springer as a “TV icon and such an intelligent, warm, funny man”.

“Loved working with him on AGT [America’s Got Talent], loved hanging out with him (we lived in same hotel for two years), loved arguing with him (he loved his politics), loved everything about him,” he added.

Springer was born in the London Underground station of Highgate in 1944, during World War Two.

His parents, who were Jewish refugees from a region of Germany which is now part of Poland, were in the station sheltering from a German bombing raid at the time.

Springer moved to to Queens, New York, aged four, along with his parents and older sister.

He started his professional life working in

politics, having studied both political science and law at university.

He was an advisor to Robert F Kennedy, and served as mayor of Cincinnati from 197778, but after a failed bid as governor of Ohio he switched to a career in TV journalism.

He became a reporter at a local TV station and worked his way up to being an anchor.

Launched in 1991, The Jerry Springer Show began life as an ordinary talk show focusing on social issues and US politics, led by the-then mild mannered Springer.

But in an effort to boost ratings, Springer switched things up dramatically after a few years, focusing on salacious and outrageous content.

Springer repeatedly defended his show against accusations it was too low-brow.

He told the BBC in 2014: “You could decide only to put well-scrubbed, wealthy people who speak the Queen’s English on television and just do that but that wouldn’t reflect the whole society.”

“If all shows were like mine, that would be wrong. But you can’t just have television that is like Friends, Seinfeld, all these wealthy people, good looking people and you love it,” he added.

“If some wealthy, famous person goes on television and talks about who he or she has been sleeping with, we can’t get enough it. We cheer them. But if it’s some person of low income, all of a sudden we say trash.”

In most episodes, guests came to talk about family problems and expose adultery and other transgressions.

Springer would supposedly try to mediate but the encounters often ended up in fist-fights, with guests being held back by security guards.

The audience would regularly chant “Jerry! Jerry!” when tensions became heightened during the episodes.

On his Twitter profile, Springer jokingly declared himself as “talk show host, ringmaster of civilisation’s end”.

Springer called his programme “escapist entertainment”, but others saw the show as contributing to a dumbing-down of television and a decline in social values.

He often jokingly told people he met that his wish for them was: “May you never be on my show.”

In the late 1990s the show topped the daytime television ratings in the US, beating even Oprah. It ended its run in 2018.

In 2003, a musical based on the chaotic TV series was launched. Jerry Springer: The Opera ran for 609 performances in London from April 2003 to February 2005 before touring the UK in 2006.

It won four Olivier awards including best new musical. In January 2005, its UK television broadcast on BBC Two attracted 55,000 complaints.

Jerry Springer: The Opera provoked accusations of blasphemy and protests from religious campaigners. But broadcast regulator Ofcom said it did not breach its guidelines.

From 2007 to 2008, Springer hosted America’s Got Talent, and in recent years he fronted the courtroom show Judge Jerry.

Last October, he starred in the US version of The Masked Singer - one of his final TV

appearances.

Springer had stepped down from The Jerry Springer Podcast, after eight years, in December.

Political commentator David Axelrod tweeted: “Jerry Springer will be remembered as the ringmaster of an embarrassing, tabloidstyle TV show.

“But I met him earlier, when he was a mayor and insurgent progressive candidate for governor of Ohio in a race I covered. He was funny, self-effacing and incisive.”

YouTuber KSI said: “RIP Jerry Springer. You made my off days at school so much more entertaining.”

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Source; BBC

Oleksandr Mishchenko was a police chief in Melitopol both before and after the Russian invasion

Springer’s long-time friend Jene Galvin described him as “irreplaceable”

Sudan’s Darfur fighting: Trapped and too scared to go to the toilet

Fighting is raging in Sudan’s West Darfur region, despite the ceasefire, with Arab militias targeting warehouses, markets and homes.

A senior policeman has been killed and a Sudanese aid worker has told the BBC he has been hiding under his bed because of the violence.

“I cannot even go to the bathroom,” Abdallalateif Eltayeb said over the phone from the city of El Geneina.

The conflict has inflamed already fraught ethnic tensions, he says.

Darfur has been in turmoil for years with violence between its various African and Arab communities.

When non-Arabs took up arms against the government in 2003, complaining about discrimination, the government retaliated by mobilising mostly Arab militias who went on to be accused of widespread atrocities. To this day, many Darfuri African groups live in camps for their own safety.

Now Arab militias - linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group that is fighting the army - appear to be taking advantage of

the security vacuum.

“The clashes started four days ago,” says Mr Eltayeb, who is a 26-year-old humanitarian consultant originally from Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

“Militias are attacking markets, warehouses, offices, organisations, hospitals and now they’re targeting homes. I’m just waiting for my turn.

“There’s a lot of shooting in the front yard, close to where the bathroom is. Every time I want to go to the bathroom I have to wait five to 10 minutes to see if there’s any shooting and then I can go.”

Heavy fighting has been reported in West Darfur all week. On Wednesday, the Deputy Police Director of West Darfur State, Brigadier General Abdel-Baqi AlHassan Mohamed, was reportedly shot and killed.

This shooting took place a day after civilians stormed the West Darfur state police station, seizing weapons.

“Arab militias have been attacking internally displaced people,” explains Mr Eltayeb. “They’ve burned all the IDP camps.

“The IDPs then went to the police HQ

and now they’re armed. They tried to defend themselves on Tuesday but they couldn’t. There are a lot of dead people.”

When Mr Eltayeb briefly tried to leave his house to charge his phone because he had not had any electricity in five days, he was faced with the horrific reality of the violence.

“I saw pick-up trucks full of dead people and armed Arab militias were looking at us with angry eyes.

“After that I just went back home and I’ve been using my power bank but the battery is almost drained. I might not have any battery left by the end of the day.”

Sudan crisis: Three ways the conflict could play out

Despite the tentative ceasefire and lull in fighting in Sudan, few believe this is the end of the conflict and there are questions about how things could unfold in the next few weeks and months.

The BBC has been speaking to some Sudan analysts to look at the possible scenarios.

1) A swift military victory

This seems unlikely as both sides have advantages that favour them in different phases of conflict.

It is a military junta that has split in two - with the rivals both claiming early victories.

• The army is led by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the junta’s president

• The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is headed by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, the junta’s vice-president.

It appears, from testimony from those leaving the capital, Khartoum, that the RSF have the slight upper hand in the city.

It is a mobile, guerrilla force that can adapt more quickly than their more conventional opponents. This capability has favoured them in the running battles in Khartoum’s city centre.

But the army is thought to have access to far greater firepower, be it tanks, artillery or dominance in the air.

With diplomats and foreigners leaving the city, it is feared this may soon be turned on Khartoum.

“In large parts of the city the RSF is swarming residential areas with fighters who are occupying homes,” says Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank.

“They are essentially daring the army to destroy its own city. One would presume [the army doesn’t] want to destroy Khartoum, but for them this is an existential fight.”

Both sides can also call on help from external backers, which could help prolong the fighting, according to independent Sudan analyst Jonas Horner.

The army is thought to have the full backing of regional powerhouse Egyptthough officially the northern neighbour has

remained neutral.

The RSF, meanwhile, has the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia’s Wagner mercenary group and other regional militias on its side.

2) A prolonged conflict

There are many ways this conflict could evolve, none of them good for the people of Sudan.

“It definitely has all the elements in becoming a prolonged civil war,” thinks the BBC’s Mohanad Hashim, who is himself Sudanese.

“There has been a lot of agitation from those loyal to the former regime of Omar alBashir and his National Congress Party, who hold an Islamist ideology.”

Bashir was ousted from power by the army in 2019 after mass street protests. During his 30-year rule, many well-armed ethnic militias emerged.

“Bashir worked very assiduously to create these divisions between these different ethnic groups, which then created militias,” says Mr Horner.

“The security vacuum created [by his ousting] has meant that there has been a reopening of militias because they’ve had to manage their own security.”

Were the militias to take sides, this conflict may evolve into something even more dangerous which could “widen this conflict and make it much harder to put it back in the box”, Mr Horner believes.

The potential ethnic element has many observers genuinely worried. It is also something both generals have sought to turn to their advantage.

“Before the war started, we saw both Hemedti and Gen Burhan stoking ethnic divisions, addressing their own constituencies,” says Hashim.

“We could see a scenario where the RSF, having recruited in marginalised parts of the country, tries to present itself as a figure to unify the rural areas,” says Ahmed Soliman of the Chatham House think-tank.

This could split the country with the RSF moving “to its Darfur heartlands to try and re-

alight and a corpse was put in it to give the impression he had died

supply and mobilise more fighters”.

3) A peace deal

Diplomats are trying to get the two generals to agree to extend the ceasefire but when it comes to starting peace talks, no-one thinks they are likely to start any time soon.

There is also the question of what could be acceptable to ordinary Sudanese.

Hashim was in Khartoum during the revolution of 2019 and has watched the generals repeatedly fail to hand over power to civilians, culminating in the 2021 coup.

“They have had a year and a half after the coup where they failed to run the country. What sort of deal could these two men reach that could be palatable to the Sudanese?” he asks.

Everyone seems to agree that a deal will only come from external pressure.

“The idea we’d be able to get a full cessation of hostilities without significant leverage, political pressure, economic pressure being applied by regional allies, such as Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, is difficult to imagine,” says Mr Boswell.

The problem is that there are too many competing interests, many of them mutually exclusive.

Mr Horner believes that the “regional powers have some preference for a military or powerful individual to come out on top of this. This is bad news for civil society.”

However, there is a fear that if peace talks do not start soon - as are being proposed in neighbouring South Sudan - the conflict could fragment making it harder to find a resolution.

“There is still a window for peace talks. The challenge is that there isn’t a willingness to de-escalate on either side. And unfortunately the short-term diplomatic focus remains on engaging with what the two generals want, at the expense of civilian democratic ambitions,” says Mr Soliman of Chatham House.

The problem is that what both men want is directly at odds not just with the other, but more importantly with the wishes of the Sudanese people.

This is a war about power, control and wealth, one which both sides increasingly see as existential.

There is a heavy price to be paid for the ambitions of two men, and it is the people of Sudan who will pay it.

Source: BBC

Thabo Bester escaped after his cell was set alight and a corpse was put in it to give the impression he had died

Thabo Bester escaped after his cell was set

N ews F rom A s IA

Turkey’s Erdogan falls ill on TV and cancels election rallies

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suspended election campaigning after he fell ill during a live TV interview in which the broadcast was abruptly brought to a halt.

After a 20-minute break, he returned to say he had “serious stomach flu” after two days of intense campaigning.

Mr Erdogan, 69, is facing his toughest election campaign so far.

The main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has been chosen to run for a group of six political parties.

He was among a number of opposition leaders to wish the president a speedy recovery.

Health minister Fahrettin Koca said on Thursday that the president’s health was fine and that he had “infectious gastroenteritis”. He said he would resume his scheduled daily programmes as soon as possible.

Latest polls suggest a close race for the presidency, with Mr Kilicdaroglu in with a good chance of electoral victory.

The first round takes place on 14 May, with a possible presidential run-off two weeks later.

President Erdogan initially cancelled three campaign appearances in central Anatolia on Wednesday, saying he had been advised to stay home on the advice of doctors.

He then cancelled his scheduled events on Thursday,

too, including the opening of Turkey’s first nuclear power station at Akkuyu on the Mediterranean coast.

Instead, a pale and tiredlooking Mr Erdogan joined Russia’s Vladimir Putin in taking part in the inauguration online.

President Erdogan looked unwell and tired as he spoke during the inauguration ceremony of Akkuyu nuclear plant

Akkuyu’s four nuclear reactors, largely owned by Russian firm Rosatom, have taken several years to build and the opening had been timed to coincide with the election.

The two leaders also spoke over the phone before the ceremony, with Moscow saying they had agreed to deepen economic and trade cooperation.

Several journalists were seated around President Erdogan when he fell ill during the live broadcast on Tuesday evening on pro-government channels Ulke TV and Kanal 7.

After one of the interviewers asked a question, the camera showed the journalist looking increasingly alarmed before the screen went blank.

Eventually Mr Erdogan returned to explain that he had earlier considered cancelling the programme. “Of course, we sometimes encounter such situations amid such busy work.”

Within hours of the broadcast, speculation appeared

on some social media accounts outside Turkey that Mr Erdogan had suffered a heart attack.

Mr Erdogan’s head of communications Fahrettin Altun took to social media to “categorically reject such baseless claims” about the president’s health, tweeting screen shots of the accounts spreading the allegations.

“No amount of disinformation can dispute the fact that the Turkish people stand with their leader and @ RTErdogan and his AK Party are set to win the May 14 elections.”

Mr Erdogan has been in power for 21 years and has fallen ill before during a live TV interview.

Weeks after surviving a botched coup in June 2016, he was taken ill for several minutes before returning to continue the interview. The broadcaster cut to an ad break.

In 2011 and 2012 he had gastro-intestinal surgery that fuelled speculation about his health.

Voting in parliamentary and presidential elections takes place on 14 May. If no presidential candidate wins more than half the vote there will be a second round two weeks afterwards.

Voting has already begun for the 3.3 million Turkish citizens abroad who have until 9 May to cast their vote.

In Germany some 1.5 million Turkish citizens are entitled to vote in polling stations in all 16 states. There are also large

Turkish communities in France, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Mr Kilicdaroglu and his allies have promised to return Turkey

to a parliamentary system, rolling back many of the changes brought in by Mr Erdogan, who steered Turkey to beefed-up elected

Palestinians condemn EU’s von der Leyen for ‘racist trope’

Palestinians have described remarks about Israel by the head of the European Commission as “inappropriate, false and discriminatory”.

It follows a congratulatory video message by Ursula von der Leyen on Israel’s Independence Day on Wednesday.

In it she praised Israel, including for having “made the desert bloom”.

It has sparked an unusual diplomatic spat between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the European Union (EU), its main donor.

A spokesperson for the commission told the BBC: “The EU is unpleasantly surprised by the inappropriate statement of the Palestinian foreign ministry accusing the president of the European Commission of racism.”

“We are requesting clarification from the Palestinian authorities regarding this unacceptable reaction to her video.”

The response of the Palestinian foreign ministry is a rare strong rebuke to a top figure in Brussels,

with which it typically has good relations.

The PA singled out Ms von der Leyen’s suggestion that Israel had cultivated barren land, calling it an “anti-Palestinian racist trope”.

The phrase “making the desert bloom” is commonly used by Israel and its backers to describe what they view as the country’s success in developing the land since the founding of the modern state in 1948.

However, Palestinians argue that it erases their history and suggests that the land was previously uninhabited or untended.

The PA is calling for an apology from the European Commission president.

“Seventy-five years ago, a dream was realised with Israel’s Independence Day,” Ms von der Leyen said in her message. “After the greatest tragedy in human history, the Jewish people could finally build a home in the promised land.”

“Today, we celebrate 75 years of vibrant democracy in

the heart of the Middle East, 75 years of dynamism, ingenuity and groundbreaking innovations. You have literally made the desert bloom, as I could see during my visit to the Negev last year.”

Her video shared on the @ EUinIsrael Twitter account has had more than 2.9m views.

The PA statement describes the message, addressed to Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, as “propagandist discourse” and part of an “ongoing dispossession” of Palestinians.

The PA claims it “dehumanizes and erases the Palestinian people and falsifies their rich history and civilization”.

In addition, it says that the European statement “whitewashes” Israel’s occupation of lands Palestinians claim for their hopedfor future state and denies what they call “the Nakba” (Arabic for “catastrophe”) of 1948.

Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced to leave their homes in the war that followed the Israel’s creation.

Palestinians mark Nakba

Day on 15 May according to the Gregorian calendar, while the timing of Israel’s Independence Day follows the Hebrew calendar.

Some Palestinians on social media have also criticised or mocked the European leader, including for her comments about shared values with Israel.

The European Commission is part of the executive of the European Union.

The spokesman for the commission stressed the EU’s

diplomatic ties with the PA, pointing out that Ms von der Leyen met PA Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh when she visited the region in June 2022.

They said a meeting to co-ordinate the delivery of international aid to the Palestinians was due to take place in Brussels next week.

“The EU is actively looking for solutions for the difficult situation of the Palestinian people,” they added. Source: BBC

During Tuesday evening’s live broadcast the screen went blank as it became clear President Erdogan was unwell

The PA said Ursula von der Leyen’s statement “dehumanizes and

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.

US presidential election 2024: Trump’s top Republican challengers

The path to the 2024 US presidential election began almost as soon as last November’s midterm elections ended - and several candidates are waiting in the wings.

Former President Donald Trump has announced he will run for the party’s nominating contest, vowing to “make America great and glorious again”.

Mr Trump remains the favourite choice of Republican voters, but his legal troubles and his role in an underwhelming midterm election performance for the party have left him vulnerable.

The ex-president, who will be 78 when the general election begins, could face a stiff challenge from a coterie of Republican hopefuls, including some who once backed him.

Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley announced her bid for the presidency in midFebruary, becoming the first major Republican candidate to commit to taking on Mr Trump.

Once considered one of the Republican Party’s brightest young prospects, Nikki Haley has kept a lower profile in recent years.

Born in South Carolina to Punjabi Sikh immigrants, Ms Haley became the youngest governor in the country in 2009. She earned national attention in 2015 after calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Capitol.

Despite saying she was “not a fan” of Mr Trump in 2016, she later accepted his nomination to be the US ambassador to the United Nations, a tenure marked by her dramatic exit from a UN Security Council meeting as a Palestinian envoy was speaking.

Her campaign, which includes a call for mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old, stresses the need for “a new generation” of US leaders.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has worked hard to emulate Mr Trump, and is viewed as the candidate most likely to face him in a head-to-head race.

Boosted to the governorship by Mr Trump’s endorsement, he romped to re-election in the midterms by more than 1.5 million votes, the largest margin in the state in more than four decades.

At 44 years old, the Harvard and Yale-educated lawyer is still a relative newcomer in US politics.

He once served in the US Navy,

including a tour in Iraq. He was also a little-known member of the House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018.

But Mr DeSantis has seen his star rise considerably since he became governor in 2019, a role in which he positions himself as an enthusiastic champion of conservativism.

He eschewed mask and vaccine mandates during the Covid pandemic, signed anti-riot laws in the wake of racial justice protests, and has backed legislation to limit LGBT education, restrict abortions and loosen gun laws. Under his tenure, Republican voters outnumber Democrats in the state for the first time.

Mr Trump appears to be paying very close attention, recently nicknaming his rival “Ron DeSanctimonious” and even implying on social media that he may be a paedophile.

For four years, Mike Pence was a loyal deputy to Mr Trump as his vice-president - until 2021’s Capitol riot splintered their relationship.

The son of a Korean War veteran, Mr Pence began his career in conservative politics as a talk radio host.

He was elected to the House in 2000 and served until 2013, describing himself as a “principled conservative” and aligning with the Tea Party movement.

He also served as governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017. In that role, he passed the largest tax cut in state history, and signed bills to restrict abortion and protect religious freedom.

Mr Pence, 63, is a born-again evangelical Christian and his addition to the 2016 presidential ticket is credited with helping turn out evangelicals, a crucial voting bloc, for Mr Trump.

Calm and soft-spoken, he was seen as an effective surrogate to the bomb-throwing Donald. But Mr Trump turned on him for lacking “courage” after he refused to help overturn the 2020 election results.

Pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol in January 2021 and were heard chanting “Hang Mike Pence!”. At one point, they were reportedly within 40ft (12m) of the vice-president.

The two have largely kept their distance since then, but Mr Pence has been in a delicate dance to avoid alienating Trump-friendly voters.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Vivek Ramaswamy, 37,

launched his long-shot White House bid during a late February appearance on the Fox News channel.

An Indian-American biotech entrepreneur with no previous political experience, he is a

regular fixture on Fox host Tucker Carlson’s daily programme, the most-watched cable news show in the US.

The Harvard and Yale graduate argues the country is in the midst of a national identity crisis driven by a decline in faith, patriotism and meritocracy.

He ran a pharmaceutical company from 2014 to 2021, then co-founded Strive Asset Management, which shirks the “divisive” environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) framework and offers itself as an alternative to large firms like Blackrock.

Mr Ramaswamy is also the author of Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice

Scam.

Asa Hutchinson

Former two-term Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced his run for president during an April interview with ABC News days after Mr Trump was indicted on criminal charges in New York.

Mr Hutchinson, 72, expressed concern over how the case has played out but called it “a sideshow and distraction” that should prompt Mr Trump to withdraw from the race.

During a speech in Arkansas formally announcing his bid for the presidency, Mr Hutchinson argued his tenure as governor had prepared him to take on the role.

Source: BBC

Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the UN, says she will challenge Donald Trump to be the Republican 2024 presidential nominee

Ron DeSantis

Mike Pence

He ran a pharmaceutical company from 2014 to 2021, then co-founded Strive Asset Management, which shirks the “divisive” environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) framework and offers itself as an alternative to large firms like Blackrock

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2. TO RUN AND ESTABLISH VIBRANT CHURCH BRANCHES AND NETWORK WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN BODIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA.

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PATRIOTIC ELITE CLUB OF AMASSOMA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. YERI, WAIBODEI, PETER (CHAIRMAN)

2. AYOGOI, AYOGOI, SIMON (SECRETARY)

3. AMBAIOWEI,TARI,EBIOWEI (MEMBER)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND BAYELSANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN NATION BUILDING AND SUCH OTHER LECTURES THAT WILL AFFECT THE SOCIETY POSITIVELY.

2.TO FOSTER UNITYAMONG MEMBERSAND INCULCATETHE ESSENCE OF CITIZENSHIP,MUTUAL CO-OPERATION, PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND PROGRESS.

3.TO FIGHT AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATIONS AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL, SEX, RELIGIOUS, FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY IJAW NATION.

4.TO EFFICIENTLY HARNESS AND DIRECT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF BAYELSANS ASSISTING DESERVING STUDENTS MORALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

5.TO BE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY AND SOCIAL VICES IN SOCIETY.

6.TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE IN ANY DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMME IN AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND OTHER PARTS OF BAYELSA STATE.

7.TO PROMOTE THE OBSERVANCE OF THE TENET OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, EQUITY, FAIMESS, RIGHT AND JUSTICE IN AMASSOMA AND BAYELSA AT LARGE.

8.TO ADEQUATELY ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND IDEOLOGIES OF GOOD GOVENSANCE

9.TO HONESTLY SEEK FOR THE INTEREST AND PROGRESS OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR AND BAYELSA STATE IN GENERAL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. KUDIRAT MOSUN ADEYEMO-CHAIRMAN

2. NOJEEMDEEN O.OLADIPO-SECRETARY/MEMBER

3. PHILLP DAMILOLA ABIOLA MEMBER

4. AWE GRACE OLUWAFUNMIKE MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY.

2. TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE LESS PRIVILEGED (ORPHANS, WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS)

3. TO SET UP ON A HUMANITARIAN GRAND. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

RAIN OF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

PATNAB HEALTH INITIATIVE

TREASURE MINDS CLUB

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2023

Chelsea: Frank Lampard understands fans’ frustration after fifth successive loss

Just when Chelsea fans think that a miserable campaign cannot get any worse, the Blues manage to crash through the ground and plummet to new depths.

Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge marked the first time Chelsea have lost five games in a row in all competitions in 30 years.

All five losses have come under club legend Frank Lampard, who returned for a second spell as manager on 3 April.

The 44-year-old had already claimed the unwanted record of becoming the first Chelsea manager in the club’s 118year history to lose his first four games in charge with last week’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid.

That loss, though, was against one of the best sides in Europe. On Wednesday they faced a Brentford team who are in only their second-ever season in the Premier League and had not won in six games prior to the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Lampard is Chelsea’s third manager this season, after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, and the fans’ frustrations at an expensively assembled squad losing while once again barely laying a glove

on their opponent was apparent as the few still in Stamford Bridge at full-time greeted the whistle with boos.

“I’ve no problem with that, completely understand it,” Lampard told BBC Sport, of the Chelsea supporters making their feelings known.

“I know these fans very well and they stick by their team. They feel down because they are used to success and they want that success all the time as we all do. I absolutely understand it, we as players and staff have to take it on the chin because they want results.

“I can say to the fans now that the players are showing application. Brentford had one shot on target and scored two goals, that kind of says it all.”

Chelsea looked better when striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came on at half-time but the Blues have now failed to score in six of their last seven games

There’s no doubt that there was more than a slice of luck about the away side’s first-half opener.

Brentford, always a danger from setpieces, won a corner, which was flicked on by Mathias Jorgensen and the ball deflected off Cesar Azpilicueta’s shoulder to land in the back of the net.

The Bees’ second, scored late in the second half by Bryan Mbeumo, came from their only shot on target.

But it is now seven games played in the month of April for Chelsea and they have scored just one goal. Such little attacking threat means their opponents are always going to have a strong chance of taking victory.

“This is not a sob story but everything is going against us,” Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time top scorer, told BT Sport after the game.

“We would love a magic wand, a magic moment. It doesn’t come in football because the Premier League moves so fast, it’s competitive.”

Wrong man at the wrong time?

While Lampard has taken over a side that has long been in a malaise, his terrible start at the Blues continues his own alarming slump as a manager.

Including his time with Everton, where he was sacked on 23 January, he has now lost nine of his last 10 league games, including each of his last six.

Since he joined the Toffees in February 2022, no manager has lost more games than his 24.

Lampard is contracted to Chelsea

until the end of the season and former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been strongly linked with taking over at Stamford Bridge.

For ex-Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given, the uncertainty off the pitch cannot be helping matters on it.

“It seems a bit of a mess with what’s happening off the pitch and talk in the media that Pochettino could be in by the end of the week,” Given told BBC Radio 5 live.

“Where does that leave Frank [Lampard]? Where does that leave the players? It causes confusion and the players don’t know where they stand. The owner has to take a bit of the blame too.”

A finish in the top half of the table is all Chelsea really have to aim for - they are currently 11th and six points behind Fulham in 10th with six games remaining.

But even that could be difficult with a trip to Arsenal up next for the Blues, who have also to face Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle.

After that, whoever is tasked with taking Chelsea forward will oversee a huge summer for the club as they look to try and get challenging at the top end of the table once again.

Chelsea are without a win in all competitions since 11 March

S P R T

Real Madrid rout Barca to reach Copa del Rey final

Karim Benzema scored a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid routed Barcelona to reach the Copa del Rey final.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Madrid levelled the tie through Vinicius Jr in firsthalf stoppage time.

Benzema added two goals early in the second half - the second from the penalty spot - to put the visitors in control and completed his hat-trick to seal the win in the 80th minute.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side will face Osasuna in the final on 6 May.

Barcelona had the better of a feisty first half at the Nou Camp, but their best chance led directly to Madrid’s opener in first-half injury time.

After keeper Thibaut Courtois got down

smartly to stop Robert Lewandowski’s effort, the away side broke quickly and, after exchanging passes with Benzema, Vinicius squeezed his effort into the bottom corner.

Five minutes after the break, Madrid were in front on aggregate as Luka Modric drove forward and rolled the ball into the path of Benzema, who swept the ball home from the edge of the area.

Xavi’s side were reeling and when Franck Kessie needlessly brought Vinicius down in the box, Benzema sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot to extend the lead.

The France striker got his third with 10 minutes remaining after a devastating Madrid counter, again led by Vinicius, with Barcelona having committed men forward searching for a way back into the tie.

It was Benzema’s second hat-trick in successive games after achieving the feat last Sunday against Real Valladolid.

Los Blancos end Barca’s run of Clasico wins

Going into the second leg a goal down, a distant second in La Liga and having lost the last three Clasico meetings, Madrid had a point to prove.

For much of the first half it looked as though they would end the night with just the Champions League to play for in the remaining two months of the season.

Not bad as consolation prizes go but entering the run-in with only one trophy target is something of a disappointment at the Bernabeu, especially if your fiercest rivals have a treble in sight.

But just when they might have been

contemplating that reality, a blistering counter-attack at the end of the opening period changed the game.

Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid celebrates Vinicius Jr scored his 20th goal of the season to put Real Madrid ahead in firsthalf stoppage time

Madrid came out after the break with renewed energy and confidence, showing their class in a ruthless second-half display for which Barca had no answer.

The hosts can console themselves with the fact they are closing in on a first league title since 2019, having already won the Spanish Super Cup.

For Ancelotti’s team, though, there is now a dual purpose - the pursuit of backto-back Champions League wins and a first Copa del Rey triumph in nine years.

Vinicius Jr scored his 20th goal of the season to put Real Madrid ahead in first-half stoppage time

European Championship 2024 qualifiers: Who do you think will reach Euro 2024?

Here we go again. Qualifying for the 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany gets under way this week as 53 nations battle for 24 places.

In a repeat of last tournament’s final, England face holders Italy in their first Group C match on Thursday.

Scotland find themselves in a difficult group with Spain and Norway as they hope to reach just their second major tournament this century.

Wales, semi-finalists in 2016, are in Group D with Croatia, Turkey, Latvia and Armenia.

Northern Ireland, who made their only Euros appearance seven years ago, are in an intriguing Group H which includes Denmark and Finland.

Two teams from each group advance straight to the finals, plus there is a backdoor route via the Nations League for a handful of teams.

We want to know who you see booking their spot in next year’s tournament, plus you can have your say in the comments.

Group A

Who will reach Euro 2024?

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Group F

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Group G

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Group I

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Group J

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England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales all start their qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 this week

PEOPLES DAILY

One market fire, too many

Liverpool fight back to win at West Ham

The hazard of the past was that infernos had already erupted and decimated the brightness of the future. The echoing of the disasters that devastates the human heart is not a closed discussion, as the victims keep counting their losses with a broken heart so that all stakeholders must response to the call of a fire free market.

Guest Columnist

By Abdu Abdullahi

Liverpool came from a goal down to win at West Ham and boost their hopes of securing European football next season.

The Hammers took a 12thminute lead when Lucas Paqueta, after playing a one-two with Michail Antonio, fired from 20 yards out past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

But the advantage lasted less than six minutes before Cody Gakpo equalised with his own shot from outside the penalty area.

West Ham thought they had gone back in front with Jarrod Bowen’s angled strike but the England forward was ruled offside by the video assistant referee to keep it at 1-1.

An unmarked Joel Matip scored what proved to be the winner in the 67th minute with a powerful header from Andy Robertson’s corner from the left.

There was a late scare for Liverpool when Thiago handled in the penalty area, with Hammers boss David Moyes furious that a decision was not awarded by either on-field referee Chris Kavanagh or Neil Swarbrick on video assistant referee duty.

At the final whistle Moyes confronted Kavanagh, still angry at the decision that cost his side an opportunity to earn a point.

It has been a tough season for Liverpool, who came second in 2021-22, losing out to Manchester City by one point as the title race went to the final day of the season.

They went out of both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, competitions they won last season, at the fourth-round phase and were hammered 6-2 on aggregate by Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The sad and horrible occurrences alarmingly protruded several times. Like the volcanic eruptions, they left behind colossal damages affecting goods and properties. The victims were always rendered hopeless and miserable. Their future darkened and obstructed on a very large scale. Eventually, they tried to begin a new living, with a very minor set of optimism.

Indeed, incessant fire outbreaks in our markets have become a natural disaster that has consumed huge losses across the country. Only recently, the popular Singer Market in Kano was again razed down by ravaging fire, resulting in millions of naira loss, re-enacting the blazing flames of mass destructions. What efforts are we exerting to curb these recurrent devastations? Are we seeing fire as a disaster that is curable or incurable?

Between November 2020 and August 2021, over 50 fire outbreaks were recorded in different markets in Nigeria. One can imagine the enormous loss in terms of goods and properties and how this negatively impacted on the economy. In two years alone, market fire losses amounted to 41.54 billion naira across the country. This havoc was rising at a time when the country’s economic fortunes were dwindling.

A breakdown of the scenes of market flames reveals a very pathetic scenario. In Lagos alone, the famous Balogun Market recorded the incident of fire outbreak every year from 2015 to 2021. It persisted and became a domineering disaster phenomenon. In 2016, a fire that engulfed the Sabon Gari Market in Kano lasted for 12 hours, destroying over 4,000 shops, amounting to two trillion naira. The cause of the Inferno was attributed to an electrical fault. The victims were left to their fate and lived counting

their humongous losses.

At the renowned Wadata Market in Markudi in 2019, goods valued at over one billion naira were destroyed, consuming 600 lock-up shops. Also, in 2021, no fewer than six markets were gutted by massive fire in Abuja.

It was a bad signal that even the nation’s capital could not be saved from the damages done by fire outbreaks in our markets.

The scenes of fire outbreaks in markets are horrific and sympathetic. The poor and devastated victims are sighted wearing a gloomy face that expresses deep shocks, sorrows and despairs. Their deplorable conditions are a strong manifestation of breaking away from a delightful past to an unhappy present. Their eyes speak the language of a great fear of the future. They are forced to carry the burden of their tremendous losses on their shoulders and rebuild another hope entirely. The reconstruction of another optimism, however, takes a great

deal of mild pleasure in gigantic sadness.

Rebuilding this hope is magnificiently tasking in inspiration and painstaking in actualisation. The codes of this optimism cannot be quantified in terms of the danger of thinking of the future. The hazard of the past was that infernos had already erupted and decimated the brightness of the future. The echoing of the disasters that devastates the human heart is not a closed discussion, as the victims keep counting their losses with a broken heart so that all stakeholders must response to the call of a fire free market.

That most recorded fire outbreaks occured in the night unravels the secret of this natural doom. That the still night instigates and facilitates major infernos in our markets compels us to use power of ideas to conquer the power of fire. While the night is more governed by possibility of fire than the daytime, it is to our dismay that little preventable

measures are strategized and executed. Whether in the night or day, fire outbreaks don’t just happen, they are caused by notably human factors and the same human factors can be harnessed to stop the rampage of burning fire. In other words, if fire possesses and controls destructions, we can possess the causes of fire and control them to save our markets of this lingering horror. The wanton and terrifying expression of fire is the mass destructions incurred and our only counter expression is to put fire occurrence under strict vigilance and secure our markets.

How these ugly incidences keep resurging showcases a firm laxity on the part of all stakeholders to take proactive measures to halt the growing danger. We have lived not to the expectations of averting the phenomenon of fire disasters in our markets. We have failed to ensure and enhance a fire free market environment, a prolific and active catalyst for Gross Domestic Product process.

When natural disasters are preventable or can be reduced to the barest minimum, our rapid economic development is rest assured. If we are not prepared for the next fire disasters by averting their reoccurrences, saving lives and properties, then we will end up playing with fire. Markets are institutions where the knowledge of buying and selling goods and services promotes national cohesion as Nigerians from all walks of life unite for a purpose such as in survival.

Abdu Abdullahi is a Public Policy Analyst.

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That most recorded fire outbreaks occured in the night unravels the secret of this natural doom. That the still night instigates and facilitates major infernos in our markets compels us to use power of ideas to conquer the power of fire