Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Edition

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Auto crash claims 24 lives in Niger

Buhari: Oil exploration in Benue trough will lead to greater prosperity, security

Aftermath of court order on Ayu:

Damagum assumes office as acting National Chairman of PDP

Embattled Ayu quits, parks belongings from office

NWC meets today to review key decisions

Kinsmen drum support for ex chairman

Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ambassador Umar Damagum addressing journalists after assuming office yesterday. To his left is the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and to the right is the National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba.

Cash crisis: Why planned NLC strike won’t hold -Ngige PG 14

Federal Character: Reps move to reflect Chairman, Secretary appointments from different regions

Oil theft: Investigative panel submits report to NSA

Reps extend 2022 capital, supplementary budget to June 30

Ortom withdraws Senatorial suit from Tribunal

. . . putting the people first @pmlonline peoplesdailyng Wednesday, March 29, 2023 / 7 Ramadan 1444 AH Vol. 41 No. 087 N200
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Federal Character: Reps move to reflect Chairman, Secretary appointment from different Regions

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed through second reading, Federal Character Commission (FCC) amendment Bill.

The Bill, titled “a bill for ‘An Act to Amend the Federal Character Commission (Establishment Etc) Act, 2004 seeks to make the Appointment of the Chairman and Secretary from Different Regions of the Country to Reflect the Principle of Federal Character’, Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Hon. Unyime Idem (PDPAkwa-Ibom) said it was meant

reflect the principle of federal character, adding that the bill

made provision for appointment of the FCC Chairman and Secretary from different parts of the country to reflect the principle of federal character. He said the bill which was read for the first time on July 15, 2021 sought among other things to put in place a legal framework and guide for the presidential appointment of the two key positions of the commission. He said the commission was primarily established with to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of sharing all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government.

He said the bill sought to amend the provision of the act to reinstate the position that

the two critical positions to be appointed by the president should be mandatorily from each region of the country.

This according to him would be for the effective running and administration of the objectives of setting up of the commission.

The lawmaker while given the highlight of the bill said, “this Bill has an amendment of a Section of about two subsections which are vital and significant to the management and effective administration of the objectives of the commission.

The Bill seek to amend Section 9 of the Principal Act for effective administration of the objectives of the commission and equitable distribution of the key positions in the agency.

The lawmaker while providing insight into the general principles said Section 9 (1) of the Principal Act is amended by adding paragraph (c) to the provisions therein as a new paragraph under subsection (1) to read as follows: -

“9 (1) (c). The President shall put into consideration in the appointment of the Secretary that the positions of the Secretary and the Chairman appointed for the Commission shall not be from the same region of the Country in compliance with the principles of Federal Character”. He said it would help in equitable distribution of the key positions in the commission.

Journalists Training: JIFORM, German Embassy mull partnership

The Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) and the German Embassy in Nigeria will be partnering on a training programme for journalists on migration and economic issues.

Dr Ajibola Abayomi, JIFORM President, in a statement said that his team was received by Mr Gerald Wolf, the Deputy Consul General and Elle Ogunsanya, the programme Coordinator at the Lagos consulate of the embassy.

Abayomi said that the JIFORM delegation had requested for collaboration on the training of journalists on migration matters.

He urged the embassy to work with the JIFORM to further drive the campaign against irregular migration, human trafficking and other

migration menaces.

According to him, “while we agree that migration is not a crime, the message must be clear that it must not be abused by anyone due to inadequate information on the choice they make.

“We are appalled by the cases of repatriation of thousands of migrants from Germany and other countries involving Nigerians.

“We are convinced that we can do better with quality information for the purpose of enlightening the public and this can be achieved with capacity building for media practitioners to engage stakeholders on the way out.

“Journalists also need to be exposed to better management of migrant information geared towards economic development for the good of all,” he said.

Abayomi emphasised that JIFORM was open to collaboration with various institutions to ensure that migrant matters from the point of safe, regular and orderly migration become a win-win situation for all countries.

“On this, we seek your support to continue to empower journalists in Nigeria as we look forward to having the second edition of the JIFORM intercontinental migration summit hosted in Germany later this year,” he said.

Responding, Wolf said his office would welcome a proposal to actualise a workshop for journalists and take steps to ensure its success when approved.

Wolf also said that the German government had a series of opportunities for skilled and qualified migrants

from Nigeria, especially in education and those who are qualified teachers.

The Deputy Consul wished the JIFORM well on its desire to stage a migration summit in Germany.

He said his office was looking forward to also liaising with other German organisations in Nigeria to be part of interaction with the media during the proposed training programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JIFORM, founded in 2019 in Lagos, comprises over 300 journalists covering migration across the continents.

NAN reports that the body has facilitated a series of local and international capacity building and training programmes for journalists and other stakeholders over the years. (NAN)

PAGE 2 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 N EWS CONTENTS The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish. You can send your news and pictures to: adverts@peoplesdailyng.com pictures@peoplesdailyng.com contact@peoplesdailyng.com Phones for News: 08142929046 08024432099 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU News 2-10, 14 Editorial 11 Op.Ed 12-13 Politics 15-17 Health 18 Business 19-20 Feature 21 World News 22 Africa News 23 World News 24 Environment 25 Feature 26 Sports 30-31 Back Page 32 Page 14 Gbajabiamila eulogizes President-elect Tinubu at 71
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L-R: Educational Secretary, Gombe State, Abubakar Baba Abdullahi; Representative of the Emir, Falakin Gombe, Alhaji Kabiru Tshon; Regional Marketing Manager, Gombe State, Airtel Nigeria, Muhammed Buhari; State Business Manager, Gombe State, Airtel Nigeria, Moses Adejo; and Head Teacher, Government Day Nursey and Primary School, Sani Abubakar, during the commissioning ceremony of the newly renovated Government Day Nursery and Primary School, in Gombe state, yesterday.

The Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria, has submitted its report to the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, in Abuja.

The Head, Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr Zakari Usman, in a statement on Tuesday, said the report was submitted on Monday.

While submitting the report, the Chairman of the panel, retired Maj.Gen. Barry Ndiomu, said the panel engaged key stakeholders from within and outside the oil and gas industry.

Ndiomu said stakeholders from

Magistrate’s absence stalls arraignment of 2 top OGFZA officials over alleged forgery

The arraignment of two staff members of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) over allegations bordering on forgery, on Tuesday, suffered a setback due to the absence of Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna in court. Although Ruth Idowu, who appeared for the nominal complainant, Olufunmilayo David Omosule, and defendants’ counsel, Michael Ajara, were in court, Magistrate Iyanna was said to be indisposed. The matter, which was on number six on the cause list before the Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Zone 6, Abuja, was, however, adjourned until May 30.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two workers; Mr Wasiu Sule, the Head of Legal Services and Secretary to OGFZA’s Board and Mr Alenju Ngofa, who is the Human Resource Head of the organisation, are facing allegations bordering on forgery and falsification of documents. In the charge, Sule and Ngofa are 1st and 2nd defendants respectively. While Mr Ngofa was sighted at the court on Tuesday, Mr Sule was conspicuously absent.

The matter, which was reassigned to Iyanna, was formerly before Magistrate Mabel Segun-Bello of Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court. The case was reassigned following the elevation of Segun-Bello to the Federal High Court as a judge. NAN reports that OGFZA and Omosule had been locked in legal battle over the legality or otherwise of the plaintiff’s suspension, following his petition against some management staff of the agency on alleged corruption. Omosule had alleged that the defendants wilfully and maliciously distorted his records “to appear as though he does not possess any requisite qualification to be employed at OGFZA or any qualification at all to be considered for promotion.” He said their action was tantamount to forgery and falsification of documents contrary to Section 363 and 364 of the Penal Code, which is detrimental and injurious to his person. The agency had via a letter dated April 18, 2011, suspended Omosule as the manager of its Abuja office, on the grounds that he refused to comply with its letter dated Dec. 3, 2010, which had directed him to present the originals of his credentials for verification. Omosule, however, refuted the claim of the authority, stating that he made available to the organisation. NAN

Oil theft: Investigative panel submits report to NSA

state governments, ministries, departments and agencies, security agencies, regulatory agencies, international and indigenous oil companies, traditional institutions, host communities, artisanal refiners, among others were also engaged.

He said the panel received and reviewed several memoranda and reports on oil theft and losses during the various engagements.

According to him, the panel discovered several layers of involvement in the illegal theft of crude oil in spite of the best efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to combat oil theft.

“The panel also observed that crude oil losses arose from lack of proper reporting of crude oil production, illegal refining, theft from wellheads and diversion from sophisticated pipelines network.

“The panel also attributed losses to the absence of a robust industrywide metering system and an unworkable security arrangement.

“The confusing roles of regulatory

Ramadan Timing Day 7

agencies was also cited as being responsible for making the detection of theft/losses difficult,” he added. Ndiomu called for quick implementation of the report and asserted that if the government implemented the recommendations in the report, oil theft/losses would be adequately addressed.

He said prompt implementation of the report would not only create an immediate impact on crude oil production levels to meet OPEC’s quota but would also attract foreign direct investment and serve Nigeria’s economic and national security concerns.

Receiving the report, the NSA thanked the panel for keeping to the timeframe and for addressing the issues of oil theft and losses comprehensively.

Monguno assured that government would study the report and see to its immediate implementation, especially the recommendations with short-term perspectives.NAN

COVID-19: FG advocates adherence to adopted behavioural change

The Federal Government has stressed the need for continued adherence to behavioural change to sustain the successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Dr Boladale Alonge, the Director, Family Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), made the appeal on Monday in Abuja, during the close-out ceremony of the Hygiene and Behaviour Change Coalition (HBCC 2) programme.

Alonge said that irrespective of the health status of the populace, health hygiene rules were always important.

She also said that it was very important to get people vaccinated and immunised.

“In many countries of the world, the third booster dose of COVID-19 is also on and being given to the populace so I want us as much as possible to sustain the behavioural changes and ethics of being in a large group.

“If you want to sneeze, you can still sustain the behavioural change pattern that you learnt throughout the COVID-19 period.

“In fact in some countries of the world, they use face mask throughout the year but I wouldn’t say that we should, but if it is necessary, especially if someone has a cold, you can use your face mask to prevent other people from getting infected.

“So definitely we will continue to roll out other necessary health promotional posters and information that we need the public to adhere to because there are other infections that are ongoing throughout the year.”

While talking about the programme, the director said that it was done in collaboration with FMOH and Population Services International Nigeria (PSIN), and was majorly about health promotion activities

and packages especially during the COVID-19 period.

According to her, it was a very impactful collaboration used in developing messages on the basic rules to prevent infection.

Director, Health Promotion Division, FMOH, Dr Ladidi BakoAiyegbusi, said that from all indications, the nation was indeed winning the battle against COVID-19 pandemic.

This, she said, was because people are being encouraged to adhere to all the preventive measures and they are complying.

She, however, said that the HBCC 2 programme (The Hygiene and Behaviour Change Coalition) supported FMOH to disseminate preventive messages against COVID-19 to Oyo, Osun, Kano, Nasarawa, Lagos states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She added that materials were produced in English, Yoruba, and Hausa languages while radio and TV jingles were also produced in the three languages, ensuring that standard methods for health communication material development were adhered to.

“Though it focuses on five states and the FCT, we are using the messages in all the 36 states of the federation because everybody needs to get the message of COVID-19.

“So we first of all had the session meeting in April 2022. Then we had a three-day stakeholders meeting where we brought the existing materials on COVID-19 prevention to the table.

“Then we looked at the mandates of the projects, reviewed the existing materials. We showcased the materials to beneficiaries within the community and asked them to look at the concepts to ascertain if they were easy to understand.NAN

(Source: Society for the Propagation of Islam Kaduna)

TIPS ON HEALTHY ‘IFTAR’

Choose lean proteins to get the benefits with little saturated fats. Include fish, skinless chicken or turkey and low-fat dairy to have as part of your iftar meal. If you’re vegetarian, you can select other protein sources such as legumes, beans and nuts.

(HealthyEating #Alarabiya.net)

Compiled By Al-Amin Ciroma

PAGE 3 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 N EWS
Ag News Editor, Tobias Lengnan Dapam
Towns Magrib Alfijr Abakaliki 6.35 5.23 Abeukuta 6.56 5.43 Abuja/Suleija 6.43 5.33 Akure 6.48 5.35 Akwanga/Keffi 6.39 5.32 Auchi 6.44 5.35 Ankpa 6.39 5.23 Argungu 6.55 5.30 Azare/Jama’are 6.32 5.39 Bama 6.18 5.35 Bauchi/Ningi 6.33 5.24 Benin 6.46 5.44 Bichi 6.40 5.37 Bida 6.47 5.30 Birnin Gwari 6.45 5.24 Birnin Kebbi/Gwandu/Jega 6.56 5.31 Birnin Kudu/Gwaram 6.33 5.32 Biu 6.23 4.52 Calabar 6.34 5.24 Damaturu 6. 25 4.52 Daura/Dambatta 6.40 5.25 Dutse 6.36 5.23 Dutsinma/Jibiya 6.45 5.30 Enugu 6.38 5.36 Funtua/Tsafe 6.44 5.41 Gombe 6.27 5.38 Gummi 6.52 5.29 Gusau/Laura Namoda 6.47 5.21 Gwadabawa 6.53 5.28 Hadejia/Gumel 6.33 5.00 Ibadan/Ife 6.53 5.37 Ilesha Baruba 6.57 5.34 Ilorin/Kaiama 6.53 5.36 Jalingo/Lau/Gashaka 6.35 5.48 Jere 6.42 5.23 Jos/Saminaka 6.36 4.47 Kabba 6.46 5.30 Kaduna 6.42 5.22 Kafanchan/Maiyaki 6.39 5.20 Kano 6.39 5.36 Katsina 6.44 5.49 Kontagora/Zuru 6.50 5.29 Lafia 6.28 5.31 Lagos 6.55 5.32 Lokoja/Idah 6.43 5.37 Maiduguri/Mubi/Gwoza 6.39 4.36 Makurdi 6.36 5.30 Minna 6.46 5.36 Misau 6.29 4.58 Mokwa/New Bussa 6.52 5.25 Monguno 6.19 4.53 Nguru/Gashua 6.32 5.16 Ogbomosho 6.53 5.37 Okene 6.47 5.29 Onitsha 6.41 5.29 Oyo 6.54 5.38 Port Harcourt/Owerri 6.39 5.29 Potiskum 6.28 5.45 Shagamu 6.54 5.41 Sokoto 6.53 5.38 Takum/Wukari 6.30 5.34 Warri 6.45 5.43 Langtan/Wase 6.32 5.25 Wurno 6.52 5.47 Yola/Numan 6.21 4.54 Zaria 6.41 5.30 Cotonou - Benin 6.58 5.36 Ngjamena-Chad 6.13 4.28 Niamey - Niger 7.06 5.30 Zinder - Niger 6.39 5.02 Garoua-Cameroun 6.17 4.50 Younde - Cameroun 6.20 5.02

Gas: ANEEJ, joins other climate activists in protest in Vienna

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Executive Director Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) Rev David Ugolor has joined other climate activist to demonstrate in the Austrian capital of Vienna, protesting the three-day European Gas Conference that started in the city yesterday.

This was contained in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna, yesterday.

The statement stated that Rev. Ugolor along side other protesters also participated in the “Don’tt Gas Africa“ Workshop taking place at the sideline of the People‘s Gas Conference/ European Gas Conference in Vienna.

Osun Appeal Court decision victory for democracy –Arewa Youths

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Chairman Arewa Youths for the sustenance of Democracy and good governance Alhaji Salihu has said the victory of Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, at the Court of Appeal was victory for democracy.

Addressing a Press Conference in Bauchi over the weekend Magaji said the judgment of the appellate court was a resounding affirmation of the expressed will of the people of Osun State in their quest for purposeful leadership and good governance in the State.

“You would recalled that the Court of Appeal on Friday upheld Adeleke’s victory at the July 16, 2022 governorship election after upturning the decision of the tribunal.”

He said the jubilation in Osun State and other States of the Federation is a testament of the fact that Adeleke’s election is not only a reflection of the aspiration of the majority of the people of Osun State but also that of millions of lovers of democracy across the nation.

Reps extend 2022 capital, supplementary budget to June 30

The House of Representatives on Tuesday extended the implementation of the capital aspect of the 2022 budget and the supplementary appropriation for the last financial year.

This followed the passage of a bill for an act to extend the

implementation of the capital aspect of the 2022 Appropriation Act and Supplementary Budget from March 31 to June 30 2023, presented to the House by the Appropriation Muktar Aliyu Betara

Presenting the bill Betara prayed the House to consider the bill for the extension of the 2022 Appropriation to June 2023 .

This was just as the House resolved to send a condolence delegation to the House of the former Nigerian Chief of General Staff, Gen Oladipo Diya.

This followed a motion of Urgent National Importance moved by Hon Kolapo korede.

Ruling on the motion, the Speaker Hon Femi Gbajabiamila

ruled that the there was the need to urgently send a delegation to the deceased home to condole with the family, in Lagos

The delegation will be led by Hon. Peter Akpatason.

The House thereafter observed a minute silence honour of General Diya.

Rotary Club to build Peace Garden in UNIABUJA

Coalition of Kogi Patriots has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC), to ensure the rotation of the governorship seat to the Kogi West Senatorial District for justice and fairness.

The Director-General of the coalition, Dr Tom Ohikere, made the call at a news briefing on the imperative of power rotation in Kogi, held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ohikere said that the quest for power rotation amongst the three senatorial districts in Kogi was as old as the formation of the state as a national sub-unit.

The director-general stated that Kogi West had the caliber and personalities that have been tested and proven in both political and administrative competence.

Ohikere said: ”Kogi has a chance to be a shining example, especially rising from a general election that has witnessed the triumph of principles as the south negotiated and fought for powers after eight years in the north.

”The political direction of Nigerian politics in recent times has focused on the principle of power zoning and rotation.

”This is in a bid to balance

development and inculcate greater feelings of inclusiveness and equity in the body politics which is quickly becoming the trend.”

Ohikere said that many states in the country had striven that direction, adding that the peculiar ethnic composition in Kogi makes power rotation inevitable.

He added: “And it now seems like the divine timing, particularly given the circumstances of the past eight years, whether at the national or state levels, and new realities are emerging Kogi cannot be different.

“All our neighboring states had taken this path and are reaping the benefits including states like Kwara, Osun, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kwara, Nassarawa, Ekiti, Niger and Anambra, among others.”

Ohikere appealed to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to approach the quest for power rotation to Kogi west in the forthcoming election from the new generation’s point of view of extraordinary possibilities of the Kogi spirit, hospitality, and brotherliness.

He said: “We wish to specify in the spirit of what is morally expedient call on the Presidentelect Sen. Bola Tinubu, the National

Chairman of APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the APC, Governors, other God-fearing leaders and elders of APC to assist this quest.

“And also persuade the party to urge the very patriotic APC members from Kogi East and Central senatorial districts who had picked the Governorship nomination form to align with this quest.

“As Kogi is a stand-alone governorship election, it is in the eye of the world that wants to know if we are worthy of the perception and expectation as a great and friendly state of abundance and benevolence.”

Ohkere called on the APC to use the direct mode for the conduct of the APC primary elections in line with the popular demand in the state.

According to him, direct primary election will enable transparency and inclusion of the members of the party.

He urged the Kogi West elders and another well-meaning stakeholders to ensure that the best aspirant was projected from the zone.

The director-general also

emphasised the need for Kogi west to establish a holistic approach toward sensitization and orientation of the people to attract all the needed support for power rotation.

Ohikere added: “In the days ahead, our coalition will be in contact with all the contestants and party leaders and will finally host an unveiling ceremony to publicly present the wish of the zone.”

On her part, Mrs Justina Abanida, a legal practitioner from Kogi West also appealed to all the political parties in the state to zone their governorship tickets to the senatorial district to ensure even development.

According to her, Kogi West lacks adequate basic social amenities, hence the need for power rotation to the district to ensure the progress and development of the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed November 11, 2023 for the conduct of the off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo. NAN)

PAGE 4 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 N EWS
President Muhammadu Buhari receives the Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. PHOTO; State House

Aftermath of court order on Ayu: Damagum assumes office as acting National

Chairman

of PDP

Deputy-National Chairman (North) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum has been appointed as the acting National Chairman of the party.

Damagum replaces Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who was restrained, on Monday, from parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP by a Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba made the announcement of the appointment of Damagum as acting National Chairman of the PDP yesterday before he Damagum formally assumed duties in his new capacity.

Ologunagba, who addressed journalists in company of some other NWC members of the party, said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an emergency meeting today (yesterday), Tuesday, March 28, 2023, acknowledge the Order of

•Embattled

National Chairman quits, parks belongings from office

•PDP NWC members meet today to review key decisions

•Kinsmen drum support for Ayu

the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 with regards to the Chairmanship position of our great Party.

“After a careful consideration of the Court Order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of our Party in acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great Party to remain calm and united at this critical time”, he said.

The NWC members in attendance were;

Damagum, Ologunagba, the Party’s National Youth Leader, Muhammed Kandade Sulieman, National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade SAN,

National Treasurer, Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and National Financial Secretary, Mr Daniel Woyegikuro. Damagum, after taking over, said that a meeting of the National Working Committee, NWC, will hold tomorrow (today), stressing that the various decisions taken under Ayu will be considered for possible review.

Ayu was sighted briefly at the Wadata national secretariat of the PDP, early yesterday, to park some of his personal effects from his office.

He came in company of the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. He left after about one hour in office.

Asked if Ayu was in office yesterday, Damagum responded in the affirmative, saying, “Yes, he was suspended by the court, but he

has every right to come and pack his belongings”

Earlier, some members of the Igyorov (Iyorchia Ayu’s ward) PDP expanded Ward Executive Committee had passed a vote of full confidence on Senator Ayu and pledged their full support for his pragmatic leadership style.

A member of the expanded ward exco, who spoke for the members at a press conference in Abuja, Barrister Stephen Shimahile, said, “We, the undersigned PDP Ward Executive Committee Members of Igyorov Council Ward, have categorically disclaimed and disassociated ourselves from the purported letter of vote of No confidence and suspension of Senator Dr. Iyorchial Ayu as a member of PDP in Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State dated the 24th day of March, 2023.

“The executive committee has never discussed in any of our

meetings prior to election or post 2023 General Election about the conduct of the National Chairman. Chapter 10 section 57 of the party’s Constitution 2017 as amended.

“The Executive Committee Members have stated clearly that they have no knowledge about the letter and have not authorized anybody whatsoever to generate such mischievous letter on behalf of the Executive Committee.

“The purported signatures on the letter were forged and no member of PDP Executive Committee of Igyorov Council Ward has signed that letter nor caused to be signed on his or her behalf.

“The names of the Executive Committee Members are wrongly written and spelt, which shows the desperation of the mischief makers.

“Igyorov PDP Ward Executive Committee hereby pass vote of full confidence on Senator Dr. Iyorchial Ayu and we also pledge our full support for his pragmatic leadership style (as the National Chairman of the Party)”, they said.

Buhari: Oil exploration in Benue trough will lead to greater prosperity, security

President Muhammadu Buhari

on Tuesday declared that the discovery and drilling of oil in Nasarawa State will lead to greater prosperity for Nigerians as well as enhance overall energy security for the country.

In his virtual message to the official spud-in of the Ebenyi-A Well located in the Middle Benue Trough, in Obi Local Government of Nasarawa State, the President said the surrounding communities would particularly benefit from the value created by the exploration and eventual production activities.

The President directed NNPC Limited and its partners to take due care of the environmental consequences of these oil exploration activities and to mitigate the negative effects.

He thanked the Government and people of Nasarawa Statethe host community- for their unfettered support and collaboration towards the success of this exploration campaign.

The President recalled that the official commencement of drilling activities in the Middle Benue Trough is in line with ongoing

campaigns for the exploration of crude oil and gas in the Nation’s Frontier Basins.

He listed the Chad Basin, Dahomey Basin, Anambra Platform, the Calabar Embankment, Sokoto Basin, Bida Basin, Benue Trough as well as the Ultra-Deepwater Niger Delta

as areas where NNPC is extending its crude oil exploration.

‘‘This is consistent with the commercial discoveries of hydrocarbons in the Kolmani Area of the Upper Benue Trough.

‘‘I am pleased to note that activities are currently ongoing to develop the Kolmani petroleum

discoveries to commercial production to add to the nation’s considerable hydro-carbon assets.

‘‘I am encouraged by the enormous work done by NNPC Limited to exploit the prospects in the Middle Benue Trough, leading to the event of today.

‘‘I congratulate NNPC Limited,

the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and other partners for their immense contributions towards making this day and this event possible,’’ he said, directing Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and Group CEO, NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari to spud on his behalf.

10th Assembly: Zoning Senate Presidency to S/East’ll engender peace -Kalu

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was at the State House, Abuja, Tuesday to officially inform President Muhammadu Buhari of his plans to run for the office of the Senate President if the position is zoned to the South East by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kalu who is the current Chief Whip of the Upper Chamber, said zoning the position to the South East would bring the desited peace to Nigeria.

He argued that the South East zone may not have voted overwhelmingly for Bola Tinubu, the President-elect, at the just concluded Presidential election, but electing him as President of the

•urges Buhari to chair party’s BoT after hand over

Senate would engender the desired peace being sought after by the country.

He further said that he suggested to the President to take over the position of the APC’s Board of Trustees (BoT) immediately after officially handing over to the President-elect later in the year

He noted that the ruling party was faced with serious crises ahead of the just concluded general elections adding that Buhari’s interventions however saved the APC from going under.

Continuing, Senator Kalu said it took God’s intervention for the APC to survive internal crises be setting the party.

He urged President Buhari not

to completely retire from politics but proceed to take over the leadership of the ruling party at the highest level so as to give it the needed direction.

“There’s one thing I suggested to the President that I did not tell you people. I suggested to the President I said we cannot allow you to rest. I’m going to be consulting the party.

“The party should bring back our Board of Trustees or something that looks like it, so that Mr. President will be Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party so that every four or five months, he will come and see how the party is doing.

“We cannot just leave the party empty, it was done in the young

Auto crash claims 24 lives in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

An auto crash has killed 24 people on Monday night in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State. FRSC official said the truck conveying the passengers was heading to Lagos from Zaria with 87 persons on board.

Sector commander of the Niger State Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kumar Tsukwan, who made this known in a copy of first accident report and made available to our correspondent, the accident occurred in Etsu woro village.

“Twenty-four passengers travelling from Zaria to Lagos died in an auto

crash involving a truck carrying 87 people at Etsu woro village in Lavun local government area of Niger state.

He said that the accident, which was a lone accident, occurred at 10:10pm along Bida-Mokwa Road.

Tsukwan said that 17 males, 4 females and 4 children died in the lone Sino truck accident adding that 45

days of ANC so that the President will still be part of the conscience of the party so that we will have somebody to run to when we have problems in the party because it was just God that saved our party, that is the truth. God saved our party because the quarrel inside the party was so much, the rancour is so much. It’s just God that saved this party.

“So, we need a man like President Buhari to be aside, every three, four months, we’ll go and drag him from Daura and he will settle party matters, we’ll put him back, he goes back there and continues looking after his cattle and rice and all the rest of them,” he said.

others were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

He also stated that the corpses have been deposited in the mortuary.

“The victims were evacuated from the site of the accident to the general hospital in Kutigi for medical attention while the corpse was deposited at the mortuary in Kutigi “.

PAGE 5 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 N EWS

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

ABenue State High Court sitting in Makurdi on Monday restrained Dr. Iyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the national chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.

The Court gave the order while ruling on an ex-parte application brought by a member of the party

Mba, best choice for Enugu, drop litigations – Rep Okechukwu tells opposition

Chief Toby Okechukwu, Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representative, says that Dr Peter Mbah, the Enugu State Governor-elect remains the best choice for the state.

Okechukwu, who represents Aninri/Awgu/oji River Federal Constituency, made the remarks in Enugu on Sunday, while congratulating the new Governor-elect of the state, Mbah.

The lawmaker said that Mbah’s election by the people of the state was a right step at a time of severe national economic challenges.

He called on the opposition candidates to drop their court cases and join hands with Mbah and work for the greater good of the state.

“I pity Nigerians who see some Labour Party politicians as progressives because they moved out from the dominant parties (either PDP or APC) to the LP to cruise on the Peter Obi bandwagon.

“They won seven out of the eight House of Representative seats in Enugu State, but PDP did not complain.

“They won the senatorial seat of the governor and even the governor’s polling booth during the Presidential and National Assembly Election, yet neither PDP nor Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi complained.

“They won the Enugu East senatorial district where Nkanu East LGA is located and celebrated it. But they would not accept the governorship result that came from the same process the same day,” he said.

Okechukwu explained that Enugu people supported Peter Obi in the name of justice because “we believed it was South-East turn to produce the next President”.

Benue High Court restrains Ayu fom parading as PDP National Chairman

in Benue State, Engr. Conrad Terhide Utaan,through his counsel Mike Assoh.

Justice Wilfred Kpochi, in a ruling ordered Ayu to stop parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP, having lost membership of the party, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice already filed.

He accordingly adjourned the matter to April 17,2023,for hearing of the substantive suit.

It will be recalled that Ayu was last week suspended by the PDP ward executive of his Igyorov ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, after passing a vote of no confidence on Dr. Ayu.

In suit No MHC/85/2023,filed by Utaan, Dr. Ayu is the first

defendant while the PDP is the second defendant.

The suit seeks among other reliefs a declaration that, Dr. Ayu is no longer fit and qualified to hold office as the national chairman of the PDP, having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko, where he first registered as a member of the party.

It also seeks a declaration that Ayu cannot hold himself out, function and preside over the affairs of the PDP as its national chairman having seized to enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership by virtue of his suspension by the ward executive committee of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko

Local Government where he use to be a member of the party.

It further seeks an order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP having lost membership of the party, amongst other reliefs.

It should be noted that Governor Samuel Ortom and the National Chairman of the PDP have been engaged on war of attrition following recommendation by the National Working Committee, NWC that the Governor should appear before its disciplinary action on allegation of anti party activities during the just concluded Presidential election.

Governor Ortom had supported the Labor Party, LP candidate Peter Obi while Ayu supported

Atiku Abubakar who lost to the All Progressives Congress, APC Ahmed Tinubu.

Ortom maintained that the action is contemptuous as the court had restrained the PDP at whatever level from taking any action against him.

The Governor is alleged to have orchestrated a suspension of Ayu for anti party activities and failure to deliver the State to PDP.

But Ayu through his media aide Simon Imobo dismissed the action as an ‘exercise in futility’, citing section 57(7) that states clearly only the National Executive Committee, NEC of the Party has the prerogative right to suspend any the national chairman or national Assembly member.

from left : General Counsel, FCTA. Muhammed Umar, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu at the meeting of the FCT Executive Committee meeting, yesterday in Abuja

Prowess, Triune varsities hold honorary doctorate awards April

The honorary doctorate award ceremony of Prowess University, Deleware USA and Triune Biblical University Global Extension New York, USA will hold last week of April,2023 at the University of Lagos by 11am.

In a joint press statement released by Professor Prince Eze Nwuaba, African Representative of the Prowess University, Delaware,USA; Professor Adeleke D. Durojaiye, President of Triune Biblical University Global Extension, New-York, USA; and Professor Buba S. Mshelia,Advisory Board Chairman of Leadtimes Africa magazine, the program which was earlier slated for March would now hold on the last week of April this year.

According to the statement, this decision was taken after a brief meeting with all the major stakeholders of the two institutions over the weekend. “We took time to arrive on this new date of April having taken into cognisance the interests of all the participants and prospective nominees; and the event will be jointly held by these two institutions at the University of Lagos

come last week of April,” the university dons stated in a statement.”

“It should be noted that many participants are just receiving their nomination letters and we need to accommodate them to have a successful event now that elections are over and there is now a gradual improvement in the availability of currency circulation”, the statement added.

It will be recalled that outstanding personalities in leadership cycle across Nigeria have been nominated for the conferment of honorary doctorate degree awards in various categories and the program is billed for the University of Lagos Guest House.

Among those expected as Special guests at the summit include two immediate past Nigerian ambassadors to the Vatican (Rome) and Spain, Amb. Major General(rtd) Godwin George Umo and Amb. Chief Dr Mrs Susan Aderonke Folarin respectively.

Also included as Special guests is Amb. Dr Mohammed Jibril Ahmed, Chairman/CEO of Shelter Construction Co. Limited.

Professor Basil C. Nwankwo of

the Kogi State University, Anyigba, is expected to serve as guest lecturer at the occasion.

The theme of the summit is: Enhancing accelerated Capacity Building Through Entrepreneurship in Governance- Pathway to Sustainable Growth and Development in Nigeria.

Selected professionals, technocrats, captains of Industries, traditional ruler’s, NGOs, credible politicians among others are expected to participate in the event.

Some nominees for the honorary doctorate degree awards include Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo, Group Managing director of Temple Group Limited who also doubles as the current National President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration and Founder/President of Segun Obayendo Foundation; Mr Oyindamola Ogunojemite, a financial manager and a tax consultant as well as Mr Isaac Olugbenga Kole, the Managing Director/CEO of Tasty Time Nigeria Limited.

Others to bag honorary doctorate degree awards during the summit

include the Managing director of Ist Properties Hub Limited, Franklin Igbochuba and Engr Simeon Alabi, Managing Director/CEO of PRODECO Engineering Services Limited. Other nominees penciled down for the honour include the Managing Director/CEO of Lifecard International Investment Company, Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu;Managing director of Edo state Investment Promotion office, Kelvin Uwaibi;Mrs Busola Komolafe, General Manager of Cloudsa Africa;and Managing director of BUA Sugar Refinery Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim A. yaro. Also listed for honorary doctorate degree award are Mr Lanre Idowu of Lekki Free Zone Development Company;Felix Onwuchekwa Nwabuoku, Managing director/ CEO of PRESCO PLC;founder/CEO of Osayuwamen Saleh Foundation (OSFI),Osayuwamen Peace Saleh;Tope Mark Odigie of TVC and Nancy Isime who are expected to bag honorary doctorate degrees award in Arts and Philosophy, among few others. NAN

PAGE 6 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 N EWS

How to tackle moral decadence in children – Stakeholders

Stakeholders, on Tuesday, converged on Abuja to brainstorm on ways of tackling the menace of moral decadence in children and to enhance development and progress of the country.

The stakeholders, at a Moral Regeneration and Re-orientation meeting, organised by Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja on Tuesday, advocated relevant programmes in schools for effective moral education.

Prof. Soji Oni, of Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, stressed the need to find solutions to the falling standard of education, occasioned by absence of moral values.

According to him, moral regeneration must also be taught, not only in schools but at home, worship places, cultural gatherings and the likes, in order to bring back the moral qualities in the educational sector.

“There is the need for periodic evaluation of the education system so as to keep the system on track.

“Government, parents, teachers, political, religious and community leaders must provide moral leadership in order for children to learn.

“There is the need for appropriate action on what the children are watching on the internet.

“The Federal Ministry of Education, UBEC and SUBEB should draw programmes on relevant moral education that are different from social studies to provide conscious efforts at transmitting the values to our learners.

“This should mean that every school curriculum must contain values and morals that should be taught, as this will lead to reduction in incidences of corruption and other vices in our society,” he said.

Dr Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary, UBEC, said before now, the commission had conducted an explorative survey to gather information on the level of moral degeneration, its causes and effects on teaching and learning in schools.

NAN

Sustain Mathematics Olympiad as annual event-official

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, has called for the sustenance of the Mathematics Olympiad as an annual event for Armed Forces Schools.

Kana made the call on Monday in Abuja, at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Armed Forces Schools Mathematics Olympiad.

He said that mathematics was the foundation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and was critical to the nation’s security and prosperity.

He noted that mathematics was a vital subject that permeates all human endeavor from engineering to economics, medicine computer science among others.

” Mathematics play a critical role in every field. It’s application is not only limited to the sciences, but in everyday life situation.

“Therefore, it is with great importance that we encourage and promote mathematics as a key area of study,” he said

The permanent secretary also said that the initiative for the event received the approval of the ministry because it was an opportunity for students to showcase their problem-solving skills and creation in mathematics.

“It is an event that challenge the brightest minds to solve problems and think outside the

Gombe State Government

Internal and External Advertisement/ Application for the Vacant Position of the Managing Director (MD) Gombe State Revenue Optimization Company Limited (GROCOL)

Preamble:

The Government of Gombe State hereby invites interested and eminently qualified candidates to apply for the position of Managing Director in Gombe State Revenue Optimization Company Limited (GROCOL)

The Candidate:

box.”

He said he was proud of the role the Armed Forces Schools have played in fostering academic excellence among the students.

According to him, the schools have been in the forefront of nurturing and developing students mathematics abilities .

“We have made concerted effort to provide an enabling environment and access to quality returns that make learning mathematics an enjoyable experience.

“It has borne fruits with the outstanding performance we have today.

“Our future as a nation depends on the quality of education our children receive.

“I am confident that with the right support and environment, our students will go on to excell in their various fields of studies and contribute to the development of our great nation.

“It is believed that the Mathematics Olympiad, more than a competition, is a platform for students to learn, grow and develop their skills.

“It is also hoped that this event will inspire students to pursue their passion for mathematics and continue to excel in the field,” Kana said. (NAN)

FAO renews commitment to food security in N/East

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of United Nations has renewed its commitment to supporting food security and building resilience in North East region.

The Head of North-East Office of FAO, Mr Alhassan Cisse made this known on Monday in Maiduguri, while declaring open a workshop on Strengthening the Organisational Capacity of Local and National Actors (LNAs) for effective Emergency Response in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

Represented by Ms Sahar Fallal- Ali, Head of Emergency Programme of the office, Cisse said that over the years, the organisation with funding from donors has invested in building the capacities of LNAs for better implementation of its programmes.

“For instance in 2022 alone, FAO trained 51 Farmers Field School (FFS) facilitators and 85 other partners.

“This is aimed at strengthening the

The candidate for the Managing Director of the Gombe State Revenue Optimization Company Limited (GROCOL) must be an indigene of Gombe State and a person of high integrity with proven transparency in public and private lives.

He/she must possess at least a Degree or Higher National Diploma ( HND) Accounting and Finance and at least 15 years cognate experience in Accounting and Finance with a membership of any professional body like ACA, CNA, NSE, etc.

Method of Application:

Applications are to be submitted in a sealed envelop and marked:

Application for the post of the Managing Director, Gombe State Revenue Optimization Company Limited (GROCOL) and

Addressed to:

capacity of local and national actors in humanitarian response.

“It is also for LNAs to take more leading role in the humanitarian response and also to take more leading role in the coordination mechanism for the LNAs to improve their effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action,” Cisse said.

He noted that with funding from Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), FAO is piloting the localisation agenda in Nigeria where it conducted a gap assessment of 20 LNAs in the North-East.

According to him, the workshop will strengthen the capacities of the LNAs based on identified gaps to enable them to effectively participate in planning and implementing humanitarian and resilience programmes as well as timely response to humanitarian crisis in agriculture and food security to promote resilience. (NAN)

The Honourable Commissioner

Gombe State Ministry of Finance and Economic Development

Deadline for Submission:

Monday 3rd April, 2023

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Signed: Permanent Secretary

PAGE 7 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 N EWS

New Aliero LG chair takes over affairs

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

Following the impeachment of the chairman of Aliero Local Government by its council members yesterday, the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Umar Abubakar, has sworn- in Alhaji Shuaibu Ibrahim, as new acting Chairman of Aliero Local Government Area of Kebbi.

Ibrahim was sworn- in following the impeachment of Alhaji Shuaibu Aliero for gross misconduct on March 27.

Abubakar administered the oath of office and allegiance on the acting chairman and acting Vice Chairman, Abubakar Ibrahim, to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar-Yauri, said the impeachment was in accordance with the local government law of the state.

Osun Appeal Court decision victory for democracy –Arewa Youths

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Chairman Arewa Youths for the sustenance of Democracy and good governance Alhaji Salihu has said the victory of Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, at the Court of Appeal was victory for democracy.

Addressing a Press Conference in Bauchi over the weekend Magaji said the judgment of the appellate court was a resounding affirmation of the expressed will of the people of Osun State in their quest for purposeful leadership and good governance in the State.

“You would recalled that the Court of Appeal on Friday upheld Adeleke’s victory at the July 16, 2022 governorship election after upturning the decision of the tribunal.”

He said the jubilation in Osun State and other States of the Federation is a testament of the fact that Adeleke’s election is not only a reflection of the aspiration of the majority of the people of Osun State but also that of millions of lovers of democracy across the nation.

Those calling for interim national government are enemies of Nigeria –BAT Ambassadors

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Ambassadors has decsribed those calling for the annulment of the Feb. 25 presidential election and the constitution of an Interim National Government (ING) as “enemies of Nigeria.”

The National Coordinator of BAT Ambassadors, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, stated this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that protesters, under the aegis of Free Nigeria Movement, had, on March 21, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to annul the presidential

poll and set up ING pending the conduct of a fresh election on the grounds that the election was fraudulent.

Reacting, Ekungba said: “Even before the primaries, they have been planning for Interim National Government.

“Part of their plan was that even after primaries, they want to ensure there was no election; they want to cause crisis.

“And you know a lot of things were done to cause crisis. So their cry for Interim National Government did not just start today.

“There are some people who are just enemy of Nigeria. They want to

cause anarchy; they want to return Nigeria to the black days. But God will never allow them.”

He said since election had been won and lost, what the aggrieved persons needed to do was to approach the law court.

“If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the election what is proper is for you to go to court, not the streets.

“I want to call on all rightthinking Nigerians; all patriotic Nigerians to rise up now and call these people to order.

“If Tinubu scored 37 per cent of the total votes to win the presidential election, in 1979,

former President Shehu Shagari scored 34 per cent of the votes and he was declared winner.

“So Nigerian Constitution is unlike other countries’ constitutions that say one must scored 51 per cent of the vote cast.

“And in this particular election, there were four gladiators; it was not a two-man race,” he said.

Besides, he said the.election was one of the most freest and fairest polls in the history of the country.

Ekungba, therefore, called on President Buhari to ensure that the transition was peaceful and successful on May 29(NAN)

Group tasks Kaduna SUBEB on improved skills for primary school learners

The Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, has urged the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board to strengthen foundational skills at the beginning of primary schools.

PLANE, making the call in Kaduna on Monday during the dissemination of Baseline Data on Teaching and Learning outcome in primary schools in Kaduna State, said it would improve learning outcomes.

The State Team Lead, PLANE, Ms Diana Agabi, explained that the assessment indicated areas where PLANE school level technical support to the state, would also help to improve education delivery.

Agabi added that the assessment conducted between November and December 2022 covered literacy and numeracy learning levels, inclusive and safe, quality classroom instructions, teachers and pupils and attendance rate.

Other areas, she said included the availability and use of safeguarding

policy and the availability and use of school report cards.

Also, Mr Musa Adeyemi, PLANE Research and Learning Manager, explained that the baseline study was conducted in 43 primary schools with focus on primary two, four and six in six implementing Local Government Areas.

Adeyemi identified the local government areas as Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Soba, Sabon Gari, Jaba, and Sanga.

He explained that a total of 758 pupils and 115 schools were interviewed in the course of the study across the 43 schools.

Presenting the key findings, Mr Gbenga Bamidele, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, PLANE, said that the findings showed a low learning achievement among pupils.

Bamidele said that 50.6 per cent of Primary two pupils were unable to identify Hausa letters, while 91.6 per cent were unable to identify Hausa words.

He also said that only 17.5 per cent of the pupils could identify a number, while 85.4 per cent of

Primary four pupils were unable to identify a single word in English.

According to him, the low starting points indicate the need for Kaduna SUBEB to build foundational skills from the beginning of primary school.

On school, teacher, and pupil demography, Bamidele said the findings showed the need for government support for the provision of a conducive environment for learning.

He also called for support to teachers in the efforts to provide the highest level of quality and inclusive instruction in their classrooms.

“A concentrated effort should also be made to provide a more inclusive environment, including identifying Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Focal Persons at the school level.

“The enrolment of pupils with disabilities is currently low, and school facilities are not available to support their physical inclusion.

“Government should, therefore, ensure appropriate facilities for learners with disabilities. This may have measurable effects on learning

outcomes,” he said.

The monitoring and evaluation officer also called on the government to provide coaching and mentoring opportunities for all teachers as a strategy to provide individualised teacher professional development.

He equally urged the government to leverage on family support for learning outside the schools for lasting impact on learning outcomes.

The Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Halima Lawal, said that assessment would inform the policy and decision makers in areas where deliberate effort and resources should be channelled.

Lawal, who was represented by the Director, Planning and Physical Development, Mr Salisu Lawal said the baseline had indicated the challenge, adding that the next phase of the assessment should show a significant improvement.

PLANE is a seven-year United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office-funded programme designed to drive inclusive education in Nigeria with improved learning outcome.

PAGE 8 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 N EWS
From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna L-R: Deputy Chief Executive, Geregu Power Plc, Julius Owotuga; Chief Executive Officer, Akin Akinfemiwa; Independent Non Executive Director, Doron Grupper; Chairman, Femi Otedola; Independent Non Executive Director, Anil Dua; Independent Non Executive Director, John Robert Lee and Independent Non Executive Director, Paul Miyonmide Gbededo during the 11th Annual General Meeting of Geregu Power Plc in Lagos, yesterday.
PAGE 9 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023

UBEC organises workshop on moral regeneration in basic education

The Universal Basic Education Commission , UBEC has organised a stakeholders meeting to create a pathway for moral regeneration and reorientation at the basic education level in the country.

Speaking while declaring the meeting open in Abuja, Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi stated that over the years, the commission has been concern over the degeneration of moral and overturn of values in the society.

According to him, the Commission as an agency of Government has the onus to reorder the situation as it has as one of its objectives ‘’to ensure the acquisition of appropriate level of literacy, numeracy, manipulative, communicative and life skills as well as ethical, moral, and civic values”.

“In fulfilling this objective, and in relation to the mandate of the Commission, the focus is the school. In as much that there are many other institutions responsible for moulding the character of the child, the school plays a major role in the life of a child. The school is a socializing agent of moral and character building where responsible functional citizens are developed from the cradle,” he said.

Bobboyi added that since the basic education level is where learners are given the opportunity to equip themselves with moral values, skills and competencies that can assist them in effecting personal and community positive change, the Commission has taken it upon itself to organize the stakeholder’s workshop with the school as its target.

“Prior to now, The Commission had conducted an explorative survey to gather information on the level of moral degeneration, its causes as well as its effect on teaching and learning in the school. Besides, information on what could be done to mitigate the effect of the degeneration was also gathered. We shall be sharing some excerpts from the report. This is to enable whatever discussion we are having today to be meaningful and evidenced based,” he said.

UBEC boss urged the participants in the event, to use the opportunity to make meaningful contribution that will assist the Commission

FG to partner stakeholders on combating data challenges -Minister

The Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon Goodluck Opiah has disclosed that the federal government through the ministry of education is set to collaborating with relevant stakeholders in dealing with data challenges in Nigeria.

The Minister made this disclosure during his remark at the national dialogue on education issues in Nigeria, held in Abuja.

He explained that credible, timely and reliable data generation is required for qualitative planning and decision making.

According to him, there is need to embrace the use of data in guiding an our decisions and policies.

He added that if the nation can successfully abridge the data gaps in Nigeria, it would have provided the basic fundamentals for resolving some many issues.

“The choice of the theme for this National Dialogue, Meeting The Data Challenge In Education; Achieving Gender Equality In And Through Education And Leaving No One Behind give me great comfort that this initiative is going to achieve its set objectives

“ As a continent, we need to embrace the use of data in guiding an our decisions. It is often said that Data is to planning what oxygen is to living. If we can successfully abridge the data gaps in Nigeria, we would have provided the basic fundamentals for resolving some many issues.

“Credible, timely and reliable

data generation is required for qualitative planning and decision making. Strategies to deal with this issue are on and the Ministry is collaborating with relevant stakeholders in dealing with data challenges in Nigeria,” he stated.

The minister assured that governments , at all levels and with the collaboration of stakeholders, will continue to pursue investments to help in achieving positive outcomes for the issues that the dialogue was convened for.

He stated that Nigeria remains focused on the implementation of a comprehensive and holistic programme of action including creating an enabling policy environment for data generation, gender equality and inclusive education.

Opiah stressed that

commitment to this have been firmly entrenched in the National Development Plan (2021-2025) and the Ministerial Strategic Plan for Education.

He added that in 2022, the Federal Ministry of Education took steps further by developing a National Policy on Gender in Education that promotes equitable access to quality and inclusive education for all girls.

Further speaking, an education policy analyst of International Institutes of education planning, IIEP UNESCO, Polycarp Otieno, during his virtual presentation said that requirements of new data is t beyond the classical education sector and traditional disaggregation.

He called for deepening inclusion and improving quality more financial resources.

R-L;. President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, National President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, General Secretary NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General TUC, Comrade Nuhu Toro, during the Unions Media briefing on the current Nàira Scarcity / shifting the dateline on strike for another two for CBN to make cash available for Nigerians, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

APC chieftain urges Tinubu to reopen land borders

Achieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu ‘Yar-Abba has called on the President-elect, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reopen all Nigerian land borders upon assumption of duty.

‘Yar-Abba made the call in his congratulatory messages to Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, as well as Sokoto State Governor-elect, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu and his deputy, Alhajj Idris Gobir.

According to the former Sokoto State Chairman of the Bureau De Change Operators Association, reopening the borders would alleviate the suffering of the citizens, especially northern businessmen.

He lamented that the closure of the nation’s land borders had taken negative tolls on

socioeconomic activities in the region as many of the businessmen were now bankrupt.

‘Yar-Abba also urged that traders should be allowed to massively import various commodities especially food items as the security situation had badly affected the food supply chain in the country.

He, however, said that the traders should be made to pay the requisite duties on all the commodities to be so imported.

The APC chieftain further called for the revamping of the security situation in the country to guarantee the safety of lives and properties of the citizens.

‘Yar-Abba also advocated restructuring of the nation’s security architecture and the injection of new blood to improve security in the country.

He also urged the government

to take urgent steps to make the nation’s economy more formidable and vibrant.

On the cashless policy, ‘Yar-Abba said: “It is a good system but badly and hastily implemented.

“It’s disadvantages far outweigh it’s advantages. Adequate should be injected into the economy.

“The provision of dispensing N5 million and N500,000 weekly to corporate organisations and individuals, respectively should be sustained.”

Meanwhile, ‘Yar-Abba has urged the Sokoto State Governor-elect, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu to ”reincarnate the good old days of his mentor, the former Governor of the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko.

He specifically advised Aliyu to kick-start his administration with solving the recurring water

scarcity particularly in Sokoto metropolis and it’s environs, as well as other parts of the state.

The APC chieftain further urged him to immediately rehabilitate the parts of Sokoto Central market that were razed by an inferno two years ago.

“The market should be renovated and all the victims who had been displaced should have their stalls and shops back.

“Doing this will greatly help in reinvigorating socioeconomic activities in the state,”he added.

‘Yar-Abba also appealed to the Governor-elect to ensure the timely distribution of fertilizer and other farm inputs to only genuine farmers, so as to bolster food security.

He also called on him to accord top priority to reviving the local governments and the State’s ‘now dead public service.’ (NAN)

PAGE 10 N EWS PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023

Niger Gov. extols Tinubu’s political stability at 71

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has felicitated with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he marked his 71 birthday.

Governor Bello in a statement described the celebrant who is also the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, as a Poltical colossus, with outstanding records of achievements.

He said Tinubu has remained an icon in the political history of Nigeria considering his positive impact on many lives.

The Governor acknowledged that the septuagenarian has inspired and mentored many people who have become successful political leaders.

PLANE tasks

Kaduna SUBEB on improved skills for primary school learners

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, has urged the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board to strengthen foundational skills at the beginning of primary schools.

PLANE, while making the call in Kaduna on Monday during the dissemination of Baseline Data on Teaching and Learning outcome in primary schools in Kaduna State, said it would improve learning outcomes.

The State Team Lead, PLANE, Ms Diana Agabi, explained that the assessment indicated areas where PLANE school level technical support to the state, would also help to improve education delivery.

Agabi added that the assessment conducted between November and December 2022 covered literacy and numeracy learning levels, inclusive and safe, quality classroom instructions, teachers and pupils and attendance rate.”

Ortom withdraws Senatorial suit from Tribunal

Benue State Governor

Samuel Ortom has withdrawn his suit from the Election Petition Triibunal in Makurdi.

The Governor is challenging the return of Titus Zam of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of the Benue North West Senatorial District.

Govermor Ortom told newsmen after long hours of meeting with his campaign team and prominent stakeholders of the zone that the decision to withdraw the case was in the interest of peace and without prejudice to the suits filed by other candidates of Peoples’ Democrstic Party, PDP.

He noted that though

there was glaring evidence of malpractices including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the Benue North West Senatorial election, “I have taken the decision to withdraw my case from the tribunal. As the Bible says in John 3:27 a man can receive nothing, except it is given to him from heaven”.

“As a key political player in Benue State whose career has spanned over 40 years, the grace of God has taken me to key positions at the local, state and national levels within which period I rose to become a local government chairman, state secretary, state deputy chairman and national auditor of PDP, minister of the federal republic and now I am a two-

term Governor. I will forever remain grateful to Almighty God and the people of Benue State. God’s mercy and blessings have indeed enabled me to attain these heights.

“I must commend the resilience of Benue people who went out to vote during the elections despite the glaring provocation and intimidation by the federal might. I particularly thank the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state for its support.

“It has been an honour to serve the people of Benue State as Governor. Within this period, I have executed the mandate given to me by God almighty through Benue people and I will always be available and ready to carry out God’ s mandate as

He directs me. In the course of serving the state, I have always ensured equity, fairness, justice and the rule of law.

“As a leader of PDP, I will continue to support the party in collaboration with other leaders to enable it to bounce back from the mistakes and drawbacks that are affecting it at the moment.

“Let me reassure the people of Benue State that as Governor, I will continue to provide selfless service in all sectors of development till the end of my tenure on May 29, 2023.

‘”For those I might have offended in this journey of serving the state and our country, I seek their forgiveness, as I also,forgive those who have offended me”, he stated emotionally.

L-R: Governor of Oyo State,His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde; Playwright and PR Consultant,Olutayo Irantiola, and Honelect, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa and Kajola LGAs, the Federal House of Representatives,Alhaji Najimdeen Oyeshina Oyedeji, at the Governor Seyi Makinde Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, where The Okeho Exodus- a Historical play was presented to the Governor by Irantiola in Ibadan, yesterday

SMEDAN trains 90 unemployed youths in Taraba

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) has begun the training of 90 unemployed youths in fashion, leather work and hair dressing in Taraba.

The Director-General of the agency, Mr Olawale Fasanya said this at the opening of the National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI) programme in Jalingo on Monday.

He said that the programme is aimed at supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in a most practical

way.

Fasanya was represented by Dr Funto Babarinde, Head of Enterprises in the agency.

He said the agency had developed the programme to provide entrepreneurship and vocational skills as well as the provision of empowerment materials to fill the capacity gap of the youths.

Fasanya also said the programme was designed to enhance youths engagement in productive ventures.

According to him, the initiatives will bequeath the youth with the capacity to earn

income through filling the artisan gap in Nigeria, adding that the programme had been implemented in the 36 states and the FCT.

He said a total of 3,330 entrepreneurs had been impacted with entrepreneurship and vocational skills, and empowerment equipment at the rate of 90 per state and the FCT.

The director general said the agency expected an improved business management practices, improved service provision by trained artisans would be achieved.

He said that there would

be an increase in finance, equipment and other business resources as well as formalised artisanal businesses.

Fasanya advised participants to take the training serious as a window of opportunities to end poverty and unemployment.

Mr Solomon Musa, a participant, commended the gesture, adding it would go a long way in impacting positively to the lives of the Nigerian youth.

Also speaking, Miss Halima Inuwa, described the initiative as a great strategy for reducing youth restiveness in the state and the country at large. (NAN)

PAGE 11 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 N EWS

The disquiet in the poultry industry

The industry requires all the sympathy and support that can be mustered. It shouldn’t just be allowed to walk the cold and lonely path of adversity given the centrality of the industry to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the country.

The Nigeria’s poultry industry is in the midst of a crisis which has forced a crippling glut- that has knocked not a few farmers sideways. To all intents and purposes, it has been gored and bloodied by the sharp spear of the botched currency redesign policy that precipitated a cash crunch.

Recently, i couldn’t restrain my emotion when the scale of the situation hit me; the mélange of empathy and sympathy took hold me entirely. Frankly, the grave development in the poultry industry is as personal to me as it is to any investor or player in the industry. The losses are just too colossal and the weight of the pain thereof too heavy to keep one calm. How can anyone stand the sight of putrefying eggs valued at millions being buried!

It’s already clear that it would never be the same for many given the scale of the losses. People are routinely counting their losses and of course losing valuable sleep. The crisis is coming on the back of other debilitating crisis like the bird flu, insecurity and the resultant high cost of key input in feed production and the big one – the COVID19 pandemic which saw to the imposition of lockdown which according to pundits resulted to about 1.5 trillion naira in losses. Sadly, another pandemic is on the prowl as new strain of bird flu is spreading apace.

However, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has

already put a figure on the current losses to about 30 billion naira. Not a few, players are swathed by a huge blanket of loans needed to stay afloat before the rattling punch of the current crisis. Before now, a lot of the poultry farmers have been braving singularly difficult operating environment.

Let me provide a brief context on the industry- it is a giant in the agricultural sector which contributes about 25% to the sector. Its value in put at 4.2 billion US dollars. According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Nigeria leads in the annual egg production in Africa while it occupies the second largest position in poultry population with 180 million of birds. About 85 million Nigerians are engaged in the subsector preponderantly in small to medium scale. In addition, it provides about 300Mt of meat and 650Mt of eggs annually. It means whatever happens to the subsector easily has a ripple effect on the agricultural sector and the economy as a whole.

Again, the industry is commercialized and vibrant. It is private sector led. It is consequential to the country as the population is projected to be about 400 million in 2050 and a substantial chunk would be city dwellers which comes with concomitant increase in the demand for poultry products which ordinarily should elicit support to the subsector. It is a veritable vehicle for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The industry requires all the sympathy and support that can be mustered. It shouldn’t just be allowed to walk the cold and lonely path of adversity given the centrality of the industry to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the country. It goes without saying, that the poultry industry

is susceptible to crisis of different nature on the strength of the short shelf life of its important product and the lethal effect on the input supply chain.

The government seems to be in a mute mode over the matter. Its swift intervention is imperative at this critical point to preclude the following among other things: the rolling back of the recorded gains and technical expertise that has put the country in the league of the top players in the industry in the continent, divestment from the industry as result of flagging investors’ confidence and the placing of poultry protein out of the easy reach of a large segment of the population.

It is, however, time to begin to explore the oft-mentioned value addition in the industry. It will be revolutionary to say the least. The conversion of the raw eggs to powder form is feasible in the country. The food and beverages companies include powered eggs in bread, biscuit, noodles, ice-cream and a host of other products. Undoubtedly, the attempt will save the country the humongous loss of scarce foreign exchange and for good measure inject more jobs and serve as a safeguard against the occasional glut. Also, the school feeding programme will have to be seen as means of absorbing the huge amount of eggs produced by the industry.

Government at all levels would have to retool and bolster the scheme in making it work not only effectively but sustainably. The private sector has a role to play in supporting scheme through the agency of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which will serve as a boon to the poultry industry.

Abachi Ungbo can be reached at abachi007@yahoo.com

SmartSoil: Bailing our nation out of hunger

The main objective of AGriDI is to enhance inclusive green growth through agriculture-based digital innovations, especially for women and youth farmers in West Africa. The grant call was initiated and only FUNAAB’s SmartSoil project was successful among higher institution submissions from Nigeria. No doubt, the SmartSoil is certainly poised to make a big difference and desired impact in fostering agricultural productivity.

It is usually said that doing the same thing over and over again without yielding results is simply an indication that there is need for a change in strategy. Over the years, a number of policies, programmes and projects have been pursued in a bid to put food on the table of Nigerians. What do we have today? Many people still go about hungry, able-bodied youths and young persons idling away due to unemployment, and large scale poverty in the land. A ray of hope seems to be unfolding with the introduction of SmartSoil technology to farming and agricultural production in the country. This is because soils provide the foundation for healthy food production and sustainable rural development, thereby contributing to global, national food security and wealth.

As complex and dynamic systems, soil properties vary greatly and are susceptible to deterioration as the intensification of production and demand for productive soils increase. To maximise agricultural productivity in Nigeria, the importance of a soil information platform that is user-friendly, easily accessible, and affordable to millions of Nigerian farmers and other users such as policymakers and researchers, is key. This would go a long way in guiding users on efforts being made to improve the fertility and biodiversity of Nigerian soils and more importantly, improve crop yield and agricultural productivity for millions of farmers. This project, “SmartSoil” development, is a modern soil information system designed for Southwest, Nigeria using digital soil mapping and artificial intelligence techniques by providing hyper-local soil information in such a way that is easily accessible and affordable to farmers and other resource-deficient target groups such as youth, women and other end-users.

SmartSoil is meant to guide farmers on the sustainable use and management of soils resources as well as agronomic advisory service to improve agricultural yield, food security, promote soil biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change. The issue of food insecurity, poverty and astronomical increase in the prices of staples and commodities have been a source of concern in the country, hence the need for increased agricultural crop yields to address the abysmally low food and nutrition security, not only in Nigeria, but Sub-Saharan Africa, given the growing populations, shrinking farm activities due to unfavourable policies, urbanisation and degrading soil fertility, among others. To enhance agricultural productivity in Nigeria, soil information management is ever

relevant to serve as guide to farmers and policymakers on what can be done to improve the fertility and biodiversity of Nigerian soils using artificial intelligence techniques in soil science.

According to the Project Leader of SmartSoil, Prof. Olusegun Folorunso of the Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, Nigeria, this innovation in digital soil mapping techniques has brought about the deployment of machine learning (ML) models to predict soil distribution in space and time using soil data. The increasing availability of soil data can be efficiently acquired remotely and proximally when combined using freely-available open-source, artificial intelligence algorithms such as random forest, support vector machine, convoluted neural network, leading to accelerated adoption of ML techniques to analyse soil data, and draw conclusions on soil properties such as soil potential of hydrogen (pH), acidity, organic carbon content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), texture, bulk density, moisture retention, hydraulic conductivity, and soil parent material by providing an insight into soil fertility and biodiversity in a large area.

“This project intends to use advanced modelling techniques such as random forest and Support Vector Machine (SVM) that have been established to yield better results. It is aimed at developing SmartSoil, a modern soil information system for Southwest, Nigeria using digital soil mapping and artificial intelligence techniques and in turn, provide hyper-local soil information in such a way that is easily accessible and affordable to farmers and other resource-deficient target groups (youth and women) and other interested end-user. It will guide farmers for the sustainable use and management of soil resources as well as agronomic advisory service to improve agricultural yield and productivity, food security, promote soil biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change among smallholder farmers”, Prof. Folorunso added.

To herald the official commencement of the project, the “SmartSoil KickOff Seminar”, titled “Digital soil mapping for optimal agricultural yield and sustainable soil-biodiversity management in Southwest Nigeria using artificial intelligence”, was put together to explain to stakeholders what the project was all about and what it is designed to achieve. To demonstrate the high premium placed on the project, the one-day seminar was graced by the vice-chancellor of FUNAAB, who is also an expert in Soil Physics, Prof. Kolawole Salako, who although was not physically present at the occasion due to other official engagements, had his two deputies fully on ground, viz: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Christian Ikeobi and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olusola Kehinde.

This impressive attendance is in addition to strategic stakeholders from extension agencies like the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), Oyo State

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (OYMA&RD) and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, which is affiliated to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Not only that, youths and women farmers were invited and turned up from the Gateway State and the neighbouring Oyo and Osun states to have first hand idea since they constitute the major beneficiaries. The don appreciated the university management, noting that the grant was won principally because of the FUNAAB’s good records, performance, due diligence on past projects in addition to efforts made in writing the proposal, availability of due diligence and other documents provided by the university when they were made, which made it easier to win the grant, just as vice-chancellor (Prof. Salako) pledged his continued support and equally encouraged the project team members to give their best towards its success. Making presentations on the project overview, the Project Co-Leader/Head, Soil Science Sub-Group Team, Dr. Mutiu Busari disclosed that the project objectives include increased access to user-friendly soil information for optimal agricultural yield for farmers in Southwest, Nigeria, manpower development for agricultural innovations and adoption, increased awareness of climate change adaptation strategies, soil biodiversity management and soil fertility conservation methodologies among farmers, improved collaboration between university researchers and agricultural policy-makers on how to provide the enabling policy and institutional support for the adoption of digital innovations.

On his part, the Project Manager, Mr. Adebayo Adebayo said the expected outputs would cover baseline survey, SmartSoil android and web app, training courses for farmers, and extension agents on the use of the app, soil biodiversity management, policy briefs on sustainable soil management to policy makers, soil fertility status report for policy makers, and capacity development for young researchers and students on digital innovations development.

The main objective of AGriDI is to enhance inclusive green growth through agriculture-based digital innovations, especially for women and youth farmers in West Africa. The grant call was initiated and only FUNAAB’s SmartSoil project was successful among higher institution submissions from Nigeria. No doubt, the SmartSoil is certainly poised to make a big difference and desired impact in fostering agricultural productivity. However, there are a few tips that the project team could find useful. These include constant training and retraining of participants, sustained publicity and enlightenment to elicit necessary support and cooperation, being a new programme while the products and services being offered must be accessible, affordable and cost-friendly.

Dr. Kupoluyi writes from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, @ AdewaleKupoluyi

PAGE 12 OPINION PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023

Towards agribusiness fortune

In August, 2019 President Muhammad Buhari ordered the closure of Benin Republic border in order to encourage domestic production of rice and to curtail smuggling, yet the attempt was dismal as people did not buy their local rice that is full of chaffs as a result of unavailability technological machines to perfect it. Meanwhile, government needs to increase the allocation of the sector for prosperity.

For any other things to be considered FOOD must come first because it serves as a saviour from the hand of number one enemies__ Hunger and Malnutrition. And this food in question is a product of Agriculture.

However, the state of Agriculture in Nigeria that is believed to be a live wire is not appealing. And its problem descends from the top. It all started from the 1970’s during the foray of Nigeria’s oil exploration business when Nigeria detoured from Agriculture. Agricultural economy that accounted for 85% of the Nigeria foreign exchange earnings 90% of employment generation and 80% of the Nation’s Gross Domestic product (GDP) in the 1960’s according to the (Central Bank of Nigeria CBN: 2016) when Nigeria was one the world’s largest producer and exporter of Palm oil, Cocoa, Ground nut, Cotton, Coffee, Rubber, Hide& skin and so on.

It is no longer genuine that Nigeria is endowed with 79 million hectares of vast arable land, 267.7 billion m3 of water for irrigation and 57.9 billion m3 of underground water etc. With all these useful resources the posture of the government towards Agriculture is frustrating. Take from the 2022’s 1.8% budget for Agricultural sector which is the highest in four years. In 2017 it was 1.70% in 2018; 2.00%; 2019; 1.56%; 2020; 1.34%; 2021; 1. 37%. And all these allocations still fall to 1% of Maputo Declaration of 10% on July, 2003 held in Mozambique under Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), eighteen years back to this time. A reasonable ratio for Agriculture since the advent of democracy in 1999 could be traced back to the tenure of President Umar Musa Yar’adua, which were 5.41%; 2008; 5.38% in 2009.

Despite the fact that, 60-70% of Nigerian population engaged

in Agriculture yet, the figures of people practicing farming recently have reduced drastically due to a number of factors ranging from the incessant Farmer-Herders clashes, insecurity; the ugly incidence of November 28, 2020 in Maiduguri, Zabarmari where about 78 rice farmers were killed by the Boko-Haram terrorists is a case in point. Low profit and shortage, many small scale farmers that manage to opt for farming do not get necessary aids from the government in terms of unsubsidized fertilizers, seeds, herbicides and the likes they buy as crop farmers. Conspicuously, outdated tools are still in use to carry out the toiling task of Agriculture in Nigeria in this 21st century and that particularly scare people especially the youthful graduates from going into Agricultural business where success resides. Majority of them see Agriculture as a task of uncultured people thus, they are finding what is not lost in Cybercrimes, Kidnapping, Robbery and all other filthy jobs as a result of unemployment. Norwegian country makes use of high-tech food production systems with wide spread fast-paced digitalisation. The country has developed different autonomous robots that can carry out varieties of tasks on a farm field. For instance, the country has an autonomous weeding robots that can reduce the use of herbicide by 95%. It is the first country in the world that has ever produced virtual fencing system for grazing animal. Find my, in turn offers a tracking collars that use global positioning system (GPS) so, farmers can monitor livestock on their smartphones. All those attract young people to agricultural business.

Nigeria, being a country with the largest population in Africa, has been projected by the census bureau of United States that Nigerian population would reach 379.25 million by 2047 and surpass that of United States of America (USA) . United Nations also forecasts that, the overall population of Nigeria would reach about 401.31 million by the end of 2050 and if the current figure continues, it would go up to over 790.7 million by 2100. That means there is fire on the mountain for Nigeria due to the rapid growing population if Nigeria do not want the current food insecurity to exacerbate there is a need for more people to participate in Agriculture.

Recently, Nigeria’s unemployment rate is pegged at 33.3 % as against the previous 27.1% that shows that youths which take almost half of the country population are yet to know a number of benefits in Agriculture many students that were offered it as a course of study feel somehow and it is observed that, Agriculture as course gets the lowest candidates in jamb and this unveils the attitude of the young people towards it. Agricultural science has a diverse fields and unlike other professions. It has a sub-fields like crops farming, fish farming (Aquaculture) poultry farming and so on, any area can be chosen depending on someone’s area of interest. Apart from the food benefit that is derived from it. It also maximize profits and serve as a self-employment. In the 60’s Agriculture covered 95%of the country’s food needs.

The only way that can make the young people find Agriculture interesting is through modernisation where technological appliances will be used to carry out the toilsome aspect of it as practice in Norway. And private individuals and Non-government Organisations (NGO’s) have a role to play, via organising a seminar on Agriculture so as to orientate the young people and other practicing farmers.

What makes Nigerian Agriculture on the run and yet to move contains a lot of factors. And these factors are as a results of government appalling posture towards it.This is actually what makes it seems that all government’s initiatives and policies are not working. In August, 2019 President Muhammad Buhari ordered the closure of Benin Republic border in order to encourage domestic production of rice and to curtail smuggling, yet the attempt was dismal as people did not buy their local rice that is full of chaffs as a result of unavailability technological machines to perfect it. Meanwhile, government needs to increase the allocation of the sector for prosperity.

The challenges of lack of advanced technological instruments are what various technological universities with the support of the government should bear its responsibility.

Jimoh Abdullahi writes from the University of Ilorin

Importance of agricultural industries to Nigeria economy

Most of the benefits of government agricultural support through agencies like the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB), Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), and a host of others hardly get to the resource-poor farmers.

“If agriculture is to redeem its promise of being the driving force of economic growth, it needs greater attention in development policies and precedence.”

The benefactions of agricultural industries to Nigeria’s economy can’t be overlooked as it has contributed to part of the national economy. Sustainable Agricultural development is one of the main prerequisites for growth and stability of the economy of an agrarian Nation like Nigeria- a Nation that is highly endowed with both human and natural resources- which favour both crop and livestock production. The contributions of the agricultural sector to the Nation’s economy in the pre and postcolonial era when agriculture was the main thrust of the economy, even now because the essential nutrients needed for growth and well-being are from this industry for that it cannot be overemphasized. Animal agriculture is an indispensable pre-requisite towards the sustainability of human development because of food provision, employment generation, etc (Oluwafemi, et al, 2001). In Nigeria, a high percentage of the population earns their living from agriculture and agriculture-oriented activities and therefore contributes to the development of the Nation.

2 History Agricultural output, which fell from 1970 to 1974, has since stood still. The high growth rate of the Nigerian economy over the last ten years has not affected the agricultural sector, whose share in the GDP is estimated to have fallen from 36% in 1970 to 25% in 1974 and (according to ILCA estimates) to 20% in 1978. The followings are the area in which animal agriculture has contributed immensely to the growth of Nigeria economy;

1 LivestockAgriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Livestock account for 18-20% of Nigeria’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) with livestock alone accounting for 4.5 – 5% (FAO,1987). The part played by livestock in the economy is relatively modest, representing approximately 10% of agricultural activity and less than 3% of the GDP. Statistical data for the livestock sector are scarce. According to official estimates, the national herd in 1974 numbered 8.5 million cattle, 22 million goats, 8 million sheep, 50 million poultry (45 million in the rural and 5 million in the commercial sector) and 500,000 pigs (450,000 in the rural and 50,000 in the commercial sector).

There has been no official estimate made since 1974, but the results of ongoing surveys in the field indicate that the cattle herd has more or less recovered from the effects of the drought. On the basis of this data and using the ILCA Bulletin’s usual conversion rates,

the number of ruminants stands at some 13 million livestock units (LU), i.e. 17 livestock (LU) per 100 inhabitants. This is a very low figure compiled by the National Livestock Development Committee. Nevertheless, the FAO, whose estimates were largely used to complement those of the Nigerian Government, estimated the cattle herd at 11.5 million in 1977/78. One livestock unit (LU) equals one head of cattle or six sheep/goats.

In the same vein, anon (2006) reported that the Nigerian agricultural sector has continued to play a pivotal role in the rapid economic transformation of the Nation with the impressive performance accounting for 41% of the Country’s Gross Domestic Product, 80% of the non – oil foreign exchange earnings and over 60% of the active labour force in the country. Livestock have the characteristics of a capital investment yielding an interest in the form of milk, eggs, and other valuable products (Oluwafemi et al, 2001). Apart from serving as a source of food for humans, animal agriculture is also important in providing non- food materials such as source income by marketing of hides, skin, wool and feather which are in turn used as raw materials for manufacturing other valuable products e.g hides as skin for leather goods.

4 Livestock Marketing of livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and birds, etc. Which showed the need for attention in the enterprise. An enterprise that is not properly supervised by the government and an enterprise that is viable to the extent of solving a considerable percentage of unemployment problems facing the nation. The restoration of the collective will in the minds of the various operators in the agricultural industry is paramount in efforts to step up production (Onucheyo, 1998). According to this author, agriculture will have to be repackaged, just like an attractive product for investors to buy. This product must be promoted properly. It must have the right price and must be sold to the right people at the appropriate places. This has been the complaint of the seller of these animals that the buyer is not ready to buy animals as it was required by the sellers. As such, the farmers are afraid of the administration of lost.

The present situation of the country as exposed the livestock sub-sector which has not been given attention and makes it an insignificant contribution above the present level to the Nation’s GDP as the result of the potentials inconsiderably utilization and effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

3 Effects of Lockdown and Restrictions on animal agriculture as Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.These are some of the rules and guidelines given by the NCDC which affected the market of animals production in the country such as;

• Mandatory use of non-medical face mask/covering in public spaces

• Mandatory provision of handwashing facilities/sanitizers and

extensive temperature checks in all public spaces

• Physical distancing of 2 metres between people in workplaces and other public spaces

• Prohibition of gathering of more than twenty (20) persons outside of a workplace

• Nationwide curfew from 10pm to 4am to limit social interactions and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

• Controlled access to markets and locations of economic activities.

• Prohibition of non-essential interstate travel except goods and services etc. The restoration of these past achievements requires collective and sincere commitment of all stakeholders. Focus on agriculture is not a misplacement, although, both the previous and present administrations in Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has put in place several programmes and policies towards the goal of food security, these efforts have always been confronted with a number of constraints such as crop and livestock Pete’s and diseases among others.

5 Eid-l Kabir FestivalThose preparing for eid-l Kabir festival is ready to withdraw back from buying of animals for there festival due to the prise of the animal as a result of money in circulation in the country. Whereas as the sequel low purchase of animals, the small scale sellers are crying out of running down in there business.

Analogous Policies and decisions that will allow government incentives such as loans to get to the farmers should be properly implemented. In the past, most of the benefits of government agricultural support through agencies like the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB), Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), and a host of others hardly get to the resource-poor farmers. Beseech the government to make loans accessible to then and give then moratorium before repayment.

This is most cases is due to stringent conditions such as presentation of collateral security attached to such facility, and this can hardly be met by majority of the farmers. This situation should be carefully looked into by the authorities concerned with the provision of such a facility in order to achieve the goals of poverty reduction, employment generation, and sustainable economic development among others. Training and engagement of more livestock extension agents will no doubt make a positive contribution to this effort

If agriculture is to redeem its promise of being the driving force of economic growth, it needs greater attention in development policies and precedence.

Value your pen, protect your image and dignity because what you write on paper, voice out and social media give details about you.

Abdulazeez Taufeeq by name an instructor in Federal College of Horticulture Gombe, Gombe State.
PAGE 13
PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
COMMENT

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has eulogized Nigeria’s Presidentelect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 71st birthday.

Gbajabiamila said Tinubu has demonstrated democratic credentials over the years and ought to be celebrated by wellmeaning Nigerians.

He said the president-elect is a dogged and determined fighter for a just society even as he described Tinubu as “a man of the people.”

Speaker Gbajabiamila was elated that Tinubu has finally fulfilled his ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president, saying his victory at the presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25 was a welldeserved birthday gift.

Tinubu’s emergence as president, Gbajabiamila noted, was against all odds, noting that God Almighty indeed favoured and granted him victory.

NDE trains

740 women on shoe, bags making

National Directorate of Empowerment (NDE) has commenced trading for about 740 women on shoe and bags making across the country.

The Director General Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo disclosed this while flagging of the 5-day training for 20 women selected in Kaduna State.

Represented by North West Zone Coordinator Suleiman Ibrahim the DG urged the participants to take the training very seriously.

He assured them that after their training a loan will be given to them to start up their businesses.

“You are lucky to be part of the 740 women selected nationwide .After the training a loan would be given to you, particularly those who participated fully in the training” he said

In his remarks, Kaduna State Coordinator Ahmed Idris Kawure said the women are expected to repay back the loan so that other women can equally access the loan in future.

He called on the women to pay attention to their instructors within the five days training duration, saying the trainers are well skilled and are ready to impact the knowledge to the women.

Gbajabiamila eulogizes President-elect Tinubu at 71

Gbajabiamila said as one of those who have been under Tinubu’s school of politics and mentoring, he was not surprised that the president-elect remained focused and unwavering throughout the presidential contest.

“I celebrate our presidentelect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 71st birthday. Tinubu has proved over the years to be an uncommon democrat

who always works assiduously for Nigeria to be great.

“We all thank God for the life of the president-elect, and we pray that He continues to grant him good health to achieve his desire for a better Nigeria.

“The story of Asiwaju is one that every Nigerian, young and old, should study carefully and learn from. Here is a man that worked against all odds to emerge as the presidential

candidate of the APC. Even more daunting was his emergence as President-elect elect.

“Trust Asiwaju, he weathered the storm and scaled through all the hurdles to emerge victorious. That is the kind of man Nigeria is lucky to have at this time. For those of us that have known Asiwaju for decades, we are sure he would not disappoint Nigeria and Nigerians,” the Speaker said. Tinubu, Gbajabiamila added,

has carved a niche for himself not only in Nigeria and Africa but also in the entire world, noting that most developing democracies now have the task of learning from the presidentelect’s emergence.

The Speaker said under Tinubu, Nigeria would witness unprecedented good governance as proven in Lagos, which is the commercial nerve centre of Africa.

Cash crisis: NLC planned strike won’t hold -Ngige

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, on Tuesday, assured that the protest threat by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against the Central Bank of Nigeria, over naira scarcity, has been nipped in the board.

Tje NLC had issued a sevenday ultimatum for the Federal Government to cause the CBN and the commercial banks to end the cash scarcity, failure of which it warned of a nationwide protest and the picketing of the apex bank’s branches.

But addressing newsmen when he appeared on the weekly Ministerial Briefing, anchored by the Presidential Communication Team at the State House, Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige, disclosed that dialogue, coordinated by his ministry, had happened and the CBN had taken steps to remedy the situation.

The Minister, who was joined by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, and other senior officials of the Ministry, noted that the issue to be discussed by NLC in National Executive Council meeting would

no longer be issues of protest, which he said had already been “apprehended” by the authorities.

“Now they have all answered our calls because we are the Chief Conciliators. In my opening remark I said I’ve noticed that there’s already a dialogue going on and there’s also implementation and the Nigerian Labour Congress agreed that there was some thawing at the surface of the icing that was there.

“They said they will call up their National Executive Council meeting because the initial decision to give that ultimatum was given by this same Council.

Members of the Council reside in the states and in the local governments, so that they will come up today, which is Tuesday, the 28th, to review the situation because much as it is, the important thing is that we have emphasised to them that we have apprehended this dispute.

“By Section 7:8 of Trade Dispute Act, once the Minister apprehends and starts conciliation on it, you maintain status quo ante bellum. So they have gone back now to review the situation. If they’re not satisfied with what they’re see, they will come back to me and I’ll invite the CBN again.

L-R: Vice President/Chairman Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry Trade Promotion Board, Engr. Leke Kupoluyi; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Ravindra Singh Singhvi; Managing Director, fairtrade Messe, Paul Maerz; Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo (CON); President, Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Dr Emmanuel Ijewere and President, Organization for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA), Alex Isong, at the opening day of the 8th edition of Nigeria agrofood and plastprintpack international conference held at the Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

IPAC wants LP Vice presidential candidate probed over comment on President-elect

Group under the auspices of Northern Leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), called on security agencies to investigate the Labour Party Vice Presidential Candidate Datti Ahmed over comment against the president Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It would be recalled that the LP Vice Presidential candidate recently warned that the

president elect Bola Ahmed must not be sworn in or Democracy will come to an end in May 29.

The IPAC Chairman Abubakar Dogara at a news briefing in Kaduna said the Forum expressed serious concerned over the comment.

“We wish to dissociate ourselves from the current moves by Yusuf Datti Ahmed and We are disturbed by the potential uprising

against Nigeria’s Democracy.

“We urge the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate all those against the sworn in so as to bring them to Justice. Our forum believes that pre and post elections violence, and other forms of inciting statements from politicians have no Place in the country’s democratic process and must be condemned by all well-meaning

Nigerians,” he said

He said Nigeria has come this far in its democratic journey since civil rule was restored in 1999 and cannot afford a reversal at this stage.

The group said every Nigerian with good memory will remember the unfortunate event of the 1993 and such should never be allowed to repeat itself by antidemocratic elements.

PAGE 14 N EWS PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023

The senators representing Niger East in the National Assembly, Sani Musa, yesterday expressed confidence that ahead of inauguration of 10th Senate in June, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) will resolve issues of religious balance in zoning formula to be used for election of presiding officers.

Sani Musa who made the declaration while fielding questions from journalists, said the Muslim - Muslim ticket used by the party to win the Presidential election must be balanced at the configuration of leadership of the 10th National Assembly for the unity of the country.

According to him, “I will say there is no office deserves to be zoned to the North Central than the Office of the Senate

PDP crisis:

Senate President: APC will effect religious balance in zoning principal officers - Musa

President, but as a party loyalist, and having an interaction with the party leadership before the governorship and House of Assembly elections at the presidential villa, the National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu requested that we all keep our intentions until when the party decide to release the zoning formula.

“Be that as it may, and as we can all see that the MuslimMuslim ticket, which I’m sure will be addressed, we will queue in and decide to make our declaration.

“I would not want to preempt the party, I will wait for the decision of the party. Whatever is the interest of the

North Central, as one of the geopolitical zones that gave the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the highest votes. If you look at the difference we gave to APC and the votes we gave to PDP, we have the largest.

“I do know there will be nothing less than the Deputy Senate President because that is what will be fair to us”.

He however said his ambition is to run for Senate President and use the office to collaborate with the executive in turning things around for good in the country.

“Every human being has ambition. I intend to save our Constitution and democracy

in this country. You are all witnesses to what is going on in this country. Imbalances in this country.

“Our forefathers since independence did it in such a way that the future generations will come together and live as one. So there is no need for me not to vie for this position and when I come in, I’m going to strengthen the administration.

“There is a high rate of inflation with double digits, unemployment, insecurity is there, the value of naira has gone down. You can imagine what is happening with our naira.

“It should not happen in a country like Nigeria. We are supposed to be the most

advanced economy in Nigeria, but alas!, we are where we are today for reasons best known to us all.

“The institution that will serve as antidote to strong policies that will unite this country for prosperity is the National Assembly and the National Assembly needs presiding servants, those that will feel the feelings of Nigerians from the streets.

“But as earlier said, if for the sake of religious balancing and unity of the country, the Senate President is not zoned to North Central, the Deputy President of the Senate should be given to us”.

‘I will fight you till I leave office’ – Wike mocks Ayu after removal

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has ridiculed the embattled former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyiorchia Ayu, following his suspension from the party by the Benue State branch of the PDP.

Wike, who spoke on Tuesday (today), during the commissioning of the first phase of the TransKalabari road in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, said Ayu cannot preside over them in the party, especially as he failed to win election in his unit, ward and state.

“Ayu said nobody can suspend him, but today he has packed out from the office. We have an active chairman now. I told him, you will go, whether he likes it or not.

“Those lawyers telling you that the Ward has no power to suspend you, that it is only NEC, then you don’t understand. When you came, it was the Ward that

suspended Secondus. And you went and took office, it is now that you know that it is only NEC that can suspend.

“Let me tell you since they’ve not told you, the court has struck out that section of our constitution to say that NEC only can suspend the National Chairman. So you don’t know what you are talking about. PDP did not even appeal the judgment. So, forget, your own is gone. You must be wasting your time.”

The Rivers Governor said

he will continue to fight for Ayu’s removal till the end of his administration, adding that, “We are ready for the battle. I’m not from Benue but I have interest, that interest is that Ayu must go. And I’m going to carry it till May 29 when I leave the office.”

A High Court in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital, had restrained Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP.

Ayu, on Tuesday, stepped aside in compliance with the court order.

Court affirms Victor Oye as authentic APGA National Chairman

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday affirmed Victor Oye as the lawful and legitimate National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. The court kicked out Edozie

Njoku, who had been laying claims to the highest office in the political party.

Justice James Omotoso in a judgment held that by the judgments of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and later Supreme Court, it was clear that Victor Oye is the legitimate

National Chairman of the party.

Justice Omotoso held that Edozie Njoku was a meddlesome interloper in the suit seeking to reap where he did not sow.

The court condemned the action of a legal practitioner, CN Nwagwu for deliberately misleading the court and causing

unnecessary confusion that wasted the judicial time of the court.

Justice Omotoso said that Nwagwu failed to act as Minister in the temple of Justice adding that his conduct was unbecoming of a legal practitioner of his status.

Lawan felicitates President-elect Bola Tinubu at 71 birthday

President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan has heartily felicitated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 71st birthday.

A statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ola Awoniyi said Lawan joins his family, associates and millions of admirers in Nigeria and across the globe to rejoice with the Jagaban Borgu on this auspicious

occasion.

In his Congratulatory message, the Senate President describes Asiwaju Tinubu as “an exceptional political leader who has impacted his time and space with great ideas, exemplary courage of conviction and astonishing capacity for purposeful leadership.

“The benevolence of Allah has strengthened these qualities in him and taken him to the threshold of historic greatness as he prepares to assume the

leadership of our great country from May 29, 2023, insha Allah.

“Asiwaju’s impending inauguration as the next President of Nigeria is not by happenstance. It is the result of sheer doggedness, hard work and consistency in the pursuit of beliefs and set goals.

“Asiwaju Tinubu is not just a quintessential politician but also a philanthropist who has impacted many lives in no small measures.

“Asiwaju’s recent clarion call to

Nigerians, after his well-deserved victory at the polls, for healing and reconciliation, exemplifies his magnanimity of spirit, love for peace and an unbending belief that every Nigerian, no matter their political persuasion, has a role to play for the unity and progress of Nigeria.

“I pray Allah to imbue him with wisdom to take our dear nation to a greater height.

“Here is wishing the Jagaban Borgu a happy birthday and many more years in fine fettle and happiness.”

PAGE 15 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
Ayu Wike

NASS elections: Gov Ortom finally accepts defeat, withdraws case from tribunal

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has finally accepted the outcome of the Benue North West Senatorial election which took place on February 25.

Recall that Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who is expected to complete his second term in office on May 29, contested for the senatorial position but lost to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

While Ortom polled 106,882 votes, Titus Zam of the APC scored 143,151 votes, while Mark Gbillah, the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, garnered 51,950 votes.

The governor had since rejected the results, alleging irregularities by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying the poll was clinically rigged.

Ortom and the PDP had petitioned the election tribunal seeking to overturn the victory of Zam.

However, addressing journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, the governor declared that he has decided to withdraw the case in a bid to maintain the existing peace in the state.

He said, “Though there was glaring evidence of malpractices including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the Benue North West Senatorial election, I have taken the decision to withdraw my case from the tribunal.

“As the Bible says in John 3:27 “A man can receive nothing, except it is given to him from heaven”.

“Let me add that the decision to withdraw my case from the court is in the interest of peace and without prejudice to the suits filed by other candidates of our party, PDP”.

Ebonyi: Court grants APGA, PDP exparte order to inspect INEC results

The Governorship and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Tuesday granted an ex-parte order, for the independent National electoral commission, INEC, to allow Prof. Benard Odoh and Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii to inspect all sensitive electoral materials that led to the declaration of Francis Nwifuru as a winner.

Prof. Odoh is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,

PDP while Francis Nwifuru is the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Recall that, Nwifuru pulled a total of 199,131 votes to defeat Odii who scored 80,191 votes to come second while Odoh got 52,189 votes to come third in the just concluded governorship election that took place in the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State.

The state INEC returning officer, Prof. Charles Igwe who declared Nwifuru the governorelect, said he polled the highest numbers from the total votes cast.

The candidates of PDP and APGA had dragged the

Independent National electoral commission, INEC, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the governor-elect, Nwifuru to the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, to challenge the process leading to the victory of Nwifuru in the just concluded election.

The counsel to Odoh, Uba Chukwu Dencency and that of Odii, Adams Uzuakpunwa Obeke Esq, had in their separate suits No. EPT/EB/Gov./01/2023 between Odoh Vs INEC and 2 others, and suit No, EPT/EB/Gov./02/2023 between Odii and ANOR Vs INEC and 2 others, solicited the court to prevail on INEC to allow their

clients inspect the governorship electoral material.

In his ruling, the Chairman of the three man governorship and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye, granted the Ex-parte order, directing the INEC to allow both Odoh and Odii to inspect the governorship election materials. Justice Ogunmoye, however, ordered that the independent National electoral commission, INEC, allow the plaintiffs; Odoh and Odii to inspect, scan and make photocopies for use of all the electoral materials that are their possession.

2023 election shows Nigeria no longer operating democracy – Sam Amadi

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr. Sam Amadi has said the outcome of the 2023 general elections showed that Nigeria is no longer practicing democracy.

Amadi disclosed this at the 2nd Ariyo Dare-Atoye memorial series, themed: “Is Nigeria a democracy? Reflection on the

2023 general election”, held recently in Abuja.

According to Amadi, the Feb 25 presidential, National assembly elections and March 18 governorship, house of assembly elections were not a reflection of the people’s choice.

He explained that the elections had further dissipated the leftover public trust on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC described the just concluded elections as a ‘total desecration’, away from the democratic norms.

He said: “The outcome of the general elections showed Nigeria is yet to be democratic because the fundamental features of democracy, the three of them coming to these elections, fair institutions that should provide

equality for everybody, and guarantee basic freedoms have been denied largely in this election.

“We are no longer practicing democracy. We are not saying that alone, international rating agencies are saying that Nigeria first is a hybrid Democracy; meaning that we are functional or formally democratic but the logic of why Democrats is authoritarian”

Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah (middle), Directors of the Ministry, Education stakeholders and the cross section of participants at the National Dialogue on Educational issues in Nigeria, Organise by the Federal Ministry of Education, held yesterday in Abuja.

Senate passes bills extending 2022 budget implementation to June

The Senate on Tuesday at its plenary passed two bills seeking to extend the implementation of capital components of the 2022 Appropriation bills until June 30. Senate resolution followed the presentation of two bills, sponsored by Sen. Gobir Abdullahi (APC-Sokoto).

The two sponsored bills were: Bill for an Act to amend the 2022 Appropriation Act and Bill for an Act to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act.

Abdullahi in his presentation said the bills seek to amend the 2022 appropriation act and 2022 supplementary appropriation act to extend the implementation year from March 31 to June 30.

He said the National Assembly

had extended the implementation of the 2022 appropriation Act from Dec 31 2022 to March 31, 2023.

This, he said was to allow for a full implementation of the budget, given the approval of supplementary budget approved in Dec 2022.

He said the extension had allowed Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) to use a

large proportion of funds released to them.

He, however, said significant amount of funds remained with MDAs and would require a further extension to be fully extended.

He said given the critical importance of some key projects nearing completion, requested for further extension of the expiration clause in the appropriation act.

He added that the long title

explanatory memorandum of the supplementary appropriation act was expedient.

This, he said was to avoid compounding the problem of abandoned projects, given that some of the projects were not provided for in the 2023 budget.

Abdullahi urged the senators to support the bill to allow for full utilisation of capital release to help reflate the economy.

PAGE 16 POLITICS PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Ayu is an evil that befell PDP - Sen Nnamani

Enugu East Senator and former Governor of Enugu state Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has asked Senator Iyorchia Ayu to vacate office as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forthwith saying “his deception and abysmal performance is unmitigated”.

Senator Nnamani noted that Ayu’s leadership has brought misfortune to the PDP because of his ineptitude, greed and wickedness.

He said “Ayu is just an unmitigated

disaster. His leadership is an evil that befell the PDP. The only option left is to show him the exit door.

“ How can Ayu be relying on the PDP constitution section 57 (7)to seek refuge when he had flagrantly subverted the same section to sack key stakeholders of the party including me”.

Section 57(7) of the PDP constitution stipulates that “ Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no executive committee at any level , except the National Executive Committee ( NEC), shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the

National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly”.

He recalled that the Ayu led NWC relied on the aforementioned section to expel him when it obviously lacked the power to do so pointing out that Ayu’s case now is akin to the evil that men do lives with them.

Senator Nnamani stated:”Ayu lacks the moral right to stay a day longer in office as National Chairman. If he still has any modicum of honour, he should quit immediately. Look at the shame he has brought on the PDP. Look at the array of

key stakeholders Ayu has sacked or forced to leave the party.

“Except Ayu is a man without shame or honour , he has no business remaining in office”.

Senator Nnamani therefore urged the NEC and the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party wade in to show Ayu the exit door in order to save the party from complete extinction.

Senator Chimaroke Nnamani MD, FACOG Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation & Integration in Africa/ NEPAD.

Labour Party reduces nomination fee for Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections to N15m

Labour Party on Tuesday reduced its nomination fees for the off-circle governorship elections in Bayelsa ,Kogi and Imo states from N25million to N15million .

Mr Julius Abure, National Chairman of LP, made this known while addressing newsmen after a meeting with its elected Senators and House of Representatives members in Abuja.

Abure said that the decision was reached after consulting with the party’s national leader and the presidential candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi .

“We have reviewed all the complaints about the high costs of nomination fees by the party in terms of nomination forms for the governorship election in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states .

“I am pleased to announce to you that the nomination fees has been reduced from N25 to N15 million.

“We have always been a listening party,

we believe that this party is propelled and owned by the people.

“Therefore, for us ,the leaders of this party, we shall always ensure that we listen to the yearnings and aspirations of our people and provide leadership by example.”

Abure said that the nomination fee paid by its aspirants in Imo, late Mr Humphrey Anumudu would be refunded to his family to show leadership of compassion and empathy that the party stood for.

He said that LP had eight Senators and 34 House of Representatives members in the just concluded elections and congratulated them for the victory.

He said that the party just concluded a meeting between its national leadership and the Senate and House of Representatives members elect to continue to build synergy and working relationship amongst them.

“We must put on record here that all

those who were elected on the platform of the party either to the House of Representatives or as Senators are well responsible and dedicated to the party .

“For us to continue to provide quality leadership, we will continue to consult and we believe that they are men of integrity, they are women of high repute .

” I am sure they are also aware of the basis of which they were elected, they rode on the back of the people to the position where they are today,” he said.

Abure said the party would build on the successes already recorded by the party to sustain the momentum and ensure that more Nigerians believed in the party.

He sad the party’s legislators would provide quality leadership to the people and canvass alternative government policy as well as always identify with the cause of the people .

He added that the party’s desire to take back the country and redeem the country

from the shackles of poverty ,hunger, unemployment among others remain undaunted.

“We shall continue to pursue these causes on behalf of Nigeria’s and we believe very strongly that the new Nigeria is still possible.

“We use this opportunity to make it very clear that we will go after all those who stole the mandate that freely given to us by Nigerians on Feb. 25th and take them over lawfully .

“These includes which was stolen alongside other mandates either at the level of states governorship or the level of state houses of assembly or the National Assembly.”

Abure appreciated all Nigerians for the support the party enjoyed during the presidential ,governorship and House of Assembly elections especially those who lost their lives and wished the injured quick recovery. (NAN)

PAGE 17 POLITICS PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
L-R: Coordinator TAMP Global Network, Engr. Chinelo Okeke, President, Global center for leadership ànd Good Governance, Comrade Ogedengbe Ayodele Monday, Country Director, Vote Must Count international Initiative (VMCII), Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson and the President, African Emancipation Movement for Good Governance , (a support group for Obidatti presidency), Hon. Lucky Obiyan, during the VMCII World press conference on the 2023 general election / State of the Nation briefing, held on Monday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

FOPEC appoints Malami’s spokesperson as PR Coordinator

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, has appointed Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as its Public Relations Coordinator.

Mr Gwandu is a media and communication expert with over a decade of professional experience in university lecturing, journalism practice, and media management.

PRNigeria gathered that the appointment was meritoriously secured as it was preceded by a written examination, paper presentation and extensive interview on issues relating to public relations in the oil and gas sector.

The final stage of the process was keenly contested by the three top-most applicants from Nigeria, Kuwait and Algeria at the headquarter of OPEC in Vienna where Gwandu scaled and got the prestigious appointment.

Mr Gwandu is a developer of innovative reputation management, image building and corporate communication techniques with a great passion for result-oriented public relations practice.

A recipient of the Wada Waziri Prize for the Best Graduating Students of Journalism of Bayero University Kano (2007/2008 Session), Umar also won Media Trust’s Automatic Employment for the Best Graduating Mass Communication Students of Universities in Nigeria.

Mr Gwandu who meritoriously secured an all-expense paid scholarship by the India Council for Cultural Relations, ICCR, obtained a first-class division Diploma in United Nations and International Understanding from the Institute of UN Studies, New Delhi.

He received multiple awards during his Master’s studies in Mass Communication in India for securing First Class in 2014. He later bagged a Ph.D. degree in Mass Communication specializing in Political Communication at the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano – Nigeria.

Some of his working experiences included Correspondent of Daily Trust in Kebbi, Director, Research and outreach of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Nigeria Office; Coordinator of the Abuja Winter School of IIIT; lecturer at the Department

Reps invite ministers, firms over $2.4bn oil sale

The House of Representatives’ will on April 11, 2023, grill ministers and other heads of ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government as well as oil companies and banks over the alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil valued at $2.4bn.

The House’ Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Loss of Over $2.4bn in Revenue from Illegal Sale of 48 Million Barrels of Crude Oil Export in 2015 Including All Crude Oil Exports and Sales by Nigeria from 2014 Till Date is handling the probe.

The committee, in a notice to the invitees on Monday, also demanded memoranda from whistle-blowers who’s alarm had led to recovery of public funds from corrupt individuals and organisations.

The committee invited 100 individuals, organisations and groups, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited; Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL; Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Attorney General of the Federation; Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation; Central Bank of Nigeria; Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission; Chief Executive, NUPRC; former Chairman, Presidential Committee on Recovery of Missing Crude Oil;

former Director-General, DSS, Lawal Musa Daura; Department of State Services; Nigeria Police Force; INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Nigeria, among others.

The oil and telecommunication firms as well as banks for appearance include Dangote Industries Limited/Dangote Refinery; MTN Nigeria Limited; 9Mobile Nigeria Limited; Airtel Nigeria Limited; United Bank for Africa; Guaranty Trust Bank; Access Bank; Ecobank; Fidelity Bank; and Zenith Bank; Famfa Oil Limited; Seplat Petroleum; Addax Petroleum; Total Energies; Chevron; Shell (SNEPCO & SPDC); Sahara Energy Resources; Conoil; AITEO; Agip/NAOC; Heirs Petroleum; ExxonMobil/ESSO Petroleum; Oando; Oriental; SAPETRO and all other JV, PSC and marginal field operators.

Other top government officials have also been invited.

The notice partly read, “In the unlikely event that formal correspondence from the committee does not reach any of those listed above, please consider this publication as a formal invitation to the public hearing.

“Individuals, agencies, civil society and non-governmental organisations, companies and all other entities who are privy to or have provided whistle-blower information to the Nigerian Government about corruption and proceeds of corruption (whether or not such information

has led to recovery by the government) are also, hereby, requested to submit memoranda with the following information to the committee’s secretariat:

The committee had held an investigative hearing at least twice during which invitees, including the Nigeria Police Force and INTERPOL we’re grilled.

The Chairman of the committee, Mark Gbillah, who was contacted on the telephone on Monday, said the panel had not been officially inaugurated as Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, was not available to declare the hearing open.

Gbillah said the Speaker would now inaugurate the committee on April 11.

When asked of the possibility of the committee concluding the investigation before the 9th National Assembly winds down in June, the chairman disclosed that the probe might be continued in the 10th Assembly.

He said, “Yes, we believe we have enough time to look at the critical issues. But anything outstanding – that is why government) is a continuum

– we can always make a recommendation in the report that the next House should take over from here and there. But it is too-important an issue for us to not try to conclude on.”

The House had on December 20, 2022, resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate a whistle-blower’s allegation of illegal sale of 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude in China in 2015 and the insurance status of the cargo.

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

In addition, the panel would investigate all proceeds recovered through the Whistle-Blowers Policy of the regime led by the President, Muhammadu Buhari , and the level of compliance with the policy.

The committee was to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Buhari inaugurates oil exploration in Nasarawa

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday inaugurated the first oil drilling of the Ebenyi-A Exploration Well located in the Middle Benue Trough in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Mr Buhari, in his virtual spud-in ceremony of the Well, admonished the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., NNPCL, and its partners to take due care of the environmental consequences of the oil exploration activities and to mitigate the negative effects.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, and Group CEO, NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari, among others performed the spud-in ceremony on behalf of Buhari.

Other dignitaries in attendance were Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, retired Justice Bage Muhammad, Emir of Lafia and some royal fathers, among others.

Mr Buhari said the new oil discovery was in line with the ongoing campaigns for the exploration of crude oil and gas in the nation’s Frontier Basins.

This, he said included the Chad Basin, Dahomey Basin, Anambra Platform, the Calabar Embankment, Sokoto Basin, Bida Basin, Benue Trough as well as the UltraDeepwater Niger Delta.

“Today’s occasion marks the official commencement of

exploration drilling activities in the Middle Benue Trough.

“This is consistent with the commercial discoveries of hydrocarbons in the Kolmani Area of the Upper Benue Trough.

“I am pleased to note that activities are currently ongoing to develop the Kolmani petroleum discoveries to commercial production to add to the nation’s considerable hydro-carbon assets.

“I am encouraged by the enormous work done by NNPC Limited to exploit the prospects in the Middle Benue Trough, leading to the event of today,” he said.

The president congratulated the NNPCL, the NUPRC and other partners for their immense contributions toward making the

exploration possible.

He expressed pleasure with the consequent positive outcomes of the drilling campaigns which he said would lead to greater prosperity for Nigerians and especially enhance overall energy security for the country.

Mr Buhari further said that the surrounding communities would particularly benefit from the value that would be created by the exploration and the eventual production activities.

He expressed gratitude also to the government and people of Nasarawa, especially the host community for their unfettered support and collaboration toward the success of the exploration campaign.

PAGE 18 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023

Youths urged to avoid ponzi schemes

ABUJA

As the campaign to create awareness among the youths and young people and further attract them to the capital market gathers momentum, Young Nigerians have been urged to ensure they invest with entities that are registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Director, Market Development Department of the SEC, Mr. Nestor Ikeagu stated this weekend during the celebration of the Global Money week 2023 enlightenment campaign to School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Global Money Week (GMW) is an annual global awareness raising campaign on the importance of ensuring that young people from an early age are financially aware, and are gradually acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial well-being and

financial resilience.

The SEC Director said that the official theme for Global Money Week 2023 is “Plan your money, plant your future”, adding that this year, GMW focuses on sustainability and raising awareness on the implications of individual financial behavior not only on one’s financial future but also on the environment and the society.

Ikeagu stated that there are various products available in the capital market that could appeal to the youths and urged them to plan, save and invest in the capital market.

According to him, “It is also important to educate these young minds that as they plant their future, they should be mindful of some fraudulent activities such as “Ponzi scheme”, that can mar the growth of that financial future.

“A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investing scam promising high rates of return with little risk

to investors. It is a fraudulent investing scam which generates returns for earlier investors with money taken from later investors. It involves paying existing investors in a non-existing enterprise with the funds collected from new investors”.

Ikeagu added that there is a list of registered fund managers on the website of the SEC and urged members of the public to always cross check that entities are registered for the products they are offering to the public.

Mrs. Ngozi Obi, Senior Manager Financial Inclusion Department of the SEC, told the students GMW is an annual event enlightening the youth on saving money to invest for the future via the capital market. She said, “It is an annual global awareness raising campaign on the importance of ensuring that young people from an early age are financially aware and are gradually acquiring knowledge and skills, attitude, behaviours necessary to

make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial wellbeing and financial resilience.

“The aim of our visit here today is to create awareness to the youth as part of the financial literacy to educate the youth and get them acquainted with the financial culture to enable them make informed decisions before investments” she stated.

Speaking earlier, Principal of the School, Dr. Rilwan Abubakar expressed appreciation to the SEC for choosing the school for the awareness campaign saying that it is a special day for the students who stand to benefit a lot to enable them learn how to invest.

“We are very excited that the SEC has decided to hold this event in our school. It is a global money week with the aim educating the youth on finances and create awareness to be financially disciplined, and we know our students will benefit greatly from this”.

Poultry farmers beg government for help over egg glut

Poultry farmers in Lagos have decried the egg glut in the market and appealed to the government to mop up the produce.

Some poultry farmers across the state, who spoke to journalists on the effect of egg glut on the sector, said egg glut is a situation where the number of eggs in the market or produced is greater than the demand, causing an undesirable accumulation of table eggs in the farms or stores.

The national publicity secretary of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Godwin Egbebe, said farmers were losing and appealed for government intervention at all levels.

Mr Egbebe said farmers had reduced the prices of eggs due to the decline in demand, which has led to farmers’ losses.

“At large farm gates, a crate of eggs now goes for as low as N1,700 and N1,800 as against N2,000 or N2,100 that was sold just weeks ago. The egg glut is on the increase; the farmers are churning out eggs every day, but there are low demands following the cash crunch in the country,” Mr Egbebe stated.

The farmer added, “That is why we are calling on the government to mop up the eggs across our farms and distribute (them) to motherless babies’ homes, hospitals or even the prisons.”

The PAN scribe blamed the current egg glut on the limited cash circulation.

Mojeed Iyiola, the PAN chair in Lagos, said, “We have had to drop our prices due to the egg glut. Still, people do not come for them. Marketers and middlemen have used this opportunity to collect eggs on credit and still refuse to pay. We are appealing to the federal government on this issue. It is a serious case and trying time in the poultry sector.”

Price of petrol to hit N750 per litre soon,

Nigerians have been warned to brace themselves as the federal government prepares to completely de-regulate the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

The stakeholders gave this warning during an online workshop titled; “Deregulation of the Nigerian Downstream Sector: The Day After.”

Joined by economic policy analysts and government agencies, the downstream players also provided a list

of strategies and actions that should be taken to ensure the long-term elimination of the gasoline subsidy.

It was also revealed that Nigeria was having trouble finding buyers for its crude oil due to strikes in the French refining industry and seasonal maintenance at plants throughout Europe, which reduced the producer’s sales.

Representatives of the ARDA, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria

stakeholders warn

(DAPPMAN), the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attended the workshop.

Others included PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), CITAC Africa, Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Federal Competition and Consumer

Protection Commission (FCCPC), and NNPC Retail Limited (NRL).

The revelation comes just as the President Muhammadu Buhari regime gears towards the removal of fuel subsidy. The regime had on several occasions attempted to totally remove subsidy, a move that has been rejected by the Nigerian Labour Congress.

Mr Buhari had in 2022 said fuel subsidy will be phased out in 2023.

Mr Iyiola explained that the association had spoken to the commissioner for agriculture in Lagos to mop up the eggs and give them to the less privileged.

“Some states in the northern part of the country are doing likewise,” he added.

A poultry farmer and processor, Joel Oduware, blamed the naira scarcity solely for the current egg glut.

“The naira scarcity has created a massive glut in the sector, and the poultry industry has estimated the loss at N30 billion within the cash crunch period,” said Mr Oduware. “It is a loss the sector would have to bear as we have not received any compensation from the government.”

PAGE 19 BU$IN€SS PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
Coordinator The Native Group Smart Edward (middle in red) and other members of the group addressing the media during a peaceful rally in support of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting free, fair and credible 2023 General Elections, in Abuja Monday Photo: Mahmud Isa

Airtel commissions largest primary school in Gombe

Airtel Nigeria, a telecommunications company, said it had commissioned its seventh adopted school, Government Day Primary, as part of its corporate social responsibilities initiative, ‘Adopt-A-School’.

Airtel in a statement yesterday, said the project was commissioned by the Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar, alongside other notable guests, on March 24, 2023, in Pantami, Gombe State.

It said that the commissioning followed the renovation of 12 blocks of 37 classrooms and 17 toilets which had now been upgraded

to modern toilet facilities for the pupils and teachers.

Moses Adejo, the State Business Manager, Airtel Nigeria, said: “Airtel is committed to improving the system of education in Nigeria and loves to identify with basic school education where the nurturing starts from.

“This is because we truly believe in the saying that

children are the future of this country,” he said.

Also, the Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar who was represented by Falakin Gombe, Kabiru Tshon, applauded Airtel for the support towards education in the state.

Mr Abubakar expressed gratitude for Airtel’s wonderful intervention which

Rivers: Customs rake in N54.9bn in three months

The Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command in Onne, Rivers State said it generated a total sum of N54, 992, 123, 687.15 billion revenue between January and March, 2023.

The command said the sum was out of the N336bn revenue target for the year 2023.

The Command Controller, Comptroller Baba Imam, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.

Imam further said from the revenue an increase of N1, 132, 925, 556.82 billion was recorded when compared to what was realised in 2022.

He also disclosed that the command recorded several seizures justifying which he said was a reflection of its commitment to facilitating only legitimate trade in line with the provision of extant laws.

He said that the command seized 24 containers laden with

...seizes 24 containers worth N N94.6

refined vegetable oil comprising a total of 28,860 gallons of 25 and 10 litres of La-Jonic vegetable oil with a duty paid value of N833, 172, 538.42 and two containers laden with 1,165 cartons of Analgin injection and fireworks.

The NCS Onne command Area 2 comptroller put the duty paid value of the two containers at N94, 652,168.39 million, saying one 20ft. of machete was detained on documentation grounds pending provision of end of user certificate.

Imam stated, “In revenue generation, the command was given a target of N336 billion as revenue target for 2023.

“As of today, the command has generated a total revenue of N54, 992,123, 687.15 billion which transits to 16.3 per cent of the target. When compared to the same period last year, the Command has an increase in revenue of N1,132, 925, 556.82bn.

“This figure was realized in spite of not having vessels berth in Onne Port for some time due to the election atmosphere. We look forward to a continuous rise in revenue generation in the coming months as we expect vessels to berth on our coastline within the next few weeks.”

Continuing, he said regarding anti-smuggling activities, within the past few weeks since he assumed office, there has been a harvest of seizures justifying their committed resolve to facilitating only legitimate trade in line with the provision of extant laws.

“This is made visible with the display of a total number which comprises 26 seized containers and one detained container for violation or contraventions of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines Schedule 3 Article 4 of the Common External Tariff 2022-2026 as well as Section

46 paragraph (b), (d), (e), (f) and 169 of Customs and Excise Management.

“Twenty four containers laden with refined vegetable oil comprising a total of 24,860 gallons of 25 and 10 litres of LaJonic vegetable oil. Also seized were other two containers laden with 1,165 cartons of Analgin injection and fireworks with other items.”

Imam explained that the seizures were made purely with intelligence gathered and 100 percent physical examination, saying investigation was ongoing through its legal and intelligent unit with a view to apprehending the culprits and making them face the law.

He warned that the NCS under his watch will take punitive measures against importers and agents who exhibit any defiant behaviour by not operating in accordance with extant laws of the land.

was the first of its kind in Gombe.

”I am delighted to know that Airtel can do so much to support education in our state. I am one of their subscribers, so I am pleased to say that my line is making an impact in Gombe,” he said.

Sani Abubakar, the Head Teacher, Government Day Nursery and Primary School, said Airtel was the first to carry out such intervention in the school and the whole of Gombe State.

“This is the first historical event in our state in respect of intervention by any NGO or other organizations.

”Government Day Primary School is the biggest school in the whole of Gombe State and Airtel did all it could to upgrade the classrooms and convert all the pit toilets into modern water system toilets.

”All the children now use water system toilet, courtesy of Airtel,” he said.

According to the statement, Government Day Primary School is said to be the largest primary school in Gombe state, with a population of 7,119 pupils registered under the School for Basic Education.

It said that the school had 135 teachers who cater for their educational needs.

NAN reports that since the inception of Airtel’s ‘Adopt-ASchool’ initiative, the Telecom adopts dilapidated schools in rural areas and rehabilitates them at least for four years.

Oil theft: Investigative panel submits report to NSA, seeks speedy implementation

From

Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

The Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria, has submitted its report to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Monguno, in Abuja.

The Head, Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Zakari Usman, in a statement on Tuesday, said the report was submitted on Monday.

While submitting the report, the Chairman of the panel, retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, said the panel engaged key stakeholders from within and outside the oil and gas industry.

Mr Ndiomu said stakeholders from state governments, ministries, departments and agencies, security agencies, regulatory agencies,

international and indigenous oil companies, traditional institutions, host communities, artisanal refiners, among others were also engaged.

He said the panel received and reviewed several memoranda and reports on oil theft and losses during the various engagements.

According to him, the panel discovered several layers of involvement in the illegal theft of crude oil in spite of the best efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to combat oil theft.

“The panel also observed that crude oil losses arose from lack of proper reporting of crude oil production, illegal refining, theft from wellheads and diversion from sophisticated pipelines network.

“The panel also attributed losses to the absence of a robust industry-wide

metering system and an unworkable security arrangement.

“The confusing roles of regulatory agencies was also cited as being responsible for making the detection of theft/losses difficult,” he added.

Mr Ndiomu called for quick implementation of the report and asserted that if the government implemented the recommendations in the report, oil theft/ losses would be adequately addressed.

He said prompt implementation of the report would not only create an immediate impact on crude oil production levels to meet OPEC’s quota but would also attract foreign direct investment and serve Nigeria’s economic and national security concerns.

Receiving the report, the NSA thanked the panel for keeping to the timeframe and for addressing the issues of oil theft

and losses comprehensively.

Mr Monguno assured that government would study the report and see to its immediate implementation, especially the recommendations with short-term perspectives.

The NSA had on December 6, 2022, inaugurated the investigative panel with extensive terms of reference to investigate all aspects of crude oil theft/ losses in all its ramifications.

The panel was expected to investigate oil theft/losses in all its ramifications and propose wide ranging implementable recommendations to enable the administration take decisive action to end the criminal enterprise within the shortest possible time.

The panel was given 10 weeks to complete the assignment effective from the date of inauguration.

PAGE 20 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 BU$IN€SS

Rainy season: FEMA cautions residents against blocking drainages in Jabi

As the onset of this year’s rainy season approaches, the FCT Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), has admonished residents not to block drains through indiscriminate disposal of solid

wastes.

The Director General of FEMA, Dr. Abbas Idriss made the point after an assessment of drainages in Jabi district of the FCT.

Represented by the deputy director, Monitoring and Special Duties, Abubakar Dantani Ododa, Idriss noted that drainages in the

area visited were poorly managed as most of the water passage were blocked by solid waste which makes the environment prone to flooding.

He also applauded the siting of a well organised dump site, close to Jabi park, where refuse is neatly burnt.

According to a statement from the Agency’s Information Officer, Chiamaka Okeke, the FEMA Boss, however frowned at a the situation where wastes removed from drainages are kept beside the drains and eventually end up in the drains when wind or rain comes.

He also appealed to the Abuja Environmental Protection Board,(AEPB), to immediately take action to clear the drains. He also appealed to residents to maintain the sanity of the environment to avert a possible outbreak of diseases and flooding in the coming season.

FCT-CPWB records six years without abscondment

The Director, FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (FCTCPWB), John Dabara, has disclosed that it recorded six years of pilgrimage exercises to the Holy Land without any case of abscondment within her fold.

Dabara, in a recent chat with Journalists in Abuja, said the board was able to achieve the feat following its uncompromising stance on the implementation of laid down security protocols especially during the selection and vetting process.

He added that all intending pilgrim are made to go through a thorough background and security checks that only those with clean records and good intentions can sail through.

While acknowledging that the exercise is highly spiritual, Dabara said that the Board in nearly a decade has not recorded any unfortunate incident amongst her pilgrims during the religious trips.

Dabara explained that despite the peculiarity of FCT Pilgrims, the contingent from the nation’s capital have been adjudged the best in the country by the Nigerian Christian

Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

“As it is now, we have gotten tools where we check them (intending pilgrims), we screen them based on the forms they submitted even in their absence.

“We judge the information you give to us. Once we have convicted you on the form we’ll keep it aside. Then, we will call you to appear physically and this time around, we’ll handover the screening to the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), NCPC, Immigration Service or on the bases of what you submitted.

“And then the last screening we do is when we are now on transit, even at the airport. There are some parameters we will see and we will know that this one is a potential abscondee.

“The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammed Bello, he knows pilgrimage very well. Whenever we submit our report to him, he will always put us on our toes and in fact give us lectures, clues with suggestions on how to mitigate the issues of abscondment.

“In our last Conference of States meeting in 2022 at the NCPC, the Executive Secretary was directing other states to come to FCT and learn how we

organise the pilgrimage because here is very delicate.

“If you go to Plateau state, almost all of the people performing pilgrimage in Plateau are from the state. If you go to Lagos almost all the people who are performing pilgrimage are Yorubas and from Lagos.

“I all the states you have indigenous people doing it, but here in FCT it’s a mix of people from every tribe in the country because it is seen as a point of

unity. You hardly know the kind of person you’re interacting with,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he said aside the security checks carried on the intending pilgrims, the board also take to God in prayers to guide them in the selection process to ensure that only those that will represent Nigeria in good light makes the list of pilgrims.

While noting the importance of pilgrimage in the life of a

Christian, the Director said the exercise is more of spiritual than the physical for a believer, as the soul cleansing exercise is the best avenue for one to connect with his or her creator. According to him, the just concluded 2022 pilgrimage which rounded up two days to the general elections was very significant to Nigerians, as it played a vital role to ensuring the peace enjoyed before, during and after the exercise.

Sexual assault: FCTA to establish more referral centres

The Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee (FCT EXCO) has concluded arrangements for the establishment of more sexual assault referral centers the Territory.

Accordingly, Centers are to serve as a shelter home for the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) across the Territory, who have been abused and are experiencing trauma and need to be properly cared for.

The FCT EXCO gave this assurance Monday, during its 17th Meeting held

at the Conference Hall, FCTA House in Gwarinpa I District, Abuja.

The FCT EXCO, while reviewing the presentation by the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) on its activities, programmes and projects, stated that the Administration is committed to building more shelter home for the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence that will accommodate the increasing cases of SGBV across the Territory.

The EXCO also directed that Social Development Secretariat to initiate plans for the immediate re-integration of children who are in the various

orphanage homes and have grown up as well as activate the FCT Juvenile Correctional Centre.

It further directed for the establishment of Mobile Courts to apprehend and trial swiftly, cases of Gender Based Violence in order to serve as deterrent and serve justice to the victims.

It also advised residents to avoid acts capable of precipitating sexual and gender-based violence.

EXCO re-affirmed the position of the FCT Administration on street begging and other unwholesome practices within

the Federal Capital City and insisted that it will continue to enforce all laws prohibiting such practices.

Commending the Social Development Secretariat for the milestone recorded and emerging top out of 15 Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) rated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in handling cases of Gender Based Violence, the meeting urged the Secretariat not to rest on its oars.

The meeting, which was presided over by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, was attended by top officials of the FCT Administration.

PAGE 21 METRO PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023

North Korea asserts first evidence of tactical nuclear weapons

North Korea has revealed small nuclear warheads, which it says can be fitted on to short-range missiles.

The North has long claimed it has tactical nuclear weapons, capable of hitting targets in South Korea.

But the photos published in its state newspaper on Tuesday are the first time it has provided evidence.

However, it is impossible to verify whether they are the real deal. Until North Korea tests one of these devices, we are left guessing.

Pyongyang has spent the past fortnight firing a barrage of what it says are nuclearcapable weapons, while simulating nuclear attacks on Seoul.

Admittedly it is hard to keep track of North Korea’s missile launches these days. The tests in isolation no longer generate the headlines they used to, but if we look at them all together there is much we can learn.

North Korea says it is punishing the US and South Korea for holding their largest military drills in years. The allies have been practising how to defeat the North in the event of an attack. This is not a scenario its leader Kim Jong Un relishes.

Only this is not a typical North Korean protest. In the past it has responded to such drills by firing off a mix of short, medium, and long-range missiles, and perhaps some artillery shells.

This time, over the course of two weeks, Pyongyang has launched its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, which can reach anywhere on the US mainland, in theory.

It has fired missiles from a submarine, and from what appears to be an underground silo. Its military has simulated a nuclear attack on a South Korean airfield.

And Kim Jong Un has unveiled a new underwater drone, which he claims can fire nuclear weapons under the sea to unleash a “super-scale radioactive tsunami” and destroy enemy warships.

On top of this, it has now unveiled nuclear warheads it claims can be fitted to these weapons.

This is an eclectic and troubling line-up.

Analyst Ellen Kim, from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, described it to me as “the North Korean equivalent of a fashion show” - a nod to the Dior-style jacket Mr Kim’s daughter was spotted wearing to one of the launches.

Analysts, including Ms Kim, are concerned by the diversity of the collection that has been paraded this season. Pyongyang has unveiled new and more sophisticated, weapons, which can be fired from sea and land to target the US, South Korea, and Japan.

“Before, we did not know they were able to fire cruise missiles from submarines, or missiles from under the ground. Its weapons are becoming much more difficult to track and intercept,” Ms Kim said.

This raises the nuclear threat North Korea poses.

Take the cruise missiles fired from a submarine as an example. These missiles are the most concerning to Yang Uk, a weapons expert from the Asan Institute in Seoul. As he explains, firing a missile from under the water makes it harder to detect ahead

of launch. After launch, cruise missiles fly low, and can be manoeuvred mid-flight, to outsmart missile defences.

Kim Jong Un has always feared the US will attack his country first, and wipe out its weapons before he has the chance to use them. The message he appears to be sending with this array of tests, is that the North now has the ability to strike back, or even strike first. It is difficult to destroy weapons concealed underground or underwater.

In other words he is saying “don’t think about attacking us”.

However, we should exercise caution. Mr Kim has a tendency to exaggerate his military’s abilities.

The lingering question has always been whether North Korea actually has the nuclear warheads to attach to these missiles. Most of the weapons displayed recently would only be able to carry a very small, lightweight warhead. Until now, we have seen no proof Pyongyang has managed to develop them.

On Tuesday, it provided the first piece of evidence. Photos published in the main state newspaper show Kim Jong Un inspecting

a row of what it said were small nuclear warheads.

There is no way to verify the warheads are what they say. This is why the intelligence community has been holding its breath for so long, waiting for said nuclear test.

The moment North Korea is able to build miniaturised warheads on a mass scale, it the moment its simulated threats become real, and it can strike South Korea and Japan with nuclear weapons.

There are some who argue the US and the international community should be doing more to get the North back to the negotiating table, to prevent this nuclear test. Talks between the two sides have but stalled for more than four years. But Pyongyang has shown no sign it wants to talk. It tends to pick the moment when it thinks it has the most to gain.

With China and Russia refusing to punish North Korea at the UN Security Council, it can continue developing its weapons without consequence. Why stop now? The better its weapons, the stronger its hand, and it still has more to prove.

Nashville school shooting: Beloved school head among victims

Aschool head, a custodian and a substitute teacher are among the victims of a shooting that has left six dead at a school in Nashville, Tennessee.

Three staff members and three pupils were killed in the attack by a 28-year-old former student at the Covenant School on Monday.

The three children, all aged nine, have been named as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney.

The three employees killed were Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Michael Hill, 61.

Police said they did not believe any of the victims had been specifically targeted.

Katherine Koonce was the head of school at Covenant, and one parent told BBC News she was a “saint”.

“She did so much for those kids,” said the mother, who has two children

enrolled at Covenant.

“She knew every single student by name,” she added. “She did everything to help them when families couldn’t afford things, it didn’t matter. She found ways for them to stay.”

On a welcoming page on the school’s website, Ms Koonce wrote the school is “about more than simply educating our students”.

Watch: ‘No parent should have to receive that call’

She was also the author of the book Parenting the Way God Parents: Refusing to Recycle Your Parents’ Mistakes.

A bio for her on Penguin Random House’s website said she had over 18 years of experience and a master’s degree.

The Covenant School was founded in 2001 as a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church, according to the school’s website.

Mike Hill was a custodian at the school.

His daughter, Brittany Hill, said he died doing a job “he absolutely loved”.

“Today my Dad lost his life at the Covenant School,” she shared in a post on Facebook.

“I have watched school shootings happen over the years and never thought I would lose a loved one over a person trying to solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution.”

Tim Dunavant, a pastor at Hartsville First United Methodist Church, said he had previously worked at Covenant and had hired Mr Hill over 13 years ago.

He said he would miss “those encouraging texts out of the blue” from Mr Hill, and would not be surprised if it turned out Mr Hill had sacrificed his life to save others because “he’s the kind of guy that would do that”.

Cynthia Peak was a substitute teacher working at the school on the day of the attack, police said.

Of the children, Hallie Scruggs was the daughter of Chad Scruggs, senior pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

The pastor described his daughter as “such a gift” in a statement toABC News.

He also spoke of his faith that they would one day be reunited.

“We are heartbroken,” he told the outlet. “Through tears we trust that she is in the arms of Jesus who will raise her to life once again.”

At a church service held hours after the shooting, a senior minister at Woodmont Christian Church said Evelyn Dieckhaus was in the third grade. Her sister, who is two years older, cried during the service according to the Tennessean newspaper.

“I don’t want to be an only child,” the report quotes her as saying. Source: BBC

PAGE 22 international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com world news PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
Kim Jong Un with what North Korean state media says are tactical nuclear weapons

Searching for my roots in an Algerian cemetery

In our series of letters from African journalists, Maher Mezahi writes about what looking for the branches of his family tree has taught him.

On the outskirts of Skikda, an agreeable Mediterranean city along Algeria’s eastern seaboard, my extended family owns a plot of land that sits on a slope.

For my mother and her siblings, the land was an idyllic escape from their cramped downtown apartment that was synonymous with the mental grind of the school year.

On long summer vacations in the countryside, they cautiously picked juicy prickly pears, carelessly built large bonfires and invented creative outdoor games to pass time with cousins.

For my generation, visiting the land usually meant a day without a mobile phone signal and avoiding the orangestriped garden spiders that were the size of my palm.

Nonetheless, all of us are unanimous in recognising the value of the land, mostly because of what sits on the slope’s peak.

A curving dirt path leads to the top, where our family cemetery sits in peace.

Only the rustling of the fragrant leaves from an adjacent, majestic eucalyptus tree breaks the quiet.

Every family trip to Skikda, without exception, is always punctuated by us visiting those who have passed on.

A whole host of people who meant a lot to me now rest on the hilltop, including my maternal grandmother and grandfather.

After taking a moment with them, I usually search for the resting place of my great-great-grandfather, Ahmed.

Thick, green paint on the small boulder that serves as his tombstone indicates that he was born in 1845.

It always hits me that this is the furthest I can dig back into my personal history.

Image source, Maher Mezahi

Image caption, Maher fondly remembers outings

with his grandfathers but would like to know more about his ancestors

It is not at all common for people in my country or on my continent to be able to locate the graves of their ancestors four generations up, and I quickly come to terms and appreciate that privilege I have.

In the absence of modern municipal registers and death certificates, the majority of us rely on oral testimony to construct our family trees.

Across many cultures in Africa the ancestors are revered, but sometimes specific information is elusive.

Over the past few weeks, I have been going through my phone contacts and took a straw poll from colleagues to see what their respective experiences were tracking their ancestry.

Colleagues in Ghana and South Africa confirmed that the exercise was mostly oral and came from uncles or siblings of grandparents - they could climb the family tree but only reach three generations above them.

Women left out

A friend in Ethiopia told me that in parts of his country “children are obliged to memorise the generations above them”.

The naming tradition also remembers fathers and grandfathers.

I also know from friends that it is customary in Egypt for children to be given their father’s and grandfather’s first names as middle names.

Yet, such techniques can be shallow and are often patrilineal, meaning that the women of the past are more prone to be forgotten than their partners.

At times, I yearn for the wealth of recorded information available to populations elsewhere in the world.

In France, for instance, the government has digitised and uploaded important documents such as marriage, birth and death certificates onto a database that is accessible on a government website.

In England and Wales there are records for all births, marriages and

deaths registered all the way back to 1837.

Unfortunately, I believe that we are still decades away from African citizens gaining thorough access to digitised civil documents on a large scale.

Maher Mezahi

The most important lesson I learned from looking into my personal history was a deep attachment to where I am from”

Maher Mezahi

Journalist

But why does it matter?

There is the cliché that “if you don’t know where you’re from, you don’t know where you’re going”.

I have ruminated on that question a lot over the past few months.

One of the main benefits of learning your personal history is that you can educate yourself about yourself.

With the right information, you may find the origins of your own physical

features, medical history or personality traits.

I am also at that stage of my life where I am beginning to think about future generations and the importance of passing down a cultural identity.

But I think the most important lesson I learned from looking into my personal history was a deep attachment to where I am from.

It is not necessarily about a flag, a country or an ideology. Instead, I think back to that parcel of land in Skikda, and how it has directly nurtured my family and indirectly nurtured me, for more than a century now.

I think back to that eucalyptus tree, and how it perhaps provided shade for my great-great-grandfather, Ahmed.

That understanding is humbling because it places me directly in the cycle of life, and it also brings about a level of gratitude that could completely transform the way in which I live.

Gambian football chief reveals American dream as Scorpions target 2026 World Cup

The president of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Lamin Kaba Bajo, has revealed the country’s next target is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, having made their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) debut last year.

The Scorpions went to the tournament in Cameroon as the lowest-ranked team ever to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations but managed to reach the quarter-finals where they lost to the hosts.

“Our next target is a subsequent Africa Cup of Nations and also the 2026 World Cup, that’s definitely what we are working towards,” Bajo told BBC Sport Africa.

He added that qualification to the 2021 Afcon had been a progressive journey involving much hard work, including at youth level.

Earlier this month, The Gambia impressed at the Under-20 Afcon in Egypt, reaching the final where they lost 2-0 to Senegal.

“We have a very strong league across the country, which goes up to the provinces, and highly competitive school football, where the coaches also recruit talents,” he said.

“We also have a talent development

scheme that we launched and we are putting more effort in ensuring implementation of the strategy.”

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, and will feature 48 teams for the first time with Africa assured of nine berths, a development that will boost The Gambia’s hopes of qualification.

Of more immediate concern, to reach next year’s Nations Cup in Ivory Coast, the Scorpions need to finish above both CongoBrazzaville and South Sudan in Group G - a group which Mali are firm favourites to top.

Bajo also thanked the BBC for its role in encouraging Gambian players to think big, stating that a TV documentary about the nation’s Afcon exploits in Cameroon served as inspiration.

“It has been very highly welcomed by the whole country,” Bajo revealed.

“Gambia is a footballing nation, everybody’s interested in football.

“The players themselves are highly motivated by that piece done by the BBC.”

Source: BBC

PAGE 23 N ews F rom A F ric A PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
Image source, Maher Mezahi The Gambia were one of the surprise packages at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals on their maiden appearance at the tournament

Russian whose daughter drew anti-war picture flees jail term

ARussian single father whose daughter was reported for drawing an anti-war picture has been given a two-year jail term for discrediting the army.

But Alexei Moskalev, 53, was not in court in Yefremov for the verdict. The court press secretary said he had escaped house arrest.

“I don’t know where he is,” his lawyer Vladimir Biliyenko told the BBC.

His daughter Masha, 13, was sent to a children’s home in early March when the criminal case began.

Moskalev was accused of repeatedly criticising the Russian army on social media and had appeared in court the day before.

He is only the latest Russian to be given a jail term for discrediting the military, but his case 320km (200 miles) south of Moscow has attracted international attention because of the authorities’ decision to remove his daughter from their home early in March.

“I’m in shock,” Yefremov town councillor Olga Podolskaya said. “A prison sentence for expressing your opinion is a terrible thing. A two-year jail term is a nightmare.”

“When I heard that Alexei

had gone on the run, that was the second shock. We hope that Alexei is OK and that nothing has happened to him.”

The family’s problems began last April, she told the BBC, when Masha Moskaleva’s school told the police that the girl had drawn a Ukrainian flag with the words “Glory to Ukraine”, rockets and a Russian flag bearing the phrase “No to war!”

Alexei Moskalev had contacted Ms Podolskaya last year to tell her about the pressure he and his daughter were coming under. Masha’s mother does not live in the area and is estranged from the family.

Moskalev was initially fined for a comment about the war made on a social media network last year. But after his flat was searched in December he was charged under the criminal code because he had already been convicted of a similar offence.

He has been recognised as a political prisoner by human rights group Memorial, which has itself been banned by Russia’s authorities.

Moskalev was not allowed to communicate with the BBC during a visit to his building earlier this month. However, his lawyer said Moskalev was very worried that his daughter was not with him.

Social services in Yefremov have officially been tasked with looking after the girl. The local

Juvenile Affairs Commission had already taken legal action to restrict her father’s parental rights. Last week he wasn’t allowed to leave his house arrest to attend a preliminary hearing.

Ahead of the verdict on Tuesday Vladimir Biliyenko visited the children’s home where Masha has spent most of the month.

The director told him that

the girl had gone to a children’s cooking festival and passed on two drawings she said Masha had done for her father, as well as a letter she had written him.

Mr Biliyenko told Sotavision that Masha had written the words: “Papa you’re my hero.”

He later spread the drawings on a table in court.

Although Moskalev had turned up the day before, court

press secretary Olga Dyachuk said he had escaped house arrest overnight and should have been taken into custody after the verdict.

“To say I’m surprised would be an understatement,” Mr Biliyenko told the BBC. “I’ve never seen anything like it. No client of mine has ever gone missing like this. I don’t know when he fled, or if he has.”

Amateur Australian gold digger finds massive nugget

An Australian man armed with a budget metal detector has hit the jackpot, finding a 4.6kg rock containing gold worth A$240,000 (£130,000; $160,000).

The man, who doesn’t want to be named, made the discovery in Victoria’s goldfields - which were the heart of Australia’s gold rush in the 1800s.

Darren Kamp, who valued and bought the specimen, said it is the biggest he’s seen in his 43-year career.

“I was just gobsmacked... It’s a once in a lifetime find,” he told the BBC.

Mr Kamp hadn’t thought too much of it when a man wearing a large backpack walked into his prospecting store in Geelong, about an hour south-west of Melbourne. Normally people come in with fools gold or other rocks that look like gold, Mr Kamp says.

“But he pulled this rock out and as he dropped it into my hand he said, ‘Do you think there’s A$10,000 worth in it?’”

“I looked at him and said, ‘Try A$100,000’.”

The man then proceeded to tell him the rock in Mr Kamp’s hand was only half the find.

All up, the 4.6kg rock contained 83 ounces - or about 2.6kg - of gold.

After having it valued, Mr Kamp bought it from him.

He says the lucky man is looking forward to spending the windfall on his family: “He said to me, ‘Oh the wife will be happy’.”

While discoveries like this are rare, Australia is estimated to have the world’s largest gold reserves and many of the world’s biggest nuggets were found in Australia.

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of failed crypto firm FTX, has been accused of bribing at least one Chinese official.

In new charges unveiled in the US, officials accuse the entrepreneur of authorising a bribe of “at least $40m” (£32.5m) to try to gain access to trading accounts frozen by Chinese authorities.

The allegations add to the fraud case filed last year after FTX’s collapse.

Mr Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty to those claims earlier this year.

He is currently under house arrest at his parents’ home in California while awaiting trial.

The updated indictment says Mr Bankman-Fried authorised the bribe after Chinese authorities froze accounts holding roughly $1bn (£811m) worth of cryptocurrency that belonged to his trading firm, Alameda Research.

The accounts were released after the transfer, which went to a private cryptocurrency wallet, according to the filing.

The alleged bribe followed months of other efforts to access the funds, which Mr BankmanFried believed were frozen as part of an investigation into another trading firm, it said.

The incident happened before FTX’s dramatic collapse last year, when reports about the company’s finances led to a rush of withdrawals, pushing the firm into bankruptcy.

In the wake of the collapse, which left many people unable to access their funds, the US filed criminal charges against Mr Bankman-Fried, accusing him of improperly using customer

deposits at FTX to fund his other firm, Alameda Research, buy property and make millions in political donations.

The episode cast a dark cloud over the crypto industry, which was already suffering from big falls in the values of Bitcoin and other assets.

It was also a sharp fall from grace for Mr Bankman-Fried, who had been one of the most highprofile figures in the sector, leading

an exchange which had more than 1 million users and ranked as the world’s third largest trading platform by some measures.

Mr Bankman-Fried has acknowledged lapses in management, but denied fraud. Three of his closest colleagues have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with investigators. He faces more than 100 years in prison if convicted.

Source: BBC

PAGE 24 N ews F rom A si A PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
Masha’s school contacted the police after the 12-year-old drew this picture The rock was found in a Victorian region famous for gold

Facility mgt key to cost saving centre — ESV. Madubuko

An Estate Surveyor and valuer, ESV Okechukwu Madubuko, said facility management is a key to cost saving centre.

He said facility management has a multi-disciplinary approach of integrating peoples process and technology in the management of a building environment.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, ESV. Madubuko explained that “our offices, homes, places of worship and playgrounds are all facilities.

This has to do with management of their day to day activities to ensure optimal utilization as well as extended longevity becomes the responsibility of an Estate Surveyor and Valuer”.

The surveyor described cost savers as a process of engaging an Estate Surveyor and Valuer from the onset.

“Experience has shown that involving the services of an Estate Surveyor and Valuer at the inception of planning and design stage of any Facility has brought so many gains in reducing and saving cost either in immediate or long term. While the architect wants to create a work of art, the structural engineer is interested in ensuring that the structure stands, the utmost end result of all their efforts is now handed over to an Estate Surveyor and Valuer to manage.

“Since this is his responsibility, he knows the challenges and when involved from the onset, he guides all the other professionals to ensure that day to day management of the facility is cost effective.

“The Estate Surveyor and Valuer can advice on design based on experience. He or she can advice on:

Safety features HVACS(Heating, ventilation, and cooling system)

Road types and ground outlook

Landscaping etc.

“Also, when the facility is up and standing, the Estate Surveyor and Valuer has to put in place an effective maintenance schedule/ policy. It is worthy of note that, reliance should be focused on: Scheduled Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance and Symptomatic maintenance.

All these are designed to be cost saving as they prevent repairs and attendant costs. They also prevent replacement cost occasioned by run to fault or failed maintenance.”

Speaking further, he said space management can be defined as a practice where an organization manages its physical space inventory. “These activities include tracking, control, supervision and utilization planning of the space available. It must be noted that office space planning is an essential aspect of space management, to ensure maximum results with optimal utilization of available resources.

When a company can effectively utilize the space available to it for its operation, huge costs can be saved.”

He said an Estate Surveyor and Valuer makes work more efficient and the business continuity.

“An Estate Surveyor and Valuer in doing his or her job allows all others to concentrate

on their core area of competence . This definitely translates to saved man hours, efficiency and business continuity”.

He also added that enchanted energy saving is a fundamental way to cut down cost is by boasting energy efficiency.

“Not only does the approach benefit the environment, but reducing carbon emissions can overtime lead t no o significant savings without any noticeable drop in performance”.

An Estate Surveyor and Valuer can reduce cost by recommending and implementing energy saving bulbs, double glazing on windows and enhanced wall insulators within the facility.

“By introducing measures to consistently monitor and track energy usage, an Estate Surveyor and Valuer can harness that data to make definitive cost saving measures.These can then enhance asset longevity and allow them to perform more efficiently”,he said

Establishment of building engineering practice will tackle building collapse -NSE

Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has said the establishment of a building engineering practice and governance will help tackle building collapse in the country.

The president of the NSE President, Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, made the disclosure inAbuja recently during the commemoration of World Engineering Day (WED).

He bemoaned frequent collapse of buildings in the country.

He said: “NSE views with severe dismay and as a national disgrace, the recent collapse of a three-storey building on 6th Avenue, Gwarimpa District, Abuja.

This unfortunate incidence is the latest in the unmitigated trends of shameful and avoidable building collapse incidences across Nigeria, which have resulted in humongous deaths and maiming of innocent Nigerians.

“These disasters are outcomes of ineffective compliance, breakdown of regulatory control, official negligence and failure to stamp out building design and

construction incompetence and quackery.

“It is the NSE’s well-considered view that henceforth, a determined precedence should be set for deterrence and as part of the healing balm for victims of this disaster by fully implementing the reports of the investigations.”

The NSE stated that henceforth, the criteria and approval process for buildings should be more rigorously observed, and that any subsequent events such as this building collapse should be treated clinically and with utmost severity.

He disclosed that the body is spearheading the adaptation of curricula and teaching methods to ensure that engineering professionals and students are innovative and are capable of developing new skills.

“Additionally, training programmes are being created and developed to upskill and reskill NSE members to meet the demands of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). The Society is also setting a model for Engineering innovation, and as such is currently executing the SMART Office Project. This

project comprises an innovation hub, automation and engineering lab, AI/IoT hub, virtual offices, SMART Physical offices, E-library and training facilities,” he explained.

The President added that the project will create an enabling environment for innovations, research and development, product development, entrepreneurship and business development and ease of doing business for

engineers and other stakeholders. While calling on the Federal Government to implement Executive Order 5 especially sections 7(2) and 8(1), the society stated that despite the abundance of databases for engineers, technologists and artisans in Nigeria, it finds many expatriates of equal qualifications with Nigerians while some are without skills at all in construction companies across the country.

PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 25
Property
An Estate Surveyor and valuer, ESV Okechukwu Madubuko.

Martine Vik Magnussen: Billionaire’s son admits role in death to BBC

Abillionaire’s son, who fled to Yemen within hours of the death of a student in London 15 years ago, has admitted his involvement to the BBC.

The body of Martine Vik Magnussen, 23, was discovered under rubble in a Great Portland Street basement in 2008.

Farouk Abdulhak, who is on the Met Police’s most wanted list and is the subject of an international arrest warrant, has never spoken about the case before.

He told the BBC Vik Magnussen died as a result of a “sex accident gone wrong”.

I was a student myself when Martine’s body was discovered, and I found the reports about it deeply shocking, especially as the main suspect in her murder was Yemeni - I am also from Yemen.

So when I joined the BBC as a journalist in 2011, it was one of the first stories I pursued. My main goal was to find answers for Martine’s family, who regard her death as a test of international law. The UK has no extradition treaty with Yemen.

But it wasn’t until last year that I finally managed to make contact with Farouk Abdulhak. My communication with him began over social media. Hundreds of journalists have reached out to him over the years and he has ignored them all. But our shared Yemeni background helped me gain his trust. Ten days after we first started texting, he sent me the first of what would turn out to be a series of revelatory messages.

“I did something when I was younger, it was a mistake,” he wrote.

During the thousands of texts and hundreds of voice notes he sent me over five months, not once did he use Martine’s name or refer to her death, preferring the terms “incident” or “accident”.

But the coroner’s report made clear how violently the Norwegian student had died - the result of “compression to the neck” which “could mean she was strangled, held down or smothered”. Her body showed 43 cuts and grazes, “many of them typical of assault type injuries or those received in a struggle”.

Farouk and Martine both studied at Regent’s Business School in London, and Martine was hoping to become a financier in the capital. The last time her friends saw her alive was during the early hours of 14 March 2008, at the exclusive Maddox nightclub in Mayfair, where she and Farouk were celebrating the end of exams.

Those friends say Farouk then offered to host an after-party at

his apartment in Great Portland Street, central London. They were too tired to go, but say Martine wanted to continue partying. CCTV shows her leaving the club with Farouk at 02:59. There are no witnesses as to what happened next. By sunrise, she would be dead - though her body would not be discovered for at least another 48 hours. By this time, Farouk had fled the UK on a flight to Cairo. He then got on his father’s private jet to Yemen. Farouk’s lawyer insisted he was innocent of murder.

Farouk isn’t just any Yemeni. Brought up between the US and Egypt, he is the son of Shaher Abdulhak, one of the richest and most powerful men in Yemen. He forged an empire of sugar, soft drinks, oil and arms, and was a close friend of the president at the time, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

When I first tried to speak to Farouk in 2011, I spent months in Yemen looking for him. But I had to leave when the authorities warned me to drop the story.

In February 2022 I decided to look into the case again - from London. By this time, Farouk’s father had died and president Saleh had stepped down. I wondered if it would now be possible to get Farouk to talk.

But I also knew it wouldn’t be easy. When a friend got hold of his number, I messaged him over several different apps but received no response. And then the friend noticed he was using Snapchat.

I sent him a message and he responded within seconds. His first question was to ask where I was from. I gave him the name of the affluent Yemeni neighbourhood I grew up in, sensing that he was probably based there too. I was right. Immediately his interest was piqued.

Now I had opened a dialogue with him, it was a matter of gaining his trust, especially as I never hid my profession - in our first few exchanges I told him I was a journalist.

Our initial chats were simply about our similar experiences. Despite his incredible wealth, in some ways we had a lot in common. We exchanged stories of skiing in the same Swiss resorts, studying in international schools and the places we both liked going to in London.

And then he started to open up.

“I did something when I was younger it was a mistake…,” he texted. “I told you my real name, I can’t specifically go to the UK for something that happened there.

“The only reason I am scared is you told me you’re a writer and journalist.

“I did something when I was younger it was a mistake…,” he texted. “I told you my real name, I can’t specifically go to the UK for something that happened there.

“The only reason I am scared is you told me you’re a writer and journalist

“You’re the last person I should talk to.”

The speed at which he began to take me into his trust might seem surprising, but bear in mind that Farouk is incredibly isolated. His entire family lives outside Yemen - including his now ex-wife and daughter - having fled the country’s

devastating civil war. But he dare not visit any of them for fear of arrest.

None of his friends who I spoke to during my investigation have heard from him since he fled - though all said they were shocked when they read about Martine’s death at the time, saying

his suspected involvement seemed completely out of character.

Martine, Cecilie and Nina in Maddox night club on the night she died (far left to right)

Now that Farouk seemed ready to share more, I made it explicit that I worked for the BBC and wanted to report on his story. BBC

26
PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 Feature
Martine Vik Magnussen’s body was found buried under rubble in 2008 Nawal Al-Maghafi on the phone to Farouk Abdulhak Nawal had been trying to make contact with Farouk Abdulhak for years

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THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

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2.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 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

LADY VIRGINIA & FIDELIS HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION

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.NWEKE FIDELIS OFORDILE

2.NWEKE ISREAL CHIBUZOR

3.FIDELIS NGOZI NWEKE

4.NWEKE MIRACLE UCHECHUKWU

5.SILAS SUCCESS OKWUDILICHUKWU

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO GIVE CHARITY TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY.

2. TO ORGANIZE SKILLS ACQUISITION TRAINING FOR YOUTHS AND CHILDREN.

3. TO PROVIDE MEDICAL AND LEGAL AID ASSISTANCE TO THE AGED AND TO TAKE SUCH OTHER MEASURES TO ENSURE THEIR SOCIAL WELLBEING.

4. TO INITIATE PROGRAMMES FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE NEEDY AND ORPHAN VIA SKILL ACQUISITION. 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.

PAGE 27 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
CLASSIFIED
UNITED IN CHRIST EXTOL MINISTRY

PUBLIC NOTICE

FORMER NAME: MISS OLUWATADE IYANUOLUWA DAMILOLA

NOW: MRS ARUNA IYANUOLUWA DAMILOLA

LOSS OF ORIGINAL ALLOCATION LETTER OF A PIECE OF LAND (NO. 061C) LOCATED AT PLOT 2311 FESTRUT ESTATE, KATAMPE ABUJA. THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT I, AUSTINE ANYALECHI PURCHASED THE PIECE OF LAND PLOT NO. 061C SITUATED AT PLOT 2311

FESTRUT ESTATE KATAMPE, ABUJA FCT, FROM FESTRUT GLOBAL NIGERIA LIMITED KATAMPE ABUJA, THAT SAID THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT AND RELEVANT DOCUMENTS GOT MISSING AND ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE MISSING DOCUMENT HAVE PROVED ABORTIVE.

IF FOUND, KINDLY CONTACT ANY NEAREST POLICE STATION.

ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD KINDLY TAKE NOTE.

SIGN: BY ENGR AUSTIN ANYALECHI

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHARIOT OF CHRIST MISSION

CAC/IT /NO. 175044

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR RETAINED, REMOVAL AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

TRUSTEES

1. EDOSA NOSAKHARE GEORGE - RETAINED

2. IDUOZEE OSATOHANMWEN RAMSON - REMOVED

3.EVBUOMWAN SANDRA IYOGHAMA - RETAINED

4.EVBUOMWAN ITOHAN - RETAINED

5. IDONIJE WEALTH OSAGA - APPOINTED

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION 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: CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

SAVE THE CHILD HEALTH AND EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE CAC/IT/ NO: 183193

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR RETAINED AND REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

TRUSTEES ARE:

1. EGWUATU PATRICK OBUMNEME - REMOVED

2.NNUEKWE STANLEY KOSISOCHUKWU - RETAINED

3.NNUEKWE SYLVIA KAMSIYOCHUKWU - RETAINED

4.NNUEKWE EMMANUEL IFEANYI - RETAINED

5. EGWUATU CONSTANCE OGONNA -RETAINED

6. CHOGUDO SULE AHMED - REMOVED

IN THE MINDS OF YOUTH

4. TO ENHANCE EFFICIENT AND PRODUCTIVITY AMONG ISLAMIC YOUTH THROUGH ORGANIZING SEMINARS, SYMPOSIA AND WORKSHOP, IN COLLADORATION WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATION

5. ASSIST IN PROPER AND ALL ROUND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MUSLIMS YOUTHS BY ENGAGING IN PROPAGATING OF ISLAMIC VALUE AND PROMOTING PEACE, BY EXTENDING HAND OF FRIENDSHIP AND TOGETHERNESS TO OTHER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

6. TO BRING TOGETHER THE VARIOUS ISLAMIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION, UNDER ONE UMBRELLA TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE, AND TO ENGAGE IN ALL CHARITABLE ACTIVITES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BOREHOLE DRILLING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF COMMUNITY, DAWAH AND DONATION TO THE LESS

PRIVILEGE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY 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

CHRIST UNHIDDEN GLORY OF LIGHT MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC),ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. OMEKE PEACE AMARACHI.

2. AKALAZU LAWRENCE NDULAKA.

3. UDOH JEREMIAH.

4. AIPOH TONY.

5. AYAKERA VICTOR MSEMHEMBA.

6. UDOH THANKGOD SAMUEL.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD.

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 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

7. CHIBUEZE GLORIA GOZIE - REMOVED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION 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: CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE

APOSTLE PRINCE IKHAREBHORE MINISTRIES

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC),ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. IKHAREBHORE PRINCE...... PRESIDENT

2. IKEKEAFE CYNTHIA ENOMEN.... SECRETARY

3. AKHABUE MATHEW..... MEMBER..

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. TO WIN SOULS FOR JESUS CHRIST.

2. TO TEACH AND TO EDUCATE PEOPLE OF THE WORD OF GOD

3. TO EQUIP BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST FOR THE WORK OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

4. TO MAKE DISCIPLES FOR OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

5. TO BRING DELIVERANCE AND PROPHETIC DIRECTION TO PEOPLE.. 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 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. LAWRENCE EREWELE. 08033679234

PAGE 28 PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE SPACE FOR SALE PUBLIC NOTICE SPACE FOR SALE CLASSIFIED
PUBLIC NOTICE T-PUMPY ESTATE ISLAMIC CENTER 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. GANIU OYEWOLE WALIU 2. AMINU ABIODUN TAOFIQ 3. KUKOYI ABAYOMI TOHIR 4. KINDIN MUHAMMED SANDA 5. ALIYU MAHMUD BASHIR THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE 1. PROPAGATION OF ISLAM AND TO ENHANCE AND PROPAGATE THE TEACHING OF ISLAMIC VALUES, MORAL ETHIC AND DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF ISLAM, THROUGH REGULAR READING OF THE HOLY QU’RAN FOR THE SAKE OF THE NATION AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC 2. TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL BODY THAT WOULD WORK OUT MODALITIES ON HOW BEST GOVERNMENT COULD TACKLES THE PROBLEMS OF ISLAMIC SCHOOLS AND INTEGRATES WESTERN EDUCATION INTO THE SYSTEM OF ISLAMIYYA EDUCATION SYSTEM. 3. TO PROMOTE UNITY AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE ISLAMIC YOUTH INSTILLING MORAL DISCIPLINE AND GOOD BEHAVIOR

WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023

Nigeria will exceed expectations at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup -Gusau

Nigeria’s senior female national football team the Super Falcons will exceed expectations at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

President, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau stated this in Abuja on Sunday when he hosted a delegation of FIFA representatives at Transcorp Hotel during the FIFA women’s world cup trophy tour in Nigeria

Nigeria will be making her 8th consecutive World Cup appearance since the tournament was created in 1991. The nine-time Africa champions have participated in every tournament with her best outing being a Round of 16 placement in 1999 under late Ismailia Mabo.

Mr Gusau who took over from Amaju Pinnick as NFF boss in September, noted that the federation is ready to spur the team for a better outing, and remained optimistic Nigeria will make a difference in this year’s edition of the women’s global football gathering.

“We have been participating in the women’s tournament since it’s inception and by the grace of God this time around we want to make a difference. We are doing everything possible to ensure we motivate them”.

The former Zamfara FA chairman said the Super Falcons will be exposed to top quality friendly matches and pre tournament games with other teams that will be participating at this year’s world cup, even as he

gave a hint that his major desire is for Nigeria to win the world cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“Just about two months ago they were in Mexico where we organized some friendly tournaments for them and in the next couple of weeks they are going to travel to turkey to also attend some organized tournaments with other countries that are going to participate at the world cup”

“So we are working really hard to ensure that we support them for them to excel at the world cup”

“I feel excited about the trophy

tour but my dream is to bring the trophy from Australia back to Nigeria”

The original FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy to be competed for by 32 teams from across the globe from July 20 to Aug. 20 arrived in Abuja on Saturday afternoon.

The trophy arrived in Nigeria after being taken to the three other African countries which will participate in the finals — Morocco, South Africa and Zambia.

Nigeria is the fourth leg of the 32-leg trip the trophy is

undertaking before heading to Australia and New Zealand.

The original FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy to be competed for by 32 teams from across the globe from July 20 to Aug. 20 arrived in Abuja on Saturday afternoon.

The trophy arrived in Nigeria after being taken to the three other African countries which will participate in the finals —Morocco, South Africa and Zambia.

Nigeria is the fourth leg of the 32-leg trip the trophy is undertaking before heading to

Australia and New Zealand.

The trophy was on display at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja from 12 noon on Sunday, with a photo session for a number of invited guests.

Only four countries have ever won the trophy, namely the U.S., Germany, Norway and Japan.

The U.S. have won it on four occasions and Germany have lifted it twice, while Japan and Norway were champions once each.

Nigeria reached the knockout stage in France four years ago losing 3-0 against Germany.

Argentina Goalkeeper scores world record 101 metre foal from goal kick

Argentinian goalkeeper Leandro Requena made history over the weekend after he scored from goal kick in his own box in the Chilean League.

The goal could set the Guinness World Record for the longest strike in football history.

It was scored by goalie Leandro Requena in a Chilean top-tier match between Cobresal and ColoColo.

In the 77th minute, with his side Cobresal already 2-0 up, Requena dropped the ball in front

of him and gave it an almighty whack from inside his own sixyard box.

The ball sailed through the air and bounced just in front of ColoColo goalie Brayan Cortes, who was stood miles off his line.

It bounced over Cortes, who desperately backtracked to try and head it clear to no avail.

The broadcasters let out the most worthy drawn out ‘GOAL!’ as the keeper’s teammates swarmed him to celebrate.

The goal helped his side to a 3-1 win, but it may be about to get better for the shot-stopper.

It is believed that Requena’s kick went in from 101 metres, which is more than the previous Guinness World Record of 96.01m and the club is pushing for the goal to be recognized by the Guinness World Record organisers.

He told Radio Bio Bio: ”I asked Juan Silva, the club’s manager, if the request for the record application was really going to be made and he told me ‘obviously yes’.

“So now we are waiting for what is needed to verify what the distance really was. (Silva) did tell me that the ANFP (Chilean

Football Federation) called him to check the measurements of the field, which is 105 meters and a bit.

“If so, since the area is five meters, it would be logically over 100. The truth is that I am happy with all this, more than anything personally, but also for the institution, for Chilean football. Going down in history with an event like this makes me happy.”

The location of the field may have played a big part in the feat as well, with Cobresal’s stadium Estadio El Cobre 2200m above sea level.

Requena explained how he used

the conditions to his advantage. He continued: “I wanted to take the kick quickly as we have done so many times at altitude, to try to catch the rival off guard and it came out a little stronger than normal.

“The first thing I did as soon as the ball left my foot was hold my head because there were two players in a clear position to counter-attack and I realised that it had gone long.

“When I saw the bounce made it difficult for Brayan and it went past him, I thought the ball could go in.”

PAGE 30 PEOPLES DAILY sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046
Sports
NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau addressing FIFA delegates and invited guests during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Your at the Transcorp Hotel Abuja on Sunday.

S P R T

AFCON 2023 Qualifier: Nigeria reclaims group A leadership after triumph in Bissau

Nigeria’s Super Eagles moved back to the top of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying pool after Moses Simon’s 30th minute penalty condemned hosts Guinea Bissau to a one-goal defeat on Monday.

The Eagles, just as it happened in the first leg in Abuja, created opportunity after good opportunity but failed to get behind goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.

Victor Osimhen and Samuel

Chukwueze could not convert chances in the first half, before Moses Simon made good from six yards to put Nigeria in front for the first time in the fixture.

The Djurtus looked dangerous as they did in the first leg in Abuja but failed to unscramble the new Kenneth Omeruo/Semi Ajayi equation in the centre of Nigeria’s defence, even as Bright Osayi-Samuel again showed plenty of evidence that he has come to stay at the Super Eagles’ right back.

Osimhen was denied by the upright in the 59th minute when he flashed a shot past Mendes, and four minutes later, the Napoli man simply blew it skywards after being put through by Samuel Chukwueze.

In the 69th minute, Osimhen was again foiled by the alertness and diligence of Mendes after Simon sliced one from the left flank. Two minutes later, substitute Joe Aribo was also cracking his knuckles after Mendes got a strong hand to push over his fierce

shot from just outside the box.

Victory meant the Eagles returned to the top with nine points, with Guinea Bissau second on seven and Sierra Leone, who spanked Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday, third on five points.

The next round of the qualifiers will be in June, when Nigeria travel away to Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau take on bottom-placed Sao Tome and Principe.

Nigeria begins preparation ahead of IHF Challenge Trophy Africa Zone 3 in Ghana

Nigeria’s women U-18 handball will begin intensive camping, in Lagos, ahead of the IHF Challenge Trophy for Africa Zone 3 phase.

The IHF Challenge Trophy for Africa Zone 3 will hold in Accra, Ghana from the April 11 to 15, 2023 and it will serve as for the Women’s IHF Trophy Africa Continental which will hold later in the year.

To this end, Coach Agboola Shittu Adewunmi has invited 30 players for camping at the Rowe Park Sports Center, Yaba, Lagos, ahead of the championship.

Some of the players are mostly those who participated at National under 12/15 Handball Championship in Sokoto and few in various handball academies across

the country.

Coach Shittu believes he has been able to get all of the best female handball players in the under 18 category and will ensure they get the necessary match and tactical fitness needed for the competition.

The players are to report to the

Park

Center this Sunday.

Players Invited For IHF Challenge Trophy Africa Zone 3 Tournament

Names of invited players :

7.

Academy)

8.

23. Grace Gregory (Akwa Ibom)

9.

24. Blessing Inyang (Akwa Ibom)

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17. Maureen John (Bayelsa)

18. Blessing Jumbo (Bayelsa)

19. Vera John (Bayelsa)

20. Akinlade Damilola (Mindscope Academy)

21. Nestor Abigail (Mindscope Academy)

22. Balogun Zainab (Mindscope

25. TAIWO Babatunde (Seasider Babes)

26. Kehinde Babatunde (Seasider Babes)

27. Mathew Esther (Seasider Babes)

28. Okolo Joan (Delta )

29. Igbinedion Blessing (Delta)

30. Aparaugo Amarachi (Imo Grasshoppers)

Official:

1. Agboola Shittu Adewunmi

2. Opuene Roberts

3. Abdullahi Suleiman

PAGE 30 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023
Rowe Sports 1. Precious Samuel (Sokoto ) 2. Chidera Ogwusimba (Sokoto ) 3. Rahima Bello (Sokoto ) 4. Prudence Samuel (Sokoto ) 5. Amina Mohammed (Sokoto) 6. Mary Olaoye (Sokoto) Munira Kasimu (Sokoto) Lucy Onyekwere (Sokoto) Monica Opara (Sokoto) Munira Mohd (Sokoto) Timileyin Ogunwole (Sokoto) Damilola Adebisi (Sokoto) Akinola Temilade (Ekiti) Okosi Destiny (Ekiti) Ogunsakin Toyin (Ekiti) Elizabeth Gift (Bayelsa) Victor Osimhen vies for the ball with Guinea Bissau defender in Abuja on Friday

P R T

Morocco achieves historic win over Brazil

The Atlas Lions of Morocco made history on Saturday, securing a win against heavy-weight, five-time world cup winner Brazil in a friendly match.

Morocco’s striker Soufian Boufal scored the opening goal in the game in the 29th minute in precedent in football history as this is the first time Morocco’s national football team scored against football giant Brazil.

In the second half of the game, Carlos Henrique Casimiro tipped the scales in favor of Brazil, scoring a goal in the 67th

minute, bringing the result to a tie.

Abdelhamid Sabiri scored a second goal in the second half to take the game 2-1.

Morocco’s stellar World Cup run came to an end after losing to France’s Les Bleus in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Brazil were eliminated from the quarterfinals after losing 4-2 against Croatia, which finished in third place.

Both Brazil and Morocco prepared a powerful lineup of players for the friendly match on Friday. Earlier this month, Morocco’s Head Coach Walid

Regragui revealed the squad list for Morocco’s game against Brazil. The list features footballers who shined in Qatar and contributed to Morocco’s World Cup glory.

The lineup includes Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, and Azzedine Ounahi, among others. Seven new players joined the Atlas Lions for the first time, including Chadi Riad, Ayoub Amraoui, Benjamin Bouchouari, Yassine Kechta, Ibrahim Salah, Abdel Abqar, and Mehdi Benabid.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s squad features

renowned footballers, including Tottenham Hotspurs’ Emerson Royal, Manchester United’s Casemiro who captained the team, and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.

However, key Brazilian players were missing from the friendly game due to injury, including Neymar Jr., Marquinhos, and Richarlison, making the squad’s mission to defeat Morocco harder.

Following Saturday’s game against Brazil, the Atlas Lions will face Peru in another friendly on March 28.

PAGE 31 PEOPLES DAILY , WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 S

PEOPLES DAILY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023

The main challenge of incoming Tinubu administration

Euro Qualifiers: France asks Muslim players to postpone fasting during Ramadan

Muslim players on France’s national football team have been called on to postpone fasting for a few days until the end of France’s matches taking place during the holy month.

Per French sports outlet L’Equipe, “The French staff will not force anyone not to follow their faith, but Les Bleus’ staff has still given recommendations in the hope that the players will choose to postpone fasting for five days during the team’s Ramadan matches,”

During the holy month of Ramadan, which began on Thursday in France, Muslims are required to abstain from food and drinks from dusk till dawn.

Circumstances that permit Muslims to not fast during Ramadan include illness and traveling long distances. In addition, elderly or chronically ill individuals are encouraged to not fast.

However, if Muslims choose to not fast during the holy month without a valid reason, they are expected to make up missed days by fasting for two consecutive lunar months for each missed day. If one is unable to fast two consecutive months, they are required to feed 60 people in need for each fasting day intentionally violated.

Considering this, Muslims expressed their dissatisfaction with the French team’s “recommendations,” with many taking to social media to criticize the move.

“Ramadan does not work like that, shame on the FFF [France Football Federation],” said a Twitter user.

“Meanwhile in the Premier League we allow Muslim players to break their fasting during matches,” another social media user tweeted, pointing out the difference between France and England’s approach in this regard.

Football officials across English football competitions, the Premier League and the EFL, have been asked to pause matches during Ramadan to allow Muslim players to break their fast.

During a press conference on Wednesday, French star Marcus Thuram was asked about his opinion regarding the English football leagues’ decision.

Last week, I began a series on the 2023 elections and the important lessons to be learnt from this rather unique electioneering outing by Nigerians - even though a number of supplementary elections remain to be conducted and have been scheduled appropriately. I wish I could continue with the series this week but I would be forced to take a detour to something I consider much more significant to our nation at this material time. I do hope I will return to proceed with the suspended series in the near future.

I am not unaware of the dismal events that characterised the aftermath of the elections; I am quite aware of the many dissatisfactions that have trailed and continue to trail the elections, and the decisions of many actors in the game to refuse to conduct themselves within the ambit of the laws that governs postelection litigations. I am equally not oblivious to the many stoking of hateful and incendiary messages and the many sustained attempts to set the nation up for another attack of the form of the ENDSARS by some of the politicians who lost elections and now seemed to be questioning the capacity of the courts to deliver just justice.

These conducts however are summed up as retrogressive paths that should not be taken and unbecoming of anyone who identifies as a compatriot. One cannot claim to believe or want to build a great nation where one is not willing to allow the system to work as that would be nothing but hypocrisy. These are people who had benefited from the judiciary independence in the past and also recently benefited when the appeal court handed out victory to the Osun state PDP governor after overruling the election tribunal. Praising that court judgement but maintaining the court cannot give you justice in yet another instance of hypocrisy. Just as I have submitted several times, it is not a case of the court being fair, but a case of the court being fair only when the outcome is favourable to them just as much as the election results.

This week, I have reason to move away from the elections to something I considered more important to the country and the incoming administration. This is our country and, in all ramification, we owe it to this land to develop it, both physically, economically, socially and culturally, to become a haven for citizens to express themselves with a sense of pride that this is our home. It is our responsibility; we would be the one to do it, take action, and we are not lacking in the capacity to do it if only we summed up the will to do what has to be done. Why expending our energies on irrelevancies and destructive conducts that would only take us back, as it has repeatedly done in the past; when we should be setting agendas that would catapult many of our systems to desirable levels. Elections are over and the time to move forward is now.

I read about the African Moors from North Africa that conquered and ruled Spain for 781 years. They passed through Morocco and crossed the Strait of Gibraltar to enter the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. They built universities, made huge contributions to mathematics, medicine,

chemistry, philosophy, astronomy, botany, masonry and history. The Spain of today owes its developments to the foundations laid by its Africa conqueror. That is the African spirit; conquering and building, and the America of today is continuously built by African men and women in differing professions. The same is said of virtually all developed economies in the world; the footsteps of our brothers and sisters are everywhere.

It is high time we woke up in Nigeria; the time to reenact the African spirit; it is time our government wake up to give to this country and its people the development that is worthy of the available resources of Nigeria and to build national systems that would truly reflect the giant of Africa status on the nation Nigeria. We cannot continue to be tagged a rich nation of poor people. We cannot continue to live in penury as citizens of a richly endowed nation. Setting the nation Nigeria straight and on the part of real development must be the priority and sole ambition of incoming administrations at all levels of governance in the country. It is enough; it is time, we can do it, and we must do it.

The decision to go this way was taken immediately after my last article. I had the opportunity to travel to Benin Republic, our small neighbouring country on an assignment and for the very first time. My experience in the country has made me sober till now. I have asked myself a million times the same question: what made us the giant of Africa? The journey took me to Porto Novo; my travel guard had warned me the region wasn’t the best when compared to Cotonou, the country’s largest city and its de facto administrative capital. Over my three days stay in the country, my encounters and discoveries were phenomenal enough to weigh me down to the point of wishing to see Nigeria meeting up to the standards the very small country holds so dear.

From the moment I entered the country, the first thing I noticed was the orderliness of activities and the cleanliness of the country; I saw clean streets, roads, and even marketplaces and mechanic workshops. I saw people who were literally self-organised without enforcing systems. Road users were maintaining orderliness without security personnel. Vehicles stopping only at designated points to pick passengers and fail to see incidents of unnecessary overtaking and over speeding. I kept asking questions; is this how it is? And I kept hearing the same answer, yes, of course.

The next thing I noticed within the first two hours of being in that country was an effective solution to all the work NAFDAC finds so difficult to do in Nigeria; for decades, it has appeared that the war

against fake drugs and proliferation of the same has become an insurmountable nemesis of our country. I asked where I could get a roadside chemist to buy a simple pain relief medicine and the response was surprising; the country allows only designated pharmacies. You can only access drugs, at controlled and uniform prices after a doctor’s prescription and at only designated pharmacies. What a simple and effective way to do NAFDAC’s job, and yet coming from a nation so small that it could be called an appendage of Nigeria.

Then, the next shock of my life was that I wasn’t seeing the normal sight of generators on the streets. What happened? I was told I would not have to be bothered about power outages during my stay in the country. And truly and amazingly, I witnessed 72 hours of constant electricity. How can a country that depends on us for electricity manage to maintain regular supply to its population? Someone said it is because it is a small country and I totally disagree. Why can’t the states in Nigeria do that if it is all about size? Of course, there are a number of states in Nigeria that would be financially, economically and infrastructurally stronger than this small nation. Why can’t they do these? It is not about size; it is all about the government’s will to deliver good governance to their people. Perhaps, the recent Constitutional amendment assented to by president Buhari to allow states more power to carry out such infrastructural projects would usher in a new and better power supply and other deliverables by the states in the near future.

I saw a country that literally depends on the economy of my country doing so much better than my country. And it occurred to me that the wealth of a nation is far beyond its endowments, but stretched to the willingness of its leaders to effectively and efficiently utilise these endowments, distribute development across its systems for a population of citizens who are partners in development of their God-given nation. I heard severally from many quarters while in the country that currently they are floating and not doing well economically because Nigeria is facing much economic crisis, yet, this is a country where you don’t see pot-holes on their roads. This is a country that would not boast of the kind of infrastructure that Nigeria has. This is a country that wouldn’t boast of a tenth of the natural and human resources at our disposal, but yet would so effectively and efficiently manage the little at its disposal to give its people better life than we could mutter in the so called big brother Nigeria.

I have always submitted that the reason why Nigeria’s currency perform

so poorly against that of the developed nations would be because we are over reliant on them, via unfavourable import-export ratio, but I saw now a nation that literarily depend on our country on too many fronts and yet have a stronger currency than us. While in Porto Novo, over 70 percent of items I used were imported from Nigeria. My breakfast of tea, bread and butter was 100 percent from Nigeria, inclusive of the bottled water I took. Yet, I exchanged ten thousand Nigeria naira for eight thousand five hundred Cephas. What is wrong with our system? Why are we always at a disadvantage in comparison to other nations? What have we failed to do within that hurt us outside? These and many more questions would the incoming administration have to answer on behalf of Nigeria.

It is certain we are backward as a people. Given the extent of our endowment, we are the typical classification of an underdeveloped nation; the most obvious example of a blessed but poor society. The next Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC government must get set to work out of the box to reposition this country on a new and strong pedestal of institutional development that cuts across all spheres of our national life as a nation and a people. It is an aberration to have to compare ourselves with minor nations when we can evolve to compete with greater nations of the world. There is so much work that needs to be done. Our mindset to national life needs to be reinvigorated through a changed system that induces mass participation; that induces seamless discipline, patriotism and communal participation. A changed system that will do away with the chaos that currently characterises and defines our systems, take off corruption of the mind and others and turn every Nigerian to partners in the Nigerian project.

And this is an assignment that can only be spearheaded by a willing government. I do hope the incoming administration would give me aelief each time I remember my experiences while in that small but better-governed nation.

GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!

DAN GAYE

DAN GAYE

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