Thursday, 29th December, 2022 Edition

Kano 2023: Abacha floors another PDP guber aspirant, Jafar Bello in court

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Federal High Court Kano on Wednesday dismissed a case filed by Jafar Sani Bello, challenging the membership of Muhammad Sani Abacha of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In an originating summon, Bello alleged that Abacha did not follow the procedure to register his membership at Local Government and ward levels.

However, in a judgement via Zoom on Wednesday, Justice Liman disagreed with Bello’s prayers, thereby upholding that there was a waiver by the national

leadership of PDP, which the respondent submitted same to the court.

The presiding Judge, also said the national leaders of PDP gave waiver to every candidate who intended to register with the party and allowed to contest accordingly.

He maintained that the waiver

in question had covered Abacha to contest in any position of party.

He also said the court agreed with the respondent’s submission that he was screened by national leaders of PDP.

The court accordingly, dismissed the case of Bello and affirmed that Abacha is legally member of PDP.

Buhari decorates newly promoted commander, Brigade of Guards

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday described newly promoted Commander, Brigade of Guards, Major-General Mohammed Usman, as an outstanding officer who is serving the nation with great zeal.

The President, assisted by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya and the wife of the Commander, Pharm (Dr) Rekiya Usman, decorated the officer with the rank of Major-General.

Speaking shortly after the ceremony in the Presidential

Villa, the President recalled his tumultuous military career marked with coups, countercoups and detention, describing General Usman as a very lucky officer to have risen to the height of his military career with distinction and without hiccups.

He commended General Usman for his diligence, loyalty, patience and hardwork.

‘‘You are very lucky to have the health and ability to carry out your assignments.

‘‘Those who work with me know I am very difficult to satisfy. But I have never had any reason,

whatsoever, to report you to the Chief of Army Staff or the Minister of Defence.

‘‘Nobody has been able to touch me while you are here, I’m absolutely satisfied with your performance.’’

The President said he will give the directive on Major-General Usman’s next assignment, considering that he too is about to leave, and as he has often said ‘‘I will live far away from Abuja.’’

President Buhari commended the family of the military officer for their patience in putting up with the challenging assignment he carries out with great aptitude

and steadfastness.

In his remarks, Major-General Usman thanked the President for his outstanding support to the Brigade of Guards, citing the approval for the procurement of 400 armoured vehicles, which he said were enough to secure his area of responsibility including the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State and parts of Niger State.

He expressed happiness with the President for the promotion, saying that it would spur him to do even better in his assigned responsibilities.

President Muhammadu Buhari receives by the Minister of FCT Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen Samuel A Adebayo and others during the commissioning of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Estate at the Idu-Karimo in Abuja. PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

Christmas: Apostle Momo urges christians to show love, kindness

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Senior Pastor and founder of Zion Flames Ministries International Apostle Promise Momo, has urged Christians to demonstrate love and kindness as they celebrate Christmas.

In his goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate this year’s Christmas celebration on Sunday, he said, “The greatest commandment as we know is love . For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another” (1 John 3:11).

According to him,”We spend time on what we deem important. For many of us these choices are valid”.

FCT residents call for completion of Apo-Karshi Road

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory have called for the completion of the Apo-Karshi road before the expiration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

They made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, saying the contractor handling the project should be mobilised back to site.

The Apo-Karshi Road project was awarded to Kakatar Limited, an indigenous company, in 2011, with a completion period of 20 months; Eleven years after the project has yet to be completed.

Malam Hussein Ahmed, who works at a federal ministry in

Garki, told NAN that government should consider the plight of commuters by completing it this time around.

‘’I came to the Nyanya axis of the city in 2015 with the firm assurance from government that the road is a priority contract that will be completed before the end of the year.

‘’We are in the end of 2022 and the road is not completed. The tool the daily exhaustion is taking on us is heavy on our health and work.

Mr Silas Nwachukwu, a timber dealer at Kugbo, told NAN that the congestion had led to many mishaps on the road which has caused many deaths and loss of properties.

‘’Over the years, accident on this axis has always been fatal especially during the rush hour. The accidents are enough for government to complete this alternative road. The vehicular congestion on this road can make someone go mental,’’ he said.

An engineer, who pleaded anonymity, said that the only way to address the congestions on the Nyanya road is the construction of an alternative.

He said that every new administration, since the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan, had been promising to complete the road.

‘’The Abuja Masterplan did not envisage this large population following the same route at the

same time. Civil servants and other residents follow this same road when going and coming back from work.

”The Buhari administration should take the bull by the horn and complete this road to its glory. This is also a way of ensuring good working environment to workers.

‘’Before the government move its offices away from the city centre to other area councils, the Apo-Karshi road must be completed.

‘’In my opinion, the ApoKarshi road should even be made a dual carriage way in order to address future expansions in the territory,’’ he said.(NAN)

2023:

DAG engages stakeholders to reduce violence extremism in Jigawa

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Anon governmental organization, Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative, formally known as Democratic Action Group (DAG) organised a two day capacity workshop to engage multi stakeholders on violence prevention in Jigawa state.

Speaking to news men shortly after the training, the executive director of DAG Dr Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya said, the workshop will provide more knowledge to the participants on how to prevent the occurrence of violence extremism in their various communities.

He explained that, DAG incollaboration with West African Network for Peace building (WANEP) embarked on peace building to reduce violence extremism in Jigawa and Kano states.

Christmas: Rep. Gaza urges electorate to be spiritual, shun sentiments

Rep. Jonathan Gaza (SDPNasarawa), representing Kokona, Keffi and Karu Federal Constituency, has urged the electorate not to vote based on sentiments or money in the 2023 general elections.

Gaza made the call in his Christmas message to his constituents supporters across the three Local Governments Areas that made up the constituency, on Sunday in Keffi.

The lawmaker, who is the SDP candidate for the

Constituency, commended the present administration for its commitment and determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

He said: ” Let first and foremost I appreciate the essence of Christmas and what it is all about. Christmas is a time of sharing and a period where our lord and savior was born into the world take the sins of the world and pay the ultimate sacrifice which was the reason he came.

” Bearing that in mind, we ought to take Christmas as a period of sober reflection when we will take stock of what had happened through the year and begin to set new goals moving into the new year.

” So, my message to each and every one this Christmas more so that it coincided with the election early next year is that please be spiritual, pray and see God first with regards to the future of the country and do not vote base on sentiment, money and

intimidation. ”

Gaza said that the current administration scored high points in ensuring free and fair elections.

” And we must appreciate the innovation that has been put in place like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

” And as for me, I take it as Christmas gift and I want to thank the present administration for that. I wish everybody a merry Christmas and most prosperous new year,” Gaza said. (NAN)

Kaduna Police Commissiner, CP. Yekini Oyeku,- (centre) and Poice public relation officer Muhammed Jalige,- (R) leading the Senior Police officers, during the Kaduna State Police Command Paraded 30 Suspected Kidnerppers, Car Snachers, and other Criminals activities, yesterday in Kaduna

NNPP senatorial candidate in Borno urges electorates to vote right

Shehu Abubakar, Maiduguri

The persistent scourge of vote buying in Nigeria’s electoral process has constituted a matter for serious worry to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) senatorial candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District in the 2023 elections, Attom Mohammed Magira.

Consequently, he advised the electorate in the district: “Since they (vote-buying politicians) cannot stop buying votes, when they come to you with their money, take it, but vote the right candidate.”

Addressing his teeming supporters at Bama, Magira attributed bad political leadership to the ‘cashfor-vote’ syndrome in the country’s electoral process.

He appealed to the Borno Central electorate to vote for him, saying, however, that he has no money to give them, but he possessed the required character, capacity and commitment to deploy and provide them the required representation at the National Assembly.

He promised to execute qualitative constituency projects for the development of education, women and youth empowerment and health for the people of the district.

2023: Buhari charges security agencies to maintain professionalism

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday charged security agencies that would be engaged with various support services in the 2023 elections to maintain a high sense of professionalism.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) newly acquired Estate in Idu-Karmo, Abuja, the President urged the agencies to handle the distribution and monitoring of classified materials and other logistics ‘‘professionally and in accordance with Standing Operation Procedures.’’

Reiterating his earlier directive to security agencies to remain apolitical, the President said they must desist from behaviour that could bring disrepute to their organisations and the country ‘‘by compromising the democratic process.’’

On the newly acquired DIA Estate, the President said the befitting accommodation would enhance productivity and coordination of activities of staff of the Agency in view of increasing

number of personnel to face new challenges and responsibilities.

‘’The significance of today’s occasion can be better understood by making the connection between shelter and productivity. This underpins the administration’s vision for provision of shelter to improve performance as well as comfort for workers, families and communities.

‘’This commissioning ceremony further avails another opportunity to reaffirm my confidence in the competence, commitment and achievements of the Defence Intelligence Agency’s giant strides achieved across the nation.

‘’I am confident that these new premises will yield enormous shelter dividends to the Defence Intelligence Agency staff, their families and to the host locality.

‘’The acquisition of this accommodation is a great leap forward, but the envisaged benefits would be aborted without diligent maintenance,’’ he said.

President Buhari, therefore, charged the new occupants to ensure the sustenance of the high standard of the facility.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the Agency towards meeting his administration’s housing policy of provision of housing to all Nigerians.

‘’The Agency’s investment in staff accommodation complements our vision of achieving improved national security,’’ he said, commending the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major-General Samuel Adebayo for the laudable achievement.

In his remarks, the CDI thanked President Buhari for inaugurating the new Estate, noting that the project will always be remembered by the DIA community as the President’s legacy gift for the Year 2022.

According to Adebayo, the newly inaugurated staff quarters contain 16 units of 3-bedroom terrace buildings with boys’ quarters and 48 units of 3-bedroom flats all in suite.

He added that one of the blocks of 6 units of flats and 2 units of terrace buildings has been furnished as proto-types while the rest would be furnished during the course of the Year 2023 Budget implementation cycle.

Noting that officers, men and staff of the Agency are deeply happy to have the estate as staff residential accommodation, the CDI said the feat will surely reduce accommodation challenges for staff members in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

On the operations of the Agency, Adebayo expressed appreciation to President Buhari for approving their requests for technical intelligence and advanced technological acquisitions.

He announced that most of the newly procured technical equipment has been deployed and is helping to address the security challenges across the country.

‘’Few others are at different stages of acquisition and installation. These equipment have contributed immensely to degrading the capabilities of the threat groups in the North East, North West, North Central and South East geopolitical zones.

‘’We intend to intensify efforts to achieve Mr President’s promise of a more secure Nigeria before the end of this administration,’’ he said.

HOUSE

Oodua Youth Parliament laments poor management of NILEST

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Oodua Youth Parliament, a CSO, has lamented, alleged poor management of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), while calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to replace its leadership in order to address the nation’s dependence on foreign leather products and create jobs for Nigerians.

Hon. Abdulmajeed Oyeniye, Speaker of the Oodua Youth Parliament, made the call in a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna yesterday.

He said research institutes everywhere around the world are supposed to be centres of

excellence and innovations.

“They are supposed to be specialised centres pioneering advanced innovative research projects and churning out products that are useful for both individual consumption and industrial use.

Oyeniye, however lamented that, sadly, the Nigerian situation and more specifically, the situation in NILEST is appalling and deplorable.

He explained that NILEST was conceived with the aim of harnessing the vast potentials in the flourishing livestock industry in country especially in Northern Nigeria.

He noted that Northerner parts of the country has over 100

million of cows, goats and ships with thousand slaughters daily, where the country was projected to be a net exporter of hides and industrial hub in the leather and skin industrial sector.

“More than 20 years down the line, nothing has changed and it got worse under the present administration of Professor Mohammed Kabir Yakubu,” he lamented.

Oyeniye further explained that the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations had shown that Nigeria exports less than 100 tons of hides and skin, which he said it was questionable if the quantity was exported to neighbouring African countries and whether it is just a

raw skin or actually hides.

“There has not been any visible footprint of NILEST anywhere in Nigeria even though there are abattoirs spread across the country from Maiduguri to Lagos and Port Harcourt. All attempts made at skinning and preservation are done at the individual level with no input from a supposedly professional body.

“The crude practices and techniques still in existence, is making it impossible for the country to produce leather fit for domestic consumption talk more of exportation,” he said.

Oyeniye further alleged that Prof. Yakubu had done nothing to justify the huge taxpayers’ money invested in NILEST which he

headed for years.

“Nigerian animal skin, especially cow skins are only useful for local consumption as ‘ponmo’. There is no industry in Nigeria that processes animal skin, not even the laboratory in NILEST.

“While the machines and manpower is on standby, there is no management direction and input from anywhere, thereby making government investments a total waste,”he alleged.

He suggested that If NILEST is incapable of pioneering research in skin and hides preservation, they should have partnered the local tanners in Katisna, Zaria, Kano, Borno and elsewhere.

“This is totally unacceptable and must be stopped,”he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari being presented with a gift of artwork from Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen S,A Adebayo during the commissioning of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Estate at the IduKarimo in Abuja.

PHOTO; STATE

Reps raise N20.51 trillion 2023 budget to N21.82 trillion

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has passed the 2023 Appropriation Bill, an increased the figure by about N1.31 trillion above the N20.51 trillion figure presented for consideration by President Muhammadu Bauhari.

The House raised the N20.51 trillion 2023 earlier submitted by Buhari to the total sum of N21.82 trillion.

This followed the consideration and approval of the report of the House committee on appropriation at plenary by the committee on supply which showed an increase of over N1 trillion proposed estimates of the executive.

Out of the total sum, N967.48 billion is for statutory transfers, N6.55 trillion is for debt service, N8.32 trillion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure while the sum of N5.97 trillion is for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2023.

From the statutory transfers, the National Judicial Council takes N165 billion; Niger-Delta Development Commission gets N119.93 billion, Universal Basic Education N103.28 billion; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) N173.63 billion; National Human Right Commission N4.5 billion; North East Development Commission

N59.03 billion; Basic Health Care Fund N51.64 billion and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) N51.64 billion.

Also under the statutory transfers, National Assembly Severance/Inauguration of outgoing and incoming 9th and 10th Assembly (Legislators and Legislative Aides) is allocated N30.17 billion, National Assembly Office gulps N30.49 billion; Senate N33.26 billion, House of Representatives N51.99 billion; National Assembly Service Commission N10.55 billion; National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) N7.41billion and Service Wide Vote N671.3 million.

Further breakdown shows that Office of Retired Clerks and Permanent Secretaries take N1.05 billion, National Assembly Library Building N4.25 billion; Constitution Review N850 million; Completion of NILDS headquarters N2.5 billion; Construction of National Assembly Service Commission Building N10 billion and Public Complaints Commission N10.69 billion.

For debt service, domestic debts (including Ways and Means) get N4.49 trillion; foreign debts is allocated N1.81 trillion; sinking fund to retire maturing loans takes N247.72 billion.

Under recurrent expenditure (Non-debt) the presidency is allocated N76.40 billion, defence gets N1.09 trillion,

ministry of foreign affairs N93.68 billion, federal ministry of information & culture N59.82 billion; interior N278.69 billion; Police Affairs N777.40 billion; communications and digital economy N32.13 billion; National Security Adviser N172.60 billion and Secretary to the Government of the Federation takes, N70.08 billion.

Also for the recurrent expenditure, Federal Ministry of Special Duties & InterGovernmental Affairs gets, N4.79 billion; Agriculture and Rural Development, N85.41 billion; Finance, Budget and National Planning, N29.99 billion; Industry, Trade and Investment N16.82 billion; Labour and Employment, N15.52 billion, Science, Technology and Innovation N52.33 billion; Transport N18.01 billion; Aviation, N9.43 billion; Petroleum Resources, N33.15 billion and Works and Housing N34.98 billion.

For the capital expenditure, Presidency is allocated, N20.11 billion, defence gets N285 billion, Foreign Affairs, N5.85 billion; Information & Culture N11.87 billion; Interior, N45.62 billion; Police N60.64 billion; National Security Adviser, N70.33 billion; Agriculture and Rural Development, N248.35 billion, Finance, Budget and National Planning N166.74 billion.

Further breakdown of the capital expenditure indicated that Science, Technology and

Innovation is allocated, N132.57 billion; Transport, N74.26 billion; Aviation, N49.41 billion; Power N56.14 billion; Works and Housing, N398.27 billion; Federal Capital Territory Administration, N15.47 billion; Education, N153.73 billion; Health, N134.90 billion and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development N32.05 billion.

Similarly, the House also approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s supplementary budget of N819.54bn, a request essentially made to fix the infrastructure destroyed by floods nationwide.

It will be recalled that the Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila had last week read the request of the President, saying the amount formed the capital expenditure component of the 2022 budget.

The approval of the budget followed the adoption of report presented by the Chairman House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Muktar Betara.

Presenting the report, Betara explained that the total sum of N819, 536,937,813 was for the under-mentioned Ministries, “Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development N69,247,175,770, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing N704,789,762,043, Federal Capital Territory N30,000,000,000 and Federal Ministry of Water Resources N15,500,000,000.”

Also, the House approved the request of the President to

extend the life span of the capital expenditure of the 2022 budget from December 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

In a related development the lawmakers also passed the Finance bill, 2022 meant to provide support for the funding of the 2023 budget.

The passage of the bill with proposed amendments fiscal laws such as capital gains tax, company income tax, customs excise tariff Act, Federal Inland Revenue Service Act, personal income tax and stamp duties act followed the consideration and adoption of the report on it presented by the deputy Chairman Committee on Finance, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi at the plenary.

Also, the House considered and passed the sum of N262, 959,510,955 as the budget for Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) in the fiscal year 2023.

The approval followed the consideration and adoption of report presented by the deputy Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi.

Presenting the report, Abdullahi said that the sum of N126,070,912,538 was for Personnel Cost, N96,061,565,065 was for Overhead Cost and the sum of N40,827,033,352 was for Capital Expenditure for the service year ending December 2023.

He said the approval was necessary to return the Service to the January to December budget cycle.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Kaduna State Police Command said it has killed 21 armed bandits, arrested 780 other suspected criminal elements, recovered 1,408 arms and ammunitions and rescued 206 kidnapped victims.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the State, Mr. Yekini Ayoku, who disclosed this during the Command’s 2022 end of the year press briefing said, the arrest, recoveries and killings of the criminal elements were part of the Command’s achievement in the last nine months.

Ayoku who is the 40th Kaduna State Police Commissioner also disclosed that, 116 of the 780 arrested suspects, have been convicted, while 1,446 rustled livestock were recovered at different parts of the State within the period under review.

“Upon assumption of duty as the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State on 8th April, 2022, which was on the heels of the incident of train attack of 28th March, 2022 between Dutse Village – Rijana along Abuja – Kaduna rail track and the earlier security breach within the Kaduna International Airport general area, the need for urgent safeguard of commuters/road users especially

along Kaduna – Abuja expressway in the absence of a functional rail and commercial air operation was considered paramount and imperative.

“With these challenges met on the ground, there was thus no time to spare and I had to immediately and swiftly review and rejig existing architecture, crime map the state, re-strategise and mobilise all operational, tactical and intelligence resources and deploy same massively cognisant of the crimes prevalent in the different areas of the State.

“For obvious reasons as stated earlier, Abuja – Kaduna highway was prioritized with heavy motorized and static patrols complemented by military backup and aerial patrol and surveillance from the Force Headquarters. The objective was to keep the road open and safe for travellers being, as at that time, the only major means of accessing Kaduna and other northwestern states from Abuja and the southern part of the Country. This objective was achieved as throughout the period under review, the Command was able to minimize any form of security breach/threat on the highway through the stated upgrade in visibility policing and prompt response to distress calls.

“While checkmating attacks

and ensuring safety on all major connecting highways, the Command’s inner city patrols and crime prevention and control operations aimed at combating criminal activities within our various cities and communities were equally intensified. The seven Area Commands and 61 Divisions were specifically tasked to leverage Community Policing Strategy by strengthening Police-Community Partnership in discharging their constitutional mandate of ensuring public safety and security in their respective areas of responsibility,” the CP said.

He, however, listed the breakthrough and achievements of the Command within the period under review to include; arrest of 780 suspected bandits and other criminal elements and recovery of 1,408 arms and ammunitions.

According to him, “780 suspects were arrested in connection with various forms of crimes. A total number, 116 suspects were convicted. 206 Kidnapped Victims were rescued. 49 Rifles/Guns were recovered. 1,359 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. While seventeen (17) Bandits’ Operational Motorcycles were recovered.

“Also, 21 Armed Bandits were neutralized. 1,446 rustled livestock was recovered at different parts of

the State, while 15 bags of dry leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp were intercepted,” CP Ayoku said.

On the security preparation for the 2023 general elections, the Police Commissioner warned politicians to avoid actions and conducts that are contrary to extant laws guiding the electoral process, adding that, nobody will be spared in the Police determination to enforce the laws.

“The outgoing year 2022 witnessed the commencement of political activities as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections. The different political parties had their party primaries to elect candidates for the various elective offices. Campaigns, you will recall, officially kicked off on 28th September, 2022 in line with INEC guidelines and Kaduna has had its own fair share of rallies, processions and campaigns by the various political parties seeking the votes of the electors which have been peaceful.

“Being the lead agency in election security management, the Police Command has been keeping tabs and closely monitoring activities in the political arena. I have had two engagement meetings with stakeholders in the political process towards ensuring seamless, peaceful and hitch-free

electioneering activities in the State. In the course of these engagements, it was re-iterated to political actors in clear, unmistakable terms that the political game has to be played strictly by the rules. The need for political parties, office seekers and their supporters to conform with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines was reemphasised.

“Let me exploit this opportunity to reecho my warnings to our politicians to avoid actions and conducts that are contrary to extant laws guiding the electoral process as nobody will be spared in our determination to enforce the laws. The Police, leading other security agencies under the auspices of ICCES of which I am the co-chair, will police and secure the electoral process in a very professional, unbiased and impartial manner and will give robust support to INEC to deliver free, fair and credible elections come 2023,” he said.

He, however, expressed appreciation to the InspectorGeneral of Police, Usman Alkali Baba for finding worthy of the assignment and commended Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the Traditional Rulers in the state as well as sister security agencies and the media for their support to the Command under his leadership.

Approve Buhari’s 2022 N819.54bn supplementary budget Extend 2022 budget implementation to March 2023 Pass finance bill, 2022 Okay N262bn budget for FIRS

NiMet remains the best meteorological service in Africa –DG

Prof. Mansur Matazu, the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), says the efficient policies of the Federal Government and effective implementation of objectives have sustained NiMet as the best meteorological service in Africa.

Matazu made this known on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, the agency developed and worked with approved work plan of programmes and activities by the Minister of Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika, to guide the agency’s

LP urges Nigerians to keep hope alive

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Director, Youth Affairs of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council Isah Abubakar has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive with the party.

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

According to him, civil servants in the country were not paid their monthly salaries, which resulted in most family not to have resources to celebrate the birth of Christ.

He added that this is in addition to the doubling of the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which has led to an increase in the prices of goods and services in the country.

strides.

“ For these work plans, reports are routinely provided to the Federal Ministry of Aviation through the Honourable Minister. The work plan was produced to monitor the progress and achievements of each policy thrust.

“ These policy thrusts include – improved governance and institutional setting, effective partnership to improve service delivery, upgrade of observational infrastructure and improve data and product sharing policies.

“ Enhance numerical model and forecasting tools and applications, improve climate

(risk early warning and advisory services), enhance products’ dissemination and outreach, performance summary of strategic objectives and Improve our contribution to climate Services, “ as part of the thrust, he said.

Matazu said NiMet had successfully extended its coveted International Standard Organization (ISO) 9001:2015 and 29990:2010 Certificates for provision of aeronautical meteorological services at airports and capacity building at its Regional Training Centre in Lagos for another year.

According to NiMet boss, the

extension came after successful rigorous maintenance audits were carried out on airports and in the regional training school by the ISO through CERTECH earlier this year.

“Meanwhile, On June 7, the Honourable Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika, commissioned NiMet Pilot Briefing Room at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“Also on that same day, the minister commissioned NiMet’s state-of-the-art Central Forecast Office and Conference Hall at the Headquarters, “ he said.

NAN reports that NiMet

bagged most improved aviation agency of the year 2022 award while Matazu bagged the CEO of the year 2022 award.

NAN further reports that Matazu was conferred with Fellow of Risk Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON) as well as the distinguished service award by the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro (RCAM).

This was done in recognition of his integrity, professionalism, commitment and contribution to risk management in Nigeria.

RCAM is the biggest Rotary Club in Africa with membership of over 200 persons from various professions. (NAN)

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

As Nigerians celebrate this year’s Christmas, the Senior Pastor of House of Purpose Ministry, U/Sunday in

Chikun Local government Area, Apostle Yakubu Yusuf has urged Christians to allow the joy and peace, which the birth of Jesus Christ signifies to transform their lives and cause them to extend love and fellowship to

the less privileged.

He gave the charge in the Christmas sermon he delivered yesterday.

The clergy who was reading from the Book, Neh..: 10-12 said as Christians celebrate the

Christmas: Clergy harps on celebration with less privileged We will vote those who will address issues - Yoruba group

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Yoruba groups under the auspices of Yoruba Council of Youth worldwide and Yoruba community Youth wing

Kaduna said Yoruba in Kaduna State are for good governance only.

This was contained in a statement by Shittu Sunday

and Arch Ajisafe Najeem, Chairman Yoruba Council of Youth worldwide and chairman Yoruba community Youth wing Kaduna respectively.

season, they should bear in mind that there are less privileged people among them who need to extend the celebration to by sharing things that will make the celebration meaningful to them.

The statement was reacting to recent publications (not Peoples Daily) that Yoruba Community in Kaduna State is for APC.

Member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa state Agbedi Yettiemone Frederick (left), briefing the House press corps on the need for implementations of Atala Maginal field motion pass by Senate at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ayewosai Global Foundation, Mary Noel Berje said the mission of the foundation is to empower Nigerians at the grassroot level.

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

The CEO who is also the governor’s Chief Press Secretary noted that it’s further to make information available, embarked on sensitization,education, resources as well as create opportunities for them to succeed in their businesses.

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

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

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested 18,940 suspects for different drug related offences in the past two years.

Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba-Marwa, the Chairman of the agency, said this at a award presentation in Yola on Tuesday.

The award was conferred on him by the Adamawa Honours Society (AHS) in recognition of his outstanding service to the nation

He said the agency secured 3,324 convictions, siezed 5.4 kilogramme of different control drugs, narcotic

substances and rehabilitated 3,326 drug abusers within the period under review.

The NDLEA boss urged parents, community and religious leaders to up scale campaign to tame the menace, saying, “drugs do not discriminate against tribe, religion or region”.

The agency, he said, recently acquired drug and the lie test kits, adding that intending couples should be tested for drug use before marriage.

“Drug test will determine the innocence or otherwise of couples and save marrital relationships from collapse

due to drug abuse,” he said.

According to him, the agency is working assidiously to achieve reduction in the supply and demand for drugs, stressing that this would greatly add value to the fight against the trend.

Marwa commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the agency in the fight against illicit drugs, adding,” I also commend the Adamawa House of Assembly for enacting laws against drug related offences”.

He said the award would spur him to do more and commended the organisers for finding him worthy of the

award.

NGO empowers 180 vulnerable people in Niger NDLEA arrests 18,940 suspects in 2 yrs

Mr Dauda Markus-Gundiri, an official of the group, said the award was informed by Marwa’s track record in public service.

He described the awardee as the true ”son of the soil”, who served the nation with commitment, dedication and sincerity of purpose , considering his performances in the numerous positions held.

He said the group would continue to recognise deserving individuals and groups with such gestures, especially those who served humanity selflessly. (NAN)

Niger Assembly passes 2023 budget with additional N5bn

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State House of Assembly has passed the state’s 2023

Appropriation Bill of over N243 billion naira against over N238 billion naira presented by governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

This followed the report

of the House committee on appropriation presented by the committee chairman and member representing Wushishi constituency Muhammed Bashir Lokogoma.

He said the budget was very important and essential for the take-off of a new financial year, adding that with the passage, Niger State was okay

to run government in 2023 with additional N5 billion in to the budget as presented.

The approved capital expenditure stood at over one hundred and fifty two billion naira while the recurrent expenditure is over ninety one billion naira.

The committee chairman noted that the current budget

structure is complicated and has made it difficult to trace a particular capital allocation for scrutiny.

The house unanimously urged the executive arm to ensure that budget is laid before the legislature at least three months before the end of the year for proper scrutiny.

AA Chairman urges Nigerians to show love, embrace forgiveness

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The National chairman of the Action Alliance Party (AA), Dr Adekunle Rufai Omo-

Aje has urged Christians across the nation to show love and embrace forgiveness and reconciliation during the

yuletide season, in line with the spirit of Christmas.

He asserted this in his massages to Christians on

the celebration the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Omo-Aje also enjoined Nigerians to seek divine

guidance in choosing the right leaders for the country during the coming polls in 2023.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Maj Gen Mohammed T. Usman accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Faruk Yahaya and Hajiya Usman at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

2023: Atiku

‘ll win at first ballot – PCC

The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation says the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will sweep the 2023 presidential election at first ballot.

The Spokesperson of the council, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, expressed the confidence in a statement he issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ologbondiyan said that with Abubakar’s overwhelming support by Nigerians across board, the outcome of the presidential election, in which Abubakar would emerge victorious on Feb. 25, 2023, would shock pollsters.

“He enjoys the solidarity and support of greater majority of Nigerians who were not captured in the indices relied upon by many of the pollsters in their projections on the 2023 Presidential election.

“It Is incontrovertible that Abubakar will win the majority of lawful votes across the country and garner the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in more than 24 States of the federation.

“It is evident that the massive traditional voters of the PDP across the polling units, wards, local governments, states and the six geo-political zones are not distracted in their steadfastness to rescue Nigeria from the misrule by voting enmasse for Abubakar.

“Also, this army of traditional voters are unrelenting in mobilising the non-partisan voters as well as the undecided across the country to vote for the PDP presidential candidate,” he stated.

Ologbondiyan added that it was clear that no candidate has the political muscle and national acceptability to stop Abubakar at the first ballot.

‘Our campaign is therefore unfazed knowing that majority of Nigerians across the nation are in consensus to elect Abubakar as the next President of our country.

“This is particularly, given his proven capacity, competence, political will and national acceptability to provide leadership at this critical time of our national history.”

He urged Nigerians to remain united and focused in rallying with Abubakar in the collective mission to rescue and rebuild the nation.(NAN)

Conference in honour of Sardaunan Katsina, Ahmed Rufai kicks off

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

Atwo day conference in honour of Sardauna Katsina, Ambassador Ahmad Rufa’i Abubakar will begin today, Thursday, in Katsina.

The Sardauna Katsina would be turbaned by the emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman on the 31st

December 2022.

The Permanent Representative of Nigeria at the United Nations, Professor Tijjani Bande is the organizer of the twoday conference with the theme “Tradition and Modernity: Issues in the History of Katsina. The Conference will run from 29-30 December 2022 at the Conference Hall of Katsina Motel.

Seventeen academic papers

by renowned experts will be presented over a period of two days.

On the first day of the conference, four papers will be presented on Royalty,Historiography and Scholarship in Katsina and six others on Issues in History, Tradition and Continuity.

On the second day, eight presentations will be made on Security and Peace Building as well as the contributions of

Katsina to the development of sports and women in Nigeria.

The peak of the event would take place with the turbaning of the Sardauna of Katsina on the 31st December 2022 at the emir’s palace Kofar-Soro Katsina.

Earlier a golf tournament in honour of the Sardauna Katsina began in Katsina yesterday.

Galaxy Backbone showcases services for better connectivity rollout at polo tournament

Galaxy Backbone Limited says it is showcasing its services for better connectivity rollout and digital services and solutions at the International Polo Tournament in Jos, Plateau.

Galaxy Backbone made this known in a statement by its Head of Media, Mr Tasiu Pantami on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Galaxy Backbone Limited is an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Services provider, wholly owned by the Federal Government.

Pantami said that the service provider was showcasing its multiple ICT services at the oneweek long ongoing International Polo Tournament.

He said that the launch of this year’s tournament, which witnessed the official opening of a Club House, was conducted by Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director (MD) of the Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar, assured that it remained committed to deepening

its partnerships with local ICT companies across the country.

According to Abubakar, this is to ensure that more organisations at state and local government levels benefit from its connectivity rollout and digital services and solutions.

He said that Galaxy Backbone provided quality ICT infrastructure and shared services for agencies of the Federal Government as well as the private sector in a smart, secure and sustainable manner.

“As an enterprise ICT organisation, the management will leverage the passion of polo players and spectators to have a feel of the brand’s quality services to attract potential customers while expanding its fiber optic coverage.

“Among the services are its Datacentre , Cloud and Cybersecurity Services, smart home plans (e-Connect services) which offer Fibre-to-Homes, Fibre- to-Estates and Fibre-toSmall Offices for Residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Through these, the company is deploying the strength of its

fibre connectivity services to connect more people, improve efficiency of businesses and enhance the productivity of their clients,” he said.

The MD said that the organisation was using the tournament to showcase its innovative services and partnerships to drive the nation’s digital transformation agenda for the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 20202030.

Abubakar said that it would also provide free Wi-fi at the tournament.

“We will ensure uninterrupted services to both public and private sector participants involved in its organisation through support for collocation, hosting and disaster recovery for organisations.

“This is in support of this year’s tournament,” he said.

He said that the recent launch of the Galaxy Backbone’s National Shared Services Centre (NSSC) would enable the provision of uptime Certified “Tier III” services in Abuja and “Tier IV” services in the country.

According to him, this will strengthen their asset bases and guarantee information storage capacity to both the government and private sectors.

“To achieve this, the agency is deploying state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and applying international best practices to backstop public sector organisations’ sensitive data.

“It is also enabling a growing number of private sector organisations with digital services to facilitate their digital transformation journey.

“The huge investments in infrastructure are for the benefit of the public and private establishments and the experience of Galaxy Backbone in building, deploying and providing infrastructure as a service.

“This is an eloquent testimony to its ability to manage and continue in this line of business,” Abubakar said.

He added that, following an official upgrade of the Jos Polo club to grade A level, it is currently hosting 42 teams during the tournament. (NAN)

President Muhammadu Buhari receives briefing from the New NDDC Chairman Ms. Lauretta Onochie at the State House Abuja.

PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) has paid its counterpart funds of over N2 billion to Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) from 2019 to date for its effective and efficient service delivery in the state.

The chairman of the board, Alhaji Saidu Ibrahim made this known while addressing journalists in Minna, saying that 224,879 consisting of pupils and students out of school children have so far returned to classrooms in the state.

Ibrahim revealed that 150 projects were executed within the year under review with the establishment of additional 24 schools of primary and junior secondary schools, 4 modern science primary school as pilot scheme aimed at catching them young.

He reiterated the commitment to restore confidence in the public schools in the state however prioritizing training and retraining of its workforce for efficient monitoring and supervision, just as most of the over 200 schools closed down due to insecurity are been reopen gradually.

The SUBEB chairman decried over the challenges and liabilities inherited but with vigor and the team spirit of the management they were surmounted hence most cases, problems like salary arrears among others have been resolved.

He commended the enabling environment created by governor Abubakar Sani Bello to strive in its mandates hence the target of 2019 to date Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) in addressing out of almajir and girl child education among others.

Alhaji Saidu Ibrahim explained that the priority of board in 2023 would focussed on supervision and monitoring of projects and schools to ensure standard and pupils get the maximum results by embarking on aggressive monitoring to achieve value for money.

The National Population Commission (NPC) has reassured Nigerians that the 2023 National Census would be credible, reliable and accurate.

The Chairman of the commission, Mr Nasir Kwarra stated this at a news conference in Calabar on Tuesday.

Represented by Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, Chairman, Public Affairs Committee of the commission, Kwarra noted that presently, Nigeria is the sixth most populous nation in the world.

He said that by 2050, Nigeria would be the third most populous country in the globe going by her growth rate.

According to him, this is very significant, therefore, the next census is not just important to us

in Nigeria for planning but has international relevance.

“The world wants to know whether Nigeria is set to become the third most populous country in the world.

“You hear that Nigeria has the biggest market in Africa and so, whatever happens to its population is of interest to any serious minded businessman and international organisations,” he said.

Kwarra said that was why it used the 2022 Calabar Carnival as a platform to sensitise Nigerians on the importance of the census.

He said the commission had planned the 2023 census activities in such a way that it would not get entangled in the political process, had no political undertones but purely for data collection for

national planning.

While calling on the media to publicise the activities of the commission towards having a credible census, he said the 2023 enumeration exercise would be the first in Africa where every participant would be geographically defined.

Similarly, retired Navy Captain Charles Ogwa, NPC Federal Commissioner for Cross River, said the carnival was the biggest and most flamboyant street party in Sub-Saharan Africa with about two million live viewers.

He said in view of the huge viewership, the NPC in its strides to sensitse Nigerians about the census partake in the 2022 Calabar Carnival.

The objective, he said, is to

strategically reach a large number of people within and outside Nigeria.

NPC: We’re committed to credible, reliable census Niger SUBEB pays over N2b counterpart funds

“At the level we are now, we have successfully demarcated Nigeria with the use of high technological methodologies.

”We have also conducted pretests and trial census in the six geopolitical zones and it was successful.

“We are also ensuring that our staff are properly recruited and trained to have a 100 per cent quality man power,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Calabar Carnival street party would be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28 along the 12 kilometers carnival route with different bands on parade. (NAN)

IGP recommends suspension of ASP Vandi over killing of Omobolanle Raheem

By Tobias Lengnam

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has recommended the immediate suspension of Assistant Superintendent of Police Drambi Vandi, the officer attached to the Ajah Divisional Headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, over the shooting and killing of Barrister Omobolanle Raheem.

This anticipatory action comes while the Police authority awaits the detailed report on the incident, a statement by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, said in Abuja yesterday.

The statement said the IGP noted that the recommendation for the suspension of the officer is in line with the internal disciplinary processes of the Force.

“The IGP further noted that the suspension is also expected to create an enabling environment for necessary legal procedures to uphold justice in the case without interference. The suspension is without prejudice to the constitutional presumption of innocence in favour of the officer.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has reaffirmed the commitment of

the Force to the Rule of Law and assured the public of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that justice is not just done but seen to have been manifestly done in the matter. He therefore appeals to the public to be calm as all hands are on deck to ensure justice prevails while measures have been put in place to prevent future occurrences, “ the statement said.

Work resumes in Kaduna after Christmas, Boxing Day

Federal and state government workers resumed work in Kaduna yesterday after a two day Christmas and Boxing holiday declared by the federal government.

Although only a few offices were under locked and key, but many staff resumed duties.

They, however, lamented the hardship, insecurity threat in Southern Kaduna and rising cost of food items as worrisome.

Some who could not hide their

travails expressed concern over the rising cost of commodities without a corresponding increase in salaries.

However, some civil servants who spoke with Peoples Daily said they had their good time meeting with friends and some members during the, Christmas break.

It is also also observes that commercial banks, some business premises, especially along the popular Muhammadu Buhari way and independent way closed for the holidays had reopened for business as customers were seen

going into those places for their businesses.

Some of the civil servants, however, blamed the low turn-out of some workers on the alleged nonchalant attitude of some civil servants, who, according to them, always add additional days for themselves whenever public holidays are declared for any celebration.

Rakiya Dauda also a civil Servant said most workers do take additional days to continue to rest in the name of celebration, saying “it is a bad attitude towards

work.

“It has always been our lifestyle to add two or more days to the official public holidays given to celebrate in Nigeria; be it Easter, Christmas or Sallah celebration.

“Though a good number of us have resumed, but you will agree with me that some us are still in the mood of celebration,” she observed.

Similarly, Jonathan Edward another civil servant, expressed the joy of travelling safely to his Local government Area and returning safely to work, adding

that he could not stay beyond the holidays.

“I am so delighted, I travelled and came back safely to begin my work and I see no reason to overstay because it might have caused me to spend a lot, so I have to quickly return.”

Madam Mary Paul, also a civil servant explained that she was unable to travel out of Kaduna owing to lack of enough money to celebrate with her family.

According to her, travelling requires a lot of money so as to be able to return to work on time.”

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Officials and layers of Community Peace Observers in collaboration with Kaduna Youths for Good Governance during an organised novelty football march to promote the peaceful conduct of 2023 general election in Kaduna on Tuesday

Reps probe killing of Lagos Lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem

By Christiana Ekpa

The Nigerian House of Representatives, Wednesday resolved to investigate the killing of a Lagos based Lawyer by officer of the Nigerian Police.

The House resolution followed a Motion on the Urgent need to investigate the Killing of Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem by an officer of the Nigerian Police, moved by Hon Ibrahim Obanikoro.

The mover of the motion said that Police officers should be banned from consuming alcohol and other substances that is capable limiting their sense of reasoning and capability to carry out their duties judiciously.

He said “the house note that on Sunday December 25th, 2022, Mrs Raheem and her family were returning from church when they were pulled over in Ajah area by officers of the Nigeria police; without any altercation, one of the officers ASP Drambi Vandi aimed at and pulled hi trigger killing Mrs Raheem on the spot. Mrs Raheem was seven months pregnant with twins.

“Concerned that the same incident happened earlier in the month, 7th of December, by officers of the same Ajiwe police station gunned down a young man by the name Kafaru Raimoh which sparked a bit of civic unrest

“Worried that this type of occurrence happens often across Nigeria and that the officers usually get away with shooting and killings same innocent citizens the swore to protect.

“Police officers should be banned from consuming alcohol and other hard substances that is capable of inhibiting their sense of reasoning and capability to carry out their duties judiciously “There should a zero-tolerance policy to... all misbehaviour in Nigeria Police Act”, he said.

2023: Go and sleep, we’ll deliver Kano for you —Youths tell Atiku

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Agroup of supporters , under the aegis of Arewa Decide 2023 Naka Sai Naka has promised to deliver Kano state for Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election.

Speaking to journalists at stakeholders parley, held in Kano on Wednesday, the Chairman of the group, representing 19 Northern states, Rabi’u Hussaini, described Abubakar as the most competent candidate in this

political dispensation.

According to Hussaini, among the presidential contestants, the former Vice President is the most visionary, who had the wherewithal to take the country to the promised land.

He said even in campaigns, the Wazirin Adamawa’s agenda is far better than his contenders.

He promised that youths in the 19 Northern states had resolved to vote massively for Atiku in the election, noting that he is the only candidate that could fix the problems bidevelling the region.

He said” we have gathered tens of thousands of Atiku’s supporters to prove to even the doubting Thomases that Kano would stand still for Atiku in readiness of casting millions of votes for him at the polls. we have no iota of doubt that all the votes in Kano belonged to him.

“Blanket support for Atiku in Kano during the forthcoming presidential polls in Kano is imminent. I can confidently tell you that the electorate in the country, have started regretting voting the APC to power in 2015.

the economic situation in the country is dicey and life for the common man has utterly become unbearable. we need a change of guard at the centre to clear the mess” he revealed.

“For the common man to heave a sigh of relief, he promised to open the nation’s boarders that were sealed for quite a long time. prices of essential commodities have reached an astronomical height. people are daily suffering with millions of Nigerians living below poverty line. it is indeed a regrettable phenomenon” he said.

Rep. Jonathan Gaza (SDPNasarawa), representing Kokona, Keffi and Karu Federal Constituency, has urged the electorate not to vote based on sentiments or money in the 2023 general elections.

Gaza made the call in his Christmas message to his constituents supporters across the three Local Governments Areas that made up the constituency, on

Sunday in Keffi.

The lawmaker, who is the SDP candidate for the Constituency, commended the present administration for its commitment and determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

He said: ” Let first and foremost I appreciate the essence of Christmas and what it is all about. Christmas is a time

of sharing and a period where our lord and savior was born into the world take the sins of the world and pay the ultimate sacrifice which was the reason he came.

”Bearing that in mind, we ought to take Christmas as a period of sober reflection when we will take stock of what had happened through the year and begin to set new goals moving into

the new year.

” So, my message to each and every one this Christmas more so that it coincided with the election early next year is that please be spiritual, pray and see God first with regards to the future of the country and do not vote base on sentiment, money and intimidation. ”

Gaza said that the current administration scored high points

Christmas: Rep. Gaza urges electorate to be spiritual, shun sentiments 2023: DAG engages stakeholders to reduce violence extremism in Jigawa

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Anon governmental organization, Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative,

formally known as Democratic Action Group (DAG) organised a two day capacity workshop to engage multi stakeholders on violence prevention in Jigawa state.

Speaking to news men shortly after the training, the executive director of DAG Dr Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya said, the workshop will provide more knowledge to the

participants on how to prevent the occurrence of violence extremism in their various communities.

He explained that, DAG incollaboration with West

in ensuring free and fair elections.

” And we must appreciate the innovation that has been put in place like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

”And as for me, I take it as Christmas gift and I want to thank the present administration for that. I wish everybody a merry Christmas and most prosperous new year,” Gaza said. (NAN)

African Network for Peace building (WANEP) embarked on peace building to reduce violence extremism in Jigawa and Kano states.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (3rd right); Hon. Desmond Elliot (1st right); Hon. Lanre Okunola (2nd right); Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara (4th right) and others at a rally in Coker Aguda and Itire Ikate areas of Surulere 2 Federal Constituency on Saturday 24 December 2022. Photo: Speaker’s Office.

Youth empowerment through football: The Bundesliga example

By Isaac Asabor

Reminiscing about his life playing in the German league, he lauded the brain behind the project for investing in the local communities which he said was their trademark. “I know that this facility put in place in Meiran will be of immense benefit to the youths. And I look forward to discovering more Jay Jay Okocha here.”

Saturday, July 9 2022 will forever go down in history as the day when the Deutsche Football Liga, (DFL) launched the “Bundesliga Common Ground” in Nigeria. Precisely at the LSDPC Estate, Meiran, Ojokoro in Lagos State.

A project conceived in line with its drive to renovate and revitalize football pitches in select countries around the world for young people to relish the game of football.

Statistics show that about 45% of Nigeria’s population of 200 million people are under the age of 16, a vibrant population full of raw talents in sports, arts, music and others, all waiting to be developed and trained to propel them to higher levels.

In fulfilment of their corporate social responsibility and sustainability goals, several bodies and international organizations have continued to support the youths of the county by providing infrastructural development, educational grants, and scholarships in areas where they are most needed.

Most recently, one of such organizations to recognize the talent pool deposited in Nigeria and identify with the teaming youths who are hungry for success, especially in sports, specifically football, is the Bundesliga.

The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga recently introduced a new initiative, in cooperation with local communities and partner companies to renovate existing sports grounds and build new ones where necessary as in the case of Nigeria. In the past few months,

pitches have been transformed in a similar way around the world, including in Mexico City (Mexico), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and New York (USA) and more are to follow in other countries during the 2022/23 season and beyond.

Not only was the location of the pitch carefully selected to serve its purpose, the community, Meiran is known for its population of young people who live, breathe and eat football on a daily basis. Top players in Nigeria’sunder-17 team national team Segun Oduduwa and Olatunbosun Rapheal emerged from the community.

July ushered in the official launch of the Common Ground in Nigeria. Together with children and young people from the neighbourhood, numerous partners and celebrity guests, the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga officially opened the public football pitch in LSDPC Estate, Meiran. “The refurbished pitch in the inner-city neighbourhood of Meiran will get young people excited about sports and give them a chance to play and enjoy football together.” That’s according to the Chief Marketing Officer of Bundesliga International, Peer Naubert.

Speaking at the event, former Super Eagles captain and Bundesliga Legend, Jay Jay Okocha commended the Bundesliga for its interest in youth development, describing it as the “best league in the world.”

According to Jay Jay, “This pitch construction shows that the Bundesliga has the development of the youth in mind. He added that over the years, the Bundesliga has invested in youth development across the world more than any league.

“I want to tell you that having played all over Europe, I have discovered that the Bundesliga is the best league and they don’t take the development of youths lightly,” he emphasized.

Reminiscing about his life playing in the German league, he lauded the brain behind the project for investing in the local

Credit and debit of political currency

By Tony Osakpamwan Agbons

There is a popular axiom that politicians only speak the truth to citizens during election campaigns and it is the words, “Please vote for me. I am the right man or woman for the job”. After the elections, the citizens are on their own and it becomes a case of what you see is what you get. The words of Nigeria politicians’ pre-election are remarkably different once they get into power. A psychologist friend of mine once described the average Nigerian politician as someone who rabidly becomes symptomatic of a `Personality Disorder` once they walk through the corridors of and take a seat on the throne of power. No arguments. Pure fact!

In the past couple of weeks, the public space has been dominated by high profile cases of fallouts and shenanigans by so-called political heavyweights in the land. This is not unexpected considering the next cycle of elections in 2023 is on the horizon. The tussle and jostle for key positions for the 2023 – 2027 cycle has begun. Intrigues, and betrayal by politicians or political parties are in high demand and supply. Politically scripted dramas with self-acclaimed protagonists oscillating to antagonists overnight is being served hot. What you don’t hear are ideologies, manifestos, or economic blueprint. What you don’t see is politicians setting agenda or pathways to deal with the myriads of challenges facing the nation. What is not spoken is all else, but the truth by the electorates who speak in varied tongues and attempt to out sing each other in direct proportion to how palpable the election inducement packages they receive from the politicians are. What then is responsible for the infighting and fallouts between politically exposed persons in our polity? The answers are not farfetched. The infighting is for the good of the Nigerian people. Yes, it is! The politicians are fighting one another over disagreements on the fastest way to provide uninterrupted electricity in Nigeria. They are fighting each other over how to provide world-class hospitals and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities across the length and breadth of the country. The politicians are quarrelling over the quickest way of providing good roads, railways, airports, making our refineries work and improving housing for the good people of Nigeria. These politicians are at war with themselves so they can reverse ‘Brain Drain’ to ‘Brain Gain’ by leveraging on promoting economic climate that will snowball the return of and leverage on the skills of our Diaspora population. These politicians are fighting one another because of differences in policy making on how they can add value to and ensure life is comfortable for every Nigerian. This is what the fight is all about. Yes! The politicians are fighting because of their love, care, empathy and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian on the street. Yes, they are! For real? Anyway, “if you don gerrit, fogerrit. I laugh in vernacular…kikikiki!”

Thank you for waking me up from my apocalyptic dreams. I think I am back to earth and reality with a big bang. Truth is we all wish the reverse of above is the case! These breeds of greedy politicians are not in dispute among themselves because of the ordinary Nigerian people. Alas, the fight among politicians is for self. It is all about ‘me, myself and I’. It is all about lining and enriching their individual pockets from our commonwealth. These breed of ‘cancerous’ and ‘venomous’ politicians are in it for how much they can loot for themselves, their wives, children, and their generations yet unborn. Least I forget, their numerous concubines, side chicks, side hens, side cockerels, side roosters and other hangers-on.

Across the spectrum, in this political dispensation, we have seen big fallouts between principals and their prodigies. The recent cases of the show of shame between the All Progressives Congress, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his erstwhile right hand man, Rauf Aregbesola is a good example. The lingering crisis in the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is another. The key actors in the latter are the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shuaibu and their followers who came with them from the APC (new PDP) on one side and the old PDP (existing stalwarts), led by Chief Dan Orbih and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on the other side.

The unfolding drama In Edo State PDP has peaked with vituperations flying in from all corners in the last few days. The political temperature is at boiling point of mercury as caution has been thrown to the winds. Visuals of ‘yabis’ and `insults` on social media have become a hard watch for many neutrals. What is the root cause of all these acidities? Is this fight all about the ordinary Edo state people? (over four million of them) and how to give them better quality of life? Is this fight about building strategic governance structure and systems? Is it about policy directions and provision of vital infrastructure for the good people of Edo State? What really is going on? The innocent Edo state man, woman, boy, girl or child has a right to know. Na wetin all this fight be for? Who is it for? Na who dis fight wan help?

My dear, the answer is as simple is ABCD. It is all about personal interests, political ambitions, and self-preservation. It is a battle for the solar plexus and control of the ‘soul’ of the PDP in Edo State. Each of the key actors in this parody wants to outwit the other with the 2023 general elections and the 2024 Governorship election in Edo state in mind. That is what this fight is all about. Each of the gladiators are looking to secure and position themselves firmly on the ground so they can manoeuvre the other. It is a game of chess. By planting their loyalists in key positions in the PDP party machinery in Edo State, they hope to be able to call the shots in 2023 and 2024. A root casual analysis of all sides in this debacle brings up this common denominator.

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has a moral and ethical dilemma in the PDP. His antagonist uses this fact against him at every opportunity. They often point to his fallout with his estranged godfather, Adams Oshiomole in his former party, the APC. Obaseki`s opponents also allude to how they (old PDP in Edo state) gave him the all-covering umbrella during his wet days in the heavy rain and political downpour of 2020. The opponents of the Governor keep singing that song and some of the lyrics are that the Governor is ungrateful and high-handed. On their part, the Governor and his supporters are of the view that they must not be caged just because they were ‘helped’ and sheltered when rain was falling. Afterall, the sun is now out, and they should be free to spread their picnic mats.

In this whole fiasco, there are some questions begging for answers. Number one, in joining the PDP, was there an agreement (gentleman or paper signed) between the Governor and the old PDP led by Chief Dan Orbih? Number two, was there an agreed sharing formula for key positions within the party and for political appointments? Number three, was there an expectation from the party bigwigs of financial returns if and when the party wins the election that brought the Governor in for the 2nd term? Until these questions are answered by the key actors in the public space, I

communities which he said was their trademark. “I know that this facility put in place in Meiran will be of immense benefit to the youths. And I look forward to discovering more Jay Jay Okocha here.”

Chorusing the thoughts of Okocha, the Olera Youth President, John Victor expressed gratitude to the DFL Deutsche Football Liga for considering the LSDPC Estate, Meiran for the project.

“We are optimistic that the newly constructed facility will further expose the football-loving youths and residents of the community to a global audience while expanding their potential and setting them up for global opportunities,” he enthused.

According to John, the facility has reinvigorated the passion for football among the youth in “our community and also promoted the love, togetherness and unity of true sportsmanship on and off the pitch, all of which resonates with the mantra of Bundesliga #FootballAsitsMeantToBe”.

With plans underway to replicate the same project in other countries during the 2022/23 season and beyond, the newly constructed public football pitch has further stimulated the passion for football among the youth in Meiran, with daily and weekly activities scheduled and held on the pitch including weekend training, team meetings and training, workout sessions for youths and adults alike among others.

Although the Bundesliga isn’t the most watched league in Nigeria, this has not deterred the management of the league from identifying the level of talent available in Nigeria and providing infrastructure to harness these talents among young people, to encourage them to play football as its meant to be, a gesture commendable and well worth emulating by other popular football leagues around the world.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Affairs Analyst.

am afraid this charade will not abate. As an ultra-neutral (in this political matter) and a patriotic stakeholder in Edo State, I will make a few salient suggestions.

The key political actors and actresses as well as the political film directors in Edo State PDP need to sit down together, look at each other in the face, do a complete soul search and tell themselves the home truth. One, why is this fight happening? Two, who stands to gain from this fight – is it they (politicians) or the ordinary Edo State people? For the Governor, Mr Obaseki, he must find a way to bring everybody (both old and new PDP) together. The buck certainly stops on his table. No ifs, no buts. That is the price he (the Governor) has to pay for leadership. “Uneasy” they say, “lies the head that wears the crown”. As a leader, the Governor cannot expect to ‘win’ all the time. In dealing with his fellow politicians, His words cannot always be the `be all and end all`. The Governor must learn to let go in some instances. Sometimes it is 50-50, 60-40, 55-45 or even 70-30 percent in negotiations in politics. The Governor must put on the table his team playing and people management skills to resolve this political party imbroglio and inferno. The use of brute force of speech, stern body language cannot effectively solve this problem.

To the old PDP led by Chief Dan Orbih and Governor Nyesom Wike; a huge measure of magnanimity is required. Yes, it is true that you provided the famous ‘umbrella’ during the ‘rain’ but repeatedly saying it to the beneficiary is uncalled for and arrogant. Yes, the umbrella belongs to you (old PDP), but you couldn’t have done it alone. There are ordinary Edo State people who also ‘put their hands’ to hold the umbrella during the `rain` and storm. That was the reason the Governor won the elections in September 2020. Edo State people voted massively for him. In fact, political analysts contend that Governor Godwin Obaseki would probably have won that election on the platform of any another political party. You all should adopt the style and model in Sokoto and Benue State where both Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Samuel Ortom are holding sway since they defected from the APC to the PDP. Tambuwal and Ortom are the undisputed leaders of the PDP in their states. If the PDP constitution says a State Governor is the leader of the party, why is Edo State different? Are there some underlying and `extra-curricular` undertones that Chief Dan Orbih and Governor Nyesom Wike are not telling us? If yes, then the court of public opinion deserves to know.

An open, honest conversation and dialogue remains the best option in resolving issues. Let every side to the dispute come to a round table, iron out their differences, have a give and take eureka moment (not sharing money oo) and move on. Power is transient and the Almighty omniscient God gives it to whomever He wants. This spirit of reconciliation is needed so that due attention can be given to GOVERNANCE. The ordinary man and woman on the street are not asking for too much from the government. All we need are the basic amenities of life. In conclusion, as we move into another election season, I want people to realise that wars are almost always finally resolved at negotiation tables. Something warring parties refuse to seat at in the beginning. Furthermore, what the Nigerian people need now are politicians who will tell them ‘how they will do it’ and not those who say, ‘I will do this, and I will do that’.

I come in peace.

Dr Agbons is founder of the Institute of Good Governance @www.twin2.org

The fight for gender equality: Salient strategies to learn from daughters of Zelophehad

By Sandra Ijeoma Okoye

If there is any fight that should concern everyone, not just women, it is that of gender equality. Despite been called feminism by most people, thus giving it a derogatory coloration, that does not take away its true meaning, which is an all-encompassing idea that promotes equality of the sexes. In fact, no matter how misogynists want to corrupts its meaning and essence and has a greater chance of success if it welcomes more people into its struggle.

As a woman who has worked for a number of years in what was once a largely male-dominated industry, I am a staunch feminist who has always believed in equality of the sexes.

My definition of equality means that both men and women have fair access to any and all job opportunities, receive equal pay in the workplace, and are not treated any differently to their counterparts of the opposite sex. This includes positive discrimination, as the idea that someone should expect to profit from their sex, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs which are all antithetical to the purpose of equality.

However, it would seem that feminism has become far too militant in both its outlook and actions, as it has forcibly superseded more traditional forms. Instead of fighting for equality, these radical feminists are fighting for all-female domination, which in itself defeats the ultimate purpose of feminism.

We should wear the label of humanity rather than that of feminism with pride, and nor should we set up men as the villains in the fight for sexual equality.

Feminism is an all-encompassing idea that promotes equality of the sexes, and this means that anyone can be a feminist. It does not matter if you are a man, or a devout Christian, a Muslim, a transsexual, or anything other than woman. Feminism as a Cause is for anyone who believes that both men and women deserve to be on an equal footing in every aspect of life.

It is against the foregoing backdrop that this writer, as a feminist, is advocating that there are salient strategies to learn from the daughters of Zelophehad who fought for their rights, and won. Their advocacy was never turned down by the lawmakers and emperors that collectively held sway during their in the biblical times.

Explanatorily put, Zelophehad was one of the many children of Israel rescued from Egyptian bondage. Despite the fact that the Bible does not throw much light about him, it does mention that he had no sons. Zelophehad had five daughters named, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. Going by the true meaning of a feminist, which is someone who supports equal rights men and women, then it cannot be mistaken to say they were feminists.

After the death of their father, five of them stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the princes and indeed the entire

congregation of Israel, the way Nigerian women have been standing for decades, and said, “Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away with from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.” (Numbers 27:34)

Their request, no doubt, was a bit foreign to Moses as it was the first time women would bring such an issue before him. He was obviously unsure of how to handle it so he turned to the Lord for guidance and this is what God said. “The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, “If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.” (Numbers 27:7-8)

Not only did God instruct Moses to give all five women an inheritance among their father’s brothers, He also made a law that going forward, the inheritance of a man who had no son should be passed to his daughter. Thus, in confronting Moses on this issue, the five daughters of Zelophehad not only liberated themselves, they liberated all women who would ever find themselves in a similar situation. These women were empowered women, these women were leaders.

Without doubt, the leadership lessons that can be learned from the lives of the daughters of Zelophehad are that they are liberators. They do not sit around waiting for others to liberate them from the challenges life throws at them, rather, they confronted the trials that faced them and liberate not only themselves but others with them. Today, it is not false to say that not few women are sitting on the fence mocking their fellow women for being feminists.

The fact that the sisters challenged the status quo as they never accepted it cannot be disputed. These five sisters did not accept the status quo, that only a man could inherit his father’s possession, rather they challenged it. They said, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons”.

Again, the five sisters were not afraid to go where no one has never gone before: Prior to this time, no woman had ever stood up to demand an inheritance amongst men but these women did not let that stop them. They had a vision and they pursued it regardless of whether anyone had done it before or not. Great women are pathfinders, trail blazers and pacesetters. They are leaders.

Of more strategic in their advocacy was that they fought for a cause bigger than them: To them, it was not about an inheritance, it was more than that. It was about ensuring that

their father’s name did not die. Their father was dead but they were determined that his name would not die.

Interestingly, no one knew Zelophehad while he lived, but his five daughters sounded his name not only to come before Moses and the entire congregation but as a result of their actions, his name was written in the Bible where it would be read for generations to come. Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient my fellow Nigerian women understand why we are kicking against the rejection of the Gender Equity Bills by some of the lawmakers. Simply put, we are not fighting to overthrow men from their various positions.

In fact the sisters spoke for their father when he was not there to speak for himself. When he could not fight for himself, they fought to ensure that he would have a light in his tribe and they achieved much more than that. Learning from the foregoing point of view, the women that have been fighting towards the passing of the Gender Equity Bills into law should not make the fight look as if they want to use it to boost their political relevance or enrich their purse.

No doubt, the sisters are change agents. Undeniably, they brought change not only for themselves but for women that would be born many generations later. No more would a woman be unable to inherit her father’s possession. No more would a man’s name die off because he had no sons. To me, as we continue kicking against the rejected bills we should be selfless, and continue to ensure that posterity will benefit more from it than we should.

One of the most salient lesson to learn from the five sisters is that they were bold; they stood before Moses and the entire congregation and stated their case without fear and trembling. “Our father is dead and he had no son.” They said and went on to ask the million dollar question which had never before been asked by a woman, “Why should his name be lost because he had no son?”

Then finally they boldly declared what they wanted. “Give us a possession among the men.” Notice that these women did not say to Moses, “Will you give us? Is it possible?” No, they placed a demand on Moses, they said, “Give us.” And Moses gave them. To me, Nigerian women should place a demand on our lawmakers rather than seemingly asking them, “Will you pass the five women’s rights related bills in the house before you?

Though these great women won the battle against gender biases thousands of years ago, they today remain an inspiration to other women, like this writer. Every time I read the story of these women, I am deeply inspired. Their story makes a complete nonsense of the rejections Gender Equality bills have for the umpteenth time by each political dispensation suffered in the hands of our lawmakers. Above all, it is expedient to say that their story sends this short but powerful message to all women, “You can too, because you are a woman.”

Sandra Ijeoma Okoye is a Public Affairs Analyst.

The RCCG’s memo and the hypocrisy in Nigerian politics

By Abdulkadir Salaudeen

The widely circulated memo issued by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has stirred more than the hornet’s nest. It has been a hotly debated topic not only among the Nigerian Muslims, but also among the Pentecostal and nonPentecostal Christians. The Muslims argue that they have been vindicated. Their allegation of Christianization agenda is now proven beyond doubt. While some Christians continue to defend the memo, many others are of the opinion that the Church shouldn’t have had anything to do with politics.

They argue that Nigeria is a secular state and thus there should be a separation of the Church from politics. In other words, ‘there should be a separation of religion from politics.’ This notion of politics being divorced from religion within the Nigerian context is deceptive. We all know it.

First of all, the notion that Nigeria is a secular state in the strict sense of the word ‘secularism’ is bogus. How can a state which claims to be secular officially engage in religious activities and rites? How can a secular state channel public funds in the construction of churches and mosques? How can pilgrimage commissions (of Christians and Muslims) be financed and managed by the government?

If religion is truly separated from politics, why do we have problem with Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket in selecting presidents and their running mates? Why is it that in the core Muslim dominated north, it is no-no for a Christian to be a governor or even a deputy governor? For the rest of my temporary sojourn on earth, my imagination refuses to imagine a Christian governor in states like Kano, Jigawa, or Sokoto.

I will also not believe my dream even if I were to dream it hundred times that a Muslim becomes a governor in southern states like Imo, Anambra or Abia—at least in my life time. Except and perhaps there is military take over, the possibility of what I

portrayed above is impossible.

Though the fact that there is an exception to every rule might make us acknowledge God’s ability to make what is humanly impossible possible, yet I can bet that there are people who will flatly disagree that God can make a Christian to become a governor in Kano State or a Muslim to become a governor in Imo State in 2023. While ordinarily we should believe God has power over all things, many will still argue that these are things that God can do but will not do!

But we claim Nigeria is a secular state. Why can’t a Muslim become governor in Cross River? Why can’t a Christian become governor in Zamfara? If your answer is as good as mine, then we should stop the hypocrisy. Religion has always been a factor in Nigerian politics. Thus, Nigeria is not a clear-cut secular state.

Ahmet Kuru classified secularism into ‘passive’ and ‘assertive’ in his book titled “Secularism and State Policies toward Religion.” According to Ahmet, passive secularism demands that the state play a passive role by allowing the public visibility of religion; while assertive secularism requires the state to play an assertive role to exclude religion from the public sphere and confine it to the private domain. He identified the United States with passive secularism and France with assertive secularism. These are good examples. He went further to identify China as anti religion state which officially espouses state atheism.

Where does Nigeria belong in these categories? Obviously, it is not an anti religion state like China. If we admit that it is a secularist state, it does not practice assertive secularism like France. Nigeria also goes beyond passive secularism like the United State because its role is not just passive by allowing the public visibility of religion, it actively participates in religion rites as explained above. Therefore, Nigeria does not fit into any of Ahmet Kuru’s typologies.

Furthermore, the word ‘secularism’, or any of its derivatives, does not exist in the Nigerian Constitution. Nigeria is not a secular

state even with the provision of Section 222 (e) which says; “No association by whatever name called shall function as a party, unless the name of the association, its symbol or logo does not contain any ethnic or religious connotation…”

So, why the fuss and the uproar about RCCG’s establishment of an Office of Directorate of Politics and Governance? As far as I am concerned, it is not against the Constitution. Religion is one of the agents of political socialization just as the churches and mosques are fora for political mobilization. This is not a new reality. It has been the norm in Nigeria. Both Muslim and Christian clerics have, times without number, instructed their followers on whom to vote for and whom not to vote for through the pulpits. After all, it is not a leaked memo. I salute RCCG’s gut to make its bias public. This is democratic. To hide it might be hypocritical.

I think the allegation that the memo is purportedly meant to campaign for Osinbajo should not be the headache of anyone who is not a member of RCCG. Those that should be disturbed have started kicking. My ‘uncle’—Egbon Dele Momodu—has started ranting. Read his ‘My Kobo Advice to RCCG’ where he addressed fellow Nigerians as usual. I also expect Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, being a member, to seek explanation from Daddy G. O. and ask: “why Osinbajo?” “Why not Tinubu to whom she is married?”

If the Muslims consider the Memo a threat, they should also create a directorate with the same mandate. Simple. As for the trite allegation of attempt to Christianize or Islamize Nigeria, I always think it is a joke.

But will Osinbajo be a good president? I doubt. I am more inclined to think his presidency will be a continuation of the disaster into which we are already enmeshed and from which he cannot exonerate himself—as Vice President and Acting President.

May God have mercy on us and liberate Nigeria.

Abdulkadir Salaudeen can be reached at salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Director, Youth Affairs of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council Isah Abubakar has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive with the party.

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

According to him, civil servants in the country were not paid their monthly salaries, which resulted in most family not to have resources to celebrate the birth of Christ.

He added that this is in addition to the doubling of the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which has led to an increase in the prices of goods and services in the country.

Christmas: Clergy harps on celebration with less privileged

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

As Nigerians celebrate this year’s Christmas, the Senior Pastor of House of Purpose Ministry, U/Sunday in Chikun Local government Area, Apostle Yakubu Yusuf has urged Christians to allow the joy and peace, which the birth of Jesus Christ signifies to transform their lives and cause them to extend love and fellowship to the less privileged.

He gave the charge in the Christmas sermon he delivered yesterday.

The clergy who was reading from the Book, Neh..: 10-12 said as Christians celebrate the season, they should bear in mind that there are less privileged people among them who need to extend the celebration to by sharing things that will make the celebration meaningful to them.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, says Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, won’t disappoint Nigerians, if elected as president, because he has capacity to deliver.

Yahaya stated this when he paid a visit to the palace of Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the Lamido Gona, in Amada community in Akko Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari performed credibly well in terms of delivering good governance to the people of Nigeria.

“We need consolidation, that’s

why we are going to vote for Tinubu. Tinubu has promised to continue with the good works of Buhari by ensuring good governance to the good people.

“I assure you, he will not disappoint,” he said.

Yahaya said his visit was to thank the community for its support to his administration as well as to seek for its prayers before proceeding to various wards for campaign.

He urged the people of the emirate to vote for APC candidates in the 2023 general election.

Also speaking at Garko ward in Akko LGA, the governor appealed to supporters to go and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and

vote APC candidates at all levels.

He said that APC remained the only party that concerned about the wellbeing of the people, and urged the electorate to vote for the APC to ensure that their interests are well protected in 2023.

He expressed confidence that with the introduction of Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) only politicians with supporters could win election, adding that there was no more room for electoral fraud.

“We are confident with the introduction of BVAS that Tinubu and all APC candidates will win in 2023 because we have performed well and we have supporters,” he said.

The State Director-General, APC Campaign Council, Mr Zubair Umar appealed to supporters to collect their PVCs ahead of the 2023 general election to exercise their franchise.

Tinubu won’t disappoint Nigerians –Gov. Yahaya LP urges Nigerians to keep hope alive

He also called on youths to engage in peaceful politics and eschew violence.

The DG said that the governor needed no campaign for reelected because his administration performed beyond expectations in all sectors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yahaya received thousands of defectors from oppositions parties in the three wards visited in Akko LGA. (NAN)

Buhari decorates newly promoted commander, Brigade of Guards

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday described newly promoted Commander, Brigade of Guards, Major-General Mohammed Usman, as an outstanding officer who is serving the nation with great zeal.

The President, assisted by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya and the wife of the Commander, Pharm (Dr) Rekiya

Usman, decorated the officer with the rank of Major-General.

Speaking shortly after the ceremony in the Presidential Villa, the President recalled his tumultuous military career marked with coups, countercoups and detention, describing General Usman as a very lucky officer to have risen to the height of his military career with distinction and without hiccups.

He commended General Usman for his diligence, loyalty,

patience and hardwork.

‘‘You are very lucky to have the health and ability to carry out your assignments.

‘‘Those who work with me know I am very difficult to satisfy. But I have never had any reason, whatsoever, to report you to the Chief of Army Staff or the Minister of Defence.

‘‘Nobody has been able to touch me while you are here, I’m absolutely satisfied with your performance.’’

The President said he will give the directive on Major-General Usman’s next assignment, considering that he too is about to leave, and as he has often said ‘‘I will live far away from Abuja.’’

President Buhari commended the family of the military officer for their patience in putting up with the challenging assignment he carries out with great aptitude and steadfastness.

In his remarks, Major-General Usman thanked the President

for his outstanding support to the Brigade of Guards, citing the approval for the procurement of 400 armoured vehicles, which he said were enough to secure his area of responsibility including the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa State and parts of Niger State.

He expressed happiness with the President for the promotion, saying that it would spur him to do even better in his assigned responsibilities.

President Muhammadu Buhari receives briefing from the New NDDC Chairman Ms. Lauretta Onochie at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; STATE HOUSE

Taraba

APC guber candidate, Bwacha tells aggrieved aspirants to sheath swords

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Taraba State governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has again pleaded with all aggrieved aspirants of the party to join hands and ensure victory for the party in 2023.

Bwacha, who made the appeal on Wednesday while inaugurating his campaign council in Jalingo, said both the incoming government at the state and federal level “have enough space for everyone.”

Noting that “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” he stressed the need for all the aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign.

Expressing a belief that APC in the state had the capacity to form the next government in Taraba at the next political dispensation, he urged the people to “avoid any form of disloyalty and selective politics by voting for all our candidates.”

He expressed sadness that “Taraba, once a vibrant and prosperous state, has now shamelessly degenerated to a pitiable level of desolation [and] deprivation.”

He urged: “We cannot build a state of fear, mutual suspicion and timidity, [we] must go beyond petty stereotypes and common differences to embrace each other for the common good.”

Bwacha, who was of the view that the “problems we face as a state are not insurmountable” said further: “We have decided to take on this challenge, [and] we shall succeed by the grace of God.”

2023: Wike killed Igbo presidency –Ohanaeze youths

By Christiana Ekpa

The youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has again come hard on Governor Nyewom Wike of Rivers State over the political intrigues playing out in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Wike and his aggrieved G-5 governors are currently out of the country where they are expected to take a final stand on the candidate to support for the country’s top political position.

They are likely to choose between Peter Obi of the Labour

Party and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, having fallen out of favour with their party’s candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

In a statement made available to the media on Wednesday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike described Wike’s movement as one driven by selfish interest.

Okwu, who berated the Rivers Governor for working against a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, said Wike was now playing the ostrich.

“We want to tell Nigerians not to be deceived by the likes of

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who claims to be fighting against injustice in the PDP whereas he is merely pursuing selfish interests.

“It is on record that Governor Wike scuttled the micro-zoning of the PDP presidential ticket to the South-East because he felt he would bamboozle his way and get the ticket. But having failed to realise that selfish ambition, he turned to be shouting for justice and equity.

“Where was the equity when he chased Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party out of PDP? Where was equity when he refused all entreaties to back someone from the South-East for the

PDP ticket? Now that he failed to clinch to the ticket, he now realises there is equity.

“Nigerians should not be deceived by Wike’s gimmicks. I also urged the governors moving with him to realise that he is pursuing a personal agenda. There is nothing like integrity in what he is doing, so his claim of leading ‘an integrity group’ should be discarded,” the Igbo youth President declared.

He added that as Nigerians await an announcement from the G-5 governors, “the citizens should not expect anything different but one that will be laced with personal desires and gains.”

By Christiana Ekpa

Popular Nigerian activist and social critic, Aisha Yesufu has said she will use her voter’s card as a weapon for good governance and

accountability at the 2023 general elections.

Yesufu disclosed this in a post via her verified Twitter handle.

She said she stands for peaceful change in government instead of

violence.

The social critic also announced herself as a staunch supporter of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential flagbearer.

She wrote, “I will rather have a

bloodless revolution than bloody revolution.

“I choose to revolt via the ballot with my permanent voter’s card as my weapon for justice, good governance, accountability and transparency.”

Senate passes N21.8tr 2023 budget, adjourns plenary to January 17

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Senate Wednesday passed the 2023 national budget of N21.8 trillion, even as it adjourned plenary to January 17, 2023 to enable the lawmakers observe the new year holiday.

The Upper chamber also passed a supplementary budget of about N819.5 Billion for 2022 and Finance Bill 2022.

The Senate, on the request of the Executive, approved an extension of the expiration clause of both the 2022 Appropriation Act and the Supplementary Budget to 31st March, 2023 in order to allow full capital releases as contained in the two Appropriations.

The Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir explained

that: “In view of critical importance of some key projects nearing completion, it is expected to grant the extension of the expiration clause to avoid compounding the problems of abandoned projects, given that some of the projects were not provided for in the 2023 budget.”

In his remarks after the passage of the budget and other businesses slated for the special sitting, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan congratulated the Senators and the National Assembly in general for keeping to the promise made with respect to the budget cycle.

Lawan told his Distinguished colleagues: “Congratulations to this senate, and let me commend all of us in the ninth Senate for

promising and delivering on our promise.

“From 2019, we promised to reverse the undesirable budget circle of where we wouldn’t know, to what is known, January To December.

“This is our fourth budget and our last before the expiration of our tenure. The annual budget, and we have kept to that promise.

“I want to take this opportunity to urge the executive arm of government to implement the 2022 appropriation Act. We have also passed the Supplementary Budget for 2022.

“We expect total implementation. No selective implementation. It should be total because this has been what this administration has always tried

to do since we came in 2019, and therefore, the country and the people are better for it that the budgets are implemented.

“Let me also commend the senate and indeed the National Assembly for the innovation, together with the executive arm of government, of passing Finance Bill which always guide the implementation of the appropriations that we pass.

“Previously, that was not the practice. I’m sure this is a worthwhile, very rewarding practice and it will continue.

“We have stood down the consideration of the Ways and Means Restructure. We did so as a Senate, as a body, because we didn’t get the kind of information that we consider necessary as

important for us to take a major decision as this, without any let or hindrance.

“We have set up a special committee headed by the Senate Leader and in the membership, you have the committees of Finance, Appropriation, Foreign and Local Debts and Banking to collect all the necessary information.

“And I want to use this opportunity to urge the executive arm of government, especially those agencies that will be invited to appear before this special committee, to cooperate by bringing the right kind of information that we need to be guided properly.”

The Senate has adjourned to 17th January, 2023.

Activist, Aisha Yesufu discloses what she will do with her PVC in 2023

Executive Director Finance, Mr. Ayodeji Aboderin, Mr. Valentine Okelu

Executive Director Pharma Sales & Marketing, MD/CEO May & Baker Nig. Plc Mr. Patrick Ajah, Mr. Godwin Obiakor Head internal Control and Compliance and Mr. Silver Ajalaye Head Pharma Plant Operations

Ajoni LG boss, Ogungbemi asks NASS to give legal backing to Council autonomy

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Chairman, Ajoni Local Government Development Council, LCDA, in Ekiti State, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, has called on the national assembly members to give legal backing for full autonomy to local councils in Nigeria.

Ogungbemi, said full recognition of the third tier of government in the country will add development and guarantee better governance at the grassroots for the people.

“We need the national assembly to look at the constitutional provisions and give roles to local council in Nigeria, to be officially recognized by the Nigerian constitution again, for council to developed as it was in time past”

Prince Ogungbemi, gave the charge in his office at Ajoni LCDA, in a chat with newsmen in Ayedun, Ikole Local government council, Ekiti State.

“If the constitutional amendments are not done to give recognition to the council, the council will still not have a role to play in national government.

“If the local council wants to have full autonomy, it should be done through a constitutional instrument by the national assembly.

“Local council is the third tier of government, but most times is not recognized. In Nigeria constitution, it is a constitutional problem, we have recognized the Federal government, the subnational, the state but council are not given the recognition”, he stated.

It’s shameful for Buhari to hand over power to opposition party – APC chair, Adamu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Less than 58 days to the forthcoming presidential election, the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu has said it will be humiliating for

President Muhammadu Buhari to hand over power to an opposition party in 2023.

Adamu made the statement in an interview with BBC Hausa, claiming Buhari wants APC to win more than any other political party.

The former lawmaker dismissed the criticism alleging that Buhari is withdrawing from campaigning for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate, saying it is improper for Buhari to leave his job as president because of the

electioneering.

“Anyone who tells you that he wants (APC to) win this election more than Buhari is lying. My reason is that it is a shame for the president to hand over power to a political party that is not his,” he said.

Senate amends 2022 Appropriation Act

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Senate has amended the 2022 Appropriation Act to extend the implementation period from 2022 to March 2023.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a letter read on Tuesday by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, was seeking an amendment to the Act for an extension of the

implementation period.

The act was titled, ”A Bill for an Act to Amend the 2022 Appropriation Act in Order to Extend the Implementation Year from the 31st December 2022 to 31st March 2023 and For Related Matters, 2022 (SB.1092).

The amendment of the Act is to ensure the implementation of key capital projects which have not been funded as of this time to

prevent the problem of abandoned projects.

Meanwhile, the Senate also approved the 2022 Supplementary Budget.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier sought the passage of N819.5 billion supplementary budget to be financed through additional domestic borrowing.

The supplementary budget

is said to address food security following devastating floods across the nation, as well as damages to road infrastructure and the water sector. The supplementary budget which will increase the budget deficit to N8.17 trillion is to be funded by additional borrowing.

The Senate Committee on Finance recommended the approval of the supplementary budget.

2023: P Square’s Peter Okoye identifies why cabals want Peter Obi to step down

By Christiana Ekpa

Peter Okoye of PSquare music group, has identified those who want the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2023

presidential election.

He said some cabals want Peter Obi to step down from the 2023 presidential election because he is a threat to them.

In a series of tweets, Okoye wondered why the cabals are

not asking Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Omoyele Sowore to step down.

He wrote: “The cabals and beneficiaries of the corrupt state of Nigeria do not want to see it

change. It does not matter whether they’re Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa, when it comes to ensuring power remains with them, they unite against Nigerians! Now that the youths are united, they are afraid.

“Why are they not advising

Kwankwaso, Sowore, or any other politician to withdraw from the race? Why @PeterObi? They know he is a threat. Dear frustrated Nigerians, take your anger to the BALLOT BOX come February 2023.”

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Adeboye Adebayo, the National Director, Media and Publicity, Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023 has described the Muslim-Muslim ticket as a ruse and non-issue.

Adebayo also held that the campaign should have been based on a North and South ticket since Nigeria was amalgamated along that line in 1914.

Adebayo who is a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council made this known in a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Stressing the fact that Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the APC is medically and mentally fit to rule the country, Adebayo also revealed that the health issue is being used as a distraction to deviate from the real issues.

He also assured that Tinubu’s presidency, when he is elected in 2023, will not be a burden on Nigeria.

“[The] Muslim-Muslim ticket is a non-issue; it is a North and South ticket because when Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914, it was along that line.

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu is medically fit. He wakes up early and sleeps late into the night.

There is nobody without health issues.

“Tinubu is over 70 and at that age, it is a privilege to still be up and doing at that age. He had knee surgery and he has fully recovered from it.

“The whole matter about his health is a distraction. He is mentally fit and intellectually capable to lead Nigeria. His presidency won’t be a burden on Nigeria.”

While outlining the differences between the APC presidential candidate and other candidates in the presidential race, Adebayo explained that Tinubu is always ready to listen to people adding that it is his winning formula.

“We believe that a Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency is what Nigeria needs at this time. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the answer to many questions at hand now. He is in the race to deliver good governance to everybody, irrespective of age, tribe and religion. Our people are just whipping up sentiments.

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a detribalised Nigerian who played a vital role to restore democracy in Nigeria, especially during the June 12 struggle.

“Patriotism is what is driving Tinubu to contest the presidency. Because people like him stood up for democracy, that is why we can boast of the Fourth Republic.”

While acknowledging that

the APC presidential candidate reengineered the finances of Lagos, he added that being a leader with foresight, Tinubu is ready to replicate it because he has the capacity and experience.

“His manifesto is presentable and when put together can proffer a solution to Nigeria’s problem.

He will nip insecurity in the bud, by this we mean terrorism and banditry. He will also establish Primary Healthcare Centres in every ward in the country.

He will also reform the financial sector and the foreign exchange market.”

2023 should be about North-South issues, not Muslim-Muslim ticket – APC chieftain

Former Executive Secretary,. Professor Suleiman Bogoro (left), discussing with former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Isah Yuguda and former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana during the investiture of Bogoro as the first recipient of the Nigerian Prize for Leadership (NPL) that took place in Abuja recently.

Nigerians in UK task political parties, candidates on town hall meetings

Nigerians in the United Kingdom (UK) have tasked candidates of various political parties on the need to engage with the citizens on what they should expect if elected into office.

Mr Daddy Kris, a Nigerian based in London, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Nigerians in UK were eager to engage candidates for the 2023 general elections to know what they have in stock if elected into office.

Kris, who is the founder of Superior Radio and Television (SRTV), said that the yearnings for the engagement led

to organisation of a virtual town hall meeting tagged “#Nigeriadecide2023” scheduled to begin on Dec. 27.

“We have a candidate who is a serving House of Representatives member from Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State, Ben Igbakpa, coming to interact with the people on his election programme,” he said.

According to Kris, the constant demand by Nigerians for good governance and good leaders will be the defining factors in the country preparation for the 2023 general elections.

“It is on this notion that SRTV London

in partnership with individuals, various platforms and organisations came up with town hall meetings.

“As the name implies, it is an avenue for our host, candidates, party representatives or supporters come virtually to discuss their manifestos.

“The importance of the town hall meeting cannot be far fetched as it will help foster unity and healthy competition among flag bearers, political parties and party members.

“It will help the political parties to inform and educate Nigerians on their programmes and also hear from

the average Nigerians on what their expectations are ahead of the elections.

“It is also expected to build a true sportsmanship among the candidates of various political parties and discourage politicians from being desperate,” Kris said.

He added that various Nigerian associations, town unions, socio-cultural groups and individuals in UK have declared their interest to participate in the virtual town hall meetings, as politicians in Sokoto, Delta and Lagos have already keyed into the programme. (NAN)

How I’ll tackle security if elected Katsina senator – Yar’adua

Abdul’aziz Musa-Yar’adua, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Katsina Central, says finding solutions for the current insecurity in the state will be his top priority if he is elected senator 8n 2023.

Musa-Yar’adua, who is a retired lieutenant colonel in the army, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday in Katsina.

According to him, as a retired military officer, he has the experience and the vast knowledge of various strategies to follow and bring the problem to an end.

“If I become a senator, I have a lot of ways to present before the National Assembly with the aim to find a lasting solution for the lingering security challenges.

“I know most of the military heads in the country, some of them we had training together while some of them we worked together, hence I will find it easy to collaborate with them.

“I also have a plan if elected to collaborate with all the senators representing the areas with security challenges to work together to end the problem.

“By the grace of God, if I become a senator, I will also suggest the expansion of the North-east Commission to cover all the states with the security challenges in the north,” he said.

On the issue of empowerment, Musa-Yar’adua, who is a younger brother of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, pointed out that he has plans for a sustainable special empowerment programme that the youth can rely on continuously.

He added that the youth must undergo training on how to utilise the empowerment for their own benefits, unlike some of the empowerment

programmes in which the beneficiaries sell the facilities given to them immediately.

“When you have sustainable empowerment programmes, you provide job opportunities for the youth, such will also assist in tackling the security situation and also boost the state’s economy.

“And regarding other critical sectors in the country, I will do

my best to see that I become a better representative of my people,” he added.

He assured the people of his constituency of fair representation at the National Assembly, adding that he will always be having physical contact with them to know their priority needs.

The APC senatorial candidate added that most politicians do

not ask electorates for their major needs, which is why in most cases they are not happy with the politicians.

He assured the people that if elected, he is going to do his best to see that the purpose of his representation is achieved through presenting their needs before the chamber.

Musa-Yar’adua explained that on issues of infrastructure

that concern the local or state governments, he will ensure a constant collaboration with them to ensure the success of their party.

He also commended the effort of President Muhammad Buhari and of Governor Aminu Masari for their commitments towards ending the security challenges and providing selfemployment. (NAN)

Governor Ortom endorses Peter Obi for 2023 Presidency

By Christiana Ekpa

Governor

Governor Ortom described Obi as the best person who can solve Nigeria’s socioeconomic problems.

On Christmas Day, Ortom praised the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for

visiting the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with them.

Ortom said, “Several presidential candidates have come here, and none of them have chosen to visit those IDPs camps and look at their plight to see how they are doing and give them hope that when they win, they will bring them succour, help, and hope.

“For you to have chosen to visit the IDPs on a Christmas Day

that you should be celebrating with your family, for me as a Christian, I say God will bless you and your aspirations. My prayer is that God will bless your aspiration to be the president of this country.

“Because I have seen capacity, faith, and hope, and I have seen someone who can bring the required equity, justice, and fairness that I have been pursuing since I became governor in 2015. If I were not in PDP, I would have been following you all over

the place to canvass and vote for you.”

“But because I’m in PDP, I’m telling Nigerians that this man can help deliver this country from its challenges,” he added.

Ortom has been a regular critic of President Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress government.

He said Nigerians were very sorry for electing Buhari and the APC in 2015, considering the level of insecurity and biting economic hardship in the country.

Samuel Ortom of Benue State has declared his support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Picnickers enjoying themselves at Magic Land, during the Boxing day Celebration, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The House of Representatives has passed the 2023 appropriation bill at N21.83 trillion.

This shows an increase of N1.32 trillion from the N20.51 trillion budget proposal of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A breakdown of the budget indicates an allocation of N967.5 billion for statutory transfers, N6.6 trillion for debt servicing, N8.3 trillion for recurrent expenditure, and N5.9 trillion for capital expenditure.

Meanwhile, the Senate has passed the 2022 supplementary budget of N819.5 billion.

According to the upper chamber, the amendment of the 2022 Appropriation Act is to ensure the implementation of the key capital project in the Act which has not been funded as at this time.

The upper chamber said it is expedient that the capital projects be extended to prevent the problem of abandoning projects in the budget.

The supplementary budget is to address food security following devastating floods across the country as well as damages to road infrastructure and the water sector.

By Abubakar Yunus,Abuja

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the average cost of domestic flight tickets in Nigeria increased to N73,267 in one year.

The NBS disclosed this in its recent Transport Fare Watch report for November 2022, released recently.

The latest figure shows that airfares increased by N36,245 which also represents a growth of 97.90 percent year-on-year.

According to the report, the average price of a single flight

ticket increased by 0.09 percent from N73,198 in October to N73,267 in November 2022.

“In air travels fare, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey, increased by 0.09 percent on a month-on-month [basis] from N73,198.65 in October 2022 to N73,267.57 in November 2022,” the report reads.

“On a year-on-year, the fare rose by 97.90 percent from N37,022.97 in November 2021.”

The report further showed that the states with the highest average prices of airplane tickets on a single

journey include Taraba (N77,100), Delta (N76,500), Bayelsa and Oyo with N76,100, each.

Domestic airfares hit N70k in November — up by 98% in one year Reps pass N21.8trn 2023 budget

States like Niger (N67,100), Gombe (N70,000), and Nasarawa (N70,100), recorded the lowest prices rate.

The NBS report also disclosed that the average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop, increased by 0.12 percent in November 2022 on a month-on-month basis from N636.30 in October 2022 to N637.10.

On a year-on-year basis, however, the average fare paid by

commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop, rose by 42.69 percent from N446.50 recorded in November 2021.

“The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 0.12 percent in November 2022 on a month-on-month from N636.30 in October 2022 to N637.10,” NBS said.

“While on a year-on-year, however, the average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop, rose by 42.69 percent from N446.50 in November 2021.”

Telcos threaten to withdraw USSD services over N80bn debt owed by banks

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) says the accumulated debt from the unstructured supplementary service data (USSD), owed to them by banks, rose to N80 billion as at November this year.

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ATCON, made this known in a recent interview with Thisday.

He said a time would soon come when telecommunication companies would be forced to withdraw from USSD services as banks refused to pay.

“The debt is rising and has

not been paid by the banks. As of November 2022, the accumulated debt rose to over N80 billion. When we started the argument in 2019, it was N32 billion, and they continue to claim that they are not owing, but our investigation shows that they are still using the USSD platform to offer banking services to their customers, yet they are not remitting to telecom operators who own the USSD platform,” Adebayo said.

He said the issue has to be addressed as it cannot be wished away.

“Time will soon come when we will be constrained to withdraw the service and many bank customers that depend on the USSD service

will suffer for it and it will affect the economy. It is hounorable to pay their debts and they have to pay,” Adebayo said.

“We are warning that the banks’ action in refusing to pay their debt, will have negative consequence on the CBN’s cashless economy agenda for the country. It will be a threat to cashless economy. So, CBN should advise money deposit banks to pay up the accumulated debts.”

Deposit Money Banks (DMO) and telecom operators have been at odds since 2019 over nonremittance of USSD fees.

In 2019, telcos said they could no longer provide the services for free and proposed to take a cut of

N4.50k per 20 seconds from the charges paid by customers to the banks.

However, the banks kicked against it, alleging that it would raise costs by 450 percent.

On March 12, 2021, telecom operators said they would suspend the USSD service over N42 billion accumulated debt by banks — a move halted by Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy.

In a meeting headed by the minister on March 16, 2021, mobile network operators (MNOs) and deposit money banks (DMBs) agreed to reduce the charge on customers to N6.98 for each USSD transaction.

Katsina State Governor, Rt.Hon. Aminu Bello Masari(4th left); AGILE Project Task Team Lead, Aisha Garba(3rd left); AGILE Project Deputy National Project Cordinator, Mrs Ajanigo Abuka(6th right); other officials of the AGILE Project after the visit to the Government House recently

BU$IN€SS

FG-Siemens power project won’t achieve 7,000MW target, says ex-TCN boss

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Usman Mohammed, former managing director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), says the presidential power initiative (PPI) has distracted the company from focusing on issues bedeviling the power sector.

Mohammed spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily monitored by Peoples Daily on Wednesday.

The first phase of the PPI seeks to modernise, rehabilitate, and expand the national grid.

In December 2021, the federal executive council (FEC) approved $1.9 million and €62.9 million for phase one of the PPI.

Speaking on the development, Mohammed said the PPI was created the same way as the national integrated power project (NIPP).

The former TCN boss said the transmission rehabilitation and expansion programme (TREP) was a better initiative but had stalled due to the government’s shift of focus.

TREP, a strategy which is expected to rehabilitate and expand the nation’s transmission infrastructure, is expected to gulp $200 million.

“As at today, the content of that presidential power initiative (PPI) is intervention in upgrading seven substations. That is phase one. Then, they are supplying some mobile transformers. That is what it is,” he said.

“What is 10 mobile transformers and 10 spare transformers? All these things they are talking about is not up to 2 percent of what they are doing under the national transmission rehabilitation and expansion programme

and yet, the moment the government put this issue of doing the presidential power initiative (PPI), they distracted TCN from focusing on what they are supposed to do.”

Asked if the first phase of the PPI can achieve its target of increasing power supply to a minimum of 7,000 megawatts, Mohammed said it was not a tangible goal.

“How will upgrading in Talata Mafara, upgrading in Katampe and four other substations, take you to 7,000 megawatts? It is not possible. Instead of us to focus on the one we have worked on,” he said.

“We have carried out all the studies. For example, we embarked on a project in Lagos. We are putting four 330KV substations in Ogun and Lagos. One in Aribajo, new Agbara, Mountain of Fire and one other

place. Then 132KV in Redeemed Christian Church of God, and another one in Badagry. These substations include lines 330KV and 132KV.

“All the studies have been concluded when I was the MD and this project is putting power at the industrial base of Nigeria, especially between Lagos and Ogun. It is putting four 330KV substations and two brand new 132KV substations with lines. And it is attacking the industrial base of the country.

“We’ve completed the study. We included the counterpart funding, which is the only thing that is needed to pay the compensation for the right of way, which is worth about N3 billion in the ministry power as at the time I was still the MD, before I was sacked. But up to now, the compensation for right of way was not paid.

“The design has been completed. Everything is completed. Now, we are focusing on PPI that even the studies were not concluded.”

Speaking further, Mohammed said there is need to better engage with political parties for them to have clearer understanding of the power sector.

He said there is also need for Nigerians to have a non-partisan consensus to develop the power sector.

“So, that we know that any party that comes, this is where we are moving because one political party can not solve the problem of power sector,” Mohammed said.

“What I mean is that in four years, you are not going to solve the problem of power sector. So, it means that we have to have non-partisan consensus on how we want to move forward.”

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The senate has passed a supplementary budget of N819 billion for the 2022 fiscal year.

The development came after the senate extended the implementation of the 2022 budget till March 31, 2023.

The national assembly had passed N17.12 trillion as the 2022 budget, but it was later revised to N17.31 trillion at the request of Buhari who cited the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war on the country’s economy.

The supplementary budget was passed on Wednesday after Jibrin Barau, chairman of the appropriation committee, presented a report during the plenary session.

While presenting his report, Jibrin said the funds are meant to cushion the effects of the recent floods and complete some projects that have reached 85 percent completion.

“[This will] make available funds to cushion the 2022 flood effects and completion of critical projects that have reached

85 percent completion,” the chairman said.

The senate’s decision to approve the supplementary budget followed a request by President Muhammadu Buhari last week.

The president said the supplementary budget would be financed through additional domestic borrowings and this would raise the budget deficit for 2022 to N8.17 trillion.

“The year 2022 has witnessed the worst flood incidents in recent history which has caused massive destruction to farmlands at the point close to harvest season. This may compound the situation of food security and nutrition in this country,” the president had said.

“The flood also devastated the road infrastructure across the 36 states and the FCT, [and] has affected sections of major roads and bridges nationwide that are critical to the movement of goods and services.

“The water sector was also affected by the flood and there is a need to complete some ongoing critical projects that have achieved about 85 project completion.”

Senate steps down restructuring Buhari’s N22.7trn ways and means request

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, presides over the plenary in the upper chamber of the National Assembly on April 27, 2022.

The Senate, on Wednesday, stepped down the restructuring of the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means request of President Muhammadu Buhari until more documents were presented to the Senate for further legislative action.

The Upper Chamber, however, approved that N819 billion be excised from N1 trillion ways

and means to fund the 2022 supplementary budget where the Ministry of Agriculture is to get N69 billion; Ministry of Water Resources, N15.5 billion; the Federal Capital Territory, N30 billion; and Ministry of Works and Housing, N704 billion.

Before stepping down the request during plenary, it had earlier caused raised voices in the Senate.

Trouble started when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Adeola brought before the Senate a report of the committee which worked on the President’s request.

Another lawmaker, Senator Betty Apiafi raised a point of order, arguing that Buhari’s request was unconstitutional and what the Senate was purportedly about to do by considering the request was unknown to the law.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan ruled that she was out of order on the grounds that the report should be presented and read by the committee chairman and that thereafter lawmakers can contribute to the debate.

But the Senate President’s ruling annoyed Apiafi and some lawmakers, leading to a tense

atmosphere in the chamber.

In response, Senator George Sekibo raised a point of order calling on the Senate President to step down the consideration of the report until lawmakers had more details on what the funds were used for.

The Senate afterwards went into a closed door session.

Buhari had written to the Senate, requesting the approval of restructuring of N23.7 trillion Ways and Means advances given to the Federal Government by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The President, in a letter read by Lawan during plenary session

last Wednesday, explained that Ways and Means were advances from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Federal Government for emergency funding of delayed receipt of fiscal deficit.

He said the ways and means balances as at December 19th is N22.7 trillion.

Buhari further stated in the letter that he had approved the securitisation of the ways and means balances along the following terms: Amount – N23.7 trillion, Tenure – 40 years, Moratorium on principal repayment – three years, Pricing interest rate – 9 percent.

Senate passes N819bn supplementary budget to ‘cushion flood effects, complete critical projects’

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, “harvests” a bunch of plantain as the Chief Harvester at the Youth Harvest held yesterday at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Uzuh, Omuma...

BUSINESS

Dangote Refinery Awards Scholarship to 460 Students in Host Communities

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited have awarded scholarships to 460 students of secondary schools and tertiary institutions from its host communities in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State.

The company said the scholarship had become an annual event meant to contribute to the educational development of the people and position them rightly in the scheme of things in Lagos State and Nigeria in general.

The scholarships were presented to 443 secondary school students and 17 tertiary institution students from its host communities around Ibeju-Lekki.

Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects and Portfolio Development, Dangote Group, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, presented the scholarships to beneficiaries yesterday at an event attended by traditional rulers and government officials in Lagos State.

Edwin said the Dangote Group believes that education is the passport to the future and that an investment in knowledge yields the greatest dividends for mankind.

He said the company had over the years supported the Nigerian educational sector by instituting scholarship award programmes.

According to him, this is part of the company’s education intervention initiative for indigenous students of host communities impacted by its businesses.

He stated: “In 2019, we executed a pilot of the scholarship programme where 51 secondary school students from our 15 host communities here in Ibeju Lekki were awarded. However, we could not hold the second edition in the year 2020 due to the incidence of COVID -19 and its associated effects not only on businesses but on every household.

“In 2021, 118 secondary

school students and 19 tertiary institution students from our host communities were awarded the scholarship award and after a rigorous screening process this year, 443 secondary school students and 17 tertiary institution students have qualified for the scholarship award.”

While congratulating the beneficiaries, he enjoined them to continue to work hard at their studies, strive to achieve excellence in all that they do, and never stop giving their best. “Your achievements are a testament to

your determination, perseverance, and commitment to excellence, and we are honoured to celebrate your success with you today”, he added.

Edwin encouraged the awardees to make the most of the opportunities and to always strive for excellence.

“Remember that your education is a gift, and it is up to you to make the most of it. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow, and do not be afraid to take risks.We are proud to support your education and

future endeavors, and we look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish in the years ahead. Congratulations again to all our scholars.

“With the continuous support of the people and the Lagos State Government, we shall not relent in our efforts to be socially accountable while we positively impact our host communities. We look forward to a continuous peaceful and rewarding relationship with our host communities in Ibeju Lekki,” Edwin said.

On his part, the traditional ruler of Lekki, Onilekki of Lekki Land, Oba (King) Liasim Ogunbekun said that the programme was a blessing to the community and gave kudos to the Dangote Group.”

“We appreciate Dangote Group because this is not their first time but their third scholarship edition to the host communities in Ibeju Lekki.

“I urge the beneficiaries to put in more effort in their academic pursuit and justify the amount being paid for the scholarship.”

L-R, Chief Mufutau Dauda, Baale of Magbon Segun / Chairman of Baale in Ibeju- Lekki, Bello Shakirat, One of the Beneficiaries from Community High school Lekki, Dangote Industries Limited, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Devakumar Edwin, Ajangboju Moruff, Beneficiary From Community Senior High school Magon Segun, Hon. Tosin Osunnuga, Secretary Lekki LCDA, who represent ed the Chairman of LCDA, at the 2022 scholarship award to qualified secondary and tertiary students of the host communities youths of the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Projects Lekki Lagos, on 28th DECEMBER 2022

METRO

How FCTA removed 3,197 illegal structures, crushed 1,292 motorcycles in 2 weeks

By Stanley Onyekwere

Available information have revealed how the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Taskteam on city sanitation successfully removed a total of 3,197 shanties and illegal structures, and crushed 1,292 commercial motorcycles within barely two weeks period, from 9th –22nd December, 2022.

In particular, a total of 123 illegal structures was removed at Katampe Extension and Guzape Districts and total of 3,074 shanties were removed and cleared at Durumi I, II, III, Monkey Viilage, Dagba, the Illegal IDP Camp at Durumi District and under some bridges in the Federal Capital City (FCC).

Also, the total of 1,292 commercial motorcycles were arrested, impounded and crushed to the public glare in various Districts where their operations were banned in line with the Courts forfeiture order obtained.

Making this disclosure yesterday, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Hadi Ahmad, said the removal exercise was to ensure the safety and security of the FCT residents and maintain high standard of living of the residents devoid of any threats.

Ahmad, who spoke at a joint press briefing on removal of illegal structures and all forms of criminality and criminal elements in the FCC, said the Task Team mobilised all necessary tools (human and material) and commenced the removal of such identified nuisances which culminated into the following successes recorded between 9th – 22nd December 2022

He noted that the FCTA

had observed with great concerns the increase in illegal developments in some parts of the FCC, flagrant disrespect to the ban on the operation of Commercial Motorcycles and proliferation of shanties and illegal settlement in the guise of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

He explained that most affected Districts with such illegal developments concerns are: Guzape, Katampe Extension and Lugbe Airport

Road. Areas with shanties in the guise of IDPs includes Durumi, Wasa and Kuchi Goro.

He adds: “Areas with disturbing activities of Commercial Motorcycle operation includes and not limited to Airport Road, Durumi, Kubwa, Asokoro Extension and Guzape Districts.

“Such concerns no doubt exacerbate security challenges, affects the

aesthetic of the city as well as contravenes the approved Master Plan of the City which invariably creat bottlenecks in the management of the City”.

The FCDA boss recalled that the FCTA Management, led by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello resolved to address such anomaly and restore the confidence of the FCT residents on the Administration, directed him to lead other stakeholder Departments and Agencies to ensure that such anomalies are squarely addressed.

The Executive Secretary FCDA’s led Task Team comprising of: Coordinator AMMC, Senior Special Assistant to Hon. Minister FCT on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Directors of Departments of Development Control, Security Services FCTA, Urban and Regional Planning, Lands Administration, AGIS, Survey and Mapping, Engineering Services FCDA.

Others include; Resettlement and Compensation, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Parks and Recreation and Chief Security Officers (Police and DSS) to FCT Minister, which duly identified all the concerned location and mapped out strategy for effective removal of such illegalities.

Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Hadi Ahmad and SSA to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah, during a joint press briefing on removal of illegal structures and all forms of criminality and criminal elements in the Federal Capital City (FCC), yesterday, in Abuja.

Some of the impounded and crushed commercial motorcycles in Lugbe District.

Rubbles of demolished shanties in Durumi II, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

world news

Ukraine war: Russia not to blame for conflict -Putin

Vladimir Putin believes Russia is not to blame for the war in Ukraine, adding both countries are “sharing a tragedy”.

During a televised address with senior military officials, the Russian president said he continued to see Ukraine as a “brotherly nation”.

He claimed the conflict was “the result of the policy of third countries” and not down to Russian policy.

The theory, which implies Western expansion is the cause, has been repeatedly dismissed outside Russia.

President Putin claimed the West had “brainwashed” post-Soviet republics, starting with Ukraine.

He said: “For years, we tried to build good-neighbourly relations with Ukraine, offering loans and cheap energy, but it did not work.

“There’s nothing to accuse us of. We’ve always seen Ukrainians as a brotherly people and I still think so.

“What’s happening now is a tragedy, but it’s not our fault.”

President Putin’s longstanding concerns appear to stem from Nato’s growth since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

Nato’s original goal was to challenge Russian expansion after World War Two, but the Kremlin has long argued Nato’s

acceptance of former Soviet allies as members threatens its security.

Tensions between the Kremlin and the West increased after the overthrow of pro-Kremlin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014, following months of street protests.

During the address military officials vowed to continue the so-called “special military operation” into 2023.

President Putin added there was no limit to the amount of money Russia was willing to spend.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu proposed raising the age range for mandatory Russian military service.

Under the current law, Russians aged 1827 can be called up for mandatory military service - Mr Shoigu is now proposing this covers citizens aged 21-30.

Mr Shoigu also announced plans to establish bases in two port cities - Berdyansk and Mariupol - seized during the Russian offensive.

The address came as Ukrainian leader Volodmyr Zelensky travelled to the US Capitol in Washington.

It is his first visit outside of Ukraine since Russia invaded 10 months ago.

Afghanistan: Tears and protests as Taliban shut universities to women

It’s an order that girls and women across Afghanistan had been dreading ever since the Taliban returned. On Wednesday, girls in their hijabs turned up to their university campuses to be blocked and turned away by Taliban guards.

Footage shows groups weeping as they’re led away.

After excluding girls from most secondary schools these past 16 months, the Taliban this week also banned university education for women.

“They have destroyed the only bridge that could connect me with my future,” one Kabul University student told the BBC.

“How can I react? I believed that I could study and change my future or bring the light to my life but they destroyed it.”

Authorities issued the order on Tuesdayand by the following day other places of learning, including Islamic religious schools and private tuition colleges in several provinces, were also carrying out the ruling.

Sources from three provinces - Takhar in the north, Ghazni in the south-east and the capital Kabul - confirmed to the BBC that the Taliban had stopped girls from attending private education centres there.

All avenues of formal education for women are being shut down, it appears.

It led some women to dare to protest on Wednesday on the streets in Kabul - a dangerous act given the Taliban’s record for detaining protesters. The small demonstrations were quickly shut down by Taliban officials.

This generation had thought they were the lucky ones - getting the education denied to their mothers, older sisters and cousins.

Instead, they’re seeing their future crumble.

The Taliban, which began as a hardline Islamist militant group, had promised to respect women’s rights when they swept back to power in August last year - after the horrors of their previous rule from 1996-2001 when women couldn’t work or study.

But their latest decree again strips away whatever scant freedoms and rights had been afforded to women after US-led forces withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban returned.

Yet only three months ago, the Taliban had conceded to allowing university entrance exams to go ahead.

Thousands of girls and women sat the tests in provinces across the country. Many had

studied in secret - at home or risking venturing to hidden tutoring colleges set up for girls.

The danger was always present. During some of the exams bombers targeted schools, killing pupils.

But still the young women persisted.

Even when the Taliban in November brought in last-minute restrictions on subjects - barring girls from courses like economics, engineering and journalism - they kept trying, many applying for teaching and medicine.

As another female student put it to the BBC: “Why should we always be the victim? Afghanistan is a poor country. But women in this country have accepted poverty alongside every other problem and they still they have to suffer.”

Girls’ schooling has long been a point of contention between conservative and more moderate factions in the Taliban.

The university ban now indicates a win by the more fundamentalist in the Taliban, whose supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada believes modern education - particularly for women and girls - is wrong in Islamic teachings.

Yet not everyone in the ruling movement

thinks like him - and there were reports more moderate officials in cities like Kabul had wanted girls over the age of 12 to get an education.

As rights advocates have warned, the decision has an impact on the whole country’s future. “No country can thrive when half of its population is held back,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned.

Western countries had insisted on women’s education as a condition the Taliban would need to meet if they wanted global recognition. However the Taliban have ignored the criticism so far.

For Afghan families, both in the country and around the world, seeing the future for their daughters slide back into the “dark ages” has ignited fear and anger.

News of the university ban prompted some Afghan women activists to post stories of their own university graduation days - in cap and gown.

The pushback against the Taliban since they seized power again has not been enough, they say.

And it’s part of a rising tide of restrictions on women’s daily lives in recent weeks. In

November, women in Kabul were also stopped from entering public places such as parks and gyms. Women are increasingly being confined to their homes in policies tantamount to imprisonment, says the UN.

‘Action is not Islamic’

For one law student, her higher education path seems over now. Her university term had ended for the winter break and wasn’t due to recommence until March.

But now she’s not allowed to step foot back onto campus - she has “lost everything”. As a Sharia law scholar, she told the BBC she was struggling to make sense of it according to Islamic teachings.

“The Taliban have taken the rights that Islam and Allah have given to us,” she told the BBC.

“They have to go to other Islamic countries and see that their actions are not Islamic. According to what they say this is Sharia. But why do they want to practise it only on women? Why don’t they apply it to men?”

Other religious scholars back up her point. Nawida Khurasani, one of the few female Afghan religious scholars, says the decree defies Islamic values. “It has no place in Islam - because Islam commands both men and women to get an education,” said Ms Nawida, who now lives in Canada.

Another religious scholar who the BBC spoke to - a male imam living inside Afghanistan - agreed that both men and women should be able to be educated under Islam.

For many Afghanistan watchers howeverthere’s no point in trying to explain the Taliban’s actions under supposed Islamic teachings. They say the university ban is just a continuation of the movement’s aims to completely suppress women and erase the freedoms they’d had in the years between periods of Taliban rule.

Closing the door on university education is the Taliban completing their control over women.

“Afghanistan is not a country for women but a cage for women,” said Afghan academic and activist Humaira Qaderi, who lives in the United States.

“There’s no social life left for Afghan women. The streets are now dominated by men.

“This was the last thing that the Taliban could do. But they did it.”

Source: BBC

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu proposed beefing up the armed forces

President Putin said Russia would not militarise the country’s economy

Female university students were stopped by Taliban security personnel in Kabul on Wednesday

ews F rom A F ric A

Gambia coup attempt foiled - government

The Gambia’s government says it has thwarted an attempt to stage a coup.

Four soldiers had been arrested and three alleged accomplices were on the run, a statement said.

It is unclear who exactly was behind Tuesday’s attempt to overthrow President Adama Barrow, who won a second term in elections last year.

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

The capital, Banjul, is peaceful, with life going on as normal.

No gun shots have been heard, and there is no sign that loyalist forces have been deployed to secure strategic sites.

The government statement, however, said that military reservists had been put on stand-by.

“The situation is under total control,” it added.

When reports of a coup attempt first surfaced on Tuesday, the army denied it,

saying it had only carried out a “military drill”.

Equatorial Guinea, though he remains an influential figure in The Gambia, one of Africa’s smallest countries.

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

He has been distrustful of the military, with troops from neighbouring Senegal in charge of his personal security, while the main international airport and sea port are guarded by troops from Nigeria and Ghana respectively.

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

Mr Barrow also became unpopular after he broke away from the United Democratic Party (UDP), which propelled him to power in 2016, and formed the National People’s Party (NPP) to contest last year’s election.

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

African, Arab or Amazigh? Morocco’s identity crisis

It is fair to say that the World Cup in Qatar this year has been defined by controversy like no other tournament before.

From the controversial decision to grant Qatar the privilege of hosting the event despite its poor human rights record to the very last moment when the Emir of Qatar put an Arab cloak on the shoulders of the Argentinian football legend, Lionel Messi, as he was about to lift the trophy on Sunday.

But there is one controversy that attracted little or no attention outside North Africa. It started with the simple question: how do you describe the Moroccan team, the Atlas Lions, which stunned the whole world by its sterling performance - defying the odds to beat heavyweights such as Spain and Portugal? The “first Arab” or “African” team to reach the semi-final?

Culturally many Moroccans see themselves more as Arabs than Africansand some sub-Saharan Africans in Morocco complain that racist attitudes are never far from the surface.

But comments by Moroccan winger Sofiane Boufal after their World Cup victory over Spain brought the debate about the country’s continental identity to the fore. He thanked “all Moroccans all over the world for their support, to all Arab people, and to all Muslim people. This win belongs to you.”

After a social media backlash, he took to Instagram to apologise for not mentioning the African continent’s backing of the teamexpressed at one stage by Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari when he said Morocco had “made the entire continent proud with their grit and dexterity”.

Chastened, Boufal posted: “I also dedicate the victory to you of course. We are proud to represent all our brothers on the continent. TOGETHER.”

The furore reflects recent efforts by the monarch to encourage closer ties with the rest of the African continent. “Africa is my home, and I am coming back home,” King Mohammed VI said in 2017 as Morocco was re-admitted to the Africa Union after a 30-year absence in a row over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. This rapprochement has allowed business links to flourish, especially with West Africa.

But Morocco is also a member of the Arab League - so officially belongs to both cultural spheres.

While the adjective “African” to describe Morocco is a geographical fact, the use of “Arab” has also alienated many Moroccans

who do not identify as such.

On the streets of Rabat

As Atlas Lions prepare to take France in the #FIFAWorldCup semi-final, their success has sparked a discussion about Moroccan identity. We took to the streets of Rabat to find out how people felt.

Posted by BBC News Africa on Wednesday, December 14, 2022

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original post on Facebook

Morocco has a substantial population of Berbers, or Amazigh as they prefer to be called - some estimates put it at nearly 40% of the country’s population of more than 34 million. One major Amazigh languageTamazight - is now recognised as an official language alongside Arabic.

But this was a controversy long time in the making. Immediately after Qatar was awarded the right to host the 2022 World Cup, its media framed the event as a “Victory for Islam and pan-Arabism”, as a headline put it back in 2010.

As the tournament got under way, the vocabulary of pan-Arabism and Islamism crept back to the front. In the conflict over the ban on alcohol or the use of the OneLove armband of the LGBTQ, advocates of Islamism and pan-Arabism came to the defence of Qatar, Islam and traditional values against “the imperialist West”.

But the initial framing of the event by the Qatari media as an “Islamic or Arab Conquest”, which had gone largely

unnoticed, provoked an angry reaction when it became part of the language of running commentary on the games.

So, when the Atlas Lions made history by becoming the first men’s team from Africa and the Middle East to qualify for the World Cup semi-final, it was hailed as a victory for the Muslim and Arab nations.

After other teams from the regionTunisia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar - were disqualified early in the race, it was only natural that football lovers in neighbouring countries would rally behind Morocco.

But some vocal groups sought to portray the Moroccan success as something much larger, more ideological and political. Consequently, the Moroccan team was assigned the role of the standard-bearer of Islam and pan-Arabism.

This argument was strengthened when some of the Moroccan team’s players celebrated their successes by unfurling a Palestinian flag on the pitch.

This kind of rhetoric outraged many in North Africa, but particularly among Moroccans who do not subscribe to these ideologies and their worldviews.

‘Culture war’

In an hour-long tirade, one dissident Moroccan YouTuber blasted those who sought to politicise the game and turn it into a global culture war.

Brother Rachid also reminded his 385,000 subscribers that half of the Moroccan team, including their coach, were in fact born and bred in Europe, the children of Moroccan migrants who learned the

game and became professional footballers in Europe.

“If you were to do a DNA analysis of the Moroccan team, you would find that most of them are Amazigh. Most of them don’t speak Arabic. And if they did it will be ‘broken Arabic’ because they grew up in the West,” he said.

The role of Islam and freedom of speech are sensitive in Morocco, where the royal dynasty regards itself as the Prophet Muhammad’s descendants, and the king retains the title of The Commander of the Faithful - an historic term for early Muslim rulers. Yet the YouTuber was not afraid to tackle thorny issues:

“Morocco is different from the Middle East, because it is fundamentally a Berber society, the Arabs came as outsiders in the 7th Century. Today in Morocco there are Arabs, Berbers, Muslims, Jews, atheists, non-religionists and Baha’is, there are Shias and Sunnis.”

Considering this Moroccan success “a victory for Arabism and Islam is an attack on the various components of the Moroccan society”, he went on to say.

In response to the pan-Arabists or Islamists seeking to hijack the Moroccan triumph for their own use, posts on social media proliferated to claim back the team as Morocco’s. Some posted pictures of the team emblazoned with Amazigh symbols.

Other critics highlighted the absurdity of turning a game of football into a religious or ethnic war, arguing that it is inconceivable that a win by France, Brazil or Argentina could be considered a triumph of Christianity.

They pointed out that would be impossible, given the ethnic and religious mix of some of the national football teams in Europe for example.

The controversy over the true identity of the Moroccan team is the latest manifestation of a “culture war” that has raged for decades across North Africa and the Middle East.

National identity has been central to the two ideologies - Islamism and pan-Arabism - that shaped political discourse in the region for decades.

While they made sense during the struggle for national liberation, prioritising social cohesion over individual freedom, they seem to have outlived their usefulness and become irrelevant in an increasingly globalised world - as the row over a football match clearly demonstrates.

Source: BBC

Mr Barrow defeated long-serving

President Yahya Jammeh in a shock election victory in December 2016. Mr Jammeh was forced into exile in

President Adama Barrow first came to office in January 2017

Morocco garnered support from the rest of Africa - including from this crowd in Senegal - as they took on France

ews F rom A si A

Donki discount store mascot survives axe after Japanese uproar

Ancient South Australia cave art destroyed by vandals

Vandals have destroyed sacred artwork in South Australia thought to be about 30,000 years old.

The Nullarbor Plain art, which are designs carved into the chalk limestone walls of the Koonalda Cave, has special significance for the region’s Aboriginal Mirning people.

The vandals are thought to have dug under a steel gate before scrawling “don’t look now, but this is a death cave” on the walls.

The authorities are investigating.

“This is quite frankly shocking,” South Australia Attorney-General and Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Kyam Maher, told ABC Radio. “These caves are some of the earliest evidence of Aboriginal occupation of that part of the country.”

Japan’s largest discount chain has reversed a decision to replace its mascot after outrage from fans online.

Don Quijote, called Donki in Japan, has over 600 stores in the country and is known for selling a huge range of products at cheap prices.

Its mascot Donpen, a blue penguin which wears a Santa hat, has become synonymous with the store.

So an announcement that Donpen would be replaced sparked widespread shock on Japanese social media last week.

The company announced on Twitter it had decided to replace the penguin with “Dojo-chan” - an anthropomorphic representation of the Japanese katakana character “do”.

It did not give a reason for the change.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

That prompted an outpouring of dismayed reactions online. Some fans posted photos of themselves in Donpen onesies, while others threatened to boycott Donki stores.

Another user launched a poll asking which mascot Donki fans preferred. That attracted more than 33,000 clicks with Donpen winning 93% of the vote.

The change also appeared to have blindsided Don Quijote president Naoki Yoshida. He said on Twitter he didn’t “understand the situation either” and had asked “relevant departments” for clarification.

A few hours later, Mr Yoshida announced that Donpen would remain as the company’s mascot.

“We have taken the opinions of many of you very seriously and have discussed them with our board members. As a result, it was decided that ‘Donpen’ would continue as the official character,” he said.

The company behind Don Quijote, Pan Pacific International Holdings, also apologised for the incident and said they appreciated fans’ support for Donpen.

Donpen was born in Antarctica and raised in Tokyo, according to the official Donki website. He enjoys taking “walks at night” and “it’s rumoured his appearance changes”, the store says.

Don Quijote was one of the few stores in Japan to turn a profit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: BBC

Senior Mirning elder, Uncle Bunna Lawrie, told the BBC he first heard about the “devastating” vandalism from the media and said it was another example of “the constant disrespect” his people had experienced.

“It’s abuse to our country and it’s abuse to our history,” he said. “What’s gone is gone and we’re never going to get it back.”

The Koonalda Cave has been listed as a National Heritage site since 2014.

Mr Maher said that those found responsible for the vandalism could face prosecution, something Mr Lawrie says he would welcome.

But Mr Maher and the federal government have been criticised both by elders and cave experts who say they raised the issue of poor security around the site months ago.

Individuals found to have damaged an Aboriginal site or item currently face a fine of A$10,000 ($6,700; £5,500) or up to six months in prison under South Australia’s Aboriginal heritage laws.

However, the authorities have vowed to strengthen these laws following an inquiry

into the destruction of the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge rock shelters.

Mining giant Rio Tinto was ordered to rebuild the Western Australian site after blowing the shelters up as part of an iron ore exploration project in 2020. Several senior figures from the company resigned over the incident.

Mr Lawrie said better laws to protect Aboriginal culture should have been put in place a long time ago.

Maiden Pharmaceuticals: Gambia panel says India firm culpable for cough syrup deaths

Aparliamentary committee in The Gambia has recommended prosecution of the Indian manufacturer of cough syrups suspected of causing the deaths of at least 70 children in the country.

It said Maiden Pharmaceuticals should be held accountable for exporting what it called contaminated medicine.

The WHO had issued an alert in October advising regulators to stop the sale of the syrups.

Maiden Pharmaceuticals had denied the allegations.

Government labs in India said their tests on the syrups found that they were “complying with specifications”. An Indian official said last week that the WHO was “presumptuous” in blaming the syrups.

But the global health body told the BBC it was only following its mandate and “stands by the action taken”.

After weeks of investigation, the Gambian parliamentary committee has now recommended that authorities should take tough measures, including banning all Maiden Pharmaceuticals products in the country and taking legal action against the firm.

The committee said it “is convinced that Maiden Pharmaceuticals [is] culpable and should be held accountable for exporting the contaminated medicines”.

“The findings remain the same with the previous reports which indicates that Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup were contaminated with diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol,” the parliamentary committee said in its report.

Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans and could be fatal if consumed. But the panel added that the exact scientific cause of the children’s deaths was still under investigation.

The committee also wanted the country’s Medicine Control Agency to ensure all medicines imported into the country are properly registered and background checks conducted on manufacturers - including visiting their facilities.

The report also revealed inadequacies in

the country’s healthcare system urging the government to strengthen it and provide better equipment and medicines to the country’s hospitals.

What happened?

In late July, The Gambia detected an increase in cases of acute kidney injury among children under the age of five. The government later said around 69 children had died from these injuries.

The WHO then identified four of the Maiden Pharmaceuticals’ medicines as potentially linked to the deaths of the Gambian children and issued a global alert.

After the news broke in October, India said that it was investigating the products and ordered Maiden Pharmaceuticals to stop production at its main factory in the northern state of Haryana.

On 13 December, Dr VG Somani, India’s drugs controller general, wrote a letter to the WHO saying that the samples it tested at a government laboratory “were found not to have been contaminated” with the compounds.

“As per the test reports received from [the]

government laboratory, all the control samples of the four products have been found to be complying with specifications,” he added.

The test results are being further examined by a panel of Indian experts.

A senior adviser to India’s information and broadcasting ministry told the BBC last week that the WHO had been “presumptuous” in blaming the cough syrups for the deaths of the children.

“Subsequent inspections, tests and studies by Government of India’s notified bodies and technical team have shown that WHO’s presumptuous statement was untrue and incorrect,” said Kanchan Gupta, adding that the health body had “[jumped] the gun without valid scientific reasons”.

India produces a third of the world’s medicines, mostly in the form of generic drugs.

Home to some of the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies, the country is known as the “world’s pharmacy” and meets much of the medical needs of African nations.

Maiden Pharmaceuticals: Gambia panel says India firm culpable for cough syrup deaths

Elders and cave experts say they raised concerns about security at the site months ago

The WHO had advised regulators to stop the sale of the four Indian-made cough syrups

Environment

COP27: Ministries partners on youth climate action

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Federal Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Youth and Sports Development have partnered on youth climate action.

This was contained in a statement signed and signed by Akintunde Martins For Head Press and Public Relations.

They said this will forged a common ground to acknowledge, intensify and harmonize the contributions of young people to mitigating climate change in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Minister of Youth and Sport.

The minister of sports Sunday Dare acknowledge the critical role of the youth in climate change mitigation, during a side event on intergeneration dialogue between leaders and the youths.

He said “Young people are not only victims of climate change. They are also valuable contributors to climate action as agents of change, entrepreneurs and innovators.

Hence, their unprecedented mobilization around the world shows the massive power they possess to contribute meaningfully in achieving the objectives of COP 27 and beyond”

While commending the youth for their resilience, tenacity and forward-thinking in the areas of climate change mitigation, the Minister appeal to the youth to support the efforts of the Federal Government at ensuring not just a better future for all but more importantly a better world for them and those that will come after.

Adding that COP27 is happening during a time when Nigeria is grappling with the multi-faceted impacts of Climate Change ranging from flooding, drought, deforestation and heat waves, the Minister assured of maximum support and contribution of his Ministry to recognize and amplify the indispensable role of young people in driving sustainable development and sustainable environments.

He used the occasion to announce the launch of Project 250k for Climate Change, a project that will support Nigerian youth to plant and nurture two hundred and fifty thousand trees across the federation.

Welcoming the Minister of Youth and Sports development as well as youth representatives to the Nigeria Pavilion, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi echoed that for Nigeria to achieve its climate change mitigation target, the role and contributions of the youth must be recognized and enlisted.

“The truth is that the youth must be involved in all climate change mitigation efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria going forward.”

COP27: Buhari urges developed countries on adaptation acceleration programme

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

President

Muhammadu

Buhari MUHAMMADU , said there is a dire need for developed countries to expand existing adaptation acceleration programmes for developing countries.

He made the called recently at the at the high level segment of the 27th session of the conference of parties(COP27), to United Nations framework convention on climate change .

Buhari represented by the minister of environment, Mohammed Abdullahi,said “Africa contributes about 3% to the global emissions but is left to cope with the devasting impacts of climate change.

Nigeria and the rest of Africa, call for an effective and sustainable framework that will address the socio-economic effects of energy transition including energy poverty, loss of jobs and livelihoods.

“Nigeria has spearheaded initiatives aimed at recovering degraded land for the Sahara and the Sahel such as the Great Green Wall”.

He maintained that as the largest economy in Africa, we are engaging the G7 to request the inclusion of Nigeria in the G7’s Climate Partnerships List for the co-creation of a Just Energy Transition Partnership.

The president recalled that “At COP26, I did say for Nigeria, climate change is not about the perils of tomorrow but what is happening today.”

“Today, Nigeria is currently grappling with devasting effects of terrible flooding which has affected 3.2 million persons, over 600 lives lost, over

100,000 persons displaced and over 300 hectares of farmlands destroyed”.

He explained that Nigeria and indeed the rest of Africa, from the Sahara to the Cape, is living with increasing fear of food insecurity as a result of the floods.

He said the economic cost for Loss and Damage for Africa is estimated at almost USD 2 Trillion excluding noneconomic losses.

“Developed nations must not ignore the demand from developing nations to establish a Loss and Damage finance facility to help developing nations recover from the adverse effects of climate change, particularly the devastating floods, worsening desertification, and rising sea levels”.

“At COP26 in Glasgow, I announced Nigeria’s commitment to net-zero by 2060 on the basis of a detailed Energy Transition Plan (ETP). This plan, the first of its kind in Africa highlights the significant scale of resources required to attain both development and climate ambitions by 2060”.

He said however, the public finance urgently needed to fund energy transitions and climate action is lacking – a situation compounded by debt distress affecting many low- and middleincome countries.

“We are therefore taking bold steps to pioneer innovative climate finance instruments such as debt for climate swaps; and championing the development of the African carbon market initiative. In

support of this, Nigeria has enacted the climate change law alongside the initial governance framework and launched the Nigeria Emission Trading Scheme (ETS).

To signal investment readiness, we have made significant progress in creating the enabling policies and incentives to advance a shortlist of priority projects, including Renewable Solar Independent Power Plants (IPPs), scaled Decentralized”,said .

He added that renewable Energy (DRE) projects and gas flare commercialization opportunities, to name a few. We are hopeful that investors at the global community will recognize the immense investment opportunities and potential for impact.

COP27 : African environment ministers form common ground to negotiate for loss, damage

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

African Ministers of Environment have forged a common ground to drive and negotiate for loss and damage, just energy transition, food security; climate finance, land degradation, and biodiversity conservation, as COP 27 enter the second week and final phase that will see heated negation and critical decision being made.

The renewed call for a united African position was made at a consultative meeting

of the African Ministers of Environment-High level segment organized to reiterate the African position as well as to receive briefs from African negotiators and chart a common course for harmonization ahead of the final phase of negotiation.

Addressing the meeting of African Ministers, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi acknowledged that Nigeria will align itself with the African position.

“We are not going to take a know it position and that is why

we are here at the levels of Africa’s Ministers of Environment to meet and harmonize our position especially focusing on loss and damage”

“You are quite aware of the devastating flood in Nigeria and other parts of the world, basically Nigeria remains focused on loss and damage, climate finance, and biodiversity conservation. We are on course on our position” Abdullahi stated.

The Minister speaking on the effort put in place to ensure that COP 27 is indeed a COP of implementation for

Nigeria, expressed that Nigeria is holding specific meetings with developed countries, donor partners, development partners, multi-national companies, and other stakeholders in the environment sector both local and international, to ensure that firm implementable commitments and decisions geared toward Africa’s agenda are reached.

“We are also putting pressure on developed countries to ensure that commitments are firmed and implementable.” The Minister avowed.

Some Nigeria Delegates at COP27 at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

El Salvador: The people caught up in the gang crackdown

When El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele attended a graduation ceremony for military officers last week, he brought more than just warm words for their future careers in law enforcement.

He also delivered the latest escalation in his ruthless crackdown on the country’s street gangs which has seen a staggering 57,000 people arrested on suspicion of gang affiliation since March.

Yet Mr Bukele’s self-proclaimed “war on gangs” has also given rise to some disturbing cases of wrongful arrest.

“Thanks to God and thanks to you, Salvadoreans have true peace”, President Bukele told thousands of soldiers and police officers in a slickly produced nighttime event to launch the fifth phase of his controversial “Territorial Control Plan”.

Called “Extraction”, it is intended to tighten the military’s control of El Salvador’s major cities using high-tech surveillance equipment, ostensibly to prevent gang members from coming in or out. The operation began this weekend with 10,000 members of the security forces descending on the town of Soyapango where they started rounding up alleged gang members.

President Bukele dismissed the concerns of international human rights organisations and foreign governments over the “state of exception” he introduced nine months ago, following a weekend of extreme gang violence in which more than 70 people were killed.

The emergency measure granted the police sweeping new powers, including the right to detain suspects without due process. Mr Bukele told the officers it was supported by more than 95% of Salvadoreans.

It is undeniably popular. Murder rates are falling to new lows. Neighbourhoods which have endured years of extortion and violence at the hands of the brutal MS13 and 18th Street gangs are enjoying an unprecedented period of calm.

However, El Salvador’s prison population is now proportionally the highest in the world. Already overcrowded facilities are heaving under the new intake, prompting the government to announce the construction of a major new penitentiary.

Evidence suggests hundreds, perhaps thousands of people with no discernible link to gang crime have been caught in the dragnet.

When police officers came crashing through Zoyla Torres’s front door in April, she thought they must have made a mistake.

“We don’t make trouble for anyone,” she insists. “My husband has nothing to do with the gangs. He works in a factory making sacks for transporting crops.”

Nevertheless, the police stormed their cramped home and detained her husband Manuel and her brother-in-law while her children were eating breakfast.

Over the road, at her brother’s house, the same thing was happening - all on the strength of an anonymous tip.

The three men spent almost a month in the harshest prison conditions in Latin America. Zoyla says that they were regularly beaten in jail and have been left traumatised by the experience.

Yet they were among the lucky ones. Zoyla managed to get them freed them after their employer provided assurances that they were not involved in gang activities.

Marta, an 18-year-old psychology student, was not so fortunate. Her father Oscar says that Marta - not her real name - was taken her from her home after the police tried to force her to name a gang member.

As she did not know any gang members and was not prepared to falsely accuse anyone, they simply arrested her instead, Oscar says.

“In late December she’ll have been in prison for six months. They arrested her for illicit association. But they provided no proof, no evidence at all.”

Oscar’s attempts to secure his daughter’s release - providing evidence of her enrolment in university and testimony from her church group as to her good characterhave so far fallen on deaf ears.

And now Marta, like thousands of other prisoners, is facing a further six months in legal limbo as the state of exception is to be extended again this year.

Lucrecia Landaverde, a pro-bono lawyer representing scores of detainees, says that the policy is causing lasting damage to El Salvador’s judicial system.

“So far, there have been involved thousands of arbitrary arrests, unfounded accusations, and illegal detentions. There haven’t even been preliminary investigations to check that those arrested form part of the gang structures,” she argues.

With habeas corpus all but suspended and some police reportedly justifying the arbitrary detentions as simply “the president’s will”, the road to full-blown totalitarianism is short, warns Ms Landaverde.

The crackdown has also targeted scores of ex-gang members too, many of whom had renounced the gang life decades earlier and were attempting to make amends for their past crimes.

Among them is William Arias, an evangelical pastor and former MS-13 member the BBC interviewed in 2018.

A tattoo of the gang’s initials still visible on his forehead, William fully admitted to having carried out some heinous crimes in his youth. Yet he insisted that for 18 years, he had entirely dedicated himself to dissuading other young people from following his path into the group.

He was arrested in April, his whereabouts are currently unknown. “If he hasn’t been released, he doubtless still had charges to answer,” the vice-president of the National Assembly, Guillermo Gallegos, said.

“And remember, many gang members use the church as a pretext,” he alleged. The staunchly pro-Bukele deputy has repeatedly advocated for the death sentence for El

Salvador’s gang members.

“The gang members never cared less about their victims’ human rights,” says Mr

Gallegos, echoing the president’s line. “So, now

we

consider their human rights to be reduced to the bare minimum.” BBC

President Nayib Bukele has made cracking down on gang violence his priority

Soldiers stood to attention as the president delivered his speech at the nighttime event

With the new influx of detainees, some inmates have had to be transferred to make space for new arrivals

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How Life Camp Volleyball Club is setting the pace in Nigeria’s grassroots volleyball development

By Amaechi Agbo

Private ownership of a volleyball club in Nigeria is not common. This is primarily due to the huge capital involvement to run such a project in the country.

However, Life Camp Volleyball Club in Jabi, Abuja, the first and only privately owned volleyball club in the country has been redefining volleyball private ownership and grassroots development with articulated programmes.

One of such programmes is the Life Camp Volleyball Club Championship, a traditional end-of-the-year competition that brings to an end all actives of the club each year.

The competition which has spanned six years - from 2014 till date - was held between December 16 and 18, 2022. Team White won both male and female categories.

The final played on Sunday December 18 saw prominent individuals both in politics and sports grace the tournament despite the two final matches coinciding with the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The World Cup final between Argentina and France kicked off by 4pm, same time as the Life Camp Volleyball Club Championship. But prominent personalities who love football very much, ignored the World Cup final to honour the volleyball tournament held at Jabi Lake Park, Abuja.

Dignitaries present at the 6th In-House Volleyball Tournament organised by Life Camp Volleyball Club includes: Dr Babangida Aliyu - former Governor of Niger State; Sen Olubunmi Olujimi: Sen Shehu Sani - former senator representing Kaduna Central District at the National Assembly; former minister of sports, Eng Sani Ndanusa; Nigeria Volleyball Federation President, Engr. Musa Nimrod; Commodore Aliyu Pindar, Chairman, FCT Volleyball Association, among others.

Their presence at the final justified the huge interest the Life Camp Volleyball Club Championship has generated over the past years.

The six teams that came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each categories shared N440, 000 total prize money, a board member of the club and Chairman Technical Committee, Arc. Adamu Tanimu told our correspondent that the club is the pace setter in establishing privately sponsored volleyball club in the country.

While going back memory lane to recreate the foundation of the Life Camp Volleyball Club Abuja, he enumerated it’s achievements which include the qualification of the club to the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, sustaining the annual competition for the past six years as the in-roads the club has made within a short time.

He mentioned key challenges facing the club as funding/ Sponsorship, publicity, among others.

Below are excerpts from our correspondent’s interaction with Arc.

Adamu Tanimu:

In the Beginning

The Life Camp Volleyball Club 6th In-house Competition is a traditional end-of-the-year competition which brings us to the end of all activities as far as 2022 is concerned.

Life Camp Volleyball Club stared by some group of players that have played the game to national level from across the country here in Abuja so that we find a platform where after we have retired from active volleyball, play the game at our own pace. It is also in consideration of the need to establish a private volleyball platform that will encourage individuals to come and support the volleyball federation so that we reach our ultimate objective of representing the country internationally.

We involve several people such that Life Camp Volleyball Club has become a household name in the country. Mark you, Life Camp Volleyball Club is the only privately sponsored volleyball club in the country that has a team in the Premier League, has a playing ground that is of standard as far as outdoor volleyball is concerned globally.

The Challenges

In any human endeavour, you can but not do without challenges. Like I said, this is the single privately owned volleyball club in the country and is taking volleyball to this level. Of course, supporting such kind of club with the facilities that you can see needs funding and that is why you don’t normally see this kind of facilities all over the country except those established by government. Funding is the number one challenge.

Trying to support the government’s intention of bringing the youth out of their conundrum so that their interest now come into sports and they develop themselves, intellect and become proper better Nigerian is also a difficulty.

Publicity is also there. We are finding it very difficult to get all over the country so that volleyball becomes that number one sport in the country, is a challenge.

Other than that, of course, we have so few minor challenges that are purely inward. How we administer ourselves and get ourselves to that practice of best club management, especially volleyball club that is found all

over the world.

Naming 2022 Competition after Nigeria Volleyball Federation President

Volleyball has been facing numerous challenges within the past years but the coming of the current president into the federation, we realized that there are so many innovations that are bringing the volleyball community in the country together which is improving our performance outrightly internationally. Therefore, such kind of individual needs to be encouraged, supported and be giving the right credit where they deserve it the more so that we will be able to bring in those ones that are sitting on the fence so that they will be able to take this our volleyball into that level we are thinking of.

Promotion To The Premier League

All the clubs that are playing in the Premier League are either owned by one corporate, some how, a government organization or mostly paramilitary organisations. So we have become the pace setters so

that other individuals that are out there, can come in and set such kind of project towards competing in the premier league.

That will boost our performance internationally as a country, in terms of volleyball competitions. That is our aim and how we think we can sustain this project towards achieving that our ultimate aim of being the premier privately owned volleyball club in the country.

Appeal For Sponsorship

Volleyball Club is a capital intensive project especially at private level. We are doing our best, we took the challenge to get the club promoted to the Volleyball Premier League. After achieving that, we now need more funding to sustain the club up there.

One of the things that we see as prime challenge is funding. To tackle this challenge, we have to think inward and from there look outward to highly spirited individuals and corporate organisations to come to our aid by sponsoring some of these competitions that we are getting into. We need sponsors, support to remain up there in the league.

Team White players celebrating their victory

“But you have not given us joy” - Super Eagles lambasted on happy Christmas message

By Amaechi Agbo

Ten months after the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 8 days after the final, Nigeria football followers are yet to get over the disappointment and pain of the team’s absence in Qatar.

And it does appear that they waited till Christmas Day to pour out their anger as a section of the fans have lampooned the team for wishing them “merry Christmas” on December 25.

The Super Eagles took to their official Tweeter page to wish Nigerians “merry Christmas” with the following message “We hope this Christmas brings you joy and happiness”

The message however, did not go down well with some of the fans who questioned how the team could wish them “joy and happiness” when they have not given Nigerians such.

Below are reactions to the post by fans:

@PeterObi4president said “They (the) only joy una fit give me , is to win they next Afcon tournament and maybe 2026 world cup with Peter Obi attending both finals as President of Nigeria , baba God please run am for us as Christmas gift.

@Frankie2560 asked the players to show more dedication, he said “We need results pls,relate our message...we wish them and their families merry christmas. we need more dedication from the likes (of) Aribo and Lookman not strolling on the pitch (Aribo) or losing ball carelessly (Lookman)”

@Big_Bhat tweeted “But you haven’t given us joy and happiness”

@Cimmoski has this to say “This wishing is not good at all. More like from ndi na amaro ball aku to ndi Ike Uwa gwuru....

Merry Xmas to you people there.”

@JettoeUchir simply called it message a “Poor PR. Should have been our home jersey”

@JAYKAYCII “The joy and happiness you and your eagles took away from the people? you’re now hoping something else restores it?”

@Gen_Sani_111 “Ameen...Wishes the National team will live up to the task”

@DurojaiyeSegun “So your team, which consists of semi average players, can steal the joy & happiness away again by 2023 after crashing out of the AFCON group stage?”

@Babalol24830224 asked the team to ‘psrk well” tweeting “You say what?? Where is d super in the Eagles? Or what is super in these

Niger Tornadoes Chairman, Coach, Others, Bag Awards For Excellent Performance

Niger Tornadoes FC’ Fans Club have conferred an award of excellence on the chairman of Niger Tornadoes Football Club Minna, Hon. Adamu Aliyu Mohammed.

In an event that took place at the Niger Tornadoes FC Secretariat, Ministry Of Youth and Sports Development over the week, the Technical Adviser of the State owned team, Abubakar Bala Mohammed also received an award alongside four players, for their outstanding performance last season.

According to the organizers of the award ceremony (Fans Club) the essence of rewarding the outstanding performers, is to encourage other players to emulate their colleagues to always give their all when called upon.

The Fans Club which was created and registered in 2016 with the aim of volunteering to give the much needed support to the team, had Amos Silas Jako as her first Chairman, while the current chairman is Abubakar Adamu Layi.

Aside organizing an award ceremony, the FANS CLUB have always made it a duty to vote and recognize best player of the team on a weekly bases during league matches.

The Award for Excellent Performance were presented to Niger Tornadoes Chairman Hon. Adamu Aliyu, Technical Adviser, Abubakar Bala Mohammed, Teams Captains, Ifeanyi Okoye and Sunday Akinmoladun, the other two players who bagged awards are; Lukman Mohammed

and Daniel Edeh who had since departed the club and pitched tent with a foreign club.

Responding on behalf of all the recipients, Abubakar Bala Mohammed, acknowledged the important contributions of the FANS CLUB and said their efforts can not be underestimated.

While calling on the need to sustain the tempo and maintain a greater synergy between the FANS & SUPPORTER’S CLUB in the best interest of the team, Coach Bala urged them to spread their tentacles in the area of seeking partnership and sponsorship as obtainable in the most developed places.

He stressed that the issue of sponsorship which is generally lacking among Nigeria clubsides must be tackled so as reduce over dependence on government.

He said, “For instance, most clubs including Tornadoes do not have economic right of players, losing huge amount of money to agents, anytime players secure deals outside the shores of the country. In our case when Daniel Edeh secured his move away, his agent took the lion share of the whole transfer fees, as a result of inability to pay his clearance fees outrightly, so a lot need to be done in this aspect”.

Thereafter, Coach Bala made a pledge of N100,000 to the FANS CLUB.

Also speaking, the special guest of honor at the event, APC State Publicity Secretary Hon. Labaran Sarkin Kaji, while reiterating that

Niger Tornadoes is one of the famous clubsides in Nigeria with supporters spread within and outside the State, said, football is loved and cherished by many but performed by the youth, hence the need for government to give the sector a special attention. He said football if well

harnessed can boost the economy of a state, he commended the current chairman of the team, Hon. Adamu Aliyu for doing so well in terms of piloting the affairs of the team and used the occasion call on the Coaches to place special consideration on home based players.

Club Owners boycott 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League season

By Amaechi Agbo

Crisis has hit the proposed kickoff of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season slated for January 8 as Club Owners have withdrawn their participation in the new season.

The Chairman, Club Owners Association, Barr Isaac Danladi confirmed the development in a release issued on Christmas Day.

According the release, the Club Owners vowed not to attend the Wednesday, December 28 draw for the new season neither would they participate in the league if the

Interim Management Committee, IMC goes ahead to adopt an abridged format for the new season against a majority decision for a straight league.

“This is to bring to your notice that we are in receipt of the above circular inviting clubs for the 2023 NPFL draws on abridged league format.

“Consequently, I wish to further inform members and state categorically that this is not in consonance with the joint decision of clubs and IMC at the last meeting of Wednesday 21st Dec 2022 whereby it was agreed inter-alia that the abridged league

proposed by IMC and the straight league which was overwhelmingly proposed by the clubs would be communicated to NFF by the IMC for further necessary action.

“We are therefore perplexed and amazed that just few hours after the meeting, IMC came up with a circular fixing 28th December as date for draws based on abridge league format,” the release said.

“We wish to categorically dissociate ourselves with the circular and state firmly that clubs would not be part of the draws on 28th December 2022, neither would we participate in an abridged league.

The clubs remain resolute in their quest to have a “better league that will endure, hence we cannot be part of an arrangement that will not be beneficial to football development in Nigeria.

“In view of the above, a meeting of the club Owners is being proposed for 28th December 2022 in Asaba Delta state to review matters arising among other things.

“Details of the meeting and other logistics will be announced soonest, please.

“We appreciate members for their patience and good conducts since this saga started.”

Eagles??? I beg park well”

Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Abuja on March 29. Ghana qualified on away goal rule.

Argentina were crowned champions of

the world on Sunday December 18 after they defeated France 4-2 on penalties to lift the diadem.

The Super Eagles will regroup in March next year as they continue qualification race for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

Super Eagles Christmas message

Niger Tornadoes award reception

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana retires from international football

By Amaechi Agbo

Less than a month after he was sent out of the Indomitable Lions camp in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup due to disciplinary actions, Cameroon first choice goalkeeper, Andre Onana has announced his retirement from international football.

The Inter Milan of Italy shotstopper retired aged 26.

In a post he made on Twitter Friday, Onana told a short story of how he dreamed of wearing the Indomitable Lions jersey stressing that “however beautiful a story it may be, has its end. And my story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end.”

“It all started in Ngol Nkok, a small village where, from a very young age, my family passed on to me the values that identify the Cameroonian people. understood that love for this country is eternal and that commitment is nonnegotiable.

“I remember how we watch the matches as a family. Only Cameroonians can understand what it means to us to see the Indomitable Lions play. That’s when I started dreaming of one day wearing the national team jersey. And now, after endless hours of training, endless trips and a lot of perseverance, I can proudly say that I have fulfilled my great dream.

“But every story, however beautiful it may be, has its end. And my story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end. Players come and go, names are fleeting, but Cameroon comes before any person or player.

“Cameroon remains eternal and so does my love for the national team and for our people who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment was. My feeling will never change. My Cameroonian heart will continue to beat and wherever I go I will always fight to lift the flag of Cameron as high as possible.

“I will continue to support as a

fan, just as the more than 27 million Cameroonians do at every match. I can only thank all those who trusted me and believed that I could add and contribute to this team. The nation first and forever”

Onana who had 34 caps in a sixyear international career debuted for Cameroon in a 2–1 friendly win over Gabon in September 2016. He featured in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations thirdplace game against Burkina Faso.

On 9 November 2022, he was named in the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played the first match against Switzerland, before being dropped in the second against Serbia, then he was eventually suspended from the tournament on 28 November, due to a disciplinary issue related to arguments about tactics with his coach Rigobert Song.

Onana announced his retirement from international football on 23 December 2022

Morocco to build 93, 000 capacity stadium in 2025

By Amaechi Agbo

Fresh from their historic World Cup performances in 2022 World Cup where they became the first African country to reach the Semi-final stage, Morocco is planning to build a 93, 000 capacity national stadium in 2025.

Morocco plans to launch 93,000 capacity Grand Stadium of Casablanca in 2025.

Sited in its largest city, Casablanca, the stadium will serve as the home of the Moroccan men’s national team, the Atlas Lions.

Morocco became the first African Nation to reach World Cup Semi-final in Qatar where they earned $25 million for 4th place after losing the 3rd-place playoff 2-1 against Croatia on Saturday Morocco stunned the world with their selling performances, going unbeaten up until their final four fixture against France.

Morocco’s Atlas Lions are ranked 11 in the new FIFA World Rankings released last week.

Also, Morocco’s King, Mohammed VI decorated the players, coach, Walid Regragui and the president of the

Moroccan FA, Faouzi Lekjaa with national honours following their Qatar World Cup heroics.

The team returned home to much fanfare as Moroccans took to the streets to cheer on the players, who had made history for the North African nation on the world stage, during their parade around the capital city of Rabat on an open-top bus.

Morocco became the first ever African country to qualify for the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup, after their remarkable 1-0 victory over Portugal national team and they went on to finish at the 4th spot

of the competition.

Prior to this year’s edition of FIFA World Cup in Qatar, no African country made it beyond the quarter-final of the FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions played seven matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they secured four victories, drew one and lost two.

The King hosted the team alone with the mothers of the players.

Morocco bided to host the 2026 World Cup but lost the hosting rights to United States of America, Canada and Mexico who are co-hosting the global tournament slated to be played in June-July 2026.

Zambia appoints Avram Grant as new coach ahead of 2025 AFCON qualifiers

By Amaechi Agbo

2012 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON champions, Zambia have named former Chelsea manager, Avram Grant as new Coach ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

The former Portsmouth and West Ham boss signed a two-year deal with an option to extend.

The former Ghana national team coach said his choice of Zambia was “for the right challenge” and expressed optimism of “doing a good job” with the team.

‘I was looking for the right challenge and that’s why I chose Zambia,’ Grant, 67, said at a press conference in Lusaka on Thursday.

“I came here because of the challenge and I hope when I leave here I will look around and say we did a good job and made a good foundation for the future.

‘I think Zambia has the potential, we have set the targets of what we want to achieve.’

Grant’s time in England was most notable for leading Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final, which they lost on penalties to Manchester United.

The Israeli also steered Portsmouth to the 2010 FA Cup final, which they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.

But he was in charge of Portsmouth and West Ham when they were both relegated from the Premier League.

Grant later led Ghana to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final and a penalty shoot-out defeat to the Ivory Coast.

Zambia failed to qualify for the African knockout stages of 2022 World Cup qualification and parted company with Croatian coach Aljosa Asanovic in October.

Grant’s first games will be 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

The Chipolopolo are currently second in the AFCON Group H qualifying race with 3 points from two matches. They will face Lesotho on March 20 and 28 next year.

Former Cameroon goalkeeper, André Onana

Avram Grant (middle) unveiled as new Zambia coach

LATEST SPORTS Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth: Kai Havertz and Mason Mount score but Reece James injured on comeback

The fallacy of ANAP/NOI polls

Chelsea earned their first Premier League win since October 16 as Kai Havertz and Mason Mount’s goals secured a 2-0 home win over Bournemouth, but the hosts’ day was soured when Reece James’ comeback was ended by injury.

James was named in the starting XI by Graham Potter as he returned from more than two months out with a knee injury and excelled for nearly an hour before going down in front of the head coach and having to be replaced.

The right-back’s exit seemed to rock Chelsea, who loosened their grip on the game and allowed Bournemouth back into the contest, but the visitors lacked the quality to trouble the Blues, who had lost their last three games without scoring a goal.

But strikes from Havertz (16) and Mount (24) before James’ injury had put Chelsea in a commanding position and they were able to see out the win to relieve the pressure on Potter and close the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham to six points, with a game in hand.

Neither Chelsea nor Bournemouth went into their clash at Stamford Bridge with much to shout about, given the Blues had not win in five Premier League games and the Cherries had just one victory from their last seven matches in the competition.

Chelsea still went into the game as strong favourites and had gone a long way to wrapping up the result before the 30-minute mark thanks Havertz and Mount, who provided the end product to some vastly improved attacking play by the previously profligate Blues.

Source: skysports.com

One balmy evening last week I esconced on the sofa in my residence and watched Seun Okinbaloye on Channels television reveal the outcome of election projection results conducted by ANAP Foundation and NOI supported by Channels television. For those who know the Lagos business circuit and the personalities behind the two outfits would not be surprised by the collaboration , which I must say is also an attempt at deepening our democratic culture through the templates of audience measurements, feedback and research. The challenge however with embarking on these type of opinion polls is that it is primarily databased , methodologydriven and such analysis contextualized withiñ the framework of the instruments being used to collect and interprete data. This recent poll did not reflect the diversity in the demographics of age , gender , occupation etc of the respondents. Any student of research or precision journalism knows the role of research methology , sample population , sample size and probability or nonprobability sampling. ANAP/NOI polls did not define the sampling of 92 million registered voters spread across the country and how they were targeted. This population of registered voters might provide for 1000 respondents for example. Those 1000 registered voters must capture the voters using phone to respond as

Guest Columnist

By Danladi Bako, PhD

well as those with faceto-face application of questionaires. Within this population ANAP needed to define how many respondents are from each state since it is a national survey intended to project the popularity of the presidential candidates. The sampling technique of how the choices of respondents were made must reflect not only display a national spread but also demographic and socio-economic parameters.

Considering that internet penetration is only about 49 percent within Nigeria and essentially they are urban based covering about 30 percent of Nigerians who live within the cities , it totally blacks out the opinions and choices of no less than 70 percent of the rural voters. Statistics show that Nigeria’s predominant internet users are the youth aged between 1640years . Furthermore, in this case some of the respondents on our social media platforms are in such far-flung countries

like Vietnam , Belarus and Papua New Guinea. Permit me to bring my wide travelling experience and it’s geographic implications to bear on this issue. Within the Asian sub-continent the majority of the Nigerian diaspora community are from the South East and South south. The Europe and American continents hold out more South West diaspora folks . Like wise if you want to be fair to northern candidates in any kind of survey you go to the Arabian peninsula covering Saudi Arabia, Egypt , Dubai etc.

Any sampling technique that is short of these variables will produce a misinformed and fallacious poll result. I probably agree that there exists huge risks in human face to face application of survey instruments in the crises - prone , bandit infested areas , but then it is even more dangerous creating a farcical facade of hope for otherwise not so popular candidates and their cohorts by raising their hopes and adrenaline levels to the point that

when eventual election results are announced late February 2023, their grief - stricken followers now embark on an orgy of violence over results they had been fooled will go their way.

This is the credibilty and viability challenge that the ANAP NOI polls face.

Much as we need to engender the utilisation of surveys and polls for election polls forecast , the devil is in the details of such inadequacies and gross misapplication of methodology as well as the eventual outcomes.

The hiatus of undecided voters as indicated in the results of the exercise also points to the need for not only more rigorous voter education but a retooling of the process and a total discountenance of the flawed results declaring the Labour party candidate Peter Obi as the preferred choice of Nigerians. The premise is faulty , the assumptions are inchoate and therefore the supposed results are misleading and fallacious.

Danladi Bako wrote IN FROM Sokoto

“

Any sampling technique that is short of these variables will produce a misinformed and fallacious poll result