Tuesday, May 30, 2023 Edition

Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu taking the oath of office, his wife Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former

Muhammadu Buhari, his wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari and former President’s son, Yusuf Buhari during the Presidential Inauguration at the Eagle Square, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Dokpesi: I’ve lost a friend and brother, Atiku laments

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has mourned the passing of the founder of Africa Independent Television, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

Atiku, in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on Monday noted that the late Dokpesi was a trailblazer who reshaped the Nigerian business landscape in every sphere of his endeavour.

According to the statement, “Ezemo, as we fondly called him, was an enigmatic business personality, a news maker in life and, sadly, even in death.”

Atiku’s immediate reaction to the news of Dokpesi’s death is an expression of grief and shock, saying: “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! I am in a state of shock! As we say in Islam: from God we came, and to Him, we return. I am in prayers and will continue in prayers!

“My everlasting and deepest condolences to the Raymond Dokpesi family. May God

forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest. Ezemo, not on a date like this should you leave us”, he said.

According to the statement, Dokpesi entered the corporate landscape at a relatively young age, proving the merit of his creativity with distinction”.

The former Vice President said that he enjoyed a closeknit relationship with the late Dokpesi, and the news of his death came to him with a rude shock. His words, “Ezemo was my friend, brother, counsellor, and associate,

all rolled into one. He was honest, detribalised, loyal, and supremely hard working. Once committed to a cause, he will see it to a conclusion.”

He prayed for Dokpesi’s immediate family to have the fortitude to bear the loss of a patriarch.

He also expressed his deepest condolences to the management and staff of AIT, the PDP, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, and the people and government of Edo State over the loss of an impactful patriot.

Niger Governor assures to implement Transition Committee Reports

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state Governor

Umar Mohammed Bago has assured to carefully study and execute reports of the transition committee which will serve as a guide for his administration that will serve with fear of God.

The governor stated this shortly after taking his oath of office and alligence presided over by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Halima Ibrahim

Abdulmalik at the trade fair complex in Minna, saying that 90% of his cabinet will be youths.

Bago further reiterated his commitment to justify the confidence reposed in him and his vice, hence they will not take the mandate for granted, noting that it will not be business as usual but business unusual.

He emphasized that his administration will operate an open door policy, focusing on transparency, accountability and physical discipline irrespective

of tribe, religion and political differences to enhance the development of the state.

The newly sworn in governor presented 13 points agenda his administration will focus on, acknowledging that a glorious new chapter has been open and it is a social contract for a Renew Niger.

The Governor will focus on include security, education, Agriculture, Commerce, Tourism, Civil Service, Health, Water , Electricity, Transportation,

Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Youths and women priority, to complete ongoing 3 arms zone and to involved traditional leaders in governance among others.

The outgoing governor Abubakar Sani Bello was represented by his deputy Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso at the swearing in ceremony attended by former governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, former house of representatives speaker, Yakubu Dogara among other dignitaries across the country.

Gbajabiamila sad over Dopkesi’s death

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has expressed sadness over the death of the chairman and founder of the AIT/Raypower FM, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dopkesi.

Gbajabiamila described Chief Dopkesi as a patriotic Nigerian who would be sorely missed.

He said he received the news of the media entrepreneur with rude shock, noting that he has left a vacuum in the Nigerian media industry as the pioneer of private radio station in Nigeria.

The Speaker recalled how Chief Dopkesi combined his media entrepreneurship with politics, which he said provided the late owner of AIT/Raypower FM the opportunity to appreciate leadership in the country.

Gbajabiamila sent his heartfelt condolences to the AIT/Raypower family, people

and government of Edo State, especially the people of WeppaWanno Kingdom, where Chief Dopkesi held the traditional title of Ezomo.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the late media mogul, Gbajabiamila prayed to God to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya being sworn in by the State’s Chief Judge, Justice Halima Sadiyya Mohammed as Governor of Gombe State for a second term. With him are his wives, Hajiya Asma’u and Dr. Amina Inuwa Yahaya, during the inauguration ceremony, yesterday in Gombe.

Inaugurations: Betara congratulates Tinubu, Shettima, 28 Governors

By Christiana Ekpa

Frontline Speakership

aspirant for the 10th House of Representatives, Rt Hon Muktar Betara Aliyu has congratulated the new President and Commander in Chief of Nigeria’s Armed forces, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Shettima Kashim on their successful inauguration as they lead the country to greater heights.

The speakership hopeful also congratulated the 28 new state governors sworn in across the states of the federation.

In a statement personally signed by the Speakership hopeful, Betara expressed optimism that the president and Vice president both successful former governors and former Senators in their capacities will take Nigeria to higher heights having delivered dividends of democracy to their respective states of Lagos and Borno respectively.

He urged Nigerians to give their maximum support to the new leaders to perform and recover the nation towards the path of security, socio-economic revival, unity and development.

Betara said when elected Speaker, he will lead a vibrant House of Representatives that will align with the aspirations and

policy focus of the two leaders which centred around security, unity and development, youth and wome empowerment, and the restructuring of the nation for maximum progress.

He said “It is great joy and a

sense of fulfillment that I, Rt. Hon Muktar Betara Aliyu join felow compatriots to congratulate our new president, Commander in Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR and the

Vice President, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima GCON

“Today, the hope of many Nigerians is renewed because of the proven capacity and capabilities of the captain of the ship of state”

“Without doubt, i believe our nation is heading in the right direction to greater heights. We are assured that New Horizon of greatness is ahead of us as a people and a nation.

He urged all compatriots to join hands and embrace the incoming administration.

Gbajabiamila hails Tinubu on inauguration as Nigeria’s 16th President

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his inauguration as the 16th President and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gbajabiamila hailed Tinubu for his sagacity, resilience, determination, and commitment to Nigeria’s democracy for over three decades, which were crowned by his election on February 25 as Nigeria’s 16th President.

With Tinubu’s inauguration, Gbajabiamila said, Nigeria has taken off on a good footing after the administration of outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the country would

truly witness renewed hope as captured in the president’s campaign slogan and his inaugural speech where he promised Nigerians that he would govern and not rule them.

Gbajabiamila was elated that President Tinubu promised to hit the ground running in the areas of the economy, security, agriculture, and unemployment, among others.

In a statement he personally signed, Speaker Gbajabiamila noted with delight how Tinubu has resolved to unite Nigeria, coming out of a highly contested election, where he emerged victorious.

The Speaker said President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are well prepared for the task ahead, hence, he expressed confidence that the president would

not disappoint Nigeria and Nigerians.

“It gives me great pleasure to join millions of Nigerians at home and the world over on this great day where a great Nigerian, a dogged fighter, a democrat, a unifier and a nationalist, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is inaugurated as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It has been a long walk. But with determination, resilience, tenacity, and doggedness, the Almighty God has made it possible. Nigerians have spoken on February 25, and today, we are witnessing the inauguration of one of our finest and most strategic politicians in history as Nigeria’s president.

“I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that President

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will take Nigeria to the next level of good governance.

“I call on Nigerians both at home and abroad to join hands and support the Tinubu administration for a better Nigeria that works for all of us. Nigeria is the only country we can call our own. We must work together and give the new government the desired support to succeed.

“Again, Tinubu has a capable and competent hand in Vice President Kashim Shettima. I believe that with VP Shettima beside him, President Tinubu has a worthy partner and would find it easy to govern the country,” Gbajabiamila said.

Gbajabiamila wished President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu success in his 4-year tenure.

Nigerian Army on parade, during the 2023 Presidential Inauguration, at Eagle Square, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

•Express renewed hope in new leaders

Dokpesi, founder of AIT, Raypower radio, dies at 71

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Founder of DAAR Communication Ltd (owner of AIT and Raypower radio), High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi has died.

He was aged 71 years. Dokpesi’s death was confirmed in a statement yesterday by his

son, Raymond Dokpesi (Jnr).

Dokpesi, according to the statement, died on Monday, May 29, 2023.

The statement reads, “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi (Ezomo of Weppa-Wanno

Kingdom), who passed away on May 29th, 2023. “High Chief Dokpesi was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

“High Chief Dokpesi was also a respected and accomplished businessman, a pioneer in the media industry, and a

philanthropist who dedicated his life to the service of his country and his community.

“His legacy will live on through the impact he made on the lives of many.

“The Dokpesi family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.

‘We ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of our patriarch.

“We also ask for privacy during this time as we grieve together as a family.

“The family will release further details on the funeral arrangements in due course”, it said.

Reps Minority Caucus Mourns Chief Raymond Dokpesi

By Christiana Ekpa

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has expressed shocked and grieve-stricken over the news of the death of media pioneer, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi who passed away on Monday 29 May, 2023.

The Caucus in a statement by its leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu described Chief Dokpesi as a “highly resourceful, respected and accomplished entrepreneur, very brilliant, humble and insightful touch bearer; who has touched the lives of many Nigerians

“High Chief Dokpesi is a remarkable philanthropist, who remained steadfast towards the unity, stability and development of our nation and served as a source of inspiration to many especially the younger generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

“As a pioneer in the media industry, High Chief Dokpesi used his array of media houses under the Daar Communication, including the Africa Independent Television (AIT),

Ray Power FM and Faaji FM to promote access to information, enhance good governance, educational activities, private entrepreneurship as well as showcase the rich cultural heritage of our nation, Nigeria

and Africa in general to the world.

“High Chief Dokpesi was a global citizen and his death is a huge loss to our dear nation and humanity at large. He will be greatly missed as his legacies

will continue to live and impact lives for many more years to come.

“The Minority Caucus deeply commiserates with the Dokpesi family, the Daar Communication Group, the Government and

people of Edo State and the Weppa-Wanno Kingdom at this moment of grief and prays to the Almighty God to grant us all the fortitude to bear this devastating loss and to the faithful departed, an eternal rest” he said.

L-R: The Board Chairman, National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) Amb. Nimota Akanbi, the immediate past Minister of Communication and Digital Economy Prof.Isa lbrahim Pantami, the Ag Executive Secretary NSSEC. Alh lbrahim AbdulKareem during a courtesy visit to Communication and Digital Economy Ministry, recently in Abuja.

NCC warns consumers of dire consequences of losing phones

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

Authorities of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that individuals are prone to losing their life savings if their phones are stolen or misplaced.

The authorities said a lot of people are highly ignorant that fraudsters, after stealing phones can gain access to their bank accounts, steal their identities, names, address, bank information, defraud people and in some extreme cases, apply for loans with same information.

Executive Vice Chairman

(EVC) of the commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, gave the warning during a telecom consumer sensitization programme with the theme “Shine Your Eyes, No Fall Mugu” held in Keffi, Nassarwa state.

The EVC, who was represented by Head, consumer protection and advocacy, Mr. Clement Omife said attackers are now targeting telecoms networks with the intent to disrupt service delivery and infiltrate their data bank, SIM swaps and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, (USSD)

He further said USSD

e-payment frauds are currently some of the serious cyber threats in the telecom industry adding that fraudsters conduct SIM swaps of individuals and then, conduct USSD-based transactions which cost victims huge losses.

He said “a lot of people are highly ignorant to how losing their phones to fraudsters can lead to a complete clean-up of their bank accounts. These fraudsters do this by stealing victims’ identities; name, address, bank information of other people which they use in gaining access to their bank accounts: They also use the

stolen identity to defraud other people and even apply for loans, leaving the victim with debts.

“It is in view of this and in line with the Commissions Consumer Centric posture that the Commission, in collaboration with relevant advocacy groups embarked on the sensitization programme tagged “Shine Your Eyes - No Fall Mugu” in locations across the country.

“This programme is a deliberate and intentional advocacy initiative on consumer protection through sensitization and awareness on how to avoid falling prey to fraudsters.

Furthermore, the Commission also collaborates with critical stakeholders such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies in the fight against e-banking fraudsters”.

He urged consumers to be careful about opening unfamiliar emails or responding to unfamiliar inquiries and report suspicious E-fraud to their banks and telecom service provider.

Photo: NSSEC

Tinubu at inauguration: We’ll govern with rule of law, remodel economy, restore security

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to govern with the rule of law, remodel the economy and defend the country from terror and other criminalities.

Declaring that hope is back for Nigeria, he appealed to citizens to burry political differences and join him in a new journey of healing, nation-building and economic prosperity, assuring that the mandate given to him not misplaced.

In his inaugural address after taking the oaths of office and allegiance administered by the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kayode Ariwoola, at the Eagles Square, Abuja, Tinubu pledged to be a president for all, irrespective of the circumstances of history and political differences.

Before Tinubu took the stage for the oath of office, the CJN had administered similar oaths on Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The inauguration ceremony held at the expansive Eagle Square, Abuja was witnessed by not less than four African Presidents from Rwanda, Cameron, Ethiopia and Liberia as well as diplomats.

Two former heads of Nigerian government, General Yakubu Gowon and Goodluck Jonathan and many traditional rulers also witnessed the inauguration.

President Tinubu who was symbolically dressed in the national colours of green and white, charged Nigerians to not allow the opportunity for a greater development of the country to slip away.

“Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper. We must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding. Let us develop a shared sense of fairness and equity.

“The South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests are served when good comes to the North. The North must see the South likewise.

“Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people. As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all,” President Tinubu said.

He said in its over 60 years history Nigeria has endured hardships that would have made other societies crumble, but for it’s resilience and strength of its diversity the country has remained intact.

“To the surprise of many but not to ourselves, we have more firmly established this land as a democracy in both word and deed,” he said.

The president stated that, “This handover symbolizes our trust in God, our enduring faith in representative governance and our belief in our ability to reshape this nation into the society it was always meant to be.”

To advance the common vision of a better Nigeria, the president solicited the support of all Nigerians “to join me in making Nigeria a more perfect nation and democracy such that the Nigerian ideal becomes and forever remains the Nigerian reality”.

President Tinubu explained that though he fought hard to win the February 2023 election, the win does not make him any more Nigerian than his opponents, who he pledged to relate to as compatriots.

“The outcome reflected the will of the people. However, my victory does not render me any more Nigerian than my opponents. Nor does it

render them any less patriotic.

“They shall forever be my fellow compatriots. And I will treat them as such. They represent important constituencies and concerns that wisdom dare not ignore,” he said.

He described the election that brought him to power as tough but fairly won, and dedicated his victory to the country with a promise to do his all to advance its progress.

“This is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria,” he said.

On the economy, President Tinubu said his administration would target a higher GDP growth and significantly reduce unemployment.

He promised to offer budgetary reform that would stimulate the economy without engendering inflation.

“Second, industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.

“Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.”

He said his administration would review all complaints by investors about multiple taxation and “various anti-investment inhibitions.

“We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home.”

President Tinubu said “security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail

amidst insecurity and violence”

To tackle unemployment, Tinubu reiterated the salience of creating “meaningful opportunities for our youth”, as he pledged to honour his campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.

“Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.”

Declaring that “fuel subsidy is gone”, the President commended the action of the Buhari administration to phase out the subsidy which he said would save the country at a time of drying resources.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public

infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.”

President Tinubu said Nigeria’s monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning as he charged the Central Bank of Nigeria to work towards a unified exchange rate.

“This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.”

President Tinubu said his administration would treat both new and old naira notes as legal tender, saying despite it’s intended merits, the controversial currency swap policy of the CBN “was too harshly applied” given the number of unbanked Nigerians”.

The President said his “primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African subregion and the African continent,” promising to work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.

El-Rufai leaves N80.60b internal debts, $577.32m foreign debt for Uba Sani

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The outgoing past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has handed over a whooping foreign debt of $577.32m to the newly sworn-in governor of the State, Uba Sani.

El-Rufai also left behind a total of N80.60b in internal debts with the subheadings domestic debts and other contingent liabilities.

The former governor while reading his farewell speech yesterday before Uba Sani was sworn in said the debts were as at the last financial year.

He however said he had a cash balance of N5b in a Treasury Single Account (TSA) and 2.05m dollars in the Domiciliary account of the State.

According to El-Rufai, “As of the last financial year, Kaduna State has the following liabilities; Domestic debt of N64.54bn, Other

Contingent Liabilities of N16.06bn and Foreign debts of US $577.32m

“We have spent N818.9bn as capital expenditure between 2015 and 2022 in the prosecution of our first and second State Development Plans, attracting nearly US $5bn in foreign and domestic investments that created jobs, improved our tax receipts and laid a solid foundation for the future.

“We are leaving behind a net cash balance in our Treasury Single Account of about N5bn after deductions for the payment of salaries, pensions and dues to the Local Government Councils, and US $2.05m in our Domiciliary Account as of yesterday 28th May 2023.

“Kaduna State has receivables for reimbursements of infrastructure and security spending from the Federal Government amounting to about

N41bn, that will be paid to the state in due course. This does not include the sums due to the state as a share of the accumulated stamp duty receipts, estimated at over N100bn, that the incoming government will certainly receive before the end of this year. I am therefore optimistic that the incoming government will in due course be in a position to settle all inherited liabilities, complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones by the Grace of God.

“We governed under very difficult fiscal circumstances, surviving two recessions, collapses of crude oil prices, the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. We, therefore, had to borrow extensively to spend our way out of the recession and pursue our ambition to make Kaduna great again.

“I pay tribute to the

extraordinary work of our team in the Kaduna State Government. The Deputy Governor, the members of the State House of Assembly, our honourable Judges, Kadis, and magistrates, our commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Local Government chairmen, special advisers, assistants and other government officials have displayed imagination and

“Our traditional rulers and religious leaders have been exceptional partners in mobilising the populace to understand our policies and support our efforts. Our partners in civil society have been critical in enabling the government to appreciate the concerns of citizens without a voice.

“Yesterday, I completed the administrative handover to my worthy successor, Distinguished Senator Uba Sani, and his able Deputy, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa

Balarabe. I call on the people of Kaduna State to support him and his team as he leads the next government. With your votes, you have vested in him the future direction of the state. Let us all pray for him to succeed in the service of the state and its people beyond our hopes and imagination.

“Several members of our governance team broke down in tears at the valedictory session of the Executive Council, overwhelmed by the reality of saying goodbye. But goodbyes are not necessarily bad. In fact, goodbyes are part of the order of nature.

“Everything that has a beginning must have an end. One era ends and another begins. New leaders take charge and life continues. That is the cycle of life. Our duty is to keep hope alive and do our best, and leave the rest to Almighty God”.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

•Says winning election doesn’t make him more Nigerian than others

•Declares fuel subsidy is gone for good

Ortom absent at Alia’s inauguration

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Immediate past Governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom,

Former

NUT

his

deputy and Secretary to the State Governemt were

conspicuously absent at the inauguration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. The Governor or deputy was expected to take last salute but they were not sighted at

the IBB Square venue of the event.

Rather, it was learnt that Ortom attended the inauguration of Rivers State new Governor Siminalayi

“Sim” Fubara in Port Harcourt. Ortom it would be noted handed over on Sunday 28 May,2023 to Rev. Fr. Alia with a huge debt of over 187 billion naira.

Alia pledges payment of backlog of salary, pension, gratuities

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

New Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacitnth Alia has pledged to prioritize payment of backlog of workers salary areears, pension and gratuities.

Governor Alia made the pledge in his inaugural speech after being sworn -in as Chief Executive of the State by the Chief Judge of the State Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

He also announced the immediate freezing of all bank accounts belonging to the State Government, warning sternly that anyone who violates the

•Freezes all state account

instruction, does so at his own risk.

Alia lamented over the plight of civil servants, pensioners, assuring that all arrears of salaries, pension and gratutities will be paid promptly without delay.

He decried the appalling situation of the State, noting that it is faced by insecurity,dampening morale, broken economy, massive non and under employment.

“These are indicators of a deep rooted crisis which call for bold and swift action. Benue is on life

support requring care. Benue is broken and need reset.

“We will act and the time is now. The moment is here.A new Benue is possible. We will synergize with the Federal Government to ensure security of lives and property.

“We will address root cause of insecurity which are poverty and exclusion. We will industrialize the State and place emphasis on agricutlure. Review State of water situation, housing, commerce as well as infrastrucrure. Public infrastructure in a deplorable

president sworn in as Kebbi

State. We will start at ground zero. All block drainages in the State will be cleared through Public Work scheme and direct labor to avert flooding.

“In the area of education, we will prioritize development of teachers with tools to deliver quality education.

“Am not a lone ranger, I intend to run an open and transparent government. To all other political parties, the period of electioneering is over, I call on you to join hands with me to build a Benue of our dream”, Fr. Alia appealed.

State Governor

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

The newly elected Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris and Deputy Umar Abubakar Tafida took Oath of Office.

The ceremony took place at the Halliru Abdu township stadium Birnin Kebbi yesterday. In his remarks shortly after taking the oath of office, the new Governor Dr. Nasir Idris said he promised to operate an inclussives government irrespective of political party.

Niger Gov. says MDAs lack capacity to implement policies, programmes

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has lamented that the state MDAs lack the capacity to implement government policy and programmes as required.

NSCC sets to link older persons to job opportunities

By Albert Akota

The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), has launched its Continuing Engagement Bureau (CEB) Program to enable it link older persons both skills and unskilled to job opportunities

The Director General, NSCC, Dr. Emem Omokaro who disclosed this during launch of the CEB Program and Stakeholders Sensitization

and Capacity Enhancement, said the Program will focus on senior citizens who are retired professionals, experts and practitioners in diverse fields.

She added that the NSCC through the CEB Program is working to maximize the latent potentials of the older persons and also to reinvent themselves by reinventing roles and finding new opportunities.

“The Continuing Engagement Program also has provisions for older farmers

and artisans both in the rural and urban centres who would be encouraged to register on the portal as Cooperatives and to be connected with opportunities for productive activities and for markets”, said Omokaro.

“We are looking at the fundamental human rights of older persons. Right to work, maximize their potentials, and right to access the labour market in whichever form they wish to”.

‘The Centre is exploring the

opportunities, one of which is to keep the senior citizens active and facilitate opportunities for them to continue to utilize their skills and passions in whatever way, “She said, People Daily Newspaper recalled that NSCC in March 2023 held a Service Level Collaboration and Review of the Dummy Portal and other Support Instruments for the Establishment of NSCC Continuing Engagement Bureau (CEB) Program.

Governor Bello made the revelation at the inauguration lecture titled; ‘Addressing the challenges of socio economic development at sub national level of Nigeria’ held in Minna.

He charged on the need for the incoming government to ensure the building the capacity of the civil servants and political appointees to be on same page.

Bello challenged the incoming Governor on transparency of accountability to gain the confidence of the people and getting a formidable team for good governance.

The governor also implored Bago to select people with good character for his team as Commissioners and other appointees to form a formidable team.

Cross section of the Youth representative, at the Inauguration, at Eagle Square, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

NATIONAL TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE, KADUNA

KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road, Rigachukun, P.M.B. 2191, Kaduna State of Nigeria

Sule urges other political parties to join govt

From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

As Governor Sule of Nasarawa State resumed the mantle of leadership for the second term, he called on men, women, youths and other political parties in the state to join hands with his administration in order to move the state to a greater heights for the betterment of the people of Nasarawa State.

He made the call during his inauguration speech at the Lafia city

square on Monday, pointing out that the call became imperative because election has come and gone, hence there was the need for stakeholders in the state to work in harmony in order to transform the state

The Governor further pledged to focus more attention on developmental projects across the state as well as imbibe the spirit of accountability, transparency and the prudent management of state resources in order to improve the living standards of the citizens.

Communities decries unhygienic environment in Gumel hospital

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The members of Gumel town under the platform of Guble Media Forum decried unhygienic environment in Gumel general hospital area of Jigawa state.

The chairman of the forum comrade Salim Ibrahim who lead hundreds communities members complained that, their hospital in Gumel may turn to centre of infectious diseases instead of healthcare centre due unhygienic atmosphere in the hospital.

He explained that hospital environment particularly the toilets is so dirty and even beds and mattress are not clean despite government’s effort of releasing monthly funds to the hospital.

Comrade Salim alleged that, the failure was caused as a result of unusual payment of casual workers who are responsible for cleaning the hospital environment.

The forum then appeal to relevant authorities to intervene and save the lives of Gumel people particularly those

admitted in the hospital.

When contacted on this matter, the Chief Medical Director Gumel general hospital Dr Nura Basirka said, he left the hospital on Friday and the environment was very clean.

“I don’t know what really happened I left the hospital on Friday evening and the environment is very clean, but it was later when my attention was called in the same issue.

“ As I’m talking to you, we de please deployed all the cleaners workers and now everything is over, we also advised those that have patients in the hospital to limited their number into one or two persons as part of measures to avoid unhygienic environment in the hospital.

“Also as part of measures we invited plumbers to rectify all problems in the toilets” he said.

While speaking on unsual payment of casual workers in the hospital, he dispelled the allegations adding that “ we are up-to-date in payment of our casual workers”.

INVITATION TO TENDER AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR YEAR 2023 CAPITAL / CONSTITUENCY AND SUSTANABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) PROJECTS

1. INTRODUCTION

The National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna is in the process of implementing the 2022 capital and Constituency projects as well as Teacher Training Programmes for Teachers in Primary and Junior Secondary School in 36 states and FCT with funds provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Support Intervention Project and Zonal Intervention Projects, Consequent upon the forgoing, interested competent and reputable companies with expertise in the relevant fields are hereby invited to submit tender for its Invitation to Tender Notice (ITN) in the following;

2. SCOPE: 2023 CAPITAL PROJECTS

CATEGORY A: WORKS

LOT 1 (ZIP) CONSTRUCTION/FURNISHING OF LECTURE HALL IN NTI OFFICE, KANO STATE

CATEGORY B: GOODS

LOT 2 CONSTRUCTION OF SOLAR STREETLIGHTS IN MONGUNO/MARTE/NGANZAI, BORNO STATE

CATEGORY C: CONSULTANCY SERVICES (EXPRESSION OF INTEREST)

LOT 3: Training of Teachers Event Managers;

LOT 3A RETRAINING WORKSHOP OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS ON INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING: EVENT MANAGERS NORTH CENTRAL ZONE

LOT 3B RETRAINING WORKSHOP OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS ON INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING; EVENT MANAGERS NORTH WEST ZONE

LOT 3C RETRAINING WORKSHOP OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS ON INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING; EVENT MANAGERS NORTH EAST ZONE

LOT 3D RETRAINING WORKSHOP OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS ON INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING; EVENT MANAGERS SOUTH WEST ZONE

LOT 3E RETRAINING WORKSHOP OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS ON INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING; EVENT MANAGERS SOUTH SOUTH ZONE

LOT 3F RETRAINING WORKSHOP OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS ON INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING; EVENT MANAGERS SOUTH EAST ZONE

LOT 3G EVENT MANAGEMENT: FOR TRAINING AND RE-TRAINING OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE 6 GEO-POLITICAL ZONES.

LOT 4 TRAINING OF YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN SOUTH WEST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE

LOT 5 TRAINING ON ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION FOR TEACHERS AND YOUTH IN 3 LGA OF BORNO NORTH, BORNO STATE.

LOT 6 (ZIP) TRAINING ON ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION FOR TEACHERS AND YOUTH IN 2 LGA OF BORNO NORTH, BORNO STATE.

3. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Interested firms should submit their EOIs/bids along with the documents mentioned hereinafter in a sealed envelope to the address indicated below. Failure to submit any of the under listed documents shall lead to the disqualification of the EOI/bid:

a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7. Business Name is also acceptable in case of Services;

b. Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate (or Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificates of all the Partners in case of Business Name) for the last three (3) years valid till 31stDecember, 2023;

c. Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 15 and above);

d. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 5 and above or the bidder’s annual turnover is N50m and above);

e. Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023;

f. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service

Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31st December, 2023 or valid Certificate issued by BPP.

g. Sworn Affidavit: - disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars;

- that no Director has been convicted in any Country for any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation or falsification of facts relating to any matter;

- that the Company is not in receivership, the subject of any form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or

proceedings;

- That the company does not have existing loan or financial liability with a bank, other financial institution or third party that is classified as doubtful, non-performance, bad or whose repayment portion has been outstanding for the last four (4) months;

h. Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years –2020, 2021 & 2022;

i. Reference Letter from a reputable Commercial Bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed;

j. Company’s Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications such as COREN, QSRBN, ARCON, CORBON, CMD etc.;

k. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job Completion Certificates and Photographs of the projects;

l. Category A: List of Plants/Equipment with proof of Ownership/Lease Agreement;

m. Lots 3 to 6: Evidence of past experience in implementing development workshops at State or National level

n. Services: Evidence of Firm’s current registration with relevant regulatory professional body(ies) such as accreditation by Centre for Management Development (CMD) for Training;

o. Electricity Jobs: Evidence of current Licence issued by Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA);

p. All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/ Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No. (WhatsApp)), and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm.

4. COLLECTION OF BID DOCUMENT (CATEGORY A – B)

Interested and eligible bidders may obtain further information and collect bidding documents from the procurement unit between 9:00am to 4:00pm (Mondays to Fridays) upon submission of evidence of payment of a non-refundable tender fee of N10,000.00 only for each LOT to the National Teachers’ Institute, NTI Treasury Single Account (TSA) using Remita platform to any bank and present the REMITA Retrieval Reference RRR and Bank teller receipts to Office No: DR 10, Directorate Department, National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) Headquarters KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road, Kaduna. Consultants interested in Category C are not expected to pay at this stage until after EOI short-listing.

5. SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS (CATEGORY

A – B)

Completed Technical and financial bids shall be submitted in two separate envelopes, clearly tape sealed and clearly marked “Technical Bids for Lot Number and Financial Bid for Lot Number Inserted in a bigger 3” envelope. The Project titles, Lot number and contractor’s name must be clearly written on top of each envelope. Bids shall be addressed to the DirectorGeneral and Chief Executive, National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road, Rigachikun, P.M.B. 2191, Kaduna. Between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm, Mondays to Fridays. The bids should be dropped in the Tender Box at the Procurement Unit, Office No: DR 10, Directorate Department, National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) Headquarters KM 5 KadunaZaria Road, Kaduna, not later than 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 21st June, 2023. Bidders are to ensure that they also sign the Submission Register in the Procurement Unit.

6. SUBMISSION OF EOI DOCUMENTS (CATEGORY C) Interested firms are to submit two (2) bound of Expression of Interest (EoI) documents separated by dividers and arranged as indicated above. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and addressed to Director-General and Chief Executive, National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road, Rigachikun, P.M.B. 2191, Kaduna; between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm, Mondays to Fridays. The EOIs should be dropped in the Tender Box at the Procurement Unit, Office No: DR 10, Directorate Department, National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) Headquarters KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road, Kaduna, not later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 13th June, 2023. Bidders are to ensure that they also sign the Submission Register in the Procurement Unit.

7. OPENING OF EOIs & TECHNICAL BIDS

The EOIs and Technical Bids will be opened immediately after the deadlines for submission at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 13th June, 2023. and 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 21st June, 2023, respectively, in the SMASE Complex Building, of National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) headquarters Kaduna; in the presence of bidders and their representatives.

8. IMPORTANT INFORMATION

i. Bidders should not bid for more than Two (2) Lots;

ii. Email and WhatsApp GSM no will be used as a means of communication.

iii. Category A-B: Only pre-qualified bidders at technical evaluation will be invited at a later date for financial bids opening, while the financial bids of un-successful bidders will be returned un-opened;

iv. Category C: Only shortlisted firms will be invited at a later date for collection of Request for Proposals;

v. Late submission will be returned un-opened

vi. Failure to comply with the instruction(s) and non-provision of any required documents shall automatically result in disqualification.

vii. This advertisement shall not be construed to be a commitment on the part of NTI nor shall it entitle the bidding companies to any claim whatsoever and/ or seek indemnity from NTI by virtue of such company having responded to the advertisement;

viii. The NTI, Kaduna is not bound to pre-qualify/shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

Signed: Management

FCT Traditional Rulers, during the Presidential Inauguration, at Eagle Square, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The newly governor of Jigawa state, Malam Umar Namadi has promised to strengthen the partnership between Jigawa government and donor partners

Danmodi sworn-in as Jigawa governor, vows to run an inclusive govt

From Mika’il Tsoho,

Dutse

The newly elected governor of Jigawa state Malam Umar Namadi has sworninto office as fifth civilian governor of Jigawa.

The swearing-in took place at Malam Aminu Triangle Dutse, led by chief judge of the state, justice Umar Sadiq in the presence of thousands of Jigawa people.

Justice Umar Sadiq also led the swearing of engineer Aminu Usman Gumel as deputy governor of the state.

Speaking shortly after the swearing-in, governor Umar Namadi promised to run a transparent and inclusive government throughout his tenure.

Danmodi who begged Jigawa people to address him as Malam Umar Namadi instead of His excellency said, his administration will be based on his twelve point agenda as he promised during the campaign rally.

He identified some of the twelve point agenda as Agriculture, human development, empowerment, education, health, infrastructural development, environmental sustainability, patterned ship for development, public service delivery, Investment, among many other projects.

Governor Namadi also promised to continue from were the former governor Alhaji Badaru has stopped and complete all the ongoing projects in the state.

He described his victory as victory to all people in the state, and urged them to support and cooperate with him for better Jigawa.

I’ll strengthen partnership with UNICEF, ACF, Save the Children - Gov. Namadi

for the development of the state.

Governor Namadi stated this while delivering his speech shortly after taken oath of office as new governor of the state held at Aminu Kano triangle Dutse the state capital.

He explained that, considering the level of development brought to Jigawa state by both Foreign CommonWealth Development

Office (FCDO) and European Union (EU) in saving lives of children, water hygiene and improvement on social protection, the present adminstration will retain the relationship for betterment of Jigawa.

“As part of our agenda to improve the well-being of our people, the present administration noted the

roles played by the partners particularly FCDO and EU in improving the lives of our people, we will do all our best to maintain that relationship”, he said.

The governor then assured to do all his best to transform the state by implementing his twelve point agenda that include Agricultural transformation, Human development,

education, health, youths empowerment, improvement of public service delivery, sustainable environment among others.

Meanwhile the governor was sworn-in together with his deputy Engineer Aminu Usman Gumel by the chief judge of the state, Justice Umar Sadiq Maigari, and witnessed by thousands of Jigawa citizens.

Dikko sworn in as Governor, takes over from Masari in Katsina State

By our correspondent

Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, the new Governor of Katsina State, has taken the mantle of leadership from former Governor, Aminu Bello Masari.

Dr. Dikko is the immediate past Director General of SMEDAN and most popularly known as the founder and chairman of Gwagware Foundation.

Gwagware Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that made a name for itself in giving both material and financial assistance to all, but mostly the less privileged in the society.

A statement yesterday by Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, DG Media to Masari said the oath of office taken by Dr. Dikko was administered by the Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi.

Dr. Dikko, who took over the mantle of leadership of Government from Dr. Aminu Bello Masari, is a renowned politician who served as the first Chief of Staff to (former)

Governor Masari.

He was also a former Chairman of Charanchi Local Government Area juring the administration of the former Governor and President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, now diseased.

Dr. Dikko is also popularly

known as (‘Dan Amana’) the Trust Worthy, a nomenclature given to him fondly by Governor Umaru Musa ‘Yar’adua.

In acceptance of the oath of office, Governor Dikko promised to do his best for the people of Kastina people.

The event was witnessed by a mammoth crowd, which included his and his Deputy’s family members, friends, and political associates.

His Deputy is Faruk Jobe, a renowned banker, equally known for his intellect.

Malnutrition: Group disseminates 2 books on complementary feeding

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP) on Thursday disseminated a recipe handbook in English and Hausa on complementary food to promote optimal feeding of children above six months of age.

The English version is entitled, “Production and Preparation of Complementary Food: A guide and Instructional Material for Healthcare Professionals, Caregivers, and the General Public in Kaduna state.

The Hausa version is titled, “Hanyoyin Sarafawa Da Hada Nau ‘o’ in Abinci Masu Kara Lafiya Don Baiwa Jarirai Daga

Wata Shida Na Haihuwa.” Chairperson of KADENAP, Hajiya Ummi El-Rufai, wife of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, said at the presentation and dissemination event in Kaduna, that the books would go a long way in preventing child malnutrition.

Ummi, who was represented by the Mr Awwal Aziri, Project Manager, Impact Project, said that the handbook would serve as a guide especially to healthcare providers, caregivers, and mothers of malnourished children.

She added that the book was produced in English and Hausa with pictorial illustrations to reach wider audience with information on complementary food and how to prepare them

for children from six month.

“As we know, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) is a preventive approach which targets the nutrition of the child from conception to the child’s second birthday.

“This handbook is a complementary food guide and IYCF material that will help caregivers and mothers of malnourished children when feeding their children after completing the six month’s exclusive breastfeeding periods.

“I sincerely hope that this handbook will not be kept in our shelves, but will be used as an effective tool for sensitization, PHC food demonstration corners and the message will be spread to all nooks and crannies of

Kaduna state and beyond, until malnutrition becomes a thing of the past,” she said.

She commended the LAFIYA Project that has supported the validation, production, and dissemination of the nutrition handbook.

She called on all stakeholders and development Partners, Civil Society groups, traditions, religious institutions, and the media to join hands to give the book the widest coverage it deserves.

Mr Umar Bambale, Project Manager, KADENAP, said that the books develop with the help of nutritionists from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Kaduna Polytechnic, was conceived by Ummi El-Rufai, in 2017.

L-R: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Inauguration, at Eagle Square, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

PDP Governors’ Forum congratulates new members, assures them of support

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, has expressed the firm optimism that all the re-elected and newly elected Governors of the party, who were inaugurated yesterday, will prove their leadership capacities as a result of their vast experiences and earlier career endeavours.

The PDP-GF said this on Monday in a congratulatory message issued by its DirectorGeneral, Hon CID Maduabum and sent to the new Governors.

The Forum noted that the gubernatorial office is a call to service unto the people of various states and the nation in general, which comes with pressing demands and responsibilities, requiring focus, loyalty, discipline, professionalism and diligence, the traits they all have in abundance.

The Forum has therefore pledged to support and assist the Governors by providing a conducive environment through peer review activities and other actions geared towards excellence in office to effect strategic socioeconomic changes in their respective states in order to reciprocate the trust and mandate given to them by their people, party leaders and stakeholders.

The statement by Maduabum titled, ‘Congratulatory Message to PDP GovernorsElect on Inauguration and Swearing-in to Office’, reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, on behalf of all the member Governors, congratulates all its re-elected Governors (Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State); as well as its Governors-Elect (Pastor Umo Bassey EnoAkwa Ibom State; Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori

- Delta State; Barr. Peter Ndubusi MbahEnugu State; Barr. Caleb Mutfwang - Plateau State; Sir Ameopusenibo Siminalayi FubaraRivers State; Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas, Rtd. - Taraba State and Dr. Dauda Lawal - Zamfara State), on this memorable day, May 29, 2023, on their inauguration and swearing - in into office.

“The Forum is particularly grateful to God for the election and inauguration of very capable hands to pilot the ship of various PDP States at this time.

“As they assume duties in the exalted office of Governor, it is our prayer that God will give them the wisdom, discernment, ability, and resources - both human and material - to face the challenges of statecraft.

“The Forum notes also that the gubernatorial office is a call to service unto the people of various states and the nation in general, and comes with pressing demands and responsibilities, requiring focus, loyalty, discipline, professionalism and diligence, traits they all have in abundance.

We have high hopes that they will prove their leadership capacities as a result of their vast experiences and earlier career endeavours.

“The Forum pledges to support and assist in providing a conducive environment through peer review activities and other actions geared towards excellence in office to effect strategic socio-economic changes in their respective states in order to reciprocate the trust and mandate given to them by their people, party leaders and stakeholders.

We wish you all God’s guidance, protection, and the best of luck in this onerous task”, the statement concluded.

29 May: Gov Yahaya employs opposition to join in building state

From David Hassan, Gombe

Gombe state governor

Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya

has called on the oppotion to throw away their grievances and join his government in order to build the state. The governor stated this on Monday in Gombe after taking oath of office alongside his deputy Mr. Manassah Daniel Jatau for second tenure at the Pantami stadium.

He assured citizens of transparent government even as he said his

PLATEAU STATE POTATO VALUE CHAIN SUPPORT PROJECT REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTANT SERVICES-FIRMS)

COUNTRY: Nigeria

NAME OF PROJECT: Plateau State Potato Value Chain Support Project

PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) FOR LAND PREPARATION AND REHABILITATION OF IRRIGATION SCHEME AND DAM IN PLATEAU STATE

Financing Agreement reference:2100150037297

Project ID No.: P-NG-A00-008

1. This request for expression of interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared in Development Business No. AfDB 75-0/18 of January 26, 2018.

2. The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of the Plateau State Potato Value Chain Support Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for this loan to payments under the contract for preparation of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for Land Development and Rehabilitation of Irrigation Scheme and Dam in Plateau State.

3. The services under this assignment include preparing an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for Land Preparation and Rehabilitation of Irrigation Scheme and Dam under the Infrastructure Development component, in line with the requirements of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Development Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System to ensure that any adverse effects on the environment are properly mitigated.

administration will continue to wax stronger in nation building. According to him, “elections have come and gone, let join hands together in putting the state first”. While appreciating the people for his re-election for the second term, governor Yahaya said creation of jobs, infrastructural development, agriculture, Health and education remain his piority. Speaking further, he said “we might have lost stakeholders and supporters within the party in the last four years, but let us pray for their eternal rest.

Crime control: AIG lauds Kaduna Police Command

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 14, Ahmad Abdurrahaman has commended the Kaduna State Police Command for recent feats achieved in crime control in the state.

He asserted this when he paid a familiarisation and working visit to the Kaduna State Police Command, yesterday.

AIG Abdurrahaman however, charged the CP to intensify intelligence gathering ahead of the May 29 handing over ceremony in the state

CP M.Y. Garba told his visitor that the command is appreciative of the support being received from the AIG Zone 14.

The CP used the opportunity to warn trouble makers that the command is ready to deal decisively with anyone who attempt to disrupt the relative peace currently enjoyed by the state.

It informed that during the visit, he was warmly received by the Commissioner of Police Kaduna State Command, CP M.Y. Garba, accompanied by other senior police officers in the command.

“During the visit, the AIG commended the Kaduna State Police Command for recent feats achieved in crime control in the state.

“He charged the CP to intensify intelligence gathering ahead of the May 29 handing over ceremony in the state,” the statement said.

According to the statement, in his welcome address, CP M.Y. Garba told his visitor that the command is appreciative of the support being received from the AIG Zone 14.

The CP used the opportunity to warn trouble makers that the command is ready to deal decisively with anyone who attempt to disrupt the relative peace currently enjoyed by the state.

4. The Plateau State Potato Value Chain Support Project now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar irrigation scheme and dam development assignments, donor-funded project experience, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may constitute joint ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.

5. The estimated duration of services is 3 months and the estimated starting date is July, 2023.

6. Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the Procurement Policy for Bank Group-Funded Operations, October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s Website at https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/procurement/newprocurement-policy/. Please, note that interest expressed by a Consulting Firm does not imply any obligation on the part of the Government to include it in the shortlist. Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.

7. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours of 8:00am – 4:00pm Local Time.

8. Expression of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person or by mail,) not later than 13th June, 2023 at 4:00 pm Local Time and mention ‘Preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Land Development and Rehabilitation of Irrigation Scheme and Dam in Plateau State’.

Thomas G. Muopshin Project Coordinator, Plateau State Potato Value Chain Support Project, C/O Plateau Agricultural

Development Programme

P.M.B. 2119 Dogon Dutse, Jos, Plateau State Nigeria Tel. +2348036187940

E-mail:plateaustatepotato@gmail.com

Kaduna: Gov. Uba Sani promises to safeguard citizens, property

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state said his administration will invest heavily in all legally permissible efforts, including deploying technology for security and law enforcement to curb the bloodletting and unnecessary distractions in the state.

In his inaugural address on the occasion of his swearing in as the governor of Kaduna State yesterday, Senator Uba Sani said, “Kaduna State has had its fair share of bloodletting and unnecessary distractions. To this end, this administration will invest heavily in all legally permissible efforts, including deploying technology for security and law enforcement. Similarly, we shall be assisting the activities of the police, the military, paramilitary and other security

agencies in the State. We shall also engage traditional, religious institutions and community leaders to ensure effective intelligence gathering as well as working towards peace and harmonious coexistence within the various communities.”

According to him, the prevailing security situation in the country demands for a significant shift in the current structure, assuring that he would work with his colleague Governors and members of the National and State Assemblies to make State Police a reality, stressing that he was in the forefront of advocacy for State Police in the 9th Senate and strongly believed that State Police is the panacea for the perennial security challenges.

He assured that his administration would consolidate and build on the unprecedented infrastructural upgrade, which

was targeted at enhancing public welfare and accelerated economic growth, adding that his administration shall promote accelerated rural development by extending infrastructure to all local government areas with the goal of supporting our rural communities to achieve rapid economic growth.

Governor Uba Sani stated that governance agenda in the economic sector would seek to sustain the enviable status of Kaduna State as a foremost investment destination in Nigeria, attract investments across more sectors, create jobs and promote the transfer of technology.

Kaduna State under his leadership, Uba Sani said shall continue to focus on agriculture for food security and economic prosperity, saying that he has perfected plans for the expansion

of support for Agriculture in several areas. He assured, “This administration will be devoted to building and empowering people for development and prosperity. Our commitment to human capital development shall entail a detailed focus on social welfare and empowerment through dedicated funds for women and youths, robust social investment programmes for vulnerable persons and extensive pro-poor interventions. We shall also ensure access to education for every child in the state from primary to secondary school; expand access to higher education through a multicampus system for tertiary institutions; enhance Teachers’ Welfare & Teaching Standards; improve School Infrastructure; build ICT competence in our students from basic education

level; and intensify investments in Technical & Vocational Education.”

On healthcare delivery, he assured that his administration would strengthen and expand the standard of services at the Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) and enrol more people into the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, and extend health insurance coverage to the poor and the vulnerable through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

He promised to be a Governor for all and pleaded with all to work with them to achieve peace, safety and security across every community in the state, assuring that his part, he will work assiduously to guarantee the safety and security of the hard working farmers to actively return to their farms during the current farming season.

Nigeria’ll take her rightful place under Tinubu — CSOs

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Acoalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has expressed confidence in the capacity of the incoming Administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to redirect the country on the path of unity, progress and development.

The nation is set to witness a successful transition of power to His Excellency, Tinubu, after the expiration of the two-term constitutionally-allowed tenures of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Operating under the auspices of Coalition for Peace In Nigeria (COPIN), and The Iconoclast Platform, the coalition wished the incoming President a successful execution of his Renewed Hope

Agenda, which is expected to find expression in national unity, peace, good governance and general order.

Amidst the agitations arising from the February 25 Presidential election, the coalition has called on the general public to support and cooperate with the incoming administration, insisting that the task ahead is onerous.

In a joint statement signed on Sunday by Pharm. Emeka Akwuobi (National Coordinator, COPIN), Hajiya Fatih Yakub (National Secretary, COPIN), as well as Dr. Mayago Mayago, National Secretary of Iconoclast –the Groups expressed confidence in the capacity of Tinubu to usher in ‘renewed hope’, build a Nigeria, especially for youths, where

sufficient jobs with decent wages, will be created.

To fast-track this, however, the coalition made a strong case for a whole-of-society approach, even as they charged the incoming President to initiate a genuine healing and reconciliation process,

“We join millions of Nigerians and the global community to congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he assumes power tomorrow as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“As a patriotic, nonpartisan coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), we have absolute confidence that the incoming President’s Renewed Hope Agenda will restore Nigeria’s rightful place in the comity of

nation’s.

“Under Tinubu, we see a new Nigeria of possibilities, growth stimulation, industrial revolution, youth employment, poverty alleviation, justice and equity, among others.

“It is time to bury the hatchet, in the interest of national unity, progress and development.

“On this note, we plead with all aggrieved parties sheath their swords, and join hands with Tinubu, in the quest to make Nigeria great again”, the statement read in part.

While noting that politicians have a right to ventilate their grievances, the coalition, however, argued that the interest of the nation must supercede individual ambitions at all times.

Tinubu will stimulate investment opportunities for youths —COPIN, SESGP

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Two Civil Society Organisations, Coalition for Peace in Nigeria (COPIN) and South East Support Group (SESGP), said they are convinced that Tinubu will stimulate manufacturing, necessitating investment opportunities for productivity and growth.

The CSOs stated this on Thursday in Abuja.

Ohaegbulam Chibuike Barnabas Coordinator, SESGP, said Tinubu’s emergence as president elect was greeted by agitations in some quarters for the establishment of an illegal contraption called “interim government”.

He said the promoters of this provocative idea had tried to instigate violent protests

in major parts of the country, to achieve their objectives.

“As expected, our military, security and intelligence community rose to the occasion, by detecting and containing all possible threats to successful inauguration.”

Also speaking, Akwuobi Emeka, National Coordinator, said the South East Support Group, and the Coalition for Peace In Nigeria, has declared total and unequivocal support for the Presidentelect, Senator Tinubu.

“Our position is informed by his trajectory as a former Senator, NADECO leader, Governor of Lagos State, and statesman.

“We have no doubt that the muchanticipated Bola Tinubu Presidency will usher in ‘renewed hope’, build a Nigeria,

especially for youths, where sufficient jobs with decent wages, will be created.”

On his part, Leny Nduka, State Cordinator, COPIN, called on all aggrieved parties to toe the path of peace, bearing in mind the fact that Nigeria, as a constitutional democracy, is greater than individual ambitions.

“To achieve whatever goals, therefore, we must, first, ensure a safe and conducive environment, where rule of law and due process, not Hobbesian state, guarantees collective existence.

“Finally, we make bold to say that the May 29 inauguration of our amiable President-elect is, to all intent and purpose, sacrosanct, as it is a done-deal.

“The South East Support Group, in collaboration with the Coalition for Peace in

Nigeria, (COPIN) will deploy all legitimate tools at our disposal, including public awareness and sensitization, to ensure a successful transition of power on May 29.

“Our resolve is buoyed by the realisation - contrary to erroneous reports in some quarters - that the South East geo-political entity may not be fully supportive of a Tinubu Presidency.

If anything, Ndigbo are, from Independent investigations, more solidly behind the successful inauguration of the President-elect, than any other geo-political entity.

“We want to conclude by calling on all well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of peace, to sheathe their swords, and rally round the President-elect, in order to ensure a hitchfree inauguration on May 29.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The making of a President

Nigeria will have a new President this morning. He is Asiwaju

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former state governor. He is taking over from outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari whose constitutional two-term tenure has run out. Like the latter, Tinubu is of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tinubu won the Feb. 25 presidential election with a hefty 8+ million votes, leaving other contestants trailing far behind. His tally was two million more than the 6 million received by Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of Labour Party. The two are in court, asking that the victory of Tinubu be overturned in their favour. The legal contest, however, will not stop Tinubu’s swearing-in today. The electoral act gives 180 days for the legal challenge to be concluded.

In a farewell broadcast to the nation Sunday, President Buhari, referring to his successor by name, said: “I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world. You have indeed worked for this day and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher than I am leaving. You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well.”

There has been a torrent of support from world leaders for the Nigerian President-elect to the discomfort of those who ran against him and lost. President Joe Biden of the United States, for one, has sent a high powered delegation to Nigeria for Tinubu’s installation. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited last week, pledging his full support for the incoming Tinubu presidency.

The immediate past president of

Hadiza Kabir’s Midas Touch at FCT SDS

Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, attended Saturday’s presidential inauguration in Abuja. He told Tinubu, “The contest is now over and the hard work of building a prosperous and unified Nigeria now begins. Upon assuming the office of President, you would be wise to transcend from the tactical politics of an election and assume your role as Nigeria’s vision bearer.

“This will demand a complete overhaul of the adversarial mindset that we as politicians are conditioned to embrace during the electoral process. As President, you must learn very quickly to lead those who do not love you and those who love you with equal passion and commitment because you are now the father of all.”

Tinubu, in his address given by Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, promised to deliver “prosperity and jobs”to Nigerians. He said he would promote “democratic institutions” to “advance substantial economic change that would lead to widespread prosperity, new job opportunities, and the realisation of the country’s latent potential.” He described democracy as the cornerstone for national progress and prosperity, stressing that “democracy was vital in advancing the nation’s interests.”

Tinubu’s formal inauguration makes him the sixth democratically elected president in a row since 1999. This is a spectacular achievement for a country whose citizens had seen in their lives more military dictators than democratic rulers. Another milestone was the first peaceful transition of government from one political party to another in 2015. It was the year this governing APC displaced the PDP at the centre. Tinubu will be the second popularly elected APC president at a stretch, after the outgoing Buhari. This means there is not likely to be any major policy shift under the incoming government. But there certainly will be a marked difference in style. Best of luck to the new government.

By Abdul Jelil Adebayo

When on Tuesday 22nd November 2021, Dr Hadiza Mohammed Kabir was appointed the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Social Development Secretariat, many observers heaved a sigh of relief as she was acclaimed a round peg in a round hole.

As the present administration winds down in few days time, looking at the transformation the SDS has recorded within the last 30months, then whoever recommended her for the job has no regret but appreciative of her excellent performance that she is leaving the Secretariat on a high pedestrial.

The young and energetic Hadiza came hitting the ground running and leaving on her trail coterie of achievements. Both staff and the public are feeling the positive impact of good governance in the Secretariat since she took over the mantle of leadership.

Hadiza record of achievements in her 15 months in office can be succinctly captured as enumerated herewith, thus showcasing at a glance an Amazon; an indefatigable, workaholic, dedicated, staff motivator and an achiever that sees only possibilities and driven by the zeal to provide democratic dividends to FCT residents.

In the Arts and Culture department, in the past one year and six months of her being on the helms of affairs in the Secretariat, the Mandate Secretary has supervised the rebirth of several moribund cultural activities, social life and exhibitions. In September, 2022, in line with the mandate to preserve, promote and present cultural heritage in a sustainable manner the International Museum Day was commemorated.

The annual Music Concert Serenade which helps to showcase our traditions, culture and ways of life through music which was abandoned several years back was immediately revived.

A holiday workshop for children with the theme, “Culture, a Tool for Development”, provided opportunity for FCT children to discover their talents in different creative skills, a ‘catch them young’ kind of activity was also carried out. It is worthy to note that this training was last carried out about seven (7) years ago.

The training of higher institution students on Industrial Attachment in the Visual and Performing Arts Division of the Social Development Secretariat received a boost in that over 200 students have been trained under her leadertship.

In the Gender Development department over 400 food vendors and roadside market women were empowered; the first of its kind in the life of the Secretariat.

the increasing number of shanties that are sprouting across the Capital City Centre.

The Secretariat also evacuated 4,519 mentally retarded persons with drugs related cases out of which 502 have successfully been treated and reunited with their loved one while 273 victims of drug misused persons (drug addicts) were rehabilitated through psychosocial therapy, while 81 are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the FCT Vocational center, Bwari.

Through Social counseling, more than 3,000 Commercial sex Workers have embraced skills acquisition and entrepreneurship initiatives for dignified means of livelihood.

The secretariat through the Social Welfare Educational Empowerment scheme sponsored more than 2,000 Children of indigent families for tutorial and preparations for NECO/NABTEB, WAEC and IJMB to enable them further their educational dreams.

The Sports Development department was not left out in the administration of Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Kabir. In the past 15 months, many sporting awards were won by Abuja contingent. The latest was the hosting of the maiden Abuja International Marathon.

Tourism – Desirous of a paradigm shift from the normal and making the FCT a Tourist Destination hub within the West African region where Nigeria commands the largest population, she constituted the tourism Advisory Council made up of core seasoned professionals and critical stakeholders in the industry, to conduct indepth research and come up with workable and realistic modalities that will catapult the industry to an enviable tourist destination as well as becoming a major source of internally generated revenue component to the FCT Administration.

Also, the Secretariat is harmonizing the activities of Hotel and Hospitality Operations in the FCT in line with standard best practices, identifying those operating illegally as well as those that have since converted their residential apartments to guests’ houses/hotels/motels are made to face relevant sanctions while the processes of reverting to status quo is ongoing Youths Development, over 300 youths have been trained and empowered in fish farming and aquaculture; over 1000 youths in what the Secretariat tagged, ‘Technopreneurship’ were young persons in the Territory are trained to champion small business establishments in technologybased fields like solar and computer combined with leadership trainings.

Manager, administration

The war against gender-based sexual violence has taken a more forceful dimension as the war is taken to the suburbs and offenders not treated with kids’ glove. The victims of sexual and domestic violence are known to be rescued by the Gender Development Department with special cases sometimes referred to NAPTIP for prosecution of such offenders.

In the Social Welfare Services department over 12,500 beggars were evacuated from the streets of Abuja while providing feeding, psycho-social counseling and repatriation to their respective states of Origin to decongest

The National Youth Council of Nigeria and the Scout Association FCT chapters were not left out of the midas touch of Hadiza.

Within her tenure, 13,100 youths were trained in leather works, satellite installation, welding and metal fabrication and ICT, while 5,500 were empowered and given starter packs to jumpstart them in their trained vocations.

From the above, it goes to show that Dr Hadiza Mohammed Kabir indeed is leaving behind a legacy of achievements as the future beckons on her for higher responsibility.

Abdul writes from Abuja

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This will demand a complete overhaul of the adversarial mindset that we as politicians are conditioned to embrace during the electoral process. As President, you must learn very quickly to lead those who do not love you and those who love you with equal passion and commitment because you are now the father of all

Strong institutions – A panacea to sustained development

By Buwa Meldrick Memeh

Precisely October 1st2015, at the annual event tagged “Platform” organised by Pastor Poju Oyemade’s Covenant Christian Centre, Bishop Kukah stated that if the worst President that ever ruled Nigeria had the opportunity to be the President of the United States of America, it would be difficult to steal from their treasury and in all sincerity, this is one assertion I completely agree with.

In the same vein, you will agree with me when I say that if President Barak Obama became the President of Nigeria or the President of his ancestral home, Kenya, there is every possibility that he would have ended up like the average corrupt and selfish African leader whose only focus was to amass wealth at the expense of the masses.The statement made by Bishop Kukah further stresses the argument put forward by President Barak Obama that Africans should concentrate on building stronger institutions rather than strong men. Even though I might slightly differ with President Obama, it is important to stress that the existence of strong institutions can only be made possible by the availability of strong men.

The reality of present day happenings indicate that those morals and values that clearly distinguished us from peoples of other countries have been exchanged for the ills that come along with globalization.While growing up, I remember my mother constantly reminded me that in her days, people display their goods outside the compound and the buyer didn’t have to see the trader to purchase these items and it was certain that the trader will meet her money in tact whenever she came back. Nowadays this will practically be impossible astraders are at the mercy of hoodlums and armed robbers.

The display of the latest cars and flamboyant lifestyle of Hollywood stars as seen on television sets have completely altered our values and orientation which has consequently led to the desperation and craving of a new lease of life from both the old and young. Africans have successfully adapted to the lifestyle of their Hollywood idols but unlike developed countries, African nations have weak institutions and structures to tackle the ills and fallout

of such contagious lifestyle. Societal standards have been set so high and it no longer takes a religious person but one with high moral standards to avoid the influence of society. Today even the clergy men have been caught in the web of affluence as they have successfully reduced the worth of private jets to that of mere taxis.

Institutions set up by the government to fight against financial crimes have severally been caught in a mess of their own financial crimes and institutions set up to deliver judgements can no longer be relied upon since corruption has built a safe haven in the hearts of some judges. Today, everyone is out to make money at the expense of someone else and while some blame the situation on the untold hardship faced in the country, we must not fail to identify greed which has eaten the heart of the average Nigerian.

If we must fix the issues at hand, we must see Nigeria as an electronic DVD player programmed to play CD plates. This electronic gadget plays any CD plates but there is a loud scratch when it identifies a faulty or scratched CD plate and it refuses to recognize it or play it any further. Unfortunately, Nigeria as an electronic DVD player has not been programmed to select its CD plates and this explains why every junk that passes through the device is successfully played and consequently inflicts its own damage on the device and regrettably like a virus crashes a computer, every sector of the Nigerian economy is heading for a crash except for the intervention of a quick fix.

President Muhammadu Buhari must understand that the only remedy to this impending disaster is to ensure the institution of harsh laws and capital punishments to deter public officials and other Nigerians from engaging in practices that are capable of crashing Nigeria.

Countries like China and Indonesia have been successful in the implementation of these punishments. In 2014, the former deputy chief engineer of China’s disbanded railways, Zhang Shuguang was found guilty of taking bribes of more than 47m yuan over 11 years. The courts sentenced him to death. In Indonesia, the drug laws are so strict that parents who fail to notify the authorities of their children’s narcotics use could face criminal charges. Recently several Nigerians have been executed in Indonesia due to drug related offences and these countries understand the fact that if these laws

are not instituted, the country would pay the ugly price.

President Muhammadu Buhari has the opportunity to put his name in gold by being the strong man to create an environment that abhors corrupt practises such that when he leaves office, we have a system that is incompatible with corruption. Today it is difficult for any corrupt man to survive as United States President because he would be impeached and thrown in jail but in Nigeria we are not sure of the National Assembly members who will impeach any corrupt President. The onus lies on President Buhari to make the business of governance less lucrative. Those who occupy public office must be those willing to serve and not those interested in jumbo allowances. If the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members are reduced to the present wages received by school teachers, a lot of our legislators would tender their resignation and Nigerians willing to serve would be happy to replace them. Unfortunately the cost of governance has become a burden on Nigerians and a few are carting away with the wealth of the country.

While Nigerians embrace the present administration’s anticorruption stance, President Buhari must understand that it will be regarded as no different from what we have seen under previous administrations if stolen funds are not recovered and no one is made to account for years of misrule. It will also be a waste of time if corrupt persons are not tried and sent to jail. Nigerians are used to hearing huge figures stolen but unfortunately our judiciary are yet to convict corrupt leaders. The same judiciary cleared James Ibori an innocent man but it took the UK courts only a short while before Ibori pleaded guilty to corrupt charges and today we have an ex-governor serving 13 year jail sentence for financial fraud. Unfortunately the Nigerian prisons are built for thieves who steal Maggie cubes while the treasury looters enjoy ex-parte injunctions.

We must admit we have work on our hands which include ridding the judiciary, the police and other public institutions of corrupt elements. If we must get it right we must strengthen our institutions but until then Nigeria remains at the mercy of corrupt leaders.

Buwa Meldrick Memeh is Public Affairs Analyst and Social Commentator on national issues.

History: A prerequisite to societal survival and development

By Divramredje Lawrence Efeturi

Acommon misconception is usually demonstrated towards the study of HISTORY as a discipline by contemporaneous compatriots throughout the stream of academic studies, irrespective of the levels they are in the various institutions. Going by the remarks elicited from the sample study carried out among some target learners, they feel themselves beyond every reasonable doubt less alien in the business and science fields. The question commonly asked is: “of what relevant is History in this contemporary world?”

Without stating an argument we can draw a consensus inference that History is the branch of knowledge that deals with the past events of man, country, continent or the world so that the present could be corrected for a transparent tomorrow. Just imagine what the everyday life would be like in a society where no one knew any history, that a society has no knowledge of itself! No wonder that Professor Levi-Strauss asserted that”... those who ignore history condemn themselves to not knowing the present because historical development alone permits us to weigh, and to value in their perspective relations with the element of the present”. A society without history is like a man without memory and selfknowledge and that would be a society in drift, just as Cicero put it that: ‘not to know what took place before you were born is to remain forever a child’.

Concrete evidences have proven that even scholars and professionals uphold the view that History is the making of myth and story-telling as a result of their irrational attempts in handling the subject. It has been deciphered that myth is a sacred information of fundamental realities meant to explain the true history of the origins of things and why they happen the way they do. Myths are set down rules for human behaviours, and are such regarded as been bequeathed by the gods themselves, most of whom lived earthly lives as culture founders, hence they lay a divine sanction on their improper use. Let us note that History is rational and scientific in character.This is because it gives answers to questions like: ( what happened? how did it happened? etc ) as science asks alike. This, of course, dissociate historical character as theological writings.

The apostles who echo the creed in a drowning crescendo that history rekindles possible conflicts between families, communities and nations do so because of the consequences that might befall them when their past deeds are unveiled.They also do so because they have been jinxed in irrationality and this is antithetical to what history accommodates. Rationality would always make one, thus, to believe that the study of history impacts a sense of solidarity, share the general justification which is attached to all intellectual on socio-political advancement as well as provide valuable mental

training and of the mind. It gives the ability to cite an evidence and find out the truth from a conflicting statement. It is only this understanding that could diminish incidence of likely conflicts to the barest minimum.

History trains one to weigh evidence in dealing with the common affairs of life. Every responsible father of a family and every adult member of a community needs the willingness and ability to compare an evidence, detects prejudice and falsehood and then draw a correct conclusion. Likely conflicts become unaborted when the led and their leaders lack historical ideology. Consider the 5th May 1789 French Revolution as a sample study. When the Third Estate, which comprised the masses of different professionals, demanded to meet with the First and the Second Estates for a deliberation on how to remedy the socio-political disharmony of France, Louis XIV who was the then monarch was deceived by the bourgeoisie to turn down the demands of the Third Estate. The Third Estate revolted and when the bourgeoisie saw the orthodoxy of the aggression, they stooped to join the queue at the expense of the King. Yet, their demands were met! The detriment incurred by the Monarch was as a result of his lack of historical knowledge of the society that would have enabled him avert the disgrace. We should note that History teaches about the society itself, what it is, how it grows, the way it works, what it has achieved, who are its friends and enemies, what are its standards of conduct and religious beliefs, the behaviour expected of its citizens and so on.

Nigeria’s national and State assemblies are a pack of some politicians who skate on the thin ice of the sea of violence. More than 50% are subterranean scraps; round legs in square holes that have left the comfort of our society only to spew conflicts at the very bottom they have relinquished. These are people who have abandoned the cultural heritage of the nation, and as a result they pursue and sponsor selfish bills that still make us to experience a perilous and economic quagmire. States governors would delay workers’ stipend until a strike action is embarked upon by the workers, yet their demands will be met having done enough havoc to the economy. Do we have to opt for a revolt of any sort before attempting solutions for a speculated impediments? Or we have to learn from the mistakes of our predecessors so as to amend the present? We should enliven our imaginations, brains and thoughts with historic retrospects. We should realise that history is selfrevelatory. It familiarizes us with varieties in social forms and cures us from a dreaded morbid. History lays the foundation of a tolerant outlook and enlarged sympathies. Sympathy here means understanding people’s behaviour and appreciating both good and the bad in them instead of judging them from a narrow point of view. It is the subject that can promote sympathies and genuine

tolerance because it is the only one subject directly and entirely concerned with the behaviour of human beings.

One of the commonest complains some students make is that they feel very inferior whenever their science counterparts designate the technological advancement of the world to themselves. It is pity that those who pride themselves over this are not being reasonable. They should realise that if they were not historians and other liberal professionals life would have been too unorganised, unenjoyable and meaningless. Every students cannot be a scientist and not all students can be good in the arts as well. Each field deserves its praise. Remember that no matter the discipline you find yourself, you must at a start study its history because it cuts across all parts of every discipline. The one studying Mathematics or Accounting will in part be studying the history of Mathematics or Accounting. The study of History is to modernize and improve on the substandard achievements of the past. History, therefore, becomes a terminal or meeting point in which other fields anchor.

It is important we refresh our memory that History gives continuity to societal development. The principle of continuity and the higher principle of development lead to the practical consequences, that is, one of the vital importance for citizens to have a true knowledge of the past and to see it in daylight in order that their influence on the present and future may be exerted in the right directions. The fundamental justification for historical study is that History is necessary. It meets a basic need of man living in a society.

Closely knitted is the fact the history is functional in the sense of meeting the need, which the society has to know and understand its relationship with the past and other society cultures. The bottom line is that possibility of extracting from the past, lessons for the present and future, becomes a means of helping humanity of its problems.

Therefore the full blown foundation, human solidarity, glory and awareness that a society would seek, cannot be realised without a recourse to the study of history as the prerequisite and live-wire to progress. The eurocentric and stereotyped ideas that we do not have history, that is, the past by the colonial masters, must be repudiated and sabotaged. We must develop the spirit of patriotism and the recognition for our country. We can do this if we throw our weights behind the day’s government to right the wrongs now for a better headway; for a better tomorrow Nigeria. If you want to know the past, then, you had better develop a positive attitude towards the study of History. Remember that “ the taste of the pudding lies in the eating”.

Divramredje

Lawrence Efeturi is a commentator on national issues

Reducing smoking prevalence through prevention

By Olufisayo Adeoti

The Royal College of Nursing in the UK is currently running a campaign tagged, “Prevention is better than cure.” Prevention is a principle in modern primary healthcare systems and a major factor in the increasing global popularity of wellness programmes. In healthcare, where the concept is most popular, the logic is quite straightforward: go upstream to tackle the causes of ill-health rather than waiting downstream to cure the resulting illnesses. As global health concerns mount over the health impact of smoking, all scientifically verified measures that can drive down the prevalence of smoking should be encouraged and pursued. In recent months, different civil society organisations have increased the call for implementation of graphic health warnings alongside text on cigarette packs. The clamour must be applauded for considering the potential harm of tobacco smoke exposure to smokers and non-smokers who are in proximity to them.

Tobacco Harm Reduction is a pragmatic approach to reducing the harm from combustible tobacco based on the scientific and empirical evidence that the risk of harm to smokers is from the toxic effluents that result when tobacco is burned, which the smokers in turn inhale, and not from the nicotine that they crave. Therefore, by providing alternative products that deliver nicotine or the sensation of smoking but without the combustion of tobacco, THR prevents nicotine consumers from exposure to harmful tobacco smoke, which they would otherwise get from combustible tobacco.

As a public health strategy, THR advices and encourages smokers to switch from combustible tobacco to these alternative products, which are known as reduced risk products. RRPs include e-cigarettes; heated tobacco products, which heat

tobacco without burning them; nicotine pouches; nicotine gums and others.

Whereas, proponents of THR recognise that abstinence remains the best way to prevent tobacco harm, experience has shown over time that abstinence is not always feasible. For those users who are either unable or unwilling to quit, RRPs are targeted at smokers who choose to continue to enjoy nicotine, while appreciating the harm from tobacco smoke. Prevention of smoking at any stage remains a more effective health and wellness strategy than stopping, hence more proactive initiatives that translate to earlier interventions tend to yield better outcomes. This is perhaps among the reasons that countries, which were early adopters of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs, have not only accepted the empirical evidence of the effectiveness of THR but are also implementing science-backed regulations that provide guidance on the use of reduced risk products.

In an evidence brief published by the World Health Organisation in 2014, WHO reported that citizens of such countries like Canada and the UK indicated that pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs provided more motivation to quit than text only warnings. However, in more recent times, the government of Canada through Health Canada has issued sciencebacked statements such as “completely replacing cigarette smoking with vaping will reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals” and “vaping products and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a less harmful way than smoking cigarettes” among several messages to adult smokers to move them away from combustible tobacco products.

With graphic health warnings mostly limited to cigarette packs, smokers tend to encounter them following a decision to not only smoke but also to proceed to purchasing cigarettes. At that point, a decision has already been made to smoke and the

graphic images at the point of sale or on cigarette packs might be less effective as a deterrent. On the other hand, THR messages continuously and steadily enjoin smokers to turn away from combustible cigarettes and switch to alternative products that prevent exposure to toxic tobacco smoke. This messaging does not depend on a smoker’s contact with cigarette packs. Beyond providing earlier warnings, THR also provides less risky alternatives on the understanding that smokers really crave nicotine, which is not toxic, and not the toxic smoke from tobacco combustion.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence of the UK has published a guidance on THR (or alternative tobacco products) and its efficacy in driving down smoking rates. The guidance recognises that quitting smoking is always the best option for smokers, but it supports the use of licensed nicotine-containing products to help smokers, who are currently unable to quit, to switch to a less harmful option. A study by William G Shadel, Steven C Martino, Claude M Setodji, Michael Dunbarin, et al., to assess the efficacy of graphic health warnings in deterring tobacco smokers was published by Oxford Academic in June 2019. The result showed that graphic health warning labels reduced the chances of cigarette purchases for smokers with lower nicotine dependence but had no effect on smokers with higher dependence.

This study is a pointer for many African countries that have implemented graphic health warnings only, to further adopt THR as a scientifically established strategy with empirical evidence of success in reducing smoking rates and preventing death and illness.

Olufisayo Adeoti writes from Lagos via adefis86@gmail.com

Nigeria; A place not worth studying

By Habibu Temako

Quite disheartening to see that we haven’t trained properly on how to speak/write well due to acute shortage of teachers, low-funding, lack of learning facilities, conducive environment, poor guidance and many more. Basically, this has become a chronic condition that left us with no option except to poorly communicate and relate how well we could understand ourselves even though with terrible grammatical errors.

There are, of course, many African countries with poor educational systems today but the problem with Nigeria’s educational system is the worst of all others. From kindergarten, primary to secondary schools and through tertiary institutions, there’s literally no impression or any littlest sign that Nigeria education is way better to be proud of than other African countries. Take the instance of our expression, especially to some of us who attended primary/secondary schools in our local communities we hardly speak consummately well. Quite disheartening to see that we haven’t trained properly on how to speak/write well due to acute shortage of teachers, low-funding, lack of learning facilities, conducive environment, poor guidance and many more. Basically, this has become a chronic condition that left us with no option except to poorly communicate and relate how well we could understand ourselves even though with terrible grammatical errors.

Furthermore, Nigeria, a country with high pride

as a giant of African whose name is praised ahead of other African countries in home and abroad, has still remained backward in all aspects of developments. It’s because Nigeria has undervalued education and does not regard it as the only forward to have steady progress or “a key to success”. Sadly enough, being Nigerian student today is the greatest mischance ever that robbed our opportunities to explore valuable knowledge and, the ensuing state of distress about it is that the standard level of education in most tertiary institutions has declined to the core. That’s why most university students can not articulate a good final year project because we all lack the basic idea of the subject-topics we aren’t taught properly. This is, indeed, Nigeria education a place not worth studying.

Considering all this, to say that Nigeria will be great in the future is a delusion of grandeur for the future of the said leaders of tomorrow is in grave jeopardy. But yet our leaders keep telling their famous lies that we (the students and the prospective youth) are the leaders of tomorrow. They failed to ask themselves how the future would be when they’re maltreating the prospective youth and oppressing them with illiteracy. Or perhaps they’re not aware of their oppression when they say POLITICS (i.e to be governed) is not for the YOUNG. At least we know that education is currently undervalued in almost every nation but the case of Nigeria education is quite appalling—facing multitudes of problems that need to be revamped. Imagine a country that is academically backward is on strike for the solid three months and nothing has yet

to be done.

Oh we’re indeed the leaders of tomorrow lazily sitting at home doing nothing while the real leaders of today are embezzling public funds. We are indeed the leaders of tomorrow having bachelor degree certificates with no job while the grandfathers of the country are opting for a greater position instead of retiring. We are indeed leaders of tomorrow, vibrant and intelligent enough to rule but we lost space in politics because we’re too young to rule while unhealthy and poor beautiful brains are leading us all the way. This is what Nigeria means when they make us sing the famous song “students/youth are the leaders of tomorrow. What a pity!!!

To round off this write-up, it’s noteworthy that it’s necessary to the government and its agencies at all levels to ensure that Nigeria education is improved in order to make the future seem great. And as they often say, “the future developments of any nation are tied in its youth” the government must make a right investment in education by nurturing a standard system of education that’ll be very competitive with our counterpart countries. Enough so, infrastructures in public schools and high funding is required from the governments and that’s a responsibility we should constantly remind our government. This way, Nigeria as a whole needs to take a strategic and redemptive step to revamp the already ruined education and save the future of the country.

Habibu Temako is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Niger Governor assures to implement Transition Committee Reports

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger state Governor Umar Mohammed Bago has assured to carefully study and execute reports of the transition committee which will serve as a guide for his administration that will serve with fear of God.

The governor stated this shortly after taking his oath of office and alligence presided over by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik at the trade fair complex in Minna, saying that 90% of his cabinet will be youths.

Bago further reiterated his commitment to justify the confidence reposed in him and his vice, hence they will not take the mandate for granted, noting that it will not be business as usual but business unusual.

He emphasized that his administration will operate an open door policy, focusing on transparency, accountability and physical discipline irrespective of tribe, religion and political differences to enhance the development of the state.

The newly sworn in governor presented 13 points agenda his administration will focus on, acknowledging that a glorious new chapter has been open and it is a social contract for a Renew Niger.

The Governor will focus on include security, education, Agriculture, Commerce, Tourism, Civil Service, Health, Water , Electricity, Transportation, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Youths and women priority, to complete ongoing 3 arms zone and to involved traditional leaders in governance among others.

The outgoing governor Abubakar Sani Bello was represented by his deputy Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso at the swearing in ceremony attended by former governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, former house of representatives speaker, Yakubu Dogara among other dignitaries across the country.

CSO sue University of Agriculture over illegal bursar appointment

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Acivil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement, has dragged the Governing Council of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, to court over illegal bursar appointment.

The Plaintiff in a suit filed by its Counsel, Barr T Sorkaa, who described the appointment as illegal, is asking the court to stop Mr Ortese Tyoule Simon, from assuming the vacant position of bursar in the institution.

The group, had in the court processes with suit number FHC/MKD/CS/28/2023 said Simon was not qualified for the appointment.

He prayed the court for an order restraining the defendants in the matter from allowing Simon, who is the 6th

defendants in the matter from assuming office.

Apart from the Governing Council and Simon, other defendants in the matter are the minister of education, minister of agriculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, and the registrar and secretary, governing Council, Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi

In the suit, the Plaintiff prayed for the following orders: an order of Interlocutory Injunction of this Honourable Court restraining the 1st to 5th Defendants, Respondents (minister of education, minister of agriculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, and the registrar and secretary, governing Council, Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi)

from allowing the 6th Defendant/Respondent, (Simon) a Deputy Director, Audit Unit, to assume as Bursar, Joseph University, Makurdi in contradiction of the Financial Regulations, No. 1709 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2009.

SNM also prayed the court to determine Whether or not upon a dispassionate and compound construction of the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, Cap. F22, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Federat Universities of Agriculture (Amendment) Act, 2019, Financial Regulations, No. 1709 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2009 and other relevant Statutes, the requirements for appointment into the vacant position of Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka

University, Makurdi which was at least five (5) years experience as a Deputy Bursar was followed by the Selection Board for the appointment by the Governing Council, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi of the 6” Defendant, a Deputy Director, Audit Unit, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi into the vacant position of Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi.

In the suit, the plaintiff also.prayed the court for the following reliefs: A declaration that the 6th Defendant, a Deputy Director, Audit Unit, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi was not qualified for appointment by the Governing Council, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi into the vacant position of Bursar, Joseph Sarwuan

Adamawa: Gov. Fintiri sworn in for second tenure amidst cheering supporters

From

Umar Dankano,Yola.

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has been sworn in as the executive Governor of the state for his second term of four years

tenure.

The oath of office was administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman on Governor Fintiri and his deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP).

Farauta was sworn in as first female deputy Governor.

Delivering his inaugural speech, Fintiri said his administration will focus on eleven (11) points agenda including ; security of lives and

property, education and human capital development, transparency and accountability.

Others are; rural infrastructure/ urban renewal and water supply, agricultural development and food security.

African libration week : Group calls for removal of border obstacles in Africa

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Aplatform of patriots popularly known as ‘Save Nigeria Now’ called for the removal of border

obstacles for healthy business environment in Africa.

The call was made by the coordinator of Save Nigeria Now Comrade Maryam Ibrahim, while briefing newsmen during

a one day workshop to celebrate African libration week in Jigawa state.

She explained that, the 2023 African Liberation week campaign is on borderless

Africa, organized by Save Nigeria now in collaboration with Jigawa State ministry of Commerce with supported from Africans Rising.

Cross section, at the Inauguration, at Eagle Square, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Tinubu destined to lead Nigeria – OmoAgege

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has said that there were clear signs in the life of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that indicated that he was destined to lead Nigeria.

Omo-Agege, in a message to Asiwaju Tinubu on his swearingin as President of Nigeria, said he was upbeat that Tinubu would surpass the achievements of his predecessor.

In the statement released on Monday in Abuja by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Omo-Agege stressed the need to have the right leadership that would continue the transformational legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Omo-Agege, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State for the 2023 governorship election, also solicited the support of Nigerians for the new administration.

He said: “Given your progressive antecedents as one of the leaders of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Senator of the Federal Republic, Governor of Nigeria’s most cosmopolitan state, Lagos, and eventually, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, you left no one in doubt that you were destined and pragmatically prepared for leadership.

“Without question, these positions and various challenges have prepared you for this current national assignment.

“We have total confidence that you would fit perfectly into the giant shoes of your predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, and take our dear country to even greater heights.”

Ebonyi Gov, Nwifuru urges PDP, APGA guber opponents to withdraw petitions

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has urged the gubernatorial candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Benard Odoh, to withdraw all litigations against him (Nwifuru) for the interest and unity of the state.

Nwifuru was sworn in alongside his deputy governor, Princess Patricia Obila, by the

Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Elvis Ngene, at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, on Monday.

He called on the opponents and others who had dragged him to court to drop their ligations and support his administration, with the purpose of uniting and developing the state.

According to him: “I call on my opponents who contested with me in the 2023 general election to join us in this great journey to savour the benefits

available for them in this state.

“They should make themselves available and offer their beautiful ideas for the development of our state. I publicly plead with them to withdraw their petitions against me. As that will make us more unified and solidified.

“At the same time, this will make the Ebonyi people and the leadership of our great party (APC) more focused on discharging our enormous responsibilities. I assure you all, my political opponents,

of a harmonious partnership, irrespective of our party differences.

“Together, we shall build the Ebonyi State of our dreams, because everything on this earth happens the way God wants it. We are of God, as we earlier stated in our inaugural address.

“Our government shall be fair and just for all. Everything in life happens so that the glory of God will be made manifest. We shall remain firm, focused, loving, and God-fearing.”

Umo Eno, takes over as Akwa Ibom, assures bi-partisan reconciliation C’ttee

By Musa Baba Adamu

Pastor Umo Eno, as well as Senator Akon Eyankenyi have been sworn in as the fifth democratically elected governor and deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, respectively, by the State Chief judge, Justice Ekaette Obot.

Speaking shortly after the swearing-in ceremony at the Godswill International Stadium, Uyo, the Governor lamented that the state had been too polarized by politics and promised to set up a bi-partisan reconciliation

committee soon, to address contending issues of the people.

According to him, “I call on our people to come together, let’s build s State where the pain of one Akwaibomite is the pain of all, and where the success of one Akwaibomite is the success for all.

“We have been too polarized by politics. This should not be. As I said in my Victory Speech, we will set up a bi-partisan reconciliation committee soon, so we can jaw-jaw instead of war-war on critical issues of our development, unity and

brotherhood.”

He, therefore, called on the people to support his ARISE agenda to build on the legacies of the immediate past Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, saying he would be the Governor of all Akwa Ibom people irrespective of their political leanings.

“As we begin this government, we will invite all Akwa Ibomites to arise to the faith of greatness with our ARISE agenda from investment in agriculture, health care services and education; we will ensure that we continue

changing the narratives of our state.

“We will continue to support our state civil servants, and we will ensure that their welfare becomes paramount. We will continue to build on the successes of Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel’s administration,” he added.

He pleaded with Emmanuel not to desert him after he exited office, saying his efforts and that of past governors of the state had placed Akwa Ibom State on its current pedestal with their achievements.

Join hands with Sanwo-Olu for a better state – Group urges Lagos residents

By Christiana Ekpa

As Babajide Sanwo-Olu

resumes office as the governor of Lagos State for the second time, a group has appealed to all residents of the State to join hands with him for more dividends of democracy.

The group, under the auspices of The Mandate Movement, asked Lagosians to support Sanwo-Olu, regardless of their tribe, religion, political affiliation and others

Sanwo-Olu was sworn in yesterday for the commencement of another four years in office.

Lagos became more divided along ethnic, political and religious lines, especially considering the ethnic and political disagreements that characterised the elections.

But, the Chairman of The Mandate Movement, Abdullahi Enilolobo, charged the people to put behind their differences and

rally round Sanwo-Olu for the sake of development.

Enilolobo, in a statement made available to journàlists on Monday, urged SanwoOlu to continue on the path of sustainability.

He begged the governor to keep to his campaign promises, saying he should conscientiously serve the people of Lagos State with all sincerity of purpose.

He maintained that infrastructural development, social welfare and well-being, educational and human capital development, youth empowerment, and agriculture, as well as security, were on course during Sanwo-Olu’s first term, adding that the feats would be increased with the backing of the masses.

While felicitating Gov SanwoOlu, the group maintained that Lagosians have in the last four years complemented the governor’s efforts “towards

the implementation of lofty initiatives.”

The association stated that Sanwo-Olu, just like in his first term, should ensure that no sector is developed at the detriment of others.

Enilolobo charged the Sanwo-Olu administration on pensions, gratuity, education,

security, sports, and culture, telling Lagos people to expect more in the next four years.

“We call on all Lagosians, irrespective of political affiliation, religion, tribe, norms, and values, to join hands with the Sanwo-Olu administration for a more prosperous Lagos State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu

Tinubu’s inaugural speech offers no hope, solution to Nigeria’s challenges - LP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Labour Party (LP) has expressed disappointment over the inaugural speech made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying it offers no tangible solution or hope on the numerous Socio-Political challenges facing Nigeria as a country.

A statement issued yesterday by the acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, LP said the speech clearly exposed the shallowness and policy incongruity that Tinubu’s administration, while it lasts, is hoping to bequeath Nigerians.

“First, the President described “the election that brought him to power as tough but fairly won”. He also said that today was the proudest day of his life. However, we consider that speech

as defective in many ways. Late President Umaru Yar’Adua, recall, on the inauguration of his government did state that the election that brought him to power was flawed and imperfect but he promised that he was going to fix the electoral system.

“But today, Nigerians were aghast with the boldness and glee with which Tinubu declared his election as fair. We consider this audacity as a slap on the faces of millions of Nigerians who voted their conscience but were robbed by a collective power of state institutions and brute bringandry unleashed on them.

“Nigerians will not forget in a hurry that unction by the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tinubu to “grab power and run with it”, a directive that

was effected on the February 25 election day.

“What was witnessed today was a celebration of lies and deceit, and that explains why the streets are like grave yards with no pomp and pageantry usually associated with a major feat like what we had today.

“Again, Labour Party while campaigning told Nigerian that if given the privilege to preside, we will among other things change our economy from consumption to production and we provided tangible ways we can achieve that policy.

“But listening to President Tinubu today reading a speech believed to have been penned by his team, it became obvious that we are returning to the 2015 era where we had great expectations but without any means achieving

them.

“In the last eight years, Nigerians were constantly feed with the narratives that the previous government of the PDP brought the economic and political calamity upon the nation.

“In all those years, the Buhari government made little or no effort to improve upon these challenges. Nigeria is again about to be confronted with similar scenario, if not a worse scenario.

“We are now calling on the highest office in Nigeria, the office of the people, not to allow this government any space to toil with the destiny of this nation again. APC ruined this nation and we must not allow a worse situation again. We must wake up to our roles of holding to accountable those in position of authority.”

Gov Bago reserves vice chair, secretary of Niger State’s 25 LGAs for women

By Musa Baba Adamu

The new governor of Niger State, Umar Mohammed Bago, has disclosed that women will hold the positions of vice chairman and secretary of the 25 local government areas of the state under his administration.

Bago made this known during his inaugural speech, shortly after he and his deputy took the oath of office administered by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Halima Ibrahim, in Minna.

He also revealed that 90 per cent of those who would be appointed to his cabinet would be youths.

According to him: “Our administration’s determination to create a better future for youths and women will be unwavering; we will create opportunities for gainful

History, as Labour Party’s Alex Otti sworn in as Abia State Governor

By Ikechukwu

Okaforadi

History was made yesterday as the Labour Party produced its first governor in Abia State, as Alex Otti and Ikechukwu Emetu were sworn in as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively. The event which witnessed a tremendous crowd of supporters, friends and party officials had in attendance virtually all former leaders of the party across the party lines.

employment for them within the state and beyond.

“I am confident as always that the engagement of our women and youth in skill acquisition will create the desired multiplier effects to change the socioeconomic status of our women and youth.

The governor stated that addressing security challenges and the welfare of citizens will be top priorities on his ninepoint agenda.

“We will do everything possible with our powers through collaboration with security agencies both at the national level and beyond to succeed, which is the primary purpose of any government,” he said.

Dignitaries at the occasion include former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Senator Zaynab Kure, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, top politicians, royal fathers, and religious leaders, among others.

National chairman of the Labour Party, Bar. Julius Abure led a delegation of party leaders to the occasion.

They include National Women Leader, Dudu Manuga, National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara, National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and a host of other National Executive Committee members.

Former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and his wife were among the numerous guests that graced the occasion.

At exactly 12:20 pm, the governor, Alex Otti took an oath of office officiated by the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Lilian Agbai.

He pledged to defend the constitution and promised to be governor for all Abians and to do justice to all, while he also pledged to work for the benefit of all Abian.

Tinubu, Shettima will take Nigeria to greater heights – Rep. Betara

By Christiana Ekpa

Afrontline aspirant for the speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Muktar Betara Aliyu has congratulated the new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Shettima Kashim on their successful inauguration as they lead the country to greater heights.

The speakership hopeful also congratulated the 28 new state governors sworn in across the states of the federation.

In a statement he personally signed,

the Speakership hopeful, expressed optimism that the president and Vice president, both successful former governors and former Senators in their capacities, will take Nigeria to higher heights, having delivered dividends of democracy to their respective states of Lagos and Borno, respectively.

He urged Nigerians to give their maximum support to the new leaders to perform and move the nation towards the path of security, socio-economic revival, unity and development.

Betara said when elected Speaker,

he will lead a vibrant House of Representatives that will align with the aspirations and policy focus of the two leaders, which centres around security, unity and development, youth and women empowerment and the restructuring of the nation, for maximum progress.

He said “It is great joy and a sense of fulfillment that I, Rt. Hon Muktar Betara Aliyu join fellow compatriots to congratulate our new president, Commander in Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the

Vice President, His Excellency, Kashim

Shettima GCON

“Today, the hope of many Nigerians is renewed because of the proven capacity and capabilities of the captain of the ship of state.”

“Without doubt, I believe our nation is heading in the right direction to greater heights. We are assured that New Horizon of greatness is ahead of us as a people and a nation.

He urged all compatriots to join hands and embrace the incoming administration.

Gov Umar Mohammed Bago

By Christiana Ekpa

Shortly after his inauguration, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, hit the ground running by signing three Executive Orders for the effective governance of the state.

They are: Order 001 of 2023, which is an Executive Order for the Development of Citizens’ Charter; Executive Order 002 of 2023, which is Order for the Removal of Unauthorised Street Barriers Across the State Within 100 Days; and Executive Order 003 of 2023, which is for the Promotion of Economic Growth through Transparency and Efficiency in Government.

The Governor explained that by Order 001 for Citizens Charter, the government undertook to provide the citizens with a “peaceful and tranquil living environment devoid of insecurity and all threats to life”.

Other objectives of the government in this regard

Gov Alia freezes all Benue State bank accounts

By Christiana Ekpa

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has ordered all government bank accounts frozen.

Alia made the declaration in his inaugural speech shortly after taking the oath of office as Governor of Benue State at the IBB Square on Monday.

The governor said a ‘Post No Debit’ instruction shall remain in force until all signatories are changed.

He warned all banks to adhere to the directive without delay.

He said: “May I announce that effective immediately and until further notice, all government bank accounts in all banks are hereby frozen. A ‘Post No Debit’ instruction shall remain in force until all signatories are changed. Any bank that violates this instruction does so at its own risk.”

During his speech, Governor Alia expressed his commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the state’s finances.

Enugu Governor, Mbah, assumes office, signs three executive orders

include: “A justice system that efficiently adjudicates on all civil or criminal matters.

“Critical social amenities including but not limited to good and motorable roads, qualitative world class education, portable water in every household, affordable and qualitative medical services; refuse disposal, provision of open spaces for recreation and sports and other social services as will assure a good living environment for citizens.

“Creation of jobs to achieve the eradication of poverty in Enugu State by 2030.”

Others are: “The establishment of a price intelligence unit to ensure that government contract prices reflect costs that will ensure good value for money.

“Formation of a public budget revenue and expenditure monitoring committee with broad based membership from the State, citizens and prominent Development agencies and multilateral agencies and civil society groups.

“Quality and timely government services by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Timely and complete payments of service providers and contractors as well as emoluments

to government employees and pensioners.

“This Charter will be internally and independently assessed on an annual basis to check to what extent the government is in compliance. The results of the assessments will be graded and published.

“This is a progressive performance improvement plan. Performance against the standards stated here are expected to be moderate in the first instance but will progressively improve as time goes on”.

Also, the governor said that by Order 002, which is pursuant to the authority vested in his office by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the Laws of Enugu State, seeks to eliminate every barrier to free movement of persons and goods in the state, noting however that the Order was limited to state and local government roads only.

While acknowledging the reason of security adduced for the erection of the barriers, Dr. Mbah assured the people of the state that the government would step up its efforts to ensure the security of lives and property.

Giving details on Order 003, the governor said that in order to facilitate government services, “every MDA of the Enugu State

Government shall publish a complete list of all requirements or conditions for obtaining products and services within the MDA’s scope of responsibility, including permits, licenses, waivers, tax related processes, filings, and approvals”.

The Order, among others, stipulates that “Failure of the appropriate officer to act on any application within the timeline stipulated, without lawful excuse, shall amount to misconduct and be subject to appropriate disciplinary proceedings in

accordance with the law and regulations applicable to the civil or public service”.

Meanwhile, Mbah, who was earlier sworn in, alongside his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, by the Chief Judge of Enugu, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, had in his inaugural speech pledged that his administration would not be business as usual, saying “Enugu will rubbish ‘Japa syndrome’, not by legislation, but by creatively addressing the challenges to the future of our youths”.

Abiodun begins second term, pardons 49 inmates, 3 condemned prisoners

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Speaking after taking the oath of allegiance and office administered by the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Mosumola Dipeolu, at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun used the occasion to announce the release of 49 prison inmates and three condemn prisoners on medical and long imprisonment term.

“The Constitution of Nigeria allows me to exercise a prerogative to pardon anybody connected to or convicted of an offence in Ogun State. Thus, having received the guidance from the Council set up to advise me on this prerogative, I have signed the appropriate warrant ordering the immediate release of 49 convicts who are currently imprisoned in different correctional facilities across Ogun State.

“I have also signed a warrant ordering that the death sentences

imposed on 3 death row convicts be immediately converted to prison sentences. The convicts who have received this gesture today, are inmates who have served long prison sentences with some having been in prison for more than 20 years. At least two of these convicts have serious medical conditions such as tuberculosis and HIV which even render them a health hazard to the prison community.

“Three of these convicts are over 60 years old, with one being 84 years old. Others already have less than two years of their sentences to serve anyway. All of these convicts have shown remorse for their crimes, they have acquired skills and certifications in prison, and they have demonstrated verified good conduct during their imprisonment.

“The Ogun State of our dreams is not only for one class of persons. It is not for the perfect. It is an inclusive State that gives opportunities to the law-abiding, and second chances

to deserving offenders. If we spend considerable time, effort, and resources in supporting correctional facilities, then we must believe in their capacity to correct, and be willing to reabsorb, reintegrate, and utilise those that these facilities have corrected. While we are not softening our stance on crime”. He stated.

The governor who noted that his administration had fulfiled its electoral promises and reeled out some of his achievements in the last four years, said infrastructure had been developed and fairly and equitably distributed across the State to engender more development, listing the Ilaro-Owode, Siun- Abeokuta, Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye, Atan-Lasada as some of the 400 kilometres of roads constructed.

He said affordable houses were constructed in major cities in the State, while an aetropolis, made up of airport, Special Agro-Processing Zone, Air force Base, is currently being

constricted by his administration.

On social welfare, Governor Abiodun said many women have been empowered through the Oko’wo Dapo scheme, health facilities have been upgraded including the provision of 50 Ambulances, as well as recruitment of medical personnel to man health centres in the State.

While assuring that his administration in the next four years would invent new policies that would speedily move the State towards ‘Building the Future of the people, the governor said his government would continue with ISEYA mantra and focus on completing ongoing projects that creat more prosperity to the people.

The governor emphasized that he would work towards achieving 250 Primary Health Centres and the completion of the 250 bed- hospital in Abeokuta and providing 6,000 affordable housing units, including the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate in the State capital.

Rivers’ new governor Fubara promises to consolidate Wike’s achievements

By Musa Baba Adamu

Siminalayi Fubara has been sworn in as Governor of Rivers State, alongside Professor Ngozi Ordu as Deputy Governor.

Fubara was sworn in at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt on

Monday.

He succeeded the former governor, Nyesom Wike, after winning the governorship election on March 25 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Professor Ordu is the second female to become Deputy Governor in the state.

Speaking during his first speech as governor of the state, Fubara assured residents of Rivers State of his resolve to continue in the leadership style of Governor Wike and build on his achievements.

He promised civil servants early payment of their monthly salaries,

pensions, and gratuities.

“We will follow his footsteps to balance consolidation and continuity. We will consolidate the developmental strides of the previous administration. To the Rivers State House of Assembly, we will work together to advance the common interest and goal for all,” he stated.

Governor Peter Mbah

Lisa suites begins operations,set to empower Nigerians

From Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

Mshel Homes has unveiled hospitality industry ,Lisa Suites in Abuja,with a plan to boost and empower young Nigerian in the hospitality business and overall, up skilling local talent.

Speaking at the the launching ceremony over the weekend,The Cheif Executive Officer of the Michelle Homes and suites, Architecture Barka Umaru Mshelia said one key thing about business is that you must create a sustainable plan for every business.

He said one key thing we have put in place is to look at our furniture and all the things we have put in place to make sure that there is constant change when this item deteriorate and we have taken care of a very good customer care representative experts who are here to serve our customers with the highest level of customers service.

According to him,”Our own desires is to give you comfort and luxury, and we can not be able to achieve it except we are deliberate to make sure they all your needs as it concerns the accomodations is taking care of and that’s why we are championing the new movement of real estate and our houses are fully smart”

Speaking further,he explained that when you look at our class of finishing, you will really know that we spent time and energy to really give it the world class luxury accomodations for people to be able to live in the highest level of comfort they would ever aspire, adding that the project cost the company almost 2.5 billion naira to put this here.

Umaru Mshelia said there are a lot of opportunities in the hospitality industry in Nigeria, because it has a lot of potential

where people are looking for a place where they can sit down, relax and have good opportunities. So for me I believe we are ripe in the market, we have come when a lot of opportunities reside here in Abuja

“Lately, I have seen in the news where the price of property and accommodations have grown. Why do they do that? It was because of the scarcity of quality accommodations and that’s why we distinguish ourselves to provide quality suites with that level of

accomodations.

Speaking of the incoming government,he said “I believe the incoming president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a business man and I can tell you that the same way he reorganized real estate in Lagos State,he would replicate that in Abuja.

“My anticipation is that there will be a great opportunity in Nigeria for him to tap a lot of opportunities that will bring about foreign investment and will increase our economic activities in the city of Abuja and

Nigeria at large.

“I believe that with the way he is coming, irrespective of his limitations they might find on ground, I believe he is one who understands business dynamics and he will be able to create a distinction in real estate business in the city of Abuja”he said

On his part ,the chairman of the Resort suits, Dr Musa Tarimbuka said the hospitality business in is not declining,is going up everyday because the gap is very wide and it also

Subsidy is gone – Tinubu declares

By Abubakar Yunus Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, in Abuja, announced that his administration will remove the subsidy on Petroleum products.

“Subsidy is gone” Tinubu exclaimed during his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, shortly after he was sworn in as the 16th President of Nigeria.

The president said there was no provision for subsidy in the national budget from June 2023 and, therefore, it stands removed.

Speaking at his inauguration, Tinubu, on Monday, in Abuja, he revealed that his administration targets minimum GDP growth of six per cent annually.

He also promised to will lead the country with “compassion and amity towards all.”

“In economy, we’ll target not less than 6 per cent growth in GDP growth. We’ll do this through budgetary reforms. We’ll use a full range of domestic manufacturing and lessen importation,” Tinubu said in his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja.

He promised to boost foreign

direct investment by reviewing all complaints about multiple taxations.

“To our foreign investors, our government will review

depends on the class

“In Abuja today,if you are to name high top notch hotels and suites I can tell you that is less than 2 percent of total requirements in Abuja,so the market is very wide .The market is open for those that have the taste and resources to produce the kind of structure that need the demand of the people .

“In five years time we would have three or four types of this in Abuja.Already we have acquired land that would replicate this “.

all complaints about multiple taxations. All businesses will be allowed to repatriate hard-earned profits back home,” Tinubu added.

About an hour earlier, the former Lagos Governor had taken the oath of office as the 16th President of Nigeria alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima.

NGO empowers career women to re-enter workplace

From Abubakar Yunusa ABUJA

CareerLife Nigeria, a renowned NGO dedicated to fostering career success, says it conducted the second cohort of its career moms mentorship programme.

In a statement, it said the initiative was specifically designed to support mothers who had taken a career break to raise children, and were facing challenges reintegrating into the workforce.

The Founder of CareerLife Nigeria, Yewande Jinadu, said, “Many women encounter significant difficulties when attempting to return to work after having children, and often end up leaving their

jobs altogether.

“Having personally experienced these struggles after the birth of my first child, I decided to establish this programme to provide women with the essential support system they needed to regain control of their careers.”

She stated that in its recently held 10-week mentorship programme, participants actively engaged in meaningful discussions focused on overcoming workplace barriers and stereotypes, confronting limiting beliefs, effectively navigating office politics, avoiding common job search pitfalls, and prioritising overall well-being as women.

The programme focused on

empowering topics and facilitated transformative conversations throughout its duration.

She emphasised that the career moms programme focused on the growth and development of participants, resulting in increased visibility on the professional networking platforms.

One of the programme participants, while expressing her gratitude, said, “Through the programme, I rediscovered my passion for reading and writing.

“I revamped my CV using the comprehensive template provided, which led to two interview invitations within two weeks. Although I declined one job offer due to unfavourable terms, my self-

confidence has skyrocketed. I now know that I am more than capable.”

Another participant who shared her newfound determination, said, “No matter the current circumstances, I constantly remind myself to stay focused on my goals. A career break does not define me.”

According to the statement, this transformative initiative was one of the organisation’s efforts to equip Nigerian youths with vital employability skills and combat unemployment, while aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 8. The organisation said it would continue to develop and execute various programmes and activities.

•targets 6 % annual GDP growth

From Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Retail Limited, a retail subsidiary of the NNPC Limited group, raked in total revenue of N255.6bn in its 2022 financial year, data from the report on key achievements in 2022 by NNPCL downstream directorate showed.

Figures obtained from the report in Abuja also indicated that NNPC Retail increased its sales of white products during the year under review. White products include petrol, kerosene, and aviation fuel.

“NNPC Retail Limited achieved six per cent year-onyear increase in total white product sales, N255.6bn revenue, N15bn EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation) and N14.14bn profit as at Q3

NNPCL subsidiary rakes in N256bn revenue – Report

(third quarter )2022,” the report stated.

It stated that NNPC Retail completed the construction of two standard stations in Kaduna and Kano states and onboarded 71 new stations within the year, adding that five of them were leased, while 66 were affiliate stations.

The retail subsidiary of the national oil company completed phase one solar power project with three stations in Borno, Bauchi and Nasarawa states and carried out rehabilitation and facelift of 15 company-owned stations within the network.

The report also outlined some of the achievements of NNPC Trading Limited, another subsidiary of the national oil company, as it stated that this arm of the company “grew former PPMC (Petroleum Products Marketing Company Limited) profitability by 261 per cent, from n3.59bn in 2020 to n12.95bn in 2021 and reduce demurrage costs by 85 per cent.”

It stated that it improved former PPMC efficiency and significantly curbed product theft/diversion through the implementation of the TDZTrade distribution zones product

allocation based on historical consumption.

It stated that NNPC Trading Limited “processed payments for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 export permits for crude oil, condensate and NGL (natural gas liquids), and successful renegotiated lease renewal and settlement of disputes for OMLs 118, 125, 128, 130, 133 and 138.”

The report stated that the trading subsidiary successfully processed and settled all Crude Handling Agreement charges of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company.

“Completed CNL (Chevron

Nigeria Limited) Cheetah Cashcall Repayment Agreement in February 2022, Total Energies Cashcall Repayment Agreement in November 2022, repayment of NNPC/FEP JV Carry Arrangement and First E&P JV Carry Arrangement in April 2022.

“Secured all government crude oil and gas entitlements from International Oil Company’s and coordinated the pricing transition arrangements with the NUPRC (Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission).

Nigerian Air: Airlines berate Sirika, groups demand EFCC probe

From Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

Domestic Airlines under the aegis of the Air Operators of Nigeria have berated the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for allegedly putting pressure on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to issue an Air Operators Certificate to Nigeria Air without following due process.

The carriers also accused the former minister of unilaterally plotting to establish Nigeria Air without involving the panel meant to work on the project.

The local carriers made this known in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Prof Obiora

Okonkwo.

The statement said, “As indigenous operators, we are happy and grateful to the NCAA for saving us from this punishment by resisting the pressure from Minister Hadi Sirika to grant an AOC to Nigeria Air without going through the due process.”

The association further said the project had been allegedly shrouded in secrecy since the Ministerial Committee on the Establishment of a National Carrier recommended that the national carrier be private sectordriven with minimal government involvement.

It added, “On further

investigation, we discovered some mind burgling dangerous agenda to kill the entire indigenous operators and handover monopoly to Ethiopian Airlines in a dubious and fraudulent way against the economic interest of Nigeria, hence our court action supported by strong material evidence. For us, it is a patriotic action to save the Nigerian Government, people and economy from exploitation and to also protect the Nigerian aviation sector and our investments.”

Meanwhile, a Nigeriabased anti-corruption group, SecureWorld and Liberty Initiative for Peace has asked the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest and probe Sirika for allegedly using the establishment of the national carrier economic malfeasance.

The petition, which was addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was signed by the Executive Director of SELIP, Mark Adebayo.

The letter read in part, “We are compelled to bring to your attention that the aircraft purportedly unveiled on Friday, May 26, 2023, by Minister Hadi Sirika, as the first flight of the national carrier, Nigeria Air, is still in active service of Ethiopia Airlines.

“We can confirm that the

aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 with the registration number ET-APL, has since left the country this weekend for Turkey according to a check on the flight radar; it only transited Nigeria for the farce of a show put up by the minister.

“The flight landing in the country with Ethiopia Airlines’ registration number means Nigeria Air has no Air Operator Certificate. No aircraft can be registered in Nigeria without the carrier having an AOC which means that the aircraft does not belong to Nigeria Air either as leased or owned equipment. So, Sirika should not be allowed to fool Nigerians,” the group said in the petition.”

Construction, Real estate GDP contribution decline to N8.33tn

Infrastructural activities in the Construction and Real estate sector reduced by 7.4 per cent in its contribution to Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product in Q1 2023.

According to latest data released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics recently, the sector contributed a total of N8.33tn in the quarter compared to the N9tn generated in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The NBS attributed the decline to the adverse effects of the cash crunch experienced during the quarter.

The cash scarcity caused by the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria had pushed Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth below global projections of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank.

The decline is slightly below a recent projection by KPMG that Nigeria’s GDP will grow at a relatively slow pace of 3 per cent in 2023 due to challenges associated with the naira redesign and political transition.

A breakdown analysis showed that the real growth rate of the construction sector reduced by 1.56 per cent points from the rate recorded in the previous year.

The NBS, however, noted the sector contributed 11.79 per cent to nominal GDP in the first quarter of 2023, higher than the 9.68 per cent it contributed a year earlier and higher than the 10.16 per cent contributed to the fourth quarter of 2022.

It read, “Construction contributed 11.79 per cent to nominal GDP in the first quarter of 2023, higher than the 9.68 per cent it contributed a year earlier and higher than the 10.16 per cent contributed to the fourth quarter of 2022.

“The real growth rate of the construction sector in the first quarter of 2023 was recorded at 3.27 per cent (yearon-year), lower by 1.56 per cent points from the rate recorded in the previous year.

“Relative to the preceding quarter, there was a decrease of 0.53 per cent points. Quarter-on-quarter, the sector

grew by 2.78 per cent in real terms. Its contribution to total real GDP was 4.22 per cent in the first quarter of 2023.”

For the real estate sector, the statistics agency recorded a relative decline of 4.46 per cent compared to 5.62 per cent contributed in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The report stated, “In nominal terms, Real Estate Services in the first quarter of 2023 grew by 2.36 per cent, lower by 8.47 per cent points than the growth rate reported for the same period in 2022 and lower by 8.25 per cent points compared to the preceding Quarter.

“On a quarter-on-quarter, the sector growth rate was -28.39 per cent. The contribution to nominal GDP in Q1 2023 stood at 4.46 per cent, relative to 4.92 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2022 and 5.62 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022.

“Real GDP growth recorded in the sector for the first quarter of 2023 stood at 1.70 per cent, lower than the growth recorded in the first quarter of 2022 by 2.74 per cent points, and lower by 1.08 per

cent points relative to Q4 2022.”

They insisted that the inability to pay artisans, provide building materials for construction and increased the cost of production had halted any form of revenue contribution to the GDP, leading to an increase in housing deficits.

At a residential development visited during the period in Jabi, the site engineer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that labourers were now jobless, adding that the level of production had reduced drastically.

“For instance, the labourers who were supposed to work on-site today left because they wanted cash payment and they don’t have a bank account. We had to increase the workload on those who have an account so we can achieve something today.

“Currently, the naira scarcity has affected our productivity; work on-site now is not full scale.

“Some of them even think we are wicked because they don’t believe that we don’t have the cash to pay them,” he said.

Tinubu condoles AIT, family over Dokpesi’s death

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of the founder of Daar Communications, owners of African Independence Television (AIT) and Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

Dokpesi died on Monday at an Abuja hospital, according to family sources.

In a statement issued from his office Monday evening and signed by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, the President described the death of the media mogul as a huge loss to the Nigerian media industry and the country.

“The death of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi is a blow to the media industry where he has played pioneering roles in private broadcasting. His pacesetting investment in the industry is an inspiration to many who come after him.

“The history of the evolution of the Nigerian media industry will be

incomplete without prominent mention of Dokpesi and his giant footprints on the media landscape.

“I express my sincere condolences to the management and staff of DAAR Communications and the family of the late media entrepreneur for this monumental loss,” he was quotwd to have said.

UK, US, Saudi Arabia, others in bilateral meetings with Tinubu, pledge support

By Egena Sunday Ode

Several countries on Monday formally presented their goodwill messages and letters of support and solidarity to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

A statement from the president’s office signed by Tunde Rahman said the letters were presented to the president by the special envoys and heads of missions of the countries after his inauguration as the 16th President of Nigeria.

Among the countries are United Kingdom, United States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Israel, Cape Verde, Somalia and Nicaragua, the statement said.

It added that while congratulating President Tinubu, the new UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, presented letters from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, King Charles and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

The US delegation led by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,

Marcia L. Fudge, paid a courtesy call on President Tinubu and had a brief bilateral discussion with him.

Also, the South Korean delegation had bilateral discussions with Tinubu.

While delivering a letter of invitation from South Korean, President Yoon Suk Yeol for Tinubu to visit that country soon, the delegation also sought increase relations between the two countries.

The Saudi Arabian delegation delivered a goodwill message from the Saudi Royal House to the Nigerian president.

A special envoy of the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida equally paid a call on President Tinubu and extended a hand of support and fellowship.

In the same vein, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a delegation which met with Tinubu and expressed willingness to work with the country in the area of fin-tech.

Others who met with President Tinubu and pledged cooperation with Nigeria included delegations from Brazil, Somali, Cape Verde and Nicaragua, the statement noted.

Airmen of Nigerian Air force on parade, during the 2023 Presidential Inauguration, at Eagle Square, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FCTA seeks partnership to revitalise basic healthcare facilities

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Health and Human Service Secretariat (HHSS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in collaboration with international partners came up with a system where philanthropists and spirited individuals can help to revitalize Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery through their support.

The HSS hinted that the FCT Administration requires about 22 billion dollars to close the funding gap of Primary Health Care (PHC) out of which USAID has supported with 14bn.

This, the Secretariat said it is imperative as the health facilities targeted to serve about 1. 5 to 2 million people are overstretched to serve over 6 million FCT residents.

The Secretariat made this disclosure recently in a media address, to herald the new funding system of PHC in the nation’s capital.

“It is not that FCTA is not doing their best, they have revitalized about 83 of the Primary Health Care , we have 154 functional PHC in FCT with at least 83 in minimum operations.

“They procured $ 2. 4 m drugs and consumables were provided to us. There has been a lot of intervention in FCT, there has been the Basic Healthcare Province Fund component.This means one ward one PHC and we have 62 wards in the six Area Councils

new structures in Primary Health Care centers all in an effort to ensure that services provided are standard.

“We are soliciting support from various organizations and international partners and individuals to come and look at the status of the PHC and revitalize them, we are not asking for money.You can choose one, or ten and support it. We want to drill a borehole so that there can

be water for women and children use.

“But the truth is that there has been so much investment in the health sector especially on the FCT as recent as providing drugs and consumables. $4 million going forward we need to look at the status of this primary health centers.

“Asking someone to provide a website where anybody who is interested in watching can

go through the plight in the primary health center and decided to provide manpower support, provide anything that will improve the quality of care in that facility.

“On behalf of the less privileged people in the FCT. The privileged citizens can look at the state of the system not necessarily within the city and decide which of the PHCs they can choose and be involved in a

number of a commitment to our support.

“There has been the basic health care provision component that has been introduced by the federal government. There are been three components.

“We have the Primary Health Care aspect, we have health insurance aspects, and we have the emergency medical services aspect both of them are working”, the HHSS stated.

“We are currently developing Children, at

Cultural diversity: Helpline harps on prioritising integration of Abuja culture into dev’t plans

By Stanley Onyekwere

Helpline Foundation For The Needy, Abuja, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has stressed the need for FCT Administration to integrate Abuja Original Inhabitants (OIs) culture into development plans for FCT and beyond, to enable them participate in the development process, given that culture is a soft power asset of any developing country.

Also, the NGO charged FCT Administration to consider making the plight of the culture of the FCT

OIs a priority when making public policy affecting the FCT, taking into consideration that the people have nowhere else to call their home.

Making this point, the Project manager of the Foundation, Onoja Arome, noted that the government should integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Arome spoke at a recent press briefing, in commemoration of this year’s world day for cultural diversity for dialogue and development, in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

He however, commended the efforts

of the UNESCO for finding relevance in cultural diversity a veritable means for sustainable development with the goals to ensure support sustainable systems of governance for culture.

Futhermore, the Project Manager, explained that the Helpline with support from John D. and Catharine T Macarthur Foundation through the support from the Resource Center For Human Right And Civic Education (CHRICED) have been implementing the project of promoting the rights of the original inhabitants of the FCT under the sub-granted project title Revamping the Cultural Heritage Through Women and Youth

Empowerment and Cultural Preservation

since its inception in November 2021.

He added that the NGO has among other mandate to train and empower 300 vulnerable women and marginalised youth of the original inhabitants of the FCT of which in the first and second phase of the scheme have trained over 189 participants in its traditional skill transfer programmes

He noted they are fully ready to preserve their culture through reproducing their respective cultural attires marking the identity of various tribes in FCT and making livelihood from them.

the Inauguration, at Eagle Square, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Kosovo: Fresh clashes as Nato troops called in to northern towns

Nato has condemned as “totally unacceptable” attacks by demonstrators in Kosovo that left some 25 of its peacekeepers injured.

Police and Nato troops clashed with Serb protesters in the north where there has been unrest over the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors.

Tear gas and stun grenades were used to deter protesters in Zvecan, after they tried to invade a government building.

Nato soldiers also formed a security cordon around two other town halls.

The crisis dates back to April when Kosovo Serbs boycotted local elections, allowing ethnic Albanians to take control of local councils with a turnout of less than four per cent.

Both the EU and US have criticised the Kosovan authorities for destabilising the situation in north Kosovo, and warned against any actions that could inflame ethnic tensions there.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, after years of strained relations between its Serb and mainly Albanian inhabitants.

It has been recognised by the United States and major European Union countries, but Serbia, backed by its powerful ally Russia, refuses to do so, as do most ethnic Serbs inside Kosovo.

While ethnic Albanians make up more than 90% of the population in Kosovo as a whole, Serbs form the majority of the population in the northern region.

Army on highest alert

Peacekeepers from Italy and Hungary were among those hurt in the latest violence on Monday, with three of them left in a serious condition, Nato said. Five people have been arrested in relation to the attacks.

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic said more than 50 Serbs needed hospital

Nato peacekeeping troops have been called in to help deal with unrest in northern Kosovo

treatment and that even more were injured.

Protesters were outraged not just that ethnic-Albanian mayors had taken office, but by the heavy-handed actions of Kosovo police, who turned up with rifles and armoured vehicles.

Further provoking them was the fact Serbian flags had been removed from municipal buildings and replaced with Kosovo flags.

Kosovo’s prime minster, Albin Kurti, insisted the security forces were merely ensuring that democratically elected mayors could represent their constituents.

But he has been accused of trying to create chaos for everyone in the region by trying to install leaders who do not have a credible mandate.

“Do not allow those fake mayors to entering here because they won 50 votes,” said Igor Simic, the deputy head of the Serb List, the biggest Kosovo Serb party backed by the government in Belgrade.

enator Tim Scott has become the latest Republican to join an increasingly crowded 2024 race for US president.Capitol building.

“Even Albanians are not voting for it.”

The worst incidents of violence on Monday were in Zvecan. A crowd gathered at the municipal building early in the morning. They were hoping to prevent the new, ethnic-Albanian mayor from entering the building.

The Nato-led troops at first tried to separate protesters from the police, but later dispersed the crowd using shields and batons, AFP reported.

Several protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers, the agency said.

Kosovo police said one of their cars was set on fire and that “provocative captions with Serbian and Russian symbols” were written on other vehicles.

Nato called the attacks “totally unacceptable”, adding in a statement that it called on all sides to “refrain from actions that further inflame tensions, and to engage in dialogue”.

potential to be a very strong candidate.”

Mr Vucic put the army on the highest level of combat alert in response to the fresh protests. He moved army units close to Kosovo’s border on Friday, following similar clashes.

Kosovo profile

The recent disorder began after Kosovo Serbs - who account for about 5% of the country’s 1.8 million population overall - boycotted April’s local elections in four northern municipalities that are majority Serb. This allowed ethnic Albanians to take control of the councils.

Belgrade backed the boycott - resulting in a turnout of just 3.47% - which was sparked after the Serb community demanded the establishment of a promised association of Serbian municipalities.

Mr Scott, 57, who has represented South Carolina in the chamber since 2013, promised to revive America’s “culture of greatness”.

With about $22m (£18m) in cash on hand, he enters the fray with more campaign funds than any of his rivals.

Ex-President Donald Trump is currently the runaway front-runner among Republicans for the party’s nomination.

Mr Scott is garnering less than 5% support in the race, according to national opinion polls.

At a launch event in his hometown of North Charleston on Monday, Mr Scott, who is black, touted his personal storythe grandson of a Deep South cotton field worker who rose to the US Senate - as an embodiment of the American dream.

He spoke of being raised by a single mother and how his family went “from cotton to Congress” in his grandfather’s lifetime.

Mr Scott has spoken often of his experience as a black man in America, from being pulled over by police seven times in one year to being stopped inside the US

But in his campaign launch speech, he rejected the idea that the nation is defined by racial division.

“I am living proof that America is the land of opportunity, not a land of oppression,” he said, railing against the political left. “The truth of my life disproves their lies.”

He vowed to turn around “a nation in retreat”.

“Joe Biden and the radical left are attacking every rung of the ladder that helped me climb,” he said. “We are not in decline. We are in a Biden retreat. So all we need to do is turn around.”

Mr Scott is one of three sitting black US senators in the 100-member upper chamber of Congress, alongside Democrats Cory Booker and Raphael Warnock.

The mild-mannered lawmaker, a teetotalling bachelor, has already picked up endorsements from two of his Senate colleagues, including John Thune, the chamber’s second highest-ranking Republican.

“There may be somebody in the United States who doesn’t like Tim Scott, but I’ve never met them,” long-time Republican consultant Whit Ayres said. “He’s got the

“For the Republican Party to be competitive in a rapidly changing America, it needs to present a different face to the electorate, and Tim Scott clearly represents a different face,” he added.

Mr Scott will be heading later this week to Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two states to vote in Republican primary elections.

Having already filed paperwork to run for president with the Federal Election Commission, he has also snapped up $6m of air time in both states. It is the largest single ad buy in the 2024 race to date.

He has the backing of some of the right’s wealthiest donors, including Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, and is expected to compete for the evangelical Christian vote, a key Republican bloc.

The former insurance salesman joins a field that also includes ex-US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and radio host Larry Elder.

Others such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice-President Mike Pence are also expected to run.

“Senator Scott is going to have a huge

impact on this race because he’s got the dollars behind him,” Dave Wilson, a South Carolina-based Republican strategist, told the BBC.

“When you look at the fact that he has more money than the other candidates out there, he is going to have an easier time putting the optimistic message he has out there.”

The South Carolina native’s campaign is expected to centre on a more positive, less populist form of conservatism.

Mr Scott told Fox News last year he “has not very many” policy differences with Mr Trump. He was a key Senate backer of the then-president’s 2017 tax cuts.

If he does not win the nomination, the senator has been tipped as a potential running mate for the party’s eventual 2024 nominee.

“Good luck Tim!” Mr Trump wrote on social media, his friendly message a stark contrast to the attacks he usually launches at rivals.

Governor DeSantis, who is polling in second place but has lost ground to Mr Trump in recent weeks, is expected to formally join the race later this week.

Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY , TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023

Uganda’s President Museveni approves tough new anti-gay law

Uganda’s progress in tackling HIV is in “grave jeopardy” after the president approved tough new antihomosexuality legislation, the UN and US have warned.

An increasing number of people are being discouraged from seeking vital health services for fear of attacks and punishment, they added.

President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law after parliament watered it down.

It is still among the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world.

Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but now anyone convicted faces life imprisonment.

The legislation imposes the death penalty for so-called aggravated cases, which include having gay sex with someone below the age of 18 or where someone is infected with a life-long illness including HIV.

In a joint statement, three of the world’s leading health campaign groups - the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), UNAids and the Global Fundsaid they were deeply concerned about the “harmful impact” of the legislation.

“Uganda’s progress on its HIV response is now in grave jeopardy,” the statement said.

“The stigma and discrimination associated with the passage of the Act has already led to reduced access to prevention as well as treatment services,” it added.

The legislation has also been condemned by Ugandan campaign groups, which have

Ethiopia’s

instituted court action to annul the legislation on the grounds that it is discriminatory and it violates the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

A similar law was struck down by Uganda’s constitutional court in 2014.

Ugandan rights activist Clare Byarugaba said it was “a very dark and sad day” for the LGBTQ+ community, and all Ugandans, Reuters news agency reported.

“The Ugandan president has today legalised state-sponsored homophobia and transphobia,” the activist added.

Parliamentary speaker Anita Among welcomed Mr Museveni’s decision to sign the bill into law, saying it will “protect the sanctity of the family”.

“We have stood strong to defend the culture, values and aspirations of our

people,” she added in a statement posted to Twitter.

The bill’s sponsor, lawmaker Asuman Basalirwa, told reporters that the US had cancelled a visa issued to the speaker, making her the first official to face punitive action over the new law.

The US embassy in Uganda has not yet commented.

Prince Alemayehu: Buckingham Palace rejects calls to return royal’s body

Buckingham Palace has declined a request to return the remains of an Ethiopian prince who came to be buried at Windsor Castle in the 19th Century.

Prince Alemayehu was taken to the UK aged just seven and arrived an orphan after his mother died on the journey.

Queen Victoria then took an interest in him and arranged for his education - and ultimately his burial when he died aged just 18.

But his family wants his remains to be sent back to Ethiopia.

“We want his remains back as a family and as Ethiopians because that is not the country he was born in,” one of the royal descendants Fasil Minas told the BBC.

“It was not right” for him to be buried in the UK, he added.

But in a statement sent to the BBC, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said removing his remains could affect others buried in the catacombs of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

“It is very unlikely that it would be possible to exhume the remains without disturbing the resting place of a substantial number of others in the vicinity,” the palace said.

The statement added that the authorities at the chapel were sensitive to the need to honour Prince Alemayehu’s memory, but that they also had “the responsibility to preserve the dignity of the departed”.

It also said that in the past the Royal Household had “accommodated requests from Ethiopian delegations to visit” the chapel.

How Prince Alemayehu ended up

in the UK at such a young age was the result of imperial action and the failure of diplomacy.

In 1862, in an effort to strengthen his empire, the prince’s father Emperor Tewodros II sought an alliance with the UK, but his letters making his case did not get a response from Queen Victoria.

Angered by the silence and taking matters into his own hands, the emperor held some Europeans, among them the British consul, hostage. This precipitated a huge military expedition, involving some 13,000 British and Indian troops, to rescue them.

The force also included an official from the British Museum.

In April 1868 they laid siege to Tewodros’ mountain fortress at Maqdala in northern Ethiopia, and in a matter of hours overwhelmed the defences.

The emperor decided he would rather take his own life than be a prisoner of the British, an action that turned him into a heroic figure among his people.

After the battle, the British plundered thousands of cultural and religious artefacts. These included gold crowns, manuscripts, necklaces and dresses.

Historians say dozens of elephants and hundreds of mules were needed to cart away the treasures, which are today scattered across European museums and libraries, as well as in private collections.

The British also took away Prince Alemayehu and his mother, Empress Tiruwork Wube.

The British may have thought this was to keep them safe and prevent them being captured and possibly killed by Tewodros’

enemies, who were near Maqdala, according to Andrew Heavens, whose book The Prince and the Plunder recounts Alemayehu’s life.

Following his arrival in Britain in June 1868, the prince’s predicament and his status as an orphan elicited the sympathy of Queen Victoria. The two met at the queen’s holiday home on the Isle of Wight, just off England’s south coast.

She agreed to support him financially and put him in the guardianship of Captain Tristram Charles Sawyer Speedy, the man who had accompanied the prince from Ethiopia.

They first lived together on the Isle of Wight and then Captain Speedy took him to other parts of the world, including India.

But it was decided that the prince should have a formal education.

He was sent to the British public school Rugby but he was not happy there. He later moved to the Royal Military College in Sandhurst where he was subjected to bullying.

The prince had a “hankering” to return home, correspondence quoted by Heavens says, but that idea was swiftly quashed.

“I feel for him as if I knew him. He was dislocated from Ethiopia, from Africa, from the land of black people and remained there as if he had no home,” Ethiopian royal descendent Abebech Kasa told the BBC.

Eventually, Alemayehu ended up being tutored in a private home in Leeds. But he became ill, possibly with pneumonia, and at one point refused treatment thinking he had been poisoned.

After a decade in exile the prince died in 1879 at the age of just 18.

His illness had become the subject of articles in the national press and Queen Victoria wrote in her diary of her sadness at his death.

“Very grieved and shocked to hear by telegram, that good Alemayehu had passed away this morning. It is too sad! All alone, in a strange country, without a single person or relative, belonging to him,” she said.

“His was no happy life, full of difficulties of every kind, and was so sensitive, thinking that people stared at him on account of his colour... Everyone is very sorry.”

She then arranged for his burial at Windsor Castle.

Demands that the body should return are not new.

In 2007 the country’s then-President Girma Wolde-Giorgis sent a formal request to Queen Elizabeth II for the body to be sent back, but those efforts proved fruitless.

“We want him back. We don’t want him to remain in a foreign country,” Ms Abebech said.

“He had a sad life. When I think of him I cry. If they agree to return his remains I would think of it as if he came home alive.”

She had hoped that she would get a positive response from newly crowned King Charles III.

“Restitution is used as a way to bring reconciliation, to recognise what was wrong in the past,” says Professor Alula Pankhurst, a specialist in British-Ethiopian relations.

He believes the return of the body would be “a way for Britain to rethink its past. It’s a reflection and coming to terms with an imperial past.” Source: BBC

Uganda’s government has resisted pressure to drop the legislation

Pita Limjaroenrat: Thai election upstart who vows to be different

In a country where the average age of cabinet ministers is 65, where unquestioning deference to elders is still a cherished tradition, his youth - he looks far younger than his 42 years - and unabashed confidence make him stand out.

That he is, after a shock election result which put his reformist Move Forward party ahead of all the others, poised to become the youngest prime minister in 78 years, has stunned the conservative political establishment which has dominated Thailand for much of the modern era.

Difficult negotiations are now under way to form a coalition government with Pheu Thai, the second largest party, which has won every election held in Thailand since 2001, and had been expected to win the latest, held on 14 May.

Both Pheu Thai and Move Forward consider themselves to be progressive, opposed to military interference in politics like the 2014 coup, which deposed a Pheu Thai administration.

But the young activists of Move Forward outmanoeuvred the older party, and beat many of its candidates, with an imaginative, social media-based campaign offering voters a complete break with the past, and a different kind of political leadership.

“I’m different,” Pita tells me. “We are not getting into a coalition to pursue a quick fix, or to get me the prime ministership. I’m in government for the people. The world has changed.

“You don’t have to be a strong man, with toxic masculinity, to make sure ‘people have to listen to me, and I have to be the one in the spotlight all the time’.

“I don’t have to be perfect all the time. I can just be like a regular human being here in Thailand,

riding motorcycles, eating on the streets like any other people.”

Pita Limjaroenrat was born into a wealthy Thai family.

He cites being sent to school as a teenager in New Zealand, the time he lived in the United States doing postgraduate study, and his experience working in the family rice-bran business, and then as an executive with the ride-hailing company Grab, as formative influences.

He admires down-to-earth leaders like New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern and Uruguay’s José “Pepe” Mujica.

Move Forward has the most ambitious reform agenda of any party in Thailand’s electoral history.

Among the 300 policies in its manifesto are equal marriage for LGBTQ Thais, ending military conscription, tackling business monopolies, and overhauling the education system to make it fit for a 21st Century economy.

The party plans to scrap the military-drafted constitution, and bring the army’s many business interests under the Ministry of Finance.

“It is time to end the cycle of military coups, and time to end the corruption in politics which opens the door to coups,” Pita says.

But the party’s most controversial proposal is to amend the lèse majesté law, which imposes long jail sentences on those convicted of insulting the royal family, and to begin a conversation about the relationship between the monarchy and the Thai people.

Many of the 250 senators, who were appointed by the previous military government, and who are required to join the parliamentary vote for the next prime minister, say they will block Move Forward from taking office over this issue.

“The sentiment of the era has changed,” says Pita.

“I think we now have the maturity and tolerance to speak about the monarchy. Even conservatives understand what the role of a constitutional monarchy should be in the 21st Century.

“We won the votes of 14 million people. And they understood - it was clear, it was transparent - that this was one of the agendas we wanted to push.”

The Move Forward leader believes that his coalition, which currently holds 312 out of the 500 seats in the lower house of parliament, will get the necessary backing of 64 senators to give them the super-majority they need.

Sources inside the senate, though, say this will be difficult to achieve so long as Move Forward remains committed to amending the lèse majesté law; but that at least some of the senators, who only have a year left of their

unelected terms, do feel uneasy about opposing a coalition which won a clear majority in the election.

Pita Limjaroenrat is promising a new foreign policy as well.

Under the military-backed governments of the past decade Thailand is widely viewed as having punched below its weight in international affairs, with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha taking little interest in foreign policy.

“Definitely we need to engage the international community more,” Pita says.

“We have to rebalance. We have to speak out more, and we have to side with the rules-based world order. No words, no weight in foreign policy.

“And a lot of our problems, whether its economic, it’s air pollution, it’s the price of fertiliser, come from the rest of the world.”

His government, he says, would

work more closely with Thailand’s Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbours to seek a solution to the civil war in Myanmar, and he would try to channel more humanitarian aid across the Thai-Myanmar border. still confronting this young prime minister-in-waiting are daunting.

There is the sceptical senate, and the need to hammer out a deal with Pheu Thai, which won only ten seats fewer than Move Forward and has more experienced negotiators in its team.

Pheu Thai has been demanding top ministries, and the powerful parliamentary speaker position, which Pita views as a priority to get his many new bills tabled.

His party is made up mainly of first-time MPs, some too young to pass the 35 years age threshold to be a minister, some still facing serious criminal charges from their past political activism.

Ukraine war: Satellite images reveal Russian defences before major assault

Abeach resort bristling with fortifications. A major road lined with anti-tank ditches. Satellite analysis by BBC Verify has uncovered some of the extensive defences built by Russia as it prepares for a major Ukrainian counter-attack.

After months of stalemate, the expected assault is likely to be a crucial test for Ukraine as it seeks to prove it can achieve significant battlefield gains with the weapons it has received from the West.

By examining hundreds of satellite images, the BBC has identified some key points in the significant build-up of trenches and other fortifications in southern Ukraine since October.

These four locations offer an insight into what Russia expects from the counter-offensive, and what defences Ukrainian forces might encounter.

1. Crimea’s west coast Seized by Russia in 2014, Crimea was formerly known for its beach resorts.

Now, instead of sun loungers and parasols, the coastline stretching for 15 miles (25km) is littered with defence structures installed by Russian troops.

The image below shows the only open sandy beach on the west coast without natural defences such as cliffs or hills.

Firstly, there are “dragon’s teeth” along the shore: pyramidshaped blocks of concrete, designed to block the path of tanks and other military vehicles.

Behind them is a line of trenches, providing cover from incoming attacks. Several bunkers can also be spotted along the trenches.

Stacks of wood, digging machines and stores of dragon’s

teeth along the coast suggest building work was still in progress when the image was taken in March.

Some military experts suggest the defences are likely to be a precaution, rather than a sign that Russia expects to defend a seaborne assault, since Ukraine has little naval capacity.

Intelligence analyst Layla Guest says: “The fortifications are likely in place to deter any bold Ukrainian operation to attack Crimea via the sea rather than on land.”

The beach fortification is just one example of a vast network of trenches, as shown by the black dots in the map below, based on work by open-source analyst Brady Africk.

BBC Verify has been able to identify other key fortification sites by pinpointing individual

trench locations from videos on social media.

Once an exact location was discovered it was then possible to trace an entire trench network using satellite images.

2. Tokmak

The small city of Tokmak lies on a key route in the south-east of the country that Ukrainian forces may want to use to cut off Crimea from other Russian-held territories.

There have been reports that Ukrainian civilians have been moved out in order to turn the city into a military fortress. This would provide soldiers with access to supplies and a base to retreat to.

The satellite image above shows that a network of trenches in two lines has been dug north of Tokmak - the direction Ukraine would have to attack from.

Behind these trenches is

a further ring of fortifications around the city, with three layers of defences that can be seen distinctly in this close-up satellite image.

The top of the satellite image shows an anti-tank ditch. These are usually at least 2.5m deep and designed to trap any enemy tanks that attempt to cross.

Behind the ditch are several rows of dragon’s teeth and another trench network.

But Ukrainian forces are likely to face further traps.

It’s highly likely that mines have also been hidden between Tokmak’s three defence lines, says Mark Cancian from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“Minefields are a standard part of every defence, and the Russians have used them extensively throughout the war. BBC

Pita Limjaroenrat’s party has offered voters a break with the past

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Thailand: Southeast Asia’s ‘weed wonderland’

Anew symbol has appeared in the kaleidoscopic jumble of neon signs that light up Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok’s most international street. The sudden ubiquity of the five-pointed marijuana leaf, in lurid green, announces the spectacular boom there has been in weed-related businesses in Thailand since cannabis was decriminalised last June.

Walk two kilometres east of the BBC office in Bangkok, and you pass more than 40 dispensaries, selling potent marijuana flower buds and all the paraphernalia needed to smoke them.

Travel in the opposite direction, to the famous backpacker hangout of Khao San Road, and there is an entire marijuana-themed shopping mall, Plantopia, its shops half-hidden behind the haze of smoke created by customers trying out the product. The website Weed in Thailand lists more than 4,000 businesses across the country selling cannabis and its derivatives.

And this is Thailand, where until last June you could be jailed for five years just for possessing marijuana, up to 15 years for producing it; where other drug offences get the death penalty. The pace of change has been breathtaking.

“It is messy, but then this is Thailand, and without this sudden liberalisation I don’t think it would have happened at all,” says Kitty Chopaka, founder of Elevated Estate, a company that offers advice on the marijuana industry, and has been a part of the parliamentary committee trying to get the new regulations passed.

But this is not the kind of liberalisation long-term campaigners like her dreamed of.

“We need regulation. Spelling out what you can and cannot do,” Ms Chopaka says. “It is causing a lot of confusion, a lot of people not knowing what they can do, what they can put money behind.”

There are some rules in this apparent free-for-all, but they are being enforced haphazardly, if at all. Not all dispensaries have a licence, which they are required to have, and they are supposed to record the provenance of all their cannabis flowers and the personal details of every customer.

No products aside from the unprocessed flower are supposed

to have more than 0.2 percent THC, the psychotropic chemical in cannabis, nor can they be sold online. Yet you can find suppliers offering potent weed brownies and gummies with high THC content online, with delivery to your door within an hour. Cannabis cannot be sold to anyone under 20 years old, but who is to know if the product is simply delivered by a motorbike courier?

There are restaurants serving marijuana-laced dishes, you can get marijuana tea, and marijuana ice-cream. Convenience stores are even selling weed-tinged drinking water. The police have admitted that they are so unsure of what is and is not legal they are enforcing very few rules around marijuana.

The new cannabis regime is a bit of a political accident. Anutin Charnvirakul, head of one of Thailand’s larger political parties, made decriminalisation part of his manifesto for the 2019 election. It proved a vote-winner, mostly on the as-yet untested notion that cannabis could be a profitable alternative cash crop for poor farmers. As health minister in the new government, Mr Anutin prioritised getting it taken off the banned narcotics list as soon as possible to fulfil his election pledge.

But Thailand’s parliament, a cauldron of competing interest groups, moves slowly. Cannabis was decriminalised before anyone had been able to write regulations to control the new business. And the planned new laws got bogged down by inter-party bickering. With another general election taking place in May, there is little chance of the law getting through the parliament before the end of the year. Already rival parties are warning of the dangers of unregulated weed, and threatening to re-criminalise it if they take power.

The future of this free-wheeling new industry is uncertain.

Tukta, a 21-year-old university student, jumped on the marijuana bandwagon last year, sinking more than one million baht ($30,000; £23,500) into a dispensary and coffee shop called The Herb Club in Bangkok’s Klong Toei district. She sells 16 different grades of the cured flower, ranging from $10 to $80 a gram, but she worries about possible changes in the law. With so much competition from the many other dispensaries nearby,

she says business is neither bad nor good.

“The price is falling because there’s a glut of marijuana,” Ms Chopaka says.

“There are a lot of illegal imports. We are growing strains from overseas, which need airconditioning and lighting. We should look into developing strains that work for our climate to lower costs.

“We really need to go back to our old heritage, our old cultures. Because cannabis and Thais, Thailand, are very interwoven with each other.”

For many Thais, who have grown up in a country which viewed all narcotics as a dangerous social evil, the dramatic flowering of the weed business since last year is bewildering. Yet the unforgiving official view of drugs is a relatively recent development.

Up until the late 1970s marijuana was widely cultivated by the hill tribes in northern Thailand, in the border area known as the Golden Triangle, which also

used to be the source of much of the world’s opium. Marijuana had also been used extensively as a herb and cooking ingredient in north-eastern Thailand.

When US soldiers arrived in the 1960s on “rest and recreation” breaks from fighting in the Vietnam War they discovered Thai stick, locally made from cured marijuana buds wrapped in leaves around a bamboo stick, like a fat cigar. The soldiers began shipping

Thai marijuana back home in large quantities; along with Golden Triangle heroin it made up much of the narcotics flow going into the United States.

As the Vietnam War wound down, the US put pressure on Thailand to curb drug production. In 1979 Thailand passed a sweeping Narcotics Act, mandating harsh penalties for using and selling drugs, including the death sentence. BBC

There are a lot of illegal imports. We are growing strains from overseas, which need air-conditioning and lighting. We should look into developing strains that work for our climate to lower costs

The marijuana leaf has become a familiar sight in the streets of Bangkok

Kitty Chopaka says Thailand needs better regulation to help the cannabis industry

The speed at which weed businesses have proliferated has bewildered many

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Mauricio Pochettino: Chelsea appoint ex-Tottenham boss as new manager

Chelsea have appointed former Tottenham and Paris St-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager.

The Argentine, 51, begins his new role on 1 July 2023 on a two-year contract, with an option of a further year.

Interim boss Frank Lampard took Chelsea to 12th in the Premier Leaguetheir lowest finish for more than 25 years.

“Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board,” the club said.

Chelsea say Pochettino was first choice and the only manager who was brought into the club for talks.

He will work with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart.

“Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward,” Winstanley and Stewart said in a statement.

“He is a winning coach, who has worked at the highest levels, in multiple leagues and languages. His ethos, tactical approach and commitment to development all made him the exceptional candidate.”

‘Chelsea owners cannot afford Pochettino to fail’

‘Pochettino appointment could be defining moment of new era’

Pochettino is Chelsea’s sixth permanent manager in five years following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter earlier this season, which led to Lampard taking charge on a temporary basis.

He is also the fourth boss of new owner Todd Boehly’s reign after the American took over at Stamford Bridge last July.

Since Boehly took over, Chelsea have spent more than £550m on players with their Premier League record of £288m in January totalling more than all the clubs in the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 combined.

Incomings like World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez and Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk could not lift a poor Chelsea season however, as the Blues lost to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

They also suffered third-round exits in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

From London rival to new head coach Pochettino had been linked with a return to Tottenham after they parted company with Antonio Conte in March, but he has instead joined his former club’s London rivals.

Having started his managerial career with Espanyol before a 16-month spell at Southampton, he then managed Spurs

from 2014 to 2019.

The Argentine guided his side to the League Cup final in 2015 and a Premier League runners-up spot in 2016-17, with Spurs missing out on winning both to Chelsea, and the 2019 Champions League final.

He also oversaw an infamous London derby in May 2016 in which Spurs picked up nine yellow cards compared with three for the Blues, the result ending their title hopes for the season.

Following his spell at Tottenham, Pochettino took over from Tuchel at PSG in January 2021.

The French club finished second in Ligue 1 at the end of the 2020-21 season but did win the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions, which were the first trophies of Pochettino’s managerial

career.

‘He needs to control the agenda at Chelsea’ - Analysis Guillem Balague, European football expert

Joining Chelsea is not a decision Pochettino has taken lightly; he has turned down a number of potential suitors since leaving Paris St-Germain in July 2022.

But none have ticked as many boxes as Chelsea, and he initially turned down Boehly until he was offered more control.

Much, of course, will depend on who he can bring in, with a need to find a striker clearly a main objective. Should Romelu Lukaku manage to steer clear of injury, he could well be an option, although he is going to have to jettison some players before contemplating adding to the squad.

What his time at PSG taught him is he

needs to return to his essence, with all his passion and intensity, not dissimilar to the relationship he enjoyed with his players at Spurs.

For that, he has taken a good look at himself and what he did wrong at the French club, what he could have done better and how he can avoid making similar mistakes at Chelsea.

He needs to have the energy to be able to mould players, know that the players are listening to him and have the authority to ensure that this is happening.

He realises that, at Chelsea, he needs to control the agenda as much as possiblesomething he could not do at PSG.

Most importantly, he needs to get the message across that this will not be a quick fix and, more than vast sums of money, what is required most is time.

Chelsea will become the fifth club of Pochettino’s 14-year managerial career

Côte d’Ivoire to host 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League

Côte d’Ivoire will host the third edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League, the Executive Committee has announced. The prestigious inter-club competition for women was first hosted by Egypt in 2021 with Morocco hosting last year’s edition.

The dates for the tournament will be announced soon, but the eight-team tournament will help the Ivorians test their systems ahead of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which kicks off in January 2023.

The format will remain unchanged with the eight teams drawn into two groups. The top two in each will progress to the semi-finals.

The champion of the host country will be joined by seven other teams from the zonal qualifiers which will be held in due course as well.

Morocco’s AS Far are the defending champions, having clinched the crown on home soil, beating holders Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. The format will remain unchanged with the eight teams drawn into two groups. The top two in each will progress to the semifinals.

The champion of the host country will be joined by seven other teams from the zonal qualifiers which will be held in due course as well.

Morocco’s AS Far are the defending chamhed the crown on home soil, beating holders Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. Morocco’s AS Far are the defending champions, having clinched the crown on home soil, beating holders Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. The format will remain unchanged with the eight teams drawn into two groups. The top two in each will progress to the semifinals.

The champion of the host country will be joined by seven other teams from the zonal qualifiers which will be held in due course as well.

Morocco’s AS Far are the defending chamh.

P R T

Premier League 2022-23: Who were on an upward curve and who were sleepwalking?

Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions for the fifth time in six years and all the final-day drama was centred on the fight to avoid relegation. Here is a team-by-team review of the 2022-23 seasonand a look back at my pre-season predictions.

Phil McNulty’s predicted 2022-23 Premier League positions at a glance Position Club Position (cont) Club (cont)

1 Manchester City 11

Brighton

2 Liverpool 12

Wolves

3 Tottenham 13

Crystal Palace

4 Chelsea 14

Everton

5 Arsenal 15

Brentford

6 Manchester United 16 Leeds

7 West Ham 17

Southampton

8 Aston Villa 18

Nottingham Forest

9 Newcastle 19

Fulham 10 Leicester 20

Bournemouth

Manchester City - 1st

An unstoppable force attempting to emulate Manchester United’s perfect Treble of 1999 by winning the Premier League - a fifth in sixth years - the FA Cup and the

Champions League.

The goal machine that is Erling Haaland made Pep Guardiola’s brilliant team even better and the manager’s adjustment of John Stones’ role to an amalgam of defender and midfield man made them virtually unbeatable after mixed form before the World Cup in Qatar.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 1st

What McNulty said in August: “The signing of Erling Haaland solves the one main flaw in a magnificent side, namely a tendency not to convert so many of the chances they create.”

Arsenal - 2nd

Arsenal were magnificent for so much of the season, emerging as unlikely but deserved title challengers until late in the campaign, then stuttering so badly near the finishing line when Manchester City applied relentless pressure.

Mikel Arteta’s side showed vast improvement but there has to be huge disappointment that a title that looked within their grasp was allowed to slip away.

What is certain is that this Arsenal side is on an upward curve, an outstanding mix of young talent and experience, but the squad must be fleshed out and a signing such as West Ham United captain Declan Rice would make them candidates for another excellent season next

time around.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 5th

What McNulty said in August: “I can see them challenging for the top four again. I do not see them as title contenders, though.”

Manchester United - 3rd Man Utd 2-1 Fulham: Erik ten Hag calls for further investment after top-three finish

Erik ten Hag deserves great credit for returning a Manchester United squad still in need of serious work back into the Champions League in his first season while also winning the League Cup, the club’s first trophy since 2017, and reaching the FA Cup final.

There have been lows, especially the 7-0 thrashing at Liverpool, but United have been much more solid than in the debacle of the latter days of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick eras.

Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez brought quality and steel but more needs to be done - namely the acquisition of a consistent, quality striker.

This, however, can be regarded as a job well done by Ten Hag.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 6th

What McNulty said in August: “Top four challenge and a cup are the best bet. Title contenders? No

chance.”

Newcastle United - 4th

What a season for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United.

Smart signings and a clearly identifiable style, backed by the magnificent Toon Army, have propelled Newcastle United into the promised land ahead of even the ambitious schedule of their Saudi Arabian owners.

It is now likely this taste of glory and a place in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years will accelerate those levels of ambition.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 9th

What McNulty said in August: “I see a season of good consolidation, which should satisfy the Toon Army as this will be steady rebuilding rather than a cash-crazy quick fix.”

Liverpool - 5th

Liverpool’s late run to revive hopes of a Champions League place cannot disguise the fact that this has been a real season of underachievement for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Too many desperately poor away performances, especially in the middle of the season, saw a Liverpool team look so short of its usual fierce intensity and they paid the price by ending empty handed and dropping into the Europa League.

It has been, by Klopp and

Match of the Day analysis: Gary Lineker on why Leicester were relegated

Who were on an upward curve and who were sleepwalking?

Liverpool’s previous standards and by Mohamed Salah’s blunt description, a failure.

Klopp will have Liverpool back at it next season as he targets midfield reinforcements such as Alexis Mac Allister and Mason Mount. Cody Gakpo looks ideal to fill Roberto Firmino’s role, although £85m summer signing Darwin Nunez fell short of expectations. More will be expected of him next season.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 2nd

What McNulty said in August: “Expect them to fight on all fronts again this term and challenge City all the way, securing at least one trophy.”

Brighton - 6th

Absolutely magnificent. One of the most entertaining teams in the Premier League and fully meriting a place in the Europa League for the first time in Brighton’s history.

The blow of losing Graham Potter to Chelsea did not see Brighton miss a beat, successor Roberto de Zerbi making them even more exciting to watch with class acts such as Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister flourishing alongside brilliant young talent including Evan Ferguson and the experience of Lewis Dunk.

A credit to themselves and the Premier League.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 11th

What McNulty said in August: “There is no reason to expect anything other than a very decent season.”

Aston Villa - 7th

Aston Villa have been transformed under the superb guidance of Unai Emery, only out of the relegation zone on goals scored when Steven Gerrard was sacked in October, now back in Europe under one of that arena’s greatest exponents.

Emery has built an instant connection with Villa’s fans and brought outstanding performances from the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins, who were never at their best under Gerrard.

Tactically astute and one of the game’s most renowned coaches, Emery has revived this great old club and optimism will be sky high in the build-up to next season.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 8th

What McNulty said in August: “They need to rid themselves of the inconsistency that so frustrated Gerrard last season.”

Tottenham Hotspur - 8th

A dreadful campaign of poor football allied to discontent on and off the field. It started with optimism under Antonio Conte but descended into rancour ending with his final outburst at Southampton. Spurs have lacked direction, need a new manager and the pressure is greater than ever on chairman Daniel Levy to prove he can actually get these big decisions right.

And where will Harry Kane be next season after another superb personal campaign? How much longer will he accept the mediocrity he has been surrounded by?

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 3rd

What McNulty said in August: “Out on a limb here. Top four and a trophy for Spurs as long as they keep Mr Conte happy.”

Brentford - 9th

The great Brentford story continues with a perfect end to the season and victory over Manchester City completing a double over the champions. The Bees are west London’s highest-placed club and deservedly so after another outstanding season under manager Thomas Frank.

Brentford are a united force on and off the field and produced so many high points such as winning at Manchester City, sweeping past Manchester United and Liverpool at home while also picking up three points at Chelsea and Spurs. Barring unforeseen circumstances, and they will be hit by striker Ivan Toney’s eight-month ban for breaking FA betting rules, Brentford are in the Premier League to stay.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 15th

What McNulty said in August: “Thomas Frank showed himself to be a shrewd operator and I fancy the Bees to stay up again, although they will need to make another good start.”

Fulham - 10th

It’s been an outstanding season under Marco Silva after many - including myself - expected relegation.

Fulham started as they meant to go on when they gave Liverpool all sorts of trouble on the opening day of the season, and they maintained high standards playing very good football under Silva, who has done a superb job at Craven Cottage.

Willian was a revelation given evidence suggested he was washed up after Arsenal, while Joao Palhinha was top class in midfield. Aleksandar Mitrovic showed his Premier League pedigree with goals although his eight-match ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh was damaging.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 19th

What McNulty said in August: “It’s still hard to see anything other than a fight for

survival.”

Crystal Palace - 11th Palace ended the season in a position of comfort after the wise old head Roy Hodgson returned following the sacking of Patrick Vieira on the back of a 12-match winless run.

Vieira’s second season was a disappointment but Hodgson lifted the mood and got the best out of exciting Palace attackers such as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, assuring safety with games to spare.

It now remains to be seen whether Hodgson stays in charge next term and whether talisman Wilfried Zaha signs a new deal, but the season certainly ended with optimism at Selhurst Park.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 13th

What McNulty said in August: “It will be intriguing to see whether Vieira can get an improvement out of Palace but I certainly do not expect to see them struggling.”

Chelsea - 12th

Where do you even start with Chelsea? What an absolutely wretched and dysfunctional first season under the co-ownership of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali after succeeding Roman Abramovich.

Thomas Tuchel sacked, successor Graham Potter suffering the same fate after only 31 matches, Frank Lampard making a bizarre return to no effect after he was shown the door by Everton and £600m spent in a scattergun transfer policy to make the team worse and assemble a ridiculously large and unwieldy squad.

Chelsea will need a complete reset under incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino, who must slim down the squad and actually give the team identity. Boehly and Eghbali must also learn some very expensive lessons.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 4th

What McNulty said in August: “It’s never dull at Chelsea.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers - 13th

Wolverhampton Wanderers were

rewarded by appointing the experienced Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui to replace sacked Bruno Lage in November, using the mid-season break offered by the World Cup in Qatar to reboot and plot a path to safety.

The problem is that the noises coming out of Wolves already hint at an uncertain future for Lopetegui as he wants a big show of ambition from the Wolves board in the summer. It could be an interesting one.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 12th

What McNulty said in August: “If Wolves can keep hold of the coveted Ruben Neves then there’s no reason at all why they cannot have another decent season and perhaps another crack at the top 10.”

West Ham United - 14th

An odd season - a big disappointment in the Premier League considering previous European qualifications - but now the chance for success and West Ham’s first silverware since 1980 in the Europa Conference League final.

David Moyes was fighting for his future at various stages this season but there was improvement towards the end, with captain Declan Rice proving outstanding and club record-signing Lucas Paqueta coming into his own.

Moyes’ long-term future may be shaped by what happens against Fiorentina and Rice is expected to depart, probably to Arsenal, but this season could end with a European trophy and glory for the Hammers.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 7th

What McNulty said in August: “Can see another good season for the Hammers and a potential cup challenge.”

AFC Bournemouth - 15th

I had the Cherries down for the drop and felt even more convinced when manager Scott Parker was sacked shortly after the humiliating 9-0 loss at Liverpool.

Step forward Gary O’Neil, first as caretaker then in full charge, to do a topclass job of steadying the ship with a calm demeanour before guiding Bournemouth towards safety and another season in the Premier League.

Bournemouth have defied the odds and those grim early season predictions, and they deserve great credit.

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 20th What McNulty said in August: “Survival would be viewed as success but I cannot say I am confident that will happen.”

Nottingham Forest - 16th

I feared for Nottingham Forest purely because of the astonishing churn of players and new signings arriving, which manager Steve Cooper had to shape into a coherent team.

Cooper achieved it and both he and his players deserved the acclaim they received when safety was assured with victory against Arsenal at the City Ground, where a magnificent atmosphere played such a part in their survival.

Leicester were relegated

Jude Bellingham: Borussia Dortmund midfielder named Bundesliga player of the season

I feel sorry for President Tinubu

Anew dawn literally broke for Nigeria as a new president assumed office yesterday, May 29.

Borussia Dortmund’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been named the Bundesliga player of the season.

Bellingham, 19, was key in his side’s title challenge but a 2-2 draw with Mainz on the final day of the season saw them lose out to Bayern Munich.

He scored eight goals and provided five assists in 31 league appearances this season as Dortmund finished runners-up.

“Every year that I’ve played at the club my responsibility has increased,” said Bellingham.

“I have to continue to be everywhere on the pitch and try my best to contribute going forwards and backwards and try and control games and dominate the midfield.

“My team-mates, the coaches and the staff have helped me to develop. I came to the club as a talented lad but I have added elements to my game that have taken it to the next level and I think that’s down to them, mainly.”

Bellingham is being tipped to join Real Madrid this summer in a deal worth more than 100m euros.

Last month, Liverpool dropped out of the race to sign the teenager because of the cost involved but Premier League champions Manchester City are still believed to be interested.

He joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020 for £25m and has made over 130 appearances for the club.

Bellingham has won 24 caps for England and was one of the stand-out performers for Gareth Southgate’s side in their run to the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Nigeria has been swearing in new presidents over the years of course. Tinubu is the 16th president. What is really new about this handover is that this is the first time since the 4th Republic which started in May 1999 that we having a president who is prepared and yearned to be the nation’s number one citizen. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had hardly come out prison, had hardly savoured the air of freedom so to speak, when he was more or less ambushed by the powers that be, to enter the political fray, made a presidential candidate and declared winner by the electoral umpire then. At end of his constitutionally permitted eight-year tenure, spanning 1999 to 2003, he was succeeded by Umar Musa Yar’adua whom he handpicked and who of course, won the election.

Yar’adua a former lecturer and governor of Katsina did not aspire to be president as such. He was more or less forcefully plucked from his comfort zone in Katsina state where he was serving his people at state level as governor. His deputy, Goodluck Jonathan reportedly chosen by the then sitting president, Obasanjo. Rivers state governor, Peter Odili it was widely believed would be Yar’adua vice but it was not to be; the lot instead fell on Jonathan. Jonathan had just won election as Bayelsa governor and was looking forward eagerly to his first full term as governor ( having succeeded his boss DSP Alamieseigha who was impeached midterm) and had mapped out what he would do during this tenure. Then, likehis second boss, Yar’adua, he was suddenly catapulted to the post of vice president of Nigeria. The former president passed on unexpectedly and then Jonathan accidentally became president. Mohammadu Buhari had to all intents and purpose, vowed never to contest anymore

By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO

to be Nigeria’s number one citizen, after three unsuccessful attempts. But he was cajoled out of his retirement; and he succeeded at the fourth try, becoming Nigeria’s 15th president, served out his two terms, totalling eight years and he formally bowed out yesterday.

All of the above stumbled unto the presidency rather unwillingly. It is different with Tinubu. For the first time Nigeria has a willing man on the saddle as executive president. President Buhari had been longing to be president, had been preparing to be president for decades by building bridges, human capital, collaborations and structures over the years. And now the time has come for him, he is achieving his apparently long term ambition of becoming president. He is now the 16th president and Commander-in-Chief of the most populous black nation in the world. However, would his presidency be fulfilling to him. President Tinubu is taking over the mantle of leadership at a most difficult time in the nation’s history and the challenges confronting him are rather difficult and herculean in reality.

The economic, social and other indices are not bright. Consider that he is inheriting record levels of debts, record levels of unemployments, record inflation rate, pervasive poverty, social deviats,deep seated hatred, mistrust among the populace and so on and so forth. One is inclined to feel sorry for him, given that these problems look insurmountable.

President Tinubu is hyped in some quarters as a man with a

midas touch who can cure all of Nigerians problems. There is of course, no such man in Nigeria. There are therefore, high expectations from him. Out gone President Buhari did his best but Nigerians are expecting President not just to perform better than his predecessor in terms of delivering the dividends of democracy but to perform BEST overall. A tough call this is, given the circumstances under which he is stepping in. This high expectation derives apparently from what has been described as his exceedingly high performance in Lagos state where he was governor for eight years. We are expecting him to replicate such ‘exceedingly high performance’ in Lagos state to the national level.

It is true that Lagos state is like a mini Nigeria, a melting pot of people from all parts of the country and classes. But the times are different, they are two different kettle of fish. He was governor between 1999 and 2003, over two decades when many Nigerians would say, ‘things were relatively better’. Much water has passed under the bridge as there have been many changes at regional, national and international levels since then. President Tinubu is credited with having laid the foundation for a flourishing Lagos state with a long term master plan that governors coming after him are mandated to strictly adhered to. Lagos has in the last 25 years been governed successively by a progressive party, now APC. Can Tinubu replicate such long term master plan and its faithful implementation at the federal level, except to turn Nigeria into a one-party state?

Having set rather high expectation for his presidency, am afraid that he would be judged by higher standards every step of his presidency. He and his team should have moderated the expectations or warned Nigerians enough about the difficult times ahead, at least in the initial years and so lesse whatever disappointment there may be. As it is, President Tinubu’s announcement of immediate suspension of fuel subsidy has hiked retail price of petrol to N500 per litre in the East. And it is bound to have spiral effects on prices of other goods and services, leading to further rise in inflation rate. Would the opposition exploit this to instigate discontent against the government so early in the day? Already experts hint that the nation is technically broke. Edo state government had said that governments would be unable to pay salaries by this month. Ironically, the past government despite the paucity of funds increased salaries of federal public servants on the eve of its departure. It seems therefore, that President has a mountain to climb so to speak. Yet, he has been saying all along that he would not disappoint Nigerians. In fact President Tinubu says without equivocation: ‘’ Don’t pity me, I asked for this job, I campaigned for it. I will not let you down”. Such confidence in the midst of daunting problems laid before him.