Saturday, June 17, 2023 Edition

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Arewa Youths

Consultative Forum

(AYCF) has expressed satisfaction for the swift action taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by suspending Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

Abdulrasheed Bawa

The National President of the Forum Yarima Shettima, stated this yesterday, in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna State.

Shettima said the Forum is of the view that the move by the President Tinubu is a reassurance of his government’s commitment to addressing the scepter of endemic, widespread, corruption and political avarice that characterised the eight-year tenure of previous administration attributable to a lack of application of relevant laws against corrupt practices among officials of the regime and

Bawa’s suspension: AYCF lauds Tinubu

the apparent compromise of the EFCC.

AYCF added that while welcoming the Federal Government action against Bawa, they are also of the view that it needs to extend the measure to include a total overhaul of the EFCC to flush out remnants of Abdulrasheed Bawa’s accomplices entrenched in top positions of the agency.

“As we except thorough investigations to expose and punish the extent of compromise and complicity of Bawa, it is equally expected that his major accomplices such as his Chief of Staff, Hadiza Ibrahim Gamawa, be suspended as well and subjected to investigation and subsequent prosecution.

“There are incontrovertible

facts that the children of the said Chief of Staff Gamawa who is married to a naval officer were trained in expensive foreign schools.

“This inadvertently raises the question of the source of the funds used for such expensive training in addition to several assets owned by the said Gamawa.

“Another principal collaborator in Bawa’s serial atrocities that also needs to be investigated is the Chairman, Monitoring Unit 1, Abuja, Shehu Ala. With regards to the fate that befell Bawa, we consider it a bad lesson for the young generation of Nigerians.

“We categorically state that Bawa has been a huge disappointment for the young people of Nigeria who are

supposed to be the natural claimants to the task of shaping the future of the Nigerian society.

“Bawa himself apart from his incompetent handling of the EFCC boss has also acquired massive assets in unexplained and suspicious circumstances that need to be investigated.

“He is also on record as having indulged in a flamboyant lifestyle that involved expensive family trips abroad at will. Other incontrovertible evidence around that Bawa is majorly responsible for all the damaging economic policies pursued by the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele that had sunk the nation into a deep crisis and brought about mass sufferings on innocent citizens”, the statement read.

A commercial Motorcycle operator transports fresh corn, along Sambisa road Masaka Karu Local Government Nasarawa State.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Egena Sunday Ode

Leader of Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo, on Friday vowed to work with President Bola Tinubu to prevent the menace of oil theft as well as attacks on oil facilities in the region.

Dokubo made this declaration while speaking with newsmen shortly after a meeting with the president at the Aso Rock Preaidential Villa, Abuja.

A staunch supporter of Tinubu, Dokubo said he was at the State House to show support and solidarity to the President, whom he described as a father figure, and to discuss issues bordering on security and the fight against oil-theft.

Refuting claims that people from the oil-rich region were the ones perpetuating oil-theft and pipelines vandalism, he accused armed forces personnel, especially those in the Navy and the Army, as the arrowheads of the massive crime going on in the region.

Dokubo maintained that the ordinary Niger Delta citizen lacks the sophistication required for oil theft, insisting that there are ‘notorious’ Army and Navy oil kingpins that have engaged in an unprecedented crude oil theft in the last eight years.

According to him, the way the oil thieves have gone about their criminal activities has stripped the people of the Niger Delta of their livelihood, noting that it is a crime against humanity.

“The president is a fatherly figure to me. Our relationship spans over 30 years. I came here today to give words of encouragement to the President for the actions and policies so far made in this less than three weeks of governing a very difficult country like Nigeria.

“We discussed a wide range of issues, especially on security and oil thieves in the Niger Delta. Myself and my brothers have assured the President that there would be zero oil theft and vandalization in the Niger Delta. We’re going to work with an NNPC, PCN and the IOCs to make sure that oil theft is brought to zero.

“I also want to say that oil theft is encouraged by the military. The military is at the center of oil theft and we have to make this very, very clear to the Nigerian public. 99% of oil theft can be traced to the Nigerian military, the army and the navy especially.

“The Army and the Navy intimidate the Civil Defence, who are by status, the people who are supposed to guard these pipelines. They receive a lot of money from NNPCL and the IOCs and just across the corner, you will see a houseboat a few meters from the house boat, you will see an oil bunkering refinery or tapping directly from oil well ends.

“It is very pathetic now. What is happening in the Niger Delta in the past eight years was unprecedented in the history of oil production anywhere in the world.

“The vandals do not only attack the pipelines, they have migrated from the pipeline and have gone directly to the oil well heads and they take directly from the oil well heads. They set up haphazard

We’ll prevent oil-theft, pipelines vandalism in N/Delta, Dokubo assures Tinubu

facilities they call local refinery, artisanal refineries, this is a crime against humanity because the livelihood of the people is being totally destroyed.

“The livelihood of the people is totally destroyed and every meter you see a naval house boat or an army house boat stationed. So the main culprits are the Army and the Navy and there are notorious naval commanders who are known to be kingpins of these bunkering activities. Even if they give 1 billion contracts to everybody in the Niger Delta, because these military men are armed from the Army and the Navy nothing will happen.

“The President has promised to take decisive action to make sure that this does not continue, it is brought to an end. It is very shameful. So I had volunteered to help, to assist and to do the things that are necessary to put a stop to this evil that is being perpetrated against the people of the Niger

Delta, the oil community and the whole of Nigerians”, he said.

Dokubo also alleged that it is an act of blackmail for the military to say that they have insufficient armaments to deal with insecurity, accusing them of forfeiting their weapons to the insurgents, which continued to fuel the insurgency.

According to him, Nigeria is currently going through a full-scale war in different parts of the country, adding that he had continued to render mercenary services to the federal government to keep all parts of the country safe for citizens to be able to travel and go about their businesses safely

“On security, I want to clearly say that there are full scale wars going on in different parts of this country. In the Southeast, the IPOB/ESN is waging a full scale war against the government of this country and many local governments, many communities are deserted, schools are closed, hospitals are closed.

“In the same vein, in Niger, in Zamfara, in Plateau, in Kaduna, in Yobe, in Borno, we’re only talking about Boko Haram. Boko Haram is just a tip of the iceberg, there’s a full scale war going on and the blackmail of the Nigerian state by the Nigerian military is shameful. They said they do not have enough armament and people listen to this false narrative. They are lying. They are liars, I repeat they are liars because I’m a participant.

“I am a participant in this war, I fight on the side of the government of the Nigerian state; in Plateau, in Niger, in Anambra, in Imo, in Abia and in Rivers state and in Abuja. Today you’re travelling to Kaduna on this road, it’s not the army that makes it possible for you to travel to Abuja, or travel to Kaduna, vice versa. It is my men, employed by the government of the Nigerian state, stationed in Niger.

“Today you travel to Baga, you go to Shiroro, you go to Wase, we

have lost so many men and we do not use, in all these engagements, we don’t even have 1% of the armament deployed by the Nigerian military. 1% and we have had resounding success. So this blackmail must end, they have enough resources to fight. Instead of fighting, they are busy stealing, they are busy making the government spend unnecessarily”, he said.

Dokubo also called for the prosecution of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that his release would fuel impunity “during EndSars, Nnamdi Kanu was walking free. What did he do? He poured petrol on the flames of EndSars. Now, he has been caught. What of the people who have died? This is a criminal. He should face the law.

“Releasing Nnamdi Kanu is rewarding criminality and rewarding gruesome murder of innocent people. He should face the law for the actions and instigations he has carried out”, he said.

#PhotoNews: Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON ( Dan Majen Gombe) and Chairman, Nothern States Governors’ Forum, earlier today, paid a congratulatory visit to the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau at his office in the National Assembly complex, Abuja yesterday

Electioneering: NIREC flays religious weaponization, hate speech

By Albert Akota

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has expressed concern over the rise in hate speech and weaponization of religion in Nigeria politics.

NIREC, led by Co-Chairmen Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council

for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), condemned recent statements that imply religious superiority and called for an end to any attempt to incite religious conflict in the country.

In a joint press statement released yesterday, NIREC urged political leaders to use their platforms to promote peace, unity, and harmony, while refraining from making divisive statements.

The council also called on religious leaders to resist political manipulation of

religion that could lead to anarchy and urged politicians to play politics with the fear of God, dignity, honor, and decorum by eschewing the politics of division and sectionalism.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) is disturbed by the ugly trend occasioned by the hate speeches before and after the 2023 elections. Weaponizing religion is selfish. political gains are capable of causing religious conflict in Nigeria.

“NIREC therefore

condemns in strongest terms the statements that give the impression that one religion is superior to the other. NIREC affirms that Nigeria is a multireligious state under God.

“NIREC condemns statements that give the impression of religious dominance and superiority in the country. We wish however that every Nigerian could be a true Christian or a true Muslim as that would promote the religious values that could transform the nation”.

•Alleges military bigwigs behind oil-theft •Says Nnamdi Kanu’s release will fuel impunity

2023 census: NPC explains N200b spending on preparations

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The National Population Commission (NPC) says its spending of N200 billion on preparations for the 2023 Census so far, was not expended in the last few weeks, months or years but rather since 2014 when preparations for the 2023 Census actually began.

Director, Public Affairs, Isiaka Yahaya, who made this known on Friday in Abuja, said, “Indeed, part of the N200 billion was expended before the coming of the present Commission, which was inaugurated twice between 2018 and 2020 and even before the inception of the Buhari Administration.

“The first preparatory activity for the 2023 Population and Housing Census was the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) which the Commission implemented in phases on an incremental basis spanning over a period of 8 years. The EAD involved the division of the 774 Local Government Areas of the country into Enumeration Areas. The Enumeration Area Demarcation was done digitally from 2014 to 2022. Given the size of Nigeria, carrying out such expansive field operations must of necessity come with a huge cost. Major cost elements in the EAD project include the acquisition of high-resolution satellite imageries of the entire land space of Nigeria and equipment, deployment of logistics across the country and training and deployment of tens of thousands of ad-hoc workers for several months to carry out the field operations. All of these were paid for, and heavily too.

“Another major cost element of the 2023 Census is the series of test runs carried out by the Commission to determine the appropriateness or otherwise of the methodology, processes and systems being put in place for the exercise. The Commission carried out an elaborate consultative process in designing a census questionnaire that responded to the country’s data needs for sustainable development. Series of workshops involving the academia, professional bodies, Civil Society Organizations and stakeholders were organized at the national and state levels between 2015 and 2017. The first Pretest was conducted between 31st May, 2021 and 13th June, 2021 in the thirty-six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory while the second Pretest with larger coverage and broader objectives was conducted from November 24th to December 10th 2021 also in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These test runs cost a huge amount of money in terms of training, deployment of personnel, and procurement of equipment and software.

“The Commission conducted a Trial Census in July 2022. The Trial Census was a dress rehearsal of the main census and was conducted to assess the overall

preparedness for the conduct of the 2023 Census and it took place in all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT with over 13,000 personnel trained, deployed and paid allowances for the training and fieldwork for about one month.”

He added that the backbone of any digital operation including the census is the acquisition of hardware equipment and development of appropriate software. “Putting in place a corresponding technological structure and facilities for the 2023 Census cost a fortune. In addition to the procurement of computers, laptops, desktops, printers and solar power systems for the census, the Commission developed numerous softwares not only for census operations but also to manage its processes. The software procured for the census include Censuspad and CSentry for data collection, Azure Cloud Infrastructure for managing data storage, security and processing and Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) geospatial data for integration, analysis and utilization.

“In recognition of its work in the 2023 Census EAD, the Commission received the Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award at the 2022 Users Conference of ESRI held at its headquarters, California, United States. ESRI is the World Leading Developer of GIS Software. Other software acquired include Enumeration Dashboard for monitoring of data quality and coverage Geo spatial dashboard, recruitment portal, logistics management information system and Mobile Device Monitoring System.

“The most significant hardware for the 2023 Census is the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or tablets to be used for data collection and transmission during the census. The Commission procured a total of 810,000 for the 2023 Census. Given this huge number, the item was procured in phases and a significant proportion of these mini-computers have been procured, configured, and now stored in all the Central Bank Offices across the country. The procurement of the PDAs, which followed a rigorous competitive process approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) constitutes about half of the entire census expenditure.

“For a census project that has been described next to war in terms of mobilization of human and material resources, movement of personnel across the length and breadth of the country will definitely constitute a major cost element. The Commission procured vehicles, motorcycles and boats for the movement of personnel and equipment across the length and breadth of the country. This was done along with renovation and equipping of all the 37 state and 774 Local Government offices for effective operational activities and storage for the 2023 Census. Conducting a digital census requires constant supply of

electricity not only in the cities but also in the hinterland and hard to reach areas of the country for charging of PDAs and other equipment. Given the epileptic nature of power supply across the country, the Commission procured generators, power banks and installed solar power systems across the country.

Training constitutes an important element of the census project with direct implication for the quality of data collected. This informed the elaborate nature of the census training which takes a minimum of two weeks of intensive classroom teaching, practical and simulations.”

He said the Commission had trained about 62,000 facilitators across the country who will in turn train about 850,000 Supervisors and Enumerators for the Census exercise. “The cost element in the census training includes payment of training allowances of not less than N12,000 per day to each facilitator for two weeks, transport allowance, hiring of venues, refreshment, procurement of materials and logistics for field operations. In readiness for the training of the supervisors and enumerators, the Commission had printed over one million copies training manuals for various categories of field staff with paginations ranging from 150 to 300. In addition, all the materials required for the fieldwork for the 2023 Census such as reflective jackets, raincoats, rain-boots, biros, chalks, indelible inks, first aid boxes, memo pads, call back cards and pelican boxes have been procured in millions and delivered to all the state and LGA offices of the Commission across the country.

“Mobilizing the citizenry and creating necessary awareness for a census in a diverse context like Nigeria requires extensive engagement of stakeholders and aggressive media campaigns. The Commission has funded the Census Publicity Committees at national and state levels to carry out grassroots sensitization. Working with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Commission had organized the 2023 Census Roadshows and grassroots sensitization in Abuja and all the state capitals. Publicity materials have been produced and disseminated in English and local languages while radio and television jingles and documentaries have been produced and broadcast on major networks.

“Even before the conduct of the census, the outcome of the preparatory activities is already yielding dividends that are far in excess of the N200 billion spent so far. The Commission generated the largest volume of geospatial data from the EAD in which every building in Nigeria has been captured and geo-referenced. The monetary value of this data alone runs into trillions of Naira. This has also provided Enumeration Area frames that can be used

for future censuses and surveys. Through the recruitment exercise for the census, the Commission has generated a database of young persons who applied for the census jobs with information on their names, ages, qualifications, addresses, phone numbers and account numbers. These are valuable information that can be used for youth empowerment programmes and other social welfare programs.

“The skewed media narratives behind the N200 billion expended in preparation for the forthcoming census is an attempt to divert national attention from the great work the Commission has done and is doing to deliver a world-class census data for development planning. The items for which the sum of N200 billion was expended are available, verifiable and remain useful for the next census anytime it is to be conducted. The scope and quality of arrangements put in place will not only be useful for the next census but also makes future censuses less expensive. The Commission wishes to assure Nigerians and indeed development partners of its irrevocable commitment and competence to deliver credible, reliable and acceptable census data.

“The Commission has nothing to hide as regards the preparatory activities for the Census. The implementation of the Census project is being carried out in a professional and transparent manner; therefore, the Commission is open to inquiry and is ready to offer clarification if the need arises.”

Court orders DSS to allow Emefiele access to family, lawyers

By Vivian Okejeme

AFederal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, has ordered the Director General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to immediately grant unhindered access to the lawyers and family members of the detained suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to see him.

Justice Hamza Muazu gave the order following an oral application by counsel to Emefiele, Joseph Daudu (SAN) with

Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) in suit marked No: FCT/HC/CV/6450/23.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF); the Director General of State Security Service and the State Security Service are mentioned as Respondents.

The order dated June 16, 2023, reads: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”

In his submission, Daudu informed the court that he has written letters to the respondents particularly on June 14, 2023,

for the purpose of taking further instruction from him, but the DSS has refused to respond to the application.

Responding, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd Respondents I. Awo, informed the court that the DSS does not have the penchant for refusing such a request and that it is wrong to do so.

Awo assured that he is certain the Security Service would abide the order of Court and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Mr. Emefiele to see him, while counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not

oppose the application.

Meanwhile, counsel to the DSS as well as the AGF request for extension of time to file their respective responses to the originating motion, which was granted and the suit was further adjourned till Tuesday June 20, 2023 for hearing of the substantive suit.

Recall that Godwin Emefiele, taken into custody by DSS hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office.

The spokesperson to DSS, Peter Afunanya in a statement confirmed that Mr. Godwin Emefiele is in its custody for some investigative reasons.

Isiaka Yahaya

10th NASS: Intrigues that trailed Akpabio, Abbas’ path to victory

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi, Musa Adamu and Christiana Ekpa

The National Assembly election has come and gone, with Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas emerging victorious. But the intrigues and scheming that led to the victory remain fresh in the minds of political observers. In this report, Peoples Daily correspondents take a review of the journey to the victory.

How the exercise commenced and ended in Senate

In the Senate, as early as 8am, all the senators were already seated, while security operatives overran the premises of the National Assembly, in preparation for the exercise. Gaining entrance into the parliament was not just hectic but also frightening.

On the floor of the Senate, the National Assembly Clark, Sani Magaji Tambawal, who read the letter from the President convening the 10th National Assembly, called for nomination of contestants.

At this juncture, Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) moved a motion nominating Akpabio, while Solomon Olamilekan (APC Ogun West) seconded the motion.

However, when the Clark called for further nominations, Elisha Abbo (APC Adamawa North) moved a motion nominating Abdul-Azeez Yari (APC, Zamfara South), but before that motion could be seconded, Senator Tahir Mongunu (APC, Borno North) opposed the motion on the ground that in line with senate standing order, Yari, being a first time senator, is not qualified to contest for Senate President.

Note that before the election day, there were rumors that the security operatives would arrest Yari or prevent him from entering the chambers, as a way to stop him from participating in the election.

It was also in the public knowledge that the President and some APC governors mounted pressure on Yari to suspend his ambition and step down, of which he remained adamant.

With this charged and volatile circumstance in the chamber, the opposition against his nomination by Mongunu shattered the expectation of a peaceful contest, though they later reconciled, as the Clark allowed Yari’s nomination to stand.

No gain saying the fact that tension rose and nerves flared up barely to the commencement of the exercise, even as supporters of Akpabio, including Olamilekan, Mongunu, Ndume, Dave Umahi, among others, continued to vehemently oppose the nomination of Sen. Yari by Elisha Abbo.

This opposition against Yari threw the chamber into chaos for a while, before the National Assembly Clark, Sani Magaji Tambawal, managed to restore otherliness. As nomination became closed, the stage was set for a straight contest between Yari and Akpabio.

Apparently assuming the rallying point of the opposition lawmakers-elect and aggrieved APC senators who were not comfortable with the zoning formula of the party, Yari eventually caved in to the superior numbers of Akpabio supporters, after about two hours secret balloting.

Immediately after he was announced winner by the returning officer, some APC governors who had stormed the Senate to witness the election, including: Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Abdullahi Sue of Nasarawa, Dapo Abiodum of Ogun, Babajide San-Nwolu of Lagos, among others, as well as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and former Governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, and APC National chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, exchange pleasantries with him.

Recall that before yesterday, President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had signified interest in the candidature of Akpabio and Barau as their preferred candidates for both Senate President and Deputy.

However, this choice of the President and APC was not accepted by some northern senators and Northern political stakeholders, including Northern Elders Forum (NEF), who felt marginalised and aggrieved, hence they united behind Yari and Sani Musa to emerge Senate President and Deputy.

Incidentally, senator Jibril emerged unopposed as his main challenger, Sani Musa shelved his ambition at the last minute, while Yari went on with the contest.

Barau Jibril was nominated by former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, while Kwara Central senator, Salihu Mustapher seconded the motion.

Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech

after his victory, Akpabio thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in his capacity to lead the 10th Senate, even as he promised to be one among the 109 Senators.

He said his tenure will focus on gender inclusion, sustaining economic and Social welfare and development of the country, especially the January-December budge calendar legacy of the 9th National Assembly.

While urging his colleagues to feel free to approach him on any issue, he expressed confidence that it is a new dawn for the country, having on board as President, a leader who was able to raise the revenue of Lagos State to an enviable heights it is today.

What transpired in House of Representatives

The power tussle for the just Elected position for the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly may have been the tense, yet a free warfare Assembly election since the invent of democracy in 1999, as it stand to be one the most eventful, power packed Assembly election with different Caucuses, group and traditional rulers interference.

Who became the winner of the just concluded last Tuesday Election was not clear until the dieing minute when the two Leading Aspirates namely Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu (APC-Borno) and Honourable Yusuf Gagdi stepped down for the All Progressive Congress (APC) preffered Candidate and the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas

The drama, gang ups, politics of interest played in the process of the election have significant role in creating a history as the result announced by the Clerk of National Assembly indicate that this is the first time in history a Speaker will poll 353 votes

of the 359 Members Present during the Inauguration.

The result announced by Clerk for the shows that out of total number of 359 Members present during the inauguration, 353 voted for Abbas, Wase secured three votes while Sani Jaji also polled three votes.

The process of the election witnessed one of the G6 aspirants, Honourable Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau) and other memberselect from Plateau State, who are kinsmen to Wase, voted en-masse for Abbas. In the same vein, aside from Jaji, who voted for himself, all the six members-elect from Zamfara State voted for Abbas.

Just as the leading aspirants and members of the G6 coalition, namely Honourable Muktar Betara Aliyu (APCBorno) and Honourable Yusuf Gagdi voted for Abbas, as It would be recalled that both aspirants after series of meetings with President Tinubu and vice president, Kashim Shettima agreed to drop their speakership ambitions and adopted Abbas.

The preffered candidate of the APC, Honourable Abbas (APC-Kaduna) emerged as the Speaker of the 10th session of the House. In the same vein, Honourable Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) emerged as Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly unopposed. He was nominated by Honourable Babajimi Benson.

It was as also a very dramatic, moment as Honourable Akinremi Olaide (APC-Oyo) who is the Director General for Honourable Sani Jaji, voted for Honourable Abbas.

The deputy Clerk for the National Assembly (DCNA), Mr Kamoru Ogunlana, who read the president’s proclamation had announced that the method of election would be by open ballot as prescribed by the 10th edition of the Standing Order, Order Cont. on next page

Akpabio Abbas

10th NASS: Intrigues that trailed Akpabio, Abbas’ path to victory

Cont. from previous page

Two Rule 3 (f)(iii). Order Two Rule 3(g).

Abass’ nomination as Speaker was done by the immediate past Majority Leader, Honourable Alhassan Ado-Doguwa who also aspirated for the Speakership position and seconded by Honourable Nnolim Nnaji (PDP-Enugu) in pursuant to Order 2(2, 3 and 4) of the Standing Order.

Ado-Doguwa explained that the nominee has the parliamentary experience, competent and the capacity to relate with other arms of government, to preside over the 10th Assembly and Abbas In line with the provisions of the Standing Order, accepted the nomination.

Wase was nominated by Honourable Tijani Kayode Ibrahim (APC-Kwara) and seconded by Honourable Mohammed Abdulmumin (APC-Nasarawa). In his speech, Wase who accepted the nomination, assured Nigerians of his readiness to serve in the capacity.

In the same vein, Honourable Sani Jaji (APC-Zamfara) was nominated by Honourable Yusuf Ibrahim (APC-Katsina) and seconded by Honourable Ahmed Ibrahim (APC-Katsina).

According to the Deputy Clerk for the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, who presided over the inauguration and election of the presiding officers, every member voting shall name in the open any member to be voted for. Hence, all the 359 members in accordance to the roll call, announced their preferred candidate.

At the end of the voting, Abbas emerged as the Speaker of the 10th Assembly. Honourable Victor Ogene, who earlier said his heart was with Wase, resolved to vote Abbas.

The only female member of the G6 coalition, Honourable Miriam Onuoha (APC-Imo) also voted for Abbas. Contrary to the notice issued earlier, the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, which was slated to commence by 10am, took place at about 8.30am, amid tight security. Senators and members-elect were driven in high-capacity buses into National Assembly complex and accompanied by a security convoy.

Abbas swearing and wives drama

A mild drama ensued as wives of Tajudeen Abbas, the new speaker, shoved each other for recognition during the swearing in ceremony. The incident occurred after Abbas had been elected speaker by a landslide.

All seemed to be going on well when Abbas was ushered onto the stage to take his pledge of allegiance.

Kamoru Ogunlana, deputy clerk of the house, recited the oaths for the new speaker to respond to.

Abbas was flanked on his left by his wife and Alhassan Doguwa, lawmaker representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada federal constituency.

The two wives of the Nigerian Newly elected speaker honourable Tajjuddeen Abbas has taken their Kiciya feud to the national Assembly and disparagingly disgracing themselves and their darling honourable in the full view of the world.

Abass agenda as Speaker

Abbas assured Nigerians of his resolve towards enactment of legislations that will promote entrepreneurship, support small and medium-scale enterprises, diversify our

economy, provide sustainable employment opportunities for our youth as well as address myriads of challenges bedevilling education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors amongst other.

Reading his inaugural speech, he applauded his colleagues for the support accorded him “as the Speaker of the Nigerian people.”

He promising that the 10th Assembly under his watch will introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians, he pledged to work closely and inter-dependently with the Executive and Judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance, adding that the collaboration will be anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.

Abass said: “It is worthy to note that speakership campaign witnessed in the past few months was democracy at play. But today, all of that has come to pass, and it is time to forge ahead and work together for our people for our common good.

“I do not take this mandate bestowed on me as the Nigerian Speaker for granted. I want to assure you today that I shall be just and fair to every one of you irrespective of our perceived differences. I shall operate a House that you all will be proud of. I shall be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the House Rules. Our doors will be open for members of APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, SDP, ADC and YPP as we strongly believe nation building is a Joint Task.

“Honourable Colleagues, under my watch, the 10th House shall sustain and even surpass the gains of the 9th House. That is my prayer. We shall carry out the Task before us Jointly. We shall introduce reforms and innovations for the benefit of Nigerians. In a few weeks, we shall be reeling out the legislative agenda that will shape the 10th House of Representatives.

“We shall work closely and interdependently with the Executive and Judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve. We stand at a crucial juncture in our nation’s history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities. We will champion legislations that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development.

“We will focus on strengthening our security apparatus, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat insurgency, terrorism, and all forms of criminalities.

We aim to help create a safe and secure environment that fosters economic growth and social stability.

“Through legislations, the 10th House will promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium-scale enterprises. We shall diversify our economy and provide sustainable employment opportunities for our youth. We are aware of the challenges in our education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors amongst other.”

Real fact for Wase, Jaji failure

Fresh facts emerged over the real reasons the two speakership nominees: Wase and Jaji lost the election for the 10th session of the House.

A lawmakers, who spoke on the matter under condition of anonymity, claimed that the duo failed to reach consensus with other lawmakers and were unable to produce a running mate as at the time of the election. He observed that the two aspirants, who were part of the G6 coalition, failed to reach a compromise with other allies, as well as refused to concede to deputise them during the series of meetings held to produce a consensus candidate for the speaker and deputy speaker respectively.

According to him, the immediate past deputy speaker and Jaji, who was the Director General of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s campaign organisation in the North-West, did not have a deputy as at the time of the election, which eventually produced Honourable Abbas as speaker and Honourable Benjamin Kalu as deputy speaker.

He said: “it was glaring that the two nominees came to the election ground unprepared. Their undoing started from the point where they couldn’t align with their contemporaries in the G6. The fallout of such uncompromising stance that both of them took, led to their inability to get someone as running mate till the time of the election. As you know, politics is a matter of give and take. You cannot go into such election without a running mate. As you also observed, the only female aspirant among them, eventually voted for Honourable Tajudeen Abbas. That shows how uncoordinated they were and the result was evident.

We will resist any Executive moves not in public interest —Abbas

After his inauguration, newly elected

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas dismissed insinuation that the 10th National Assembly would be a rubber stamp to Executive whims and caprices, saying that under him, the House would resist any moves that would be in conflict with public interest.

He spoke to correspondents on Tuesday after visiting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja moments after his inauguration as Speaker.

Joined by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Ben Kalu, he had been asked about his view on the fears expressed in some quarters about the 10th assembly becoming a rubber stamp.

He said: “Well, if you talk about rubber stamp, look at the acceptance rate, those who have elected us, those across party lines, almost all the whole entire PDP, SDP, ADC and all other minority parties voted us.

“So, if they felt that we are going to be rubber stamps, do think they will elect us? No. They believe that we will safeguard the sanctity of the National Assembly, the legislature. We will always separate our independence and we will relate and be able to harmonize with the executive where necessary.

“But where if there is a conflict of interest where we feel that the executive is or wants to do something that is not in the interest of the public, they know that we’ll stand up against that.”

The Speaker also maintained that there was never any doubt that he would be elected given the amount of support he enjoyed among his colleagues, saying, “what I can tell you is that right from day one, when we started this campaign, it was always good. But the impact of social media propaganda of some of the contestants distorted the entire picture of what was on the ground.

“But To God be the glory, today, people have seen our level of popularity and acceptance by our members and it has put to shame those who always thought that we were imposed by the party and that we don’t have the numbers.

“Today, people have seen that we established record that has never been established in the past, 353 out of 359 members electing us. It is unprecedented. It has never ever happened in the history of Parliament.”

In his remark, the Deputy Speaker said while campaigning, they had promised Nigerians that they would ensure that they worked jointly with other arms of government for nation building.

Kalu said: “We promised that we are going to be there to make sure we’re at our own bricks to the nation building wall. And this extends to creation of jobs, reduction of poverty, policies that go into enhancing our energy sources, policies that will help us create more local content usage in this country.

“Manufacturing now help us reduce importation and increase exportation that will stimulate our economy. And as you see in the past 15 days, Mr. President has been taking the right decisions you know, on issues.

“We want to sustain that through legislative support, legislative intervention to make sure that together, we build a nation we will be proud of.”

PSC promotes AIG Mba, Ciroma to DIGs

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspectors-general of Police (AIGs), Frank Mba and Bala Ciroma as Deputy Inspector-Generals of Police (DIGs).

Following this development, DIG Ciroma will replace DIG Ali Janga, who has retired from service, and has represented the North-East geo-political zone in the Police Management Team (PMT).

Ciroma, the most senior officer from the North-East will henceforth represent the zone.

Also, DIG Mba, who will represent the South-East zone, replaces retired DIG John Amadi, who before his retirement, represented the zone in the PMT.

Spokesperson of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, who disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, added that the Commission also approved the promotion of 14 Commissioners of Police (CPs) to the next rank of AIG and 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to the substantive rank of Commissioner of Police (CP).

He said the decisions were the highpoints of the 21st plenary meeting of the Commission presided over by its chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector-general of Police.

The new AIGs are CP

Abubakar Lawal; CP Alhassan

Aminu; CP Abdul Umar; CP

Shettima Zannah; CP Ebong

Eyibio Ebong; CP Adepoju

Ayiinde Ilori and CP Okon Okon Effiong.

Others are; CP Echeng Eworo

Echeng; CP Susan Ukpanukiema

Horsfall; CP Bankole Lanre

Sikiru; CP Oladimeji Yomi

Olarewaju; CP Sani Gwarzo and CP Odama Paul Ojeka.

The 22 deputy commissioners of police promoted to the rank of Commissioners are; DCP

Abibo Deinma Reuben; DCP

Thomas Abraham Nabhoni; DCP Wakil Abdul Salamai; DCP Enyinnaya Inonachi; DCP

Ronke Nurat Okunade; DCP

Adekunle Ismail Olusokan;

DCP Hassan Abdu Yabnet;

DCP Festus Chinedu Oko; DCP

Aminu Baba Raji; DCP Omolara

Ibidun Oluntola; DCP Akoh

Benedict Gabriel; DCP Alamutu

Abiodun Mustapha; DCP Bafda

Magaji Jahun, DCP Ahmadu

Tijani Abdullahi; and DCP

Mohamned Mu’azu; Others are,

DCP Bretet Emmanuel Simon; DCP Ihebom M Chukuma; DCP

Shettima Mohamned Qurtu; DCP Olatokunbo Maxwell

Olabisi; DCP Yusuf Mohammed

Lawal; DCP Monica Leo and DCP Abaniwonda Surajudeen

Olufemi. It added that the Commission also

LP, Obi witness counter report on live transmission of result

By Vivian Okejeme

Asubpoenaed witness of the Labour Party (LP) and Mr Peter Obi, has countered a purported reporting of nontransmission of results to IREV, allegedly made by Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.

At the resumed proceeding, Friday, Counsel to the Petitioners, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) had tendered through the witness, Ijeoma Osamor, an AIT anchor, a video of Yakubu, in a briefing on November 22, 2022, that there would be live transmission of results of the February 25 presidential election to IREV for public viewing.

However, during a cross examination, counsel to All Progressive Congress (APC)

Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) sought to tender a copy of a report in the Tribune Newspaper, which reported INEC chairman announcing the commission would no longer transmit results live.

Osamor, however, countered the submission by insisting that the INEC did not make the announcement.

“INEC chairman, I covered the 22nd February briefing at the collation centre, never said they will no longer transmit results live. He took us round the collation centre,” she said.

Owonikoko asked her that the report is in the Tribune Newspaper, to which she replied that she works with a broadcast station which deals with cameras, adding that it is possible the newspaper got their reporting from an interview. Labour Party’s maths Professor prepared reports

for only two states

Another witness, Eric Ofuegbu, a Professor of mathematics says he only analyzed reports from two states.

The two states are Benue and Rivers state where the Labour Party and Peter Obi stated massive over voting that affected the overall result of the February 25, 2023 presidential election.

Ofuegbu who claimed not to have been paid for the research he did on the results from the two states, admitted to have relied on data from the INEC result viewing portal for his analysis.

He claimed in his witness statement that based on his collation and mathematical tabulation, there were cases of massive over voting in the two states

Under cross examination by INEC’s lead counsel Abubakar

Mahmoud SAN, the witness was presented with a copy of the presidential election result sheet from polling unit 002, in Degema, Rivers state.

The result sheet showed that 40 persons were accredited and 40 persons voted in the polling unit, adding that the equal number of accredited voters and those who voted contradicts the claim of over voting

Under further questioning on why he chose Rivers and Benue states as his main areas of interest, the witness said it was just random.

The Professor was then asked whether an analysis of election results from just two states is enough to make conclusions on a presidential election, and he said he was limited by time.

The matter continues, Monday, 19th June.

approved the promotion of

24 Assistant Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Deputy Commissioner Police.

Arase congratulated the newly promoted officers and charged them to reciprocate the

Commission’s good gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of their fatherland.

L-R: Secretary, Arewa New Agenda(ANA), Hajiya Halima Idris, Vice Chairman of ANA, Prof. Adamu Kyauka Usman, member of ANA, Dr. Abdul Ahmed Isiaq, Chairman, Senator Ahmed Abubakar, and a member, Ambassador Hassan Ardo Jika, during the Press conference on the recent appointments by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, how it affects the North and an appraisal of his two weeks in Office, held at ICC, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

CRIME NEWS

Gunmen abduct Catholic Priest in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a Catholic priest of Otukpo Diocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Adikwu, who is the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe Awume, in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

An eyewitness who simply identified himself as Oche told

our correspondent that some gunmen invaded the Awume community on Thursday night, precisely around 10pm and went straight to the church premises where they whisked the priest away.

He said, “Yesterday (Thursday) night at about 10pm, some gunmen stormed Ajegbe Awume, Ohimini Benue State, the kidnappers went straight to the church premises and

kidnapped the Rev. father in charge of St. Margaret Parish.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene for Benue State command, confirmed the incident.

Anene adds “the information got to us this morning, (Friday) and we are working on it.”

Recall that a policeman and two civilians who were returning from a burial were on Tuesday

kidnapped around Ahume along Makurdi/Naka road.

Chairman of Gwer West local government, Andrew Ayande told journalists that N1.7 million was demanded from the family of the kidnap victims.

Given an update on the kidnap on Friday, Ayande said that the kidnapped policeman and the other man later escaped from the Kidnappers’ den, saying that the female victim

was Friday morning rescued by security operatives.

“Security operatives were able to rescue the female kidnap victim this (Friday) morning while the other victims; the policeman and the other man escaped from the Kidnappers’ den”, Ayande said.

The chairman however said that the female victim paid N400,000 as ransom.

Igede Crisis: Oju clan decry UNAST destruction, sue for peace

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The people of Oju clan of Benue state have decried the recent destruction on a permanent site earmarked for siting of University of Applied Sciences and Technology (UNAST), even as they distanced themselves from the deadly clashes that broke out between Ibilla and Oju Communities, in the state.

This is just as they have stated unequivocally that they are not against the location of the University and were not the aggressors in the clashes that broke out between Ibilla and Oju Communities on 11 June.

This assertion was contained in a press statement issued by the clan on Thursday and made available to Peoples’ Daily, following the communal clashes between Ibilla and Oju communities of Oju Local Government Area of Benue State,

on June 11 over the location of the university in which several lives were lost and property worth billions of naira were destroyed.

The statement, which was jointly signed by Okwori Ojajah, National President, Oju Development Association (ODA); Donald Ode, Secretary General, ODA; and Thomas Igbe Ajigo, National President, Oju Youths Association, described Oju Clan as peace and education-loving people.

It added that members of the community were surprised, when the name ‘Anyuwogbu’ where Professor Johnson Agbinya, the proprietor of UNAST hails from, appeared on the invitation Card for the GroundBreaking/ Foundation Laying Ceremony of the university posted on the social media less than one week to the occasion.

According to the statement: “As peace and education-loving people, the Oju community

warmly and whole-heartedly welcomed the establishment of UNAST at Oga-Oluwa, our land, first, by not demanding compensation of any kind. Two, by actively participating in the clearing of the permanent site, jointly with Ainu and Ibilla people and; third, by participating in preparatory meetings, notably the one of December 14, 2022, called or attended by the Adirahu ny’Igede, HRH Chief Oga Ero, CP (rtd). During this period, the name of UNAST’s permanent site ‘Oga-Oluwa’ was correctly reflected on working documents and appropriately recorded and captured in the Minutes of that meeting.

“Worse still, to the best of our knowledge, no personality or leader, including the Chiefs from Oju clan, the prime catchment Community of the proposed university, was invited for the event. Sensing that the proposed university might be a

smokescreen or an opportunity for the extension of the Ibilla ‘Anyuwogbu’ agenda, we as a community wrote two separate letters dated June 8, 2023, to the Adirahu ny’Igede, HRH Chief Oga Ero CP (rtd), copying relevant authorities, and Prof. Johnson Agbinya, proprietor of the proposed university, in which we expressed our reservations and suggested ways to address them.

“Consequently, meetings and consultations took place on the eve and in the morning of the event that resulted in the decision to put off the event and the scheduling of a meeting for June 24 to iron out the grey areas.”

It further added that Oju Community is not opposed to the siting of UNAST on their land and or is anti-development, rather, the misunderstanding resulted from the attachment of a hidden ‘Anyuwogbu’ agenda to the noble project of the

university. Everybody in Igede knows the ancestral name where the university is being built to be ‘Oga-Oluwa’ and NOT ‘Anyuwogbu’, which is Professor Agbinya’s village.

“Our simple demand was and is to use the correct and true name of the place, Oga-Oluwa, which we consider as a neutral Igede identity for the place since the Ibilla people are not comfortable with Oju name.

“We are ready to continue to live in peace with our neighbours and call on the Government and all people of goodwill to prevail on our more illustrious Ibilla neighbours to refrain from oppressing, suppressing and attacking us.”

“The community expressed its sympathy with the victims of the unfortunate incident and called on them and others to enlist as soldiers of truth, justice and peace in our land”, the statement stated.

Otukpo Diocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Adikwu

SPECIAL REPORT

Kaduna Social Security Bill: Not Yet Uhuru

By Femi Oyelola

It was an celebration

galore among citizens especially the poor and vulnerable as well as the civil society organizations (CSOs) in Kaduna state as the 9th House of Assembly passed the State Social Security Bill as one of the six bills to wrap up its sitting on 6th of June, 2023.

Reacting to the passage of the bill, the Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KADSPAC) commended stakeholders and the State House of Assembly for the passage of the bill into law, saying there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the poor and vulnerable groups

Chairman of KADSPAC, Ms Jessica Bartholomew, while speaking to our reporter noted that the social security bill when signed into law would put in place an agency where all social protection activities and programmes are coordinated for effective accountability.

According to her KADSPAC alongside other partners has advocated for the development of the social security bill to ensure it scaled through legislation

She added that the coalition has also worked with the State in ensuring that social protection interventions are accountable and transparent, which led to some of the successes that are seen

presently.

Ms. Bartholomew stressed that the coalition over the years worked with community champions in tracking social protection interventions, not only national social protection programmes but also state-

owned programmes.

“We look forward to an implementation or operational plan to be approved timely so that the poor and vulnerable residents of Kaduna can access SP interventions that will help cushion the current economic crisis faced in their households”, she said.

But for Mr. Yusuf Goje, a citizen activist, it is not yet Uhuru on the passage of the bill, even though the bill provides legal framework for better coordination, institutional synergy, effective implementation, adequate funding and accountability of tailored social protection programmes in the State and will enable Social-ProtectionUnder-One-Roof with a coordinating Agency charged with the responsibility

of ensuring the poor are removed from poverty as well as the vulnerable groups are socially protected, yet it is not time to click the champagne glasses.

He observed that the state is currently in dire straits with 70 % incidence of multidimensional poverty where about 8.04 million residents are said to be multidimensional poor; and also has a 43% income poverty rate.

The activist disclosed that Kaduna is among four states that are home to one quarter of the 22.85 million poor children under five in Nigeria and this is made worse by the rising unemployment and underemployment rate in the state, 44.3% and 22.6% respectively, according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

With the above data, Goje said it is not yet Uhuru, as the assent of the Governor, Senator Uba Sani, is what is being awaited for the law to be effective as well as the establishment of the coordinating Agency and adequate financing through the trust fund.

He observed that it is now time for the governor to fulfil his social contract with residents of Kaduna State as captured in his SUSTAIN blueprint where the he made a categorical commitment to strengthen social welfare programmes and pro-poor

“

But for Mr. Yusuf Goje, a citizen activist, it is not yet Uhuru on the passage of the bill, even though the bill provides legal framework for better coordination

Governor Uba

Sani

Kaduna Social Security Bill: Not Yet Uhuru

interventions.

The blueprint states“We will deepen KDSG programmes designed to cater to the interests and needs of women, youths and the vulnerable.

“We will further empower the agency assigned with the mandate of social development and human services to champion and help integrate pro-poor interventions across government.”

Goje opined that all that is now expected of the Governor is to sign the law, establish the agency and ensure adequate financing of social protection programmes in the state.

The citizen activist, however, stressed that it is worthy of note that the last administration through the State Social Investment Office developed and approved the Kaduna Social Protection Policy and also, an implementation plan and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework were developed, which are yet to be approved.

He said the State Operations Coordinating Office (SOCO), the State Social Register (SSR) now has a total of 1,056,622 Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs).

“This is made up of 3,953,809 individuals. Similarly, during the last administration, the State Executive Council adopted the SSR as the primary data source for PVHHs.

“The register is currently being used by the Federal and State governments as well as organizations and philanthropists to mine data to provide interventions for

targeted poor and vulnerable groups.

The progress recorded could not have been achieved without the support of Save The Children International, Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KADSPAC) and Open Government Partnership (OGP) Technical Working Group on Social Inclusion, among others. Notwithstanding the progress made, it has also revealed challenges such as weak coordination, low public awareness, inadequate funding/poor cash-backing of budget releases, coverage,

He pledged that the Executive arm of government will work in harmony with the legislature and the judiciary to ensure effective service delivery to the people who are expecting so much from them

overdependence of Federal government interventions, among others.

Goje is hopeful that the Social Security law passed by the State Assembly and awaiting the assent of the Governor will be key to addressing the abovementioned challenges.

He therefore appealed to the Governor, to demonstrate his commitment to pro-poor issues by approving the draft implementation plan and mandate that the ongoing 2024 budget formulation should have an allocation of not less than five percent of the total budget to social protection programmes.

Goje added that as an active citizen, he and other CSOs concerned about Social Security their commitment to human capital development includes a focus on social welfare and liberating empowerment through dedicated funds for women and youths, robust social investment programmes for vulnerable persons and extensive pro-

poor interventions.”

Similarly, Yakubu Ibrahim of Kaduna State University (KASU) said until all frameworks are in place and Gov Uba Sani assents to the bill, it is not yet celebration time after the passage of the Social Security bill.

With the fuel subsidy removal,, there is no doubt poor and vulnerable face a crisis because this is something that is sudden, and the passage of the Social Security Bill will be of no relevant to them; except that Gov Uba Sani promised to come with very important and robust palliative arrangements for them

According to him he believes the government cannot do that without the support and cooperation of the labour leaders, and he os said to have had a very sincere discussion with them where all parties gave their positions and he is happy with the Labour leaders inputs.

“So, we have decided to quickly announce a committee comprising the labour leaders and government officials to fashion out a kind of arrangement, where we will reach out to the down-trodden by way of supporting them with palliatives. So, the labour leaders are the ones that are close to the people, know the concerns of the people and the kind of palliative we need to come up with.” he said

All said and done the task to ensure that the poor and vulnerable in state heave a sigh of relief with the passage of the Social Security bill is for Governor Uba Sani to do the needful by speedy assent to the bill for its immediate implementation.

Assist Tinubu to fulfil campaign promises – APC chieftain tasks Gbajabiamila

By Christiana Ekpa

Dr Cairo Ojougboh, an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain has charged Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, to use his wealth of experience to help him deliver his campaign promises to Nigerians.

He gave the charge in a statement on Friday in Abuja while congratulating Gbajabiamila, who was the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th National Assembly, on his appointment.

Ojougboh, a former lawmaker representing Ika Federal Constituency, described Gbajabiamila as the right man with proven track records for the office, saying his appointment was well deserved.

“I recall when we all arrived at the House of Representatives in 2003 after our election and inauguration as young men in the same caucus with great determination to move the country forward for the benefit of all.

“Your efforts and loyalty to Tinubu over the years has never been in doubt, you sure deserved every honour you are getting today.

“I and my family, and the people of Delta and Ika particularly, wish you the very best in office.

“We know that Tinubu is prepared for the job following his antecedents, and we have no doubt that you will help him deliver on his promises to Nigerians,” Ojougboh said.

He assured Gbajabiamila of his support but reminded him that he was holding his present position in trust for Nigerians who had high expectations from Tinubu’s presidency.

Ojougboh, a former National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the PDP before he joined the APC in 2019, expressed confidence that Gbajabiamila would not disappoint Nigerians.

The chieftain said his track records over the years, which were there for all to see, were an attestation of his capacity and ability to deliver.

Peter Obi remains candidate for a better Nigeria – Obasanjo

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, is still the candidate for a better Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the then candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and nowpresident, Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the election.

The announcement was tailed with legal suits from the opposition parties and their candidates, including LP and Obi, challenging the process that produced Tinubu as winner.

In a recent chat with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, former president Obasanjo insisted that despite President Tinubu being declared as the winner of the last election, Obi

remains the candidate that the country needs. He said, “For the Nigeria that I believe we need to have at this

point in time, Peter Obi is still the best candidate.”

On what he considered his greatest legacy, the former

president said, “That I came here [earth] and God was immeasurably kind to me and showed His grace on me.”

Jigawa Assembly approves Gov Namadi’s request to appoint 25 SAs

The Jigawa State House of Assembly has approved Governor Umar Namadi’s request to appoint 25 Special Advisors in the state.

This followed the request of the governor in a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Rt.

Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, before the floor of the house at its first sitting on Thursday. This is coming less than 24 hours after their inauguration and election of the speaker and his deputy.

The member representing the

Roni constituency, Honourable Lawan Muhammad Dansure, moved the motion, while the member representing the Malam Madori Constituency, Hamza Babayaro, seconded the motion.

The request was supported by members representing

Kirikasamma, Ringim, Guri, and Kafin Hausa constituencies. Dangyatin adopted the motion for the smooth running of the administration.

The House adjourned its sitting till Tuesday, 27th June 2023.

Why I will support subsidy removal - LP lawmaker, Hon. Atu

By Christiana Ekpa

Amember of the House of Representatives, representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency on the platform of Labour Party (LP), Hon. Chimaobi

Sam Atu, has disclosed that he will support subsidy removal if there are clear-cut timelines for visible interventions that will drastically change the lives of his constituents and Nigerians in general.

The Lawmaker equally stressed that he supports subsidy removal, if there are clear-cut timelines for visible interventions that will drastically change the life of every Nigerian especially his constitutents, adding that This timeline must be achievable and verifiable.

Let me assure you all and those watching at home that I shall give scholarships to indigent students in primary, secondary

and tertiary institutions. You will recall that we visited some primary schools in our Constituency recently.

Hon. Sam Atu who disclosed these while speaking to newsmen in Abuja said the country is now face with a fractured political process, threatening insecurity and a deep economic mess that has left the country more disunited than ever.

According to him, the challenges are not new, but, must be conquered, adding that Fixing the challenges was the core of Labor Party campaign.

“You will recall that during the campaign, we had a social contract with our people. This contract was contained in the manifesto that was distributed to the constituents.

He said “Now is the time to roll our sleeves and get the job done. Top on my legislative agenda is to give my people a voice in the 10th Assembly

through quality representation. I shall work closely with the new House Leadership to achieve this. Expectedly, the composition of the 10th Assembly suggests that there will be extremely robust legislative engagements and I will be ready. My colleagues in the Labour Party and I, are willing to engage in a bipartisan process that will serve our people and the entire country.

“I will work with my esteemed colleagues in the Green Chamber to sponsor quality bills and issue-based motions. As someone who toured the entire 26 wards in my constituency during the campaign, I know what the issues are. We have developed a dynamic feedback mechanism to engineer effective communication among our people. Just recently,

On his compign to his constitutents he said “I concluded arrangements in

our constituency office where everyone can channel his or her suggestions and challenges. Those who have followed me on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms will attest to the fact that we have been very active online. My team just informed me that our website is ready.

“As I promised during the campaign, I will hold quarterly Town Hall Meetings in Enugu North and South. This meeting will enable me to know where my people want to go and not where I think they should go.

“Agriculture is one critical sector that will gulp my attention in the House. As the world gradually moves away from fossil fuel, agriculture and technology must be given all the backing they deserve. We shall sponsor bills and motions that will ensure that agriculture and technology take their place in our economy.

Obasanjo with Obi

POLITICS

Former

Tinubu

best for Nigeria –

Yakassai counters expresident Obasanjo

Apopular Nigerian politician and elder statesman, Tanko Yakassai, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is best for Nigeria at this time and moment.

His statement countered former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent comment that Peter Obi of the Labour Party remained a better presidential candidate Nigeria needed.

Yakasai, according to NAN, after meeting with President Tinubu recently, said that what Nigeria required at this time was a man with a track record of good governance and a well-versed politician to get it out of the woods.

He said that with the precedent set in Lagos State when Tinubu was the governor for eight years, Nigerians should expect good times in the next six to 12 months.

“Right from when he declared his intention, I had supported Tinubu’s aspiration to lead the country.

“My support was borne out of a personal conviction that a real politician will be the only one that can solve the country’s myriad of problems.

“In the past few days of his inauguration, I became more convinced that my support was not lost.

“The few decisions and laws signed, as well as appointments, have further singled him out as one of the best presidents to rule Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

Apologise genuinely for your misdeeds — Igbimo Osun APC tells Aregbesola

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Igbimo Agba Osun

(Elders Caucus) of the All Progressives Congress, APC Osun State have called on the former governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola to apologise to the Leadership of the party for his actions.

The APC, Igbimo-Agba Osun Chairman, Sola Akinwumi made this known in a press release signed by him.

In the statement, Akinwumi stated that the decision to ask the ex-governor to apologise was arrived at, after a wide consultation with the members

of the caucus

The caucus in the statement said ” the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State Chapter remains intact while the leadership is exploring all avenues towards ensuring a united and focused Party.

“It has come to the knowledge of this body about comments made by the Fmr Gov/Minister of Interior H/E. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola during his recent event in Osun State and wish to inform the public that our Party’s door is open to any member who is ready to apologize genuinely for his/her misdeeds.

“Finally, this body deeply appreciates all committed and loyal members for their unwavering and firm support for the Party despite all odds.”

Bawa sack: ‘Sustain the tempo’ – Ohanaeze youths hail Tinubu

By Christiana Ekpa

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has hailed President Bola Tinubu over the removal of Abdulrasheed Bawa as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In one of his measures to restore sanity in public institutions, Tinubu suspended Bawa from office earlier in the

week.

Godwin Emefiele was earlier suspended as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said the President’s action was heartwarming.

Okwu recalled that his group had asked former President Muhammadu Buhari to fire Bawa, but he refused to heed their advice.

The Igbo group had accused

Bawa of merchandising the commission, noting: “In the history of the EFCC, no chairman of the commission has ever come under public scrutiny in such a short period of time like Bawa. The same goes for many of the staff under him, justifying the aphorism, ‘like father, like son’. This shows how dirty the commission has become.”

While hailing Tinubu, Okwu said a thorough investigation must be conducted on all the activities of Bawa as EFCC

helmsman.

“Bawa is a disappointment to the youth constituency; he was given the opportunity to prove that youths can hold any leadership position and deliver, but he messed up a rare opportunity.

“We laud President Bola Tinubu for ridding the EFCC of cancerous leadership provided by Bawa. He made a total mockery of the system, and for that, his name would remain in the infamous book of history.

Adamu, Omisore squandered over N30bn APC realised from sale of forms – Lukman alleges

By Musa Adamu

The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Vice Chairman, Northwest, Dr. Salihu Lukman, Friday, alleged that the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu and the National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore squandered N30 billion realised during the sale of forms for the 2023 elections.

Lukman in a statement titled; ‘Rebuilding the APC to Reform Nigerian Politics: Task Before President Asiwaju

Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, alleged that both Adamu and Omisore have embarked on spending extravaganza based on their discretionary decisions without any form of budget as required by the APC constitution. He said with the election of principal officers in the National Assembly completed, President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, being the leader of the party, should prioritise rebuilding the APC.

Lukman said that as it is now, the management of the party was limited to the discretion of Adamu, adding

that when it is convenient, he involves members of the National Working Committee, NWC.

He said the reality was that the APC as constituted today was only a shadow of itself with a National Chairman that is highly unaccountable running the affairs of the party more as a garrison commander.

“He relates with his colleagues in the NWC just like his appointees. In their name he meets other leaders of the party and seeks to manipulate party decisions to suit personal vested interests that are only

known to him.

“Beyond all these is also a clear case of reckless financial management of the party. With more than N30 billion realised during the sale of forms for the 2023 elections, Sen. Adamu and Sen. Omisore have embarked on spending extravaganza based on their discretionary decisions without any form of budget as required by the APC constitution,” he alleged.

Lukman stressed that with the NEC not meeting as required, they give no financial report to anyone, not even to the NWC.

Senate Presidency: Senators betrayed me – Yari

By Musa Adamu

Former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari has accused senators of betraying him over the Senate Presidency seat. The All Progressives Congress, APC, had anointed Godswill Akpabio from Akwa

Ibom for the Senate Presidency.

On Tuesday, Akpabio emerged as the Senate President during the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

While Akpabio polled 63 votes to emerge winner, Yari got 46 votes.

However, Yari said he was hoping to get 61 out of the 109

votes which could have seen him emerge as the Senate President.

Speaking during an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja, Yari said: “Yes, I can say there was a betrayal. That’s the truth because as we were taking stock as of 3 am, MondayTuesday election, we took stock of over 76.

“But as usual, human beings, we thought we are going to get a pullout of about 15, which we will have a comfortable 61 to win the election.

“But it became the reverse, which only God knows what happened. So, I feel betrayed but life continues and it’s a cycle.”

Rauf Aregbesola

Tanko Yakassai

“To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

Chief Operating Officer

Hameed M. Bello, PhD Manager, administration

Hassan Hammanyaji

Editor (A g)

Egena Sunday Ode

HEAD, ADVERT

Patrick UGAMA

OUR

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

Now that Tinubu is on throne

Nigeria now has a brand new president, the 16th since independence in 1960. He is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former state governor. He took over from former President Muhammadu Buhari whose constitutional two-term tenure ended on May 29. 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, did not stop Tinubu’s swearing-in. The electoral act gives 180 days for the legal challenge to be concluded.

In a farewell broadcast to the nation, 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 to the discomfort of those who ran against him and lost. President Joe Biden of the United States, for one, had sent a high powered delegation to Nigeria for Tinubu’s installation. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair had earlier visited, pledging his full support for the then incoming Tinubu presidency.

The immediate past president of Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, attended the 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.

OPINION

The Champions League: A metaphor for Nigeria’s underdevelopment

By Kehinde Oluwatosin B.

Yesterday Real Madrid once again defied the odds by coming out unscathed as they for the umpteenth time made mince meat of Bayern Munich . I congratulate their victory and most especially their unpredictability in ascending to the finals. However, how is the victory my business? How does it add value to me beyond that of entertainment? What do I gain as a third-world citizen, shouting and raising the banner for twenty-two made men slugging it out in one of the first world Nations?

Do not get this wrong, I love football ( European and local) and I say with all humility that I have analyzed and followed global football for over a decade plus however, it’s time we take all things as a people beyond their face value.

I missed the match, but I saw a crowd as I made my way home, having a bit of the match freely by the roadside, courtesy a generous bear joint. A terrible thought came to me immediately as I sight the crowd and that is “How do these spectators backing the road as they watch, run for their life ,if a running vehicle beacons? ” Immediately I concluded that even the champions league is a metaphor for Nigeria’s backwardness.

Every champions league night opens a window into why Nigeria has become the open sore of the black race. There are majorly three reasons for such crowd on a champions league night: There is no light (electricity) and people insist on watching, fuel is expensive and people cannot afford to buy it, thirdly is that people cannot afford to pay for the cable bouquet that brings the champions league games into their homes.

The three problems highlighted are purely economic problems, yet we keep screaming “Hala Madrid” failing to see the cause and the effect are both half a dozen and six. Those who watched the match openly yesterday are planning to watch the final too openly because we have lived over the years in such enclave of deprivation from the government that has ensured that all anomalies has been normalized.

Except for the viewing centres, the management of the cable TVs, what does the victory yesterday bring to Nigeria in real terms of GDP (gross domestic product) and economic prosperity? You try to think it out, but you hardly find one, and that takes us to another trouble with us : we waste a lot of time in vanity engagement because productive engagement are becoming few and far between.

You tell everyone who cares to listen how hard you work for fifteen hours a day, however you forgot to tell us that five hours was used in commuting of the total hours spent working. Young men this morning would also discuss and analyze yesterday’s match at newspaper stands for several hours that should have been engaged in productive activities.

It’s pathetic that what has become a cash cow for UEFA, FIFA, and all the football community in Europe is the reason (although through government failings) why a generation of young people thread towards the path of waste in Nigeria.

Kehinde Oluwatosin Babatunde is a prolific writer and public speaker.

Economy: Nigerian bankers and the banks

By Terka Jam

Again Nigerians are letting the commercial banks off the hook without as much as a slap on the wrist for their role in the current economic recession. In the gang running our banking sector, somehow, we have managed to create a super caste that is above the law. They know that nothing has happened to them in the past when they gambled away shareholders’ and depositors’ funds, which has now reassured them that there is no price to pay for putting the country on the brink with their cowboys’ attitude towards what they should have treated as their responsibility to the rest of us.

It is okay for Nigerians and even government officials to engage in the ongoing self flagellation in which there is the acceptance of the blame for not diversifying the economy. It is overlooked that government can only drive the economy towards diversification to an extent while the private sector takes it up from there. In all the years that preceded this eventual fallout I challenge our commercial banks to dare publish their loans portfolio and show which ones deliberately targeted support for local industries and manufacturing.

Their preference has always been for extending short term facilities to importers with tenure that averages the time it takes to ship products from the factories in Europe and China to Nigeria. Companies that have to go through the growth process of building factories and manufacturing are automatically not eligible because of the longer tenure. So, in addition to stifling domestic growth the banks also encouraged the offshoring of Nigerian jobs.

Next to manufacturing, mortgage would have been another boost to the economy as construction of new homes would have generated employment on a scale that will yield multiplier effects. But not the Nigerian commercial banks for whom 30 years is too long a time to wait for borrowers to exit their mortgage facilities. That is why is common in Abuja, which tends to have the most number of new homes being built, to see repayment period of 24 months for a house priced at 45 million naira.

There are interventions funds that are lying dormant with specialized institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which have remained unaccessed because our commercial banks cannot be bothered with the concessionary rates stipulated by the institutions providing the credit. The returns have to be able to justify the jet set lifestyle of our overpampered bankers for the loans to be worth processing for our small and medium scale enterprises.

In addition, the banks would rather extend jumbo uncollateralized credit facilities to elites pals of the directors than to give same to hardworking businesses. The N6.6 trillion debt held by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) is a testament to how Nigerian commercial banks nudged us into this situation without anyone holding them accountable for their actions. Curiously only 6% of the Eligible Bank Assets (EBAs) that AMCON purchased is represents exposure from manufacturing.

Those years of granting toxic loans to their associates were conveniently concealed by the practice of round tripping that allowed them to hide steady losses from the public. Sadly, irrespective of CBN intervention, sharp practices around currency speculation is one that the bankers’ clique are not willing to let go of as recently proven when the apex bank had to

suspend all but one of them from forex sale to bureau de change (BDC).

Commercial banks’ spurning of CBN’s directive goes beyond playing hanky with forex. They also serially disregarded the Treasury Single Account (TSA) until the big stick was again wielded. Their failure to comply with the directive was borne out of a desire to maintain the business as usual regime that ensures corruption continues to thrive. Proof of this is their penchant to hide under the depositors’ confidentiality to frustrate the tracking of stolen funds. That stolen funds passed through their systems without alerting authorities to suspicious transactions as required by anti-money laundering laws speaks volume of their commitment to seeing the nation survive.

All these serial violations directly affect the economy and in a bad way too. So, even when we blame past government for not implementing safeguards, these commercial banks are in reality responsible for 70 percent of our economic problems because they abdicated their core mandate in preference of speculative activities that add no value to the economy, if anything they made it worse.

It is therefore worrisome that these same guys are metamorphosing under the cover of “the private sector”, the same one they depleted by starving financing. The bankers or private sector as they have labelled themselves are complaining that there is no economic team. One would expect that they know by now that President Muhammadu Buhari knows the antics of the Lagos gang that gets into public committees to sabotage the government from the inside using privileged information they get in the course of being part of the economic team.

The years they were part of the economic team was the same period they used to pervert the system such that policies were manipulated to suit their insatiable acquisitiveness. They practically came up with their own committee which took over regulatory and enforcement roles over from the apex bank – the world over once an industry places self regulation over institutional regulation then there is need to be worried. The killing off of government institutions is not a fluke. If government organs are in place performing functions as prescribed by extant rules and regulations in line with financial manuals there would be no need to accept gate crashers and scams from Lagos to come and meet in Aso Rock under any name.

This is the era of change. We know the antecedent of the names demanding economic team. They played roles in previous bank consolidation bazaar that was carefully orchestrated to defraud Nigerians who lost money through Initial Public Offers, and Private Placement platforms and deposits that got threatened. As soon as the last of the banks was done collecting money from Nigerians they crashed the value of the shares and left investors with shreds of tissue paper in their hands, which they were made to believe were share certificates. That and other frauds before and after it were possible because those running the commercial banks have compromised the system through the access they got through being members of the economic team.

This latest attempt by commercial banks to again infiltrate the government to surreptitiously become part of the economic team must be resisted. If not by the government definitely by the populace.

Jam writes from Abuja.

CBN

reiterates stance on FX access, says ‘status quo remains on 43 non-eligible items’

From Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated its stance on access to foreign exchange (FX) on the official window for the importation of some goods.

The regulator spoke in a tweet on Friday while highlighting some operational changes in the country’s FX market in line with recent developments.

In 2015, the apex bank announced plans to stop providing FX for the importation of 43 items (including rice, meat, and fish) — an initiative intended to boost local production and conserve the nation’s FX reserve.

In the tweet on Friday, the CBN said the 43 items remain ineligible to receive dollars for their importation.

“The status quo remains on the 43 non-eligible items,” the apex bank said.

“The items are not permitted to be funded from the I&E window.”

The regulator’s statement was necessitated by its recent unification of all segments of Nigeria’s FX market, and the floating of the local currency.

The policy means that all FX windows are now collapsed into the investors and exporters (I&E) window, the CBN said.

“This means all eligible FX transactions shall only be done via the I&E window, all other windows cease to exist,” the CBN said.

“The I&E market functions by a willing buyer, willing seller system, where an entity with demand for FX seeks out another entity with FX to sell at an agreed price through an authorised dealer.

“In this model, rates are usually agreed by both parties.” “The I&E market functions by a willing buyer, willing seller system, where an entity with demand for FX seeks out another entity with FX to sell at an agreed price through an authorised dealer.

“In this model, rates are usually agreed by both parties.”

Nigeria regains position as Africa’s largest oil producer

By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

Nigeria regained its position as Africa’s largest crude oil producer in May, data from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has shown.

In April, Angola overtook Nigeria to emerge top African crude oil producer for the month. The country recorded 1.06 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil production in the month, while Nigeria recorded an output of 999,000 bpd. The April output figure represented the nation’s lowest production rate in 2023.

Oil production from the 13 members of the oil cartel

averaged 28.06 million barrels per day in May 2023, lower by 464 thousand barrels per day month on month, OPEC said in its Monthly Oil Market Report released recently.

The report noted that crude oil output increased mainly in Nigeria, Iran and Angola, while production in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait declined.

Nigeria recorded 1.184 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude production in May, up from 999,000 bpd recorded in April, while Angola’s output rose to 1.111 million barrels per day from 1.06 million recorded in April, according to the oil cartel’s direct communication data.

The report said Nigeria’s economy grew by 2.4 per cent

year on year in the first quarter of 2023 after growth of 3.6 per cent year on year in the fourth quarter of last year (2022).

“Nigeria’s economy seems to be continuously challenged by a variety of factors this year. Slowing growth in the services sector, slowing crude oil output, and a deceleration in manufacturing and farming industries are among the most important issues,” the oil cartel said in the report.

In recent years, Nigeria has recorded a surge in pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft incidents in its oil-producing region, a development that worsened the nation’s revenue challenge.

To curb crude theft, the

NNPC launched an application in August last year to monitor the incidence of theft and vandalism.

The NNPC also awarded a multibillion naira pipeline surveillance procurement to a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo.

The recent rise in the country’s crude production comes at a time when the Nigerian government announced the removal of fuel subsidy.

President Bola Tinubu had, in his inaugural address on 29 May, announced the removal of fuel subsidy—the stance he had also maintained in his campaign as a candidate during the election.

We’re no longer sole supplier of petrol, says NNPC

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it is no longer the sole supplier of petrol in the country.

The national oil firm made the announcement in a tweet on Thursday.

“NNPC Limited no longer [the] sole supplier of petrol,” the national oil company tweeted.

Prior to the announcement, the company served as the country’s last-resort supplier, ensuring a steady distribution of

petroleum products.

The development comes hours after the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said it licenced three oil marketers for petroleum products importation.

Farouk Ahmed, chief executive officer (CEO) of NMDPRA, speaking during a meeting with stakeholders, said the NNPC had agreed to reduce its petrol import volume to give room for other players in the industry.

“Therefore, any marketer licenced to import petroleum

products must comply with set guidelines”, he said.

“Already, three oil marketers will, from July this year, start importing petroleum products into the country.”

In his inaugural speech on May 29, President Bola Tinubu declared that the petrol subsidy payments had stopped.

NNPC, after the president’s declaration, announced the adjustment of the pump price across its retail outlets nationwide.

Speaking on the post-subsidy era, Mele Kyari, group chief

executive officer (GCEO) of NNPC, had said oil marketers would be able to import petrol as the subsidy removal would create an enabling environment.

“The beauty of this is that there’ll be new entrants because oil marketing companies know the result of their reluctance to come into the market all along is the very fact that there’s a subsidy regime that is in place, and that subsidy regime doesn’t have the guarantee of repayment back to those who provide the product at subsidised prices,” Kyari had said.

BU$IN€SS

NDIC taken over by ‘cabal’ — New board chair

By Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, the new chairperson of the governing board of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has alleged that the corporation reeks of corruption and has been taken over by a ‘cabal’.

The board chairman also faulted the corporation’s new act

saying it is one of the instruments of corruption.

“I tell you, NDIC stinks. There is a lot of rot going on. They say, ‘When you fight corruption, corruption fights you’. This is the purported new act of the NDIC and I tell you for nothing that this is Emefiele’s act. Here, they have taken away the powers of Mr President in respect of the NDIC,” he said in a Facebook

post on Monday.

Mr Abdullateef was on 17 May appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as the chairman of the board of NDIC following the confirmation of the board members by the senate.

But Mr Buhari, on 26 May, signed the NDIC (repeal and reenactment) bill of 2023 into law, repealing the NDIC Act of

2006. The new act, amongst other things, provides that only the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance can chair the governing board of the NDIC.

According to a PRNigeria, controversies have since trailed the appointment of the new chair as the new law repealed the appointment of a chairman outside the public service.

Mr Abdullateef, a

former Lagos lawmaker and commissioner, alleged that the ‘cabal’ took the new act to former President Buhari 48 hours before his leaving office.

“They knew at that time that the man was so busy and he would not be able to read everything they have put here. Therefore, they got him to sign it,” he said.

“Another fraud was committed. This document that was signed is materially different from the vote and proceedings of that of the National Assembly that passed it.”

He alleged that the said cabal introduced the new bill to truncate the original plan of the board.

Mr Abdullateef noted that there are still men of integrity among the lawmakers, adding that the ‘cabal’ knew at the time that if they introduced the section to them on the floor, they will vote against it.

“So what did they do? It was hidden somewhere, it was not part of what was passed by the National Assembly,” he said.

The embattled chair also said that the act gave the president the free hand to appoint competent Nigerians who are capable of becoming managing directors and executive directors.

“Now, they have tied the hands of the President and they said only someone recommended by Emefiele alone can be the Executive or Managing Director,” he said.

Mr Abdullateef, who wept in the video, called on Nigerians to not allow the new act to see the light of day. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to probe the new act.

Phone, generator imports gulped $3.5bn in 2022 – Report

Nigeria spent $3.47bn importing phones, generating sets, electrical transformers, and a host of other electrical equipment in 2022.

This is based on data culled from the International Trade Center. The ITC gets its data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations COMTRADE.

According to the multilateral agency, which has a joint mandate with the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations, Nigeria’s electrical importation bill grew by 11.90 per cent from the $3.09bn it was in 2022. Also, over the last three years, Nigeria has spent $10.26bn importing electrical equipment amid falling foreign exchange reserves.

Imports under the electrical machinery and equipment category on the ITC portal

include, but are not limited to, electric motors and generators, electric generating sets, electrical transformers, vacuum cleaners, electric shavers, hair clippers, and telephone sets which include smartphones, facsimile machines for line telephony, teleprinters, and parts of telephone sets.

Total phone imports in 2022 was put at $773.56m, a 0.17 per cent year-onyear increase from $772.25m as of 2021. $468.65m worth of electric motors and electric generating, and $357.36m worth of electrical transformers were also imported.

Cumulatively, the three products constituted 46.06 per cent of total electrical equipment importation in 2022. Most of the equipment were imported from China, India, Germany, Türkiye, Sweden, United States of America, United Kingdom,

Austria, Italy, Vietnam, and France.

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, about 63 million technology devices are sold in Nigeria yearly. Nigeria’s phone market is dominated by foreign players like Tecno, Samsung, Apple, and Itel. Despite having the seventh-highest number of phones in the world, buoyed by its large mobile subscribers, according to the World Population Review, the country’s local phone manufacturing industry is nonexistent.

Recently, the IDC said, “Nigeria’s smartphone market declined 32.1 per cent YoY in Q4 2022 due to sustained high inflation and a shortage of U.S. dollars in the country.”

Nigeria’s smartphone market declined

32.1% YoY in Q4 2022 due to sustained high inflation and a shortage of US dollars in the country.

In an earlier interview with The PUNCH, the Chief Operating Officer, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Ajibola Olude, said poor electricity supply, lack of regulatory enforcement, disdain for local content, and a lack of technical knowhow were reasons affecting local phone manufacturing in the country.

Lamenting on the continued dependence on imported electrical equipment in an earlier interview with The PUNCH, an associate professor of Economics at the Pan Atlantic University, Olalekan Aworinde, said, “The implication of this is many. For instance, foreign exchange management, all those goods were paid for in dollars.

Weekend MagazineEntertainment Veteran Nollywood actor Don Brymo Uchegbu is dead

Nollywood has been plunged into grief following the untimely passing of veteran actor Don Brymo Uchegbu. The actor passed on at the age of 56.

The actor breathed his last on Wednesday night, reportedly succumbing to a partial stroke and elevated blood sugar levels.

He peacefully departed in his sleep on the fateful night of June 14, 2023.

Don Brymo, known mostly for his portrayal of Igwe (King) roles in movies, was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where his health condition was confirmed.

The sad news was confirmed by Mayor Ofoegbu, a prominent movie director in Nollywood and a close associate of the late actor.

In a post shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, June 15, 2023, Mr. Ofoegbu expressed his shock and disbelief over the sudden loss.

He wrote, “Plan for tomorrow but live for today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I wrote those lines on my WhatsApp status yesterday evening. My man, my 5 & 6, Don Brymo Uchegbu, passed in his sleep. I received the shocking news this morning and had to verify from his family. Chai! Don Brymo, my manchi. It’s hard to say goodbye. Nnukwu nwa na Enugu ukwu.”

Born in 1966 in Anambra State, Don Brymo officially entered the film industry in 2000. His filmography includes notable titles such as “Anger of a Wonder Girl,” “Ikemba,” “Ritual of Vengeance,” and “Wedding in Nigeria,” among others.

Don Brymo’s departure has left a void in the Nollywood community, with colleagues and fans mourning the loss of a gifted actor. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

‘BBNaija Level Up Reunion’ set to air on Showmax tomorro

Showmax is back with another exciting Big Brother Naija reunion show.

This time, we have housemates from the Level Up season which wrapped in 2022 with Phyna emerging as the second female housemate to emerge winner of the reality show.

Hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, the seventh season of the Nigerian version of the reality show premiered in July 2022. The show lasted for 72 day

The reunion show will see the return of the inseparable duo, Bella and Sheggz, Phyna, the queen of hype, ChiChi, the drama queen and other housemates.

Viewers can expect to revive the captivating drama from that previous season of Big Brother Naija. It promises to be an explosive and sensational event, filled with all the drama and excitement you can handle.

In addition to the Big Brother reunion show, you can also look out for The Real Housewives of Abuja Reunion on

Showmax.

Abuja’s most prominent ladies spill the tea and serve up scorching drama as alliances are formed and conflicts are resolved.

The two-part reunion show, which is hosted by media personality Akah Nnani, is currently streaming on the platform. Brace yourself for the ultimate gbas gbos experience on BBNaija Level Up reunion on Monday, June 19, 2023 on Showmax.

Heidi and husband, Sina Rambo

Weekend Magazine

Joeboy delivers on promise to provide free bus rides to Lagos residents

Nigerian music sensation, Joeboy, has fulfilled his promise of offering free bus rides to Lagos residents amidst the recent hike in transportation fares.

This comes after the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria.

The singer, whose real name is Joseph Akinwale, took to Twitter on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, to share his plans with his fans and followers.

According to the artist, the free bus service will operate on popular routes in Lagos from 8 AM to 5 PM from Wednesday to Friday

The artist delivered on his promise as one of his buses was spotted by a fan on third mainland bridge today, June 14, 2023.

The initiative aims to provide relief to individuals facing economic challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

Joeboy stated, “I know the fuel subsidy p is hard on everyone right now so here’s my little way of helping. For the next 3 days, there will be FREE Body & Soul buses along the following routes between 8 am and 5 pm. Enjoy the ride, Love you guys❤”

The recent removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has led to a surge in fuel prices, resulting in increased transportation costs and hardships for Nigerians.

In light of these circumstances, Joeboy’s generous gesture and the fact that he has kept his promise have eased the stress of many Lagosians facing daily transportation struggles.

I lost endorsement deal due to false rumours of misogyny – Nedu

Nigerian on-air-personality Nedu recently revealed that he lost an endorsement deal due to false allegations of misogyny surrounding him. The OAP has been accused of hating women.

In a conversation on The Honest Bunch podcast, the OAP shared the unfortunate incident and expressed his disbelief at how untrue these rumours are.

He stated that he didn’t let it the situation affect him emotionally. However, he highlighted the reason behind the deal falling through, attributing it to the overall narrative claiming that he hates women.

Nedu explained, “A lot of people were flying with the narrative, ‘Nedu hates women.’ And it’s a beverage brand. The brand said, ‘If this is what people are saying, it means it is not going to go well with our female audience.’

The beverage company, concerned about its brand image and appeal to female consumers, decided to withdraw the endorsement offer.

Addressing the allegations, Nedu emphasised that he does not hold any animosity towards women.

He pointed out the irony of the situation, as his comedic skits often showcase his love and appreciation for women, yet he still faces accusations of being a woman hater.

Asake & Olamide make history with top two entries on TurnTable Top 100

YBNL acts Asake and Olamide have made history with their entries on Nigeria’s biggest music chart. Since his entrance into the mainstream of the Nigerian music industry in 2022, Asake has become one of Afrobeats’ most reliable hitmakers whose refreshing genre-blending sound has shaped the soundscape and make him into a superstar.

In the latest installment of TurnTable

Top 100 (chart week June 2 - June 8, 2023) which is Nigeria’s only aggregate chart system, Asake and Olamide made history by becoming the first duo to have the top two songs in Nigeria.

Asake’s ‘Amapiano’ featuring Olamide spends its second week at the top of the chart while Olamide’s ‘New Religion’ featuring Asake debuted at NO. 2.

Rema’s ‘Charm’ drops to NO. 3, Zinoleesky’s

new single ‘A1 (Feeling Disorder)’, Seyi Vibez’s ‘Hat-Trick’ moves up thirteen places to NO. 5.

Davido’s ‘Feel’ drops three places to NO. 6, BNXN’s ‘Pray’ also drops three spots to NO. 7, while Burna Boy’s ‘Sitting On Top of The World’ debuts at NO. 8.

CKay’s ‘Hallelujah’ with Blaqbonez moves up six places as it enters the top 10 at NO. 9, and Davido’s ‘Unavailable’ feat Musa Keys drops two places to NO. 10.

7 Must-follow ICT teaching strategies

Today, most classrooms are becoming more digitalised with the increase of technology incorporated into the curriculum. It has always been my view that as a consequence you should just not aim to use technology just because it is there and as an ‘add-on’, but to develop student ICT capability. That is, to make technology transparent in its use when students are using it to achieve the learning goals that you have set in the subject. This is what developing student ICT capability is all about.

However, the right technology teaching strategies must be employed and not only this, they need to employed by all teachers as they share the same perspective and understanding on developing ICT capability in the curriculum.

Already, I have outlined appropriate ICT teaching and learning strategies that need to in place and occurring in your classroom. The following are also important strategies for teaching with technology.

Use mobile learning and social media

Many students have their own mobile device and even social media accounts. So why not use it to engage them further in the learning process. Tablets and smartphones will allow you to expand the learning boundaries past the classroom walls and this will encourage a strong sense of community.

Embrace formative assessments strategies in primary schools

The development of ICT capability is significant and as its components are practical it calls for you to accurately assess student ICT learning throughout the year to inform your planning well. Using formative assessment in primary schools will enable you to identify struggling students and you can target these the next lesson.

Put

communication and clarity first

The use of Information and Communication technology (ICT) encourages students to become more autonomous in their selection and use of ICT tools and resources. You must communicate your intentions with the use of ICT well and set clear expectations.

Clarify them to the students

Encourage

handwritten notes

A key component of ICT capability is the promotion of higher order thinking skills and by getting your students to plan first on paper and use handwritten notes will be important in starting this process.

Personalise instruction

If you employ formative assessment strategies appropriately this will enable you to determine a child’s capabilities in ICT at the starting point. You can then help each individual child to plot a course for their own ICT capability learning journey. Additionally, the understanding of the ICT capability Learning Continuum is significant in personalising instruction and learning for children in your classroom.

Having

a brainstorm session

You can help the planning process by conducting a class brainstorming session. In this time, you can model the appropriate train of thought. These sessions encourage students to be free in their creative ideas and express their ideas.

Diversify projects

One of the best strategies for teaching with technology is to embed it into meaningful and subject-related learning activities. Diversifying your projects will help this course.

You can use all these strategies to increase student engagement and develop student ICT capability alongside subject learning.

The use of ICT in the classroom should always be accompanied with these ICT teaching and learning strategies so to prepare students to learn to use ICT as a tool not just for their school learning, but throughout life and employing these ICT teaching methods in subjects for curriculum learning is your best option.

How to Best Apply Teaching Strategies that Enhance Student Learning now?

Today, there has been widespread acceptance of the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in all sectors of education. To date, there has been many new technological developments for education use. However, there have not been many good ICT teaching strategies examples.

In my mind, teaching strategies for primary school are a lot different from technology use in the classroom because that is my area of specialty. There is a distinct difference between the two.

So in this article, I will not only prove this to you through effective teaching strategies with technology but will highlight the ICT teaching strategies in primary school classrooms for you to apply. Each of them has been proven to be effective and fundamental in its application as they are derived from credible ICT teaching strategies studies that develop student ICT capability.

To start it is significant to help you to hone in on your aim as a primary teacher. When integrating technology in classroom activities it is vital that your aim should be to develop ICT capability. Your ICT teaching methods for primary classes should such that you enable students to make the technology transparent in its use. The students in your class should hardly notice that they are using it whilst achieving the learning outcome you set for them.

As an ICT teaching strategies example this sets you up for the rest that will follow. ICT should always be used as a tool for

learning and when done in meaningful context-driven activities you can develop their ICT capability. Here are some effective strategies for teaching with ICT throughout the curriculum.

English Learning Area

Teaching and learning with ICT in primary English presents you with many opportunities and without going too much detail, as this is covered with my literacy with ICT teaching strategies examples in my online workshop, you can apply effective strategies for teaching literacy quite easily as it is a primary focus in this sector.

As an example, you would word processing programs to edit text, draft or publish an informative or persuasive text. Why word processors as an ICT tool for classroom teaching? It is because they are closely linked with literacy and language development at all levels. It can also be applied across the primary curriculum.

Past ICT teaching strategies studies have indicated that teachers who have successfully developed ICT capability would question the whole class or group prior to ICT activities to clarify their expectations, focus the students on what they were doing along with to generate ideas on how they might go about using the technology.

Other ICT teaching strategies for primary school teachers would be to ensure that they will develop highly structured tasks to introduce particular ICT techniques that students can use subsequently use those ICT techniques in more open tasks in which they could make decisions about the choices of ICT techniques.

You can apply this type of ICT teaching methods for primary classes when you want to enhance literacy with ICT and develop ICT capability.

Science

Another example of using ICT teaching strategies for primary school teachers can be applied in science teaching. In this key learning area, students may be asked to make and record observations accurately. An ICT tool here could be a word processor, but another one is also spreadsheets.

There are many ICT techniques that can be used here so what are the effective teacher strategies here? Here is a little excerpt from my online workshop featuring effective teaching strategies examples in science teaching.

4 of the Best Evidence-based Teaching Strategies with Technology

Research has indicated that the use of technology in the classroom is in danger of becoming a medium more employed for fun than for learning. Evidence based teaching strategies with technology is imperative if technology integration in the classroom is to make an impact on student learning. Teachers must apply instructional strategies appropriately in order to truly see and understand the benefits of technology in education. The development of student ICT capability will only occur when technology is transparent in subject learning and these instructional strategies are employed.

These ICT teaching strategies are evidence-based as they come from the most ICT capable classrooms around today. As a result, you know then that if employed appropriately, student attainment levels in ICT capability should increase for your school.

So, what are evidence-based technology teaching strategies? If ever you were after teaching strategies for the classroom, then you need to the ones that are backed by research. Just like the ones below. They were derived from research several years ago (Kennewell, Parkinson & Tanner, 2000) from the most ICT capable schools and classrooms and teachers in the UK. While a few decades have passed since then, these core teaching strategies with technology have been proven to work and remain the essential methodology that grounds you in the development of ICT capability today.

High Impact Evidence based Technology teaching strategies

Here are my top four evidence-based teaching strategies:

Plan for Learning Progression in ICT capability

This involves you planning ICT activities in meaningful activities, embedded in purposeful subject-related contexts that will develop their ICT capabilities.

Develop each component of ICT capability

For routines it means providing focused practice tasks. Techniques would require you to have a checklist. Associate the name of the technique with the effect it achieves. With processes you will need to discuss with students what they are doing at the process level rather than discussing the next technique. Higher order skills are typically planned, monitored and evaluated by yourself as the teacher, but later this responsibility can be transferred and owned by the students themselves.

Focus on concepts behind the skills

Challenge naïve ideas about particular ICT tools and techniques both in whole class teaching, where appropriate, and when monitoring learning progress.

Provide effective scaffolding in the classroom

You could use methods such as demonstrating using descriptive commentary, monitored instruction, monitored repetition, guided repetition and the quick fix which is when you would generally solve a problem without an explanation.

Source: ictesolutions.com

Super-engineered vaccines created to help end polio

Scientists have “superengineered” polio vaccines to prevent them mutating into a dangerous form that can cause outbreaks and paralysis.

The oral vaccines contain weakened live polio viruses and the genetic redesign locks them into that weakened state.

The US and UK teams have now created upgraded vaccines against all three types of polio.

However, better vaccines still need to reach every child in order to stop the disease.

Polio can spread into the nervous system, causing paralysis. Cases have fallen by more than 99% since the late 1980s and about 20 million people who would have been paralysed can walk thanks to vaccines.

The original or “wild” poliovirus is now contained to small pockets of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the oral vaccines play a pivotal role in the attempt to rid the world of polio.

“The issue is they’re genetically unstable,” Dr Andrew Macadam, from the UK’s MHRA, told BBC News.

It takes only one mutation to turn the safe polio vaccine back into a virus that can move out of a child’s stomach, invade their nervous system and cause paralysis.

And if those viruses spread from an immunised child - through their contaminated faecesthere is a risk of infecting the unvaccinated and triggering an outbreak.

There are now more cases of “vaccine-derived polio” than of the wild poliovirus and the polio detected in London’s sewers last year was connected to the oral

vaccine.

Polio: Do we have to worry about it once again?

So the researchers have genetically altered the weakened virus even further to make it much harder for it to start causing paralysis again.

“By genetically modifying this part of the virus, we could modify this region so it couldn’t revert and this I think has been remarkably successful,” Dr Macadam said.

Prof Raul Andino, from University of California San Francisco, said he was “super-proud” of the scientific effort showing the vaccine was “50 to 100 times more stable”.

In March 2021, the World Health Organization made the researchers’

vaccine against typetwo polio available for emergency use. Since then, it has been used more than 650 million times.

Now, in the journal Nature, the researchers have detailed the creation of stable vaccines against polio types one and three.

The first-stage human trials of the upgraded vaccines have already been conducted - and, the researchers say, the data, which is still being analysed, is “very promising”.

The trio represent the first new polio vaccines in 50 years.

“I don’t think there’s any question that they’re helpful, the new vaccines address the instability question, but it doesn’t address the coverage issue,” Dr Macadam said.

‘Impressive science’ Tackling the last 1% of polio cases has proven stubborn. The original goal was to completely eradicate polio by the year 2000but delivering vaccines to some of the poorest and most conflict-ridden parts of the world has been a challenge.

Prof Alan Barrett, from the Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, at the University of Texas, called the “super-engineered” vaccines a feat of “impressive science”.

“[But] will it lead the endgame to the finish line? That is a big question,” he added.

Joseph Swan, from the World Health Organization and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, said more stable vaccines were

a “significant part” of the plan for a polio-free world.

But, he said: “Simply having these new and better tools will not get us over the finish line - vaccination, not just vaccines, is what will end polio.”

There was now a “unique opportunity” to eradicate wild poliovirusbut vaccine-derived polio outbreaks were causing problems in places facing “complex humanitarian emergencies”, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Yemen.

The oral polio vaccine is no longer used in the UK and other countries with established healthcare systems as they have moved to the polio injection.

Source: bbc.com

NEWS EXTRA

Kano governor appoints revenue agency’s Chairman, Executive Secretary SEMA, 14 aides

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the appointment of Alhaji Sani Abdulkadir Dambo as Executive Chairman, Kano State Internal Revenue Services (KIRS).

Dambo who was the immediate past Executive Chairman of the Agency is currently a Senior Manager, Tax Audit at the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) Abuja.

He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University, Kano with two Masters degrees in Accounting and Financial Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The New Revenue Boss is a fellow, Nigeria Institute of Taxation and has 20 years’ experience in tax administration.

More so, Governor Yusuf has approved the appointment of Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi , as Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, Kano (SEMA).

According a Statement by Governor Yusuf’s Chief Press Secretary, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, “the two appointments take effect immediately and the appointees are expected to take over their new roles yesterday, Friday 16th June, 2023.”

Governor Yusuf had also approved the appointment of 14 Personal Aides.

Among those appointed are: Senior Special Assistants (SSAs): Dr. Sani Danjuma, SSA Administration I; Bello Nuhu Bello, SSA Administration II; Najeeb Bashir Nasidi, SSA Domestic I; Dr. Abdurraman A. Kirare, SSA Domestic II;Safwan Garba, SSA Special Duties; Abdulkadir Balarabe Kankarofi, SSA Protocol I ; Salisu Yahaya Hotoro, SSA Social Media.

Special Assistants (SAs): Salisu Muhammad Kosawa, SA social media; Zulaihat Yusuf Aji, SA Broadcast Media; Rasheedat Usman, SA Secretariat.

Personal Assistants (PAs): Ahmad Aminu Yusuf, PA Domestic; Ahmad Muhammad Gandu, PA Videography; Isa Muhammad Giginyu, PA Photography; Hassan Kabir, PA Social Media.

Court stops Niger govt from demolishing Ashrab Energy facility

By Stanley Onyekwere

AFederal High Court, sitting in Minna, has restrained the Niger state government from demolishing Ashrab Energy International Limited, located in the state.

Recall that the Niger state government had on May 30th, 2023 marked Ashrab located at Keteren-Gwari in Minna, with occupancy Nos. NGS/913 and NGS/8821 for demolition, just barely 24 hours after the Governor of Niger state was sworn-in on May 29th, 2023.

However, in the court order dated 14th June, 2023 and marked NSHC/MN/147/2023, the defendants were listed as the Governor of Niger state, the Attorney general of the state,

Niger state ministry of land and housing, and Niger state urban development board have been asked to steer clear of any action regarding the parcel of Ashrab Iand.

It noted that the permit issued to the company on 28th October, 2021 by the Niger state Urban Development Board should not be withdrawn.

Also, the court presided over by Justice Mariyam Ismaila, issued an interim injunction restraining Governor Mohammed Bago (1st defendant) or any of his agents from interfering with or stopping Ashrab energy International limited from carrying out its legitimate business.

According to the court, the Governor of Niger state and his agents have no constitutional

rights to demolish or revoke the C or O of Ashrab without establishing the proof for the action.

The order stopped the governor with his agents from carrying out any action that will be against the constitutional rights of the plaintiff.

The suit read: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant or any of his agents, assigns and or privies from interfering with the plaintiff’s constitutional rights to own the parcel of land and all the improvements there on, situate at Keteren -Gwari, Minna, Niger state.

“The certificate of occupancy covered by certificate of occupancy Nos. NGS/913 and NGS/8821 pending the

determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of interim restraining the 4th defendant from withdrawing the development permit issue to the plaintiff (Ashrab energy International limited) on 28th October, 2021 pending the determination of the motion”. However, it was learnt that the name of the owner of the filling station is Alh Dantani Abubakar Hassan l, a strong supporter of Alh Idris Mohammed Malagi Who contested for the primary of APC Governorship prior to the 2023 general election.

It was also gathered that the state government had also revoked all land allocation in the state by the previous administration.

40 Community observers to monitor SGBV trend in Kaduna

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Worried by the increasing rate of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) issues due to the lingering insecurity in Kaduna state, forty community members have been initiated into the Mixed Observers’ Team (MOT), so as to help monitor and mitigate the menace.

The immediate past commissioner, Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development and Executive Director, Global Initiative for Women and Children (GIWAC), Hajiya Hafsat Babe disclosed this in Kaduna.

According to her the project is a pivotal step towards giving the voiceless in the society a voice.

She explained that

marginalized populations within the society often face disproportionate hardships as they are more vulnerable to most of these challenges that we are facing, saying: “Take the example of multidimensional poverty measure, which was defined by the World Bank as an index that measures the percentage of households in a country deprived along three dimensions –monetary poverty, education, and basic infrastructure services – to capture a more complete picture of poverty”.

She expressed hope that the MOT, which consists of selected women, formal and informal security personnel, community leaders, and women’s groups, all united by a shared purpose; to engage with the wider community, collaborate on security referrals

for access to justice, and address protection issues for women, especially SGBV victims, will in no measure, begin to address the numerous challenges brought about by the scourge.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Program Officer, Partners West Africa, Nigeria (PWAN), Nkem Okereke the project aims to advance engagement mechanisms and support structures which are inclusive and gender-sensitive, expanding outreach of access to justice services in Northwest Nigeria to provide better safety and protection for women and other marginalized populations; and improve community policing relations.

She added that the project is being implemented in Kaduna and Niger states to create a

strong Woman, Peace, and Security agenda in Nigeria that promotes women’s engagement in peacebuilding.

She stressed that the 3-day training is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the MOT members to recognize, prevent, and respond to situations of sexual and gender-based violence, as well as to advocate for and raise awareness of the security issues facing their local community and other marginalized groups.

On his part, the District Head of Kawo, Alhaji Jibrin Magaji stressed that the community has an important role to play in providing victims and survivors of GBV access to justice.

He also noted the need for more awareness, support, education and community engagement to address the problem.

With Samuel Alimi

IDIOMATIC ERRORS (1)

Idioms are structured in English to beautify our conversations. I have a passion for reading books on idiomatic expressions because I strongly believe that using them makes one speak uniquely. In other words, it takes creativity to speak using them. They make you become more expressive whenever you want to connect and communicate with your audience. I hereby enjoin you to study them for your oral and verbal communication.

Today’s lesson is focused on some altered idiomatic expressions we use inaccurately. In English, idioms are not supposed to be changed from their original versions. Any alteration renders them invalid and ungrammatical. I would advise you to forgive yourself and move on by effecting the corrections in your future chats.

ON A PLATTER OF GOLD

This is one of the most common altered idioms in Nigeria. It is used when somebody gets an opportunity without any required effort. For instance, many graduates secure job opportunities with several organizations without being qualified. This is the gory case in our labour market in the country. In a bid to express our notions on this terrible tale, we sometimes erroneously say “on a platter of gold”.

The lady, who graduated with a pass from the university, got a job in the company on a platter of gold. The question is, what is the problem with the idiom used in the above sentence?

The origin of “on a platter of gold” is unknown but I would love to note that “on a silver platter” is the original version.

The lady, who graduated with a pass from the university, got a job with the company on a silver platter.

(Correct)

I was also surprised after learning that this expression, which has been in use for centuries, is substandard. You are likely to have been captivated after reading this article.

Other suitable examples

The lecturer was appointed as the minister on a silver platter.

Monica got her grades on a silver platter.

A GREEN

SNAKE UNDER THE GREEN GRASS

Deceitful and scheming people are often referred to as green snakes under the green grass. Of course, most snakes are naturally green and grasses also have the same colour. When you have a snake under the grass, you may not discover its harmful presence. This reminds me of how a man was swindled by two fraudulent ‘Yahoo’ boys because he needed money seriously. Scammers are indeed experts at disguising and hoodwinking their victims into believing that they are real and reliable.

Study the following sentences.

Does Aisha know that her friend is a green snake under the green grass? (Wrong)

Does Aisha know that her friend is a snake under the grass? (Correct)

Get out! You are a green snake under the green grass.

(Wrong)

Get out! You are a snake under the grass. (Correct)

“A snake under the grass” is the correct idiom! I hope this is explicit enough.

BUCKLE UP

Students are always implored to “buckle up” and improve their academic performances. I recall that some of our teachers incorrectly wrote this same expression on our report cards during our primary school days. Almost everyone has wrongfully learnt that

Choose the right answer to each of the following questions.

“buckle up” means “put more effort.” It sounds good, but its use is ungrammatical in the context of encouraging someone to improve. Kindly consult your dictionary to confirm that BUCKLE UP means “to fasten one’s safety belt” while BUCKLE DOWN means “to become serious”.

Sola, buckle up and improve your CGPA for a second-class honours degree.

(Wrong)

Sola, buckle down and improve your CGPA for a second-class honours degree.

(Correct)

IN HOT SOUP

I emphasized at the beginning of this class that idioms should not be amended for any reason. Do you know that the simple idiom is “in the soup”? Please, note that “hot” should be replaced by “the”. According to the Oxford English Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, “in the soup” means “in trouble”.

ASSIGNMENT

Mohammed, you are in hot soup for stealing my money. (Wrong)

Mohammed, you are in the soup for stealing my money. (Correct)

I was in the soup throughout last year. (Correct)

I was in soup throughout last year. (Wrong)

RAISE/SOUND ALARM

In 2020, the world was in dilemma of the coronavirus. Several countries grappled with its gruesome effects on the global economy. Consequently, several companies had to shut down while others also downsized their members of staff. It was a challenging period indeed. The Nigerian Police Force enforced the proactive laws made to halt its spread among other residents. There were lockdowns in almost all states, and every media platform was used to sound the alarm about the symptoms of the virus.

When you sound or raise

1. The man ---------- about the armed robbers’ invasion. (a) raised alarm (b) raised the alarm (c) sounded alarm

2. The students are in ------ for assaulting their teachers.

(a) hot soup (b) in the soup (c) in soup

the alarm, you warn people about/against something or someone. The widespread error with this idiom is the omission of the article “the”.

Examples

Some doctors sounded alarm about the virus. (Wrong)

Some doctors sounded the alarm about the virus. (Correct)

Her mother raised alarm against teenage pregnancy. (Wrong)

Her mother raised the alarm against teenage pregnancy. (Correct)

Names of students who answered the last questions correctly.

Sado Favour, Oreshade Oluwagbenga, Olive Alimi, Yusuf Gbemiro, Adebayo Ifeoluwa, Fakeye Oluwadarasimi, Oluniyi Mojolaoluwa, Akindunjoye Micheal and Ayobami Safiyyah.

3. The professor advised his children to........... and improve their academic performances. (a) buckle up (b) buckle down (c) buckle Kindly forward your answers to 07049203179 or samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com. This column is highly recommended to improve your writing and speaking skills. Do not miss it every Saturday.

Abibatu Mogaji, Legendary Mother of all! (16 Oct. 1916 – 15 June 2013)

Chief Abibatu Mogaji OON, MFR (16 October 1916 – 15 June 2013) was a Nigerian business magnate and the Ìyál’ọ́jà of Lagos. She was the mother of the president of Nigeria Chief Bola Tinubu, who in his tribute in honour of his late mother, noted that she was more than the Iyaloja of Lagos or the President General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, as she was Iya-GboGbo (Mother of All).

Early life

Abibatu Mogaji was born on 16 October 1916, in Lagos, Southern Nigeria.

Family

Chief Mogaji was the mother of

the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Chief Bola Tinubu, who became president in 2023. Chief Tinubu’s daughter, Folashade, would go on to succeed her grandmother as Ìyál’ọ́jà of Lagos.

Career

Prior to her appointment as the

Iyaloja of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, Chief Mogaji was the vocal leader of the market women’s association in Lagos State. Also, in this capacity, she served as the successor of the powerful Alimotu Pelewura.

In recognition of her contributions to trading in Nigeria, Chief Mogaji was

“ Prior to her appointment as the Iyaloja of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, Chief Mogaji was the vocal leader of the market women’s association in Lagos State. Also, in this capacity, she served as the successor of the powerful Alimotu Pelewura.

In recognition of her contributions to trading in Nigeria, Chief Mogaji was bestowed with National awards by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

bestowed with National awards by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

She also received several honorary doctorate degrees from recognized Nigerian Universities, such as Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Lagos.

Awards

Order of the Federal Republic

Order of the Niger

Death

Chief Mogaji died on Saturday, 15 June 2013 at the age of 96 in her home at Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State. She was later buried at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens in Lagos State.

Source: wikipedia

Abibatu Mogaji

Minneapolis police routinely used excessive force, US Justice Department finds

The Minneapolis Police Department engaged in a pattern of discrimination against black and Native American people and routinely resorted to “excessive force”, a report has found.

The US Department of Justice report says that problems within the MPD “made what happened to George Floyd possible”.

The death of Floyd at the hands of police sparked mass protests in 2020.

The investigation was launched a day after the trial of his killer.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland said the department’s conduct uncovered in the report “is deeply disturbing, and it erodes the community’s trust in law enforcement”.

Following the investigations, the city has agreed to negotiate an agreement, known as a consent decree, with the Justice Department on reforming its police department.

Footage of Floyd’s fateful arrest - in which convicted ex-officer Derek

Chauvin trapped Floyd’s neck under his knee for more than nine minutes - led to protests nationwide, and a broader reckoning with racial injustice.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was arrested on 25 May 2020 on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill to pay for cigarettes at a corner store in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“As I told George Floyd’s family this morning, his death has had an irrevocable impact on the Minneapolis community, on our country, and the world,” Mr Garland said on Friday, as he announced the findings of the federal investigation.

The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into the city’s police department in April 2021, one day after Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter.

Three other officers have also since been convicted on federal charges for their roles in the arrest.

The 92-page report concluded that, for years, city police “used

dangerous techniques and weapons against people who committed at most a petty offense and sometimes no offense at all”.

It also claimed the MPD had “patrolled neighbourhoods differently based on their racial composition and discriminated based on race when searching, handcuffing, or using force against people during stops”.

The report further alleges that the city of Minneapolis sent officers to behavioural health-related emergency calls “even when a law enforcement response was not appropriate or necessary, sometimes with tragic results”.

Findings from the report are based on a review of city-provided documents, police incident files and body-camera footage, as well as conversations with officers and local residents.

“Now things have to be different. Now things have to change,” the city’s mayor Jacob Frey said Friday, standing alongside Mr Garland.

The federal consent decree, overseen by a federal judge, will follow the progress of reforms mandated for MPD by the government.

Several police departments in other cities - including Seattle, Washington and Oakland, California

- already operate under consent decrees over alleged civil rights violations of their own. Such court-enforced oversight was also recommended earlier this year in Louisville, Kentucky following an investigation into the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor.

Nottingham attacks: Valdo Calocane charged with three counts of murder

Aman has been charged with the murders of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates in Nottingham.

Nineteen-year-old students Mr Webber and Ms O’Malley-Kumar and school caretaker Mr Coates, 65, were stabbed in the early hours of Tuesday.

Valdo Calocane has also been charged with attempted murder after three people were injured, one critically, when they were hit by a van.

The 31-year-old will appear before magistrates in the city on Saturday.

University of Nottingham students Mr Webber and Ms O’Malley-Kumar were fatally stabbed in Ilkeston Road, just after 04:00 BST on Tuesday, while Mr Coates was found dead with knife injuries in Magdala Road after his van was allegedly stolen.

Mr Calocane, of no fixed address, is accused of using the van to drive at pedestrians.

One man was struck in Milton Street and left in a critical condition, but a Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust spokesman said he was now stable.

A number of roads in Nottingham city centre were cordoned off on Tuesday

Police said an attempt was also made to run over two other pedestrians in the Sherwood Street area. They are believed to have suffered minor injuries.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had received a referral from police and

was investigating.

A spokesman for the police watchdog said: “We have viewed dashcam footage from the police car and can confirm the officer, in a single-crewed vehicle en route to a linked incident, had sight of the van for less than a minute before the collision in the South Sherwood Street area. The officer immediately stopped to provide first aid.

“We will be contacting the two people injured in the collision to wish them a speedy recovery and advise them that we have decided to investigate this specific police interaction.

“Our investigation will consider whether the actions of the van driver were influenced by the police car’s presence shortly before he collided with the two pedestrians.”

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said: “These charges are a significant development and arise as a result of our thorough investigation into these horrific incidents that occurred in our city.

“We are keenly aware of the deep emotion being felt surrounding these tragic events and the high level of interest, not only in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire but also across the whole country.

“However, posting prejudicial information online about an active case could amount to contempt of court and, in the most serious cases, have the potential to cause the collapse of a trial.”

Police previously revealed Mr Calocane was a former University of Nottingham student, but said “this is not believed to be connected with the attack”.

The dual Guinea-Bissau/

Portuguese national had settled status in the UK through his Portuguese citizenship.

The BBC understands he grew up in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

Mr Webber, from Taunton, Somerset, was a first-year history student and keen cricketer, described as “fun, friendly, and full of life in his seminars”.

Ms O’Malley-Kumar, from north-east London, was in her first year of studying medicine, while playing top-flight hockey at university. Her family said she was “an adored daughter and sister”.

Mr Coates worked at the Huntingdon Academy in Nottingham and was four months from retirement.

His sons, Lee and James, said he was a keen fisherman and “diehard” Nottingham Forest fan.

Their deaths have prompted an outpouring of grief in the city and beyond.

Thousands of people gathered at emotional vigils - at the university on Wednesday and then in the Old Market Square in the city centre on Thursday - where relatives addressed the crowds and paid tribute to their loved ones.

On Friday, Mr Webber’s family visited the scene of where he was stabbed.

They said they laid flowers at the spot in Ilkeston Road because “we owe it to both Barnaby and Grace to let them know we are here”.

“As has been expressed by so many already, heartbreak cannot begin to describe our loss,” his family said.

“As painful as this tribute today has been, it is yet another step

forward on the very long, dark journey we have been forced to take.”

The England and Australia men’s cricket teams also paid tribute to those who died at the start of the Ashes test series at Edgbaston on Friday.

Players wore black armbands as a mark of respect and to “show solidarity”, with a minute’s silence observed before the national anthems.

Both Ms O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber were keen and talented cricketers.

A trumpeter from England’s Barmy Army supporters group played Amazing Grace during the match in memory of the pair.

The tribute took place during the 56th over, chosen because 56 was Mr Webber’s player number.

SOURCE: BBC

Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar died at the scene of the attacks

NEWS FROM AFRICA

South Africa’s stranded presidential security team: Poland denies racism

Poland says racism was not a factor in its decision to refuse entry to South African presidential guards and media for more than 24 hours.

The stand-off happened at Warsaw’s Chopin airport. The aircraft will now be held there until Sunday, an airport spokesman told the BBC.

About 120 people were stuck on the plane, who were all on their way to a peace summit in Ukraine.

Some of the passengers are now disembarking and going to a hotel.

Poland’s actions have left President Cyril Ramaphosa, who travelled separately to Ukraine, without some of his security detail.

This prompted a furious reaction from Mr Ramaphosa’s head of security, Maj Gen Wally Rhoode.

“They are delaying us, they are putting the life of our president in jeopardy,” he told journalists. “We could have been in Kyiv by now and this is all they are doing. I want you guys to see how racist they are.”

But Poland has dismissed this outright.

“Accusations against Poland of racism are being circulated in this case. This is nonsense,” says the director of the National Security Department and spokesman for Poland’s Minister-Special Services Coordinator, Stanisław Żaryn.

Warsaw Chopin airport spokesman Piotr Rudzki told the BBC the South African security guards did not have the necessary permits for their weapons.

“We cannot let passengers with illegal firearms into the EU,” he said.

Mr Rudzki added that they were told they could disembark if they left their weapons on the plane but they refused.

“The firearms... were not going to be confiscated as some reports in South Africa have said,” he added.

What started as an impasse on Thursday afternoon has escalated into a diplomatic row.

A spokesman for South Africa’s president said the row was “regrettable”. Vincent Magwenya had said efforts were being made to ensure those on the aircraft can proceed “to cover at least the Russian

leg” of the trip. But according to Mr Rudzki, this is no longer an option.

Despite the events in Warsaw, Mr Magwenya says President Ramaphosa arrived safely in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv

safely by train from Poland, along with other African heads of state who are visiting the country to promote dialogue with Russia.

“I would like to assure all South Africans

Why South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa is leading Ukraine peace mission

Seven African leaders have travelled to Ukraine and Russia on a peace mission, hoping to work towards ending the war, which has badly affected living standards across the continent.

The delegation from South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Zambia, and Uganda is meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday and President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

But the timing of the visit seems off. It comes just as Kyiv is launching its muchvaunted counter-offensive.

So, what can this mission actually achieve?

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa offered no timeline or proposals when he made the announcement last month, joining a crowded field of would-be peacemakers that includes China, Turkey and the Pope.

“What is the strategic thrust of this intervention?” asks Kingsley Makhubela, a South African risk analyst and former diplomat. “It’s not clear. Is this a photo op by African heads of state?”

The mission is an unusual burst of activism given Africa’s largely hands-off approach to a conflict that many here see primarily as a confrontation between Russia and the West.

It is also a rare attempt at diplomatic intervention outside the continent - a “welcome development” given Africa’s growing demand to have a bigger voice at the UN and other international organisations, says Murithi Mutiga, Africa director at the International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank.

The man who has prepared the ground, Jean-Yves Ollivier, has talked about modest goals.

He heads a UK-based organisation known as the Brazzaville Foundation, which focuses primarily on peace and development initiatives in Africa, although his longstanding links to Congo-Brazzaville’s authoritarian leader have made him a controversial figure.

Mr Ollivier has stopped commenting publicly about the trip since the dates

became official. But in previously published interviews he has laid out his approach.

He said the aim was to start talking rather than to resolve the conflict, to begin a dialogue on issues that do not directly affect the military situation and build from there.

One of them is a potential swap of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war.

The other is to try and find solutions to issues that matter to Africa, like grain and fertiliser.

The war has severely restricted the export of grain from Ukraine and fertiliser from Russia, intensifying global food insecurity. Africa, which depends on imports of both, has suffered the most.

Mr Ollivier said the African leaders would seek to persuade the Russians to extend the fragile agreement that allows Ukraine to ship grain through the Black Sea.

And it will urge Kyiv to help find ways to ease restrictions on the export of Russian fertiliser currently being held up in ports.

There are indications, however, that the leaders “seek to offer a more substantive deal between the two sides”, says Mr Mutiga.

US pressure on South Africa

The delegation has been designed for breadth and balance, with members from different parts of Africa who have different views on the conflict.

It includes four presidents, Egypt’s prime minister, and representatives from Uganda and Congo-Brazzaville

South Africa and Uganda are seen as leaning towards Russia, while Zambia and Comoros are closer to the West. Egypt, Senegal and Congo-Brazzaville have remained largely neutral.

But recent developments in South Africa appear to be influencing the venture.

Mr Ramaphosa’s government has come under growing pressure from the US because of its alleged support for Russia’s war. This centres on claims of an arms shipment to Moscow, which South Africa has denied.

The Biden administration is waiting for the outcome of Pretoria’s official investigation, but a bipartisan group of US

lawmakers wants the White House to punish South Africa by reconsidering important preferential trade benefits.

“I think [the mission] is now aligned with a need for South Africa to explain itself,” says Alex Vines, director of the Africa Programme at London’s Chatham House think-tank.

Dr Vines says the Americans are no longer trying to make Africa choose sides in the conflict as they did when Russia first invaded Ukraine.

Many African states have maintained a non-aligned position, a stance the US acknowledges is rooted in the history of the Cold War and does not necessarily mean support for Moscow.

Washington now “advocates true nonalignment”, he says, “hence the pressure on South Africa at the moment to prove that it’s truly non-aligned”.

Mr Ramaphosa has been a driving force in getting the trip into shape, nailing it down with calls to Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky, and briefing UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

Although neither Russia nor Ukraine have shown any interest in peace talks, both have an interest in this visit.

Moscow has been cultivating influence in Africa as a counterweight to the West and is

hoping to showcase that in a Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg next month.

Ukraine has been trying to catch up on African diplomacy from a standing start. It recently sent its foreign minister to the continent to plead its case and would welcome another chance to do so.

The Ukrainians “will probably try to persuade the African mediators not to attend the summit”, says Dr Makhubela.

“The Russians want to show that they are not isolated. But their interests are… mutually exclusive. That’s why this is going to create a dilemma for African heads of state as to whether they go to St Petersburg,” he adds.

Analysts see the summit as an important indicator of Africa’s relations with Russia, but not an ideological one.

“Africans are transactional in this,” says Dr Vines, noting that the biggest worry of ex-guerrilla fighters in Mozambique he had spoken to recently was the cost of living because of “this distant European war”.

“It’s not their war,” he says.

That is in fact one of the few advantages the African leaders could bring to the peace table as mediators, according to Mr Mutiga, should the parties ever decide to sit at it.

Source: BBC

African leaders travelled to Ukraine hoping to work towards peace

The African leaders travelled to Ukraine by train from Poland

The workers already replaced by artificial intelligence

Until recently Dean Meadowcroft was a copywriter in a small marketing department.

His duties included writing press releases, social media posts and other content for his company.

But then, late last year, his firm introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system.

“At the time the idea was that it would be working alongside human lead copywriters to help speed up the process, essentially streamline things a little bit more,” he says.

Mr Meadowcroft was not particularly impressed with the AI’s work.

“It just kind of made everybody sound middle of the road, on the fence, and exactly the same, and therefore nobody really stands out.”

The content also had to be checked by human staff to make sure it had not been lifted from anywhere else.

But the AI was fast. What might take a human copywriter between 60 and 90 minutes to write, the AI could do in 10 minutes or less.

Around four months after the AI was introduced, Mr Meadowcroft’s four-strong team was laid off.

Mr Meadowcroft can’t be certain, but he’s pretty sure the AI replaced them.

“I did laugh-off the idea of AI replacing writers, or affecting my job, until it did,” he said.

The latest wave of AI hit late last year when OpenAI launched ChatGPT.

Backed by Microsoft, ChatGPT can give human-like responses to questions and can, in minutes, generate essays, speeches, even recipes.

Other tech giants are scrambling to launch their own systems - Google launched Bard

in March.

While not perfect, such systems are trained on the ocean of data available on the internet - an amount of information impossible for even a team of humans to digest.

So that’s left many wondering which jobs might be at risk.

Earlier this year, a report from Goldman Sachs said that AI could potentially replace the equivalent of 300 million fulltime jobs.

Any job losses would not fall equally across the economy. According to the report, 46% of tasks in administrative and 44% in legal professions could be automated, but only 6% in construction and 4% in maintenance.

The report also points out that the introduction of AI could boost productivity and growth and might create new jobs.

There is some evidence of that already.

This month IKEA said that, since 2021, it has retrained 8,500 staff who worked in its call centres as design advisers.

The furniture giant says that 47% of customer calls are now handled by an AI called Billie.

While IKEA does not see any job losses resulting from its use of AI, such developments are making many people worried.

A recent survey by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which polled 12,000 workers from around the world, found that a third were worried that they would be replaced at work by AI, with frontline staff more concerned than managers.

Jessica Apotheker from BCG says that’s partly due to fear of the unknown.

“When you look at leaders and managers, we have more than 80% of them that use AI at least on a weekly basis. When you look at frontline staff, that number drops to 20% so with the lack of familiarity with the tech comes much more anxiety and concern on the outcomes for them.”

But perhaps there is good reason to be anxious.

For three months last year, Alejandro Graue had been doing voiceover work for a popular YouTube channel.

It seemed to be a promising line of work, a whole YouTube channel in English had to be revoiced in Spanish.

Mr Graue went on holiday late last year confident that there would be work when he returned.

“I was expecting to have that money to live with - I have two daughters, so I need the money,”

he says. But to his surprise, before he returned to work, the YouTube channel uploaded a new video in Spanish - one he had not worked on.

“When I clicked on it, what I heard was not my voice, but an AI generated voice - a very

badly synced voiceover. It was terrible. And I was like, What is this? Is this like going to be my new partner in crime like the channel? Or is this going to replace me?” he says.

A phone call to the studio he worked for confirmed the worst. The client wanted to experiment

with AI because it was cheaper and faster.

That experiment turned out to be a failure. Viewers complained about the quality of the voiceover and eventually the channel took down the videos that featured the AI-generated voice.BBC

But perhaps there is good reason to be anxious.

For three months last year, Alejandro Graue had been doing voiceover work for a popular YouTube channel

Dean Meadowcroft never thought that AI would replace him

IKEA has retrained thousands of call centre workers as design advisers

Alejandro Graue lost voiceover work to an AI system

2023 AFCON qualifier: What to Know about Nigeria’s game against Sierra Leone

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will go against Sierra Leone this weekend in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The match which will take place on Sunday, June 18, will be played at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, Monrovia, Liberia, due to issues surrounding accreditation of their home ground. The game will kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time and will be available on cable networks.

The Super Eagles are still fighting hard for first place in Group A entering this

match just behind Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria has won three games while scoring 13 goals and allowing just two goals to be scored against them.

They defeated everyone else, dropping only three points in a March setback to Guinea-Bissau.

After stealing a point from the group leaders but falling to Nigeria in the rematch, Sierra Leone has only won one game, lost one, and drawn two.

Victor Osimhen to star for Super Eagles

Victor Osimhen will be the center of attention in this match as he attempts to score his 16th goal for Nigeria in only his 25th appearance. The superstar from Napoli is already on track to become the all-time highest scorer in the nation and has by far the best goals to game ratio in its history.

Osimhen became the first and only African to win the Capocannoniere after scoring 26 goals in Serie A this season as Napoli won the championship.

About Sierra Leone team

It’s unlikely that Sierra Leone head coach John Keister will make many adjustments to the starting lineup after the 2-0 victory over So Tomé and Principe last time out.

The two players who scored in that contest, Abubakarr Samura and Alhassan Koroma are expected to start in defense and midfield, respectively, with Randers FC striker Alhaji Kamara setting the offensive tempo.

Source: pulsesports

THE PINNACLE OF EVIDENCE ADORATION CHURCH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART F OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT (CAMA) 2020

TRUSTEES:

1. OPARA UZOCHUKWU ANTHONY (CHAIRMAN)

2. AGOHA CHINWEUBA BLESSING (SECRETARY)

MAIN AIMS & OBJECTIVES:

1. WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST CALLED TO KNOW, GLORIFY, AND ENJOY THE TRINITY OF GOD THROUGH CHRIST, AND BY THE HOLY SPIRIT’S EMPOWERMENT. WE SEEK TO LOVE GOD, HIS PEOPLE, AND THE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

SIGNED, SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL BOROKIRI, CLASS 81 OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

1. GREEN, BARR. CHRISTOPHER - (CHAIRMAN)

2. KIOLAWSON DATOM - (SECRETARY)

3. WILLS, INIRUO

4. ALABOSON, COLLINS DEINGIKUMO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(A) TO FOSTER UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS.

(B) TO INITIATE PROGRAMMES OR ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS.

(C) TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND UPLIFTMENT OF OUR ALMA MATER SO AS TO ACHIEVE A COMMON GOAL IN THE PURSUIT OF CORPORATE AND EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR OUR ALMA MATER.

(D) TO ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS THE CLASS MAY DEEM FIT IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ALL OR ANY OF THE ABOVE IDEALS. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

GLORY EWALEFOH FOUNDATIONS

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA, FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT. 2020.

TRUSTEES

(

1) GLORY EWALEFOH. CHAIRMAN.

(2) ESTHER OKPETE -SECRETARY .

(3). TSOLA OMATSOLA TAWIAH ORITSEJAFO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR UNDER PRIVILEGED CHILDREN

2. TO PROVIDE DEPRIVED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE POWER TO EARN A REGULAR AND DECENT LIVELIHOOD BY GIVING THEM ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION

3. TO INTEGRATE CHILDREN WHO ARE MARGINALIZED BY POVERTY AND LACK OF EDUCATION INTO MAINSTREAM SOCIETY THROUGH WORK PLACEMENTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

4. TOASSIST IN THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION TO UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE SOCIETY

5. FACILITATING VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO THE YOUNG ADULTS TO REDUCE THEIR SKILL GAP WHICH WILL HELP THEM IN EITHER GETTING EMPLOYED OR START THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, PMB 198 GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: MADUAKOLAM IGWE ESQ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. ONYEGIRI JAMIKE UCHENNA - CHAIRMAN

2. OSAJIELE CYNTHIA JOY - SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGED TOWARDS THE ADVANCEMENT OF EXCELLENCE

EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY

2. TO CREATE AWARENESS ON GENDER INEQUALITY.

3. TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH THROUGH SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMMES

4. TO EMPOWER VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN THE SOCIETY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

5. TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER THE WIDOWS IN THE SOCIETY.

6. TO ORGANIZE AND CREATE ADVOCACY PROGRAMS AND SENSITIZATION AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION.

AJIBOLA

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS JIBOL DAMILOLA WHICH WAS WRONGLY CAPTION BY MY BVN, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AJIBOLA GRACE DAMILOLA ALL DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

BEAUTY

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ATI BEAUTY, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN ADDRESSED AS BEAUTY ATI OBAKPOLOR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NKECHI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS NKECHI JOVITA MADUFOR. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS NKECHI JOVITA ADIOHA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

JIBRIN

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS USMAN FATIMA WITH THE DATE OF BIRTH 08/01/1987 NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JIBRIN FATIMA WITH THE CORRECT DATE OF BIRTH 20/08/1988. ALL FOR DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. EBAH JAMES PATRICK - CHAIRMAN

2. ENWERE FRANCIS NNAMAKA - TRUSTEE/SECRATARY

3. ADEYEMI OLUWABUKOLA MOSES

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY, IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND DISADVANTAGED BY PROVIDING MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WILL HELP REDUCE DISEASES PREVALENT IN URBAN AND RURAL AREAS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATEAFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY (R OF O) IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO. 1069, FILE NO. BN 11019, DAPE DISTRICT CADASTRAL ZONE CO4, FCT ABUJA. BEARING ODE OLUJIMI ADEKA.

ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE MISSING DOCUMENTS PROVE ABORTIVE. PLEASE THEAGIS, FEDERAL CAPITALTERRITORYADMINISTRATION (FCTA) AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RAIN OF PRAYER ASSEMBLY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. LUCKSLEY INDI IGENEGBAI (CHAIRMAN)

2. KATE MODUPE FALANA (SECRETARY)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO RESCUE MEN THROUGH THE TEACHING AND PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD AND PREVAILING PRAYERS.

2. TO RUN AND ESTABLISH VIBRANT CHURCH BRANCHES AND NETWORK WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN BODIES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA.

3. TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WELFARE, AND BENEVOLENCE PROJECTS.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PATRIOTIC ELITE CLUB OF AMASSOMA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE

1. YERI, WAIBODEI, PETER (CHAIRMAN)

2. AYOGOI, AYOGOI, SIMON (SECRETARY)

3. AMBAIOWEI,TARI,EBIOWEI (MEMBER)

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1.TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND BAYELSANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN NATION BUILDING AND SUCH OTHER LECTURES THAT WILL AFFECT THE SOCIETY POSITIVELY.

2.TO FOSTER UNITYAMONG MEMBERSAND INCULCATETHE ESSENCE OF CITIZENSHIP,MUTUAL CO-OPERATION, PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND PROGRESS.

3.TO FIGHT AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATIONS AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL, SEX, RELIGIOUS, FAMILY AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY IJAW NATION.

4.TO EFFICIENTLY HARNESS AND DIRECT THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF BAYELSANS ASSISTING DESERVING STUDENTS MORALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

5.TO BE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ALL FORMS OF CRIMINALITY AND SOCIAL VICES IN SOCIETY.

6.TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE IN ANY DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMME IN AMASSOMA COMMUNITY AND OTHER PARTS OF BAYELSA STATE.

7.TO PROMOTE THE OBSERVANCE OF THE TENET OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, EQUITY, FAIMESS, RIGHT AND JUSTICE IN AMASSOMA AND BAYELSA AT LARGE.

8.TO ADEQUATELY ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND IDEOLOGIES OF GOOD GOVENSANCE

9.TO HONESTLY SEEK FOR THE INTEREST AND PROGRESS OF AMASSOMA COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR AND BAYELSA STATE IN GENERAL.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TREASURE MINDS CLUB

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE :

1. KUDIRAT MOSUN ADEYEMO-CHAIRMAN

2. NOJEEMDEEN O.OLADIPO-SECRETARY/MEMBER

3. PHILLP DAMILOLA ABIOLA MEMBER

4. AWE GRACE OLUWAFUNMIKE MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :

1. TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE COMMUNITY.

2. TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG THE LESS PRIVILEGED (ORPHANS, WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS)

3. TO SET UP ON A HUMANITARIAN GRAND. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Tinubu and the tough choices ahead

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did what may define his presidency. He served notice on his assumption of office on May 29 that he is not afraid of taking calculated tough decisions. Not for him, I hope, the endless prevarications compounded by hypocrisy that have characterised the decision-making process at the highest level of government in the land; not for him the progressive failure of leaders to confront problems and solve them; not for him the policy of pleasing the few but destroying the many.

He has inherited a monumental mess. Cleaning it up and pulling the nation back up from the pit of indifferent leadership require focus, determination, and the courage to take and stand by and defend tough decisions.

His administration is currently mired in the controversy over the removal of fuel subsidy. The president did not end fuel subsidy. He inherited it from his predecessor, President Buhari, who did not provide for it in the current federal budget. The choice before Tinubu was to either borrow more money to fund the wealthy lifestyle of the oil cartels and their collaborators in government or bite the bullet. He chose to bite the bullet. He was not unaware of the implications or the consequences for him so early in the life of his administration. When a leader ignores the howling of the hordes and bites the bullet in pursuit of his moral obligation to do what is right for the country and its people, he gives leadership its true meaning – genuine public service.

Fuel subsidy removal is a sensitive matter that easily pits the government against the people. It has hobbled every federal administration. It was a problem Buhari could not tackle for his eight years in office. His decision to pass the buck to his success was hostile in intent and a booby trap in implementation. He cannot escape the charge that he intended to set up the people against the government and powder his own face in contented retirement.

NLC leaders were promptly up in arms and called on their members to go on strike in protest to force the president to back down and continue with a policy riddled with open theft and corruption that has done more harm than good to the labour union leaders and their members. No surprise there. The court stopped them. Labour has a pathetic record of its inability to protest its members from the ravages of incompetent, indifferent and mediocre leadership. Still, its leaders continue to indulge in the sickening modus operandum with a weapon that has lost its potency. They never seem to appreciate the harm that strike actions do to the economy and the people they purport to protect. Each time labour goes on strike and returns, their members pay

By Dan Agbese

a stiff price in increased food prices and transport fares. It is always a loss-loss for labour.

Twenty-eight state governments owe their civil servants and pensioners huge arrears of salaries and pensions. I have not heard labour picket such state governments. They watch as their impoverished members live and die in penury. Labour is a critical contributor to how a nation is governed and the direction of its development. It has responsibilities over and above the infantile resort to strike actions, just to massage the ego of its leaders, some of whom settle with the enemy and betray their members and the cause they purport to pursue.

Fuel subsidy is a huge social, economic, and developmental problem. Every president, in khaki or agbada, has approached it with trepidation. It is not in the nature of human development for a country and its leaders to carry problems on their heads while looking for their solutions in their sokoto. The World Bank has advised against fuel subsidy; the IMF has advised against it; informed and knowledgeable people within and outside the country such as the intrepid Emir Sanusi II have all advised against it and shown with indisputable statistics that the policy was corrupt, wasteful, anti-people but pro-oil cartels and unsustainable. They were all ignored.

Before he assumed office in 2015, Buhari described the fuel subsidy as a scam. I thought he should know having been commissioner for petroleum resources in the Murtala/Obasanjo

military administration. Everyone knew it was a huge scam and we expected Buhari to end the scam, free good money from the corrupt system and channel it to areas of our national challenges such power, water and security.

On assumption office, Buhari played the social psychology card. He grandly announced that fuel subsidy had become history. Except that it had not. He ended up spending much more -11 trillion Naira – on fuel subsidy than any one of his predecessors. His courage failed him when he found he had to choose between minting new billionaires and ending what had become an albatross for the nation. In eight years, he, as the minister of petroleum resources, could not fix even one of our four dilapidated refineries. Had he had the courage to end the fuel subsidy my guess is that he would not have been driven to manage the economy from internal and external loans and saddled it with 77 trillion Naira debt.

The scandalous fuel subsidy regime has run its course and must be allowed to find its place in the rubbish heap among policies conceived with good intentions, implemented with hypocrisy and killed with graft. It was rooted in faux welfarist sentimentalism, to wit, Nigeria is an oilproducing nation; its people are entitled to the benefits of nature’s gift by paying less for fuel. Even when the economy could no longer sustain it, our successive leaders chose to live the lie and the fiction that everything was normal. This is the logic of the palliatives intended to cushion the effect on the people each time a portion of the subsidy was removed. It seems unusual to tell a man that a contemplated action will badly affect him but not to worry, some balm will be given to him to soothe his pain.

Oodles of easy money have been made from fuel subsidy. Tens of our country men and women are wealthy today, thanks to fuel subsidy. Those have powerful connections in government became fuel importers overnight. In the Jonathan administration, fuel import licences were issued indiscriminately to men and women who had no experience in the oil industry. Most of them did not import a drop of fuel but were generously paid in the well-oiled system of corruption that has sustained the fuel subsidy regime for so long.

The administration of the palliatives

has been held hostage by confusion and corruption and the same people and the same cartels have been the beneficiaries of what was intended each time to benefit the people. One of President Ibrahim Babangida’s palliatives was th pump price differentials that gave commercial vehicle owners lower prices to persuade them to charge lower transport fares. It failed to achieve the intended objective.

President Obasanjo’s palliative was to flood the market with commercial vehicles to be sold to commercial vehicle owners at subsidised prices in the hope that those who bought them, including Keke Napep, would pass the benefit to the people. It failed, as indeed, it was bound to do – and dragged good money into the gutter with it. We do not know how much federal and state governments have spent on the so-called palliatives because the administration of the palliatives is opaque. It is a fair guess that as much money must have been spent on the palliatives as on the fuel subsidy regime itself. Sometime in 2021, I think, the federal government announced that it would “replace N1.8 trillion subsidy with N2.4 trillion palliatives.” Surprised? We will never know the facts because you cannot see through what is opaque. Heads, we lost; tails, we lost.

Those who argue that the president acted hastily miss the point. No one time is a good time for ending a policy that has gone past its potency date. If the president had waited for the next two years to act, his action will still draw blood. Fuel subsidy is not our country’s shadow; it ought not to be allowed to continue to follow every administration.

Email: ochima495@gmail.com

The scandalous fuel subsidy regime has run its course and must be allowed to find its place in the rubbish heap among policies conceived with good intentions, implemented with hypocrisy and killed with graft