May 20th 2023

LP chieftains kick as Kano Court nullifies candidature of Alex Otti, others

ORIAKU IJELE

Mixed reactions are trailing the decision of Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court Kano, who has declared the votes polled by the Abia State governor-elect, Alex Otti, in the last general election as wasted, but stopped short of making an order withdrawing Mr Otti’s and other affected candidates’

certificates of return.

According to Justice Yunusa the failure of the Labour Party to submit its membership registers of Kano and Abia, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) preparatory to the party’s primary election is the basis for his verdict.

He maintained that it is in breach of the provisions of Section 77(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022,

The judge, ruling on a suit by Ibrahim Ibrahim, said under Section 77(3) of the Electoral Act, Labour Party ought to submit its membership registers to INEC 30 days before its primary elections in Kano and Abia states.

The judge held that the void primary elections of the Labour Party, cannot produce eligible candidates to be sponsored by the party in the general elec-

Anxiety in Delta community over

unidentified corpses

…Police nab four suspected ‘ritualists’

LP chieftains kick as Kano Court nullifies candidature

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tion, and the participation of the candidates of the party, in the election in Kano State and Abia State, is wasted.

He also turned down the request of the plaintiff who asked the court to order INEC to declare the first runners-up in all the elections in Abia and Kano states as winners.

Justice Yunusa said since the candidates that came second in the election were not parties in the suit before him, the court, lacks the jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of a certificate of return to them but was at liberty to seek redress in the appropriate division of the court.

However, the Labour Party Chairman in Abia State, Ceekay Igara, has countered the court judge -

ment sacking the Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti and other elected party candidates, noting that the said judgment is dead on arrival and cannot stand.

Igara stated this in a statement made available to the journalists in Umuahia on Friday afternoon, shortly after the court judgement.

The chairman charged all Labour Party candidates and the party faithful to remain calm and not panic, adding that the party lawyers were already on top of the matter. He also gave his assurance that the May 29 inauguration of the governor-elect would hold as scheduled.

In the same vein Alex Otti’s special adviser on media and publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma has clarified that his principal despite the court judgement had not been sacked. Ekeoma made the

Anxiety in Delta community over unidentified corpses

NOSA ÀKEÑZUA, ASABA

Litany of absurdities threatening the peace in most of the communities in Delta, have been made manifest, following the sights of yet to be identified corpses in the areas.

Although, fear of the unknown has continued to mount, the Delta State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe confirmed that the police were not relenting with a view to ensuring those behind the wicked activities are brought to book, warning that the police will soon embark on thorough investigation into houses in the areas as steps to ensure the hoodlums are arrested.

In the last few weeks, there has been hue and cry of alleged killings and corpses dumped in the bushes after parts of the bodies are allegedly removed by residents of Asaba metropolis, Ugbolu, and neighbouring Communities over the outcome of unidentified corpses dumped in their areas.

But the Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State DSP Bright Edafe confirmed that the police have launched a serious manhunt for the evil doers adding that the police recently arrested four suspected ritualists in Asaba and its environs. He disclosed that the suspects upon their confession to the crime, were arraigned in court as they are currently facing trial for the Crime.

Investigation revealed that these corpses are mutilated by unsuspecting ritualists and dumped inside the bushes where farmers

request while reacting to the media report at a news briefing in Umuahia. He described the judgment of the court as “baseless, unfounded and misleading”. He further described the process as a “legal coup”.

He said that “the perpetrators were not courageous enough to confront Otti in the open.

“Otti was never joined as a party for fear that his eminently qualified lawyers would take the perpetrators to the cleaners,” he said.

Ekeoma further said that the court did not issue any Order on Abia LP candidates nor Otti “because it was conscious of its powers and careful not to fall into the booby trap set for it by the perpetrators”.

“The court specifically stated in Clause 9 of the judgment that the candidates that participated in the election in Abia are not parties before this court and as such the court lacks the jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of Certificate of Return to them.

Act, the petitioners have no locus standi as they were not aspirants in LP,” he said He also argued that the Court in Kano lacked the jurisdiction over Abia, arguing that it was impossible for any decision emanating from it to have effect on Otti.

Ekeoma urged the people not to panic.

“Otti in the next few days will be sworn in as governor to enable him to commence the process of rebuilding the state.

The media had reported that the court, presided over by Justice M.N Yunusa,

nullified the candidacy of all those that participated in the 2023 General Elections on LP’s platform in Abia and Kano.

The suit was filed by one Ibrahim Haruna against LP and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

going to their farmlands are gripped by the fear of the unknown upon their alarm.

No fewer than four unidentified corpses have dumped within Ugbolu and Illah Communities in the State with their bodies allegedly mutilated, particularly their vital parts thereby causing unnecessary fear of the unknown

Mr Charles Urehe, a resident of Asaba metropolis who spoke to our correspondent said, "We have in the recent times been worried over the unidentified Corpses that are dumped by major roadsides including bushes with vita parts of their bodies removed and we are calling on the police to expedite action with a view to ensuring those behind the wicked activities are brought to book as soon as possible"

Meanwhile one of the deceased whose name and address are unknown, is about 30yrs old. He was said to have been involved in an accident along Benin/Asaba expressway by NNPC Filing Station opposite former Deputy Asaba, involving one M/Benz 550 with Reg. No. ABUJA RSH 159 CQ, the vehicle hit the man while he was crossing the road and corpse has been deposited at Maduemezia Memorial Hospital Mortuary Asaba.

“Any person(s) who knows the victim, his parents, friends or other relatives should report at State Traffic Office, Asaba, Maduemezia Memorial Hospital Mortuary Asaba, or Police Public Relations office, Police Headquarters Asaba for possible identification and collection of corpse,” a statement signed by DSP Bright Edafe disclosed.

“The Federal High Court in Abia had entertained similar cases as pre-election matters involving some PDP candidates versus LP candidates, and the matters were adjudicated upon to the Supreme Court.“In all the cases, LP won at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

“The case brought by the petitioners is a pre-election matter and under Section 285(14)(a) of the Electoral

FG inaugurates 40MW hydropower plant in Gombe

The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu on Friday inaugurated a multi-purpose Dadin Kowa Dam and 40 megawatts hydropower plant in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State.

Speaking at the occasion, Adamu said the power project was an integral component of the Dadin Kowa dam, completed and connected to the national grid.

He said the 2.8 million cubic litres reservoir-capacity dam was built in 1988 with the goal of providing 30,000 cubic litres of water daily to residents of Gombe and its environs.

Adamu said the dam was also designed to provide water to 6,000 hectares of land for irrigation and 40 megawatts of electricity in the area.

The minister said that to ensure effective utilisation of the dam, the Federal Government signed a concession agreement with Mabon Limited, to design and construct a 40 megawatrs hydropower generating component.

He, however, said the hydropower component of the project suffered series of abandonments, but later completed by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

According to Adamu, the power plant will accelerate Industrialisation, promote medium scale industries and generate employment.

The minister said the power station comprised of 2/20MW hydropower turbine generators, transmission stations, transformers, 123KV switching station, among other equipment.

He said statutory inspection, testing and certification of the units of the power plant had been completed, making it ready for inauguration.

The minister appreciated the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Power, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), among others, which yielded a positive result.

In his remarks, Alhaji Halilu Muazu, Managing Director, Upper Benue River Basin Development Author-

ity, listed other benefits of the dam to include fisheries, flood control and protection of biodiversity in upstream and downstream.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya said the inauguration was an important milestone in the energy independence of the North-East region

“The Dadin/Kowa and Kashimbila hydropower projects are the only grid generating plant in the region. The two power projects are crucial to the grid and the voltage stability,” he said.

Yahaya said the sighting of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadin Kowa was informed by the proximity of the hydropower project and the vast potential of the dam, especially the irrigation segment. According to him, the state government is working on a-200 megawatts solar power project under the Northern Governor’s renewable energy initiative. The state, he said, would harness hydropower in Balanga dam to boost its energy generation.

A 2-storey building under construction at 25 Igbehin Adun Street, Makoko, Yaba, Lagos attarcting safety concerns amongst residents (Photo by Adegbenro Adbanjo

Tributes as FCMB founder, Subomi Balogun dies at 89

TEMITOPE ADEBAYO

The financial skyline on Nigeria has lost one of its shining lights, Subomi Balogun, the founder of the FCMB. Balogun passed on at the age of 89 in London, United Kingdom and since then myriads of tributes have been pouring in.

A former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr Samuel Nzekwe, says the late Chief Subomi Balogun made huge contributions to the banking industry.

Nzekwe said this while reacting to the death of Balogun in an interview with the media.

Balogun, the Founder, First City Monument Bank(FCMB), was The ExANAN president said that the late banker was one of the indigenous people who introduced private banking in the 1980s.

According to him, Balogun helped in creating a new face of banking industry in Nigeria. “His death is a great loss to the banking industry and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

Nzekwe noted that late Balogun made unforgettable contributions to the development of the banking industry in Nigeria.

The ex-ANAN president said that the FCMB Founder lived a successful and accomplished life.

He condoled with the family, friends, the people of Ijebu land and the country at large.

Nzekwe prayed God to rest his soul and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

On the same note, President Muhammadu Buhari says he shares in the grief the business community, particularly banking and investment sector, over the passing of an illustrious citizen, Chief Michael “Subomi” Balogun, 89.

The President, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina on Friday in Abuja, condoled with family members, friends, and associates of the revered businessman.

He noted that Balogun’s legacy of kindness and charity stretched into many homes, institutions, and communities, touching lives through education, health, and multiple empowerment opportunities.

Buhari affirmed that Balogun, ”through foresight, wisdom, and hard work, lived ahead of his time, by starting the First City Merchant Bank in 1983, which

grew over the years, with branches across the country, and working assiduously for the take-off and success of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.”

The President noted the outpouring of testimonies on the life and times of the legendary banker, especially his towering influence in grooming many talented leaders in the sector, who had since set up their investment platforms, within and outside the country.

President Buhari prayed that God would receive the soul of the departed, and comfort all his loved ones.

In Lagos, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Friday said that late Otunba Subomi Balogun made a mark by contributing to the growth and development of the banking sector in Nigeria.

Balogun, the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland, Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians and founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), passed on at the age of 89 in London, England on Friday.

Sanwo-Olu, In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, described the late Balogun as a renowned technocrat, seasoned administrator and philanthropist.

The governor also commended the FCMB founder’s contribution to the economy of Nigeria as boardroom guru and employer of labour, especially as the founder of FCMB, among several other companies.

He commiserated with Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the entire people of Ogun State, especially the indigenes of Ijebu, on the demise of their illustrious son and elder statesman.

Sanwo-Olu also sympathised with the Managing Director of FCMB, Mrs Yemisi Edun, and the entire management and staff of the financial institution.

”On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family, friends and associates of Otunba Subomi Balogun, as well as management and staff of FCMB.

”I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and grant his immediate family, friends, associates, FCMB team, the banking industry and the people of Ogun State, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.

L-R: Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Hon Oluseye Oladejo; Chairman, Inauguration sub-committee for Media and Publicity/ Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; Gospel singer, Kenny Saint Brown and the Executive Assistant to the Governor on PR and New Media, Mr Segun Fafore, during a news conference to announce programmes for the inauguration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu/Dr Obafemi Hamzat Second Term in Office, at the Bagauda kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday, May 19, 2023.

Decision on live broadcast of proceedings comes Monday

lINEC, meddlesome interloper in Tinubu's defence -Atiku

ANDREW OROLUA, ABUJA

The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, has fixed Monday May 22, 2023 to deliver it's ruling on the motion on notice brought by Peter Obi and Labour Party for live broadcast of the proceedings of the court .

Presiding Justice, Haruna Tsammani announced the date for the ruling on Friday shortly before he adjourned the court sitting to Saturday, May 20, 2023 for continuation of the pre-hearing session.

Peter Obi lead counsel, Prof. Awa Kalu had on Friday moved the petitioners motion for broadcast of the court proceedings in the interest of public and prayed the court to grant it.

Prof Kalu told the court that the application was filed on May 9, 2023 with five paragraphs supporting affidavit and five exhibits marked A to E, and that they also filed a written address wherein they prayed the court to grant the main relief - permission to broadcast the proceedings live.

But Abubakar Mahmoud,SAN, the INEC lead counsel vehemently opposed the application in his 11 paragraphs counter affidavits.

The second and third respondents Bola Tinubu and All Progressive Congress APC who were represented by chief Wole Olanipekun SAN and Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN , respectively opposed the application and asked the court to dismiss it.

The Presidential Election Petition Court on Friday heard six other separate interlocutory applications that

arose from the petition filed by Atiku Abubakar/ People Democratic Party PDP, and Peter Obi / Labour Party.

Presiding Justice Tsammani reserved the court ruling on each of the six applications.

Two of the applications were brought by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC praying the court to strike out 32 allegations contained in Atiku Abubakar petition and to strike out his response in certain paragraphs. While the other two applications were brought by All Progressives Congress APC.

Three other separate interlocutory applications were brought by President -Elect Ahmed Bola Tinubu seeking the court order to strike out what he termed fundamentally defective paragraphs in Atiku Abubakar's petition.

APC also brought two separate interlocutory applications in which they prayed the court to strike out certain paragraphs in Atiku petition.

…INEC is a meddlesome interloper in Tinubu's defence on my petition,

Atiku tells Court

The Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 25, 2023, Alhaji Abubakar

Atiku on Friday told the Presidential Election Petition Court that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC , is a meddlesome interloper in its defence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the qualifications for the election.

Atiku specifically accused the national electoral body of being busy body and fishing in another person's troubled water.

Atiku made the accusation through his lead counsel Chief Chris Uche SAN

while responding an application filed by the national electoral body praying the court to dismiss some of his allegations contained in the petition.

INEC through its counsel at Friday's proceedings, Mr Kemi Pinhero SAN had moved a motion on notice praying the Court to strike out some of the allegations made against Tinubu by Atiku in his petition.

The electoral body pleaded with the Court to strike out 32 allegations made against Tinubu by Atiku in the petition challenging the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 Presidential election.

INEC said that the allegations which formed 32 paragraphs in the Atiku's petition should be discountenanced by the Court for various reasons comprising lack of jurisdiction.

But Atiku through his lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche SAN filed counter affidavit in opposition to INEC'S request and asked the Court to dismiss the electoral body's position.

Uche argued in the counter affidavit that it was not the duty of INEC to do the battle or argue the case of Tinubu who is 2nd defendant in the petition.

Specifically, Atiku's lead counsel insisted that INEC ought to be neutral but somersaulted by turning itself to busy body and meddlesome interloper by taking up the defense of Tinubu against the provisions of the law.

He therefore asked the Court to dismiss INEC's motion for being gross abuse of court process, lacking in merit and grossly incompetent.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani has fixed ruling till the date of judgment in the substantive petition.

Buhari approves immediate resumption of new governing board of NEDC

UKPONO UKPONG

President Muhammadu

Buhari has approved the immediate resumption of the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, Umar Abubakar Hashidu and other members of the Board.

This follows the expiration of the tenure of the former Board

on May 7, 2023.

The President has therefore directed the immediate completion of handover formalities in the organisation in order to avoid a vacuum in the day to day running of this very important and strategic Commission, pending the confirmation by the Senate.

Members of the new Governing Board which has Barrister Bukar Baale as the Chairman include; Suwaiba Idris Baba,

Executive Director, Humanitarian Affairs, (North East, Taraba), Musa Umar Yashi, Executive Director, Administration and Finance, (North East, Bauchi), Dr Ismaila Nuhu Maksha, Executive Director, Operations (North East, Adamawa), and Umar Abubakar Hashidu, MD/ CEO, (North East, Gombe).

Others are Onyeka Gospel-Tony, Member, (South East), Hon. Mrs Hailmary Ogolo Aipoh, Member, (South-South),

Air Commodore Babatunde Akanbi (rtd), Member, (South West), Mustapha Ahmed Ibrahim, Member, (North West), Hadiza Maina, Member, (North Central), the Director, Humanitarian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Alhaji Grema Ali and a representative from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

10th NASS: Niger Delta Rights group tasks APC

STEPHEN GBADAMOSI, IBADAN

The Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA) has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incoming members of the National Assembly to consider integrity, loyalty and hard work in arriving at their choice of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

The group, which said it is a ‘political pressure group and foremost advocacy group on rights of Niger Delta indigenous people,’ in a statement on Thursday, said its interest in intervening in the debate on the leadership of the coming National Assembly was because of proper leadership and inclusiveness.

In the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Bright Ngolo, NDRA said “the choice of leadership of the National Assembly should not be left to the ruling elite, but that citizens and, indeed, the electorate must have to debate the strengths and weaknesses of the dramatis personae vis-a-vis the performance of the current and past leaderships of the NASS.”

It said: “We do believe and rightly so that it remains a moral burden for the nation to consider the inclusion of the South-East zone to the leadership matrix of the nation and the formation of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly presents an auspicious opportunity to us all.”

It said the decision of the leadership of the APC to present the post of deputy speaker to the South-East zone was welcome and added that the zone had qualified sons and daughters I the House of Representatives, especially those of the APC extraction.

Since it is only one person that would occupy the position, NDRA said it was throwing its weight behind Mr. Benjamin Kalu representing Bende Feder-

al Constituency to become the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, saying Kalu had the capacity considering the number of bills which he had to his credit, among other factors including visibility.

NDRA said Kalu “has 43 bills to his name, the highest in the entire South-East and three of the bills have been assented to by the president. On motions on national issues of importance, he ranks the highest with 22 to his name.”

The group held that Kalu towered above other Reps from the South-East region, saying: “On visibility as the spokesperson of the 9th House of Representatives, he has defended the House well and projected the image of the Igbo nation better for those of us in the Niger Delta to notice. He is not only visible but cerebral on national discuss.

“In terms of loyalty to party, Hon Kalu fearlessly preached the message of the APC even in the face of danger in the zone. We want Nigerians and the party apparatchik to understand

that micro-zoning the post of deputy speaker to Hon Kalu is a reward for loyalty to the party as the campaign office he erected to market the APC was riddled with over 100 bullets by yet-to-be identified assailants due to his resilience in harvesting votes for the APC.

“The 10th NASS leadership must be built around character, integrity, popularity, respect for the institution and getting the due of members to ensure even development is attracted across board.”

It contended that Hon. Kalu had the charisma and competence and fitted into these skills set.

"It would amount to a great disservice to this nation, if emotional and or any other mundane sentiments are put on the table as considerations in the choice of the House leadership.

"It is trite in law that equity aids the vigilant and as stakeholders in the Nigerian project and as a group populated by 100 per cent youths who make up at least 64 per cent of the voting demographics, staying

aloof while the future of the nation is being moulded by these debates over proper leadership would be a disservice to members of the NDRA across the region and the youths of this nation.

"We believe that the choice of leadership of the National Assembly should not be left to the ruling elite but that citizens and, indeed, the electorate must have to debate the strengths and weaknesses of the dramatis personae vis-a-vis the performance of the current and past leaderships of the NASS.

"We do believe and rightly so that it remains a moral burden for the nation to consider the inclusion of the South-East zone to the leadership matrix of the nation and the formation of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly presents an auspicious opportunity to us all.

"It is true that the National Working Committee of the APC, which is the ruling party at the centre, has presented the post of deputy speaker to the South-East and the zone has a plethora of qualified sons and daughters at the House of Representatives, especially those of the APC extraction. It is only natural and imperative that one person be projected to occupy the seat.

"If a critical look at the three House of Reps members-elect of the APC extraction is carried out, the capacity of Hon Kalu shows in the number of bills which he has to his credit, the highest in the entire South-East with 43 to his name and three assented to by Mr. President. On motions on national issues of importance, he ranks the highest with 22 to his name;

"On representation, Hon Kalu has attracted the comparative highest in percentage of value of infrastructure attracted to the South-East which runs to billions of naira," the group maintained.

1 billion people from Nigeria, 42 countries face cholera risk – UN agencies

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) say 43 countries, including Nigeria, now face outbreaks as increasing numbers of cholera cases are being reported.

They said the outcome for patients was worse than 10 years ago.

The UN agencies, in a statement on Friday, said that after years of steady decline, cholera was making a devastating comeback and targeting the world’s most vulnerable communities.

“The pandemic is killing the poor right in front of us,”Jérôme Pfaffmann Zambruni, Head of UNICEF’s Public Health Emergency unit, said.

Echoing the bleak outlook, WHO data indicates that by May 2022, 15 countries had reported cases, but by mid-May this year “we already have 24 countries reporting.

“And we anticipate more with the seasonal shift in cholera cases,” Henry Gray, WHO’s Incident Manager for the global cholera response, said.

“Despite advances in the control of the disease made in the previous decades we risk going backwards.”

The UN health agency estimates that one billion people in 43 countries are at risk of cholera with children under-five particularly vulnerable.

Cholera’s extraordinarily high mortality ratio is also alarming.

Malawi and Nigeria registered case fatality rates as high as three per cent this year, well above the acceptable one per cent.

Southeastern Africa is particularly badly affected, with infections spreading in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The development follows the destructive passage of

Cyclone Freddy in February and March this year, leaving 800,000 people in Malawi and Mozambique internally displaced and disrupting healthcare.

These vulnerable communities are at high risk of cholera, a preventable disease which thrives in areas affected by heavy rains and floods.

A deadly combination of climate change, underinvestment in water, sanitation and hygiene services – and in some cases armed conflict – has led to the spread of the disease, agreed the two UN agencies.

Although vaccines exist to protect against cholera, supply is insufficient to face the increasing demand. According to the WHO, 18 million doses of vaccines have been requested globally, but only eight million have been made available.

“Increasing production is not an overnight solution,” Grays said.

“The plan is to double the production of doses by 2025, but we won’t have enough if the current trend continues.

Money Laundering A’Court dismisses Kogi

Court’s ruling against EFCC’s Investigation of Yahaya Bello's activities

The Appeal Court, Abuja Division, has set aside the injunction granted by the High Court of Kogi State restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from the investigation and prosecution of officials of the state.

The EFCC had, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, filed a motion before the Appellate Court, asking for a stay of execution of the judgment of the Kogi State High Court in Suit No: HCL/696/2022 between Kogi State Government and the Commis -

sion, and Others delivered on December 12, 2022 as well as the consequential order made on the February 6, 2023.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, May 18, 2023, the Appellate Court dismissed the preliminary objection of the Kogi State Government and also held that the ex-parte order of the trial court was “unlawful.”

The sum of N300, 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) was awarded against the Kogi State government and its officials.

Also, the sum of N100, 000(One Hundred Thou -

sand Naira) was awarded against the state government for filing the frivolous preliminary objection and another sum of N200, 000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) for obtaining prejudicial ex-parte order against the Commission.

The Appellate Court further directed the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, to transfer the matter to another Judge.

The appeal was handled on behalf of the EFCC by Kemi Pinhero, SAN, Jubrin Okutepa, SAN and Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.

“Vaccine is a tool, but not an overall solution. Long term investment in water sanitation is the priority,” he added.

“Not only (do) we need long term investments, but immediate investments in the water system to ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and dignity,” Zambruni said.

To respond to the growing cholera threat, WHO is launching a 12-month Strategic Preparedness, Response and Readiness Plan, requiring $160 million dollars, alongside UNICEF’s Call to Action for $480 million dollars.

The combined cholera response plan will cover 40 countries in acute crisis. It will include coordination, infection surveillance and prevention, vaccination, treatment, and water, sanitation and hygiene.

The applicant had through her lawyer, Chief Bolanle Olugbani in a Motion on Notice dated 29th August, 2022 brought pursuant to Sections 44 and 46(1) of the Constitution sought for a declaration that she is entitled to personal liberty as she has not committed a criminal offence.

Other Respondents in the suit are, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (FCIID) Alagbon, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 2 Command 5. The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, the Area Commander Area ‘J’, Ajiwe, Ajah, Lagos, the Divisional Police Officer, Ogombo, Lekki, Lagos.

Others are, DSP Richmond Edet (FCID) Abuja, ASP John Otache (FCIID) Abuja, One Square Meter Nigeria Limited, Mr. Samson Ubuane and Mr. Saheed Olukosi.

Justice Ashade in his judgement held that it was clear that the foundation of the dispute between the Applicant and the 10th to 12th Respondents is dispute over the land without any element of crime.

Also in sister suit marked EPD/113324™/202, Justice Sharafa Olaitan had ordered the Defendants, to maintain status quo pending determination of the suit.

Besides, when the court visited the locus in quo at Okun-Ajah on Friday 17th February 23 with two members of staff and it discovered that that the Winhomes Global Services Ltd, are in physical possession of the land being claimed in this suit.

The court observed that the 10th to 12th Respondents alleged that the Applicant hired thugs and police arrested them with dangerous arms and they have made confessional statements to police, however in the entire counter affidavit of the 1st to 9th Respondents, they did not make any reference to any thug hired by the Applicant or any person, or supply to the Court the photograph exhibited by the 10th to 12th Respondents showing some arrested thugs with weapons.

The court further noted that the 1st to 9 Respondents clearly stated at paragraph 23 of their counter affidavit t that ‘ever since the 2nd to 9th Respondents commenced investigation of this matter, no arrest, detention or ‘prosecution’ was done, adding that the 10th to 12th did not explain how they got the photographs of the alleged thugs.

Justice Ashade held ‘’More curious in the said petition is that the 10th to 12th Respondents who reported to police stated that they were worried with the presence of the Mobile Police men permanently stationed on the land by the Applicant. Is it that they do not want the presence of the police on the land in dispute to forestall any alleged breakdown of law and order? Or they have an interior motive to wrestle the land in dispute from the Applicant and her company without lawful means or order of Court? These are many more questions the 10th to 12th Respondents failed to answer except that they want the 1st to 9th Respondents to stop the Applicant and her company on the land in dispute’’.

‘’It is my considered view and I find that it is not lawful for the 1st to 9th Re -

PSC seeks collaboration with UN, vows to restore dignity of police women

BENJAMIN OMOIKE

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, former Inspector General of Police, has met with Beatrice Eyong, Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS of the United Nations Women, where he pledged the Commission’s commitment to restore the dignity of Police women.

In a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, he said, Dr. Arase, who visited the Nigerian Office of the United Nations admitted that discrimination against women including Police women was real, and said the Commission needed strategic partnership with the world organisation to improve the welfare and self worth of the Nigerian Police Women. He disclosed that the Commission under his watch will ensure a recruitment policy redirection that will see more women into the Nigeria Police

so that they could compete favourably for management positions in the Force.

“The PSC Chairman was confronted with the absence of Women in the core Policy positions in the Police with the glaring situation where no woman is currently a State Command Commissioner throughout the Country.

“He noted that the world

has moved and that there must henceforth be equity and balance in the appointment of Officers in the Nigeria Police Force,” he said. According to him, ”We will use data and statistics to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Police to ensure that women are properly represented in the decision making positions of the Force.

"Dr. Arase called for the support of the Organisation to create the necessary awareness for women to show interest in Police Work and to support their progress in service.”

He promised to ensure that our State Commands will soon have Women CPs who will be appointed on merit and capacity.

He called for support in capacity building for women in the Police such as mentoring programmes in police training institutions like train the trainer and simplifying the gender policy of the Police.

Dr. Arase disclosed that the first gender desk in the Nigeria Police was put in place under his watch adding that there was need for sufficient training for our women Police working in the desk so that they can work with emphathy and have adequate communication skills to manage issues as they arise.

Three men bag life imprisonment for kidnapping female journalist in Adamawa

TOM GARBA, YOLA

AHigh Court sitting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, has convicted and sentenced three kidnappers of a female journalist, Amra Ahmad Diska, to life imprisonment.

The said female Journalist is a staff of the stateowned Radio, Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation(ABC), Yola.

The court presided over by Justice Danladi Mohammed, also sentenced other kidnapper of the woman to 10 years imprisonment with an option of N1m fine and jailed 1 other to 5 years in prison without option.

Those sentenced to life imprisonment include: Muhammad Habib Maki (aka Dram), Barde Usman and Umar Mammanjoda (aka Umar Mbamba).

Likewise, Husseini Hamman (aka Awilo) was similarly sentenced to 5 years imprisonment without option of fine, while Umar Abubakar (aka Naibi) bagged 10 years prison term or N1m option of fine.

Husseini, was sentenced to 5 years behind bars because on the day of his arraignment along side four other convicts, he pleaded guilty to the offences and made his trial easier for the court, hence, the mitigation of sentence.

While Umar Abubakar, (aka Naibi), 5th convict was slammed 10 years jail term for the offence of abatement. He was the one who furnished other convicts with information about the victim.

The five convicts and Dogo Chongel Pullori, Dabo and Bello (still at large) conspired and abducted Ahmadu Njoboli and Amra Ahmad Diska from their various homes in Yola South LGA.

The convicts and three others at large while armed with guns, invaded the house of Ahmad Isa Mbamba at Mbamba in Yola South on the 4th May, 2021, and abducted

Okun Ajah land: Firm warns public against fake estate

PETER FOWOYO

AReal Estate Sales, Development and Consulting Company, Winhomes Global Services Ltd, has called on the general public not to be deceived by one Samson Ubuane and ONE SQMT Ltd, purporting to own 25 hectares of land in Okun Ajah.

According to the firm, it owns over 17 hectares of land which was purchased from Etisalat Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Adekambi and Agbationika families both of Okun Ajah extraction.

The firm stated that it has been in peaceful possession of the subject property for over two years, commenced clearing in January 2021, and construction of perimeter fence in February 2021 and sand filling in March 2021.

to stay away from deals like this that could get him in trouble.

his wife.

She spent seven days in the kidnappers’ den until the payment of N4m ransom by family members before regaining her freedom.

The convicts also abducted Ahmadu Njoboli, on the 11th September, 2021, detained him for 19 days and collected the sum of N5m as ransom before releasing him.

Five out of eight kidnappers were later apprehended and arraigned before the court on the 7th October, 2021, where 4 pleaded not guilty, while 1 admitted having committed the offences in their trial and conviction accordingly.

Pregnant woman, 2 others to perform community service for illegal drug dealing

BENJAMIN OMOIKE

A21 year-old woman, Taiye Ishola, and two men, have been convicted and sentenced to 400 and 600 hours community services respectively, by a Lagos Federal High Court, for trafficking in 1.3 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa.

The two men are: Damola Adebayo, 23 and 25 years old Kudus Bolaji.

The trio were convicted and ordered to perform the community services by Justice Abimbola Awogboro, after they all pleaded guilty to the two counts charge of conspiracy and unlawful dealing in

the prohibited weeds, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The pregnant woman and the two men, according to the prosecutor, M. J. Mamza, were arrested with the Cannabis on March 17, 2023, at Ago Street, Mushin, Lagos State.

The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the convicts, are are contrary to Sections 11 (c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under the same Act.

All the convicts admitted committing the offences and pleaded

guilty to the charges made against them.

Following their guilty plea, the prosecutor, asked the court to sentence them according to the sections of the laws they were charged with.

But the convicts’ lawyer, Oreofe Ogunleye of De-Grace LP, pleaded with the court to be merciful with her clients in terms of sentence.

Ogunleye, particularly urged the court to consider her clients’ timely guilty plea and state of health of the pregnant woman, whom she said will soon ‘put to bed’. Adding that they first term convicts, who did not have previous record of crime of conviction.

The lawyer, while citing series of legal authorities, urged the court to give her clients non-custodian sentence.

The prosecutor, M. J. Mamza, agreed with the counsel’s submissions that the convicts are first time offenders who did not have previous record of crime or conviction.

Delivering judgment on the charge, Justice Awogboro, after citing series of legal authorities, sentenced the pregnant woman to 400 hours community, while the two men were ordered to perform 600 hours community service.

The statement reads ‘’Sometime in August 2021, an agent whose client bought five (5) plots of land from Winhomes Estate called to inform me that someone who owned 200 plots of land close to our estate was interested in selling. We requested for a meeting with the seller and on 12" August 2021 at about 6:00 Pm, Our general manager met with one Samson Ubuane at his restaurant in 8d, Lai Yusuf Crescent, Lekki Phase |. He described the location of the property to the General Manager and told him he was interested in selling at Fifteen Million Naira per plot, but he could go a little lower if our interest in the property is serious.

‘’Our general manager requested for the title documents and he asked that we formalise the discussion before he would release the documents. He requested that we sent a letter of intent {attached) which was sent on 13” August 2021 to his email address and on 14'* August 2021, he sent a Deed of Assignment via the same email. The deed of assignment showed that he bought the 200 plots from Agbationika family, and it was executed by himself, one Andrew Archer(Witness) and the accredited representatives of the Agbationika family.

‘’We put a call through to the Secretary of the Agbationika family and also sent him the document for verification. The family secretary denied ever sighting or signing that document dismissing it as a forged document. A closer look at the document also revealed several pointers to the fact that the document was a forgery. The agent who had attempted to broker the deal was duly informed and also advised

‘’In May 2022, we got an invitation to FCIID Abuja, further to a petition was brought against our Company by ONE SQMT LTD whose MD claimed we stole his land and are currently working on it. The invitation was honoured by the general manager who was shocked to find out that the same Samson Ubuane who had failed almost a year ago in his attempt to defraud Winhomes Global Services Ltd is the same petitioner claiming that Winhomes had stolen his land. The only difference this time is the deed of assignment he holds, which he claimed to have obtained from another family ‘’Olukosi Family, referring to the certificate of occupancy issued by Lagos state government in 2006 with file number 69/69/2006AC and was revoked by a judgement of Justice Atinuke Ipaye in 2017 in a suit LD/169/2012 filed before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja judicial division. Samson Ubuane now has two different deeds of assignment from two different families for the exact same portion of land.

‘’We have on countless occasions intercepted his agents on our property with unsuspecting prospective clients on inspection, and on every such occasion, we have exposed the fraudulent scheme, Only recently, a prospect whose friend is based in Canada asked to go inspection the property being marketed to him by Samson Ubuane was met with shock when our general manger sighted them from afar approached the man and exposed their shenanigans. The agent upon sighting the general manager took to his heels abandoning the “client” he took on inspection’’.

Meanwhile, a judgement delivered by Justice E.O Ashade of a Lagos State High Court sitting at Yaba has restrained the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (FCIID) Abuja, and ten others from further disturbing Engineer Mrs. Ifeoma Okengwu's free movement within and out of Nigeria or for the purpose of compelling her to participate in the resolution of disputed land measuring 17 03 Hectares with Survey Plan No.BOM/3538/017/2021 / LA dated 29/03/2021.

Justice E.O. Ashade made the order while delivering judgement in a Fundamental Enforcement Rights suit number LD/14092MFHR/2022 filed by Mrs. Ifeoma Okengwu against the Inspector General of Police and 11 others.

Police arrest 10 suspected kidnappers, robbery suspects, recover AK-47 rifles, others in Delta

Internet fraud: Court orders forfeiture of convict’s N5m to FGN

BENJAMIN OMOIKE

ALagos Federal High Court has ordered an internet fraudster, Bamgboye Adewunmi, to pay the sum of N200, 000, and forfeit a Guaranty Trust Bank cheque with monetary value of N5 million to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

under the same Act.

The convict pleaded guilty to the charges.

Following his plea of guilty, the prosecutor, Mr. Wara, after reviewing the facts of the charge, urged the court to convict and sentence him.

NOSA AKENZUA, ASABA

Sequel to the series of reported cases of armed robbery/kidnapping along Sapele-Warri Road and its environs, which have created fear among road users, the Delta State commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, on assumption of duty identified this ugly trend as a major security challenge in the state, he then detailed an intelligence unit of the Command, the CP-Decoy squad to embark on a discreet and an intelligence led operation.

The Commander Decoy squad, ASP Julius Robinson, led operatives of the squad, relocated to Sapele, on a covert operation while acting on credible intelligence gathered within Sapele and surrounding communities as they arrested one Nyero Sunday ‘m’ 29yrs, of Okwitolo community alongside eight others all in Okpe LGA, Delta State.

DSP Bright Edafe, Police

Public Relations Officer in Delta State in a statement signed, confirmed that all the suspects who were arrested through technical intelligence led investigation have confessed to their involvements in numerous kidnapping/armed robbery operations, adding that they also admitted to terrorising the Sapele-Warri Road.

He said that further investigation led to the arrest of one Umar Bello ‘m’ age 33yrs from Sokoto state but resides in Warri, adding that the Suspect confirmed that he usually buys the stolen phones and other valuables robbed from their victims. A Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. WWR 353 LS, a locally made cutto-size single barrel pistol, eleven (11) rounds of live cartridges, were recovered from the syndicate as effort was on to arrest other fleeing suspects.

In another development, On 15/5/2023, at about 0015hrs, while po -

lice operatives of ‘B’ division Warri, led by the DPO SP Bolarinwa Alabi were on visibility/confidence building patrol along Airport road, they sighted a tricycle with three (3) male occupants, and in their usual way, flagged down the tricycle, but the rider on sighting the Police maneuver in a bid to escape, the operatives went after them until they eventually abandoned the tricycle and took to their heels.

One of the suspects, named Nworie Emmanuel ‘m’ 20yrs, was arrested and taken to the police station. During interrogation, the suspect stated that he is a member of a three man gang of armed robbers who uses a tricycle to rob innocent people of their belongings along Airport Road, Warri.

He also confessed that they have robbed two persons on that day along Airport road that the phone robbed was with Abdul, one of their fleeing gang

members and that their modus operandi is to look out for their victims standing at a lonely road at night, and Abdul (currently at large) will jump down from the tricycle, use the knife to threaten their victim and rob them of their phones and other valuable. The tricycle, the knife they use to scare their victims are in custody alongside the suspect while effort is on to arrest the other fleeing members of the gang.

Meanwhile, the Command crack squad on 16/5/2023, raided a criminal blackspot located around Osuani in Patani LGA, and arrested one Priscillia Amor ‘f’ aged 35yrs, and recovered twenty-six wraps of weed suspected to be Indian hemp, , nineteen wraps of substance suspected to be Methamphetamine, eight packets of razlers, some mobile phones and other exhibits.

Investigation is ongoing to arrest her other gang members.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo, made the orders, after the convict, popularly called 'Yahoo boy', pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy and an attempt to defraud an American helicopter Company of the sum of $897,432.96 USD, made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The prosecutor, Abubakar Salihu Wara, while arraigning Adewumi, told the court that the convict alongside Stephen Godbless and Ibrahim Owolabi, both said to be at large, conspired among themselves to commit the offences.

The prosecutor told the court that the three men, with an intension to defraud and fraudlently obtained the sum of $897, 432. 96 USD, misdirected the electronic messages from U.S helicopter Company an email bontoh1@ national.citadel.edu.

The prosecutor told the court that offences committed by the convict, contravened section 11 of the of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, and punishable

Police arraign two men for alleged forgery, N25m fraud

BENJAMIN OMOIKE

Police from Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi-Lagos, have arraigned two men, Edu Oluwasesan and Adeyemi Abass, before a Lagos Federal High Court, on a fivecount charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, obtained by false pretence and fraud of N25 million.

The two men, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Justine Enang, the defendants conspired among themselves and committed the offences and some other now at large, sometime in 2022.

Enang told the court that in committing the alleged acts, the defendants obtained the sum of N25 million, from one

Juliet Oghogho lyoha, with false pretence that that have a landed property for sale

The prosecutor also told the court that the defendants forged a land receipt 0015, dated September 14, 2022, belonging to Lenuwa Royal Family, which they used to defraud their victim.

The prosecutor told the court that the alleged illegal acts of the defendants are contrary to sections Section 8(a) and 1(i)({a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006. And Section 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act, 2011) as Amended in 2012. And Section 22(b)

{i)(ii) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition Prevention (ETC) Act, 2015

The two defendants, who did not have any legal representative, pleaded not guilty to the charges

Following their not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date. While urged the court remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of the charge.

Justice Osiagor, has adjourned the matter till October 4, for commencement of trial.

The judge however held that the two defendant can approach the court, when their bail terms are filed.

However, lawyer to the convict, Adenike Goncalves, in her allucutor, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing her client.

She told the court to put into consideration that her client was a first time convict and for mot wasting the pressure time of the court.

Goncalves particularly prayed the court to award her client an option of fine in lieu of the custodian sentence.

Delivering judgment in the charge, Justice Oweibo, after listening to both the prosecutor and the lawyer, sentenced the convict to one year on each count.

The judge, however ordered the convict to pay the sum of N100, 000, for each of the counts in lieu of the jail terms.

The judge ordered that the jail-term should run concurrently while the fine should be consecutively.

The judge also ordered that the GTB cheque with monetary value of N5 million, tendered as one of the exhibits, be forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.

FG appoints Oba of Benin NOUN Chancellor, ends stalemate

TITUS AKHIGBE, BENIN

The Federal Government has appointed His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, as the Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), two years after the institution has been without a Chancellor.

According to a press statement by Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Chief Press Secretary to Oba of Benin, the University is the largest University in Nigeria with over 120,000 students population, cutting across the various Distance teaching and learning Centres nationwide.

Prof. Olufemi Peters, the Vice Chancellor of the University announced this when the Management staff of the institution paid a courtesy visit to the Oba on Friday in Benin City, Edo State.

Prof. Olufemi also gave insight into the workforce plan of the school while addressing the great Benin throne and assured that fortunes of the University would improve tremendously with the new feat.

He said, "The reason why this University was established by the federal government is to bring University education to as many Nigerians wherever they are and whatever their circumstances or social hindrances may be.

UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE, ABA

There is tension in Aba as traders of the Ariaria International Market in the commercial city, with capacity of about 160,000 shops are poised for a show down with government appointed market authorities over the alleged imposition of last minute unnecessary levies.

The Daily Times in Aba gathered that the decision of the market executives who were only appointed few days to the last gubernatorial election and whose tenure may not likely outlive the out going Governor Okezie Ikpeazu regime, to impose a Two thousand Naira security levy on each shop owner is not going down well with the majority of the traders.

The traders have therefore vowed to resist the levy, insisting that they will only pay to a properly constituted market officials, under the incoming Dr Alex Oti administration.

However the Chairman of the market Chief Chijioke Michael Amuta has said there is nothing strange nor unusual about the security levy the traders are being asked to pay, noting that it was supposed to be paid at the beginning of ev-

"We are in every state of this Country, serving every area. We have over 120,000 students. It is the biggest University in Nigeria.

Responding, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, accepted his appointment and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for finding him worthy of the position.

Oba Ewuare II, promised to bring his wealth of experience bear in the discharge of his duties and leverage on his experience during his Diplomatic sojourn towards improving teaching and learning in the University with the support of its Management team.

"When In was first informed, about my appointment, I was very happy.

We thank God almighty for this recognition of the work we have being doing in Benin Kingdom. We hope to hope to bring our experience to bear in piloting the affair.

"I am most grateful to the Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari for deeming it fit to appoint me as Vice Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria," Oba Ewuare II said.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of some literatures of National Open University of Nigeria by the Management of the school to the Oba.

Lagos Govt announces 11-day programme for Sanwo-Olu-Hamzat 2nd term inauguration

BENJAMIN OMOIKE

Lagos State Government has released an 11-day programme for the inauguration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, for a second term in office.

The programmes, which will be held in different parts of the state, particularly at the five divisions of Lagos - Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe - are lined up to celebrate Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, both of whom, many believe, have performed excellently in office in the first term, with the promise of improved performance - with the aim of effectively achieving 'A Greater Lagos Rising'.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, while unveiling the programme at a press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday, said the 11-day event will hold from May 21 to June 4.

He said the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has fulfilled the promise of "A Greater Lagos in many areas of life through the delivery of several life-impacting projects, social investments in our people as well as economic development of our dear State."

in eight Local Government Areas - Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Alimosho, Ikeja, Kosofe, Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Surulere, for three consecutive days from Day Three (May 24) to Day Five (May 26.)

According to Omotoso, Youth Carnival and Robotic competition, which will involve People Living with Disability, will hold on Day One simultaneously in all the Lagos five divisions while a Public lecture titled "The Making of a Beacon: Lagos and the Consolidation of a Democracy that works for all", will be delivered by Prof Adigun Agbaje, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan on Day Two (May 23).

Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan, and an Inauguration Dinner at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

Speaking on the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration's achievements in the last four years, Omotoso said the social contract between Governor Sanwo-Olu and the people of Lagos was never taken for granted, adding that the Governor and his team proactively tackled head-on all the challenges that confronted the state within the four years.

roads in Kosofe, Somolu, Victoria Island and Ikoyi - and 15 bridges. In Ojokoro, 31 roads were completed. It trained 18,000 teachers under the EKOEXCEL programme, set up two varsities and our varsities never went on strike when it was fashionable to do so. We also built four Mother and Child Centres.

"There are several road projects spread across Lagos State, such as the Agege Pen Cinema bridge, the Eleko Junction to Epe rigid pavement roads, the Oba Sekumade and Ijede roads in Ikorodu as well as several hospital projects spread across the State. We completed 18 housing projects.

"This administration also prioritised technology, entertainment and arts and the preservation of our historical and cultural heritage. The Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat administration changed the face of governance in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

ery year but was postponed.

Most of the aggrieved traders who spoke with newsmen questioned the motive behind the decision of the market executives to embark on the collection of the levy at this last hour in the life of their administration.

Their fear is based on the fact that about N300 million proceeds from the levy may be shared by the market officials and their benefactors in high places.

A trader who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, "The fact is that the decision of the market executives to collect this levy now that nothing is certain including their tenure is highly suspicious and uncalled for.

We have it on good authority that the plan is to collect this money and then use it as a parting gift both to them and their patrons.

And if this happens there will be no money to settle some security related issues when the need genuinely arises and by that time they and those that appointed them will be nowhere to be found.

We know what have been happening to previous levies we have been paying and those that have been feeding on them.

Omotoso, who is the Chairman, Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat's second term inauguration ceremonies, said Inauguration Day will hold on May 29, while post-inauguration Jummat and Church services will hold simultaneously in five divisions of the state on Day Nine (June 2) and Day 11 (June 4) respectively.

e also disclosed that projects commissioning will take place

Book Launch and Photo Exhibition, as well as a Stage Drama performance, will also hold on Day Two at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Children's Day activities, which will hold at the Police College in Ikeja, and Novelty Match to be played simultaneously in five divisions of Lagos are scheduled for Day Six on May 27, while the Pre-inauguration rehearsal will hold on Day Seven (May 28).

Omotoso said the two events scheduled for Day 10 are a Cultural display at Mobolaji

He said: "The administration in line with its campaign promise, ensured that all abandoned/ongoing projects too numerous to mention here, were completed; started and completed new projects and worked on a sustainable and enduring future for the State through several bold and audacious policies and projects.

"We can safely state here that it is not by accident that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration continued the Blue Line Rail project and completed it. It also started the Red Line Rail project that is nearing completion amid global economic challenges.

"The Sanwo-Olu administration completed 970 roads - 34

"The Blue Line has been commissioned and any moment from now passenger operation will begin. The administration began the Red Line on August 15, 2021. It is almost completed now, with engineers putting the finishing touches to the iconic project. There are 21 ferries on our waterways, which more Lagosians are embracing to commute from one part of the state to the other. The Lagos Rice Mill Imota is in operation. The achievements are, no doubt, numerous and significant because they touch the people’s lives directly."

Also speaking, the Publicity Secretary of Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Seye Oladejo, said the party is proud of the Sanwo-Olu government in the last four years because the administration is committed to the people of the state.

Environmentalists demand action on Bayelsa pollution report

AMOS

OKIOMA, YENAGOA

Some Environmentalists have demanded further action on the Bayelsa Oil and Environmental Commission (BSOEC), report presented to Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa at House of Lords on Tuesday in London.

The report titled: “An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human Cost of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria,” captured over 60 years of oil exploration and pollution.

The BSOEC, established in March 2019 by the immediate past administration led by Sen Seriake Dickson said abnormally high concentrations of toxic heavy metals were found in soil, waters in Bayelsa oil communities.

The report, which attributed the massive pollutions to activ-

ities of oil and gas exploration and production by oil firms recommended a remediation fund of $12 bn over a 12-year period.

Dr Nninmo Bassey, Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an environment-focused Non-Governmental Organisation urged the Bayelsa Government to go beyond receiving the report.

Bassey, a renowned rights activist who hold a national honours of Member of Order of Federal Republic (MFR) for Environmental Activism noted that it was obvious that Bayelsa was highly polluted with high toxicity levels begging for remediation

"The horrific degradation of the Niger Delta is undeniable as it is open and in plain sight.

"Considering how slow the Federal Government has been to make a decision for an assessment of the entire Niger Delta environment, we must applaud the Bayelsa state government

for establishing the Commission.

"Having the report is good, particularly for Bayelsa state because the state is arguably the most dastardly polluted in Nigeria. But having the report is one thing. The question is, after the report confirms the obvious, what will be the next steps.

"That is what we want to hear from the Bayelsa state government, from the Federal Government and from the polluting oil companies," Bassey said.

Also, Mr Alagoa Morris, a renowned Environmentalist welcomed the report.

Although Dickson came up with the setting up of the commission from a very selfish disposition, it is nice that a special investigation and report relating to oil industry induced pollution is becoming a reality; specifically for Bayelsa State.

"We are not too excited about it because the UNEP

report on Ogoni has informed Niger Deltans, Nigeria and the world about how the negative impacts of crude oil could be on the environment, livelihood, health and well-being of the people.

"The situation is not expected to be much different, just that the case of Bayelsa would be on a higher scale as per scope of pollution. While that of Ogoni is just about Shell, in Bayelsa we should be looking at the combined pollution caused by Shell, Agip, Cheron, Conoil, etc.

"This is more so, as in 2014 NOSDRA made public that Bayelsa was most polluted," Morris

He explained that while much of the impacted areas in Ogoni are salt water environment, it is like 50/50 for salt water and fresh water environment in Bayelsa that have suffered many years of oil spills.

Tension in Aba as Ariaria traders, market authorities on war path over levies

NDLEA raids drug joints nationwide, arrests 534 suspects

CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has launched a nationwide raid of drug joints in an exercise code-named ‘Operation Mop Up’ as part of law enforcement efforts to remove enablers of crime and violence in the form of illicit substances.

The agency also raided those who deal in drugs with a view to ensuring peaceful inauguration of new administrations at national and sub-national levels across the country on May 29.

According to Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, not less than 534 suspects have been arrested in the first few days of the commencement of the operation, during which tons of illicit drugs including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, tramadol, codeine-based syrup, cannabis sativa and various new psychoactive substances among others, were recovered across the states and the FCT.

Babafemi said top on the list with high arrests and seizures are Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Kaduna, Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Osun, Benue and Plateau.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig.

Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) who ordered the operation commended all the officers and men of the state commands and other formations involved in the exercise for their professionalism and following the NDLEA standard operating procedure.

“I’m impressed by the level of compliance with the

directive to all our commands and formations to dismantle all drug joints within their areas of responsibility mop up all illicit substances in such locations and arrest all those culpable.

“This will in no small measure take out of the equation, enablers of crime and violence such as illicit drugs, their dealers and all those relying on mind altering sub-

stances to disrupt the May 29 inauguration ceremonies across the states and the Federal Capital Territory,” Marwa stated.

He charged them to continue with the operational maxim of ‘offensive action’ against drug cartels and traffickers until the last gram of illicit drug is taken out of the streets and communities across the country.

N71bn supplementary budget: Delta APC lambasts Okowa

NOSA AKENZUA, ASABA

The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has lambasted Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as having no basic moral rectitude following his recent plans to request the approval of the State House of Assembly of N71 billion supplementary budget, less than 13 days to the end of the governor's second tenure.

In a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, Esq, the party expressed shock at the request by the outgoing governor for the approval by the House, describing it as the height of moral bankruptcy and wickedness against Deltans.

While condemning the State Governor for having secured a third term agenda by imposing his surrogate Sheriff Oborevwori as the next governor through political subterfuge, the Party noted that the present request by Okowa amounts to adding insult to injury with the request of such humongous amount.

"The attention of the Delta State APC has been drawn to several media publications concerning the recent request by the State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa seeking approval for a supplementary budget of 71 billion naira by the State House of Assembly.

"The APC considers this re-

quest by the State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa seeking parliamentary approval for a supplementary budget of 71 billion, as the height of moral bankruptcy and wickedness by this administration against the people of Delta State.

"Not satisfied with securing a third term agenda through the installation of his surrogate Sheriff Oborevwori with questionable character as Governor of the State against the popular wish of the people, he has now brazenly decided to add salt to injury by seeking to obtain such humongous amount of money as a parting gift to the people of the State.

"While the people of Delta State are yet to come to terms with the news of the lavish multi billion naira retirement package recently approved for him by the same State House of Assembly as a soon to be

former governor of the State, this has done little or nothing to satiate his unquenchable thirst for filthy lucre, as he has now applied for another 71 billion with the resultant effect of driving the economy of the State further into the cauldron of bad debts and underdevelopment. This request by the State Governor is a confirmation of the fact that the State Governor suffers from a severe case of moral deficiency syndrome.

"The APC like every sane Deltan, finds this request shocking to say the least that a governor who has less than 2 weeks to the end of his tenure, will be asking for such an amount of money. It is highly unfortunate and smacked of sinister motives and given the track record of this administration for such shenanigans, we in the APC are not surprised by this latest attempt to further impoverish

Sanwo-Olu mourns FCMB founder, Subomi Balogun

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passage of the founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun.

Otunba Balogun, the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland and the Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians passed on at the age of 89 in London, England on Friday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the late Otunba Balogun as a renowned technocrat, seasoned administrator and philanthropist, who made a mark in the country by contributing to the growth and development of the banking sector in Nigeria.

In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Friday, Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended Balogun's contribution to the economy of Nigeria as boardroom guru and employer of labour, especially as the founder of FCMB among several other companies.

The Governor also commiserated with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the entire people of Ogun State, especially the indigenes of Ijebu on the demise of their illustrious son and elder statesman.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also sympathised with the Managing Director of FCMB, Mrs. Yemisi Edun and the entire management and Staff of the financial institution.

He said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family, friends and associates of Otunba Subomi Balogun, as well as management and staff of FCMB.

“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and grant his immediate family, friends, associates, FCMB team, the banking industry and the people of Ogun State, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Sang Chieftaincy clash: COFAA writes Bala, alleges death of tortured suspect at correctional facility

SAMUEL LUKA, BAUCHI

AHuman Rights Organisation, Council for Affirmative Action (COFAA), has written to Governor Bala Mohammed of the state, drawing his attention to the death of one of the suspects arrested in connection to a recent communal clash over Chieftaincy tussle in Sang community of Bogoro Local Government Area of the state, Yusuf Bala, at Bauchi correctional facility.

cabinets who serve as Senior Special Advisers conspired with the Commissioner of Police and the Controller of Nigeria Correctional Services to perpetrate acts of gross inhumanity, abuse of power and murder.

the people of Delta State," the party stated.

The statement called on financial institutions not to allow themselves to be used as conduit pipes for Okowa to allegedly continue siphoning the state resources, adding that the APC Governorship candidate in the State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege had continued to warn against connivance with the governor in obtaining unwanted loans.

"The Delta State APC would want to seize this opportunity to further remind financial institutions not to allow themselves to be used as a conduit pipe of siphoning resources of the State and also to reiterate its earlier warnings issued by our gubernatorial candidate HE Sen Ovie Omo-Agege CFR that such loans would not be honoured by the APC administration", the statement noted.

This was contained in the letter titled, Re: Emergency: Letter of Complaint and Demand against Commissioner of police, Controller of Nigeria Correctional Services and two other Senior Special Advisers, to the governor for criminal conspiracy, gross inhumane treatment, abuse of power and the murder of Yusuf Bala as well as the attempted killing of Air Commodore Ishaku Komo (Rtd), Gung Zaar-select and five others in Bauchi custodial centre.

"We, the Council for Affirmative Action, write this letter to bring to your attention, a grave matter of concern involving high-ranking officials within your administration," the letter which was dated 17th May, 2023 and signed by Mbami Iliya Sabka, an Undercover Human Rights Defender, Executive Director of the Rights group said.

The Council for Affirmative Action said it has received a complaint from the relatives of the victims, alleging that two members of the Governor's

According to COFAA, the two aforementioned Senior Special Advisers had contacted the Commissioner of Police via phone, reporting a communal clash in Sang Village of Bogoro LGA, purportedly stemming from the coronation of a Hamlet Head of Sang Village named Mr. Mathew Ishaya.

While noting that Air Commodore Ishaku Komo retired who holds the title of Gung Zaar Select was in Kaduna State at his Kaduna residence when the incident occurred but was invited by the Bauchi police commissioner and got arrested upon honouring the invitation.

COFAA said Ishaku Komo, Matthew Ishaya, Yusuf Bala, Appolos Hassan, Nathaniel Joshua, Abenagu Zakka, and James Dajum who were arrested by the police were charged with offences such as criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance of public peace, mischief by fire, causing grievous hurt, and culpable homicide against Apollos Danlami and Nahemiya Bature.

COFAA further stated that the victims were informed by the police that their arrest and detention were ordered from the Government House and were then subjected to severe torture for duration of three days in police custody.

Tax quiz competition for secondary schools: KW-IRS announces close of registration portal

KEHINDE AKINPELU, ILORIN

The online registration for the year 2023 Tax Club Quiz Competition for secondary schools in Kwara State ended on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023, with a total number of 231 (Two Hundred and Thirty-One) schools in the state signifying interest to compete for the top prize of N2.5 million.

Organised by the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service in collaboration with the Kwara State Ministry of Education & Human Capital Development, the annual Tax Club Quiz Competition is opened to all Senior Secondary Schools in the state, both public and private.

It is an initiative of the Kwara State government, aimed at nurturing school children to have a clear understanding of the role of tax in the development of an economy and growing to become tax-compliant citizens.

All 231 schools that have expressed interest in this year’s tax competition would proceed to the preliminary rounds which commence on Tuesday, June 20th, and end on Monday, 26th June 2023, across the three (3) Senatorial Districts.

Kwara North 1, which com-

Obaseki swears-in new Ag. Chief Judge, assures accelerated judicial reforms

prises schools in Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas, meets at Ilesha Baruba for the preliminaries, while Kwara North 2, which has schools in Edu, Patigi, and Moro Local Government Areas, would meet in Lafiagi for the preliminary rounds.

Schools from Kwara South Senatorial Districts will gather at Okeya-Ipo High School for the preliminary rounds, and the KW-IRS, CBT centre at its Phase III Office, in Ilorin, will host schools in Kwara Central Senatorial District for the preliminary stages.

The Preliminary stages will produce the best Six Schools from each of the Senatorial District in the State to meet for the Semi-Final round while the overall best 6 schools compete in the final round of the 2023 KW-IRS Tax Quiz Competition scheduled to take place on Thursday, 2nd November 2023.

Kwara State under the administration of Governor Abdulahman AbdulRazaq continues to make impacts across all sectors, and this explains the growing interest of schools in educational activities and the growth in the number of applicants recorded for this year.

Road rehabilitation, construction gulps N6bn in Niger

SAKA BOLAJI, MINNA

The outgoing administration in Niger State has claimed that it spent over N6 billion in rehabilitating and constructing six rural roads that span 235 kilometres.

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary and Coordinator, Niger State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, Mallam Hassan Etsu.

He spoke during a oneday stakeholders’ workshop on sector reform, held at Idris Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre, Minna.

The workshop, with the theme, ‘Establishment of State Road Fund and Rural Access Road Agency in Niger State’, was organised by RAAMP, in collaboration with partners.

Etsu explained that the state government decided to key into the RAAMP, after investing in rehabilitation and construction of the 235km roads under the second phase of Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP-2).

He said: “Under the reform actions of RAAMP, the covenant signed requires each participating state to complete, not later than 18 months after date of subsidiary agreement, the finalisation of legislation establish-

ing a state Rural Access Roads Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF).”

The Permanent Secretary said establishment of the road fund is geared towards addressing issues of rural road financing, sustainably, with locally generated revenue or any other available source of funding.

Etsu urged all the stakeholders at the workshop to make meaningful contributions that would bring about road infrastructure development in a sustainable manner in the state.

He also appreciated Governor Sani Bello for foresight and support for rural development.

Earlier in his remarks, the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bawa Wuse, hinted that bill for the establishment of RARA and SRF is before the 9th Assembly, promising that the legislation would be passed into law before expiration of the state Assembly in June 2023.

National Coordinator, RAAMP, Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, noted that the creation of RARA will provide the state with opportunity to access funds for rural development from development partners, while creation of the road fund will provide an independent source of additional funding for road maintenance in the state.

TITUS AKHIGBE, BENIN

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has sworn-in the new Acting Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, assuring accelerated judicial reforms in the state.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at New Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, Obaseki said his administration’s achievements in the past six and half years was chiefly facilitated by an atmosphere of order and sanity guaranteed by a proactive judiciary which continues to promote a just and fair society.

He noted that his administration believes that the Judiciary remains the bastion of

democracy, which prompted investment in the Judiciary and the judicial system, to ensure a conducive work environment for judicial officers.

According to him: “Our achievement in these past years was facilitated by the atmosphere of order and sanity guaranteed by a proactive judiciary which has continued to promote a just and fair society.

“In the last six and half years, the Executive arm of the Edo State Government has tried to maintain a cordial relationship with the Judiciary and this has paved the way for the sustenance of law and order and respect for the rule of law in the state.

“We are conscious of the need for better welfare for judicial officers in the State and have started that process. We

have built the first set of Judges Quarters to ensure that Judges are guaranteed better and safe living conditions while they discharge their responsibility.

“We have also ensured that judicial officers working outside the capital city are provided with better courthouses and living accommodation to carry out their duties in a decent environment.”

The governor said his administration will continue to advance and support reforms in the Judiciary and respect its independence to ensure the Judiciary lives up to its mandate of upholding justie in Edo State.

“For us, how do we re-enact our judiciary to an era that produced great jurists like Justice Obaseki, Justice Akpata and Justice Uwaifo? To achieve this, we must insist on hiring judicial

officers mainly based on merit.

The new acting Chief Judge has the responsibility to continue and sustain the laudable reforms of the outgoing Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Joe Acha.”

He added: “For us in Edo State, we will continue to accelerate reforms and help in the digitization of records, processes and procedures.

My aim is that before we leave office next year, we will connect all our High Courts in Edo State to one central system. Before the end of this year, we would have laid fibre optic connection to all the High Courts in Edo State.

“I would like to see an improved welfare package for our Judicial officers as the work which has started in repositioning our Magistracy should be accelerated. I also take it that we can continue to count on the Judiciary under your leadership, as we advance reforms to maintain law and order, working hard to make Edo State great again and making it the best place to work and live in Nigeria.”

The acting Chief Judge Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa thanked the Governor and the Government of Edo State for honour to serve the State and its people.

Bauchi Govt urged to make healthcare services available to all

Bauchi State Government has been called upon to improve the efficiency of public health spending for better outcomes, by using budget resources to reduce financial barriers to health and make services affordable to everyone, including the poor and vulnerable population.

Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Child Health (BaSAM), with technical support from USAID funded Integrated Health Programme (USAID IHP), made the call during a meeting in Bauchi on Thursday.

The meeting called on the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency to ensure regular and adequate provision of intermittent preventive treatment.

It charged the Agency to prioritise awareness creation on the use and availability of modern methods of contraceptives for women of child bearing age to increase FP uptake.

The meeting appealed to the State Government to revisit the challenges around human resource for health with a view to bridging the gaps occasioned by inadequate manpower.

Our Correspondent reports that the focus of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is aimed at ensuring people have access to the health care they need without having to go through financial hardship.

Its target is that, by 2030, the initiative will eliminate preventable maternal and child deaths, strengthen resilience to public emergencies, reduce financial hardship linked to illness, and further enhance the foundation for long term economic growth.

Bauchi, Co-Chair of BaSAM, Abu Yusuf who spoke on the successes recorded yesterday, said it was not the first time

BaSAM is developing health scorecard in Bauchi State.

According to Abu Yusuf said BaSAM, in continuation of its quest for improved health care services in Bauchi State, would use the Scorecard to advocate for policy change that could be tilted towards attaining UHC in the State and the Nation at large.

He called on the State Government to increase investment in the health sector with a view to addressing some of the gaps identified in the new UHC scorecard.

On his part, a Health Financing Specialist, Pharmacist Khalid Kasimu who said that the

state government spending on health is inadequate, observed that Bauchi has an increasing population with over 70 percent living below poverty line.

Pharmacist Kasimu said the financial risk protection data indicates that less than 5 percent of the state population has financial risk protection, which implies that health expenditure is majorly through household out-of-pocket expenses.

Kasimu, who said the situation has the potential to push more households into poverty, added that it is imperative for Bauchi Government to ensure timely release of equity funds for the enrollment of poor and vulnerable households into the financial risk protection scheme of the state health contributory scheme.

Earlier, in a welcome address, Bauchi State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sabiu Abdu Gwalabe, commended the efforts of BaSAM and USAID IHP for the giant stride in coming up with the first ever State UHC Scorecard, which he described as reference point for other States to follow.

Represented by Alhaji Sale Idris Giade, a permanent secretary, the commissioner assured that Bauchi government will continue to improve its healthcare system through policy implementation and other programmes in the health sector.

SAMUEL LUKA, BAUCHI

Niger Delta group endorses Akpabio for President

ESE ADAGBRA

Youths under the auspices of Niger Delta Youth Leaders Forum have endorsed Senator Godswill Akpabio for the position of the President of Senate.

Rising from an emergency meeting chaired by its President, Engr. Ovabor Okpakowodo, held at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, the group deliberated a lot of issues affecting the Niger Delta Region.

They commended both President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for finding a son of the South-South worthy to lead the 10 National Assembly and for throwing their weight behind his candidacy.

of Senate

Engr Okpakowodo flanked by Ambassador Efetobore Kelvin Omoko, Publicity Secretary of the group, said that their decision to endorse Senator Akpabio, who is representing Akwa Ibom South, stemmed from what they described as a result of his patriotism and his strong belief in the unity of the country; adding that he is a political leader with vast experience, having held several political positions.

"It is on this premises and quest for a better Nigeria that the Niger Delta Youth Leaders Forum is calling on Nigerians and all elected Senators to support Senator Godswill Akpabio for the position of the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are also appealing to our brothers from other parts of the country to give peace a chance and let's build a better Nigeria."

Abia: Why we put LG poll on hold, ABSIEC chairman reveals

EMEKA OKAFOR, UMUAHIA

The Chairman of Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, Prof Mkpa Agu Mkpa, has hinted that the Local Government Election scheduled for today, May 19, 2023, may not hold due to some challenges.

Prof. Mkpa, in a monitored live programme chat with a private Radio Station in Umuahia, Friday morning, said the Commission was yet to vacate prevailing orders from Arochukwu and Bende High Courts, which barred them from conducting the election.

He also blamed the ongoing industrial action by members of Nigeria Labour Congress in Abia State as another factor that affected their plans.

Recall that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had reassured that he would conduct a third local council election before end of his tenure despite criticisms from opposition parties.

Niger Delta rights group tasks APC over 10th NASS

STEPHEN GBADAMOSI, IBADAN

Edo LG polls:

BENIN

Ahead of the September 2023 elections into Local Government Areas of Edo State, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Etsako East Local Government of the state has zoned the chairmanship position to Ibie clan of the council, while declaring to back the aspiration of Hon Benedicta Ehuehi.

Hon Benedicta Ebuehi, a former Chairman of Etsako Local Government had indicated her desire to contest for the chairmanship position of the council had penultimate week purchased her nomination form to contest.

The Peoples Democratic Party leaders and stakeholders at an enlarged meeting in Jattu had unanimously thrown their weight behind Mrs Ebuehi to reside over the affairs of the council and even promised to mobilize the people of the locality to vote massively towards her victory at the polls

The meeting where she was endored was presided over by Governor Godwin Obaseki's coordinator, Chief Sunny Adoga and other leaders of the party.

Part of the resolution reads, "The house unanimously zoned the Chairmanships position to

Ibie zone and Hon princess Benedicta Ebuehi was endorsed by the leaders. The Commissioner position is to be retain in Weppa Wanno Zone and hon. Emma Akhaba was also unanimously endorsed.

"The vice Chairmanship position was zoned to Okpella and ask the leaders to nominate their candidate.

Other members at the meeting includes, Chief Abdulkadiri Afegbua, Alhaji Yahaya Ameh zonal leader Weppa Wanno and Hon. Isah Anavberokhai

Meanwhile, the chairmanship hopeful had vowed to commit all her leadership experience and influence within and outside Nigeria to partner with Developmental groups to make Etsako East an enviable local Government in Edo State and in Nigeria when elected as the Chairman of the local government.

According to her, “We must move ahead with confidence, determination, and surefootedness in our collective efforts in making Etsako East great. There can only be a reform when there is the will. I have the political will, the experience, and necessary connections with relevant development partners that will ease the burden of building an enviable council.”

The Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA), has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the incoming members of the National Assembly to consider integrity, loyalty and hard work in arriving at their choice of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly.

The group, which said it is a ‘political pressure group and foremost advocacy group on rights of Niger Delta indigenous people,’ in a statement on Thursday, said its interest in intervening in the debate on the leadership of the coming National Assembly was because of proper leadership and inclusiveness.

In the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Bright Ngolo, NDRA said “the choice of leadership of the National Assembly should not be left to the ruling elite, but that citizens and, indeed, the electorate must have to debate the strengths and weaknesses of the dramatis personae vis-a-vis the performance of the current and past leaderships of the NASS.”

It said: “We do believe and rightly so that it remains a moral burden for the nation to consider the inclusion of the South-East zone to the leadership matrix of the nation and the formation of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly presents an auspicious opportunity

to us all.”

It said the decision of the leadership of the APC to present the post of deputy speaker to the South-East zone was welcome and added that the zone had qualified sons and daughters I the House of Representatives, especially those of the APC extraction.

Since it is only one person that would occupy the position, NDRA said it was throwing its weight behind Mr. Benjamin Kalu representing Bende Federal Constituency to become the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, saying Kalu had the capacity considering the number of bills which he had to his credit, among other factors including visibility.

NDRA said Kalu “has 43 bills to his name, the highest in the entire South-East and three of the bills have been assented to by the president. On motions on national issues of importance, he ranks the highest with 22 to his name.”

The group held that Kalu towered above other Reps from the South-East region, saying: “On visibility as the spokesperson of the 9th House of Representatives, he has defended the House well and projected the image of the Igbo nation better for those of us in the Niger Delta to notice. He is not only visible but cerebral on national discuss.

“In terms of loyalty to party, Hon Kalu fearlessly preached the message of the APC even in the face of danger in the zone. We

want Nigerians and the party apparatchik to understand that micro-zoning the post of deputy speaker to Hon Kalu is a reward for loyalty to the party as the campaign office he erected to market the APC was riddled with over 100 bullets by yet-tobe identified assailants due to his resilience in harvesting votes for the APC.

“The 10th NASS leadership must be built around character, integrity, popularity, respect for the institution and getting the due of members to ensure even development is attracted across board.”

It contended that Hon. Kalu had the charisma and competence and fitted into these skills set.

"It would amount to a great disservice to this nation, if emotional and or any other mundane sentiments are put on the table as considerations in the choice of the House leadership.

"It is trite in law that equity aids the vigilant and as stakeholders in the Nigerian project and as a group populated by 100 per cent youths who make up at least 64 per cent of the voting demographics, staying aloof while the future of the nation is being moulded by these debates over proper leadership would be a disservice to members of the NDRA across the region and the youths of this nation.

"We believe that the choice of leadership of the National Assembly should not be left to the ruling elite but that citizens and, indeed, the electorate must have to

debate the strengths and weaknesses of the dramatis personae vis-a-vis the performance of the current and past leaderships of the NASS.

"We do believe and rightly so that it remains a moral burden for the nation to consider the inclusion of the SouthEast zone to the leadership matrix of the nation and the formation of the leadership of the 10th National Assembly presents an auspicious opportunity to us all.

"It is true that the National Working Committee of the APC, which is the ruling party at the centre, has presented the post of deputy speaker to the South-East and the zone has a plethora of qualified sons and daughters at the House of Representatives, especially those of the APC extraction. It is only natural and imperative that one person be projected to occupy the seat.

"If a critical look at the three House of Reps members-elect of the APC extraction is carried out, the capacity of Hon Kalu shows in the number of bills which he has to his credit, the highest in the entire South-East with 43 to his name and three assented to by Mr. President. On motions on national issues of importance, he ranks the highest with 22 to his name.

"On representation, Hon Kalu has attracted the comparative highest in percentage of value of infrastructure attracted to the South-East which runs to billions of naira," the group maintained.

TITUS AKHIGBE

Estako East PDP leaders zone chairmanship position to Ibie, backs Ebuehi

BMO queries Ezekwrsili's loyalty between Nigeria and IPOB/ESN

time she was a Minister in the federal government, had there been the kind of quantum leap in the record of arms, ammunition and variegated platforms made available for the use of the armed forces and the police in the country. And, for this, the people of Borno and other States in Northeastern Nigeria that used to be theatre of mass killings have continued to show gratitude to the President for returning peace to their States".

The BMO further adds that security narrative in different parts of the country is changing for good:

TUNDE OPALANA, ABUJA

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has derided the latest outburst by Dr Oby Ezekwesili against President Muhammadu Buhari on a miscellany of issues, chief of which is the handling of security by the Buhari-led administration.

The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, noted that it has become a convention by Ezekwesili to inundate the public space with a noxious chemistry of bad mouthing and ill-mannered pontification in addressing the person and office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

"We find it rather curious the way Dr Ezekwesili, now by convention, storms the public place to vent whatever her frustration or emotion may be. And, even more intriguing is her determination to express her opinion in the most vainglori-

ous manner", the group asserts.

Accusing her of deliberately playing Janus with most of her public interventions, BMO says at a time Nigerians were expecting individuals of stature from the South Eastern zone of the country to, in the wake of the unfortunate but irresponsible killing of two personnel of the American Consulate and two policemen in an ambush in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ezekesili decided to resort to attacking the person of the President.

"Ezekwesili hails from Anambra State where this heinous crime was committed but just as other times when such grand wickedness was perpetrated in that zone of the country, silence is the response from Ezekwesili," the Group observes in the statement adding that:

"So, for us, this is clearly indicative of barefaced subterfuge. Ezekwesili should come out in the open to declare where her loyalty lies; is it to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Net-

work (ESN) pair of now world's renowned terrorist organisations or to the good people of Nigeria on whose behalf she hypocritically combusts the public space?

"We dare to say that her conduct smacks of the hypocrisy of desperately desiring to remove the speck in the other person's eye when, indeed, she carries a log in her own eye".

The BMO, however, acknowledges her allegation concerning the security situation in the country.

"Of course, her allegation against President Buhari of poorly managing security matters in the country is acknowledged. However, what can be asserted without any equivocation in the management of security matters in the country since President Buhari assumed office, is his undiminished commitment to fighting insecurity wherever it had reared its head in the country.

"This is evinced by the fact that at no time in the history of this country, even at the

"The same narrative is evolving in Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina States in the North West zone of the country inclusive of Benue, Plateau and Niger States in the North Central zone. The pacification of bandits is becoming intense from news constantly emanating from those areas. Unfortunately, the likes of Ezekwesili would, rather, rush to dance naked in the market place anytime there is a single security mishap in all the different theatres of engagement. Not once have we heard words encouraging the country's armed forces during the many times they had recorded successes in engagements against bandits and terrorists, from Ezekwesili.

"Even in the South East, we daily count the numbers of Ipob/ESN operatives that are either neutralised or arrested by security personnel, yet, there had never been a whimper of acknowledgement of the efforts of these personnel from the likes of Ezekwesili", the statement added.

10th Senate: SDP NWC, Gov Zulum Endorse Akpabio, Barau As President, Deputy Respectively

The leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) through its National Working Committee on Thursday, announced its endorsement of Senator Godswill Akpabio for the office of the Senate President in the 10th Senate and Senator Jubrin Barau as Deputy Senate President.

In a similar development, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, has also thrown his weight and that of the state government behind the aspirations of Senators Akpabio and Barau as leaders in the 10th Senate.

Speaking while receiving in courtesy, members of the Stability Group led by its Chairman and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi, Governor Zulum disclosed to his guests the resolve of all the Northern governors to publicly endorse Akpabio and Barau as the preferred choices of the party in the days ahead.

Adressing members of the Group, who were on a thank you visit to the leadership of the party in Abuja, the National chairman of the party, Mr

Shehu Gabam, described Senator Akpabio as a Pan Nigerian whose antecedents in public office speak volumes of his love for the progress and development of Nigeria.

" With the calibre of people in the Stability Group working for victory of Akpabio and Barau, I am very confident that Nigeria would work again. Nigeria has never been this divided as a country along ethnic and religious lines and that is why I would appeal to you that the unity of this country should be paramount in your hearts.

"We in the SDP are passionate about the unity and progress of the country and that was why when other parties staged a walk- out at the Presidential Election Collation Centre, we stood firm with the process to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did what was expected of it, by announcing the results and anybody who disagreed with it knows what to do."

Speaking further, the chairman charged the lawmakers to take very seriously, the issue of local government autonomy, insecurity in the country and

Oborevwori 'll

continuity,

all ongoing projectsOkowa's aide

NOSA ÀKEÑZUA, ASABA

Executive Assistant on Strategic Communications to Delta State Governor, Olorogun Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, at several media engagements and electioneering campaigns assured all Deltans that he would complete all ongoing projects of the Okowa administration and execute new ones across the three senstorial districts.

Oghenesivbe who was speaking on Friday as Guest of Delta Television public affairs programme"MorningRide",asserted that there are obvious similarities inthevisionsoftheStategovernor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, and that of the Governor-Elect,ElderOborevwori,which istobuildaprosperousDeltaState, wheresubstantialsocioeconomic andinfrastructuredevelopmentis consistently upscaled for greater Delta.

He disclosed that the M.O.R.E agenda of the incoming government flows directly from the strong desire of the Governor-Elect to build on the enviable legacies of governor Okowa, and in the same token introduce new economic reforms that would ultimately take Delta to the next level; by ensuring Meaningful Development, Opportunity for all Deltans, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security.

"The Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, assured Deltans during his electioneering campaigns and media engagements that he would ensure continuity in government by completing all ongoing projects that could not be completed by our amiable governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, before handing over on May 29, 2023.

"Completing ongoing projects by incoming administration connotes sustainable infrastructure development and

economic growth for the State, because abandoned projects translates to wasted tax payers money and scarce resources.

"It follows that there shall be no abandoned projects as power is transmitted on May 29.The temple of development shall be accelerated while job and wealth creation improved upon substantially within the next four years and beyond.

"The incoming governor is a man of integrity, a grassroots politician who has openly acknowledged governor Okowa as his mentor and leader, irrespective of the doctrine of separation of power, because the three arms of government, though separate, work handin-hand to deliver dividends of democracy and good governance to the people.

"Sustainable development and economic growth shall uniquely flow from Stronger Delta to M.O.R.E agenda, from May 29," Oghenesivbe assured.

As for the May 29 Inauguration of the Governor-Elect, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, and the Deputy Governor_Elect, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oghenesivbe said arrangements are in top gear to ensure a superlative celebration and smooth transmission of power.

He disclosed that there shall be Valedictory Dinner in honour of Governor Okowa and his amiable wife, Her Excellency Dame Edith Okowa while the Inauguration ceremony will take place at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, beginning from 10am. He advised invited guests to be seated on or before 9:00am.

According to Oghenesivbe, Delta Annual Praise and Worship Day shall take place at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, on May 29 from 5pm in the evening, adding that the Annual Thanksgiving Day has been passed into Law in the state, and has become State Event every May 29.

Kogi SDP chairman resigns, meets Governor Bello

IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA

the vexed issue of state of origin. He advised the lawmakers to bring forth a law that would put a final end to the issues of indigeneship adding ," this is one of the major reasons there is no development in the country because we focus mainly on indigeneship instead of citizenship.

In his reaction, Senator Akpabio thanked the SDP leadership and the Borno State Governor for standing behid the decision of the party and promised to do all within his powers to put smiles once again, on the faces of Nigerians because we cannot afford to let them down.

Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Thursday received Hon Muktar Atima, the former Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, in his office at Lugard House, Lokoja.

The governor commended Hon Atima for his foresight and vision after witnessing the remarkable achievements of the state under his leadership, leading him to join Governor Bello and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Bello assured Hon Atima that his administration, which is founded on principles of equity, justice, and fairness, will continue to provide op-

portunities to all the people of the state , who wish to join the government through the APC.

Prior to the meeting, Hon Muktar Atima had congratulated the governor over his party's success in the recent elections, praising him for the remarkable ability to unite party members and achieve significant electoral victories.

Hon Atima stated that his decision to align with the APC at this time was motivated by the visible developmental projects accomplished by the current administration.

Atima, who was a one time Secretary of Okehi Local Government Council and the pioneer ChairmanoftheSocialDemocraticPartyinthestate,alsopledgedto contribute his quota to the development of the state.

ensure

complete

Cold war as El-Rufai revokes Kaduna exgovernor's 9 companies, landed properties

IDIBIA GABRIEL, KADUNA

Governor of Kaduna State, Mal.

Nasir El-Rufai, has revoked the Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) of 9 companies belonging to the ExGovernor of the State, Senator Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi and marked the properties for demolition.

It was gathered that the notice of revocation and withdrawal of the right of occupancy has already been served to the officials of the affected companies on Thursday around 1pm in the state.

The official notice of revocation was reportedly addressed to the Director of Cane Properties, Alhaji Ibrahim Makarfi, of Plot 11, Murtala Square, in Doka.

When contacted, Ibrahim Makarfi who is a relation of the former governor told newsmen that they have contacted their lawyers to stop further action on the properties in question.

“Our Lawyers will respond accordingly to the revocation and withdrawal of Right of Occupancy of the companies,” he said.

Also reacting to the development, the victim and former PDP National committee’s chairman, Senator Makarfi said,“There is a serious issue right now. We need to meet Ustaz Yunus (SAN) to go to court to stop the State Government; they just sent 9 revocation letters to us”.

Listed among the affected properties, he said were five plots in Mogadishu, three plots on Kwato road, and the Doka plot.

Reacting, the Registrar of Kaduna Geographical Information Service (KADGIS), Mahmud Aminu, said the action of the state governor was in line

with the power conferred on him under section 28(5)(a) and ( b) of Land Use Act 1978, revoked and withdrawal your

rights and continued failure and contravention of covenanted terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy”.

Deputy Speakership position: Group roots for Hon. Benjamin Kalu

VAL OKARA, OWERRI

Apolitical pressure group, the South East Youths for Democracy (SEYD), said that Hon. Benjamin Kalu is the best option from the South East zone for the position of deputy speakership in the House of Representatives.

The group in a statement issued in Owerri the Imo state capital on Thursday and signed by its national coordinator , Comrade Fabulous Wisdom stated that it would amount to political suicide if South zone is excluded from the leadership of the 10th national assembly.

It further observed that , the SouthEast having a plethora of qualified sons and daughters at the House of Representatives especially those of the APC extraction lt is only natural that one person be projected to occupy the

seat of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives which was the post zoned by the National Working Committee of the ruling party;

The group noted that the capacity of Hon Kalu indicated in the number of bills he has to his credit, the highest in the entire South-East with 43 and three assented to by President Mohammud Buhari. Also motions on national issues of importance, he ranks the highest with 22 to his credit.

According to the statement, Hon Kalu has attracted the highest number of infrastructure to the South East which amounts to billions of Naira;

On visibility as the image of the Igbo nation, he is the image maker of the House of Representatives for four years and has defended the House well and projected the image of the Igbo man better. He is a better and acceptable Igbo image for the Igbos even beyond the shores of this country. He is not only

visible but cerebral on national discuss;

The SEYD, having assessed all three qualified members elect from the South-East, without a doubt, Hon Kalu is more qualified than the others. We also note the wide acceptability of our son and brother, Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu amongst party leaders and stakeholders, Governors, opinion moulders and even ethnic groups outside of the South-East, it will be foolherdy for us to support pull him down syndrome or emotional sentiments as the task that comes with the office of Deputy Speaker, is beyond gender, ethnicity or religion.

We therefore, overwhelmingly support the micro zoning of the post of Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State. Adopting Hon Kalu is a reward for loyalty to his party, hardwork in flying the banner of the party when it was most dangerous to do so in Igboland.

The South East Youths for Democracy is a political pressure group in the region pushing for greater national visibility for our region in the face of the perceived marginalization and exclusion of our region, from the political leadership of the country.

Our group, the SEYD, leaning on patriotic zeal to protect our region from the negative image of divisiveness in purpose and absence of a united front, deem it necessary to make interventions for the sake of posterity.

Kano High Court Judgement: Apapa faction of LP, blames Abure for sack of Alex Otti, others

ABIODUN TAIWO ABEOKUTA

The Labour Party has reacted to Friday's sack of the governor elect of Abia State, Mr Alex Otti and other elected candidates for Kano blaming the Abure led Executives for the misfortunes.

In a press release signed by Dr Abayomi Arabambi, the party asked Barrister Julius Abure to tell the party why he refused to submit names of Labour Party registered members in Kano, especially in Abia State where the Party had good outing.

The party said it had "raised the alarm that our party faced imminent threat of losing its only Governor-elect, that is the person of Alex Otti due to Julius Abure's shady practice.

"It would also be recalled that I have consistently raised the alarm that Abure and his gang of fraudsters still parading themselves today as national officers of Labour Party should tell the party why they refused to submit names of Labour Party registered members in Kano, especially in Abia State where we had good outing and where eventually produced a governor from the last governorship election conducted in the state.

"The truth is that, they held onto these names and didn't submit them to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance to Section 72 of Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended).

"While national chairmen and Secretaries of other political parties were busy doing all that was necessary to meet with the deadline for the submission of names of registered members , Abure and company were busy shopping for candidates to swindle and smuggle their names into the party's register in exchange for those who won their primaries in some parts of the country.

"Today, we have been vindicated after a Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice M N Yunusa nullified the candidature of the Abia State Governor-elect Dr Alex Otti and all the candidates of the Labour Party in Abia and Kano States due to Labour Party failures to complies with Section 72 of the Electoral Act 2022 ( as Amended)

"The reason is not unconnected with what I have lamented over in the past few months that Abure's action

NOSA ÀKEÑZUA, ASABA

As Legislative activities in the Seventh Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly winds down, paving way for the Eight Assembly, incoming Lawmakers in the state have been told to sustain the tempo of legislative glory of the state with a view to ensuring amicable peaceful coexistence.

The Deputy speaker, Ochor Christopher Ochor and the majority leader of the House, Mr farguson Onwo who spoke to Journalists on Friday in Asaba however urged the incoming lawmakers to as a matter of necessity, strive to strengthen the Ongoing Cordial working relationship between the State Legislature and its Executive.

Although, Ochor Christopher Ochor, member representing Uk-

was not in compliance with the provisions of the 2022 electoral act. The failure of the Labour Party to submit its membership register to the INEC within 30 days before their primaries renders the process invalid.

"If we failed to comply with the provisions of the electoral act we cannot as well said that we had candidates going into the elections in the affected states."

The party also asked Abure to come out clean and explain to Nigerians and Labour Party faithful all over the world who was he working for as at the time in question. Why would any good thinking leader of a political party that had the strength of an hurricane, go to a war where he deliberately prepared a group for the defeat of his own army?

"This is no time for politics but a time to tell ourselves the truth. Who is Abure working for when he forged a court's documents and seal? Who was Abure working for when he refused to send the names of these candidates to INEC at the appropriate time?

"The unsuspecting members of the Obidient family must know that this decision of the court was a grand design of Abure to cash in on Labour Party fortunes for the sole benefit of himself and immediate families

"Today we are happy to inform you that the FCT high court has ordered the maintenance of the restraining order made by the court on April 5th 2023 pending the court judgement from the appeal .

"Implication of today’s Judgement at the FCT high court is that the leadership of Lamidi Apata and Alh Lawan remains in force and we hereby warned that all actions and decisions taking by Abure and his gangsters on behalf of the party including the Asaba NEC meeting and all primaries conducted in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa are null and void and of no consequence.

"Affected candidates who participated in the primaries of this states must learned from history as we will used all legal means to fight deliberate disobedience to court order

"Finally on the FCT high matters , Abure counsel Mr Alex Ijetieme (SAN) who was present in court today can be reached to denied or confirmed this position through a press statement on if it’s true the order restraining Abure and 3 others is still in force or not," the statement added.

wuani Constituency may not be returning to the hallowed Chamber for the eight Assembly, but stressed the need for members of the Eight Assembly to promote the culture love, among one another, noting that it was the part of the ingredients relevant in the success story of the outgoing administration both at the Executive and Legislature levels.

On their experience as lawmakers, the duo while saying that they currently enjoy the support and blessings of their Constituents, said that they felt serving their people at all times adding that" We have really been loved by our people and we are glad that we did our best and if there is anything like satisfaction, we can tell you that we are fulfilled during our tenure as the Seventh Assembly.There was no case of impeachment, indictment among others"

Shake up imminent in FAAN: Yadudu, directors to go

CHUKWUEMEKE

IWELUNMO

As the present administration of President Mohammadu Buhari winds up, some heads of the agencies in the aviation sector are now jittery as the Federal government is set to relieve some them of their jobs

Investigation carried out revealed that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will be greatly affected with the shake up. It was learnt that the current managing director, Capt Rabiu Yadudu whose tenure is expected to come to an end 28 May 2023, after four years, will not have his tenure renewed by the FG Also, all the directors have been slated for sack while replacements have been sourced from within.

According to an impeccable source, a current serving general manager who is due to retire next month is being penciled down for appointment as a director.

The crop of the current directors in FAAN were all brought in to the system by Hadi Sirika and heavily criticized by the unions as misfits as they failed to perform based on lack of knowledge of the system

Experienced directors were forced out of the system by politicians and replaced them with their cronies at the detriment of the carrier civil servants.

It was learnt that the managing director of FAAN has been told to hand over to a current airport manager while other changes are being worked out.

Yadudu was appointed four years ago.

Julius Berger Projects: Buhari commissions Presidential/ VIP wing of State House Medical Centre

MOTOLANI OSENI

President Muhammadu Buhari, has commissioned the newly built ultra-modern Presidential/ Vip Wing of the State House Medical Centre located at the Villa, Abuja.

The President who arrived the venue of the ceremony at approximately the stipulated 10.00am was immediately received by a rendition of the national anthem to commence the event. Thereafter, the Presidential Media Adviser, Mallam Garba Shehu gave a warm charge for the event. He rooted his remarks on the successful and laudable infrastructural development legacy that the outgoing Buhari administration was leaving behind for the beneficial enjoyment of Nigerians.

Garba later invited the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Alhaji Tijjani Idris Umar to speak on the detailed reason for the event.

Alhaji Tijjani Idris Umar welcomed the President and his amiable wife the First Lady, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari to the project commissioning ceremony, which he said would not have been possible without the total support of President Buhari as well as the First Lady’s unwavering advocacy.

The Permanent Secretary of the State House also took time to thank the Chief of Staff to the President, and also the Director of Maintenance in the State House, Bldr, Joshua Apagun whom he said had been part of the State House building works since 1999. Alhaji Tijjani Umar also thanked every staff of the State House who contributed to the success

of the project.

Turning to the contractors, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Tijjani said that the company’s engineering construction capability, competence and reliability veritably represents a masterclass in dependable professionalism.

He said, ““Julius Berger is a most competent, capable, reliable and efficient contractor who accomplished the project in a record 12 months period without asking for any cost variations.” He commended Julius Berger for its evidently good work on the project.

Alhaji Tijjani then invited the President to commission the Project. President Buhari after cutting the ribbon to officially inaugurate the project for operational use, led his wife, the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senior Security chiefs, Honourable members and Distinguished Senators of the National Assembly as well as Executive and senior management officials of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on a guided tour of the Medical Centre.

Speaking later to media correspondents after the event, the Executive Director administration of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, who represented the company’s Managing Director Engr. Dr. Lars Richter at the ceremony said, “…the construction of this Medical Centre is a clear testimony to Mr President’s unwavering resolve to provide qualitative infrastructural and other amenities that impact positively on the lives of citizens across the length and breadth of

this nation.”

According to Bayi, while the conceptualisation and subsequent start of works for the project began in August 2021, the actual construction works kicked off with the Ground-breaking ceremony by the Chief of Staff to the President on Monday 1st November, 2021.

The scope of works, he said, comprised of a 3-storey structure on an area of 8,500sq2 that contains a full, functioning Medical Centre including, a reception and waiting areas, a radiological department with X-Ray, CT Scan and MRI sections, consulting area, cathlab, theatres, an Intensive Care Unit, executive wards, VIP wards, observation rooms, a physiotherapy unit, a pharmacy, laboratory, laundry, kitchen, a healing garden; and other ancillary facilities.

“Gentlemen of the Press,

PENGASSAN urges Buhari to sign energy commission bill before handover

JOY OBAKEYE

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (PENGASSAN) has pleaded to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently assent to the Energy Commission of Nigeria Amendment Bill, 2022 before handing over to the incoming administration on May 29, 2023.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the President of the association Comrade Festus Osifo and Secretary, noting that the Commission was expected to meet up with the energy demands of the country in critical areas especially by sustaining energy development in the country.

PENGSSAN reminded President Buhari of the critical role of the Energy Commission of Nigeria in nation building.

PENGASSAN again blamed the inability of the Energy Commission of Nigeria to perform its mandated duties on bureaucratic breakdowns with the

various stakeholders and internal shortcomings.

It said that the situation had been costly for the Nigeria’s energy sector.

PENGASSAN said that the provisions of the current Act of the Energy Commission were no longer in tandem with the present realities in the energy sector, hence the request for the amendment of the Energy Commission of Nigeria Bill, 2022.

The Association while urging President Buhari to assent to the Amended Bill, maintained that this was the right time to strengthen the Energy Commission of Nigeria which had the mandate of producing strategic plans for the government in the energy sector in all ramifications.

PENGASSAN said that assenting to the Energy Bill in addition to the Petroleum Industry Act already signed into law by President Buhari would go a long way in repositioning the entire energy sector as well as the nation’s economy.

CBN partners Google to establish virtual currency museum

TEMITOPE ADEBAYO

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it is collaborating with Google to establish a Virtual Currency Museum Gallery.

The CBN Deputy Governor of Operations, Folashodun Shonubi, revealed this at the International Museums Day (IMD) celebration, in Abuja.

opportunities to share with visitors, ways in which the past informs the present and issues of the present makes the past relevant again.

XX

I am humbled to inform you that this strategic Medical Intervention Centre was constructed in accordance with international due diligence and best practice; an established hallmark of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc…. May I also inform you that, while Julius Berger Nigeria Plc put in a total of 2,600,432 man-hours of work into the construction and completion of this solid engineering masterpiece, the company achieved a Zero Lost Time Injury (LTI) record on the project…”, Bayi Said. Bayi further said that, the Zero Lost Time Injury (LTI) record was achieved even as Julius Berger also accomplished the project in a record 12 months period without any compromise in quality and technical integrity; a competence he referred to as “another badge of the defining Julius Berger operating standard.”

According to him, the virtual museum would enable members of the public to access the currency museum from the comfort of their homes, without having to travel to the physical museum located at the bank’s headquarters in Abuja.

“Thanks to technology, the Central Bank of Nigeria Currency Museum is working in collaboration with Google and our in-house Information Technology Department (|TD) establish a Virtual Reality Museum.

“This is an approach to connect with the global world for the public to sit back and relax within their comfort zone and view the artifacts on display.”

Shonubi noted that, the theme of this year’s celebration, “Museums, Sustainability and Well-being” was designed to link museums in making sure our environments are sustained globally to make the world a better place.

On his part, the CBN Director of Currency Operations, Ahmed Umar said, museums’ vast collections offer infinite

“Works of art can speak so eloquently about what makes us human, what connects and divides us, what inspires and provokes us and how vital the impulse to make and create has always been across time and geographic boundaries. I believe this kind of perspective is one of the deep-seated needs of our society.

“Museums play an important role in the society.

“Technology has helped Museums in reaching beyond core audience to new publics. This has been shown in digitalization of collections, virtual tours or something as simple as a hashtag that allows visitors to share their experiences on social media.”

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic affected museums very negatively, as people could not visit them during that period.

“COVID-19 has provided a pivotal moment for our society, and we call on all Museums to embrace it and lead the change.

“The time is neigh to rethink our relationships with the communities we serve, to experiment with new and hybrid models of cultural fruition and to strongly reaffirm the essential value of museums for the construction of a just and sustainable future”, Umar said.

USSD N6.98 charges: Lower subscription rates to drive adoption of mobile banking, Agbaje urge telcos

TEMIOPE ADEBAYO

Believes internet-based mobile banking, Segun Agbaje, CEO of The GTCO Group said not USSD technology, is crucial for financial inclusion in Nigeria. He also believes telcos should lower the data subscription rates to accommodate everyone in a bid to drive adoption of mobile banking.

Agbaje while announcing GTCO’s financial statement, revealed that the company’s USSD value dropped by 22%. The reason for this poor performance, according to him is that “the N6.98 charge is a punitive cost and most people do not want to pay that just to use the USSD. That’s why it has stopped growing.”

Although USSD is used for other purposes like airtime recharge or data bundle purchases, he added saying many commercial banks have liberated the technology to

lSays mobile banking best for financial inclusion

optimize delivery and bridge the gap between customers and basic financial services. Instead of visiting the nearest branch for a basic reason like an account balance check, individuals just have to input their bank short code and voila.

While Nigerians everywhere have used USSD at some point, , Agbaje continues, it’s mostly popular in remote areas where access to fast internet is limited. It doesn’t require an internet connection, meaning even basic phones can run this service using a cellular network. USSD played a significant role in helping M-Pesa – a mobile money service – succeed in Kenya. It has since expanded to other markets.

Despite USSD’s impact, The CEO believes banks’ mobile apps should take center stage because they’re

2023 Global Road Safety Week: LASG promises to curb road traffic accidents

TEMITOPE ADEBAYO

In commemoration of the annual United Nation Global Road Safety Week, the Lagos State Government has assured residents that it will continue to put in place measures that will help curb road accidents.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola gave this assurance in Alausa, while speaking on the significance of the Year 2023 Global Road Safety Week, which urged policymakers to "Rethink Mobility '' and make public transport safe and secure for its citizenry.

Toriola said the essence of the road safety campaign is to encourage Motorists to follow the stipulated traffic rules and regulations in order to reduce road accidents, saying it is on the premise the United Nation adopted Decade of Action for Road Safety Strategy with a view of curbing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted the five pillars of the UN adopted policy to include; road safety management, safer vehicles, safer road users, post-crash response, and safer driving environments.

Toriola opined that the State Government through its Drivers' Institute has continued to train and retrain drivers to ensure they meet requisite requirements before they are allowed to drive,

adding that Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centers have also been established across the State for routine checks on safety of vehicles before they are issued Roadworthiness Certificate.

Speaking further, the Transport Permanent Secretary averred that the State Government is also investing in alternative modes of transportation hence, it has continued to develop its inland waterways, deploying more boats and creating jetties, stressing that the Blue and Red line rails will contribute in no small measure to taking pressure off the roads when they commence passenger operations.

He also mentioned that all the alternative modes of transportation are being integrated to develop a Multi-modal Transport System that is safe and convenient, urging citizens to take ownership of the road furniture and infrastructures being put in place by the State Government.

modern and superior.

“USSD is a clumsy technology. It’s not state-of-the-art. The best way to have financial inclusion is to crash the cost of data so that data becomes more affordable. Then we can use what is a superior technology,”

A case for the ‘superior technology’, USSD can be termed a mobile banking offering because it works on a phone and allows users to perform transactions. Ben Lyon – CEO and Co-founder of Stax – agrees. “Mobile banking tends to refer to an electronic (mobile) channel for accessing and managing a bank account. When you check your GTBank balance via SMS, USSD, or a mobile app, for example, you’re participating in mobile banking.”

However, while USSD transactions aren’t Internet-based, access to mobile banking apps requires

a stable connection to the Internet. This means only smartphone users can use this service, a condition that currently doesn’t scream “inclusion”.

Nigeria currently has a smartphone penetration of 35 per cent which, coupled with rising device and data costs, complicates the switch from feature phones.

Agbaje, however, believes the major issue is the high cost of internet access.

According to research from Cable, the average data package in Nigeria costs nearly N32, 000 while the cheapest plan is around N15,000.

It would be recalled that, last year in October, telcos hiked their data bundle fees by 10% as part of measures to cushion the effect of an economic downturn. Although it was later reversed following an

NAHCO chairman canvasses varsities

CHUKWUEMEKE

IWELUNMO

To Succeed in the 21st Century and reduce dependence on government funding, public universities have been advised to look inward and embark on projects that can generate revenues to fund their activities

The Chairman, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, (Nahco) Dr. Seinde Fadeni, who gave the advice while speaking at the International Conference of the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said it was obvious that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of funding the universi-

ties and that the institutions have to adopt other means of generating sustainable revenues.

Referring to the specific case of OAU, the NAHCO Chairman stated the University will do well to make use of its wide expanse of land for agricultural production which could be sold to both local and foreign markets.

Fadeni, who received a Distinguished Award for Excellence in Educational Philanthropy, pointed out that OAU could be self-sustaining if it taps more aggressively into its abundant natural and intellectual resources.

Represented on the occasion by the Group Executive Director, Business & Corpo-

order from the country’s regulatory commission, the above figures indicate that data is expensive here.

“If you want financial inclusion, then you need to bring down the cost of data…if you compare the cost of data in Nigeria to elsewhere, you’d realize that we are being exploited,” Agbaje continues, beyond data cost, the issue of data depletion has triggered many conversations among Nigerian telecom consumers. Even after buying data bundles for high amounts, many subscribers claim that they “exhaust” their balance days or weeks before the expiry date. While telcos often say data, depletion is a direct result of customers’ data usage, the latter feel it’s a deceptive tactic to gain profit while sacrificing user satisfaction.

self-sufficiency

rate Services, Dr. Olusola Obabori, an alumnus of the institution, Fadeni was of the view that the University should put into better advantage its land and human resources to the benefit of the institution

“In addition to private sector donations, grants for research activities, private philanthropy and various alumni interventions, there are quite a few things you could do that would bring more revenue to this institution. These revenues would empower and help you to commercialize various research breakthroughs in the fields of technology, medical and pharmaceutical sciences for which this university is known, thereby

FAO applauds NiMet over predictions

CHUKWUEMEKE

IWELUNMO

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) country representative to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Mr Fred Kafeero has commended the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, Professor Mansur Bako Matazu and his management team for the work NiMet it's doing for the country.

Mr Fred Kafeero said this when he and his team paid a visit to NiMet headquarters for the presentation of a joint project/concept

“We need to congratulate you for the wonderful work you are doing for the country. It is not easy work but you really are doing a great job.”

He observed that the most important thing is how this is actually used by the various stakeholders, this is

very important and that is why the need for partnerships, adding that different partnerships will take you to different levels.

"For us in FAO, we are so very happy and glad to work with you. We appreciate the importance of the work you do to an ordinary farmer because those farmers are the most vulnerable when

it comes to climate issues", he noted.

He disclosed that the objective of their visit was to present the jointly developed project document and seek for further action.

In his remarks, the DG NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu commended the team for the good work

creating larger streams of income.”

He advised the university to consider establishing an industrial and technology park where all the ideas can be harnessed as a way of supporting industrialization of Nigeria and creating employment opportunities to members of the university community including fresh graduates, students, interns and the larger society.

While suggesting that the university could actually cater wholly for its energy needs, the NAHCO Chairman said the dam in the university could be converted to a power generating hydropower plant instead of allowing same to remain underutilized.

and encouraged them to do more. He highlighted the issue of funding as one of the major challenges, Sstressing that the information is there but no platform to get it to the users.

” NiMet is ready to give out all the necessary information to the farmers as the planting period is on”, he said.

Hyundai, Kia settle class action lawsuit for $200m

STORIES BY TEMITOPE ADEBAYO

South Korean car manufacturers, Kia and Hyundai have settled a class action lawsuit for around $200 million that will affect about nine million car owners.

The lawsuit accused the

companies of making cars that are vulnerable to theft, which was showcased on social media apps (such as TikTok's Kia theft challenge) showing how easily these car brands could be stolen.

The lawsuit alleged that the carmakers didn't install immobilizers on many 2011

through 2022 models, which is a common anti-theft device that "prevents most vehicles from being started unless a code is transmitted from the vehicle's smart key," according to a press release.

Per the Highway Loss Data Institute, some Hyundai and Kia models built

between 2015 and 2019 are almost twice as likely to be stolen.

In a statement on Thursday, Kia and Hyundai said there will also be reimbursement for owners' insurance deductibles and increased insurance premiums after the theft. Hyundai is Kia Mo-

tors' parent company, but they operate independently, per the New York Times.

"We appreciate the opportunity to provide additional support for our owners who have been impacted by increasing and persistent criminal activity targeting our vehicles," Jason Erb, chief legal officer of Hyundai Motor North America, said in a statement. "Cus-

tomer security remains a top priority, and we're committed to continuing software upgrade installations and steering wheel lock distribution to help prevent thefts."

Many popular models, such as the Hyundai I20 (2009–2021) and the Kia Soul (2013–2021) are on the list. Find out if your car is part of the settlement, and how to claim money.

GAC Motor Nigeria bags

Automobile Brand of the Year awards

GAC Motor Nigeria was awarded the prestigious Automobile Brand of the Year title at the National Daily Awards ceremony held recently in the oriental hotel Lagos.

This served as a celebration of excellence across various sectors of the Nigerian economy and society.

Range Rover introduces new SV Bespoke Commissioning Service

Range Rover is setting a new modern luxury benchmark with the introduction of an SV Bespoke commissioning service, offering clients enhanced levels of personalization and refinement.

The service is available on Autobiography and SV models, while a suite of enhancements across the line-up maintains Range Rover’s status as the world’s most desirable luxury SUV. Range Rover is the original luxury SUV and has led by example for more than 50 years, combining serene comfort and composure with all-conquering capability.

Further updates to Range Rover include the latest generation Pivi Pro1 infotainment, while the new plug-in electric hybrid is more efficient than

before. Range Rover SV is also available with electric hybrid power on the long wheelbase model for the first time, while the flagship V8 features efficiency-boosting mild hybrid technology. A new 452kW variant is introduced on the exclusive Range Rover SV

for ultimate power.

Geraldine Ingham, Managing Director, Range Rover, said: “Range Rover is synonymous with exclusivity and luxury. Now, with the new SV Bespoke commissioning service, we invite our most discerning clients to become the cre -

The esteemed chairman of the event was Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo graced the occasion as the esteemed Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker.

The recognition of GAC Motor Nigeria as the Automobile Brand of the Year

stems from its exceptional performance and notable contributions to the growth and advancement of the Nigerian automobile industry. This prestigious accolade is a testament to GAC Motor’s unwavering commitment to delivering vehicles of unparalleled quality and innovation to its esteemed customers. It solidifies the brand’s position as a leader in the Nigerian automobile market and acknowledges its outstanding achievements within the industry. Despite being present in Nigeria for less than a decade, GAC Motor has achieved remarkable growth and has become a household name.

ator of their truly unique vehicle – choosing the finishes they desire and being guided by our design team. By blending enhanced personalisation with peerless refinement and unmatched capability, Range Rover continues to deliver the ultimate in modern luxury.”

Komatsu, Toyota to develop Autonomous Light Vehicle

Komatsu Limited and Toyota Motor Corporation have launched a joint project to develop an Autonomous Light Vehicle that will run on Komatsu’s Autonomous Haulage System (AHS).

To realize further safety and productivity improvements in mines by running autonomous haul trucks and automated ALVs controlled by AHS, Komatsu, and Toyota are launching

an effort to jointly develop new technologies.

Both companies are currently testing a concept ALV at their proving grounds, and plan to have a proof of concept at a customer site by around January 2024.

Minerals and energy resources are essential in our lives and industries.

Autonomy offers the opportunity to remove peo -

ple from harm’s way and enhance safety. It can allow our mining customers the ability to continue the hard work of providing critical minerals despite the ongoing challenge of labor shortages in the mining industry. It can also provide additional safety measures to mine sites on which multiple pieces of equipment are operated, in an effort to reduce acci -

dents due to human error.

Since the launch of the world’s first commercial application of an AHS in 2008, Komatsu has established proven performance in various mine environments and has earned a reputation for safety and productivity.

Currently, when AHS-enabled autonomous haul trucks and manual light vehicles used for main -

tenance or transport are running on haulage roads at the same time, autonomous haul trucks may decrease their speed or stop when passing light vehicles to avoid possible collisions caused by human error.On the other hand, customer demand for improved productivity in mine operations when it comes to autonomous haul truck operating effi -

ciency remains an issue.

In light of those circumstances and in an effort to solve those issues quickly, Komatsu and Toyota have joined together to accelerate autonomy in mines.

Komatsu will develop a new management program for ALVs on its AHS supervisory system, and Toyota will develop ALVs running automatically under AHS control.

1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible sells for $38m, will head to Israel

Colorado driver tried to avoid DUI by switching seats with dog, police say

Aspeeding driver who was pulled over in Colorado tried to switch seats with his dog in the passenger seat to evade arrest, according to police.

An officer approached the car and watched the bizarre scene unfold.#

The man was initially stopped for speeding at 52mph (84km/h) in a 30mph zone.

He was also intoxicated, the Springfield Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

"The driver attempted to switch places with his dog ... as the SPD officer approached and watched the entire process," the department said in a statement.

The man also claimed he "was not driving" the vehicle and attempted to

run away from the officer when he was asked about his alcohol consumption. He did not make it far. Police said the man, who has not been named, was arrested within 20 yards of the car and charged with driving under the influence, resisting arrest and speeding.

He was taken to the hospital before being sent to jail.

As for his dog, whom police did not name either, the animal was given to the driver's acquaintance to take care of while his owner serves his time in jail.

"The dog does not face any charges and was let go with just a warning," the police department joked.

BENJAMIN OMOIKE WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible, one of the world’s oldest surviving biblical manuscripts, has sold for $38m in New York on Wednesday.

The Codex Sassoon, a leather-bound, handwritten parchment volume containing a nearly complete Hebrew Bible, was purchased by Alfred H Moses, a former United States ambassador to Romania.

Moses acquired the ancient text on behalf of the American Friends of ANU

— Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, where it will join the collection, the auction house Sotheby’s said in a statement.

The manuscript was exhibited at the ANU Museum in March as part of a worldwide tour before the auction.

Sotheby’s Judaica specialist Sharon Liberman

Mintz said the $38m price tag, which includes the auction house’s fee, “reflects the profound power, influence and significance of the Hebrew Bible, which is an indispensable pillar of humanity”.

It is one of the highest prices for a manuscript sold

at auction. In 2021, a rare copy of the US Constitution sold for $43m. Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester sold for $31m in 1994, or approximately $60m in today’s dollars.

Mintz said she was “absolutely delighted by today’s monumental result and that Codex Sassoon will shortly be making its grand and permanent return to Israel, on display for the world to see”.

The Codex Sassoon is believed to have been fabricated sometime between 880 and 960.

It got its name in 1929 when it was bought by Da-

vid Solomon Sassoon, the son of an Iraqi Jewish business magnate who filled his London home with his collection of Jewish manuscripts.

Sassoon’s estate was broken up after he died and the biblical codex was sold by Sotheby’s in Zurich in 1978 to the British Rail Pension Fund for about $320,000, or $1.4m in today’s dollars.

The pension fund sold the Codex Sassoon 11 years later to Jacqui Safra, a banker and art collector who bought it in 1989 for $3.19m ($7.7m in today’s dollars). Safra was the seller on Wednesday.

Cancer survivor breaks record for standing on nails to raise awareness

Philadelphia restaurant sets 'Gold Standard' with $700 burger

Ramy

12 hours, 12 minutes and 8 seconds, earning himself a spot in

the Guinness Book of World Records.

"Ramy's remarkable achievement serves as a powerful reminder of the

fragility and preciousness of life," Guinness said in a statement. "He wants everyone to realize it takes just one moment to change ev-

What's covered in gold, costs $700, weighs 8 ounces and is edible in Philadelphia? Answer: a hamburger.

At the bottom of the main page of the menu at the Drury Beer Garden in Philly is not a cheese stake, but a burger. A very, very expensive burger.

For $700, you can get the Gold Standard. That's a Wagyu meat burger

erything, and we must take responsibility for our health and well-being to ensure that we make the most of every moment we are given."

Naouss is a cancer survivor, though other members of his family were not so lucky in their battle. He said that challenges like these require inner -- and mental -- strength to endure, much like his own fight against the illness.

Naouss is no stranger to endurance. In the past, he walked 26 miles barefoot across the Lebanese beaches on the Mediterranean

with caviar, fresh black truffle, lobster flambeed with cognac, topped with aged Irish cheddar and drizzled with honey.

Fries are included. As is a 1-ounce pour of Louis XIII Cognac, which fetches around $5,000 a bottle.

George Tsiouris, a co-owner of the beer garden, told local news station NBC10 the Gold Standard is about the joy of cooking.

Sea to shed light on cancer awareness. His next adventure is a half-marathon -- 13.1 miles -- barefoot in the ice and snow. Dangerous as that may be, he said he's challenged by the desire to overcome the fear of death.

"Death is not losing life, but losing hope," he said. "This record-breaking achievement is just the beginning of my journey, and I will have many others with Guinness World Recordsmy platform to amplify my voice to the world."

Cancer-survivor Ramy Naouss of Lebanon relied on his inner strength yet again to break the world record for stand-

ing on a bed of

nails.

Naouss stood on a bed of nails for

Why Umahi named Ebonyi airport after President Buhari –Ekuma Chima

Prince. Ekuma Nkama Chima is Governor David Umahi's son-in-law and the council chairman of Afikpo South Local Government Area, now known as Edda LGA. In this exclusive interview with Daily Times' reporter, NJOKU CHIJIOKE, he shares his efforts at stemming communal clashes and cultism, as well as what led to Umahi naming Ebonyi airport after President Muhammadu Buhari. Excerpts.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently assented to 16 out of the 35 constitutional alteration Bills, by implication, it means that your LGA will no longer bear 'Afikpo South LGA' but 'Edda LGA'. Are you comfortable with the change of name?

We are waiting for the renaming of Edda LGA to be gazetted, to enable us take away the former name 'Afikpo South' completely, so that we can be proud to say that the dreams and aspiration of our people has finally come through. To have our local government being called 'Edda LGA' has been the dream of our people. This is because we are known as Edda people, so it is better we bear our name, then bearing another community's name. So, we are happy about this renaming. If you go round and ask our people about this renaming, they will talk you that we are happy, that finally, what we want has been granted to us by President Muhammadu Buhari who assented to 16 out of the 35 constitutional alteration Bills transmitted to him by the National Assembly. And so, we appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for granting us the opportunity to be called and addressed as Edda LGA.

There have been alleged massive communal clashes in your LGA, but of recent, is like it has been reduced, what's your plan to ensure total eradication?

God has away of helping one to overcome challenges, when I took over leadership of the council as the Chairman, I started to interact with our people, and I had to meet with stakeholders, traditional rulers, and we had a deal. And it seems that everybody wants these communal clashes to stop. They wants peace, I tell you, the yearnings and total aspiration of every average Edda people is to bring back total peace in Edda. The killings, the fightings is not what we are known for. We are known as peaceful people. We relate well with each other. We have away of doing things, but suddenly, it appears that some people introduced things that are not known to our people and then, part of the challenge, was the issue of cultism. As a matter of fact, I never been one since birth till date. So, we tried to discourage our younger ones from participating in cultism. We try to give them hope, that cultism leads to destruction, and that they can become whatever they wants to become without being a cult member. Since we assumed office, we have paid less attention to those ones causing one problem to another, and concentrating on those ones that are useful to the society. And now, they (cultist) have seen reasons why they should drop their way of life, and join forces with us to bring a total peace and unity in our local government areas. Our stakeholders are now peace loving people and they are helping me to bring the desired change, peace and unity in Edda community.

There have been mix-reaction on

the naming of Ebonyi international airport located at Ezza South LGA, Onueke after President Muhammadu Buhari, are you of the view that it should be changed or not?

For me, the naming of the state airport after President Muhammadu Buhari shouldn't be an issue. The most important thing, is the economic value of the airport to the state. If the governor David Umahi, in his wisdom felt that there is need to show gratitude to a man who had sincerely assisted the state, just like the governor said, that there is no single request that the state made to him for assistance, that he (Buhari) has always approved for it for Ebonyi people.

If by just naming the airport to show gratitude to a man who had assisted Ebonyi state, I'm in for it hundred percent (100%). And so, I'm not among those criticizing the move of naming the airport after President Muhammadu Buhari who has done so much for Ebonyi people.

Recently, the out going President Muhammadu Buhari assented to a bill that granted autonomy to local government areas in Nigeria, are you part of those clamoring for it to be implemented?

Well, autonomy is relative. For me, I can tell you, that we in Ebonyi have been enjoying local government area autonomy, because the lots of projects you see us doing this days is because, we have a cordial relationship with the state government. Although, if we are giving the opportunity to run our local government areas hundred percent without interference, well, that will be a great welcome development.

So far, what are the things you

have been able to put on ground, that people will see and believe in you?

Local government is a government at the local level. It's all about the people in the rural areas. We have been able to get closer to the people. One of the strategies I adopted in running the office, is getting very much closer to the people at the local level. I makes myself available to them at all times.

I listens to their yearnings and aspirations, and I have been able to carry everybody along. I treat fairly both the well-to-do and the poor ones. I have always tried to give everybody attention and then we reason together, dine together. We look at issues and solve it together. And that has actually assisted me, especially during the last general election.

My people actually listened to me and to some of our stakeholders, when we pleaded with them that, look at where we were going and God be so kind, they followed us to the amusement of all. They thought it's like a magic but it's not. It happened because we were so close to them, such that, if we have one naira, we present it to them and everybody will now suggest on how we will share it and do other things that will benefit the people.

And so, all of them have also been happy on how, we runs the council. It's only when you are trying to cut corners or hide what belongs to the people to yourself, or pocket their resources, that's when you will start to have issues with the people and the stakeholders that you are leading. As a matter of fact, I have really tried to carry everybody along, including the ones that didn't support my aspiration. That's why some people had asked me, why is it that even those in opposition

Parties do listens to you?

It appears that in Edda, it wasn't a political party movement but a movement of change, geared towards bringing peace and uniting our people. Our people wanted change and we have given it to them. And it is really working out, I pray to God to give me the strength to continue in this direction, so that at the end of it all, there will be stability.

What plans have you, to tackle youth restiveness in Edda, because this has in most cases resulted to violence?

As a matter of facts, some of our leaders are responsible for those things you hear that happens in Afikpo South Local Government Area. Like I said, our people have made a strong statement, especially as it regards on what happened in Afikpo South during the last general election in the state. The people wants a great Change and that change has come to stay. And there is nothing anybody can do about it.

All we need now, is to sustain it. And that will happen, by running a continuous participatory government. When the people you are leading knows what you are doing and they are participating in it. They will be happy and noon of them will cause problem. And so, we are trying to continue to carry everybody along, do some empowerment programs, whatever we are doing, we are doing it with them. That will go a long way in checkmating the youths restiveness. We have put all security measures to checkmate that, because at a time, we feel helpless. Now, we want to engage the security agencies to make the environment conducive for people to live in. Infact, we have created a place

for the military to occupy, the place is about 90% to be completed.

And so, we will have enough security on ground, both Mopol, the army, police and it will go along way in checkmating the issue at hand, because we believe, there are still reminants, who are hail-bent on frustrating the efforts being put in place by the government. With God on our side, we will end it, I assure you.

The incoming administration led by the governor-elect, Francis Nwifuru, will soon takeover governance from Umahi, which direction would you like the new governor-elect to follow?

For me, I thank God for the numerous projects the current governor, David Umahi did for Ebonyi people. He (Umahi) has done wonderfully well in terms of infrastructure. Some of these investment done by the governor, will stand the test of time. In the next twenty years, we may not visit these projects. The aspect I want the incoming administration to focus mostly is on industrialization. He should build industries even if small ones. It will go a long way to engage our youths. If the Youths are engaged, and they have source of livelihood, you will see less of crime activities in the state. The incoming administration should equally see away of improving the living standard of workers in the state. The governor-elect should also see how to create a housing scheme. Housing scheme is one of the most challenges facing this state. If you see the amount of money people pays for rent, it's very alarming. And I believe, if government should come in that aspect, it will equally help to cushion the sufferings that people are going through in the state. I believe strongly that if the incoming administration will look into this areas, it will help to boast the economic growth of the state.

What are your landmarks achievement, that your people would see and be proud of you?

Part of the things, we tackled was the creating of farm roads because our people farms a lot. God so kind, during the dry season, we opened so many farm roads for our people. Now, they are happy plying those roads to their farms. We really wants to look into agriculture. This is because our people plant rice a lot. The next target for me, is to acquire those farm inputs and distribute to my people. What my people wanted most, is a conducive environment and soft loans to enable them run their farming business.We have intention to give bursary awards to indigent students, because it has been long that such a thing took place in our council. We equally wants to distribute a customized exercise book to pupils. I'm seriously looking at how to improve education in my area. We equally had desire to acquire school uniforms and distributes to pupils to better their lives. I strongly believe that we will soon fulfill these completely.

Best fruits for breakfast that will give you a lot of energy

DOOSUUR IWAMBE, ABUJA

Many nutritionists say that it is well balanced breakfast fruit for breakfast the basis for a high level of energy throughout the day.

The choice of fruit for breakfast is crucial for achieving high energy levels throughout the day. The best choice is fruit that can be eaten raw, added to smoothies, mixed with other fruits or incorporated into oatmeal.

Health Times in this article list out fruit that is best fruit for breakfast

Citrus fruits:

Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes are an excellent source of vitamins and nutrients that are important for our health. In addition, they also contain phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties, support heart health and promote the elimination of toxins from the body. Grapefruit is particularly interesting because it contains naringenin, which has a beneficial effect on metabolism and contributes to maintaining a healthy body weight. However, care should be taken as grapefruit can affect the effectiveness of some medications.

Phytonutrients in grapefruit can inhibit enzymes that break down certain drugs, which can cause excessive accumulation of the drug in the body and thus side effects. If you are taking any medication, always check with your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to do so before consuming grapefruit.

Apples:

Apples are an ideal choice for breakfast, as they are nutritionally rich and practical at the same time. If you are in a hurry, you can quickly and easily take them with you and eat them on the go. In addition, they are a rich source of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants that contribute to maintaining health and well-being.

Quercetin, a flavonoid found in

apples, has antiviral and antibacterial properties and boosts the immune system. This is especially helpful for people who struggle with seasonal allergies. You can also add apples to oatmeal or combine them with nuts for a nutritious and delicious breakfast. For an energy-rich meal, an unpeeled apple can be served with a slice of toast and peanut butter.

Pomegranate: Pomegranate is an often overlooked fruit, but its seeds are extremely beneficial for health. They contain a high concentration of antioxidant polyphenols (anthocyanins), which can protect reproductive cells from damage caused by free radicals, so they are recommended as a means of preventing prostate, colon, lung and breast cancer.

Compared to other fruits of the same size, pomegranate seeds contain much more concentrated levels of antioxidants. You can add them to other fruit or sprinkle them over a bowl of oatmeal and yogurt for extra nutritional value and flavor.

Raspberries: To start the day, raspberries are a great choice for breakfast, as they are tasty and nutritious.

Raspberries are a small powerhouse of phytonutrients that are

important for our health. Since they are eaten whole, with the skin and seeds, they provide a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. In addition, they are also rich in vitamin C and fiber, which help us maintain a high level of energy throughout the day. Raspberries can be added to a variety of breakfast foods, such as smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt.

Blueberries: Blueberries are rightly ranked among the best fruits for breakfast, as they contain almost four grams of fiber in one cup. In addition, they are rich in vitamin C and manganese and contain polyphenols, which act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, and are beneficial for heart health and the relief of many chronic diseases. You can add them to oatmeal or yogurt, use them as an ingredient in a smoothie, or eat them on their own.

Kiwis:

Kiwi can be a great addition to your breakfast or you can enjoy it at any time of the day. It contains high levels of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, and fiber, which helps maintain satiety and promotes a healthy digestive system. Kiwifruit is a great addition to smoothies, or you can cut it into pieces and add it to fruit salads.

I am fulfilled as a Governor –Ishaku tells Tarabans

OKERAFOR ATHAN -

ATIUS, JALINGO

Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku has told the people of the State that he is fulfilled being their Governor for the past eight years.

Ishaku stated this in Jalingo the State capital while flagging-off the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) of Formal Sector Health Plan of the Taraba State Contributory Health Insurance Agency (TSCHIA).

Represented at the occasion by the Commissioner, Ministry of Health, Dr. Innocent Vakkai, Ishaku said he's fulfilled as a Governor because the Taraba State

Contributory Health Insurance Agency (TSCHIA) that he started in December, 2019 during his second tenure has not only matured but has also started yielding fruits. He added that the Counterpart Fund to run the Agency was promptly paid by him.

"I am fulfilled as Governor because the Taraba State Contributory Health Insurance Agency that I started has not only matured but but has also started yielding fruits", he said.

Governor Ishaku explained that when he came on board as the Executive Governor, the World Bank's statistics rated Taraba State as one of the poorest States in Nigeria saying health indices of the State

was abysmal.

With his determination to rescue the State from the shackles of poverty and poor health indices, the Governor noted that he grabbed the opportunity to establish the State Social Health Insurance Agency when it came up without hesitation.

The out-going Governor added that he inherited extensive decay in the Health Sector attributing it to years of neglect by successive administrations.

"Within the limits of available resources, we were able to renovate and reequip 168 Primary Health Care Centres, one in each of the 168 Political Wards of the State",

"As you may all be aware, I am at the twilight of my

FG begins building of more hubs to boost vaccine storage

In an effort to boost immunisation and ensure proper storage of vaccines from donors, the federal government yesterday , commenced the building of additional vaccine hub in the country. The minister of health, Osagie Ehanire who performed the ground breaking of the Abuja Hub at the National Strategic Cold Store noted that the effort was to expand vaccine storage capacity at the federal level.

He expressed satisfaction over the event to mark the commencement of the Abuja hub, one of the three mega stores planned for Abuja, Lagos and Kano for the purpose of massively expanding vaccine storage capacity at the national level in Nigeria.

The minister noted that ‘Nigeria is a large country and continuously increasing population coupled with introduction of new and essential vaccines.

“This requires that we have sufficient storage space for vaccines and injection materials for efficient implementation of our immunization programme.

“The supply chain challenges highlighted by COVID-19 vaccination effort also underlines the need for massive expansion of storage space which will confer a measure of resilience in the system.

“In recognition of the need for resilience in the system, the coun -

administration. What better parting gift can I give the good people of this State?",

"I am sure a befitting parting gift for the people of this State will be to enroll workers and their families into the Formal Sector Plan of the State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme and to also give the beneficiaries of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Scheme of the Federal Government access to care, both with effect from 1st May, 2023", he said.

Earlier, in his address of Welcome, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Innocent Vakkai represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ebenezer Apake said BHCPF flag-off ceremony is a clear demonstration of the

try following detailed analysis decided on a system redesign which includes construction of three mega stores at the national level, deployment of optimised cold chain equipment at the health facilities, an efficient distribution system and the deployment of an electronic logistics management information system to provide visibility across the supply chain.

“This ground-breaking ceremony is a significant milestone of the system redesign journey. GAVI’s support in funding of the construction of two of the three mega stores Abuja and Kano hubs is therefore much appreciated.

“I consider it a privilege that I have the duty to break ground for the construction of this vital piece of infrastructure for the country’s immunization programme.

Speaking, the Executive Director of NPHCDA Faisal Shuaib said the agency inherited an intractable problem of a perennial lack of storage space, especially for vaccines and injection materials, which led to an inefficient supply chain for vaccines and other health commodities.

He said; “There was simply insufficient space to store procured and dearly needed commodities. So, the Department of Logistics and Health Commodities, with technical support from the National Logistics Working Group had to be content with fragmented shipments of requirement into the country.

DOOSUUR IWAMBE, ABUJA

Queen Elizabeth’s burial costs UK Govt £161.7m

BENJAMIN OMOIKE WITH AGENCY REPORTS

The funeral and lyingin-state of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 cost the United Kingdom Government £161.7 million, figures have shown.

According to the Evening Standard, the largest cost was reported by the Home Office at £73.7 million, followed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at £57.4 million.

The cost to the Scottish Government is estimated at

£18.8 million, which is likely to have included events such as the lying-in-rest in Edinburgh following her death at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.

The figures have been published by the Treasury as part of a written statement to the UK Parliament and cover the period from her death on September 8 to her funeral in London on September 19, 2022.

Downing Street said the cost was used to facilitate the smooth running of the event and ensure mourners from the UK and across the world could visit and take

part safely.

Other costs include £2.9 million by the Ministry of Defence, £2.6 million by the Department for Transport, £2.2 million by the Welsh Government, and £2.1 million by both the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Northern Ireland Office.

The Treasury noted that the costs include “fully refunding” the Scottish and Welsh Governments, and the Northern Ireland Office, “which in turn they were able to repay to partners who also incurred costs”.

US says Wagner Group is trying to use third countries to obscure weapons shipments to Ukraine

The Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group has been working to obscure its efforts to acquire military equipment for use in Ukraine, including by trying to source the materials from Mali, where the group has a strong foothold, a US official told CNN. The official, citing US intelligence declassified within the last week, said the Biden administration has been informed that Wagner has been trying to ship equipment for use in Ukraine through Mali and falsifying paperwork for the transactions. There are no signs yet that

Wagner has successfully procured the equipment, but the group has continued working to procure mines, drones, radar and counter-battery systems from contacts in Mali for use in Ukraine, the official said. “We are monitoring this closely,” the official added.

Wagner has sought to expand its foothold in Africa in recent years and has been operating alongside Mali’s armed forces for more than a year, fighting against a jihadist insurgency. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in September 2021 that the Malian government would be hiring private Rus-

sian mercenaries for help with security.

Mali is not the only country Wagner has turned to for help in Ukraine, officials believe, as the mercenary group faces severe shortages of weapons and ammunition amid fierce fighting in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

A US intelligence document contained in a trove of classified information leaked online in recent months and obtained by CNN says that Wagner Group personnel met with “Turkish contacts” in early February with the intent “to purchase weapons and equipment from Turkey”

Iran executes three over antigovernment protests

Authorities in Iran have executed three men sentenced to death in connection with the nationwide anti-government protests last year, the judiciary says.

The three were convicted over their alleged involvement in a shooting attack that killed three security personnel in Isfahan in November.

Amnesty International says they were subjected to unfair trials and allegedly tortured. Four other protesters have been hanged since December.

Dozens more have reportedly been sentenced to death or charged with capital offences.

The protests swept across the Islamic Republic following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who was detained by morality police in Tehran in September for allegedly wearing her hijab "improperly".

The three who were executed on Friday - Majid Kazemi, 30, Saleh Mirhashemi, 36, and Saeed Yaqoubi, 37 - were arrested after protests in the central city of Isfahan on 16 November, during which two Basij paramilitary force mem-

bers and a police officer were shot dead.

Sources told Amnesty International that the men were forcibly disappeared, then tortured and forced to make incriminating statements that formed the basis of the criminal cases against them.

I nterrogators allegedly suspended Kazemi upside down, showed him a video of them torturing his brother, subjected him to mock executions and threatened to kill his brothers.

In an audio message from inside Dastgerd prison, where the three men were held, Kazemi was heard saying: "I swear to God I am innocent.

I didn't have any weapons on me. They [security forces] kept beating me and ordering me to say this weapon is mine.

"I told them I would say whatever they wanted, just please leave my family alone."

A Revolutionary Court convicted Kazemi and the other two men of "enmity against God", a vaguely-defined national security charge, and sentenced them to death in January following what activists said was a fourday trial.

According to the US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), they were denied the ability to prepare a proper defence, prosecutors relied on forced "confessions" and the indictment was "riddled with irregularities that reveal this was a politically motivated case". Last week, authorities announced that the supreme court had upheld their sentences.

" The use of the death penalty against these men is a blatant act of vengeance against a courageous generation of protesters for steadfastly demanding the rights of Iranian people during the past seven months," Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty's Middle East deputy director, said in a statement on Wednesday.

" The shocking manner in which the trial and sentencing of these protesters was fast-tracked through Iran's judicial system amid the use of torture-tainted 'confessions', serious procedural flaws, and a lack of evidence, is another example of the Iranian authorities' brazen disregard for the rights to life and fair trial."

that could then be used in Ukraine. That document also said that Wagner was likely trying to use weapons pro-

cured from Turkey for use in its operations in Mali. The White House has also previously accused North

Georgian anger as Russian flights land again in Tbilisi

Protesters held banners saying "you are not welcome" at Tbilisi airport in Georgia, as the first direct flight for almost four years arrived from Russia. Scuffles broke out as police barred them from standing outside the airport arrivals hall.

The Azimuth Airlines plane arrived at 13:20 local time (09:20 BST), days after getting the green light from Georgia's civil aviation authority.

Georgia's government has welcomed the return of direct flights from Russia.

"The beneficiaries are our citizens who have to take a detour at triple the cost," said Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the governing Georgian Dream party. The government argues a million ethnic Georgian citizens living in Russia stand to benefit, although Russian figures suggest the number is closer to 114,000.

But most Georgians oppose the government's move to allow flights and more than 100 Georgian organisations says it is a "direct sabotage" of their country's aspirations to

join the EU. Georgia is hoping for Brussels to approve its bid to become a candidate later this year.

On board the first flight was a delegation of pro-Russian Georgian NGOs and businesses, according to Russia's state news agency. Georgian Airways is also planning daily flights to Moscow.

The apparent thaw in relations comes after President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ending Moscow's unilateral ban on direct flights imposed in response to mass anti-Russia protests in Tbilisi in 2019.

R ussia has also lifted 20-year-old entry restrictions on Georgian citizens, allowing them to visit for up to 90 days without a visa. And yet the two countries

do not have diplomatic relations.

Russia and Georgia fought a war in 2008 and 20% of Georgia's internationally recognised territory remains under Russian occupation.

G eorgia's pro-European President Salome Zurabishvili denounced "another Russian provocation".

And both the EU and the US have expressed disappointment at the latest developments.

US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan questioned the decision to accept "a gift" from what she called an aggressor country.

"I think the important question is why, why now? Why is Putin now making these concessions, these offers to Georgia.

Korea of supplying Russia’s Wagner Group with missiles and rockets for use in Ukraine.

ART AND ENTERTAINMENT

Showbiz stars from reality TV projects

…how they are coping after the glamour and cash prizes

Several reality TV shows have come and gone, producing some household talents that we have come to reckon with. ORIAKU IJELE highlights some of the talents that have come from reality TV shows and where they are today.

BHAIRA MCWIZU:

She won the Amstel Box office AMBO in 2007, which is the laudable platform Amstel Malta designed to inspire people with acting talents. Bhira, after that victory has continued to ply her trade in Nollywood where she has featured in many hit productions like Evil Genius, Cindy’s Notes and Super Story amongst others. She has transformed herself to a formidable force in the movie industry by stepping positively on that platform availed by AMBO. Aside her plans to do a talk show, Rostrum she has also delved into music, which is another fantasy of hers.

KINGSLEY OKONKWO (KC)

He is the other pair of KC Presh, who are the first winners of the Star Quest competition. Since then, KC as he is fondly called has gone on with his partner to do many successful hits. Although the group has split to pursue individual endeavors after 12 years, KC is busy working in the studio. Star Quest has surely opened door for them, considering all the juicy deals they have cornered on account of that victory nearly 20 years ago.

P SQUARE

In 2001, Peter and Paul Okoye, the duo making up the group called P Square won the first Benson and Hedges Golden Tones Grab da Mic completion, which set their career rolling, making them a household name in the African music landscape. The duo has recorded many hits since then; they are also one of the most successful singers in Nigeria today, owning choice homes and automobiles.

OMAWUNMI

She is another product of reality TV show. She was runner up at the Idols West Africa Show in 2007. Born to Chief Dr Frank and Mrs Aya Megbele, Omawumi had her primary and secondary education in Warri, Delta State and headed on to Ambrose Alli University (former Edo State University) Ekpoma, Edo State where she got a degree in Law.

After she graduated, she moved to Port-Harcourt, Rivers State where she worked with her family law firm called O.S

Megbele & Associates.

In 2007, Omawumi auditioned for the West African version of an internationally acclaimed TV show tagged ‘IDOLS WEST AFRICA’.

Since then she has numerous performances on the stage with top local acts like D'Banj, Tuface, P-Square, M.I, Banky W, Sasha and 9ice and International acts like Chaka Demus and Pliers, Carl Thomas, Angie Stone and Donnel Jones to her belt.

Her debut album features singles like In the music, Chocolata, Today na Today and Miss My Baby as the launching pad that heralded her talent in spite of her academic qualification as a lawyer.

OFUNNEKA MOLOKWU

ANYANWU

She was a housemate during the Big Brother Africa show in 2007, and had gotten into the show as a personal secretary in Lagos. Although, Ofunneka showed great signs of being outstanding in showbiz when she left the house, nothing save from her partnerships with NGOs on good governance has been heard from her quarters. In December 2010, she got married to one Mr. Anyanwu in a quiet wedding ceremony that took place in Lagos, further dimming hopes of her incursion into showbiz.

BAYO OKO

He took part in BBA in 2003, and dazzled Nigerians with his performance amongst the housemates. After the BBA show, Bayo did some promotional projects for his home state, Benue, before slipping into oblivion at the moment. At the last check, he was said to have relocated to America to pursue greener pastures.

BRIAN OKWARA

He is still around and doing well after emerging tops at the first ever Mister Nigeria competition. He also went ahead to compete in the Mister World, which he lost. Brain has been active in the modeling scene, and has won series of international modeling contracts in South Africa. He is virtually part of any event organized by the Silverbird, which availed the platform on which he came to lime light.

CHIDINMA EKETE

She emerged tops at the 2010 Project Fame sponsored by MTN, where she dazzled the judges with her good voice. Chidinma won huge cash rewards and recording deals on account of that victory and lately she has been putting those to use. She just completed her first song titled Jankoliko, which featured Sound Sultan, and has a video directed by Clarence Peters.

TIMI DAKOLO

Timi won the Idols West AFRICA show after he beat Omawunmi to the second place. He is also very much involved in music, and has been doing songs. He was on hand during the presidential inauguration in Abuja, as well as the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Rivers State.

Born in Accra, Ghana to a Nigerian father, Bayelsa-native David and a Ghanaian mother, Norah, who died when Dakolo was thirteen, his grandmother Ateni Dakolo, who lived in Port Harcourt raised him, and he credits her as his early singing teacher.

Dakolo started singing in church at the age of twelve. In 2003 he joined the singing group Purple Love as a founding member. They dominated the Port Harcourt club circuit, but disbanded in 2005 as its members had gained admission into the University of Port Harcourt

While in the Idols competition, Timi's grandmother died, a week before the viewing of the Top 24 performances. This was a big emotional blow to him. At that time, he turned to his Christian faith for strength to pull through in the competition. Before going to Idols West Africa, Timi was a student of Communication Studies in the University of Port Harcourt

MICHAEL NWACHUKWU

He clinched the ultimate prize at the Gulder Ultimate Search in 2008, and in spite of the promises he seemed to exude, nothing has been happening around him. He expressed desires to take a plunge into Nollywood but that desire has not materialized as he is yet to feature in any movie. He could be doing

well feasting on his cash prize though.

MUNACHI ABII

Munachi Abi is a rap star now, but she got her break form a beauty pageant Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Born and raised in Port Harcourt, Muna was encouraged by her family to pursue her passion for music and arts. After obtaining her O'Level qualifications from Federal Government Girls College Abuloma, she studied International Relations and Diplomacy at the Benson Idahosa University.

Prior to winning MBGN, Muna had performed as part of Port Harcourt-based rap group and collaborated with Terry da Rapman on the critically acclaimed My PH Girl. As a solo artist, she performed as Babyrella before changing her stage name to Muna. She has written songs for artistes such as J Martins and Waje, and has also appeared in several music videos, most notably in P Square's "Ifunanya".

In June 2010, after years of collaborating with various artistes, Muna signed a multiyear management contract with Ayo Shonaiya's RMG company and is currently recording songs in Nigeria, Europe and America for the album, The Goddess, The Hustler.

O.C UKEJE

He became popular after winning the AMBO competition in 2006. He incidentally happens to be one of the few ambassadors of AMBO still doing great in home videos. He had a sterling performance in the movie White Waters. Born in a family of three in which he is the second born, the multi-talented OC, studied Marine Sciences at the University of Lagos, before his plunge into showbiz.

UTI NWACHUKWU

He won the Big Brother Africa ALL Stars TV show, for which he was given $200000, since then Uti has remained active in the showbiz scene with his characteristic dreads, doing acting, TV presentations and now he is also a Glo ambassador in a deal that is worth several millions of naira.

Uti has a lot up his sleeves a fact that has been confirmed from the way he gets invited

Zacboy: Promises brighter showbiz in northern Nigeria

IDIBIA GABRIEL

The entertainment world officially presented to the public and music world the talented music star, Peter Chapola Emmanuel popularly known as Zacboy, he has joined his superiors in lamenting about the hostile atmosphere of music entertainment industry in the north.

Peter Chapola Emmanuel, whose parents hail from Adamawa and Kaduna states respectively also gave an insight into the alleged hostility to music entertainment in north at Kenfeli Hotel, venue of the ceremony, alleging that northerners lack support, sponsorship and investment in music, especially the western fusions.

The celebrity who was fielding questions from news-

men also explained that north does not sponsor entertainment projects as obtainable in southwest states, apparently owing to culture, tradition and religious dictates.

Zacboy Entertainment logistics and artist manager Mr. Don Oliver first introduced the celebrity as a very talented act who discovered himself at the age of 7years in church and at 10 years old by his Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ighodalo Ehizogie.

He said, "Zacboy will become an award winner in a short time. His management team officials have worked with so many music icons and artists in Nigeria and made contact with several producers on how Emmanuel’s music is going to be projected into the future.

Buhari approves new governing board of National Institute for Sports

UKPONO UKPONG

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the new Governing Board of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) following the expiration of the three years tenure of the Outgoing Board.

This is with a view to providing governanceandpolicydirectionfor theInstituteinaccordancewiththe enablingInstrument,DecreeNo.31 of 8th July, 1992 that established it

The names of the members of theBoardtobeinauguratedatalater date are as follows: Barr. Danladi Ibrahim - Chairman, Major General OkpehWilson Ali - Member, AIG Hafiz Inuwa - Member, Lawrence Babatunde Aremu - Member, Dr. Fatima Kabir Umar - Member. Others include; Boniface Odum - Member, Salisu Manman Aliyu - Member, Ag. DCG Gregory A. Itohoh, Prof O. A. Moronkola - Member, The Registrar - Member/Secretary, Kunle Solaja - Member, Commodore Nesiama Omatseye - Member and Mr. Awogbade Ayorinde Gbadebo.

Murray inspires Nuggets to beat Lakers

Jones and

Tipuric

Alate rally from Jamal Murray helped the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 108103 to go 2-0 up in the Western Conference Finals series.

Murray scored 23 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, including four three-pointers from five attempts. Denver are now just two wins away from securing a first appearance in the NBA Finals.

"We did what we were supposed to do - we protected our home court," said Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

"Now we have to go to LA with a very businessman-like mindset."

Butler shines as Heat win opener against Celtics

Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who inspired the Nuggets to victory in game one, added 23 points, 17 re -

bounds and 12 assists.

LeBron James and Austin Reaves scored 22 points in reply for the Lakers, who put in an improved performance after a slow start in the series opener to lead 53-48 at half-time.

They led by 11 points during the third quarter, before Murray's late exploits dragged the game back into Denver's favour.

"I was just locking in,"

Murray told ESPN. "I missed some really good looks in the first half, but my team told me to keep shooting and I was getting the looks I wanted. We knew they would fall. The good thing is that I didn't stop shooting. The team stayed on me."

The best-of-seven series moves to Los Angeles for game three on Saturday and game four on Monday.

Wales pair Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric have retired from international rugby just four months before the World Cup.

Jones, 37, is world rugby's record cap holder - having played 170 Tests for Wales and the British and Irish Lions.

His announcement came just an hour after 33-year-old Tipuric revealed he was also quitting international rugby.

Both Ospreys forwards had been named in Warren Gatland's 54-man training squad for September's World Cup in France.

The pair were Six Nations champions in 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2021 while Jones won the first of his five titles in 2008.

Jones, who made his international debut against Argentina in 2006, has played 158 times for Wales and 12 Tests for the British and Irish Lions on four tours.

He led the Lions on the 2021 tour of South Africa and was skipper for the 2013 Test-winning decider against Australia in Sydney.

Jones captained Wales 48 times, including the 2019 Grand Slam when he was named the Six Nations player of the tour-

nament.

announce shock retirements from Test rugby Guardiola

He has also won three league titles with Ospreys and is set to appear for the Barbarians against a World XV and Swansea, his hometown club, later this month.

"Having been selected in this year's preliminary Rugby World Cup squad, and after ongoing dialogue with the coaching staff and the WRU [Welsh Rugby Union], I have decided to step away from the international game," Jones said on social media.

"So, after 17 years I look back on special memories with Welsh greats and future Welsh greats.

"My grandfather and father both nurtured my passion for rugby in my younger days which has continued throughout.

"The opportunity to be professional in the sport I love was a dream come true, and to represent my home region, the Ospreys, and clubs within the region, namely Mumbles and particularly Bonymaen, who guided me in my favourite years, was beyond special and something for which I am hugely grateful."

says clinching Premier League equals serving

for Wimbledon title

Pep Guardiola has compared Manchester City attempting to secure the Premier League title this weekend to serving for a Wimbledon championship.

City will wrap up the title if Arsenal lose to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, or they beat Chelsea the following day.

They are also on course for the Treble after beating Real Madrid on Wednesday to reach the Champions League final.

"Tennis players say to serve to win Wimbledon is the most difficult one," said City manager Guardiola.

"It's non-stop. Of course we are satisfied to play the Champions League final but now is coming the most difficult thing.

"But on Sunday the game is in our hands to win the most important competition."

'Moment of greatness from perfectionist Guardiola' Guardiola says City have shown the same mentality this season as they have in previous title-winning campaigns, despite spending the majority

of this year behind long-time leaders Arsenal.

They trailed the Gunners by eight points at the start of April, but a run of 11 consecutive league wins stretching back to February has seen them open up a four-point gap at the summit as they seek a fifth Premier League title in six seasons.

"Now we talk about mentalities because we won. And I don't believe in that. I defend the team when we lose and they had the same mentality," added Guardiola.

"This is the reality. To recover eight points on Arsenal - first we had one game in hand in that moment, so it was a little bit fake but we knew we had to win almost all games and they had to drop it.

"If Arsenal had maintained the same rhythm as the first leg [half of the season] and doing what they had done it would not be possible to catch them. But they drop a few points and we were there. Again, another season, and that means a lot to us."

I'll pay FA fine if money goes to good cause –Klopp

Liverpool boss Jurgen

Klopp has suggested he will only pay his £75,000 Football Association fine if the money goes to "a good cause".

The German said he would "like to know" and "if it does, I'm happy to pay it. If it doesn't, we need to talk again".

Klopp received the fine and a two-match ban for comments about referee Paul Tierney after a 4-3 win over Tottenham.

But he said a ban for Saturday's match against Aston Villa will make "not a lot" of difference to him.

Klopp will be sitting in the stands for his side's final home

match of the season, will work with coach Vitor Matos and assistant Pep Lijnders to ensure the players get the right instructions.

"I'm really in contact with Vito, he will have to phone with the headset," Klopp said.

"We can talk everything, substitutions these kind of things. Pep is an incredible coach and he will be out there," he said.

Klopp served a one-match ban at Anfield in November against Southampton after receiving a red card in a match against Manchester City.

"It's one game, it's like the Southampton game, it will be the same process. I can watch

the game from a better position and be in contact with my coaches," he said.

"I have said from a watching point of view, it's a much better position. In the Southampton game, it was super helpful. I will sit next to our analysts; they get a bit of support from me."

But Klopp joked that his voice could still reach his players from the stand if necessary.

"Nobody will shout like me if they don't track back in the 70th minute and these kind of things," he said.

"I sit far away but if the game is not good, I could make it happen. My voice is all right at least."

Klopp was shown a yellow

card for celebrating Liverpool's 94th-minute winner in front of the fourth official during their 4-3 Premier League victory over Spurs on 30 April.

He later claimed what Tierney said to him was "not OK" and that the official had "something against" the Reds.

Klopp apologised for the comments made but was handed the fine and a twomatch ban.

But the second game of that game is suspended until the end of the 2023-24 season, providing Klopp does not reoffend, meaning he will not miss the final game of this campaign against Southampton.

Formula 1 to donate 1m euros to relief fund for Emilia-Romagna flooding

Formula 1 says it will donate

1m euros (£867,000) to a relief fund for the Emilia-Romagna flooding disaster.

This weekend's grand prix at Imola in north-eastern Italy was cancelled after heavy rain caused fatalities and displaced thousands from their homes.

The money will be used by the Emilia-Romagna region's Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection.

F1 has also arranged for food that would have been used in hospitality to be distributed to those in need.

It has been donated to a group organising food banks and distribution for those affected by the floods.

F1's move comes a day after Ferrari, whose Maranello factory is in Emilia-Romagna, was donating the same amount to disaster relief.

F1 president and chief ex-

ecutive Stefano Domenicali, who is from Imola, described the events in the region as a "tragedy".

Domenicali added: "I was born and grew up in the

marvellous lands of Emilia-Romagna, a place that is living through some of the saddest moments in its history.

"The situation facing the

communities in the region is terrible, but I know that the resilience and passion of the people in the region, like so many across Italy, will prevail through this crisis.

O'Gara

ready

to enter Leinster's lion den in Champions Cup final

La Rochelle head coach

Ronan O'Gara insists his side will relish the "lion's den" of a sold-out Aviva Stadium in Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup final against Leinster.

La Rochelle are the holders after beating Leinster 24-21 in last year's dramatic final in Marseille.

O'Gara believes his squad are ready for a hostile atmosphere in Dublin.

"There is a certain enjoyment factor when you go into the lion's den," said the Munster and Ireland legend.

"We will either grow or shrink."

La Rochelle needed a lastgasp try to beat four-time winners Leinster last year and O'Gara is hoping they can deliver another stellar performance as they look to become the first team to retain the title since Saracens in 2017.

"We have high standards and we have ambition to do something special in these players' lives," added O'Gara.

"We have the chance to play for each other in the final of a European Cup.

"It doesn't get any bigger and it doesn't get any better, we are here and we are ready to go."

The 46-year old admitted that Leinster having home advantage only increases the

difficulty of winning the game, but has called on his players to rise to the challenge.

"We are in the home of Leinster, it is a really daunting task, but it is a great challenge and one that we want to succeed in," he said.

"It won't be easy, it never is easy, but we have prepared all season for this game and it is to be attacked as opposed to be feared.

"As a player I would have been damn nervous about it, as a coach I am extremely excited about it. Where else do you want to be?

"We realise how difficult it is, we understand the opposition and how good they are. It is going to be a belting match I hope."

O'Gara added: "Strategy has a role tomorrow, but the big emphasis for us is performing to our standards, having fun and challenging ourselves.

"I think all players need to be themselves, if they come into the environment trying to put a mask on or feel like it is hard work, they should be doing something else.

"You get one shot at this, it is rugby, it is meant be enjoyable and a very special time in your life and that is the message, we are very grateful for the opportunity."

Halep charged with second breach of doping rules

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has been charged with a second doping offence over "irregularities in her athlete biological passport".

The Romanian, 31, has been suspended since October after testing positive for a banned substance at the US Open.

Her additional charge is separate to the one she is already suspended for.

The athlete biological passport programme collects and compares biological data to spot discrepancies over time that suggest possible doping.

Former world number one Halep's suspension last year was imposed after she tested positive for roxadustat, an anti-anaemia drug which stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which is responsible for testing within the sport, said it would try to resolve the latest case as quickly as possible, but did not indicate how long it would take.

Nicole Sapstead, the ITIA's senior director for anti-doping, said: "We understand that today's announcement adds complexity to an already

high-profile situation.

"From the outset of this process - and indeed any other at the ITIA - we have remained committed to engaging with Ms Halep in an empathetic, efficient, and timely manner."

Halep, the 2019 Wimbledon champion, said last October that "cheating had never crossed" her mind and claims the failed test was down to a "contaminated" supplement.

In April, Halep spoke for the first time since her suspension, saying she was frustrated with the time it was taking for the case to be resolved but the ITIA said "the process is ongoing".

The investigations into failed tests by the ITIA are often a complex process, even more so when a player denies taking a substance knowingly.

It is not uncommon for these cases to take several months to be resolved.

In such cases, a player can produce evidence to either disprove or explain the failed test, which Halep claimed she had done.

This would bring further investigation and testing by the ITIA, leading to the process being further extended.