Thursday, September 9, 2021 Edition

Thursday, September 9 2021/ Muharram 25, 1443 AH

UPDATE ON SCHOOL CHILDREN HELD CAPTIVE

Malam Wada Maida (1950-2020), founding Chairman, Board of the Peoples Media Limited

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FEDERAL GOVT COLLEGE BIRNIN YAURI

86 DAYS

. . . putting the people first

BETHEL BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL, KUJAMA

67 DAYS

DSS finally files terrorism charges against Igboho’s aides >>>PG 5

Kano Assembly calls for constitution amendment to create State Police

>>>PG 5

Suspected Killers of Pa Dariye Dufwan being paraded by Police, at the force Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Police arrest killers of 93-year-old patriach of ex Plateau Gov, Dariye Zamfara to punish Bello lauds Buhari soldiers over illegal for recognising Kogi as oil-producing state transportation of cows pAGE 9

pAGE 4

4 Customs officers in police net over shooting of Katsina Commissioner pAGE 6

pG 7

Jigawa bans use of motorcycles from 9pm to 6am pAGE 7

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

News CONTENTS News 2-14 Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stock Watch Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

Ekiti traditional rulers lead protest against location of LCDA headquarters

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raditional rulers from seven communities in the newly created Ikole West Local Council Development Area of Ekiti, on Wednesday appealed to Gov. Kayode Fayemi to relocate the council headquarters from Ijesa-Isu to Usin-Ekiti.

They made the plea at the temporary Secretariat of the LCDA in Asin-Ekiti, where they staged peaceful protest with their subjects, expressing dissatisfaction on the location of headquarters in Ijesa-Isu. Addressing the protesters on behalf of other traditional rulers, the Olotunja of Ootunja-Ekiti, Oba Adedeji Fagbamila, thanked the protesters for their peaceful conduct.

Fagbamila urged them not to take the law into their hands by resorting to violence.

“We are in support of your rightful agitation, because it is your future that is at stake and your inalienable right to selfdetermination.

“I assure you that our amiable governor has no hand in this purported location of the council secretariat at Ijesa-Isu. “But, we want to assure you that this is an error that cannot see the light of the day,” the traditional ruler said.

Also, Dr Lanre Ayejuyo, who spoke on behalf of the communities, said, “some powerful forces were behind the action and the development is injustice and unfair”.

According to him, locating the headquarters at Ijesa-Isu is against the interest of seven other communities and it is injustice.

“But, we are just appealing

to Gov. Kayode Fayemi and the Chairman, LCDA Creation Committee to consider our initial proposal which was defended at the House of Assembly that the headquarters of the council be located at Usin-Ekiti.

In his remarks, Mr Bayo Ayeni, the Chairman, Ikole West LCDA Implementation Committee, said, “We have been on this struggle since 2014 during Gov. Kayode Fayemi’s first tenure.

“We presented our memorandum, which contained our demands before the state government when the LCDA idea was being proposed.

“We, even provided infrastructure, including a befitting edifice for the take-off of the council secretariat before the last administration truncated the process,” Ayeni said.

In his reactions, Mr Olawale Fapohunda, the State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, said the LCDA Committee was looking into the communities’ agitations and would do justice to all the complaints.

Fapohunda, then advised the people of the seven communities to be patient.

“Decision will be taken to rectify all the anomalies in the creation of the LCDAs. “Please wait for the state government’s decision; but we appreciate your peaceful way of showing your displeasure,” he said.

The Ekiti LCDA Bill was passed by the state House of Assembly on Aug. 4 and signed into law on Aug. 6 by Gov. Kayode Fayemi. (NAN)

Governor Abiodun govt thrives on lies, propaganda – PDP alleges 25

Feature 26 Sports 30-31 Back Page

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Kaduna Electric bans relocation of meters by customers From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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aduna Electric has said customers should desist from removing their prepaid meters to new locations without authorization from the company.

A statement issued by the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said customers who wish to relocate to a new property after they have purchased a meter should notify the company.

It said the company shall take the responsibility of installing a new meter for the customer at the new property at no cost.

The full statement reads: “The Management of Kaduna Electric hereby informs its valued customers that transfer of energy meters from the originally installed location to another location is prohibited.

“Any customer moving to a new location, area or community should only notify the Company and a new meter would be allocated and installed at the new location.

“This measure was taken to curb the menace of meters theft and unauthorized movement of meters which often results in the customers being defrauded, extorted, or ignorantly tricked into buying a faulty meter. It also distorts our record keeping.”

From: Kaduna

32

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Buhari sacks SulaimanIbrahim as DG NAPTIP

By Egena Sunday Ode

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim as the Director General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

This development is coming barely one week after the President sacked his Power and Agriculture Ministers.

The sacked DG has been replaced with Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi whose appointment was approved on Wednesday

by President Buhari on the recommendation of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim was appointed by President Buhari on December 1, 2020 as the DG of NAPTIP for a four-year tenure to replace Julie Okah-Donli.

A terse statement by the Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, announcing the appointment of Waziri-Azi by Buhari as the new helmsman of

NAPTIP read: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Fatima WaziriAzi,Ph.D as Director General of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) .

“This is sequel to a recommendation of the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, who expressed the “urgent need for the Ministry to intensify on the existing capacity in the NAPTIP in order to achieve its Key

Result Areas as identified.”

“She added that the recommendation of Fatima Waziri-Azi was based on her “pedigree, vast experience and proven track record to drive the agency forward and consolidate on what has been achieved so far.”

“A former Head of Department of Public Law at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Waziri-Azi is a Women’s Right advocate, a campaigner against domestic and sexual based violence and an expert in Rule of Law.”

Group lauds FG new measures to curb insecurity

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Digest

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

From left: Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami and Minister of State for Budget and National Planning , Clement Agba during a virtual Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday(8/9/21).

FG restates commitment to adoption of selfcare guidelines

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he Federal Government, in collaboration with Pathfinder International, has reaffirmed its determination to enhance the adoption of selfcare guidelines in all parts of the nation.

The Director, Reproductive Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Afolabi, stated this at a two-day orientation and data quality assessment on

national self-care guidelines, on Tuesday in Kano.

Afolabi said the exercise was organised by the ministry and Pathfinder International to improve quality sexual and reproductive health services in general.

He said that self-care was simply making every individual responsive to his or her health needs.

“We want to ensure that individuals have awareness as to their health status and what should be done at the right time.

Every individual should take some basic steps before going to a primary health care.

“Kano is among the states in the country to strategically implement and orient themselves on self-care,” he said.

Afolabi advised the general

public to position themselves to benefit from self-care, a shift in universal health coverage and a huge opportunity.

According to him, the Ministry is working tirelessly to create awareness and channels of accessing self care, aimed at uplifting the health status of the general populace.

Femi

Oyelola,

A

group under the auspices of the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has expressed optimism in the new measures taken by the Federal and Northern state governments to address the lingering insecurity that pervades most of the northern region.

The Spokesperson of the group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The group particularly noted the combined effects of the initiatives for the blockade of internet access, closure of weekly community markets, ban on movement of cattle and restriction of access to fuel in some frontline states are already yielding results.

From left: Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on Education, Mrs Ronke Shoyonbo, Balogun of Ibadan Land, Oloye Adegboyega Adegoke; The Agbaoye of Ibadan land, Chief Kola Karim; Former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja his wife Mrs Bukola; Bada Iyalode of Ibadan, Chief Yetunde Adegoke and President Association of Nigerian Author (ANA), Mr Camilus Ukah during the Investiture of Mrs Bukola Ladoja as the ANA Ambassador in Lagos on Wednesday (08/9/21).

Buhari hails Buba Marwa at 68

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Gen. Muhammad Buba Marwa (Rtd), on his 68th birthday, September 9, 2021.

The President congratulated the former military Governor of old Borno State and military

Administrator of Lagos State on the auspicious occasion, joining members of All Progressives Congress (APC) to rejoice with the public servant, who continues to distinguish himself in leadership.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesona said Buhari noted the fillip in the war against drug abuse and

trafficking, with commendable results, appreciating Marwa’s dedication to repositioning the NDLEA, sanitizing the streets and re-orienting youths on dangers of substance abuse.

The President affirmed that the track record of the former Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) and

Ambassador to South Africa and Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland, has been inspiring, reflecting his passion, training and experience, both local and international, the statement said.

At 68, President Buhari believes Marwa’s patriotism and diligence have left imprints on the country, showing both old and young the way to go, it added.

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News Explore ways to regenerate environmentDelta Commissioner

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Christian Onogba, has called on industries, communities and individuals to explore ways to regenerate the environment for the livelihood of humanity.

Mr Onogba made the call during a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on preserving the environment, hosted in Asaba, the state capital on Wednesday.

According to Mr Onogba, “We must strategise on how to sensitise all Deltans, government and nongovernmental organisations to carry out activities to preserve the environment which include planting of trees, greening cities, recycling unwanted materials and practising safe and proper waste disposal.”

He said that the meeting , with the theme, “Preserving Our Environment for Sustainable Development”, was to foster synergy of efforts in preserving the environment and to coordinate and synergise the efforts of stakeholders in proper disposal of waste in designated dump sites across the state.

The environment commissioner also stated that practical steps must be taken to preserve nature and beautify the environment, saying that everyone was a stakeholder when it came to issues affecting the environment.

Mr Onogba said, “Our environment is where we live, as such, there must be harmony between the environment and human beings who reside in it.”

“In the present scenario, due to overpopulation, our natural environment is under distress, over exploited to meet human need, thus we are not able to maintain a healthy balance with nature.

That is the reason we must come together to save our environment.”

“Environmental pollution is one of the biggest issues that the world faces and it is imperative that we take concrete steps not only to stern the tide of pollution, but to reverse it,” he added.

He called on Deltans to plant at least five trees in their life time, saying that if everyone did that the environment would be rejuvenated.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Zamfara to punish soldiers over illegal transportation of cows

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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amfara State Task Force Committee on banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other criminal activities has intercepted a truck while illegally conveying five cows to unknown destination outside the state, allegedly belonged to

military personnel.

Briefing Journalists on the development, the Secretary of the Committee, Barrister Abdulrashid Haruna, said Governor Bello Matawalle has directed for a decisive measure against the owners of the cows not minding their status.

“A truck driver arrested by the task force committee,

after preliminary investigation, revealed that the cows were the belonging of some military personnel who engaged him to deliver the controversial cows somewhere outside the state.

“It was against the executive order given by the State Governor, that among others, cows should not be conveyed into or outside the state on

whatever purpose and no matter what class they belong.

“The task force saw the kind of action committed by the military personnel as an offense aimed at aiding banditry and other related crimes in the state.

Therefore, Governor Matawalle has directed to punish them.”

L-R: Acting Medical Director, Asokoro District General Hospital,Dr Chidi Nnabuichie, President,Rotatry Club of Asokoro,Adetola Fazaz and General Medical Director, Hospital Management Board, FCTA, Dr Francis Alu during the flag off of Cataract eye surgeries for indigent people in FCT by the club to mark the 20years anniversary of the Club, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

We won’t misuse Kogi oil money -Yahaya Bello ...Denies freezing of state salary accounts by EFCC

By Egena Sunday Ode

A

s Kogi joins the League of oil producing states, its governor, Yahaya Bello, said the state would avoid the mistakes of the past by using the resources that would accrue from oil to diversify into other areas of revenue generation, especially agriculture.

The governor stated this in an interview with newsmen after a meeting between him and President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

“The fact that we are oil producing today, I want to assure all the citizens of Kogi state and Nigerians that the mistake that we made in the past where Nigeria depended on oil alone, as a source of revenue today, will not be repeated. Whatever is going to be accruing to Kogi state will be used to support all other sectors, the Agric sector, manufacturing, and several other sectors of our economy to ensure that it is going to serve as a a catalyst. It’s not going to be just the only single means upon which we shall

depend, no. We will not make that mistake,” the governor said.

He, however, described reports of freezing of the state salary bailout account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) phantom and a joke taken too far.

Contrary to the reports, according to him, none of the state accounts was frozen or embargoed by the EFCC. Bello said anyone who wanted to attack him with a view to demeaning his integrity because of 2023 is making a big mistake, vowing that he came to government with a good name and would leave with it intact.

He said: “No Kogi state government’s salary account is frozen. None whatsoever. None of our accounts were frozen or embargo placed on any of our accounts by EFCC at all. I think it’s just a misrepresentation of facts or is a joke taken too far.

“My Information Commissioner and all those that are concerned with those lies peddled by the EFCC, I think they have responded appropriately.

And I will urge every Nigerian to

please go to the Kogi state website and all the facts are there.

“The Banks have denied that we don’t have such an account.

And besides that, the bailout fund that we obtained, we appropriated in line with the agreement and understanding between the Kogi state government and the workers.

“And all of these were done, we finished all of these, you know, in the year 2019. So first, there’s no N20 billion account, or N19 billion arrears, no fixed deposit account. So I don’t know where the lie is coming from.

“I think in the days ahead, you will hear exactly where the matter shall be resolved. That’s why I said that is a joke taken too far. And I want to believe that the officials of the EFCC may have misled the commission.

“Remember that we will not just allow this to lie low because Mr. President is fighting corruption. And EFCC is one of the agencies that is being used to fight corruption. EFCC should not be seen to be going on a voyage of no discovery in order that the reputation of the commission

and integrity of this particular government remains intact.

On why he came to see the president, the governor said: “I came to see our father, Mr. president to appreciate him on behalf of the good people of Kogi state that today, Kogi is the first northern Nigeria state to be referred to as oil producing states. We came to appreciate Mr. President, for that magnanimity, and also to congratulate the people of Kogi state, and Nigerians, generally.

“We equally brought a request to the effect that the Ajaokuta steel company is still moribund.

And his efforts in ensuring that he revives Ajaokuta steel complex.

We submit a submission to the effect that he should in the life of his administration, be able to complete that Ajaokuta complex.

“And Mr. President received all of these and more with pleasure and he promised that something is going to be done to ensure that Ajaokuta is revived and running before the end of this administration.”

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

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News

DSS finally files terrorism charges against Igboho’s aides

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

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he Department of the State Service DSS, has finally filled a terrorism charges against two aides of the Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, two months later in detention.

The charges marked FHC/ ABJ/CR/305/2021 and dated August 31 but filed on September 1, 2021, slammed five-count of terrorism changes at the federal high court in Abuja.

Defendants in the matter are Jamiu Noah Oyetunji and a house wife, Mrs Amudat Habibat Babatunde.

In the charges signed by S.M Bello and M.I. Bennett indicated that the two defendants and others still at large on July 1, 2021 at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo conspired to commit act of terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms The two defendants, Jamiu Noah Oyetunji and Mrs. Amudat Habibat Babatunde - are those the SSS held on to despite the August 4, 2021 an order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court,Abuja for the release of all the 12 detained associates of Adeyemo arrested by SSS operatives during the July 1, 2021 raid on Adeyemo’s Ibadan home.

The charge reads: *That you Jamiu Noah Oyetunji, Amudat Habibat Babatunde (adults) with others still at large, on or about the first day of July, 2021, at the residence of one Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire to commits acts of terrorism, to wits possession of prohibited fire arms: contrary to Section 17 of Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and punishable under the same Section of the Act. * That you Jamiu Noah Oyetunji, Amudat Habibat Babatunde (adults) with others still at large, on or about the first day of July, 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday IGBOHO) located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did had in your possession, without lawful authority, the under listed prohibited fire arms: -five AK 47 rifles with serial numbers 04956, 213740, 8673,

945999 and 6139 respectively, - two AK 47 rifles which serial numbers could not be identified, - two pump action rifle with serial numbers 8836 and 9398 respectively, - one pump action, which serial number could not be identified, and - one stun gun; contrary to Section 1(3)(c)(v) of the Terrorism Prevention Act CAP 10, 2011 and punishable under Section 1(2) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) act 2013. ‘’That you Jamiu Noah Oyetunj, Amudat Habibat Babatunde (adults), with others still at large, on or about the first day of July, 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) located at Soka

area of Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did had in your possession, without lawful authority 1,295live rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions and 221 live rounds of 5.56mm ammunitions, contrary to Section 1(3)(c)(v) of the Terrorism Prevention Act CAP 10, 2011 and punishable under Section 1(2) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) act 2013. ‘’That you Jamiu Noah Oyetunj, Amudat Habibat Babatunde (adults) with others still at large, on or about the first day of July, 2021, at the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) located at Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did involved yourselves in activities in preparation to

commit actso f terrorism contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act. ‘’That you Amudat Habibat Babatunde (f) adult of Okeare area of Ibadan, Oyo State did used your face book account as a platform to promote terrorist activities contrary to Section 181 & 2) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention) Act, 2015.’’

However no date has yeti been fixed for their arraignment.

Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing on Wednesday in the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before the Federal High Court by the detainees against the SSS, the agency’s lawyer, Idowu Awo told told the court that a gang of armed thieves (commonly

known as “one chance,” highjacked case file from his colleague who was coming to court with it.

Awo said the thieves snatched the case-file from his colleague, who unknowingly, boarded their vehicle, adding that other items belonging to the unnamed colleague were stolen along with the case file.

He then prayed the court for an adjournment.

Lawyer to the applicant, David Olowoniwa initially objected the SSS’ lawyer’s application for adjourned,but later conceded upon the intervention of the judge.

Ruling, Justice Eguwatu said since the court’s vacation was coming to an end, he would return the case file to the court’s Chief Judge for re-assignment during the regular court session.

Corps Member Ahmad Abubakar FC/20B/1340 conducting the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim and other dignitaries round the personal Community Development Service Project (digital library) he donated to NYSC National Directorate Headquarters Abuja during its commissioning recently

Insecurity: Kano assembly calls for amendment of 1999 Constitution to create state Police From Kano

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Mustapha

Adamu,

ano State House of Assembly has called for the amendment of 1999 Constitution to enable the creation of state police and other security outfits in a bid to address the current security challenges in the country.

In a communique issued at the outcome of a three-day legislative retreat for the members of the State House of Assembly, the lawmakers also called for

devolution of powers to states and Local Governments to enable them create their security outfits.

The Assembly also stressed the need to find necessary steps to strengthen internal Audit Unit of the House and ensure regular capacity building of the staff of the office.

This was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday

by Chief Press Secretary to the state House of Assembly, Comrade Uba Abdullahi.

He said the assembly pledged to give priority to Human

Resources and capacity building for the overall development of the Assembly.

The statement said the Speaker, Ibrahim Hamisu Chidari was quoted as saying, “the underline objectives of the retreat were intended to achieve among others; acquaint members of their role and political will to curve the menace of current insecurity in the nation, provide members with background information that necessitate enactment of fund management law by the State House of Assembly as well

as identify the objectives of fund management.”

Other points contained in the communique called for efforts for the institutionalisation and development of Annual Work Plan documents that would guide the activities of the House for improved transparency, accountability and probity in the management of resources under its Financial Autonomy regime.

The communique also hinted that the legislators should ensure that recommendation of public account committee reports is

pursued to its logical conclusion.

“That the House should revive and strengthen the Legislative budget and research office LBRO to help provide summary ,statistical data of proposed bills and motions as well as easy understanding of budget documents to the Honourable House and the staff of the House.

“That the leadership of the House should ensure strict compliance and implementation of the resolutions reached in this retreat”.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

PAGE 6

News

Ganduje advises NOPPMAN to boost onion production From Kano

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Mustapha

Adamu,

overnor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has advised National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) to take advantage of the intervention programmes initiated by the Federal Government so as to enhance more production and processing of onion in the country.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, gave the advice when members of the NOPPMAN paid a visit to him at the Govt House, Kano on Tuesday.

Ganduje, who assured the association of his administration’s commitment towards promoting the value chain of onion and other commodities, also pledged continued support, cooperation and collaboration to them because of their importance to the building of a prosperous state.

In a statement by Hassan Musa Fagge, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, GBsuje said, right from the moment he assumed office, Kano State had supported the programmes initiated by the Federal Government led by President Muhammad Buhari which made diversification of agriculture one of its goals.

He said Onion is a perishable vegetable which must be exploited to boost the nation...In Kano we have Onion markets due to realising the importance of vegetables to the economy,before our farmers have been suffering alot in the area of post harvest losses, now with new innovations through technology especially the storage methods that has become a thing of the past.

In his remarks, the President of the Association, Comrade Aliyu Maitasamu Isa in his speech said the purpose of the visit was to intimate him about their Regional International Onion Conference coming up in Kano later in November this year.

“The Conference is a collaborative effort of the regional observatory for onion in West and Central Africa and our association aimed towards looking at the impacts of the African free trade area (AFTA) he said”.

He also explained that Nigeria’s Onion being one of the best in the world because of its strong pungency is exported to many countries such as France,Japan,India,Niger Republic,Ghana and a lots more.

4 Customs officers in police net over shooting of Katsina Commissioner From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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atsina police have arrested four Customs officers over shooting of vehicles in the convoy of the state commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Alhaji Ya’u Umar GwajoGwajo.

Our Correspondent gathered that some Customs officers on Tuesday shot at the official vehicle

of the commissioner who was on his way from Mai’adua to the state capital, Katsina.

A reliable source at the command confirmed the arrest of the trigger happy Customs officers who made attempt on the life of the commissioner.

The source disclosed that the arrested officers could not provide explanation on why they abandoned their duty post along Katsina-Kaita road and relocated to

Daura-Katsina road.

It was similarly gathered that it was the commissioner who personally lodge complaint against the officers who made attempt on his life.

It would also be recalled that one month back, some Customs officers allegedly driving recklessly crushed to death 10 people along Jibia- Jibia- road.

The state governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari has seriously

tongue lashed the Customs on the manner they are recklessly killing people in the state The governor also threatened to drag the agency to court over the Jibia killing.

Our Correspondent gathered that the Katsina Custom command has set-up a committee to investigate the shooting.

From Left: NDLEA Commander of Apapa Port, Mr Samuel Gyazama; Director of Operations and General Investigation, NDLEA, Mr Adeyemi Adeoye and Chairman of retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, during a conference on the seizure of some drugs

by Agency in Lagos on Wednesday (8/9/21).

Delta Govt to reposition physiotherapy section in hospital

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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s part of measures to address the deficit in the number of Physiotherapists in the state owned hospitals, the Delta State Government (DTSG) on Wednesday decided to engage,

at least, one Physiotherapist in each of the zonal hospitals in the state.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Mordi Ononye, revealed this in his office in Asaba, the state capital, when he received in audience the Delta State Forum

of Physiotherapists.

“Over time the Physiotherapy Unit has been neglected even in the affairs of the State Hospital Management Board and hence there is the urgent need for intense sensitisation activities to enlighten both the health workers

and the general public,” he said.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the few number of new psychotherapists requested for by the board in the recent vacancies published as against the establishment approval for new intakes.

APC Nat. Women Leader unveils Digital Academy to empower 20m women

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rs Stella Okotete, the National Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a Progressive Women Digital Academy, to empower 20 million women in two years.

Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday at the Women Development Centre, Abuja, Okotete said that the academy would enable women to acquire skills and knowledge in different sectors of the economy.

She noted that the academy would offer online courses with focus on imparting skills and knowledge in digital, entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development.

“All over the world, women are among the key drivers of growth

in any economy. When you empower one woman, you create a spiral effect on the community and the larger economy.

“We are proud to be launching the Progressive Women Academy to train and prepare women of all ages to become great leaders, great business owners and enjoy a more fruitful career,” she said.

She urged Nigerian women to enrol in the programme by logging onto https://www. progressivewomenacademy.com.

Mrs Stella Okotete, the National Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) Okotete advised Nigerian women to join the progressive club towards making the country a better place.

Dr Asabe Bashir, Director

General, Women Development Centre, Abuja, said that the strategic goal of the centre was to groom women to become future leaders.

“We will train and groom more female leaders who will possess personal, emotional, technical and digital skills to lead Nigeria into the future.

“The target is to create more successful female entrepreneurs and successful business people with multiple skills overtime.

“With this platform, our women will share knowledge and learn from experienced business owners,” she said.

Bashir said that the centre would also create employment and wealth for women, by training them in content creation, media

work, technology, translation and research.

“With this platform, we will bring our local and international partners, corporate bodies and stakeholders into the women ecosystem. Everyone will connect digitally, share knowledge and build a community for the future,” she said.

Ms Sharon Ikeazor, the Minister of State for Environment, advised Nigerian women to strive hard to join politics to contribute to the development of the country.

The minister said that the APC led administration has given priority to youth development towards nation’s building saying that the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF) was not left out.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

Magashi urges African militaries to preserve democracy

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he Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd) has called on African militaries to remain committed to the preservation of democracy on the continent.

Magashi made the call at a ceremony to commemorate the Armed Forces Day of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

A copy of the minister speech was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The minister who was represented by Nigeria’s Defence Attache to Sao Tome and Principe, Navy Capt. Oluseyi Oladipo, used the occasion to present light technical support to the Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP).

Magashi also assessed the level of progress of the “Basic English Course’’ for the armed forces of Sao Tome and Principe, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence.

The Sao Tome and Principe’s armed forces played key role in providing security in the election which held on Sept. 5 in the archipelagic country.

The country lies about 250 nautical miles south of Bonny in the Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe have overlapping “Exclusive Economic Zones’’, designated as “Joint Development Zone’’.

On Sept. 5, the military in Guinea Conakry, led by Lt.-Col. Mamady Doumbouya , overthrew the democratic elected government of the country, vowing to create a new government to benefit the people.

Also, the military in Mali, seized power in August 2020, forcing President Ibrahim Keita to resign.

(NAN)

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NAPTIP rescues 350 Nigerians trafficked to Libya in 9 months

T

he National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says it has rescued 350 Nigerians trafficked to Libya and arrested six traffickers from January till date.

Mr Aganran Alao, the Zonal Commander, NAPTIP, Lagos, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

He spoke on the side lines of a town hall meeting wiht the theme: “Promoting local

opportunities as an alternative to irregular migration” organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

“The agency is committed to ensuring that human trafficking is reduced to the barest minimum and we would ensure that it happens.

“From January to date, we have rescued 350 Nigerians from Libya, who were victims of trafficking, and we have arrested six persons in connection to this.

“The public must always ensure that traffickers don’t prey on their desperation, as this is one of the major ways that traffickers lure people into the system,” he said.

Alao revealed that the agency had begun a media campaign and community awareness at the grassroots level, because grassroots people were soft targets for traffickers.

“We carry out media campaigns and a lot of community awareness, so as

to enlighten people in those areas of the dangers of irregular migration and its after effects.

“People need to understand the devastating effects of irregular migration and it is always a different picture of what is painted by traffickers, because they are only after their selfish interests,” he said.

He urged the public to report suspicious cases of human traffickers and trafficking in their respective communities.

(NAN)

Buba ‘m’ 23yrs, native of Gada Biyu in Daffo district, Bokkos LGA, Plateau State. Buba is one of the principal suspects in the kidnap operation The confession of the suspect which revealed how they abducted and murdered the nonagenarian, assisted the Police team in apprehending seven (7) other members of the gang - Ya’u Saidu aka Ya’u Kaban m’ 40yrs, from Kaban Village, Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, Titus Ezekiel 34yrs from from Horop, Bokkos LGA, Dauda Isah ‘m’ 30yrs, from Horop, Sunday Ibrahim m’ 35yrs, Mushere tribe from Horop, Mangut Shumwar ‘m’ 30yrs, from Horop, Henry Amos ‘m’ 35yrs native of Horop, and Jethro Ngusen ‘m’ 57yrs, native of Horop, MBA said. ded that investigations further revealed that it was Jethro Ngusen, the mastermind and convener of the gang, that instructed one of the gang members, Mangut Shumwar to kill Pa Dariye, because he feared that Pa Dariye might

recognize the suspects since majority of them are from the same village with the deceased.

Jethro was also identified as the one who took custody of the ransom and later shared the proceeds of the crime amongst the gang members.

Similarly, the Police team arrested one Sadiq Abubakar ‘m’ 31yrs old from Kogi State and one Peter Moses ‘m’ 25yrs old from Kaduna State who abducted a 22yr-old lady to a location in Suleja. The suspects held the young lady hostage, had repeated canal knowledge of the victim and extorted money from her parents as ransom before her release.

Investigations by the Police team show that the suspects, who are serial virtual kidnappers, usually meet their victims on social media platforms particularly, Facebook, and thereafter lure them to their criminal hideout before subjecting them to sexual molestation and further obtaining ransom from their families.

The Police operatives also intercepted three (3) suspects,

Emmanuel Joel 42yrs, Ayuba Joel, 30yrs, Hassan Umar, 30yrs on 28th August, 2021, in possession of one AK49 rifle loaded with fourteen live ammunition and twenty-six (26) AK47 magazines, at a border town between Nasarawa and Taraba State. Investigations by the Police team revealed that the suspects are criminal arms dealers who supply weapons to criminal elements in Nasarawa and Taraba States. Efforts are being intensified to arrest members of the gang currently at large.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), fdc, NPM has assured that the Force is committed to working with law abiding citizens to secure the nation and reduce crimes to the barest minimum in the country. He advised users of the social media to remain circumspect and protect themselves from cyber crooks masquerading as online friends.

All the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigations, Mba said.

Police arrest killers of 93 years patriach of ex Plateau Gov, Dariye

O

peratives of the Intelligence Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested eight (8) notorious high-profile kidnapping suspects indicted in Police investigations for the abduction and eventual murder of Pa Dariye Dafwan, the late father of former Governor of Plateau State, in Horop community, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.

Pa Dariye was abducted on 17th June, 2020 and shot dead eight (8) days after the criminals hav​ e collected a ransom of ten (10) million naira from the family of the deceased.

A statement yesterday from CP Frank Mba, FORCE Public Relation Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja said the arrest of the suspects follows unrelenting efforts by the Police to ensure perpetrators of the dastardly act are arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

The breakthrough that led to the arrest of the suspects began with the arrest of one Abubakar Mohammed a.k.a

Bride arrested for allegedly stabbing husband to death in Adamawa – Police

T

he police in Adamawa have arrested a 19-yearold woman, Rumasa’u Muhammed, of Wuro Yanka Village in Shelleng local government area for allegedly stabbing her husband to death.

DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, Police Spokesperson in the state, confirmed the incident on Wednesday in Yola. ”The suspect was arrested on Monday for allegedly stabbing

her husband, Muhammed Adamu, 35 to death after seeking for divorce. ”Investigation so far reveals, that the suspect was forcefully married to the deceased by her parents against her will on Aug. 6,” Nguroje said.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Alhaji, has given a directive for a discreet investigation into the matter. ”The Commissioner has

equally advised members of the public to stop forcing their wards into early and forceful marriages. ”In the same vein, the Commissioner, has directed for immediate prosecution of the suspect so as to serve as deterrence to others,” he said.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) over the incident, Ustaz, Abdullah Hamman, an Islamic Scholar in

Yola, said forceful marriage has no place in Islam. ”According to Islam, parents have rights to choose for their children a good family to marry from but at same time, Islam does not encourage forced marriages,” Hamman said.

He stressed the need for the parents to desist from force marriage saying, such practice is causing a lot of harm in the society.

NAN also reports that a family source, who pleaded to remain anonymous, said: ”the girl demanded that her late husband divorce her peacefully since she was not interested in the marriage, he refused. ”Angered by this after several requests, she picked up a knife and stabbed him in the stomach. ”He was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead“. (NAN)

From: Uche Makurdi

authorities.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Mrs.Ngunan Addingi made the call yesterday while responding to a press conference by leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Engr. Saleh Hassan, urging the National Assembly to stop implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and

Ranches Establishment Law 2017.

She described the call by Engr. Saleh as ‘laughable’, maintaining that by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, states are empowered through their Houses of Assembly to make laws for the good governance of the people.

“And this is exactly what we did with the ban on open grazing.

It is to stop the incessant conflict between farmers and pastoralists.

Infact, the law is a win win for both farmers and herders.

“It is now clear to us in Benue State that the leadership of Miyetti Allah is in charge and dictating how this country is now governed.

“We came to this conclusion

when we listened in disbelief how Miyetti Allah openly challenged constituted authorities across the states, demanding, not just the repeal of laws constitutionally enacted by the Houses of Assembly and assented to but making derogatory statements against State Governors who are duly elected by their various states.

Benue Govt calls for arrest of Miyetti Allah leaders

B

Nnorom,

enue State Government has for the umpteenth time, called on the Presidency to arrest and prosecute leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who are instigating violence by their utterances and outright disregard to constituted

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

PAGE 8

News

Benue women protest gainst Akume From Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

B

enue State women yesterday staged a protest lamenting over spurious comments credited to Minister for Special Duties and InterGovernmental Affairs Sen. George Akume against Governor Samuel Ortom and the people.

Recall that Sen. Akume had on August 30th, 2021 held a press conference in Abuja, alleging mismanagement of funds including security votes by Governor Samuel Ortom as well as accusing the Governor of over hyping herdsmen attack in in the State.

The action by Sen. Akume prompted the Governor to slam a 60 billion naira law suit on him.

The women who were mobilized from the 23 local government councils, numbered over 1000, dressed in black.

They carried placards with inscriptions like, “We say no to Akume and his conspirators who are against democracy in Benue”, “Benue people demand apology from Akume”, “we say no to grazing routes”.

Insecurity: Jigawa ban use of motorcycles from 9pm to 6am From: Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

A

s part of effort to improve security situation in the state, the Jigawa state government has banned the use of motorcycles from 9p.m. to 6 a.m. across the state.

This was announced by the state ALGON chairman, Alhaji Bala Usman Chamo.

He said the decision was taken during the state security council meeting presided by governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar of

the state.

“This is part of measures to check activities of criminal elements.

“The ban is part of the government efforts to curtail criminal elements, using motorcycles to commit crime,

particularly in the rural areas of the state,” he said.

He explained that the measures were taken after the state’s Security Council. He has observed the increasing number of security threats in the state.

Gov Badaru appoints Kamilu as new Pension board boss

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

T

he Jigawa state Governor Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has approved the appointment of Alhaji Kamilu Aliyu Musa as the acting Executive Secretary Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board.

This was contained in a statement signed by the State Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Hussaini Ali Kila and issued to news men through his public relations officer Ismail Ibrahim Dutse.

According to the statement, Mr Kamilu Aliyu Musa a professional Accountant, until his appointment, was the Deputy Director Accounts, Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board.

The statement explained that the appointment of the new Executive Secretary is purely on merit, competency and personal integrity, adding that his appointment is with immediate effect.

L-R; Shekhar Mehta(Rotary International President) in hand shake with Vivian Ononiwu Aliyu(Major Donor, Rotary District 9125)at Rotary International President Visit for Town Hall Inter Club Meeting, recently in Abuja

Igbo group rejects exclusion, demands equity in FCT politics

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

I

kenga Ndi Igbo Progressive Union Worldwide, has rejected the exclusion of other Nigerians, especially people of Igbo extraction from holding elective positions in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Association, in a statement, jointly signed by its President, Hon. (Chief) Alfred Ozoemena and the Secretary General, High Chief Victor Uche Okei, said it has painfully observed that the political space has deliberately been skewed against the collective interest of all hard working Nigerians who are bona-fide citizens

of the FCT, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“It is very disheartening and worrisome to further note that the major political parties going by electoral victories did not consider other Nigerians in FCT fit and capable of being the chairmanship candidate for 2022 Area Council elections.

“This development is even more disgusting when the 62 councillorship candidates for all the political parties contesting for the election did not attempt to reflect the diverse composition of FCT citizens.

“When a group of people hijack what belongs to all, while others work for nothing is the kind of injustice that will not allow progress to exist” the group stated.

Ikenga Ndi Igbo noted that other Nigerians in FCT constitute not only the highest tax payers, but also the dominant revenue generating group in all the 6 Area Councils in FCT. “We may not wish to bother you with verifiable records of humongous contributions of other Nigerians to the political and social development of the FCT. “The electoral value of

these people, particularly the Igbo extraction is a major determinant of electoral victory in the FCT. “It is also on record that through mischief and cunning, other Nigerians have been excluded from the leadership structure of the frontline political parties in order to conveniently ease us out of political relevant in the FCT. “It is also on record that other Nigerians in FCT have over the years been excluded from both Federal, FCT and Area council, board and committee appointments accruable to FCT. This is discriminatory and unacceptable”.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

By Abubakar Abuja

K

Yunusa,

ogi state governor, Yahaya Bello has expressed the state government’s appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the recognition of Kogi as one of the oil producing states in the country by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC. Recently,Kogi state and Anambra state were listed among Nigeria’s oil producing states by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

A statement signed by his Chief press secretary, Onogwu Muhammed yesterday, conveyed his ‘thank you’ message to Mr President while on a visit to the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement said while addressing journalists at the Villa, Bello disclosed that he had a discussion with him on the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex also in Kogi State.

He said “The aim of my visit to Mr President this afternoon was to thank him for the recognition of Kogi State as one of the Oil-producing states in the country. And we also discussed the issue of Ajaokuta Steel Complex which Mr President said all efforts are ongoing to ensure the Steel Complex comes up before the end of his administration.”

According to him, the recognition of Kogi and Anambra, the age-long oil wells dispute that resulted in unwarranted killings and destruction of property between two communities of Odeke in Ibaji local government area of Kogi and Aguleri in Anambra state has come to an end while commending Mr President for the peaceful resolution of the dispute.

“The Ibaji oil crisis had been on for a while and has led

Page 9

News

Bello lauds Buhari for recognising Kogi as oil-producing state to large scale destruction of property with the loss of many lives. The Odeke and Aguleri communities of Kogi and Anambra states laid exclusive claim to the ownership of the oil in the disputed area which has been finally resolved in

favour of both states.

“By history, the exploration of crude oil in Ibaji Local Government Area which comes under Anambra Basin in geological terms started in 1952 in the villages of Odeke, Echeno, Ihile, Anocha/

Uchuchu, Omabo, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh all in Ibaji community of the present-day Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

“Between 1952 and 1986 three companies namely; Shell BP (now SPDC), ELF

(now Total Fina Elf) and AGIP Energy have drilled 25 exploration wells, 2 appraisal wells and 8-core drill wells in the entire Basin out of which majority of the wells fall into Kogi State”, he said

Arrested motorcycles by the FCT Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS) and the Joint Tasks Force (MJTF) at Asokoro Command, during the raid of unauthorized Motorcycles in some area of FCT held recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Niger Gov. felicitate with Suleja Emir @ 80 From Yakubu Minna

G

Mustapha,

overnor Abubakar Sani Bello has felicitated with the Emir of Suleja

and former governor of Niger state, Alhaji Mohammed Awwal Ibrahim as he turns 80.

This was contained in a statement by Mary Noel-Berje , the Chief Press Secretary to the

Governor.

He extolled the virtues of the Royal father, describing him as a man who has spent most of his life in service to humanity ranging from public service, politics and

traditional institution.

Bello maintained that the contributions of the octogenarian in the development of not just his emirate and state, but the country at large can not be ignored.

Gov. Okowa’s wife offsets N7.8m bills of stranded patients

T

he Wife of Delta Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, has paid the medical bills of 30 stranded patients at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba and the Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH) worth N7.8 million.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over the cheques to representatives of both hospitals on Tuesday in Asaba, Okowa said the gesture was part of the activities to mark the 2021 International Day of Charity.

“I received the list of stranded patients and I want to once again specially appreciate the management of the FMC for admitting patients without payment.

“Based on the list we received, we also sent out letters to individuals for support and we are glad and grateful to announce

that a lot of persons responded generously.

“We are today handing over a cheque for N7 million to FMC and N851,000 to Asaba Specialist Hospital to offset the bills of the indigent patients.

“The amount presented by the management of ASH is so because the basic services they offer are free, considering the free treatment given to under five children and pregnant women.

“The hospital also in their thoughtfulness gave us a discount of 10 percent of the accrued cost. ”We thank God for the privilege to reach out and pray that an end comes to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) era so we can meet these patients physically, ”she said.

The Director-General of the O5

Initiative, Mrs Oghnekevwe Agas, in her remarks, said, “It has become customary for the wife of our governor to reach out to persons who have been treated in the hospital, but do not have the where withal to pay their bills.

“The beneficiaries may not be here physically, but we are sure that their hearts are filled with gratitude. ”Also notable is the fact that the celebration started on Sunday with the outreach to Obioma camp in Illah, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state, where we distributed food items to the settlers.”

Receiving the cheque, the Chief Medical Director of FMC, Dr Victor Osiatuma, said, ”This is indeed a great relief especially at this time.”

The CMD, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Ezunu, said that ”we are immensely grateful to Dame Okowa, who has successfully stepped into the shoes of Mother Theresa.”

He confirmed that N7 million presented to the hospital was to cater for the bill of 22 indigent patients in the hospital.

On her part, the CMD of Asaba Specialist Hospital, Dr Peace Ighosewe, explained that the hospital had to look out for patients who had previously complained of not being able to pay their bills after treatment.

“Based on our findings, six indigent patients are the beneficiaries of the N851,000 cheque presented to us,” she said.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

PAGE 10

News

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

T

he Jigawa state Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has relieved Alhaji Hashim Ahmad Fagam of his appointment as the Executive Secretary, Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement signed by the State Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Hussaini Ali Kila.

The statement directed the former Executive Secretary to report back to his former MDA (Water Board) for reassignment.

GSK/SCI lauds gov Badaru, set to adopt Jigawa best on national oxygen policy From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

A

development partners known as GlaxiSmithKline and Save the Children International, said Jigawa state will be rated as best on the implementation of National Pneumonia Control Strategy

and national oxygen policy in Nigeria.

This was announced by Chief of Party, INSPIRING project Dr Adamu Isah while making his presentation during a two day round-table discussion on role of media in tackling childhood pneumonia in Nigeria.

Dr Isah who commended Jigawa state governor Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Badaru for giving all the necessary support and cooperation, said kJigawa has gone far more than any other state on the implementation of National oxygen policy.

According to him, Save the

Children with support from Jigawa government recorded a huge success in fight against five child killer disease in the state including pneumonia as major causes.He identified the killer diseases of under five, as pneumonia, diarrhea, Sepsis, malaria and measles.

T

Sen. Musa decries killings of villagers in Niger East From Yakubu Minna

T

Mustapha,

he Senator representing Niger East Senatorial district, Senator Sani Musa has condemned the recent killing of innocent villagers in some communities by bandits in Shiroro Local Government Area.

This was contained in a statement by the federal lawmaker issued to journalists in Minna.

He described the incident as not only wicked and callous but a gross act of man’s inhumanity to man.

he Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,.Mele Kyari, has said that the corporation “is working with relevant agencies to ensure that the price of cooking gas is affordable”. It will do that by increasing the volume supplied to the domestic market. He said, “Today, this country is undersupplied with gas; we can tell you that we are having difficulty filling our network across the country with gas. So that means that once supply is weak, it will affect pricing.

part.... “However, we are just worried about the high cost of cooking which has risen by more than 100 percent.

Manufactures say the reason is that 75% of the commodity is imported and also because the government has doubled import duty. They demand that it allow the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to increase its cooking gas production quota to reduce the high cost of the commodity.

‘We support their request. The ever rising price of cooking gas means less demand and loss of profit for producers. The multiplier effect is that low income consumers who can no longer afford gas and cannot revert to even kerosene because it is costlier will now go back to charcoal.

This will cause more felling of trees to make fuel wood.

“

Oyelola,

he Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola said his administration’s commitment to security, safety, and welfare of the people remained irrevocable.

He stated this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Ismail Omipidan and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Oyetola who was speaking at the inauguration of 360 newly-recruited officers of the State Security Network Agency ‘’Amotekun Corps”, said the administration had given security the prime position, as it is critical to its development.

T

Still on cooking gas

“Today, the supply mechanism of LPG is very weak. So we are collaborating extensively to ensure that we are able to extract LPG from our gas resources so that it can be made available to the market.

To make price more affordable, we are working towards providing more volume of gas into the domestic market. By doing this, we make it very close to home and extend the networks, once supply is high, it will definitely bring down the prices.”

Oyetola says security is critical to Osun devt Femi

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

Gov Badaru relieves executive secretary pension board

From: Kaduna

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

Suspected cyber fraudster and rapist who specializing luring women on social media been paraded by police, yesterday in Abuja..

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Foundation supports out-of-school children with learning platform in Abuja

F

lexisaf Foundation on Tuesday said it carried out an accelerated learning project for three years to tackle the issue of out-of-school children in Rugga Community, in Wuye District Abuja.

Executive Director Flexisaf, Amina Abubakar said this at the Flexisaf Pre-Transition Event to wrap up its Accelersted learning Project to transit beneficiaries to formal schools.

According to Abubakar, the accelerated learning Project is an innovative model of the foundation and it works by creating safe spaces in target communities and employing instructors to teach beneficiaries of the project.

She said that the foundation provided education to indigent children through mobile schooling to reduce the number of out-of-school children under ages eight to 11 to learn the basics of education before enrolling in formal education.

“The selected out-of-school children in the community

are then classified into classes according to their age and metal capacity.

“They are taught from a robust curriculum that embodies teaching like, numeracy, life skills, jolly phonics and computational thinking, then they will be transited into formal education. “`The foundation will not just stop at transiting the children to formal schooling systems, but it will continually monitor their progress and also provide every necessary materials and items for their effective takeoff.

Co-Founder of the foundation, Ahmad Salihjo, expressed joy at the success of the event adding that he was glad the children could speak English and compose themselves .

Salihjo said that he would work out ways to ensure that the school and some neighboring houses were provided with solar home systems to power the classrooms.

Mr Hamzat Lawal ,CEO ,CODE ,represented by Mr

Mukhtar Modibbo ,Community Engagement Offiecr ,CODE ,common said that though CODE had worked in other communities but it did not know that a community like Rugga existed in the FCT. Lawal said that CODE’s partnership Flexisaf to help tackle out-of -school children in Rugga community paid off because the children improved in learning.

He said that he was recently given the Global Partners for Educating young people award and promised to us the platform to advance education in Nigeria Laban Onisimus, Mr. Laban Onisimus, Education Specialist, Plan International Nigeria thanked Flexisaf Foundation for helping to tackle issues of outof-school children which was a concert to all.

Onisimus said that recently, the curriculum for accelerated education was developed and submitted to the federal ministry of education .

He added that Flexisaf would

be invited to give field their field experience as Plan International meets with stakeholders and the European union to develop a guideline for the implementation of accelerated education.

The representative from Universal Basic Education Commission(UBEC), Iliyasu Hussaini ,principal ,Quality Assistance Officer UBEC said that the commission was saddled with the responsibility to ensure that all school age children were in school.

Hussaini said that the Federal Government obtained a 611 millions dollars grant through the World Bank to bring outof-school children back to school under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA).

Hussaini said that the commission was happy with what Flexisafe did in Rugga adding that a report would be taken to the Executive secretary of the commission about the establishment of a formal school to enable the children continue their education.(NAN)

Tree felling will hasten desertation, something the government is pushing to stop.

Desertation is bad for agriculture because it causes aridity and low crop. The government wants to grow agriculture’s contribution to the GDP by more than its present 2%. Unstoppable desertation will make this goal harder to achieve.

This is why we are making a case for a reduced cost of cooking gas so that people will not go back to cutting down trees for fuel wood.”

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Department of Petroleum In his remarks, the Resources, Chief Executive Officer of Department of Sarki Auwalu, Petroleum Resources, announced Sarki Auwalu, announced plans to plans to increase gas production to 230 trillion cubic increase gas feet by 2030. “Let me take this opportunity production to to inform the GMD of the NNPC that as at last 230 trillion cubic year, we were able to increase the gas reserve feet by 2030. with 3.6tcf.”

On September 6, we published an editorial “A welcome decision but...”, commending plans by the federal government to reduce the cost of industrial gas and making a case for the price of cooking gas to come down too. The editorial read in OUR MISSION

By accepting our case, the government has done the right thing. We commend its sincerity of purpose and conviction of courage too. Well done.

OUR PEOPLE

“To be the market Chief Operating Officer place of ideas and /Editor, the leading player Hameed M. Bello, PhD in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while HEAD, ADVERT delivering value to patrick UGAMA our stakeholders”

OUR VISION

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

Amnesty: Nigeria’s enemy next door?

By Musa Ilallah

I

t is important that this piece begins with a brief on the subject matter’s background about what Amnesty International, AI is and what it set out to do as its mission and vision.

Amnesty International Limited, commonly called AI in Nigeria’s human rights parlance, is a company registered in England & Wales, limited by guarantee with certificate number 02007475 and registered as a charity with certificate number 294230 at its registered office at 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 0DW. In summary, AI’s vision as an INGO, is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. In pursuit of this vision, AI’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights.

This background is necessary for us to unambiguously weigh what AI is and what it set out to achieve, against what it is today in Nigeria.

In other words, AI is expected from its vision and mission to be impartial, non-partisan and not to meddle, interfere or sabotage any country’s sovereignty and internal affairs.

The fact of the matter is that most Nigerians have come to the painful conclusion that AI in Nigeria has derailed from the intentions of its founding fathers.

In addition to not being a legal entity in Nigeria, AI’s activities have shown that it has turned a blind eye to its ideals and thus has impliedly, of recent, been working with terrorists, dissidents, anarchists and all manners of politicians against the larger, collective interests of Nigeria and Nigerians.

In some quarters, some patriotic Nigerians keeping wondering whether AI is another political party in the country. It is now more partisan than even opposition parties in the country.

In a statement he signed personally recently on AI’s high handedness on government, President Buhari’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said: “Again, they have decided to side with terrorists, before the liberty of those they injure, displace and murder.”

“Speaking the language of universal human rights, Amnesty International deploys it only in defence – even outright promotion – of those that violently oppose the Federal Government of Nigeria. Parroting the line of Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, a proscribed terror organisation, they work to legitimise its cause to Western audiences.

This puts them in bad company. Controversial American lobbyists are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to do the same, laundering IPOB’s reputation in Washington DC.” “IPOB murders Nigerian citizens. They kill police officers and military personnel and set government property on fire. Now, they have amassed a substantial stockpile of weapons and bombs across the country. Were this group in a western country, you would not expect to hear Amnesty’s full-throated defence of their actions. Instead, there would be silence or mealymouthed justification of western governments’ action to check the spread of terrorism,” Garba added.

Despite Amnesty’s self-proclaimed mandate to impartially transcend borders, in Nigeria they play only domestic politics.

Indications are that the international NGO is being used as a cover for its Nigerian local leaders to pursue their self-interests and unjustifiably vent their anger against government.

Regrettably, this is not uncommon in Africa.

There is nothing wrong with an activist stance; there are claims of neutrality, when all facts point to the opposite.

In the words of Garba Shehu, “Amnesty International has no legal right to exist in Nigeria. It must open a formal investigation into the personnel that occupy their Nigerian offices.

They should reject the outrageously tendentious misinformation they receive and bring some semblance of due diligence to the sources they base their claims on. Currently, we see none.”

Most damning is the issue of AI not being legally registered in Nigeria. Sadly, AI has been operating in the country for years without paying taxes, without any corporate social responsibility project of any kind, etc, etc. This is really very fraudulent and a way of undermining the national government.

AI must be sent a bill by government to pay

all due taxes in arrears for the years they have been around and also be made to pay some fines for illegal operations in the country. This is in addition to prosecuting it and its Directors for economic sabotage.

President Buhari’s SSA added that Nigerian government will fight terrorism with all the means at its disposal. “We will ignore Amnesty’s rantings especially when it comes from an organisation that does not hold itself to the same standards it demands of others.”

Indeed the accusation against AI is that evidence abounds in the public space that it is promoting terrorism by making statements that favour them.

He said: “Despite Amnesty’s self-proclaimed mandate to impartially transcend borders, unfortunately in Nigeria they play only domestic politics.

“The international NGO is being used as cover for the organisation’s local leaders to pursue their self-interests. There is nothing wrong with an activist stance; there are claims of neutrality, when all facts point to the opposite.”

According to him, Amnesty International has no legal right to exist in Nigeria, saying it must open a formal investigation into the personnel that occupy their Nigerian offices.

“They should reject the outrageously tendentious misinformation they receive and bring some semblance of due diligence to the sources they base their claims on. Currently, we see none.

“The Nigerian government will fight terrorism with all the means at its disposal.

“We will ignore Amnesty’s rantings especially when it comes from an organisation that does not hold itself to the same standards it demands of others,’’ he stated.

Another likely reason for AI literally “taking up arms” against PMB and siding with all manner of questionable characters is the view of some Nigerians that the group’s one-sided narrative may have to do with the Nigerian government’s refusal to embrace same-sex relationships.

The Buhari Media Organisation, BMO, in a statement signed by Niyi Akinsiju and Cassidy Madueke, Chairman and Secretary respectively, critically reviewed AI’s activities in Nigeria and noted that the human rights watchdog should be made to put up a structure that will make it easier to monitor the activities of its local operatives if it is to continue to operate in Nigeria.

“We believe that the authorities should ensure that international NGOs take more than a passing interest in the activities of their Nigerian offices by subjecting their reports to proper scrutiny because the operatives have constituted themselves into an arm of opposition groups in the country with their one-sided reports.”

BMO added: “We are reaffirming our stance that the Nigerian office of AI was out to do a hatchet job on the security agencies, which, incidentally received a vote of confidence from the apex socio-cultural group in the South East region, Ohaneze Ndigbo the same day the rights group released its one-sided report.

“In fact, we see it as a continuation of years of unrestrained efforts by the rights group to diminish the country and its institutions in the eyes of the international community”.

BMO recalls, “it is important to recall the role those local operatives played during the EndSARS crisis when, rather than play a neutral role, the group was willfully playing up fake news of a massacre that never was, and false narratives of casualty figures that it has not substantiated almost one year after, while completely ignoring the verifiable abuses including deaths and permanent disabilities that policemen suffered in the hands of riotous mobs in many cities.

BMO also echoed the necessity for the relevant authorities in Nigeria to ensure that the international NGO regularises its legal status in Nigeria and ensure that it operates within the laws of the land.

The questions needing answers are: is AI working for or against Nigeria? Is it covertly or overtly supporting terrorists, agitators, militants, dissidents? Is AI now another opposition political party in the country? Is Ai legally registered? If it is not, why have the authorities allowed them all these years to pollute our human rights space?

Ilallah wrote in from Emeka Anyaoku Street, Maitama Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

PAGE 12

Opinion

Peeping into how illiteracy affects everyone as the World marks Literacy Day

By Isaac Asabor

T

here is no denying the fact that since 1967 when the International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations began to take place annually across the world primarily to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society that illiteracy, which many people see as a disease, still persists. Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist with millions of young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills today.

It is against the foregoing backdrop that the International Literacy Day (ILD) 2021 is been celebrated today under the theme “Literacy for a human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide”.

Today’s event will no doubt be relatively be more spectacular as the COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the learning of children, young people and adults at an unprecedented scale. It has also magnified the pre-existing inequalities in access to meaningful literacy learning opportunities, disproportionally affecting 773 million non-literate young people and adults. Youth and adult literacy were absent in many initial national response plans, while numerous literacy programmes have been forced to halt their usual modes of operation.

It is not an exaggeration to say that this writer has for the umpteenth times seen illiterates in banking halls frantically searching for someone that could help them fill their tellers. Not only that, he

has seen well-dressed looking young men that came across as educated elites at public places thumb printing on documents as they lacked the literary level to append their signatures to such documents.

In fact, not few Nigerians will agree with this writer that they had at one time or the other come across or heard of a lady who cried out for help over a rich man who intended to marry her but he is an illiterate. Without any scintilla of exaggeration, illiteracy has humiliated most men and women as they are unable to read, write and speak fluent English, and for that reason have lost several opportunities.

There is no denying the fact that the first few years of a child’s life are some of the most important. Beyond the crying, cooing, napping, and stumbling that marks toddlerhood, there is a whole lot of cognitive development that naturally occurs.

In fact, scientists posit that about 80 percent of a child’s brain is developed by age three, with a key period of development occurring in their language and literacy skills.

Unfortunately, the quality of early childhood education a child receives in this part of the world is often determined by his or her parents’ economic status and exposures. Studies have shown that by age five, half of children living in poverty are not academically or socially ready for school. By fourth grade, the divide increases with 80 percent of low-income children reading below grade level. These children often fall behind during critical early years, which not only negatively affects their performance in the classroom, but can also

impact their social skills, health, and economic status later in life.

And this problem extends to our broader society and economy, too.

Also according to research, low literacy levels are often correlated with poor health outcomes, including higher rates of hospitalization and more frequent outpatient visits, than when compared to adults with higher levels of literacy. Additionally, lowliteracy adults are less likely to have preventative healthcare screenings or properly adhere to prescribed medication intake. This lack of understanding around health information and an impaired ability to make sound health decisions has implications on our larger society as millions of, if not billions of naira are spent annually in health care costs linked to low-literacy adults.

An outcome that could have easily been avoided.

In fact, reading ability and an individual’s health status are so closely correlated that in recent years, the medical community has begun to treat reading as a public health issue. Medical providers are encouraged to play an active role in helping to combat the literacy crisis.

In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a toolkit that provides resources for health care providers and doctors to speak to parents about the importance of early literacy. It encourages parents to read, talk, and sing with their children and outlines how pediatricians can implement a literacy promotion program with their patients. Resources such as this toolkit instill the importance and the joy that comes with reading for children and their parents.

As to the detriment of illiteracy

to the society, it is logical to say that since literacy is an essential tool for individuals and states to be competitive in the new global knowledge economy, many positions remain vacant for lack of personnel adequately trained to hold them, and the higher the proportion of adults with low literacy proficiency, the slower the overall long-term GDP growth rate would become.

In fact, the difficulty in understanding societal issues lowers the level of community involvement and civic participation.

Not only that, without the basic tools necessary for achieving their goals, individuals without an adequate level of literacy cannot be involved fully and on a completely equal basis in social and political discourse.

The issue of illiteracy is a serious one that deserves everyone’s concern as its consequences are many and harmful in several respects. Viewed from the foregoing perspective, it can as well be said that it affects illiterate individuals themselves in their daily lives and often jeopardizing their future as the scourge has a significant effect on society, both socially and economically.

It is equally germane to say in this context that the consequences of illiteracy on individuals and society cut across limited ability to obtain and understand essential information, unemployment, low income, low quality jobs and reduced access to lifelong learning and professional development.

Looking at its demerits from financial point of view, it is not an exaggeration to say that illiterates more often than not find themselves

in precarious financial position, even as in a household where an illiterate happens to the head, little value is given to education and reading within the family, and this often leads to intergenerational transmission of illiteracy.

At this juncture, particularly as the world is today marking world literacy day, it is expedient to ask “What can we do?”

Personally, given the fact that illiteracy or low literacy is a national crisis that affects all of us and our broader economy, it is expedient to suggest that the earlier we intervene, the larger impact we can make. By taking the time to understand the facts of this issue and working together to combat the literacy crisis head on, we can help to ensure children are getting the resources and attention they need to be strong readers and successful members of society.

Be that as it may, “Who says learning shouldn’t continue into adulthood?” The governments, at all levels, should in the spirit of the marking of World Literacy Day endeavor to intensify efforts towards the provision of adult education as it gives mature learners the chance to increase their knowledge, develop new skills and gain helpful qualifications and credentials. In fact, the importance of adult education is difficult to overstate. Adult education plays an important role in helping mature aged learners develop new skills and improve the career prospects available to them.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Economic diversification and Nigeria’s feeble attempts

ntions. While the first nd and third options have more potential duced risk. To Byachieve Jerome-Mario Utomi e addressed. Notably, ill amplify the painful t is no longer news that across the s that failed to globe, invest there exists persistent call on nations, regions and continents to shift toward more varied structure of d increase itsdomestic capacity production and trade as it is and requirenot a double only a strategy to encourage positive ent capacityeconomic to resolve growth and development but proving thewith design of to increasing productivity, a view entation capacity, andjobs and providing the base for creating 60s and immediately sustained poverty-reducing growth. eria‘s Gross Domestic What has however caused concern is the paltry number of nations and leaders particularly in Africa as a continent that rsification from have what keyed into such relentless calls. reduce financialAdding risks fillip to the above worry/ enue sourceclaim mightisbethe well quoted World Bank Group report which among other observations noted that economic Policy), Social and diversification remains a challenge eromeutomi@yahoo. for most developing countries and is arguably greatest for countries with the lowest incomes as well as for those whose economies are small, landlocked and/ or dominated by primary commodity dependence. It submitted that for such countries, economic diversification is inextricably linked with the structural transformation of their economies and the achievement of higher levels of productivity resulting from the movement of economic resources within and between economic sectors.

I

Take Africa as an example, aside its inability to diversify which has made it aid receiving continent, continually look up to continents such as; Asia, Europe and America for aid after almost 60 years of independence, the failure, in my views explains why Africa as a continent despite being the second mostpopulated continent in the world (1.2 billion people), represents only 1.4% of the world Manufacturing Value added in the first quarter of 2020. Also, the effect of the continent failure to diversify is signposted in the painful reality that out of about 54 countries that made up the continent, only South Africa qualified as a member of BRICS, an acronym coined for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

While the piece laments this challenge, it is relevant to the present discourse to underline that this tragedy is well rooted in, and has spread its wings in Nigeria as a country.

To illustrate this claim, as part of the transformation agenda, reports has it that former President GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan through his Coordinating Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iwuala, now Director General, World Trade Organization (WTO) emphasized the need for the diversification of the economy to promote inclusive growth

and job creation. The administration aimed at achieving the objective through investment in agriculture, housing and construction, manufacturing, aviation, power, roads, rail solid minerals and the information and communication Technology, ICT, sectors by both government and the private sector. These sectors the report added would gradually transform the economy and create jobs in the process as well as move the economy in the right direction.

Sadly but expected, the ideas and pontifications, like those of his predecessors, ended not just in the frames but as a mere declaration of intent.

Nevertheless, before getting into the nitty-gritty of economic decays in the present government particularly its long history of inabilities to come up with, and implement a well-foresighted plan or execute a shift toward more varied structure of domestic production and trade, let’s cast a glance at January 2020 policy comment by one of the well respected newspaper in Nigeria.

Specifically, while lamenting (then) that Nigeria is a country that services its debt with 50% of its annual revenue, the report noted that the country would be facing another round of fiscal headwinds this year (2920) with the mix of $83 billion debt; rising recurrent

expenditure; increased cost of debt servicing; sustained fall in revenue; and about $22 billion debt plan waiting for legislative approval. It added that it may be worse if the anticipated shocks from the global economy, like Brexit, the United States-China trade war and interest rate policy of the Federal Reserve Bank go awry. The nation’s debt stock, currently at $83billion, comes with huge debt service provision in excess of N2.1 trillion in 2019, but set to rise in 2020.

This challenge stems from the country’s revenue crisis, which has remained unabating in the last five years, while the borrowings have persisted, an indication that the economy has been primed for recurring tough outcomes, the report concluded.

Unfortunately, because no one acted on those warnings, the next paragraph lays bare the consequence of such failure and failing by the Federal Government.

Recently, a report noted that the Federal Government made a total of N3.25tn in 2020, and out of which spent a total of N2.34tn on debt servicing within the year. This means that 72 per cent of the government’s revenue was spent on debt servicing. It also puts the government’s debt servicing to revenue ratio at 72 per cent. According to the report, a review of the budget performance of the 2020 Appropriation

Act In 2019 shows that the Federal Government made total revenue of N3.86tn. Within the year, debt servicing gulped N2.11tn. This puts the Federal Government’s debt servicing to revenue ratio in 2019 at 54.66 per cent. This means that between 2019 and 2020, the Federal Government’s debt servicing to revenue ratio jumped from 54.66 per cent to 72 per cent. The report concluded Indeed, the question may be asked why the country’s revenue crisis remained unabated in the last six years.

Within the context, the answer lies in the fundamental recognition that here is a country reputed for crude oil dependence and laced with a leadership system devoid of accountability, transparency and accuracy.

The truth is that considering the slow growing economy but scary unemployment levels in the country, the current administration in my opinion will continue to find itself faced with difficulty accelerating the economic life cycle of the nation until they contemplate industrialization, or productive collaboration with private organizations that have surplus capital to create employment.

Another alternative recourse will probably be to move part of the job creation functions and infrastructural provision/development to the state

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

Comment

Travelogue: CJA 2020: The road to Abuja

By Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim

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n one afternoon, in March, 2020, I was traveling back to school from Kaduna when I read one of the most amazing news of the day and or the most amazing in the year. The news was on the shortlisted finalists for the annual Youth Digest Journalism Awards 2020.

Having applied for the awards, I scrolled down quickly with the anxiety to spot my name. I passed all the thirty (30) finalists without seeing my name. I had to go back and start reading them one after the other. I didn’t trust the first glance. Alhamdu lilLah. I was luckily selected. The scheduled date was March 28, 2020.

However, I didn’t know that the date was not going to see the event. We were greeted with sadness when we saw the postponement news. This was as a result of the global Covid-19 lockdown. As time went on, sun rise and set, a day came when the awards manager announced that soon our ears would be dancing.

From then onward, I kept anticipating this great event. I paid more attention to News Digest page on Facebook for breaking news. However, the news broke on Youth Digest page. Moreover, I became the first person to take this beautiful news to the finalists WhatsApp group. My fellow finalists were amazed with this news. Fresh counting began. Abuja has called.

This day seemed not to be coming, as many months after fixing the date for the much anticipated 3rd edition of Campus Journalism Awards (CJA 2020), was not held. It was stalled by the lockdown necessitated by the Covid-19 global pandemic. But Allah willing, 12th December, 2020 saw the event.

Until the day this journey started, I believed that the day has come. The journey began early in the morning. Though the whether was quite foggy, we managed to ply off the road. And this was my first time of going to Abuja by road.

I was busy thinking if there would be a difference between the former federal capital territory (Lagos) and the present federal capital territory (Abuja). And if it would be, what would be the difference? I

kept these questions for the federal capital territory or city to answer.

Entering Abuja Right from Jos, the Plateau State capital, I started receiving phone calls from Mr Mohammed Yaqub, who later won the features category award now a reporter with The Guardian. He was asking whether if I had reached Abuja. But I couldn’t be sure if he was the one speaking until I checked my phone again and saw his name. I spoke in Hausa while he kept responding in English language. It got to the extent that I had to stop for a while and identify what’s wrong.

He contacted me again. Until when we were reaching Abuja that I finally spoke in English with him. Unknown to me was that he didn’t speak Hausa fluently but can read and undertand. All the WhatsApp messages we have been sharing, he would only read my Hausa and replied me in English. I didn’t notice this until when I met him again, in Abuja he narrated this.

It was late in the evening when we arrived at the FCT. Reservations were already made for us at a hotel in Wuye, zone 7. It was close to 5 PM when we reached Peace Haven Hotel Abuja, where reservations had been made for us. There I saw a young gentle man coming out from the lobby. I haven’t met him in person before. But I realised that he was Mr Lanre.

He was going to lead Mohammed Yaqub in as we were about to park.

With Covid-19 in town, I shaked them in line with the Covid-19 protocols. We exchanged pleasantries with Mohammed Yaqub and Mr Lanre. We all went in. I was the tenth person on the list. 20 fellow finalists were not in, at the moment. We proceeded to our rooms. Then Mohammed Yaqub narrated how it all happened. And we all laughed.

Touring FCT At Night After praying Maghrib and Isha’i at a nearby mosque, I joined my Dad who is also present to attend my awards ceremony, for a dinner. We went to a restaurant in the Nigeria’s capital to dine.

The beauty of the city was like increasing at night. The lights and vehicles’ horns plying the roads accompanied road users to their various destinations joyously.

The speed at which vehicles moved, was another story on its own. The number of road lanes were multiple, there by allowing adequate speeding.

At each place, we passed, I tried to catched a view of the location and what it has differently. Was it welcoming, surprising or disappointing? These were how the journo eyes were in the FCT at night.

Upon returning to the hotel, my phone was fed up with messages coming in. I quickly began to go through some. An Information came in on a task we had to complete before 12 AM which was later shifted to 2 AM. This was to show how tasking the career and being shortlisted was. Dealines were very important in journalism. We didn’t sleep early that very day, despite our long journeys. We had to beat the deadline. A journalist reading this could relate how important deadlines were in journalism.

A Journey To PR Nigeria Centre It is not all about the workshop held or the certificates of excellence awarded to all of us. But the books given to us by the most accomplished international award-winning PR Guru, Mr Yushau Shuaib. He gave all of us one copy each of a book on Disaster Management. I have to thank the person who gave us books for he loved the spread of knowledge and for this I was known. And in doing so, I have deliberately forgotten to narrate how the journey to PR Nigeria Centre even started.

In the early morning, while returning from Subhi prayer, the awards manager stopped and reminded me of our scheduled workshop. I quickly went in and prepared for the workshop. Before that very 7 o’clock, already some of the finalists were at the lobby waiting for our departure.

There, I saw a young fashioned-guy with eye glasses. He is by name Abdulhamid.

We greeted with joy and happiness. I asked for others I was familiar with via our group.

Our institutions of study been close, made us to focus our discussions on the region.

Not only him but there was also the most celebrated Mr MD Lawal of our time who is the convener of Arewa Agenda and a PR Nigeria staff. We exchanged greetings with many others including Mr

AbdulHaleem Ishaq Ringim, a vibrant young writer from Zaria among others.

We all went out of the hotel, without knowing the exact location of the next venue.

But I know it was not going to be far since we were trekking. It must be a trekable distance.

Unknowingly, we were heading to the best award-winning PR firm in Nigeria, Image Merchants Promotion Limited also referred to as the PR Nigeria Centre, publishers of PR Nigeria, Spokesperson Digest, Arewa Agenda, Techdigest, Politics Digest and Emergency Digest which are all online.

It was the next building after the hotel.

We were led by the awards manager, Mr Olanrewaju Oyedeji. We saw the beauty of Abuja city in the early morning, the sun has just risen. Though it was a weekend.

Along the way, I finally met Mr Yusuf Yusuf, also a journalist with whom I have been communicating with. Luckily, he recognised me. But unfortunately, I didn’t.

“Assalamu alaikum” was whispered from behind. I quickly turned to see who was speaking as I answered. It was Mr Yusuf, the Editor of YBTC News, an outlet I have been contributing to from my end.

We shook hands and hugged each other.

He introduced himself saying ” I am Yusuf Yusuf”. I finally felt comfortable and smiled acknowledging his kind gesture after having known who he was. He fade farewell and left. But he has promised to meet me later.

As we entered the giant PR firm, we moved directly to the conference room passing through the news room. I knew how newsrooms looked in the broadcast stations but didn’t think It was similar with that of online newspapers.

There were also Miss Mariam Ileyemi and Miss Owolabi Kuburat, the only hijabites at the final stage of the competition.

We celebrated altogether. I was happy to see them adorned in their hijabs.

Not forgetting Mr Sodiq of Platform Times, an online newspaper based in Ogun. He had to remind me that I was communicating with him about how to contribute to his paper.

The PR Guru suddenly came in together with Mr Gidado before they finally ushered in the panel of judges chaired by Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace.

For the first time, I met Jaafar Jaafar the Publisher of the Daily Nigerian newspaper. I recognised him as he entered the conference room. I knew it was him.

We all shared the ideas we have written last night before the panel of judges. They have already edited them but it was more of defense. As a journalist in training, I gave them bonus of some seconds out of my time. I appreciated all the positions of my colleagues. I learned from their presentations more especially that of MD Lawal. He did well and I agreed with his assertion.

Now, The Long Awaited Campus Journalism Awards Ceremony As the schedule stated, the venue was Nicon Luxury Hotel Abuja. As soon as the workshop ended, we were given few minutes to return to our hotel and get set for the awards starting in the next few hours.

Being finalists, we were expected to arrive very early. Arrangements had been made for our movement.

I could not recognise Mr Akinwale, former head of newsroom at The ICiR until he was later introduced by a fellow finalist.

Like every other guy, it didn’t take much of our time to prepare. But you know what?

Mohammed and I were the first finalists to arrived at the lobby. Upon coming down from our rooms, we met again with the vibrant and gentle mind behind the Campus Journalism Awards, Mr Gidado waiting for all us. He brought us to Abuja, organised a workshop for us and gave us certificates of excellence. And so also, he was still around to ensure that we were conveyed to the awards’ venue on time. Kudos to this young man. He deserved to be thanked.

Moments later, other finalists started coming out. After the driver of one Costa bus has finished complaining about their delay.

We all boarded the Costa bus provided by the organisers. With the exception of others that later came to Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim is a finalist, Youths Digest Campus Journalism Awards 2020. Can be reached via awwalbinibrahim@ gmail.com

Opportunities in chemical business and value chain in Nigeria

By Nwosu Chidiebele

T

he chemical industry in any country usually has the greatest business opportunities. In Nigeria, the opportunities in the chemical production and business are immeasurable and very vast that less than 6% of it has been tapped. This is in contrast to developed countries as United States, Uk, Canada and Asian countries whom have a more developed chemical market.

The reason is the fact that almost everything on the surface of the earth is composed of chemicals. Hence there is absolutely nothing that one can do in this life without involving chemical components at one stage or the other.

It is a necessity and no one can do without it. Now, think of it from the food we eat, the house we live, the road we use, the clothes we wear, drugs we take, water we drink, the land we farm, chemicals of various quantities and types have to make all these possible.

This is the reason why there cannot be life as it is today without the chemical industry.

DEVELOPMENT The development of this industry has suffered. It has suffered neglect and setback. The major reason is that most people are ignorant of the vast opportunities the chemical industries hold in terms of business and job creation. The opportunities are vast

and more than other sectors of the economy. Nigeria provides vast market opportunities for many established and would be entrepreneurs to venture in this sector of the economy. The population is growing geometrically and so are the people needs. So, industrialist, entrepreneurs and would be entrepreneurs like you are being relied upon to bridge the gaps. I also want to let you know that the chemical Production industry is a huge market with range of chemical products such as cosmetics, adhesives, beverages, disinfectants, inks, soaps and detergents, industrial chemicals, wood finishes, lubricants to mention but a few going a long way to provide a decent business opportunity for any willing investor. Another positive is the massive income opportunities which are inherent in this industry.

INCOME OPPORTUNITIES The income earning potential on full scale can give one a lifestyle of choice, leveraging on the increasing population of this country. Nigeria runs a consumption based economy.

A cake consumption instead of cake baking economy. It is an open and begging opportunities for more investment in the chemical production and manufacturing business. And with a population of over 160 million whom have to depend on the chemical products to survive, it becomes necessary to start a chemical business

of your own. Surely, anyone can start and can start in small scale and with the necessary skills, information and knowledge, success is assured.

MARKET SIZE Nigeria companies consume in excess of $3.58 billion dollars’ worth of chemicals per annum but produces just $380 million dollar in equivalent creating a short fall of $3.2 billion dollar. The shortfall is filled mainly with importation. There are opportunities for new entrants to enter the industry and take advantage of healthy margins. A small scale producer can leverage on a strategic strength of good quality at reasonable price to create a cutting edge advantage against the big players whose products are of higher prices.

FACTORS FOR CHEMICAL BUSINESS SUCCESS In the world of chemical business, planning play a very important role in determining its success. Though it is not different in other business, certain step has to follow including the proper procedure to get the right results.

To survive and succeed in making any chemical product in Nigeria, the following steps are vital: This is the first step. Make a SWOT analysis. This is necessary as it will give you an edge and a basic foundation to grow your business.

SWOT means: Strength, Weakness, opportunities and Threats.

Strength: What is your strength?

Everyone has the same. Are you a good entrepreneur? Is your qualification, knowledge, training, experience, personality trait, passion, network, and finances among others, at advantage to you? Capitalize on your strength. Your strength lies where you have major advantage over others.

Weakness: Find where your negative points lie. When you identify them clearly then it is much easier to deal with them. Are you poor in selling, keeping books or supervising people?

Leverage on areas where you are weak.

Find and use the best hands in the area where you have weakness.

Opportunity: Opportunities are untapped or not fully tapped prospects. Finding and filling a gap in the market for any chemical product is an opportunity to make good gains.

Eventually, the market might start getting saturated due to increasing competitors. If you invent a product that is needed by people, you have an opportunity. In the Nigerian chemical industry, the opportunities for making chemical products are limitless.

Threat: What potential dangers are ahead of your business venture? These could be government policies, natural disasters like floods, cyclones, draught and conflicts like community clashes, militancy, wars among others. A ban in the use of your major raw material can be a big threat to your operations.

Watch out for threat far ahead and do something to survive bad times.

Unfavorable competition by imported product occasioned by government policy can affect your business.

After putting it in SWOT, you can now know where to improve upon, leverage or device strategies to survive and succeed as an entrepreneur in chemical business.

Get the necessary information, contacts and training to empower yourself. It can be motivational, managerial and technical. The first stage is to go for entrepreneurship training if you have not done so. Do not ignore this, no matter your level of academic qualification. There are many centers in Nigeria where you can get this type of training at little or no cost e.g SMEDAN, NASSI, NDE, NASME, CBN, Association of chambers of commerce, Industries, Miners & Agriculture are some of the reliable ones.

This can be a difficult stage but you have got passion. Make a list of chemical products you will naturally want to produce if you had everything you need to do so. Scrutinize and grade them according to market demand.

This may require some market survey or consulting a market expert. Make a list of the five most popular and subject each one to: Nwosu is a Public Affairs Analyst.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

PAGE 14

News Yiaga Africa commends Adamawa Gov over signing of VAPP into law

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Covid-19: US based vaccinated Nigerian, 3 others die in Edo

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro

A

United State based Nigerian and three other persons have lost their lives to Covid-19 pandemic in Edo State.

Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa, Edo State Permanent Secretary, ministry of Health disclosed this at Edo

Covid-19 Taskforce Press briefing on Wednesday in Benin City.

The development has brought Covid-19 mortality rate since the 3rd wave began on July 17, 2021, according to Irowa who gave a graphic representation of Covid-19 cases in Edo State.

He revealed that the 57- year

-old man took Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine abroad before retuning to Nigeria.

“Within 24 hours we have recorded four deaths, 55 new cases and eight recoveries”.

He said 369 samples were collected, and that out of the number 53 were positive

representing 19.2 percent test positivity rate.

“One of the dead has taken full dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine in USA while others are unvaccinated person .“But you don’t have to say because one person who had taken the vaccine died, you won’t take it”

Y

iaga Africa, has commended Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, for signing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP), Bill into law.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu.

The statement said it was necessary for the VAPP to be domesticated in the States.

The statement reads in part, “Yiaga Africa wishes to commend the Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for signing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill into law in the state.

“The VAPP Act, which was passed by the Adamawa State House of Assembly in March 2021, ‘prohibits all forms of violence against persons in private and public life”, and “provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.

“Importantly, the VAPP Act protects and prohibits all forms of violence against women and girls in Nigeria. With the signing of the VAPP Act into law, Adamawa State becomes the 17th State to adopt the law since it was passed and assented to in May 2015.

“Yiaga Africa with the support of the European Union-United Nations Spotlight Initiative project had in the past few months supported campaigns for the passage and signing of the bill into law in Adamawa state.

“Specifically, in June 2021, Yiaga Africa organized an Advocacy Strategy Workshop, bringing together Civil Society partners, the media, other key influencers and champions of women and girls right in the State Assembly, to design strategies for the executive assent to the bill.”

Meanwhile, in commending Adamawa State House of Assembly for passing the Bill into law described it as passing a landmark bill into law as it would protect women and girls against violence.

“Yiaga Africa also wishes to commend and congratulate the Adamawa State House of Assembly for passing this landmark bill that will contribute to ensuring that violence against women and girls in Adamawa State is eliminated.

“We also commend the efforts of civil society organizations, community-based organizations, individuals, and other groups that have pushed for the passage of the VAPP Act and its signing into law in Adamawa State.”

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Okey-Nwosu has raised an alarm over the activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, accusing it of coercing politicians in the state to join the party.

Nwosu alleged that many politicians in the state have been bullied by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to join the APC and that many were currently being intimidated to move from their parties to APC. The National Chairman who briefed journalists in Awka, on the aegis of Allied Parties, a coalition of political parties supporting the

PAGE 15

APC using EFCC to bully Anambra politicians, ADC alleges emergence of ADC governorship candidate, warned that the plans of the Federal Government in Anambra as regards the election will fail.

“I want to tell you people that APC is using the EFCC to bully politicians in Anambra to join them, and so far, politicians in APGA and PDP have succumbed.

We hear that they are still working on many to join, but this ‘APC by force’ slogan can never stand in Anambra, and their shenanigans must fail.

“Mr President and APC should be concerned with the legacy that they will leave behind. APC’s legacy should matter to Buhari.

“Even if all the politicians in Anambra are bullied into joining the APC, with charges of corruption and the rest, I can assure you that Anambra will never be taken by APC. Anambra is a different ball game altogether.”

Nwosu expressed confidence that his party will win the governorship election in

November, saying some of the political parties are not in the contest, as they never held any valid primary election.

He said, “There are some parties that are not in this election.

INEC can put a party on the ballot if the chairman of parties or court gives such orders. That doesn’t change the undercurrents that PDP and APC, did not hold valid primary elections.

“The APC, PDP and APGA will not win the election and I can assure you of that. They have no

APC Youth group asks Buni to resign as chairman

The main Killer Mangut Shuwwar Mr.Mangut Shuwwar, suspected Killer of Pa Dariye Dufwan, father of the former Governor Plateau State during the parade at the force Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

By Christiana Ekpa

T From Left:Vice President, Rotary club of Asokoro, Francis Becky, Acting Medical Director, Asokoro District General Hospital,Dr Chidi Nnabuichie and President,Rotary Club of Asokoro,Adetola Fazaz and President Elect of the Club, Ebele Israel during the flag off of Cataract eye surgeries for indigent people in FCT by the club to mark the 20years anniversary of the Club, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

SUBEB chairman warns education secretaries against corruption

From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

T

he Chairman Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Abubakar Sirimbai has warned education Secretaries against bad attitude and corrupt practices.

Dr Sirimbai gave the warning after he inaugurated education secretaries of the 20 Local Government Education Authorities (LEAs) in the state.

He said that the selection process of the education secretaries were based on merit, pointing out that their appointments is an opportunity to serve the state.

Osun to host 200 LGs, 100,000 visitors at South-West LG Trade Fair

O

sun Government on Tuesday said no fewer than 200 local governments are expected in the state for the maiden edition of the South-West Local Governments Trade Fair.

Mr Olabode Olaonipekun, Osun Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, made this known during the unveiling of the Trade Fair Prospectus in Osogbo, adding that the event would hold in Osogbo, from Nov. 16 to Nov. 28.

He said no fewer than 200 exhibitions and 100,000 visitors were also projected to be part of the trade fair, pointing out that the event would be mainly for the showcasing agricultural and mineral resources.

“All the local governments in the South-West will be involved in the trade fair, where they will be able to showcase their mineral and agricultural resources.

“The trade fair will attract investors from all over the world where the produce from the SouthWest states will be displayed,” he said.

He said the gains of the South-

West Economic and Investment Summit held in 2019 needed to be consolidated and that the trade fair would attract investors, industrialists and producers.

This, he said, would boost the economy of the South-Western states.

In his remark, Osun Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Dayo Adewole, said the trade fair would give a platform for farmers to showcase their agricultural produce.

Adewole stated that the trade fair would be of great benefit to the people of the state, adding that it was not only meant for the state government or ministry of Commerce but for the growth and development of businesses in the state.

Mr Bisi Makanjuola, the President of Osun Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (OSUCCIMA), said it has become imperative for the state to organise a trade fair to re-awaken and stimulate business activities in the state and the geo-political zone.

Makanjuola said the chambers of commerce would be collaborating

with Osun government for the success of the trade fair.

He said the event was aimed at bringing to the fore the value chain needed to be identified and developed.

Mr Owoyemi Olalekan, the Management Consultant of the Trade Fair, said in his address that the event was also expected to attract more than one million online shoppers.

Olalekan said the trade fair themed “Stimulating Value Addition Through Digital Economy for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development” would serve as a veritable platform for businesses, investors and decision makers.

He said they would be able to connect, network and hold business meetings for the socio-economic development of the state and the region.

He said the trade fair, also tagged “Aje Lawa” would hold at the Aje International Market in Osogbo, with six days for exhibition of agriculture and mineral resources and 13 days for general business-tobusiness deals. (NAN)

he Progressive Youth Vanguard (PYV), a pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has asked the party’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, to resign.

The Yobe Governor faces multiple battles as scores of members are in different courts to demand his removal, others have picked holes in his asset declaration form.

In a statement, PYV Coordinator, Ahmed Usman, regretted the President’s “silence on what has become a frustrating issue”.

Usman said they were worried about the Nigerian leader’s body language and were not prepared to take any more chances.

He vowed that concerned party loyalists will not allow President Buhari, Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and Buni to keep making errors.

“Enough is enough. We believe that within the APC, we have capable hands who can manage the affairs of our party. Why must it be one individual?

“The provision of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is unambiguous to the effect that the Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.

“It is therefore incontrovertible that the continuous stay of the Governor as Chief Executive Officer of the All Progressives Congress runs contrary to provision of the Constitution and may be an albatross on the party.

“All he had done before would be null and void, including nomination of candidates within the period of his so called leadership of the party.

“We expect President Buhari to direct Governor Buni to immediately resign as acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress as a stitch in time saves nine.

valid primary elections.

“Whether Buhari raised (Andy) Uba’s hand in the Villa or comes to Anambra to do so, I can tell you that it will not happen. The system will flush out APC and the people of Anambra will ultimately choose their own governor.

“The election in Anambra must be a popularity contest, not about how many governors you are coming to Anambra with or how many you have in your party.

Anambra people will vote for their governor and not other people

Buhari’s visit to Imo: IPOB denies issuing sit-at-home order, gives fresh directives

By Musa Baba Adamu

I

ndigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied issuing a sit-at-home directive in the Southeastern part of the country ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Imo State today.

There have been reports that the group, during a broadcast on radio Biafra, ordered residents of the region particularly Imo State, to observe a sit-at-home during the President’s visit in solidarity with its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

But in a statement issued on

Wednesday, the Head of Directorate of State, Chika Edoziem, IPOB dismissed the report describing it as a “propaganda being peddled by the enemies of Biafra”.

However, the statement directed IPOB’s security formation, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) across the region to ensure that the lives of residents are protected from any external force.

Chika Edoziem explained that the sit-at-home would only be observed in the region when ordered directly by Nnamdi Kanu, stressing that the group would not risk the lives and livelihoods of its people.

The statement reads, “We have been inundated with calls and messages from Umu Biafra and other well-wishers over a viral message purporting our directive for a sit-at-home order across Biafra land in reaction to the planned visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to our Biafran land.

“The Directorate of State hereby dissociates itself from the propaganda being peddled by the enemies of Biafra. At no point did the directorate issue such a circular to Umu Biafra. And we would not encourage anyone who wishes to put the lives of Ndi Biafra on the line by constituting authority upon themselves.

“The only sit-at-home order in Biafra land remains that which will happen any day our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has ordered and approved by the Directorate of State”.

“Let no one be moved by the action of the saboteurs and enemies of Biafra people. We must safeguard our lives and as such, will not be cowed into risking the lives and livelihood of our people.

“By this notice, all Biafra security formations across Biafra Land are directed to ensure the safety of our people as they go about their daily business activities and other engagements tomorrow”.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

POLITICS

2023: Anyone wishing Buhari type needs evaluation – Ebonyi PDP chair, Udeogu

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, Elder Fred Udeogu, yesterday said that anyone wishing Nigerians to have Muhammadu Buhari’s kind as the next President of Nigeria come 2023 needs his psyche to be reexamined.

Udeogu made this known while reacting to a statement credited to Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, wherein it was alleged that the Governor wished Nigerians to have a kind of Buhari as the next President of Nigeria.

The party chairman inferred that it is uncalled for that President Buhari, whom his own state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and other notable northern leaders allegedly acknowledged had failed Nigerians, could be desired by a south East Governor to rule the country again.

He said “If it is true that the governor said such thing in Abuja, not in Ebonyi state, that someone who is like President Muhammad Buhari should become the next President of Nigeria come 2023, it is his own personal opinion.

“He is not our spokesperson, we elected some persons to go to Abuja and speak for us, not until then, he shouldn’t speak for us but if at all he said that, well, he is free to speak his mind because that is what his mind told him to say and he has said it. And nobody can change what he has said.

“The governor said what his spirit told him to say but I don’t know how many families in this country will pray for us to have a kind of person like President Buhari as the next President of Nigeria. Really I don’t know.

“Whichever way it goes, even his own people from the state, I don’t know how many people can come out today to open their mouth and say, Yes, we had it so good since the last 6years the present federal government came to power.

“Is it the level of borrowing, is it the level of economic stagnation. Is it the level of frustration, do you know the level of crimes as well as suicide people have committed in this country?

And somebody is saying this.

“It is just the elected people, especially the governors and few others who are in the government that can say yes, that things are moving well, outside that, things are not the way it’s supposed to be.

“His own people and brothers are saying that the man at the helm of affairs is not doing well but you that are down here are saying that he is doing well, well his psyche needs to be reexamined,” he said.

Governor Abiodun govt thrives on lies, propaganda – PDP alleges

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has described the government of Governor Dapo Abiodun as one that is largely thriving on falsehood, deceit and propaganda, saying “it is uninspiring.”

The PDP accused Governor Abiodun of allowing governance to suffer in Ogun because of his struggle to control party structure.

In an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ogun State, Akinloye Bankole, reacted to the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.

Bankole stated that the crisis in the ruling party was setting the state backward, telling Abiodun to provide leadership and courage.

He said “We want to appeal to

the Governor, Dapo Abiodun, that he should show leadership and courage in the way he handles their party’s ongoing congresses. We have noticed that the disagreement rocking the party as a result of their congresses is obviously setting the pace of governance back in Ogun State.

“In the last couple of weeks when the congresses started, they have tried as much as possible to return Ogun State to its dark days. It is important to appeal to the government that he and members of the APC should not turn Ogun State to a war theatre.

Governance is suffering a setback in Ogun State and there is the need for Gov Abiodun to roll up his sleeves and get to work by showing courage and leadership in the party”.

The PDP spokesman also lamented the deplorable state of

roads in Ogun, especially in Sango/ Ota, Lafenwa, Ogijo Akute, Agbado and other places.

The poor condition of the roads, he said, was because the Governor was more interested in the fight over party control than governance.

“Look at the deplorable state of our roads across the state, especially in Ado-Odo/Ota, Ifo, Ogijo, Akute, Lafenwa and others. Sango-Ota cannot be reached again. Ota has become a nightmare suddenly under the watch of Abiodun and it is very sad that there is no other road to ply to get to that place.

“Instead of ensuring these problems are attended to, the Governor is busy facing the fight of who controls party structure in Ogun State. That is so terrible because governance is seriously suffering in Ogun State. Apart from the road I have mentioned, even the Lafenwa to Rounder road

is deplorable. It is so wicked for a government to close its eyes where all these insensitivities rear their ugly heads,” he said.

The Ogun PDP Publicity Secretary advised the governor and his cabinet to “role up their sleeves and get to work,” warning them not to tear Ogun apart as a result of their party crisis.

“It is important to remind the governor that it is getting to 19 months that the deductions of the state civil servant have not been remitted appropriately.

Governance under Dapo Abiodun has become largely uninspiring because this government only thrives on falsehood, deceit and propaganda. He claimed to have completed over 300 projects in Ogun West and everywhere is in shambles. The people are suffering, governance is suffering,” he said.

L-R: Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Public accounts, Wole Oke, Auditor general of the federation Aghughu Adolphus, Auditor in Charge of National Assembly, Suleman Khalid and a member of the committee, Adewumi Ogunlola during an oversight function to the Auditor general office, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

APGA says Buhari’s Imo visit is mockery on residents

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo State has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari, describing his scheduled visit to the state as a huge mockery of the people of the state.

APGA said for the majority of Ndi Imo to see a meaning in the Presidential working visit, Buhari must be taken to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri, mortuary department, to see for himself, the dead bodies of innocent Imo youths killed by UNKNOWN UNIFORMED MEN (UUM).

A statement signed by John Iwuala, the APGA Chairman in Imo said the party wants to

know what the President’s visit intends to achieve before it makes a statement.

APGA said it expects the President to condemn the killing of Imo youths which looks like ‘a youthful ethnic extermination’.

He said ”We expect Mr President to condole with the families of these young youths that were extrajudicially murdered in their prime age”.

The opposition party said “Just this morning, over the radio we learnt that the President is coming to commission traffic lights, streetlights, re-painted Wethedral and Okigwe roads, Egbu-Chukwuma Nwoha road, relief market road, though it has been commissioned twice, no

problem. ” “We also gathered that Mr President is to commission the flood control system as the Governor claimed to have taken care of the flood in Owerri, while Ndi Imo are opting for canoe transportation due to heavy floods after rains. Even the former APC Governor said the rains in Imo State are acidic rains etc.”

APGA said, “We expect the President to take responsibility for their killings as well as the killing of police and army officers who lost their lives during the time of heightened insecurity. ” “The President must apologize to Ndimo for the bad leadership his party, APC has

imposed on Ndi Imo right from the former APC Governor of Imo State till this present Governor.”

Imo APGA is telling Mr President to go beyond Wethdral and Okigwe roads, commissioning demolished roundabouts and installation of traffic lights to visiting some LGA headquarters in the state and see for himself that some of them are not different from Sambisa forest. ”Some LGA headquarters has become a good place for hunting grasscutters and other bush meats. Imo APGA would like you to take a tour to Nekede- Ihiagwa road. You need to see the good works of our Governor,” the party said.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

PAGE 17

POLITICS

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in State yesterday took a dangerous dimension, as the Enugu State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Ben Nwoye, was on Tuesday arrested by the police.

It was alleged that the chairman was arrested over a petition by former Senate President, Ken Nnamani.

Recall that infighting in the party assumed a risky turn after the APC ward congresses in the State, with parallel exercise conducted in the 260 wards. The development was replicated in the last Saturday local government congress.

It was gathered that 20 policemen stormed the secretariat of the party in the State shortly after Nwoye held the swearing-in of the 17 local government council chairmen and arrested him.

However, Nwoye told reporters after he was released that “I was arrested based on the petition from Ken Nnamani. The Police Officers numbering about 20 who stormed the secretariat said that I was needed by the Commissioner of Police.

Enugu APC crisis takes dangerous turn as Police arrest State Chairman, Ben Nwoye “They arrested me alongside my executive. Unfortunately, when we got to the police, the Commissioner of Police denied knowledge of the letter and said he never ordered my arrest.

“I was however quizzed on the letter from Nnamani. He accused me of fraud, conspiracy and cybercrime. That I must be aware of the letter being circulated bearing Akpanudoede’s name. I

know nothing about the letter.

They have taken my statement. It is part of the plot going on in the state to wrest the soul of the APC, but they have failed.”

However, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Daniel Ndukwe, said he was not “aware of the arrest or detention” of Nwoye.

Meanwhile, Nnamani, in the petition to the police had accused

Nwoye of fraud, conspiracy and cybercrime.

The petition followed a letter that allegedly emanated from the Secretary, Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party, Sen. James Akpanudoede, over the congress of the party in the state.

Dated September 3, and addressed to Nwoye, it had denied “authorizing a certain Deputy

Caretaker committee chairman of the party to take over the swearing in of the new executive of the party”, and reaffirming Nwoye as the Caretaker Committee chairman of APC in Enugu state.

The letter copied to Nnamani had dismissed the purported authority of the deputy chairman as “mere figment of naysayers and never existed.”

Nigeria will never break up – Obaseki

G

overnor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has expressed faith in the unity of the country, saying that the country will never break up.

“Nigeria has come to stay,” Mr Obaseki said while receiving the visiting Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Tukur Buratai, a retired lieutenant-general, at Government House, Benin.

Buratai served as the Chief of Army Staff between 2015 and 2021 before his appointment as an Ambassador.

“We are facing our challenges like other countries in the world and that is why we need leaders like you.

We will continue to do our own beat in contributing to the harmony and unity of Nigeria,” the Governor told the Ambassador.

Obaseki said the country was building on the “foundation” laid by Buratai in combating insecurity.

The former army chief was in Edo to inaugurate a centre – Buratai Centre for Contemporaries Security Affairs – named after him at Igbinedion University, Okada.

Obaseki said, “The foundation you laid as chief of army staff, is what we are building on today.

You are here in Edo because we appreciate what you have done for this country.

“Our Esama (Gabriel Igbinedion) of Benin, who we are very proud of, is a man of foresight, who is always full of gratitude, and named that centre after you.

“It was deliberate because at no time in our history have we faced the kind of security challenges as you faced as chief of army staff.

We could see how God used you to overcome those challenges.

“For us as a state, the relationship we have with the military today was laid during your tenure. You are here today to commission a centre; at no time in our history do we need to focus on security as strategically as we should now. (NAN)

From Left: NDLEA Commander of Apapa Port, Mr Samuel Gyazama; Director of Operations and General Investigation, NDLEA, Mr Adeyemi Adeoye and Chairman of retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, during a conference on the seizure of some drugs

by Agency in Lagos on Wednesday (8/9/21).

Attack on Secretariat: We will not be cowed by violence – Osun PDP

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the unprovoked attack on its secretariat by suspected political thugs in a desperate attempt to scare party faithful from an important event scheduled to hold on the premises on Tuesday.

The party, while describing itself as a major stakeholder in the affair of Osun, which is committed to maintaining law and order, stated that the assault on its Secretariat was

an act of cowardice and desperation taken too far.

In a statement made available by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Ayodeji Areola, the party described those who carried out the attack and their backers as shameless because they ended up showing to the world how evil and dangerous they are to democracy in the state.

The statement disclosed that the journey of the PDP as a party is a journey to the Promised Land and no amount of attack or intimidation will scare it away from pursuing the rescue efforts of state “from a party

that has mismanaged it over the last 10 years.”

Maintaining the resolve of the party in its push for a news Osun, it warned that it would no longer be intimidated and will not condone unprovoked attack on its facilities or members.

The statement added that, “All political urchins in the hands of rejected looters should take note or they have themselves to blame in the end. This we reiterate, is not a joke.”

The Osun PDP also called on the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director, Department

of State Security and other sister security agencies to immediately set machineries in motion to investigate and track down the source of the attack on its Secretariat and fish out the perpetrators.

“As much as it is in the culture of our party supporters to show restraint in the face of the unnecessary provocation, we ask security agencies to ensure adequate protection of our party’s assets and members.

“This will ensure confidence of our people in the security agencies to forestall breaking endurance limit of the people”, the statement concluded.

Nigeria Needs Attitudinal Change not Constitutional Review By Alex Emeje

T

he former Chairman, Senator Committee on Education, Senator Dr. Alex Usman Kadiri said altitudinal change is the panacea to ending corruption in the Country irrespective of the number of times you review or change the constitution.

He said if there is no change of heart or behavioral change nothing will be achieved.

Addressing the press, Kadiri said if we are committed to make Nigeria a better place for everyone, we have men and women in all sphere of life to make it work.

“Is Britain operating on any written

constitution and is their Country not working or growing” he asked.

He said for any society to develop and attain some level of development, the citizens must have a positive heart for growth, stressing that it is not the constitution that develops the society but people operate the constitution.

On the defection galore hitting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC) the senator stated that selfish ambition, greed are all responsible for why they cannot stay and nurture a party.

He advised politicians to be patience and nurture any ruling party that is in power so that people don’t see them as greedy people that has

grievous implications that could draw the wrath of the youths. He said if the youths observe that politicians can no longer protect them and all they know is cross-carpeting and defection, if means all hope is lost and no one is safe.

He frowns at a situations where a ruling party threatens and coerce the opposition to it camp and if another one takes over tomorrow, it begins the process of retaliation which is not good for democracy, democracy cannot be healthy that way.

According to him, if nothing is done to stabilize the polity it could lead to revolution, noting that it is not too late to salvage.

He noted that youths are already descanted with no hope anywhere and it seems as if there is no hope coming for them from anywhere.

As various, sections of the country are angling for presidency, Kadiri who is also one of the leaders from the North-Central said, at the moment there is no presidential hopeful that can emerge from the zone.

“Look around and tell me from what you are seeing if there is anyone that can contest for presidency in 2023. There is no one for now and I stand to be corrected” said Senator Kadiri.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

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0.11 0.21 0 0.21 0.21 MBENEFIT 0.00 0 0.43 0.43 0 0.43 0.43 MCNICHOLS 0.00 0 1.05 2.05 261 2.05 2.05 MEDVIEWAIR 0.00 0 124.80 184.80 0 184.80 184.80 MOBIL 0.00 0 0.20 0.20 970 0.20 0.20 MULTIVERSE 0.00 0 3.50 3.50 0 3.50 3.50 NAHCO 0.00 0 18.00 18.00 0 18.00 18.00 NASCON 0.00 0 78.50 78.70 0 79.50 79.50 NB 0.80 0 0.78 0.78 0 0.78 0.78 NEIMETH 0.00 0 2.60 2.60 0 2.60 2.60 NEM 0.00 0 552.20 552.20 150 552.20 552.20 NESF 0.00 0 1,475.00 1,475.00 0 1,475.00 1,475.00 NESTLE 0.00 0 1.60 1.65 0 1.60 1.60 NPFMCRFBK -0.05 0 4.60 4.80 0 4.60 4.75 OANDO -0.20 0 80.00 76.20 0 80.00 80.00 OKOMUOIL 3.80 0 64.00 64.00 0 64.00 64.00 PRESCO 0.00 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 PRESTIGE 0.00 0 12.30 12.30 0 12.30 12.30 PZ 0.00 0 4.20 4.20 0 4.20 4.20 REDSTAREX 0.00 0 0.20 0.21 0 0.20 0.21 REGALINS -0.01 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 RESORTSAL 0.00 0 0.21 0.23 0 0.21 0.22 ROYALEX -0.02 0 640.00 640.00 405 640.00 640.00 SEPLAT 0.00 0 0.20 0.20 0 0.21 0.21 SOVRENINS 0.01 0 46.50 46.00 0 46.50 46.50 STANBIC 0.50 0 102.00 102.00 122 102.00 102.00 STANBICETF30 0.00 0 1.97 1.96 0 1.97 1.97 STERLNBANK 0.01 0 203.00 203.00 0 203.00 203.00 TOTAL 0.00 0 6.10 6.10 632 6.10 6.10 TRANSCOHOT 0.00 0 1.15 1.21 0 1.16 1.18 TRANSCORP -0.05 0 9.60 9.60 0 9.60 9.60 UACN 0.00 0 1.74 1.92 0 1.74 1.74 UAC-PROP -0.18 0 7.60 7.80 0 7.90 7.95 UBA 0.10 0 6.00 6.05 0 6.00 6.05 UBN -0.05 0 2.89 2.94 0 2.89 2.91 UCAP -0.05 0 36.30 37.00 0 36.30 36.30 UNILEVER -0.70 0 0.27 0.27 0 0.27 0.27 UNIONDAC 0.00 0 1.00 0.99 0 1.00 1.00 UNITYBNK 0.01 0 2.04 1.97 0 2.14 2.14 UPL 0.17 0 0.23 0.23 0 0.23 0.23 VERITASKAP 0.00 0 4.50 4.99 0 4.50 4.50 VITAFOAM -0.49 0 11.30 11.50 0 11.30 11.65 WAPCO -0.20 0 0.40 0.40 0 0.40 0.40 WAPIC 0.00 0 0.59 0.61 0 0.59 0.61 WEMABANK -0.02 0 21.20 22.70 0 21.70 22.50 ZENITHBANK -1.00 0 Copyright © 2019 NgTradeOnline

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Kaduna Electric bans relocation of meters by customers

K

aduna Electric has said customers should desist from removing their prepaid meters to new locations without authorisation from the company.

A statement issued by the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said customers who wish to relocate to a new property after they have purchased a meter should notify the company.

It said the company shall take the responsibility of installing a new meter for the customer at the new property at no cost.

The full statement reads: “The Management of Kaduna Electric hereby informs its valued customers that transfer of energy meters from the originally installed location to another location is prohibited.

“Any customer moving to a new location, area or community should only notify the Company and a new meter would be allocated and installed at the new location.

“This measure was taken to curb the menace of meters theft and unauthorised movement of meters which often results in the customers being defrauded, extorted or ignorantly tricked into buying a faulty meter. It also distorts our record keeping.

“Any meter found in a location other than where it was originally installed shall be deemed to have been illegally compromised and the customer shall be penalized as prescribed by the NERC Regulations.

“For enquiry or further clarification, kindly call at the Area Office nearest to you”.

FEC okays 5G deployment

By Egena Sunday Ode

T

he Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the National Policy on Fifth Generation (5G) Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy.

FEC gave the approval at its weekly meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari ath the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, following a presentation by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.

The Minister who disclosed this at a briefing after the meeting noted that the implementation of the Policy will commence immediately.

The National Policy has been developed over a period of two years, due to the need for extensive stakeholder engagement and the need to ensure adequate public awareness and sensitization. “ The stakeholder engagement was thorough and multi-sectoral in nature. It also took into account

the report of the 3-month 5G trials that commenced on the 25th of November 2019. The report critically reviewed and studied the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him also, leading international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an organ of the United Nations, have confirmed that the deployment of 5G networks leave no adverse health effect and are safe.

Pantami further explained that 5G networks offer significant advantages over the current technologies, some of which include much lower latency, higher bandwidth, greater device density, longer battery life for nodes and greater network flexibility.

Several countries have already commenced the deployment of 5G and are enjoying its benefits.

“These countries include the United States, United Kingdom,

Republic of Korea, South Africa and Lesotho, to mention but a few,” he said.

The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), chaired by Minister Pantami, will soon release spectrum to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that meet all the required conditions.

The NCC, as the regulator of the telecommunications sector, will continue engaging stakeholders with a view to developing the regulatory instruments required for the successful deployment of the technology in Nigeria,” according to him.

Answering questions from journalists on the shutting down of communications network in Zamfara State and how it will affect inveators, the Minister also said: “I want to clarify to all of us that the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999, Section 14, Subsection 2, under Article B, has expounded to us that the primary responsibility

of government is the security and welfare of its citizens.

“Understanding the priority of security makes the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) to always make sure that our priority number one is security because this is what the Constitution says and any action to be taken, as long as it will support security institutions to achieve and deliver their responsibilities, government is willing to do “Investors in the sector invested because of profit, but they understand the priority of our government, then when security and economic benefits are going to be attained simultaneously, then definitely we are going to pursue both of them.

But if only one can be attained by compromising the other one, we agree to compromise the economy benefit of our sector, in order to support security institutions to deliver their mandate, because as long as there is no security, even the economy will not thrive.”

L-R: Auditor general of the federation, Aghughu Adolphus ,Auditor in Charge of National Assembly, Suleman Khalid,Chairman ,house of Reps Committee on Public accounts, Wole Oke and a member of the committee, Lanre Edun during an oversight function to the Auditor general office, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NCDMB, Bayelsa sign Power Purchase Agreement on 10MW IPP

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Bayelsa State Government on Wednesday signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the delivery of electricity from the 10 megawatts gas fired independent power plant constructed by the NCDMB in partnership with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company at Elebele, Bayelsa State.

The Power Purchase Agreement was signed in Yenagoa by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote and the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Bayelsa

State, Mr. Biriyai Dambo and was witnessed by Governor Douye Diri.

The power plant alongside the 17 storey Nigerian Content Tower (NCT) were commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 14 2020. It was conceived to supply uninterrupted power supply to the NCT, the Oil and Gas Park being developed by the Board at Emeyal 1, Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.

In bid to maximize the utilisation the Board entered into an agreement with the Bayelsa State Government to also supply uninterrupted electricity to key facilities of the state which would be paid for as specified in the PPA. Speaking at the event, the

Executive Secretary noted that the terms of the Power Purchase Agreement would ensure that the power plant would operate on a sustainable basis with settlement of obligations to the gas suppliers, operation and maintenance contractors, purchase of spare parts and consumables required for timely maintenance.

According to him, “the power supply is not free as all users including NCDMB are expected to make pre-payment deposit for their power requirements just as required by our gas suppliers.

We were required to make up to six months deposit with the Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria before we got gas supply to the

power plant. We believe there will be no default from any party that will trigger unpleasant outcome in the sustainability of the power plant operations.”

Wabote described the occasion as a major milestone in the collaboration between NCDMB and the Bayelsa State Government, adding that the importance of reliable power supply to enhance the efficient operation of government activities cannot be over emphasised.

He added that the event also provided a form of inspiration to all Bayelsans that it is possible to provide reliable power supply to the entire state considering the abundant gas resources available in

the state.

Governor Douye Diri in his comments noted that the state is blessed with abundant gas resources as well as other energy resources, which had been largely under-utilised, stressing that his administration was determined to utilize the resources of the state for the benefit of the people.

He commended the NCDMB management and other partners that made the agreement possible and charged on private investors to explore the abundance of natural gas in the state, assuring that the government was ready to partner with such investors to make power and other amenities available to the people.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

Adesola seeks more investments in Abuja Technology Village

By Stanley Onyekwere

METRO

Page 21

FCT Minister assures girls, women fair treatment

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

Administration have long placed a premium on the empowerment of women and girls through its girl child education policy that encourages the education of the female child.

The Minister explained that through the initiative, a number of the girls have grown up to become professionals in their own right.

He said, “In FCT, we have long placed a premium on the empowerment of women and girls through our girl child education policy which encourages the education of the

female child with the award of scholarship to indigent girls in danger of dropping out.

“We also have quite a number of women enrolled in our adult and mass education programmes across the FCT and many of them have graduated to becoming successful small scale entrepreneurs”.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto and president General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar asked the strategic stakeholders to step up

ways to address cases of gender based violence in the Northern region.

He acknowledged that with the influence of the leaders and other strategic stakeholders, issues of some persons abusing girls and women for just no cause will be addressed.

His Eminence said the programme was convened by Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development to identify additional ways through which the messages against human abuses especially girls and women would be properly past.

he Minister of the Federal ermanent Secretary, Capital Territory (FCT), Federal Capital Territory Malam Muhammad Musa A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( F C T A ) , Bello has vowed to continue Olusade Adesola has called on to give girls and women fair investors to take advantage of the treatment in scheme of things in strategic location, well-structured the Territory. transportation networks, access to Bello gave this assurance Africa’s largest consumer market Tuesday, at the Northern and avalanche incentives offers by traditional and religious leaders the Abuja Technology Village, to summit on ending gender based invest more into the Agency. violence tagged ‘moving from The Permanent Secretary who awareness to taking action’ held inspected the Project site located in Abuja. at Lugbe, Abuja recently, disclosed He noted that the FCT that the primary infrastructure construction works had already reached advanced stage.

According to him, the Agency which is strategically located adjacent the Nelson MandelaInstitution’s African University of Science and Technology and close to other Science and Technology Institutions, present a unique opportunity to collectively create a huge economic cluster connecting the Abuja City Centre and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The Permanent Secretary, who further remarked that the FCT Administration conceived the Agency in a bid to diversify the economy,create sizeable employment opportunities for our youths, assured investors of the Administration’s commitment to ensure that the Project takes off soon, adding that the Project will form one of the landmark achievements of the present FCT Administration.

The Managing Director of the Abuja Technology Village, Hajiya Hauwa Yabani, who conducted the Permanent Secretary and other senior management staff of the FCT Administration round the Project site, listed ICT, Agriculture, Energy, Minerals Technology, among others as areas of business opportunities available in the Abuja Technology From left: Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba , Minister of Water resources, Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Village for investors to take Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and President Muhammadu Buhari, during a virtual Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday (8/9/21). advantage of.

P

Surveyors hailed for enhancing security, agriculture

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has commended Surveyors in the country for the professional services they render for the development of the Nigeria particularly in the areas of security and agriculture.

The Minister gave the commendation when he received members of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) led by the President, Nigerian Institution of

Surveyors (NIS), Surveyor David Kayode Oluwamotemi on a courtesy visit to the FCTA, recently.

“I want to commend you in the appreciation that survey data is now critical in managing national security, as well as keying in and providing the bedrock and foundation for the agricultural policy of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I am very much aware that your professional colleagues were able to survey farmlands, thereby making them eligible to get a lot of the

empowerment and palliative measures that the Federal Government has towards improving agriculture, especially under agencies like the Central Bank of Nigeria and other subsidiary agencies. ‘ All these are being done using your professional input and that is very commendable”, the Minister added The Minister also expressed satisfaction with members of NIS in the FCTA while urging the institute to continue its programmes towards enhancing the professional

competence of its members especially the young surveyors.

He addds: “For the younger ones coming in into the system, I hope the council has a robust training mechanism and system for them to be able to do it, particularly looking to advances in technology and other activities”.

Speaking earlier, Surveyor Kayode Oluwamotemi said the visit was to seek partnership with the FCTA to enhance land administration and revenue drive in the FCT.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Page 22

world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Paris attacks 2015: Accused complains of conditions

T

he only surviving member of the group suspected of being behind the the 2015 Paris attacks says he and his fellow accused are “being treated like dogs”.

Salah Abdeslam and 19 other defendants are being tried in Paris over the attacks which left 130 dead.

The trial, which is expected to last nine months, began on Wednesday.

The shooting and bombing assault by Islamist State (IS) group extremists was the worst post-World War Two attack in France.

French media say Abdeslam “shouted” from the dock and said he had not complained in the past because he will be “resurrected” after death.

“You should treat us like human beings”,” BFMTV quoted him as saying.

Cries of “What about us? There were 130 deaths” were heard in response from the courtroom.

Shortly after, the judge reminded Abdeslam that he was not in an “ecclesiastical court but a democratic court”.

The trial is being described as the biggest in France’s modern history.

There will be more than 140 days of hearings involving about 330 lawyers, 300 victims and testimony from François Hollande, who was French president when the attacks happened.

Ahead of the trial, Mr Hollande told French media that this was an important moment for the victims of the attacks, which he called an “act of war” at the time.

IS admitted carrying out the coordinated attacks on the Bataclan concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars on 13 November 2015.

The suspects arrived at court in police vehicles under heavy security on Wednesday morning. They were seated together in the defendants’ box, wearing face masks, before the trial opened.

Asked by the court’s top judge to identify himself, Abdeslam confirmed his name and said “there is no god but Allah” - an Islamic oath known as the Shahada.

High emotion and moments of quiet

The suspects on trial in Paris were transported to court in a police convoy Day one of this monumental trial is over, with its mixture of confusion and solemnity, drama and tedium. At the start it was mayhem, as everyone milled around wondering where to go. But, at one, the presiding judge entered the court and a stillness descended. I think at that point everyone drew a breath and understood the significance of the moment.

There were small excitements.

Like when Salah Abdeslam - the key defendant - said that his profession was “soldier of Islamic State”. And later there was a mini-confrontation when he complained about prison conditions, saying that it didn’t matter because he knew that when he died he would be re-born, while for those facing him there would be a “reckoning”.

Is Salah Abdeslam shaping up to be the spokesman for the group in the dock? Is his bravado because he is insecure in his jihadist credentials?

Remember, he failed in his apparent mission to blow himself up.

Amid it all there was much of what accompanies all lengthy trials:

long moments of not very much.

The first two days will be taken up simply recording the names of all those hundreds of survivors and relatives who have registered as civil plaintiffs.

This will be the pattern. Periods of quiet punctuated by periods of high emotion. The trial for the events of 13 November 2015 will be both exhaustive and exhausting.

‘I’ve had a lot of nightmares’ Abdeslam’s reference to being an IS soldier suggested he was still “at war”, Jean-Pierre Albertini, whose son, Stephane, was killed in the Bataclan, told Reuters news agency.

Philippe Duperron also lost his son, Thomas, in the Bataclan attack. Mr Duperron said that he had mixed feelings about the trial, not least impatience and anxiety.

“It will be the occasion for all the victims to bear witness, so it will be a very painful moment, and bring back the pain again,” he said.

Another, Sophie Parra, told BFM TV she would testify at the trial despite her anxiety about facing the

suspects in court.

She said she had had “a lot of nightmares” about “all the possible scenarios”, but felt it was something she had to do for those who were killed.

Of the 20 suspects on trial, six are being tried in absentia. They are facing charges of murder, complicity and terrorist conspiracy.

Most of the accused, including Abdeslam, could be sentenced to life in jail if convicted.

Abdeslam, 31, is accused of providing logistical support to the assailants. Abdeslam fled the scene of the carnage after abandoning his suicide belt, which investigators later found to be defective.

Europe’s most-wanted man at the time, he was captured four months later in the Belgian capital, Brussels, after a shootout with police.

Abdeslam has since refused to cooperate with French investigators. He remained largely silent throughout a separate trial in Belgium in 2018.

There is much speculation about whether he will speak during this

trial.

“If he does not say anything, his cowardice will be even greater than what we assume it to be today,” Mr Hollande told the France Info radio network.

The area around the court was blocked off and armed police with dogs were on patrol ahead of the proceedings.

Those attending the trial needed to pass through several checkpoints before being allowed into the specially built courtroom, which can seat hundreds.

The trial is being recorded for the archives but is not being broadcast live. Survivors and relatives of victims, know as civil plaintiffs in France, are able to follow along via streaming radio if they cannot attend.

The first days of the trial are expected to be largely procedural until victims are called to give testimony at the end of September.

Who are the suspects on trial?

Abdeslam is the only surviving member of the group suspected of carrying out the attacks. He has been in jail since he was arrested in Belgium in 2016.

The 13 other defendants appearing in court are accused of a range of crimes, including financing and planning the attacks.

On Wednesday, they also gave their names, addresses and professions.

Among them is Mohamed Abrini, who is accused of financing and supplying weapons to the attackers.

The 36-year-old is due to stand trial over the 2016 Brussels bombings next year.

Other suspects include Mohammed Amri, 33, and Hamza Attouh, 27, who were arrested in Belgium and admitted picking up Abdeslam in France and driving him back to Brussels immediately after the attacks.

Six more are accused of helping organise the attacks and will be tried in absentia. Several of them are thought to be dead. They can be tried in absentia because they have never officially been declared dead.

Source: BBC

China sets up stock exchange in Beijing to serve innovation-oriented SMEs

By Zhao Daily

Zhanhui,

People’s

“We will continue to support the innovation-driven development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by deepening the reform of the New Third Board (National Equities Exchange and Quotations) and setting up a Beijing Stock Exchange as the primary platform serving innovation-oriented SMEs,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) on Sept. 2.

A

ccording to the website of China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, the new stock exchange in Beijing, structured as a limited company, was registered on the next day.

Since its launch in 2013, the New Third Board has grown into an

important platform serving SMEs. In 2016, it classified companies into innovation layer and basic layer, and then added a selected layer last year, gradually forming basic systems with differentiated measures for issuance and trading suiting companies at different layers.

After over one year of evolution, the selected layer has been basically able to function as an open market for SMEs, attracted a number of high-quality SMEs and performed well.

According to credible source, the new stock exchange in Beijing was converted from the selected layer, as part of the country’s efforts to deepen the reform of the New Third Board.

It was built in strict compliance with the securities law, with relevant tasks being implemented step by step in a gradual and progressive manner and basic systems of the selected layer of the New Third Board continuing to function in the Beijing bourse.

The new stock exchange makes sure that companies seeking an IPO

at the bourse will come from the innovation layer of the New Third Board and that a hierarchical market structure is maintained between the innovation layer and basic layer of the New Third Board and the new stock exchange. Meanwhile, it is also piloting the registration-based IPO system.

By building the new stock exchange upon the selected layer of the New Third Board, China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) aims to improve the country’s multi-level capital market system with Chinese characteristics.

Based on the experience from creatively exploring the New Third Board, the CSRC plans to further raise the legal status and enhance the role of the selected layer in the capital market and solve institutional bottlenecks hindering its development to establish a stock exchange tailored for innovationoriented SMEs and seek a path of inclusive finance where the New Third Board can be given better play in supporting and serving the scientific and technological

innovation of SMEs. Aimed at meeting the financing needs of innovation-oriented SMEs, the new stock exchange in Beijing has made differentiated institutional arrangement fitting the characteristics of SMEs, and is expected to show different features in the amount of funds raised, trading volume, and valuation level compared with stock exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen.

The new Beijing bourse is run by the National Equities Exchange and Quotations Corporation Limited. Through overall planning, coordination, and institutional interconnection, the new stock exchange and the innovation layer and basic layer of the New Third Board are able to maintain a balanced market structure.

The new bourse accommodates innovation-oriented SMEs that have expanded at the innovation layer and basic layer of the New Third Board, and mainly provides them with more efficient open market services for financing transactions.

By guiding and supporting the

development of the innovation layer and basic layer, it is expected to stimulate the overall market vitality of the New Third Board, enhance its appeal to SMEs in their infancy, and eventually help create a sound market environment featuring high enthusiasm for innovation and entrepreneurship, active participation of qualified investors, and positive mentality of listed companies.

The new stock exchange has established stock offering, listing, information disclosure systems that suit innovation-oriented SMEs. In particular, it has kept flexible trading systems of the selected layer of the New Third Board and adopts a continuous auction trading mechanism.

In addition, in an effort to increase market flexibility, the Beijing bourse doesn’t impose a limit on the price change of stocks on their first day of trading, and restricts daily trading movements to 30 percent after that.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

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e w s

Kenya mourns a woman of many firsts

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enyans are paying tribute to Orie Rogo Manduli, a woman many knew for her colourful and effervescent character, but equally celebrated for breaking ground in several areas.

She was the first to win the Miss Kenya beauty peagant and also the first Kenyan woman rally driver.

She was known for her sense of style, especially her signature elaborate headgear which came in a variety of different colours.

Manduli was also the first woman to head Kenya’s once influential Non-Governmental Organization council.

Her appearance on TV as a social commentator always drew audiences, and she was especially seen as a hero for younger women, whom she often encouraged to be strong and courageous.

Manduli described herself as a “lioness in her cage”.

Here’s a selection of the tributes Kenyans have been sharing on Twitter: “She was a Queen! From Miss Kenya to Kenya’s first female Rally Driver. Rest in Peace Orie Rogo Manduli” @CarolRadull “Thank you for showing us what is means to be a strong, fearless woman, living our dreams and always fighting for what we believe in” @DushiNjenga “Orie Rogo Manduli, you lived in full colour. You dramatised every single step and made us smile many times, you exit the stage but your moments before the curtains closed, deserve an applause.” @OleItumbi

Banking services restored in northern Mozambique

B

anking services have been restored in the northern Mozambican town of Mueda in the restive Cabo Delgado province.

The services had been discontinued due to insecurity in the region and a lack of electricity supply.

Civil servants living in the area used to travel to Montepuez, 220km (135miles) away, to access their salaries, according to local media.

Two banks, Banco Comercial e de Investimentos and Millennim bim, have reopened their branches in the town. Absa bank is however yet to reopen.

Restriction to banking services were issued after an attack in the region’s main town of Palma on 24 March.

Electricity supply has also resumed a year after the sabotage of the Ouasse substation, in the district of Mocímboa da Praia.

Like other towns in Cabo Delgado province, Mueda had been in darkness since August last year after substations were vandalised.

Mueda Mayor Manuel Pitalavalave has asked entrepreneurs who had left the area to return.

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Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis: Mass graves found - Amhara officials Ethiopian officials say they have found the graves of at least 119 civilians after rebel forces withdrew from a village they had occupied.

Tigray’s rebels forces have denied any responsibility, calling the accusations “fabricated”.

One local official in the Amhara region which borders Tigray described the dead as “innocent farmers, priests, children and women”.

The BBC cannot independently verify the allegations.

Meanwhile the Sudanese government has summoned the Ethiopian ambassador in Khartoum over the appearance of almost 30 bodies that washed up on the shores of a river from Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the bodies belong to members of the Tigrinya ethnic group.

This follows allegations of mass killings in the north-western Ethiopian city of Humera, which local officials denied.

There is currently a communications blackout in Tigray, which has been devastated by a 10-month conflict between the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and government forces. The UN has warned of famine on a massive scale unless more aid is allowed into the region.

The fighting spread to Amhara after the TPLF recaptured most of Tigray from government forces in June and advanced into

Officials say Tigray fighters committed the atrocities over a two day period neighbouring areas.

Amhara official Ato Sewnet Wubalem said the 119 bodies had been reburied at a church compound.

Local officials and witnesses who spoke to the BBC said rebel fighters committed the atrocity after losing territory during 10 days of heavy fighting in the farming village of Chena.

The TPLF says it has no reported history of targeting civilians, and called for an independent investigation.

An Amhara administrator told Reuters news agency the number

of dead bodies might be higher than initial figures show.

Residents said some people are still missing.

One local hospital representative told the AFP news agency that doctors were still treating wounded people.

“We have received close to 35, 36 civilians but I am not sure they are all from the Chena massacre.

Most of them have gun wounds,” said Ashenafi Tazebew.

He said that some of the injured “are asking to go to the funerals” of dead family members, even though they need treatment.

Both the national military and Tigray rebels have previously been accused of atrocities including rape and mass civilian killings.

In July the United Nations warned that 400,000 people were living in famine-like conditions as a result of the violence.

The TPLF was the governing party in Tigray, until federal forces ousted them in November 2020 after they seized a military barracks.

The Ethiopian government has designated the group a terrorist organisation - a label which they reject.

Guinea coup leaders free dozens of political prisoners

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oup leaders in Guinea have released about 80 political prisoners who had been detained under the ousted President Alpha Condé.

As they walked free, they were welcomed by crowds of cheering supporters in the capital, Conakry.

Around 400 people had been imprisoned during protests in 2020.

There are indications that leaders of the West African regional body Ecowas will impose sanctions on Guinea when they meet virtually later on Wednesday.

An elite army unit under the command of Lt Col Mamady Doumbouya seized power on Sunday. They detained Mr Condé, 83, and accused him of rampant corruption, human rights abuses and mismanagement.

His whereabouts remain unknown, although the coup leaders have said he is safe.

Guinea is one of the world’s biggest producers of bauxite, the raw material for aluminium and prices have leapt to a 13-year-high following the coup.

Many of those released were arrested last year during massive nationwide protests against Mr

Around 400 political prisoners were locked up during the postelection protests last year

There were scenes of jubilation in front of the prison after the army freed Mr Condé’s political opponents Condé’s plan to stand for a third term.

The BBC’s Alhassan Sillah in Conakry says the most prominent

of the freed prisoners was Oumar Sylla, known as Foniké Mengué, who went on hunger strike last December.

“I feel free, free, free, thank you to the people,” said Ismaël Condé, a member of the opposition UFDG party, and no relation to the former president.

He said his time in prison had been difficult, but he was now hoping for a better future for his country: “It’s a feeling you can’t explain, to be deprived of your freedom for 12 months for such trivial things and to be released under these conditions, you can’t explain,” he said.

On Tuesday, Guinea’s main opposition leader expressed support for the coup, describing it as an opportunity for a new beginning.

Cellou Dalein Diallo said the army’s junta was historic, but called on them to foster national reconciliation.

Guinea’s coup is the fourth time West Africa has witnessed an attempt to undermine democracy in the region since August 2020.

There have been two military takeovers in Mali and a failed attempt in Niger.

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Trade in services speeds up digitalization of world economy

By Yu Yichun, Wang Xinping, People’s Daily

The 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) just concluded in Beijing on September 7. Multiple forums were held at the event during which Chinese and foreign officials, entrepreneurs, scholars and international organization representatives exchanged views on the high-quality development, open cooperation and new digital ecology of service trade.

Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, global foreign direct investment (FDI) plunged by 42 percent, and service trade has also been hit hard.

However, the accelerating digitalization of the service trade sector is bringing new opportunities to the sector’s restructuring and the development of new service trade.

The average growth of global trade in services in the recent decade is twice that of the trade in goods. The service trade sector is playing an increasingly prominent role in promoting global growth and organizing the global value chain.

China, continuously expanding its service trade, has ranked as the world’s second largest trader of services for seven years, which caught high attention from the guests attending the 2021 CIFTIS. China is constantly promoting the integrated development of service trade, said Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Regional Vice President for East Asia and Pacific, adding that as the world’s second largest importer and the fourth largest exporter of services, the country is continuously developing its service trade and making it diverse.

Kwakwa believes that service trade will help countries recover from the pandemic faster and better, and accelerate the digitalization of the world economy.

President Marcos Troyjo of the BRICS New Development Bank said the trade in services

People visit the exhibition booth of JDL, the logistics branch of e-commerce giant JD.com, at the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services held at the China National Convention Center, Sept. 5, 2021. (Photo by Du Jianpo/People’s Daily Online) is even more important given the rising trade protectionism. Service trade is occupying an increasingly larger share in global trade, and benefits a series of sectors such as manufacturing, he noted.

Troyjo gave a high evaluation on China’s sci-tech development, new approaches to industrialization, and efforts on intellectual property protection, which he believes are very important for restructuring the global value chain.

Steven Barnett, Senior Resident Representative

for China at the IMF, said service trade doubled its share in the global economy over the past 20 years, while trade plays a very important role in the global economy. China’s continuous openingup is conducive to the liberalization of service trade and will inject new energy into global recovery, he added.

As a new form of global trade and a new engine of trade in the future, digital economy was one of the buzzwords at this year’s CIFTIS. It is reported that the global exports in digital trade bucked

the trend and expanded by 3.8 percent last year, further increasing its share in service trade to 62.8 percent and contributing 98.3 percent to the growth of service export..

During the Forum on Trends and Latest Developments of Digital Trade of the CIFITS, participants offered ideas and recommendations on how China and the world should advance digital economy and trade, from legal construction to infrastructure reinforcement, and from sustainable development to digital transformation of enterprises.

Mohan Munasinghe, the vice chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said good management of digital technologies and trade in the post-pandemic era will guarantee sustainable development. He believes China’s experience in sustainable development is worth learning from, saying the country has embarked on a path of inclusive and green development and established new models of sustainable development through finding a balance among economic development, social development and ecological protection.

Rich Lesser, CEO of Boston Consulting Group, said China has a solid foundation of industry and consumer internet market, and boasts worldleading digital ecology. It enjoys broad prospects in digital trade development, and its innovative service modes can be promoted globally, he noted.

China plays a leading role in the world in terms of the construction of digital platforms, said Luis Diego Monsalve, Colombian Ambassador to China, adding the country has built digital platforms that enable people to enjoy financial and educational services from a distance, which has facilitated trade and investment and created substantial development opportunities.

China to basically complete construction of new international land-sea trade corridor for western regions by 2025

By Lu Yanan, People’s Daily

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hina aims to basically complete the construction of an economical, efficient, convenient, green, and safe landsea trade corridor for its western regions by 2025, according to a plan issued by the country’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The completion of the corridor will significantly enhance the transportation capacity of three major routes connecting regions in west China with ports in south China’s Beibu Gulf. The operation of the corridor, ports, and logistics hubs involved will become more efficient, and the landsea trade passage will play a more evident role in driving the economic and industrial development of areas along the routes.

In recent years, the construction of the corridor has been advanced in a wellcoordinated manner, while higher-quality development and increasing economic benefits achieved in its operation.

Last year, the number of scheduled trains running between western China and Beibu Gulf reached nine. Meanwhile, railsea intermodal trains passing via Beibu Gulf have made 4,607 trips, which skyrocketed 105 percent from a year earlier; and ChinaVietnam freight trains passing via Pingxiang port, which helps link the corridor with other railways for easier trade with foreign countries, completed 1,264 trips, a year-onyear increase of 23.2 percent.

In 2020, Beibu Gulf Port and Yangpu Port, both destinations of the corridor, opened 52 and 33 routes respectively for domestic and foreign trade, linking the corridor with over 100 countries and regions.

During the same period, the total volume of goods transported via the rail-sea intermodal transportation mode along the corridor rose to 230,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Container throughput at Beibu Gulf Port and Yangpu Port reached 5.05 million TEUs and 1.02 million TEUs, respectively.

Vehicles transfer containers at Tieshan Port, Beibu Gulf, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Dec. 28, 2020. (Photo by Li Junguang/People’s Daily Online) ‘High-level construction of the landsea trade corridor requires foci on main drawbacks and constraints as well as intensify efforts to advance the implementation of relevant projects actively,” said Zhou Xiaoqi, an NDRC official, noting that a highlight of the plan lies in its specific measures for addressing short slabs in the construction of the corridor and its logistics hubs.

“As the construction of the corridor constantly deepened, and the transportation volume along the routes rises, the highquality development of the corridor demands higher intensity and faster pace in our work,” Zhou pointed out.

According to the plan, the corridor’s west route will be basically completed by 2025, when its middle route will also be more capable and the east route further improved.

Meanwhile, road bottlenecks will be

addressed effectively, and the transportation capacity of the corridor’s arteries, with railways as the backbone and high-grade highways as supplements, will be increased substantially.

In addition, the volume of goods transported via the combined rail-sea transportation service along the corridor is expected to reach a total of 500,000 TEUs and the total number of cross-border freight train trips 2,000 by 2025, the plan said.

“Our company will move faster to build new lines and improve existing ones for the three routes of the corridor. This year, we’ve completed projects worth over 2.18 billion yuan ($340 million),” said Dong Hui, deputy director of the freight transportation department of China Railway, a participant in the construction of the corridor.

By 2025, China will have completed

a bunch of projects for comprehensively optimizing facilities and services to develop Beibu Gulf Port into an international gateway port and Yangpu Port into an international container hub. Both ports will have more closely knit networks of domestic and international routes and over 10 newly-added international routes, the plan pointed out.

Container throughput at Beibu Gulf Port and Yangpu Port will reach 10 million and five million TEUs respectively by 2025, with their container throughput for foreign trade hitting two million and one million TEUs respectively.

“Rail-sea intermodal and international rail transport routes connecting the landsea trade corridor with ports in the Beibu Gulf constitute the major logistics passage of the corridor. The smooth operation of the logistics passage is of great significance for supporting the development of the logistics network linking the western and southern regions in China and promoting a seamless connection between the building of the corridor and the Belt and Road,” said Wang Kan, an official with the General Administration of Customs of China.

The plan put forward higher requirements for rail-sea combined transportation, international freight trains, arrangements for shipping routes and schedules, specified the focuses of future work, and stressed synergizing the corridor with other transportation platforms and jointly building and sharing public information service platform and operation platform for the corridor to improve its overall efficiency.

By 2025, an economic structure featuring the land-sea trade corridor will begin to take shape, in which digital economy and financial services will play essential roles, said the plan, noting that cooperation systems along the corridor will be more mature, while the opening-up level will be evidently elevated and the construction of industrial parks see notable results.

Environment

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Poor environmental sanitation, hygiene practices responsible for Cholera outbreak -Minister

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he Ministry of Environment,Mohammmad Abubabar said the cholera outbreak in the country is due to poor environmental sanitation and hygiene practices in the country.

Abubabar advises citizens to imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices and take preventive and control measures such as Keeping the environment clean;ensuring the use of clean and safe water;washing hands regularly with soap and running water especially at critical moments such as after using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing; after cleaning a child who has gone to the toilet; after touching books and money; before preparing food; before (and after eating); and after playing with animals.

The minister disclosed this at a press conference,in Abuja, following the outbreak of Cholera in the country.

He noted that his ministry,over the years,has collaborated with stakeholders cutting across government at all levels, organized private sector, NonGovernmental Organisations (NGO’s), Community Based Organisations (CBO’s), academia, development partners, among others to deliver adequate sanitation and hygiene services to the citizenry, regretted that “despite all these efforts, the country continues to suffer from cholera epidermic and other sanitation enabled diseases every year.”

“This is largely due to our collective behaviours and attitude towards environmental sanitation and hygiene practices which are very poor,” “The ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders including Environmental Health Officer’s (EHO’s) in the states and local government areas will embark on nationwide intervention response activities covering sanitary inspection of premises/environmental health uurveillance of hotspot communities.

“Other measures are disinfection of contaminated water sources/ sites;strengthening capacity of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in the state ministries of environment and the affected local government areas”and

sanitary inspection of food business premises of affected communities”.

“Advocacy, sensitization and community town hall meetings on control of open defecation practices and its health impact;sanitary inspection of Schools (Primary & Secondary) in affected communities;training of community volunteers on safe water handling, environmental sanitation and hygiene practices;working with the state and local governments to ensure enforcement of relevant environmental sanitation laws, standards and regulations and guidelines in all the communities”,he stated He also advised citizens to avoid open defecation;cooking food well;keeping it covered and eating it hot as well as disposing wastes regularly and at designated collection centres.

He also charge all state governments, commissioners of environment, local government chairmen/councillors and environmental health officers across the country to step up their sanitation and hygiene programmes and activities to control and prevent further outbreak and

spread of cholera in our country,” He assured the general public that the “Federal Ministry of Environment remains committed to ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all Nigerians.” ” This is a collective responsibility which requires concerted efforts of all and sundry. This is the only way we can prevent and curtail incidences of cholera outbreak and other communicable diseases. I therefore call on all members of the public to keep their environment clean,”he added.

He explained that government will be flagging off National Environmental Sanitation Response Intervention for cholera outbreak in Kubwa, Abuja which is currently the epi-centre in the FCT. “Nigeria is currently experiencing cholera outbreak in several parts of the country with reported cases of fatalities. “ Latest situation report from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) released on 10th August 2021 indicated a total number of 33,661 suspected cases including 938 deaths in 22 states and FCT(Benue, Delta, Zamfara, Gombe,

Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Kebbi, Cross River, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Enugu, Borno, Kastina, Adamawa and FCT) with increasing number of new cases in, Zamfara, Bauchi, Kano, Gombe, Plateau, Niger, Zamfara and Abuja FCT”.

He explained that, It is against this background that the Federal Ministry of Environment is organising this press conference to respond to the increasing rate of spread of Cholera cases across the country, sensitize the general public on cholera preventive and control measures to avert further outbreaks and strengthen collaboration with NCDC and other stakeholders in tackling the cholera scourge.

The minister in responding to the in recent cholera outbreak, said the federal ministry of environment,has activated the Sanitation Desks in the 36 State Ministries of Environment and FCT. He urged them to carry out environmental sanitation activities in their various states aimed at containing the outbreak.

L-R: Head of Retail, Dashme Store, Ms Dedun Fabikun; Head of Corporate Communications, Oando Plc, Alero Balogun; General Manager, Corporate Services, Oando, Mr Demola Ogunbanjo, and Chief Operating Officer, Dash Me Foundation, Ms Morinsola Arogundade, during the commencement of a donation programme to Orphanages by Oando Staff in support of Dash Me Store, an initiative of former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, held at the Oando Office, yesterday in Lagos.

NTCA,CAPPA calls on NBC to ban smoking in Big Brother Naija Season 6s

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction the organizers of Big Brother Naija Season 6 for wilfully defy the agency’s directive on smoking in the Big Brother Naija Show.

The NBC had issued a directive prohibiting smoking in the show following a letter jointly written by NTCA and CAPPA on July 16, 2021, drawing the agency’s attention to the organisers’ violation of the provisions of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015 and the National Tobacco Control Regulations 2019 pertaining to the ban of Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorships (TAPS).

Section 12(1) of the NTC Act 2015 defines tobacco advertising and promotion to include “any form of commercial communication, recommendation, or action with the aim, effect, or likely effect of promoting a tobacco product or tobacco use directly or indirectly. That section also states that: “no person shall promote or advertise tobacco or tobacco products in any form.”

In the letter jointly signed by CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi and NTCA Programme Manager, Chibuike Nwokorie, dated 23rd August 2021, and addressed to the Director General of the NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, both organisations said that the organisers of the Big Brother Naija Season 6 have continued to flout the directive.

They revealed that the infractions by the Housemates shown smoking cigarettes

in the Big Brother Naija Season 6 were noticed on the 2nd, 5th, 10th, 11th, and 13th of August 2021.

In the letter, the NTCA and CAPPA stated that findings by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that movies and entertainment materials are the most veritable tools of the tobacco industry which has been instrumental in the transfer of ideas and promotion of alternative lifestyles to kids.

“The kids, generally impressionable, are enticed by what they see and are initiated into using tobacco products through advertising and subliminal promotion of smoking scenes in movies, music videos and product placements.

“Big Brother Naija Show has a great impression on the youths, and it is unfortunate that smoking scenes are being promoted at a time that research

has shown that smokers are more susceptible to developing complications or even death if they contract the Coronavirus. ..This is also happening at a time that the government is working relentlessly to reduce smoking initiation in the country”.

While the organisations commended the NBC for prompt response to their letter dated 16th July 2021 requesting the enforcement of the NTC Act 2015 and the Regulations, they said it was disheartening that there has been blatant disregard of the directive in the ongoing Big Brother Naija Season 6.

They urged the NBC to enforce the NTC Act 2015 and the NTC Regulations 2019 by sanctioning the organizers of Big Brother Naija Season 6 for wilfully disobeying the directive and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

FEATURE

‘We felt free’: Cubans remain defiant in face of protest crackdown The unspoken rule in Cuba has long been: do not speak out.

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ven during the island’s dire food shortages, most Cubans have coped with characteristic stoicism, taking care that their mutterings of complaint do not grow into loud calls for change, at least not in front of anyone in authority.

But 11 July was a day unlike any other in modern Cuba.

Months of pent-up frustration bubbled over - not just over food shortages but also the lack of medicines, long power outages, worsening inflation and the coronavirus pandemic.

As the demonstrations quickly spread across the island, the specific conditions which prompted people onto the streets varied slightly from place to place - a greater emphasis on blackouts in San Antonio de los Baños near Havana, more reference to the Covid-19 crisis in the city of Matanzas.

Yet all the protests shared one common chant: “Libertad”.

They clamoured for liberty, freedom and change after 63 years of one-party rule.

“In that moment, saying whatever you wanted to say, you felt free. It was an experience I would recommend to everyone of my generation”, says independent journalist Alfredo Martínez, who participated in the protest outside the Capitolio building, one of the most iconic buildings in Havana.

He says the fear of reprisals quickly evaporated during such an unprecedented event.

“It felt so good to finally be able to protest in our own country. It’s only human to feel fear but that moved to the background because you knew you were doing the right thing - you weren’t doing anything wrong or illegal.”

The demonstrations were swiftly met with force as hundreds were rounded up by the police and a feared unit of elite troops called “Black Berets”.

International human rights organisations say around 800 detainees are still being held, including some who are underage.

Their family members say they were given summary trials and that many were sentenced without a defence lawyer present.

The Cuban government insists the detainees were correctly processed under the law.

Yet the mothers of the detainees are also gradually losing their fear of speaking out.

From the way Miriela Cruz constantly wrings her hands together when we talk, it is clear that the stress is getting to her.

Her son, Dayron, was arrested by the Black Berets but she insists he was far from where the demonstrations were taking place and had “nothing to do with them”.

“I have no idea why he was arrested, that’s the question we’re all asking,” Ms Cruz tells me near the hospital in Havana where she receives treatment for lung cancer.

“I’m not eating, I’m not doing well and that’s not good for my illness,” she says, bursting into tears.

Desperate for information, she went to the police station to demand answers.

On being met with silence, she revealed a T-shirt beneath her top with the words “Down with the dictatorship!”

Scenes of protest like the one in July are very rare in Cuba

Hundreds of people were arrested

The Black Berets are a feared special unit of the police

Dayron is one of many Cubans still being held in the wake of the protests on it. charges, too.

She says she was immediately The Cuban government has refused arrested, beaten and is now facing to comment on individual cases but

the island’s leadership denies trying to make an example of the protesters.

“If somebody believes that their trial was not fair, they have the right to appeal and I’m sure our system will consider their appeal. If it’s true that it wasn’t a fair trial, they’ll have another one,” says Gerardo Hernández, a member of Cuba’s Council of State.

“As a revolutionary, as a Cuban who loves this country and believes in this system, I’m sure that’s going to happen,” he insists.

He also denies prisoners have been mistreated, saying, “There is no torture in Cuba, except in [the US military prison at] Guantánamo Bay where there have been some ugly cases.”

Mr Hernández spent 16 years in a US prison on charges of espionage and conspiracy to commit murder. He was released as part of a prisoner swap during the brief thaw in Cuban-US relations under the Obama administration.

He is quick to blame the US economic embargo for the protests, saying Washington should “let Cuba breathe”.

Following the 11 July protests, US President Joe Biden called Cuba “a failed state”.

His administration has spoken of “providing support for the Cuban people” but steadfastly refuses to lift the embargo which critics say would alleviate much of the pressure.

The US state department denies meddling in Cuba, saying the demonstrations were home-grown.

“This is the moment for Cuban people,” US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Emily Mendrala told me.

“This was the Cuban people themselves making demands of their government that was driven by, in large part, exhaustion by the government’s inability to meet their needs. We are clear-eyed in the US government that this moment is about them.”

The mood music of constant political conflict between Havana and Washington is of little interest to Miriela Cruz, who still only has scant information about her son.

“All the strength I have left is for him,” she says. “Once he’s out of prison, I don’t care what they do with me.”

Source: BBC Quote “As a revolutionary, as a Cuban who loves this country and believes in this system, I’m sure that’s going to happen,” he insists.

He also denies prisoners have been mistreated, saying, “There is no torture in Cuba, except in [the US military prison at] Guantánamo Bay where there have been some ugly cases.”

Mr Hernández spent 16 years in a US prison on charges of espionage and conspiracy to commit murder.

He was released as part of a prisoner swap during the brief thaw in CubanUS relations under the Obama administration.

He is quick to blame the US economic embargo for the protests, saying Washington should “let Cuba breathe”.

Following the 11 July protests, US President Joe Biden called Cuba “a failed state”.

His administration has spoken of “providing support for the Cuban people” but steadfastly refuses to lift the embargo which critics say would alleviate much of the pressure.

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Sports

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sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

World Cup qualifier: NFF boss Lauds Super Eagles over Group C leadership

By Amaechi Agbo

on the trip, I am enamoured by the fighting spirit of those who picked shirts. They delivered with aplomb and this has certainly provided depth for the squad going forward.

“Now, we must sustain the momentum. It is important that the team is able to replicate the same strong focus, the same compact play, the same fighting spirit and the same marksmanship in the double faceoff with Central African Republic early next month.”

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resident of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick has poured encomiums on the Super Eagles for their fighting spirit in coming back from a goal down in Mindelo on Tuesday to earn three points against Blue Shacks of Cape Verde that established Nigeria as firm leader of Group C of the African series for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers. the 2-1 victory shot the Eagles to six points, three more than second-placed Liberia, with Cape Verde and Central African Republic stuck at the bottom of the table with one point each.

“That was what I call a fighting performance. That is the universally –acknowledged ‘Nigerian spirit’. That is the attitude of champions. The pitch was not the best; the weather was not the ideal, but they remained focused on the big picture and eked a win that guaranteed all the points. Six maximum points from two matches is something to celebrate.

“Against Liberia in Lagos, they played on a wet pitch because it rained and still got the job done.

Against Cape Verde, they were a goal down on an artificial turf they

Cape Verde Vs Super Eagles on Tuesday would rather not play on, yet they took to the task with the mentality of winners and left with the spoils.

We have not won the group yet, but we are in a good place and I see us picking the ticket to the knockout round before the final

day of the group phase.”

Pinnick particularly noted that the absence of UK –based players (due to the British Government’s insistence that persons who travel to Cape Verde – which is on their red mark – must quarantine

for 10 days on return to the UK) afforded the technical crew the opportunity to test a number of new blood and ascertain their readiness for the big time.

“While we would have loved to have the UK –based players

Victor Osimhen brought Nigeria to parity after profiting from a defensive howler, 10 minutes after the hosts had taken the lead with a ferocious shot by Dylan dos Santos Tavares that screamed past the flailing hands of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.

With 15 minutes to go, Kenny Santos Rocha spectacularly lobbed goalkeeper Vozinha for Nigeria’s winning goal when attempting a backpass.

On their way to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, the Super Eagles also won their first two matches of the campaign, edging Zambia 2-1 in Ndola before hitting Algeria 3-1 in Uy

Musa Kida declares for re-election As Nigeria Basketball Federation President

By Amaechi Agbo

T

he Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF, Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, has expressed his readiness to serve for a second term in the top position of Basketball in the country.

Kida made the declaration in Abuja, at a Press conference ahead of the 2021 Basketball Premier League seasons which dunks off simultaneously in the Atlantic and Savannah conferences.

“For me, what is important to go into the elections is for us to be able

to make this programmes very sustainable. In my consultations, the last four years has been interesting.

Basketball is a sport that Nigerians are expecting Nigeria to go out and win without excuses. So for me, we are on a good path. I am ready to serve in whatever capacity that I can in order to put these structures in place; so that Nigerian Basketball will be better.”

Kida, also noted that position does not matter.

“President or not, the most important thing is to sustain the legacy already achieved. I am ready to serve if the NBBF finds me fit” Kida said .

Musa Kida, NBBF Caretaker Committee chairman.

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Islanders off to winning start as Basketball Premier League starts

By Amaechi Agbo

L

agos Islanders started their Basketball Premier League campaign on a good note after they recorded a 59-52pts win against CAMAC of Lagos in the Atlantic Conference Wednesday.

The game which was close for the better part of the encounter was won by a more experienced Islanders team with the likes of Hillary Aighokhoade, Ibrahim Okpe amongst other experienced stars.

In other results, Coal City of Enugu suffered a narrow 68-69pts loss against Ondo Raiders .

Although the Raiders were impressive, the home support from the fans who came out in their numbers to cheer their team to victory also played a pivotal role.

Invaders of Ekiti avenged its last season 1 point defeat in the hands of Raptors when they met on Wednesday in Akure.

Coach Ojo Olusegun’s tutored side won 64-59pts on the afternoon while the last match of the day ended 55-47pts in favour of Kwara Falcons against Police Baton.

Action will continue tomorrow in Akure as Rivers Hoopers will take on Coal City while Invaders will square up against CAMAC still in search of their first win.

Police Baton battles Ondo Raiders while Kwara Falcons will face Raptors.

Games in the Savannah Conference were delayed following a broken fiber glass attached to the rim inside the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

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Ministry Fixes Sports Federations’ elections For September 30

By Amaechi Agbo

T

he Ministry of Youth and Sports has fixed 30 September, 2021 as the date for elections into the executive board is ports federations’ in the country.

The ministry stated this is a press statement signed by Mohammed Manga Director, Press & Public Relations on Monday.

The ministry said that fixing the date is “in keeping with its commitment of holding the National Sports Federations election in September 2021 is affirming that elections into the National Sports Federations will hold on September 30, 2021.

“The six (6) National Sports Federations that have their Constitutions ratified by their International sports bodies and the Nigeria Olympic Committee will conduct their elections based on their respective Constitutions,” part of the release said.

The Ministry directed that the Federations should begin the necessary process as outlined

Minister of youth and sports, Sunday Dare in their Constitutions towards having an elective Congress that will hold on September 30, 2021 in Abuja.

The sports Federations that

are expected to hold their elections on September 30, 2021 include: Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Nigeria Basketball Federation, Nigeria Boxing Federation,

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Champions League: 10, 000 fans to watch Akwa United Vs CR Belouizdad match in Uyo

Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Nigeria Shooting Federation as well as Nigeria Table Tennis Federation It further noted that other sports federations which are yet to ratify their Constitutions will also conduct their elections on September 30, 2021 with the guidelines provided by the Ministry.

Ministry of Youth and Sports Development together with the Nigeria Olympic Committee will serve as Observers in all the elections.

“The Ministry also wishes to state that all Nigerians who have the interest and passion for their identified sports are free to be involved with the process of elections in keeping with democratic principles,” it concluded.

There are over 30 sports federations in the country, however, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN had their elections few months ago with two factions emerging.

NNL Super 8: Gombe United Charged N.5 Million For Unruly Conduct

By Amaechi Agbo

W

ith Less than 24 hours to the commencement of the 2021 Nigeria National League, NNL Super 8 holding in Enugu, SouthEast Nigeria, the hammer of the organisers have descended on Gombe United following unsportsman-like display unbecoming of a professional football club during their encounter with El Kanemi Warriors.

The club, Gombe United, playing in Group A of the Northern Conference in the play-off, have been indicted for misconducts in the opening match of the against El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri and are to pay the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000,00) only in fine.

According to a release by the NNL management, Gombe United were charged for challenging the decision of the referee in the encounter and made serious attempts to assault the referee and the match commissioner for what they termed “unfavourable decision” after El-Kanemi took the lead.

Their fans and club officials all ran into the field and held up the game to the surprise of many and in front of dignitaries present, an act which brought the game to disrepute.

Consequently, “the NNLhas also mandated the management of Gombe United to as a matter

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

L Akwa United

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he Confederation of African Football - CAF has given approval for the presence of 10,000 spectators for the CAF Champions League first round first leg preliminary match between Akwa United FC of Nigeria and CR Belouizdad of Algeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. In a letter addressed to the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mohammed Sanusi and signed by CAF’s Development Director, Raul Chipenda, the number approved is to ensure safety measures in line with Covid-19 match protocols during the game.

The letter while seeking for the cooperation of NFF and the management of Akwa United to comply fully with CAF’s Covid-19 protocols, warned that failure to carry out proper safety measures during the match will attract disciplinary sanctions by CAF. The African Football governing body last month

By Amaechi Agbo

on the few number of supporters granted them from coming to the Stadium,” part of the statement read Gombe United have two days from Tuesday 7 September to

comply with the directives or face stiffer sanctions.

The 2021 NNL Super 8 continues today at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu with four matches on the radar.

Islanders off to winning start as Basketball Premier League starts

By Amaechi Agbo

appointed Dr. Salami Onimisi to serve as CAF Covid-19 Hygiene Officer during the match.

Meanwhile the local organizing committee for the CAF Champions League match in Uyo has announced that 10,000 VIP/Popular Stand tickets which goes for N2,000/ N1,000 respectively will be available for sales from Friday, September 10 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and other designated locations within the state.

It urged interested fans to get their match tickets before match day as ticket sales will end on Saturday to allow for proper match protocols within the stadium on Sunday. The committee stressed that nobody will be allowed into the stadium without a ticket and facemask as strict Covid-19 protocols would be observed in line with CAF’s health safety measure.

CAF Approves 10, 000 Fans To Watch Akwa United Vs CR Belouizdad Champions League

Match In Uyo The Confederation of African Football - CAF has given approval for the presence of 10,000 spectators for the CAF Champions League first round first leg preliminary match between Akwa United FC of Nigeria and CR Belouizdad of Algeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. In a letter addressed to the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mohammed Sanusi and signed by CAF’s Development Director, Raul Chipenda, the number approved is to ensure safety measures in line with Covid-19 match protocols during the game.

The letter while seeking for the cooperation of NFF and the management of Akwa United to comply fully with CAF’s Covid-19 protocols, warned that failure to carry out proper safety measures during the match will attract disciplinary sanctions by CAF. The African Football

governing body last month appointed Dr. Salami Onimisi to serve as CAF Covid-19 Hygiene Officer during the match.

Meanwhile the local organizing committee for the CAF Champions League match in Uyo has announced that 10,000 VIP/Popular Stand tickets which goes for N2,000/ N1,000 respectively will be available for sales from Friday, September 10 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and other designated locations within the state.

It urged interested fans to get their match tickets before match day as ticket sales will end on Saturday to allow for proper match protocols within the stadium on Sunday. The committee stressed that nobody will be allowed into the stadium without a ticket and facemask as strict Covid-19 protocols would be observed in line with CAF’s health safety measure.

South Africa name final squad for Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament Gombe United Players. of urgency identify members of their supporters and officials who played major roles in the disturbances and harassment of the match and umpires of the match, refusal will mean a ban

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anyana Banyana head coach, Desiree Ellis has named her final 18-woman squad for the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament taking place in Lagos, Nigeria 15th – 21st September 2021.

The team assembled at the SAFA Technical Centre (Fun Valley) on Sunday, 5th September 2021 and is expected to depart for Nigeria on Sunday, 12th September 2021 where they will be joined by their overseas-based players.

Banyana will take on Ghana

and Nigeria in the six-nation women’s showpiece and Coach Ellis believes the Aisha Buhari Cup is ideal for her team’s preparations for the AWCON qualifiers.

“We have the Aisha Buhari Cup, the COSAFA Cup and the AWCON qualifiers and we have

already worked on what we think we will need over the next two months,” she said.

“Consistency and regular game time is always key as we are trying to make sure that we have covered our bases but the first tournament (Aisha Buhari Cup) will dictate what happens next.”

agos Islanders started their Basketball Premier League campaign on a good note after they recorded a 59-52pts win against CAMAC of Lagos in the Atlantic Conference Wednesday.

The game which was close for the better part of the encounter was won by a more experienced Islanders team with the likes of Hillary Aighokhoade, Ibrahim Okpe amongst other experienced stars.

In other results, Coal City of Enugu suffered a narrow 68-69pts loss against Ondo Raiders .

Although the Raiders were impressive, the home support from the fans who came out in their numbers to cheer their team to victory also played a pivotal role.

Invaders of Ekiti avenged its last season 1 point defeat in the hands of Raptors when they met on Wednesday in Akure.

Coach Ojo Olusegun’s tutored side won 64-59pts on the afternoon while the last match of the day ended 55-47pts in favour of Kwara Falcons against Police Baton.

Action will continue tomorrow in Akure as Rivers Hoopers will take on Coal City while Invaders will square up against CAMAC still in search of their first win.

Police Baton battles Ondo Raiders while Kwara Falcons will face Raptors.

Games in the Savannah Conference were delayed following a broken fiber glass attached to the rim inside the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Abuja.

. . . putting the people first

THURSDAY, september 9, 2021

SPORTS latest

Football Great, Pele Of Brazil Hospitalised

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razilian football great Pele has been hospitalized in Sao Paolo for six days due to health problems that emerged during routine examinations.

According to the G1 news site, the 80-year-old has been kept at the Albert Einstein hospital since August 31.

That day, the three-time world champion posted a message on social media, saying that he was “in good health” and denying rumors that he had passed out.

“I went to the hospital for routine examinations that I had not been able to perform before because of the pandemic,” he explained in his August 31 post, without mentioning that he had remained in hospital.

Several Brazilian media have reported “health problems” discovered during these examinations, which prompted the hospital to keep him.

“As soon as the doctors have completed all the examinations, we will issue a statement,” a member of Pele’s entourage told AFP. The Albert Einstein hospital said it “had no information” about Pele’s health or reports of his hospitalization.

Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has been in poor health in recent years, and has had various spells in hospital, most recently in April 2019, in Paris, because of a severe urinary tract infection.

Back in Brazil, he had a kidney stone removed.

At the end of 2014, he suffered from a serious urinary tract infection and was placed in intensive care and on dialysis.

He also has hip problems and needed a walker to move around during his latest public appearances.

In February 2020, Pele reassured his fans about his mental health, after remarks by his son Edinho saying that he was “reclusive” and suffering “from a certain form of depression”.

The only player in history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), Pele is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

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ach time challenges in the polity rear their heads Nigerians who are in position or should be in position to speak out and help halt the situation go very, very quiet. They simply leave the media space to clowns and mischief-makers who have little or no inkling of what should or should not be. The social media has become a readily available tool in the hands of the monster and avenging angels. And in all one is left so bewildered that intelligence and capability dominate questions on who we are, what are we or what do we want. Unfortunately a lot of times we literally draw blank, and also sometimes deliberately. We applaud the absurd and deride the meritocratic.

The hemorrhaging happening in the health sector right now is being treated with kids gloves by the powers that. The two ministers who should be in charge seem to be as clueless as the word itself. The line minister who is the health minister seems unavoidably absent, while the Labor Minister who happens to be a medical doctor himself is neither empathetic to the plight of the medical personnel nor is he to that of the Nigerian people; he does not care and I’m not sure the Nigerian people care either.

But the social media is awash with ethnic and religious bigots who offer nothing but stoke the fire of hate, hate, and hate wanting only to set the country ablaze.

They spend their time and data concocting stories and disseminating lies, untruths with not a spare thought for any one or anything.

Some have opined that the “brain drain” could be a good thing for Nigeria if policy makers and executors would see this as an opportunity and leverage it for the better of all. This thought is for the very sane

0806 564 8620 0814 292 9046 0803 587 5846 08074420617

THURSDAY COLUMN By

SAFIYA ADAMU yandokye@gmail.com climes where patriotism over rides any individual or personal interests. The world we know is not exactly plain black and white and there are a lot of grey in between and these grey is what we have got to deal with.

‘Brain Drain’ has happened before in this country and obviously it is going to continue with each occurrence being worse than the previous.

Medical doctors and other professionals have fled this country before, and they are going to continue to do so because the public who are most affected by their action do not seem to be able to or may be do not want to comprehend what this situation portends for their general well being, and the well being of the children and generations to come.

This inability or refusal to accept, or comprehend situations or issues is

“

also the reason why we do not interrogate matters objectively outside the foggy tainted lenses we choose to wear; we cannot be honest with ourselves enough to elect representatives or leaders with our interest at heart; we cannot be sincere enough to demand accountability from those we have elected to lead or represent us; we deliberately choose to look the other way at obvious and glaring misdemeanors that cause us harm. We are a people ever ready to accept and applaud the obscene and go further on to even want to copy these obscene actions.

And you wonder why we are where we are?

The doctors crises have been brewing for a long time, this is a fact we must first accept without prejudice. Both our primary and tertiary healthcare institutions are under equipped, under

The doctors crises have been brewing for a long time, this is a fact we must first accept without prejudice. Both our primary and tertiary healthcare institutions are under equipped, under furnished, and under staffed.

furnished, and under staffed.

The working environment is unappealing; career progression is ridden with questions and puzzles, maintenance of whatever equipment and structure in existence is absent. The leadership of the institutions is just mere reflections of our mainstream leadership at all levels of the society. The leadership does not care and the people do not either.

The social sectors of our economy are not only on decline they are in complete decay. Education and Health are very vital to the development of any society; they provide the building blocks and nurture of any society. So for the government to allow this hemorrhage to happen under its watch says a lot about us as a people. And to have allowed the crises to degenerate to this extent under their watch the Ministers of Health and Labor should resign or the President should replace them.

The two Ministers, that of Health and Labor have proven to be the perfect poster boys for insensitivity and total lack of appreciation of obvious challenges in a sector that is crucial to our survival. We demand they take a bow and step aside.

DAN GAYE DangaYE

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