Thursday, March 11, 2021 Edition

Vol. 36 No. 028 N200

Thursday, March 11, 2021/ Rajab 27, 1442 AH

2507 Days after Malam Wada Maida (1950-2020), founding Chairman, Board of the Peoples Media Limited

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The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Alleged money laundering : Maina’s lawyer withdraws from case

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Boko Haram:

Cameroon hands over 5,000 Nigerian refugees to Borno Gov PG 5

Member of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), during the Nationwide protest against planed removal of minimum wage law from exclusive legislative list, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo; Mahmud Isa

FEC approves construction of 3 power substations in Kano, Benue

PG 5

Minimum Wage Bill: $9.8m Cash: EFCC seeks court’s Matawalle gives 2-month Gbajabiamila to meet ultimatum for bandits to permission to amend charges labour leaders Tuesday against Ex NNPC GMD, Yakubu surrender weapons pAGE 4

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 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

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World News

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By Vvian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday, entered application seeking to amend the criminal charge filed against a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Andrew Yakubu.

The anti graft agency is trying Yakubu before the Federal High Court on a six-count charge of fraud having admitted owning over $9.8 million cash found in a house that also belongs to him in Kaduna state.

At a resumed trial, the prosecution counsel, Halima Shehu informed the court of the application for amendment of the charge.

She told Justice Ahmed Muhammed that the prosecution has tried serving the amended charge on the defendant (Yakubu) through his counsel, A.A Usman, but he refused service.

“My Lord, the matter today is for continuation of trial, however, we have an amended charge dated March 8, and filed on March 10, 2021.

“The application is brought pursuant to Section 216(1) and (2) of

$9.8m Cash: EFCC seeks court’s permission to amend Ex NNPC GMD, Yakubu charges

the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

“We humbly apply for the application to be granted for us to amend the charge,’’ she submitted.

In his responds, the defence admitted before the court that he refused service of the application to amend the charge.

Giving his reasons, Usman posited that the April 24, 2020, judgment of the Court of Appeal Abuja, had provided guide on the trial.

“The case was remitted back to the trial court for the appellant (Yakubu) to enter defence in respect of counts 3 and 4 of the charge, and not counts 3 and 4 of an amended charge.’’

He further submitted that the court and parties in the matter are “bound to give effect to the order of the Court of Appeal which is extant”.

He told the court that the purpose of the amended charge was

“to undermine” the appeal before the Supreme Court in respect of the matter.

According to the defence, proposed application by the EFCC counsel “is a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings in this trial.

“I urge the court to refuse the proposed amendment and direct that the defendant who has finished testifying in chief and is being cross examined be directed to enter the witness box to continue his evidence. ‘’The amendment is pre-judicial to say the least” Usman declared.

Reacting on points of law, the EFCC counsel, Halima Shehu told the court, “My Lord, my colleague cannot speculate about an amended charge before the court, which he has confirmed to the court that he refused service.

“Therefore, he cannot turn around

and object to an application he has not sighted.

The appellate court did not make any further order that would make the prosecution not to amend the charge.

“Rather, the Court of Appeal ordered the defendant to enter defence on counts 3 and 4.

“We humbly urge the court to grant our application to amend the charge,’’ she concluded.

Meantime, the matter is adjourned till April 15, for continuation.

It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal Abuja Division had on April 24, 2020, unanimously made an order guiding further proceedings in the criminal trial.

The appellate court had in its judgment on appeal by Yakubu, ordered the appellant to go back to the trial court and enter defence in respect of counts 3 and 4 of the charge.

Ganduje tasks journalists, NGOs on sensitizating public to accept COVID-19 vaccine Page 6

Digest

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Feature 26 Sports 30-31 Back Page

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WHO Representative in Nigeria, Walter Kazadi Mulombo (L) greets Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, during his visit to the Governor to express his exemplary leadership, especially in the COVID-19 response, in Lagos on Wednesday (10/3/21).

Reps summon Benin DISCO over 8 years power outage in Ekiti communities

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives on yesterday decried over the 8 years power outage in some Local Governmentsin Ekiti State.

The lawmakers expressed the concerned while edebating on a motion on the ‘Need to prevail on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (BEDC) to address the power outage in Gbonyin and Ekiti East Local Government Areas of Ekiti State’, which was sponsored by Hon.Olufemi.

Bamisile.Worried by the development, the House resolvedto invite management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) with aview to ensure restoration of electricity in the affected Local Governments.

“The House notes that the importance ofelectricity in the industrial, domestic and commercial lives of an individual,corporate citizen,

towns, cities and communities cannot be overemphasized aselectricity is needed in factories and workshops for engineering and technicalactivities and desirable at hospitals and clinics for surgery and clinicalactivities and essential at schools and homes for education, comfort, lightingsand domestic use etc.

“The House is aware that under the provisionsof the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 Private Companies are given opportunities to participate in electricity generation, distribution and transmission and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (BEDC) is oneof the private companies participating in electricity distribution in theCountry and also responsible for the supply of electricity to Gbonyin and Ekiti- East Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.

“The House observes that Gbonyin Local GovernmentArea consist of seven

towns namely; Ode-Ekiti, Agbado, Imesi, Egbejlro,Aiyeseba, Iluomoba and Ijan while Ekiti-East Local Government Area has eleven(11) towns namely; Omuo, Kota, Omuooke, Ayegunle, Araromi, Igbesi, Araromi Oke,Ikun Oba, Ilasa, Eda lIe, Isinbode and Isaya Ekiti.

“The House is concerned that for over eightyears, towns and villages in Gbonyin and Ekiti - East Local Government Areashave been living in darkness as residents do not get electricity supply from BEDC, thereby bringing economic activities, family and social lives to astandstill with attendant consequences to the economic wellbeing, prosperity and health of residents as private individuals and corporate citizens transacting business in the areas are compelled to be buying diesel and fuel atexorbitant prices to power generators.

“The House is worried that

residents of Communities in the Local Government Areas being are denied benefits associated with electricity supply by the failure of the Distribution Company to supply and distribute electricity to the residents and if nothing is done, they will continueto live in darkness with attendant security and socio-economic consequences.”

After the debate on the motion, the House resolved to invite the Management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc(BEDC) to interface with the Committee on Power to explain the reasons for itsfailure, neglect or refusal to supply electricity to Gbonyin and Ekiti EastLocal Government Areas of Ekiti State.

The House however mandated the joint Committee son Power and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

News

Rise above limitations – C &I Leasing urges women

T

he Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, C& I Leasing Plc., Mr Andrew Otike-Odibi, has advised women to rise above challenges they face in the business landscape.

Otike-Odibi gave the advice at a webinar organised by the company to mark the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration in Lagos.

The managing director, who commended women in the company for brining passion to their jobs, said that women must rise to challenges in today’s dynamic business landscape.

“C & I women are fierce and bold, and they bring these to the table in all that they do, with so much passion.

“As the business landscape transforms rapidly, I charge all the women to continue to step up and take their place in leadership, even amid challenging times as we have seen recently,” he said.

Commenting, a human development expert and leadership coach, Alero Onosode, remarked that there were misconceptions around the concept of gender equality.

According to Onosode, while some people believe there are no obvious hindrances to women development, others feel there are certain roles or activities each gender is better suited for.

She regretted that some people wrongly assumed that investing in women would not pay off, while some others thought that women were too emotional for leadership roles.

Onosode urged women to correct wrong narratives by achieving full potential.

“Women must take a position to articulate and address misconceptions around gender equality because, sometimes, these come from a place of ignorance. We need to challenge the limitations, mindsets and biases including those that women carry.

“We need to have conversations around the values that we hold on to. We also need to challenge the cultural and societal expectations along with policies and systems,” she said.

Also at the webinar, Ibukun Omololu, a gender parity and women development enthusiast, said that gender inequality had been a barrier to socio-economic development for a long time.

Omololu said that increased women representation in leadership positions would yield better outcomes for organisations and societies.

“Women have unique leadership skills. We are focused, looking at issues from all angles.

“We get better outcomes in any project or business when there is equal representation and a combination of the unique leadership styles of men and women.

“We are clamouring for women to get to the top because they have contributions to make, and they should make those contributions in achieving business objectives,” she said.

Omololu called for womencentric policies in organisations.

(NAN)

Ag. News Editor, Tobias Lengnam

Alleged money laundering : Maina’s lawyer withdraws from case

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he defence lawyer, Mr Sani Katu SAN, in the ongoing trial of the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team(PRTT) Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, yesterday applied to withdraw as his counsel in the trial.

The senior lawyer, had at the resumed trial yesterday, notified the trial court of his decision to pull out from the case.

He, however, did not give reasons of his application.

The lead counsel in the defence team said, “My lord, the matter is adjourned for continuation of hearing and for us to bring another witness today. But, before then, we have an

application we are compelled to make.

“The application is to seek for leave of this Court to withdraw from this matter. In doing this, we appreciate the court’s indulgence”.

Opposing the application, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Farouk Abdullah, urged the court to compel Maina and his defence team to proceed on calling another defense witness.

The prosecution posited that the defence team failed to complied to section 349(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in their application for withdrawal.

“My lord, as rightly stated, this matter is slated today for continuation of defence. While we concede that a Defendant has the constitutional

right to a counsel of his choice, and a counsel in the matter can also withdraw at any time he deems fit.

“In view of the non-compliance of senior counsel to the provision of the extant law on withdrawal of counsel, we pray the court to refuse the application and direct that the business of the day be done.’’

Responding, Katu, SAN, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable him to file a formal application to withdraw from the trial.

Remarkably, Katu is the second SAN to withdraw from the trial.

It will be recalled that the previous defence lawyer in the matter, Chief J. K. Gadzama, SAN, pulled out of the case after his client, Maina, jumped bail and fled the country midway into

his trial.

Similarly, counsel that hitherto represented Maina’s firm, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, also withdrew his further appearance in the matter.

It will be recall that Chief J. K. Gadzama, SAN, was the first counsel to abandon Maina to his fate when he withdrew from the case after Maina had jumped bail and fled the country.

Similarly, Adeola Adedipe, who represented Maina’s company also pulled out from the matter.

Mr. Anayo Adibe, another lawyer engaged by Maina to handle his defence after his arrest in Niger Republic, was later disengaged few days before the commencement of trial to pave way for Katu.

Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, presents copies of the NYSC in-house journals to the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Protection Plan, Mrs Maryam Uwais, during her courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday (10/3/21).

Restructuring Nigeria, easier and best route to return the country to basics, says Nwodo.

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he National Coordinator, Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum and immediate past President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo has said that a restructured Nigeria could be the easiest way to return the country to the basics of value that is needed to make this country great again.

Chief Nwodo’s view was contained in a paper he titled ‘REEVALUATION OF AFFRICAN VALUES AND CULTURE IN THE FACE OF THE CRISES OF THE 21ST CENTURY’ delivered at the 4th Chinua Achebe International Conference at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on Tuesday.

Chief Nwodo noted that the change in the nation’s cultural values have “traumatized our society and led us to yahoo yahoo, cybercrime, illiteracy, insecurity, electoral dishonesty, lack of accountability, retardation in educational standards and insecurity” which can be remedied by going back to basics by restructuring the country.

The former two-time Minister said that the only way “we can see a better Nigeria in our life time” is to allow States to determine their educational, social welfare policies and security exclusively as well as ownership of their natural

resources whilst paying royalties to the Federal Government for common services.

Chief Nwodo, who took a historical look at the destruction of the nation’s socio-political and cultural values, noted that the best way out is in the restoration of merits and abandonment of quota system His words, “All the major industrialized countries of the world thrive on merit. Merit promotes competition, rewards hard work and drives development.

“The idea that you can get admission to a Federal Secondary School, a Polytechnic, a University or the Civil Service without excelling in a competitive examination destroys incentive for hard work and discovery of talents”, he pointed out.

Chief Nwodo also took a critical look at the nation’s political problems that results in the devaluing and leaving the basics of Operation.

According to him, “This is the only country in the world where videos of electoral pooling booths are showed by television stations yet courts hold that the test of proving without reasonable doubt has not been met.

“This is the only country in the world where the defeated will find it difficult to concede because there is

usually no compelling reason to do so.

“This is the only country in the world where it can take up to six months or more to conclude an election petition through the judicial process”, he stated.

The National Coordinator of South and Middle Belt Forum bemoaned the wrong and inadequate deployment of the youths and women in the political activities.

In his words, “As long as our young people take the back seat in politics and prefer to receive handouts from politicians and do their bidding, so long shall our politics be bereft of renascent ideas of the youth.

“Our youth are supposed to be the uncontaminated segment of our society, our tabula rasa. It is from them that we can distill new and uncontaminated ideas of where society should be headed” “It was the young men of 30s that fought for the independence of Nigeria. When Achebe (Chinua Achebe) wrote Things Fall Apart, he propelled a revolution using his courage, his pen and his youthful zeal for change.

“So did Cyprian Ekwensi when he authored Jagua Nana etc Politics without ideas is like a car without a break, he declared.

Nwodo also took a swipe at

discrimination against Women particularly in the North noting that by so doing “Nigeria is denying herself of a very productive gender in our generation.”

He urged the country to accelerate the diversification of skill development amongst the women and their exposure to managerial responsibilities.

He said, “As at 29th November, 2019, 75 countries have appointed or elected women as Head of State and Head of Government since 1950.

“These countries include Britain, Germany, Ukraine, Ceylon, Argentina, Srilanka, Iceland, Peru, South Korea, and India”, he said.

The former Ohanaeze President General equally examined the nation’s slow march to agricultural revolution and said, “There is no justification whatsoever to allow cattle grazing that entails herdsmen trekking with numerous cows by foot from Northern Nigeria to very distant parts of the South in search of grasses to feed their cows.

“Netherlands has taught us that we can grow grasses anywhere digitally.

“The present system is archaic, dangerous to the cows and the herdsmen and inimical to the maintenance of public security.

“No reasonable government will allow it to continue”, maintained.

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NEWS

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

G

overnors of the SouthSouth States demanded an upward review of the provision of 2.5 percent as Host Community Trust Fund in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to 10 percent in the best interest of oil communities and the nation.

The governors have also advised President Mohammadu Buhari that in the absence of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), funds for the commission beyond the payment of salaries should be put in an escrow account until he constitutes the board.

Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum and Governor of Delta State , Senator Ifeanyi Okowa made this assertion at the end of the forum’s meeting which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday night.

“We took up the issue of the PIB, the Petroleum Industry Bill which is already before the House

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

PIB: South-South Govs demand 10% as host community Trust Fund and having compared notes with ourselves, we are of the view that while we welcome the Host Community Trust Fund, we do believe that the 2.5 percent that is appropriated in that bill for the purpose of host community fund is inadequate.

“We have discussed with our people and collectively as leaders of the people in our various States and as leaders standing in on behalf of our people, we urge that the National Assembly should increase the provision in the host community fund from 2.5 percent to 10 percent in the best interest of our communities, in the best interest of our nation.”

The governors maintained that the communities have a role to play in the surveillance of the nation’s oil facilities and pipeline network.

They expressed the belief that if the communities feel satisfied with provision of funds for them in the PIB, they are more likely going to be watchdog on behalf of the federal government, the States and oil companies.

“And the peaceful environment that would be seen in the various oil communities would enable us to have greater production and a seamless production in which we do not have any form disruption in our oil productions going into the

future.”

Governor Okowa described as worrisome the running of the NDDC in over a year by an Interim Caretaker Committee, and now, an interim administrator.

According to him, this situation does not augur well for the people of the Niger Delta as opportunity for all States to be represented as they ought to be represented in the board of the NDDC does not exist “ So, it means that the NDDC is actually run in such a matter that it is actually not truly beneficial to our people, because there is no stakeholders input in the running of the affairs of the NDDC. We do know that there is a

forensic audit taking place and if that reason the board has not been constituted, our advise is that monies being sent to the NDDC should be put in an escrow account until a board is constituted and then proper processes are followed in the expenditure of the money in a such a way it will be visibly accountable in the best interest of the peoples of the Niger Delta.”

The governors demanded that whenever the board of the NDDC is constituted, the advisory council must be called upon to place its role to ensure there is check and balance in such a matter that the States will truly have value for money expended by the NDDC.

Edo: Police claim ignorance as 5 die in communal clash

News

FEC approves construction of 3 power substations in Kano, Benue • N500m for completion of 18.7km road in Delta,

By Egena Sunday Ode

T

he Federal Executive Council (FEC) has given approval for the construction of two power sun stations in Kano and one in Benue Minister of Power, Mamman Sale, disclosed this Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the weekly FEC meeting held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja and presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also disclosed that council approved the extension of transmission lines in Umuahia, Abia State and Mbano, Imo State.

Sale said the cost for the extension of transmission lines in Abia and Imo States is $506,324.40 plus N34,034,000 local content.

He gave the cost of the construction of the three sub-stations in Zaki-Biam, Benue State and Bichi and Kanyi, Kano State as follows: “the one in Zaki-Biam is $8.6 million while the local content is N2.08 billion. The second one in Bichi is $9.6 million plus N1.7 billion local content. The one in Kanyi, Kano State is $9.5 million plus N1.7 billion.”

Asked why the ministry was embarking on new projects, the minister said: “There has not been any problem so far. But we just have to expand the national grid for sustainable supply of

electricity and also to improve capacity.

That is all.”

Collaborating Sale’s position, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said: “You see, before now, there’s been complained that more power is being produced compared to what is being wheeled out.

“So, what he’s been doing recently, is to improve the capacity of the TCN to transmit more power. So, all these contracts you heard of is about improving the capacity of the TCN so that when this electricity is produced, it will get to our homes.”

FEC equally approved an additional N500 million as variation for the completion of 18.7 kilometers BuluOriagbene road in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio who also briefed newsmen on the memos presented at the meeting by his ministry explained that the construction of the road is a project of the Niger-Delta Ministry, which has already attained 97 percent completion.

Akpabio said: “The Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs presented two memos today at the Federal executive Council and both were approved. One was just augmentation or a variation of the contract for the construction of

N190m for UI to purchase microscope

Bulu-Oriagbene road in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The road is about 18.7 kilometres and the initial contract price was about N8.5 billion and with the variation price today, the contract price is now about N9 billion and the Federal executive Council today approved that variation.”

Akpabio said council also approved the floating of a digital platform where projects executed by his ministry can be monitored at all times.

He said: “The second memo I presented was on what we call Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP), for the Niger Delta region. The intension here is to have a web-based monitoring system, an e-portal where all the agencies under us and development partners as well as non-governmental organisations including states and local governments that are involved in implementing projects in the Niger Delta region, we will have all their projects keyed into that portal.

“This is to ensure that at the touch of the button you can see what each company, state or local government or international organisation is doing as they add value to the Niger Delta region.”

Akpabio explained that the reason for introducing the portal is to help in coordination and also prevent duplication of projects.”

On his part, Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said Council, in continuation of the efforts of the federal government to revitalize and repurpose the education sector, passed a resolution granting the request of the University of Ibadan to acquire a new microscope.

He explained: “This is a microscope which is totally directed at enhancing whatever material, looking at nuclear composition of its molecular nature.

“This is in our premier university.

Like you all understand that the Department of Anatomy has been at the forefront of this coordinate research in Nigeria for many years since its inception in 1948. The first of such equipment was given to us in 1967 by the Japanese government, but it has become obsolete.

And the federal government has had the opportunity to review many of the requests from the university authorities, including Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). It was then agreed in the NEEDS assessment report.

“The replacement of these kinds of equipment falls into the fulcrum of what the NEEDS assessment report asked that we do. So, the request by the University of Ibadan has been approved so that we can stop spending the kind of money we spend sending Ph.D and further research students abroad on

Benin Republic seeks Nigeria’s help in rice production

By Osaigbovomwan Iguobaro

T

he Edo State Police Command declared that it is not aware of the reported bloody clash in Ogheghe Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the State which claimed five lives on Tuesday morning.

The protracted communal clash pitted two brothers — Saturday Iyirhiaro Akhatise and Festus Iyirhiarho (claimants of the throne) against each other.

During the standoff, residents of Ogheghe, shop owners and pedestrians scampered for safety, while motorists were forced to take alternative routes.

According to reports from the area, two males were said to have been burnt inside a car in suspected reprisal attack.

But, the State Commissioner of police, Mr. Phillip Ogbaudu, confirmed the incident to journalists, but, said there was no death.

“As we speak now, they are attacking the palace of Enogie of Ogheghe...And the youths are raising up arms. Me and you are ready for peace, but this youths now are not prepared to wait.

“So, me and you have failed as parents to bring up our Children after us.

“If you can raise something against a traditional ruler, that something will follow you.

“I am not aware that five people have been killed. The people that were killed happened two to three weeks ago on Okada riders clashes, and the Government has advised that Okada has been banned at night.

Page 5

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

By Egena Sunday Ode

T Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State (3rd, L); Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Bamalli (2nd, R); Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Idris (1st, R); Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe (2nd, L) and other stakeholders, during a Security Situation Meeting organized by Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security, in Kaduna on Wednesday (10/3/21).

Winners Emerge in EU SGBV Short Video Competition on Sexual and Gender-Bases Violence

By Egena Sunday Ode

A student of the University of Abuja, Miss Aimalohi Ojeamiren topped the list of six winners that have emerged in the short video competition on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) organized for Nigerians by the Delegation of European Union (EU) to Nigeria and ECOWAS. The prizes were handed over to Miss Ojeamiren and the other five winners at a well-attended ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

Ojeamiren received the winning prize of an 2020 iMAC editing suite. The second prize was awarded to Miss Doris Okorie who got a MAC laptop, while the third prize of DSLR Canon Camera went to Miss Anita Abada.

David Nkwa; Obunoluwa Oluwarinu and Ms. Twammsen

Danaan from Plateau State who placed fourth, fifth and sixth position got cash prizes.

Speaking at the event, the Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen commended the finalists, saying the European Union was happy to stimulate the awareness and creativity of Nigerians on issues of genderbased violence through its short video competition.

The Head of EU Delegation said he was pleased that despite the constraints and challenges occasioned by COVID-19 Pandemic, the EU received 685 entries, all creatively put together to illustrate the competitors’ understanding of sexual and gender-based violence and ways to eliminate it in society.

“To all six of you that have emerged finalists, I would like to congratulate you. If out of

685 entries you were able to make it to the top six, you are no doubt, already a winner,” Karlsen said. While applauding all the participants for their exceptional brilliance, he urged all distinguished participants to remember to listen to young Nigerians and victims of genderbased violence.

Winner of the star prize, Aimalohi Ojeamiren said he was excited to be crowned the winner of the EU SGBV Short video competition even as he urged the EU Delegation in Nigeria to sustain the initiative as a way of challenging the creativity of Nigerians while creating the needed awareness that will wipe out cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Nigeria.

“I’m excited to emerge the winner this year. My three-minute video on Sexual and Gende Based Violence was inspired by the

need to mitigate its prevalence in society through story telling. I urge the EU Delegation to continue to encourage this kind of endeavour so as to bring an end to this menace,” Ojeamiren said.

The objective of the EU SGBV short video competition was to stimulate the awareness of Nigerians on issues of gender-based violence, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and taken into consideration when shaping and implementing programmes and policies in Nigeria.

Entrants were asked to send in three-minute video expressing what they understood by sexual and gender-based violence and ways to eliminate it in society.

Judges were drawn from Nollywood; the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs; the EU funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), EU office in Nigeria and Spotlight Initiative.

he Government of Benin Republic on Tuesday approached President Muhammadu Buhari to learn Nigeria’s secret in rice production.

A delegation of officials from the West African country met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

They said they were in Nigerian to tap from its experience in reviving rice production.

The Benenoise delegation, which was led by the country’s Minister of Agriculture, Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, was led to the villa by Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed.

Speaking to correspondents after the meeting, Bagudu explained that the delegation and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria met with the (CoS) to advance ongoing talks between the two countries on how to replicate Nigeria’s rice farming programme in Benin Republic.

He said the idea is that the move can leas to the discontinuation of rice import to West Africa.

The governor stated: “Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria met with the chief of staff to the president to progress the discussion which has been going on between them and Benin Republic for the two countries to replicate the success of Nigeria’s rice farming programme in Benin, so that we can stop rice importation in west Africa

in shortest possible time.

“This is partnership within the framework of ECOWAS agreement and the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and our brotherly relationship between president Muhammadu Buhari and President Patrice Tallon who have the safe vision that we can be greater together.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of Rice Farmers Association, Aminu Goronyo, explained that the Benin government is desirous of learning from the Nigerian experience in rice production.

He added: “They are here because they have seen the successes recorded in the area of rice production in Nigeria and their President was so happy, he was excited.

“And he said they must come to Nigeria, partner with Nigerian rice farmers and see how Nigerian farmers can replicate the same thing in Benin Republic so that they will be able to achieve the successes this government recorded in the area of rice production.”

Asked what Nigeria can teach them, he said: “Of course, they are our sister country, we are one and the same people and I think their president is ready to accept what we have used to achieve these successes which is the government’s will because our successes is related with the political will that this government has.

“And that is exactly what they want to learn so that they will use the same approach to attain the successes they are seeing to come to us to learn more.”

the basis of the lack of this particular equipment.

“So, government is looking at this proactively in the sense that it will stem the amount of money we send abroad, and how much time our people spend. And if University of Ibadan is empowered to do this, and acquires this equipment, it will become the fulcrum for many other research faculties around the country since we will now have this Institute in the country. Everybody will be able to access it, including those from neighbouring West African countries.

“Our experience while at TETFUND showed that many of the research requests had to do with the nonavailability of particular targeted equipment in the country and the federal government in his holistic attempt to address both its economic and social values as well as upgrade our educational targets, then approves this to be able to address all that.

“The cost at the moment is only N190,552,000. N190 million will be made available by the federal government and University of Ibadan will be adding N552,000 as their own counterpart fund from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Within 16 weeks (four months), we will have this equipment in the country.”

Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State takes his first jab of the OxfordAstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, in Kaduna on Wednesday (10/3/21).

Boko Haram: Cameroon hands over 5,000 Nigerian refugees to Borno Gov

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ameroonian officials, led by the Minister for Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, have repatriated and handed over the first batch of 5,000 Nigerian refugees to Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

The handover took place on Monday at a brief ceremony in Amchiide, a border community between Nigeria and Cameroon close to Banki in Bama Local Government Area of Borno Central.

The returnees were part of thousands of Nigerians, mostly from Borno, who, since 2014, had fled in batches to Minawao Camp located in Mokolo, far North Region of Cameroon, to escape Boko Haram’s killings. Many Nigerians, in uncertain numbers, though said to be more than 60,000 by some accounts, fled to the camp from parts of Borno and Adamawa States.

But over the years, the number came down following isolated returns.

The handover ceremony was attended by top officials from Cameroon, including the governor of the far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakary

and officials of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Cameroonian Minister for Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji Paul, announced that President Paul Biya had approved a big relief package which included food items, mattresses, blankets and other non-food items for distribution to all the 5,000 returnees as support.

The minister commended Governor Zulum for constructing homes where the refugees would be resettled.

Governor Zulum had approved funds and supervised the ongoing construction of over 6,000 urban and low-cost resettlement houses sited in Banki, Gwoza, Kondugu, Kaga and different others, with a substantial number of them already completed.

Majority of them are used for resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons.

Zulum, on behalf of Nigeria, thanked the Cameroonian president, other officials and host communities for taking good care of Nigerian refugees in the last six years. The governor

appreciated the donation made by President Biya.

“I wish to sincerely convey our deepest appreciation to the government of Cameroon under the distinguished leadership of President Paul Biya for the enormous support to my fellow Nigerians who took refuge in the Minawao [refugee] Camp. We remain eternally grateful”, Zulum said.

The repatriation was to implement the outcome of a tripartite commission meeting held in Marwa, Cameroon, on February 10, 2021, which was attended by officials from Cameroon, the UNHCR and a Nigerian delegation that comprised Governor Zulum and top officials from federal ministries of Foreign Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs as well as Zulum’s Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, who chairs a technical committee on the repatriation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe.

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Matawalle gives 2-month ultimatum for bandits to surrender weapons From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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amfara State Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle has pronounced a 2-month ultimatum for recalcitrant bandits operating in the state to surrender all dangerous weapons in their possession effective from today (Tuesday).

In a Special broadcast, Governor Matawalle called for the federal government to for the sake of ensuring lasting peace and tranquility were totally restored in Zamfara State, to deploy 6,000 more troops with a view to deny any chance for bandits to

breathe.

“Let me reiterate in addition to the banning of illegal mining and the impose of ‘no fly zone’ order by the federal government, that henceforth, no over two persons should be sighted on one motorcycle across the state.

“Again, no group of bike riders must move into same direction and at the same time as that will attract an aggressive attention and approach of the patrolling security operatives, and I am warning members of ‘Yansakai, that the ban order of their illegal activities is still in force.

“All the 17 emirs and that of traditional rulers under their emirates and the 14 local government sole administrators should remain and monitor movements in their domains, and to timely report any questionable to the relevant authorities”, Matawalle has warned.

He further warned politicians to abstain from using security matters for politics and, or using Facebook handlers who create accounts aimed to derail efforts by the State Government and security agencies on tackling insecurity challenges that bedeviled the state.

L- R: Dr. Zouli Bonkoungou, Commissioner, Telecommunication and Information Technologies ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria; Mr. Tontama Charles Millogo, Chairman, Autorite De Regulation Des Communications Electroniques et Des Postes, Burkina Faso and Chairman, West Africa Telecommunications Regulatory Assembly,(WATRA) Executive Committee; Hon. Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Information and Telecommunication Infrastructure, The Gambia; Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamala, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, Sierra Leone; Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Nigeria; Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission,(NCC); Elh Maman Laninou, Executive Secretary, WATRA; Hon.Cllr. Cooper. W. Kruah, Minister, Posts Telecommunications, Republic of Liberia during the 2021 WATRA Annual General Meeting, yesterday, March 10, 2021 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja

Nasarawa gov hosts high powered mobilization team for Hajj savings scheme

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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asarawa gov hosts high powered mobilization team for Hajj Savings Scheme A high powered mobilization push to canvass for registration into Hajj Savings scheme was yesterday held in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Commision’s Head, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, said.

According to the statement, the Governor of the state and host, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, while declaring his conviction over the scheme, described it as one of the best options that will rescue the Hajj Industry in Nigeria from government dependency.

He said such well thought schemes are the engines needed to advance the economic wellbeing of intending pilgrims and government which is gradually phasing out participation in religious matters.

He expressed delight at the large turnout of participants awed at the fact that this is the first time he is witnessing this impressive number of traditional rulers, state executives of pilgrims’ boards and large turnout of Fulanis in one sitting.

The governor further described the impressive attendance as an indication of the

scheme’s acceptance in Nasarawa state.

In his opening remarks, NAHCON Chairman, Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, enumerated the financial gains that will accrue by registering in the scheme for the intending pilgrims and for Hajj operations in Nigeria.

According to him, “the reality for the success of the Scheme however, depends on all to propagate and support it in every way through encouraging people to key into the noble scheme.

“Therefore, as we rise from here today, we must all go to work to preach the message of the Hajj Savings Scheme” the chairman concluded.

The statement further said in addition to the financial gains of the scheme, the Ja’iz Bank Acting Managing Director, while presenting the HSS, expressed optimism over the scheme’s prospect of aiding the Commission and SPWBs in timely and efficient Hajj planning.

Other speakers during the event, such as representative of Hon. Sidi Bage1, who is the Emir of Keffi, Hon. Nalaraba, and Alhaji Idris Almakura, declared support for the Hajj Savings Scheme and encouraged participants to enroll for maximum benefit.

The statement said the mobilizers comprised top notch from the state government, National Hajj Commission of

Nigeria (NAHCON), State Pilgrims Welfare Boards (SPWB) Jaiz Bank, royal fathers, members of the Ulama, public organizations, revered individuals among others.

The team at the launching and mobilization drive for the scheme in Nasarawa State, was led by the host and Nasarawa state Governor, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule.

The statement said the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe; Ag. Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Aisha Bashir Aliyu; Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barr. Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu, Emir of Keffi Dr. Shehu Cindo Yamusa who represented Emir of Lafia and chairman council of chiefs, Hon Justice Sidi Bage1 were in attendance.

Team of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria was led by its Chairman, Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, while Ja’iz Bank delegation was led by its Acting Managing Director who is the bank’s Executive Director Operations/ Chief Financial Officer, Alhaji Abdulfatah Amaoo, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakasai and Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, chairman House Committee on Pilgrims’ Affairs, representative of the Nasarawa House of Assembly speaker were also present.

Feminist Forum asks women to build political structure

By Osaigbovomwan Iguobaro

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igerians have advocated the need for women to build political structure towards promoting maximum participation of women in politics and other spheres of life.

They made the recommendations at a One-day sensitization workshop on ‘Legal reform and women participation in political leadership in Nigeria’ by the Nigerian Feminist Forum in Benin City.

The initiative, according to the discussants at the workshop, would help to eradicate discrimination against women through a workable electoral reforms backing quota system for Nigerian women to promote gender equality in politics.

The various discussants Mr Austin Osakue, Luisa Agbonghese, Inumidun Idehen including the programme Facilitator, Chinos Okechukwu, and Journalists, also called for discouragement of preference of male child to female child, insisting that empowerment of women is key to societal development.

The pressure group also called for establishment of trust funds and media support in assisting women with political ambition for financial freedom for women by building network and breaking social and economic barriers that prevent women who are interested in politics build coalition and grow.

The Focal person, Nigerian Feminist, cited stigmatization, low level of education, meeting schedules, political violence, religious and cultural barriers as factors that Nigerian women must work hard to overcome in order to survive in the political space.

According to Edo State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said, “in political participation, women are minority, but the population of women are more”.

A human Rights Activist, Comrade Austin Osakue, urged Nigerian women to be more active in politics, stressing that “A success without a successor is a monumental failure.

Ganduje tasks journalists, NGOs on sensitizating public to accept COVID-19 vaccine From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

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overnor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has called on media practitioners and Non-governmental organizations to rise to the challenge of sensitizing the public on the importance of the Covid-19 vaccination.

Addressing journalists and members of Non-governmental organizations at the Africa House, Government House Kano yesterday, Ganduje said the vaccination exercise was meant to fight the pandemic with vigour, adding that his government has made considerable effort in taking curative, preventive and palliative measures.

According to him, administering the vaccine would be the best way to fight the menace with commitment, dedication and seriousness, positing that the adult class is the most vulnerable , looking at the dismal pace adults were dying.

He said” I heard somebody asking a question and making comparison with the polio immunization. the way I see it is, immunization against polio only affects children not adults. now that Covid-19 almost kill adults, I am sure people would be serious on presenting themselves for the vaccination”.

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News

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

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he National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State has arrested 2,119 suspected drug traffickers, according to the outgoing Commander of Kano command, Dr Ibrahim Abdul.

Addressing journalists on his achievement, as part of his farewell ceremony, Abdul said the command had secured the conviction of 205 suspects from December, 2018 to date.

The commander was transferred to the NDLEA headquarters, Abuja as Director, Assets and Financial Investigation Department.

According to Abdul, during his stay in office, the command was able to arrest 2,119 suspects, out of which 2,017 were males while 102 were females.

“During the period under review, the agency was able to intercept 13,505.587 kilograms of different exhibits due to the relentless efforts of our officers.

“We were able to intercept 10,032.109 kilograms of cannabis Savita, 3,412.268 kilograms of Psychotropic substances and 3.171 kilograms of Cocaine.

“And it was during my period the command was able to intercepted over two kilograms of Cocaine at a time.

“Within the period, our officers were also able to intercept 60.000 kilograms of Khat, substance imported from outside the country, and also intercepted 0.039 kilograms of heroin.”

NDLEA arrest 2,119 drug suspects during my 2 years in office- Kano Commander According to the NDLEA Commander, the command was also able to counsel 1,619 drug users, and destroyed 28,167.629 kilograms of illicit drugs from Nov. 2018 to date.

“During my stay in office, for the first time in the history of the command, we discovered and destroyed two cannabis sativa plantations at Wailari, in the Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

“We also discovered a clandestine laboratory at Eastern bypass in Nasarawa

Local Government Area where cough syrup with codeine is produced.

“Within the period, Kano State recorded a significant improvement in the (UNODC) ranking, from 1st to 6th position in terms of abuse and trafficking.

“It was during the period we introduced drug screening for appointees of political Office holders and also traditional title appointees.” He said.

The commander explained that the command was able

to save an innocent girl from being executed by the Saudi Arabia’s Government after illicit drugs were found in her luggage.

According to him, the command was able to arrest and prosecute those airport officials and traveling agents who were used to put the drugs in her bag while traveling to Saudi Arabia.

Abdul further expressed concern over the noncompletion of the command’s abandoned 150 capacity rehabilitation centre by the

state government after he has made a series of efforts to see the completion.

He also commended the state government, Kano Emirate council, traditional and religious leaders l and all other stakeholders for their support towards his success in office.

He also commended the recent appointment of BrigGen Buba Marwa retired as the Chairman of the NDLEA, saying there was a lot of improvement in the agency within his short period in office.

Insecurity: CDS appeals for cooperation From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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he Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor has appealed for greater cooperation from state governments, traditional institutions and residents of communities troubled by armed banditry in the North-west and North-central parts of the country towards ending the menace.

The Defence Chief made the plea when he led other Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Intelligence on a working visit to Governor Aminu Bello Masari at the Government House in Katsina.

General Irabor said the top military command was on a tour of states affected by armed banditry to assess military arsenals and the battle-readiness of troops carrying out the anti-banditry operation.

He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has given marching orders to the Service Chiefs to restore normalcy in states troubled by armed banditry within the shortest time possible.

General Lucky Irabor urged state governments and opinion leaders in the affected states to encourage residents of communities haunted by the menace to provide useful information to trooos executing the anti-banditry operation in their states.

In his remarks, Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari advised the Defence Headquarters to create a central operations command for air and land troops that are engaged in confrontation with the bandits.

He also advised the military command to deploy surveillance technology to spot armed bandits in their hideouts and to track kidnap victims in the custody of their abductors in the forests.

The meeting ended with a closed-door meeting between the Service Chiefs and top officials of the state government.

R-L: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Mohammed Munguno and Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, during their meeting with the Traditional Rulers on the constitutional amendment, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FRSC recovers 11 stolen vehicles, using database

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he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has recovered 11 stolen vehicles in Zone 4, in the last one year and handed them over to the Police for further investigation and prosecution.

Dr Kayode Olagunju, the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer, in charge of Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa, made this known in a statement by the Acting Public Education Officer, Route Commander Olusegun Owoeye, in Jos. Olagunju said: “The stolen vehicles were discovered at the point of re-registration and uploading of the vehicle details to the National Data base across the zone.

“The vehicles recovered were six Toyota Corolla; two Toyota Camry; one Toyota Tacoma; One Pontiac Vibe and one Mazda 323.”

Olagunju advised vehicle owners to always follow the due process in the registration of their vehicles.

According to him, having correct vehicle details such as Chassis and Engine numbers,

Vehicle Type, Make, Model and Owners details in the National Vehicle Central Data Bank will make re-registration of such vehicles, if stolen, impossible.

“Such attempts are immediately flagged and the attention of security agencies attracted,” the zonal commanding officer said.

He reiterated the importance of vehicles registration and number plate procurement as mandated in Section 10 (4) of the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007 and Regulation 2 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 as amended.

Olagunju also enjoined vehicle owners to always abide by relevant Regulations such as Regulation 12 on Change of Vehicle Ownership; Regulation 13 on Change of Vehicle Colour; Regulation 14 on Replacement of engine of already registered vehicle and Regulations 36-39 on Vehicle Identification Number.

He said that these measures were to ensure the safety and security of vehicles

which aid prompt retrieval of stolen vehicles.

The zonal commanding officer said that most of the recovered vehicles were carted away during house robbery, armed robbery and from unmanned parking lots during public functions/ceremony at different locations across the country.

Olagunju also said that the corps had been collaborating with the Police, Boards of Internal Revenue and other sister agencies as part of efforts in ensuring safety of lives and property.

He assured the public that the corps would continue to deploy appropriate technology in tackling safety and security issues in the Road Traffic Safety and Administration Strategies.

Olagunju also urged members of the public to always verify identity of car ownership through National Vehicle Identification Scheme office (NVIS) or through the Information Verification Portal (nvis.frsc.gov.ng) before buying “Second hand” /Used Vehicles. (NAN)

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UNICEF chief: $1bn more needed for New VC moves COVAX COVID-19 vaccine rollout to degitalize Dutse varsity T he UNICEF on Wednesday urged countries to contribute more money to help poor countries to access Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, saying around $1 billion was needed.

UNICEF, the world’s single largest vaccine buyer, is part of the World Health Organisation-backed COVAX programme to supply COVID-19 shots to emerging economies.

“We have been asking the world for more

funding for UNICEF and our distribution to countries we still need about 1 billion dollars ,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said at Dubai’s World Government Summit.

That funding could be used to strengthen health systems in poorer nations and support the distribution of vaccines there, she said.

The COVAX initiative aims to deliver at least 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses this year, including 1.3 billion doses to lower-

income countries.

Fore urged vaccine makers to sign licensing agreements so vaccines could be made locally, singling out Africa as one market that needed it.

She also said it was unlikely that the COVAX scheme would be able to cover the world in 2021.

“There is still more to do and we could do with more help and assistance,” Fore said.

(Reuters/NAN)

A cross-section of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Dikwa, Zabarmari and Damagum of Borno and Yobe States, who are currently taking refuge in Adamawa, park foodstuffs and clothing materials distributed to them by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), in Yola on Wednesday (10/3/21).

Dala Inland Dry Port to boost trade viability in Nigeria – Shippers’ Council

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he Nigerian Shippers’ Council says that the new Dala Inland Dry Port which is set to commence soon will boost trade viability in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Hassan Bello, said this at the presentation of the reviewed full business reports for Dala Inland Dry Port on Tuesday in Abuja Bello also noted that the construction of 284 km at 1.96 bilion dollars which cross-border Kano – Katsina – Jibia – Maradi rail line would be integrated into the project.

He said that Lagos – Kano Standard Gauge Railway would be in alignment with the Dala Inland Dry Port, adding that report from the project has been shown it to be viable.

“The volume forecast is expected to be between 64,000 TEU (Low case) per annum throughput and 147, 000 TEU (High case) per annum throughput once it reaches its full market potential after three years of operation in 2026”.

According to him, the market share analysis for the Dala Inland Dry Port has been limited to Kano State (40 per cent

market share; the primary market) and surrounding states such as Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa 15 per cent market share; the secondary markets.

He further said that “the new Kano – Katsina – Maradi Rail line is expected to increase patronage from Republic Of Niger.”

This optimism, he said, was attributed to increasing growing population, saying that Nigeria will pass the 206 million population mark and the economy is expected to shrink by 4.3 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“But during 2021-2025, the economy is expected to increase annually by 2.5 per cent, impetus increasingly being accorded to multimodal transportation particularly Standard Gauge Railway construction from Lagos to Kano,” he said.

He, however, said that the council had commenced consultation with different multi-lateral funding institutions particularly Afrexim Bank to assist investors access long-term funding for the construction of Dry Port in the country.

He also appreciated Kano State

Government for its support to the project through the provision of land and other necessary facilities.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Dala Inland Dry Port, Alhaji Abubakar Bawuro, said that hopefully the Dry Port would commence operation in July as some of the infrastructure would be completed by June.

Bawuro, therefore, said that the report was very imperative as it would give direction to the activities of the dry inland port.

He said that those operating and grounding business in other countries would not have to bother to relate to the sea port again rather “they can now discharge their goods and cargo in our dry port.

“And then relate with us very close to home before relating to Lagos, Port Harcourt or Calabar once the report is implemented,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dala Inland Dry Port on Aug. 11, 2020 signed an agreement with Private Public Partnership advisories to conduct the assignment with sub-consultants maritime transport solution (MTBS). (NAN)

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

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he newly vice chancellor of the Federal University Dutse (FUD) Professor Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed promised to do all his best and ensure that FUD turn to modern and degital University.

VC Mohammed dropped the hint during a press conference and media parley held at Senate chamber in the university premises.

He explained that, part of his vision is to make the University Dutse a modern and technically advance learning centre that is internally recognized, with untainted reputation leading the development of learned, dynamic and moral society.

According to him, before the elapse of his tenure he will make sure that e-learning methods and technologies are introduced and strengthening of research through international collaboration and grant acquisition.

He said, information technology and e-learing with research and development ,healthy staff-staff and staff students relationship should be part of his specific developmental goals.

Professor Mohammed also promised to work tirelessly and ensure the establishment of faculties of Law and engineering before the elapse of his tenure.

The VC then assured more welfare to staffs and enhance internal revenue generation through commercialization of University farm, improvements and diversification of commercial activities in the university entrepreneur centre.

We must protect our people - El Rufai From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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overnor Nasir El Rufai has said that Kaduna State Government has been using its limited tools as a subnational, to address the security challenges facing the state.

The governor who made this remark at the presentation of the 2020 Annual Security Report on Wednesday, paid tributes to the victims of insecurity, reiterating his administration’s resolve to continue to protect people and stop the criminals.

El Rufai reiterated that Kaduna state has been supporting the federal security agencies deployed in the state with vehicles and other logistics since 2015.

According to him, Kaduna State Government has also invested in technology to help secure the state, adding that ‘’a CCTV network is being deployed in Kaduna metropolis while options for consistent operations of its drones are being explored.’’

The governor also explained that Kaduna state has been collaborating with neighboring states to tackle insecurity. ‘’Together with Niger State and our neighbours in the North-west, we put together resources to fund military operations against bandits in the KamukuKuyambana forest.”

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Gov Badaru takes first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

Reps, stakeholders support proposed Jos Orthopaedic hospital, medical centre

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From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

he Jigawa state governor Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Badaru on Wednesday took his Covid -19 vaccines together with his commissioners at around 1:30 pm.

The governor also said, the state government received 68,520 doses of the vaccines as first batch from the federal government.

Speaking shortly after receiving the vaccines, governor Badaru said, the first batch doses will cover only one percent of the entire Jigawa state population equivalent to 35,000 people in the state.

The governor who confirmed that, the vaccines is genuine and safer, vaccinated together with his commissioners at government house Dutse.

He said, those to be vaccinated at first batch include himself, deputy governor, commissioners, health workers, religious and traditional leaders and other essential workers.

The governor then commended President Muhammad Buhari for the effort and urged Jigawa people to cooperate for a successful COVID - 19 vaccination.

By Christiana Ekpa he House of Representatives and stakeholders in the health sector on Tuesday unanimously agreed that the federal government should establish an Orthopaedic hospital in Jos and a federal medical centre, Wase all in Plateau state.

The resolution was taken at the public hearing organised by the House committee on health institutions on a bill for the establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Wase and a bill to amend the Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Laws to provide for the establishment of Orthopaedic Hospital in Jos. While given a synopsis of the bills,the sponsor and deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase said he initiated the bills for the establishment of the medical centre and the Orthopaedic hospital to bring quality medical care closer to the people.

He said treatment of

Orthopaedic condition is generally very expensive hence people resort to patronising traditional bone setters, which always result in complications.

Represented by Hon. Komsol Alphonsus Longgap, Wase lamented that people of the Plateau south senatorial zone, particularly those living in remote villages have difficulty is accessing tertiary health services due to economic, transportation and geographic barriers.

Speaking in favour of the bills, the Plateau state government represented by the commissioner for health, Dr. Nimlong Lar Ndam said the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Wase will help bring tertiary health services to the people of Plateau south senatorial zone and other neighbouring states.

“Wase is made of 20 electoral wards with 62 health facilities both public and private, hence the idea for the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Wase us a step in the right direction as this

institution will serve as a hub to the health institutions”.

He said there is currently no public Orthopaedic hospital in the north central and Jos being th gate way between south east, south south, south west, north central and north east is prone to high rate of raid traffic accidents resulting to serious injuries and fractures.

He said the Plateau state government has an existing structure, the temporary site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, which could be used as a temporary site for the proposed National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos. In its presentation, the Nigerian Medical Association, Plateau state branch said the medical centre in Wase will be a very powerful enabler of societal empowerment and mitigate the gap in the quality of health services received by all those who will benefit from it.

The chairman, Dr. Innocent Emmanuel said “Many people in

this community are constantly being pushed into crushing poverty because they travel regularly at great cost to distant places to access health care.

“Some travel to Jos, which is over 200 kilometres, others to neighbouring Bauchi state, while others travel as far as Taraba state, crossing dangerous rivers and streams” He said the hospital will reduce infant and maternal mortality in Plateau, give access to quality health care for the people and improve life expectancy, which currently stands at 54.33 years.

He said currently, there is only one tertiary health institution in Plateau state and it is located in the state capital.

The Nigerian Orthopaedic Association in its memorandum by its president, Prof. Kunle Olawepo called for the establishment of a national Orthopaedic hospital in zones without one saying this will reduce the burden and pressure on the existing three Orthopaedic centres in the country.

NLC protest in Kaduna, wants NASS to throw anti-workers bill away From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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embers of the organized labour in kaduna state yesterday, joined their counterparts across the country to stage a peaceful protest against the proposed legislation for the removal of National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative list.

Speaking at the premises of the State House of Assembly, kaduna State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman who led hundreds of his members to protest against the bill currently at the National Assembly, said that the planned removal is a declaration of war on Nigerian workers.

The labour union members who marched from the NLC state secretariat to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, chanting solidarity songs, carried placards and banners with inscriptions like: Why are our representatives against us? Workers create wealth and deserve the best and Next level pay minimum wage now, among others.

Presenting the labour’s request to the Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, the State Chairman of NLC, said, National Minimum Wage is workers’ right and should not be decentralized.

Minority Leader/Spokesperson of the caucus Ndudi Elumelu (middle), during the press briefing on Federal Government not to spend £4.2 million repatriated former Delta state, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Ganduje receives 209,520 doses of COVID-19 vaccine

From Kano

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Mustapha

Adamu,

he governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has received the first batch of 209,520 doses of astraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19.

The consignment had arrived Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA on Tuesday night via Allied cargo aircraft, E-cargo 5N-TON.

Addressing journalists immediately after signing the documents, Ganduje said the state government would flag off administering the vaccine “very soon”.

Represented by the state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Ganduje said the state has decided to start the vaccination exercise on front line workers who are engaged in the fight against COVID-19 in

the state.

He said the exercise would start with health workers, then security agents, then airport staff down to the other groups of people.

According to him, the government would also focus on people with underlying health issues and the fourth phase will focus on other target populations.”

He said he would be the first person to be vaccinated in the state, noting that people would be

encouraged to accept it if they see him take the shot of the vaccine.

The governor pointed out that the state action committee on COVID-19 would meet to determine the modalities and when the vaccination would begin.

He disclosed that he hasld already started meetings with all stakeholders across the state to ensure Kano residents are well sensitized on the need to accept the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Delta NLC charges law makers Okowa swears in 25 Council to focus people’s welfare Chairmen,

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

T

he Delta State Chapters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria have charged the lawmakers to focus on weightier issues of peoples welfare, insecurity, unemployment, roads infrastructure and others.

The NLC Chairman, Mr Goodluck Ofoburuku, gave the charge while addressing the protesting workers and the members of the State House of Assembly on Wednesday in Asaba.

He said that the protest was aimed at stopping the perceived move by the National Assembly to remove the National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive

Legislative list to the Concurrent Legislative list by some persons in government.

“While other government in the world are busy legislating on how to make laws that will remove their people from poverty, ours is trying to make everybody poor.

“Why are we not making laws to develop pur people, improve our workers welfare, create jobs for the teaming unemployed, address insecurity, create health and roads infrastructure and others?

“We are here to stage an appeal with the speaker and members of the House of Assembly to be on the side of the workers and the people and not to support that legislation to remove the minimum wage from the exclusive list to the Concurrent list.

governor have refused to pay their workers. “ The refusal to pay is not because they do not have the resources but because of greed of some of the politicians who refused to prioritise the issues of workers welfare and now they want to through the back door remove the issue of minimum wage from the exclusive list.

“Today, they are pushing to make it a concurrent list where they can determine the faith of the workers on their own,” Ofoburuku said.

Receiving the protest letter, the Clark of the State House of Assembly, Mrs Lyna Ochulor, said that Speaker, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, who was unavoidably absent asked them to receive the letter.

“We have drawn our members from across the state to this place to cry to you to save us from destruction.

“If and when this finds its way to the Delta House of Assembly, do not support it and that the only way we will believe that you are truly representing us.

Ofoburuku, noted that the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and his administration had taken the issues of workers welfare serious, adding that the move to remove minimum wage legislation from the Federal Government was a clandestine demand by those who have refused to pay the workers.

“Not more than two years ago, minimum wage was approved for the workers in Nigeria by the Federal Government but as we speak majority of the state

warns against indolence

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Monday charged the elected local government chairmen to live within their council domain, warning that he will not tolerate any act of indolence that may be exhibited in office Okowa who gave the charge while swearing-in the 25 newly elected council chairmen in Asaba, emphasized that as local government Chairmen,they owe it responsibilities as grassroot mobilizers for the well-being of the people in their areas.

He said, “I congratulate you for your resounding victory at the polls; this has demonstrated the supremacy of PDP in Delta.

“As you begin your tenure today hit the ground running, build on the foundation laid by your predecessors. Don’t abandon their projects.

“I will not tolerate a situation where Chairmen live outside their local government and go to work once in a while. The ideal of living outside your council areas, amount to a disservice to the government and the people.”

Christian Aid urges women to challenge policies that R-L: Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state with Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, during the Governors visit to the Minister in Abuja yesterday. work against Family petitions IGP, demands forensic audit of them

money received from oil companies

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Jumbo Major House Bonny in Rivers state has petitioned the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to demand the forensic audit investigation of money received by the Jumbo Major House and its sub-houses from the all international oil companies.

The family in a petition made available to in Abuja, dated the 8th January, 2021, and signed

by Mr. P.O. Okoroafor of Andy Igboekwe(SAN)& Co Chamber, also urged the IG to freeze all the accounts where stolen money collected from the oil companies domicile.

The petition is titled: “Re: Grand design to truncate, frustrate, thwart, giving false information to the police with intent to suppress, divert and forestall police investigation

predicated upon IGP”.

The petition, which consolidated the earlier one dated 7th February, 2020, and titled: “ Case of fraud, criminal deceit, misappropriation of money in Jumbo Major House”, alleged that a group involving Asai Jumbo misappropriated N900,000,000.00, another one led

by Prof. Jasper Jumbo, collected N500,000,000.00, while that of Sodieye Jumbo allegedly received N1,400,000,000.00.

In the new petition, which Barrister Okoroafor said was authorized by Prince Kalada William-Jumbo, the senior principal member of Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom; and Hon. Charles Omuso Jumbo, elder and member of Jumbo Major House, also alleged that suspects in the case were trying to transfer the case from the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) to the Force Criminal

Investigation Department (FCID).

“Our client’s petition was approved by the Inspector General of Police vide a letter dated 7th February, 2020 with reference number CB: 7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/ VOL.472/315, addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), Area 10, Garki, Abuja. This petition was subsequently assigned to Supol Lawal Mohammed of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) who with his formidable team immediately swung into action with the needed mastery and vigour.

“Our client informed us that the principal suspect with his characteristic, endemic sinister intention sought to divert the attention of the team by his move to seek for a transfer of the case file to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) instead of the FIB approved by the Inspector

General of Police as stated in the above preceding paragraph, hence, our client’s letter through the office of M.A. Igwe & Co, dated 24th July, 2020. “...Also, to ensure that proceeds of crime in this petition are preserved by the immediately taking steps to freeze all accounts where the stolen monies are now domiciled and bring the suspects to book in order to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the family in particular and in Bonny Kingdom in general which is a home to Shell Petroleum Crude Oil Export Terminal and NLNG plant.

“Finally, we demand that a forensic audit of all monies received by Jumbo Major House and its sub-houses from the International Oil Companies and from all the tenants be carried out as part of the investigation.”

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Christian Aid has urged Nigerian women to challenge the stereotypes that works against their progress and tends to make them second class citizens.

Executive Director, Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women, Barrister Rebecca Sako-John stated this during the celebration of International Women’s Day held in Kaduna yesterday.

According to her, Nigerians should choose to challenge the notion that women wait for savior, saying she celebrate their self-organising and mobilising power as they support each other.

This according to her, enables each of them to meet their household needs such as medical expenses for a family member who is ill, school fees and uniforms for their children, or capital for their businesses.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

PAGE 11

Letter to the editor

EDITORIAL

From Kankara to Kagara

G

unmen last Wednesday killed a the President changing his four military school pupil and abducted 27 other heads, pledging to improve security. children, teachers and others in a He had made the same promise while night-time raid on their boarding school campaigning for the 2015 election. The in Kagara, Niger State. According to the security forces have made some modest state governor Abubakar Sani Bello, three gains against the criminal bands. But members of staff and 12 of their relatives analysts believe that a multi-pronged were among those abducted. Some 600 approach is required to end the insecurity, boys were asleep in their dormitories including more military operations when the school was raided, the principal to flush out gunmen from their forest Danasabe Ubaidu told the BBC. hide-outs and more efforts to create The security forces were immediately jobs in a nation where many people are deployed from Abuja to help with rescue unemployed. Influential individuals have operations. The deployment was ordered offered to negotiate the release of kidnap

by President Muhammadu Buhari. victims. In this latest case, Kaduna-based The motive for the attack is unclear, Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is but criminal gangs often carry out the individual troubleshooter. Last week, kidnappings for ransom in parts of he said on a Channels TV programme Nigeria. Last December, gunmen believed “Politics Today” that the bandits were to be bandits, raided a boys secondary Fulani herders who felt their existence was school in the town of Kankara in Katsina being threatened. Because of this, “they State and took away over 300 students. cross borders to defend their kinsmen Days of negotiation led to their release in each time they are attacked.” Defending neighbouring Zamfara State. his role as mediator, The government of Katsina Gumi said there was said no ransom was paid. the need for a cleric to In the latest attack, intervene because the the gunmen wore military Fulani and those fighting uniforms and stormed the them were two sides state-run boarding school The security forces that saw each other as for boys in huge numbers, “whereas they have made some enemies, before taking students into a are all victims.” modest gains nearby forest, the AFP news At a time, it seemed agency quoted an unnamed against the criminal Gumi’s effort appeared security source and an official to have paid dividend bands. But analysts when it was reported the as saying.

Troops with aerial support believe that a multi- kidnappers had released were trying to track down the their student hostages. attackers, AFP quoted the pronged approach But this was denied by the security source as saying. Mr is required to end Niger State government.

Ubaidu told the BBC that some It said instead that those the insecurity of the children had managed freed were passengers to flee into nearby bushes and of a bus belonging to the were returning. state transport company An uncle of four children at the school snatched before the school raid. said that all his nephews survived, but This latest school raid reveals some another pupil was killed. “They told us very disturbing trends. One, the bandits that some people in military uniforms are always two steps ahead of the security knocked at the doors of their dormitories forces. In the wake of the Kankara and asked them to come out for morning incident, the government promised there assembly. But the students dispersed in would be no repeat. Kagara has proved different directions. “One of them said his these kidnappings would not end any colleague was shot dead beside him by the time sooner. Two, the criminals choose gunmen as he tried to flee,” the uncle said their targets by the English alphabets. in an interview with BBC Hausa.

First it was the letter “C” (Chibok), then Describing the attack as “cowardly”, “D” (Dapchi), now “K” (Kankara and President Buhari said he had deployed Kagara). What letter will the next school a team of security chiefs to co-ordinate target begin with? Let the security forces rescue operations. He has been under figure this out. intense pressure to tackle insecurity, Then the big matter of ransom. including an insurgency by Boko Haram The government has repeatedly denied Islamists in the north-east. Those ransom was paid for previous victim militants have also been involved in releases. How true is this? Some parents the mass abductions of schoolchildren. are beginning to speak up to the contrary.

The pressure last January resulted in The government has to come clean on this.

“

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EFCC: Is Abdulrasheed Bawa Ready?

A

t 40, Abdulrasheed Bawa will have age at his side. A career EFCC operative with 16 years of work experience, Bawa is very luckyhe knows the EFCC in and out, but for Bawa to truly retrigger the EFCC in a new light, he must do some big things with new ideas from the perspective of an insider.

If confirmed by the senate, Bawa should, first explore the multilateral technical cooperation on corruption to develop a mechanism that will help Nigeria have a system that discourages outright stealing of public funds, and develop an anti-corruption war that relies on forensic evidence, well-trained personnel, and free from unnecessary controversies. The EFCC should effectively utilize the provisions of the Act establishing it. For instance, Part III, section 12, subsection 1(c) and subsection (2) which provide for the establishment of a research unit and any committee to assist the commission are good avenues for the EFCC to explore in order to bring the commission at par with Nigerians’ expectations and global best practices.

Bawa should take the EFCC to a new level. EFCC as an institution responsible for leading the war against corruption should remodel its strategies for prosecuting accused persons. Situations such as slamming 120-count charges on a person accused of being corrupt while in public office without being able to establish any of these should be replaced with a fact-based process of prosecution, where the commission gets its solid facts before charging the accused persons to court.

The commission should be driven by a new approach that is multifaceted, multidisciplinary and knowledge-driven; an approach that would assist all institutions of government in re-establishing norms and standards of governance, assist the public, NGOs and even the legislature in monitoring of compliance with the standards.

The core of the EFCC under Bawa should be centered on restoring social order especially

to governance and promoting advocacy and capacity building among genuine whistleblowers.

Corruption is not peculiar to Nigeria, it is a global phenomenon. However, the anti-corruption war in Nigeria is like a gun-war being fought with bows and arrows; it is a war that can turn its fighters into victims and those being fought into heroes; it is a war that both sides manipulate to gain personal and political points; it is a ‘world’ of controversies, politics, extensive debates and high public expectations.

Nigeria’s anti-corruption war should not only be limited to celebrated arrests, the arraignment of the accused in courts of law. The EFCC should serve as the change agent in establishing systematic and systemic approaches that will educate the public on the ills of corruption and the beauty of doing things as they ought to be done.

Bawa nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari is a big challenge to the Nigerian youth. At 40, I pity Bawa, he should also know that public trust is key in his new job. Anticorruption czars rarely talk in public, but when they do, they carefully choose their words.

They cannot wine and dine with corrupt politicians, attend their lavish wedding ceremonies or their extravagant traditional title-taking ceremonies or personal project fundraising ceremonies and yet expect complete public trust. When one accepts to be the head of an institution like the EFCC, he or she has chosen to be a ‘saint’, and must labour to appear as one. Though as humans we have our weaknesses, the point is that anti-corruption czars can’t preach fasting in the morning and practice gluttony in the night. Being a career EFFC operative with nearly 16years of work experience including a thorough understanding of the EFFC, Bawa has ‘everything’ on his side.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa state.

08036070980. zaymohd@ yahoo.com

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

The nasty game of international politics

By Abdulrahman Yunusa

T

he game of International politics is full of jargons and intricacies to the brim. As Often the ideology of minor nonindividual and individual actors are determining the future and fate of many un-powerful actors in the international affairs. Which such unjust actions of the moronic actors manifest nothing but their weakness when it comes to the field of justice and fair play.

It’s obvious fact that even the International criminal court which is said to be independent is just a mere parable to a normal conscience as its apparent they are only answerable to the directives of G8 who are mostly the architects of modern problems. Takes African countries, Latin and the rest of the weaker continents and see the clear differences. When the giants are involved in the criminal matters the court chose to remain mum but when its the turn of weak ones, it appears to be bold and capacitated.

Honestly speaking, these evil countries mainly focus on establishing laws and creating

deliberate sanctions to keep their perpetual maltreatment upon the baby sovereign states of the world.

Take Isra’ili Palestine saga and add with the recent most trending one of Saudi and Yemen. Surely there you would understand the irrefutable facts some countries are just a predators to others. And to claim the ICC is independent while acting this way, sounds so paradoxical.

And colliding with the powerful countries makes someone looks so strong and makes him more terrible like the rest devilish entities. The Saudi is a clear instance at this juncture because they have been enjoying the unjust support of America while launching their draconian acts upon Yemen and against some of Iran Top figures like Jamal Kashogi and his men.

Very unfortunate, we all witnessed such horrific moment of mass murder in the name of worthless game of politics.

So now that the Biden of America kick his political journey with an outstanding gesture toward restoring peace in the globe, though we know its just a hoax but he is now at least vindicating the horror

face of Saudi Govt over the murder case of international journalist ( Jamal Kashigi ) of turkey.

Perhaps many hold the believe that mostly all those religious oriented countries are saint when it comes to social justice which is not in real sense for it only appears to be so when they are off relevance to the powerful giants. But this scenario of Yemen and Iran is enough to debunk their baseless perception because it’s now vindictive that they merely look saint whenever they have no means to subjugate their preys.

Its only the dearth of power that makes someone behaves clubable but when he romances power and sip from the deep toxic fountain, the rest becomes sorry from it sight for the simple reason they can’t allow them to joyously thrive in peace with one another while having an affair.

Absolute power corrupt absolutely ! Yeah this is what always manifest when an innocent folks is blessed with little power, then the further of quest of hegemony will makes them act crazy and dastardly unjust while having a business with

I

saw a video today, of some Congolese who discovered a mountain full of gold in their region, and the villagers quickly swarmed in on the mountain, digging away with their hands and any other instrument they could find. Whether or not the video is authentic I cannot tell, but what I am sure of is the living hell that life in DR of Congo has become today. And this suffering is not due to a fault of theirs, but purely what God has blessed them with.

The story of the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the largest and richest countries in Africa is one of suffering in midst of plenty.

For years, powerful western nations plundered that nation, and now, since 1996, over 6 million Congolese have died in the most inhuman conditions and for what?

Just so most of these Western countries and their people can benefit from the resources of that nation.

Congo is extremely rich in gold, diamond, copper, cobalt, tin, uranium, coltan and so many other precious mineral resources.

In fact, 65% of the earth’s total coltan deposit are found in Congo, and coltan is very important in the manufacture of modern electronics like mobile phones, iPads, computers, laptops, play stations, jet engine, x boxes just to name a few.

Anywhere on earth you see a laptop or mobile phone including the one with which you are reading this write-up now, has an

imprint of Congo in it. By right, Congo is supposed to be one of the richest countries in Africa, but no, it is not. Instead, it is plagued with an unending war, misery and poverty.

Apart from the biting poverty, there are over 3 million Christian denominations, not church branches this time, but denominations, in Congo. With the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network CRARN, an NGO dedicated to rescuing kids accused of witchcraft in Akwa Ibom and southern Nigeria, I have worked to rescue a number of kids, but I was shocked to find out that in Congo, the number of kids that have been condemned as witches over the years, is uncountable, and many of these kids who escape torture and death, are banished to the harsh life in the gold mining pits of the that country.

In 1946, the western world passed the Strategic Mineral Stockpiling Act with the aim of obtaining and stockpiling cobalt.

With the largest deposit of cobalt on planet earth, Congo became a target since cobalt is a “strategic and critical” mineral resource essential in the American aerospace, military and defense industries.

Even neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda, countries that western countries like USA and UK continue to empty financial aid into, have in turn, not stopped the pillage and plunder of Congo on behalf of what many analysts have insisted is their western godfathers.

In countless studies, the United Nation have indicted countless western

multinational companies in their exploration of the resources of Congo like coltan, and in some of those studies, they have even called those companies the “engine of the conflict” in the over 30 years’ war in that country.

And since then, Congolese men, women and children have been tortured, raped, starved and even killed just to keep that war going, keep the attention away from the resource exploitation, so the west can continue to have access to the resources.

The same UN studies have cited cases of genocide against the Congolese people by Rwandan and Ugandan forces, and yet nothing have been done.

Guess what, the western media will not cover what is going on in Congo, and even when they mistakenly do, they will make sure the focus is on the atrocities and crimes being perpetrated by rebel groups, but they won’t tell you it is the same West and their multinational companies that fund, arm and train these rebel groups.

Revolutionary leaders like LaurentDesire Kabila who rose up to speak against these crimes and ask for a change, have either been demonized with western press or killed by western powers and their local proxies. Late Kabila was president of Congo but was assassinated. Just pause for a moment and ask yourself why all across Africa, throughout the time we began to attain independence, why young revolutionary voices that have arisen in their various countries, men like Tom Mboya, Amilcar Cabral, Patrice Lumumba, Thomas

PAGE 13

Comment

The great game of vaccination diplomacy targets Africa any from the lower class. Not only individuals but even countries are victims of circumstances.

Meanwhile, there is a popular conviction that Nicollo Machiavelli hates international politics which to me I looks it very odd and unwise decision for such a giant figure like him ( The author of ” the Prince ” ). Until this very time I come to a juncture where I left with no option than to unwaveringly and unapologetically believe with this unadulterated fact I know believe an excessive whims for quest of power makes someone absolute corrupt. And for one to stay saint must in one way or the order restrain himself from the lake of power where beast are madly in search of a thorny treasure which only few end well with it.

My prayer is, may the peace lovers keep romancing treaty inlieu of war and may they keep digging deep to figure out the causative agents of perpetual injustice in our sinful world and deal with them decisively.

Abdulrahman Yunusa is a Public Affairs Analyst.

DR Congo: A sad tale of suffering in the midst of plenty…

By Albert Afeso Akanbi

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

Sankara, Steve Biko, Gadaffi just to mention a few, have been brutally assassinated?

And Nigeria, a country that is supposed to be the hope of the black world, that should rise as a big brother in defense of black Africa, is bogged down with the most backward government and leaders anywhere in the world. And to make matters worse, we are still here debating cattle ranching and large scale kidnapping of school kids by terrorists in the 21st century.

Then those of our citizens who should know better, every now and then, ignore these sad events of our country and our brothers and jump on isolated news of the achievements of one or two Nigerians or Africans, like the current DG of the WTO, to celebrate them as if that would somehow change the behaviour of the West towards us and somehow halt the continued deteriorating situation of the mother continent.

It is almost as if the approval and acceptance of the West, of some African academics or Nigerian technocrats in now a yardstick to measure our progress while neglecting to develop our home land and call for an end to all these unbearable injustices.

One Okonjo Iweala would be appointment somewhere you will see the internet going viral, meanwhile fellow citizens are dying of hunger and preventable injustices.

Is it not time for us to wake up?

Albert Afeso Akanbi is a writer, documentary filmmaker and humanitarian. He writes from Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.

By Kester Kenn Klomegah

R

ussia is committed to helping eradicate the rapidly increasing coronavirus infections in Africa amounting to approximately 3.8 million with its latest developed Sputnik V vaccine. Such a step will enable Russia to reassert its geopolitical influence that involves a keen competition with other foreign players on the continent.

An official media release in mid-February said that the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team — set up by the African Union to acquire additional vaccine doses so that Africa can attain a target immunization of 60% — has received an offer of 300 million Sputnik V vaccines from the Russian Federation.

This includes a financing package for any member states wishing to secure this vaccine.

The Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team also informed that it had secured 270 million doses each from AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

Dr John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), explained: “Africa has to team up with development partners to achieve its 60% continent-wide vaccination in the next two years.

I think that is why we should as a collective of the continent, and of course, in partnership with the developed world make sure that Africa has timely access to vaccines to meet our vaccination targets.”

Several countries around the world have ordered the Sputnik V, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). This is a sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors.

The offer of 300 million doses to Africa, to be delivered in May, seems limited by Russia’s own production capability. Quoting Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, TASS Information News Agency in February 2021 reported that Russia plans to produce 88 million double doses of coronavirus vaccines in the first six months of the year, not including the newly registered CoviVac vaccine.

“We expect that 88 million double doses of coronavirus vaccines will be produced by the end of the first half of the year, not including CoviVac,” she said, adding that 83 million double doses of the Sputnik V vaccine as well as 5.4 million double doses of EpiVacCorona would be manufactured.

According to Golikova, 30.5 million double doses of the vaccines will be produced this first quarter of the year. She also said that 11.1 million double doses of the vaccines have been manufactured in the country so far and 7.9 million doses have been released for civil distribution.

In his wide-ranging annual media conference held on December 17, 2020 Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that as the pandemic spreads, millions of coronavirus vaccine doses will have been produced in Russia at the beginning

of the year. The primary objective is to vaccinate the Russian population. “Production of this vaccine requires relevant plants, enterprises, and hardware — all that will be scaled up. I expect all of these plans to be fulfilled and production of millions of vaccine doses at the beginning of the year,” he said.

Technological capabilities With regard to cooperation with other countries, it will boost the technological capabilities of enterprises to produce the vaccine.

Foreign countries will invest their own money into expanding their production capacities and purchasing the corresponding equipment.

“As for cooperation with foreign countries: nothing is stopping us from manufacturing vaccine components at facilities in other countries precisely because we need time to enhance technological capacities of our vaccine manufacturing enterprises. This does not hinder vaccination in the Russian Federation,” he said.

Sputnik V is registered in Russia, Belarus, Argentina, Bolivia, Serbia, Algeria, Palestine, Venezuela, Paraguay, Turkmenistan, Hungary, UAE, Iran, Republic of Guinea, Tunisia, Armenia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Republika Srpska (an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina), Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Mongolia, Bahrain, Montenegro, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Gabon, Ghana and San Marino.

On August 11, 2020, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V, developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

According to the latest media reports, Moscow is not the only foreign player making inroads into Africa. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe and the United States to send, without much delay, enough Covid-19 vaccine doses to Africa to inoculate the continent’s healthcare workers or risk losing influence to Russia and China.

According to Macron, Europe and the United States could allocate up to 5% of their current vaccine supplies to developing countries in an effort to avoid an unprecedented acceleration of global inequality.

Addressing the Munich Security Conference in February after U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Macron pleaded for sending 13 million doses to Africa as a first step — enough to inoculate all its health workers, failure would mean Africa coming under justified pressure to buy doses from the Chinese and the Russians.

Ahead of the G7 meeting on February 19, Macron described the slow speed of Covid-19 vaccination campaigns in Africa as “intolerable” and blaming inequality between poor and rich countries for access to vaccines. “We must respond to this outrageous inequality,” Macron said, during a videoconference with Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, Senegal’s President Macky Sall, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa,

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Comoros President Azali Assoumani.

The goal of the meeting was to identify “priority areas” and help bring African voices to talks planned between leaders of the G7 countries.

“We are at a moment of truth if we want to act more effectively,” said Macron, adding that it was in the interest of the whole world to vaccinate people globally, otherwise the virus would continue to circulate, and different variants would emerge.

Increasing production capacities in Africa He said production capacities in Africa needed to be increased, while transparency on vaccine pricing was needed, pointing to how some Western countries could buy vaccines more cheaply than African countries.

France is indeed part of the Covax facility, which acts as a global collective bargaining initiative to secure vaccine doses for countries who signed up, including those which are self-financing their purchases, as well as assistance from donors for poorer countries. The first vaccines purchased through Covax are destined to reach the African continent in February, with some 88.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines distributed to 47 countries by the first half of 2021.

Through bilateral relations, a number of African countries have had vaccine donations from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). China has already provided Covid-19 vaccine, as donations, to Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe and will further help 19 African countries as part of its commitment to making vaccines global public goods, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said on February 22 that China would also support enterprises to export Covid-19 vaccines to African nations that urgently need, recognize, and have authorized the emergency use of Chinese vaccines.

The aid is a clear manifestation of the ChinaAfrica traditional friendship, he said, adding that China will continue to provide support and assistance within its capacity and in accordance with the needs of Africa. China welcomes and supports France and other European and American nations in providing vaccines to help Africa fight the pandemic.

African countries are ready to help each other fight the pandemic. Senegal is the first African country to donate vaccines to its neighbors as Dakar announced that it would give 10,000 doses each of its Chinese coronavirus vaccines to The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. President Macky Sall confirmed the donation as a sign of solidarity.

Senegal received a vaccine consignment of 200,000 from China’s Sinopharm. The government said it paid a little over 2 billion CFA francs (US$3.74 million) for the doses to begin its campaign. Senegal says it is also in negotiations with Russia to purchase its Sputnik V vaccine. It aims to innoculate about 90% of a targeted 3.5 million people, including health workers and highrisk individuals between the ages of 19 and 60, by the end of 2021. The country’s population is about

16 million.

Senegal is eligible for the COVAX program, a WHO-backed program expected to deliver vaccines to those who need them most. During the virtual meeting of G7 leaders, the European Union announced it had donated a further 500 million euros to the COVAX program. According to the Senegalese Health Ministry, it expects 1.3 million doses by early March. It comes at no cost to the West African nation.

According to official reports, India is also joining the global players in Africa. India will make its first shipment of a locally made Covid-19 to the WHO-backed equitable vaccine distribution network COVAX. “In fulfilling our commitment to help the world with Covid-19 vaccines, the supply of Made-in-India vaccine has commenced for Africa under COVAX facility,” Anurag Srivastava, spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, said on Twitter.

The World Health Organization this February paved the way for the Oxford University/ AstraZeneca vaccine’s global rollout by approving emergency use of the product produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s biggest vaccine maker, and SK Bioscience of South Korea.

SII will also start producing the Novavax vaccine mainly for poor and middle-income countries.

India, the world’s biggest maker of vaccines, has shipped over 17 million vaccine doses to more than two dozen countries — including around 6 million as gifts to partners such as Bangladesh and Nepal. For its own campaign, New Delhi has so far only ordered 31 million doses.

The cost of vaccinating 60% of Africa’s 1.3 billion people would be between US$10 billion and US$15 billion, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control. The continent has secured 36% of its vaccine needs, with 25% of the doses to come from the Covax initiative and 11% from a separate African Union program, Africa’s CDC said.

Africa really needs the developed world, as it has no vaccine of its own. It’s far behind the rest of the world in terms of acquisition and inoculations, with richer nations having secured the scarce shots early. Africa, however, remains resolute at ensuring the welfare of the entire population, while the African Union, regional blocs and individual governments make frantic efforts to acquire adequate vaccines through bilateral and multilateral agencies.

WHO has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic since March 11, 2020. South Africa accounts for the biggest number of Africa’s coronavirus cases. Egypt and Morocco in the north have increasing rates of infection, and in countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria and Kenya in the SubSaharan Africa. The overall number of Covid-19 cases in Africa currently stands more than 3.8 million late February, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa. *This article first and originally published by InDepthNews.

Tributes pour as Bunny Wailer goes home to meet Bob Marley and Peter Tosh

By Isaac Asabor In 2016, after spending 90 minutes on stage before an excited full-house at Boston’s Paradise nightclub, where he was reported to have ably dusted off old classics and new songs, and admirably seen by most of his fans dressed all in white, with his gray dreads swirling on his head like the top of a soft-serve ice cream cone, he ostensibly felt the absence of his musical partners, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, and said, “Peter gone, Bob gone.

You da only one dere”. With his mournful nostalgia, it may not be wrong to say that Bunny Wailer was feeling heavenly bound as he looked forward to meeting Bob Marley and Peter Tosh in paradise.

His somber utterance was no doubt considered to be a statement of fact, but also of musical reality.

Bunny Wailer who was 69 then, and appeared to be in good health was today, March 2, 2021, reported to have died in the Medical Associates Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica at 73.

According to his manager, Maxine Stowe, the legendary reggae singer died in the morning of Tuesday. “Yes. He died about 8:00 this morning.

I’m still right here with him,” he told Jamaican Observer this morning. As gathered, he had been in and out of hospital since his second stroke in July 2020.

Bunny Wailer, who was more often than not addressed in his complete name hailed from

Trench Town, and was originally named Neville Livingston. He was a founding member of The Wailers, which included Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

It would be recalled that Marley died of cancer in May 11, 1981, while Peter Tosh was killed at his St Andrew home on September 11, 1987.

Bunny Wailer’s albums include Blackheart Man, released in 1976, and Rock ‘n’ Groove which came out five years later while his hit songs include Cool Runnings, Ballroom Floor, Crucial, and Bald Head Jesus.

In 2017, the Jamaican Government awarded Bunny Wailer an Order of Merit, the country’s fourth highest honour. The Government again recognized his contribution to Jamaican music in February 2019 with a Reggae Gold Award.

According to RollingStone, a Jamaican entertainment online media platform, was born April 10th, 1947, in the Nine Mile district of Jamaica’s St. Ann Parish. He was a friend of Marley from a young age; following the death of Marley’s father, Norval, in 1955, Marley’s mother, Cedella, lived with Livingston’s father, Thaddeus, in Trench Town, making Bunny and Bob near-stepbrothers.

It added that while Marley and Livingston were being mentored by Joe Higgs, “the Godfather of Reggae,” they met Higgs’ fellow student Peter Tosh; the then-trio ventured to Kingston. Soon after, they were joined by singer Junior Braithwaite

and backup vocalists Beverley Kelso and Cherry Smith. Following a string of name changes that included the Teenagers and the Wailing Wailers, the Wailers aligned with Coxsone Dodd’s sound system and Studio One label, which employed songwriters and producers like Lee “Scratch” Perry and Jackie Mittoo, and released the Marleypenned “Simmer Down,” a Number One hit in Jamaica.

At this juncture, it is not an exaggeration to say that it has never been in doubt that most Nigerians ignobly see Rastafarians, particularly in Nigeria as sinners and faithless. It is not true. While it is expedient in this context to say that Rastafarianism is a religion, it cannot be a misnomer to equally hold on to it as a faith. According to Wikipedia, “Rastafari, also known as Rastafarianism and the Rastafari movement, is a religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion. … Rasta beliefs are based on a specific interpretation of the Bible”.

For instance, as a devout Rastafarian, Bunny Wailer adhered strongly to the tenets of his Rastafarianism, which includes a belief that amputation is sinful. A Bible verse that Rastafarians hold as very important is Leviticus 21:5, which says, “They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in the

flesh.”

The first part of this verse is the foundation of the belief in wearing dreadlocks, and the second is the basis for a belief that amputation (as well as other types of body modification) is sinful. Other verses, including those which refer to the body as a holy temple, may also influence this belief.

Rastafarianism teaches that death is not a certainty and that truly holy people will gain immortality in their physical bodies. To acknowledge that death is a possibility is to make certain that it will come soon. It is believed that this is the reason that Bob Marley never wrote a Will, either, which resulted in difficulty in dividing his assets after his death.

Since his death early today, tributes have started pouring in in deluge. “The passing of Bunny Wailer, the last of the original Wailers, brings to a close the most vibrant period of Jamaica’s musical experience,” wrote Jamaica politician Peter Phillips in a Facebook post. “Bunny was a good, conscious Jamaican brethren.”

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness expressed his condolences to the family of Jah B as he was fondly called. “My deep condolences to the family, friends and fans of legendary Reggae artiste, Neville Livingston, also known as Bunny Wailer, Jah B.” Isaac Asabor is a Public Affairs Analyst.

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News

Nurse burnt to death in Benue From: Uche Makurdi

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

FG trains over 1000 extension agents on agriculture

By Amaechi Agbo

I

n its quest to ensure effective production of food for the Nigeria populace, the federal government has flagged off the training of 1, 100 extension agents nationwide.

The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono

flagged -off the training and deployment of Extension Workers across the 36 States of the federation and the FCT on Tuesday.

Speaking during the flag off exercise held at the FCT Agricultural Development Project (ADP) headquarter, Gwagwalada, Abuja, the minister said the exercise is part

of the Federal Government’s effort to promote Agriculture Extension services with the aim of improving productivity of crops, livestock and to ensure food security in the country.

“Agricultural extension delivery is the driver of all agricultural policies and research, without which all effort in the agricultural

ecosystem may not realise its intended goals.”

He noted that the fortunes of the Agricultural Extension system has declined majorly due to decreased funding, policy changes, reduced manpower and lack of the interest of the youths in Agricultural entrepreneurship in the country.

Nnorom,

A

nurse with Buruku local government area of Benue State Mrs. Aonodozungwe is reported to have been burnt to ashes in her house by unknown person(s).

The incident happened at the weekend just as Police authority said they were not aware that the woman was set ablaze by unknown persons.

Benue State Police Command spokes person DSP Catherine Anene who confirmed the incident, told our correspondent on phone on Monday that they received a report from their division in Buruku local government area that a woman was burnt to death and they have commenced investigation into the incident.

Peoples daily gathered that the fire incident started at midnight even as neighbors could not rescue the deceased because from the intensity of the fire but merely watched helplessly as the entire house was engulfed by the inferno.

The incident, it was learnt threw the entire community into terror and grief.

The late Mrs Aondozungwe was reported to have been a peace loving woman, who minded her business. It is still a wonder why anyone will hatch and execute such a wicked act against her.

Information at the time of writing this report indicated that her charred body had since being buried.

L R: Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Oke Martins; Clerk of the Committee, Hakilu Abbas and Hon. Olumide Ojerinde, during a one Day Public hearing on Bill to for An Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Wase Plateau state, and Related matters held at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Islamic school graduates 6 students

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he management of Madarasatul Nuru Hakilitalimul Arabiyya Wal-Islamiyya Zuba in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday graduated a total number of six students.

The names of the grandaunts are Abdulwasiu Abdulwasiu Tunwase, Habiba Abdulwasiu

Tunwase, Halima Abdulwasiu Tunwase, Muhammed Jamiu Bello, Basira Isah Adenuga and Abdul Mu’Ez Isah Adenuga.

Speaking with Peoples Daily correspondent at the graduation ceremony, the principal of the school, Utaz Musa Tijjani, advised the grandaunts to be good ambassadors of the school anywhere they found themselves.

He also charged the parents

of the grandaunts to send their children to both Islamic schools and Western schools to acquire sound education.

He said: “The good legacy the responsible parents can leave for their children is sound education”.

Tijjani appealed to Islamic scholars to remain committed in imparting knowledge on the children, saying that it is only God that can reward them.

On his part, the keynote speaker of the occasion, Sheikh Mufatau Baba-commander, urged the grandaunts to deem it necessary to acquire more knowledge on Islamic education.

Meanwhile, the Oba of Yoruba community in the FCT, Oba Olusegun Salau and the Otunba of Yoruba community in the FCT, Dr Wasiu Tunwase among other dignitaries attended the graduation ceremony.

Women’s Day Celebration: AUDA-NEPAD extols women’s contributions to nation’s building

By Paul Efiong, Abuja

A

frican Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDANEPAD), has congratulated Nigerian women for their immense contributions to societal growth.

AUDA-NEPAD’s National Coordinator, Ms Gloria Akobundu, congratulated the womenfolk in a statement by her media Assistant, Mr Abolade Ogundimu, on Monday in Abuja, as the world celebrates Women’s

Day. The Women’s Day is celebrated on every March 8, to appreciate the values, virtues, and the efforts of women in the society.

AUDA-NEPAD’s boss paid glowing tribute, admiration, respect and gratitude to Nigerian women, their African and global counterparts for the great efforts exhumed beyond their limitations in establishing a more equal future for their societies.

Akobundu, however, used the occasion to reflect

on contributions of women in the likes of Hajia Aisha Buhari, Dame Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Amina Mohammed, Deputy SecretaryGeneral, UN, and other women serving in various capacities in the country and beyond.

She cautioned the society against underestimating women’s values.

According to Akobundu, women have always been part of successes achieved by humanity, having given birth and nurtured both men and women.”

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

Senate wants substantive Chairman for NDE Board

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Senate, on Wednesday, considered a bill seeking to provide for the position of a substantive Chairman on the board of the Nigerian Directorate of Employment (NDE).

The Bill which scaled second reading, according to its sponsor, Senator Kabir Abdullahi Barkiyya (APC, Katsina Central), intends to provide for the appointment of the substantive Chairman by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, “who will take over the functions of presiding over the Board as presently carried out by the Minister of Labor as stipulated in the existing act.”

Leading debate on the Nigerian Directorate of Employment (Amendment) Bill, 2020, Barkiyya said since its establishment in 1986, the Nigerian Directorate of Employment has provided a platform for young entrepreneurs and even the elderly population to learn a vocation and become financially independent.

“The objective of the directorate as contained in the 1987 presidential budget speech was to concentrate its efforts on the re-activation of public works, promotion of seIf-employment, organization of artisans into cooperatives, and encouragement of a culture of maintenance and repairs.

“It is on this premise that the programs of the directorate are based (NDE 2000; 2001). The directorate has since 1986 grown into nationwide institution whose impact is felt by every sector,” he said.

According to Barkkiya, the Directorate consists of a National Advisory Council and Management Board which gives Guidelines for the management of the affairs of the Directorate.

“In our jurisdiction, Agencies have their own board and chairman, different and distinct from the Minister who is the head of the whole ministry. For example, FERMA, SMEDAN, NEXIM, CAC, FAAN, NPC etc.”

The bill after scaling second reading was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Employment, Labour, and Productivity to report back wishing four (4) weeks.

Under Buhari, every State is infrastructure, road construction site - APC tells PDP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

ll Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to applaud the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government for turning every State in the country into a massive construction site for road and other infrastructure projects.

In a statement issued yesterday by the national Secretary of APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), John James Akpanudoedehe, the party said it has no intention to trade words with the PDP over its claims on

the propriety of the infrastructure projects undertaken by the current administration and which State deserves a federal government project.

APC in the statement said “From previously abandoned to new projects, under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, every state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has an ongoing and major federal road and other critical infrastructure project. This is a fact and it is verifiable.

“Following the gale of defections that has hit the PDP since the advent of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extraordinary

Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), we hear the PDP is doing all it can and begging its members and leaders to remain in the PDP. We wish the PDP goodluck in its futile and desperate attempts.

“Again, the APC laughs at the PDP’s meaningless comparison with the current administration and the early 2023 presidential campaigns of some PDP governors. Our focus is delivering on our popular mandate and multi-facet Next Level agenda for the country.

“For one, the President Buhari administration is implementing one of the world’s largest and wide-ranging social investment programme which is benefitting

the vulnerable and has taken many Nigerians out of poverty.

Commendably, we are well on course to delivering other aspects of the Next Level agenda”.

The APC said the opposition party is apparently deluding itself that its desperate cravings to return to power at the centre amounts to the wishes of Nigerians, adding that this is incredibly delusional.

It also reminded the PDP that in a democracy and progressive politics, power is not “taken” but given through a popular mandate by the people, just as it noted that the current state of the PDP does not show the opposition party is anywhere close to earning such mandate from the electorate.

The Katsina State Commissioner for Environment, Hon Hamza Sule Faskari (left) accompanied by the Director Ecological Department of the Ministry Alhaji Abubakar Gege (right), inspecting drainage projects completed in Zangon Aji Community of Bindawa Local Government Area of Katsina State, yesterday.

NASS must decentralize minimum wage despite NLC protest - PGF DG

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Director General of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman, has asked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to adopt a mature method of pushing their interest, warming that no amount of pressure will stop the National Assembly from passing the legislation to move the minimum wage from exclusive list to the concurrent list.

Briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja on the heels of the protest march to the National Assembly against the plans by the lawmakers to move the minimum wage to concurrent list, Lukman, who was a top official of the NLC but now a chieftain of the governing APC, said the protest was needless as protest and strike which the labour union always depends on, have become outdated.

According to him, the protest will not stop the National Assembly from considering bills that have to do with decentralizing the minimum wage structure.

Lukman said, “We are not saying they should not protest but this

protest is needless. I can guarantee that it is not going to stop the process in the National Assembly.

It is not also going to take away the issue. We need to work with them to develop this democracy and we can only do that if every constituent unit and citizens in those units can negotiate with the constituent governments and get results.

“As it is, we are all frustrated and that is what we should be addressing.

This ‘we against them’ that labour is creating does not exist. We should be applying ourselves to resolving the problems of this democracy.

There are fundamental problems bigger than we can imagine”.

He added that a structure that imposes the same minimum wage on a state as buoyant as Lagos and a state that is less buoyant like Zamfara or Yobe would impact negatively on productivity as workers in Lagos would feel shortchanged and therefore not give their total commitment to their job.

According to him, even all states commence paying the N30, 000 minimum wage, the problems of Nigeria’s workforce would still remain unresolved.

He said; “I want to be able to engage labour even though some of them continue to accuse me of being sponsored by a governor.

But it is not just a governor. I have 20 governors sponsoring me. I am happy to have the knowledge that would attract all the consideration of being sponsored.

“I believe the future of this country is about negotiating these issues. I have respect for the NLC and TUC leadership but my advice to them is that they have better capacity in getting things done.

In fact, this country is where it is because they are not really applying themselves in the right direction.

“The total number of membership of NLC, and I am being generous, is not more than 20, 000 for the whole country. I left NLC in 2006 and at that time, the total membership was about 4,000, but I am giving it to them because they have organised new sectors.

There are new areas and so it is possible they have risen to 20,000.

That is a very critical mass but they need to be guided and led properly.

“Assuming every government pays N30,000, will that solve the

problem of workers? So, nobody should deceive anybody. We all have a lot to do in this country. It is not about dancing on the streets, but they should develop their capacity. I am saying they have lied by saying that people proposing that minimum wage and labour issues should be moved to the Concurrent List, that they do not want the National Minimum Wage.

“I heard the NLC President, which is a disappointment, arguing that when it is not negotiated at the national level, it means it is not a ‘National’ Minimum Wage.

I am saying you can still negotiate it at the national level but the methodology is important because you are looking for a benchmark which everybody should be able to pay. It is not about coming to the federal government.

“I am worried at the situation where anything that appears contrary to what labour wants, the next thing is to go on strike. My belief is that the main business of labour is negotiation and negotiation is about applying knowledge and information that you have”, he stated.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

POLITICS

IPAC cautions against plots to subvert popular will in Delta Council polls

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has warned against severe consequences over any plot by those it described as non democratic elements to subvert the popular will of the people of Delta State in the Local government election recently conducted in the state.

In a statement issued yesterday by the national chairman of IPAC, Leonard Nzenwa, IPAC condemned the attempt by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) to subvert the will of the people of Umutu Ward 17 in Ukwuani Local Government of Delta State where a keenly contested election was allegedly confirmed to have been won by the councillorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Enudu Eugene Chukwuka.

IPAC said “While one of the core mandates of the Inter-Party Advisory Council is to deepen our nascent democracy, the current leadership will not in anyway sacrifice the legitimate mandate of lawful candidates irrespective of their political party on the altar of political correctness as any attempt to suppress the collective will of Nigerian voters at all levels will be heavily resisted.

“The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) is implored to resist the temptation of being hijacked by desperate failed political actors and immediately announce the winner of the election as anything contrary may have dire consequences.

“We call on civil society organizations and other critical stakeholders to intervene through aggressive advocacy so as to salvage the planned pilfering of an electoral mandate and also to ensure that this case in view serves as a deterrent to other State Independent Electoral Commissions with the penchant for organising charades in the name elections.

“The Delta State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council is by the aforementioned call directed to take all necessary actions within the ambits of the law to defend our democracy and ensure that the plan to subvert the will of the people is halted.”

Furthermore, IPAC said the ongoing electoral amendment should empower INEC in place of SIECs to conduct all local government elections in the country, while simultaneously adopting an electronic voting system so that the sanctity of the ballot box and the electoral process can be guaranteed.

The Council therefore appealed to all aggrieved voters in Ukwuani Local Government of Delta State to eschew violence, but stand unapologetically by their mandate through peaceful means, while calling on the law enforcement agencies to maintain neutrality and peace.

Affirmative action: APC women storm party Secretariat, reject delegate system

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, on Wednesday led a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) women and some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to the party Secretariat where they presented demands, including the stoppage of delegate system in primary elections, to the party’s Constitution review committee.

The memoranda was received by the Chairman of the APC Constitution Review Committee, Prof. Tahir Mamman, at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

The Woman Affairs minister

was accompanied by the United Nations Country Representative, Comfort Lamptey; Chair, House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Aisha Duku; representative of the 100 Women Lobby Group and other Civil Society Organisations.

The women present their demands to include: Legislative change, including legal and administrative reforms to improve women’s participation, creation of public awareness on existing legislations and programmes aimed at realizing gender equality and women empowerment in the party.

Others are to establish a system of gender mainstreaming which incorporates the policy of 40% of

women representation in party organs, to show commitment to non-discrimination against and persons with disabilities in the party, to institutionalize justice and fairness for men and women within the party and its framework, Creating an organ within the party to monitor and evaluate the implications of party policy and practice for both men and women.

Also in their demands are: strengthening the office of the Women Leader to serve as the focal point for implementation of gender issues within the party, adequate and guaranteed access to funding, human and technical resources to carry out the responsibilities of the office,

devoting at least 15% of the party’s annual budget of the party to the delivery of increased participation of women, to take conscious action in party structures and elections so as to ensure that no gender constitutes more than 60% from the ward to the national level.

They also demanded that no gender constitutes more than 60% of delegates and candidates in the final list after primaries, institution of accountability mechanisms and frameworks in the principal documents, such as party constitution, party manifesto, party leadership and strategies on the implementation of the National Gender Policy and the use of gender-disaggregated data for planning.

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State takes his first jab of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Lafia on Wednesday (10/3/21).

Banditry: Senate tells NSA, NEMA to deploy more troops, relief to affected areas

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Senate, Wednesday, urged the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Babagana Munguno to, as a matter of urgency, deploy more security personnel to communities affected by the activities of bandits and suspected herdsmen to avert a looming humanitarian crisis likely to occur as a result of the displacement of residents.

This was even as the Upper Chamber called on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) to undertake an ‘on-the-spot’ assessment of the affected communities with a view to determining the extent of the problem and providing relief to the affected persons.

These formed part of resolutions reached by the Senate after it considered two separate motions on the displacement of

residents following the invasion of their communities by bandits and suspected herdsmen.

Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi Central) in the first motion noted with concern the rising humanitarian situation in Bena, Kebbi State, arising from the activities of bandits in neighbouring Zamfara State which shares a border with Kebbi State.

According to the lawmaker, “the internally displaced persons from about 17 villages in Zamfara sharing the border with Kebbi State have moved to Bena, wasagu, mage areas with no arrangements for an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp and are scattered all over, making it difficult to cater for their welfare.”

Accordingly, the Senate while urging the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to, as a matter of urgency, establish IDP camps in Bena and render support to those affected; charged the National Security Adviser and all agencies involved in internal

security to increase deployment of security agencies to reverse the ugly situation.

Coming under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, Senator Tolu Odebiyi (APC, Ogun West), in a separate motion recalled the recent spate of attacks by suspected herdsmen on communities in Yewa area of Ogun State.

The lawmaker noted that, “many of these attacks by suspected herdsmen on the area remain perennial, owing to the near absence of police and other security personnel in the affected communities; “Disturbed that these attacks have brought unquantifiable damage to facilities which would have ensured the welfare of the residents and inhabitants of these communities; “Further Disturbed, that many communities, namely (but not limited to) Asa, Oho Agbooro, Moro, Ibeku and Agbon-Ojodu, were affected by the criminal activities of these suspected

herdsmen; “Aware that the countless attacks by these criminal elements have forced many residents of these areas have deserted and relocated to a refugee camp in Pobearea of Benin Republic in search of safety, with many of them forced to live in very unfavourable conditions in the refugee camps; “Further Aware that the position of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, which followed an informed on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities, was described by the Executive Secretary of the society in Ogun State, Mr Oluwole Aboyade as “...a very serious disaster, a serious one of the highest order…”

“Aware also that the Red Cross Organization, the only recognized organization that has been providing intermittent aids for these displaced persons, has had to issue out statement, seeking assistance from well-meaning Nigerians for members of these affected communities;

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

By Musa Baba Adamu

S

enate has mandated its Committee on Power to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Power to take necessary steps for the immediate completion of the Abadigba-Egwuwe power project.

The resolution was reached by the Upper Chamber sequel to the consideration of a motion to that effect during plenary on Wednesday.

The motion titled: “Need for Immediate Completion of the Abadigba-Egwuwe Power Plant Project in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State” was sponsored by Senator Isah, Jibrin (APC, Kogi East).

In his presentation, Jibrin noted that sometime in 2007, the Federal Government embarked on a power plant project at Abadigba-Egwuwe in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State to light up Kogi East Senatorial District, against the backdrop of the persistent poor power supply in the area; He further noted that the project advanced with the installation of various equipment, including three giant power plants and two transformers, in readiness for connection with Geregu Power station at Ajaokuta.

The lawmaker expressed concern that “the project has become one of the abandoned projects in the country as no effort has been made to complete it in line with the laudable intentions of the government, thirteen years after initiating it.”

According to Jibrin, “the continued abandonment of the project has led to the destruction of some of the connecting wires and cables due to bush burning, in addition to vandalization by criminals, thereby occasioning avoidable losses to the government.”

He added that, “the project is at 70 percent completion stage, according to information from engineers, and only requires minimal additional resources to make it functional.”

The lawmaker while expressing optimism that completing the Abadigba power project would boost production activities and economic development, stressed that, “most companies and businesses outfits currently rely on generations with the attendant increase in cost of production, leading to high prices of services.”

Contributing, Senator Yakubu Husseini (APC, Kogi Central) bemoaned the number of abandoned federal government projects across the country.

He, however, said that completion of the AbadigbaEgwuwe power project “would support and improve the socioeconomic development of the area and by extension, Kogi State in general and Nigeria.”

He added: “When this project is completed, in line with the Light-up Kogi East project of the State Government – it would visà-vis complement this effort and improve the lives of the citizenry in Kogi State.

“I am always worried when I look at the level and state of abandoned projects in Nigeria.

News

Kogi: Senate demands immediate completion of Abadigba-Egwuwe power project This is a project that government funds; government scarce resources have been invested – over seventy percent – and at the end of the day abandoned.

“If this project is completed, it is a self-sustained project. It is a project that will generate revenue for the government and would improve the life of the citizenry.”

Accordingly, the upper chamber in its resolution mandated the Senate Committee on Power to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Power to take

necessary steps for the immediate completion of the AbadigbaEgwuwe power project and report back to the Senate within four (4) weeks.

From left: Member of GYB2PYB Youth Support Group, Micheal Odidi; Chairman of the Logistics Committee, Comrade Yemisi Oshaloto; and Director-General, GYB2PYB Youth Support Group, Comrade Oladele Nihi, during a news conference applauding the appointment of a youth as EFCC Chairman, at the GYB2PYB Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday (3/3/21). NAN

Senate seeks to establish Hospital to treat leprosy, skin cancer, diseases

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senate on Wednesday considered a bill seeking to revive an international hospital that would specifically focus on the treatment of leprosy, skin cancer and other skin related diseases.

The National Dermatology (Specialist) Hospital Bill, 2021, which scaled second reading during plenary was sponsored by Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (APC, Adamawa Central).

Leading debate on the bill, the lawmaker recalled that as far back as 1929, an International Hospital was established for Garkida Agricultural Leper Colony by the Church of the Brethren Mission (USA).

According to her, “it was an ambitious effort located on 2,500 acres of land designed for treatment of leprosy and other illnesses, isolation center and training of lepers in craft and improved agricultural methods.

It was a reputable hospital with 12,507 leprosy patients admitted between 1929 and 2002 with reasonable number of patients coming from neighbouring countries.

“With the advent of antibiotics in the 19408 and the use of

dapsone to treat leprosy, the role of the hospital changed.

Dr Roy Pfaltzgraff the Medical Superintendent (1954-1982), transformed the hospital to an internationally welI-known center for developmental work in surgical rehabilitation, physiotherapy, protective footwear, prostheses and training.

Senator Ahmed noted that in 1976, the Church of the Brethren Mission made the Hospital to become an international Referral Centre for leprosy and dermatology patients.

“The Church of the Brethren Mission ran the hospital until 1976 when it was handed over to Ekilisiyan Yan Uwa Church in Nigeria (EYN).

“The EYN had minimal capacity to maintain the hospital at an international level. Therefore, the Netherlands Government took over the hospital and ran it for two years before handing it over to the Ministry of Health of the former Gongola State,” she said.

The lawmaker, however, lamented that 92 years after, “this noble work of providing tertiary health care at the reach of the common man was neglected and allowed to decay in vigor and extent, thereby became weak and

inconsequential.”

Ahmed while commending efforts of the Federal Government in providing specialized health care for specific clusters of diseases, such as National OrthOpedic Hospitals, National Eye Centre, National Psychiatric Hospitals, National Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital and National Infectious Diseases Hospital, bemoaned the fact that the existing international tertiary dermatology hospital in Garkida Adamawa State has been conspicuously left out in the federal government’s drive to provide tertiary health care services to Nigerians.

According to the lawmaker, a dermatology hospital to provide diagnostic, curative, promotive and rehabilitative dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, all skin and hair treatment is seriously and urgently needed to fill the gap, and the Dermatology Hospital, Garkida, Adamawa State, naturally fits all the requirements for a National Dermatology Hospital.

She added that the National Dermatology Hospital in Garkida would ensure Skin cancer experts and other areas of skin conditions will be produced from the academic section of the National Dermatology Hospital.

“The Hospital will allow speciality care providers focus on particular areas of care in which they have extensive training and education.

“The tears and frustration expressed by patients with pigmentary disorders and the psychological impact of these disorders will be effectively handled by the Hospital,” she said.

Contributing to the debate, the Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), who supported the bill, expressed concern that the “zone has been chemicalized and a lot of skin diseases are coming out of that zone as result of the bullets used

by Boko Haram.”

Other Senators who spoke in favour of the establishment of the National Dermatology Hospital are the Deputy Leader, Ajayi Boroffice and Senator Ibikunle Amosun (APC, Ogun Central).

The bill after scaling second reading was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Heath for further legislative action.

The Committee which is chaired by Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central) is expected to report back within four weeks.

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Pantami, Danbatta push for speedy growth of ICT Across W/Africa

By Etuka Sunday

M

inister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami and the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, yesterday urged ICT experts across West Africa to be ambitious towards its speedy growth in the area.

The duo gave the push at the 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), currently holding in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

They believed that increased regional collaboration would speed up the development of a seamless telecommunications network and infrastructure across West Africa, through the formulation and implementation of sound regulatory policies, programmes and initiatives, thereby achieving the objectives of WATRA. In his opening remarks, Pantami described WATRA as a strong union because it has 16 countries in the region.

He said there was a tremendous advancement in the development of the telecommunications sector in West Africa with its liberalisation through the establishment of modern legal and regulatory structures for telecommunications delivery in West Africa.

He informed that Nigeria was the largest mobile telecommunications market in Africa, largely based on rapid development following the successful auction of Digital Mobile Licenses (DML) in 2001.

He said, as at July 2020, the market served over 199 Million Mobile lines, with over 150 Million of those lines connected to Internet services by January 2021, which attributed to the development of policies and strategies for the Nigerian Digital Economy sector.

He noted that in recognition of the tremendous economic growth opportunities afforded by the deployment of broadband technologies and to accelerate telecommunications service

delivery in Nigeria, the Nigerian Government through the Ministry developed the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria.

He, however, said that the Plan was aimed at the significant reduction of access gaps through the expansion of broadband access across the country.

“The Policy is based on eight key Pillars, one of which is the development of Solid Infrastructure through the deployment of fixed and mobile broadband infrastructure to deepen broadband penetration in the country.

“As at the time we commenced the process of drafting the Broadband Plan, our broadband penetration in the country was just over 33 per cent.

“As a result of the implementation of the new plan, this broadband penetration significantly increased to 45.07 per

cent by November 2020.

“It is noteworthy to also mention that the Nigerian telecommunications sector grew by 15.9 per cent in year 2020 from 11.41 per cent in 2019 and 11.33 per cent in 2018. ‘’This is making it the highest growth rate in the last 10 years. Much as these figures are impressive, we remain committed to keep implementing initiatives to increase the delivery of telecommunication services in Nigeria,” Pantami said.

Also, in his remarks, the host, Prof. Danbatta said WATRA’s potential in driving socio-economic development in the region was inestimable.

He was optimistic that the time has come for all to come together and propel WATRA to achieve its true potential in putting the region at the forefront of ICT development within the Continent and engender a truly digitised regional society.

“To this end, we must come together and see our differences as strengths because at the end of the day, we all want to have a safe and thriving society devoid of poverty and strife.

“We envision societies with necessary infrastructure and services that will ensure prosperity for all our people.

“The key is “ICT” and WATRA is the best platform to pool together our huge natural and Human Resources to achieve exponential ICT growth which will in turn drive our economies, “ he said.

The EVC who had invited the members for a tour to the WATRA Headquarters this evening, also expressed optimism that the provision of a befitting office for the secretariat would galvanise the assembly towards the attainment of its collective mandate.

He appreciated the efforts of the outgoing Executive Secretary, Mr

El-haji Laminou and members of the outgoing Executive Committee who under the outstanding leadership of Mr Tontama Charles Millogo, who provided guidance and immeasurable support to the Assembly, towards the attainment of its goals and objectives.

On his part, the Chairman, WATRA Exco, Charles Tontoma Milogo from Burkina Faso thanked the Nigerian government, especially the EVC, NCC for hosting the meeting, adding that the West African countries would rise to champion ICT development in the region.

Dignitaries present at the twoday event were: The Mnister of Post and Telecommunications for Liberia, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications for Sierra Leone, ECOWAS representatives and other stakeholders from West African Countries.

L-R: Group Managing Director of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, Chairman, House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on crude oil theft in Nigeria, Hon. Petter Akpatason and the clerk of the committee, Mr. Tayo Orisajafor, when the GMDNNPC appeared for further clarifications, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

AfDB Approves $2.33m Grant For Modernisation Of Electronic Payments Infrastructure

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved a grant of $2.33 million to EthSwitch Share Company, an initiative led

by National Bank of Ethiopia, for the modernization of its payments infrastructure.

The grant is resourced from the special fund of the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility (ADFI), a pan African initiative that aims to facilitate digital financial inclusion for

an estimated 332M unbanked population across the African continent, 60% of whom are women.

The African Development Bank believes that provision of interoperable payment systems that are aligned to Level One Principles of reach, safety and affordability, provide the needed grounding to accelerate financial inclusion on the continent and enable opportunities for people in low-income groups, especially women.

The project that

entails procurement and implementation of the required payment system, will facilitate design and use of different digital financial services (DFS) including, digital distribution of payments such as social benefits, pensions and other government payments, e-commerce, transport systems, and utility bills.

“Digital payments infrastructure is a pre-requisite to effective financial inclusion.

By linking the rails and the rules, the EthSwitch project is braced

to change the digital payments landscape in Ethiopia and ADFI is happy to invest towards that impact.” said Sheila Okiro the ADFI Fund Coordinator.

EthSwitch was legally established by the National Bank of Ethiopia in 2011 to provide simple, secure, effective and affordable digital payments infrastructure to the Ethiopian market. The National Bank has a 46% stake in the company with the remaining shares going to financial service providers in the country.

The country’s regulatory framework favours the modernisation of the switch and through a shareholding structure open to Banks and MFIs, the company is held accountable by key stakeholders. Non-banks will be allowed to participate on a case-by-case basis as approved by the National Bank of Ethiopia.

The EthSwitch project will be implemented over a three-year period with ADFI and EthSwitch working closely with strategic industry experts and players.

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FCTA reads riot act to roadside traders

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

Pre-NIPS 2021 Summit To Focus On Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” Initiative

By Etuka Sunday

K

ey Senior Executives across the oil and gas industry will converge at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on 29 March 2021 under the auspices of Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (N.I.P.S) for a hybrid conference and high-level networking session.

The event, which is a presummit conference of the 2021 NIPS, with Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) as sponsors, is in furtherance of the Federal Government’s declaration of January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2030 as “the Decade of Gas Development for Nigeria”.

“The Decade of Gas” conference with the theme, “Towards a Gas-powered Economy by 2030” will feature

H.E President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, as special guest of honour. Confirmed keynote speakers include Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Bitrus Bako Nabasu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources; Mele Kolo Kyari, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Secretary General, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Tony Attah, Managing Director/CEO of NLNG, MD of Nigerian Ports Authority – Hadiza Bala Usman, amongst other distinguished invited quests and speakers.

Commenting on the Decade of Gas Initiative, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva,

said “Nigeria should take the leading role in Africa as gas becomes the dominant fuel for generating power in the continent”, adding that it is the reason the federal government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, is implementing carefully conceived initiatives to foster productivity and attract investments in the gas value chain.

H.E. Sylva further noted that collaboration is needed from all stakeholders to transform Nigeria into a gasbased industrialised nation.

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources is partnering with NLNG, as sponsors of the event, to officially flag-off “The Decade of Gas” and to produce the road map for the transformation of the Nigerian economy on the wings of gas.

Nigeria LNG Limited, being one of the foremost global LNG players and Nigeria’s best example of value creation and economic transformation through gas utilization, is the partner of choice, to power the ‘Decade of Gas’ agenda of the Federal Government.

While discussing the format of the conference, James Shindi, Chief Executive of Brevity Anderson, organisers of the conference, observed that as a hybrid event, critical stakeholders will be deliberating physically in Abuja, with the public participating actively from the comfort of their homes via the interactive virtual platform.

The sessions will also be recorded and can be assessed on demand even after the event for those who will be unable to follow the event live.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment towards the objective of transforming the country into an industrialised nation driven by gas, through policies and projects like the NLNG T7 Project, the National Gas Expansion Programme, Autogas policy and the construction of the 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline. These initiatives and projects are expected to stimulate economic growth, further improve Nigeria’s energy mix, drive investments, and provide jobs in the country.

Investments in gas will significantly reduce the nation’s carbon footprint as it is cheaper, cleaner and more available thereby conserving the environment into the future and improving our quality of life.

he Federal Capital Terriory Administration (FCTA) has warned traders to desist from trading on road shoulders and corridors or risks confiscation of their wares.

Chairman of the FCTA Ministerial Taskforce on Traffic Management, Comrade Ikharo Attah, read the riot act during inspections of Nyanya Market, road shoulders and corridors yesterday in Abuja.

Attah disclosed that the traffic management team would confiscate wares and any other property of defaulters, adding that confiscated items would be taken to the court.

He explained that traffic management team would push for the court to grant permanent forfeiture of whatever items or properties confiscated. “ And if we are able to get the court injuction from the judge, then we will likely distribute the items be it cloths or food items to orphanages and centre for persons living with disabilities. “ The Federal Capital Terriory Administration (FCTA) is warning traders across the city to desist from selling on road shoulders, road corridors and road side. “ That is one worrisome thing that we have observed and as the Chairman of the FCT Ministerial Taskforce on Traffic Management, I know that the FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello is not taken the issue of trading on road shoulders and corridors very lightly. “ Worrisome is the fact that in some areas like Nyanya, Karu site, Dutse Alhaji Area, Kubwa by the NNPC junction and some other very busy road side, people have converted the road side and shoulders into the market. “ It is completely unacceptable

and is being heavily resisted because is grossly in appropriate in Abuja,” Attah stressed.

He added that the taskforce had throughout the night cleared the Nyanya market and deployed personnel in the morning to prevent traders from selling on road shoulders.

According to him, “If you look at Nyanya today, being the market day is completely clean, the road is clear and we are going to be enforcing that. “ We really have to make strong appeal to the royal fathers to support us because all of the people in the market have cultural

inclination. “ The one at Karu and that Dutse Alhaji have cultural inclination and each of the market are under the supervision of a traditional rulers appointed by the palace. “ Particularly at Nyanya we are very worry that even the palace of the Chief of Nyanya every

Wednesday is converted to market to the point that they even sale at the entrance of the palace.”

Attah reiterated that the traffic management team would adopt drastic measures to stop trading on road shoulders, noting that market had it own environment and people would not be allow sale on the road.

Traditional Rulers, during their meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives on constitutional amendment, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Adesola performs groundbreaking for ChinaAid Nigeria agric demonstration project

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of China-Aid Nigeria Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre Project, aimed at ensuring food security, boost agricultural technology and also create millions of jobs for residents of the Territory.

While performing the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday in Ushafa Area Council of FCT, Adesola disclosed that the project is part of the Public-Private partnership initiative of the present Administration which seeks to attract credible investments, as part of efforts to actualize its developmental agenda for the Territory in particular and the country at large.

Adesola, in a statement from Public

Relations Officer, Office of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Tony Odey, explained that the FCT Administration is proud to be associated with the project in view of the huge benefits the project will bring to residents of the Territory.

The Permanent Secretary further remarked that the agricultural sector in the FCT has over the years played key role in the Administration’s quest to achieve the desired objective of improved livelihood for all.

He added that the present leadership of FCT Administration has also keyed into President Muhammadu Buhari vision to make Nigeria food sufficient through the implementation of several innovative programmes geared towards repositioning the agricultural sector in the Territory.

According to him, in a bid to ensure that farmers in the Territory are able to

access support from government and nongovernmental bodies, the Administration recently reorganized the department of Cooperative and Rural Development, stressing that the re-organization has enabled small-holders farmers in the Area Councils to key into agricultural developmental programmes.

Explaining the contents of the project, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe said production of new rice varieties, adaptation testing of the newly-bred rice varieties, conduct of multilocational and regional trials, enhancement of rice cultivation techniques and training of local agricultural technicians and farmers are the cornerstone of the project.

Represented by the Director of Mechanization and Deputy National Project Coordinator of Green Imperative

Project in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Umakhihe further revealed that the project will gulp the Chinese Government 5million RMB Yuan annually and is expected to be completed within 5 years.

Also, in her address, the Director of International Cooperation, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Elizabeth Egharedba thanked Chinese Government for initiating the project, which according to her, will boost the economic growth and development of the country.

Earlier, the Group Director, China Electronics Design, Mr. Hun Zhenchang explained that the project is a demonstration of the cordial relationship that the Government of China and Nigerian Government have been enjoying over the years.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

Page 22

world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

China to join construction of world’s largest telescope

By Wu Daily

Yuehui,

People’s

S

quare Kilometer Array (SKA), the largest radio telescope ever in human history, is expected to be constructed since July this year, said Wu Xiangping, member of the National Committee of the Chinese’s People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on March 4.

Wu, also an Academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and chief scientist of China’s SKA team, said it is estimated that 10 percent of the SKA will be completed and put into use for observation by 2028.

As a major international science project, the SKA aims to build the world largest and most sensitive telescope, whose receiving area will hit one square kilometer.

China’s Five-Hundred Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is the world’s largest single-aperture telescope, while the SKA will eventually consist of thousands of dishes.

The FAST is located in the

Northern Hemisphere, while the SKA will be built in the other half of the globe. The two of them will complement each other, and jointly contribute to astronomical The SKA is another international project joined

by China after the country participated in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project.

At the 24th International Union of Radio Science General Assembly held in Tokyo, astronomers from 10 countries including China jointly proposed to build the next generation of large radio telescope. In 2011, the SKA Organization was officially established in Rome, Italy, with China as one of the nine founding members.

Researcher Qin Bo with the National Astronomical Observatories, CAS noted that different from the ITER, the SKA project is the first international science project that China has joined from the very beginning and acted as a major participator through the whole process, including the making of basic rules and regulations, as well as project construction and

Photo shows the SKA site in South Africa. (Photo from the official website of SKA China) operation.

Australia and South Africa, while In 2012, preparations of the its headquarters is located in the SKA project officially started, UK. The high-frequency array and a dual-site solution was will be built in South Africa, as unanimously approved. The well as eight partner countries project will be constructed in in southern Africa, and the low-

frequency array in Western Australia.

The SKA Organization issued 11 work packages to the globe.

The antenna package is the largest among them and of the highest construction cost. After rounds of heated debate, China’s antenna solution became the only candidate solution, and China was also the chair of the SKA antenna package alliance.

In February 2018, the 54th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation developed the first prototype SKA antenna SKA-P, whose performance is leading the world in multiple areas.

The SKA demonstrates the latest and highest achievements of modern science and technology, and will promote the rapid development of a series of industries, including manufacturing, communication, computing and energy, said Qin. Relevant Chinese industries have acquired certain technical reserve and experience, and are able to join the technical development of the project and apply relevant results in other major sci-tech areas.

Covid: Brazil experts issue warning as hospitals ‘close to collapse’

H

ealth systems in most of Brazil’s largest cities are close to collapse because of Covid-19 cases, its leading health institute warns.

More than 80% of intensive care unit beds are occupied in the capitals of 25 of Brazil’s 27 states, Fiocruz said.

Experts warn that the highly contagious variant in Brazil may have knock-on effects in the region and beyond.

“Brazil is a threat to humanity,” Fiocruz epidemiologist Jesem Orellana told AFP news agency.

The country has recorded more than 266,000 deaths and 11 million cases since the pandemic began.

It has the second highest number of deaths in the world after the US and the third highest number of confirmed cases.

Despite this, President Jair Bolsonaro has consistently opposed quarantine measures and expert advice on fighting coronavirus.

What’s the situation in Brazil?

On Tuesday the country recorded 1,972 Covid deaths, a new daily record.

According to Fiocruz, 15 state capitals have intensive care units (ICUs) that are at more than 90% capacity including Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and São Paulo.

Two cities - Porto Alegre and Campo Grande - have exceeded ICU capacity.

In its report, the institute

warned that figures pointed to the “overload and even collapse of health systems”.

“The fight against Covid-19 was lost in 2020 and there is not the slightest chance of reversing this tragic circumstance in the first half of 2021,” Fiocruz’s Jesem Orellana said, quoted by AFP. “The best we can do is hope for the miracle of mass vaccination or a radical change in the management of the pandemic.

Impunity in management seems to be the rule.”

On Tuesday, the country also recorded more than 70,000 cases, a 38% increase on last week, according to local media.

The surge in cases has been attributed to the spread of a highly contagious variant of the virus - named P1 - which is thought to have originated in the Amazon city of Manaus.

What do we know about the Brazil variant?

Preliminary data from the University of São Paulo, Imperial College London and Oxford University suggests the P1 variant could be up to twice as transmittable as the original version of the virus.

It also suggests that the new variant could evade immunity built up by having had the original version of Covid. The chance of reinfection is put at between 25% and 60%.

Last week, the Fiocruz Institute said that P1 was just one

of several “variants of concern” that have become dominant in six of eight states studied by the Rio de Janeiro-based organisation.

“This information is an atomic bomb,” said Roberto Kraenkel, of the Covid-19 Brazil Observatory, told the Washington Post.

World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has described the situation in Brazil as “very concerning” and warned of a possible regional spillover.

“If Brazil is not serious, then it will continue to affect all the neighbourhood there and beyond.”

Scientists are concerned that Brazil has almost become a “natural laboratory” - where people can see what happens when coronavirus goes relatively unchecked.

Some warn the country is now a breeding ground for new variants of the virus, unhindered by effective social distancing and fuelled by vaccine shortages.

That’s because the longer a virus circulates in a country, the more chances it has to mutate - in this case giving rise to P1.

Scientists say it is partly the spread of P1 around Brazil that is behind the current devastating upsurge in infections.

Global experts are calling for a plan - including rapid vaccination, lockdowns, and strict social distancing measures - to get the situation under control.

Viruses do not respect borders.

The worry is that the P1 variant is a looming threat over the progress made in the region and the wider world.

Current vaccines are, on the whole, still effective against the variant but may be less so than against the earlier versions of the virus they were designed to fight.

Much of this evidence comes from lab studies and preliminary research involving a relatively small number of people.

Studies are ongoing but experts will get their most robust understanding of how well these vaccines work against P1 as they continue to monitor people who have been vaccinated in the real world.

Scientists are confident that, if necessary, vaccines can be tweaked fairly quickly to work against new variants.

Which vaccines work against the variant?

Brazil has ordered more than 200 million doses of the AstraZeneca and CoronaVac vaccine. So far, more than eight million people have had their first dose, representing just 4% of the population.

Fiocruz’s head of production, Mauricio Zuma, said on Monday that preliminary studies of the AstraZeneca vaccine showed it would protect against the P1 variant. However, the Oxford team behind the vaccine earlier said it offers less protection - but

should still protect against severe illness.

According to Reuters, another Brazilian study has indicated the CoronaVac vaccine, made by China’s Sinovac biopharmaceutical company, is effective against the same variant.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been able to combat the Brazil variant, according to laboratory research published on Tuesday by the New England Journal of Medicine. Blood taken from people who had been given the vaccine “neutralised” an engineered version of the virus that contained the same mutations found in the Brazil variant.

However, the Pfizer vaccine has not yet been rolled out in the country, as the Brazilian authorities are still in negotiations with the company over its purchase. According to Reuters, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said Pfizer had agreed to deliver 14m doses by June after a video call with President Bolsonaro.

Since the start of the pandemic, President Bolsonaro has sought to downplay the threat posed by the virus, and earlier this week he told people to “stop whining”.

A number of quarantine measures have been taken by mayors and regional governors, which Mr Bolsonaro has opposed, arguing that the collateral damage to the economy will be worse than the effects of the virus itself.

Source: BBC

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Tanzanian President John Magufuli ‘in Kenyan hospital with Covid’ Tanzania’s President John Magufuli is being treated in hospital in Kenya and is in a critical condition, opposition leader Tundu Lissu has told the BBC, citing well-placed sources.

He has had coronavirus and a cardiac arrest, Mr Lissu said.

Mr Magufuli, who has not been seen in public for 11 days, has faced criticism for his handling of Covid-19.

The East African nation has not published its coronavirus cases since May and refuses to buy vaccines.

The 61-year-old president has called for prayers and herbalinfused steam therapy to counter the virus.

Earlier this month, at a funeral for a top presidential aide, Mr Magufuli said Tanzania had defeated Covid-19 last year and would win again this year.

The aide died hours after the vice-president of the country’s semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar, who was being treated for Covid-19.

‘Silence irresponsible’ Mr Lissu said he had been told that President Magufuli was flown to Kenya for treatment at Nairobi Hospital on Monday night.

The BBC has not been able to independently confirm this.

There has been no official response from the government, which has warned against publishing unverified information about the Tanzanian leader, who was last seen at an official event in Dar es Salaam on 27 February.

Nairobi Hospital also said it could not comment.

Mr Lissu told the BBC that the

The 61-year-old president, nicknamed “The Bulldozer”, is serving his second term in office

government’s silence was fuelling rumours, was irresponsible, and the president’s health should not be a private matter.

It would not be a surprise to Tanzanians that Mr Magufuli had contracted coronavirus as he had been reckless in the face of the

virus, he said.

Steam booths have been used to treat respiratory illnesses like coronavirus in Tanzania

“He has never worn a mask, he has been going to mass public gatherings without taking any precautions that people are taking all around the world,” Mr Lissu told the BBC’s Africa correspondent Leila Nathoo from exile in Belgium.

“This is someone who has repeatedly and publicly trashed established medicine, he’s relied on prayers and herbal concoctions of unproven value.”

The 53 year old alleged that Tanzania’s Finance Minister Philip Mpango was also being treated at the same hospital in Kenya’s capital.

Mr Lissu, who came second in presidential elections for the opposition Chadema party in October with 13% of the vote, said he considered his rival’s reputation to be in complete tatters.

“He’s built a reputation as a patriot, that he doesn’t travel outside the country, that he’s a president for the poor - and he’s refused to do anything to ameliorate the situation in Tanzania by telling people we are fine.”

Last week, the Catholic Church in Tanzania urged people to take Covid-19 precautions more seriously, saying 60 nuns and 25 priests had died in the last two months after showing symptoms of coronavirus.

Mr Lissu first went into exile in 2017 after surviving an assassination attempt. He returned to take part in last year’s polls, the results of which he says were rigged.

He left the country again in November, saying he had received more death threats.

Bata blast: Satellite images show Equatorial Guinea destruction

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ew satellite images reveal the extent of destruction in Equatorial Guinea’s main city Bata following explosions at a munitions depot on Sunday.

The official death toll has now reached 105, with at least 600 injured.

Rights groups say the casualty figures could be significantly higher and have called for an independent investigation, with questions being asked about why stockpiles of explosives were being stored in a populated area.

“Based on the number of bodies pulled from the rubble” says Human Rights Watch citing local observers, “the actual number of victims is much higher.”

The extent of the damage Images captured before and after the event show the scale of the explosion.

Buildings inside the barracks were destroyed and people’s homes in the surrounding area were also affected. Green spaces circling the army complex were obliterated.

Analysing satellite imagery over the past two decades, it’s possible to see how the population rapidly expanded around the barracks.

When the complex was being built in 2004, it can seen on Google Earth surrounded by forest. Just under two decades later, the city has rapidly expanded into this area.

“If you are a responsible government, you do not have a military barracks where bombs are going to be handled in the middle of a city. You don’t have families living in that area,” Tutu Alicante, a human rights lawyer,

told the BBC. What was the cause?

President Obiang Nguema said the base had “caught fire due to neighbouring farmers clearing land by setting it alight, leading to the explosion”.

The president also blamed the “negligence” of the team responsible for guarding the stores of dynamite and explosives.

“Unverified accounts circulating in the country allege the fire was started by soldiers ordered to burn brush and that it then spread to the armoury, or that it was started during training on the use of explosives gone awry,” said Human Rights Watch.

A cluster of fires were detected around the location of the barracks at 14:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on 7 March using Nasa satellites.

This is around the same time of the explosions, but it’s not

possible to identify if these fires were the cause of the explosion or the result of it.

The location of the blast The explosion happened on the south-east periphery of the city.

Videos shared on social media showed a huge plume of smoke visible from the city centre.

One angle, filmed from a hotel located near the coastline, captured the aftermath of the explosion from about 7km (4 miles) away.

Footage was also captured on the ground in the roads surrounding the barracks which showed extensive destruction of buildings in the military complex and in the surrounding area.

Many people - men, women and children - were seen fleeing the area.

“Most military barracks in Equatorial Guinea tend to house not just the soldiers themselves but also their family members,” said Mr Alicante.

“What we do know from the government is that supposedly there were some workshops about - buildings where there were bombs being defused, and that might have led to the accident.”

Are explosions becoming more common?

Following the explosions, questions are being asked of the government about the management of explosives.

There are also concerns about the debris left over from such events. Social media users are posing with projectiles which have been scattered nearby.

The Small Arms Survey based in Switzerland compiles data on the number of unplanned

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In-depth investigation helps China’s political advisors make targeted suggestions

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By Jiang Jie, People’s Daily

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hrough diversified forms of investigation, members of the committees of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a major channel for promoting socialist consultative democracy in China, have made their due contributions to improving people’s well-being by reporting on the wisdom and opinions of the people to the country’s decision-makers via the CPPCC. The Communist Party of China (CPC) believes that “He who makes no investigation and study has no right to speak”. In fact, in-depth investigation has been a highlight of the work of the National Committee of the CPPCC over the past year.

In March 2019, China released a newly revised version of the measures for enhancing and improving the investigation work of the National Committee of the CPPCC. The document stressed that political advisors should make sure that investigations are carried out in an earnest and wholehearted manner.

CPPCC members should attentively listen to people’s opinions during discussions and interviews, completely comprehend the situations the people are in, work hard to study the problems, elaborately put forward solutions, improve the quality of their investigation results, enrich means of making suggestions, and promote the transformation of investigation results into practical solutions, the document said.

By strengthening and improving its investigation activities, the CPPCC National Committee has significantly improved its institution, standard, and procedure construction to better fulfill its duties.

In August 2020, the CPPCC National Committee held a consultative conference on the supervision over the handling of key proposals related to the consolidation of poverty alleviation results in China’s western regions during the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture, northwest China’s Gansu province.

Before the conference, main leaders of the CPPCC National Committee made field trips to poverty-relief relocation sites, workshops, planting bases, visited households lifted out of poverty, and held meetings with povertyeradication cadres at provincial, municipal, county, township, and village levels. The move marked the first time that the main leaders of the CPPCC National Committee supervised the handling of key proposals by field investigation.

Before the investigation, the Committee for Handling Proposals of the CPPCC National Committee held two symposiums both offline and via video link, which were attended by CPPCC members and the organizations that were responsible for handling the proposals.

During the field investigation, leaders of the CPPCC National Committee went in four groups to the front line to acquire detailed information in the day time, and held brief meetings at night to discuss investigation results.

In early September last year, an investigation team of the population, resources, and environment committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC, went to the headwaters region of the Yellow River, China’s second longest river, to research into the ecological protection situation of the water source conservation areas along the upper reaches of the Yellow River.

After arduous field trips to relevant rural areas and pasturing areas in the headwaters region, where weathers change drastically from hour to hour, the team compiled a report on further strengthening ecological protection in the water source conservation areas along the upper reaches of the Yellow River, which was later submitted to the CPC Central Committee and China’s State Council.

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Loujain al-Hathloul: Saudi activist ‘loses appeal against sentence’

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he Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has lost an appeal against her sentence, her family says.

Ms Hathloul was released on probation last month after almost three years in prison, but she is subject to a five-year travel ban and other restrictions.

On Wednesday, her sister said a court had upheld her sentence for violating a counter-terrorism law.

Ms Hathloul has insisted she committed no crime and vowed to bring to justice officials she accuses of torturing her.

The 31-year-old was instrumental in the campaign to allow women to drive in Saudi Arabia.

She was detained in May 2018, just weeks before the ban was lifted, along with about a dozen other female activists as part of an apparent crackdown on dissent overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

For the first three months, she was held incommunicado, without access to her family and lawyer.

Human rights organisations later reported accusations that interrogators had

tortured her and at least three other women during that time, including with electronic shocks and whippings, and had sexually harassed them. The Saudi government has denied she was mistreated.

Last December, a terrorism tribunal found Ms Hathloul guilty of “inciting change to the basic ruling regime” and “serving a foreign agenda inside the kingdom by using the internet with the objective of damaging public order”.

Saudi officials said the charges were related to Ms Hathloul’s contacts with foreign diplomats, media, and activist groups. But UN human rights experts described the charges as “spurious”.

While the judge suspended part of her prison sentence of five years and eight months, paving the way for her release, he warned that the suspension would be annulled if she committed any crimes within the next three years. He also banned her from leaving Saudi Arabia for five years.

At the first appeal hearing last week, Ms Hathloul was asked by the judge whether she wished to show repentance, according to

her brother Walid.

“She replied that she had proven in all her defences that she had not committed any crime based on local and international laws. So, on what basis would she present her repentance?” he wrote on Twitter.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter Before Wednesday’s hearing, Ms Hathloul made her first public comments since she was detained, telling people gathered outside the court: “Let’s hope that the sentence has been changed or modified a little bit.”

But her sister Lina later tweeted: “UPDATE: The judges confirmed the first sentencing of @LoujainHathloul, which means SA confirms considering the UK, the EU, and the Netherlands ‘terrorist entities’ and contacting them a ‘terrorist act’. #FreeLoujain.”

There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities.

Source: BBC

Remarkable progress achieved one year after China’s implementation of foreign investment law

By Zhang Tianpei, Qu Song, People’s Daily

Environment

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

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Coronavirus: Smokers at high risk of fatal complications, ERA/FoEN warns

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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s Nigeria battles to contain the raging COVID -19 pandemic, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), has warned that smokers are at higher risk of developing fatal complications from contracting the virus.

The group in a statement issued by its head, Media and Campaigns, Philip Jakpor, said that while there is currently no conclusive evidence that people who smoke tobacco are at higher risk of being infected with the virus, researchers have confirmed that people who smoke are at greater risk of other respiratory infections.

The World Health Orgnisation (WHO) has similarly warned that because smoking involves repeated hand-to-face motions, it creates a route of potential viral transmission, like the current COVID 19.

In view of the growing number of donors seeking to support government efforts to combat the spread of the virus, ERA/

FoEN cautioned government at all levels from receiving donations from tobacco companies, saying such gestures are hypocritical of an industry whose products are directly and indirectly fueling the pandemic.

According to the group, the largest study investigating the link between COVID-19 and smoking published to date looked at clinical outcomes from 1,099 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection from 532 hospitals across China.

The research discovered that 12.4% of current smokers either died, were admitted to an intensive care unit or required mechanical ventilation, compared with 4.7% of non-smokers. Along similar lines, 21.2% of current smokers had severe symptoms, as opposed to 14.5% of non-smokers.

Several countries have taken far-reaching actions to prevent imminent upsurge of smokinginduced fatalities as the COVID-19 virus ravages on. For instance, Russia has banned the use of

Hookah (Shisha) in all public catering facilities. On March 16 the Governor of Cairo banned Hookah (Shisha) in cafés and restaurants.

Other nations that have equally banned Hookah in the last one month are Iran, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Oman, Turkey, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

“There is therefore, no other time than at this period of the pandemic for smokers to quit and for the government to enforce strict adherence to the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act, 2015. In fact, an outright ban of the sale of cigarettes, vaping products, and Shisha and the likes will be a step in the right direction during this period, said ERA/FoEN Deputy Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi.

This last weekend, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that vaping may leave users with underlying health conditions thereby putting them at higher risk of serious complications if they contract COVID-19. Experts from

the U.S. National Institute of Drug Abuse and the Secretary of State of the United Kingdom also say that smokers will suffer worse impacts if they contract the virus.

ERA/FoEN, while also reacting to media reports that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde is already in talks with some companies, including the British America Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) to make donations to tackle the spread of the pandemic in the state, said any donation from BATN or their front groups are “Greek Gifts”.

These “Greek Gifts” are ultimately targeted at compromising public officials, weakening heath systems and positioning the tobacco industry as a credible stakeholder in public health policy.

ERA/FoEN expressed sadness that Governor Makinde is making overtures to a company that is reported to have flagrantly flouted government directives on gatherings involving many people when it refused to shut down its production lines, putting its factory staff at risk.

Rather than shut down production and protect lives, media reports say a boss of BAT West Africa allegedly sent a message to staff saying: “I would like to particularly thank and pay tribute to both our heroes in the factory who are keeping production going and our Field Force that are using all their ingenuity and track relationships to keep the supply chain intact as restrictions mount.”

“This company has demonstrated sheer recklessness for the well-being of their staff and demonstrating that it puts profits above the lives of its staff; this company should be under investigation. This has further proven that as recommended in the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s Article 5.3 which Nigeria is a Party to, it can never and should never be seen or accepted as a stakeholder in tackling public health problems”. Oluwafemi counseled.

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hina has achieved remarkable results after it enacted the foreign investment law, which offered easier market access for foreign capital, better facilitated investment, improved service system, brought more effective protection of rights and interests, and made market competition fairer, a spokesperson said recently.

The foreign investment law was implemented more than a year ago on Jan. 1, 2020.

It has created a more market-oriented, legalized, and international investment environment for foreign investors and enterprises, and served as a guarantee for an increase of 4.5 percent of foreign direct investment (FDI) to China last year, said Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

Both China’s attraction of foreign investment and its global share hit a record high in 2020, making the country the world’s largest destination for foreign capital, Zang noted, adding that a total of 51,000 foreign enterprises were established in China last year, which drew a satisfying end of China’s 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).

Heads of foreign enterprises told People’s Daily that the implementation of the foreign investment law further reinforced their confidence to keep investing in China.

China’s policy to enhance opening up, embrace advanced management philosophy, and ensure sound business environment have created huge opportunities for multinational corporations, and boosted the confidence of foreign enterprises to keep investing in China, said Willie Tan, CEO of Skechers China, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

Skechers bucked the trend in the Chinese market last year against virus influence, the CEO introduced, adding that the company is continuing expanding its investment in China, and an Asia-

At a production base of an electrical product producer in Hai’an economic development zone, east China’s Jiangsu Province, workers are manufacturing electrical products for domestic and Southeast Asian customers, Nov. 4, 2020.

(Photo by Zhai Huiyong/People’s Daily Online) Pacific R&D center has been established in Dongguan, south China’s Guangdong province.

Besides, a $1 billion logistics center established by the company in Taicang, east China’s Jiangsu Province is expected to be put into service this year, and its second-phase project will be commenced in the third quarter, Tan said. According to him, the company will keep expanding its market in third- to fifth-tier cities, while developing in top-tier cities.

Commercial vehicle maker Scania was one of the first automakers approved by China to establish wholly foreign-owned plants in the country. The Swedish firm spent a fairly long time on studying how to invest in China.

The Chinese government is launching a series of measures to advance economic reform and expand opening up, and these measures are continuously improving the country’s economic resilience and production rate, said Mats Harborn, President of Scania China Group.

Optimistic about the future of the Chinese economy, Harborn noted that China will still be a locomotive driving global growth. He predicted that the country will become Scania’s largest market in the next decade.

Swiss multinational corporation ABB last year completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Chargedot Shanghai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. At present, a $150 million robotic plant of the group is under construction in Shanghai, which, upon completion, will become the group’s most advanced smart factory in the world.

The year 2021 marks the starting year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, from which the country has entered a new development phase, said Lars Eckerlein, general manager of ABB China. China’s expanding opening up, as well as its high attention on new technologies, has made the company more confident about the country’s economic prospects, he added.

From left: Chairman of COVID-19 Task Force in the University of Calabar, Dr Kingsley Akaba; Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Obi; and Commissioner for Health in Cross River, Dr Betta Edu, during the commissioning of the university’s 20 bed Isolation Centre to commemorate the Vice Chancellor’s 100 days in office, in Calabar on Wednesday (10/3/21).

Nasarawa moves to establish Waste Management and Sanitation Agency

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he Nasarawa State House of Assembly has received the report of the House Joint Committee on Housing and Environment / Health on a Bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA) and for other Connected matters.

The Speaker of the assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who received the report, scheduled March 22, 2021 for deliberation on the report, after Mr Luka IliyaZhekaba (PDP-Obi 11), the Chairman of the Joint Committee, presented the document during the House proceedings recently in Lafia, the state capital.

Abdullahi said that the bill if passed and signed into law would ensure environmental cleanliness and control of waste in the state .

“The importance of environmental cleanliness to human and societal development cannot be overemphasised, as a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

I will slate March 22, 2021

for deliberation on the report of the House Joint Committee on Housing and Environment / Health on a Bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Aithority (NASWAMSA) and for other Connected matters,” he said.

He commended the committee

for a job well done .

Earlier, iliya-Zhekaba while presenting the committee’s report, thanked the speaker and other members of the legislature for giving them the assignment.

He assured of the body’s continued commitment to deliver on any assignment given to it.

Source:Environewsnig

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Feature

Coming 2 America: ‘The first black fairytale’ revisited The 2020s should be the decade of success for African women, according to a South African actress starring in the sequel to one of the most successful films ever with a black cast.

Nomzamo Mbatha appears alongside Eddie Murphy in Coming 2 America, the followup to 1988’s Coming to America, which made $288m (£207m) at the box office.

Murphy played the African prince Akeem from the mythical land of Zamunda, who finds an ordinary American bride in New York City.

The actor called it “the first black fairytale”, adding: “It was also the very first time you had a movie with black people where you had kings and queens.”

The sequel reunites Murphy with many of the original actors, including James Earl Jones and Arsenio Hall, as well a new cast that includes Blade’s Wesley Snipes, If Beale Street Could Talk’s Kiki Layne, Saturday Night Live’s Leslie Jones, Mbatha as a courtier and Jermaine Fowler, who plays King Akeem’s son.

Mbatha, an actress and producer, says she hopes the plot will particularly appeal to African women, as it’s based around changing Zamunda’s ancient laws, so a woman can rule.

“When I found out that I was going to be in the film, it was literally ‘coming to America’ for a girl like myself, coming all the way from South Africa,” Mbatha says. “I don’t come from a wealthy background myself, but I’ve been able to break the mould and I am a representative of that.”

She added that the film “speaks of what I want young girls from the African continent to feel - that they’re not invisible and they’re not too far, their dream is tangible - we need to open those doors for African girls and women”.

The actress believes that being portrayed as royal and powerful

were seen in a really onedimensional way.”

Mbatha also runs a nonprofit foundation to fund underprivileged young people on the African continent, and says she thinks the next decade will provide the backdrop “for African women to kick down the preexisting narratives about them.”

“Each decade there have been women who have been torch bearers and this generation is moving the needle forward,” she explains.

‘Fires burning inside them’ “I work with the UN and go into refugee camps on the African continent and wherever I go, you find it’s women used as weapons of war, young girls who were sexually violated, and they have children who are products of that.

“But there’s still women with fires burning inside them to make something of their lives, and it’s incredible to see that fight and see the spirit of it.”

Shen stressed the importance of continuing “this conversation using mediums such as films and music”.

“I’m very excited about African women who are kicking down those pre-existing narratives that’s held them back. I’m excited by my generation as we’re not taking anything less,” she says.

Jermaine Fowler (right) was born in the year the first Coming to America was first released Fowler, who was born in the year the first Coming to America was first released, says he hopes the film will reach a younger audience who may have thought Marvel superhero film Black Panther was the first to celebrate royal and powerful characters in a mythical African landscape.

“It’s just a generational thing, you know,” he says.

“Before Black Panther, there was Coming to America. It set a precedent, it set a standard, it opened up so many doors, it was the first of its kind to celebrate

Mbatha runs a foundation to fund underprivileged young people on screen “changes how people show up and how people move in the world.”

Citing the first Coming to America film, she said it achieved this in the 80s, adding: “It was important because for such a long time African or black Americans

blackness unapologetically.

“We got to see black people royally, where we weren’t depicted as slaves and butlers and things of that nature, that can feel stereotypical in Hollywood for black actors at that time. It was the first of its kind and it’s

Eddie Murphy stars alongside Shari Headley in Coming 2 America

Nomzamo Mbatha says the film explores the changing ancient laws of in women’s favour amazing for me to be part of the sequel.”

His character, Lavelle, is the New York-based son Prince Akeem never knew he had - with an automatic right to be the

home about equality: “I think women will love and feel empowered by it, and I think men will hopefully really see and really know and take heed- I feel like hopefully they see this movie

Jermaine Fowler (right) was born in the year the first Coming to America was first released next King of Zamunda, despite his sister Meeka, played by Kiki Layne, being far better suited to rule instead.

Fowler says the serious intent behind the comedy in Coming 2 America should send a message

and really start to listen, and understand that, you know, stuff needs to change,” he explains.

‘The door is truly open to us’ Mbatha agrees that things “aren’t yet where they should be”, saying: “I recently did an

interview with a presenter in Nigeria and she mentioned where she comes from women are still not allowed to own property, in 2021.”

But she adds she’s noticed a change in attitude in what she gets offered as an actress.

“Usually when one would get a description of a character it would say ‘female, black, in their 30s’ - and now it’s an open ethnicity.

“The door is truly open to us, it doesn’t often specify that we have to speak with an American accent, for example. Of course, we are not where we should be yet, but we must celebrate the little progress that is happening.”

The actress adds that she’s not satisfied with just “taking it and saying that’s it,” however.

“We take it and show up, and then show up better and in a bigger way,” she says. “I’m excited. It’s a great world to be living in right now.”

Coming 2 America is out now on Amazon Prime.

Source: BBC

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Sports

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THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

AFCON Qualifiers: Rohr invites 24 Eagles for Squirrels, Crocodiles battles

By Amaechi Agbo

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echnical Adviser Gernot Rohr has included Captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and forward Victor Osimhen in a 24-man list for this month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battles with Benin Republic and Lesotho.

Nigeria, top of the Group E log with eight points (one ahead of Benin Republic and five more than third-placed Sierra Leone), tackle the Squirrels away at the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo on Saturday, 27th March and will lock horns with the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos three days later. Both are the concluding games of the qualifying series.

Also included are Enyimba FC goalkeeper John Noble, defenders Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.

The versatile Abdullahi Shehu is listed as a midfielder this time and there is a first senior call for Spain –based forward Sadiq Umar.

Seven players, including long –time goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, are on standby.

Rohr, who has steered Nigeria to qualifying for two major tournaments (2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations) with a game to spare, countenance even better accomplishment this time, as the Eagles could earn a ticket to the finals in Cameroon before kick-off in Porto Novo, should Lesotho and Sierra Leone end their encounter in Maseru in a stalemate. The result would be known before kick-off in Porto Novo.

The Full List Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL

Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands) Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, The Netherlands)

Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosa, Cyprus); Joseph AyodeleAribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Sadiq Umar (Almeria FC, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi

Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (FC Girondins Bordeaux, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France) Standby: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Michael Olise (Reading FC, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors)

Real Madrid Academy will develop Nigeria Football, - Minister

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t was a galaxy of meeting of stars in Port-Harcourt on Tuesday when Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday unveiled the Real Madrid Football Academy with an assurance that the institution would not only create jobs, but produce world class future stars.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Dare said” From time immemorial, Rivers state had a reputation of producing notable people like the Great Jaja of Opobo, Alfred Diette Spiff, Justice Karibe White, foremost viriologist Professor Tam David West, two Sports Ministers Alabo Graham Douglas and Tammy Danagogo.

In football, Sharks which metamorphosed to Rivers United

had produced world acclaimed players.

Today’s event is therefore not only epochal, but special and monumental. I’m confident that The Real Madrid Academy Port Harcourt will produce fantastic players like Paul Hamilton, Adokiye Amaesimaka, Jossy Dombraye, Taribo West, Furo Iyenemi and Nigeria’s most capped player Joseph Yobo. The foundation for the actualisation of this dream has been laid today”.

The Minister further said “ Although two Nigerians Emmanuel Amuneke and Gbenga Okunowo had played for Real Madrid bitter rivals Barcelona, no Nigerian has played for the Galaticos. The setting up of

this institution could change that trajectory by producing new Ferenck Puskas, Santiago Bernabeur, Raul Gonzalez, Roberto Carlos, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.”

Mr Dare affirmed that “ Since the main objective is to promote in Rivers State and Nigeria the values inherent in football as a profession, The Real Madrid Football Academy Port

Harcourt is an educational tool capable of contributing to the comprehensive development of our youth by creating jobs and wealth. It also in sync with our motive of combining education and sports which are inseparable” He assured the Rivers State Government of the support of the Federal Ministry of Youth and sports Development to ensuring the implementation of the Academy’s mandate The Real Madrid Football Academy, Port Harcourt was founded in 2019 by the Governor of Rivers State having been given the Franchise to operate by the Real Madrid Foundation.

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Rio votes to name Maracana Stadium After Pele

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razil’s world famous Maracana stadium is to get a new name, after the Rio de Janeiro state legislature voted on Tuesday to change its official title to the Edson Arantes do Nascimento - Rei Pele stadium.

The 80-year-old Pele, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, played at the stadium many times for Brazil and scored his 1,000th goal there in 1969 - for Santos against local club Vasco da Gama.

“It is a worthy homage to a man who is recognized the world over for his legacy in Brazilian football and for the corresponding services rendered to our country,” the deputy responsible for the project said. ‘Rei’ means ‘king’ in Portuguese.

The stadium, host of the final match in the 1950 and 2014 World Cup tournaments, as well as the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics, has long been named after Mario Filho, a journalist who lobbied for its construction in the 1940s.

The legislature said the football stadium will be renamed but the larger sports complex around the ground can retain its current name.

Most Brazilians call it simply the Maracana, after the neighborhood in which it is located The Rio state governor must give the goahead to the name change, which was not met with universal acclaim by soccer fans.

Some said that Mario Filho was more worthy of the honor, while others argued that any new honoree should be from Rio unlike Pele, who was born in Minas Gerais state and lived most of his life in the state of Sao Paulo.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

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Hard work key to Olympics, Afrobasket successes- Diogu

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ollowing the conclusion of the Afrobasket qualifiers in Monstir, Tunisia, Nigerian basketball legend, Ike Diogu has admitted that the team has a lot of work to do in their quest to challenge for the Afrobasket and 2020 Olympics titles.

Diogu who was a member of the team to the London 2012 Olympics said despite their impeccable 6-0 unbeaten run during the qualifiers, the team is nowhere ready for a busy summer.

“The goal is for everybody to go back to their various clubs, stay in shape and meet back in the summer for the 2020 Olympics”.

The 37 year old who made his Afrobasket debut in 2013 where he emerged competition’s highest point scorer in Cote d’Ivoire averaging 21.9pts per game despite D’Tigers finishing 7th after a quarter final loss to Senegal believes the team can challenge for honors in Rwanda (Afrobasket) and Tokyo (Olympics).

“We have a lot of things to fix because there will be some guys that will be added and removed from the roster, so I am looking forward to having a complete team”.

After a defeat to host-Tunisia at the finals of the 2017 edition of the Afrobasket, the Chemidor Basketball Club of Iran new signee is desperate to go a step further and

win Nigeria’ second ever continental title.

When asked about the team’s expectations ahead of the championship to be hosted by Rwanda, Diogu said, “To win just like everybody else, the same thing for us too. We want to try and establish being the best team in Africa just like the rest of

the other teams.”

With one Afrobasket gold and silver medals, two Olympics appearances and the 2020 edition in view, Diogu has emerged the most successful Nigerian basketball player and future FIBA Africa Hall of Famer.

Church of Christ in Nations(COCIN) to join MFM fc in NPFL as a new club is unveiled on the Plateau

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he President of Church of Christ in Nations, worldwide, Rev. Dr. Dacholom C. Datiri has said that the emergence of the Church owned club, Light Football club is to use it to give the talented youths in the church and outside the platform to excel in their chosen career and to shine forth the light of Christ to the world.

The COCIN President, Rev. Datiri, gave this submission during the unveiling of the church owned football club, Light fc.

The President, who challenged the players to be good ambassadors of Christ, said that the church will do their best in making sure the club play at the highest level of Nigeria club football and the

players excel to the top in their chosen career.

Also present in the ceremonial unveiling of Light fc, former NFF Technical Director, Bitrus Bewarang, who applauded the COCIN family for this great step they are taking,which will not only do football on the Plateau good, but Nigeria and the world at large, admonished the players to shun anything like drugs, formication, alcoholism and every act of indiscipline that can put a stop to their success in life.

On his own part, the Chairman, Jos South local government council, Dachung Choji, promised to support the Light football club. According to him: “Am just

waiting for the list of things needed by the team and see how we can render our little assistance for this new club to achieve their dream.”

Light football Club came into existence when Coach Alex Enoch, welfare Officer, Nigerian Football Coaches Association plateau state Chapter and Coach Joseph Bitrus sold the idea to the Church in 2015 after the first COCIN President Cup was played in 2018 under the Leadership of Rev Dr Dachollom C Datiri as President of COCIN. There are currently forty players in camp ready to be unleashed after a club professional slot must have been bought or acquired by the Church.

Gov. Wike reiterates commitment to sports development in Rivers State

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ivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has restated his commitment to Sports development in the State, hence the major investments in sporting facilities and policies.

Governor Wike stated this at the Golf Section of the Port Harcourt Club 1928 where he teed-off the Rivers State Governor’s Golf Championship with the theme “Golf For Physical And Mental Wellness Towards Socio-Economic Development.”

Represented by the Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Boma Iyaye, the governor commended Port

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Harcourt Club Golf Section for bringing professional golfers to the State, which he says is home for all Nigerians.

He noted that since he assumed office as the Governor of Rivers State, he has provided a fertile ground for sporting activities to thrive in addition to hosting several National and International Competitions.

Governor Wike stressed further that the Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt is a world-class facility that is aimed at producing future generation of footballing talents for the State and National teams.

According to him, “The Real Madrid Academy is comparable to anyone in the world and we are proud to have it in Rivers State. It will be a production factory for future football talents in this country. The second phase will be commissioned today and the school is ready for admission.”

He noted that the Real Madrid was created in such a manner that those who are not successful in playing ball will continue with their education, while the successful ones will pursue their football careers.

The State’s Chief Executive stated that he would collaborate with the golfers association in Rivers State to organize more

competitions as a way of growing the sport and making it more accessible to a wide variety of people.

Governor Nyesom Wike was welcomed by the General Manager of Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Mike Alika and Secretary, Jide Bolaji who gave the opening remarks in welcoming the Governor.

The tournament was organized in honour of Governor Wike because of “his monumental achievements in his landmark projects scattered across the State.”

Aguero wants to play with Messi

anchester City striker Sergio Aguero is ready to take a pay cut in order to play alongside his countrymate, Lionel Messi.

Mundo Deportivo has revealed that Aguero wants to play alongside Messi at the Camp Nou when his contract ends in the summer; City yet to offer the striker a new deal at the club.

Barcelona doesn’t want to pay Aguero the same amount he is earning at City due to their financial struggles but the player is ready to take a pay cut in order to fulfill his dream; the financial struggles at Barca seeing them linked with free agents David Alaba and ex-La Masía star Eric García from Manchester City.

According to the reports, Aguero is willing to reduce his salary in exchange for a sign-on bonus, given that he would be a “free” transfer. His close friendship with Lionel Messi could also be pivotal in keeping the star at Camp Nou. The Argentine who is City’s all-time leading scorer has spent ten seasons

with the club winning 13 trophies and scoring 256 goals. He has however struggled to find playing time this season due to injuries, making only 11 appearances.

Barca are in the market for a striker after failing to replace Luis Suarez who left them in the summer for Atletico Madrid.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

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THURSDAY, march 11, 2021

SPORTS latest

Juventus Champions League Knockout Nightmare Continues

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uventus Champions League Knockout stage nightmare continued Tuesday after they were bundled out of the Round of 16 by Portuguese side, FC Porto Sergio Oliveira’s 115thminute goal shocked Juventus to send Porto through on away goals in a stunning Champions League last-16 tie.

Oliveira’s long-range freekick deep into the second half of extra time went through the legs of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Juventus wall to make it 2-2 on the night and give Porto the lead over two legs.

Adrien Rabiot’s thumping header two minutes later gave the Italian champions hope, only for Porto goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin to produce a stunning save in the final moments to ensure the Portuguese champions advanced on away goals despite a 3-2 second leg Juventus win.

Porto had opened up a 3-1 aggregate lead through Oliveira’s 19th-minute penalty after Merih Demiral brought down Porto’s Mehdi Taremi.

But Juventus’ Federico Chiesa found the far corner from a tight angle in the 49th minute before Taremi was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.

And Chiesa headed in a Juan Cuadrado cross after 63 minutes to level the tie on aggregate.

It looked like Juventus would capitalise on their man advantage but Porto defended superbly to take the match extra time where Oliveira’s decided the tie.

Juventus have now been knocked out on away goals at this stage for the second consecutive season.

The Old Ladies have been knocked out of the stage on four out of five previously Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

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As the Bill Gates ‘vaccine’ cometh

By Mohammed Adamu

PREAMBLE I have substituted the preamble to the part one of my two-part series titled ‘Bill Gates’ Poisoned Chalice’ (published 05/20/2020) with the cautionary words of a Zambian Medical Doctor, Nevers Mumba, in which he warns Africans not to allow themselves to be injected with the new Covid-19 vaccine until a “strenuous verification and validation” is done. We must, he said, presume the vaccine unsafe “until it is scientifically proved to be safe –not by the Americans, not by the Russians, not by the Europeans, but declared safe by our own scientists and our own doctors”…. “…If we are ignorant” he said, “and we don’t want to verify what we eat and what we inject in our bodies or ingest in our bodies, then I think that we do not have the sovereignty and we are no states; we are now called Banana Republics. But I believe that we have got some of the most educated scientists in this country, and doctors who must be trusted to dissect the constitution of this vaccine and ensure that it is right and fit for our people. We may be poor but we are not stupid. We can read when they write on the vaccine that ‘this is not for distribution in the United States’ and ‘this cannot be used in the European Union.… They are even telling you that this is not for us, because they’ve got some other substandard stuff that they make for us. …How do you know that the injection that was given to President Biden is the same vaccine that is coming here? You didn’t check it when they put it on him. You have not compared that vaccine to the vaccine you have received. You can watch it on CNN and say even President Biden got a dosage of it. (but) Are you sure? Did you see it? Did you get the drop and analyze it (to confirm) that it is the same drop getting into an African’s body? I think that we need to be more responsible; and our salvation outside God would be by responsible governments on the continent of Africa. ….Corrupt governments, those who are just looking for money from the West, are going to kill their people like fools. We shall die like fools if we have governments (that are) corrupt and (are) only waiting to be given money by the International Community.

We should never accept everything that comes to us without verifying it ourselves….So our reservations on the privileged information that we hold about the coming vaccine,….I shall not deal with it. Suffice to say that I would not inject it into my body, my children’s or those I love who happened to be all Zambians. This position can only change if it is established by ourselves that the vaccine is safe.”

AFRICA AND THE VACCINE -Excerpted from ‘Bill Gates’ Poisoned Chalice (I)’ (published 05/20/20)

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Thursday Column

with Mohammed Adamu dankande2@gmail.com The longsuffering journey especially of Africa from slavery, colonialism through to an abject imperialist present, unravels a rather tragic denouement, with the imminence of a final fall, God forbid, at the foothill of a new form of white-pigmented expansionism.

This extremely advanced stage of imperialism is now suspected to use ‘disease and medicament’ to reorder the world; so that from once paxRomana, through to a pax-Gemanica and the current pax- Judaica, we are now ushered into the reign of a new Sino-Western power empire, -which I call pax-Medicica, or the plot to rule the world through engineered diseases and politicized medicament.

This new power is led, ironically, not by empire states, but by stupendously wealthy, nongovernmental forces backed by empire states to demographically reorder humanity so that it fits into the neoDarwinist idea of ridding the world of unproductive, -largely consumerist and ever-growing- populations. And this is merely de ja vu. It is almost like history repeating itself. Because a race-complexed Germany’s Adolf Hitler had once made such Darwinist moves to supplant what he termed the world’s weaker strains of the human species with his ‘superior’ Aryan race.

The literature of ‘criminology’ in fact is replete with such neo-Darwinist nonsense setting up the dark races for destruction by claiming that they have atavistic proclivity to crime.

And so to doubt that there may be a grand Western conspiracy to depopulate or maybe even liquidate Africa, is to forget history and thus to allow a repeat of it! Whole ‘inferior races’ have almost been wiped off the face of the earth in the Americas, in South America, in Australia. Many are daily being set up for destruction in the back-country parts of a monstrous China. Now it is the Bill Gates of this world that are hoping to rid the world of a ‘parasitic’ black race which the West sees as some metaphorical ‘dog in the manger’ of global development.

We are the ones now standing in the way of a gasping capitalist world desperately hoping to be re-oxygenated and re-energized with the earth’s only remaining resource treasure, -Africa.

We are the world’s last treasure island gradually being set for a new scramble.

We do not have the wherewithal to exploit the resources underneath our continent yet we have the sovereign

right to prevent those with the wherewithal to do so. Neither rule of law nor the application of the due democratic process can legitimize the grab of this surviving earth’s resourcetreasure. It has to be taken either by might or by stealth.

And what is Africa doing about it? Nothing! Like the tragic character Caesar, Africa is doing absolutely nothing! Because she is long sucked up in the honey pot of Western aid and philanthropy. Africa in the hands of these globalised Cassiusess and Brutusess seems like a Shakespearean tragedy in the likeness of ‘Julius Caesar’ waiting to happen. We are all waiting to be lined up to say our last dramatic lines as we ‘strut and fret’ our ‘hour’ upon the stage, and maybe soon we’ll be heard no more. That is how dumb and self-immolatingly unsuspecting we can be. We cannot wait for the Bill Gates vaccine to come! We will happily give our arms to be ingested with a drug the content of which we know nothing about!

In fact worse than a complacent Caesar, we neither have the precognition of who our real enemies are and their character, nor do we possess half Caesar’s prescience to smell or to perceive the imminence of danger from their neo-Darwinist designs. At least Caesar is critical of his perceived enemies and even suspicious of his known friends. Africa is happy to float self-indulgently like the sitting duck that it has always been. She is the tragic delight of every villainous Western gamesome duckhunting, whether in the guise of a gratuitous mercantile philanthropy or of a questionably benevolent form of subjugative charity; or now (with Covid) of an acclaimed globallyspirited health concern covertly intended to wreck demographic havoc on a continent that is now the alluring object of a new ‘Scramble’.

BILL GATES And so to me Bill Gates, without apologies, is to Africa, what a shrewdly murderous Cassius has been to a naively non-acting Julius Caesar. Gates is our own (‘sleek-headed’, ‘lean-faced’, ‘hardly-sleeping’, ‘too much-reading’, ‘keenly-observant’, ‘all-work-andno-play’, modern day villain of a guy who poses as a charitably-benevolent philanthropist but with a stealthy agenda to depopulate Africa. He uses his wealth and influence garnered over ages, to apply the ‘stick and

carrot’ of ‘disease and medicament’ to guile especially Africa seductively into a new ‘gas chamber’. Bill Gates to me is Africa’s dissembling Cassius, dedicating his wealth, time and energy to persuade us poor, underprivileged and disinherited Africans, to do the rest of the white world a favor and simply ‘drop dead’.

We have seen in the play ‘Julius Caesar’ that indeed Cassius is an articulate, persuasive and manipulative villain. He succeeds in persuading the most unlikely of conspirators, namely Marcus Junius Brutus, to partake in the murder of his bosom friend Caesar.

In fact Cassius is so dissembling that although he is the mastermind of Caesar’s assassination, he manages to push Brutus as leader; so much that Caesar’s pithy, dying epilogue of ‘et tu Brute’ has become the play’s byword of villainy, and Brutus himself the Play’s chief antagonist.

Each time I see Bill Gates on the screen talking prodigiously and with feigned humanity about Africa’s demography, his pet projects on depopulation, infectious diseases, immunization, birth control, planned parenthood, infant mortality, contraceptives, diaphragms, condoms, and now Corona Virus -especially with the fait accompli of a curative mass vaccine allegedly already out well ahead of the viral pathogen that it is intended to cure, I see the danger that Caesar sees in the antics of Cassius which prompts him to say “such men are “dangerous”.

We Africans are a fitting metaphor for the arrogant naiveté of a tragic Caesar who, against all oracular warnings and personal presentiments, still walks himself into the enemy snare. But we are even worse than that; because unlike a critically thinking Caesar, even when it is right there cheaply on the wall for us to see, we dismiss as ‘conspiracy theory’ every oracular warning about our being set up, someday, for a murderous ‘Ides of March’.

DAN GAYE Dangai

We gave COVID-19 palliatives to all govs, Minister tells Reps -News

Why were they hiding them?

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