Friday, December 11, 2020 Edition

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The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

2023: Why zoning of PDP presidential ticket is on back stage, by Secondus Says Jonathan, others qualified to show interest

Worker’s pension:

>>>page 5

>>PG 2

NLC threatens mass protest if govs tamper with funds PG 5

L-R: Acting INEC Chairman, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Mu’azu (rtd) handing over to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the handing over ceremony, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Buhari raises implementation panel on Nigeria- Czech Republic tech transfer pact PG 3 Reps move to put railway on concurrent legislative list pAGE 5

Alleged N2b fraud: Maina slumps in court pAGE 3

Kano Economic City market, ready January Officials pAGE 6

Zamfara bye-election: APC to drag INEC, IGP to court pAGE 14

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

News CONTENTS News 2-14 Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stock Watch Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

#EndSARS: Govs convert FG interventions as party efforts

...Says military presence in the zone boosts investment

By Egena Sunday Ode

M

inister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah has accused some governors of converting most of the Federal Government interventions as efforts of their political parties.

He also said the heavy presence of military and police in the South East geopolitical zone has guaranteed and attracted investments to zone.

The Minister made the declarations Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja According to him, the allegation that police extort money from motorists in the South East was a thing of concern.

The Minister said he briefed the Council on the town hall meeting with his constituents and stakeholders following the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari to all the cabinet members to talk to their people efforts of government at the wake of the #EndSARS

protests.

He said, “I presented my report from my state, Abia state and Honourable Emeka Nwajiuba presented for Imo State and we were able to convey Mr. President’s message to the people in our various states.

“Majorly, one high point that I want to say critically was in Abia State, a documentary was done showing issues concerning war.

There is no need for anybody to encourage war in any more.

“War does not bring prosperity but peace brings prosperity to the entire world and that is why we stand for one indivisible nation, Nigeria for every one. That’s what Mr. President stands for and this government has done a lot for this nation within this period which we shared with the people and they are happy with the performance of the Federal Government.

“Except that they feel that most of the information is not getting down and which we have been started passing on to the people that this is what the government is doing. So I believe that the information is getting out there and people are happy with what the Federal Government is doing.”

Asked whether the Police were involved in the stakeholders meeting because of the complaints that Police were still mounting road blocks in South East and extorting people, he said the Police were part of the meeting.

He said,”First I want to say that the Police were involved in the town hall meeting all the security agencies were part of the town hall meeting.

“But one thing I am a history student, I always like to tell people history, if you remember there was a time the economy of the entire South East eroded as a result of kidnapping. We actually invited the security forces down to South East.

“Remember (General Azubuike) Ihejirika (former Chief of Army Staff) was then... even a governor in my own state could not operate as a governor.

Kidnappers were unable to allow him to operate, we invited the army, we invited the police, we invited everybody, the entire South East economy eroded, nothing was going on in the entire South East.

“Most times, I don’t always want to agree wheen people want to say that people are being extorted because I pass through the same

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (left)assisted

by FCT NSCDC Commandant Mathias Ohiemi decorating newly promoted NSCDC officer Mohammad Izge with his new rank yesterday in Abuja.

Fayose reveals why Buhari failed to honour Reps’ summon Page 15

Digest

road, you can always say you have long queues because people are being stopped and search, it’s not because of extortion, that is one.

“So basically I believe that when we talk about these security issues, we need to exercise caution because the presence of the military in South East gives more opportunity for people to invest because people are convinced that there is security.

“Remember what happened in Anambra State let me use that as an example. When the governor came in, Anambra was a place where nobody gets into, when the governor came in, he descended on all the kidnappers, they were demolishing their (kidnappers) houses. Today, if you go to Anambra state, you will see a whole lot of investments coming into that state.

“So let us look at it from that point of view that these people are equally... there is nothing that has no pros and (cons), when you look at it, it has its negative and positive attributes.

“So, I don’t want us to always look at it as people are being extorted, no, the benefit of their presence in the South East has encouraged a lot of investments in the South East.”

25 Photo: Mahmud Isa

Feature 26 Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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First published vaccine trial results: Matters arising From Uche Uche, Damaturu.

T

he first formally published results from a large clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine suggest that the AstraZeneca–Oxford vaccine is safe and effective. But the data highlight a number of lingering unknowns, including questions about the most effective dosing regimen and how well it works in older adults.

The vaccine has been closely watched, in part because it is likely to be among the cheapest,at $2–3 US dollar per dose, and easiest to distribute unlike the two RNA-based vaccines from Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna, and also, it doesn’t have to be kept extremely cold.

One of the biggest puzzles is an

unexpected increase in efficacy among a subset of study participants who, due to a measurement error, received a lower initial dose of the two-dose regimen.

Another lingering question is whether the vaccine is capable of fighting asymptomatic infections. The Oxford– AstraZeneca team is the only one of the three leading vaccine developers that monitored this. The data show that the low-dose vaccine regimen was about 60% effective in reducing asymptomatic infections, but it was unclear whether the standard dose significantly reduced such infections at all as reported in The Lancet paper The United Arab Emirates has, on its part, approved a COVID vaccine made by Sinopharm, a state-owned pharmaceutical company in China

which relies on chemically inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus to trigger an immune response.

The UAE says it reviewed preliminary data that showed that the vaccine is 86% effective in protecting against the disease and 100% effective in preventing moderate and severe cases.

However, there are many outstanding questions about the details of the data, how they were analysed and how transparent the company will be about its results as a spokesperson for Sinopharm was reported to have hung up the phone when contacted for comment by The New York Times.

The choice of an inactivated-virus technique has been met with criticism because of fears that it might trigger

more severe illness, known as ‘enhanced respiratory disease’, in immunized people who do get infected.

“I really don’t think the inactivated vaccine is a good idea,” Moncef Slaoui, the scientific head of Warp Speed, told Science last month in a feature mapping the Chinese vaccine landscape, which looks very different from the United States and Europe.

With the pandemic firmly under control at home, vaccines developed by researchers in China have been widely tested abroad, opening the door to ‘vaccine diplomacy’. The country hopes to use vaccines to support its foreignpolicy objectives, says global-health specialist Yanzhong Huang, and “fill in the void left by the United States as reported in The New York Times.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

News

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Buhari raises implementation panel on NigeriaCzech Republic technology transfer pact

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the implementation committee for a Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and the Czech Republic on transfer of technology.

The ceremony, which was performed on behalf of the President by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, had representatives from various ministries, agencies and departments in attendance, while the main partnership would be run by of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

Explaining the target of the agreement to journalists after the ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Sanni Haruna, said the programme has mutual benefits for both countries.

According to him, primary areas of target for cooperation and technology transfer include agricultural development as well as solid minerals.

“This was for the inauguration of the implementation committee of Memorandum of Understanding between Czech Republic and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on technology transfer and joint research for the mutual benefits of the two countries, but most importantly, for bridging technology gap between Nigeria and developed nations.

“The Czech Republic is represented by Technology Agency of Czech Republic, while Nigeria is represented by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

Mr. President has approved the implementation of the MoU and there are inputs from relevant ministries through participation of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Budget and national Planning, to ensure that Nigeria derives maximum benefit from this relationship.

“NASENI is so chosen to be the secretariat of this implementation

because it is within its mandate to proliferate technologies, to facilitate the domestication of the technologies of other nations for the benefit of our own small and medium scale enterprises and to help in the industrial development of the country.

“You’ll agree with me that there are technologies between Nigeria and other nations, Czech Republic is of the countries in Europe that are advanced in technology development. Nigeria on the other hand has its own benefits; it has the population, the demand, but we lack the technology, which means there are benefits for everyone.

“In Nigeria, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has been producing, for example, one of areas for immediate translation into practical benefits is agriculture; agricultural equipment, processing, machinery in agriculture. So also is in the area of solid mineral and other industry, these key areas”, he said.

Also speaking to journalists after the ceremony, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Maryam Katagum, explained that the agreement would create opportunities for the youth in the areas of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

“This is focusing on technology transfer between Nigeria and the Czech Republic; and as you are very much aware, the Czech Republic is one of those countries in Europe that has vast amount of technology and in the yester years, we used to send our students to the former Czechoslovakia as it was called.

“So, now, this cooperation is between the Nigerian government represented by NASENI and the Czech side of the divide.

“What is going to happen there, 11 thematic areas—looking agriculture, mining, MSMEs and how we can collaborate to enable get some skilled training that when we have particular tasks that we are doing with certain machinery and there are better machinery

Atiku hails conduct of Ghana’s poll, tasks Nigeria on electoral reforms

L-R: The Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dahiru Muhammed; Executive Vice Chairman . National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Engr. Prof.

Sani Haruna and Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment Mariam Katagun after the Inauguration of the Implementation Committee of Memorandum of Understanding Czech Republic and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Technology Transfer and Joint Research at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday(11/12/2020)

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

F

ormer Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has declared that the smooth conduct of the presidential and parliament elections in Ghana should be an eye-opener to Nigeria and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the 2019 general elections, said this in response to the reelection of President Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana.

The former Vice President pointedly declared that the Nigeria needs to undertake farreaching electoral reforms that will address the shortcomings of the previous experiences and strengthens the electoral process.

The PDP presidential candidate, in a message tweeted on his verified tweeter handle yesterday, said, “Congratulations to President @NAkufoAddo on his reelection.

“The smooth conduct of the Ghana elections should be an eyeopener to our nation.

“We must undertake farreaching electoral reforms that address the shortcomings of our previous experiences and strengthens our electoral process”, he said.

that could be developed, we will be able to transfer this knowledge.

“And, then NASENI, using their own members of staff and research and development, will be able to adapt to these technologies to suit the Nigerian situation.

“Furthermore, as we discussed in the meeting, there are other emerging areas where we discussed the use of Artificial Intelligence; we have to come in; how we can do things better and how we can get young Nigerians.

“There are a lot of young Nigerians who are into IT and they are developing a lot of devices; things that help to make our tasks easier whether home, office, factory. So, how do we get these young people to be part of this particular project? And that’s why in our discussions, we have to bring in agencies of government like the ITF, SMEDAN, BOI; we also have to leverage on the organised private sector because there is a lot to learn from the private sector; a lot of resources there that we can tap”, she said.

INEC lines up 1,508 activities ahead of 2023 polls ...As Yakubu assumes office for second term

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lined up not less than 1,508 activities that will culminate in the conduct of the 2023 general election, its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has disclosed.

Prof Yakubu made the disclosure on Thursday at the handing over ceremony heralding him into office for a second term at the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja.

Air Vice Marshall Ahmed Muhammed Muazu (rtd) had, had in the past 31 days, been acting in Yakubu’s stead pending his screening and confirmation by the Senate and eventual swearing in by President Muhammadu Buhari on

Wednesday.

Yakubu said preparations for 2023 general elections have proceeded in earnest, stressing that INEC needs certainty and the electoral legal framework which is fundamental to formulation of regulations and guidelines.

He stated that the continuous voters registration will resume early next year and will run till six months to the 2023 polls.

Acknowledging that an acceptable election must be based on a credibly compiled voters register, the chairman said INEC will first do a clean up of the existing voters register to produce new one adding that the Commission will deploy new technology in compiling the new register.

The Chairman said the top priority of the commission is for

the nation to have a brand new electoral law to be produced from the parliamentary process of amending the Electoral Act 2010 which started on Wednesday with a public hearing at the National Assembly.

He, therefore, commended the Ahmad Lawan led 9th National Assembly for its resolve to ensure that the bill to amend all extant electoral laws are passed in the first quarter of 2021.

Yakubu also appreciated the acting chairman , the five national commissioners, top management staff and stakeholders concerned in electoral matters for the successful conduct of the December 5 bye - elections in 15 constituencies across 11 states of the federation.

He said this attest to the fact that the commission under his

leadership has built institutional capacities that enables every staff to discharge responsibilities at all times.

Earlier in his handing over’s short address, AVM Muazu (rtd) commended all stakeholders, member staff and ad - hoc staff for the success recorded in the conduct of last Saturday’s bye - election.

He said though the last 31 days has been the longest month in his life, he was able to act successfully because of the leadership foundation laid by Prof. Yakubu.

Yakubu’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday by the Senate and he took a fresh oath of office on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the 27th virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

News

Insecurity: President not under investigation – Reps

By Chhristiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives on Thursday said it believes in the credibility and integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari’s words when he assured the Leadership of the House that he will honour the invitation to address the House on the security situation in the country.

The Spokesman and Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Benjamin Kalu told journalists after plenary that since the House was yet to receive any official communication from the President that he was no longer honouring the invitation, it will be wrong for them to assume that he will not honour the invitation.

Kalu dismissed the position of the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of

Justice that the House lacked the constitutional power to invite the President, adding that section 89 of the Constitution empowers the parliament to invite anybody to provide it with information from time to time on matters it legislates on.

He said even though the constitution provides for discretion of the President, the constitution which empower the parliament to make laws also gave it the power of invitation, adding that the constitution also allow the parliament to order the arrest of anyone, adding that this power was not being exercised in the case of the President because of the immunity clause as contained in section 308.

Reacting to a statement from the Minority caucus saying the position of the Minister was that of the APC, he said the Attorney General of the Federation was

neither a spokesman of the President nor the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and therefore cannot be said to have spoken for the party.

He acknowledged the position of party supremacy in a democratic setting adding that if the President takes a position and his party decides that he should change that position, as a democrat, he is expected to respect the position of the party.

He said: “As a mark of honour, the leadership of the House sent a delegation made up of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Majority Leader to engage the President beyond the resolution of the House which was not compelling him or summoning him to come as many put it. It was an invitation.

“The House invited Mr. President. There is a difference between compelling and inviting

and the ability to resolve this will enable us to know the true picture of the House resolution.

The President assured them and we believe in the integrity of the words of the President having shown commitment to address Nigerians. But the date was not specified.

“There was official communication from the President committing to the position of the Speaker that the President has accepted to come which was a confirmation that the Speaker and his delegation were not acting on their own.

“To that extent, we felt very honoured by the President having communicated his desire to engage with Nigerians especially when his aide made it more obvious that he has shown interest to address the parliament.

“We have not received any formal or official communication

Surveyor General recommends physical, mental exercises for surveyors

By Ochiaka Ugwu

S

urveyor General of the Federation (SGoF), Surv.

Samuel Adeniran Taiwo has recommended physical and mental exercises for surveyors to stay healthy always. The SGoF gave the recommendation at the closing ceremony of the 2020 Sports Week of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF) held recently in Abuja.

Surv. Taiwo explained that OSGoF management gave approval for the sports week in order to refresh the physical and mental capacities of the members of management and staff of the Office. He added that the week was also expected to make the staff imbibe team spirit and love amongst themselves hence sports has since been identified as a unifying factor.

In a press statement released in Abuja and signed by OSGoF Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Abu I. Michael it noted that as a sports enthusiast, Adeniran pledged to continue to support sports activities for the Office, as he commended the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) and sports officials of OSGoF for the successes recorded by the participation and commitment of the staff while the week lasted.

Earlier, the Director of the DHRM, OSGoF, Mr. Austin Abegunde was of the opinion that the sports activities engaged in the week would improve the thinking faculties of the staff and enhance their general wellbeing.

Abegunde congratulated the winners of the various games played and the participants in general as well as the SGoF for his gracious approval to hold the sports week.

Highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of prizes to winners of various categories (male and female) in the games of table tennis (doubles and singles), chess, draught, scrabble and ayo.

The Department of Special Duties Surveys was declared the overall winner after claiming 11 medals; 5 gold medals, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals followed by the Department of

from the Presidency. The time now is past One o’clock, Thursday, December 10, we are yet to receive a formal communication from the office of the President stating that the appointment is cancelled or shifted. We have received any communication from the President saying “I am no more coming”. All you have heard are from unofficial sources”, Kalu said.

“Is the President under investigation? Or did we invite the President for investigation?

The answer is no. We invited him to have an engagement that will help us review few things and to know whether the strategies we are using now is in order or not and get feedback. We cannot command the President to attend, but we can invite him”, Kalu added.

The director-general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman (right), being presented with a certificate as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Leadership and Governance (USA) Nigeria chapter by the chairman, BoT of the institute, Prof.

Siyan Peters (left), at an induction ceremony in Abuja, yesterday.

Photogrammetry and RemoteSensing with 4 medals; 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal.

Geodesy Department occupied the 3rd position having cleared 5 medals; 1 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal.

The SGoF was decorated as grand patron of OSGoF Sports Team along with the Director of DHRM, Mr. Abegunde; Director Survey Coordination, Surv. Godwin Uzoma; Director Geospatial Engineering, Surv.

Ann Akpoyoware; Director, Internal Boundary, Surv. Yemi Adebomehin; and the DD Finance and Accounts, Mr. Austin Ori as patrons for their personal interest and support to the team.

Reps Speaker engages devt partners on debt cancellation

By Chhristiana Ekpa

I

n light of the grinding economic impacts of Covid-19, Nigeria’s Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has engaged some international development partners on the Debt Cancellation Campaign Initiative (DCCI) under the umbrella of Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (CoSAP).

During a roundtable at the National Assembly organised by the Office of the Speaker, the international partners expressed readiness to support the CoSAP debt cancellation drive for African countries.

Present at the roundtable was the World Bank’s Country Director in Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, as well as delegations of other international development agencies operating in Nigeria, including the European Union; ECOWAS; the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP); the FCDO Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), and the

FCDO Engage Citizens Pillar (ECP).

Also in attendance were the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA); the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Mercy Corps; GIZ Nigeria, and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

While introducing CoSAP to his guests, Gbajabiamila noted that foreign debt cancellation for African countries was topmost on the group’s agenda and solicited their support to make it a reality.

Gbajabiamila specifically sought the views of the World Bank Country Director, Chaudhuri, on debt cancellation, considering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on African economies.

The speaker, who stressed that foreign debt was strangling African countries individually and collectively, noted that “we can all sit here and talk about revamping the economy, develop the infrastructure in terms of

health, education and all of those things, which are great and wonderful “But, we may be doing it, and it would be, hopefully not be an exercise in futility because these things require money and if all your money is going toward servicing debt, then how are we serious about this (Legislative) agenda?

“So, one of the main issues we are dealing with in that association is debt forgiveness in the form of debt cancellation. In other words, pressing the reset button; we made commitments, we’ve done a lot, so, we are here to take responsibility in terms of transparency and accountability.

We even signed an Accountability Pledge in ensuring all freed up resources will be spent wholly on addressing the social and economic pains our people bear.

Responding, Chaudhuri expressed that the issue was being pushed by the World Bank President, David Malpass, before the Group of Twenty (G20).

He said transparency and accountability had been an issue

dating back to the previous debt cancellation initiative between 1995 and 2005 for highly indebted countries globally.

As such, he said, CoSAP had a major task of convincing the creditors, especially the bilateral official debt to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) economies or the Paris Club, on the commitment to transparency and accountability to the terms of the agreement.

According to him, Africa has been piling up commercial debt, adding, “What has happened over the last 20 years is that the debt levels have built up.

While commending the frank response of the World Bank’s Country Director on the issue, the Speaker said all hands have to be on deck to make debt cancellation a reality.

Gbajabiamila disclosed that some members of CoSAP have signed an Accountability Pledge on the issue that would be shared with them for a better understanding of the position of the continental legislative body.

Page 5

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

News

NLC threatens mass protest if Govs tamper with workers’ pension fund

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has threatened to occupy streets in mass protests if state governors tamper with workers’ pension fund.

NLC said any move by the 36 state governors to borrow/ withdraw N17 trillion from the pension funds purportedly for infrastructural development will meet stuff resistance from the workers union.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said that the union will not fold its arms and watch the governors toy with workers.

He said Chairman of the National Economic Council Adhoc Committee, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, must know that the pension fund which was the savings of workers ahead of their retirement from active service, must not be tampered with.

Wabba, who spoke on Thursday in Abuja, at the 47th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), said the state governments have no authority over the money.

“It is unfortunate that with over 18 state governments still delaying implementation of the new national minimum wage for workers, it was unheard of that same governments would want to borrow from the pension fund, a contributory fund of workers.

“Pension money is not for borrowing, pension money is in the retirement savings of workers it cannot be borrowed. Its like money in your savings account that nobody can borrow the money.

“You must go through the bank and in this case, you must go through the PFAs and their

guidelines; even the guidelines they want to play down but to the glory of God, the board of PenCom has been constituted “I stand here to represent all of you, we are not going to agree; less than 5% of the states are keying into the contributory pension yet they want to borrow the money.

Bulk of the money is from federal government workers and private sector workers so how do you want to borrow from where you have not sown?

“Its not free money and let me sound a bit of warning, any day that we hear the pension fund, our money has been borrowed, I will declare a protest and everybody is going to be on the street to protect our hard earned money.

“The money belongs to workers, we contribute that money so that when we retire we can have something for retirement so they have no say whatsoever, both the principal and the capital belongs to us.”

“Let me sound warning to assure all of you workers from across the length and breadth of this country, to say that our money will be save. We will do everything possible to ensure that nobody comes to dip his hands into the money. We are not going to allow our standards to be lowered than what obtains in other climes.”

On the increased price of Petroleum, Wabba who said workers were in a system where the capital seeks to dominate

labour despite being the creators of the wealth, said labour rejected the increase because petroleum pump price should not be left to be determined by the market forces whose sole aim was targeted at making profits even at the detriment of the masses.

“Anything you leave to market forces citizens will suffer because the primary focus of governance is actually to defend the interest and welfare of our workers and even the citizens and therefore, when you leave it to market forces it is then about profit and the condition of citizens, workers and ordinary people have continued to be impoverished.”

Also speaking, National President, Medical and

Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah, condemned federal government’s involvement in scuttling strike actions through the use of some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), stressing that workers have legal rights to embark on industrial actions to drive home their demands.

“In a plethora of cases, the courts have affirmed the right of the workers to embark on strike.

That strike is a legitimate weapon available to the Trade Union to ventilate their grievances especially when the provision is S.41 of the Trade Dispute Act bordering on number of days has been compiled with.”

L--R, Illegal Officer of NHRC, Inna Binta Audu, Kaduna state NHRC, Condinator, Mr,. Gwar Tergu, and Mr. Christopher Atsen, the National Human Rights Commission commemorate in collaburate with NBA/ FIDA International Human right day, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: Shehu K. Goro

2023: Why zoning of PDP’s presidential ticket is on back stage, by Secondus ...Says Jonathan, others qualified to show interest ...Flays Buhari for not honouring NASS invitation

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday cited the state of insecurity in the country as one of the reasons why the issue of where its presidential ticket for the 2023 election will be zoned to is still taking the backstage.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday, equally carpeted President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to honour the invitation of the National Assembly, pointing our that the refusal showed that nobody is in-charge of government in the country.

Secondus spoke yesterday at a media interface organised to mark the third year in office of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP led by him in Abuja.

According to the PDP National Chairman, the zoning of Presidential ticket of the party is presently taking the backstage considering the state of insecurity in the country.

He stated further that the PDP will not be drawn into the politics of

zoning its 2023 Presidential ticket until the committee set up to review the party’s performance in the 2019 general elections submit its report.

According to him, “I know you the media are interested in zoning, but our party has a clear method of doing things. “After the general election, we set up a panel to study and appraise our performance and make necessary recommendations.

“The Governor of Bauchi state, Alhaji Bala Mohammed is heading the committee and they are still working.

“We did the same thing when we lost election in 2015, when we set up the Senator Ike Ekweremadu committee to look into why we lost.

It was from that report that the party took action towards 2019.

“The same way this time, we must study our last outing before looking ahead.

“We can’t be talking of zoning when we have not appraised how we faired in the last election.

“Moreover, the state of the nation today is such that politics or anything concerning 2023 of three years away should take back stage.

“Nigeria is in a comatose state today where APC brought it, that should be our concern now”, he explained.

When specifically asked whether the immediate past President of the country, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan would be encouraged to run on the platform of the party, Secondus said that as soon the committee submit its report, those interested in the highest office including the exPresident will be at liberty to throw their hats in the ring.

His words, “I stand by my position that the Governor Mohammed Bala-led committee is still working. They are coming out with a report on why we lost and by the time they finish, we will take decisions and the decision is not for the National Working Committee but for the entirety of our party.

“I believe that whoever that is interested in the 2023, may be including the former President, the chances are there because the PDP is a party of all. “Everybody will have that opportunity but in clear terms, we have not taken any decision to give anybody ticket for now”, he said.

Secondus also flayed the President for allegedly failing to protect Nigerians who are being killed by Boko Haram terrorists, kidnappers and bandits, on a daily basis.

He said that the President Buhari administration was running a broken government, where he is not in charge.

According to him, “President Muhammadu Buhari who was scheduled to address the nation’s parliament today (Thursday) backed out after earlier confirming his availability.

“This back and front from the President on a vital issue as security that is overwhelming our nation underscores our position as an opposition party that nobody is in-charge and that this is a broken government.

“Disregarding the nation’s parliament is disregarding Nigeria people because they are representatives of the people.

“The truth which is worrisome is that the President either does not know what is happening or does not know what to do otherwise, he should not be afraid to face the

people.

“The hard fact facing all of us now is that this regime has woefully failed Nigerians in all ramifications.

“It’s a shame that a government that came to power brandishing its military credential as a General with the propaganda to wipe away Boko Haram in 100 days is there 5 years plus, presiding over the worst security situation in our history with no clear direction on what to do and even afraid to face the country’s the parliament to explain what he is doing”, he said.

The PDP National Chairman disclosed that the party’s e-membership registration will to begin in 2021 unfailingly, having secured the approval of its take off from the NEC of our party. He added, “We also intend to finalize the peace and reconciliation process within the party with a view to entering the general election as one united and focused political family.

“The 2019 general election appraisal committee is also expected to finalize its report and some decisions are to be taken and implemented from it”, he stated.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

News Niger Govt in partnership to raise N203.6B for farmers From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha,

N

iger government in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and other development partners are to source for a sum of N203.6 billion to be invested in the agriculture sector in the next four years.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, made the disclosure during a press briefing at his office in Minna, while launching the State Agriculture Policy Document that will serve as a guide for the agric sector economy.

He disclosed that the documents were formulated through stakeholders participation, adding that the agriculture policy provides a framework that enunciates the guidelines, objectives, structures and standards to achieve the desired agriculture development in the state.

Matane added that the NSAIP targets key crops, livestock and fisheries value chains while other production were rice, maize, cassava, sorghum and soybeans, cashews, oil palm, ginger and shea, sesame and cotton.

He said the documents were to put the state on pedestal of accelerated agriculture growth and development, adding that the documents can be accessed on the website www.nigeragric.org.

In an interview, the state Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Haliru Zakari Jikantoro however applauded AGRA and other partners for their support to the state government efforts in making agriculture the mainstream of the state.

He disclosed that the state was the first to formulate agriculture policy and NSAIP in the country and said that the policy would soon be implemented.

Kano Economic City market, ready January- Officials From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

T

he Kano Economic City, otherwise known as Kanawa International Market will be commissioned January 2021, according to officials handling the project.

The market is billed to have a 13,000 shops with a 250 at-a-time packing space for trailers.

The market, which is designed under a 197 hecters of land, is also one-stop shop International Market designed as a Private Partnership Project (PPP) between Brains and Hammers and Kano State Government.

Speaking to journalists yesterday c the Project Director, Dr Abdullahi Hadejia Gambo alongside the Chairman of Kanawa Economic City Implementation Board, Muhammad Aliyu, said before they conceived the idea of creating the

market, survey indicated that 70 percent of businesses in Kano are from outside of the state and the country.

“Therefore, the idea of our target of setting up the market on the main entrance of Kano along the main high way is to ensure that anybody coming to do trading would have easy access to buy and transport”.

Dr Abdullahi Hadejia explained that the two phases on construction would accommodate GSM and Drug Markets, with Pharmaceutical Drugs market having a Coordinated Whole Sale Center CWC which is a Federal Government drugs control concept.

He noted that the Coordinated Wholesale Center (CWC) was created by the Federal Government to curtail drug addiction, drug abuses and fake drugs selling, adding that the drugs market would have 2 blocks which each would

accommodate 284 shops and that they are going to have six of those kind of blocks.

He explained that the market is to accommodate the Nigeria’s largest textile market which is billed to come up on phase 3, adding that they are still negotiating with the marketers on some issues.

Dr Abdullahi said the phase 3 is also accommodating the largest Trailer Inland Containers with 250 coming in to load or to unload at a time, adding that already Trailers have started operating the place even before it is completed but for free.

The idea according to the Project Director, is to have a Market that would serve as an international World Trade Centre, with will encompasses the real World Trade Centre any where in the World, with a wire house that requires Zero Temperatures to prevent fire

outbreaks.

Hadejia explained that they earlier conceived to finished the Project in six years but with the serious interests generated on the project both within Nigeria and some Foreign Countries, they would quicking to complete it in less than six years.

He said everything they are building is 100 percent Nigerians with Citizens of all cadre partaken that is using Small Scale Contractors of N200,000 to N1 Million Jobs, this he believes is to accommodate the locals who are not a big time Contractors making their lives much better.

Similarly the Market will have Light Industries who will operate small scale entrepreneurship, with Hotels, Police Station, a full pleadge fire fighting office and a Clinic

NESREA drags GLO to court for environmental violation

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, (NESREA) has initiated a criminal proceeding against Globacom Ltd and its Managing Director Mike Adenuga (Jnr), at a Federal High Court Ikoyi Lagos for environmental violations.

This was contained in a statement signed by AD Press and Protocol Waheed Adeleke stated that,Globacom is constructing and operating telecom masts without conducting site specific environmental audit in violation of Section 5 (2) of the National Environmental (Standards for Telecommunication and Broadcast Facilities) Regulations, 2011.

The charge with Charge No FHC/L/51C/2020 reads: saying “that Globacom Limited of Mike Adenuga Towers, Mike Adenuga Close, Victoria Island, Lagos and You Mr Mike Adenuga (Jnr), the Managing Director of Globacom Ltd of the same address operate base transceiver stations (BTS)/ Masts described as LGS351, situated at 20 Owolegbon Street Atunrase Estate, Gbagada.

“Also, LGS457 situated at No. 8 Adebisi Okunwa Oladapo Avenue, along Command Road, Magodo; LGS443 situated at River Valley Estate, Behind Unilag Estate, Magodo GRA; LGS376 situated at 31 Olaosebikan Street, Agility Mile 12, and LGS393 situated at No 1 Bisi Obadina Street, Omole Phase 1.

“Others are LGS109 situated at Open Space, behind Total Filling Station; LGS096 situated at 17, Church Street, Magodo Isheri Phase 1; LGS020 situated at Plot 3 Akinlabake Street, Akere Estate Oworonshoki Lagos and LGS021 situated at No 4, Kolawle Eboda Street, off Ogunseinde Street, Ketu.

“LGS025 situated at Plot 8, Tony Asije Street, Ogudu GRA, Lagos; LAG862 situated at 11/13 Jesus Street, Ifako Gbagada and

LAG804 situated at 22b, Eluku Road, Agbowa Ikosi.”

According to the charge, all are in Lagos State within the jurisdiction of the Court without conducting site specific Environmental Audit of any of the base transceiver stations.

“You hereby commit an offence contrary to section 5(2) of the National Environmental (Standards for Telecommunications and

Broadcast Facilities) Regulations, 2011 and punishable under Section 11 (2) of the same Regulations,” the charge reads.

The National Environmental (Standards for Telecommunications and Broadcast Facilities) Regulations, 2011 makes it mandatory for telecom operators to conduct site specific Environmental Audit of all base transceiver stations in the country.

T

he Acting Kebbi State Head of Service (HOS) Alhaji Sufiyanu Bena has charged all the permanent secretaries to put discipline among their staffs in their various ministries and parastatals in order to restore the Civil service past glory in the State.

He gave this directive

yesterday when he summon all the permanent secretaries to his office at the cabinet office, Birnin Kebbi adding that his administration is ready to put sanity into the Civil service and ensure effective service delivery.

Bena who was newly sworn in as the acting HOS said that the Civil servants will be seriously engaged in the services as he will reintroduced the training and retraining of the staffs by sending

2020: Police records 915 crime cases in Jigawa From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

T

he Jigawa state police command has said, no fewer than 915 cases have been recorded from January to December 2020.

The commissioner of police Jigawa state command CP Usman Sule Gwomna dropped the hint during the end year press conference held yesterday at police headquarters Dutse.

He explained, out of the total case 287 are offences against persons that include 46 murder /culpable homicide, 15 sudden and unnatural death,19 assaults, 72 rape and indecent assaults, 17 kidnapping, 24 unnatural offences and 81 other offences which is increased compare to 2019.

He maintained that, the command also recorded 175 offences against property that include 37 armed robbery, 36 theft and other stealing, 31 house /store breaking, 13 false pretenses and cheating,11 forgery, 12 receiving stolen property, 7 arson and 63 other offences which is increased compared to last year 2019.

CP Gwomna added that, the command also recorded 311 offences against local act that include 94 fatal motor-accident, 21 offences against child right act, 13 Narcotic and 14 other indecents/disaster.

The commissioner then, urged the people in the state to cooperate with police as security issues are not a one-man show.

CRIME News

Police re-arrest transnational kidnappers of rescued American citizen, Phillipe Walton

By Miriam Humbe

O

peratives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested two members of a transnational kidnap syndicate involved in the kidnap of an American Citizen, Philippe Nathan Walton. The arrest took place on 28th October, 2020 at his farm in Masalata Village, Republic of Niger.

A statement by the Force Public Relation Officer, DCP

Frank Mba said the suspects, Aliyu Abdullahi ‘m’ 21yrs a.k.a Mallam and Aliyu Umaru ‘m’ 23yrs a.k.a Kwatte Kusu, both from Sokoto State, were arrested on 25th November, 2020.

The two suspects - members of a 15-man kidnap gang of Nigerian/Nigerien extraction, led by Barte Dan Alhaji and Dan Buda - were arrested following a special intelligence-led operation aimed at arresting the criminal gang, disrupting and halting

other criminal activities by them.

Investigations by the Intelligence Response Team reveal that the gang was plotting other abductions to avenge the death of their cohorts - 4 Nigeriens and 2 Nigerians who died during the rescue operations. The Force is collaborating with its Nigerien counterpart in the investigations to apprehend other members of the transnational syndicate currently at large.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts

at tackling transnational crimes, the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, is working in concert with other members of the West African Police Chiefs Organization (WAPCO) to deepen intelligence sharing amongst security agencies in the ECOWAS sub-region and strengthen security along the international borders of member States. The suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigations.

L-R. Aliyu Umaru and Aliyu, Transnational kidnappers of rescued American citizen– Philippe Nathan Walton arrested and paraded by the police yesterday

Police Nab 110 suspected hoodlums, recover ammunition, vehicles

Arrest jail break runaway prophet accused of defiling 8 minor

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

I Cross session of participants at the International day, yesterday in Kaduna. Photo: Shehu K. Goro

New Kebbi HOS speaks tough on staff discipline

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

them to ASCOM and other training schools. “we can’t tolerate any late to the work and leave the office at anytime they wishes, we are willing to reposition the Civil service insisted of them to be redundant in the office, some senior officers have retired and more are still joining them, if we did not trained the remaining once the services will be killed” he added.

He expressed happiness for the commitments of this present administration for supporting the Civil servants in the State by paying their monthly due compared to the other states who can’t pay their salaries. “we most be reciprocal for the good gestures given to the Civil servant by paying back the government through the commitments and dedication to the services” he said.

He then appealing to the permanent secretaries to be vigilant in terms of monitoring their staffs “am ready to compensate any committed workers by giving them the award and some other incentive.

“I need your cooperation the permanent secretaries in order for us to succeed and restructuring the Civil service in the State” he added.

n what appeared to be harvest of criminals was on Thursday showcased in Asaba by Delta State Police Command when it paraded no fewer than 110 suspected hoodlums, ranging from armed robbers, rapists, murders and cultists with 682 ammunition, tricycles and vehicles recovered.

Mr Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa, the Delta State police commissioner who addressed Journalists, thanked the collaborative efforts of various vigilante groups and men of the police force for making it possible in the arrest of the suspects at various locations, especially with the arrest of a jail break escape who claimed to be prophet and allegedly defiled eight years old girl in Benin City, Edo State Inuwa while commending Journalists in their prompt response to activities of the police, however assured of his commitment to eradicating completely from the state, particularly in communities

where cultism at present thrive and the alleged killings of Innocent persons by various cult groups operating in the state and neighbouring states The police boss said one Pastor John Isitua of No 6 DLA road reported that while at his church premises, one Francis Ukadike a 63. - year old of Shongolota Street came with a pistol and threatened to kill him, adding that on the receipt of his complaints, patrol team led by DSP Akhigbe Joseph swung into action and arrested the suspect, and upon search of his premises one English-made pistol with double magazine and fifteen rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered.

On child stealing, Inuwa disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) Isiokolo reported that one Oghenemine Rukewe of Orhorakpo Community reported that on 22/6/2020, she discovered that her daughter Oghenemine Ebruphiyo eight years old was missing and she was suspecting one Ufine Iboyode to be responsible, adding that

consequently, the suspect was arrested and on interrogation, he confessed that one Oghenetega Better, 33 years, took the missing girl away to an unknown place.

He said that a combined team of the police and vigilante led by the Divisional Police Officer Isiokolo swung into action and trailed the said suspect to Kokori where he was arrested, adding that investigation was ongoing On the arrest of a member of fraud syndicate, the police commissioner said that one Vivian Amarachi female, Ogbonaya Okorie, Esther Nwachukwu and two other ladies arrived Ogbeogonogo market Asaba from Aba in Abia State, adding that on arrival, they went round the entire market and introduced their company, food ventures which they claimed was an online forex trade as they went further to advertise that each sum of money invested attracts a weekly interest of fifteen percent, “ These huge interest awaken the interest of the traders, and between July and Mid August 2020 those that invested were paid but they

decided to roll over their capitals and interest acruing to them ,but on 30th of August 2020, they discovered that the office had been deserted and the fraudsters absconded with money running into hundreds of millions of naira, and following investigation into the alleged fraud, detectives arrested one. Esther Nwachukwu 37 years old principal member of the syndicate in Abia State” On the arrest of escaped prisoner from Benin prison, Inuwa said that the police operatives while acting on intelligence gathering, embarked on covert operations at Kezo Gas filling station, Agbarho and arrested one Prophet Oghenero Ovwighoyearo Paul, 39 years old of Agbarho - Otor Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area who alleged to be on remand at Okoh Correctional Center, Edo State for the offence of defilement of an 8 years old girl but escaped from the prison during the jail break following the hijack of the#ENDSARS protests by hoodlums on 12/10/2020, adding that the suspect will be

transferred to Oko Correctional Authorities in Benin City, Edo State.

But speaking with our correspondent, the jailbreaker said” I have been on awaiting trail over one year at Oko Correctional Center and when the opportunity came for me to escape I escaped to Delta State my State where I was arrested by the police. I am innocent of the case hanging on me, it’s all allegation ,I did not defiled eight years old girl, lt was an allegation because I am a prophet and just graduated from the Bible college in Ogida Barracks where I was also living and be doing my prophecy working at the same time Army informant when someone framed me up of this defilement. I am an orphan and I have a child in my village. I escaped during when the#ENDSARS protesters broke into Oko Correctional Center and we all escaped,I am not a rapist but a prophet because I have no help the police are maltreating me here,I am innocent of what they are accusing me of , the girl is too small for me”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

PAGE 8

News

Group partners Kaduna govt on deliverry of social protection services to poor, vulnerables From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

S

ave the Children International, (SCI) has promised to support Kaduna state government in building strong systems and institutions needed for the delivery of inclusive social protection services for the poor and vulnerable.

The State team Lead,of SCI Mr Tanko Langaya made the assertion at a two-day 4th Quarter Review Meeting of the Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KADSPAC) held in kaduna yesterday.

Langaya described KADSPAC as the NGO’s “pillar’’ in promoting transparency and accountability in social protection in the state. speaking, Earlier, Ms Jessica Bartholomew, the Chairperson, KADSPAC explained that the meeting was organised to review activities conducted in the 4th quarter.

“This is very crucial for us to take stock of successes, challenges and suggest ways to improve while we plan for 2021,” she said In his remarks Mr Biya Dogon, Head of Operations, State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU), Planning and Budget Commission, disclosed that the State Government has so far captured 265,275 Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs) in its Social Register.

Dogon explained that the register was being generated through a comprehensive process known as Community Based Targeting (CBT), where the community defines poverty and identifies those that should be captured in the register.

He said that the CBT process began in 2017 in nine pilot Local Government Areas (LGAs), three from each Senatorial Zone, Ikara, Kubau, Lere, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia, Kauru and Sanga.

“However, in May 2020, the process was scaled-up to the remaining fourteen LGAs, thus covering the entire state.

“SOCU is saddled with the responsibility of generating and maintaining the Social Register of the poor and vulnerable households in the state.

“The process is ongoing until all poor and vulnerable households in the state are captured for planning and implementation of social protection programmes,” he said.

He explained that the data was mined by the Federal Government in the delivery of its Cash Transfer programme and other social protection programmes.

Dogon noted that the register was also being made available for development partners, organisations, Non-Governmental Organisation to mine from for various social protection interventions.

He commended KADSPAC for tracking the CBT process and disseminating its findings with the SOCU office.

According to him, the observations and recommendations will improve the CBT process and ensure accountability and transparency in populating the register.

Kaduna govt., UNICEF strengthen nutrition services in PHCs From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Kaduna State Government, supported by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has said it is strengthening the delivery of quality nutrition services in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) in the state.

The State Nutrition Officer, Mrs Ramatu Haruna, made this known in Kaduna, at the opening of a one-day review meeting with Officers-In-Charge (OIC) of PHCs and Local Government’s Nutrition Focal Persons in Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone in kaduna yesterday.

Mrs Haruna said that the meeting, supported by UNICEF, was taking place simultaneously in the three Senatorial Zones of the

state.

According to her, the meeting is designed to equip the OICs with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively promote adequate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.

She added that it was also organized to assess the OICs’ knowledge on nutrition services at the PHCs, as well as proper and regular record keeping and documentation of nutrition services.

She said that the measure was necessary for the facility heads to be able to provide the needed nutrition services and adequately teach mothers how to initiate early breastfeeding, practice exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding.

“The OIC must equally ensure

that parents and caregivers are taught how to prepare appropriate complementary feeding, using available food items, dietary diversity and proper sanitation and hygiene practices.

“We also want to improve the attitude of health workers toward their client, which is very critical for mothers and caregivers to continue to demand for nutrition and other health services.

“The health workers must operate within the ethical boundary of the profession, to build the needed confidence on the health system to work for the people,” she said.

The Zonal Director, Zone II, Mr Ashafa Ahmed, said that all health facilities must ensure adequate curative and preventive services against malnutrition among

children under five years as well as the mothers.

Ahmed described IYCF as one of the effective preventive measures against malnutrition, stressing the need for the OiCs to strengthen awareness and enlightenment of mother’s and caregivers on exclusive breast feeding and appropriate complementary feeding.

Malam Umar Bamalli, Programme Manager, Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan, urged the OiCs to ensure that the nutrition corners for food demonstration in the facilities were functioning.

Bamalli said that with current support for nutrition interventions in all PHCs in the state, the facilities must do their best in providing quality nutrition services.

National President for Peace and Mobilization, Dr. Ahmad Saleh (middle) with his family members, displaying his award after his investiture as a fellow Chartered Institute of Leadership and Governance (CILG) (USA) Nigeria Chapter, held yesterday in Abuja.

Porto: Justin Imo-Owo.

289 workers retire from Edo service By Osaigbovo Benin

A

Iguobaro,

total of 289 workers have retired from Edo State Civil service after attaining the age of 60 or 35 years in service.

The Chairman of Edo State Civil Service Commission, Princess Ekiuwa Inneh stated that the workers exited the Service in 2019, bringing the workforce to 3,044.

Inneh dropped the hint when she presented the 2019 Civil Service Commission Report to Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin City on Thursday.

According to her, “nine per cent of the workforce will attain the age of 60 or 35 years of

service within the next five years, while three per cent of the total workforce is at the directorate cadre.

“The governor has therefore approved for the commission to recruit over five hundred professional staff into the state civil service.

The Civil service chair continued: “The governor made this promise during his campaign and is determined to transform the state Civil service; he has since realised that there are vacancies that need to be filled.

“In 2018, he also gave approval and we recruited well over four hundred personnel into the state civil service. And right now, he has given approval to bring in over five hundred qualified personnel

into the state Civil service”.

Responding, Governor Godwin Obaseki, approved the recruitment of 500 professionals into the state’s Civil service.

This follows projections by the Edo State Civil Service Commission that nine per cent of the state’s workforce will attain the age of 60 or 35 years in service within the next five years, while three per cent of the total workforce is currently at the directorate cadre.

Obaseki reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reposition the Civil service for optimal performance, while ensuring the welfare of workers in the state.

He said: “I promised during my inauguration that one of

the major assignments I was going to embark on was a total transformation of state’s civil and public service.

“I am not going to spare a kobo to make sure that we accomplish it. I want to solicit your support; the exercise we are going to embark on now is going to be total and comprehensive.

“Within the next twelve months, we are going to undertake a comprehensive restructuring of the civil service. We will no longer promote on the basis of just having been there”.

“The fact of being in the civil service for a long time does not automatically qualify you for a promotion; your promotion has to be based on merit and performance,” he added.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

Page 9

BAUCHI STATE INCLUSIVE BASIC SERVICE DELIVERY AND LIVELIHOOD EMPOWERMENT INTEGRATED PROJECT PUBLICATION OF AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES AND INSTALLATION OF SOLAR POWERING SYSTEMS IN 3 MODEL SCHOOLS, 3 MODEL PHCs & 2 TVET CENTERS INFORMATION NOTICE

LOT NO. - 01 Publication date: 23rd July, 2020 Country: Nigeria Executing Agency: Bauchi State PIU Name of Project: Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme Loan/Grant Number: 2000200000701 Name of Tender: Procurement for the Construction of Water Supply Facilities and Installation Solar Powering Systems in Model School, Model PHC & Community of Dagauda in Dambam LGA Lot Number & Name (If different from Tender): BA/IBSDLEIP/2019/REHAB/ WASH/INST/NCB/006; LOT-01, Construction of Water Supply Facilities and Installation Solar Powering Systems in Model Schools, Model PHCs & Community of Dagauda in Dambam LGA Procurement mode: NCB Domestic preference (Yes or No):NO Regional preference (Yes or No):NO Borrower’s Tender Number: BA/IBSDLEIP/2019/REHAB/WASH/INST/ NCB/006; LOT-01 Date of receipt by the Bank of the draft Tender document: 25th June, 2020 Date of approval by the Bank of the Tender Document: 1st July, 2020 Tender issuing date: 23rd July, 2020 Closing date of the Tender: 20th August, 2020 Date of Tender opening: 20th August, 2020 Date of receipt by the Bank of the Tender evaluation report: 4th October, 2020 Date of approval by the Bank of the Tender evaluation: 3rd December, 2020 Name of the winning Bidder: SLB Travel & Tours Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: No. 134, Ajiya Adamu Road, Bauchi, Bauchi State Contract Award Price: N142,806,900.00 Contract Start date: 21st December, 2020 Contract Duration: 8 Months Summary of Scope of Contract Awarded: Construction of productive boreholes, rehabilitation of existing boreholes, construction/upgrading of water storage tanks, laying of pumping and distribution pipe networks, erection of public picking points & installation of solar pumping/power systems.

Total Number of Bidders: 6 For each Bidder: Name: SLB Travel & Tours Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N142,806,900.00 Evaluated Price: N142,806,900.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Accepted Reason for Rejection: No

Date of receipt by the Bank of the Tender evaluation report: 4th October, 2020 Date of approval by the Bank of the Tender evaluation: 3rd December, 2020 Name of the winning Bidder: Malumbe Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: No. 1, Nnamdi Azikwe former Railway Institute, GRA Bauchi, Bauchi State Contract Award Price: N157,724,250.00 Contract Start date: 21st December, 2020 Contract Duration: 8 Months Summary of Scope of Contract Awarded: Construction of productive boreholes, rehabilitation of existing boreholes, construction/upgrading of water storage tanks, laying of pumping and distribution pipe networks, erection of public picking points & installation of solar pumping/power systems.

Total Number of Bidders: 5 For each Bidder: Name: Malumbe Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N157,724,250.00 Evaluated Price: N157,724,250.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Accepted Reason for Rejection: No Name: Jargiwa Global Resources Nig.Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N241,258,250.00 Evaluated Price: N241,258,250.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: Garada Water Engineering & Construction Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N270,368,250.00 Evaluated Price: N270,368,250.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: Denash Integrated Venture Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N207,808,250.00 Evaluated Price: N207,808,250.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: Danbiririya Standard Synergy Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N232,308,250.00 Evaluated Price: N232,308,250.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: The Bidder did not submit the Bid Security as required.

Name: Plural Technologies Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N176,966,600.00 Evaluated Price: N176,966,600.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: Gibbs Scientific Nig.Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N169,860,100.00 Evaluated Price: N169,860,100.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: BIS ‘N’ JEG Integrated Service Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N182,938,700.00 Evaluated Price: N182,938,700.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: Pitch Global Services Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Abuja Bid Price as Read-out: N191,006,542.20 Evaluated Price: N191,006,542.20 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: The Bidder did not submit the Bid Security as required.

Name: Sadiq Ladan Enterprises Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N158,074,500.00 Evaluated Price: N158,074,500.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder.

LOT NO. - 02 Publication date: 23rd July, 2020 Country: Nigeria Executing Agency: Bauchi State PIU Name of Project: Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme Loan/Grant Number: 2000200000701 Name of Tender: Procurement for the Construction of Water Supply Facilities and Installation Solar Powering Systems in Model School, Model PHC & Community of Mashema in Itas Gadau LGA Lot Number & Name (If different from Tender): BA/IBSDLEIP/2019/REHAB/ WASH/INST/NCB/006; LOT-02, Construction of Water Supply Facilities and Installation Solar Powering Systems in Model Schools, Model PHCs & Community of Mashema in Itas Gadau LGA Procurement mode: NCB Domestic preference (Yes or No):NO Regional preference (Yes or No):NO Borrower’s Tender Number: BA/IBSDLEIP/2019/REHAB/WASH/INST/ NCB/006; LOT-02 Date of receipt by the Bank of the draft Tender document: 25th June, 2020 Date of approval by the Bank of the Tender Document: 1st July, 2020 Tender issuing date: 23rd July, 2020 Closing date of the Tender: 20th August, 2020 Date of Tender opening: 20th August, 2020

LOT NO. - 03 Publication date: 23rd July, 2020 Country: Nigeria Executing Agency: Bauchi State PIU Name of Project: Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme Loan/Grant Number: 2000200000701 Name of Tender: Procurement for the Construction of Water Supply Facilities and Installation Solar Powering Systems in Model School, Model PHC & Community of Duguri in Alkaleri LGA Lot Number & Name (If different from Tender): BA/IBSDLEIP/2019/REHAB/ WASH/INST/NCB/006; LOT-03, Construction of Water Supply Facilities and Installation Solar Powering Systems in Model Schools, Model PHCs & Community of Duguri in Alkaleri LGA Procurement mode: NCB Domestic preference (Yes or No):NO Regional preference (Yes or No):NO Borrower’s Tender Number: BA/IBSDLEIP/2019/REHAB/WASH/INST/ NCB/006; LOT-03 Date of receipt by the Bank of the draft Tender document: 25th June, 2020 Date of approval by the Bank of the Tender Document: 1st July, 2020 Tender issuing date: 23rd July, 2020 Closing date of the Tender: 20th August, 2020 Date of Tender opening: 20th August, 2020 Date of receipt by the Bank of the Tender evaluation report: 4th October, 2020 Date of approval by the Bank of the Tender evaluation: 3rd December, 2020 Name of the winning Bidder: Sondrei Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Suite C205, Royal Plaza, Keffi – Abuja Express way, Abuja Contract Award Price: N155,525,600.00 Contract Start date: 21st December, 2020 Contract Duration: 8 Months Summary of Scope of Contract Awarded: Construction of productive boreholes, rehabilitation of existing boreholes, construction/upgrading of water storage tanks, laying of pumping and distribution pipe networks, erection of public picking points & installation of solar pumping/power systems.

Total Number of Bidders: 5 For each Bidder: Name: Sondrei Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Abuja Bid Price as Read-out: N155,525,600.00 Evaluated Price: N155,525,600.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Accepted Reason for Rejection: No Name: Radiance Express Link Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Kwara Bid Price as Read-out: N179,185,400.00 Evaluated Price: N179,185,400.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected

Reason for Rejection: The Bidder’s average annual turnover is not sufficient as required.

Name: Nozama Enterprises Nationality: Nigerian Address: Abuja Bid Price as Read-out: N223,998,960.00 Evaluated Price: N223,998,960.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: The Bidder’s average annual turnover is not sufficient as required.

Name: Ivk Waters Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Abuja Bid Price as Read-out: N246,197,000.00 Evaluated Price: N246,197,000.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: Unipopular Nigeria Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Abuja Bid Price as Read-out: N165,720,400.00 Evaluated Price: N165,720,400.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder LOT NO. - 04 Publication date: 23rd July, 2020 Country: Nigeria Executing Agency: Bauchi State PIU Name of Project: Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme Loan/Grant Number: 2000200000701 Name of Tender: Procurement for the Construction of Water Supply Facilities and Installation Solar Powering Systems in Azare and Bauchi TVET centers Lot Number & Name (If different from Tender): BA/IBSDLEIP/2019/REHAB/ WASH/INST/NCB/006; LOT-04, Construction of Water Supply Facilities and Installation Solar Powering Systems in Azare and Bauchi TVET centers Procurement mode: NCB Domestic preference (Yes or No):NO Regional preference (Yes or No):NO Borrower’s Tender Number: BA/IBSDLEIP/2019/REHAB/WASH/INST/ NCB/006; LOT-04 Date of receipt by the Bank of the draft Tender document: 25th June, 2020 Date of approval by the Bank of the Tender Document: 1st July, 2020 Tender issuing date: 23rd July, 2020 Closing date of the Tender: 20th August, 2020 Date of Tender opening: 20th August, 2020 Date of receipt by the Bank of the Tender evaluation report: 4th October, 2020 Date of approval by the Bank of the Tender evaluation: 3rd December, 2020 Name of the winning Bidder: Northstead Resources Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Plot 2178, Jabi District area, Abuja Contract Award Price: N153,240,900.00 Contract Start date: 21st December, 2020 Contract Duration: 8 Months Summary of Scope of Contract Awarded: Construction of productive boreholes, rehabilitation of existing boreholes, construction/upgrading of water storage tanks, laying of pumping and distribution pipe networks, erection of public picking points & installation of solar pumping/power systems.

Total Number of Bidders: 6 For each Bidder: Name: Northstead Resources Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Abuja Bid Price as Read-out: N153,240,900.00 Evaluated Price: N153,240,900.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Accepted Reason for Rejection: No Name: Labash Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Kwara Bid Price as Read-out: N160,632,150.00 Evaluated Price: N160,632,150.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: Obet-Obet Nig.Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Abuja Bid Price as Read-out: N168,060,900.00 Evaluated Price: N168,060,900.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: The Bidder did not submit the Bid Security as required.

Name: Rajab Enterprises Nig. Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Abuja Bid Price as Read-out: N158,891,400.00 Evaluated Price: N158,891,400.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: The Bidder’s average annual turnover is not sufficient as required.

Name: Walltall Integrated Services Ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N154,571,250.00 Evaluated Price: N154,571,250.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder Name: Dallas Engineering ltd Nationality: Nigerian Address: Bauchi Bid Price as Read-out: N156,566,650.00 Evaluated Price: N156,566,650.00 Bid Accepted / Rejected : Rejected Reason for Rejection: Price higher than the winning bidder

Signed: Programme Coordinator

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

PAGE 10

News Reps move to put railway on concurrent legislative list.

.....pass bill through second reading

By Christiana Ekpa

H

ouse of Representatives has passed a bill seeking to remove railway from the exclusive legislative list and include it in the concurrent list.

The bill titled “An act to alter the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to provide that the federal government and the state governments shall have concurrent legislative authority on railway, and to provide for matters related thereto”, scaled through second reading after members debated its general principle at Thursday plenary.

Sponsor of the bill, Hon. Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State while leading the debate on the bill said that it shall alter the Second Schedule to the Constitution (as amended), Act (N0 24) 1999.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is altered in the Second Schedule as set out below: (a) in Part 1, under the Exclusive Legislative List, delete Item 55, and (b) in Part 11, under Concurrent Legislative List, after paragraph 20, insert the following new Item; “HA – Railways 20A The National Assembly may make laws for the Federation or any part thereof with respect to Railways.

20B - A State House of Assembly may, subject to paragraph 20A hereof, make laws for that State or any part thereof, with respect to Railways”, he said.

The bill got the support of the members when put to voice vote and referred to constitution amendment Commitee.

Alleged N2b fraud: Maina slumps in court By Vivian Abuja

Okejeme,

T

he trial of the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, Abulrasheed Maina, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday took a drastic turn as he collapsed in the court during proceeding.

Maina slumped shortly after the court resumed proceedings in the 12-count charge of money laundering, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) preferred against him and his firm, Common Input Property and Investment Limited.

According to the anti graft agency. the defendants alleged criminal offences punishable under

sections 11(2) (a), 15(3), and 16(2) (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, and also acted in breach of the Advance Fee Fraud Act. Maina had on Wednesday after the prosecution closed its case with nine witnesses, applied for a no-casesubmission to the charges against him.

However, when the case was called on yesterday(Thursday) counsel to Maina, Mr. Anayo Adibe, told the court that his client would not be able to proceed with his application.

Abide said he was unable to prepare the no-casesubmission owing to the fact that he was not availed with records of proceedings of the court in the matter.

At the point of making further submission, Maina

was seen slumped beside the dock.

Some lawyers and officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service quickly rushed to his aid, a development that forced trial Justice Abang to suspend sitting.

The prosecution had in the charge sheet marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/256/2019, alleged that Maina used a bank account that was operated by his firm and laundered funds to the tune of about N2billion, part of which he used to acquire landed properties in Abuja.

It told the court that the Defendant used fictitious names to open and operate various bank accounts, as well as recruited his relatives that were bankers to operate fake bank accounts through which illicit funds were channeled.

In a bench ruling, trial Justice Okon Abang, held that Certified True Copies,CTC, of all the records of proceedings Maina’s counsel requested were ready since December 8.

The judge said that he confirmed from the court register that the defense team failed to return to pick up the compiled records.

He maintained the the application for adjournment requested by Maina was a ploy to delay the proceeding.

However, the court held that since the Defendant was not back for continuation of the proceedings, it would not foreclose his right to make the no-case-submission.

He, therefore, adjourned till December 21 for continuation.

Front row sitting, Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu (4th right), Minister of Defense, Maj Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) (5th right); the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (4th left); Chairman House of Reps committee on Navy, Hon Yusuf Afamu Gagdi (3rd left) with the newly promoted Rear Admirals after their decoration ceremony at the Naval headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

T

Lengnan

he Nigerian Navy has decorated 19 Rear Admirals recently promoted from the ranks of Commodores.

Speaking at the decoration ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, charged the officers up their game in

the fight against criminal in the country.

He said the Navy in collaboration with other security agencies is making inroads in the fight against illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft in the NigerDelta region of the country.

“While there are significant achievements in the fight against this maritime crimes, there are some personnel still colluding with criminals to

sabotage these efforts.

“Let me therefore say that any act of collusion with criminals or sabotage of measures emplaced to checkmate illegalities will be met with stiff sanctions in accordance with the law of the land”, he said.

He urged the newly promoted officers that “as leaders of the service, you are expected to be above board and ensure that your subordinates equally buy

into the zero-tolerance stance of the NN against all forms of illegalities and criminalities at sea and ashore” Also speaking, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), told the officers that reminded the officers that their new ranks is a call for more commitment and service.

“The Navy’s operating environment and the

nation at large was rife with daunting security challenges including resource theft and sabotage of critical oil and gas supporting infrastructure.

“Your elevation to the 2 star flag rank is therefore a call for you to redouble your efforts and contribute your quota to the Navy’s resolve to rid the nation’s maritime domain from criminalities”.

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL Biden’s Herculean task as president

I

t is no longer news that Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. has been elected the United States’ 46th president four after the election of Nov. 3. The outcome was was seen as a rejection of President Donald Trump because of his disastrous handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his divisive, bullying conduct in office.

Biden’s victory ended four years of struggle for Democrats and others who have resisted Trump.

It was celebrated by an emotional outpouring in cities coast to coast. The election took four days to be resolved after the former vice president was projected to win a series of battleground states, and was clinched by the state where he was born, Pennsylvania. The win also made Biden the oldest president, a record held by Trump. Biden will be 78 when he is sworn in Jan. 20 and will come to office with nearly a half-century in elected office, including eight years as vice president and 36 years representing Delaware in the Senate. He is also the second Catholic and first Delawarean to be elected president.

Voters also made history in electing as vice president Kamala Devi Harris, 56, a senator from California and daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants who will become the country’s first woman, first Black person and first Asian American to hold the No. 2 job.

The outgoing president (Trump) has refused to concede, saying he would challenge the result in court. In a prime-time speech to flag-waving supporters outside the Chase Center in Wilmington, Biden made no mention of Trump’s intransigence, instead offering an olive branch to the president’s supporters and imploring all Americans to “put away the harsh rhetoric” and end “this grim era of demonization. To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy… This is the time to heal in America.”

The joyous outbursts that greeted Biden’s victory, however, came against what one commentator described as “a dark backdrop: a bitter and closer-than-expected election that revealed the nation’s deep fissures, and the precedentshattering attempts by an incumbent president to defy its results. Trump on Saturday continued to make baseless claims that the election was rigged, assertions that have been echoed by his loyal supporters.” His rejection of the outcome was in spite of the reality that he was losing the popular vote for a second time and at risk of facing a 306-to-232 electoral college defeat.

Navy decorates 19 Rear Admirals

By Tobias Dapam

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

American voters, by denying Trump a second term, have presumably saved their country, convulsed by health, economic and social crises and “ended a tumultuous presidency that polarized the nation and was characterized by attacks on undocumented immigrants, political adversaries and, at times, the rule of law.”

Shortly after his election, Biden presented a vision of America under his watch, very different from Trump’s. He vowed to be a president for all Americans, not just those who elected him. He also revealed what the priorities of his administration would be. He said Saturday that controlling the pandemic would be his first order of business, and announced plans to name a group of scientists and experts to create a plan of action for implementation beginning Jan. 20. “I will spare no effort — none, or any commitment — to turn around this pandemic,” he said. His campaign reflected his desire to model the guidance of public health officials in minimizing the spread of a virus that has killed more than 237,000 Americans. He wore a mask at all public appearances, at times for entire speeches, unless he was yards from anyone else, and urged Americans to follow suit. Even as the president resurrected mass gatherings, filled with maskless supporters who refused to socially distance, Biden held no large rallies, instead speaking before parking lots full of cars as supporters honked in agreement.

“

Biden’s victory ended four years of struggle for Democrats and others who have resisted Trump.

Despite Trump’s unprecedented effort to use the vast platform of the presidency to cast doubt on the legitimacy of an American election, the traditional markers of a coming transfer of power began to emerge shortly after Biden was declared the winner. Former presidents and presidential candidates released statements congratulating the new president-elect; world leaders reached out to express optimism about developing a working relationship; Democratic congressional leaders expressed their support; and, despite pressure from some of Trump’s allies not to legitimize the results, some Republicans also publicly sent their well wishes to the soon-to-be Biden-Harris administration.

“Our democracy needs all of us more than ever,” former president Barack Obama said in a statement offering well wishes on behalf of himself and his wife, Michelle Obama. “Michelle and I look forward to supporting our next President and First Lady however we can.”

OUR MISSION

Among the Republicans sending statements of support were former Florida governor Jeb Bush, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee.

Among the world leaders who swiftly and publicly congratulated Biden on Saturday were British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Throughout the campaign, Biden pitched himself to voters as a uniter who would restore the nation’s governing norms, respect long-standing institutions and reconnect relationships with international allies that have frayed as Trump embraced autocrats and brushed aside leaders of other democracies.

Biden will also try to reverse the job decline under his predecessor.

Fewer Americans were employed than when he was sworn in. The 6.9 percent unemployment rate in October, while down from the pandemic high of more than 14 percent, is still significantly above the 4.7 percent rate when he took over in January 2017. The national debt has soared, thousands of troops remain in overseas war zones and the kind of Washington influence-peddling Trump calls “the swamp” has only increased under his watch. Trade deficits persist, and the fence project on the border with Mexico has been neither completed nor, as Trump promised, financed by the Mexican government.

When Biden is sworn in, he will have a Herculean repair job to handle. He knows this.

“I’ve long talked about the battle for the soul of America. We must restore the soul of America,” he said Saturday. “Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses. And what presidents say in this battle matters. It is time for our better angels to prevail.”

Indeed, Biden does have his work cut out.

OUR PEOPLE

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

OUR VISION

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

Still on Fake News and EndSARS Protest

By Sadiq K. Dangogo

A

REWA AGENDA – As a young professional photographer, I was invited to cover an event at the PRNigeria Center in Abuja.

Surprisingly, rather than minding my business of taking the pictures, my attention was drawn to the theme of the event when the moderator announced that “101 Cases of Fake News Discovered during the EndSARS Protest.”

As a Nigerian youth I did support the #EndSARS campaign when it started by liking, commenting, retweeting and tweeting my own personal experiences with the police. I have been a victim of police brutality and extortion a few times. I can relate to the whole issue. I can imagine the pain because I have felt it myself. the turn of the event from peaceful protest to violent demonstration by hoodlums and other criminalities were quite worrisome. The looting of palliative warehouses, jailbreaks and destruction of properties among others have created doubts in my mind on the rationale behind the movement and the sponsors.

While I refused to believe the allegations that undesirable elements and opposition politicians were major sponsors of the protest, I am aware that fraudsters, armed robbers were major victims of defunct EnDSARS. With Fraud being the way to easy money among youths the police have classified fraudsters by certain characteristics. Unfortunately, innocent youths with similar characters usually fall victims regardless they are extorted and sometimes brutalized.

Meanwhile, the #EndSARS protest was inspired by the Black lives Matter protest in the United States which was also social media-driven and just like the BLM the #EndSARS also lost its legitimacy, in fact it didn’t even last as long as the BLM did.

During the presentation at the Press Conference, the speakers disclosed that Fake news aided the escalation of the initial peaceful protest that turned violent. It maintained that there exists a mistrust between government officials and the teeming citizens. The misgiving propels spreading fake news.

The power-point presentation of the report mentioned public figures, celebrities, politicians,

the media, religious bodies, and several other institutions highlights as some of the culprits as well as victims of fake news.

The major contributing factor to the #EndSARS campaign was the jaundiced import of the raw footage in which the SARS extrajudicially gunned down a Nigerian youth, forcefully snatched his vehicle and ran away with it. This provided the opportunity for other victims to share stories of their encounter with the SARS and police. They demanded for the disbandment of the police unit and an end to police brutality.

Therefore, some people saw a window of opportunity through the campaign to misinform and disinform in order to achieve certain goals. On social media, facts checking is not a norm.

Therefore, misinformation is the case as far as most of the news that goes round is concerned.

Users interact without verifying or authenticating contents they come across especially if they are coming from known figures, automatically they assume they are facts.

There are also narratives and counternarratives on the lekki shootings saga? Some claims were quite unbelievable even though fake news spreads at the time of the crisis, in some instances it is exaggeration of the truth.

Though I believe a point has been passed across and hopeful something positive will be done to prevent such in the future.

But in order to achieve that for a start, the Nigerian Police needs to do more than just disband SARS and conduct a thorough inhouse investigation and prosecute those found guilty and also do a total rebranding of the service.

I also agree with some of the submissions at the event that fake news if not curtailed is capable of inciting violence that can destroy the country especially if there are no strong laws to check it because it constitutes a potential threat to democracy and national unity.

Government at all levels should create sustainable jobs as a way of getting youths positively engaged, while the social media must be deployed with some regulations to dispel rumours effectively.

Sadiq K. Dangogo, a Photo Journalist writes from Abuja

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

ASUU Strike: Who will stand for Education?

By Ali Tijjani Hassan

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest” – Benjamin Franklin.

E

ducation is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. And can be shared through these methods: teaching, training, storytelling, discussion and directed research.

Lawmakers, in every state are elected to represent the interest of a particular society, and bring dividend of democracy to them.

Just of a recent, a certain Lawmaker who happen to be the Chairman House Committee on Tertiary Education, in his effort to feed his community with such dividend of Democracy raised a motion in which he suggested The public Universities Should be PRIVATIZE, so that the concern of the Federal government would be only on Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

In his word, they have many problems with academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)” I felt extremely bewildered and strained not with his statement but the support and applauding of his hopeless colleagues, I may not be wrong if I said those so called lawmakers know nothing about the suffering of the masses they are representing.

Actually, the lawmaker that proposed the bill not know the rate of poverty and how

poor’s kid managed to have even thr basic education, which is their their fundamental rights, since that he came from the family of three times Head of State.

It could be that he didn’t go far and beyond in mode of both realistic and strategic thinking which may help him to encode and capture the consequences or repercussions of his illusion.

Before we are seeing this outburst, we were seeing him as an icon with communal mind and a hope of Young Nigerian that are into politics, but this his outburst cast doubt on our mind on electing another Youth to represent our Society!

As a matter of fact, we can simply view

the term “Privatisation of Universities” as a strong bolt for locking the educational door to the children of a common man.

Whereas the capitalist Edu-preneurs could be given the room to be in possession of the System, just like how they hijacked the ELEMENTARY system.

When a poor’s kid is not able to be enrolled in the University where he can study diligently to have a good result and applied their learnt knowledge to invent something that pull the Nation up to heavens, how is he suppose to live this miserable life while the Son of the elites are just in the system to gain the certificate that may allow them to run

“

Before we are seeing this outburst, we were seeing him as an icon with communal mind and a hope of Young Nigerian that are into politics, but this his outburst cast doubt on our mind on electing another Youth to represent our Society!

their bequeathed business?

As he said, they have much problem with ASUU. But in my view the problem is truly there, but unfortunately the government are not willing to solved it, for they can’t fulfilled, honoured, or even respect the elaborated agreement made by the negotiation committee to ASUU. I vigorously believed that if they honoured these agreements our university systems could become animated and got the international standards recognition.

Someone can say that the battle that ASUU are fighting is for the betterment of their own selfish and life greed, but to me they deserved a better life.

I believe in world richest man words “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important”.

– Bill Gates Nigeria is economically, politically, technologically, and academically among the underdeveloped countries while it’s not working toward meeting the developed Nation This can easily be comprehend if we look at how the educational sector is treated.

Let me close my article with the word of famous freedom fighter, Malcolm X; “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”.

Ali Tijjani Hassan can be reached at Alitijjanihhassan@gmail.com

Taraba: We come to hate and hatred persists

By Jen Jibrin

E

veryone in Taraba, whether an indigene among ethnic tribes, Hausa/Fulani and narrows down to a stranger. One thing has defined Nature’s Gift to the nation; it is HATRED. Hatred is not just a mere word in Taraba. It’s something people take to work, market, school, mosques, churches and even take to bed with them. The verbiage and hateful behavior certainly solidified stereotypes across spectrum in the state.

Taraba people have long recognized the malice, the deceit and the cruelty that comes from living with one another. These characteristics and the very act of hatred exists amongst ourselves, youths, old, children and women. Hate is now how we conduct our politics and the structure of governance in our dear State.

Let us imagined that Garba Umar had become Taraba Governor in 2015. Many Christians would likely be upset by this and criticized him and every aspect of his administration. But the Supreme Court removed him by its judgement. All of a sudden, UTC’s antagonists became happy, Sani Danladi had returned and power must shift to the power. Everything was then supported by Gen. TY Danjuma and eventually DDI emerged from the zoning formula.

In 2015, Sen. Aisha Alhassan was on the ballot as the APC guber aspirant against Darius Ishaku. She had polled 275,984 votes behind Gov. Ishaku who polled 369,318 votes that brought PDP to victory according to election results by INEC. Many people believed that the anti-muslim Governor stereotype by many Christians also followed Alhassan.

In 2019, one can imagine if Sen. Joel Ikenya had become the APC guber candidate. There will have been many protests against his candidacy to say the least. Instead Sani Danladi became Ishaku’s major challenger by the APC. A contest everyone has deemed to be usual, Muslim against Christian.

Taraba Muslims and Christians always vilify each other and engage in fear mongering. In an odd way, Christians would say “Don’t let a Muslim become a Governor, they’ll destroy Taraba.” While the Muslims would say “Don’t vote a Christian, they have destroyed Taraba.”

However, there is a cultural inclination to the hatred that exists in Taraba. And most prevalent was how blood streamed from dagger and sword between TIV and Jukun in the southern Taraba. More than 600 people were killed due ethnic rivalries between two neighbors in the southern Taraba.

By all accounts, the entire Taraba community is tied up to sentiment that has divided families, children, youths and old into protective units. A bridge at mayogwoi looks to be a boundary between a predominantly muslim settlement and predominantly Christian area. The hardest thing to buy in the separated areas is a plot of land. A buyer must belong to a particular religion for the seller to be comfortable with the transaction.

When it comes to understanding the problems of Taraba State and the average Taraban, the closet measure to judge is the connectivity between politics and religion.

To an average Taraban, anyone in APC is categorized to be in a Muslim party while those in PDP are categorized to be in a Christian party.

Many people in Taraba have argued whether it’s possible to have a demarcation between religion and politics. Taraba politicians often use sentiment to control the minds and hearts of their people towards politics and the manner they win elections at all costs.

After every election, it is observed that many government programmes in Taraba are linked to Christian Association of Nigeria and the Muslim Council in the State. This is a symptomatic of many problems arousing from the hatred that our politicians and religious leaders preached.

If it’s fair to assume that the CAN and Muslim Council are now the smokescreen for political leadership by APC and the ruling PDP in the state.

Evidently, there are many elites and citizens who are not happy with Ishaku’s administration in Taraba. But ethnic and religious affiliations cannot allow them to publicly condemn or criticize Darius Ishaku. And those who have the courage to criticize are branded as Judas Iscariot. Thus the hatred has brought many keyboard

“

By all accounts, the entire Taraba community is tied up to sentiment that has divided families, children, youths and old into protective units. A bridge at mayogwoi looks to be a boundary between a predominantly muslim settlement and predominantly Christian area.

warriors from their basement to let off the steam by a way of screaming anti-Christ in a needless political environment.

Gov. Ishaku’s supporters across Christian community do not really support him for any reason other than being a Christian. Today Gov. Darius has been uniquely effective in the political division that comes from the stereotypical hatred between Muslims and Christians, rather than the policies and the rescue mission he espouses by administration. Either, Taraba is reeling from a series of hateful phenomena that stop many people from seeing each other as brothers under one God. Come to think of it, hatred has dominated many households in Taraba where parents now prohibit and warn their children from playing with their peers from other religions in school. A father will tell a child “Don’t let me hear that you’re playing with Hausa or Christian children in School.”

Taraba people continue to suffer from the epidemic of hatred that has left many people feeling hopeless and exhausted. But then ask a question; can the people rise up and stop the hatred towards one another?

When can they also stop blaming each other for the social economic problems of the state?

The hatred that persists in Taraba is alarming to bear. But it’s not too late for Taraba people to change course, to embrace one another, to break the cycle of hatred in our minds, the political illusion that crushes our spirits to the good in others and support them in the best way we can.

Until both Christians and Muslims realize that our real enemy isn’t each other, but our vilification of one another, we will continue down this path toward hatred and greater tribal animosity that is the real threat to our collective existence .

Jen Jibrin Public Affairs Analyst Asokoro District, FCT, Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

PAGE 13

Comment

Critical thinking: Fostering curiosity and questioning skills in African schools

By Leo Igwe

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an critical thinking be taught in primary schools? Is it possible to get children at early stages of their education to exercise their critical faculties? In this piece, I answer in the affirmative. I try to illustrate how critical reasoning skills can be nurtured in primary school pupils in a way that adds value to education. Children are curious by nature.

They are gifted with the thirst to learn, and inquire, to know and understand. But in most cases the school system fails them. Schooling slowly kills or dampens their sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness. Critical thinking skills are too important to be ignored or overlooked especially by developing countries.

If Africa must realize its full potentials.

African countries must take critical thinking seriously. African nations must become critical thinking societies. Africa must invest in critical thinking programs. Africans must begin very early to nurture these skills and values in their children. African countries need to make the subject of critical reasoning a part of the school curriculum. The World Economic Forum has noted the importance of critical reasoning to human development. It identified critical thinking as one of the most important job skills for the global economy.

So it is pertinent to find ways of fostering this important skill in children and other young persons.

Incidentally, the definition of critical thinking does not make the task of teaching the subject in primary schools easier. Critical thinking is defined in ways that appear to make the subject elusive, and inaccessible to school pupils especially those in African countries where English is spoken as a second language or not spoken at all. And this has to change. Students from all cultural backgrounds should learn and imbibe the

culture of critical reasoning starting from the primary school level.

Critical thinking is defined as the ability to conceptualize, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information. It is the tendency to think clearly and rationally about one’s action, experience and belief. But the question remains: how does one communicate this value to primary school pupils? How does one nurture this ability in children who are from non English speaking cultures? After examining the various definitions, I operationalized critical thinking in terms of asking questions or ability to ask questions. Surely, there is more to critical thinking than interrogation of ideas. But generation of questions provides an elementary understanding of critical reasoning that pupils could relate to. It makes critical thinking teachable and deliverable in primary schools. Thus critical reasoning is a subject that nurtures the capacity of pupils to generate questions from whatever they see, hear, touch, smell or taste. It gets pupils to regard anything that they see, hear, touch, smell or taste as an object of curiosity. Now in primary schools, there are already programs that foster verbal and quantitative reasoning.

So how does critical reasoning relate or differ from these reasoning modules? And what value does critical thinking add to other subjects?

Like verbal and quantitative aptitude programs, critical reasoning aims to nurture the minds of pupils and nourish their intellect.

It provides them the competences that they need to meaningfully navigate the world and make sense of their everyday life and experiences. While quantitative reasoning inculcates basic mathematical skills, verbal reasoning nurtures the ability of pupils to read texts, form sentences, write and comprehend written passages.

Whilst critical reasoning fosters the ability

of pupils to question and interrogate issues.

Now questions feature in subjects that are taught in schools. Don’t they? Of course, they do. So what is unique and of interest in questions and questioning within the framework of critical reasoning? Look, in other subjects questions are used to test knowledge of subject matters and materials.

Questions are asked to examine and assess the comprehension of a subject or a topic. Simply put, questions are asked to elicit and extract answers or solutions. But in critical reasoning, questioning is the main activity and exercise.

Questions are asked for questions’ sake. In fact, questions are answers and answers are questions. While other subjects impart knowledge about nature, culture, society, science and technology, critical reasoning raise questions about the knowledge claims that these disciplines make and present.

It is pertinent to note that critical reasoning makes a case for a different understanding of the mind and the learning process. The school system is predominantly guided by the idea that the mind is a Lockean tabula rasa, a blank slate, where knowledge and information through the senses are registered or stored.

So the mind is a memory box, a storehouse of information. Learning is a process of acquisition and reproduction of knowledge and information. Teaching entails making available as much information as possible to students and pupils who are expected to store them up in their minds, and reproduce them during examinations.

In critical reasoning, the mind is seen as an active processor not a passive receptor or register of information. The mind engages what is presented to it. It does not merely absorbs things, it faults and scrutinizes them.

Learning happens through examination, interrogation and evaluation not mere memorization of information received.

Critical thinking is opposed to rote learning because pupils are encouraged to actively apply their minds to whatever they are told or taught.

Now there have been some concerns about the critical reasoning text/subject.

Some have said that critical reasoning is verbal reasoning in another name. This is not the case. As I have earlier noted the main focus of critical reasoning is to generate questions, not statements, and to identify gaps in received information including verbal reasoning texts. In critical reasoning books, there is very little text and a lot of space for exercises. This is deliberate. The limited texts and ample spaces for exercise are meant to discourage memorization and to induce active application of the mind to the various tasks. Some have asked if the texts are a form of workbook. Yes, they are workbooks but not strictly so. The texts are workbooks with special focus on getting pupils to cultivate the habit of generating questions.

Also some have inquired if critical reasoning texts are copy or writing books because several pages of the lower primary editions are devoted to copying and recopying of examples. No, the texts are not copy books even though there are provisions for pupils to recopy and rewrite questions.

Critical reasoning is a distinct subject, not an extension of verbal reasoning. It complements verbal reasoning. Other subjects that are offered in primary schools are heavily text based and require pupils to memorize, and demonstrate understanding by answering specific questions. Critical reasoning departs from this model of teaching and learning by making generation of questions, not answering questions or reproduction of memorized texts, the true test of knowledge.

Leo Igwe is a Public Affairs Analyst.

The Joseph Goebbels In Government Spokespersons By; Jerome-Mario Utomi

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n 1978, the Public Relations professionals across the globe gathered in Mexico to among other aims chart a course, and stir the ship of public relations practice. The gathering proposed and adopted a highly influential definition of public relation which it tagged; The Mexican statement.It says; “Public relations practice is the art and social science of analyzing trends, predicting their consequences, counseling organization leaders and implementing planned programmes of action which will serve both organization’s and the public interest.

Ii has since become the most acceptable definition of public relations and assumed a guiding compass for image makers/ spokespersons across the globe irrespective of the sector-Government, Non-Governmental or commercial organizations.

Essentially, aside from the age-long belief that proper information management is the life wire of every business, every government/ public office holder, be it local, state, regional or national, recognizes the need for analyzing trends and predicting consequences. That without shadow of the doubt informs the never-ending manner with which public office holders create offices such as;Minister for information(for FederalGovernment), Commissioners for information(States) ,Chief Press Secretaries ,Senior Special Assistant (Media), Senior Special Assistant Media (Technical), Special Assistant (Media), Special Assistant (information gathering), Special Assistant (Print Media) and Special Assistant (Electronic Media), to handle information/media responsibilities.

Under this arrangement, a government spokesperson communicates to people the work done (i.e. political and institutional) by the government. The task of assisting and supporting the members of the government and the government itself is assigned to the spokesperson. The spokesperson has to brief the president about the daily happenings in the state and the rest of the country. The government spokesperson has to organize press meetings and talk to the press. The interview may be either given on the local, national or international level.

Before giving a press interview the government spokesperson has to discuss the report with his/ her Principal and get their approval to release it.

To do well on this position, PR professionals also advocate that a government spokesperson must possess a minimum qualification of a bachelor’s degree either in communication, journalism, English political science, or public administration. It is a bonus if the candidate has experience as a spokesperson in print, radio and camera interviews.

However, the question may be asked; why is this piece fixated with spokespersons at this critical time when Nigeria as a country is going through the pangs of insecurity? And coming at a time when the nation recently slipped into its second recession in five years and the worst economic decline in almost four decades?

One possible answer to the above questions is that this piece has realized that most of the present government spokespersons in Nigeria are capped with the attributes of Paul Joseph Goebbels, a German Nazi politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. He was one of Adolf Hitler’s closest and most devoted associates, and was known for his skills in public speaking and his deeply virulent antisemitism, which was evident in his publicly voiced views.

This new found attribute by Nigerian government spokespersons have made the innocent/well intentioned position become platforms for fierce political and ideological warfare in ways that negates our rationality as human beings. Great amount of innocent human character has been spilled, wars of words waged, countless souls/ambition persecuted and martyred. Spokesperson has in recent times failed to communicate noble ideas and ideals. This consequence of their failures is responsible for why anarchy presently prevails in the country and accounts for why Nigerians daily diminish and are impoverished.

Much more importantly, Government spokespersons, for this piece represent a veritable metaphor of their offices. Their characters have not only collaborated the claim in some quarters that such appointments were never targeted at improving information flow between the government and the governed, But a ploy to settle political jobbers and recruit rubber stamps who will falsely launder the image of public officers without recourse to, or adherence with the ethos of the office.

Instead of telling their principals what

the real issues are or encourage them to keep promises that gave them victory at the polls, curtail the challenges confronting the people, and promote consensus politics, they (spokespersons) encourage divisiveness, uphold autocratic tendencies, and endorse/ promote media trial of political opponents.

And in most cases become propagandists using radio, television and the internet as outlets to relentlessly false feed Nigerians.

Each time they (spokespersons) are faced with embarrassing facts about their principals, instead of admitting their boss’s wrong-doing as expected of a well-trained information manager, they fall back on data that is hardly objective, generating inferences that can never be described as explicit. And the conclusion they reach is usually self-serving.They are not imagemakers but propagandists and attack dogs.

They hardly pick calls or respond to enquiries from journalists, broadcasters, development practitioners and information seeking publics despite the existence of the Freedom of Information Act which was signed into law on May 28, 2011 by Goodluck Jonathan administration with the purpose of making public records and information more freely available, by expanding section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

As a replacement to indulging in productive collaborations with media professionals, as without the media, the government may not truly know what is going on, Government Spokespersons want to suppress and control the media organizations and watch over journaliststhe real watchdogs of the society.

A perfect example of the above assertion is the recent response to CNN report on Lekki Toll Gate incident by Nigeria’s Minister of information where he among other comments declared;“Like everyone else, I watched the CNN report. I must tell you that it reinforces the disinformation that is going around, and it is blatantly irresponsible and a poor piece of journalistic work by a reputable international news organization…This is very serious and CNN should be sanctioned for that’ Though this piece sympathizes with the awkward position these spokespersons are placed particularly as communication from

public officials/offices are ‘self-undermining and often always reputed for encouraging complacency among citizens due to over bearing and two-faced attitudes of some public office holders.

That notwithstanding, it is the views of this piece also that even the global community is in agreement that like an unchained torrent of water submerged the whole countryside and devastates crops, even so has the activities of government spokespersons in Nigeria affects the nation’s socioeconomic development and stunts the nation politically. In the objective estimation of this piece, what happens here is a direct opposite of global expectations.

This challenge is further exacerbated by the fact that they are yet to recognize that it is their approach/ attitude that can help the nation deepen information dissemination, enrich democracy and promote peace and unity among Nigerians of different culture, ethnicity, culture and religion. Help inculcate and reinforce positive political, cultural, social attitudes among the citizenries-as well as create a mood in which people become keen to acquire skills and disciplines of developed nations.

Finally, while finding solutions to the unwelcoming behaviours of Nigerian government’s spokespersons will have farreaching effects on both the public officials and the entire Nigerians, as it is laced with the capacity to engineer socioeconomic prosperity and propel the masses to work together for the greater good of the nation, it has become overwhelmingly urgent for Governments spokespersons, image maker and media Assistants to understand that every decision they make requires a value judgment as different decisions bring different results. All decisions have consequences that are direct and indirect, intended and unintended, short term and long term. Their decisions affect others; those decisions may influence thousands of people’s opinions on political issues’ Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Cordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via; jeromeutomi@ yahoo.com.

PAGE 14

NEWS Inculcate good maintainance culture on infrastructures minister challenges education administrators From Umar Dankano,Yola.

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he infrastructural and human development being witness in all tertiary institutions across the country have been described as indicators that Federal government’s policy on education sector is on the right track.

Minister of Education,Mallam Adamu Adamu gave the ascription in Federal College of Education Yola ,Adamawa state while commissioning some gigantic projects constructed by the Tertiary Education Trust Funds (TETFUND) stressing that the government is poised in provision of projects with direct bearing on populace.

Represented by Director,Tertiary Institutions, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajiya Rakiya Gambo Iliyasu, Adamu charged the management of all institutions to ensure absolute maintenance of the projects for generations unborn.

Iliyasu observed that the low or poor quality of learning is among the major factors responsible for the fallen standard of education in country which must be address by Acadamic solutions.

She stated that the Academic staff and teachers have to strive hard in changing the narrative lamenting that if the output given to students is a quality one then the investment by government is profitable.

While acknowledging the contributions of the Ecological Trust Fund (ETF) and TETFUND in our educational sector,Iliyasu urged the management of various academic institutions to develop more strategies to enrich our learning atmosphere.

Earlier in his welcome address, Provost of FCE Yola, Professor Abdulmuminu Sa’ad expressed delight with the developmental strives been witnessing under his leadership in the institution.

Professor Sa’ad highlighted that the infrastructures built by TETFUND have gone a long way in addressing shortage of office and learning theatres in the college.

He maintained that his administration has introduced a Bachelor degree program in Arts which has graduated three sets of degree holders.

He appreciated the supports been rendered to the college by Adamawa state government as well as the Federal government as well.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

Zamfara bye-election: APC to drag INEC, IGP to court From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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he Zamfara State chapter of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced legal preparations to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to court over the just concluded State Assembly bye-election in Bakura.

Chairman Publicity Committee of the APC State headquarters, Ibrahim Muhammad Birninmagaji, made the announcement in a press briefing at the party headquarters

Gusau today.

Birninmagaji who, said the APC was discouraged and compelled to have withdrawn from the 9 Wednesday re-run election having noticed that INEC and the security agencies have unconstitutionally delved selves obviously into serving only the best interest of PDP. He contended that, APC has in record, formidable evidences to present before the court against the selfish actions of the INEC and the IGP which included firing of gunshots by security operatives at some polling units aimed scaring away voters in favor of the ruling PDP. The Chairman further

cried that, “When the exercise commenced on the 5th December 2020, there were large scale of violence in almost all the 114 polling units and 9 voting points across the Bakura local government in order to instill fear into the innocent eligible voters who turned up to exercise their civic rights”.

“In the beginning, things started on a very good footing because we were carried along in all issues pertaining the exercise, not until when INEC seemed to have compromised and started to operate as another Zamfara State Government own Agency, doing the bidding of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

According to him, the complicity of the security agencies in the exercise was so glaring that some of their operatives were used in the intimidation, vote buying and ballot snatching episode, adding that, some members of the PDP are now in custody of EFCC at it’s Sokoto zonal office for alleged vote buying during rerun election.

“INEC did not take into cognizance, the APC critical role as major stakeholder in the exercise and therefore went solo to finish it’s dirty job it started and that’s what informed our earlier decision not to participate in the supplementary election”, Birninmagaji has stated.

L-R: INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu being received by members of Staff Commission, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Kangiwa expresses readiness to support ATPN on capacity building

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Kangiwa has expressed the readiness of the Institute to partner with the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) to rejuvenate the Nigerian domestic tourism industry for improved economic activities within the country.

Kangiwa made the disclosure when the officials of association led by its President,Hassan Zakari paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Abuja .

He said the Nigerian domestic tourism industry is a big goldmine that has remained untapped in spite of its socio-economic potentials to improve the nation’s economy and raise the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) This was contained in a statement signed by Ahmed Mohammade Sule,

Director Media&Public Relations.

The Director-General who stated the resolve of NIHOTOUR under his watch to ensure quality service delivery in the industry through the training of highly skilled and knowledge-based professionals said the performance of the tourism industry of any country is hinged on the quality of operators of the industry, adding that this explains the high level of operational achievements of such countries as Kenyan, South Africa, The Gambia, among others in the global tourism market and space.

Kangiwa explained further that Nigeria can achieve much more in both domestic and foreign revenue generation if tourism is accorded the needed patronage by the people, adding that it is about time Nigerians are encouraged to undertake a tour of the huge and vast tourism potentials that the country is blessed with.

He noted that it doesn’t augur well that many Nigerians do not know

much about the tourism resources that the country is endowed with, but can boast of visiting tourism sites of other countries, saying that we need to change the narratives for the socioeconomic benefits of the country.

Kangiwa who stated the readiness of the Institute to partner and collaborate with ATPN in all aspects of the Courses and training offered

by NIHOTOUR to grow the nation’s tourism industry via the training of skilled manpower that will efficiently manage operations within the industry expressed his happiness for the visit as a means of strengthening the cordial bonds between the Institute and the Association.

Earlier in his remarks, President of ATPN, Hassan Zakari said their visit on the Director-General was informed by the need to collaborate with the Institute for the professional training and upgrade of their members as well as to bring the practical experience of some of their members to bear on the

training programs and activities of the Institute.

Zakari stated that ATPN is impressed with Alhaji Kangiwa’s appointment as Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s apex public tourism and hospitality training Institute in view of his pedigree and antecedent as a foremost stakeholder and key player in the industry, adding that the Association is confident that Kangiwa will no doubt bring his vast experience to bring in the effective running of the Institute for better service delivery in manpower development, skilled acquisition and capacity building for the industry.

He pledged the support and cooperation of members of the Association to the Director-General to enable him succeed and achieve the implementation of the core mandate of the Institute for the benefit of the industry and the socio-economic interest of the country.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

Delta: Senate approves restoration of Abraka State Constituency

By Musa Baba Adamu

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he Senate has approved the restoration of Abraka State Constituency in Ethiope East Local Government Area from the present Ethiope East State Constituency, in line with the orders of the Federal High Court.

The approval was reached in resolutions reached by the Upper Chamber following consideration of a motion sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege (APC – Delta Central).

Omo-Agege has in his motion “recalls that prior to 1999, Abraka State Constituency in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State was a separate and distinct State Constituency with an elected member in the Delta State House of Assembly.

“Further recalls that as at 1992/1993, the highly populated Abraka State Constituency in Ethiope East Local Government Area was duly represented in the Delta State House of Assembly

by Honourable Emmanuel Akpor Ifeta, but the constituency was arbitrarily and unjustifiably suppressed and collapsed into the present Ethiope East State Constituency in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State during the 1999 General Elections and it has remained so since then; “Notes that following persistent agitations by concerned leaders, electorates and stakeholders of the highly populated Abraka State Constituency in Ethiope East Local Government Area, leading to legal contestations, the Federal High Court, Warri on the 5th day of March, 2015 rendered a decision to suit No: FHC/WR/32/2014 between Comrade Bayo Eyube & 2 ORS v. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) directing INEC to restore the suppressed Abraka State Constituency in Ethiope East Local Government Area as a distinct State Constituency.

The Senate after consideration of the motion, accordingly, approved Abraka State Constituency in Ethiope East Local Government Area, consisting of INEC’s present Abraka Ward 1, Abraka Ward 2 and Abraka Ward 3.

The Upper Chamber also resolved that the remaining part of the present Ethiope East State Constituency in Ethiope East Local Government Area, consisting of INEC’s Ward 4 (Okpare Inland), Ward 5 (Obi), Ward 6 (Kokori Inland), Ward 7 (Orhuoakpor), Ward 8 (Okpara Waterside), Ward 9 (Eku), Ward 10 (Egba/Samagidi) and Ward 11 (Isiokoro).

The Senate also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to comply with its resolution ahead of the next General Elections and election of the members of the next Delta State House of Assembly in compliance with section 115 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

APC postpones nationwide membership registration, revalidation exercise

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the proposed nationwide membership registration exercise scheduled to commence yesterday.

Briefing journalists yesterday at the party National Secretariat in Abuja, the Secretary of the APC

Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, said “As you are all aware, the Membership Registration, Update and Revalidation Exercise of our Great Party, was supposed to commence on Saturday, December 12, 2020.

“On account of several factors however, including the fast-

approaching Christmas and End of Year celebrations; as well as the interest of our Christian members; and the objective of ensuring maximum participation, the CECPC has decided to shift the date of the Exercise to the second week of January 2021.

“The CECPC sincerely regrets any inconveniences that may

arise out of the change in date; but appeals for the understanding of our teeming members and the general public, in the interest of preparing a solid foundation for a successful Exercise.

“The Party wishes you all; as well as members of the public, a peaceful and rewarding Yuletide, and End of Year celebration”.

Chief of Staff to Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kari ( m), Director General of Gombe state Joint Project Development Agency, Engineer Idris Mahdi( L) and Representative of EEC construction company, Mr. Dong Jian during the signing of N2.8b contract fir roads and bridge in 3 Local Government areas.

Fayose reveals why Buhari failed to honour Reps’ summon

By Musa Baba Adamu

F

ormer Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Thursday, described President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to honour its invitation as an act of dictatorship.

The House of Reps had summoned President Muhammadu Buhari over the growing insecurity in Nigeria.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila had confirmed that

Buhari was willing to appear before the House, adding that a date had been agreed and will be made public soon.

But Malami in a statement earlier in the week said the House lacks the powers to summon the President to interface with it on the rising insecurity, adding that it was “outside constitutional bounds”.

Reacting , Fayose on his Twitter page said Buhari will not honour the summons on

insecurity because he does not regard other arms of government.

He, however, urged the president to apologise to Nigerians for misleading them to elect him.

His tweet read: “I said it on December 1, that President Buhari won’t honour the House of Reps invitation on the worsened security situation in the country.

Truly he didn’t.

“With a democratically elected President who does not

have regard for other arms of government, how else do you describe a dictator.

“Before and after 2015, those of you who were opposed to my views on Buhari’s Presidency then cannot but agree today that Nigerians were misled to have elected him.

“Methinks they should publicly apologize for misleading Nigerians just like others have been doing.

Court vacates order stopping Abia LGA election

A

High Court in Abia State, Thursday, vacated the order restraining the Abia State Independent National Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), from conducting December 18th local government election across the wards in the seventeen LGA of the state.

Recall that Justice Agwu Umah Kalu-led High Court in Aba division had issued a

a restraining order against the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, from continuing to demand N480,000 from all Chairmanship candidates and N145,000 from all Councillorship candidates for forms pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The court also restrained ABSIEC from excluding candidates of the All Progressive

Congress, APC, from participating in the forthcoming Local Government election on the ground of non-payment of the fees it imposed or any other ground not supported by law whatsoever pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The Abia High Court further restrained the State Electoral Commission from refusing and or continuing to refuse APC the

relevant forms for the election in compliance with Paragraph 7 (a) and (b) of the Guidelines for the conduct of Local Government Elections.

The Suit with the number A/297/2020, was filed by Barrister Perfect Okorie, counsel to the Abia State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, against the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC).

Ghana election: Opposition party, NDC rejects result, reveals next line of action

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he opposition political party in Ghana has rejected the result of the presidential and parliamentary election as announced by the country’s electoral body.

The National Democratic Congress, NDC said it was heading to court to challenge the election results.

The NDC alleged overwhelming evidence of election corruption, which it said made it impossible to accept the result.

The objections by the opposition were disclosed by a member of the Ghanaian parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, who addressed a press conference on

Thursday.

He was reacting to the result announced by the electoral commission declaring President AkufoAddo the winner of the election with 51.59 percent, beating the NDC’s leader, Mahama’s 47.36 percent.

“We intend to take decisive

and concrete steps, both with the presidential and parliamentary results, to overturn this brazen and shameless attack on our democracy,” Iddrissu added Recall that Nana Akufo-Ado defeated his closest challenger and former president John Mahama by polling 6,730,413 votes (51.59 per cent).

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

POLITICS NASS vows support for Buhari’s social intervention programmes

By Musa Baba Adamu

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resident of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the National Assembly will continue to support the Social Intervention Programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

According to Lawan, the various intervention programmes by the federal government seeks to reduce unemployment figures across the country.

The Senate President made this known in his remarks after consideration of a motion during plenary urging the Senate to appeal for the reversal or suspension of

the presidential directive on the removal of Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan Argungu as the DirectorGeneral of the National Directorate of Employment.

“My understanding of this motion is essentially to make the point that the Senate and, indeed the National Assembly, is in full support of the Social Public Works Programme.

“The recruitment of 1000 people in each local government, which comes to 774,000 slots across the country, is one that we are in total support of, and will continue to do so.

“We relate with people all the time and we know the need and

imperative of such a Programme, and this administration is doing well with so many social intervention programmes and, therefore, we will continue to support such programmes.

“I think the problem is the dislocation, if I may use the word, that the sacking of the DG would cause.

“The NDE successfully implemented a pilot Programme in six states under the leadership of the DG, and if there are rifts between the DG and his Ministers, I think we should look at the benefits of getting this Programme implemented and resolve the issues that may characterize the relationship,” he

said.

Earlier, sponsor of the motion, Senator Hassan Hadejia (APC – Jigawa North East), while coming under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Order, “notes with concern, reports on the removal of Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan Argungu as the DG, NDE attributed to a press statement of 8th December, 2020 issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu which indicates that the presidential directive on the removal of Dr Argungu as the DG, NDE on Friday, December 4th, 2020 took effect from Monday, December 7th, 2020; Accordingly, the Senate in

APC: Avoid Nwoye, Ogbodo factions – Okorie begs Gov Buni’s committee

Director-General, NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim making a presentation today to the Executive Director of Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Dr Olufemi Oladunni in his office during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies, recently in Ilorin.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Obinna Okorie, has asked the party’s national body not to appoint any of the state’s factional Chairmen into the caretaker committee.

Obinna said the lingering internal crisis in the Enugu branch of the party, would have been laid to rest if the national body had acted against Ben Nwonye and Deacon Okay Ogbodo, the two warring party leaders.

He cautioned that only fresh hands, new party handlers will give the APC a stronger disposition in the state.

He explained that retaining either of the two warring leaders will continue to plunge the party into deeper crises, as the party’s interest does not form parts of their day to day decisions.

“Since Ben Nwonye ascended his position as factional leader of the Party in the state, he cannot boast of winning any elective office, not even the ward Counselorship.

“To be fair to him, he prefers to frolic with the Governor and the PDP in the state than face his core business of expanding the party and winning elective offices,” he said.

“The simple solution to this political impasse is to wash them away. They have failed the party in the state, and they are ready to do more harm to the party if given a similar advantage.

“So I call on the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and Chief Ken Nnamani, APC caretaker committee chairman in the southeast to as a matter of urgency consider appointing fresh and independent minds to drive the party in the state,” he concluded.

its resolutions, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to reconsider and rescind his directive on the removal of Dr. Nasiru Ladan Mohammed Argungu as the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment in the overriding national public interest.

The Upper Chamber also urged the President to direct an investigation into the causes of the frosty relationship between Dr. Nasiru Ladan Argungu and his supervisory Minister, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and the impact of such frosty relationship on the implementation of the FG’s Special Works Programme.

IPAC urges Mahmoud Yakubu to commence deep electoral reforms

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has congratulated Manhood Yakubu on his swearing in for a second tenure as Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging

him to commence deep electoral reforms.

In a statement issued yesterday

by Agbo Major, who is the National Publicity Secretary of (IPAC), the Council said it is symbolic that his swearing in came on a day that the Electoral Act amendment public hearing was conducted by the

National Assembly.

“It is a wake up call for him to pay greater attention to electoral reform particularly deepening of technology in electoral process as well as ensuring that every vote counts in Nigerian elections. He made remarkable progress in his first tenure and should endeavour

to surpass that feat.

“Council urges him to improve on that bearing in mind that the political destiny of the nation depends on the conduct of free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable and peaceful elections as power resides in the people”, the statement said.

NASS to ensure protection of aviation sector - Lawan

By Musa Baba Adamu

P

resident of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has assured the airline operators that the National Assembly will ensure that the Aviation sector is protected and supported.

Lawan stated this in a welcome address delivered when executives of the Airline Operators of Nigeria paid a visit to him at the National Assembly on Thursday.

They were led to the Office of the Senate President by the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika.

Lawan said for private investors in the country’s aviation industry to survive, government policies must be fine-tuned in a way to ensure they thrive.

The Senate President who pledged the support of the National Assembly towards ensuring that airline operators

are not squeezed out of business, said the legislature would look into policies affecting the sector while taking into consideration government’s need for revenue generation.

“The policies of government at all times should be in tandem to make life better for citizens particularly, and support businesses to grow.

“The aviation industry of course is no exception.

Government policies should always be targeted at ensuring this industry prospers.”

“I followed the drafting of the FIRS bill particularly, and the aviation sector was missed.

We will find out why it was not included.

“But I want to assure you that what this Senate and, indeed this National Assembly, would do what is necessary to ensure that

you are protected and supported.

Earlier, the Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Allen Onyema, while lamenting the reintroduction of government duties on imported spare parts for aircrafts by the Nigeria Customs Service, disclosed that private airlines would have suspended flying indefinitely last week owing to the high cost of operations.

According to Onyema who also is the Chairman of Air Peace, the return of high duties on imported parts has made it impossible for airlines to undertake clearance of aircraft parts at sea ports and cargo sheds, a situation which poses a risk on the safety of fliers.

He, therefore, appealed to the Senate to incorporate President Buhari’s duty waiver on commercial aircrafts and spare parts into the Finance Bill presently before the National

Assembly.

“Mr. President, it is not something to be proud of, that in the last thirty years of our lives as a nation, over fifty airlines have gone down. The owners of these airlines succeeded in other business, why have they failed in aviation?

“It could be traced to so many factors, including corporate governance, but most importantly policies. The policies have not been friendly to the growth of aviation.

“The President of this country, Muhammadu Buhari, in his wisdom and avowed determination to encourage indigenous businesses in this country, decided to grant zero duty to airlines for the importation of commercial aircrafts and spare parts.

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

CBN targets over $24bn annual remittance inflows

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Telecom industry Stakeholders in a webinar conference, brainstorm on ways to leverage technology in enhancing businesses, security and to aid the physically challenged persons.

IDEA ’04 defines an assistive technology service as “any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.”

The Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta in his welcome address, stressed the need to assist both the physically challenged and security agencies on the use of assistive technology.

Represented by the Director, New Media and Information Security, NCC, Dr. Haru Alhassan, Danbatta said, AT was necessary to address unmet needs.

He said, “taking into cognisance that both accessibility and usability could differ for individual depending on physical abilities just as it can differ for sectors-specific transactions, we search for assistance. For the physically challenged, assistance is not only needed but required to be given.

Sometimes also, in national interest assistance is required especially with new media – e.g. in surveillance, immigration, policing, trade and so on.

In order to address these unmet needs we turn to Assistive Technology (AT) through universal design in all forms of telecommunications services design.”

According to him, “a major requirement of a utility regulator like the NCC is to be in continual fulfillment of its universal access and service obligations (UASO). Achieving this mandate involves paying due attention to new media development and in particular on the approaches to availability, accessibility and usability.

Notwithstanding the underlining design or manufacturing philosophy adopted, it is very important to meet this wide variety of needs in the original design of telecommunications systems, so that an increasing number of users can benefit from available services,” he said.

The EVC said, “Assistive Technology function is an addition and novel regulatory approach towards fulfilling the universal access and service obligation. Besides, AT is in compliance with the recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through Study Group-16

which Working Parties (WPs) deal with Multimedia. Through its different WPs, SG-16 develops capability to handle different information media and control actions which varies within wide boundaries amongst users of telecommunications and multimedia services .”

In Nigeria, a lot of success has been achieved opening up the telecommunications space and it is timely to advance attention on design for all (DfA) or universal design (UD) which can lead to offering of devices that are accessible and usable in totality.

This consideration will, however, highlight some inherent technical and social implications for which only regulatory and legislative interventions can resolve. In addition, it will support several new thematic actions to be established in the national context.

The objectives of the conference are: To ensure co-ordination of telecoms related services or products with the design-for-all and Assistive technology fields, promote the role of NCC as a focal candidate in the design-for-all Assistive Technology, promote local content contributions and expand knowledge acquisition

in developing future guidelines and tools by sector players, assist in organising promotional activities on design-for-all and assistive technology guidelines and recommendations others are to promote inclusiveness in New Media user-group through workshops and others collaborative opportunities, increase accessibility of New Media telecommunications network services and equipments by the needy community through design or alternatively, by adaptation when necessary and increase usability and accessibility of telecommunications services and development of corresponding toolsets and others.

The conference focused on four key areas, which are: provision of Assistive Technologies in the field of communications, with a view to the identification of unmet needs, identification of recent technological developments that may enable new services, identification of existing Assistive Technology developments, including those that may require immediate intervention by relevant parties and to achieve a set of priority areas where NCC’s involvement could provide the stimulus for industry to develop new assistive products or

services. And to also provide context awareness on Assistive Technology (AT), which is assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for physically challenged people, as well as things of national interest like surveillance, policing and so on.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Director, New Media and Information Security, NCC, Dr. Haru Alhassan said, “the conference aims at ensuring that available resources are targeted effectively to identify the areas where NCC could have the greatest potential impact in supporting the future development and application of new Assistive Technology by way of design for all (DfA) or universal design (UD).

We encourage you all to participate fully in this workshop,” he said.

Eniola Campbell, Nokia country head in Nigeria said, “5G technology will greatly impact on Internet of Things devices as it will enable us do a lot with them without being present everywhere.”

Felix Gbadebo, a retired Air Vice Marshall said, with AT, telecom could assist the physically challenged in the society.

Kontagora, Tegina, Kagara to experience 4Days Power Outage -AEDC

By Etuka Sunday

A

buja Electricity Distribution Company says power supply to Kontagora, Tegina, Kagara and surrounding towns and villages will be interrupted from Thursday Dec. 10th, 2020 till Monday 14th December, 2020 as a result of the need to maintain the Kontagora 132/33kV transmission line serving the affected areas.

During the exercise, the Kainji Line Maintenance crew of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, which handle the exercise will fabricate and

replace the cross arms on tower 244 and 246, which had become necessary.

While appealing for the understsnding of its customers, AEDC said the maintenance exercise is intended to enable its customers enjoy better power supply. “Our colleagues in TCN have assured us of their readiness to complete the exercise within the stipulated time and restore supply immediately.

Our customers should therefore have no fear about the commitment of our colleagues in TCN to the completion of the exercise and the restoration of supply within the stipulated time.”

L-R Deputy Gov Niger state, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Governor Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, Deputy Governor, corporate services, CBN, Mr Edward Adamu, Director Development Finance CBN, Mr Philip Yusuf Yila, National President Rice Farmers Association ofNigeria (RIFAN) Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, Niger State Coordinator, RIFAN special Project, Mallam Idris Usman, Branch controller CBN Minna Dr Muhammed Tulu, at the National Flag-Off of Dry Season Rice Farming in Minna , Niger state on Thursday, December 10, 2020

WAPP holds 48th Executive Board Meeting in Lome, Togo

By Etuka Sunday

Coronation of Iyalode: Yoruba Islamic leader lauds Obas of Abuja

By Usman Shuiabu

T

he chairman of Yoruba Muslim Community Zuba in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Alhaji Mufutau O. Suleiman, has

commended the entire Obas of Yoruba of Abuja for step been taken to crown Chief (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Badmus as the Iyalode of Abuja.

Suleiman, who gave the commendation while speaking

with Peoples Daily Correspondent after the turbaning ceremony of Iyalode which took place at the premises of Oba Salau’s house in Abuja on Sunday.

He said the chieftaincy title bestowed on Iyalode of Abuja

would bring progress to the entire Yoruba Community in the FCT and Nigeria at large.

He said: “I am very happy to be among the people who witnessed the coronation of Iyalode of Abuja today”.

Suleiman who is the best vice chairman of APC South-West in Gwagwalada hailed Iyalode for her efforts to provide relief materials for the less privileged ones during the Corona Virus Pandemic (Covid19).

Agric Minister calls for parastatals’ synergy for Food security

By Amaechi Agbo

T

he minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Sabo Nanono has called for improved synergy among parastatals under the

ministry in order to ensure food security in the country.

Nanono stated this on Thursday during an interaction on “Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture for Chief Executives and Chairmen

of Governing Boards of Parastatals and Agencies” under the ministry held in Abuja.

Nanono who highlighted the importance of the interactive section with the key stakeholders in the sector, said the meeting it

was aimed at revisiting existing synergy and strengthening collaboration on developing the agriculture sector of the economy.

“It is on record that this Administration sees agriculture

as a medium for strengthening strategic partnership and sectoral linkages for importsubstitution, enterprise development, value-added processing and economic diversification.”

A

s part of the ongoing 15th Session of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) General Assembly for the year, 2020, WAPP has held its 48th WAPP Executive Board Meeting in Lome, Republic of Togo on the 9th of December, 2020, chaired by the new WAPP Chairman and Ag. MD/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz.

Delivering his welcome address, the WAPP Chairman noted that the power sector, as the engine of every economy, has been significantly impacted by the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, leading to, in most cases, a reduction in electricity demand, financial stress and other disruptions. He however commended the high level of work accomplished by WAPP inspite of the pandemic.

The pandemic he said, has introduced several challenges for everyone and institutions globally and WAPP is not exempted, as increasing unemployment and poverty has prevented many from paying their electricity bills.

Payment delays and sometimes delinquency of utility bills by end-consumers he continued, is having detrimental effect along the electricity supply chain.

With the pandemic effect on the supply / demand side of the value chain and the already existing liquidity crises, strategic options he said, must be deployed to assist utilities bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s negative consequences.

He however expressed the confidence that one of the longterm benefits of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market and Interconnected Grid that WAPP is working to establish, will enhance

the resilience of the electricity supply chain against such ravaging events as the COVID-19 Pandemic, and that WAPP would pursue this rigorously.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Ndidi Mbah in a statement said, Engr. Abdulaziz encouraged the sharing of strategies and collaboration among member utilities as well as the need to volunteer solutions that can further enhance WAPP resilience to the pandemic, noting that the realization of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market will equally contribute immensely to easing some of these challenges.

Giving the activity report of WAPP for the period January to December, 2020, the Secretary General of WAPP, Mr. KI Apolonaire Seingui said that despite the negative impact of the pandemic, WAPP has continued

to make giant strides towards the implementation of a competitive regional electricity market. He informed the board that the WAPP membership had increased to 36 member utilities with one observer.

The Sec. Gen. also spoke on the status of implementation of the various projects handled by the WAPP secretariat which are at various stages of execution; these include the 330kV WAPP North Core Interconnection Project linking Nigeria to Niger, Benin/Togo and Burkina Faso as well as the 330kV Median Core Interconnection Project that would connect Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire among others.

On the establishment of Regional Electricity Market, The Sec. Gen. said that the Regional Market is the ultimate goal set for the WAPP by the ECOWAS

Heads of State and Government and that the WAPP Information and Coordination Center (WAPP ICC).

He noted that he department in charge of activities related to the Regional Market has done a lot towards establishing the Market in line with the WAPP Market Roadmap.

Activities include the Implementation of the Synchronization project of WAPP Interconnected Power Systems and the improvement of Distribution Utilities Performance targeting distribution loss reduction among others.

The WAPP Executive Board consists of 15 members, eleven (11) permanent member, three (3) rotating members and one (1) honorary member. The WAPP Executive Board meeting precedes the Donors coordination Meeting and the WAPP General Assembly.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

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I N D U S T R Y

FG set to meet January 2021 AfCFTA takeoff date

By Miriam Humbe

S

ecretary of the National Action Committee (NAC) on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. Francis Anatogu, has said that a national AfCFTA implementation strategy is being developed to ensure smooth take-off effective January 1, 2021.

The Secretary revealed this at the technical session of the 12th meeting of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment which held in Abuja recently.

To achieve this, he said the committee has already set up 14 work streams along three thematic areas such as trade in goods, trade in services and trade enablement.

Anatogu said: “The Policy Regulations and Laws Team have started the process of identifying the critical elements of the agreement which will lead to its domestication.

“Most of our laws need a bit of improving, not just because of AfCFTA but because some of the laws are passed a long time ago even before independence and have become outdated. At the continental level, we must make sure that the rules under AfCFTA are obeyed, this is critical.”

He said the committee is strategizing on best ways to double Nigeria’s export volume by the year 2030 and as well identifying key sectors, services and products which could be the best supplier in Africa.

AfCFTA seeks to give access to a trillion dollars per annum African market as well as removing duty on 90% of tradable goods while liberalising five sectors including financial services, transportation, business services, tourism and communications.

The main objectives of the AfCFTA are to create a continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people and capital, and pave the way for creating a Customs Union – growing intra-African trade through better harmonisation and coordination of trade liberalisation across the continent.

Nigeria had already submitted its Instruments of Ratification of the AfCFTA, becoming the 34th African country fully do so, ahead of the deadline of 5th December 2020The agreement goes into effect from the 1st of January 2021.

Industry Ministry’s operations to go fully digital, says Perm Sec

By Miriam Humbe

P

ermanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, (FMITI), Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, has said as part of strategy to revitalise the Industry, Trade and Investment sectors, efforts are being made to digitalize the operations of FMITI and its agencies through “Digitals Industry, Trade and Investment Platform (DITIP)” Dr. Gwarzo said this while declaring open the technical

session of the Meeting of Virtual and Physical Session of the 12th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment sectors in Nigeria in the Post Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic, which took place in Abuja.

The session was themed:‘’Revitalization of the Industry, Trade and Investment Sector in Nigeria in the Post Corona Virus (COVID -19) Pandemic Era.’’ He said that the Platform is an Enterprise E-Solution that drives a fully automated paperless hub

where all businesses, processes and procedures of the Ministry and its Agencies are harmonised, co-ordinated and streamlined to provide prompt, efficient, predictable, and transparent servicesto businesses and Investments.

“This is in addition to revamping the Ministry`s Website for efficient and effective information and communication of the activities of the Ministry and its parastatals,” Gwarzo said.

“I wish to inform you that the

Ministry is proposing to develop sector strategic plan 2020-2030 in collaboration with the World Bank, the plan would serve as the roadmap and a guide for sustainable revitalization of the sector” he added.

Director, Planning, Policy, Research and Statistics (PPR&S), Alh. Babagana Alkali appreciated the Chairman of the Technical Session who is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, and all invitees for their time and contributions at the session.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

METRO

Page 21

FCTA receives 8,744 applications for Abuja land in 12 months

By Stanley Onyekwere

D

espite the effect of the Coronavirus otherwise known as (COVID-19) pandemic that slows down the World economy, the FCT Administration has revealed that it has received 8,744 fresh applications seeking for various types of land allocation in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this year, 2020.

The Director of FCT Land Administration, Adamu Jibrin Hussaini, made this revelation at the end of the year press briefing in his office at No. 4, Peace Drive,

…603 C-of-O conveyed

Central Business District, Abuja.

Hussaini further disclosed that these applications comprise of 5,513 for private residential, 1,828 for commercial purposes and 1,400 for others in the Federal Capital City (FCC).

He revealed that the Administration also received two applications for diplomatic use and one application for government agency respectively.

According to him, during the same period, the FCT Administration has successfully

conveyed 603 Certificates of Occupancy to titleholders across the country.

He noted that 299 Certificates of Occupancy are for Sales of Federal Government Houses; while 304 were for other properties in the Federal Capital City.

The Director urged title holders in the FCT to come forward and collect their Certificates of Occupancy, which has been duly processed and laying in the vaults ready for collection.

His words: “The FCT Administration intends to change the narrative by assiduously working very hard in the subsequent years to double the conveyance of Certificates of Occupancy to titleholders to ensure that the status grantors of land in the FCT and individual beneficiaries of Mass Housing shall have bankable, marketable titles towards encouraging investment in the FCT; thereby lubricating the post COVID-19 Abuja economy.”

Meanwhile, on land transaction among the citizenry, the Administration received 4,154

applications to conduct legal search to ascertain the veracity or status of such title documents.

“These requests among others comprise of 2,635 for residential applications, 1,519 for commercial plots and property respectively,” the Director added.

Furthermore, the Director said during the year under review, the FCT Administration registered 875 titles including the Certificates of Occupancy; Deed of Assignment; Power of Attorney; Deed of Gift; Deed of Release; Deed of Sublease and Legal Mortgages.

L-R: Yakubu Gontor, Director, Finance Services Department, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Abbia Udofia, Director, Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related Offences Commission, ICPC; Josephine Amuwa, Director Legal and Regulatory Services Department, NCC; Usman Malah, Director, Human Capital and Administration Department/Chairman, NCC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), NCC; Alice Bolarinwa, Oath Administrator, ICPC; Alkasim Umar, Head Compliance Monitoring/Member ACTU, during the inauguration and Induction of the NCC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit(ACTU) yesterday, December 10, 2020 in Abuja.

FG promises economic empowerment of rape victims through skills

By Miriam Humbe

M

inister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, (FMITI) Ambassador Mariam Yalwaji Katagum has said the Ministry is committed to the rehabilitation of rape victims in Nigeria through its agencies such as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

The Minister said this during a courtesy call by a delegation from the Federation of West Africa Freelance Journalist Association (FWAFJA) led by its President, Mr. Abayomi Runsewe at her office in Abuja recently.

Ambassador Katagum

said the FMITI would achieve this as it partners with the Association in giving relevant support to victims of rape in areas of skills acquisition, capacity building, trade and investment activities.

She noted that men are also victims of rape especially young men, “even though they may not easily voice out like the women”, stressing that, the Ministry would give due attention to all of them in the aspects that relate to its mandates.

Deputy Director, Gender in the Ministry, Mrs. Achinam Fidel pointed out that the recent 75billion Naira National MSMEs Survival Fund and Guaranteed Offtake Scheme approved by President Mohammed Buhari

to cushion the effect of Covid -19 pandemic on businesses has allocated 45% to Nigerian business women.

Earlier in his address, the President of the Federation of West African Freelance Journalists Association (FWAFJA), Mr. Abayomi Runsewe said that his association was committed to the rehabilitation of victims of rape in Nigeria.

Runsewe said: ‘’Rape victims suffer a lot of psychological and social trauma as a result of the abuse.

Many of the victims even go as far as committing suicide but with the help and emergence of the association, there is now hope and they are giving a voice to speak out’’ He said the high increase

of rape victims in Nigeria presented an urgent need for the association to operate and solicit the support of the Ministry in order to render better services.

He also said that to further institutionalize this project, construction of a building has been planned for the operations of all activities relating to rape victims, while a movie titled ‘’RED ROSE” has been released to further express and buttress what the rape victims are passing through emotionally.

Highlight of the occasion was the honoring of the Minister as the International Ambassador of Anti-Rape Campaign by the West African Freelance Journalists Association (FWAFJA).

L-R: Suspected Kidnappers Aliyu Abudullahi and Aliyu Umaru who were involved in kidnapping a US citizen being Parade by Police at the Force Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Commuters at ease as Dutse-Alhaji road hits 90% completion

By Stanley Onyekwere

C

ommuters traversing the ever busy Dutse-Alhaji road, in Bwari Area Council of the the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are now feeling at ease, following the speedy completion of major expansion works on the road.

In particular, many residents in communities such as Dutse-Alhaji, Duste-Makaranta, Sokale, Usuman Dam and Bwari Town are now very happy, as for a road they hitherto used to spend two hours, they traverse now in 40 minutes.

This is coming against the backdrop of years of untold hardship and nightmarish experiences, resulting in lost of daily man-hours by commuters while plying the road, despite FCT Administration’s assurances to hasten up the project and ease traffic gridlock there.

Recall that the road expansion works awarded by the Federal

Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to Setraco Construction Company (SCC) ltd, in as part of efforts to reduce daily traffic gridlock on that road axis leading to Bwari town of Abuja.

However, on a visit to the area, the Chairman, commercial drivers Association covering Ushafa and Bwari axis of Duste-Alhaji, Abdurasheed Aminu, the road is now okay, as they are at comfortable using the road.

“The road is okay now, as we ply the highway with ease. He however appealed for provision of a garage, they don’t have approved garage in the area Aminu described the development as a dream come true, as commuters like never before, are enjoying a seamless vehicular and human traffic flow, thereby improving the socioeconomic welfare of people in the area.

“At this stage, the road is okay,

but let them give us a garage, because we don’t have anyone here, so people are parking on the road corridor. Even the Keke riders don’t have a garage, so they should also be given a garage, to enable us do what we do better,” he stressed. .According to the Director, Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Engineer, Felix Nwankwo, the road is virtually completed as it’s at almost 90%, the only thing remaining is the wearing curve and some portions with small cable works.

Nwankwo, who spoke with newsmen during inspection of the road yesterday, said all the junctions and entrances have been designed for the project which was awarded in 2010, as part of the Kubwa infrastructure project, so the traffic is going to be ok.

“What is left, is just relocation of the underground cables, because if we do it by Monday, before the end

of this year or early next year, they will finish it. They are capable of doing it.

“The Pedestrian bridge is not our contract. It’s the contract of the transportation Secretariat, so we will write them, to remain them, they came here and started it and left. We have already a layback for them. They are the ones handling the pedestrian bridge project, not STDD,” he stated.

On his part, the Chairman, FCT Ministerial Taskteam on City Sanitation and Traffic Management, Comrade Ikharo Attah, commended the engineers of the STDD as well as those who handled the project, for doing a wonderful job.

“We, as traffic managers are extremely elated, because this will make our traffic management job a lot easier than when we had to come and stay here, and keep our men till 10 pm.

“When we came here about two

months ago, following a marching order by the FCT Minister, that the road should be motorable within two months, many persons doubted that this would work, but within the period we have almost finished the road.

“Despite the#EndSARS protests that stopped the work for about a week or so, the work is almost completed. The challenges we are having here is people trying to bring street trading to the main road; and people trying to turn a section of the road into a parking lot which we are discouraging. But by and large, the beautiful thing is that the FCTA has kept its two months promises to ensure that the road is motorable.

“Our appeal and fear is that the rate of speed that people plying the road now used especially at night, because they drive as if they are on the race track. That is very worrisome.”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

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world news

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international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Brexit: EU sets out plans in case trade talks with UK fail

T

he EU has published contingency plans in case of the possible collapse of Brexit trade talks with the UK. The plans aim to ensure smooth UK-EU air and road travel, as well as allowing the possibility of fishing access to each other’s waters.

They come after talks between UK PM Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen aimed at ending a deadlock over the deal ended without agreement.

The UK is due to stop following EU trading rules on 31 December.

The UK left the EU at the end of January this year, but a transition period of 11 months followed to allow the two sides to try to negotiate a deal.

The commission said the application of the proposed measures would, in some cases, depend on the UK reciprocating and accepting certain terms.

The prime minister’s spokesman said such a statement from the EU had been expected and that the government had already set out its own plans in the event a trade deal could not be reached.

The main obstacles continue to be access to fishing waters, rules about subsidising businesses and how any new deal would be policed.

The EU’s contingency plans A statement by the European Commission - the EU executive - published on Thursday said there was currently “significant uncertainty” about whether a deal would be in place by 1 January.

“Our responsibility is to be prepared for all eventualities, including not having a deal in place,” Ms von der Leyen said.

Some sectors would be disproportionately affected, the commission said, adding that it was proposing four contingency measures “to mitigate some of the significant disruptions” if a deal were not in place: To ensure the provision of “certain air services” between the

Talks between Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen failed to break the deadlock UK and EU for six months, provided the UK does the same To allow aviation safety certificates to be used in EU aircraft without disruption to avoid grounding To ensure basic connectivity for road freight and passenger transport for six months, provided the UK does the same To allow the possibility of reciprocal fishing access for UK and EU vessels in each other’s waters for one year, or until an agreement is reached The commission also said its offers on road and air transport would depend on the UK providing “fair and equal opportunities”, adding: “A level playing field requires that, even after the end of the transition period, the United Kingdom continues to apply sufficiently high and comparable standards.”

The idea of level playing field

measures is to ensure businesses on one side do not have an unfair advantage over their competitors on the other. The EU wants the UK to stick particularly closely to a number of its rules but the UK argues Brexit means breaking free from following those rules.

Reacting to the plans, Boris Johnson’s spokesman said the UK government would look “very closely at the details” and that negotiators were “continuing to work to see if the two sides could bridge the remaining gaps”.

The spokesman added that the government “had been clear throughout it would not agree to anything that did not respect UK sovereignty”.

A conditional EU olive branch The European Commission has until now resisted calls from EU member states to publish these plans, partly because it did not want to jeopardise further the already

perilous trade talks.

The thinking was that the UK may view any EU contingency plans as rather palatable and encourage them to pursue a path to no deal.

Certainly, the proposal that planes and lorries would keep moving would appear to remove an element of drama from what happens on 1 January.

And on fishing - such a totemic issue in the wider talks - the message is that this would protect coastal communities in the face on growing uncertainty.

But dig deeper, and the EU olive branch is dependent on the UK accepting key terms, including agreements on the increasingly famous “level playing field” - the very subject which is proving so divisive in the seemingly deadlocked trade talks.

The state of play with the talks Negotiations on a trade deal are continuing, but Downing Street

said following Wednesday’s talks between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen that “very large gaps remain”.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was “unlikely” the negotiations would be extended beyond Sunday, while Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt said the UK was “working tirelessly to get a deal” but could not accept an agreement at any cost.

Ms von der Leyen said the EU was willing to grant the UK access to the single market “but the conditions have to be fair... for our workers and our companies”, adding: “This fine balance of fairness has not been achieved so far. We will take a decision on Sunday.”

EU leaders will be briefed about the talks at a summit in Brussels later on Thursday, although Brexit is not on the official discussion agenda.

EU travel ban possible Separately, the European Commission has confirmed reports that a ban on travel to the EU because of Covid-19 levels, currently applying to non-EU countries, could be extended to UK visitors from 1 January.

Currently only eight countries with low Covid rates are on the approved list for free travel and there are no plans to add the UK to that list.

But EU member states have control over their own border restrictions and could choose to have their own individual travel corridors and allow British visitors in.

Meanwhile, France’s minister for Europe, Clément Beaune, warned that visas might be required for UK citizens who plan to stay in the EU for more than three months.

But, he added, the matter was still being negotiated.

Talks between Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen failed to break the deadlock

Black Lives Matter: Activists demand #EndSARS protesters’ release

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rominent Black Lives Matters activists and celebrities have written to Nigeria’s president demanding justice over the treatment of people during protests against police brutality.

The group, which includes singer Alicia Keys and campaigner Greta Thunberg, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to free jailed protesters.

They also called for a “transparent investigation” into the alleged killing of protesters by armed forces.

“We cannot stay silent,” they said.

Witnesses say they saw soldiers open fire on protesters at a toll gate in the wealthy Lagos suburb of Lekki on 20 October. It followed weeks of protests, which began against the now-disbanded, much-hated police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars), but then morphed into greater calls for better governance.

“In the midst of a global pandemic, your people sought to

bring peace and justice to their land, and they made Africa and its diaspora proud in doing so,” the letter to President Buhari said.

“Yet their peaceful requests were met with state-sanctioned violence and suppression, as your administration meted out unwarranted force against its own unarmed citizens.”

The letter was organised by #BlackLivesMatter movement cofounder Opal Tometi, and timed to coincide with International Human Rights Day. Other signatories included actors Kerry Washington, Danny Glover and Mark Ruffalo, as well as writers Afua Hirsch, Reni EddoLodge and Naomi Klein.

“As people who have supported the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States and throughout the diaspora, we cannot be silent when similar atrocities take place in African countries,” the letter said.

“We demand respect for the Nigerian people, especially as they

engage in their constitutional right to protest grave injustices.”

For Black Lives Matter, highlighting injustices on the African continent is part of its wider mission to intervene in violence inflicted on black communities by the state.

Many of the signatories to the letter are members of the African diaspora, including Opal Tometi, whose parents are Nigerian. She told the BBC she has friends and family in Nigeria, so this feels personal.

She believes the international community needs to continue to apply pressure on the Nigerian government to deliver justice for victims of brutality by the armed forces.

However despite the big name endorsements, it’s unlikely the letter will lead to a change of tack from the Nigerian government.

In the immediate aftermath of the Lekki tollgate shooting, public figures, including former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and President-elect Joe

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

Biden, called on the Nigerian government to hold those accountable responsible.

But the comments were brushed off by the authorities; and just this week President Buhari reiterated that any form of violent protest would not be tolerated.

On Monday there was a heavy police presence around the tollgate following calls for a second phase of protests to begin. It seems the authorities are determined to stop a repeat of the scenes of widespread street protests across Nigeria in October.

However stopping the #EndSARS social media campaign will not be so easy. Young Nigerians have seen how much influence they can yield - this letter is evidence of that.

Just last night at the Mobos, Afro pop singer Tiwa Savage referred to the Lekki tollgate shooting in her performance, singing “who gave the order?” Young Nigerians have vowed not to give up until the

question is answered.

As well as demanding the release of all jailed protesters, activists and journalists, the signatories demand that all soldiers and security officials responsible for the shootings at Lekki Toll Gate are held to account, and that the ban on peaceful protests is lifted.

Amnesty International says 12 people were killed in the shooting, although the Nigerian army insists its soldiers were firing blank bullets.

A judicial panel has been set up in Lagos to investigate both events at Lekki and the activities of Sars.

While it promises neutrality and justice, some protesters say they fear government retribution if they speak out.

Since the protests, a number of activists say they have been targeted by the authorities. Some have had their bank accounts frozen by the Nigerian Central Bank and some have been detained without charge, before being eventually released.

Source: bbc.com

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Kenya election violence: Court orders government to pay sex attack survivors I n what has been called a “landmark judgment”, four women subjected to sexual assault in the violence that followed Kenya’s disputed 2007 election are set to receive compensation.

The judge ruled that the state had violated their rights when it failed to investigate their cases.

The government was ordered to pay $36,000 (£27,000) to each one.

This could be a precedent for hundreds of others who were abused in the wake of the election, activists say.

More than 1,000 people died and 500,000 fled from their homes in the interethnic violence that began in late December 2007.

Despite some cases going to the International Criminal Court, there have been very few prosecutions relating to the unrest.

The victims involved in Thursday’s ruling were backed by a coalition of NGOs in a case that was first brought to the High Court in Kenya in 2013.

Physicians for Human Rights, one of the groups involved in the case, hoped to “secure justice for the survivors”.

More than 1,000 people died and 500,000 fled from their homes in the 2007/08 violence It said that the ruling was the “first time security were infringed by the state itself, in Kenya that post-election sexual violence Justice Weldon Korir said.

The fourth woman was attacked by an had been legitimately recognised”.

Three of the four to receive compensation ordinary citizen, but the judge ruled that the were assaulted by members of the security state had violated her rights when the police forces and so in effect their rights to life and failed to investigate her complaint.

‘Historic day’ There were four other people involved in the case, but Justice Korir said that as they had not reported their cases to the police, the state could not be found at fault.

“This is a historic day for survivors of the rampant sexual violence perpetrated in the aftermath of the 2007 election, who have waited for accountability for far too long,” said Naitore Nyamu, head of the Kenya office of Physicians for Human Rights.

“The court’s decision will reverberate widely for the prevention, investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence in Kenya and around the world.”

The violence broke out after thenPresident Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the 2007 election. His main rival Raila Odinga said the poll was rigged.

Current President Uhuru Kenyatta who supported Mr Kibaki - and his deputy William Ruto - who backed Mr Odinga were charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity after they were accused of fuelling the violence.

Both denied the charges, which were later dropped.

Mysterious money moves and an unholy mess: Why Fifa banned Caf president Ahmad

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ast month, Fifa banned Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Ahmad for five years after ruling that he had breached various codes of ethics. BBC Sport Africa - which broke the news of Ahmad’s impending ban in October - details the reasons for the Fifa vicepresident’s sanction and why a second Fifa investigation is already under way: Just minutes after being re-elected Fifa president for a second term in Paris in June 2019, Gianni Infantino made a triumphant declaration before the world’s assembled football leaders.

“Nobody talks about crisis at Fifa any more,” he said, referring to how Fifa’s corruption scandal had dominated when he took charge in 2016.

“Nobody talks about scandals or corruption.

We talk about football… [Fifa] is now synonymous with transparency and integrity.”

But even as he spoke, serious accusations had already surfaced against one of Fifa’s vicepresidents, albeit not in relation to his role with world football’s governing body.

That vice-president was Ahmad, the head of African football’s ruling body Caf. Only a day was needed for the comments to come back to haunt Infantino.

Twenty-four hours later, Ahmad was being questioned by anti-corruption authorities in the French capital “as part of a probe into corruption, breach of trust and forgery.”

The 60-year-old from Madagascar has always denied any wrongdoing.

But on 23 November, 20 months on from a complaint being raised by former Caf secretary general Amr Fahmy, the Caf president was banned and fined $220,000 by Fifa.

Fifa - which had worked alongside Caf in its Egyptian headquarters between August 2019 and February 2020 in a bid to improve governance - had adjudged Ahmad to have broken various codes of its ethics. These included abuse of position; misappropriation of funds; and offering gifts.

Ahmad has since said he will appeal to sport’s highest legal body, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, labelling Fifa’s decision “incomprehensible and shocking” and saying it had been made with “haste” - in order, he contended - to prevent him from being “re-elected to the presidency of Caf.” Nonetheless, Ahmad had asked Fifa if it could wrap up his ethics case by 12 November - the deadline for presidential candidates to formally declare ahead of March’s elections, which the Malagasy had been hoping to contest.

Indeed, only six weeks ago, he had received the public backing of 46 of Africa’s 54 football associations.

As a result, this first investigation was narrowed down in a bid to meet the deadline - even if it fell short by nearly two weeks, after Ahmad’s bout of coronavirus delayed matters.

Caf president Ahmad, a Fifa vice-president, is appealing the five-year ban handed to him by the global body last month For Fifa’s ethics chamber has made the rare step of splitting its investigation into Ahmad into two parts.

The second of these probes - focusing on an amendment made last year to the billion-dollar media and marketing TV deal Caf made with French company Lagardere in 2015 - is already under way.

Explaining last month’s sanctions, Fifa said its investigation into Ahmad “concerned various Caf-related governance issues, including the organisation and financing of an Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, his involvement in Caf’s dealings with Tactical Steel, and other activities.”

Few further details were given. But following its own investigation, BBC Sport Africa can explain some of the reasons - and circumstances - that brought down a sitting Caf president for the first time.

These include unexplained payments, questions surrounding potential kick-back arrangements and possible tax evasion - as well as a religious trip that resulted in an unholy mess.

Unexplained payments Between 2017 and 2019, Fifa ruled that there were unaccounted payments from Caf to Ahmad’s private bank account. These came to a total of around $230,000.

During the course of two audits conducted

by PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC) in late 2019 and early 2020 on behalf of Fifa, neither Ahmad, nor Caf itself, could account for the nature of the payments, a source who has seen the Fifa ethics report explained.

Neither Ahmad nor Caf made any comment when contacted by the BBC.

The payments are not believed to be related to his salary of $40,000 per month, nor the $80,000 he received in bonuses every year.

A key tenet of Ahmad’s presidential campaign in 2017 was his stated desire for financial transparency, with his manifesto claiming that all contracts signed by Caf would be officially published.

“Nothing will be hidden or covered during my mandate,” Ahmad’s manifesto had proclaimed.

But this did not materialise - to the point where annual financial reports, which could be found on Caf’s website in the final years of the three-decade reign of Ahmad’s predecessor Issa Hayatou, have not been published online.

A further lack of financial transparency came during Caf’s dealings with a French company, called Tactical Steel, that specialises in manufacturing gym equipment but which became a key supplier to Fifa’s second largest confederation in late 2017.

Tactical Steel In October 2018, a company called ES Pro Consulting Limited sent a bill to Caf for $738,670.

This was in relation to shipping costs involved in the distribution of 60,000 footballs to Africa.

A month later, in November 2018, Caf transferred its payment to a bank account nominated by ES Pro Consulting Limited.

There was, though, one fundamental issue. ES Pro Consulting Limited did not exist in 2018.

Records show that the company, based in the United Arab Emirates, was only incorporated nine months later, in July 2019. So how could a company that did not exist be sending invoices?

What was also of note was that a Dubai-based

company was invoicing for a business deal agreed between Caf and Tactical Steel, a once-obscure gym manufacturer located in Toulon in southern France.

The deal related to an order made by Ahmad for the delivery of 60,000 footballs, with one thousand going to every one of Africa’s 54 member associations.

This order was never discussed by Caf’s decision-making Executive Committee (ExCo), BBC Sport Africa understands, nor was it cheap amounting to $2.5m in total, of which $1.77m was for the footballs with the rest for shipping.

This deal was mentioned as early as 9 February 2018 in an email from Caf’s then deputy general secretary, who said the order was ‘on the instruction of the president’, to Tactical Steel owner Romuald Seillier.

Seillier is an old friend of Ahmad’s former attaché Loic Gerand, who has twice been declared bankrupt in France where he is currently serving a 15-year ban from running a company.

The pair - both of whom have had offices on the same road in Toulon - served for five years together in the French army, BBC Sport Africa understands.

In March 2018, a month after Caf’s email discussing the balls deal, Seillier set up ES Pro Consulting in his home town of Toulon, along with a former rugby player called Laurent Emmanuelli.

Over a year later, the pair also established ES Pro Consulting Limited (emphasis added) in a free zone, which offers tax concessions and customs duty benefits to expatriate investors, in Dubai.

When it came to making payment for the footballs, both ES Pro Consulting companies and Tactical Steel all received money - a significant chunk of which was sent back to Caf with different instructions.

Even though Tactical Steel had been paid half the costs for the balls ($885,060) and shipping ($369,335) in May 2018, invoices for the full order ($2.5m) came - on the same day in October 2018 - from ES Pro Consulting (France) for the balls and ES Pro Consulting Limited (Dubai) for the shipping.

“Why issue the balls invoice and the shipping invoice from different entities?” Caf’s then finance director Mohamed El Sherei asked Fifa as he also sent them a dossier of evidence prior to Infantino’s speech. “Why transfer the money to two different bank accounts for one same operation?”

Days after receiving the invoices, Caf transferred its outstanding dues - totalling $1.25m - to Tactical Steel themselves but this money was returned in November, stating “this account is not the destined account” and asking for the funds to be sent to banks nominated by both ES Pro Consulting’s instead.

Source: bbc.com

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Morocco latest country to normalise ties with Israel in US-brokered deal

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orocco has become the latest Arab League country to agree to normalise relations with Israel in a deal brokered with US help.

As part of the deal, the US has agreed to recognise Morocco’s claim over the disputed Western Sahara region.

It is the subject of a dispute between Morocco and the Algeriabacked Polisario Front, which has been seeking to establish an independent state.

Morocco is the fourth state to make such a deal with Israel since August.

Agreements have also been struck recently with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.

Morocco is the sixth Arab League member to officially recognise the country.

What is the deal?

A composite image of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES / EPA image captionKing Mohammed VI of Morocco (L) and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu US President Donald Trump announced the agreement on Twitter on Thursday.

“Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two

GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations - a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!” he wrote.

The White House said Mr Trump and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI had agreed that Morocco would “resume diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel and expand economic and cultural cooperation to advance regional stability”.

Why Israel’s peace deals with Gulf states matter Could Israeli-Arab peace deals spark an arms race?

The deal includes the reopening of liaison offices in Tel Aviv and Rabat, and the eventual opening of embassies.

US officials said Morocco would grant overflights and direct flights to and from Israel for all Israelis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the “historic” agreement.

In a televised address, he thanked Morocco’s king and said the people of Israel and Morocco have had a “warm relationship in the modern period”.

What about Western Sahara?

The White House said the US would recognise Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara as part of the deal.

In a phone call with the Moroccan king, Mr Trump “reaffirmed his support for Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory and as such the president recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory,” the White House said.

A former Spanish colony, it was annexed by Morocco in 1975.

Since then it has been the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between Morocco and its indigenous Saharawi people, led by the pro-independence Polisario Front.

Western Sahara profile Morocco says it has always been part of its territory, while the African Union recognises it as an independent state.

A 16-year-long insurgency ended with a UN-brokered truce in 1991 and the promise of a referendum on independence, which has yet to take place.

Responding to the latest announcement, Sidi Omar, the Polisario Front’s representative to the UN, said Western Sahara’s “legal status is determined by international law and UN resolutions”.

“The move shows that

Morocco’s regime is willing to sell its soul to maintain its illegal occupation of parts of WesternSahara,” he wrote on Twitter.

Last month, the Polisario Front said the three-decades-old ceasefire had been ended by a Moroccan military operation in a buffer zone.

Lotfi Bouchaara, Morocco’s ambassador to Moscow, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme that Morocco did not breach the ceasefire but that its military was responding to a provocation by Polisario fighters who had blocked a key road to Mauritania.

Morocco had reacted with “restraint”, he said.

A White House proclamation on Thursday said the US believed that an independent Sahrawi State is “not a realistic option for resolving the conflict and that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution”.

Morocco’s royal court said Washington would open a consulate in Western Sahara as part of its deal with Israel, according to Reuters news agency.

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

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GRACEPLACE CHURCH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MAUREEN TIAMIYU 2. MAKINDE OLUFEMI ABIODUN 3. AJAYI TOLULOPE OLAJIDE 4. MRS. MAKINDE TITILAYO ABIMBOLA. 5. SEKOU ABODUNRIN. THE AIM OBJECTIVE : to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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SPORTS 4 ALL FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) CHUKWU UGOCHUKWU EKEDOZIE (2) IYA JUDITH (3) IFECHI-FRED NNAMDI CHIDERA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To use Sport for the development and education of Young People and increase recreation and work opportunities.

2. To enable young people to develop their character by enhancing their motivation and aspirations; and discouraging self-destructive behaviours and practices.

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

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

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Digest

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

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The best breakfast foods for health

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any people believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, as it breaks the nighttime fast and kick-starts a person’s metabolism.

However, popular American breakfast foods, such as donuts, pastries, and pancakes, are laden with saturated fat and sugar and contain little protein or fiber.

A healthful breakfast is one that contains nutritious foods that provide energy and make a person feel full, which can help prevent overeating later in the day. In this article, learn about the best foods to eat in the morning.

1. Oatmeal Eating a healthful breakfast can help deter overeating later in the day.

Oatmeal is a nutritional powerhouse. It contains beta glucan, which is a thick, sticky fiber that helps a person to feel full for longer and may also lower cholesterol.

One study revealed that people who ate oatmeal for breakfast felt fuller and ate less at lunchtime than people who ate cornflakes. This was particularly true in people who were overweight.

Oats are also rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. Steel-cut oats, which contain more protein and fiber than other types of oats, are a good option because they have a lower glycemic index (GI).

A low GI means a person’s blood sugar will not increase as much.

2. Eggs Eggs are a popular breakfast food. They are nutritious and contain high-quality protein.

Some people think that eggs are unhealthful because of the amount of cholesterol they contain.

However, research has shown that the dietary cholesterol from eggs has only a minor impact on bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), in the blood.

A small study on people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease found that eating whole eggs and moderately reducing carbohydrate consumption resulted in improvements in blood cholesterol levels. It also reduced waist circumference, weight, and body fat.

3. Nuts and nut butter If a person does not eat animal products, eating nuts is another excellent way to get enough protein. Nuts also contain antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, and heart-healthful fats.

According to a 30-yearlong study in the New England Journal of Medicine, people who

consumed nuts seven or more times per week had a 20 percent lower risk of death compared to people who did not eat nuts.

Nut butter is very versatile.

People can spread nut butter on whole grain toast, mix it into oatmeal or yogurt, or use it as a dip for fresh fruit.

Healthful kinds of nut butter include: peanut butter almond butter cashew butter unsweetened cocoa and hazelnut butter 4. Coffee Drinking coffee with breakfast is popular due to its caffeine content. Coffee also offers other health benefits due to its antioxidants, which help fight inflammation.

One review from the American Diabetes Association suggests that drinking either regular or decaffeinated coffee could decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The researchers also suggested that some components of coffee improve glucose metabolism.

However, adding cream or sugar will reduce the beneficial effects of coffee. It is best to reduce or avoid adding sugar to coffee and choose nonfat or plant-based milk instead of

cream.

5. Berries Frozen berries are as nutritious as fresh berries and are available out of season.

Berries of all kinds, such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are an excellent way to start the morning. They are low in calories, high in fiber, and contain diseasefighting antioxidants.

A study from the American Heart Association showed an association between a higher intake of the antioxidants found in berries with a lower risk of heart attack in young women.

Sprinkle berries on cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt, or blend them

into smoothies. If fresh berries are expensive or not in season, buy frozen berries, which are just as nutritious. However, it is best to choose frozen berries without any added sugar for optimal health benefits.

6. Flaxseed Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber.

The health benefits of flaxseed include lowering blood levels of cholesterol, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering blood sugar, and even protecting against breast cancer.

People can sprinkle flaxseeds on yogurt or oatmeal, or blend them into smoothies. It is essential to purchase ground

“

One study revealed that people who ate oatmeal for breakfast felt fuller and ate less at lunchtime than people who ate cornflakes. This was particularly true in people who were overweight.

flaxseed or to grind the seeds at home, as whole flaxseeds will pass through the body without breaking down.

7. Greek yogurt Greek yogurt is another excellent source of protein to eat in the morning. Greek yogurt is thick and creamy and contains more protein than regular strained yogurt.

Greek yogurt is also rich in calcium and contains probiotics that help support a healthy gut and immune system.

People can pair this low-fat, high-protein food with other foods on this list, such as berries or nut butter.

8. Tea Black, green, and white teas all contain antioxidants, but green tea is probably the most healthful. According to one study, green tea may help burn fat and promote weight loss.

These teas contain some caffeine but not as much as coffee. Tea can also help a person stay hydrated.

9. Cottage cheese Cottage cheese is another protein powerhouse. One study showed that cottage cheese could curb hunger just as efficiently as eggs do.

Cottage cheese is also rich in B vitamins, vitamin A, and calcium.

People can eat cottage cheese by itself, or mix it with other savory foods, such as pepper and spring onions, or fruit or nuts.

10. Bananas Bananas are rich in potassium and make a healthful midmorning snack.

Bananas are a quick and convenient addition to a nutritious breakfast. They also make a good mid-morning snack to keep hunger at bay.

Bananas contain resistant starch. The body does not digest resistant starch, so it travels through the body unchanged, which helps support digestive health. Unripe bananas contain more resistant starch than ripe bananas, which have more natural sugars.

Bananas are also a great source of potassium, which may support healthy blood pressure in some people. Bananas are great with nut butter or on top of oatmeal or cereal.

Summary When eating breakfast in the morning, make sure to choose foods that are filling and contain lots of nutrients. Choosing the best foods to eat in the morning can help curb hunger and kickstart a person’s metabolism for the day.

Source: https://www. medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/322811#oatmeal

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Feature

Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis: How a soldier survived an 11-hour gun battle

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wo Ethiopian soldiers have given BBC Afaan Oromoo dramatic accounts of a coordinated night-time raid on their camps at the start of the conflict in Tigray last month by fighters linked to the now-overthrown regional administration.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front - which previously controlled the government in the northern region - said it had carried out a pre-emptive strike, when the world’s attention was focused on the US election, as it believed that it was about to be attacked by federal troops.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed retaliated by ordering a military operation which culminated with the overthrow of the local government, forcing the TPLF to retreat to mountains to fight what it calls “invaders”.

It has been difficult to get accurate information about the conflict because of a communication blackout in the region.

The accounts of the soldiers highlight ethnic divisions in the Ethiopian military, with some Tigrayan soldiers accused of siding with the TPLF. Sergeant Bulcha: I was at a camp near Adigrat city, near the border with Eritrea.

At around 23.30 on 3 November, I, and other soldiers, received text messages from our comrades at the base in Agula town - about 30km (18 miles) north-east of the Tigray capital, Mekelle - saying: “We are surrounded. If you can come and rescue us, come.”

Not long thereafter, our camp was also surrounded, with hundreds of TPLF special forces and militias having taken up positions outside. Some of the Tigrayan soldiers - who had left our camp earlier - were with them.

We went to the colonel who held the key to the storeroom where our weapons were kept. We told him to open it.

He refused, saying he did not have orders to do so. He was a Tigrayan, and we suspected he was part of the plan to attack us.

Some soldiers argued with him to open the storeroom; others tried to break open the door. Eventually, we got our weapons. The TPLF forces were already shooting by now.

We took up our positions, inside and outside the camp, using rocks, barrels, walls as shields. It was around 01:00 when the battle started.

There was a distance of no more than 50m (164ft) between us and them.

We killed more than 100 of them. They killed 32 of us. In my unit, one died and nine were wounded.

Most of our deaths were caused

The crisis in Tigray has revealed ethnic divisions in the Ethiopian military by the Tigrayan soldiers who had defected to the other side.

The battle lasted for about 11 hours until noon when our senior commanders ordered us to stop fighting, return our weapons to the storeroom, and to go back to our rooms. We obeyed.

Shortly thereafter the priests and elders of the town came. They negotiated a surrender. At around 16:00, we were ordered to hand over all our army belongings to the TPLF forces. Again, we obeyed.

Then, we were told to collect our personal belongings and made to climb into lorries. We took our wounded with us. We were forced to leave the dead behind.

‘I gave a false name’ The TPLF forces transported us to one of their bases in the town of Abiy Addi, 150km south-west of Adigrat.

The wounded soldiers got no medical treatment throughout this period.

Each morning there was a roll call. We had to give our names, ethnicity and role in the army. I used to give a false name.

This was like a desert area, and it was very, very hot. We had little water to drink. Every morning, we were given tea, with no sugar, in a plastic water bottle that had been cut in half. Our food for the day were two small loaves of bread.

Soldiers from other bases were also brought to Abiy Addi. They told us they too had been attacked.

Some of them surrendered without fighting; others put up more resistance than us, fighting for four days.

Kalashnikovs, heavy weapons and even short-range rockets were used in the battle. Some of our soldiers fled to Eritrea.

‘Uniforms burned’ After about two weeks, the TPLF forces gave us three options join them, live in Tigray as civilians

or go back to our homes. We took the last option.

But our senior commanders, radio operators, female soldiers and those who could use heavy weaponry were not given the option. They were kept at Abiy Addi, thousands of them.

The rest of us were told to take off our uniforms. We refused, saying they could kill us but we would not do it - that our military code did not allow it; that our uniform was our pride.

In the end there was an agreement. We would take off our uniforms, and they would all be burnt [so they could not be used by others]. The TPLF recorded the burning on camera.

They took our personal belongings - rings, watches, money.

More on the Tigray crisis: It was at around 15:00 on a Friday that we were all made to climb into lorries. Again, we took our wounded with us, but there were none in my lorry.

There were about 500 of us in each lorry, and I’d say about 9,000 soldiers in all the lorries. We sat in the lorries crammed until we left Abiy Addi at around 23:00.

We travelled for hours on back roads until the TPLF special forces - who were escorting our lorries - dropped us off on the banks of the Tekeze River at the border between Tigray and neighbouring Amhara state.

The lorries came at different times. We all broke into groups and crossed the river in boats.

About six hours had passed before my group reached the other side.

We then walked for about 16 hours to reach Sekota town in Amhara.

We are now in a police station compound in the town. We are being well fed and well looked after. The wounded are being

treated in hospital, more than three weeks after the attack.

I heard that some of them died on the way, and their bodies were left behind.

Corporal Ibrahim Hassan:

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

There, we found many people loyal to the federal government, from the police, army and air force.

We were divided into groups, and kept in three different places a military camp, a training school and a compound.

There was no water to shower, little water to drink. It was as though we were left to die in that heat.

We slept in small rooms in very crammed conditions.

Then more than three weeks later, we were given three options - if we were married with children in Tigray, we could live as civilians, or we could join the TPLF or we could leave. Most of us chose the third option.

But radio operators, those who could use heavy weaponry and senior commanders had to stay behind.

‘Jewellery stolen’ I am a radio operator but I lied about my role so I was able to leave.

My guess is that we left 3,000 to 4,000 behind, and close to 9,000 of us managed to leave.

We were put in about 28 lorries

CLASSIFIED

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALEM FAMILY WORLDWIDE MISSION CAC/IT No.62689

SALEM INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION CAC/IT No.59853

THE GATE BUILDERS NETWORK CAC/IT No. 85618 THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED NETWORK HAS APPLIED FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART’C’OF THE COMPANIES ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

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

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION CAC UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

RETAINED 1. Dr.Sam Amaga 2. Dr. Love Sam- Amaga 3. Joyce Sam- Amaga APPOINTED 1. Covenant Sam-Amaga 2. Isaiah Sam- Amaga Jr REMOVED 1. Ocholi James 2. Ojo Olarenwaju 3. Enobong Etteh 4. Faith Sam-Amaga 5. Omeruo Chimezie Chris AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

SIGNED; ALISI IJEOMA. SOLICITOR

SIGNED;ALISI IJEOMA. SOLICITOR

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

SALEM GLOBAL MISSION CAC/IT No.60598

ASLAD GENERATION FOUNDATION CAC/IT NO. 82891

This is to inform the general public of the loss of offer of Grant in respect to plot No 9 with kDL/55388 emir road bearing Gaskiya corp ltd belonging to Alh Ibrahim Sulaiman of no 3 Emir road gaskiya layout zaria.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MISSION HAS APPLIED FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION CAC UNDER PART ‘C’OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

RETAINED 1.Dr. Sam Amaga 2. Dr. Mrs. Love Sam Amaga 3. Covenant Sam-Amaga APPOINTED: 1. Joyce Sam Amaga-Kennedy 2. Isaiah Sam-Amaga Jr. REMOVED: 1. Bishop Jide Ayangbesan 2. Bishop Segun Aina.

3. Bishop Dave Onimisi 4. Bishop Messiah Opusunju 5.Rev. Daniel Dan- Maha.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES; THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MISSION HAS APPLIED FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

CHANGE OF TRUSTEES ARE. RETAINED 1. Dr. Sam Amaga 3. Covenant Sam- Amaga 5. Isaiah Sam- Amaga Jr REMOVED 1. Dr. Chris Chimezie 3. Ezekiella Sam- Amaga

2. Dr love Sam- Amaga 4. Joyce Sam- Amaga

2. Hon. Justice Stephen Adah 4. Faith Sam- Amaga

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES; THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; ALISI IJEOMA. SOLICITOR

WINDING UP

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

OLD TRUSTEES 1. DR.SAM AMAGA 3. COVENANT SAM- AMAGA 5. ISAIAH SAM- AMAGA REMOVED 1. EZEKIELLA SAM- AMAGA

2. DR LOVE SAM- AMAGA 4.JOYCE SAM- AMAGA

RETAINED 1. Dr. Sam Amaga 2. Joyce Sam- Amaga 3. Enobong Etteh 4. Dr. Chris Omeruo APPOINTED 1. Dr.Love Sam-Amaga 2. Covenant Sam- Amaga 3. Isaiah Sam- Amaga Jr. 4. Bishop Hillary Ogoliegbune REMOVED 1. Dr. Idong Bassey 2.PatrickIkponmwosa.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES; THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. sIGNED; ALISI IJEOMA. SOLICITOR

All efforts to trace the said decument proves abortive.

2. FAITH SAM- AMAGA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed; Alisi Ijeoma Solicitor

WINDING UP

mrs. rita

I, formerly known as Miss Rita Silas now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs Rita Ojodale.

All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ABDULAZEEZ I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Abdulazee Suleiman Etudaye. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Abdulazeez Suleiman Atudaye. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. SULEIMAN I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SULEIMAN ISHAKA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS SULEIMAN ISHAKA ADAM. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

The Tekeze River marks the border between the Tigray and Amhara regions I have been in the army for about eight years. I was also in Adigrat, but at another camp. I was the guard on duty on 3 November, watching the camp from 22:00 to midnight. Some of the soldiers were already sleeping.

Right after I finished my shift I heard gunshots. I had no idea what was happening. I went to see.

TPLF special forces and militia had already surrounded our camp, and they entered it. Most of us were unarmed.

They ordered the soldiers, including myself, to surrender.

We refused, saying federal troops could not surrender to regional troops. But in the end we agreed on the orders of our seniors, who were Tigrayans.

We were kept in the camp until 6 November. The TPLF forces then transported us in lorries to a small town, Idaga Hamus, which is about 26km from where we were.

We were kept there for a week and then taken to Abiy Addi.

and were driven for hours, through desert areas, until we reached the Tekeze River.

The journey was very difficult.

Some soldiers fell off the lorries and broke their legs. Others got sick.

But we are now in Sekota.

Some of the soldiers resent the fact that there was no rescue operation, but they understand that the situation was difficult.

This was an unprecedented attack on the federal army.

Soldiers who were at other bases reported that the TPLF forces stole watches and necklaces from dead soldiers. They even took their uniforms, and left the bodies behind naked.

In the eight years I was in Tigray, I never thought this would happen. Just a week earlier, we were helping farmers to harvest their crops and to fight a locust invasion.

Source: bbc.com

USMAN I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Usman abdullahi kewaye. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Usman abdullahi m. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. LOSS OF DOCUMENT

SAGIRU

PUBLIC NOTICE

on the 3/12/2020 at about 1400hrs one ishaya sarki habu “m” of kenneth kaunae close o a u quarter asokoro Abuja and reported the loss of original letter of offer in respect of plot no 53 of about 1,000sq meters/ hectares with file no Mztp/La/2001/TR227 located at kugbo village extension layout. he further started that the document got missing in his possession while relocating from area 8 karki to asokoro f. c t abuja and;

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS sagiru yahaya. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS sagiru yahaya shuaibu.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

LUDO ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

that all effort made to Trace it provide abortive. hence his report. Action: the complainant was issued with police extract and advised to proceed to any Court of law and swear an affidavit. To enable the issue authority take necessary action and for records purpose.

AMINA I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Maijidda musa. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Amina Mukhtar Abdullahi.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. IBRAHIM I formally called Ibrahim Haruna now wish to be called Ibrahim Mati Haruna.

All other documents remain valid Access Bank and the general public are to take note.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ELIOT JOLOMI DIKORU - CHAIRMAN 2. AKPAKA TONY EFEMENA - SECRETARY 3. DIKORU-JOLOMI ANTHONETTE OGHENETEGA- MEMBER 4. ABUBAKAR SHUAIBU - MEMBER THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.

To promote the game of Ludo.

2.

To cater for the welfare of members.

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

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FlourishLand BelieversAssembly THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) Chukwuneme Merit Ogochukwu.

(2) Chukwuneme Michael Okoye. - CHAIRMAN (3) Aniegboka Ignatius Ngene.

(4) Obikezie Chukwudi Emmanuel. - SECRETARY (5) Anyanti Sunday Chimnedum.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.PREACHING AND TEACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO ALL NATIONS WITH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 2.REACHING OUT TO ORPHANS AND LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

EBENEZER CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY KIDS FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1• Johnson Peter Oluwatayo 3• Adeniyi David Babatope

2• Asogwa Thaddeus Chukwurah 4• Eden Elizabeth Oti

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1• To provide financial support to children of Christian missionaries from African nations to attain formal, qualitative elementary, secondary and tertiary education.

2• To make it possible for children of Christian missionaries from African nations to attain quality elementary, secondary or tertiary education in any part of the globe.

3• To ensure the children of Christian missionaries from any nation in Africa are not limited by any financial challenges their parents might encounter as they take the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ around the globe.

4• To provide financial support and encouragement to children of Christian missionaries who are on their educational pursuit in life.

5.• To make it possible for children of African Christian missionaries to be able to access resources they need to afford qualitative education in any part of the globe.

6.• To provide scholarship(s) for children of African Christian missionaries that will enable them to achieve their educational pursuit in any institution(s) in the globe.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROTHERS, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IKORODU

CENTRE FOR RELIGIOUS COOPERATION AND TOLERANCE CAC/IT/18828

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. CHARLES OYEYINKA AFOLABI 2. KAYODE OLAWUWO OGUNWUYI 3. OGUNTOLA ONAOLAPO SUNDAY 4. ABIODUN JOHNSON OMOTOSHO 5. ADEMOLA SAMSON OJOLOWO

This is to inform the general public that the above named CENTRE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Certified True Copy of Certificate (CTC) of the above named foundation trustees under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO SPREAD THE LOVE AND GOSPEL OF JESUS TO THE WORLD.

Certified True Copy of Certificate (CTC) of Incorporation of CENTRE FOR RELIGIOUS COOPERATION AND TOLERANCE CAC/IT/18828. The reason for the application was that the certificate got lost and all effort to trace it proved abortive and Corporate Affairs Commission and the general public should please take note.

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

Any objection to this publication should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

EVBUEKPEN (OGBEKPEN) COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

FLORENCEMODUPEFOUNDATION

Fertile Land Solemn Assembly

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Mr Godwin Omoregie (Chairman) 2.Mr Samson Amalawa (Secretary 3.Mr Frederick Amalawa Ehigiator.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.For the advancement of social/cultural development in Evbuekpen (Ogbekpen) Community.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ABITOYE OLUBUKOLA MARGARET 2. OLANIYI FLORENCE MODUPE 3. EBENEZER SEYI SAMUEL

- CHAIRMAN - SECRETARY

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY.

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

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

SIGNED : Starlion Legal 08130953118.

SIGNED : BARR. OPAOLA OLUWAGBEMIGA.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

EMERALD GARDEN CITY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

GOSPEL POWER ASSEMBLY CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OSENI OLUDOTUN JACOBS. 2. ALOWOLODU TEMITAYO REBECCA. 3. OSENI OFURE OSE-AKUETE. THE AIM OBJECTIVE : 1.To cater for need of all residents and management of the estate.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.FRANKLIN NEKETON 3.JOHNPAUL EZE 5.OGHENEFEJIRO OKOJIE. 7.MARTYNS EDOSONMWAN 9. HECTOR UGBESIA

2. OLUBUNMI UGBOMAH 4.CHISOM OGWUDU 6.ODAROSA UHUMWANGHO 8. OBINNA AWIAKA

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

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To proclaim the gospel in the power of the Holy ghost.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OGUBUNKA SHEDRACK CHIGOZIE 2. UMEH NNEKA LORETTA 3.OGUBUNKA MANASSH .C. 4. OGAH PATRICIA ODOH THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To administer healing, counseling and deliverance.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

Ehioba Foundation

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. FRANK ANUGBOBA AGADAGODO (CHAIRMAN) 2. CHIDOZIE IHEGAZIE OBI (SECRETARY) 3. JOHN EHIGBOR AGADAGODO THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To provide educational intervention and support for children of indigent and economically indisposed parents.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : by Junaidu Onoja Sule, Esq.

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY

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sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

Umaru Bago U-21 Competition: three best teams set for Ghana, Togo tour

By Amaechi Agbo

T

he three best teams of the second edition of HRH, Alhaji Umaru Bago national U-21 Football Competition held in Lapai community in Niger State – Flash Arrows Football Club, Lapai Football Academy and Savana Football Club will next year embark of international training tour in Ghana and Togo.

The three teams emerged the three best teams that participated in the 2nd edition of the tournament organised by the Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs, FEYSOC champions of the tournament after defeating Lapai Academy via penalty shootout in the final played on Sunday, November 29, 2020.

In this interview, the coordinator of the competition, Batako Umar Lapai explained how the rationale behind the tour, success of the second edition and projection for 3rd edition in 2022.

Mr Lapai noted that while the champion of the tournament, Flash Arrows will go to Ghana for their training tour, Lapai Academy and Savana FC will be guests to Togo. He added that the training tour is meant to last for a week Flash Arrows Emerge champions The second edition of the HRH Alhaji Umaru Bago National U-21 Football Competition kicked off on 22nd of November and came to an end on the Sunday, the 29th of November.

The final was between Niger Team A, Lapai Football Academy and Flash Arrows FC of Minna. Flash Arrows emerged champions via a penalty shootout after the duration of the encounter has ended 1-1.

Success of the competition There was a clear distinction between the maiden edition in 2018 and the 2020 edition. The glamour for the second edition was tensed and the participating teams were drawn from outside the state. The first edition was held with teams drawn from various local governments in the state who competed. In this edition, there were participants from outside Niger State and we are very grateful to God because of the way the organisers conducted this last edition. They officials were not biased and that was why we had a successful tournament.

There is also economic successes

Flash Arrows Captain receiving the trophy after the final on Sunday recorded because the economy of the people within the host community witness a boost as guests who came in from other states patronised the businesses within the area. A lot of sells took place during the events.

How many teams participated?

There were about 11 teams that participated in the competition out of which four came from outside Niger state while the remaining seven teams came from Niger state.

The other states that participated in the competition are Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau and Nasarawa states. The remaining seven teams were spread across local government areas in the state.

Bauchi emerged the most disciplined team in the tournament and got a trophy for the award.

Best Three Teams going on tour At the final, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umaru Bago who is also the sponsor of the competition in consultation with

the organisers, that is, the Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs, FEYSOC presented an invitation letter to the three best teams of the tournament. The first team, Flash Arrows FC will be travelling to international friendly tour of Ghana in the first quarter of next year. They will be going there on Invitational tour.

The second-best team, the first runnerup and the second runner up will travel to Togo for the same invitational tour. The organisers have started working closely with the three teams for the success of the training tour.

When are the teams travelling?

The organisers will by the beginning of next year communicate with the teams because there is going to be an invitation letter. We are proposing between March and April, 2021 for the three teams to embark on the training tour What are they going to do in these countries?

On arrival in the countries, even, before

their arrival, clubs and scouts and agents will be informed that teams from Nigeria will be coming for a training tour. Primarily, the essence of these tours is for those scouts to identify talents among the teams that did well in the competition. There will be arrangements for them to play matches with local clubs out there. The teams will spend one-week training so within this period, they will engage in matches with local teams from within Ghana and Togo.

It is our hope that by the time they finish the tour, the scouts would be able to see one or two talented players to pick.

How ready are you for next edition The Emir of Lapai has already promised that he is going to sustain the competition but he wants us to increase the area of coverage. He requested that we try as much as possible to get teams from outside the state and limit the number of participants from the state.

He wants the competition to have national outlook but in practice and principle.

Predominantly, seven teams from Niger state took part in the competition, he was of the opinion that in the next edition, we should try as much as possible to give it wider publicity by inviting teams if possible, from across the 36 states of the country and the FCT. If we are able to get at least 20 teams from outside the state, it will be more glamourous and Lapai and Niger State will have a lot of attention.

We are hoping that when we give it publicity, some media and scouts will come around during the competition because the essence of under-aged competition is for the players to get a club either or outside the community.

The Emir has given us his words that we should start preparing ahead of time so that by 2022, people would have been informed and participants will then come out in numbers.

Which state will host the 3rd edition?

Th hosting state remains Niger and Lapai because the Emir is the sponsor of the competition and he would want everything to take place in his community.

Lapai for now has been chosen as the host community unless otherwise he decides to move it to the state’s capital.

Edo Deputy Governor Proposes March/April For National Sports Festival

T

he Deputy Governor of Edo State and Chairman, 2020 National Sports Festival, NSF Local Organising Committee, LOC, Philip Shaibu has described the new January 3rd to 17th date as ‘insensitive’ even as he proposes the festival to hold in March or April 2021.

Speaking to the newsmen recently at Benin, Shuiabu argued that new date as suggested by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 is not realistic giving the fact the decision was made without proper consultations.

“The PTF are not sensitive to

the feelings of our people and I think the council of sports is the highest decision making as far as a competition like this is concerned” He further stated that the council even after meeting will also need to inform the host state to be part of the new arrangements that they are fixing giving the cultural approach.

Noting that the new date falls within the yuletide season, Shuiabu added that it could jeopardise adequate preparation of athletes towards the multi-sports event.

“The council of sports will hold a meeting to discuss the date the

PTF has suggested. I think the date could be adjusted to may be around March ending or beginning of April and that will be subjected to the decision of Council state.” he concluded.

National Sports festival was initially scheduled to hold in March in Benin, Edo State but was postponed till December due to the outbreak of COVID-19 with the December date yet again unrealistic.

Meanwhile investigation revealed that athletes from across the states of the federation are now discouraged because of the incessant changing of date.

Athletes in action

NFF Open up on Super Eagles 18-months Match Bonuses, Allowances PG30 >>>PG30

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

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S p r t Rangers subdue Nnewi United in preseason friendly

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CAF Fines NFF Open up on Super Eagles 18-months Aubameyang Match Bonuses, Allowances …How Players Revolt in Nov. Was aborted £7500 Over AFCON T Qualifying Comments

T

he Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, has fined Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £7500 for sharing a series of social media posts that tarnished the ‘honour and image’ of the continent’s football body.

Aubameyang took to social media last month to reveal how he and the rest of the Gabon national team players were held at Banjul Airport in Gambia for more than six hours overnight — after having their passports taken — before being allowed into the country for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

CAF stated Aubameyang’s decision to document the event on social media was ‘offensive and degrading’. Aubameyang began recording the squad’s situation at 11:30pm. He posted images of his team-mates sleeping on the airport floor and claimed they were made to feel like ‘hostages’ before their clash with Gambia.

Aubameyang explained how his team were held at the airport until 5.56am, less than 12 hours before their kick-off. Gabon lost 2-1 to Gambia later in the day.

he Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has accepted and opened open on the lingering 18-month match bonuses and allowances owed the players of the Super Eagles.

Report sufficed days before the first leg of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers home-and-away fixtures in November that the players have not been paid their match bonuses allowances by the federation since their semi-final match against Algeria Although the federation has remained taciturn since the revelation, it was understood that but for the 4-4 draw against Sierra Leone in Benin, Edo state on 13th November, the Super Eagles had planned to boycott the return leg in Freetown on November 17th in protest for their two-year unpaid bonuses.

However, the financially stricken NFF, which receives direct funding from the government, is keen to resolve the pay issue dating back to the continental showpiece event in Egypt last year.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick, who umpteenth time told the country and football, followers that the federation is near financial independence has been forced to seek financial help from sponsors to cater for the various national teams on international assignments, acknowledged the debt to players and coaching staff, but says he is hopeful they will get paid soon.

“We are working with the government very seriously in assuring that it [money] comes out within the next few weeks,” Pinnick told BBC Sport Africa.

“It’s been tough financially for us and we’ve had to depend on support from our sponsors in the last four matches.

“I personally understand the players should be paid what they are owed because we’ve always ensure prompt payment in the past.

“They’ve shown remarkable professionalism, if they can just bear

with us, this is something I am hoping to resolve as soon as possible.”

The NFF, it is understood, is working to avoid another national team boycott as it tries to clear the 18-month backlog of bonuses and allowances.

A proposed protest by the players last month, ahead of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations away fixture, backfired after they let a 4-0 lead slip as Sierra Leone fought back to draw 4-4.

“Our initial plan was to address it before the game in Sierra Leone but we all saw what happened,” one player told BBC Sport Africa as he insisted on anonymity.

“I don’t think they [NFF officials] can keep quiet if they’re unpaid by their bosses. They’re quick to blame the players for defeats but happy to celebrate the success of the team.

“If the players go on strike they blame us for being money hungry and selfish yet this is money they owe us.

“There are [training] camp allowances and match bonuses not paid to us and the technical crew since July 2019 and that’s not good.”

Another player said the issue should have been sorted earlier and revealed that some players felt frustrated and unappreciated.

“NFF officials continue to ignore the players. Some players who played at the Nations Cup are no longer here and those players are also asking questions about the payments,” the Europe-based player said.

“First, they said we will get it, then they blamed the pandemic for their inability to pay but it’s untrue. They want us to forget this money but that’s unprofessionally heartless and wicked on their part.”

Pay rows have often surrounded Nigerian teams, with coaches not paid regularly, while players have boycotted training during important qualifiers or at major tournaments over unpaid bonus.

The poor financial position of the NFF has already forced the country to cut their backroom staff and slashed the salaries and allowances of the various national team coaches, excluding Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr.

Salah Breaks Liverpool’s Champions League Record

F

ormer Africa Footballer of the Year, Mohamed Salah Tuesday became Liverpoopl’s record Champions League goalscorer in their draw at Midtjylland.

Klopp’s men were already assured of top spot in Group D coming into the game and they began in perfect fashion when forward Salah ran clear and poked home after just 55 seconds.

It was the quickest goal the team had scored in the Champions League and on a night of numerous records for the much-changed visitors, Salah’s strike was his 22nd in the competition, surpassing club legend Steven Gerrard.

“Exceptional player, absolutely exceptional player,” Klopp said of Salah. “Since we [have] worked together obviously a lot of things [have] clicked really for all of us.

“He helps the team massively and

he knows and appreciates the help of the team as well. If we only had Mo, even the incredible number of goals

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

he got would not have been enough to be as successful as we were, so thank God others scored a lot of

goals as well.

“That made this team pretty successful but Mo is a very exceptional player - I think nobody doubted it, but if you need numbers to prove it then he delivers that as well.”

Summer signing Diogo Jota forced Midtjylland goalkeeper Jesper Hansen into smart saves via a flicked effort and another drive from the angle, while Divock Origi side-footed wide from an unmarked position.

Evander rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike as the hosts piled on the pressure in the second half and they claimed a deserved point through Alexander Scholz’s confident penalty.

Serie A side Atalanta clinched second place in the group with a 1-0 win at Ajax, who drop into the Europa League, while Danish champions Midtjylland finish bottom.

A

s Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL followers, clubs and administrators continue to wait endlessly for the commencement of the 2020/2021 season, former champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu have intensified preparation by engaging in preseason matches one of which was against a Nigeria National League side, New United In a match played at the “Cathedral” as Rangers home ground, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu is called, Tope Olusesi’ 30th minute strike turned match winner for the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C against hard playing Nnewi United F.C in a pre-season friendly encounter played inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, Thursday, December 10, 2020.

The right-wing-back received a defense splitting pass from mid-field maestro, Tony Shimaga and went on a dribbling run that saw him ghost past three markers to release a canonlike shot from an acute angle which zoomed into the net past a bewildered, Chisom Chiaha who stood between the sticks for the visitors.

Chances were far apart for the premiership side as the Nnewi side marked and choked the players of Rangers for space with their robust marking.

Birthday boy and top scorer for last season, Israel Abia, came close to increasing the tally on 34 minutes but his shot was smoothed by the young goalkeeper.

The introduction of the quartet of Shedrack Asiegbu, Esor Achibong, Ajayi Femi and Christian Nnaji, upfront, in the second stanza helped in pushing the visitors back but the chances created could not be turned into goals even as defender, Uche John

had a golden opportunity to double the lead on 80 minutes but indecision in front of a yawning net, meant the game ended in a 1-0 score line.

Speaking after the encounter, match winner and captain of the side,

Tope Olusesi said, “It was a very tough match but we showed our desire to win and got the win. We thank God for the win. I dedicate the goal I scored today to my team mate, Israel Abia, who we celebrate his birthday today. We hope

to improve on our performance in future matches.”

No date yet has been fixed for the commencement of the new NPFL season

Omari.

The statement said that Omari will hold a press conference on Friday to announce the official dates of both events. In addition, the statement revealed the agenda of the executive committee meeting that will be held at one of Cairo’s hotels next Thursday to discuss several issues.

CAF executive committee meeting to discuss many African Football issues: The decisions to-be-made on Thursday will be announced on Friday by Omari in a press conference that will be held at the

same hotel.

Al-Ahly of Egypt who were crowned CAF Champions League champions for the ninth time in their history are set for a fiery clash with Moroccan RS Berkane the champions of the African Confederation Cup in Cairo in the 2020 “Total” Super Cup. The executive committee meeting will further tackle other issues including the updates on Ivory Coast preparations to host the 2023 AFCON as well as the 2020 CAF African Nations Championship that will be hosted

by Cameroon.

The meeting’s agenda also comprises the regulations of the Women CAF champions league competition and the dates and venues for the next two editions of the African Super Cup. Egyptian side Zamalek defeated Tunisian side Espérance 3-1 at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, to win the CAF Super Cup in February 2020.

The CAF Super Cup is contested by the winners of the CAF Champions League and the winners of the CAF Confederation Cup.

2020 CAF Super Cup To Hold In Qatar

T

he 2020 CAF Super Cup between Al Ahly SC and RS Berkane will be held in Qatar just as the past two editions it has been reported The date for the fixture will be determined on a later date as CAF Executive Committee meeting which is currently on in Egypt will make further details on the annual tournament The Confederation of African Football, CAF, said in a statement that the dates and the venues for 2020 and 2021 Super Cup games will be announced on Friday by the acting CAF president Constant

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FRIDAY, december 11, 2020

SPORTS latest

Oshoala scores in FC Barcelona Femení win against PSV

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frica Women Footballer of the Year and Super Falcons captain, Asisat Oshoala was on the scorer’s sheet Tuesday as her club FC Barcelona Femení thrashed PSV 1-4 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League .

Oshoala who had time with Nigeria Women Football League side FC Robo Queens and Rivers Angels scored Barcelona’s third goal in the Round of 32 first leg tie at the Sport complex De Herdgang (Eindhoven).

Jenni Hermoso put the visitors (FC Barcelona) ahead in the fourth minute.

Van den Berg’s own goal increased Barcelona’s lead to two before Oshoala made it 3-0.

Martens scored Barcelona’s fourth goal before Smits reduced PSV deficit.

Oshoala played for 67 minutes before she was replaced by Aitana Bonmati. She has scored three goals in the Spanish Primera Division with Barcelona having a 100% record in the 2020/2021 league season.

The four-time CAF Women Player of the Year is part of the players nominated for the inaugural UEFA Fans’ Team of the Year.

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Messing with mercenaries on Boko Haram again?

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n January 22, 2015 at Chatham House, London, Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), baited the whirlwind. He said he had suggested to Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to postpone the general election scheduled for February 14 by six weeks – which is within the constitutional 90-day election window – to give more time for voter-card distribution.

“It costs you nothing, it’s still within the law,” Dasuki was reported to have told the INEC chairman.

Being a spy chief, Dasuki secreted the underlying reason for his startling suggestion away in election contingencies. But the raison d’être for his proposition was the Boko Haram snag. The insurgents had scaled up their pursuit of tragedies months before the scheduled date of the election. In fact, the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction happened just 10 months before the time.

Eventually, the concealed agenda seeped into the news -- the Armageddon; the six-week battle to miniaturise Boko Haram.

There was hysteria of pessimism.

How can a government which has failed to trim the large coats of the insurgents over the years bring the group to capitulation in six weeks? It was doubtful. But there was an outlier. Gladiators from South Africa and Eastern Europe were being thrown into the arena.

Dasuki had said at Chatham House that “cowards” peopled the rank and file of the military and dismissed the claim that there was a hierarchical conspiracy to keep the insurgency alive.

“We have people who use every excuse in this world not to fight. There is no high-level conspiracy within the army not to end the insurgency,” he said.

And truly, Boko Haram sustained the most lethal blow ever in those six weeks. They were pummelled and expelled from their “terrodoms”. They subsequently tumbled into the fringes and territories outside Nigeria. The six-week operation could have been the defining surgery on the malignant cancer, if the Buhari administration which inherited this success was responsible.

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GUEST COLUMNIST

By Fredrick Nwabufo In 2015, elections were held in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other areas hitherto dominated by the insurgents owing to the effective war campaign driven largely by the mercenaries.

There was scarcely any report of attacks during the election. In fact, President Buhari secured some of the highest votes in these troubled states.

The 2015 election has been widely described as peaceful, free, fair and credible. The Buhari administration was the biggest beneficiary of that successful operation. But what did the APC and Lai Mohammed, its spokesman, say at the time when shifting the election was contemplated?

Hear Lai: “Why are they not ready? Why should we postpone?

We say ‘no’ to postponement.

They know that if they don’t postpone they can’t win. They are just terrified.”

The lies of a liar will always find him out.

Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, and other service chiefs were appointed at the time the tide of insurgency was receding.

Perhaps, lost in the reverie of the success against Boko Haram, Buratai boasted that the army was capable of interring the group finitum and had no need for external support. The same army chief is now saying the insurgency will live with us for 20 years.

“

The mercenaries who had secured the most evident success against the insurgents were “clamped down” on and ‘’expelled’’ like aliens by the Buhari administration.

Eeben Barlow, founder of Specialised Tasks, Training, Equipment and Protection (STTEP) which recruited the foreign fighters that secured the gains, ululated about how they were abysmally treated by the Buhari Administration.

In a Facebook post in August 2019, he alleged that the Buhari government politicised their effort and ignored all intelligence warnings by his team. He also alleged the government repudiated their strategy to take down Boko Haram.

Barlow said: “The initial 3-phase campaign strategy (known as ‘Operational Anvil’) to degrade and destroy BH in Borno state, was rejected by his (Buhari) advisors.’’

And speaking on the terror alerts, he said: “These warnings covered the implications of not allowing the 72 MSF to annihilate BH in Borno province; the plans by Boko Haram to rearm and escalate their activities; the implications of regional spillover, the impact on the armed forces; and so forth.”

Alas! Five years after the fiercest blitz on the insurgents, we are back in the days of the freewheeling of terror -- when

Dasuki had said at Chatham House that “cowards” peopled the rank and file of the military and dismissed the claim that there was a hierarchical conspiracy to keep the insurgency alive.

insurgents can massacre as much as 78 people without any resistance and when bandits extract tax and tolls from citizens to allow them access to their farms. We are back in the night of doom. Governors of the northeast are now calling for the enlisting of mercenaries to deal with the jagged threat.

There is no shame is seeking external help to deal with a threat like Boko Haram. In fact, it is a viable strategy to enlist specialised agents to deal with certain threats. But the undoing of the Buhari government is its insincerity and hollow ego.

The government bragged that it “technically defeated” the insurgents by sleight of hand only to be caught up in a web of its own lies and perfidy.

The lies of a liar will always find him out.

It is asinine to send soldiers in droves to die when there is an option of drafting agents that can push back the violators.

Again, there is no shame in engaging mercenaries against Boko Haram; even the US and Israel deal with terror by engaging external agents on certain missions. It is a standard practice. It does not make our military less powerful.

But the trouble with the Buhari regime is the vacuous ego. I hope the government has learnt its lessons. Messing with mercenaries can cost lives.

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist Twitter @FredrickNwabufo

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