PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, september 24, 2019
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Tribunal nullifies Benue deputy speaker’s election From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
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he National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital yesterday
Gov. Badaru appoints 15 Special advisers
nullified the election of the Deputy Speaker, Chris Adaji of the People’s Democratic Party PDP representing Ohimini State Constituency. In his judgement, Chairman of the Tribunal, Honourable Justice R. O. Odudu, who delivered the lead judgment held that the margin with which Adaji led Musa Alechenu Ohimini of All Progressives Congress, APC is less than the number of votes cancelled. It should be noted that the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had declared Adaji winner of the election having led with 397 votes. But the tribunal ruled that the margin is less than the 1, 056 votes cancelled in the two polling units of Igbanomaje and Odega. Justice Odudu faulted INEC’s final declaration, maintaining that the body should have ordered for a rerun in the affected polling units instead of declaring the poll inconclusive. He also, held that the
declaration and return of Adaji without a rerun in Otega and Ogadagba ward is invalid by reason of non-substantial compliance with Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). The court therefore, issued an order for withdrawal of certificate of return issued to Adaji and an order directing INEC to conduct rerun election in the two polling units where elections were cancelled within 90 days. The APC candidate, Musa Ohimini Alechenu described the decision as a testimony of the
L-R: Chairman elect, International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC), Dr. Augustine Igweh; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Bitrus Nabasu; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya onu; Zambia Chairperson, ISCTRC Prof. Boniface Namangala and, Head of Mission, Director Inter- African Bureau for Animal Resources, Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhy, at the opening of 35th General Conference of ISCTRC , yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo
From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
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he Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Badaru has approved the appointment of fifteen new special advisers. The appointments are to take immediate effect as contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Fanini and issued to news men yesterday in Dutse, the state capital. According to the statement, those appointed incude, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad Big -Man, Assembly Matters, Mujitafa Saleh Kwalam, Religious Affairs and Shari’ah implementation, Alhaji Ibrahim Ismaila, Adult and high Education and Jamilu Amaryawa, Security Matters. The statement maintained that, Muhammad Muktar Zannan Kazaure, Revenue and Investment, Garba Halilu and Bubu Nasara Due Process and Projects Monitoring Bureau. Others are Sabi’u Musa, Water Resources and Environmental Sanitation, Ahmed Muhammad Babura (AK) Political Matters, Mutari Muhammad Birniwa SDG’s, Tijjani Inuwa, Tashi Budget, Bala Sule Kila Forestry, Hamza Muhammad Hadejia, Community Affairs and Inclusion, Abbas Mujaddadi, Empowerment, Bako Amaryawa, Farmers and Herdsmen Matters and Ibrahim Suleiman Gwiwa, Mega Sola Projects.
wishes of the people. He said by the decision, the judiciary has reaffirmed that it remains the hope of the people. “I want to appreciate the Tribunal for the good job done. Let me appreciate the people of Ohimini fpr standing behind me during the period of the legal struggle,” Alechenu said while insisting that he will win the rerun ballot. Adaji’s counsel, Ken Ikonne said he will consult his client before taking any further decision.
Unilorin wins N120m labs equipment grant
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he University of Ilorin says its Department of Chemistry has secured a Seeding Labs Equipment grant worth over N120 million. According to the University of Ilorin Bulletin issued on Monday, the department submitted two research proposals on Cancer and Cosmeceuticals that eventually won the grant for the institution. According to the publication, the principal investigator, Ezekiel Odebunmi, said Seeding Labs is a US-
based non-governmental organisation dedicated to helping scientists make discoveries that improve life and the planet. He said the NGO is dedicated to removing a key barrier to research and science teaching by making laboratory equipment available to universities in low-and middle-income countries. According to the report, the Seeding Labs equipment includes Mass Spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), HighPressure Liquid Chromatography
(HPLC), and other consumables among others. It said that this will improve the Department’s research productivity while enhancing the training of both its undergraduate and postgraduate students. It explained that the Department won the grant after an unsuccessful first attempt in 2016. “The experiences garnered in the first attempt and the other previous research acumen, as well as the commitment and support of
the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, assisted the team in pursuing the grant.” According to the report, the equipment, which has already arrived the Lagos Sea Port, would put the University of Ilorin on the global map because more quality research outcomes would emanate from the University. “With the equipment, studies by the staff researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students would take a new dimension. NAN
Why we adopted biotechnology, by Minister By Ese Awhotu
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he Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said that the Ministry is to construct a facility, to produce sterile male Tsetse flies, aimed at eventually eradicating their population. Dr. Onu revealed this feat when he declared open the 35th International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISTRC) on Monday in Abuja. Dr. Onu said that tsetse fly had posed very serious problems
to livestock production as well as human health in Africa. “its effective control has become absolutely necessary for us in Africa in order to attain selfsufficiency in livestock production as well as maintain human health”. He affirmed the leadership role taken by Nigeria to eradicate the scourge of tsetse flies all over the continent. In his words, “Nigeria will indeed lead Africa in the fight against tsetse fly, we will work closely with African countries to reclaim our lands from these flies”. “effectively controlling tsetse fly is a task that must be done,
in view of the fact that Africa is made up of young people with an increasing population. Achieving this will help us feed ourselves, remain healthy, grow our economy and create jobs for our people”. Dr. Onu expressed confidence on the outcome of the deliberations at the conference, to guide the adoption of scientifically based decisions and strategies, to control tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis. He also called for synergy and coordinated effort by African nations to confront the menace, adding that tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis respect no
borders. He saluted African Governments for the establishment of the Pan African tsetse fly and Trypanosomiasis Control (PATTEC) initiative. Earlier the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, said the conference would aid with development of better strategies for improved resources, commitment and sustained political drive towards the control and eventual elimination of tsetse fly and Trypanosomiasis. The representative of the AU
commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Prof. Ahmed ElSawalthy, said it was time to reevaluate the achievements made to find lasting solutions to the challenges of tsetse fly eradication trypanosomiasis elimination. He commended the efforts by the World Health Organization, to provide trypanosomiasis medication free of charge. He added that “Successful application of Sterile Insect Technique on Zanzibar Island to eradicate the disease demonstrated the possibility of eradication.
PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, september 24, 2019
From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
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he Federal High Court sitting in Kano State has struck out a prayer of a nocase submission filed by Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and two others in a criminal allegation of money laundering to the tune of N950 million Naira by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Delivering a ruling on the matter yesterday, Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High
Delta moves to boost security with surveillance cameras From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
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elta state government has begun the process of boosting security in the state through its Smart City Project which would mount surveillance cameras in strategic locations. Director of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr Rocky Ighoyota who spoke to journalists in Asaba on Monday noted that the surveillance cameras would be viewed and monitored by ICT personnel at the Centralized Command and Control ( CCC) room which would alert the security agencies on criminal activities among others. He explained that citizens who subscribe to the platform would be able to monitor their homes and property from wherever they were via their smart phones, adding that smart city project ( Smart Solution). was an initiative of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa aimed at ensuring effective and efficient operations of the state’s activities through technology management and control system for the benefit of the citizens.
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Alleged N950m scam: Shekarau, Wali, others lose bid on ‘no-case submission’ Court said the four prosecution witnesses presented by the EFCC are sufficient and cogent, as such the defendants’ should enter into defence as their prayer was rejected. Counsel to EFCC alleged that a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali,
Shekarau and one Mansur Ahmad had illegally received N950 million from PDP without passing through any recognized financial institution, an offence which according to him, contravened several sections of Money Laundering Act. Justice Allagoa maintained that a case of primafacie had
been established against the three defendants. The case was adjourned to November 18 and 19 for further hearing. Recall that Shekarau, Wali and Ahmed, who is the DirectorGeneral, Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign in the North
West, are facing a six-count charge of money laundering and unlawful collection of N950 million from former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke. EFCC alleged that the fund was diverted in 2015 from the presidential campaign fund of Mr Jonathan in the North West.
NTA to establish network centre in Kano From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
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he Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said it would soon established a network centre in Kano. The Director General of NTA Yakubu Ibn-Mohammed, made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, at Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, yesterday. A statement issued by Chief
Press Secretary to Ganduje, Abba Anwar, said the Director- General revealed to the governor that, “all preparations are now on top gear to open a Network Centre in Kano.” He said with the establishment of Network Centre, stories from Kano, that are meant for Network, would go directly to the headquarters without any stopover anywhere. Such stories would just go to Network
News, without any hindrance or operational delays. This, according to him, would open windows wider for the unbeatable audience to have more understanding of the developmental work taking place in the state. He added that, “Our ‘You Can’t Beat the Reach’ slogan will take your unrivalled achievements to greater, higher and next level for all to view, understand and allow
others to copy from you Sir.” He disclosed that NTA is viewed everywhere in the world “As we are on GOtv, Startimes and others, we are viewed in Europe and other parts of the world. The Director- General assured that, they are co-builders of the nation, insisting that, “Nigeria is for all of us. Hence we need to stand up and continue building our great nation. The Giant of Africa.”
L-R: Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba; Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu; Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.); Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen; Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Sadiya Inari Faruk; and, CEO, AIDA-NEPAD, Mrs Gloria Akobondu in New York yesterday for UNGA.
Sowore may assume status of ‘Prisoner of Conscience’, says CSNAC
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Nigerian civil society group says it may soon adopt the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, as a “Prisoner of Conscience.” The Nigerian government took Mr Sowore into detention last month and has filed charges of treason and money laundering against him over his attempt to lead a mass protest under the slogan: Revolution Now. But Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) said on Monday in Lagos that it was working with renowned rights groups across the world to ensure that he is adopted as a prisoner of conscience unless the government releases him without further delay. The group also accused the Nigerian authorities were
making frivolous charges against Mr Sowore who had been in custody since August 5. The group also called for the release of Olawale Bakare, a member of #RevolutionNow arrested in Osogbo, Osun, on August 5, Publisher of Cross River Watch, Agba Jalingo; and Ekanem Ekpo. The last two were arrested by the police and have yet to be taken to court. “The continuous detention of Sowore is an embarrassment to Nigeria as a country. Everywhere we visit across the world, people are asking questions about Sowore’s detention. “Many people do not understand the logic of laying charges of treason against Sowore simply because he used the word revolution. “His incarceration continues
to put a question mark on the credibility of the Nigerian government. Democracy dies when the culture of debate and the tradition of protest are lost,” the group said in a statement by CSNAC Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC said the Nigerian government had beyond imaginations embarrassed itself by charging Sowore for “insulting the President”. “It is even more ridiculous that he is being charged for insulting Mr President and also for money laundering where money was legitimately transferred through the financial institutions. “These are frivolous charges aimed at seeking justification for his illegal arrest and continuous detention.”
CSNAC said from indications, the Nigerian government was desperate to press charges against Mr Sowore and ensure he is jailed at all cost. The group said Mr Sowore was being hunted in part, due to series of publications in Sahara Reporters that consistently exposed corrupt practices in this and previous governments. “Sowore is obviously a victim of vengeance. Corrupt politicians and security chiefs whose dirty deals have consistently been exposed by Sahara Reporters are looking for ways to settle scores. They think by bringing down Sowore, Sahara Reporters will die. “Its an illusion to think by keeping Sowore in jail, Sahara Reporters would be off the global network. This is a mistake
because Sahara Reporters has assumed the status of an independent entity,” he said. CSNAC also dismissed the charge of money laundering by the State Security Service (SSS), saying it was an attempt to blackmail Sahara Reporters and its publisher. Mr Sowore was arrested on August 5 in Lagos and the Federal Government obtained an ex-parte order granting his detention for 45 days. After keeping him for almost two months, he was charged for insulting President Muhammadu Buhari during a live programme on AriseTV. The government also accused him of treason. He was also charged for transferring the sum of $19,975 from his personal account to Sahara Reporters. (NAN)