Monday, December 12th, 2022 Edition

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Kano receives over N3bn FG’s housing intervention -Ganduje

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has stated that the Teacher Reserved Area (T.R.A) Housing Project Committee, formed by his administration has successfully acquired over N3 billion of the Federal Government funding.

The funding is to execute laudable programmes for affordable houses to be constructed in phases across the various local government areas in the state.

The programme is a partnership between Kano State and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) as well as the Family Homes Fund Limited initiated with the aim of providing affordable housing to the citizens of the state and civil servants.

In a statement by Hassan Musa Fagge, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, the programme is also to obtain affordable loans for renovation of homes so as to make them more conducive for habitation.

According to the statement, Ganduje explained that a house renovation loan of over N700 million has already been secured from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to enable civil servants and other beneficiaries who already own homes to refurbish them.

He added that each woul receive N1 million as loan, to be repaid through monthly deduction over a period of time to allow for ease of payment.

The Governor, represented by his deputy, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna made the statement on Saturday during the presentation of allocation letters for 500 affordable housing funds housing units and house refurbishing loan to 426 beneficiaries from teachers and other public servants held at the Coronation Hall,Government House Kano.

He reiterated that his administration has committed significant amount of funding, efforts and other investment to ensure the full realisation of these housing programmes for the benefit of its people.

“This is a testament to our commitment to the welfare of public servants and our determination towards the socio-economic development of the State”.

The Governor congratulated the beneficiaries of the programmes and reminds them that the renovation loan and housing units are provided on a credit basis by the Federal Government to the State, therefore he urged them to fulfill their pledge and make timely repayment as and when due so that other citizens of the State will also benefit.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Alh. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub said result of getting access to the home renovation loan and other facilities offered by the FMBN to all civil servants in Kano who are contributors to the National Housing Fund Scheme made it possible for the presentation of Cheque worth over three hundred and sixty seven million to four hundred and twenty six Kano State civil servants.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has built One

No forest in Sambisa, says Atiku

By our correspondent

Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has debunked claims of the existence of a forest in Sambisa in Borno State.

He spoke on Channels

Television programme yesterday while appearing alongside his running mate and Governor of Delta State, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Atiku said when he served in Borno state as a Customs officer years back, he toured round the whole of Borno and the Sambisa area, and did not see any thick

forest where terrorists could hide without being seen.

He said what he knows is that there are shrubs scattered around the area and that from an airplane, one could see people walking around the Sambisa area.

He said it baffles him when he hears that terrorists are hiding

Hundred Housing units at Jaba under the National Housing Programme.

The Managing Director of the FMBN, Mr.Hamman Madu applauded the committed and cooperation of Kano State Government led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje which resulted in the resumption of participation of Kano civil servants in the National Housing scheme.

He explained that the bank is also constructing two hundred and fifty five housing units in some local government areas in the State which will be sold to members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.

While in his speech,the Chairman of the T.R.A Housing Project Committee, Alh.Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi highlighted the success achieved by the committee which started with the signing of memorandum of understanding to develop five thousand affordable housing units across the forty four local government areas in phases has commenced with the five hundred housing units being constructed at both Ungogo and Fagge local government areas.

in Sambisa forest because he does not believe there is the type of forest where people can hide without being seen.

He made the comment while answering a question from the TV anchor on how he would tackle the Boko Haram issue if he is elected president.

Dare lauds Delta state gov’t for supporting NYSC

By Albert Akota

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has commended Delta State Government for providing a befitting Orientation Camp for NYSC in the State.

He lauded the spate of infrastructural development at the

Orientation Camp in Issele-Uku, describing it as a good template for all NYSC Orientation Camps across the country.

The Minister disclosed this during his visit to NYSC Delta State Orientation Camp in IsseleUku to assess the level of work at the on-going 700 capacity Corps Members hostel, NYSC South-

South Area Office Warehouse and internal roads, courtesy the State Government.

The Minister, added that the scheme would be marking its fifty years anniversary next year, adding that there must be functional NYSC Orientation Camps in the country with necessary facilities.

He urged other State

Governments to emulate Delta State in performing their statutory responsibilities as stated in the NYSC Act.

“When you come to NYSC Camp in Delta and you see the layout template and the completed on-going projects, l think this is the model we want in all NYSC Orientation Camps”, Dare said.

President Muhammadu Buhari with Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed shortly before departing Katsina State , yesterday for Washington DC ahead of US-Africa Leader’s Summit.

Photo: State House

DSS intervention: ADITOP pledges cooperation to end fuel crisis

The Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP), said it has authorised its depot chairmen nationwide to cooperate with the Department of State Services (DSS) to resolve fuel issues in the country.

ADITOP said it was in support of the 48 hours ultimatum given by the DSS to stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to end the fuel queues and crises rocking the country.

President of ADITOP, Alhaji Lawan Dan-Zaki, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that its members nationwide and marketers are ready to cooperate with the DSS to actualise their mission.

The DSS had, on Dec. 8, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to all stakeholders in the oil industry to resolve the ongoing fuel scarcity across the country.

The DSS, in a meeting with the stakeholders, warned that it would launch a nationwide operation on saboteurs if there are still queues at various filling stations in the country after the ultimatum.

The DSS is wading into the fuel matter following persistent scarcity and long queues, especially in the FCT, in spite of assurances by the NNPC Limited and other regulatory agencies of ensuring normalcy.

“We are ready to co-operate with the DSS to put an end to the fuel queues and bring normalcy to the system,” he said.

He said the ultimatum given by the DSS which could be attributed to an information it had, was timely because of the lingering fuel scarcity, adding that currently fuel was not in abundance.

“Our trucks stay up to two weeks at the depots before getting products loaded to transport to the filling stations.

“The more the product is available, there will be normalcy in businesses and livelihoods and we will have turnover too,” he said.

Stakeholders at the meeting included Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

Others were the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), and depot operators, among others. (NAN)

Solid mineral development: Don urges increased security for improved accessibility

AProfessor of Geology, Joseph Omada, has urged the Federal Government to do more in nipping the country’s security challenge in the bud for the development of the solid mineral sector.

Omada who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) blamed insecurity as a major factor militating against solid mineral development in the country.

“Accessing and assessing solid minerals can only be undertaken in a secured environment,” he said.

Omada who is a Professor of Geology at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) delivered the 21st Inaugural Lecture of

the institution and urged governments at all levels to provide security for developers of solid minerals.

He said that the security was vital during reconnaissance, exploration, development and mining stages.

“Things are changing from our high dependency on crude oil because non oil sector contribution to the federation account has more or less overtaken the oil sector.

“So, if government puts attention continuously, it will help.

“Furthermore, the regulatory agencies in charge of mining activities should be actively supported to perform their functions.

“All metals such as gold, cassiterite, columbite, and associated minerals

should be purchased at international rates from miners within the vicinity of extraction to discourage smugglers.”

Omada also urged the government to adequately fund agencies in the solid mineral mineral sector and encourage the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to set up branches in all the states.

According to him, this will ensure that the government through the CBN branches, purchases and banks all metals and precious/semi precious stones mined in the country.

“This is good for record keeping, quality maintenance and monitoring,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, while commending Omada on his pragmatic

delivery of the lecture titled “The AAV’S of Environment of Development of Solid Minerals”, regretted the inability of the country to utilise its mineral potential.

Peters noted that Nigeria was one of the countries of the world endowed with mineral resources but had always been difficult to bring them out.

“He called his presentation AAV and those of us in Open University know the meaning of ‘AAV’ to be access, assess and value.

“It is wonderful that even in his field we are able to find some common ground of access to what you want, assessing what you want and determining the value of what you have obtained.

LECAN Crisis : Aggrieved members pass vote of no confidence

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Some aggrieved members of the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) have passed a vote of no confidence on their national executive.

The members called on the Office of their President to maintain sanity and strictly abide by the provisions of the Association’s law.

This was contained in a recent letter they wrote through their counsel Mbah Chinwendu Ufere &

Co in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to the Office of the President.

The letter was copied to Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Abuja Electricity Distribution Comoany (AEDC), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the LECAN National Leader, High Chief Otunba Dele Akintola, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissioner (EFCC).

The Members from different chapters of the Association

who wrote the letter were; Alh Abdulazeez Edochie, Alh Rahimi Isiaka, A. O. Odumoro, Dr Haruna S. Mohammed, Alh Suleiman Abdulmalik, Alh Haruna Mohammed, Engr Kingsley Agbaisi, Chief Vitus Ofodum, Engr Ibrahim Abdulahi, Joseph Eniolorunfe, Rev Michael Tiuola, Mr Daisi Komolafe and Alh Hamza Mohammed Kumo.

They urged the office to strictly adhere to their law.

The members, however, disowned in its entirety, what they termed, acclaimed motion of vote of

on executives

confidence passed on the president and the entire national executive council at a leadership summit on 27 October, 2022 in Uyo, the AkwaIbom state capital, which according to them, was kicked against by participants.

They stated that the participants demanded for a National Delegate Conference General Meeting, being the supreme authority of the Association with equal delegates of five members from each chapter in line with the Article 6 of the Association’s constitution.

L-R: Director Centre for Promotion of Shari’a (CPS)

Aminu Inuwa Muhammad, Elder of the community of CPS in Kano Alhaji Gidado Mukhtar and the member Board of Trustee (BoT) Tijjaniyya in Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Shehu Maihula, during the Centre for Promotion of Shari’a (CPS) 1 Day consultative meeting with stakeholders of the Muslim constituency in Northern Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja.

Use Nigerian social media apps for campaigns – Dr Wada urges politicians

Dr Ibrahim Wada, Founder, Nisa Medical Group has urged presidential candidates in the 2023 elections and other politicians to use home grown social media applications for campaigns.

He said this in Abuja, while unveiling a social media application called Ayema.

Wada, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said it was important to encourage homegrown talents like Ayema to enable it compete globally.

He also appealed to ministers and other well meaning Nigerians to encourage local content like Ayema, which he said was capable of tackling the unemployment problem.

“I appeal to all presidential

candidates to communicate with the Nigerian social media platforms,especially Ayema.

“I also appeal to ministers to join Ayema, especially, the Minister of Communication because it is our own.

“This is what makes countries proud in international communities and Nigeria must not be left out.

“So let us all encourage this young talent by downloading the app, which can deliver as much as the well known social media applications.

“Let this discovery from this part of the world be known around the world through our patronage,” he said.

Wada, who also represented former Kogi State Governor, Idris

Wada at the event, encouraged youths to pursue their dreams.

He described the founder of Ayema as a dedicated youth, who did not allow the circumstance of his birth to deter him.

He said, “there are lessons from the founder’s life apart from inaugurating Ayema which is a global brand.

“He started from a humble background but did not allow that to limit him.

“So, I enjoin all Nigerians with vision to pursue them because we are all given vision.

“What is important is for us not to be distracted from our visions,” he said.

While citing several instances of great men and women, who overcame their fears to become icons, the chairman, said, there were alot of talents in Nigeria that could be nourished.

“Yusuf Shuaib, the founder of Ayema, used the rod in his hands to strike the waters and today a new chapter has been inaugurated in his life.

“This social media app stands where other global brands stand and this shows that there is so much energy in us to cover the world,” he said.

Wada expressed optimism that Ayema would be as popular as other known brands in the world.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

NANS says allegations of corruption against NARICT DG untrue

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said its independent investigation revealed that the allegations of nepotism, staff victimization and corruption against Director General of the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) Zaria, Prof. Jeffrey Tsware Barminas are misleading and untrue.

The National Secretary General of the Association Comrade Usman Baba Kankia, asserted this during a press conference in Kaduna yesterday.

Comrade Kankia said when the Association received the misconception allegations over the DG’s tenure in office, NANS as a responsible organization and voice of the voiceless submitted a letter to the DG/ CEO seeking clarification on the allegations of tenure expiration, corruption and nepotism as well as to seek clarity that will enable NANS take decision on concrete and reliable information.

ZFM donates food items, others to orphanage, widows

By Abubakar Yunusa

Zion Flames Ministries (ZFM), has donated food items and other gifts to orphanage and widows, saying doing good to the less privileged should not be a task for those people God has bless.

Speaking with Journalists during the donation over the weekend, ZFM founder and senior Pastor Apostle Promise Momo said his legacy is to touch lives.

Momo said, “we reached out to the Widows and the less privileged children in celebration of our 2nd year anniversary, and hundreds of people were blessed.”

We’ll deploy 6,226 recruits to theatre of operations -COAS

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Faruk

Yahaya has disclosed that the 6,226 recruits that passed out from the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria would be posted to various theatre operations to tame persistent insecurity bedeviling some parts of the country, while others would participate in 2023 general elections.

The COAS disclosed this during the Passing-out-Parade

(PoP) of the 83 Regular Recruits Intake on Saturday in Zaria, Kaduna State.

“In order to excel in your chosen career, you must exhibit total loyalty to constituted authority”.

“You must always remain focused and not allow ethnic and religious bigots to take advantage of you to advance their selfish interests,’ he said.

Gen. Yahaya who was the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer of the PoP, said the exercise aimed to

strengthen the Nigerian Army would translate into more food on the ground.

He said the new soldiers would be posted in more relevant areas where they are required, warning that “it is a clear message to all criminals, whether they are bandits, kidnappers or terrorists.

He, therefore, urged the new soldiers to maintain a high standard of professionalism and remain good ambassadors of the Depot Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The Army Chief said Nigeria is currently facing numerous security challenges such as the activities of Boko Haram Terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, secessionist agitators and other criminal elements.

“I wish to state that these security challenges can only be surmounted by the collective resolve and effort of every officer and soldier of the Nigerian Army, including those of you passing out today,’’ he said.

Pharmacists seek govt’s commitment in local production of raw materials

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy says the country must commit to producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for drug manufacturing instead of relying on importing same raw materials.

Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, President of the Academy, said this during the academy’s investiture of new fellows in Lagos.

Adelusi-Adeluyi noted that for a country with the abundant hydrocarbon resources that Nigeria boasts of, it shouldn’t rely on importing the same as raw materials.

He said that pharmacists need to enlighten the political leaders including current presidential candidates on this issue and interrogate them on their plans for utilising Nigeria’s oil and gas deposits.

“The political leaders need to better appreciate why a petrochemical industry is critical to Nigeria and pharmacists have a role not only to continue to drive this enlightenment, but also participate actively in the electoral process.

“It is in the light of the value

which a functional petrochemical industry will translate to for Nigeria, that the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy has continued to look forward to the commencement of the Dangote Refinery and its associated petrochemical plant with elation,” he said.

Adelusi-Adeluyi said that the academy had been informed by the Dangote Refinery that the initial focus of its petrochemical plant would be polypropylene.

“This is commendable and will be a big plus for Nigeria’s industrialisation,” he said.

He disclosed that the academy would engage Dangote Refinery on the possibility of including the production of aromatic hydrocarbons in the second phase.

“Aromatic hydrocarbons will be of critical value to the pharmaceutical industry and our quest to produce API,” he said.

He acknowledged the progress that the world is continuously making in the areas of big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Adelusi-Adeluyi noted that it was imperative for pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and

medical professionals in the field of research and development in developing countries such as Nigeria, to increasingly tap into these industrial revolution.

“AI is helping to make pharmaceutical research and new drug discovery less expensive and definitely more productive.

“Researchers realise that in the time that it would have taken to test the efficacy of say a handful of chemical molecules manually, with Al, it is possible to test several hundreds of different chemical molecules.

“With Al, therefore, we create better, safer and more affordable medicines, within a much shorter time frame too,” he said.

He acknowledged that some pharmacists are already adopting AI to solve real world health challenges, adding that AI penetration should deepen among pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.

Adelusi-Adeluyi noted that as witnessed in the financial and fintech space, the potential of AI in pharmaceutical space would translate to pain relief from disease, economic growth and

development.

He said that the government has a crucial role to play while calling on the government to create the right environment that makes meaningful research possible.

Also, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), said pharmacists are relevant and critical to medicine security and national development.

Usifoh said that the PSN had championed several bills at the National Assembly aimed at repositioning the pharmaceutical industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 20 pharmacists were inducted as fellows of the Academy among which are Pharm. Olayinka Subair, Senator Sadiq Umar and Mrs Christianah Akpa, among others.

Senator Sadiq Umar, who spoke on behalf of the inductees appreciated the academy for the honour conferred on them.

Umar, however, urged the academy to continue in its strides to ensure patient safety and reposition pharmacists in the country. (NAN)

Chairman FCT Imam Forum Sheikh Tajuddeen Adigun Muhammed Bello (left) discussing with the Chief Imam of Citec Estate Mbora District Muhammadu Bashir Musa, during the Centre for Promotion of Shari’a (CPS) 1 Day consultative meeting with stakeholders of the Muslim constituency in Northern Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa.

PDP crisis: Tambuwal visits Ortom, seeks reconciliation

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Director General of the Atiku’s Presidential Campaign and Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal has said that the rift in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is not a war of attrition but internal party disagreement.

Alh. Tambuwal who said this on Sunday in Makurdi, during a visit to Governor Samuel Ortom, noted that the disagreement will build the party stronger going into the

•Arrogance bane of our crisis, says Ortom

election.

He explained that the purpose of his visit is to engage his Benue State counterpart as a leader of the party, to see how the crisis rocking the party can be amicably resolved.

“We have had time to engage in what is happening in our party. Ortom is a leader looking at the trajectory of politics. When you disagree and come back, you work stronger,

that is my mission here. I hope also, to engage with my other colleagues and see how we can work together for the success of the party”, the one time Speaker of House of Representatives assured.

On his part, Governor Samuel Ortom regretted that the party out of arrogance and nonchallant attitude, has continually failed to take advantage of its internal resolution

mechanism to resolving the lingering crisis.

“The crisis in the party and G-5 Governors which am a member of, he(Tambawual) is here to see how else we can team up to work together. We have discussed and I have given my own opinion on how the mater can be resolved so I believe as DG of the Presidential campaign, he will do the needful to put the party together, Ortom said.

Incessant fire incidents: FEMA reads riot act to filling stations

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on Sunday in Abuja vowed to permanently shut down any filling station which flouts the extant regulations on products discharge.

The Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, issued the warning while reacting to the fire outbreak at the Conoil filling station at Garki Area 10, in the Federal Capital City, which occurred on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the filling station was the third station to be gutted by fire within the last two weeks.

Idriss disclosed that a task force would be constituted by the FCT Administration and would soon commence strict enforcement of the regulations on content discharge, safety of lives and properties of the residents.

He blamed the fires at the three filling stations on non adherence to the regulations on content discharge, cautioning that flouting the rules endangers the lives and properties of the residents of the FCT.

Idriss said: ” The incessant fire out breaks at filling stations in the FCT are becoming increasingly worrisome.

”The major cause of the fire is non adherence to the given time of content discharge, which is preferably early morning or late evening periods.

” Some filling stations also lack adequate fire defence equipment that will serve as first aid before the responders turn up.

”Some do not have trained safety officers who are supposed to guide the operators at the filling stations.”

The D-G said that the infernos penultimate week were as a result of wrong timing of content discharge which could be termed as deliberate negligence which the FCT Administration would no longer tolerate.

He listed the ill-fated filling stations to include; A. A. RANO by Mpape junction along Kubwa expressway on Dec. 1, Danmarna filling station at FHA Lugbe on Dec. 7, and Conoil Filling station at Area 10, Garki on Saturrday.

The FEMA boss also attributed the fire outbreaks to the lingering fuel scarcity, which compelled station managers to commence the discharge of content immediately the tanker arrived the stations.

Idriss also said that the FCT Administration would open up discussions with the relevant NNPC Departments, security agencies and other stakeholders to see how it could can strengthen the regulations.

This, according to him, will ensure full compliance of the laws and regulations with the view to saving lives and properties.

He commended the prompt

response of the fire fighters especially the team from the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders in fighting the Conoil Fire.

Idriss also appreciated the security agencies for doing a great job by providing the needed security in order to prevent hoodlums from taking over the scene.

He said: ” No lives were lost to the fire which started around 4,00p.m. on Saturday. Some vehicles parked within the premises of the station were however burnt along with the tanker discharging the fuel, as well as the station.

” No estimate of loss is done

yet. FEMA is therefore calling on all petroleum industry stakeholders to always operate within the standard safety regulations in the discharge of all petroleum contents either in the morning or evening.

” And also to make adequate provision for functional fire defence equipment with adequate trained manpower to handle any unlikely situation.

” In case of any emergency, FEMA response team could be reached 24/7 by calling the National Toll Free Emergency Number 112 for prompt response.”

(NAN)

NDLEA intercepts Brazil returnee with parcels of cocaine, others in powdered milk at Lagos airport

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, have intercepted parcels of cocaine concealed in different parts of a travel bag brought into Nigeria by a Brazil returnee, Nwadinobi Charles Uchemadu from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight.

NDLEA in a statement issued yesterday by Femi Babafemi Director, Media and Advocacy, said Uchemadu was arrested on Monday 5th December at the Lagos airport during inward clearance of passengers on the Qatar airways flight following

the discovery of three parcels of cocaine weighing 2.70 kilograms factory sealed in parts of his travel bag.

“At the SAHCO export shed of the airport same day, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted cans of powdered milk, baby food and beverages used to conceal 3.4 kilograms of cannabis going to Dubai, UAE. A freight agent, Ewelike Chibuike Cyril who presented the consignment for export was subsequently arrested.

“In the same vein, parcels of cannabis weighing 6.30kgs concealed in sound systems (speakers) going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea through the SAHCO export shed of the airport were also seized on Thursday 8th December by the operatives who

initially arrested a freight agent, Joseph Obiji involved and later the following day, Friday 9th Dec nabbed another agent, Mbanu Ifeanyi Andrew in a follow up operation at ASPAMDA market, Trade Fair complex, Ojo area of Lagos.

“At the Akala notorious drug hub in Mushin area of Lagos, no fewer than 15 drug dealers including two ladies were arrested with 1,400kgs of cannabis sativa among other illicit substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, and 320 bottles of codeine syrup recovered from them during a raid of the area on Friday 9th December.

“Another raid of the popular Idumota business district of Lagos Island on Saturday 10th December

led to the seizure of 35,014 pills of tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol and 21.2 litres of codeine syrup while a targeted notorious dealer is still on the run. This is even as officers of the Directorate of Seaports Operations of the Agency arrested a Malian, Dembele Ousmane on Monday 5th December with 32,400 capsules of tramadol 225mg concealed in factory packed buckets of custard while attempting to travel to Mali via boat at Ebute -Ero Jetty in Lagos.

“In Ondo state, operatives on Tuesday 6th Dec. stormed sharp corner, Ipele forest in Owo area of the state where they arrested Rotimi Oyekan and Precious Aluju with C/S weighing 903.3kgs, while another team of NDLEA officers arrested Babatunde Oluyara at

Igbotako area of the state, with 168.5kgs of the same substance; 6kgs of monkey tail and various quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

“In Kebbi state, two suspects: Austine Julius and Sale Yakubu were arrested on Sunday 4th December along Yawuri-Kebbi road in a loaded Dyna Truck with 117 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,070 kilograms concealed under bags of oranges. The following day, Monday 5th December, another set of two suspects: Abdullahi Bala and Ibrahim Wade were intercepted along Koko- Kebbi road in a Dyna

114 bags of the same substance weighing 1,140

Truck loaded with

kilograms concealed under crates of soft drinks.”

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya ( Left) receiving the APC flag from the National Chairman of the Party, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (middle) while the Deputy National Chairman ( North), Sen. Abubakar Kyari and other officials look on during the flag-off of the Gombe State APC campaign rally at Pantami Stadium on Sunday in Gombe.

2023: Kano ADP guber candidate promises to establish Quranic research centre if elected

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The gubernatorial candidate of ADP in Kano state, Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada has promised to establish Quranic research centre in the state.

At a meeting with Kano Islamic clerics, Sharada, Member of the House of Representatives for the Municipal Federal Constituency said he had already sponsored a bill for the establishment of a National Center for Quranic Research in Kano to the National Assembly.

Sharada added that the first and second readings for the center’s creation would be held in the upcoming weeks, according to statement by spokesman of his campaign council, Abbas Yushau in Kano yesterday.

He said, during the meeting, Sharada informed the Ulama’s that the Quranic Research Center, where Quranic sciences are supposed to be taught, is anticipated to be located in Kano given the state’s dominance among Quranic memorizers in Nigeria.

Sharada stated that if elected governor, he would make Quranic education mandatory in Kano in primary and post primary schools since he is passionate about developing the education sector.

The candidate stated that he finds it extremely vital to meet with them and intimate them of his desire to run for governor of Kano state since ulama’s are very important and critical stakeholders in managing and moulding the thinking of the citizenry.

“He asserts that the moment has come when a governor should serve as a leader for his subjects and that the Ulama should serve as a beacon for the implementation of government policies and initiatives.

“He expressed appreciation to the Ulama’s who accepted the invitation and said he will continue to meet with them on important issues as the community’s leaders.

“The candidate cited Quranic verses that shows the importance of consultation and involvement of the learned community in the affairs of the people.

FCTA to establish zonal offices to curb land racketeering

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has revealed plans to establish Zonal offices to curb the indiscriminate sale of land by local chiefs in the territory.

The Mandate Secretary, Area Service Council Secretariat, Alhaji Ibrahim Dantsoho, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

Dantsoho stated that FCTA had stopped all 17 Graded Chiefs in the territory and others from the sale of any portion of the land within the FCT.

He said that it was only the FCT Minister that had the right to allocate or revoke any land.

Dantsoho said: ” The FCT Administration is perfecting plans to establish zonal offices to curtail racketeering and indiscriminate sales and purchase of land in FCT.

”FCTA is on top of the situation as some of the chiefs had been relived of their titles and others suspended because of the act.

“So, i am telling you that the administration is not taking this lightly, we don’t encourage this

and there is a severe punishment for anyone found wanting.

”Anyone indicted must face the law and at the end, he will stand to loose whatever he is proud of as a village chief in the community.”

On the security situation in the territory, the mandate secretary said that the cases of insecurity in the territory had reduced due to collaborations with security agencies.

He added that drones were being deployed in strategic locations to beef security in the territory.

Dantsoho said: “The FCT had beefed up security measures in the territory in collaboration with Service Chiefs hence the cases of kidnapping and banditry had reduced because of the proactiveness of the FCT Minister and the Minister of State.

“You can go to bed and sleep, the security situation has improved, lots of drones are around in FCT and I want to caution people that organise picnics to be aware of this and there have been many arrests in the territory.” (NAN)

FIRS emerges winners of CBN’s 2022 Financial Institutions Football Competition

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Football Club (FC) has defeated Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) FC 1-0 to emerge champions of 2022 All Financial Institutions Football Competition (AFIFC).

The final match played at the Gombe Township Stadium in Gombe, was sponsored by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The lone goal was scored by Leonard Pankyes of FIRS FC in the 20th minute of the game, was all that the FIRS team needed to clinch victory and pocket the N2 million prize in the 35th edition of the competition.

Earlier, in the Third-Place match played between Unity Bank FC and Bubayero Microfinance Bank FC, Unity Bank won by 1-0, to emerge as third runner up of

the competition.

In a post-match conference, CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said the competition began in 1979.

Represented by Alhaji Shehu Goringo, CBN Branch Controller, Gombe, Emefiele said CBN’s commitment to making positive contributions to the promotion and development of football remained the major reason for sponsoring the competition annually, which is in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

“The competition, over the years, has also served as a grooming ground for young football-playing bankers to become full professionals and national team players.

“It is on record that some of our decorated soccer heroes such as Kanu Nwankwo, Henry Nwosu and Stephen Keshi, of blessed

memory, participated in this competition before representing Nigeria at several national and international competitions.’’

The CBN boss appreciated the Gombe State government for hosting the finals and “we thank our long-standing partner, the NFF, for its continued collaboration with CBN in organizing this tournament.’’

On his part, President of NFF, Ibrahim Gusau who was represented by Alhaji Babagana Kalli, the Chairman of Borno Football Association said the competition had made positive impact through the years.

Gusau commended the CBN for preserving the history of AFIFC by its continued sponsorship of the competition, “this is really commendable and good for football development.’’

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State

who was represented by Dr Larry Daniel, the Executive Secretary of Gombe State Sports Commission, commended CBN and NFF for choosing to host the finals of the competition in the state.

Yahaya said the state remained committed to welcoming any interest that would bring development of any sector and improvement of the well being of citizens.

About 20 teams comprised regulators, deposit money banks and other financial institutions participated in the 2022 edition of the AFIFC.

By the outcome of the finals, Second-Runner up, SEC team will go home with N1.5 million, while the Third-Runner up, Unity Bank will receive N1 million and Bubayero Microfinance Bank, the fourth-placed team will pocket N500,000.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (1st right) on with ex Nigerian internationals, Daniel Amokachi (1st left), Peter Rufai (2nd left) and others before kick-off of the Super Eagles legends for Asiwaju novelty football match in Kano on Saturday.

Photo: Speaker’s Office.

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted two trucks loaded with railway sleepers worth millions of naira at Paiko and Garatu areas of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSC, Nasir Abdullahi, in a press briefing said the suspected driver, one Ahmed Lawan who hailed from Jos was arrested along with the truck belonging to Dangote Group of Companies.

Confessing further, the driver said he was offered to be paid one million, one hundred

and fifty thousand naira, adding that he was paid one hundred thousand naira as installment while one of the suspected driver is at large.

DSC Abdullahi said the driver was arrested by the Anti-Vandal squad of Niger State Command, just as the State Commandant, Ahmed Mohammed Dandare

assured to sustain its synergy with other security agencies in the state.

It would be recalled that the Commandant General of the Corps, Doctor Ahmed Abubakar Audi has directed all State Commandants to deal ruthlessly with anybody or group of persons caught vandalizing any public assets.

The Lagos Mainland All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates have pledged to ensure quality representation in education, health and socio-economic development to the people if elected.

The candidates are Mr Olanrewaju Oshun, Mr Ajani Owolabi and Mr Rasheed Shabi vying for seats at the House of Representatives Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, the Lagos State House of Assembly Mainland I and II, respectively .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the candidates made the pledge in Lagos at a town hall meeting/unveiling of candidates tagged: “Know The APC Candidates To Vote For 2023.”

Oshun, the incumbent lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland II at the Lagos Assembly, said that if elected, his focus would be on health initiative through timely waste evacuation to avoid exposure to infections.

“l had facilitated the renovation of seven schools in Lagos Mainland and l promise to do more if elected into House of Representatives seat,” Oshun added.

On his part, Owolabi, the incumbent

lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland I at the Lagos Assembly, said he would be involved in progressive politics while striving to enhance education, irrespective of tribe or religious affinity.

Owolabi added that he would pay more attention to the development of education by increasing access and provision of scholarships to indigent students.

The lawmaker said he had been directly involved in five bills which were passed into law in the state.

“As the Chairman, Committee on Education, if re-elected, l will represent the youth by giving them quality education at all levels,” he said.

Similarly, Shabi said as part of his constituency outreach, he would make judicious utilisation of his constituency allowance to bring socio-economic development to the people.

“I will use my position to contribute positively, especially through the enactment of laws that will be of direct benefit to the state.

Shabi added that he would ensure that the state comes out with regulations, policies and

laws that would benefit the people especially in the areas of health, environment and employment.

He said that empowerment programme for women and youths would his priority to reduce unemployment.

Shabi said that he would engage professionals in various skills to train people on various vocations as part of his economic empowerment initiative for job creation.

In her remarks, the Chairman Lagos Mainland, Mrs Omolola Essien, urged women and youths to use their voting strength to elect credible leaders for the country in 2023.

“Women and youths are critical stakeholders in election due to their large population.

“There is the need for grassroots campaign, especially for our market women, and youths who seem to constitute the greater percentage of voters.

“This meeting is to sensitise the electorate on the need to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and assure them of a violence free elections

in 2023,” she said.

Earlier, the APC Lagos Mainland Campaign Committee Chairman, Mr Ayodeji Abdulrauf, said the essence of the meeting was to ensure the electorate meet their candidates one on one.

Abdulrauf stated that it is important to ensure victory for the party at the 2023 election.

“This meeting will afford the electorate the opportunity to meet their candidates, ask salient questions while expecting them to deliver on their mandate,” he said.

Abdulrauf, however, urged the people to get their PVCs while ensuring they come out to exercise their civic responsibility on the election day.

He noted that without the PVC, the electorate cannot exercise their power adding that it is the only tool that could be used to do the best for the country.

On security, he appealed to government to do more by providing responsive and reliable security before, during and after the election.NAN

Ibrahim Sidi Muh'd, Gusau

The Governing Council of the Federal University Gusau has announced Malam Muddassir Musa and Engr. Hassan Adamu Yakasai as new substantive Bursar and Director Physical Planning, Works and Maintenance of the University respectively.

The announcement was contained in a statement by the Information Officer of the University, Malam Umar Usman, saying the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the University, Rt. Honorable Yissa Ezekiel Benjamin made the disclosure at the Council’s 26th meeting.

The statement further note that, while congratulating the new appointees, the ProChancellor and Chairman of Council stated that they are expected to work hard and remain dedicated to duties thereby contributing to achieving the mission and vision of the University, adding that the appointments are for a single term of 5 years.

According to it, until his appointment

From Mika'il Tsoho, Dutse

No fewer than 235 women suffering from Obstetric Festula have been treated using surgical procedures by the Medicines SANs Frontiers at Jahun general hospital Jigawa state, from January to December 2022.

The team Medicines SANs Frontiers (Doctors without boarders) also provided 33,917 women with anti-natal care, assisted 12,519 deliveries while 282 women had their Festula repaired in 2021 in Jahun Jigawa state, Nigeria.

Speaking at the patients discharge

as new Bursar of the University, Malam Muddassir Musa was a Deputy Bursar, Treasury/Payroll of the Federal University Gusau who obtained his National Diploma in Financial Studies 1994.

He also obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy 1999 B.Sc. Accounting (2021), Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Accounting and Finance 2005, Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance 2014 and Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management in 2017.

Accordingly, Engr. Hassan Adamu Yakasai obtained his B.Eng. Mechanical from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 1988, M. Eng. Mechanical 1997 from University of Benin, Benin City.

Yakasai started his career with Water Resources and Engineering Construction Agency as Mechanical Engineer II and Mechanical Engineer I (1989 – 1991) and (1991 – 1995) respectively. He there after worked as Senior Water Engineer, State House Abuja (Aso-Rock Villa) from 1995 to 1997.

ceremony, the MSF field coordinator in Jahun Jigawa state, Jean Clement Ishimwe said, out of the total number of patients, about 100 women who suffered from Obstetric Festula and successfully completed their surgical treatment will return home after the celebration.

"The ceremony is also an opportunity to promote the socio-economic integration of these women who have often been pushed aside. We give them spaghetti-making machines and flour to enable them to start a small businesses at home as a self reliant activity", he said.

EXECUTION OF 2022

INTERVENTION PROJECTS

later date for financial bids opening, while the financial bids of un-successful bidders will be returned un-opened;

ix. The Edo State University Uzairue is not bound to pre-qualify any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007

From

The World Health Organisation (WHO), has said that the number of people estimated to have died as a result of living or working in an unhealthy environment is now 12.6 million.

Dr Edwin-Isotu Edeh, WHO National Consultant, Public Health and Environment, said this at the 6th annual conference of the Association of Nigeria of Health Journalists (ANHEJ) in Akwanga.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the threeday conference, which began on Friday, was organised by ANHEJ in collaboration with the WHO.

The theme of the conference is “Health Security UHC and National Health: How can Nigeria get it right- The Role of the Media in Perspective”, with the sub-

Unhealthy environment causes 12.6m deaths worldwide, WHO says

theme “

FP 2030 targets: Is Nigeria on Track?”.

Edeh said that the number represented one in four of all deaths globally.

According to him, this underscores the devastating impact of the chemicals and waste that pollutes the air, water and earth since the end of World War II.

He said the deaths were due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which included heart disease, cancer and were related

to exposure to pollution which now made up 8.2 million or nearly two-thirds of the total deaths.

He said; “deaths from infectious diseases such as malaria and diarrhea due to unsafe water and lack of sanitation represent one-third and are on the decline.

“Low- and middle-income countries seem to bear the greatest burden of environmentrelated diseases and injuries.

“These include NCDs like cardiovascular diseases and cancers, while the highest number of deaths per capita attributable

to the environment occurs in subSaharan Africa, primarily from infectious diseases,” Edeh said.

According to him, protecting and creating healthy environments is a critical component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Environmental health can be addressed by improving environmental quality for the poorest populations with the greatest burden of environmental diseases by reducing exposures to air pollution in homes and villages from biomass burning,

and providing clean water and sanitation.

“Others are identifying efforts to address environmental problems that can also provide health benefits.

“We recognise that some policies, practices and technologies designed to promote sustainability and economic development may have unintended adverse environmental health effects, and attempting to prevent or mitigate these before they are implemented,” he said. (NAN)

2023: Lagos APC candidates pledge quality representation if elected

The Lagos Mainland All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates have pledged to ensure quality representation in education, health and socioeconomic development to the people if elected.

The candidates are Mr Olanrewaju Oshun, Mr Ajani Owolabi and Mr Rasheed Shabi vying for seats at the House of Representatives Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, the Lagos State House of Assembly Mainland I and II, respectively .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the candidates made the pledge in Lagos at a town hall meeting/unveiling of candidates tagged: “Know The APC Candidates To Vote For 2023.”

Oshun, the incumbent lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland II at the Lagos Assembly, said that if elected, his focus would be on health initiative through timely waste evacuation to avoid exposure to infections.

“l had facilitated the renovation of seven schools in Lagos Mainland and l promise to do more if elected into House of Representatives seat,” Oshun added.

On his part, Owolabi, the incumbent lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland I at the Lagos Assembly, said he would be involved in progressive politics while striving to enhance education, irrespective of tribe or religious affinity.

Owolabi added that he would pay more attention to the development of education by increasing access and provision of scholarships to indigent students.

The lawmaker said he had been directly involved in five bills which were passed into law in the state.

“As the Chairman, Committee on Education, if re-elected, l will represent the youth by giving them quality education at all levels,” he said.

Similarly, Shabi said as part of his constituency outreach, he would make judicious utilisation of his constituency allowance to bring socio-economic development to the people.

“I will use my position to

contribute positively, especially through the enactment of laws that will be of direct benefit to the state.

Shabi added that he would ensure that the state comes out with regulations, policies and laws that would benefit the people especially in the areas of health, environment and employment.

He said that empowerment programme for women and youths would his priority to reduce unemployment.

Shabi said that he would engage professionals in various skills to train people on various vocations as part of his economic empowerment initiative for job creation.

In her remarks, the Chairman Lagos Mainland, Mrs Omolola Essien, urged women and youths to use their voting strength to elect credible leaders for the country in 2023.

“Women and youths are critical stakeholders in election due to their large population.

“There is the need for grassroots campaign, especially for our market women, and youths who seem to constitute the greater percentage of voters.

“This meeting is to sensitise the electorate on the need to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and assure them of a violence free

elections in 2023,” she said.

Earlier, the APC Lagos Mainland Campaign Committee Chairman, Mr Ayodeji Abdulrauf, said the essence of the meeting was to ensure the electorate meet their candidates one on one.

Abdulrauf stated that it is important to ensure victory for the party at the 2023 election.

“This meeting will afford the electorate the opportunity to meet their candidates, ask salient questions while expecting them to deliver on their mandate,” he said.

Abdulrauf, however, urged the people to get their PVCs while ensuring they come out to exercise

their civic responsibility on the election day.

He noted that without the PVC, the electorate cannot exercise their power adding that it is the only tool that could be used to do the best for the country.

On security, he appealed to government to do more by providing responsive and reliable security before, during and after the election.

He also charged INEC to be up to the task by ensuring a free and fair election.

“INEC should abide by the rules and comply by the laws so that we have a free and fair election,” Abdulrauf added. (NAN)

TISHIP: Students 18yrs above to access health services in tertiary institutions, NHIA says

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), says youths that have clocked 18 years will be automatically captured in the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).

The Director-General of NHIA, Prof. Mohammed Sambo, represented by Mr Emmanuel Ononokpono, Manager of Public Affairs of the Authority, said this at the 6th annual conference of Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) in Akwanga.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-

day conference was organised by ANHEJ in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The theme of the conference is “Health Security UHC and National Health: How can Nigeria get it right- The Role of the Media in Perspective”, ith sub-theme “FP 2030 targets: Is Nigeria on Track?”.

NAN also reports that TISHIP is a social security system where the health care of students in tertiary institutions is paid for from funds pooled through the contributions of students with a view to creating conducive learning environment.

The programme is designed to

provide easy access to healthcare for all tertiary institution students, and the purpose is to cater for health needs of Nigerian students in tertiary institutions who due to their studentship cannot benefit from other Health Insurance Programme.

“Due to the peculiar nature of Nigeria, youths in the world are excepted to have left their parents home.

“Ordinarily, at 18 years, youths are supposed to be working, and excepted to be on their own.

“In Nigeria, the case is not the same, so the Federal Government

will continue to pay for the children’s health services until they get to the age of 18.

“At the age of 18 years, we except they will be in the university to automatically be covered under the ‘TISHIP,” he said.

The authority boss said that with sure arrangements, it meant they are not left our of the pool completely.

According to him, if the pool continues to expand, the government might decide to continue the health service until end of their lives.

NAN

Nigeria BAR Association Barnawa branch in Collaboration with INEC ACF and others Civil Society Organisation hold walk Rally on 2023 Free Fair and Credible Election

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has cautioned youths on the dangers of drug abuse as it poses great health risk and problem to their future well being.

The Sultan stated this at the 7th Islamic Therapy Convention/ Convocation of Certified Therapists in Prophetic Medicine of the International Institute of Islamic Therapy (IIIT) Nigeria, held on Saturday at the National Mosque, Abuja.

Represented by Prof. Ahmed Tijjani, the traditional ruler commended the management of the institute for its contribution to the growth of the health sector as it has been churning out graduates in the past seven years.

Abubakar said: “I’m really glad that this institute has churned out lot and lot of graduates in the last two decades or so and I’m impressed with what I have seen.

” And the fact is that the menace of drug abuse especially drug addiction has become widespread in Northern Nigeria.

“Those of Islamic faith in Northern Nigeria think that only alcohol is prohibited in Islam.

“It is not only alcohol but anything that intoxicates or anything that makes the mind of the believers to be on the high is prohibited. ”

The Sultan added that there were pharmaceutical products that usually use for therapeutics, saying,”however, if people deliberately consume pharmaceutical products containing addictive substances purpose of getting high, they have committed a sin.

Abubakar said: ” For instance, codeine in cough syrup, often times we heard that youths and even married women would empty five bottles of this codeine containing substances which is actually not cough syrup.

” And conceal it in bottle of fanta and this makes them to go out of their minds, they are committing the same sin. It’s not just the alcohol like wine or beer and so on.

” This is because drug addiction is more extensive and it’s more than alcohol addiction.

“In drug addiction, we are talking about the brain. This is a message that we have to avoid or take any substance that will make us go out of our minds.”

Earlier, the Provost of the institute, Mr Rauf Saheed aka Abu Mazeedatul Khayr, disclosed that the institute in the last seven years trained more than 500 Nigerians who have been using the knowledge of prophetic medicine for healing.

Khayr said the institute was established to promote alternative medicine and would continue to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in the area tackling the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria.

He, however, called on the graduands not to take advantage of their patients, urging,”they should do do the right thing and remember that they would account for their deeds on the day of reckoning.

Khayr said: “We are out to promote alternative medicine, but alternative medicine in the world view of Islam and we call it prophetic medicine.

” Prophetic medicine is all about those things we have inherited from

Sultan cautions youth on dangers of drug abuse

the prophetic traditions, his sayings and those things he approved as form of healing, that is the basis of prophetic medicine.

” We now realised that many people are not aware of the value of this medical system. So we are out to promote it and Muslim home. Today, we are graduating as much as 35 students.”

Also speaking, retired Brig.Gen. Buba Marwa, the Director

General, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said that government, parents and the society had a lot to do to take care of the youths.

Represented by his Special Adviser, Mr Otunba Lanre, Marwa, said, “whoever is not paying attention to drug abuse and trafficking, manufacturing and production is living in utopia.”

Marwa emphasised the need

for the government to deliberately reach out to the ” poorest of the poor and give them hope.”

He advised parents to get closer to their children, encourage and tell them that failure was not the end of life and they should always use themselves as good examples for their children.

Marwa said: ” Because, with the prevalence that we have, there is no how you can escape being affected

in one way or the other either.

“This is because the facilities in the hospitals have been overstretched because of drug addicts which people call drug users.

“Government, parents and the society should pay more attention to the youth and save them from peer pressure which can lead to a bleak future.”

(NAN)

NAN to reopen foreign bureaus, increases zonal offices

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is set to reopen its foreign bureaus in Johannesburg, Addis Ababa and Abidjan.

The move, according to the Agency’s Managing Director, Mr Buki Ponle, followed high level consultations by the management of the Agency with the relevant government institutions and the Nigerian embassies in South Africa, Ethiopia and Cote d’ivoire.

The Agency, which currently has a functional bureau in New York, is the country’s largest content provider and national purveyor of

information, with 36 state offices and several district offices.

To leverage on its octopoid reach, NAN also has news exchange partnerships with leading international wire agencies such as Reuters (United Kingdom), Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Germany), Xinhua (China) and Sputnik (Russia).

Others are Yonhap (South Korea), Asian News International (India), Anadolu (Turkey) and BTA (Bulgaria).

The Agency is also planning to increase its zonal offices from the present six to 12.

Ponle said the 12-zone structure

is part of the ongoing initiatives to strengthen the Agency’s editorial effectiveness and marketing operations as well as further boost its visibility across the country.

The new-look structure now has Ibadan Zone with Oyo, Ogun and Kwara as component states while Akure Zone has Ondo, Ekiti and Osun.

Enugu Zone has Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states while Port Harcourt Zone has Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River with Owerri Zone comprising Imo and Abia.

Asaba Zone has Delta, Edo and

Bayelsa while Jos Zone has Plateau, Benue and Taraba with Minna Zone comprising Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi.

Bauchi Zone has Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa while Maiduguri Zone has Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

Kaduna Zone is made up of Kaduna, Kano and Katsina while Sokoto Zone comprises Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states.

All the changes are expected to be effected in the first quarter of 2023.

NAN, which is funded wholly by the Federal Government, started operation in 1978. (NAN)

Kaduna has robust system to tackle GBV - Commissioner

Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed-Baba, has said the State Government has a very robust system put in place to tackle the issues of Gender-Based violence in the state.

She asserted this during an

event to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism with a theme: “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”, put together by the National Council of Women’s Societies, (NCWS) Kaduna branch on Thursday.

The commissioner explained that laws and policies were already in place, a shelter to accommodate women that have been violated, and

also the Sexual Referral Centres that offer services free of charge to victims of violence in the state.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the state branch President of NCWS, Barrister Zainab Hassan, said women in the state have joined the global Community in the campaign to end violence against women by 2030 as proposed by the United Nations.

She noted that it was a noble campaign that all stakeholders must take seriously and active steps to combat violence against women and girls in the state.

According to Barr Hassan, the women appreciated the efforts of Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, to ensure that GBV perpetrators are given the punishment that would serve as detrimental to others.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Some 250 Police Wifes Widows with their food items and other Valuables items, during the Police Officers Wife Association (POWA) Empower 250 Police Wifes Widows in kaduna on Sunday 11/12/22

Amani College of Health Sciences matriculates 27 students

By Usman Shuaibu

The management of Amani College of Health Sciences and Technology in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday graduated a total number of Twenty-seven Students.

Speaking at the matriculation ceremony, the Rector/founder of the College, Prof. Amani Danjuma Peniel, charged students to always face their studies squarely.

He called on the students to be good ambassadors of the College throughout their studies, warning them against any act capable of causing rancur and acrimony in the College.

He said his leadership would continue to provide a conducive atmosphere for the students to enhance learning and congratulated the students for gaining admission into the College.

Also speaking, the Guest Speaker of the occasion, prof. Omotayo Tola who is the Rector of Eco African College of Health Sciences Lagos, advised the matriculating students to value themselves as they will undergo so many courses to serve humanity in the nearby future.

Misau foundation establishes non interest Microfinance bank – Emir

Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Emir of Misau in Bauchi State has said that the idea of establishing the non interest Microfinance bank by Misau Development Foundation in the emirate, was geared towards driving growth in different sectors of the economy.

Emir Suleiman Missau stated this while answering questions from newsmen in his Palace.

He said, “our mission is to ensure investments in critical sectors that will drive economic growth because under Misau Development Foundation, we believe it is crucial in driving economic growth.”

Benue paramount ruler warns against sale of PVCs

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Chairman, Traditional Council of Benue State, Ochivirgh James Ayatse Tor Tiv iv has warmed that prompt and severe action will be meted out to anyone found selling Pemanemt Voter’s Cards

at any location in his Kingdom, The paramount ruler gave this stern warning when the State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA Mr. Joseph Ijir paid an advocacy visit on ‘Effective Implementation of Government Policies in Benue State’ at his palace in Gboko.

Ochivirgh Ayatse maintained that the National Orientation Agency is well trained in sensitisation and orientation and they can as well give such training to traditional rulers through capacity building of the chiefs for better results.

The traditional ruler who commended the decision by the Federal Government to conduct Census, also acknowledged that more sensitisation has to be done, especially as the preparations coincides with preparations for the 2023 General Elections.

Health Registration Board unveiled revised curricula

By Usman Sha’ibu

The Community Health Practitioner Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN), in collaboration with USAID Health Workforce Management (HWM) Activity has unveil and Launch the CHPRBN Revised Curricula in Abuja.

With the theme: “Community Health Practitioners in Nigeria Yesterday, Today and Tommorow to meet the ever- changing Societal needs”.

Speaking on the revised edition of the Curricula, the Country Director, USAID HWM,

Dr.Anndy Omoluabi,express delight to stàkeholder for their collaborative effort in making the curriculum revision possible, “this revised booklet will equip students in colleges of health and other health practicesioners to be abrace of the chànges in the sector and for them to be up to date in the 21st century, in terms of the knowledge base and the skills that is required, the Curricula will make them self reliance, employers of Labour that will strengthen the capacity of health personnel in the community level

“This are community base Health care workers, we must do

everything possible to keep them with attractive and better working conditions to avoid brain -drain at the rural health care services” , According to Omoluabi, The revised version will enable users to fit in all health areas making them more useful to their community., Those that got the training can impact others and the organisation will keep tap on what is out in place to be sure the revision will be done periodically and timely.

The Chairman, Board of CHPRBN, Sule Galadima Torna in his opening remarks, said the role of the Community health care workers cannot be over emphasize following

the lives they are saving even during the COVID - 19 pandemic they risk their life’s to save others in the community they reside, he proposed a better well fare package for this category of health workers in view of what they are doing in various almlets, he express appreciation to the federal Ministry of health and other stakeholders for making this Curricula review happens and said he will ensure the aim of this revision is actualize and put machinery in place to be sure that the revision is undergo when it is due. They was a public presentation of the Revised copy for use by health care providers.

FCT: Consultant tasks Gwagwalada administration on development

By Usman Shuaibu

Arevenue consultant in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Yahaya Haruna O. who is also the Chairman of BamuAbdul Enterprises in the area, has charged the revenue collectors

to deem it necessary to remit the revenue being generated from the various organizations to the Area Council.

He also urged the administration of Gwagwalada Area Council to make use of the revenue generated from the technical partners to develop the area.

The Chairman of BamuAbdul Enterprises, who gave the charge in an interview with Peoples Daily correspondent in Gwagwalada.

He said he would continue to partner with the administration of the Area Council for the sake of rapid development of the council,

while counseling the revenue collectors to be transparent in their dealings.

He said he would remain committed to provide the needed services to the area council, as he said the council has the right to create motor parks and markets for the purpose of revenue generation.

From

L-R: Division Director Africa, International Republican Institute (IRI), Gregory Kearns, Commissioner, IEC South Africa, Judge Dhayanithia Pillay and Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies, Council Foreign Relations, Michelle Gavin, during the International Republican Institute IRI and National Democratic Institute (NDI), press briefing on the Conduct Second Pre-Election Assessment Mission Ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 General Election, held on Friday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

The need for better study habits

By Muhammad Murtala

Some other ways of good study habits are that students should set a schedule and find a good studying spot.This is important. You need to be in an environment with little to no distractions—an environment that will aid in keeping you focused on your assignments. The library has always been a reliable place to get some real academic work done. At home, get a solitude corner or room.

To start with, what are study habits? study habits are those behaviours and skills that can increase your motivation and convert your study into an effective process with good returns, which ultimately increases the learning. These habits of studying are also defined as any activities that promote the process of reviewing or learning about topics, solving problems or memorising parts or all of the presented materials.

To study, is to buy out the time and dedicate oneself to the application and task of study, and to become engrossed in a process of learning, practice, enlightenment and education of oneself.

Good study skills can help develop your knowledge, competence, and self-worth. They can also reduce tests or examinations fever caused by tension and anxiety. Study skills help in meeting academic expectations and deadlines. Good study habits are essential if you want to improve your grades and performance outputs whether in school or even at academic inclined work place. By developing effective study skills, you will be able to cut down on the numbers of hours

spent studying, leaving more time for other things in your life.

Many students complain that throughout their study at school, they have not learnt the thing they were supposed to be doing all that time, namely – studying. It is sad to admit, but to a certain degree it is true – educational institutions deal with a lot of subjects, but they rarely manage to teach this one thing, good study habits. Thus, a student has to help himself on his own.

The first and most important thing about effective studying is time management. Once you have learnt the method, one of the numerous ways suggested is to be realistic, do not put the things off until the last moment, you are most likely to spend more time on them than you could have predicted and it will lead to no end of trouble.

Some other ways of good study habits are that students should set a schedule and find a good studying spot.This is important. You need to be in an environment with little to no distractions—an environment that will aid in keeping you focused on your assignments. The library has always been a reliable place to get some real academic work done. At home, get a solitude corner or room.

Secondly, avoid distractions and get enough sleep. Avoid social media and phones while studying. Distractions also include avoiding your phone. The best thing you can do is either put your phone on silence, turn off the alerts and flip it over so that you can’t even SEE them, or just turn the thing off! If it helps, place the phone out of sight so that you’re not even tempted to check your messages.The world can wait. Your

education is a priority and anyone in your circle of friends should understand this. Also, there is need for an immediate study after class. Private study routine is key.

More so, teach others and also seek help through study groups. This centres on teamwork. Guaranteed someone in your study group can help you through a certain assignment you might be struggling with and you will be able to do the same. It is all about helping each other to succeed!

The next is to make an outline: an outline helps you organise ideas and keep track of what you need to study, especially when covering large amounts of information. If you are not making an outline, you increase the chance of missing crucial topics.

Above all, I hereby urge my fellow learners to prioritise correctly. It is often said that 20% of work brings about 80% of result – try to define what is the most important thing you are supposed to do and concentrate on it. Even if you do not manage to complete it on time, you will be much better off than if you had started from an opposite direction.

Finally, do not be contented with stopping at the general level of your classmates. Always try to exceed them, to do better, to be the best of them. Only such a method will be able to give you the necessary odds if you get to a more sophisticated group. In general, a student should strive for good regular tendencies and practices that should depict the process of gaining information through learning.

South Africa BRICS presidency: Challenges and future perspectives

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

China and Russia have been pushing for the expansion of BRICS, soliciting support for the multipolar system of global governance instead of the existing rules-based unipolar directed by the United States. Often explained that a bigger BRICS primarily offers huge opportunities among the group members and for developing countries.

Next year 2023 South Africa, as per stipulated approved guidelines and rules, will hold the rotating presidency of BRICS, the organization of five emerging developing countries made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This implies that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has a lot more at hand, especially with the current global geopolitical changes to drum home, to consolidate the growing support underway for few others to join BRICS.

Ramaphosa has already reminded that South Africa will hold the BRICS rotating-presidency in 2023. “That BRICS summit next year under the chairship of South Africa, the matter of expanding BRICS is going to be under serious consideration. A number of countries are consistently making approaches to BRICS members, and we have given them the same answer that it will be discussed by the BRICS partners and thereafter a collective decision will be made.” the president said this December.

Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov told the gathering at the Primakov Readings forum held this early December that the quintet of BRICS economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) may turn into an organization of 15-17 countries, not just enthusiasm but if those wishing to join it are granted membership based on two principles: have the necessary conditions and the collective decision of the organization.

Lavrov, in his presentation, traced the historical establishment and development of the organization. “We all know that this format [RIC – Russia, India, China] paved the way for the BRICS Five, which currently enjoys great publicity and many countries line up seeking a full-fledged membership,” Lavrov said.

“If we meet all bids then the ‘five’ will turn into about 15-17 countries as the BRICS summit in June, which was organized in a video conference format by our Chinese colleagues, showed us,” the foreign minister noted, and further stressed that the RIC remains an operational format and not only foreign ministers, but ministers of economy, energy and economic development as well, are meeting within the framework of this format.

“The RIC keeps thriving today and not many know that this ‘trio’ continues holding meetings at the level of foreign ministers,” Lavrov continued. “Just a couple of months ago we held such a meeting in the on-line format and it was the 20th meeting of this kind since [ex-Foreign Affairs Minister] Yevgeny (Primakov) proposed to keep developing this format.”

“Besides the meetings of foreign ministers, there are meetings of energy, trade and economic development ministers as well as of numerous industrial members of the corresponding

governments,” the Russian foreign minister added.

“We have real partners – BRICS, the SCO, the EAEU, and the CSTO, regardless of what is written about it,” Lavrov stated. The top diplomat stated that the RIC structure (Russia, India, China), a Primakov initiative, “spawned the BRICS five, which currently receives enormous attention.” Several states are lined up for full membership, and the five could expand to roughly 1517 countries, Lavrov added.

Russia’s local Vedomosti reported that the number of BRICS members may triple during the Primakov Readings forum. According to the report, organizations, such as BRICS, are becoming an alternative against the backdrop of the weakness of the European Union. The emphasis on cooperation with nonWestern states appears to be even more warranted in light of Europe’s current problems. The United States and its closest allies’ unjust policy toward key EU members.

Berlin and Paris do not have complete autonomy in international politics, thus they deliberately cede some of their foreign policy functions to Washington, according to Alexander Kamkin, Senior Researcher at IMEMO. The expert admits that the European countries are capable of taking the initiative in a few circumstances, but on the whole, they follow Washington’s lead.

According to Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, BRICS can provide countries with an alternate partnership path to the EU that does not require a high admission threshold. According to him, the group is now developing along two avenues: by admitting new members and by strengthening cooperation.

In the second case, additional countries will not be admitted to BRICS, but each organization’s partner will be able to choose a convenient mode of cooperation within the BRICS+ structure. Kortunov noted that the EU is unwilling to seek strategic autonomy from the US not only due to the Ukrainian crisis, but China’s ascent.

The possibility of expanding membership in the organization is still under discussions within the BRICS framework. Noteworthy to reiterate here that a decision was made at the five BRICS members summit on June 23-24 to launch a discussion for purposes of determining the principles, standards, criteria and procedures of this process.

China and Russia have been pushing for the expansion of BRICS, soliciting support for the multipolar system of global governance instead of the existing rules-based unipolar directed by the United States. Often explained that a bigger BRICS primarily offers huge opportunities among the group members and for developing countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club held October 27 reaffirmed Russia’s unshakable support Saudi Arabia joining BRICS. “Yes, we support it, but this requires a consensus of all the BRICS countries,” he said.

According to him, Saudi Arabia is a rapidly developing country, which is due not only to its leading position in the hydrocarbon market. “This is also due to the fact that the Crown

Prince, the government of Saudi Arabia have very big plans for diversifying the economy, which is very important. They have entire national development plans designed for this goal,” the Russian President said.

He expressed confidence that, given the enthusiasm and creativity of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, these plans will be implemented. “Therefore, of course, Saudi Arabia deserves to be a member of major international organizations, such as the BRICS, and such as the SCO. Most recently, we determined the status of Saudi Arabia in the SCO and will develop relations with this country both bilaterally and on multilateral platforms” Putin added.

With the current global unstable and volatile situation creating skyrocketing uncertainties in global economic recovery, China have unreservedly shown its contribution for strengthening BRICS. For 16 years since its inception, China offers the largest financial support for the BRICS National Development Bank, contributed tremendously to other directions including health, education and economic collaboration among the group.

That is why BRICS has gained extensive recognition. More and more countries are willing and interested to become members of the organization, make joint efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges, and realize common development and prosperity. BRICS activities have expanded during the past few years. Countries participated in the Outreach and BRICS plus segments of the organization. But now with the emerging new global order, BRICS seeks to expand its membership, consolidate its platform as an instrument for pushing against the existing rules-based order unipolar system.

BRICS activities have expanded during the past few years. Countries participated in the Outreach and BRICS plus segments of the organization. There are also a number of African countries including Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Senegal have also shown interest. Egypt has already been involved for a fairly long time. Last December 2022, Egypt, the decision on its accession to the New Development Bank was made by BRICS.

Russia has consistently advocated for deepening organization’s interaction with the African continent, the diplomat stressed. In particular, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin mentioned this at an expanded meeting of leaders of the five BRICS member-states in the BRICS plus format on June 24. It is, however, expected that this avenue of efforts will get an extra impetus during the presidency period of South Africa in 2023.

On May 19, China’s State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired a video conference dialogue between foreign ministers of BRICS countries and their counterparts from emerging economies and developing countries. It was the first BRICS Plus dialogue at the level of foreign ministers. Participants in the dialogue came from BRICS countries as well as invited countries such as Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Senegal, United Arab Emirates and Thailand.

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh is a Public Policy Analyst.

Murtala Muhammad writes from FAMAKS BRITISH SCHOOLS KADUNA.

My woman of the year: Powerful but not power-drunk

By Abdulkadir Salaudeen

This is a Gambian female law maker who is, in her own right, powerful but does not allow her self to be intoxicated by her position. Here is a spouse to the current Nigerian President who arrogates crude power to herself and ordered a kidnap of a citizen who accused her of feeding fat on the resources of the masses. You can argue, having Nigerian first lady in mind, that women are very arrogant, wicked, and merciless when they have access to power.

Many people, if not most, are not comfortable with women wielding powers in the position of authority. This could be due to the fact that patriarchalism is deeply rooted in our cultures and politics. In most part of the world, politics is androcentric. In other words, politics mostly revolves around men and focuses on men as actors in the political arena. Women are also believed to abuse power while in office because power gets them intoxicated and corrupts them irredeemably. Again, women, generally speaking, are seen as domesticated humans to operate and remain within the domestic sphere. Also, religion, in most cases, is used to justify why women should be apolitical—especially in the public domain.

I do not intend, in this article, to argue for or against some of this commonly held beliefs about women in relation to power (I can do that if I wished). What I intend to do is to celebrate a woman whom I consider my woman of the year. She uncommonly spoke the uncomfortable truth which is naturally loathed by those in power. Those in power hate to be criticized for any wrong—no matter how grievous—but like to be praised even when it is very clear to them that they do not deserve it. This woman, whom I chose to be my woman of the year, did not speak the truth because she is out of government like some of us, and not because she is affected by the fantastic corruption going on in the government circle. Rather, she spoke the truth despite being in government with free access to free and sweatless money.

She does what a patriotic citizen and a responsible leader should be proud of doing. She is Hon. Fatoumatta Touma Njie—a Gambia politician and parliamentarian—

who pleaded passionately with her colleagues on the ground of The Gambian National Assembly to oppose increment in lawmakers’ salaries in a viral video. If you had not watched the video, it is worth watching. Here is the link.

Just like the viral video which is worth watching, what she said in the video is also worth quoting—I cannot paraphrase it. She said, “I think that our government does not love this country. They do not have the feeling to nurture our children in this country…we should consider the life and livelihood of our children. We should be investing in education, we should be investing in health, rather than paying ourselves; feeding ourselves out of the poor people of this country.” This implies that any government who does not invest in health and education does not love the citizens. If you think I exaggerated when I wrote recently that “this regime [Nigerian present government] is misanthropic to the core—it incredulously and disappointedly hates the people who brought it to power,” then have a rethink.

Reacting to the senseless attempt to increase the lawmakers’ salaries, she said; “I feel ashamed to call myself an honorable member. I gave myself for service. I did not give myself for poor people to feed me and my family. When I saw this, (i.e. the disgusting budgetary provision for lawmakers’ salaries increment) I felt embarrassed. I did not want to come to this budget session because I said to myself there is no need—because we are just sharing the cake in our pocket, going home feeding ourselves.”

As if she had not hit the point, she continues “Even if I go to the Constitution, it says that; we shouldn’t deliberately enrich ourselves. And increasing our salaries is deliberately enriching ourselves and that is an embarrassment. I think as a National Assembly, we should not accept any salary increment.” As she was making her submission, I was just thinking of the owners of Nigeria who did not only deliberately enrich themselves but also established a master-slave relationship between themselves and the masses—who were born free. These masses voted them into their various elective positions.

This woman continues, “Not only that, but to see the responsibility allowance, residential allowance… and all those for the representatives of the people. It is

embarrassing, for me to go back to my poor constituency and tell them that the meagre resources of this country— I’m paid that much at your expense. I took an oath to serve and to give back to my society—not to enrich myself.”

When a fellow member of hers shouted ‘observation’ in an attempt to interrupt her, she retorted: “I am not allowing you to observe me, I don’t have that time. When you are on your own feet observe yourself.” Are our leaders in Nigeria really observing themselves? If they do, it will not be difficult for them to realize how wicked and unfeeling they are to the sufferings of the masses.

This is a Gambian female law maker who is, in her own right, powerful but does not allow her self to be intoxicated by her position. Here is a spouse to the current Nigerian President who arrogates crude power to herself and ordered a kidnap of a citizen who accused her of feeding fat on the resources of the masses. You can argue, having Nigerian first lady in mind, that women are very arrogant, wicked, and merciless when they have access to power. I will argue, having Hon. Fatoumatta Touma Njie in mind, that women could be very sympathetic, caring, patriotic, and generous while in the position of authority.

The wife of our President is indeed power-hungry and power-drunk; though she is constitutionally powerless. By the way, who is she? You can find many definitions (descriptions of her) on social media. In Her husband’s definition, you may wish to dispute it anyway, she belongs to the kitchen and the Other Room. But in the eyes of the law, she is just like any woman on the street. If any of her rights is trampled upon, she can seek redress in the Court like any other citizen.

And what is even special in being a first lady? Anyone automatically becomes a first lady provided a president of a country falls in lover with her and marries her. You do not need to be sane, intelligent, beautiful, or educated to be one. One can be insane, dull, very ugly, stark illiterate, and yet be a first lady. So what is special about being a first lady? While Fatoumatta Touma Njie is a heroine and my woman of the year, Nigerian first lady is my villainess of the year. Let’s learn how not to be power-drunk.

Abdulkadir Salaudeen can be reached at Salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com

The charade that is Chatham House

By Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor

“What is more? Just in case they have not noticed, sometimes, half of the people at these meetings are hordes of supporters of speakers from resource poor nations, transported at exorbitant prices on first class flights and hosted in choice hotels at costs that could pay for educating children or upgrading primary healthcare facilities in their countries”.

I have watched with evolving consternation, how Nigerians across social media space have dedicated their most valuable resource, which is time, to having endless discussions about the performance of one of the Country’s presidential aspirants at Chatham House. Each time I scroll past a post anywhere on social media, or I roll past a face-to-face conversation by people on this subject matter, my body, mind and soul screams one thing and one thing only!

#contemporaryslavery!

I have never understood the perennial charade politicians, rulers and leaders from many of the countries that make up the African continent perform when they make coming to Chatham House a prerogative. In my opinion, it will do our continent a whole good for these people to speak directly to and engage openly with their populace at home or their populace in the Diaspora and not their old colonialists or via their old colonialists. Prior to my in-depth study of Modern-day slavery, I too may have thought nothing wrong of this trend.

However, since my doctoral research into Modern-day slavery began, I have come to have a better understanding of the murky waters of international politics today and from ancient times. I have found from evidence-based studies that perception and power gradients are the unspoken tools of politics across borders. Words are not even needed. Rather, sustained patterns of carefully planned strategic actions are all that is needed to erode the thought processes of a group of people. I am yet to see politicians, rulers or leaders who are aspiring for positions in western countries of the old colonialists, go to those countries they colonised

in the past, prior to their apex elections to speak to them or engage with them. Slavery is a mental or psychological thing as much as it is physical. Today, we may not be seeing physical chains on the legs and necks of Africans however, there are heavy chains binding our hearts, brains and souls. This is the most insidious form of slavery; that which can only be stopped by the enslaved.

Given that the origins of Chatham House, are grounded in the Royal Institute of International Affairs meeting and the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, with the goal to advance the sciences of international politics, optimising the study and investigation of international questions with a view to providing global solutions, it was a laudable project. Furthermore, that number 10 St James’s Square in London, where Chatham House has been sited all these years, serving to push research and world publications as well as administer prizes for global good governance has served the world in some positive light, is not something I will dispute. However, I find it difficult to comprehend why it has not managed to maintain the non-attribution rule known as the Chatham House Rule, which it originated. This is the rule that prohibits discussing those who attend or disclosing what particular individuals say at the meetings in the house. This was to facilitate free speech and allow engagement on controversial subjects. Over the years, the Chatham rule has gone out the window and majority of the Chatham House events are held on record and transmitted for onward discussion by a global audience. The only reason

I can postulate for this deviation from their own rule over time, is the needed increase in the push for more power gradient and the pull for profits against the backdrop of maintaining a certain continued perception in an evolving world.

It is this same evolving world phenomenon that makes my point of view differ. I posit that it is time Chatham House, seeks to set up sister bases on the African or Asian Continents, where aspiring politicians for apex country positions from the West, should come and speak as well. In the interim, prior to achieving this balance, other talks can

keep going on at Chatham House but not the ones where aspiring rulers or leaders run there from African countries to speak. Those who aspire to lead a people should engage directly with the people they seek to lead. Engage with them within their countries in the markets, on the roads, in the schools and even in other halls or venues in the Diaspora.

Now you my dear readers can see why I will not indulge contemporary slavery mentality and begin to discuss the performance of any aspiring African country leader at a neo-colonialist platform. We need to hold our leadership accountable pre-elections and post-elections. Even more so, we need to hold them most accountable during their time spent in these positions of leadership. We must realise that we have to write our own scripts as a people and not act those which are handed down to us by others. I do not believe that any other person can love any country more than the citizens of that country.

Instead of deconstructing our focus by wasting precious time debating the performances of our potential rulers or leaders as the case may be, let us instead, work towards making our nations into the places where other world leaders come to engage with us. We must build our own nations to the point where these engagements become the global oxygen every world leader must breath thus they have to arrive in our named house to give account of their aspirations and make their plans known for when they get into positions of leadership… after all, Nigerians and by extension other Africans, have contributed and continue to contribute their sweat and blood towards the development of the Western economies… we too, deserve to hear from them. International diplomatic ties and relationships should be a two way street or even a multilateral phenomenon where those involved must always strive for ‘true’ balance. So as the world bids farewell to the twilight days of 2022 and midwifes the birth of 2023, those who run the affairs of Chatham House should consider a more altruistic review and auditing of their processes.

Dr Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor is author of the book My Father’s Daughter

IPC partner relevant stakeholders on peaceful coexistence in Nigeria

By Abubakar Yunus, Abuja

International Peace Commission (IPC), has said it will partner with an international community, relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, security agencies, the media, and strategic and non-governmental agencies (NGOs) in promoting peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

IPC Nigeria, Head of mission, Amb. Hussaini Haruna Coomasie made the call at the Commission’s 74th anniversary, as Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate International Human Rights Day 2022 in Abuja.

Human Rights Day is set aside to celebrate the achievements of those who have fought for and protected human rights, as well as a day to reflect on what still needs to be done to make society fairer for everyone.

The theme, “Dignity, freedom, and justice for all human rights day” is observed annually every 10 December by the international community to introspect on the values of human life, dignity, equality, and freedom of all human beings regardless of race, tongue, and religion

“We, in the IPC, shall also be working with Clergymen on advocacy for peaceful coexistence in communities between the two major faiths in the country.

“We must realize and accept that peace is all-encompassing, meaning it starts with the individual and a second party. The second party can be your spouse, siblings, neighbors, and community.

“Also, by extension in all tiers of government and between sectors, we must endeavor to promote peaceful coexistence and harmony for much-desired development.

“From the above one will realize that there’s so much more to do in ensuring that peace prevails everywhere through a concerted effort by all of us here, and those we can reach out to,” he said.

Speaking further, Haruna explained that we hope to increase knowledge of the UDHR as a foundational blueprint for taking concrete actions to stand up for human rights and tackle pressing global issues today.

IPC Nigeria boss said this event is organized to provide a platform where issues affecting human rights abuse and insecurity at this time of the electioneering process will be discussed and solutions proffered by all stakeholders on the way forward.

According to him, peace is very pertinent because democracy cannot be sustained either at the national, not international level when insecurity and human rights abuse are prevalent.

My service to less privileged is out of love -Clergy

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Founder of” Passion for Christ International Foundation” Venerable Muhammad Ibrahim has said his desire to ameliorate the lives of less privileged is borne out of his love for services to humanity and his calling to serve in the Lord vineyard.

He asserted this while speaking to our correspondent in Kaduna yesterday on his forthcoming palliatives distribution to the less privileged during the yultide

According to him, his daily joy is to see to the improvement of the livelihood of the vulnerable, stressing the need to continue to take care of the needy.

Ven. Ibrahim an Anglican Priest explained that his major target among the most vulnerable are women and children whom he has been reaching out through his foundation.

Lawmakers approves C’tte report to upgrade Katsina-Ala College of Education to Varsity

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The House of Representatives, has approved the Report of the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services on a Bill for an Act to upgrade the College of Education Katsina-Ala to Federal University of Education.

The Bill sponsored by Hon. Richard Gbande, Member representing Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Federal Constituency of

Benue State, latest ruling was reads; “That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of Federal University of Education, Katsina-Ala; and for Related Matters (HB.539) and approve the recommendations therein,” Hon. Aminu Suleiman, House Committee Chairman on Tertiary Education and Services (APC Kebbi) read.

The legislation was last year

referred to the House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

The House of Representatives had in September 2021 approved a Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of the Federal University of Education, Katsina-Ala for a public hearing and subsequent passage into law after it passed second reading.

According to Gbande, the decision to establish the College of

Education Katsina-Ala was taken in 1976, while the college was later formally established by law, following the enactment of edict No.20 of 1984.

The Lawmaker said the college has a staff strength of 804 and 10,339 students. Thus, the “college has capacity to be converted to a Federal University of Education so as to allow Nigerian students to benefit from the institution’s postgraduate programmes,” Gbande noted.

By Usman Shuaibu

Aretired judge in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Mwada Balami, has commended Igala speaking tribe in Gwagwalada for living peacefully with other tribes in the area.

He also described Igala as peace-loving people, while urging the other tribes in Gwagwalada to emulate them for the sake of peace

and harmony

Balami gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen during the celebration of Igala cultural day in Gwagwalada on Saturday, further urged every tribe to cultivate the habit of living peacefully in the area.

This, according to Balami, when there is no peace, nobody will enjoy living in a particular society, as he said nothing was more important in life than peace.

The retired Judge, however,

called on every tribe to deem it necessary to teach their children their dialects or native languages.

Also speaking at the occasion, Ochai Omachi Attah of Gwagwalada, Chief Hashim Isah; charged Igala people to come together for the overall development of Igala Community in Gwagwalada.

He said: “We are celebrating Igala cultural day for the purpose of unity of Igala Community”, pointing out that the relationship of Igala

with other tribes are cordial

Chief Hashim Isah used the Igala cultural day to call on the administration of Gwagwalada Area Council to carry Igala people along in the scheme of things.

On his part, the retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who spoke on behalf of the chief of Igala of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Kadiri Ali, advised Igala to continue to embrace one another irrespective of their religious and tribal inclinations.

The Ameera, Al-Ansar (The Helpers),Hajiya Amina Abubakar Abdullahi has solicited for the collaboration of FCT -Social Development Secretariat towards making Al-Ansar Skills Centre run it activities smoothly in all ramifications and also for purchasing 7 additional Sewing Machines for the outstanding Graduating Students as the part of Mandate Secretary assistance towards Women Empowerment.

Ameera made this appeal in her welcome address at the first graduation ceremony of Al-Ansar Skills Acquisition Centre,on Saturday at Al-ansar Children’s Home, Kuje Abuja.

She said the centre has trained and empowered 150 Widows in various Skills and Trade over the years in collaboration with Abuja

Enterprise Agency (AEA) and today the centre is graduating 19 Students and Empowering 12 Women among them are Orphans, a Widow and Needy Women who started Training on Sewing (Fashion Design) that started training in October last year

She added that the Skills Acquisition was made possible by the support of FCT-Community Social Development Project (FCTCSDP) who constructed First 4 well equipped Class Rooms and equipped a Skills Acquisition Centre for the Organization.

“An Orphans Education Edifice (Al-Ansar Standard International Academy) is put in place to mitigate children Street Beging and out of School Children’s in Kuje Area Council in particular and Federal Capital Territory in general. Presently we have 74 Orphans in the Primary Session and 5 Orphans

in the Secondary Session and also 4 External Orphans in University presently and 2 Internal Orphans in a Private Boarding School in Abuja benefittng from Scholarship Alhamdulillah. This modest efforts will bring hope and transforming the lives of our needy Orphans, Widows and Needy Women in our Society.

“Helpers Al-Ansar Water Factory is serving the Orphans water needs and the Community at large as water is essential to wellbeing. We want those doing Water vendor (Sadaqa) to always patronize us and the General Community as the profit will be utilize in taking care of the Children’s Home needs as we advance In Shaa-Allah.

“We appreciate those who donated Sewing Machines for the Empowerment of our Graduants and every one who have been contributing towards the success

of Al-Ansar Home from time immemorial.

“Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was a Mechant, Prophet Daud was a blacksmith, Prophet Zakaria was a herder among other Prophet of Allah” . No trade or Skills Acquisition is considered unlawful except those specifically spell-out by Islam as unlawful so therefore Al-Ansar encourage every Muslim to acquire a Skills to changing the narrative for better in our Society faced with numerous challenges.

Al-Ansar (The Helpers) is a Faith-Based Organisation established in 2004 with the aim of assisting Orphans, Widows and the Less Privilege/Needy Women to ameliorate their sufferings.

Al-Ansar Children’s Home is built to shelter the teaming Orphans/Vulnerable Children in

Usman Sha’ib

our Society and beyond .

lauds Igala on

L-R: ThevRepresentative of the Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Dr. Uche N. Uche, Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi and Permanent Secretary, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan during the decoration of the Honourable Minister with Emblem for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Centre for Promotion of Sharia raises concern over escalation of tension in 2023

By Musa Baba Adamu

Against the growing tension over the 2023 general election, a religious group, Centre for Promotion of Sharia (CPS) has cautioned politicians against exploiting religion and ethnicity to win undue advantage in the 2023 general election.

The CPS at a one-day consultative meeting of stakeholders of the Muslims in northern Nigeria, held in Abuja, said the move was contrary to the principles and spirit of democracy.

National Coordinator of the group, Aminu Muhammed, who addressed participants at the event, said it was necessary that Nigerians elected leaders “not based on sentiments, but on the candidate’s ability to build bridges of consensus across the country.”

He also asked all presidential candidates in the upcoming poll to guarantee peace and security and to commit themselves to meeting the aspirations of Nigerians through prosperity and unity of citizens.

The national coordinator of the non-governmental think-tank said that the Saturday meeting of Ulamas, Imams, Intellectuals and Activists is meant to “dispassionately address issues that are critical to the survival and peaceful co-existence of the country,” especially as it affects Muslims.

Founded in 2000, the CPS is committed to Sharia development in the country, and to find ways of entrenching democratically elected governments that will provide equitable and transparent leadership.

It comprises Ulamas, Imams, Intellectuals and Activists from all the 19 states in the North.

“Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, despite skepticism of a section of the international

community, Nigeria has remained consistent in peaceful transfer of power especially in 2007 and 2015.

Nigerians have demonstrated their resilience and commitment in democracy.

“There have been serious threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence since the first military coup, the civil war and recent secessionists’ activities.

Despite catastrophic predictions of a foreign-based organization, the Nigerian State has survived.

‘Like all previous transitions the politicians have overheated the polity in preparation for 2023 elections. The Centre for the Promotion of Shari’ah therefore, decided to host a consultative meeting to dispassionately address these issues

that are critical to the survival and peaceful co-existence of the country.

“The Centre invited key stakeholders Consisting of imams, ulama, intellectuals and activists to discuss freely the major challenges of peaceful elections and entrenchment of a democratically elected regime that will govern the country in an equitable and transparent manner.

“Hence the need to discuss and consult on the various means of ensuring a level playing field for all presidential tickets as the constitution recognizes only citizenships not identities. Nigerians should elect leaders not based on sentiments but on the candidate’s ability to build bridges of consensus across the country”, he said.

CBN monetary policy: We’ll resist corrupt politicians – Arewa youths

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) on Sunday issued a warning to corrupt Nigerians attempting to undermine the new policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

National President of AYCF, Yerima Shettima, warned that the group would resist corrupt politicians and groups that try to undermine the new CBN policy.

Under the new withdrawal policy, the CBN restricted the maximum weekly cash withdrawal over the counter (OTC) by corporate organisations and individuals to N500,000 and N100,000, respectively.

The new withdrawal regime pegged the maximum cash withdrawal per week via Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at N100,000, subject to a maximum of N20,000 cash withdrawal daily.

Speaking to journàlists, Shettima said the new policy was for the masses, hence Nigerians should support it.

According to him: “In advanced nations, the cashless policy is what is done and as such, Nigeria cannot be out of it. There is nothing wrong with this cashless policy because it reduces some of this unnecessary tension; it

helps to fight against corruption, and it helps stabilize even the exchange rate than the way we are operating foolishly that you can’t be sure of what the exchange rate will be in the next four minutes.

“This monetary policy reduces inflation. This is a period of electioneering where it will help

us to have a free and fair election. Money will not influence the decision of people, Nigerians will have to choose their leaders based on merit, competency, and capacity.

“For me, it must be encouraged by well-meaning Nigerians and we must stand for it. This policy will be seen as counterproductive to those

who have looted this country and are so corrupt and I’m sure they are going to sponsor their agents to kick against it.

“But, we are going to resist it, there is nothing wrong with it. The redesigning of the naira and this cashless policy must go together and we must stand by it and protect it.”

L-R: the APC House Of Representatives Candidate for Musawa/ Matazu Federal constituency, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu with President muhammadu Buhari when the delagation led by the Katsina state APC gubernatorial candidate Dikko Umaru Radda who were in Daura to seek President muhammadu Buhari’s blessings at the weekend.

Tinubu storms Ibadan, meets South West Muslims

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu alongside some notable members of the APC is currently in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The former governor of Lagos State is in Ibadan to meet Muslim leaders from the South West geo-political zone to seek their support ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu who arrived at the venue of the

meeting around 1:20 pm on Sunday was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole and Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman.

Those who received Tinubu in Ibadan to the meeting included the gubernatorial candidate of APC, Senator Teslim Folarin, Oyo South senatorial candidate, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, Oyo North senatorial candidate, Dr Abdulfatai Buhari, Oyo North senatorial candidate, Dr Yunus Akintunde

and former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu.

Others are Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, APC Chairman in the state, Isaac Omodewu, former deputy governor of the state, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan and Senator Soji Akanbi.

Some of the Muslim leaders from the South West at the event included the President of Muslim Ummah of South West (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, MUSWEN Executive Secretary, Professor Muslih Yahya, Director of Muslim Rights

Concern (MURIC) Professor Isiaq Akintola and President-General, League of Imans and Alfas of Yorubaland, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello.

Oladejo in his welcome remark said: “This meeting was organised for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to directly engage Muslim leaders in the South West, to unveil his plans.

“A good government will lead to economic development. With your pedigree, we believed that you can take Nigeria to a greater height when elected.”

Power will return to the people – Ex-Reps spokesman, Eseme

By Christiana Ekpa

Aformer spokesman of the House of Representatives, Honourable Eseme Eyiboh, has said that the 2023 election will be an absolute return of power to the people. Eyiboh, who made this known in a chat with journàlists, was reacting to concerns raised by some politicians over the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC).

Some Nigerians had expressed optimism that with the introduction of the Biometric Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), rigging might become a thing of the past in the nation’s electoral system.

But APC claimed that Nigeria is not yet ready for such technology.

Recall that the All Progressives Congress, APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, kicked against BVAS deployment and

the INEC Results Viewing Portal, IReV.

Adamu doubted if the introduction of BVAS for transmission of election in real time would produce a fair result for the nation during the 2023 general elections.

He explained that Nigeria does not cut the image of a nation that is ready and prepared to take the risk of deploying such technology for use in an election.

But, Eseme said that with the introduction of BVAS, all other equipment, and with the firm

position of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on a credible poll, power will surely return to Nigerians.

The All Progressives Congress candidate for the House of Representatives for Eket/Onna/ Esit Eket/Ibeno federal constituency, further stated that the era of someone winning because he is incumbent or has so much money was over because of the new technology introduced by INEC.

POLITICS

By Christiana Ekpa

The Action Alliance, AA, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with the various orders of courts directing the electoral body to take a decision in respect of conflicts over candidates submitted by some political parties.

Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, national chairman of the party said this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna on Sunday.

According to him: “We had

2023: Insecurity major threat to 2023 election -IRI, NDI

The Non Governmental Democratic bodies, the International Republican Institute IRI and the National Democratic Institutes (NDI) has identify security as the major issue that may affect the credibility of the 2023 general election, the Organisations listed treat from Boko Haram, Banditry IPOB activities in the South East, that results in the some cruesome killings and the burning of INEC offices and materials are some of treat Government and other stakeholders must find a way to curtail the manace.

This was made know during the IRI and NDI Conduct Second preelection assessment mission Ahead of Ngeria’s 2023 general election report presentation on Friday in Àbuja.

The far reaching recommendations made by the delegation according to them should be given attention to enhance free , credibility and Fair election, while commending the Government and INEC effort on the reforms on the electoral laws, like the newly introduce BVAS, which according ti the group will guarantee citizen confidence in the poll.

“Insecurity, increasing political violence and impunity are serious challenges, but the new electoral laws ànd strong voter registration numbers are cause for optimism”, said Ambassador Gavin.

The assessment mission as part of their joint observation of the 2023 general election, the delegation said they have reviewed the current political and electoral environment in the lead up to the election and also assessed preparation for the general election then offered recommendations for various stakeholders in election value chain, if mplemented it will improve citizens participation in the process.

The recommendation were made for Government, Security agents, INEC , political parties, the Media, CSOs and other stakeholders in the electoral process for better election outcome. The group also call on the political gladiators to play by the rules caution their supporters against fake news and provocative statements that may heat up the polity while urging

INEC must obey court orders if it’s serious about 2023 elections – Action Alliance

on the 12th day of August 2022 forwarded to INEC the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division in which the Court of Appeal affirmed the expulsion/suspension of Barrister Kenneth Udeze from the party, Action Alliance.”

He added that the party on the 6th day of October 2022, forwarded another judgment of the Federal High Court Abeokuta delivered on the 8th day of September 2022, to the commission.

He stated that the above judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja was appealed by the Kenneth Udeze faction of the Action Alliance in the appeal Action Alliance Vs. INEC 2 Ors, appeal number CA/ IB/378/2022, stressing that the Court of Appeal on 11th November 2022 affirmed the expulsion of Kenneth Udeze.

He explained that on the 4th day of November 2022, the party had forwarded another judgment

of the Federal High Court Abeokuta which had directed that INEC should allow the Omo-Aje executives to upload its candidates for the 2023 general elections.

Unfortunately, he said INEC has responded to enable them to upload their candidates for the 2023 elections on the INEC portal despite this plethora of judgments.

He asked that the party be given the pin to enable them to upload their candidates, saying that the

elections are already very close.

Omoaje added that AA like any other political party with judgments from the court would ensure that INEC obeys such court orders and do the needful for free and fair elections to take place in 2023.

He, therefore, called on the INEC chairman and stakeholders to prove the integrity of the commission by obeying the various court orders presented to INEC.

Bayelsa ICC begins door-to-door campaign for Tinubu ahead of 2023

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Tinubu-Shettima Independent Campaign Council (ICC) has launched a door-to-door, hamletto-hamlet and neighbourhood-toneighbourhood (DDHHNN) campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.

The state chairman of the council, Prince Preye Aganaba, said the unique approach was initiated to spread the gospel of Tinubu’s competence, capacity, fitness and experience to all the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa.

Speaking at the weekend when

he led members of the state ICC to visit a former Bayelsa deputy governor, Werinipre Seibarugu in Yenagoa, Aganaba said the campaign approach would also help to correct misinformation, half-truths and outright lies against Tinubu.

He said their findings discovered that persons against Tinubu had not come to know him personally and only depended on lies told them by opposition political leaders.

Aganaba said: “Our conviction springs from the fact that nobody will know the character, personality and competence of Tinubu without calling on him to lead this country. Nobody will know his qualities without falling in love with his leadership style.

“We believe that people must be informed so that they will stop speaking and acting out of ignorance. That is why we believe that we must meet people one-on-one to help them understand the person of Asiwaju and join the winning train.”

Aganaba explained that the ICC was formed to complement the efforts of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) with a mandate to solicit votes at the grassroots and sensitise voters to increase the APC support base.

He said: “The Bayelsa State secretariat of the Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council is up and running with state and ward coordinators already inaugurated.

“We are focused on increasing the

healthy support base of our presidential candidate and canvassing for votes in the rural areas ahead of the February 25th presidential and National Assembly elections.

Aganaba said the APC had been blessed with a presidential candidate “who is savvy in governance with a plethora of outstanding projects to point at,” describing Tinubu as easy to sell.

He said: “APC aims to capture more states and win more seats at the Senate, House of Representatives and state house of assemblies in the 2023 general elections and the ICC will complement that effort with a vigorous grassroots campaign for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.”

Hon. Khadijah Bukar, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, National Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Wife of the APC presidential candidate, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of the APC vicepresidential candidate, Dr. Falmata Zulum, wife of the Governor of Borno State and NorthEast Zonal Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Campaign Team at the North-East Campaign Flagoff of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team, which took place on Saturday at the Sports Centre, Maiduguri,

PDP crisis: Tambawual visits Ortom, seeks reconciliation

Abia

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday, vowed no amount of blackmail and evil machinations of disgruntled party chieftains can deter the genuine desire of the APC to win next year’s

This is coming against the backdrops of a purported court judgement that jailed Ogah on allegation of forgery, disinformation allegedly peddled by members of a parallel state structure of the party loyal to an ex-Pro-

Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu state, Ikechi Emenike, a factional governorship candidate in the state.

The factional group reportedly claimed the forgery allegedly perpetrated by the ex-minister was prejudicial to them and their authentic governorship flag-bearer,

High Chief Ikechi Emenike, and therefore amounted to an offence contrary to Section 465 of the Criminal Code as is applicable in Abia State.

Recall before now that a Federal High Court presided by Justice Binta-Murtala Nyako in Abuja had sacked Emenike and affirmed the former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah as

No blackmail will stop Uche Ogar from winning Abia guber in 2023 - APC

gubernatorial election, describing its candidate in the state, Uche Ogah, as the best thing to happen to the party.

Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the University of

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

As the 2023 general elections draw closer, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has promised to put an end to the challenge of insecurity currently plaguing the country if elected president of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election.

Kwankwaso also assured that as president, he will value the life of every Nigerian and also promised to tackle the unrest in some sections of the country.

He stated this in Osun on Saturday during a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The NNPP presidential candidate who disclosed that the purpose of his visit to the state was to take his education revolution agenda across the country added that his administration would do whatever it took to ensure that every child in the country is given the opportunity to get an education.

He also stressed that there was a need to beef up security mechanisms in academic institutions to encourage more students to continue schooling.

According to him, “To protect our schools, we have to increase the number of security personnel to secure every inch of the country. We will also improve intelligence gathering to compliment that. Security is generally paramount.

2023: Kwankwaso in Osun, outlines plans to end security challenges

“We are going to do whatever it takes to ensure that each and every child in this country is given the opportunity to go to school.

“Our responsibility is to ensure there is security in this country. And that is why we have decided to raise the number of the military from 250 to 1 million.

“On medical tourism, we need to do two things. One, is putting our house in order; by improving

the Govt-owned institutions. Two, is to encourage private sector participation. Leaders also need to set a good example and seek treatment at home.

“I believe that if you’re aspiring to lead people, you owe them accountability regarding your health status. I assure you that I am in good health and I can release my certificate for you to see. And the last medical examination I had

gave me a good health guarantee of 30 years.”

Also, as part of his confidence building measures, Kwankwaso maintained that he has no bank account and business anywhere in the world except in Nigeria.

Kwankwaso’s visit to the Ooni of Ife is coming on the heels of earlier visits by Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate and Atiku Abubakar,

the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Abubakar, who had paid a visit to the Ife monarch, was also in the state for the PDP presidential rally in the state.

Both presidential candidates also outlined their plans of tackling the challenges confronting the country and added that their visit to the monarch was also to get his royal blessings.

Southern Kaduna Peoples Union kick as two parallel leadership emerge

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Southern Kaduna People ‘s Union (SOKAPU) has distanced itself from the newly formed Southern Kaduna Leadership Council (SKLC), saying it remains the apex, independent socio-cultural umbrella body of the Southern Kaduna people. This was contained in a statement

signed by the SOKAPU spokesman. Luka Binniyat and made available to the media in Kaduna on Sunday. The Union said it has not entered into any relationship with the SKLC, thought it made overture to have us become its member.

“SOKAPU’s position is that the SKLC has to come under the leadership of SOKAPU since it is the

only umbrella body of the Southern Kaduna people where representation in the Union is through a democratically elected process with all the appending arms of the Union participating.

“ We have, however, concluded that if SOKAPU shall become a member of SKLC, it has to have the approval of the Congress of SOKAPU,

because it is a constitutional matter.

“Therefore, the Press Statement issued by the SKLC on the 15th September, 2022 in its debut, ought not to have included SOKAPU as a member of the Council.

“No any Southern Kaduna group can subsume SOKAPU, unless our constitution is altered.” the Statement reads

Ogun politics: PDP’s Segun Showunmi makes revelations about Amosun, Daniel

By Musa Baba Adamu

Agovernorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has made revelations about former governors Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel.

Showunmi described the two former governors as the territorial commanders of Ogun politics.

Amosun and Daniel are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Despite being in different political parties, Showunmi rated the two as being in control of politics in the Gateway State

According to him, the two predecessors of the incumbent governor Dapo Abiodun know what to do when the chips are down.

In a post on Sunday, Showunmi shared some photographs he took with Amosun and Daniel at an event, saying:

“These 2 men (Amosun and Daniel) are arguably the territorial commanders of Ogun Politics, I love that they are my senior brothers and leaders.

“When the chips are down, they know the score! It was so nice seeing them both yesterday at the wedding ceremony of HE Sarafa TunjiIshola’s daughter’s wedding.”

By Christiana Ekpa

Major stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State, gathered on Saturday in the Coal City capital drumming support for the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The event was the official inauguration of the Enugu State local government Independent Campaign Council, ICC, for Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign.

Those present were ex-Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, immediate past Chairman of the APC in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, and a veteran politician, Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, fondly known as (GNG).

They urged Enugu and the nation’s electorate to vote for Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Shettima Kashim, declaring that he

has all it takes to take Nigeria to its expected destination.

Nnamani, who is the Grand Patron of the group, said he has known the APC presidential flagbearer for quite a long time, adding that he has the capacity to steer the nation’s political ship perfectly if given the mandate.

The former APC presidential aspirant called on the electorate to cast their votes for Tinubu/Shettima, stressing that “they won’t regret doing so.”

“Tinubu is well known to us, and that is why we are supporting him,” he added, challenging the inaugurated LGA officials of the ICC to go back to their respective council areas and begin an aggressive campaign for the APC presidential standard bearer.

Nnamani, who harped on bridge building, urged the members to remain committed and steadfast in the Tinubu presidential project,

stressing that after sowing, they would reap.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the event, the Enugu ex-APC boss, Dr. Nwoye, who is the ICC Director, in charge of contact and Mobilization, described Tinubu as a unifying and rallying point.

According to him, the 2023 presidential ticket of Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu/Shettima Kashim had re-unified Enugu State APC.

Nwoye, who is also a serving Federal Commissioner representing South-East in the Federal Consumer Competition Protection Commission FCCPC, stated that “we have all agreed, irrespective of individual differences, that we should come together and support the APC presidential flagbearer.

“Today, our leader, our father and the former Senate President, Distinguished Senator Ken Nnamani,

has urged all of us to work tirelessly for Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Shetima Kashim.

“So, the Enugu APC has been unified for Tinubu and Shettima, and we have just one agenda, which is to elect Tinubu as the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Shettima Kashim as the Vice president.”

Speaking earlier, the coordinator of Enugu State Chapter of ICC, Chief Gbazuagu, had appealed to the members not to be discouraged by the poor reward mechanism of the ruling APC, as experienced in the last seven to eight years, since the ruling party took over the affairs of the nation.

He assured them that if elected, Tinubu would change the narratives as a true party man who understands how party faithful are supposed to be rewarded after winning an election.

2023: Nigerians won’t regret electing Tinubu – Senator Nnamani, Nwoye

L-R: Director General Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr Asishana Okauru his wife and celebrant, Mrs Ifueko Marina Okauru and the guest lecturer Mr Aigboje AigImoukhuede during the 60th birthday celebration and lecture in honour of Mrs Ifueko yesterday in Abuja . Photo: Justin Imoowo

Aminu Masari, Katsina governor, ha said the new cash withdrawal policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will help the country’s economy.

Masari spoke to journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown in Daura, on Saturday.

The new policy limits weekly over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities to N100,000 and N500, 000, respectively.

Since it was introduced on Tuesday, the CBN has been criticised by aggrieved individuals.

Aminu Gwadabe, president, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said the policy would put pressure on the naira, causing it to further depreciate.

He said while the policy will discourage the use of cash, it “is not sufficient to address the challenges inherent in the cash base sub-sector”.

Similarly, Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, said the cash withdrawal policy was targeted at the political class, and would further throw the country into poverty.

However, taking a different view from his Adamawa counterpart, Masari has thrown weight behind the CBN policy.

“What is wrong with it except one who stockpiles millions in his house and is afraid to bring it,” he said.

“It will help the economy. Now, all the money has not been in the banking sector. The central bank governor said that they have mopped over N1 trillion into the banking sector which was stashed in soakaways and other places.

“We believe by the end of the transition to the new currency, the remaining trillion will be back in the banking sector. I think it is very good for the economy.”

Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

The Securities and Exchange Commission has assured its Gambian counterpart of necessary assistance in their desire to develop more products in their bid to deepen their capital market.

Executive Commissioner Operations of the SEC, Mr. Dayo Obisan stated this when he received a Team from Central Bank of The Gambia who were on a study visit to the Commission’s Zonal Office in Lagos recently.

Obisan disclosed that the SEC Nigeria is making a lot of efforts to attract more Nigerians to the capital market, one of such steps is stated in the Revision of the 10year capital market master plan which was launched recently by the Minster of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs. Zainab Ahmed.

He said, “We are doing a couple of things in Nigeria, just some few days ago we just relaunched our Revised capital market master plan. Other than the enabling law that we have, the capital market

master plan is a 10-year document which we worked with in the last few years.

“Within this period, we realised that a lot of things had changed and there was the need to make some additions and subtractions to the plan. We needed to adjust and update the document to align with current realities for example when the plan was done things like digital assets were not really in the front burner.

“But today, digital assets, non interest capital market products are taking more prominent seats in financing. These I am sure would also be of interest to you as well given the demographics of your country”.

On illegal fund managers operating in the capital market, the SEC Commissioner said it is not peculiar to Nigeria, but assured that the Commission has put some measures in place in its quest to ensure that Nigerians are not fleeced of their hard earned money by these illegal outfits.

“Just as you may have it in the Gambia, we also have our own share of battles with Ponzi

schemes, people trying to defraud others of their hard earned money. They are everywhere.

“And this always happens when there is despair or lack of hope, it does not mean one nation is worse than the other. But the reason why we are regulators or an upholder of the law is to deter and minimise such effect. Here in Nigeria we are working hard to ensure that they are not allowed to thrive” he stated.

Obisan told the Gambian visitors that the promoters of these unscrupulous schemes pose as operators in the capital market to defraud investors of their money with mouth-watering promises of return on investments.

According to Obisan, “This has made it difficult for investors to differentiate between genuine and false investment opportunities. The activities of these Ponzi schemes promoters have posed a huge challenge to the Commission. In combating them, we are working in collaboration with other agencies to nip their activities in the bud.

“Also, the Commission is

working tirelessly to ensure investors are aware of these nefarious activities through investor education programmes. We urge the Nigerians to partner with us in the fight against Ponzi schemes by reporting to the SEC anytime such activities are noticed. We can be reached via www.sEC. gov.ng, +234-094621168 and the SEC social media handles”.

SEC Nigeria to Co-operate with Gambia on Capital Market Kastina Governor, Masari backs CBN’s cash withdrawal policy

He stated that the capital market has a lot of products that appeals to all ages of people adding, “we also organise outreaches that afford Nigerians the opportunity to learn how to invest in the Nigerian capital market Including Collective Investment Schemes being managed by professionals in addition to exposing participants to the activities of Ponzi schemes and how to identify them.

The Executive Commissioner disclosed that the SEC has a dual mandate to regulate and develop the Nigerian capital market that is fair and orderly; and engenders investor confidence adding that a key aspect of the SEC’s market development role is enlightenment and investor education.

Hon. Minister of Works and Housing and the Chairman of Steering Committee, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (2nd right), Ghana’s Minister of Roads and Highways,Hon. Kwasi Amoako - Attah (right), Representative of ECOWAS, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Director Transport, ECOWAS Commission, Mr Chris Appiah (left) and Togo’s Minister of Infrastructure, Mrs Zourehatou Kassah-Traore (2nd left) during the 17th Steering Committee Meeting of the Abidjan - Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project at the Hotel Sarakawa, Lome, Togo on Friday

Foundation tasks FG on empowerments for women entrepreneurs

Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Anon-governmental organization,Foundation for Advancement for Women and Children’s Right. ( FAWCR) has urged the Federal Governments to roll out policies that will particularly empower women in their business activities.

The orgainsation said Federal republic of Nigeria have shown willingness to strengthen the participation of all the communities to achieve gender balance and representation at all levels of

decision making, they have created numerous plans, schemes organization all designed to empower women and women in business particularly.

Speaking at the conference with the theme “Better Life for Women Trader”, over the weekend, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mrs, Ahiaba Naomie explained that it is through this women empowerment can become strong enough to play key role at the field of national development.

She said :”Women should be empowered by creating an

environment where they can make decisions for their own personal being and the society at large.

“Women traders and business women generally are very fertile ground to invest as a nation, because women are resilient, hardworking and extremely passionate.

“Women are in control of most of the non-monetary economy like subsistence farming, domestic labor etc. and also in the monetary economy (business,employment etc.) women work both inside and outside the home.

She said “There should be more

skills acquisition for us ,women so that we can explore, we should be more informed and also innovate in different industry where women can tap into, organize federal government training and orientation for women on business,she said .

On her part,the Head of Gender, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development,Mrs. Ifeoma Anyanwu,said “Women voice are not heard and the concerns of women are not been addressed and this is an issue of having a strategy of working with men for a gender parity”.

BU$IN€SS

MSMEs are agents for poverty reduction, says Hadiza Balarabe

Abubakar Yunusa Abuja

Hadiza Balarabe, deputy governor of Kaduna, says micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES) are agents for reducing poverty.

Balarabe said this at the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Kaduna market trade fair at Murtala Mohammed square on Saturday.

She said the trade fair was developed to promote MSMEs in the country.

“There are many entrepreneurs and small businesses that are innovative and are prepared to feed markets yet to be identified by corporations and large businesses,” Balarabe said.

“These businesses are not known and cannot be given the chance to make their marks.

“This third edition of the Kaduna markets trade fair is designed for our micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to promote their products, goods and services.

“The first and second editions of this fair had huge attendance from within and outside the state. The state government is supporting this fair because of such benefits and the internationally known advantages associated with MSMEs in national development.”

Balarabe said the United Nations recognises MSMEs as key drivers of employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship for women, youth and groups in vulnerable situations.

“Therefore, MSMEs are active agents for the reduction of poverty, redistribution of social classes in society, and closing the gender gap as they ensure women’s full and effective participation in the economy and in society,” she added.

“Kaduna state is known for its active agricultural population and a leading producer of many crops.

“There are, therefore, many agroallied industries in the area that are MSMEs. These MSMEs are active in the food production and processing value-chain in the state.

“Kaduna state government has since recognised their importance and is, therefore, set to not only support existing ones but cultivate the emergence of many more.

“Kaduna enterprise development agency (KADEDA) was, therefore, established with the mandate to make MSMEs in Kaduna state thrive through building their capacities to be stronger, sustainable and have access to both indigenous and global opportunities.”

The deputy governor added that the Kaduna investment promotion agency (KADIPA) ensures that obstacles to the ease of doing business in the state are removed for large businesses as well as MSMEs.

She also lauded the efforts of the Kaduna Market Management and Development Company for organising the trade fair, noting that it was another arm of government redesigning markets to international standards, thereby, attracting foreign patrons.

SERAP to governors: Disclose details on spending of N625bn derivation refunds or face legal action

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked governors of the nine oil-producing states to make public details of how they spent the oil derivation refunds from the federal government.

The presidency had, on December 2, announced that the states — Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers — received a total of N625.43 billion as 13 percent oil derivation, subsidy and SURE-P refunds from the federation account between 2021 and 2022.

In an open letter dated December 10, SERAP said disclosing the details will help Nigerians scrutinise how the

funds were expended and promote transparency and accountability.

It added that it is part of the “legally enforceable human rights” of residents of the benefitting states to know how the refunds were spent.

The organisation gave the governors an ultimatum of seven days to disclose the details or face legal action.

“Widely publishing details of the spending of the oil derivation refunds would ensure that persons with public responsibilities are answerable to the people for the performance of their duties in the management of public funds,” the letter reads.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt

and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and your state to comply with our request in the public interest.

“The public interest in obtaining the information about expenditures relating to the oil derivation refunds outweighs any privacy or other interests. The oversight afforded by public access to such details would serve as an important check on the activities of your state and help to prevent abuses of the public trust.

“SERAP also urges you to disclose details of spending of the refunds to local government councils through the state accounts, and to explain the role played by your government in the spending of public funds meant for the

councils.”

The organisation also asked the governors to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly track and monitor the spending of the refunds by the respective states.

In November, Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor, disclosed that the projects he recently inaugurated were financed with the state’s share of the 13 percent derivation arrears paid by the federal government to all the Niger Delta states.

Following Wike’s remarks in which he challenged other governors to give account of the funds, more states have also confirmed receipts of the derivation arrears.

L-R: Convener - Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, Chief Dominic Ogakwu; President - National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Dr. Solomon Adodo; Project CoordinatorYouReka Youth Campaign, Amb. Collette Mbamalu; and Executive Director - Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria, Amb. Splendor Agbonkpolor, during the 2nd Godswill Akpabio Leadership and Mentorship Lectures organized by NYCN in collaboration with Independent Public Service and Accountability Watch on Friday in Abuja . Photo:

I’ll confiscate undeveloped oil blocs, privatise refineries If..,says Atiku

The presidency has dismissed allegations made by Gudaji Kazaure, member of the house of representatives on mismanagement or embezzlement of stamp duty funds, claiming there were cover-ups by administration officials.

In a recent interview, Kazaure, who said he is also the secretary of the presidential committee on the reconciliation and recovery of all stamp duties, alleged that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF), and the protocol department of the state house, conspired to prevent him from briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on the findings so far made.

The lawmaker alleged that he was blocked from meeting Buhari in order to brief him on progress reports on efforts to trace trapped N89.09 trillion.

However, in response to Kazaure’s allegations, Garba

Shehu, presidential spokesperson, on Saturday, said it was “ludicrous that a member of the parliament would claim to be secretary of an executive committee”, adding that such a mix would be unconstitutional.

Shehu also said Buhari had since dissolved the committee Kazaure was claiming to be the secretary to, but noted that there is another committee, chaired by the attorney-general and minister of justice, set up in June 2020 by the president, which is still executing the task of reconciling stamp duties accounts.

“In the first instance, the committee on the alleged loss of stamp duty funds he is talking about is an illegal committee, it was dissolved on directive of the president,” he said.

“Anyone familiar with our constitution will find it curious that a member of the parliament is the secretary of an executive committee. It suffices to say that the entire net worth of the nation’s financial sector, the assets of the banking sector put together, is

not worth N50 trillion, not to talk of the kind of money he is talking about.

“The Central Bank assures that there is absolutely no problem, whatsoever, with money from stamp duties.

“There is a committee duly set up by the president in June 2020, chaired by the attorney-general and minister of justice and the secretary is the chairman of the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS) that is currently reconciling the stamp duty accounts. The job is not finished.

“As it is, there is nothing to give credence to wild accusations made against the administration.

“Following speculation and the many allegations, earlier investigations were commissioned by government departments and agencies, including the ministry of finance, the revenue mobilisation and fiscal service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation and nothing sensational has been discovered by them.

“Issues of reconciliation are being handled.”

On the allegation that Kazaure had been prevented from meeting with the president in his efforts to expose his findings to him, Shehu said it was not true as the legislator is known to be a friend of the president with unfettered access to him.

“As for Gudaji seeing the president, I’d like to assure you that there is nobody that can stop him from seeing the number one citizen. Gudaji is a friend of the president. He sees him as many times as he wants and he is welcome to come and see him again and again,” he added.

The federal government is yet to recover stamp duty funds made from January 15, 2016, to June 30, 2020, according to Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation

The 36 states through their attorneys-general, had sued the AGF over the alleged failure of the government to remit funds generated from stamp duties into state accounts.

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

Justin Imo-owo

BU$IN€SS

Sirika: Africa to implement single air transport market for economic integration

Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, says Africa has agreed to implement a single air transport market (SAATM) to advance liberalisation.

Sirika said this at a five-day International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) air services negotiation event in Abuja on Friday.

The minister said SAATM, being a flagship project of the African Union agenda 2063, would boost the continent’s economic integration plans.

He said SAATM will ensure

aviation plays a major role in connecting Africa, promoting its social, economic and political integration, and boosting intraAfrica trade and tourism.

Sirika noted that SAATM was created to expedite the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

The Yamoussoukro Decision is a treaty adopted by most members of the African Union (AU) which establishes a framework for the liberalisation of air transport services between African countries, as well as fair competition between airlines.

“I am very excited for Nigeria to host this very important

event,” Sirika said.

“There are new developments that we derived from this, in particular, our resolve to implement single air transport market in Africa (SAATM).

“This is in the spirit of actualising agenda 2063 which will unify and integrate Africa and connect its people, future and posture.

“It will also open the borders to connect the whole world together.

“Aviation ought to play its role in connecting our markets, places, friends, and families among others.”

Sirika further said the series

of engagements and negotiations during the event indicated that the “ICAAN 2022 was delivered objectively”.

He also said the achievement in human and services, improving some memorandum of understanding (MoUs) within the states during the event, would eventually co-increase air connectivity in Africa and globally.

On his part, Anthony Derjacques, minister of transport for the Republic of Seychelles, said SAATM would open up Africa’s skies and promote the value of aviation throughout the continent.

Derjacques also said opening air arrangements would boost traffic, drive economies and create jobs.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Rahma, director, air transport bureau, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), commended Nigeria and other stakeholders for their contributions towards a successful ICAAN 2022 event in Nigeria.

Rahma added that ICAO’s long-term vision for international air transportation liberation was to improve social and economic needs, expand markets and states collaboration across the world.

NNPC assures Nigerians of petrol supply after DSS ultimatum

ABUBAKAR YUNUS Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it has 1.9 billion litres of petrol in stock as it assured Nigerians of steady supply to quell the lingering scarcity across the country.

NNPC said this at a meeting with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders in the midstream and downstream oil sector on Thursday, according to a statement by Peter Afunanya, spokesperson for the secret service.

The DSS, during the meeting, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the national oil company and marketers to resolve the ongoing petrol distribution crisis.

Responding to the ultimatum, Mele Kyari, NNPC’s group chief executive officer (GCEO),

reaffirmed that the company “has in-country stock of PMS of over 1.9 billion litres, which is over 30 days sufficiency”.

Kyari, who was represented by Umar Ajiya, chief financial officer, NNPC, assured Nigerians of the availability of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

NNPC also pledged that it “will continue to sell the PMS product, ex-coastal price agreed with the regulator to all marketers, especially the IPMAN members with a view to also providing depots specifically meant for their off-take in order to curtail the profiteering that they have been experiencing in some depots”.

“NNPC has also made procurement for the supply of similar volume from now till end of March 2023,” he said.

“We have also directed operation team to engage in 24

hours loading of PMS in the next couple of days and make sure some outlets operate 24hours without compromising security in order to bring quick relief to the people.”

Meanwhile, the participants at the meeting include: the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DPPMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

The associations, after the meeting, agreed to work together to clear the persistent petrol queues at filling stations nationwide, within the next 48 hours.

Speaking earlier, Farouk

Ahmed, chief executive officer (CEO), NMDPRA, pledged to collaborate with the NNPC and all stakeholders in order to ensure that issues regarding supply of petroleum products are well addressed.

On his part, Femi Adewole, executive secretary, DAPPMAN, said the foreign exchange challenge confronted by depot owners was also discussed and efforts were on to address it.

“The challenges to marketers, especially depot owners, were explained and the meeting agreed and actually noted the forex component challenge and its input into our cost should in all ideal cases be recovered reasonably. That was agreed upon,” Adewole.

“We also agreed that based on the assurances of products given to marketers, provided by NNPC, we will ensure that,

going forward, all depots work 24 hours based on the security risks appraised.

“We will work 24 hours to ensure that the queues in town are reduced. Our retail outlets, spread nationwide, will also ensure that they sell 24 hours based on our security situation appraised. I want to assure Nigerians that, going forward, they will be able to get fuel in filling stations without too much hitch or harassment.”

In the last few weeks, the country has been battling petrol scarcity, spreading to several parts of the country.

While the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said the scarcity was caused by the shortage of petrol at NNPC depots, the state-owned oil firm had said ongoing road projects in Lagos affected distribution.

L-R: Chairman, Jalsa Salana Committee, Engr Qasim Oluwa; Amir (National President) Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr) Alatoye AbdulAzeez; Missionary In charge Ahmadiyya of Nigeria; Murabbi Adnan Tahir; Deputy National President, Finance and Admin, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole and Project Manager, European Chapter International Association of Ahmad Architectural and Engineers (IAAAE) Maulvi Umar Ahmad, during the Press Conference 68th Annual Jalsa Salana Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria held in Lagos,

Abubakar Yunus Abuja

METRO

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of state for the FCT Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has assured that the FCT Administration would bolster enabling environment for young producers of locally made goods to continue to excel in the Territory.

Aliyu, who made the assertion at the weekend, during the 2022

FCTA moves to curb land racketeering in FCT communities

By Stanley Onyekwere

To help curb the indiscriminate sale and purchase of land in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Mandate Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS), Ibrahim Abubakar has revealed plans to establish Zonal offices to tackle the menace at the grassroot level.

He reiterated the FCT Administration had stopped all graded chiefs and nobody is allowed to sell any portion of the land within the FCT, apart from the honourable Minister of the FCT, who is the only person or authority that has the right to allocate or revoke any land in the Territory

Abubakar, who spoke at ACSS 2022 end of the pear press briefing, noted that the FCTA is on top of the situation as some of this chiefs are been relived of there chieftaincy and others suspended because of the act.

He said: “I Want to use this medium to tell those in FCT to meet those in charge of land, and the administration has approved way in consideration of establishment of zonal offices to curtail indiscriminate sales and purchase of land in FCT.

“So, the administration is not taking this likely, we don’t encourage this and their is a severe punishment for anyone found wanting having faced the law and at the end you will stand to loose what ever you are proud of as a village chief in the community”.

However, the ACSS boss noted that the cases of insecurity in the Territory has reduced due to collaborations with security agencies, and as such, the inhabitants of the Territory can peacefully go to bed.

He added that drones are being deployed in strategic locations to beef up in the territory.

“The FCT has beef up security measures in the territory in collaboration with service chief hence the cases of kidnapping and banditry has reduced because of the pro activeness of the 2 ministers of the FCT.

“You can go to bed and sleep, the security situation has improved, lots of drones are around in FCT”.

Made-in-Nigeria products: FCT Minister assures enabling environment for entrepreneurs

Locally Made products exhibition held in Abuja, said the FCTA would look into the challenges being faced by local entrepreneurs in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

She however, noted that the administration is impressed with the goods being produced by local entrepreneurs, mainly youth and will create an avenue to meet with each of them.

Represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Social Investment Programme, Mrs. Chiwendu Eteyen - Amba,

the Minister encouraged the entrepreneurs to always work closely with the administration to meet up with their needs.

According to her: “FCT administration is impressed with what the entrepreneurs are doing especially the young ones. But finishing is a major thing that they must take serious.

“Again, the amount on the product matters because the materials for production are sourced locally within communities, so we should try

as much as possible to see that our business and products are affordable”.

Earlier, the organiser of the Exhibition, and Chief Executive Officer of Justwan Dezign Couture, Justina Wanda, passionately appealed to both FCT Administration and the Federal Government to help the teeming upcoming entrepreneurs to succeed.

Wanda said the essence of the event was to showcase to Nigerians and the international

market that, local entrepreneurs are capable of producing all kind of products.

In her words: “We want the government to support us by providing some opportunities for us to be getting materials for production.

“The exhibition is all about made in Nigeria products or brands in all forms, this also show that we as local entrepreneurs can do it. We are telling the world that we are also good”.

section of the graduating students of the AL- Ansar Skills Acquisition centre with their AMEERA Al-Ansar (the helpers) during the centre first graduation ceremony

Cabals frustrating efforts to boost FCT IGR profile - DOAS Director

By Stanley Onyekwere

Some powerful cabals have been working underground to frustrate reinvigorated efforts to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the FCT, thereby undermine its development, according to the Director, FCT Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), Babagana Adam.

Adam, who revealed this while briefing journalists, also alleged that the cabal have been sending him and members of his management staff threat letters that would force them to look the other way while they continue to pocket revenues meant for the development of the city.

The DOAS boss while highlighting the setbacks the FCT administration has endured due to its inability to maximally generate and channel all revenues

to government coffers as a result of the illegal activities of the said cabals, however, vowed to fight them till the end, to ensure the right things are done.

He however, named the now defunct, Abuja Municipal Trade and Investment Company and one other construction firm, said to be among the first three to start operating in the capital city, of being among the notable culprits in this grand conspiracy to siphon the the FCT’s IGR into private accounts.

“Some people have turned revenue collection into their inheritance and dynasty. There are cabals that are frustrating DOAS efforts to generate more revenue for the administration. They are handing over the right of generating revenue to their families and cronies. I received a letter yesterday from the wife of a late cabal that has been feasting on the sweats of Abuja residents

collecting illegal adverts.

“There’s a construction company that is one of the first three in Abuja that has been fraternitising with this family. While that company pays nothing less than N40 million on mobile Advertisement, this money has never been remitted in total for Abuja Municipal Area Council for the past three years and I have been running a battle at the risk of my life and the lives of some of my colleagues that were attacked and some of you journalists.

“That contractor was given a target of N30 million and I discovered in 2019 or in 2020, the person only reluctantly remitted N11 million naira out of the N30 million. Where is the balance for the year of N19 million.

“Secondly, there is a company I fought from head to toe, may be that is why some of them gave up and left. Some of you will

remember the Abuja Municipal Trade and Investment, that company is a dynasty and a clug of progress on AMAC and the FCT. It has metamorphosed in its chameleonic way into other companies that is even sending threat letters. The wife has sent me letter threatening me as the director of DOAS.

“ I like pledging, till I leave DOAS or out of government responsibilities, I and my colleagues, if my colleagues like, I will fight them to the last drop of my blood to see that the right things are done and the right money goes into government coffers, then I will surrender”, he stressed.

The Director however, revealed that despite the challenges encountered in the outgoing year, the Department surpassed its revenue generation projection for this year.

Cross

/ empowerment Programme, held on Saturday at the Al-Ansar Children Home in Kuje Area Council, Àbuja.

Photo; Justin Imo-owo

world news

Lockerbie bombing suspect in US custody

ALibyan man accused of making the bomb which destroyed Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie 34 years ago is in United States custody, Scottish authorities have said.

The US announced charges against Abu Agila Masud two years ago, alleging that he played a key role in the bombing on 21 December, 1988.

The blast on board the Boeing 747 left 270 people dead.

It is the deadliest terrorist incident to have taken place on British soil.

All 259 passengers and crew on board the jumbo jet bound to New York from London died while another 11 people were killed in Lockerbie when wreckage destroyed their homes.

Last month it was reported that Masud had been kidnapped by a militia group in Libya, leading to speculation that he was going to be handed over to the American authorities to stand trial.

A US Justice Department spokesperson told the Reuters news agency that Masud would make an initial appearance in a federal court in Washington.

Five years ago he was serving a prison sentence in Libya for bomb-making.

Abu Agila Masud behind bars in Libya

In 2001 Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was convicted of bombing Pan Am 103 after standing trial at a specially-convened Scottish court in the Netherlands.

He was the only man to be convicted over the attack.

Megrahi was jailed for life but was released on compassionate grounds by the Scottish government in 2009 after being diagnosed with cancer.

He died in Libya in 2012.

Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark recalls arriving at Lockerbie on the night of 21 December 1988

Megrahi, who always proclaimed his innocence, launched two appeals against his 27-year sentence. One was unsuccessful and the other was

abandoned.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said: “The families of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing have been told that the suspect Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi (“Mas’ud” or “Masoud”) is in US custody.

“Scottish prosecutors and police, working with UK government and US colleagues, will continue to pursue this investigation, with the sole aim of bringing those who acted along with Al Megrahi to justice.”

Lockerbie bombing timeline

• US and British investigators indicted Megrahi in 1991 but he was not handed over by the Libyans until April 1999.

• May 2000 - A special trial under Scots law starts on neutral ground at

Camp Zeist in the Netherlands.

• 31 January 2001 - Former Libyan intelligence officer Megrahi is found guilty of mass murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years.

The Pan Am flight was bombed just days before Christmas

• March 2002 - Megrahi loses an appeal against his conviction.

• September 2003 - The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) is asked to investigate Megrahi’s conviction.

• June 2007 - The SCCRC recommends that Megrahi is granted a second appeal against his conviction.

• 18 August 2009 - Megrahi’s move to drop his second appeal is accepted by judges at The High Court in Edinburgh.

• 20 August 2009 - Megrahi, who has terminal prostate cancer, is released

from prison on compassionate grounds.

• May 2012 - Megrahi dies at his home in Tripoli, aged 60.

• July 2015 - Scottish judges rule that relatives of the Lockerbie bombing victims should not be allowed to pursue an appeal on Megrahi’s behalf. Courts had previously ruled that only next of kin could proceed with a posthumous application.

• July 2017 - Megrahi’s family launched a new bid to appeal against his conviction.

• March 2020 - The Scottish Criminal Case Review Commission said Megrahi’s conviction can be taken to a fresh appeal.

• November 2020 - Five Scottish judges hear the third appeal against Megrahi’s conviction on grounds of possible miscarriage of justice

Nurses’ union wants health secretary to talk pay

Anurses’ strike due to start this week could be called off if the health secretary negotiates “seriously” over pay, says the head of the Royal College of Nursing.

“I won’t dig in if he doesn’t,” general secretary Pat Cullen told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said pay was a matter for non-political independent review bodies.

Walkouts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are due on 15 and 20 December.

The RCN union is calling for nurses to be given a pay rise of 5% above the RPI inflation rate, which was 14.2% in October.

The government has previously announced average pay increases of 4.5% for doctors and 4.75% for other NHS staff - including nurses - in England next year.

Ministers agreed to these after a recommendation by the independent pay review bodies that make suggestions about

NHS pay rises.

Ms Cullen urged the health secretary to hold talks with her on a one-to-one basis or negotiate through Acas, the independent organisation which mediates disputes between employers and workers as early as Monday morning.

She said the union would not be “found wanting” in the negotiations but she said its position had not changed.

Asked if the union could accept a lower pay rise, Ms Cullen said: “Come to the table and let’s have the discussion.”

She said her priority was making sure nurses could “make ends meet”, adding: “It’s not about lining their pockets with gold.”

Mr Cleverly said Health Secretary Steve Barclay had already met with union officials, but added: “Ultimately, salary negotiations are done between union leaders on behalf of their members and their employer. And in this instance, the nurses’ employer is the NHS.”

NHS England’s medical director Prof Stephen Powis said pay was a matter for the independent review body and the government.

He said emergency services and key treatments like kidney dialysis and chemotherapy would continue during the walkouts, but that services would be disrupted.

Under trade union laws, life-preserving care has to be provided during strike action.

Prof Powis said there was “trouble brewing this winter” for the NHS, with an increase in people arriving at A&E and a rising number hospital patients with flu.

Both Mr Cleverly and Prof Powis said the NHS was prepared for the strike and wanted to minimise any disruption.

The Scottish government increased its offer to nurses and other health workers to a minimum increase of £2,205 with more for some staff - that was equivalent to an average 7.5% increase.

Talks with unions are ongoing and the

public service workers’ union Unison has recommended the offer to members in Scotland.

Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, said that if Mr Barclay was to mirror Holyrood’s approach and commit to boosting wages this year, “the threat of preChristmas strikes could well be lifted”.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the government accepted the recommendations of the independent NHS Pay Review Body in full, meaning newly qualified nurses had a 5.5% increase while those on the lowest salaries, such as porters and cleaners, received a pay rise of up to 9.3%.

“Ministers have had constructive talks with unions, including the RCN and Unison, on how we can make the NHS a better place to work - and have been clear the door remains open for further talks,” a spokesperson for the department added.

Source: BBC

A total of 270 people died in the Lockerbie bombing on 21 December 1988

NEWS FROM AFRICA

World Cup 2022: ‘We witnessed history as Morocco won’

The noise was deafening at Al Thumama stadium - a mixture of euphoria and disbelief, tears, hugs and smiles.

Moroccan fans had dreamt of this moment, but not many expected that it would actually happen.

Their team has made history, becoming the first Arab and African side to make it to the World Cup semi-finals. They beat yet another favourite, Portugal. A huge moment for the continent and the region.

The tension was palpable on the pitch and in the stands. Morocco’s fans chanted seer or “go ahead” in Arabic, and let out a massive cheer as their team scored.

“This is a night that I’m going to tell my children and grandchildren about,” Soufiane Megrini told me.

“Morocco made us proud. We’re proud of our team and our coach.”

Soufiane told me how touched he felt at the massive Arab support for his team. He said despite finding the Moroccan dialect difficult, some spectators from other Arab countries had wanted to take part in the chants, asking how to say the words.

“They were standing next to us... they were singing Moroccan songs,” he said.

“This is a night I’ll tell my children and grandchildren about…” #Morocco made history. And we were there to witness it! Our piece below. Thanks to @zeynep_erdim and Jimmy Michael. #Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup2022 #FIFAWorldCupQatar2022 #اااااا ااااا pic.twitter. com/2Fy1gt0oq2

— shaimaa khalil BBC (@ Shaimaakhalil) December 10, 2022

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original

tweet on Twitter

Flags tell an important part of the Moroccan World Cup story. As I write this, the skyscraper outside my window is radiating red with a green star in the middle. But there were others alongside Morocco’s red and green: Fans carried Saudi Arabian, Iraqi, Egyptian, Palestinian, Qatari and Jordanian flags.

Thousands of fans have travelled from across the Arab world to be here in Doha. Many have told us they’ve changed their tickets every time Morocco won. Some may have to change them again to witness another historic match for their team.

Zineb Aklikm and her husband

Aziz Benyahya travelled to Doha from Morocco the day before the game. They left their two-month-old baby back home.

“As a mother, I feel guilty,” Zineb said, “but I’ll tell him about tonight.

“I don’t think we actually realise what just happened. We were witnessing history.”

Mohammed Rizki was beaming, the fringes of his traditional Moroccan hat moving as he spoke animatedly.

“I can’t really describe it,” he said.

“It’s a mix of feelings. We’re so happy about the win and excited for what’s coming.”

This is a mammoth sporting moment for Morocco. It’s the best performance in this team’s history, but it goes well beyond football. This is a much-needed moment of collective joy and pride for a whole region and a continent.

More crucially, this is a moment that has shifted the way Arab and African teams are viewed not just in the eyes of European and South American squads, but in the eyes of their own crowds.

One of the most shared videos after the game, apart from Morocco’s team

celebrating, is the one of Cristiano Ronaldo crying - as Portugal exited the tournament.

One spectator told me that this is a moment of “confidence” - to stand head to head with the giants of this game and

be real contenders and a formidable force.

“What we want now is the cup,” Mohammed Rizki said.

He added: “We’re not here just to be in the competition. We’re here to win.”

Twenty seven bodies dumped by the roadside in Zambia

The bodies of 27 people, believed to be migrants from Ethiopia, have been “dumped” by the roadside in Ngwerere area north of Zambia’s capital Lusaka.

They likely suffocated to death while in transit, Police Spokesperson Danny Mwale told the BBC.

One survivor found “gasping for air” has

been rushed to a local hospital, he said.

Zambia is a transit point for migrants, mostly from the Horn of Africa, who want to reach South Africa.

Mr Mwale said residents of Ngwerere found the bodies on Sunday at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT).

He said the police believe the migrants

are Ethiopian nationals based on the identity documents found on them.

“Our preliminary investigations indicate that a total number of 28 persons, all males aged between 20 and 38, were dumped in Meanwood Nkhosi along Chiminuka road in Ngwerere area by unknown people,” the police said in a statement.

The bodies have been taken to Zambia University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

In neighbouring Malawi, the authorities discovered 25 bodies of Ethiopian migrants in a mass grave in October.

The police there said they had evidence to link the stepson of Malawi’s ex-President Peter Mutharika to the grim discovery.

Tshala Muana: Congolese singer dies aged 64

The famous Congolese singer and dancer

Tshala Muana has died at the age of 64, according to her producer and companion, Claude Mashala.

“In the early hours of this morning the good Lord has made the decision to call back Tshala Muana,” he posted on Facebook.

Tshala Muana is considered the “Queen of Mutuashi”, a traditional music and dance from her native Kasai region.

She was famous for several songs such as Karibu Yangu, Malu and Tshianza.

She had toured widely overseas, won several awards on the national, continental and global scene and had recorded over 20 albums.

Her music also appeared in the soundtrack of the popular 1987 Congolese musical film La Vie est Belle and Aya of Yop City.

Muana, whose real name was Élisabeth

Tshala Muana Muidikay, was also often affectionately called “Mamu National”, which means the nation’s mother, for her vocal defence of the rights of women and children in the Congolese parliament.

Congolese people online have been mourning her death, including former presidential candidate, Seth Kikuni, who thanked her for her work and “great contribution to the Congolese culture”.

In June 2020 she was rumoured to have died, but was instead hospitalised after a stroke.

She was known to be a supporter of DR Congo’s ex-president Joseph Kabila and his party - the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD).

She was arrested in 2020 by President Félix Tshisekedi’s government, reportedly for her song “Ingratitude” which was believed to be critical of an unnamed leader.

Niger lawmakers want gay relationships criminalised

Agroup of lawmakers in Niger has backed a motion seeking to criminalise samesex relationships in the country.

The vast majority of Niger’s population is Muslim, but it has a secular government and there is currently no specific law on same-sex relationships.

The MPs say same-sex relationships are against the religious and cultural beliefs of the

people.

The proposal was presented to the Speaker of Parliament by Nana Djibou Harouna, a lawmaker from the southern region of Maradi.

She told a press conference on Thursday in the capital, Niamey, that the move was meant to protect the “rights and interest of the public”.

Mrs Haruna described homosexuality as a “problem affecting our society”.

She said they had carried out wide consultations and that the proposal had received the support of Nigerien citizens as well as nearly all MPs.

It’s not yet clear when the matter will be formally debated in parliament. It is also unclear what sort of punishment they want stipulated in the legislation.

The move comes just weeks after a court

in Maradi acquitted two young women of charges relating to lesbianism because there was no clear legislation criminalising same-sex relationship.

They were instead jailed for two years after being found guilty of posting their nude videos on social media in which they were seen allegedly in a lesbian ac

Source: BBC

Zineb Aklikim and Aziz Benyahya left their toddler to come to the World Cup

Ukraine war: US says Iran now Russia’s ‘top military backer’

Russia and Iran’s relationship has warmed to a fully fledged defence partnership, the US has said.

Russia is giving an unprecedented level of military support, says US national security council spokesman John Kirby.

The US has seen reports that the two countries are considering joint production of lethal drones, he adds.

It comes after Ukraine accused Iran of supplying Russia with “kamikaze” drones used in deadly attacks on 17 October, which Tehran initially denied.

The Middle Eastern country later admitted sending Moscow a limited number of drones, “many months” before the war.

In response, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said this was a lie and that many more Iranian drones were being used.

The Ukrainian air force said it downed 10 of 15 such drones used to attack southern regions in the early hours of Saturday.

The strikes left more than 1.5 million people without power in Odesa, Mr Zelensky said in his evening address, adding it could take days for electricity to be restored.

Earlier, Australia announced it was sanctioning three Iranians and one Iranian business for supplying Russia with drones to

use against Ukraine.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Kirby said that a partnership between Iran and Russia to produce drones would be harmful to Ukraine, Iran’s neighbours and the international community.

“Russia is seeking to collaborate with Iran in areas like weapons development, training,” he said, adding that the US fears that Russia intended to “provide Iran with advanced military components” including helicopters and air defence systems.

“Iran has become Russia’s top military backer...” he said. “Russia’s been using Iranian drones to strike energy infrastructure, depriving millions of Ukrainians of power, heat, critical services. People in Ukraine today are actually dying as a result of Iran’s actions.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in July.

In response to Mr Kirby’s comments, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that Iran had become one of Russia’s main military supporters and that the relationship between them was threatening global security.

The “sordid deals” between the two countries have seen Iran send hundreds of drones to Russia, he said.

“In return, Russia is offering military and technical support

to the Iranian regime, which will increase the risk it poses to our partners in the Middle East and to international security,” he added.

He said the UK agreed with the US that Iranian support for the Russian military would grow in the coming months as Russia tried to get hold of more weapons, including hundreds of ballistic missiles.

On Saturday, Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, said in a statement: “The supply of drones to Russia is evidence of the role Iran plays in destabilising global security. This listing highlights that those who provide material support to Russia will face consequences.” She also announced

measures against 19 other people and two entities, including Iran’s Morality Police, for the brutal treatment of anti-government protesters following the death of 22-yearold Mahsa Amini in custody earlier this year.

In other developments:

• Russia has turned the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut into “burnt ruins”, President Zelensky says, following months of deadly fighting in the eastern Donbas region

• The United Nations says Belarus will allow the transit of Ukrainian grain through its territory for export from Lithuanian ports

• The head of a Ukrainian human rights organisation that

was jointly awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize - Oleksandra Matviichuk of the Centre for Civil Liberties - has called on nations to set up an international tribunal to try Russian President

Vladimir Putin for Russia’s war in Ukraine

• Russian human rights activist Yan Rachinsky, from the organisation Memorial which was also awarded this year’s accolade, has told the BBC he was ordered to turn down the prize by Russian authorities.

• The International Olympic Committee says it will explore a proposal to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in sporting events in Asia - despite an international ban

South Korea: Parliament calls for minister to be dismissed over Halloween crush

South Korea’s parliament has passed a motion calling for the dismissal of the interior minister over the government’s response to the Itaewon crush.

Lee Sang-min has been facing mounting pressure to step down following the incident that killed 156 people and injured 152 others on 29 October.

The opposition-controlled assembly passed the motion on Sunday.

But President Yoon Suk-yeol is widely expected to reject calls for his minister’s resignation.

The Democratic Party has threatened to impeach the minister if the president rejects the motion, Yonhap News Agency reports.

The Interior Ministry oversees South Korea’s police, who have been criticised for their response to the incident in Itaewon, a popular nightlife district in Seoul with narrow streets and alleys filled with bars and restaurants.

The crush happened as crowds gathered to celebrate Halloween without restrictions for the first time since the start

of Covid.

Yoon Hee-keun, the country’s police chief, said the emergency response was “inadequate” and vowed a full investigation over what had happened.

Lee Sang-min also apologised in the National Assembly, saying: “It is very sad for me as a father who has a son and daughter… it is difficult to express in words how unreal this situation is, and it is difficult to accept this situation.”

Jimmy Lai, the billionaire Hong Kong media tycoon, has been sentenced to almost six years in prison for fraud.

A judge said Lai, found guilty of illegally subletting office space in October, felt no remorse.

The 75-year-old recently served time for taking part in a banned vigil last year for victims of China’s 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

His son stressed it was “disappointing” the UK was not doing more to help Lai, who holds British nationality.

In a separate statement, Sebastian Lai said his father done nothing wrong and had

already spent time in prison for “standing up for human rights”.

Lai faces the prospect of life behind bars due to a separate trial on national security charges.

Those proceedings had been due to begin on 1 December but were postponed at the request of Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu.

China has enforced its wide-

ranging national security law on the city of Hong Kong, making it easier to prosecute protesters.

The law has led to the arrests of many prominent democracy activists.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to China’s rule in 1997.

As well as being sentenced to five years and nine months, Lai was fined 2m Hong Kong

dollars (£209,535).

The leader of Mr Lai’s international legal team, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, said Lai was the victim of “lawfare”.

She said the multiple cases were “all designed to silence and discredit [Lai] and send a clear message to others that they should not dare to criticise the Chinese or Hong Kong authorities”.

Jimmy Lai has been in custody since December 2020. On Thursday, he celebrated his 75th birthday in prison. Under the national security law he could face the rest of his life in jail.

He had long been considered the number one target of the Beijing-imposed law. But that case has not even begun.

Today’s judge told the court that the sentence of five years and nine months was for a “simple case of fraud”.

But critics say the legal system has become a weapon to silence the political opposition.

Some say that the introduction of the national security law has spelt the end of the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Source: BBC

Ukraine has accused Iran of sending drones to Russia, which the Middle Eastern country denied then later admitted

Two police officers walk down an alley in Itaewon two days after the crush that killed 156 people

Education

Exam mslpractices: FG expresses concern over low conviction rate

By Maryam Abeeb

The Federal Government has expressed concern over poor number of convictions recorded in cases bordering on examination malpractice.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejoh, made this known in Abuja at a oneday sensitization workshop on examination malpractice in Nigeria organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO) in collaboration with the National Assembly.

Adejoh, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Education, Zubairu Abdullahi, said government at various times came up with laws to check the menace of exam malpractices which are yet to yield the desired result.

He listed some of the laws to include : “The decree 20 of 1984 prescribing 21 years imprisonment upon conviction and the amended Examination Malpractice Act of 1991 which seek five year jail term or a fine of N250, 000.

“ The effectiveness of these measures aare highly debatable more so that not many has gone to jail because of examination malpractices. I suggest we look into our laws.”

He, however, commended NECO and other exam bodies in the country for deploying technology to combat the menace, saying the move has recorded big success.

Also speaking at the event, which has its theme as : ‘The Role of Education Stakeholders in Tackling Malpractice in Nigeria,’ Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, said the workshop on malpractice began in Lagos and proceeded to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, before finally taking place in Abuja under the first phase of the campaign.

The NECO boss said the event was to sensitive stakeholders on the ills of malpractice, which he described as the biggest challenges bedeviling the conduct of public examinations in Nigeria.

“Examination malpractice has the tendency to discourage hard work among serious students, lowers educational standards, discredit certificates, and lead to the production of quacks, thereby affecting the

manpower needs of the nation.

“We must therefore take collective responsibility to rid them of this bad habit of wanting to cut corners,” he said.

On her part, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, lamented that examination malpractice is ruining the educational system of credibility.

“Examination malpractice is one practice that can completely ruin our education system of credibility. We therefore have a task to ensure that we rescue the soul of our educational system from the stretch hold of

examination malpractice.

“It is the responsibility of every stakeholder in the education sub sector of our national economy to rise to the challenge of arresting the monster called examination malpractice before it causes more damage to our educational system.

“Managers of the education subsector should ensure the culprits should be punished and those who did well should also be appreciated to encourage them. Law enforcement and anti-craft agencies should continue to lay their helping hands and step up support for the fight against examination malpractice,” she

said.

Also speaking, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, said some parents and schools are into the business of aiding and abetting exam malpractices, adding that such behaviour portends danger for the future of the country.

“In fact, the school authorities connive with others to carry out these acts. As we speak, in my constituency, schools are correcting between 50-60 thousand for those who want to register for WAEC or NECO. For WAEC, the exam fee is N18,000 but they are

collecting from N45, 000 to N60, 000.

“We need to design how we can bring these institutions down and sanctions must be very severe,” he said.

On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, expressed the readiness of the Nigeria’s armed forces to fully join in the fight against examination malpractice.

“The armed forces are fully with NECO in this fight. We must work the talk as exam malpractice can destroy many things in the country,” Irabor, represented by Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Muhammad Nagenu, said.

NUC has no hand in appointment of VC - Prof. Rasheed

By Maryam Abeeb

The Executive Secretary, National University Commission, has revealed that the commission has no hand in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors for universities in the country.

Rasheed, who made this known during an interactive section with newsmen in Abuja, explained that the appointment of VCs was wholly vested in the hands of board members of the

universities.

He also said that the Minister of Education or the President of the Federal Republic did not also have hands in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of any university.

Rasheed, however, said that the commission was collaborating with Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences (ICPC) to weed out illegal universities springing up in the system.

“We have set up a committee to look into that and I can tell you that we are doing a lot to end the ugly trend of the illegal universities,” he said.

Rasheed urged the public to assist in exposing such illegal universities, saying that the task of safeguarding the quality of the university system was not only that of the commission.

He said the commission was facing serious challenges from the universities, calling for concerted efforts to ensure that

the system continued to thrive.

Rasheed also said that industrial actions were the biggest threats to the nation’s universities’ calendars.

Rasheed decried: “There is hardly any two federal universities with the same academic calendar and this is caused by unions’ strikes.”

He, therefore, said that the commission had given vice-chancellors a directive to ensure that a semester lasts for not less than17 weeks.

On Saturday, 10th December, 2022, the Honourable Minister of Defense, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd) visited the stand of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, at the Kano International Trade Fair. L-R shows Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Maj. Gen. Magashi and Mr. Banji Ojo, Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs, NCC at the Fair.

The secrets shared by Afghan women

“My pen is the wing of a bird;

At times, voices of Afghan women rise from the streets of Kabul and other cities in small, loud, protests. Often, they ring out in speeches by women now far away, outside Afghanistan. But mostly, their thoughts are only expressed quietly, in safe places. Or they fester in their heads as they try to reconcile their lives with the increasingly rigid rules of the Taliban government. They restrict what women wear, where they work, what they can do, or not, with their lives.

In the months before the Taliban returned, in August 2021, 18 Afghan women writers wrote fictional stories, drawn from real lives, and published early this year in the book, My Pen is the Wing of a Bird. Many Afghan women felt let down and left alone by the international community. But these writers used their pens and phones to comfort each other and to reflect on issues now faced by millions of women and girls. Here, two writers in Kabul, with pen names Paranda and Sadaf, shared their thoughts written in secret.

‘Is a pink scarf a sin?’

“Today I woke up with determination. When I chose my clothes, I decided to wear a pink headscarf to fight with the black headscarf I wear daily... is it a sin to wear a pink headscarf?”

Paranda prefers to wear pink, to feel feminine. But what women choose to put on is now a battleground. Strict Taliban edicts on modesty are enforced, often forcefully. In this traditional society, Afghan women aren’t fighting against head-coverings - some just want their right to choose. You see it on the streets, in public spaces. A pink scarf. A sparkling trim. A little light in the dark.

‘We cannot go back’

“Going backwards is not easy. Going forward is also a big hassle, should I be hopeful or not? We cannot go back,” writes poet Hafizullah Hamim.

Afghan women have been leading the charge in rare public protests. Small brave crowds have taken to the streets in Kabul and other cities brandishing banners calling for “bread, work, freedom.” They’ve been forcibly dispersed, and detained. Some have disappeared in detention. Across the border, in Iran, it’s also the women leading calls for change with cries of “women, life, freedom” and a demand to end mandatory hijab. For Afghans, it’s the right of women to work, for girls to be educated.

‘Fear

moved in another direction. My fear turned to anger.”

It’s the unpredictability that is so hard. Some Taliban guards are aggressive, some more accepting. Women’s journeys are nerve jangling. For long distances over 72km (45 miles), a mahram - a male escort - is mandatory. Some Talibs invoke the rule at willsending women home on a whim.

‘Excitement of ice cream’

“The excitement of eating ice cream as a child is equal to the excitement of travelling to space as an adult.”

You often see queues at ice cream kiosks, crowds of women and children in cafes. These have become places to escape for a rare treat, a retreat. Now even public parks and women-only gyms and baths are off limits, “because women don’t observe hijab”, the strict dress code. All this means small spaces could get smaller still.

‘Engaged at 13’

“The public baths owner’s daughter has been engaged. It’s amazing. She’s only 13. Her mother says the Taliban will never re-open schools, let her go to her home of luck... it seems that little girl is me... I was in despair the first time the Taliban arrived. I also accepted a forced marriage... the wounds still haven’t healed... but I got up from the ashes and stood up.”

It’s repression on repeat. Afghan women recall, painfully, 1990s Taliban rule which also ended their education. Paranda, like many others, seized opportunities when the regime was toppled in 2001 - like going to school or getting divorced. A new generation of schoolgirls has grown up with even bigger dreams. Their pain is profound as their schools stay shut.

‘Words men use against women’

“I had used social media but now I have locked my lips. I’m upset with my society, the naked words men use against women. I believe the roots of Afghan women’s problems are not the governments which change and bring new rules… it is the evil thoughts of men toward women.”

Afghan regimes come and go; patriarchy stays put. Afghan women have long lived with limits set by men. But advances of recent years are reversing - with what the UN describes as “staggering repression”. It has a knock-on effect - reinforcing conservative family norms which keep women and girls under wraps.

‘Believe a good country will come’

turns to anger’

‘’The Taliban guard stopped our office car, he pointed at me… my heart beat faster, my body shook. It felt as if a wind was blowing across me... when our car moved away, it felt like the wind

“I must write about what is happening. There are so few media now… I believe that, someday, Afghanistan will be a very good country for women and girls. It will take time. But it will happen.”

Paranda is a pen name - it means bird. Women like her, especially educated women in the cities, refuse to be caged. Many

have fled. Many still hope to. Small crowds bravely protest. Even in remote corners of the country, I’ve met illiterate women seething inside about their prison-like life.

‘Write to heal’

hopeless people,” writes Sadaf.

A writer’s life anywhere can be fraught with doubt and fear. For Afghan women, it is especially so - to find safe quiet corners to write, to forge a sense of self and purpose. Being published in “My Pen is the Wing of a Bird” gave new life to their words.

“One of the students introduced the book in beautiful words, and the best part was when she mentioned my name. All my students cheered for me. I write this as the most pleasant memory of my life.”

‘I am the breadwinner’

“My belief tells me I should not worry about money as God may have something better for me. But God knows why I am worried. We are a family of 10, and I am the only breadwinner. I did not earn much better in the last Republic and it isn’t good in this Islamic Emirate.”

Women’s work hasn’t been wiped away. Some female doctors, nurses, teachers, policewomen are still in their jobs, mainly working with women and girls. Some businesswomen are still in business - but there’s a crushing economic crisis. And doors have been slammed shut for women in most government ministries. With girls’ high schools closed, the link between women and work is being severed.

‘You are strong’

“I said, ‘No, no! I cannot commit suicide.’ I comforted myself, saying, ‘Maybe you don’t want to live. Still, your suicide will affect many other lives. Please be kind to them, you are strong, everything will be fine, you can make it. This too shall pass.’”

It’s a whisper you hear everywhere. Suicide attemptsespecially among young women - are reported to be on the rise, but it’s hard to confirm. Families keep their secrets. Public hospitals are told to hide any proof. A UN agency tells me when they meet women in the provinces, this issue comes up. Forced marriages of young girls blocked from school is cited as a cause.

‘When will this end?’

“How can we be normal and not become crazy? How much pain can we tolerate? Finally, my heart accepts that this land has faced everything inhumane and cruel. But when will this end?”

More than one generation now has only known war - it’s been more than four decades. The country lurches from one conflict to the next. Afghans keep daring to dream the next chapter will be better than the last. It’s a story which never seems to end.

‘Sparkles of hope’

“I sprinkle sparkles of hope on the surface of my heart… There is a fire within me. There is a spirit within me telling me to fight. I have to hope the law of nature will send its orders in these dark days to change this darkness to a set of lights.”

Source: BBC

it will tell you those thoughts we are not allowed to think, those dreams we are not allowed to dream.”

“Write! Why are you scared? Who you are afraid of? ... Maybe your writing can heal someone’s soul… Your pen becomes the support of someone’s broken arms and brings a little hope to some

The pen name Paranda means ‘bird’

Paranda walks down the street wearing her pink scarf

Checkpoint in Mazar-i-Sharif

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2) OBUMNEME GABRIEL UCHENNA – NEWLY APPOINTED

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION 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

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE PROBATE DIVISION

WHEREAS the person whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date place stated in the said in the column.

AND WHEREAS the person(s) whose name (s) and address(s) and relation(s) to the deceased are set out in the second column hereto has/have applied to the High Court of Justice, Nasarawa State for the grant of Letters of Administration of the Real and personal properties/estate of the said deceased.

NOTICE: IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letter of Administration (without will) will be granted to such applicant/applicants unless a “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant is file in this Registry within Twenty- One (21) days from the date hereof.

NAME OF DECEASED PERSON

Angbazo Bala Abine late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 13th day of July, 2022 at Abuja Ndene Auta John late of Keffi, Died on the 12th day of July, 2022 at Keffi Samuel Alkali late of Nakuse Died on the 11th day of March, 2022 at Nasarawa

Abdullahi Ahmad Odula late of Lafia, Died on the 19th day of November, 2022 at Lafia

Adamu Tanimu late of Keffi- Wambai, Died on the 28th day of June, 2019 at Keffi- Wambai Hassan Habiba Tunga late of Nasarawa, Died on the 3rd day of October, 2022 at Nasarawa

Adamu Abdullahi Ngume late of Jinibol, Wamba, Died on the 26th day of August, 2022 at Akwanga Dauda Mary late of Toto, Died on the 24th day of November, 2020 at Toto

Mailafia Baba Bashayi late of Lafia, Died on the 11th day of September, 2022 at Lagos Dauda C. Godiya late of Akwanga, Died on the 22nd day of July, 2022 at Akwanga.

Lucy Rifkatu Molta late of Mararaba, Died on the 23rd day of July, 2015 at Mararaba

Ali Abubakar late of Doma, Died on the 14th day of January, 2022 at Lafia Ogwole Moses late of Ankani, Died on the 3rd day of October, 2022 at Lafia

Ayuba Magayki late of Akwanga, Died on the 2nd day of October, 2022 at Akwanga Bashayi Yahuza S. late of Lafia, Died on the 15th day of November, 2022 at Lafia

Cletus Anthony Goshit late of Kuwar, Died on the 28th day of July, 2021 at Kumari, Awe Magaji Samuel late of Abioga, Lafia, Died on the 8th day of November, 2022 at Nasarawa Okafor Sylverlyn late of Lafia, Died on the 19th day of February, 2021 at Lafia Yusufu Yashan Esau late of Akwanga, Died on the 24th day of April, 2022 at Akwanga Mohammed Yahaya late of Mama, Died on the 26th day of September, 2011 at Akwanga

SCHEDULE

NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES) OF APPLICANT

Angbazo James Akanzi of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Son of the said deceased.

John Ndene Auta of Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased

Samuel Julus Shekwonyadu of Nakuse the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Lubabatu Salihu of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased

Saidu Ahamdu of Keffi-Wambai the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Abubakar Salamatu Danjuma of Lafia the lawful Daughter of the said deceased

Abdullahi Fatima Adamu & Monday Usman Ngume both of Akwanga the lawful Daughter & Cousin of the said deceased.

Kure Silas Salasi of Toto, the lawful Son of the said deceased

Baba Augustine of Lafia the lawful Brother of the said deceased.

Godiya Philip Chunjama of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased

Molta Mattithiah Use-yamba of Karu the lawful Daughter of the said deceased

Abubakar Habiba & Jibrin Zainab Abubakar both of Doma the lawful Widows of the said deceased Moses Isaiah Ogwole of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Ayuba Sunday Magayaki of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased

Yahuza Musa Bashayi, Yahuza Abdul Bashayi & Yahuza Musa Bashayi both of Lafia the lawful Sons of the said deceased

Godfrey Longdet of Awe the lawful Brother of the said deceased.

Samuel Daddi Alawu of Abioga the lawful Son of the said deceased

Okafor-Jude Maxwell Okechukwu of Lafia the lawful Brother of the said deceased.

Lydia E. Yusuf of Akwanga the lawful Widow of the said deceased.

Mohammed Masud of Mama, the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Fabian Oboshi Mary late of Lafia, Died on the 19th day of April, 2022 at Obi Ewuga Joel late of Lafia, Died on the 28th day of March, 2022 at Lafia Umar Ibrahim late of Wamba, Died on the 28th day of March, 2022 at Wamba Nneke Sunday Levi late of Lafia, Died on the 4th day of October, 2022 at Otukpo Salihu Usman late of Loko, Died on the 11th day of August, 2022 at Loko

Simon Oliver Ejiofor late of Wamba, Died on the 14th day of February, 2022 at Wamba Otuwose Job late of Lafia, Died on the 20th day of October, 2021 at Jos Danladi Makulu late of Lafia, Died on the 19th day of July, 2022 at Lafia Allubin Ezekiel Engom late of Atamala, Died on the 25th day of December, 2020 at Akwanga Kasimu Obile late of Akwanga, Died on the 11th day of July, 2022 at Nassarawa Eggon Ogngu Simon Aerem late of Giza, Died on the 27th day of January, 2020 at Makurdi Ahmadu Adamu late of Akwanga Died on the 30th day of November, 2022 at Akwanga Alaku Abdullahi Galle late of Nassaraw Eggon, Died on the 25th day of November, 2022 at Lafia

Chizoba Patience Febian of Azara, the lawful Sister of the said deceased

Joel Godwi Ewuga of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Yusuf Halima & Umar Yahaya both of Wamba the lawful Widow & Son of the said deceased respectively.

Thersa Nweke & Nweke Joseph Anayo both of Lafia the lawful Widow & brother of the said deceased respectively

Usmn Jamila & Abubakar Fatima both of Loko the lawful Widows of the said deceased.

Odo Blessing Ngozi of Wamba the lawful Widow of the said deceased

Luku Justina & Happiness Obadiah both of Lafia the lawful Widow & Daughter of the said deceased respectively John Mercy & John Patience both of Lafia the lawful Widows of the said deceased

Ezekiel Obin of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Son of the said deceased

Bitrus Talatu & Kasimu Gift both of Akwanga the lawful Widow & Daughter of the said deceased

Orngu Terkura of Giza the lawful Son of the said deceased

Adamu Friday of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Abdullahi Aishatu Alaku, Farida Abdullahi Alaku & Mamuda Abdullahi Alaku all of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Widow, Daughter & Son of the said deceased respectively.

REPUBLICATION

REPUBLICATION

Sanda Umbugala late of Angwan Tudu, Died on the 31st day of September, 2022 at Angwan Tudu Abubakar Umar late of Lafia, Died on the 9th day of March, 2018 at Lafia Kutsum Joshua Kaduna late of Lafia, Died on the 19th day of February, 2022 at Lafia Adeka Elizabeth Habibatu late of Keffi, Died on the 10th day of September, 2021 at Keffi

(Esther M. Ejeh. Esq.) PROBATE REGISTRAR NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA, LAFIA

Isah Danlami Umbugula & Isa Umbugula Akolo both of Karu the lawful Sons of the said deceased.

Mohammed Kaltumi Yusuf of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased.

Anjugu Joshua of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased.

Yusuf Rukaiya Adeka of Lafia the lawful Daughter of the said deceased.

World Cup 2022: Messi, France, Morocco’s history-makers - the themes of the semi-finals

Saturday’s defeat by France means the World Cup dream is over for England.

But four teams - Argentina, Croatia, France and Morocco - remain in Qatar, each still hoping to lift the trophy in a week’s time.

It is a semi-final line-up few could have predicted, but one with plenty of intriguing storylines which could play out over the coming days...

Is this Messi’s moment?

The most obvious semi-final subplot surrounds Lionel Messi and whether the Argentina superstar can win the World Cup for the first time.

Messi has had a glittering career, winning 10 Spanish league titles, another in France, four Champions Leagues, the 2021 Copa America and a record seven Ballon d’Or awards - given to the world’s best player each year.

But, unlike other all-time greats such as Brazil’s Pele or Argentina’s Diego Maradona, the 35-year-old has not been able to win the sport’s biggest prize.

It is 36 years since Argentina, runnersup in 2014 with Messi, were led by Maradona to their last World Cup win.

Could Messi repeat the feat - and in doing so perhaps secure his legacy as the

greatest of them all?

Fifa World Cup: Schedule and route to the final World Cup TV coverage guide

More to cheer for Morocco?

Morocco have already made history.

They are the first African team, and the first Arab side from a country with a Muslim majority, to reach a semi-final of a World Cup.

Despite having an experienced squad with a number of high profile players, such as Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Paris StGermain’s Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions have defied expectation to reach this stage.

They topped a group including Croatia and Belgium, before beating Spain in the last 16 and Portugal in the quarter-finals, and will now want to go one further.

Their success has been built around their steely defence and relentless workrate. No opposition player has scored against Morocco so far in Qatar - they have conceded just once, an own goal against Canada.

They have also been one of the most passionately supported teams during the tournament.

Organisers have said this World Cup is not just about Qatar, but is for the Middle East region and Muslims as a whole. Could

they have more to cheer on Tuesday?

Can France go back to back?

But standing in Morocco’s way are another of Europe’s best sides, France.

Les Bleus are trying to do what no-one has managed since Brazil 60 years ago in 1962 - successfully defend the men’s World Cup.

In fact, in recent years the holders have struggled. Italy, Spain and Germany have all exited early as reigning champions over the past 12 years but France have banished that curse.

Saturday’s win over England meant they became the first defending champions since Brazil, in 1998, to reach the semi-final.

Manager Didier Deschamps, though, is concentrating on Morocco.

“You’re getting ahead of yourself,” he said, when asked about the prospects of a second final in a row.

Could Croatia do it again?

We could yet have a repeat of the 2018 final, if France beat Morocco and Croatia can see off Argentina.

Croatia are back in the last four after another incredible show of resilience.

They beat Denmark and Russia on penalties en route to the final four years ago

and this year have come through shootouts against Japan and Brazil.

It is 24 years since they last won a World Cup knockout game in 90 minutes - a 3-0 win over Germany in the 1998 quarterfinals.

Croatia’s efforts this year have been even more remarkable given their midfield maestro Luka Modric is now 37.

Despite the extra minutes, he has looked as good as ever.

Argentina, who lost 3-0 to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup group stage, will know not to underestimate them.

How to follow the semi-finals

France v Morocco, which kicks off at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, will be shown live on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK.

Argentina v Croatia, at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday, will be on ITV.

Commentaries on both games will also be on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sounds app, while there will be live text commentary with clips, analysis and social media reaction on the BBC Sport website and app.

Vote - who will win the 2022 World Cup?

If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote.

World Cup 2022: England players arrive home after France quarter-final defeat

England: ‘A brutal outcome as Three Lions exit feels even more painful’

England manager Gareth Southgate and his players nursed a familiar sense of missed opportunity as that elusive major tournament triumph escaped them once more.

Watching the post-match scene at the Al Bayt Stadium brought flashbacks - to the World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia in Moscow in 2018, to the European Championship final loss to Italy at Wembley 16 months ago.

Amid the pain of their latest defeat, Southgate offered consolation to devastated England players who inspired hope, only to see potential glory wrenched from their grasp.

A 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss to holders France, here in Qatar, was a brutal outcome. England’s display deserved at least to drag the game into extra time.

Perhaps this is why it felt different, even more painful, for England this time. A genuine opportunity to win this World Cup had opened up for Southgate’s team, an emerging blend of youth and experience.

Anguish for Kane on night he equals England scoring record Southgate ‘needs time’ to decide England future Fifa World Cup: Schedule and route to the final Fifa World Cup semi-finals TV coverage details

The prize for the winners here was a semi-final against Morocco. And for all the World Cup surprise packages have to offer, their brilliant defending and potent counter-attacking style, England would have gone into that match as hot favourites to make next weekend’s final in Lusail.

This is why Southgate clasped Harry Kane’s face in his hands and offered words of consolation; the captain’s uncharacteristically wild late penalty had been England’s best chance to force extra time.

Kane’s tearful expression revealed what a cruel game this can be; his was the face of a man shouldering the responsibility after giving England so much. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made his way down the length of the pitch to offer more comfort to the desolate captain.

The old question will be asked as to why England cannot force their way past elite opposition at major tournaments. But on this occasion, at least, there can be no complaints about the approach.

Southgate spoke of “fine margins” - and they proved decisive. One team took their chances and the other could not. England had no cause for reproach about their efforts.

In the past, England have been justifiably criticised for timid World Cup and Euro exits, and Southgate has not been immune from that - but

this was not the case here.

Southgate, who gazed to the skies in disappoinment at the final whistle, refused to alter his line-up or formation, or opt for conservatism in an attempt to combat Kylian Mbappe. France’s superstar always carried the hint of menace but England managed to keep him relatively subdued.

England had the majority of the chances but fell foul to France’s more clinical finishing, accompanied by some justified frustration with Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.

The official appeared to miss two fouls on Bukayo Saka by Dayot Upamecano in the build-up to Aurelien Tchouameni’s 17th-minute strike, the start of an erratic display, but England were deservedly level shortly after the break when Kane rammed a spot-kick past Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris after a foul on Saka.

England had the force with them and Harry Maguire’s header glanced the outside of the post. So near.

While they could not beat Lloris, danger lurked. And so it proved when 36-year-old Olivier Giroud, having just been denied superbly by Pickford, stole in ahead of Harry Maguire to head in Antoine Griezmann’s cross with only 12 minutes left.

And then came Kane’s penalty miss.

England have suffered penalty pain before in World Cups and Euros. Here it was again, only in a different form - inside the regulation 90 minutes

instead of in a shootout.

Was it the fact it was a second penalty against a keeper who knows him so well? Was it simply the pressure of the situation, even for such a consummate penalty expert? Whatever the reason, Kane’s penalty was awful, skied into disbelieving England fans behind the goal.

It was all over. England were coming home early again.

So how will this campaign be reflected upon?

The irony is that while a quarterfinal exit represents a regression from the last-four place achieved in 2018, this squad carries much more promise for the future than the one in Russia.

Saka and Declan Rice were truly outstanding and while Bellingham and Phil Foden were not as influential as in previous games, especially against Senegal, this quartet will be an integral part of England’s long-term future.

The arguments will be pushed forward that England won against those they should have beaten and lost to the first elite team they met but this was a different performance to those that have fallen into that category before. Southgate’s team were not hiding behind the door here. They were the primary attacking force. Their fault was a failure to take chances.

Kane’s penalty was the decisive moment. This was a night when it was not to be for this high-class striker. He was denied twice by Lloris in the first

half, once at his feet and then again from a deflected long-range effort. He may be level with Rooney’s record but history must wait for another day.

England were impressive against Iran, Wales and Senegal but drab against the USA. Their 13 goals came from eight different players. It was their highest number at a World Cup.

Sadly, other statistics do not make as comfortable reading.

England have been knocked out of the World Cup quarter-finals seven times, more than any other country. Kane’s penalty record for his country is not perfect - 17 conversions from 21. What he and England would have given for that to read 18.

There are elements of a bright future for England - but will their manager be part of it?

The Football Association would like Southgate to serve every day of the contract that takes him to December 2024 but ultimately the decision rests with him. Will he feel a three-tournament span is enough? Will he want another crack at club management?

He was keeping his counsel as he told BBC Sport: “These tournaments take a lot out of you and I need a bit of time to reflect. We’ve done that after every tournament and I think that’s the right thing to do.”

Once again, England and Southgate will be reflecting on what might have been, as a very good chance to win the World Cup slipped agonisingly through their clutches.

Outgoing president withdraws to the sidelines

By Eric Teniola

Alot has been said about the Steve Oronsaye’s report. I doubt whether President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR will implement any part of that report before handing over on 29th May, 2023.

A lot too, has been said about the report on 2014 National Conference but not much has been said on the 1999 Ahmed Joda’s Report on Streamlining and Rationalisation of Poverty Alleviation Institutions and Agencies. The Ahmed Joda’s Report is equally as important as the Steve Oronsaye’s Report.

The Ahmed Joda’s Panel was set up in June 1999 by President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR. The Panel was charged with the responsibility of reviewing the factors responsible for ineffective and inefficient performance of the existing establishments and making recommendations that will ensure the Government’s success in executing programmes to eradicate poverty and raise the standard of living of Nigerians.

The Chairman of the Panel was Alhaji Ahmed Joda(13 February, 1930-13 August 2021). He was a long time friend of President Obasanjo. He had his education at the Yola Elementary School, Yola Middle School, Kaduna College, 1945-1948, Pitman’s College, London, 19541956; joined Nigerian Broadcasting Service, 1956-1960, senior assistant secretary, later Permanent Secretary, Northern Nigerian Public Service, 1962-1967 and Permanent Secretary , Federal Government, 1967-1978.

The panel was inaugurated on July 22, 1999 by the then Secretary to the Government of Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette CFR (19392019). Other members of the panel were Mrs Funlayo Adebo-Kiencke, Dr Attahiru Jega, Engr. Chike Madueke, Dr. Peter Ogbang, Mallam Oumar Shittien, Alhaji Adamu Yakubu while Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu was the Secretary to the panel.

The resource persons that helped the panel were Dr Magaji B. Mahmoud, Dr. (Mrs) Evelyn Onyeozili, Dr. M.S. Kallah, Dr. Abubakar Lamorde, Dr. Ephraim Madu, Engr. A. Liman, Engr. Willy Achukwu, Hajiya Talatu Bashir, Chief (Mrs) Bisi Ogunleye, Mr. Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Prince Lekan Fadina and Mr. S. O. Eloho of the National Planning Commission.

The next President must take a look on the Panel’s Report on Streamlining and Rationalisation of Poverty Alleviation Institutions and Agencies.

The Panel has identified Ministries and 18 Institutions/Agencies that have Mandate directly on poverty alleviation. It has also identified some other institutions that complement the activities of the core poverty alleviation Agencies.

In discharging the responsibility entrusted to it, the Panel used various strategies of data gathering, which include literature review, courtesy calls on State Governors, discussions with officials of State Governments; and project verification visits to States. They also include dialogue with non- Governmental Organisations(NGOs) and International Donor Agencies (IDAs), and a parley with Chief Executives of Federal Government’s poverty alleviation institutions.

The panel recommended that the ultimate goal of Government in dealing with the problem of poverty in Nigeria should be the eradication of absolute poverty in Nigeria, which is achievable, and has been promoted by the United Nations Orgnisation since the World Social Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1995. In this regard, the Panel recommended the establishment of an appropriate machinery for coordinating the activities of all agencies, as well as promoting complementation between the activities of the Federal and State Governments. All with a view to achieving the goal of eradicating absolute poverty..

I also doubt whether the President will implement any part of that report before May 29th, 2023.

The 2014 National Conference was inaugurated by President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR on 17 March 2014 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Conference was headed by retired Chief Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi from Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State in the MiddleBelt Region of Nigeria.

Other Principal Officers were the Vice Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi who is from Ilesa, Osun State in the South-West Region of Nigeria, while the Secretary was Dr Valerie Azinge SAN from Ukehi near Nsukka in Enugu State in the South-East Region of Nigeria.

Following a plenary session that lasted for weeks, the Conference was broken into 20 committees that included Public Finance and Revenue among others.

All 20 committees indeed submitted their reports and they deliberated upon at the conference.

The main Committees were: Devolution of Power Committee, Political Restructuring and Forms of Government National Security; Environment; Politics and Governance; Law,Judiciary,Human Rights and Legal Reform. Social Welfare; Transportation; Agriculture; Society, Labour and Sports; Public Service; Electoral Matters, Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters, Land Tenure Matters and National Boundary. Trade and Investment Committee, Energy; Religion; Public Finance and Revenue Generation, Science, Technology and Development Immigration.

Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi GCON (31 December 1939-21 October 2018) had his education at the Elementary School, Kutigi, 1946-1951, Middle School Bida, 1952-1953, Provincial Secondary School, Bida, 1954-1959, Government College, Zaria, 1960-1961, Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1962-1963, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, England, 19631964, Inns of Court School of Law, London, 1963-1965, Gibson and Weldon College of Law, London, 1964-1965, called to the Bar, Nigeria, July 1966; pupil state counsel, Northern Nigeria, 1966-1968, state counsel North Western State, 1968-1971, senior state counsel, 1971-1973, Principal, state counsel, North Western State, 1973-1974, deputy solicitor general, North Western State, 1974-1975, deputy director, Public Prosecution, April-October, 1975, Chief Registrar, High Court, North Western State, 1975-1976, solicitor general and Permanent Secretary, Nigeria state, April-October 1976, Judge, High Court, 1976, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Niger state, 1976, later appointed Judge, Federal Court of Appeal, 1980. He was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court in 1992 and appointed Chief Justice of the Federation in 2002 by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Other members of the National Conference included Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Senator Musa Adede, Mr. James Akpandem, Chief Sola Ebisieni, Barrister Musa Salihu, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf, Chief Olu Falae, Justice Adamu Aliyu, former Inspector General of Police, Muhammadu Jambo Gimeta, Justice Peter Akere, Mr Femi Falana(SAN), Mr. Bisi Adegbuyi, Abubakar Adamu Chika, Mr. Supo Sasore SAN, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, former Chairman of THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER, Mr. Niyi Akintola, SAN, Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, Chief Olusola Akamode, Justice Mamman Nasir, Chief Ken Nnamani, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief (Mrs) Tokunbo Dosunmu Awolowo, Professor Akin Oyebode, Professor (Mrs) Bisi Aina, Bishop Felix Ajakaye, General Anthony Ukpo(rtd), Senator Jack Tilley Gyado, Chief D.S.P. Alamieyesigha, Professor Dora Akunyili, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Professor A.B.C. Nwosu, Senator Adolphus Wabara, General Alani Akinrinnade, Obong Victor Attah, Justice

G.A. Oguntade, Dr. Segun Aina, Mr. John Dara, Dr. Amos Akingba, Senator Femi Okunronmu, Sir Olanihun Ajayi, Mr. Ray Ekpo, Mr. Lanre Ogundipe, Alhaji Mohammed Sanni Zoro, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Dr. Olisa Agbakogba, SAN, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Mr. Akin Arikawe, His Royal Highness, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapaha, Lamido of Adamawa, Daisy Danjuma, Chief Afe Babalola, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, Chief Richard Akinjide and others too numerous to mention.

If Steve Oronsaye’s report, the Ahmed Joda’s Report and the Report on the 2014 National Conference have been implemented by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, the country would have been in a better position today.

The Steve Oronsaye’s Panel was set up in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan GCFR. The committee submitted an 800-page report on April 16, 2012, which recommended the abolition and merger of 102 government agencies and parastatals, while some were listed to be self-funding.

On August 21 this year, the Federal Government received a report from the Ebele Okeke Committee that was constituted to draft a White paper on the Amal Pepple Committee report on new Parastals, Agencies and Commissions created between 2012 and 2021.

Members of the Panel included: Japh CT Nwosu; Rabiu D. Abubakar; Salman Mann; Hamza A. Tahir; Adetunji Adesunkanmi ; and Umar Mohammed (Member/Secretary).

The White paper Drafting Committee had Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (Chairman) and many top government functionaries such as: Ms. Ama Pepple, Minister of Land, Housing/Urban Development; Alhaji Isa Bello Sali, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Chief Emeka Wogu, then Minister of Labour and Productivity; Mrs Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communication Technology; and Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission.

Others were: Dr A. J. Awosika, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power; Engr. Emeka Eze, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement; Dr. Ochi C. Achinuvu, Senior Special Assistant, Economic Matters, Office of the COS to the President; and Mr. Femi Olayisade, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (OSGF) who served as member/secretary.

Mr Stephen Osagiede Oronsaye (72) is a childhood friend and classmate of John Abebe at the Saint Gregory’s College, Obalende Lagos.

His parents were from Uhunmwonde and Oredo Local Council Areas in Edo State. Oronsaye trained with the firm of Peat Marwick Cassleton Elliot (1973–1978), and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1978. He became a Partner of the firm in 1989. He joined the Federal Ministry of Finance in December 1995, as Director, Special Duties. Mr. Oronsaye was responsible for the merger of the Administrative and Accounting functions of the offices of the State House, computerisation of processes and procedures of the State House, Personnel records, Accounts and Access controls for the offices.

In 1999, Mr. Oronsaye was appointed Principal Secretary to President Olusegun Obasanjo, a position equivalent to Federal Permanent Secretary. He was later confirmed as Permanent Secretary, State House. In 2006, Oronsaye headed the committee on the review of the Civil Service Rules and Financial Regulations.

He was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance on 20 August 2008.

Mr. Stephen Oronsaye was appointed Head of the Nigerian Civil Service in June 2009.

In government there is no vacuum. And as Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR(6 March 1909- 9 May 1987) once said government is a continuity.

If President Buhari fails to act on these reports, a future President may act.

Regrettably, it looks as if President Muhammadu Buhari’s Central Government has closed shop and proceeded on a long vacation long before elections are held and long before the new President is sworn-in on May 29, 2023. In short the Central Government has gone to sleep and abandoned us to our fate. We are not likely to have an effective government before May 29, 2023. And that is if the elections are held in February and the results of the elections are accepted by both the winners and the losers. What we are witnessing is nothing but photo opportunities by the President. I think the real work is missing.

Right now political campaigns have taken over and we are seeing less of governance. It should not be so, for the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari ends on May 29, 2023 and not before.

The signals we are getting, shows that we are being treated like orphans. No one is attempting to rescue us. This is very sad. Our leadership does not care about what we do or what we are going through. There seems to be no compassion. He has disconnected from us. Although his poor aides tell us that it is not true but we are convinced that it is true. No tenderness. Just mere aloofness and indifference. We are just being slighted and disregarded.

Almost eight years ago we queued under rain and sun to elect a President who will ameliorate our problems. Almost four years ago we did the same. What we are getting in return now is beyond imagination. We are being ignored and our problems keep increasing and no one is coming to our aid. A beautiful country of over 200 million people has been abandoned. The level of insecurity is mounting, poverty is on the rise, institutions have broken down, all that we get in return is for the Central Government to slam its doors on us. Our numbers of displaced persons are increasing day by day.

When the floods took over Bayelsa, Anambra, Kogi, Rivers, Benue, Delta, Jigawa, Zamfara and even Edo states, a simple Presidential visit to those areas was missing.

Inspite of our present tribulations, we expect a bright tomorrow, All will be well.

From my experience, no matter how short a tenure is, a determined leader can still do something.

General Murtala Mohammed GCFR (8 November 1938 – 13 February 1976) was in power between July 30, 1975 and February 13, 1976, left a lasting legacy within such a short tenure. He refused to fold his arms and faced the challenges, although he made some mistakes, but he accomplished a lot. We benefitted from his tenure. As of today, he is a reference point in terms of leadership.

In the Presidential System of Government we are operating today, the Nigerian Presidency is the centre of all actions. He or she is the only one who can call the shots. If he or she fails to lead, no one else will. Everything rests on Nigerian Presidency in Nigeria. If he or she fails, the country fails.

To me, the leader must lead and the leader alone must show the way. The greatest leader must mobilize others by coalescing people around a shared vision. The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men, the conviction, and the will to carry on (Walter Lippman). One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency (Arnold Glasow). Leadership is about vision and responsibility, not power (Seth Berkley). Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing. The leader has to be practical, and a realist yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist (Eric Hoffer). Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems (Brian Tracy).

PEOPLES DAILY

DSS riot act versus fuel scarcity racketeers

Captain Harry Kane said England would use their defeat by France to be “mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge” as they headed home from the World Cup in Qatar.

England were beaten 2-1 in the quarter-finals, with Kane missing an 84th-minute penalty, having earlier equalled England’s scoring record of 53 goals.

Gareth Southgate’s side left their hotel in Al Wakrah before their flight home.

“Absolutely gutted,” said Kane.

Writing on social media, the Tottenham forward added: “We’ve given it everything and it’s come down to a small detail which I take responsibility for. There’s no hiding from it, it hurts and it’ll take some time to get over it but that’s part of sport.

“Now it’s about using the experience to be mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge. Thanks for all the support throughout the tournament - it means a lot.”

Speaking about Kane’s penalty miss, former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live: “That’s the life of a centre-forward. You put yourself in those positions and it will haunt Harry for the rest of his life.”

England departed their hotel in Qatar at about 12:30pm local time and landed at Birmingham Airport on Sunday evening.

Players waved to fans gathered outside the hotel as they boarded a coach, with midfielder Jude Bellingham taking the time to sign memorabilia.

The Department of State Services, DSS, does not speak too frequently to the public. Whenever it does, it is usually about a subject requiring urgent public attention in defence of security and public peace, or to draw attention to some social threats. The service also speaks on matters relating to security of the Head of State and members of his family. Mr Peter Afunanya, PhD, the spokesman of the DSS usually takes up such responsibilities. Afunanya often comes across as a warm individual. I usually sit up whenever he appears on the TV delivering a speech or addressing a press conference on certain declassified issues meant for public consumption. He rarely laughs, but at the same time his likable personality invites friendship. But that cannot be taken for granted. He is frank, calm and deep, and drives home his point in clear and unambiguous language laden with native intelligence. This approach is understandable because he addresses sensitive state matters requiring precision and accuracy. As journalists and members of the fourth estate of the realm of governance, we are obligated by Section 22 of the Constitution to report on society, the DSS inclusive, to contribute to discourse on national peace and cohesion, and social security as core components of democratization.

By the way, the three statutory arms of Government are the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The constitutional role of the legislature is to make laws for the good governance, peace and security of the country. The legislature is also mandated to carry out oversight functions on the Executive. The executive arm of government implements the laws made by the legislature while the Judiciary interprets the laws and prescribes punishment for offenders. The media is constitutionally required to criticize the law and hold to account the other three arms of Government. Criticism here does not mean to run down or to backbite, No. It means to assess, to evaluate and to interrogate the three arms of goverment on behalf of the public.This watchdog role of the media is however not absolute. It is qualified and must be done in accordance with the law. For instance, the media does not have the absolute right to unduly disparage anybody, or to deliberately lie against anyone.

Any person aggrieved by offensive media report has a right also to recover in law and claim damages under the laws of defamation or of tort, and in some cases of

Monday Column

By Hameed M. Bello, PhD

criminal law when the defamation is committed against the state. Defamation could be in the form of libel when written words defame an individual(s). Defamation could also be in the form of slander when spoken words in radio and television defame an individual(s). A serious defamation against the state is sedition, while defamation of a religious nature could be blasphemy. Defamation against morality could be called obscenity, and any indirect defamation which makes diagonal infringement against a person’s right could be referred to as innuendo. As for innuendo, the onus of proof lies on the plaintiff or complainant, that the alleged offensive comment published referred to him, and indeed exposes him to ridicule or hatred in the eyes of right thinking members of the public.

The separation of powers and functions of the three arms of Government earlier mentioned, and the checks and balances that follow are to guarantee that no arm of government usurps or tramples upon the functions of another. When that happens, just as it could within agencies and other organs of government, the media is expected to highlight it to prompt a correction.

The DSS has always been a critical and integral part of the National Security drive of President Muhammadu Buhari administration. It is more so under the current Director General, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, a calm and unassuming spymaster. The secret police has done pretty well in several joint operations with the military and the Paramilitary services. This synergy is the reason we hear of repeated casualties in the war against terrorism across the country. We must give kudos to our gallant officers and men of the security and intelligence

community who sacrifice daily to keep the civil populace secured.

Dr Afunanya last Thursday spoke on a subject that affects all Nigerians whether in the rural or in the urban areas. It is the lingering scarcity of fuel. Afunanya conveyed a stern warning after a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, to the fuel scarcity racketeers who are behind persistent scarcity of fuel across the country despite availability of the product. This has plunged the country in chaotic queues that have become, in the opinion of the DSS, a matter of security concern. He read the riot act and gave them a 48 hours ultimatum to end the scarcity. The DSS spokesman said that the Service decided to act in national interest as it would not fold Its arms to allow some individuals or group of persons to destabilize the country through hoarding of fuel.

He said that during the meeting, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited disclosed that it had about 1.9bn litres of PMS in stock which would last for the period of yuletide and beyond.

He said that after the expiration of the ultimatum, the Department would commence nationwide operation to ensure that the products are made available ‘no matter whose ox is gored.’ He said the Department vowed it would no longer be business as usual.

His words: “The stakeholders at the meeting included the NNPC Limited, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), depot operators and National Association of Transport Owners,

(NATO), among others.

“There is an agreement that marketers will be operating for 24hrs on daily basis and that tankers owners said all hands will be on deck to ensure the lifting of the products.

“IPMAN has also committed itself to ensure that the product is available for 24hrs daily.

“For we at the DSS, we agreed to provide adequate security for fuel distribution.

“Therefore, we insisted that the fuel distribution must improve and all challenges eliminated in 48hrs, and after 48hrs, we will as a matter of urgency carry out operations across the country. And in doing this, we won’t mind whose ox is gored.

“We are sounding a note of warning that it won’t be business as usual. We have set our commands and platform nationwide on high alert and they are to get information on any elements who want to obstruct these efforts

“We are also advising the members of the public not to capitalize on the fuel scarcity to take laws into their hands as the Service will deal ruthlessly with individual or groups trying to obstruct even distribution of the products.”

Gladly, many fuel stations have started complying and are selling fuel earlier hoarded before the DSS threats. A word is enough for the wise. The DSS has spoken well, despite skepticism in some quarters that they may be chasing shadows. They ought to be given the benefit of the doubt in this circumstance to ensure that Nigerians fuel their vehicles with ease without being subjected to the suffocating pain of long fuel queues that impact negatively on national productivity. Official and private businesses have suffered well enough no thanks to the artificial fuel scarcity imposed on Nigerians by shylock fuel dealers and their greedy accomplices.

“I left N14bn for my successor,” – Osun’s outgoing Gov. Oyetola

hamdbelo@yahoo.co.uk

“Therefore, we insisted that the fuel distribution must improve and all challenges eliminated in 48hrs, and after 48hrs, we will as a matter of urgency carry out operations across the country. And in doing this, we won’t mind whose ox is gored

“