Monday, May 16, 2022 Edition by Peoples Media Limited

Monday, May 16, 2022/ 15 Shawwal 1443AH

Vol. 39 No. 082

UPDATE ON SCHOOL CHILDREN HELD CAPTIVE

NDLEA seizes 203,879 Tramadol in raid of 4 states

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BETHEL BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL, KUJAMA

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Kaduna govt bans religious protests

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NCC alerts on latest trick by hackers to unlock, steal vehicles >>PG 3

Commandant Intelligence ResponseTeam (IRT) Mr. Olatunji Disu throwing more light on the activities of the suspects during their parade at IRT Headquarters on Friday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Nigeria deserves the best, Osinbajo tells APC delegates in Jigawa

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Involve religious ASUU strike has Deborah: Northern Nigeria, Benin Republic sign leaders in tackling worsened drug abuse Governors Forum bilateral agreement on Semeinsecurity – Onaiyekan – Gov. Obaseki calls for calm Krake joint border post PAGE 9

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

NEWS CONTENTS News

Involve religious leaders in tackling insecurity – Onaiyekan

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Op.Ed

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Politics

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Stock Watch Business

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Metro

World New

Africa News

World News

2023 Presidency: Nigeria needs bold, business-conscious president – Saraki Former Senate President Bukola Saraki says Nigeria must get it right by voting him as the next president of the country in the 2023 general elections. Saraki, a Presidential aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated this on Saturday in Asaba while soliciting the support of the Delta State party delegates to fly the PDP presidential ticket, ahead of the party’s national convention. He said Nigeria needed a courageous and businessconscious leader to tackle the security and economic challenges facing the country. He said the country needed to be fixed urgently, adding “we cannot afford to make the mistake of not putting the right person because the insecurity that we are all suffering today in this country does not know tribe or religion. “Both northerners and southerners are suffering the poverty and insecurity; we have highest level of unemployment today at 33 per cent and cost of living is very high. “With the numerous

challenges facing our nation today, we need to find people who have the capacity to lead because leadership is key today in this country; you cannot give what you do not have. “There are certain qualities that we need today from the next president, and if those qualities are what I have, let us do the right thing and support me. “We need somebody who can unite Nigeria, who the youths and the old, North and South can be comfortable with. “We need somebody who can bring investments, who the private sector would be comfortable with, somebody who would also have the courage to stand for what is right and take bold decisions when that time comes”. Saraki added that the country needed a president that was business-friendly and understood the private sector and able to change the country’s monoeconomy status. “As you all know as entrepreneurs, money only goes to where it sees safety. A president or government that is businessfriendly is what we need now, one who understands the private sector. “I was happy today when I got in to the Asaba Airport and I looked and compared it to

about a year ago; you can see the difference and the innovation of the governor in bringing that change. “We need a president that is bold and courageous to take decisions. It is not going to be easy because the challenges ahead are enormous. “Devolution of powers is so important; we must be able to restructure this country and give more powers to states. “You need somebody who has the capacity to do that and you all know that to restructure, you need constitutional amendments; so you need somebody with legislative experience that can unite this country. “Somebody, whether in the North or South, that will be fair to all and you know that I am that person that can unite this country. “When the party needed somebody to reconcile our party members, I was brought on board to chair the National Reconciliation Committee of our great party and today many states have come together because of the work we did. “We need somebody that can bridge the gap between the young and the old. We need somebody that can create jobs and shore up employment and that can only be done through agriculture, through

Deborah murder: TEKAN/ECWA national youth bloc leader condemns killing

Wike: PDP may cease to exist if it loses 2023 presidential election

From David Hassan, Gombe

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Education

Feature

Sports Back Page

non-reliance on oil. “I have stated this in my manifesto that within 24 months, we will earn the same amount we are earning from 30 billion dollars from non-oil – whether it is gas or petrochemical, and unless we do that, if we continue to rely on oil we can’t get away from the current challenges. “I am a great team player and we were able to hold the National Assembly together because we were able to carry everyone along,” Saraki said. On his part, Gov. Okowa said that the country truly needed a leader who had what it takes to provide solutions to the myriads of problems bedeviling the country. He congratulated Saraki for his role in the 8th Senate, describing him as a very bold and courageous leader who stood to defend the independence of the legislature. “The people of Delta are very knowledgeable people; they have heard you and I believe that during the time of discussion it is our prayer that you find favour in the sight of the delegates. Earlier, Chairman of PDP in Delta, Chief Kingsley Esiso, said that the party’s hierarchy would meet and take the right decision. He commended Saraki for the visit. (NAN)

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L-R... National Secretary Social Democratic Party ( SDP) Hon Sale Das, Ag, National Chairman SDP Chief Supo Shonibare and National Vice Chairman South South Sir Patrick Anethua during party briefing to give an update on the Situation of the party ahead of 2023 Election, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

The leadership of TEKAN/ECWA youth and YOWICAN has condemned in the strongest term the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel Yakubu on Thursday by mob in Sokoto. Addressing Journalists in Gombe at the weekend the National Youth Bloc Leader TEKAN/ECWA Rev. Jim James Amos while commending organizations and individuals both Christians and Muslims to condemned the acts called on the government to bring the perpetrators to book. He appealed to National and states Assemblies not to relent in enacting a law that will handle such issues.

NDE empower’s 130 women on Tye, Dye in Kaduna By Yunusa Abubakar

ational Directorates of Employment (NDE) has empowered 130 Kaduna women. They were empowered on Tye and Dye, Organic products, stones breeds, perfumery and other various skills for them to be self independent. According to the directorates, the training was organized for

women because thy are 49.32 percent of the entire Nigerian population in 2020. Speaking at the event, NDE Acting State Coordinator Victoria .W. Dada said the beneficiaries will be trained on eight relevant skills that are highly income generating to not only women but even for men willing to take advantage to improve their lives and that of those around them. She said Tye and Dye is

an ancient dye textile cloth in a dazzling array of tints and hues , originated from Abeokuta in Oyo State but exported to as far as Switzerland , UK and Paris . “ This show of art and creativity on fabrics has gone ahead to attract millions of fashion enthusiast around the world causing the global Market to reach USD 8.2 billion and putting Nigeria 2nd place as the largest producers of best quality

traditional textiles,” she said. She said the profit margin of such a business is as high as 75 percent of the total investment and with small amount of money they can easily earn a huge margin profit. She commended the Directorates Director General Malam Abubakar Nuihu Fikpo for the support , cooperation and for giving the beneficiaries the opportunity to undergo the training.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

NEWS

By Abubakar Yunusa with Agency report

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alerted telecom consumers and members of the public on an ongoing cyber-vulnerability which allows a nearby hacker to unlock vehicles, start their engines wirelessly and make away with them. The NCC’s Director of Public Affairs (DPA), Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Adinde quoted the latest advisory released by the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) established by the NCC, as saying: “The fact that car remotes were categorised as short-range devices that make use of Radio Frequency (RF) to lock and unlock cars informed the need to alert Nigerians on this emergent danger. “The vulnerability is a Man-inthe-Middle (MitM) attack or, more specifically, a replay attack in which an attacker intercepts the RF signals normally sent from a remote key fob to the car. “It manipulates these signals and re-sends them later to unlock the car at will. “With this latest type of cyber-attack, it is also possible to manipulate the captured commands and re-transmit them to achieve a different outcome altogether. “Multiple researchers disclosed a vulnerability, which is said to be used by a nearby attacker to unlock some Honda and Acura car models and start their engines wirelessly. “The attack consists of a threat actor capturing the RF signals sent from your key fob to the car and resending these signals to take control of your car’s remote keyless entry system,” the advisory stated. He, however, said that the NCCCSIRT, in the advisory, had offered some precautionary measures or solutions that could be adopted by car owners to prevent falling victim. According to the cyber-alert unit of the commission, when affected, the only mitigation is to reset your key fob at the dealership. “Besides, the affected car manufacturer may provide a security mechanism that will generate fresh codes for each authentication request, this makes it difficult for an attacker to ‘replay’ the codes thereafter. “Additionally, vulnerable car users should store their key fobs in signal-blocking ’Faraday pouches’ when not in use.” He advised car owners in these categories to choose Passive Keyless Entry (PKE) as opposed to Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), which would make it harder for an attacker to read the signal due to the fact that criminals would need to be at close range to carry out their nefarious acts. He explained that the PKE is an automotive security system that operates automatically when the user is in proximity to the vehicle, unlocking the door on approach or when the door handle is pulled. He also said that the user locks it when walking away or touches the car on exit. He added that the RKE system, on the other hand, represents the standard solution for conveniently

Ag News Editor, Tobias Lengnam

NCC alerts on latest trick by hackers to unlock, steal vehicles locking and unlocking a vehicle’s doors and luggage compartment by remote control. In a related advisory, he said that the NCC, based on another detection by CSIRT, wishes to inform the general public about the resurgence of Joker Trojan-Infected Android Apps on Google Play Store. “This arose due to the activities of criminals who intentionally download legitimate apps from the Play Store, modify them by embedding the Trojan malware and then uploading the app back to the Play Store with a new name. “The malicious payload is only

activated once the apps goes live on the Play Store, which enables the apps to scale through Google’s strict evaluation process. “Once installed, the apps request for permissions that once granted, enable the apps to have access to critical functions such as text messages and notifications. “As a consequence, a compromised device will subscribe unwitting users to premium services, billing them for services that do not exist. A device like this can also be used to commit Short Messaging Service (SMS) fraud while the owner is unaware,” he said.

Adinde said that the app could click on online ads automatically and even use SMS One-Time Password (OTPs) to secretly approve payments without checking bank statements. He said that the user would be unaware that he or she had subscribed to an online service. He further said that other actions, such as stealing text messages, contacts, and other device data, were also possible. He cautioned that to avoid falling victim to this manipulation, Android users should avoid downloading unnecessary apps or installing apps

from unofficial sources. According to him, the NCC also advises telecom consumers to ensure that apps installed from the Google Play Store are heavily scrutinised by reading reviews, assessing the developers, perusing the terms of use and only granting the necessary permissions. “The commission recommends that unauthorised transactions be checked against any installed app. “Indeed, any apps not in use should be deleted while users are also advised to ensure that a device is always patched and updated to the latest software,” he said.

L-R: Executive Secretary National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Rasheed Abubakar, Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Former Executive Secretary NUC, Prof.Julius Okojie, the founder, Sport University of Nigeria, Prince Ned Nwoko and his wife regina Nwoko, during the presentation of licenses to the newly approve Private Universities, in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

PDP presidential primary: Bala Mohammed gets S/E delegates’ backing By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

arely two weeks to the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) primary scheduled for May 28, 2022 , the governor of Bauchi state and presidential aspirant on the platform of the party, Senator Bala Mohammed has received the backing of South East delegates. Senator Mohammed, who was in the South East to seek the votes of the delegates ahead of the primary, said that the South East and North East are the zones skewed out of power equation

since the return of democracy in 1999. He assured the delegates that he will support whoever gets the ticket of the part to ensure that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) returns to its opposition status. The presidential aspirant assured the delegates from Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states that he will run a knowledge based administration if elected. In his words, “I am presenting myself for election and I seek your support but if I don’t win, I will support

the eventual candidate of PDP because we have to rescue Nigeria.” Some of the delegates were fascinated when they learnt that under Senator Bala Mohammed as governor of Bauchi State, many Nigerians from all the geo- political zones in the country, including Igbo indigenes, were among his advisers and key government officials. His campaign organisation too has as Acting DG, Prof. Udenta O. Udenta from Enugu State and other directors and members cutting across tribes and tongues of Nigeria.

They described him as the unifier needed at this time for stabilization of the country. The governor also thrilled delegates in Enugu and Ebonyi, where he told them he would run an inclusive government if given the party’s mandate and wins the 2023 presidential election. While addressing hundreds of party delegates from Ebonyi and Enugu, he called on the delegates to join him in retrieving, rescuing and renovating the country with knowledge-based solutions.

Resettlement: Treat Abuja indigenes like Lagos, others - Jiba, FCT Rep tells NASS By Stanley Onyekwere

member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Micah Jiba, representing Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari Area Council federal constituency of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has urged the National Assembly to consider and approve the demand for mayoral status and Ministerial slot from the original inhabitants of the Territory. He noted that such approval would ensure that FCT people are treated equally like other Nigeria citizens, and help further strengthen unity and peaceful co-existence as well as booster the nation’s socioeconomic development. Jiba, who is Vice Chairman, House Committee on FCT Area Councils and Auxillary matters, while making this assertion during a chat with newsmen in Abuja, at the weekend, also called for the issue of compensation and Resettlement

for FCT original inhabitants to be done adequately and appropriately, because they have nowhere else to go in the nearest future. According to him, the FCT came to Abuja in 1976, where original inhabitants were found, who in or for hundreds of years to come, would not go anywhere, as they have no other place outside Abuja, hence will remain there. He however, recalled that the issue of Mayoral status and Ministerial appointment for FCT during the recent Constitution Amendment process, did very were at the Lower House, but at the Upper House (Senate) was killed. “What we are fighting at the National Assembly - that issue of Mayoral status and Ministerial slot, the National Assembly approve such demand, so that we can be like other Nigerians. “Abuja as the FCT has come to stay, and this is not the first nation’s capital city that have been enjoying what we are agitating for-

like the mayoral status is that the period that states are conducting gubernatorial elections, they should be allowed to elect their mayor or mayoral council. “People living in Lagos are human beings, and people living in Abuja are equally humans created by God not man. So, our request is that if Lagos people are electing their governor and members of state assembly, we should also be allowed to do likewise. “Then, if they are appointing Ministers for the federation, FCT indigenes should be appointed too as they were in the Territory before the relocation of nation’s capital to Abuja. “I’m above 50 years, and the coming of the FCT is not up to 50 years, that will tell that people were here before it came. And we are not saying that the issue of the Ministerial slot should not come to one tribe alone”, he stressed. On his stewardship in the Lower House of the National Assembly, he

said : “I have moved about 7 to 8 motions in the House on things that are affecting FCT; and got 3 bills such like the one seeking conversion of the Technical College, Orozo to a Polytechnic, which has gotten to public hearing at the Senate. “ I’m executing plenty projects, because I’m representing the two Area Councils- AMAC and Bwari, but if the people are complaining that past representatives didn’t do anything, it’s not about me, as the people are clapping that it is now that they got a representative in the House, because they have seen the projects physically on ground. “This week, before our primaries, we coming out with a comprehensive list of our constituency projects, as we have documented them, so that everybody should have them, and see that we have done our best within the period I have been in the House, and by June I will be three years in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly”

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

NEWS

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

he Kaduna State Government, has announced a ban on protests related to religious activity throughout the State with immediate effect. The State Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

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Kaduna govt bans religious protests The statement stated that the prohibition becomes imperative in view of moves by some unpatriotic elements to organize a series of for-and-against protests related to a security development in one of the Northern Nigerian States.

The statement further stated that, Governor Nasir Ahmad ElRufai who has been briefed on the development, has charged security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of this ban against any form of religious protest in the State.

“The Governor also charged religious leaders, community leaders and traditional rulers throughout the State to complement the efforts of government and security agencies towards the maintenance of peace and stability.

“Security agencies have thus resolved that any attempt by individuals or groups to disrupt the peace and stability of the State, by way of religious protests, will not be condoned. Such protests will be promptly halted, and conveners prosecuted.”

NDLEA seizes 203,879 Tramadol tabs in raids of 4 states

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 203, 879 tablets of various pharmaceutical opioids and illicit substances in raids across Abia, Kaduna, Yobe and Kogi States. The NDLEA said this in a statement by its Spokesperson, Mr Fem Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja. Babafemi said that the agency also foiled fresh bids by drug cartels to export Tramadol, Ecstasy MDMA and Cannabis to Milan, Italy and Dubai, United Arab Emirates through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos. He said that five members of a syndicate, in the business of conducting fake recruitment into security agencies were also arrested in coordinated operations in Zamfara, Kebbi and Bauchi States. Babafemi said that a female passenger was arrested at the Lagos airport, May 9, while trying to board Royal Air Moroc flight from Lagos via Casablanca to Milan, Italy, with 1000 tablets of Tramadol 200mg concealed in food items. He said five days after, a freight agent was also arrested at the SAHCO cargo shed of the airport for attempting to export food items in which were hidden blocks of cannabis weighing 6.65kg and 24grams of ecstasy drug, MDMA to Dubai in UAE. “In Abia, three trucks loaded with drugs coming from Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra were intercepted in Aba, Abia. When

properly searched in the presence of the owners on Wednesday May 11, 67,100 tablets/capsules of Tramadol and 12,650 ampules of pentazocine, morphine and dopamine were recovered. ”On the same day, NDLEA operatives in Kaduna arrested a notorious drug dealer, wanted by the Kastina Command of the agency for jumping bail. ”’Recovered from him include: 45,000 tablets of Diazepam weighing 41.5kg; 50,000 tablets of Exol, weighing 15.6kg; 1,500 tablets of Rohypnol weighing 700 grams and 300 bottles of codeine weighing 41.5kg,” he said. ‘According to him, in Yobe, no fewer than 7,029 tablets of Tramadol, D5, and Exol as well

as 1.5kg cannabis were recovered from a drug dealer, when his hideout was raided in Unguru town May 8, while in Rivers another suspect was arrested at Eleme area on May 11 with 207.2kg cannabis. “No less than 19,600 tablets of Tramadol coming from Onitsha, Anambra to Abuja were intercepted and recovered along Okene/Abuja highway on May 11 by NDLEA operatives in Kogi. “Meanwhile, five members of a syndicate, which conducts fake recruitment into security agencies, have been arrested in coordinated operations in Zamfara, Kebbi and Bauchi States. Leader of the gang, was first

arrested in Gusau, Zamfara. He said his criminal gang issued fake NDLEA employment letters and identity cards to unsuspecting members of the public for the sum of N400, 000 per person. “A follow up operation in Zuru, Kebbi led to the arrest of another gang member, while three others; were nabbed in Bauchi State. “Recovered from them include: a fake NDLEA ID card; NDLEA guarantor form; INEC offer of appointment letter; Nigerian Customs Special Replacement Form and appointment letter; Nigerian Correctional Service Replacement Form; credentials of some applicants; receipts and

passport photos; five sim packs and one MTN SIM card.” ”Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Abia, Kaduna, Yobe, Rivers and Kogi for the arrests and seizures. ”He equally acknowledged the well-conducted operations in Zamfara, Kebbi and Bauchi States that nailed five members of a criminal gang scamming innocent job seekers with fake employment letters. ”He urged them and their compatriots across all commands not to rest on their oars; but continue to aspire to beat previous records,” Babafemi said. (NAN)

From L-R: Aspiration House of Representatives Makarfi/Kudan, Federal Constituency. Hon. Samaila Aliyu (right) presenting his declaration latter to Party Chairman APC Makarfi LG, Hon. Abubakar Gangara, during the aspirant declaration at Makarfi/ Kudan Local Area of Kaduna State. Photo: BASHIR BELLO

Campaign of calumny can’t stop my re-election – Gov. Oyetola

ov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, has said that false and defamatory statements about him ahead of the July 16 Governorship Election would not stop his re-election. Oyetola made the assertion at the N30 million fund raising programme organised by the Ebira Community on Sunday in Osogbo. The governor, represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, expressed confidence that with the support of the masses, “victory at the poll was his”. He assured electorates that he would not betray their trust when re-elected, urging them not to allow those who lacked the basic knowledge of governance to deceive them. He stressed that his love for the

masses, passion for their welfare and the development of the state were some of the reasons people wanted his re-election. The governor also said that his decision to seek for re-election was due to the confidence reposed in his administration by the electorate, who appreciated his meaningful contributions in the last three and half years. Oyetola, who boasted of his achievements, said since the inception of his administration, he had embarked on series of developmental projects as well as prompt payment of salaries and pensions. He said that the electorate, who massively elected him in 2018, could attest to his resounding achievements in the area of infrastructure, education, health care delivery, empowerment, social intervention

and other critical areas of development. The governor, however, urged members of the Ebira community to continue to live in peace with their host communities, adding that peaceful coexistence would bring stability and enhance national economic growth and development. He noted that an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship between the government and the governed was needed for growth and development. Oyetola appealed to people who have been registered but were yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards to do so and support him at the poll to enable him consolidate on the achievements of the past years. In his remarks, Mr Shaibu Abere, President of the Ebira community,

commended the governor for his love for non-indigenes which had made the state remained peaceful without inter-tribal conflicts. Abere said that their businesses had been thriving due to prompt payment of workers’ salaries as civil servants formed bulk of their customers. He praised the governor for various developmental projects across the state, saying that they would continue to live peacefully with other tribes. He also assured the governor of their support for his re-election. The highlight of the event was the presentation of an award of excellence to the governor by the Ebira community in recognition of his good leadership style. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

NEWS

Nigeria deserves the best, Osinbajo tells APC delegates in Jigawa

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has interacted with stakeholders and delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa, with the presidential aspirant insisting that the country deserves the best. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osinbajo’s visit to Jigawa was in continuation of his nationwide consultations with APC stakeholders and delegates ahead of the party’s presidential primary. NAN also reports that the thrust of the vice president’s message in Dutse, the Jigawa capital, was that decisions on the 2023 elections should be based on Nigeria’s best interest. The vice president was received by a crowd of supporters

at the airport and on the streets, APC chieftains and senior state government officials led by Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdulkadir Adamu, who represented Gov. Badaru Abubakar who was out of the state. At the town hall style meeting with the delegates, the vice president restated his view that decisions about the 2023 elections should be based on what should be the best for the country. ” We should make a decision based on the future of our children… we can make progress; we can move on. ” All I ask you to do is what is in the best interest of Nigeria; vote in the interest of our children,” he said.

He also restated how his training and experience in governance serving as vice president under President Muhammadu Buhari would help him to lead the country effectively as president on the APC platform. “As vice president, the president has given me an opportunity that I do not think any other vice president has been given,” he added. Also speaking with journalists after the meeting, Osinbajo said that he was happy with the interactions with the Jigawa delegates. “Obviously, all the issues that we discussed are issues that concern the country very significantly. ” We talked about agriculture, we talked about youth empowerment, education, technology and a wide

variety of issues. “I think it was extremely fruitful, and at least we all understand where we are coming from and where we ought to be in the few years ahead. ” All of us are very happy that we were able to have this engagement,” he said. Delegates, who spoke during the interactive session, included members of the state House of Assembly, local government officials as well as grassroots politicians and women leaders. NAN reports that many of the delegates spoke about the successes of the Social Investment Programme, especially the National Homegrown School Feeding programme, which the delegates recalled offered first time jobs for several women.

They also commended the contributions of the vice president to the initiative, while citing other achievements of the Buhari administration such as the efforts to make fertiliser available and affordable as witnessed in the state. Others at the interactive session highlighted the reputation of the vice president as “a man of proven integrity and fear of God,” in addition to his “excellent track record, loyalty and support of Mr President.” Several delegates also called for the expansion of the Social Investment Programme should Osinbajo emerge president in 2023 while providing federal support to the state’s agrarian economy. (NAN)

2023: Niger youths endorse Malagi for Governor From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

ouths from the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger state have gathered and endorsed the leading governorship aspirant, Mohammed Idris Malagi for the 2023 general election. The youths under the group of “Youths for Good Governance”, endorsed Malagi on Sunday in Minna, Niger state capital. The youths explained that the endorsement was due to the fact that Malagi is the best in the race

2023 polls: Place winning above zoning, Atiku begs PDP delegates By Osaigbovo Iguobaro

residential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Abubakar has urged his party delegates to put sentiment aside and elect a Candidate that has the capacity to win the presidential election in 2023. He appealed to the members particularly the delegates to put behind agitations over the zoning arrangement for presidency in party which had been jettisoned by the national leadership. He made the appeal during a consultative meeting with PDP delegates in Edo State on Friday in Benin City where he promised to “give every religious group in Nigeria a sense of belonging” if given the mandate in 2023 polls. The former Vice President admitted that his party recognised zoning in its Constitution and he believes in it, ahead of PDP primary election coming up soon. But he maintained that “we can’t begin to talk about power rotation or zoning when we have not taken over power”.

with good policy for youths. The Niger state Chairman of the organisation, Suleiman Mohammed said the youths are convinced that Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi will empower them if

elected as governor. The Director General of 2023 Malagi Campaign Organization, Idris Azozo thanked the youths for the confidence reposed on the aspirant who is a competent

leader and assured them of the commitment in uplifting the living standards of youths through empowerment and skills acquisition. Also speaking, a Director in the

Malagi Campaign Organization, Aliyu Takuma described the aspirant as a successful entrepreneur who will replicate his vested experience in the economic transformation of the state.

R L: NNPP National leader, Engr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, presenting nomination form of state house of Assembly to hon. Babangida Abubakar to contest under Yankwashi constituency in Jigawa state and the governorship aspirant of NNPP Jigawa state, Malam Aminu Ringim, during presentation of form to aspirant at Kwankwaso resident at Miller road, at the weekend in Kano.

HYPPADEC charges staff on professional conduct From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

he Chairman, Governing Council of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, Joseph Terfa Ityav, has applauded the Management of the commission for prioritizing training and retraining of staff for the success and growth of the organization.

Ityav gave the commendation at a 5-day strategic leadership management training organized for the senior staff of the commission. He encouraged the participants to pay attention to the training. Earlier, the Director General Centre for Management Development, Mr. Bitrus Chonoko represented by a Director, in

the Director General’s office, Mrs. Dorothy Esiri urged the participants to put into practice what they have learnt and use it as a tool for transformation in the organisation. The Managing Director, Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, emphasized the need for staff to

uphold high moral standards and be good team players in carrying out their responsibilities. Represented by the Director Finance and Administration Jimoh Haruna Gabi at the event, the Managing Director stressed the importance of training and retraining of staff as essential ingredient for effective service delivery.

RMAFC partners OSGF, others to review public officers’ salaries, emoluments

he Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) says it is partnering with relevant stakeholders to review emoluments of public officers. Secretary to RMAFC, Mohammed Shehu, said this in a statement by Christian Nwachukwu, RMAFC’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Abuja on Saturday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shehu gave indication of the partnership recently, while reacting to questions on the

forthcoming review of salaries and emoluments of relevant government officials. He said the commission would partner with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning. According to him, the commission is already making effort to review the current salaries and emoluments of political office holders and judicial officers in the country. “While it is the statutory

responsibility of RMAFC to carry out such review, the commission would equally partner with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National planning for proper funding of the exercise. “This is after the commission had written to the Minister, requesting for funds to prosecute such exercise,” he said. The RMAFC Secretary said that though the OSGF was of utmost importance to the commission in the area of stakeholders’ engagement, the request of fund for the review would

be channeled through the Minister of Finance. He added that RMAFC enjoyed cooperation and support of SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, in the execution of its mandates. He cited the recent review of the current “vertical Revenue Allocation Formula” which has been submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for further action. “Such is an example of strong collaboration between the two government agencies,” he said. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

CRIME NEWS

NSCDC conducts junior promotion examination nationwide By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Saturday 14th May, 2022, conducted Promotion Examination for the junior personnel in all its formations across the States and Zones, including the Federal Capital Territory as well as the National Headquarters, Abuja. NSCDC in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson Olusola Odumosu said the examination which was conducted under strict invigilation by officials from the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB) and the NSCDC, commenced simultaneously nationwide after all accreditations and necessary documentation were completed. It said the the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, congratulated and wished them success as they write the examination while at the same time giving them stern warning to conduct themselves in a manner that portrays discipline, integrity and regimentation. He charged those writing the promotion examination to avoid acts capable of leading to their being disqualified or sanction in their

career paths. The NSCDC boss entreats them to make their best attempts as only merits and availability of vacancies will be considered as yardsticks for promotion of any personnel. “You don’t need to know anyone or have long legs before you will be considered for promotion. Under my leadership; merits and dedication to duty counts and mark you; the years of unnecessary roadblocks and stagnation are over too, because I will ensure a transparent process and equitable treatment for all my officers and men”, CG said. He further intimated that the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB) has adopted Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the annual promotion exams for senior officers and advised all personnel to attend computer appreciation courses in preparation for the examination. He reiterated that the Corps is working assiduously to upgrade all NSCDC training schools across the nation with the setting up of a 16 man committee to develop standard curriculum for the Corps and very soon, Career Progression Development Courses will be introduced to different cadres of officers and men as a prerequisite for career advancement or promotion.

Niger PDP endorses former NUJ Chairman, Iliya for Assembly seat From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

takeholders of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Wushishi local government has endorsed former Niger State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Iliya Garba for State House of Assembly seat representing Wushishi constituency. Presenting Iliya Garba to the delegates and other party faithful at the party Secretariat, the PDP council Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Maigari endorsed the aspiration, urging the delegates to be upright as the party prepares to hold its primary election. He said the delegates should be sincere in bringing out the best and acceptable candidate that will take the Constituency to the enviable

destination. In his address, Comrade Iliya Garba told the party supporters that he came into the race to contribute to the upliftment of the Constituency through youth and women empowerment, adding that he will not compromise in improving their wellbeing through equal representation. He commended the party men and women for their loyalty to PDP for the past seven years. He said their contributions spurred his decision to vie under the umbrella of the party. The former NUJ Chairman assured that he would galvanized his journalistic experience to propel Wushishi Constituency to selfless representation at the House of Assembly.

Group commends Defence retreat, urges support for implementation of policy By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

efence and Security Watch Group has commended the military on its recently unveiled National Military Strategy (NMS), saying it was well articulated. It said the document is timely in the face of security challenges in the country. The group in a press release signed by Lead Expert, Dapo Akindele, on Friday lauded the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, for continuously brainstorming with the other service chiefs on the way out of the insurgency, kidnapping, banditary and other forms of crime in the country. Recall that Gen. Irabor at the end of the four-day Defence Retreat in Asaba, Delta State, urged Nigerians to have confidence in the ability of Armed Forces to defeat those responsible for insecurity in the country. According to the CDS “Nigeria will certainly have greater level of safety, that is the essence of this defence retreat in Asaba. “Nigerians should have confidence in the ability of the armed forces as we work in consonant with other security agencies to tackle security issues. “With this retreat, Nigeria is safe because a far-reaching decision had been made. Man and life are full of challenges

but for us, we don’t focus on the challenges, we are problem solvers. So, we came here to solve problems.” The think-tank urged Nigerians to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria which has shown determination to restore peace in volatile areas of the country. The Defence and Security Watch Group said peace and stability is needed to make the 2023 General Elections successful, hence the public has a great role to play. The group said: “The National Military Strategy (NMS) is timely, coming at a time enemies of the country would want to truncate peace and stability needed for the 2023 General Election, but we are glad the Armed Forces of Nigeria is up to their games. “We recall that the CDS has met with retired senior military officers in the six geo-political zones to discuss ways out of the current security challenges in the country “There was also the National Defence and Security Summit with the theme, “Promoting Kinetic Operations as a major Plank for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency in Nigeria” in 2021. “We believe our AFN is adequately prepared to deal with the security challenges, hence the public must continue to offer whatsoever support necessary,” the group added.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

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NEWS

Ganduje directs Head of Service to oversee Chief of Staff office From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

ano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed the Head of Civil Service, Usman Bala to oversee the Office of the Chief

of Staff to the Governor with immediate effect. On Thursday, the Chief of Staff, Ali Haruna Makoda, announced his resignation and defection to the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), leaving the

office vacant. However, a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba yesterday, said the governor had directed Bala to oversee the office.

Garba, in the statement, indicated that the supervision would be pending the appointment of a substantive Chief of Staff. The governor, the statement added, expressed the hope for effective supervision and

coordination by the Head of Service, having served in the office before. Bala was appointed Principal Private Secretary to governor Ganduje on May 29 2015 but lived for only one year in the office.

Crisis looms in Niger APC over chairman’s open support to aspirant From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

risis looms as the Niger State All Progressive Congress (APC), as aspirants seeking various political offices under the platform of the party have expressed worry over the ability of the state Chairman,Haliru Zakari Jikantoro to pilot a free, fair and credible primary elections of the party. The fear of the aspirants who are now calling for his immediate resignation, followed his open declaration of support for the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello’s senatorial ambition in a trending video. The Chairman was said to have made the declaration when he played host to a former commissioner for Land and Housing in the state, and house of representative aspirant for Agwara/ Borgu federal constituency, Barrister Muktar Ibrahim Nasale in his office in Minna. According to him, “In fact, I am not only in support, I am in the fore front of the struggle, and I want the whole world to know about this”, he declared. Some of the aspirants who spoke to our reporter but did not want their names in print, described as unfortunate, the open declaration of support for the governor ahead of the party primaries.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Temi Popoola; Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, Samuel Egube; Non- Executive Director, Airtel Africa, Awuneba Ajumogobia; Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Surendran Chemmenkotil; First Lady of Ogun State, Her Excellency, Bamidele Abiodun and Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo during the premiere of the Airtel Touching Lives season 6 at the Ebonylife Place, yesterday in Lagos,

Prosecute Deborah killers, Nigerian pastors urge president FG From Yunusa Abubakar, Abuja

igerian Pastors under the aegis of United Pastors Initiative for Good Governance (UPIG), have called on the federal government to dig deep, arrest and prosecute

killers of Deborah Samuel, a 200 level of Shagari College of Education, Sokoto who was killed over alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammed. In a statement yesterday, signed by its president, Rev James Muya, the men of

God condemn in totality the gruesome murder of the student and demanded urgent justice. “We therefore, call on the Sokoto state security architecture and by extension, the federal government to dig deep, arrest and prosecute

all that are involved in the unfortunate incident. “We commiserate with the deceased immediate family, the good people of Niger state, friends, well wishers as well as Sokoto state where the incident happened.”

Ooni harps on religious, ethnic tolerance

he Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has reiterated the need for religious and ethnic tolerance among Nigerians, emphasising the strength in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society as Nigeria. Ogunwusi made the appeal at the palace of Oba Ademola Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom in Lagos State, where the Elegushi conferred traditional titles on eminent Nigerians.

He said this in a statement issued by Mr Temitope Oyefeso, Special Assistant, Public Affairs to Oba Elegushi, on Sunday in Lagos. The Ooni said, “While our tongues and faith may differ, there is a purpose for being Nigerians under the umbrella of the same country. “Everyone should explore the opportunities of the diversity towards attaining a prosperous and peaceful nation.”

Oba Ogunwusi said that with the conferment of traditional titles on Nigerians of different ethnic and religion, Oba Ademola Elegushi was using the traditional stool to echo the message of unity for development. He said that the conferment had again demonstrated the spirit of brotherliness among Nigerians of non-Yoruba speaking tribe. Speaking, Oba Elegushi

said that the Nigerians being honoured were carefully selected in recognition of their contributions towards the development of Ikate Kingdom and Lagos State. The Oba said that the honour was done as part of his palace’s commitment towards improving the relationship that exists between Ikate Kingdom and those who live and do business within the community. Elegushi added that the

gesture was also to bring to the fore, the impact of the recipients’ investments on the lives of the people and the transformation of the community. Among those honoured were: Oliver Cohnen, a German and Managing Director of AFP Furniture; the real Estate expert, Chiedu Nweke; an IT expert and former IBM Country Manager, Akin Bolarniwa and a renowned legal practitioner, Adeoeju Omotayo.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

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NEWS

2023 Presidency: Saraki unveils agenda in Abuja By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

mmediate past Senate President and presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Bukola Saraki has formally unveiled his agenda for the nation if elected the next president. Dr Saraki listed basic education, Security, health, compliance to the rule of law and job creation amongst others as his areas of priority if elected as the President of the country come 2023. The erstwhile Senate President and former Governor of Kwara State unveiled his agenda yesterday in Abuja when he hosted some media chiefs, delegates and his political associates to breakfast in Abuja.

...Lists health, education, peace, security, job creation as priorities Saraki acknowledged that some things have happened in this country in the last couple of years that no one could have imagined possible only less than a decade ago. He said: “We must all acknowledge that some things have happened in this country in the last couple of years that no one could have imagined possible only less than a decade ago” Continuing, he said, “2023 therefore presents us with a great moment of decision: the moment to choose hope over hopelessness; the moment to choose peace and security over fear and terror; the moment to choose unity and inclusion over division and exclusion.” Unveiling his agenda, Saraki

listed basic education, Security, health, compliance to the rule of law, job creation amongst others as his areas of priority if elected as the President of the country. He said: “As long as there is a child in Nigeria that cannot read or write, then the job is not done. “And it is for this one child that I want to run for President, because I will ensure that the law on compulsory basic education is enforced and quality of teaching improves in all public schools. “As long as there is an old woman in this country who cannot afford her prescription drugs for diabetes or malaria because she has no insurance coverage, the job is not done. “And it is for this woman that I want to run for President, because

I will ensure that people like her are covered; and that we are able to push our compulsory health insurance coverage from the current 7 per cent to 50 per cent in the first two years. “As long as a single village or forest in this country is controlled by terrorists, or bandits or any other criminal groups; as long as any of our citizen lives in fear; as long as our soldiers and other security agents do not get the right training, the right equipment and the right incentives, the job is not done. “And it is for these citizens that I want to be President, because I will do everything to protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian and everyone that live within our borders.

Chairman of the Muslim Community Centre ‘s Proposed Monument University Implementation Committee, Professor Ismaila Tsiga (right) conducting Chief (Mrs.) Lesley Ma’an Lababidi Jakadiyar Gargajiyar Nupe, who visited the Centre in company of Dallatun Dutsinma, Muhammad Rabiu Abubakar (left)and who is also the Acting Chairman of the Governing Board of the Centre; Amb. Sani Bala Wamban Katsina who is the Chairman of the City Campus Implementation Committee of the Monument University, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo; Mahmud Isa

Aisha Buhari charges APC women to rally support for female aspirants

isha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Abuja charged stakeholders in the All Progressive Congress (APC) to rally support for female Aspirants of the party. She gave the charge at a summit of APC female aspirants ahead of the party’s primary elections. She said the summit aimed at forming a united front to ensure victory for female aspirants at the party’s primary elections as well as at the 2023 general elections. “I will be with you; stand by you and defend you as the wife of the president,’’ she assured. She stressed that women must work hard and in unity to create the necessary space for

themselves within the political arena. Aisha charged women to support themselves to actualise their dreams to ensure gender mainstreaming and greater women participation in the country’s political affairs. “Efforts made by our party towards promoting women participation are commendable. “I appreciate the party’s recent gesture of offering free nomination forms for female Aspirants,’’ she said. The APC in April declared free nomination forms for women aspirants for all elective offices at the 2023 general election. That was barely 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that government must implement

the 35 per cent affirmative action for women. The female aspirants would still pay prescribed fees for Expression of Interest forms, however. Before April’s waiver, female aspirants in the party enjoyed a 50 per cent discount for Expression of Interest and Nomination forms. Aisha appealed to the party’s leadership to institutionalise the 35 per cent affirmative action in the party`s Constitution to guarantee women`s aspirations for elective and appointive positions. She commended the party’s leadership and its Progressives Governors for the support rendered to APC women over the years and urged them to sustain the tempo. “It is

now time to believe in women and to show us increased solidarity during elections,’’ she said. Aisha advised the female aspirants to be determined to achieve their political ambitions. In her remarks, APC’s National Women Leader, Dr Betta Edu, commended the courage, tenacity, and doggedness of the president’s wife in standing for the course of women in Nigeria. “For the first time in Nigeria, the wife of the president walks into the legislative arm and speaks up for women; history will never forget you,’’ she said. Edu also commended Aisha for influencing the party to issue free nomination forms to female aspirants.

2023: I’m only PDP presidential aspirant to win APC – Wike

ov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers and PDP presidential aspirant on Saturday, said that he remained the only PDP aspirant that could win against the ruling APC. Wike, in company of some PDP chieftains, made this remark when he met national delegates of the Lagos chapter of PDP in

Ikeja. The aspirant, who noted that he was not running to be vice president to anybody, said that if elected, peace, security of lives and property would be prioritised to strengthen the nation’s sustainable infrastructure, food security, prosperity and economic turnaround.

He said the nation needed a strong and courageous leader like him now, adding that with a courageous leader, difficult decisions would be taken to tackle the nation’s challenges. “The issue now is who can win election for PDP. Who has the capacity to face the APC? Who will win election for PDP? That is

me here. “I will face APC squarely. If you give me this ticket on May 28 and May 29, go home and sleep with your two eyes closed,,” Wike said. The governor said that PDP must do everything possible not to lose the 2023 presidential election. NAN

“I will ensure that all our men and women in uniform are welltrained, well-paid and are wellequipped. “As long as crude oil revenue remains the mainstay of our economy, and we remain so vulnerable to the volatility of international oil market, then the job is not done. “And this is why I want to be President, because I will raise the revenue from the non-oil sectors to the same level as we currently earn from oil. “As long as there are still people in this country who believe that they can break the laws of Nigeria with impunity; who think that crime has no consequences, then the job is not done. “And this is why I want to be President, because I will ensure strict compliance with the rule of law and guarantee consequences for crime. “As long as we still import tilers, plumbers and electricians from neighboring countries, then the job is not done. “And this is why I want to be President, because I will collaborate with the industries, and train one million of our youths in technical and vocational skills each year. “As long as 65 million of our citizens still live in slum conditions in our cities and urban centers, then the job is not done. “And this is why I want to be President, because I will deliver half a million affordable housing units every year to our lowincome earners and eliminate urban slums. “As long as Nigeria is not the tech hub for Africa, despite our incredible talents in this area, then our job is not done. “And this is why I want to be President, because I will invest massively in skills in cloud computing, data analytics, programming and other such indemand skills to drive innovation and competitiveness among our youths. “As long as our huge army of talented youths do not think that the Nigerian government can support their dreams, whether in entertainment, fashion or other creative business, the job is not done. “And it is for these talented Nigerians that I want to be President, because I will create the Nigeria Creative Industry Initiatives to protect our leadership position on the African continent and position us to be global leader in the cultural productions economy. “As long as our university lecturers still have reasons to embark on strike actions; as long our universities still rank outside the top 1000 in the world, then our job is not done. “And this is why I want to be President, because I will ensure that our universities and higher education institutions are competitive and wellfunded, adopting models and approaches that have served the most successful higher education systems in the world.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

EDITORIAL

A good move by EFCC

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is monitoring electioneering campaign financing, including the legitimacy of funds used to purchase political parties’ nomination forms ahead of the 2023 general elections. Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa said that last week on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today, on Friday.

leadership positions in this country. Certainly. That is why we are here. That is part of our mandate to investigate every movement of any fund to ensure legitimacy or otherwise.” We applaud this action of the EFCC. Politicians, particularly the corrupt ones, use elections to launder funds stolen from the public coffee. Whereas the electoral law sets a limit to how much an individual can contribute to a candidate’s campaign budget it is silent fees parties charge for nomination forms. Perhaps because it is a purely party matter.

He said the commission would be working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other election-related organisations to track the sources of the money political office seekers spent on the purchase of nomination However, what they have done of forms. “When it comes to the issue is to constrain the political space, of monitoring election funds as well allowing money bags alone. For as candidates’ funds, instance, an aspirant that has to do with the to the office of work of INEC in this president in the regard,” he said. “But, of APC was forced course, we are working to withdraw from hand in gloves with the race because INEC and other related The EFCC, he said, he could raise only agencies in that field to N83 million for the was concerned ensure that we follow party’s nomination about good the money. We want form. governance, to know the source, whether it is legitimate transparency and The high costs of or illegitimate because forms also negate accountability, that is what concerns the very spirit of the adding, “Above all, ‘Not too young to us.” we are concerned run’ legislation that The high costs of the nation’s about ensuring that allows expressions of interest talented youth to corrupt elements run for the highest and nomination forms of the two largest elective political are not given political parties in the offices in the land. leadership positions Signed by President country – the governing in this country. All Progressives Muhammadu Congress (APC), and Buhari in 2019, the Certainly the opposition Peoples federal law reflects Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria’s changing – have sparked angry reactions from demographics which indicate that Nigerians. The presidential form for 70 percent of the population is made the APC costs N100 million, while the up of people under the age of 35. PDP’s costs N40 million. According The law is aimed at ushering in an to the EFCC boss, the commission era of younger political leaders. But is more concerned with ensuring the high costs of parties’ nomination that corrupt elements do not come forms do not help this cause. to power in the country. The EFCC, he said, was concerned about good There must be a way to remove governance, transparency and this constraint. Let’s start by accountability, adding, “Above all, empowering INEC to put a limit on we are concerned about ensuring the prices of parties’ nomination that corrupt elements are not given forms.

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Letter to the Editor

Malaria: Tackling Life-threatening Disease for healthy citizenry By Aishat M. Abisola

n Nigeria, whenever a person falls sick or when a sign of sickness manifested people often assume and instantly relate the cause of sickness with Malaria. This is very common amongst Nigerians. But why should malaria be the first option that comes to mind? Come to think of it, When I was a child, I used to get sick very often and unsurprisingly, everyone’s first thought was that I had contracted Malaria. Ofcourse, the place where I lived then had a lot of mosquitos and therefore it was not absurd for other people to easily to believe and say that I had malaria. in most of the times I fell sick it was because of malaria, however, in several times it was just a brief and mild illness that could be treated without any fuss. Surprisingly, I never cared to ponder on this assumption in order to understand why it is like that. But thanks to the World Malaria Day that was celebrated recently, I was able to gathered my thoughts into understanding the whole assumption. World Malaria Day is celebrated on the 25th of April every year since its institution in 2007 by the WHO Member States at the World Health Assembly. This day gives the world the opportunity to be able look closely into areas that needs continuous investment and commitment for the prevention and control of malaria. The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day is, “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives”. In today’s society, there is, unfortunately, no tool or medication that could be use to completely get rid of Malaria. As such, there is a need for innovations and investment that will bring methods, antimalarial medication and other tools that will help speed up the fight against malaria. Despite all this, a large part of the world still suffers from this disease. As a person living in an African country that suffers from such a plight, I would be hardpressed to find someone who does not support or appreciate the work and assistance which the World Health Organisation has been rendering to make sure that, globally, malaria is completely eradicated. When one talks about malaria, it would be best to start with the definition. According to research and studies, malaria is a life threatening illness that is caused by plasmodium parasites which come from the bite of an infected anopheles female mosquito. To be more precise, there are 5 parasite species that are known to cause malaria in humans. I learnt that 2 of these parasites, P. falciparum and P. vivax, were the most threatening to humans. The articles that I read, said that P. falciparum is the deadliest and is the most common malaria parasite in Africa while P. vivax is the most dominant parasite in countries that are outside of sub-saharan Africa. Although, Malaria might not seem treatable or preventable but it could be. Nonetheless, it still has an upsetting impact on the health and lives of people globally. Some countries have the necessary tools to diagnose malaria in the early stages and control it while many countries lack the necessary resources needed for effective malaria screening. In some places, early diagnosis can help treat and control malaria. However, many countries lack the resources to carry out such effective screening. In the year 2020, there were approximately 241 million malaria cases globally and 627,000 deaths due to the disease, meaning that almost half of the world’s population was affected. Meanwhile, there were 14 million more cases in 2020 as compared to 2019, and 69 000 more deaths. An estimated 47.000 of these additional deaths were connected to disturbances in malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment during the pandemic. In 2021, the first ever antimalaria vaccine, called RTS,S (Mosquirix), got an approval from the WHO. The thing is that the vaccine is not for travellers to use by and is only made available for children living in certain parts of Africa. For travellers, there are pills that are available to help them prevent any infections. If you know what you are looking for, it is very easy to find the symptoms of malaria. If you do not keep a close eye, you can mistake malaria for a flu or fever. For uncomplicated malaria, you need to look out for: fever and chills, sweating, headaches, nausea and vomiting, body aches, weakness, mild jaundice, which can cause the

eyes to appear yellow, a higher breathing rate. Severe malaria is a life threatening medical emergency where all the organs in your body are at risk. The symptom of severe malaria are: severe anemia, blood in the urine, changes in blood clotting, impaired consciousness, changes in behavior, high acidity in the blood and body fluids, seizures, and a coma. Severe malaria is the most fatal kindof malaria and can lead to cerebral malaria which happens when parasitefilled blood cells block the small blood vessels to the brain and cause swelling or brain damage. Circling back to the beginning, some forms of plasmodiums can cause malaria to relapse in a person but if they can get early treatment and diagnosis, the same treatment can be used again in the event of a relapse. If someone were to get early treatment, they would be able to make a full recovery. The current treatment methods for malaria are: medication to remove the parasite from the bloodstream, hospitalization for those who have severe symptoms and intensive care, in some cases. From basic knowledge, medication is the most used method but most of the type of medication its factors are heavily on a few things: the plasmodium that kickstarted the disease, the severity of the symptoms, the location of where the person caught malaria, if they have taken any antmalarial drugs before and if the person is pregnant. Also, an important thing that I noticed is that people with complications could need a series of combinations of medications to survive. The time period for the malaria treatment is 2 days. In addition to all these, there is a malaria vaccine that is made available for children in Africa. My research into the treatment methods for malaria enlightened me on the main types of antimalarial drugs which are: chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, primaquine, artemisininbased therapy, atovaquone-proguanil. In Nigeria, although there are many ways to treat and diagnose malaria effectively, these methods are barely even useful to prevent the spread as well as to easily avoid deaths. Everywhere I look, there are mosquitoes and it feels like nothing is being done about them. Campaigns have been put in place and still running so that people, especially those in the indigenous areas, would be able to have clean environments to live as well as a peace of mind. Areas where mosquitoes are known to breed are cleaned up only to be reverted back to the way it was before. In my own opinion, in order to deal with this situation, we need to deal with it from the root. Indigenous people should be taught about the creature that causes malaria, how it does it, where it breeds and how to prevent it from harming them. They should be shown that there is a way to get rid of this menace permanently but that it can only be done with their cooperation. Mosquito nets should be given to the people and a regulation should perhaps be passed that every household needs to have at least 2 mosquito nets in their home to prevent any further infections. Mosquito repellents are a necessity and as such, their prices, along with the prices of mosquito nets, should be lowered so that they can be easily affordable and accessible. I also think that there should be more campaigns highlighting the need for this disease to be stopped. Whenever it is mentioned that millions of people, especially children, are dying due to a particular thing, everyone around the globe is willing to put an end to it. As shameful as this sounds, this fact needs to be taken advantage of for people to in this country to open their eyes and do something about malaria. The government, I believe, should or rather be proactive about the situation as they were given a loan by the World Bank this week for malaria intervenyion. It would be heartwarming and inspiring to see that the Nigerian government is trying its hardest to make sure that its citizens are free from this scourge of a disease. To quote T.R. Reid, “For the mass prevention of disease, mass education is a key weapon”. If the people of Nigeria, especially those at the grass roots, are not properly informed about this menace, how can we hope to end it without the loss of anymore lives? We cannot help anyone if we do not help ourselves first. I only hope that in the near future, this dark spot on the lives of many Nigerians, Africans, will be washed away with not even a tiny spot left. Aishat M. Abisola writes from Wuye District, Abuja aishatmohd03@gmail.com

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

Opinion

Consequences of extrajudicial killing By Nuruddeen Lemu

s it not even an Islamic legal maxim that states, “avoiding harm takes precedence over accruing benefits”?!? And what exactly is the clear benefit of permitting extra-judicial punishments and mob action?!? If we continue to defend and justify people who take the law into their own hands, because we feel so hurt by the words and actions of others (against Islam or our beloved Prophet – pbuh), and because we don’t trust the justice system, we will find it very difficult to blame any violent ethnic or religious group in Nigeria who also take the law into their own hands because they feel aggrieved by the words and actions of others, and because they too don’t trust the justice system. Extrajudicial punishments and killings that are justified for one crime, soon become justified for other crimes. There is nothing new or surprising about that! What

justified killing one person, soon justifies killing 20. If instead of focusing on and improving the justice system we decide to justify taking legal authority out of their hands, and putting it in the hands of angry mobs, we risk a state of anarchy/ fitna . If things go further out of hand, there will be no state apparatus that can control the anarchy because we would have done what was needed to disempower the state completely. We run the risk of sliding into a state of emergency ( darurah ) that will force the government to curtail more freedoms and rights in the name of “national security”. It takes us into a future that is far worse than the bad situation we are already in.We will, with all our love for Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) end up creating a society that is the exact opposite of what we hoped our faith would lead us towards. We will instead if we are not careful have more blasphemy – the very thing that

has aggrieved us! We will probably have more imprisonments and more extra-judicial deaths by more mobs. We will have more angry congregations, more social disorder and some mosques and churches closed down. Definitely more security challenges. We will endanger the freedom to practice our faith, which we currently have, if we do not choose to handle cases of blasphemy, in a manner that is consistent with Islamic law. And if the recent past has lessons for us, it would be that we could easily create the perfect environment, religious narratives and grievances needed, for the rise and support of more violent extremist groups. Who else, besides Shaitan and opportunists, happily benefits from the fitna/civil strife of anarchy?! Who gains?! How can our anger and indignation about blasphemy, be a justification for throwing away a system for dealing with crimes and offences.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and all the great classical jurists (fuqaha) of all schools of Islamic jurisprudence, have categorically asked us to maintain and follow the rule of law, and respect for constituted legal authority. And if the system is imperfect and cannot be trusted, how is it a better idea to start a new “system” that is far far far worse than what we currently have?! How can placing legal, judicial and executive authority in the hands of mobs be a solution?!? How does it help to replace an imperfect justice system with the anarchy of angry mobs?!?How can we pray for peace, while simultaneously perpetuating a system that will most effectively destroy it?! How is it Islamic to replace bad with that which is far worse and evil? How is it more Islamic to choose the greater of two evils?!? Is it not even an Islamic legal

maxim that states, “avoiding harm takes precedence over accruing benefits”?!? And what exactly is the clear benefit of permitting extra-judicial punishments and mob action?!? Should we not instead do all within our power to address the flaws of the judicial system; to call upon those vested with the judicial authority to deal with hate speech and acts of blasphemy?!? Let us seek and support Islamically acceptable ways of seeking redress for all wrongs and crimes. And mob action is definitely not one of them!Let us please focus on improving the justice system. Let’s call upon them and only them, to do what only they should do.” And beware of a tribulation that may not be limited to the wrongdoers among you… ” (Qur’an 8:25) Peace be upon you. Peace be upon Nigeria.

had no such appointment. A manhunt soon determined that he and Vicki abandoned the prison vehicle at a shopping centre, where she had apparently left her newly purchased car. It took 11 days before US Marshalls eventually caught up with them hundreds of miles away in Evansville, Indiana. By then, they were driving a pickup truck they apparently stole and it was stacked with arms and ammunition. They reportedly planned to engage the police in a shootout. But in the course of the chase, the Marshalls deftly pushed the escapees’ car into a ditch. Thus trapped, Casey surrendered. “Help my wife, she just shot herself,” he asked the Marshalls. The wife he was referring to was Vicki. She died later in the hospital. When, how, where and if they got married remained to be determined. Meanwhile, Casey was being returned to the county jail he escaped from. Now, do you still think it is socially blasphemous to make a case against love? Well, of course, you do. After all, it is a human essence, a major part of our complexity. We are at cloud nine when we have love and at the depth of despair when we lose it. It makes people profoundly give of themselves. And it makes people do insanely irrational things. René Descartes, the 17thcentury French mathematician and philosopher, is most reputed for the pithy declaration, “I think, therefore I am.” That is his view of the essence of being human. There

is a stronger case for replacing that with, I love therefore I am. Descartes did not have the benefit of witnessing the wonders of artificial intelligence and related engineering. Humanoids and androids are increasingly being engineered to have an uncanny capacity to act human. They certainly outdistance humans in the capacity to “reason” through complex problems. Still, they can never be human because they can’t love. You could say that that’s why robots “think” more clearly and precisely. You could also say that they don’t know what they are missing. And they might say, thank goodness we don’t have to deal with that convoluted emotion.

Nuruddeen Lemu is a Public Affairs Analyst.

The case against love By Minabere Ibelema

hat is his view of the essence of being human. There is a stronger case for replacing that with, I love therefore I am. Descartes did not have the benefit of witnessing the wonders of artificial intelligence and related engineering. Humanoids and androids are increasingly being engineered to have an uncanny capacity to act human. They certainly outdistance humans in the capacity to “reason” through complex problems. Still, they can never be human because they can’t love. In all my years living in the US state of Alabama, I never visited Florence, a small city about 116 miles northwest of Birmingham. But I got to know quite a bit about it through a former student who was a reporter/columnist at the Florence Times Daily. So, when news broke that an official at a prison there had fled with a murder suspect, I had reason beyond the oddity to be riveted. It is a most bizarre case of forbidden love, so bizarre that any comparison with Romeo and Juliet would be strained. The ending though was partially the same. We all crave to love and to be loved. Yet, this case raises the question anew: Is love a terrible thing? To many, this question itself is social blasphemy. Just read on anyway. The anomaly in this love tragedy isn’t just that a jail supervisor ran away with an inmate. It is also that the two are diametrically opposite in character and life story. The only thing they have in common is

their last names, but that’s just a coincidence. The inmate, Casey White, is a towering 38-year-old man with a long history of violence and criminality. At 6-foot 9-inces tall and weighing more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms), Casey is an imposing fellow. He is serving a 75-year sentence in state prison for a series of crimes and is currently facing another trial for a murder that occurred in 2015. Even while in prison, he told officers that he would kill his ex-girlfriend if he ever got out. This is all in sharp contrast with everything about Vicky White. She is a mere 5-foot 5-inches tall, 56 years old, and the assistant director of corrections (America’s euphemism for prisons). She was much respected in the lawenforcement establishment, where she worked for 17 years. “All of her co-workers, all the employees in the sheriff’s office, the judges, all have the most utmost respect for her,” County Sheriff Rick Singleton told the press. “Obviously there was a side to Vicky White that we weren’t aware of.” Yes, that was the Vicki White that got smitten by love. Before then, the widow, who had no children, lived a quiet life close to her mum. On return from work, she would routinely stop by the mum’s house to get some food. And thereafter she would take her dog for a walk, the mum told the press. Unbeknown to anyone, Vicki was falling in love with a man whose history of violence she knew too well, a man who is young enough to be her son. Well,

actually in hindsight, some prison staff told investigators, they overlooked some red flags. For one thing, Casey was getting more generous servings of meals at the behest of a prison supervisor. And he and Vicki talked considerably over the phone. They had known each other for about two years, dating back to early 2020. That was the first time Casey briefly spent time in the county jail before being returned to state prison. Apparently, that’s when he began to sow the seeds of seduction that materialised when he was returned to the county jail. Seth Ferranti, who served a prison term before becoming an author and filmmaker, offered the press some conjecture on how it all happened. “The long play – that’s how cons do it,” he said. “He must have put a crazy seduction game down.” It worked. Even as Vicki seemed unassailably devoted to her job, she was making plans for the daring escape. She incrementally withdrew $90,000 in cash from various bank accounts. She sold her house at far below market price and she set her retirement day on the very day she planned to abscond with an evidently dangerous man. That day she capitalised on her authority and reputation to pull off the escape without suspicion. She told the staff that she was taking Casey for a mental health examination. The rule requires that two prison guards accompany an inmate for such an appointment. Yet Vicki’s stated mission raised no eyebrows. It was hours later before it became known that the inmate

Tina Turner made the ultimate case against love when she sang, “Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” You might remember it from her 1980s hit song “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” It was her final adieu to her tumultuous and failed marriage to Ike Turner. Now, she must be glad to have a heart because she’s been romantically bonded to her second husband for about 35 years, though they only formalised the marriage nine years ago. The 19th-century English poet Lord Tennyson made the ultimate case for love when he wrote: “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”But then he never heard Vicki White’s story. Minabere Ibelema is a Public Affairs Analyst.

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NEWS

Deborah: Northern Governors Forum calls for calm T he Northern Governors Forum has called for calm following the killing of Miss Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, for alleged blasphemy. The chairman of the forum

and governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, made the appeal in a statement conveyed by his spokesperson, Dr Makut Macham in Jos. “The governors are concerned about the development which is clearly an extra-judicial

measure of addressing perceived infraction. “The northern governors appeal for calm following reports of the hijack of a peaceful protest which later turned violent and led to the imposition of a curfew in Sokoto metropolis,”.

The governors noted that any attempt to adopt self-help in addressing grievances whether religious or otherwise, could lead to further chaos. The forum commiserated with the family of the victim and appealed that security agencies be

allowed to thoroughly investigate the matter. It also commiserated with Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State over the incident, while commending the proactive measures he adopted to restore normalcy. The governors assured him of their solidarity and prayers in dealing with the matter, noting that they would ensure the adoption of necessary measures to forestall recurrence in any part of the region and nation at large. The forum also stressed the need for people from the northern part of the country and Nigerians to show love, tolerance and respect for one another irrespective of faith, ethnicity or other affiliations. (NAN)

2023: Atiku appeals for support From Yakubu Mustapha Minna L-R: National President, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Michael Nnachi, 2nd Vice National President NANNM, Comrade Blessing Isreal and the General Secretary if the Association, Comrade Shettima Thomas Ahmed, during the union pre -conference media briefing held in Abuja, Photo Justin Imo-owo

2023: Osun APC chieftain defects to NNPP

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun, Mr Muslihudeen Adekilekun on Saturday said he has defected to New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Adekilekun said this when he addressed a news conference in Ede town, adding that he left over alleged imposition of candidates by the leadership of the party. “Yesterday (Friday), I went to

the party leadership to announce my resignation. “I came from Olubokun Ward 4 Unit 9, Ede North Local Government and that is where I submitted my resignation letter an hour before the party’s ward weekly general meeting. “Since I became a member of APC, the party has never for once conducted any primary election,” he said. He alleged that the party

leadership has always imposed its preferred candidates on the people. Adekilekun said the imposition of candidates had always denied him the opportunity to represent the people in his constituency, even after obtaining nomination forms. “Since I began my aspiration to represent the good people of Ede Federal Constituency at the National Assembly in 2011, the APC has never conducted primaries to choose candidates, as demanded

by the Constitution. “Instead of conducting a primary election, the party leaders prefer to impose their anointed candidate on others in the name of consensus. “In spite of this injustice, I have never questioned the decision of the leaders each time they imposed their preferred candidates on us and it is on record that I have always supported the candidates with all I had. NAN

ormer Vice President and 2023 Presidential hopeful , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to support his aspiration and vote the Peoples Democratic Party to return to power at all levels so as to unite and restore development of the country. Atiku was speaking in Minna party secretariat while addressing delegates. The aspirant stated that, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) can not unite the country nor accelerate development. The Presidential hopeful while reminding the Niger State delegates of his long standing relationship with them, urge delegates to sustain the friendship.

Experts urge youths to participate more in nation-building

ome speakers at a leadership conference on Saturday urged youths to come together as one united front to build the Nigeria of their dreams. The Annual Youth Leadership Conference was organised by Superior Performance Global Network in Lagos, with the theme “Finding Your Voice’. One of the speakers, Mr Adeniyi Okunnu, a broadcast journalist, urged Nigerian youths to stay together and begin to proffer solutions to identified problems of the country. According to Okunnu, elections are coming and many people do not know the importance of participating in the electoral process by engaging in the process of having their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC). “If you begin to understand that your voice is important, then you will understand and look at certain things that

will propel you to make use of your voice the way it should be. “If people say Nigeria is bad, what are the areas that are bad? Are you thinking solution or you are just complaining? “Are you finding paths for turn around or you are thinking retrogression? If there is misunderstanding, we stay together and resolve it and fight as one to bring solutions. “You can not hate Nigeria and want the country to benefit you, you can not hate governance and want it to favour you. “You have to develop positive energy and interest for it to favour you. “This election period, you must register and have your PVC as people finding their voice to bring solutions,” he said. Mr Olusegun Odufuwa, founder, Superior Performance Global Network and convener conference urged youths to be determined to make more impact in the

country. Odufuwa enjoined Nigerian youths to believe in themselves and come together in unity to develop Nigeria despite the adversities and challenges bedeviling the country. “It has always been my passion to add value to, and create impact in my world as a young person. “I see my colleagues out there as people with lack of hope because of the adversities and the challenges in the county. “These challenges make them to begin to make wrong choices, so I decided to bring them together in my little world to inspire and ignite their passion. “I believe in the country called Nigeria and I know that young people are major building blocks of a good society. “If we all do the right thing, I know that Nigeria will be better; for you to find your voice you need to believe in yourself,” he

said. He advised the youths to change the idea of leaving the country to seek greener pastures abroad, urging them to join hands to build the nation. Micheal Olajunwon, one of the participants, said that the event had made them to know and believe that there was hope in the country. He appealed to leaders in the country to work with the citizens to give a better Nigeria. “Youths are the largest; I am encouraging us to use the power to build the nation we all desire,” he said. Another participant, Ms Omobolaji Adesanya, said there had to be a reorientation and shift in the mindset of the youths. He said that they had the power to make the nation better and should for work for peace and development of Nigeria. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

We support good governance under Dapo Abiodun – IPAC By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

he Ogun State Chapter of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has reiterated its support for good governance under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, with a vote of confidence in him for quality administration in the State. Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta, the State Chairman of IPAC, Samson Okusanya said the petition signed by one Ayodele Oludiran on behalf of a civil rights group seeking the disqualification of Abiodun was ill- conceived, and aimed at smearing the good work and the great achievements of the governor. He stated that it was imperative to state that the performance of Gov. Abiodun in the last three years was legendary and enviable, saying there was no doubting the fact that the State had witnessed a total turnaround in all ramifications. He said that the attention of IPAC was drawn to the petition allegedly written and signed by Oludiran on behalf of a group seeking the disqualification of the governor. He said, “Ogun IPAC would not have delved into the issue if such allegations were made by APC members, but the petition was written and signed by a Civil Society Organisation and now made public. “It, therefore, necessitates that as a body established and recognized by the law, we should beam our search light on the issue accordingly. “Upon the release of the petition, the leadership of IPAC met with the leadership of APC in the State to make necessary findings on the various allegations levelled against the State governor. “IPAC found out that the petition is spurious, not genuine and a calculated attempt to disparage the person of the Governor. “Dapo Abiodun is well educated with verifiable facts and a seasoned administrator per excellence whose corporate experiences have reflected in the ongoing transformational changes in Ogun State. “Definitely, the fifth columnists, who are hiding behind their fingers to truncate the development of Ogun State through all means, including the latest attempt through the spurious petition, shall be put to shame. “These set of people, who have mismanaged the resources of the State while at the helms of affairs in the State through so many fraudulent white elephant projects are today the mantrach/Epitome of ‘We shall do all things.’”

Osun 2022: Tracking campaign finances makes political parties accountable – INEC By Musa Baba Adamu

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on political parties and their followers to eschew violence and ensure peace as Osun State prepares for the July 16, 2022, gubernatorial election. This was made known during the INEC organised sensitisation workshop on campaign finance reporting for State chairmen and candidates for the Osun 2022 gubernatorial election in Osogbo. Professor AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji, the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, in his address, discouraged vote buying and selling.

He added that it was better for the political parties to engage in campaigns and dissemination of manifestoes. The Osun INEC boss, while stressing the importance of tracking political party finances, also hinted that vote buying and selling could also affect party finances’ tracking. Prof. Raji, who expressed INEC’s readiness to conduct the Osun gubernatorial poll, revealed that the electoral umpire views the workshop as part of its mandate in tracking political parties’ finances and report such to the appropriate quarters. While explaining that the electoral process becomes easy when campaign finances are

tracked, Raji stated that it would aid political parties to track their own finances and have an understanding of better conduct towards the election. “The workshop is held to sensitise political parties and candidates contesting in the election. We are taking them through the processes and necessary techniques to achieve proper tracking of political parties and campaign finances. “With the knowledge gained, the political parties will apply it because it will be useful to them at the end of the day “Apart from them making reports to us as the electoral umpire, we too will submit our

own reports to the appropriate quarters,” he said. Professor Raji also revealed that INEC had made provision for the physically challenged in the 2022 Gubernatorial and General Elections. In his words, “We are getting them involved and polling units have been created to take into consideration accessibility for the physically challenged. “We have made provision for braille ballot papers for the visually impaired and magnifying glasses for those who are visually impaired in the afternoon. “Also, we have employed sign language experts for those who are hearing impaired.”

Former Chairman, APC caretaker and extraordinary convention planning committee, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni (2nd right) flanked by Governor of Imo state Senator Hope Uzodinma (3rd left) and a delegation of senators from the national assembly came to submit the senate president’s nomination and expression of interest forms at the APC national secretariat on Friday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Resettlement: Treat Abuja indigenes like Lagos, others - FCT Rep, Jiba tells NASS By Stanley Onyekwere

go in the nearest future. According to him, the FCT came to Abuja in 1976, where original inhabitants were found, who in or for hundreds of years to come, would not go anywhere, as they have no other place outside Abuja, hence will remain there. He however, recalled that the issue of Mayoral status and Ministerial appointment for FCT during the recent Constitution Amendment process, did very were at the Lower House, but at the Upper House (Senate) was killed. “What we are fighting at the National Assembly - that issue of Mayoral status and Ministerial slot, the National Assembly approve such demand, so that we can be like other Nigerians. “Abuja as the FCT has come to stay, and this is not the first nation’s capital city that have been enjoying what we are agitating forlike the mayoral status is that the period that states are conducting gubernatorial elections, they should be allowed to elect their mayor or mayoral council. “People living in Lagos are

human beings, and people living in Abuja are equally humans created by God not man. So, our request is that if Lagos people are electing their governor and members of state assembly, we should also be allowed to do likewise. “Then, if they are appointing Ministers for the federation, FCT indigenes should be appointed too as they were in the Territory before the relocation of nation’s capital to Abuja. “I’m above 50 years, and the coming of the FCT is not up to 50 years, that will tell that people were here before it came. And we are not saying that the issue of the Ministerial slot should not come to one tribe alone”, he stressed. On his stewardship in the Lower House of the National Assembly, he said : “I have moved about 7 to 8 motions in the House on things that are affecting FCT; and got 3 bills such like the one seeking conversion of the Technical College, Orozo to a Polytechnic, which has gotten to public hearing at the Senate. “I’m executing plenty projects,

because I’m representing the two Area Councils- AMAC and Bwari, but if the people are complaining that past representatives didn’t do anything, it’s not about me, as the people are clapping that it is now that they got a representative in the House, because they have seen the projects physically on ground. “This week, before our primaries, we coming out with a comprehensive list of our constituency projects, as we have documented them, so that everybody should have them, and see that we have done our best within the period I have been in the House, and by June I will be three years in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly. “After consultation and consideration with stakeholders within AMAC and Bwari, they all agreed that I should go for a second tenure, that’s why I’m confident that this Friday’s primaries it is going to be unopposed, as I don’t anybody contesting with me, as it was the same situation when I was going for my second tenure as the AMAC Chairman”.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

POLITICS

From left: National Treasurer All Progressives Congress (APC) Uguru Matthew Ofoke, APC National Legal Officer Barrister Ahmed El-Marzuk, National Organizing Secretary Senator Suleiman Argungu, Deputy National Chairman North Senator Abubakar Kyari and Deputy National Organizing Secretary Nze Duru, during the inauguration of APC screening committee members on Saturday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Campaign of calumny can’t stop my victory at Osun polls – Governor Oyetola

re-elected, urging them not to allow those who lacked the basic knowledge of governance to deceive them. He stressed that his love for the masses, passion for their welfare and the development of the state were some of the reasons people wanted his re-election. The governor also said that his decision to seek for re-election was due to the confidence reposed in his administration by the electorate, who appreciated his meaningful contributions in the last three and half years. Oyetola, who boasted of his achievements, said since the inception of his administration,

he had embarked on series of developmental projects as well as prompt payment of salaries and pensions. He said that the electorate, who massively elected him in 2018, could attest to his resounding achievements in the area of infrastructure, education, health care delivery, empowerment, social intervention and other critical areas of development. The governor, however, urged members of the Ebira community to continue to live in peace with their host communities, adding that peaceful coexistence would bring stability and enhance national

economic growth and development. He noted that an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship between the government and the governed was needed for growth and development. Oyetola appealed to people who have been registered but were yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards to do so and support him at the poll to enable him consolidate on the achievements of the past years. In his remarks, Mr Shaibu Abere, President of the Ebira community, commended the governor for his love for non-indigenes which had made the state remained peaceful without inter-tribal conflicts.

Ukiwe, Onyekwere join guber race, obtain ADC, YPP forms for Abia 2023 By Musa Baba Adamu

bitu Ukiwe’s son, Otisi, has disclosed his intention to contest the governorship seat of Abia State in the upcoming 2023 general elections. Recall that Otisi’s father, Ebitu Ukiwe was a commodore in the Nigerian Navy who served ad the de facto Vice President of Nigeria

under the military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida. Otisi, who made his interest known, disclosed that he would actualize his gubernatorial bid on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the upcoming general elections. It was contained in a release posted in the official facebook page of the Abia chapter of the

ADC. Earlier during his visit to the party’s secretariat in Abuja, Otisi Ukiwe also obtained the ADC Gubernatorial Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the party. In another development, a governorship hopeful under the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), in Abia

State, Onyekwere Akym Uche, has picked the N7m Gubernatorial Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the Party. Onyekwere obtained the forms at the national secretariat of the YPP in Abuja. This came after the gubernatorial aspirant had also in January, 2022, dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Why I dumped APC – Osun Reps aspirant, Adekilekun By Christiana Ekpa

n aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the House of Representatives in Osun State, Muslihudeen Adekilekun has dumped the party. He was seeking the APC ticket for Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/ Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections. Adekilekun who spoke to journalists in Ede at the weekend, also announced the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as his new political platform. Citing imposition of candidates as his decision to dump the APC, Adekilekun disclosed that he had been contributing to the growth of the APC in Osun since 2011. He added that despite his many contributions to the growth of the party in the federal constituency, leaders often imposed candidates during party primaries, thereby making his sacrifice, loyalty and dedication all to no avail. Maintaining that the party operated like a cult in Ede, he revealed that the APC had transformed into a party that encouraged bribery over loyalty, preferred godfatherism to popularity/acceptability. He added that honouring and forcing party members to accept newcomers over faithful members and encouraging manipulation instead of integrity were all the hallmarks of the party. Members of the APC in Osun had in recent times been protesting imposition of candidates on them. They have also been alleging that the party leadership had been ignoring them and was only doing the bidding of the Governor. On Sunday, May 8, 2022, APC members in Ilesa West Local Government had protested to the Osogbo residence of Adegboyega Famodun, the State party chairman and called for an end to imposition of candidates.

Why many prominent politicians are defecting to NNPP – Founder

ioneer National Chairman and founder, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Boniface Aniebonam has described the gale of defections into the party as “a manifestation of divine intervention toward giving Nigeria the right leadership”. Aniebonam told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday that the new entrants were on a mission to rescue Nigeria from “the poor leadership it has suffered over the years”. “It is NNPP’s divine time to provide leadership in the country. NNPP is going to create a new Nigeria everyone will be proud of,” he told NAN. NAN reports that the political party has attracted leading politicians including Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano governor, Defence Minister and Ambassador.

Others include Mr Ben Kure, Special Adviser (Political Affairs) to Gov Nasir elRufai of Kaduna and Ali Makoda, Chief of Staff to Gov Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano. Last week 13 members of the Kano State House of Assembly defected to the NNPP, of the figure, 10 were from the PDP while three were of the APC. The Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Zubairu Massu, a member of the APC, joined his colleagues and defected to the NNPP on Friday. A chieftain of the APC in Osun, Muslihudeen Adekilekun, also ran to the NNPP on Saturday along with thousands of his supporters. Aniebonam told NAN that all that was happening in other political parties was to fulfill the divine destiny of the NNPP that had been in existence for 21 years.

“In its 21 years of existence, the NNPP now has office in all parts of the federation. The party has gradually become a movement all Nigerians must join. Everyone should join the winning team. “We are the beautiful bride in the north as it is and we hope to expand to all parts of Nigeria as the party to beat,” he said. He said that the NNPP, being a party with a divine mandate, would ensure that its primaries are fair to all, including to new entrants. Aniebonam said that the NNPP would transform Nigeria from being a consumption nation to a productive state, to address challenges. According to him, some of the challenges facing the nation are rooted in the bitter fact that Nigeria is no longer a productive state.

“The fact that we are not a producing nation is responsible for the myriad of problems around the economy and security. It is the cause of unemployment and many other challenges.” The NNPP founder said the panacea to youth restiveness was to move Nigeria from being a consumption nation to a productive nation. He said that NNPP was committed to engaging the youth by reviving all moribund companies to gainfully engage the Nigerian youths. Aniebonam said the party would invest in education and encourage both the learners and educators. He said that the party would provide right leadership to address most of the current challenges facing the nation. NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

POLITICS

2023: Chekwas Okorie to rejoin APGA as party tenders apology By Christiana Ekpa

ounding national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, at the weekend hinted at his return to the party. The new national chairman of APGA, Chief Edozie Njoku led the members of the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to Okorie’s Enugu residence last weekend, during which they apologized to him for all the unjust treatment against him. They asked him to return home and not abandon his baby. Although Okorie was not exact in response to their return, he declared that they would get a favourable answer, and went further to say that new dawn beckoned for APGA. “I’m so happy to recite the APGA slogan again; I must tell you that I’m a bit emotional, with everything said by the national chairman, Chief Edozie Njoku who has just been confirmed by the Supreme Court and recognized by the INEC. “Even if my heart is made of stone, I’m touched, you have melted it; however, on

APGA matters, my heart can never be made of stone. “APGA is a victim of political brigandage carried out by political buccaneers. But today, God has rescued APGA, the days of the locust is over. We are going to build back APGA and people like Victor Umeh must be checked because he is a human virus. “I will consider what you have requested and I assure you of a very favourable answer after I consult with all those who stood by me these years. “However, I will not keep you waiting for too long. Nigerians will hear from me within the coming week.” Earlier, Njoku and the APGA NWC members said the essence of the visit was to apologize to Chief Okorie and bring him back into the fold. “We are here today to say that APGA is sorry from the bottom of our hearts. We apologize profusely for the injustice you suffered. “A Supreme Court judgement this week confirmed us as the authentic leadership of APGA and this is our first outing. We are here to say that APGA is your home, APGA is your baby, please come back to your home,” Njoku said.

We’ll ensure best candidates clinch APC flags in 2023 - Adamu By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

ational Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, has asserted that the party will field only the best candidates out of the lot angling to secure the APC tickets for various positions to contest in 2023 General Elections. Adamu stated this while inaugurating the party’s screening committees for governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants in Abuja on Saturday, 14th May, 2022. Represented by Malam Abubakar Kyari, the national chairman also used the opportunity to welcome new decampees into the party. He said: “We have a very strong party; we have a big party. And we’re committed to delivering the right candidates for the forthcoming elections. We have no doubt that the distinguished ladies and gentleman assembled here will do just that. “And I know there’s a long, long huddle ahead of all of us. I would like to at this point plead with you to be patient, screen thoroughly so that we can have the best of the best. “We have been very fortunate as a party that we have produced the best. Today we have 22 states and at the last count before myself (Kyari) and the national chairman and one of our colleagues resigned from the Senate we had

70 senators out of 109, which is just three shy of the two-third majority needed in the Senate. Also we have almost two-third of the House of Representatives membership. “And even after we had left we had one senator who decamped into the APC from Sokoto and we’re expecting another one from Oyo to officially cross the aisle to the APC. All of us here in the National Working Committee, on behalf of the national chairman, would like to welcome you here. National Organising Secretary, APC, Suleiman Argungu, said the party has a total number of 145 senatorial aspirants while 1,197 were aspiring for the House of Representatives. Argungu said: “Let me on behalf of the National Chairman and National Working Committee welcome you all. This exercise is to screen our gubernatorial aspirants, senatorial aspirants and aspirants to the of House of Representatives. “So far, we have 145 aspirants for the Senate and we have constituted three panels to screen the governorship aspirants. Also, we have 351 aspirants who have returned the senatorial aspiration forms. We have 1,197 aspirants for the House of Representatives with 10 panels.” Argungu disclosed that “we have 28 presidential aspirants so far. They will be screened on the 23rd of May, 2022.”

Wike: PDP may cease to exist if it loses 2023 presidential election By Musa Baba Adamu

overnor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State at the weekend said that he remained the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant that could defeat the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). Wike, in the company of some PDP chieftains, made this remark when he met national delegates of the Lagos chapter of PDP in Ikeja. The aspirant, who noted that he was not running to be Vice President to anybody, said that if elected, peace, security of lives and property would be prioritised to strengthen the nation’s sustainable infrastructure, food security, prosperity and economic turnaround. He said the nation needed a strong and courageous leader like him now, adding that with a courageous leader, difficult decisions would be taken to tackle the nation’s challenges.

“The issue now is who can win election for PDP. Who has the capacity to face the APC? Who will win election for PDP? That is me here. “I will face APC squarely. If you give me this ticket on May 28 and May 29, go home and sleep with your two eyes closed,” Wike said. The governor said that PDP must do everything possible not to lose the 2023 presidential election. “If we lose the presidential election in 2023, we can as well forget PDP. “I have been tested in terms of performance. Mine is ‘talk and do’,” he added. “I depend on the South-west. If the Southwest gives me the votes, I have won the election. Donate all your votes to me,” he said. Ibrahim Dankwambo, former governor of Gombe, who led Wike’s delegation, described the presidential aspirant as a fearless and courageous leader, with a strong capacity to drive Nigeria forward.

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Hackers can intercept remote control signals to steal vehicles, NCC warns Nigerians

L-R. Dr Shuaibu Belgore Perm. Sec. Min. of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Minister for Interior, Lai Mohammed Minister, Ministry of information & Culture and Fmr Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, during the official Launching/ Flag Off of The Nigeria Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System (NISPSAS) Mobile App, in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imoowo

IMF calls for new payment system to accommodate central bank digital currencies From Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja

ristalina Georgieva, managing director, International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called for the development of a new public infrastructure to connect various payment systems, including digital currencies. She added that countries need to work together to build new ‘roads, railways, bridges, and tunnels’ — using public digital platforms to connect payment systems. Georgieva said this in a report on the IMF’s website, themed “Confronting Fragmentation: How to Modernise the International Payment System”. According to her, the new payment system would help counter the fragmentation of the international monetary system. “It would be a new way of connecting people, markets, and economies in the

digital world,” she said. She said this would make international payments more efficient, safer, and more inclusive. “Crucially, it would reduce the risk of fragmentation,” she added. “That is a tall order, but not an insurmountable one. Scaling this mountain is well worth it. “And for that, our Swiss friends again can be our guides — with their history of cooperation and, quite literally, their mountaineering expertise.” The IMF said the world must think like a mountaineer by using state-of-the-art equipment, adapting to the existing terrain, and “relying on our team”. The Bretton Woods institution said the platform must connect various forms of money countries will use and legally support. “That includes commercial bank

deposits, but potentially also central bank digital currencies, and even some stablecoin arrangements — if they are welldesigned and regulated,” it said. “Such a platform is especially important for economies with less advanced payment systems. By embracing diverse forms of money, we can make payments work for all people, in all countries.” Furthermore, IMF added that as payments become more efficient, capital flows would also continue to evolve. “We may see an overall increase in inflows. This could boost productive investment and integrate markets—and we may see more flows to low-income countries, or sectors that have benefited less in the past,” it said. In addition, IMF said countries must rely on one another to modernise the international payment system and mitigate fragmentation.

SEC issues new regulations on issuance, exchange of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria From Abubakar Yunusa,Abuja

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released a set of new regulations guiding the issuance, exchange and custody of digital assets in Nigeria. The development is coming more than a year after the commission issued the classification and treatment of digital assets. According to SEC, a digital asset means a digital token that represents assets such as a debt or equity claim on the issuer. In 2020, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed financial service providers to halt cryptocurrency transactions. But, in its new regulations, SEC

said mandates the registration of “the offering and sale of digital tokens that are considered securities”. It added that the rules shall apply to all issuers seeking to raise capital through digital asset offerings. According to the regulation, digital asset actors include digital asset offering platforms (DAOPs), digital asset custodians (DACs), virtual assets service providers (VASPs), and digital assets exchange (DAX). SEC said it would review applications within 30 days before determining whether the digital asset proposed to be offered constitutes a “security.” “The commission may reject any application for registration of digital assets if, in its opinion, the proposed

activity infringes public policy, is injurious to investors or violates any of the laws, rules and regulations implemented by the commission,” the regulator added. The regulation provides that issuers may only raise funds within a limit of N10 billion. It, however, added that it could adjust the ceiling from time to time. According to the regulation, SEC said it would accommodate digital assets offering platform (DAOP) — an electronic platform operated by a DAOP operator for offering digital assets — provided it tendered evidence of a minimum paidup capital of N500 million and a current fidelity bond covering at least 25 per cent of the minimum paid-up capital.

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned the public of an ongoing cybervulnerability that allows a nearby hacker to unlock vehicles, start engines wirelessly and make away with cars. In a statement on Saturday, Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC’s director of public affairs, said the notice was in accordance with the latest advisory released by the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) of the commission, the cybersecurity centre for the telecom sector. NCC said the vulnerability is a manin-the-middle (MitM) attack or, more specifically, a replay attack in which an attacker intercepts the RF signals normally sent from a remote key fob to the car, manipulates, and re-sends them later to unlock the car at will. It added that the latest type of cyberattack can manipulate the captured commands and re-transmit them to achieve a different outcome altogether. “Multiple researchers disclosed a vulnerability, which is said to be used by a nearby attacker to unlock some Honda and Acura car models and start their engines wirelessly. The attack consists of a threat actor capturing the radio frequency (RF) signals sent from your key fob to the car and resending these signals to take control of your car’s remote keyless entry system,” the CSIRT said. It, however, offered some precautionary measures that could be adopted by car owners to prevent falling victim. “When affected, the only mitigation is to reset your key fob at the dealership,” it said. “Besides, the affected car manufacturer may provide a security mechanism that generates fresh codes for each authentication request, this makes it difficult for an attacker to ‘replay’ the codes thereafter. “Additionally, vulnerable car users should store their key fobs in signal-blocking ‘Faraday pouches’ when not in use.” It added that car owners in the stated categories are advised to choose passive keyless entry (PKE) as opposed to remote keyless entry (RKE), which would make it harder for an attacker to read the signal as criminals would need to be at close proximity to carry out their operations. The PKE is an automotive locking system that operates automatically when the holder is in proximity to the vehicle. The RKE system, on the other hand, represents the standard solution for conveniently locking and unlocking a vehicle’s doors and luggage compartment by remote control. Additionally, in a related advisory, the NCC, based on another detection by CSIRT, announced the resurgence of joker trojaninfected android apps on the Google Play store. “This arose due to the activities of criminals who intentionally download legitimate apps from the Play Store, modify them by embedding the Trojan malware and then uploading the app back to the Play Store with a new name,” it said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

BU$IN€SS

FBN Holdings to release results on or before May 30th 2022 From Abuja

Abubakar

Yunusa

he Management of FBN Holdings, owners of First Bank, has confirmed it will release its audited results for the year ended December 2021 on or before the end of May 2022. FBN Holding is yet to release its 2021 audited accounts and the first quarter 2022 results

weeks after its competitors have published theirs. It explained it is awaiting approval from its primary regulators, Central Bank of Nigeria. The bank holding company confirmed it will release its audited financial statement and first quarter unaudited financial statements on or before May 30, 2022 after receiving the approval

of the CBN. “FBN Holdings Plc (“FBNH” or “the Company”) wishes to notify the Nigerian Exchange Limited (‘NGX’ or ‘the Exchange’) and the investing public that the Company was unable to file and publish its Unaudited Financial Statements (Q’1 2022 UFS) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, by April 30, 2022, as required under the Rules of the

NGX.” “The Company’s inability to publish was due to the delays in finalizing the Audited Financial Statements (FY 2021 AFS) of the Group for the year ended December 31, 2021. The FY 2021 AFS was concluded and submitted to the Company’s primary regulator on April 29, 2022.” FBN Holding last reported

Commodity prices’ll remain high in Nigeria, others –World Bank

he World Bank has said that the war in Ukraine has dealt a major shock to commodity markets, altering global patterns of trade, production, and consumption in ways that will keep prices at historically high levels through the end of 2024. The World Bank said this in its latest Commodity Markets Outlook report. According to a new report by the Washington-based bank titled,

“Food and energy price shocks from Ukraine war could last for years,” the increase in energy prices over the past two years had been the largest since the 1973 oil crisis. Price increases for food commodities—of which Russia and Ukraine are large producers— and fertilizers, which relied on natural gas as a production input, had been the largest since 2008. “Overall, this amounts to the

largest commodity shock we’ve experienced since the 1970s. As was the case then, the shock is being aggravated by a surge in restrictions in the trade of food, fuel and fertilizers,” said the World Bank’s Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions, Indemit Gill “These developments have started to raise the spectre of stagflation. Policymakers should take every opportunity to increase

economic growth at home and avoid actions that will bring harm to the global economy.” According to the report, energy prices were expected to rise more than 50 per cent in 2022 before easing in 2023 and 2024. Non-energy prices, including agriculture and metals, are projected to increase almost 20 per cent in 2022 and will also moderate in the following years. Nevertheless, commodity

L-R: Director, Commodities and Export Department, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Suleiman Adebayo Audu, Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Dr. Ezra Yakuzak, nollywood, Actress, Tonto Dikeh and the Director General, Committee of Youths on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS), Comrade Obinna Nwaka, during the 2nd NEPC Export for Survival walk and awareness campaigns, Theme: “Our Survival as a Nation depends on Export”, held on Saturday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Pitan calls on DFIs to increase funding for agriculture, infrastructure From Abuja

Abubakar

Yunusa

he Chairman, Association of Nigerian Development Finance Institution, Mr Olukayode Pitan, has called for increased collaboration among Development Finance Institutions to tackle some of the economic challenges facing the country. A statement said the event, which was attended by representatives of all the DFIs in Nigeria, had the theme, ‘Innovative financing for sustainable growth and development’. Pitan, who is also the managing director of the Bank of Industry,

said this at the opening session of the association’s second annual general assembly. Pitan said it had become compelling for DFIs to increase the level of their intervention due to the fact that Nigeria was home to an estimated 200 million people and projected to experience monumental population growth to about 400 million people by the year 2050. He said while there had been marked economic improvement through the years from various intervention programmes and infrastructural investments, the World Bank in its projection this year stated that Nigeria would be

home to 95.1 million poor people. Pitan said what this meant was that more efforts were required in the area of poverty alleviation, infrastructural and human capital development, agriculture, and industry, among others. He said, “The actions of all of us at this event shall have a significant input on determining whether the growth of Nigeria’s population will promote prosperity and improve the livelihood of the Nigerian people or become a source of fragility, social tension, and increased economic hardships. “Nigerian DFIs have the potential to address these issues, working in synergy with the

organised private sector as well as the three tiers of government. “Indeed, we are charged with enabling various sectors and segments of the economy such as agriculture, industry, infrastructure, export and import, and mortgage.” Giving an update on the ANDFI secretariat, the chairman said a new and furnished workspace had been established at the Bank of Industry, Abuja corporate office, while members of staff had been recruited. He said the members of staff would execute the vision of the secretariat and provide regular updates as required.

its earnings in the third quarter of 2021 reporting a pre-tax profit of N40.7 billlion compared to N54.3 billio same period the year before. The company share price has averge N11.95 per share since its shareholders battled for who owned significant control. “FBNH plans to publish both the FY 2021 AFS and the 01 2022 UFS on or before May 30, 2022, by which time the necessary approval would have been obtained from our primary regulator.” prices are expected to remain well above the most recent fiveyear average. In the event of a prolonged war or additional sanctions on Russia, prices could be even higher and more volatile than currently projected. Because of war-related trade and production disruptions, the World Bank predicts the price of Brent crude oil at an average of $100 a barrel in 2022, its highest level since 2013 and an increase of more than 40 per cent compared to 2021. Prices are expected to moderate to $92 in 2023—well above the five-year average of $60 a barrel. Natural gas prices (European) are expected to be twice as high in 2022 as they were in 2021, while coal prices are expected to be 80 per cent higher, with both prices at all-time highs. “Commodity markets are experiencing one of the largest supply shocks in decades because of the war in Ukraine,” said Director of the World Bank’s Prospects Group, Ayhan Jose, which produces the Outlook report. “The resulting increase in food and energy prices is taking a significant human and economic toll—and it will likely stall progress in reducing poverty. Higher commodity prices exacerbate already elevated inflationary pressures around the world.” The report said wheat prices were forecast to increase more than 40 per cent, reaching an alltime high in nominal terms this year. That will put pressure on developing economies that rely on wheat imports, especially from Russia and Ukraine. Metal prices are projected to increase by 16 per cent in 2022 before easing in 2023 but will remain at elevated levels. “Commodity markets are under tremendous pressure, with some commodity prices reaching all-time highs in nominal terms,” said Senior Economist in the World Bank’s Prospects Group, John Baffes. “This will have lasting knockon effects. The sharp rise in input prices, such as energy and fertilizers, could lead to a reduction in food production particularly in developing economies. Lower input use will weigh on food production and quality, affecting food availability, rural incomes, and the livelihoods of the poor.”

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

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MTN says 60 million of its customers have linked their NIN From Abubakar Abuja

Yunusa,

elecommunications company, MTN Nigeria has said that approximately 60 million of its customers have linked their National Identification Number (NIN) with their SIM as of April 25, 2022. According to the company, this represents 85 per cent of its subscriber base. As of April 4, 2022, when the government directed the telcos to bar outgoing calls on lines that were not yet linked, MTN

says 19 million of its subscribers were affected. However, as of April 25, 8.7 million of those restricted submitted their NINs for verification, out of which approximately 1.2 million have been reactivated, MTN disclosed in its Q1 financial results that its subscriber base as of March 30, 2022, stood at 70.2 million. This means that over 10 million of its subscribers were yet to link their NIN as of April. Highlighting the impacts of the government’s directive on its revenue, MTN in its Q1 2022 financial results, said:

“Following the NCC’s directive on 4 April 2022 that all operators should restrict outgoing calls for subscribers whose SIMs are not associated with NINs, we implemented the directive on approximately 19 million of our affected subscribers at that date. “However, subscribers whose outgoing calls were restricted for non-submission of their NINs require their NINs to be verified before being reactivated. As at 25 April 2022, about 8.7 million of those restricted submitted their NINs for verification, of which approximately 1.2 million have

been reactivated, many of whom are high-value customers.” “Outgoing voice revenue from the subscribers who are yet to be reactivated therefore contributed approximately 7.8% of total service revenue based on FY 2021. In terms of how general traffic trends have evolved since the implementation of the directive, we have seen a drop off in traffic following our compliance with the directive,” the company added. It noted, however, that it has started seeing a gradual recovery as the affected subscribers are reconnected to resume voice

calls. “As MTN Nigeria, we continue to engage our affected subscribers while providing hardware support for the National Identity Management Commission to accelerate the verification of NINs submitted. We have taken significant steps to help drive NIN enrolment for subscribers who do not yet have a NIN, deploying over 4,200 points of enrolment across the country. We have also provided multiple channels to enable our customers to submit their NIN for verification and linkage,” the company sated.

R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari Receives President of South Sudan H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit Special Envoy, Hon Albino Matham Ayuel during an audience with the Special Envoy at the State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MAY 13TH 2022.

igeria and Benin Republic have decided to invite the private sector to run the Seme-Krake joint border post to facilitate trade between the two countries and sub-regional communities. Eric Ojiekwe, director, press and public relations at the federal ministry of transportation, disclosed this in a communique released after the ministerial meeting on the operationalisation of the Seme/ Krake joint border post. He said the two countries agreed to address the challenges mitigating the smooth operation of the border post.

Nigeria, Benin Republic sign bilateral agreement on Seme-Krake joint border post The challenges, the two countries said, would be addressed within two years. Ojiekwe said the highlight of the occasion was the signing of the bilateral agreement on the operationalisation of the joint border post. Gbemisola Saraki, minister of state for transportation, signed on behalf of the Nigerian government while Romuald

Wadagni, Benin Republic’s minister of economy and finance, signed on behalf of his country. In October 2018, the joint border post was inaugurated by the presidents of both countries. The Seme-Krake border is between Benin and Nigeria, about 37 km from Cotonou on the principal coastal road between Cotonou and Lagos,

Nigeria. Seme is a part of Ouéme department in Benin. The semeKrake joint border is one of the busiest boundary lines in Africa, daily recording the huge movement of persons, goods and services. The joint border post was funded by European and multilateral contributions and is equipped with state-of-the-

art scanners, a weighbridge and modern offices for customs and immigration officials. The seme-Krake border (juxtaposed zone) is secured by all units of both national customs and police authorities (Benin and Nigeria). Passing goods and trucks must be inspected by the national police and customs agents.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

METRO

NGO empowers 100 vulnerable women By Stanley Onyekwere

o fewer than 100 vulnerable women and girls in FCT and Nasarawa state received grinding machines, heavy duty earmuffs and five thousand Naira token (each) from a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Citizens’ Health Education and Development Initiative (CHEDI). CHEDI noted that the economic empowerment programme was funded through the World Bank Staff Community Connections Campaigns for 2022. During the distribution of the items at the Govt Secondary School, Wuse 2, Abuja, the economic empowerment programme also featured Goodwill messages from representatives of Ministers of Federal Ministry of humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development; Federal Ministry of

Women Affairs; Federal Ministry of Health; Federal Ministry of Budget and National amongst other dignitaries. In her remarks, CHEDI’s Executive Director, Chief Mrs. Selina Akunna Enyioha, described the beneficiaries as special people, as they were fished out from among millions of women and girls that require assistance in Nigeria. Enyioha explained that from the Community Needs Assessment the Initiative conducted in some of the communities, most of the women interviewed requested to be empowered with grinding machines which they can operate at home or close to their homes. She added that many of the beneficiaries were scared of venturing to their farms for fear of being kidnapped, raped or at times, killed, and some of them who are bread winners to their families, could no longer afford

feeding their children, send them to school or pay hospital bills, hence they needed an alternative means of livelihood. According to her, with the economic situation in the country now, compounded by Covid-I9 pandemic and worsened by insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, rape and other vices, everyone is now in need and qualifies tor some form of empowerment. “Today, we are empowering 49 vulnerable women from Nasarawa State and 51 from FCT. And we are very grateful to our Funders, the World Bank Staff for accepting the idea of empowering these vulnerable women with petrol operated grinding machines as requested. “With this empowerment now, they are assured of daily income, to help pay school fees for their children, take care of some other family needs. “About this time last year, we

also empowered 60 Vulnerable Women from the 6 FCT Area Councils from funds provided by the same World Bank Staff. She encouraged the beneficiaries to engage in collective savings (Osusu), which will help them to make some savings, to ensure that they maintain the grinding machines and have someone leftovers for other needs. She used the opportunity to appeal to other similar organizations and rich individuals to borrow a leaf from the World Bank staff by emulating their kind gesture and proving funds to CHEDI to empower more women for a better tomorrow. A beneficiary from Nasarawa state, Nkem Ezenwa, expressed profound gratitude to CHEDI and World Bank Staff for commitment to reach the unreached in the society, and assured that the beneficiaries would ensure the judicious use of the items

One of the beneficiaries of the economic empowerment from a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Citizens’ Health Education and Development Initiative (CHEDI), funded through the World Bank Staff Community Connections Campaigns for 2022, in Abuja.

FHA disowns developer as FCTA pulls down Abuja mansion By Stanley Onyekwere

fficials of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) disowned a developer, Prince Joseph Kpokpogiri, whose Multi- Million Naira Mansion in Abuja, was demolished by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) The FHA officials, alongside its Managing Director, Gbenga Ashafa had visited the site of the doomed building three days ago, in company of some top Management team of FCTA, admitted that the plot of land originally belongs to FHA, but denied that proper building plan was approved before the mansion was erected. FHA affirmed that notices to stop work were served at different stages and time of the work, but

Kpokpogiri refused to comply. The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority , Engr. Shehu Hadi who was also in the team that visited the site, said that the road alignment had been done long ago and FHA was duly notified. Hadi noted that the road alignment which the demolished building obstructs, was designed to serve as an important bypass to Abuja-Keffi axis. He added that any plan to realign the road because of the building would be difficult and not fair judgement to those that it would affect, considering that the demolished building was not in existence earlier when the plan started. Similarly, Director, Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima

said the Multi-billion Naira Mansion, located in the highbrow District of Guzape, Abuja, was an unapproved, and can’t be allowed to over ride public interest. Galadima noted that the Mansion sitting on a rock in the fast developing district, is an obstruction to a major road network, connecting the popular Apo bridge to many parts of the city. According to him, FHA was duly allocated the Area in the district to carry out its Mass Housing programme. He however, clarified that when the road network of the district was officially realigned, FHA was promptly notified that some plots of lands within its area have been affected. Galadima added, that FHA was ordered not to allow any

further development on the affected plots , as replacement plots will be given to them. He also denied lack of interagency collaboration between FCTA and FHA, stating that all necessary communications were properly documented. On his part, Kpokpogiri, the estranged lover of Popular Nollywood star, Tonto Dikeh has however claimed that the decision to pull down his mansion worth over N700m was an act of oppression. He alleged that his house was demolished because he refused to sell it to some “ powerful “ but unnamed individuals who had begged him to sell the property to them. He assured that he would fight fervently to get justice for the demolished building.

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NDC boss hails FCT Minister over infrastructure, security By Stanley Onyekwere

he Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Murtala M. Bashir has commended the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello on the provision of critical infrastructure and ensuring security in the FCT. A statement from Chief Press Secretary, office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, disclosed that Bashir made the commendation when he led a delegation of top officials of the College on a courtesy visit to the FCT Minister in his office. In the words of the Commandant, "We want to recognize and appreciate the good work you are doing in the FCT in terms of provision of security and development of critical infrastructure. Our prayer is that that the Almighty God will continue to give you the focus so that you will take the Territory to the next level". Rear Admiral Bashir also congratulated the FCTA on the performance of its Director of Security, Mr Adamu Gwary, a member of Nigerian Defence College Course 30 whom he described as an exceptional participant who was giving a good account of himself and the FCTA in the NDC. While revealing that the College will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022, he solicited the support of the FCT Administration for the success of the anniversary celebrations. In his response, the FCT Minister congratulated the Commandant on his appointment, adding that the College has always produced very high quality Nigerian and foreign graduates, who have been the pride of the country and the College. Bello acknowledged that after 30 years, the NDC had become a very strategic leadership training Institute not only for the Armed Forces but for other Nigerians as well. He expressed his delight that Abuja was host city for such an important institution and pledged the support of the FCT Administration for its continual growth and development. He disclosed that FCTA is working assiduously to fast-track infrastructural development in the Institutional District where the permanent site of the NDC is being developed to facilitate its movement to the permanent campus. Bello also said that it would be an honour for him to deliver a paper on leadership during the 30th anniversary celebrations following a request from Rear Admiral Bashir for him to do so. The Minister however, appealed for consideration of short capacity development courses for some traditional leaders as well as staff of the FCTA, to enable them improve their understanding and appreciation of government policies and regulations.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Buffalo shooting: ‘Bodies were everywhere’ W itnesses to a raciallymotivated attack at a New York state supermarket have been describing the horrific moment an 18-year-old white man pulled out a gun and began a shooting spree that left 10 people dead. The attacker, dressed in military gear, drove into the car park at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo at about 2.30pm (19:30 BST) and began livestreaming his rampage via a camera on his helmet. “When I first saw him shooting he shot a woman, he shot a deacon, he shot another woman... and then he went in the store and he started shooting again,” eyewitness Grady Lewis told reporters. Katherine Crofton, a retired firefighter and doctor, told the local paper she had been playing with her dog and smoking a cigarette when she heard a shot from her front porch. “I didn’t see him at first, I turned around and I saw him shoot this woman,” she said. “She was just going into the store. And then he shot another woman. She was putting groceries into her car. I got down because I did not know if he was going to shoot me.” The suspected gunman has been identified in court documents as Payton Gendron, of Conklin, New York. Of the 13 people shot, police said 11 were black. The authorities say it was a racially motivated attack in what is a predominantly black neighbourhood. Inside the “packed” supermarket, operations manager Shonell Harris told Buffalo News she was putting out groceries when the shooting happened. “I heard a noise, and then it got louder and closer, and everybody started running”, she said. The gunman was arrested after the shootings outside the Tops Friendly Market store Hearing the gunshots, Ms Harris said she made for the back exit, and ran around to the front of the store to look for her daughter, who was also working inside the supermarket. At the front of the store, she said she saw the gunman, clothed “like he was dressed for the army”, shoot another person. She then ran back around to the back exit, where she found her daughter. “I just grabbed her, I hugged her,” she said. “It’s like a nightmare... you see this on TV, you hear about it on TV... but I never thought I would be one of them.” Three people were shot dead in the car park and the other seven were killed inside the

supermarket, police said. As the shooter entered the store, a security guard named by local media as Aaron Salter - a retired police officer - fired multiple shots, but the gunman’s bulletproof vest stopped one that hit him, police said. He then killed the guard and stalked through the store firing at other people. The local paper has named two others who died in the attack - supermarket customers Ruth Whitfield and Katherine Massey. A vigil was held for Ms Whitmore, 86, on Saturday night. A church deacon who worked as a driver was also killed, Buffalo News reports. Jennifer Tookes, who had been shopping in the store with her cousin when the shooting started, told NBC News that her cousin had hidden in the supermarket’s freezer until the gunfire stopped. Ms Tookes added that she saw three bodies lying outside the car park when she escaped outside: “One was right by the door. One man was by his car. Another girl was right there.” Ken Stephens, a member of a local anti-violence group who was at the scene, told the New York Times: “Bodies were everywhere.” Media caption, Watch: Mayor speaks of pain in wake of deadly shooting Witness Katherine Crofton said that after the shootings inside the supermarket, the gunman came outside. “The guy walked out of the store, the cops were just screaming at him, and he just stood there,” she said. “It was like he wanted them to shoot him.” The attacker was arrested by police and has been charged with first-degree murder.

The gunman was arrested after the shootings outside the Tops Friendly Market store Afterwards, local residents gathered at the scene. Among them was Marilyn Hanson, 60, who told The New York Times she had raced to the store after hearing the news to make sure her daughter, who lived nearby, was not hurt. Finding her safe, Ms Hanson - who shops at the store often said: “My daughter was so scared because that could’ve been me in that store.” “If a black man did this, he’d be dead, too,” she added, referring to the fact that the suspect had surrendered and had been taken into custody by police.

A member of the local government council, Ulysees Wingo Sr, said most of the shoppers at the supermarket were black and that he knew some of the victims. “This is the largest mass shooting to date in the city of Buffalo,” he told reporters. “I don’t think anyone here in the city of Buffalo thought that something like this could ever happen, would ever happen.” Saturday’s attack in Buffalo is thought to be the worst mass shooting so far in the US in 2022, and will also further inflame the bitter political battle about gun

control in the US. Some 40,000 deaths a year involve firearms in America, a figure that includes suicides. Meanwhile, hate crimes in the US hit a 12-year high in 2020, with over 10,000 people reporting offences related to their race, gender, sexuality, religion or disability. Crimes against Asian and black Americans in particular surged that year, FBI figures suggest - although as police are not mandated to submit hate crime data to the FBI, those numbers are thought likely to be an undercount.

Ukraine war: Russia’s invasion not going to plan, Nato says

ato’s secretary general says Russia’s war in Ukraine is not going to plan and that its attempt to capture the eastern Donbas region has “stalled”. Jens Stoltenberg also said Ukraine could win the conflict. Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) estimates Russia has lost about a third of its ground combat force since the war began in February. The Russian invasion has been hampered by stiff Ukrainian resistance and logistical issues. Its initial goal appeared to be to sweep across the country and topple the Ukrainian government. Instead, Russia has withdrawn from areas around the capital Kyiv after failing to capture it and since mid-April has been focusing its

efforts on two eastern provinces. In Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv, officials say Russian forces have withdrawn from to the border and that residents were returning. “Russia’s war in Ukraine is not going as Moscow had planned,” said Mr Stoltenberg. “They failed to take Kyiv, they are pulling back from around Kharkiv, their major offensive in Donbas has stalled. Russia is not achieving its strategic objectives.” Mr Stoltenberg was speaking at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers. On top of the military setbacks, another consequence of the invasion is that Russia will likely face an expanded Nato with Sweden and Finland set to join. .

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin sees Nato as a security threat to Russia and invaded Ukraine in part to stop it joining Nato. In its assessment, the MoD’s estimate of Russia’s losses cover men killed or wounded and equipment destroyed or captured. The MoD said Russia’s Donbas offensive had “lost momentum and fallen significantly behind schedule”. It said Russia was constrained by “continued low morale and reduced combat effectiveness”. The British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, said Ukraine’s allies must keep up its military support to help it “push Russia out”. On the ground. Ukrainian forces are counterattacking in the city of Izyum, regional governor

Oleh Sinegubov said, something that could complicate Russian plans to capture the Donbas. However Ukraine’s military also acknowledged setbacks in its latest updates, saying Russia was advancing in several areas in the region. There has been no let up for the remaining Ukrainian forces in Mariupol, with Russia continuing its bombardment of the steelworks where they are holed up. Video purportedly from inside showed men checking their phones and playing chess. And in western Ukraine, the governor of the Lviv region said missiles had targeted military infrastructure. Source: BBC

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DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, P.M.B. 1082, ZARIA, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 2022 CAPITAL PROJECTS

Somalia’s presidential election: Where just 329 people vote

y the end of Sunday, Somalis should know who their next president is, but this longdelayed vote only involves the country’s 329 MPs and takes place in a heavily fortified area. The unusual circumstances highlight Somalia’s security issues, as well as the lack of democratic accountability. The capital, Mogadishu, is in total lockdown until Monday morning. The MPs have started to cast their ballots in what is expected to be a closely fought contest. The winner among the record 35 candidates will also have to deal with the impact of the ongoing drought. But the big task is to wrest control of much of Somalia from al-Shabab. The al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group continues to dominate large parts of the country and carries out frequent attacks in Mogadishu, and elsewhere. The federal government is backed in its fight

against al-Shabab by the African Union, in the shape of some 18,000 troops, and the United Nations. Somalia has not had a one-person-one-vote democratic election since 1969. That vote was followed by a coup, dictatorship and conflict involving clan militias and Islamist extremists. The instability is one of the reasons why Somalia has been unable to hold direct elections. This is only the third time that the indirect election for president has been able to take place in Somalia itself. Previous ones were held in neighbouring Kenya and Djibouti. Who is running for president? Four candidates dropped out at the last minute, leaving 35 still in the race. They include current President, Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo”, two former presidents, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and a former prime minister, Hassan Ali Kheyre.

Kenya elections 2022: William Ruto picks Rigathi Gachagua as running mate

enya’s Deputy President William Ruto, one of the frontrunners in this year’s presidential election, has picked businessman Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate. Mr Gachagua is facing trial on charges of corruption and money-laundering worth $65m (£53m), which he denies. He is from Kenya’s largest community, the Kikuyu, whose support is vital in Kenya’s ethnically charged elections. For the first time since independence, neither of the favourites is Kikuyu. Mr Ruto’s main rival, opposition leader Raila Odinga, was also due to announce his running mate on Sunday but has delayed it until Monday the deadline set by the electoral commission. The race between the two is expected to be

close, with President Uhuru Kenyatta backing his former rival Mr Odinga rather than his own deputy. Speaking after the announcement, Mr Gachagua said he would work with Mr Ruto to address the country’s ailing economy. Mr Ruto is the presidential candidate of the Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) coalition, which comprises more than 10 political parties. Mr Gachagua has previously worked as a district officer and once served as the personal assistant of President Kenyatta during his stint as minister in charge of local government. Since 2017, he’s served as the member of parliament for Mathira constituency in Central Kenya, which has produced three of Kenya’s four presidents - Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. Source: BBC

INVITATION TO TENDER AND EXPRESSION OF INTREST FOR PROJECTS BY SUITABLY QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS AND SUPPLIERS FOR 2019 CAPITAL PROJECTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated funds for the year 2022 to Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for the execution of Projects (Supplies and Services). The Division therefore invites interested, competent and reputable Companies to submit bids and Expression of Interest (EOI)for the under-listed 2022 Zonal intervention/ Constituency projects. 2.0 DESCRIPTION

S/N LOT A1

LOT B1

PROJECT DESCRIPTION CATEGORY A SERVICES Training of Youth and women on maize production and value chain addition in Guyuk/shelling Federal constituency, Adamawa state. CATEGORY B SUPPLIES Supply of iron bull tractor in Ifelodun/ Offa Oyun Federal Constituency Kwara state. Supply of fertilizer in Guyuk/Shelleng Federal Constituency, Adamawa State.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. Prospective bidders should submit the following documents: a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7. Business Name is also acceptable for Services.; b. Evidence of Company’s Annual Returns to CAC for the immediate past three years (2020, 2021, & 2022) c. Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2020, 2021 & 2022) valid till 31st December, 2022 with minimum average annual turnover of N20Million; d. Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2022 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 15 and above); e. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2022 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 5 and above or the bidder’s annual turnover is N50m and above); f. Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2022; g. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31st December, 2022 or valid Certificate issued by BPP; h. Sworn Affidavit: - disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the Division of Agricultural Colleges or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars; - that the company is not bankrupt, in receivership or under liquidation or involved in any litigation which can potentially affect the company’s ability to effectively discharge their responsibility if engaged; - that no Director of the Company has been convicted of financial fraud in any Country; i. Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years (2020, 2021 & 2022) duly acknowledged by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); j. Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed; k. Company Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications; l. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job Completion Certificates and Photographs of the projects; m. For Training Programmes: Evidence of Firm’s Registration with the Centre for Management Development (CMD); n. For Supply of Equipment: Letter of Authorisation as representative of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs); o. For Joint Venture/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided (all the eligibility requirements are compulsory for each JV partner) p. All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the

authorised officer of the firm. 4.0 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS (CATEGORY B) Interested companies are to collect the Standard Bidding Document (SBD) from the Procurement Office, Division of Agricultural Colleges Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on evidence of payment of a non-refundable fee of N10,000.00 per Lot, paid into the Division of Agricultural Colleges Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria’s Remita account in any reputable Commercial Bank in Nigeria. Note that interested bidders for Consultancy Services are not expected to pay at this stage until after shortlisting. 5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS/EOI: INVITATION TO TENDER - CATEGORY B Prospective bidders are to submit bid for each of the Lot desired, two (2) hard copies each of the technical and financial bids with softcopy of financial bid only in MS Excel format, packaged separately in sealed envelopes and clearly marked as “Technical Bid” or “Financial Bid’’ and addressed to The Secretary, Tenders Board, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University and clearly marked with the name of the project and the lot number. Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box located in Security Unit, DAC/ ABU Zaria than not later than 12:00 noon Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI) - CATEGORY A Interested firms are to submit two (2) bound of Expression of Interest (EoI) Documents separated by dividers and arranged as indicated above. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and addressed to The Secretary, Tenders Board, Division Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University and clearly marked with the name of the project and the lot number. Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should have the name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box located in Room 2 Ground floor, Security Unit, DAC/ ABU Zaria, not later than 12:00non, Monday, 30th May, 2022 6.0 OPENING TENDER DOCUMENTS/EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI) EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI) The EoI documents will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:00noon, Monday, 30th May, 2022 in the SCA Conference Hall of the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University in the presence of bidders or their representatives. Please, ensure that you sign the Bid Submission Register in the office of The Secretary, Tenders Board, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, as the Division will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the Secretary, Tenders Board, DAC on e-mail: dacabuzaria@gmail. com TENDER DOCUMENTS (CATEGORY B) Only the Technical Bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022 in the SCA in the Conference Hall of the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University in the presence of bidders or their representatives, while the financial bids will be kept un-opened. Please, ensure that you sign the Bid Submission Register in the office of The Secretary, Tenders Board, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, as the Division will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the Secretary, Tenders Board, DAC on e-mail: dacabuzaria@gmail.com 7.0 GENERAL INFORMATION: a. EoI/Bids must be in English Language and signed by an official authorised by the bidder; b. EoI/Bids submitted after the deadline for submission would be returned un-opened; c. Services: Only firms shortlisted in the EOI’s evaluation will be invited at a later date to collect Request for Proposal (RfP) d. Bidders should not bid for more than two (2) Lots; e. All costs will be borne by the bidders; f. Goods: Only pre-qualified bidders at technical evaluation will be invited at a later date for financial bids opening, while financial bids of un-successful bidders will be returned un-opened; g. All Submission pages have to be dully initialled. h. Attendees at the bids opening shall be required to wash hands, use hand sanitiser, wear mask and observe physical distancing. The Bids Opening will be covered by video recording and invitation link will be sent to bidders who chooses to join the bid opening online; i. The Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University is not bound to pre-qualify/shortlist 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.

SIGNED: MANAGEMENT

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NEWS

ov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Friday in Benin blamed increasing rate of drug abuse in the state on the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) strike. Reviewing the state’s security situation for the months of February, March and April, Gov. Obaseki said Edo recorded 19 drug abuse cases in February, 34 cases in March and 23 cases in April. “Drug abuse is now number two issue of concern in our state. “Our analysis shows that there is high rate of consumption of drugs in the

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

ASUU strike has worsened drug abuse – Gov. Obaseki last few months. “This is not unconnected with the ASUU strike which has kept many students at home and idle,’’ the governor said. The review came after a joint security meeting between the state government and representatives of various security agencies in the state. “I use the opportunity of this

meeting to appeal to ASUU and the Federal Government to do all they can to end this strike as soon as possible. “This is in the interest of the children so that we do not keep them at home and destroying their lives. “If they are not going to school, as you know the idle mind is a devil’s workshop. One

way we hope that we can reduce the use of drugs is if we take these children back to school. “Another issue is the accident rate. We have observed slight reduction because of the rains. “We use this medium to further appeal to the Federal Government that the major roads leading into Edo be

repaired, particularly the Benin-Auchi, Okpekpe-Okene roads,” he said. Obaseki noted that road accidents accounted for a large number of deaths recorded in the state. He stressed that the state had enjoyed a relative decline in other incidents, which shows that Edo is becoming safer.

Traders’ association seeks govt. support to reduce prices of commodities

lhaji Umar DanguraGwadongwaji, Chairman, Kebbi State Traders’ Association, on Sunday appealed to government at all levels to give necessary financial support to traders, to enable them to reduce prices of commodities across the state. The chairman made the plea during a meeting with his executive members and leaders of the association from 21 local government areas of the state, in Birnin Kebbi. He said the call became imperative in view of current inflationary rates in the country, adding that the situation had grounded many economic activities, thereby forcing some traders to step aside. The chairman observed that prices of commodities were going up on daily basis, leaving the poor masses at the receiving end, hence the need for government to come to their aid by ensuring moderate prices of goods. The support, according to him, will rescurcitate those whose capital was liquidated and enable them to bounce back to full scale business. Dangura-Gwadongwaji, however, noted with dismay, per unit cost of production of

different commodities in the country and appealed for a softer policy to enable companies to produce at lower rates.

He also advised both Kebbi State and the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle the lingering security

issues at Zuru, Yauri, Sakaba and Fakai, among other areas of the state. While appreciating the efforts

of security agencies in the state, the chairman encouraged them to do more in ending the menace. (NAN)

Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Monilola Udoh (left), Director Foreign Affairs of Eco Polytechnic Federal Lonsan (EPFL), Mr. Kuttel Olivier (middle) and Director Excellence in Africa, Mr. Chenal Jerome (right), during a Courtesy Visit by Delegates from Switzerland Embassy to the Ministry recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

375 people benefit from free MTN medical treatments in Gombe From David Hassan, Gombe

o fewer than 375 people were said to have received free medical treatments through Mtn initiative in Gombe state.

The chairman Mtn foundation Prince Julius AdelusiAdeluyi stated this during the commissioning and handing over of medical equipments donated by mobile telecommunication MTN

foundation at the federal teaching hospital Gombe on Friday. He said since inception of MTN foundation in 2004 which commence its activities in 2015, over 250 communities have

benefited from the imitative in 36 states. According to him, the foundation came up with 950 projects with the aim of providing a conducive environment for the

populace. Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi said the foundation donated furniture to some schools and installation of ICT in one of the local government area in Gombe state.

NGO builds youths capacity for effective election participation

peak up and Stand Up (SUSU), an NGO, on Saturday held a sensitisation programme for youths in Dalcachi Community, Lugbe in Abuja, to build their capacity to participate in elections. The NGO said the move had become imperative, in view of the 2023 general elections scheduled to hold in 2023. Ms Gloria Emmanuel, an official of SUSU, said that the

programme was to also encourage youths to take actionable steps. According to Emmanuel, her organisation will provide a platform for them to be registered with any political party of their choice as well as do their voter registration. She said that although youths constituted a large number of the population of Nigeria, their participation in politics was not

felt . “The essence of this event is to promote the participation of young persons in governance, SUSU is a project sponsored by The Voice, African Youth Movements and other organisations. “This is to bring about societal change using young persons because we believe in the power of young persons, that they have a voice which can be heard.

“So my own thematic focus is governance and my topic is ‘Promoting the Inclusion of Young Persons in Active Politics’. “This means they have to, first of all get the voter’s card and get registered with a political party.” Emmanuel said that the SUSU programme was to aid collaboration between young people and decision-makers to address pertinent issues affecting

them and various communities . This she said could be done by using four thematic areas such as governance education, employment, peace and security . She said that the measure had become necessary as her NGO had observed that young Nigerians were increasingly becoming aware of the issues facing their communities and Nigeria at large. NAN

Education Maryam Abeeb

he Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, has said it has recommended termination of contracts and sanctions for erring contractors handling projects in institutions benefiting from its various interventions. Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, disclosed this in Abuja, at the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Procurement Professionals Association of Nigeria, PPAN, which also featured election into its executive positions. Exchono, who acknowledged that there were challenges of high cost of materials in the last one year, said the fund has been coping with the situation as it has designed ways of responding to it. The TETFund boss said the agencies is working with regulatory authorities to get support towards ensuring that there were no abandoned projects in its beneficiary institutions. “We would be working closely

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

TETFund tells institutions to sanction erring contractors

with the regulatory authorities to see how we can get support for this and ensure that we don’t have abandoned projects because ultimately, it is better to solve the problem today; the more you delay, the more the cost will increase and the greater the complications will be. “So, we are working in a very nimble manner, we are working with the contractors, institutions. We are already meeting. The whole of last week we met with so many institutions that have such challenges and we continue for the rest of this week. We are finding solutions. “And some of them where the fault is that of the contractor, we are not only recommending terminations, we are also recommending sanctions. But there are other areas where the fault is basically what you call force major, it’s external to everybody,” he said. Speaking on tackling

corruption in procurement, he described corruption as one of the manifestations or incentives for misprocurement, adding that a good procurement is the one that delivers on the objective especially of the procurement at the right time and at the right cost to the satisfaction of all. “Procurement is the major source of pecuniary gain because more often than not the contract system has become so endemic and embedded in our system that people also see it as a main source of unearned income. “So, what we need to do is to professionalise the sector and ensure that those who carry out those activities are trained to do so. We need to reinforce the system, our checks, the regulatory functions, the role of all our anticorruption agencies should be more preventive. “It is better to do it at the

preventive end by putting measures in place to limit incidence from happening rather than thinking of arresting people and prosecuting them. “Working with Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and other anticorruption agencies, we are designing mechanisms to improve on those processes that will detect, disrupt and also prevent them,” he said. Also speaking, the Chairman Borad of Trustees of Public Procurement Association of Nigeria, Engr Emeka Eze, expressed happiness at the clarification that projects approved for TETFund’s beneficiary institutions have no entanglements. Eze said the approach encourages the institutions to engage the services of contractors of their choice as provided under the Public Procurement Act, adding that by so

Clerics beg FG to resolve ASUU strike

L-R: Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Rasheed Abubakar with the Founder, Newgate University Minna Niger State, Mallam Hassan Nuhu, during the presentation of Licenses to the newly Federal Government approve Private Universities, held recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Maryam Abeeb

he United Pastors Initiative for Good Governance (UPIG) has pleaded with the federal government to resolve the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The pastors also vowed that it will mobilise its members across the country to vote out aspirants who see politics as business rather than focusing on solving Nigeria’s social problems and deliver good governance. Addressing journalists in Abuja, president of the group, Rev James Muya said they were informing and educating thousands of their executives across Nigeria to effect their intentions. “We are here today to address the nation on behave of our members and all citizens of this great country Nigeria, the insecurity in the country is growing every passing day, the economic situation is not getting better, the (ASSIU) strike is worsen by the day, yet political activities are growing stronger and louder. “Therefore, today, we are calling on the government, especially the president having appreciated all your efforts in trying to make thing work in the country, we are asking you to put more effort in tackling the security situation, look once through the economic matter and try your possible best to resolve the (ASUU) strike issue in the country. “As for the politicians, this is our message to you; while you are forgetting all the burning fire in the country to pursue your political ambitions, we are doing our own calculations informing thousands of our executives spreads across all the regions in the country, right from the ward level in the various local government areas, through to the state and zonal level with the national leaders to educate millions of our members to see your intention and rate you by them.” Muya further urged President Muhammadu Buhari to try more effort in salvaging Nigeria security challenges. He said, “ Our country is in its greatest danger state, yet politics has been the order of the day, the first is the commercialisation of political office in Nigeria, politics is big business and everyone knows that, we are informing thousands of our executives spreads across all the regions in the country, right from the ward level in the various local government areas, through to the state and zonal level with the national leaders, to educate millions of our members to see your intention.”

doing, TETFund was encouraging good procurement practice in the institutions. Eze, who was also a former Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, said in tackling corruption in public procurement, instead of criminalising administrative misbehaviours, the country should improve on administrative sanctions. According to him, this means ensuring that the contractors involved are debarred and heads of agencies involved in procurement are removed or posted out or procurement functions entirely removed from them. The procurement professional Association of Nigeria is the foremost professional association for the regulation and coordination of procurement activities in the country with members drawn from both the private and public sector.

African varsities charged to deepen digital education in society Maryam Abeeb

frican universities have been challenged to embrace, deepen digital education and make it acceptable to their societies in order to achieve its desired impact. Dr. Olivier Kuttel, the Head of International Affairs of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL, Switzerland, gave the charge in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the 2022 African Centres of Excellence, ACE, Regional Conference with the theme: “Sustainable Integration of Digital Education in the Post Covid-19 Era.” Kuttel said the biggest impact on digital transformation was Covid-19, adding that online teaching was key for his polytechnic to continue its academic programmes during the pandemic. He therefore called on universities to go digital, taking into cognisance the society they are serving, adding that if the society does not accept digitisation of teaching, it’s not going to work. According to him, digital technology has a huge impact on education, research, innovation and the society, stating that with digital technology, they teach, do research, share result and the impact is felt by their society. Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, said the NUC has developed the blueprint for revitalising education in Nigeria, but after the coming

of corona virus, the commission realised it had to rethink its approach to the delivery of instruction by adopting sustainable Integration of digital education. Rasheed noted that one of the blueprints was to carry out a comprehensive review of the curriculum, and after 4 years with over 1200 academics involved, the NUC has successfully re-engineered the curriculum of universities. He disclosed that a memo has been developed by the commission and sent to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, for approval, adding that the review includes the unbundling of some courses. According to him, mass communication has been unbundled into eight new degree programmes that will come on board, adding that agriculture has also been unbundled into several degree programmes. He said another committee has been set up to develop curriculum on artificial intelligence, stressing that all these innovations taking place is as a result of interactions between the World Bank and the National Universities Commission. He said for the first time in 20 years, Nigeria has received foreign students from several countries, and students from over 17 countries subscribe to one university alone, courtesy of the ACE programme. Rasheed noted that the commission has developed 11 strategic goals for the university system and one of which is to deepen ICT in the instructions. Also speaking, a representative of Africa

Digital Education Network, ADEN, Prof Rasheed Sanni, said digital sustainablility could not have come at a better time than now that the the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted education across the world. Rasheed stressed that the current university system requires digital education and online teaching to deliver quality education to students at all times. He commended the World Bank and other partners for the support universities in the country are getting. In his remarks, the Secretary General, Association of African Universities, AAU, Prof Olusola Oyewole, urged African universities to take steps towards achieving digital sustainablility to close the educational gaps in the system. Oyewole noted that as universities pursue sustainability of digital technology, an opportunity is created for the growth of a digital economy where digital skills could be learned to put food on the table for citizens. He stressed that digital education is one of the areas that is particularly key to opportunity for all. Speaking on the need to ensure continuous learning in universities despite the disruption caused by Covid-19, the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, Prof Umar Dambata, said education is the most powerful weapon to change a society and digital technology offers the opportunity for that change to take place.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

PAGE 26

NEWS From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

he Agro Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support – APPEALS Project in Kano state has signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOAA) with AFEX for project impacts sustainability. AFEX is a commodity exchange company that provides solutions in trading, financing and market system development. Speaking during a tour to the facilities provided by APPEALS to its beneficiaries in Darki, Wudil Local Government and Balare in Ajingi Local Government areas of the state on Saturday, the Kano APPEALS Coordinator, Hassan Ibrahim said the collaboration would be of great benefit to the farmers. According to him, the visit was to sensitize the farmers on the linkage with AFEX, a company ready to uptake all the agricultural products they produced under APPEALS

Odusanwo wins Tourism Personality of the year award

Kano farmers get reliable market as APPEALS collaborates with AFEX on impacts sustainability project, which runs on three value chain of rice, tomato and wheat. He added that apart from agreement with AFEX as what he described as “automatic and reliable market” for the farmers, Ibrahim also disclosed that the state government, under APPEALS, had constructed 9 aggregation centres at different locations across the state and constructed access roads that link the fans with the markets. The Coordinator explained that the aggregation centre would serve as agricultural products’ collection centre where the AFEX would be supplied with the needed commodities and buy at reasonable prices. He added that the centres are equiped with moisture testing

equipment, weighing balancing, among others, aimed at adding value to the agricultural products. “This would promote export and create automatic market with an ultimate livelihood improvement through increase in income of our farmers. This is the target of the Kano state Government “The rationale behind collaboration with AFEX is to create automatic and reliable market where the farmers would sell their agricultural products without hinderence, aimed at increasing their livelihood. “Our today’s visit is a usual visit which the Kano state Government, under this projecd, intends to ensure sustainable agricultural development through agricultural

business linkages. “You can see with yourself, under this project, we have constructed about 2.9 km road to link the farmers’ farms with the market. The state government, through this project has also constructed an aggregation centre, equiped with moisture tester, weighing balancing, among others, to ensure that value is added on their agricultural products. Today we have to interact with them; to hear from them and the the impact of the facilities provided for them,” Ibrahim explained. On his part, Kassim Abdulsalam, Sales Operation Manager, AFEX in Kano and Jigawa, said the company engages in agricultural trading and supporting farmers with farm

Director, Senior Secondary Education department, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir (4th left) , Director Mobilization, Citizens Intervention and Accountability Network (CIAN) ,Mr. Charles Udomba (2nd right) with section of students and winners of the Presidential Advocacy Debate on Education expectation from the “Nigeria’s Next President”, organise by CIAN, on Friday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imoowo

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

he National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, has won the Nigerian Tourism Awards’ Tourism Personality Award of the year 2022. This was contained in a statement signed and issued by ITPN Secretariat. The statement said the award is in recognition of his selfless service in promoting the tourism industry in Nigeria. According to organisers of the Award, Odusanwo was tipped for the coveted award in view of his enormous contributions to the sustenance of professional practice and skill competence in the Nigerian tourism industry as well as the promotion of the sector for the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

inputs, such as fartilizer, seeds and crop protection chemicals. He said the purpose of the collaboration with APPEALS is to aid in sustaining the project by empowering the farmers and boosting their production within the areas of operation of the project. “We want to help the farmers by providing inputs to the farmers and buying their yields with a better rate, aimed at improving their socioeconomic status. All the beneficiaries present had commended the APPEALS project for improving their production through provision of facilities and mechanization, adding that the project had indeed boosted and simplify their farming.

2023: Why I want to be President, by Hayatu-deen By Osaigbovo Iguobaro

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-deen has advanced reasons why he should be

elected as the President of Nigeria in 2023 election. Hayatu-deen said the need to salvage the fortunes of the nation, inspired him to offer himself for the service of his homeland.

He promised to uplift the nation from the current economic conundrum and insecurity that seems to have the nation’s existence over the years. The PDP aspirant also promised to enhance the living standard of

Nigerians and make the Country better with the abundant resources if given the mandate. He added that “there is so much in to stabilize our country and create an enabling environment for everyone”.

Why many prominent politicians are defecting to NNPP – Founder

r Boniface Aniebonam, pioneer National Chairman and founder, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has described the gale of defections into the party as “a manifestation of divine intervention toward giving Nigeria the right leadership”. Aniebonam told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday that that the new entrants were on a mission to rescue Nigeria from “the poor leadership it has suffered over the years”. “It is NNPP’s divine time to provide leadership in the country. NNPP is going to create a new Nigeria everyone will be proud of,” he told NAN. NAN reports that the political party has attracted leading politicians including Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano governor, defence minister and Ambassador. Others include Mr Ben Kure, Special Adviser (Political Affairs)

to Gov Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna and Ali Makoda, Chief of Staff to Gov Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano. Last week 13 members of the Kano State House of Assembly defected to the NNPP, of the figure, 10 were from the PDP while three were of the APC. The Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Zubairu Massu, a member of the APC, joined his colleagues and defected to the NNPP on Friday. A chieftain of the APC in Osun, Mr Muslihudeen Adekilekun, also ran to the NNPP on Saturday along with thousands of his supporters. With even more high profile defections recorded in the SouthEast, North-Central and SouthSouth, Sen. Orji Kalu, former Abia governor and APC chieftain, had expressed fear that the trend could spell doom for the ruling APC. “The high profile defections to NNPP, especially in the NorthWest geo-political zone, should not be taken for granted by the ruling APC,” Kalu said recently while

speaking on the ongoing debate over the geo-political zone the presidency should go to, in 2023. Expressing fear that the defection could be as a result of the thorny zoning issue, Kalu opined that “the silent majority, who have a working conscience, could protest this injustice by supporting Alhaji Kwankwaso to clinch the presidential seat in 2023 if the APC and the PDP field candidates from any other zone aside South East or North East” . But Aniebonam told NAN that all that was happening in other political parties was to fulfill the divine destiny of the NNPP that had been in existence for 21 years. “In its 21 years of existence, the NNPP now has office in all parts of the federation. The party has gradually become a movement all Nigerians must join. Everyone should join the winning team. “We are the beautiful bride in the north as it is and we hope to expand to all parts of Nigeria as the

party to beat,” he said. He said that the NNPP, being a party with a divine mandate, would ensure that its primaries are fair to all, including to new entrants. Aniebonam said that the NNPP would transform Nigeria from being a consumption nation to a productive state, to address challenges. According to him, some of the challenges facing the nation are rooted in the bitter fact that Nigeria is no longer a productive state. “The fact that we are not a producing nation is responsible for the myriad of problems around the economy and security. It is the cause of unemployment and many other challenges.” The NNPP founder said the panacea to youth restiveness was to move Nigeria from being a consumption nation to a productive nation. He said that NNPP was committed to engaging the youth by reviving all moribund

companies to gainfully engage the Nigerian youths. Aniebonam said the party would invest in education and encourage both the learners and educators. He said that the party would provide right leadership to address most of the current challenges facing the nation. On women inclusion in politics, Aniebonam said that women were more prudent because of the fear of God, hence the plan of the party to provide them good representation in governance. Aniebonam, however, regretted that not many women were coming out to contest elective positions, pointing out that power was never served, but taken. He said that NNPP platform was available for women who wanted to join the movement toward creating a new Nigeria, adding that the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms had been reduced for them. NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. THELMA HILDA OMOZELI OKOCHA - PRESIDENT 2. JONES GIDO OKOCHA 3.MARY NKECHI OKOCHA 4. CHINWE THELMA OKOCHA 5. MAXWELL EMEKA EZUMEZU - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO PROVIDE CARE, FOOD, SHELTER AND SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY AND TO DO PUBLIC GOOD. 2. TO PROVIDE FREE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR INDIGENT WOMEN AND CHILDREN THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS. 3. TO ORGANIZE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SCHEMES AND ENCOURAGE YOUTHS TO EMBRACE EDUCATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. AKINJOLE AKINTUNDE EMMANUEL (CHAIRMAN) 2. ADEYEFA MARUF ADEBAYO 3.BOLODEOKU FLORENCE FUNMILAYO 4. OGUNREMI OLADOSU JOHN 5. ADENIYI JOEL OLUSANJO 6. FAROMIKI ABIGAIL ADENIKE 7. ESODIJI, SHADRACK AJANI ( SECRETARY) THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO SUPPORT THE SOCIAL, INTELLETUAL AND ACADEMIC NEEDS OF OUR ALMA MATER WHILE PROMOTING STRONG RELATIONSHIP AMONG & BETWEEN MEMBERS AND THE SCHOOL. 2. TO ORGANIZE TRAINING, SENSITIZATION SEMINARS, TALK-SHOW AND WORKSHOPS WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING UNITY AMONG MEMBERS AND THE SCHOOL. 3. TO SUPPORT INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT AND TO BRING THE PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 4. TO FOSTER SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND POSITIVE INTERACTION BETWEEN MEMBERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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BY THIS DEED, I, THE UNDERSIGNED, ENGR. SHEHU UMARU DANGE, PREVIOUSLY CALLED SHEHU DANGANI/SHEHU DANGE UMARU, A RESIDENT OF NO.8 ALHAJI ABUBAKAR ALHAJI ROAD, GRA, SOKOTO, SOKOTO STATE, HOLDER OF CERTIFICATE OF PRIMARY EDUCATION NO.505002, WAEC SCHOOL CERTIFICATE NO SC 097818, SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE NO 003235, UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ON 25TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1982, CERTIFICATE OF NATIONAL SERVICE NO. 145309, VOTERS CARD NO. A30034423 AND APC MEMBERSHIP CARD NO. SO/ DGS/03/05301, DO HEREBY WHOLLY RENOUNCE/RELINQUISH AND ABANDON THE USE OF MY FORMER NAME/SURNAME OF SHEHU DANGANI/SHEHU DANGE UMARU AND IN PLACE THEREOF, I DO HEREBY ASSUME FROM THE DATE HEREOF THE NAME/SURNAME ENGR. SHEHU UMARU DANGE, SO THAT I MAY HEREAFTER BE CALLED, KNOWN AND DISTINGUISHED NOT BY THE FORMER NAME/SURNAME, BUT ASSUMED NAME OF ENGR. SHEHU UMARU DANGE. AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF EVIDENCING SUCH MY DETERMINATION, I SHALL AT ALL TIMES HEREAFTER IN ALL RECORDS USE AND SIGN THE NAME OF ENGR. SHEHU UMARU DANGE AS MY NAME/SURNAME IN PLACE OF MY FORMER NAME/SURNAME. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I HAVE HEREUNDER SIGNED MY NAME AS ENGR. SHEHU UMARU DANGE AND HAVE SET MY HAND AND SEAL THIS 21TH DAY OF APRIL, 2022. SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED BY ENGR. SHEHU UMARU DANGE IN THE PRESENCE OF ABDULHAMD ZUBAIRU, ESQ SOLICITORS & ADVOCATES

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS AISHA MUHAMMAD NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AISHA IBRAHIM. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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Injured Abdullahi recovers in hospital, out of WAFU B Championship By Albert Akota

lying Eagles’ forward Ahmed Abdullahi has recovered and is recuperating in hospital following a scary incident during the Nigeria, Burkina Faso game at the WAFU B Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic on Wednesday. The former Golden Eaglet, who scored Nigeria’s second goal against Cup holders and African champions Ghana on Sunday after coming off the bench, was rushed to hospital after suffering a head injury during the 2-2 draw with the Junior Etalons at the Stade General Seyni Kountché. “The player has recovered fully and is in good health, but he is out of the tournament. We went through several scary hours before and after he got to the hospital, but we thank God that he is fully recovered now,” Team Secretary Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim told thenff.com. General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi was with the Abdullahi at the hospital and asked the player to remain focused and pray for the team to succeed at the tournament. The 2-2 draw sustained Nigeria’s leadership of Group B, and the seven –time African champions will play in the semi finals as group winners should Burkina Faso fail to defeat Ghana by up to three goals on Saturday.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi (right) with Ahmed Abdullahi in the hospital in Niamey

India 2022: Namibian officials to take charge of Ethiopia, Nigeria clash By Albert Akota

he Confederation of African Football has appointed Namibian official Antsino Twanyanyukwa as the referee for next week’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round first leg match between Ethiopia and Nigeria in Addis Ababa. Twanyayukwa will be joined at the potentially –explosive encounter, scheduled for the Abebe Bekila Stadium as from 4pm Ethiopia time on Friday 20th

May, by compatriots Eveline Augustinus (assistant referee 1), Pulen Agnes Mahomo from Lesotho (assistant referee 2) and another Namibian Vistoria Shangula (fourth official). Amina Ali Karuma from Tanzania will serve as match commissioner while Ugandan Constance Adipo will be referee assessor. Nigeria’s Flamingos prevailed over their Egyptian counterparts 6-0 on aggregate in the last round, after dismissing their counterparts from the

Player Iyikwobe banned A worldwide for two years

Democratic Republic of Congo 8-0 on aggregate. The Ethiopian girls edged into the third round of the series after overcoming Uganda on the away goal rule following a 3-3 aggregate, and then turned back South Africa 3-1 on aggregate in the last round. For the second leg match already scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday 4th June, CAF has appointed Senegalese officials to preside over proceedings, with Mame Coumba Faye at the centre.

football player of Nigerian origin, Christopher Chizoba Iyikwobe has been slammed a two-year worldwide ban from the game after a request by the Bangladesh Football Federation for the ban

It is an all-Senegalese crew with Adia Isseu Cisse (assistant referee 1), Fatou Bintou Sene (assistant referee 2) and Fatou Thioune (fourth official) also heading to Nigeria’s administrative capital. Souadatou Djallo-Kalkaba from Cameroon will be the match commissioner while Emmanuella Grace Aglago from Ghana will serve as referee assessor. The winner on aggregate will pick one of Africa’s tickets to this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, holding in India 11th – 30th October.

placed on him by the Federation to be rendered global was granted by world governing body, FIFA. The Bangladesh Football Federation had placed a two-year worldwide ban on Iyikwobe on 26th September 2021,

and subsequently appealed to FIFA to give it worldwide effect. FIFA has now granted the request and Iyikwobe remains suspended from all football –related activities globally until 26th September 2023.

Lampard unhappy with referee after Brentford loss PG30 >>>PG32

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

West Ham 2-2 Manchester City: ‘Leaders made to wait as Hammers spoil party’

Mark Noble has made 549 appearances for West Ham, 206 of them at home in the Premier League. Only six players in the competition’s history have made more home appearances for one side

anchester City’s game at West Ham on Sunday could have been the match that all but confirmed Pep Guardiola’s side as Premier League champions. But when the final whistle blew at London Stadium after a breathless encounter which ended 2-2 and featured Riyad Mahrez missing a late penalty one which would have as good as won the title for the visitors - it was the home fans who were celebrating a memorable moment of their own. A game played out in a raucous atmosphere culminated in West Ham legend Mark Noble emerging from the tunnel with his children to receive a guard of honour following his last home appearance for the club, taking in the adulation of a 60,000 crowd, almost all of whom had stayed behind to show their appreciation. Manchester City will have to wait for their own joyous celebrations, their party spoiled for now. Their champagne remains on ice, but for West Ham supporters this was an “I was there” moment, one to live alongside the best they have experienced since moving from Upton Park, like November’s 3-2 win over Liverpool and an epic victory over Sevilla in the Europa League in March. This was a thrilling game which both sides knew they could have won, might easily have lost and ended up pretty pleased to have drawn - and one that was followed by a farewell to a true club legend. In the end, the winner was

a stadium condemned by so many since it was opened in 2016. The atmosphere that, it was complained, did not exist most certainly does. It turns out all it really needed was a decent team. “Bits of it [the atmosphere] today was fabulous,” said West Ham manager David Moyes. “This year the stadium and crowd have been fantastic. But I think that is because the players have been so good. They don’t give in. They keep at it in every game.” What’s on the line in the final week of the Premier League season? Action & reaction from Sunday’s Premier League games, including West Ham v Man City West Ham tribute to Mark Noble Mark Noble has made 549 appearances for West Ham, 206 of them at home in the Premier League. Only six players in the competition’s history have made more home appearances for one side ‘All we have to do now is win’ At half-time, Jarrod Bowen’s double meant City were 2-0 down and in a worrying situation. They had not come from two goals down to draw a match in 10 years and have not managed to win a match from that position in 17 years. Had the score stayed the same, they would have been three points ahead of title rivals Liverpool, having played a game more than Jurgen

Klopp’s men with a goal difference advantage of five. On Tuesday, Liverpool play a Southampton side that last month conceded six on home soil against Chelsea and on eight other occasions this season have conceded three or more. After that they entertain a Wolves team that has won once since the middle of March and conceded five at home to City only four days ago. Guardiola did think about bringing Ilkay Gundogan on - but decided to wait. The response underlined why, despite his despair at being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on a night when City seemed to have a place in the final sewn up, Guardiola never once questioned the mentality, resilience and character of his players. “You cannot be here over the past five years if you don’t have that,” he said. City’s task next Sunday at home to Aston Villa is now simple. Win. Nothing else matters. It is exactly the same situation they faced 10 years ago, when they eventually beat Queens Park Rangers on the final day to win the title. On that occasion, it took Sergio Aguero’s famous intervention after 93 minutes and 20 seconds to snatch the title from Manchester United, an anniversary the club celebrated with gusto on Friday. “No please, not in that [manner],” reflected Guardiola, when reminded

of that momentous day and his thoughts drifted to what a repeat might do for his nerves. “It’s similar because it depends on us. Now there are no debates about goal difference or anything. We need to win our game to be champion. If we don’t win, Liverpool will be champions. It is an incredible privilege to have the chance with our people at home to win one game to be champion. I’m looking forward to it.” Guardiola always felt the title would go to the final day. In his view, Liverpool are “almost perfect”. Far too good to dismiss with three or four games of the campaign to go. But City’s fate is in their own hands and Guardiola and his team are 90 minutes away from a fourth league success in five seasons. “I encourage all the Blues in

Manchester that day to go to the streets and the stadium,” he said. “I can assure you something. In one week our stadium will be sold out and we will give the supporters all of our lives over 95 minutes and they will give us their lives. “They will be so proud, I’m pretty sure.” Moyes’ men have now secured European qualification through their league position in successive seasons for the first time. Although the Hammers boss regrets the manner in which his side’s domestic form faltered in the second half of the campaign as they battled on two fronts - falling agonisingly short in the Europa League as they were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final - he feels a standard has been set.

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020). THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. IBHAWOH PAULINUS 2. OKOLIE SYLVESTER 3. UNUABOR LAWRENCE 4. IBHAWA INNOCENT UNUABOR 5. UNUABOR COLLINS OBOSIORIA 6. IGBERASES OSEODION MATHEW 7. IYOHA HENRY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO PROMOTE AND FOSTER THE SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP AND BROTHERLY LOVE AMONG IT'S MEMBERS. 2. TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE NEEDY, WIDOWS AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE IN THE SOCIETY. 3. TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY.S AND DONATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OR EMPOWERMENT OF MEMBERS OR PROJECTS ON A ROTATIONAL BASES. 4. TO FOSTER PEACE, DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE HOST COMMUNITY BY ENGAGING IN LEGITIMATE WORKS. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

Afghanistan face veil decree: ‘It feels like being a woman is a crime’

“

It breaks my heart that people in the street were approaching me, asking me to cover my face,” says Soraya. “Even the tailor I visited told me to cover my face before I could speak to them.” Soraya, who owns a small business in Kabul, never believed that she would be made to wear a burqa, like the one the Taliban enforced during their first stint in power in the 1990s. But on 7 May women’s faces became the latest restriction, after Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban announced that women must wear an all-covering veil in public for the first time in decades. Taliban officials described the face veil decree as “advice” but laid out a specific set of escalating steps for anyone not complying. And when Soraya took her usual trip to the shops in western Kabul this week, something else had changed. Taliban representatives were inside women’s clothing shops to oversee what shop assistants were selling and whether the length of the tailor-made outfits was deemed appropriate. “I was scared,” says Soraya. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, they have issued various edicts restricting the freedom of women - banning them from government jobs, secondary education and from traveling more than 45 miles (72km) without a mahram, or male guardian. Some women in Afghanistan say the edict about the use of face veils is just the latest attack on their human rights. “It’s like being a woman in Afghanistan is a crime,” says Sana, who lost her job due to the Taliban takeover and is struggling financially. “It doesn’t matter what they choose for me in terms of dress - I am not leaving my house anyway, the situation is hopeless.” Male guardian in charge Most Afghan women already wear some form of hijab, a scarf that covers the head and neck, but the new restrictions require women to either wear a full niqab, which covers the face but not the eyes, or a burqa, covering the body and full face with a mesh over the eyes. It’s their mahram or male guardian, who is usually a close male relative, who will have to police their dress, otherwise they could face punishment. The men could be summoned to see ministry officials, and potentially even be sent to court or jailed for three days. Women with jobs could be fired. Feeling the brunt of new restrictions, some women are risking their safety to speak up. A group in Kabul protested this week against the clothing mandate by wearing traditional Afghan dresses. “In the past eight months the Taliban have done nothing for us except policing our dress, there is political and economic instability and the Taliban are not solving these issues first,” says protester

The Taliban imposed one of the harshest restrictions since they seized power, ordering women to cover fully in public, ideally with the traditional burqa

‘Don’t take the air from us,’ reads one of the protester’s banners Maryam. Some protesters told the BBC that when they tried to take to the streets in protest on Tuesday they were stopped by Taliban officials. “They made me stand in the same spot for two hours, they took my mobile phone and threatened to take us to the police station,” says Hajira. The BBC Afghan Service

contacted the Taliban for comment on the incident, but did not receive a reply. Defiant in the streets Anoushah, a women’s rights activist in Kabul, says she also decided to take a stand. “The first day of the decree I went out on purpose with my 12-year-old son to all the city spots wearing my normal attire, showing my face. I

wanted to run into a member of the Taliban to challenge them.” Sheikba, who says she is an atheist, vows to fight against any pressure to change the way she dresses - despite her recent run-ins with the authorities. On her way to university, she was stopped by a Taliban official for not wearing what was deemed the correct attire.

“I tried to reason with him about it being too hot, but when he insisted I had to cover myself,” she says. A poster ordering women to cover themselves by the entrance gate of a private university in Ophiyan, Parwan province Sheikba says she has always felt pressure in Afghanistan’s society to conform when it comes to her clothes, including from the male members of her family. “The difference is now I am fighting on two fronts, with my family and with the Taliban officials,” she says. “I’m scared, but I don’t have any choice but to fight against it.” Travel restrictions This is not the only restriction she faces. Sheikba was recently stopped from boarding a plane to take up a scholarship to study in Iran because she had no male chaperone with her. In March, the Taliban introduced restrictions to stop women from boarding domestic or international flights without a mahram. They also said that women seeking to travel long distances by road should be offered transport only if accompanied by a male relative. “I tried to explain to the Taliban that I couldn’t bring anyone with me to Iran, but they wouldn’t listen.” Like Sheikba, Fereshtah is worried about her future. Her father died when she was just one year old, and not having a male chaperone in her household might now restrict her movements. She long battled her family to have the right to work outside the home, and for a period she had a job as a social worker, travelling to conferences with her sister. “I had hoped that when I graduated from university I could continue my education abroad and do a Master’s degree, but now I am not hopeful.” A note from uni This week Fereshtah received notice from her professors insisting that she and her female classmates obey the Taliban’s new rules around the dress code. “I will cover up a bit more because I am worried if they come to my house and there is no man in the household, but not as much as the Taliban want me to,” she says. But it’s a different story for some of her classmates. “They’ve told me they will wear a full veil because their fathers have warned them about the repercussions,” says Fereshtah. Herat University graduate Najma thinks it’s time the international community did more to put pressure on the Taliban when it comes to women’s rights. “It breaks my heart, I feel so weak because I feel I have no option other than to obey these stupid rules,” she says. “I cannot describe how bad this situation is, they are pressuring women and girls and putting us in a cage.” Source: BBC

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Lampard unhappy with referee after Brentford loss

verton manager Frank Lampard says his side have been “on the wrong end of a lot of bad decisions this season” after the nine-man Toffees were beaten by Brentford at Goodison Park. Leeds’ draw at home to Brighton earlier on Sunday meant victory for Lampard’s team would have secured their top-flight status with two games to spare, but the narrow loss leaves them just two points clear of 18th-placed Burnley and one above Jesse Marsch’s side, who have played a game more. Dominic Calvert-Lewin got the faintest of touches to Richarlison’s flick to give the hosts an early lead, but the dismissal of teenage defender Jarrad Branthwaite - which came moments after Richarlison’s appeals for a penalty for a foul by Kristoffer Ajer were turned down - swung the momentum back in the visitors’ favour. “When you see that shirt pull [on Richarlison], that’s a foul anywhere on the pitch,” said Lampard, who is facing an FA hearing over comments made in the aftermath of last month’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield. “This ‘clear and obvious’ phrase, I don’t know if it still counts but I think it’s a nonsense. The decision is either right or wrong. “Is a shirt pull a foul? Yes. Is it in the box? Yes. It’s a penalty.” A Richarlison spot-kick in first-half stoppage time restored Everton’s advantage after Seamus Coleman’s own goal had levelled for the Bees, but Brentford dominated the second half and deservedly turned the game on its head through headers from Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry. Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

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he world’s richest man, Elon Musk stunned his followers last week when he suggested his imminent death in mysterious circumstances. The CEO both of Tesla (Electric Car Manufacturing Company in the USA) and now of Twitter, Musk has sent the world into fears over his life after posting about the chances of his death, coming just days after he announced his decision to buy the micro-blogging site for $44 Billion, although news came Friday Musk is halting the Twitter take over to resolve concerns over the number of fake or spam accounts on the platform. “Twitter deal temporarily on hold pending details supporting calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5 per cent of users,” Mr Musk was quoted as saying in a tweet on Friday. Recall that the Bloomberg Billionaires Index had named Mr Musk the world’s richest person at the end of 2021 with a personal fortune of $273.5bn. Mr Musk added $68bn to his net worth over the past year after a 33 per cent jump in the share price of his electric vehicle maker, Tesla, Forbes said. By all means possible, Musk must be prevailed upon not to die now if he could, because the global business community needs him now more than ever. His family needs him, his friends and associates need him, his workers need him, his country the USA needs him and those he has inspired, including his admirers world over all need him to live. Musk, just 50, has transformed wealth creation through innovations in space technology, electrical auto engineering and has opened a new frontier of investments in the microblogging space through his ‘uneasy’ take over of Twitter. He has to live to sustain these profound legacies. Certainly, as humans, we are destined to die at some point in our lives as ordained by God and we do not have control over that. Every man’s dying day was fixed the day he was born, even though we are all desirous of a fulfilled long life full of accomplishments. But as for Musk, living a long life is not a big deal.”I certainly would like to maintain health for a longer period of time. But I am not afraid of dying. I think it would come as a relief,” he was once quoted as saying. There are however deaths that are preventable or avoidable, and Musk himself has suggested that possibility and we urge him to exploit that window to live. It really beats one’s imagination for someone of Musk’s status to signal his own death, and to be okay with it. Is he

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Hameed M. Bello, PhD hamdbelo@yahoo.co.uk going to take his own life? This is most unlikely because he has no reason to do so having risen to the peak of accomplishments as a global icon with everything at his disposal. Is he suspicious of external threats to his life and is somehow convinced of the possibility of success of such a threat? We hope not either. News report credited to him May 9 quoted him as raising the alarm about his imminent death. This is hard to swallow for many who believe in him. Reports quoted Musk to have tweeted the disturbing post, “suggesting that his life might be cut short. Though he did not give full details of what his fears are, the billionaire hinted his life may be threatened.” In what seems to be a gesture of lack of regret, Musk was quoted as declaring that “it has been nice getting to know you”, without giving a clearer picture of who “you’ in that situation referred to. There were speculations however that he was referring to individuals who have shown him a lot of support. He had tweeted: “If I die under mysterious circumstances, it’s been nice knowing ya”. When confronted by a fan, some reports said his mother, that his response was unpalatable, Musk was quoted as saying he will do his best to stay alive. According to the Independent, Musk also said he was “OK with going to hell”. That statement came amid a spat with the head of Russia’s space agency. “I’m ok with going to hell, if that is indeed my destination,” he wrote in a recent post. Some accounts said Mr Musk’s series of posts began when he shared a post allegedly from Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency, which accused him of having aided fascists in the ongoing war in Ukraine by providing Starlink space internet satellites, an

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Elon Musk offshoot of his Space X technology investments, to the Azov battalion and Ukrainian marines allegedly through the Pentagon. “And for this, Elon, you will be held accountable like an adult – no matter how much you’ll play the fool,” the statement was quoted as saying. Minutes after sharing that message, Mr Musk wrote another in which he seemed to suggest he had taken that statement as a threat, the Independent had reported. Mr Rogozin and Mr. Musk were said to have traded barbs throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine which have varied between “highly mocking and somewhat bellicose.” And in response to Musk’s tweets about his own death, one of his followers asked whether he believed “there was a great creator of this world”. “If you did, make sure you confess this before your last heartbeat. Bless you.” Mr Musk then wrote the message about hell in response. “Thank you for the blessing, but am OK with going to hell if that is indeed my destination since the vast majority of all humans ever born will be there.” Mr Musk’s cryptic twits about his own death has led to a number of responses, including from his

Mr Musk then wrote the message about hell in response. “Thank you for the blessing, but am OK with going to hell if that is indeed my destination since the vast majority of all humans ever born will be there

mother Maye. “That’s not funny,” she wrote, along with two angry emojis.” Sorry, “ Mr Musk replied.” I will do my best to stay alive. “ The Washington Post reported that Elon Musk recently challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to a one-handed fistfight for the future of Ukraine. But the entrepreneur’s real defense of the besieged country is his effort to keep Ukrainians online with shipments of Starlink satellite Internet service. Starlink is a unit of Musk’s space company, SpaceX. The service uses terminals that resemble TV dishes equipped with antennas and are usually mounted on roofs to access the Internet via satellite in rural or disconnected areas. When war broke out in Ukraine, the country faced threats of Russian cyberattacks and shelling that had the potential to take down the Internet, making it necessary to develop a backup plan. So the country’s minister of digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, tweeted a direct plea to Musk urging him to send help. Musk replied just hours later: “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.” It is not certain Musk was suggesting his death on account of the face-off with Russian figures, but this is not unlikely given the context, the tone and the emotional content of the exchanges. That said, death in this circumstance must be avoided through the mechanism of dialogue and constructive engagements. After all, there are no permanent enemies where strategic interests are at play. Just as we hope for a truce between Musk and his supposed adversaries to avert his death, we also hope for an amicable resolution of the Russia/ Ukraine war so that lives will be saved on both sides. Our humanity matters.

DAN GAYE DANGAI

Lagos Assembly lauds Tinubu’s endorsement of Sanwo-Olu for 2nd tenure -News

Hope he will endorse himself for presidential?

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