Friday, February 25, 2022 Edition

Friday, February 25, 2022/ 24 Rajab, 1443 AH

Vol. 39 No. 028 N200

UPDATE ON SCHOOL CHILDREN HELD CAPTIVE

Fuel scarcity: Petrol sold for N230 per litre in Kano >>>PG 2

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BETHEL BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL, KUJAMA

237 DAYS

Troops kill 63, arrest 86 terrorists in Borno

>>>PG 5

As Russia invades Ukraine:

Urgently evacuate Nigerian students from Ukraine now - Reps

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Thousands of Ukrainians flee country after Russian invasion >>PG22

Prospective candidates for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) queue to enter a registration center for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination at Adeola International School in Kubwa in Abuja on Thursday (24/2/22).

No Local Govt in Nigeria under terrorists’ control – CDS Alleged unlawful detention: Nude Photos: Court Court hears Abba Kyari’s strikes out suit against Ex Gov Ohakim bail application, Feb 28 PAGE 3

PAGE 4

NEMA receives 159 stranded Nigerians from Libya PAGE 10

PG 7

Power Reforms implementation critical for sector growth -NBET MD PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 2

NEWS CONTENTS News

6-18

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics

15-17

Stock Watch Business Metro

18 19-21 24

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

Fuel scarcity: Petrol sold for N230 per litre in Kano From Kano

Mustapha

Adamu,

A

s the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as PMS is persisting in Kano state, a litre of the product is being sold at up to N230 at some filling stations in the state.

Peoples Daily correspondent, who went round some filling stations in the state metropolis and outskirts, observed that petroleum was being sold at above the N165 official pump price, mostly at independent marketers’ outlets.

This is in addition to long queues in all the filling stations that manage to sell the petroleum, as majority of the outlets had been locked up since the beginning of the scarcity.

Our reporter observed that at one AMG Petroenergy, located along Zaria road in Kumbotso Local Government area, the petroleum was being sold at the rate of N230, that is why there was no long queue and rowdiness.

Also, in another filling station at Zawachiki area, along Madobi Local Government road, the

petroleum was being sold at N208 per litre, just as many other outlets were closed.

This is coming as the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-corruption Commission (PCACC) arrested four managers and two fuel attendants for selling Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petroleum above the official pump proceed of N165 in the state.

At a press conference, held at his office last week, the acting Chairman of the commission, Mahmoud Balarabe said the

arrests were made at different filling stations in the Kano metropolis.

According to him, the commission had received several complaints from residents that despite the scarcity of petroleum, some filling stations are selling it between N200 and N208 in the state.

Balarabe said, on receiving the complaints, the commission swung into action and went to some filling stations along eastern bypass and Hadejia road, where it found some of them selling petroleum at N200 and N208.

NECO releases 2021 SSCE external candidates’ results Page 6

Digest

25

Feature

26

Sports Back Page

29-31 32

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Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Left) in a chat with executive secretary of national primary healthcare development agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib (right) while Commissioner of Health, Dr Habu Dahiru looks on during a high level meeting between governors and Gavi delegation on Immunization, PHC and Covid-19 response in Abuja yesterday

Environmental Professional regulatory instruments will improve health services -Minister

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

M

inister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor said environmental professional regulatory instruments will improve health service in Nigeria.

Sharon, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Enviroment, Engr.

Musa Hassan made this know at the public presentation of professional regulatory

instruments by Environmental Health Officers Registration Council( EHORECON) yesterday in Abuja.

Presenting the instruments, she said the federal government has spent millions of naira ensuring that Nigerians have quality environmental health services across the country.

“The Professional Regulatory Instruments came at the right time. This shows us how important and ready our officers

are in delivering their services”.

The minister urged EHORECON not to leave the instruments at their office shelves, but to distribute them to offices, states and local governments.

According her, putting the instruments in operation will be very vital, “as we look forward to seeing good environmental health services.

Earlier, Registrar Environmental Health Officers Registration of Nigeria, Dr.

Yakubu Mohammed, said the four new guidelines is explicit, given the new technology.

“The guide line would provide enabling environment for the private sector and environmental Health practitioners in the local government which would drastically reduce the number of control pest and vectors”.

Mohammed noted that with the new technology, this would create new Jobs for over 10,000 Nigerians.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

NEWS

PAGE 3

News Editor, Tobias Lengnan Dapam

NSCDC gives free medical care to FCT residents

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

A

s part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Civil Defence Day, residents of Sabo Iddo Community and others within Abuja Municipal Area Council in Federal Capital Territory have been given free medical care by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to meet the healthcare need of the masses.

NSCDC in a statement issued yesterday by Olusola Odumosu it’s spokesperson, said the exercise with the theme; ‘’Building bridges for better healthcare at the grassroot for safety and security of future generations’’, is at the instance of Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi,, the Commandant General, NSCDC. The statement said the outreach was part of the organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility to the civil populace.

Represented at the flag-off of the 2-days event by ACG in charge of Crisis Management, Pedro Ideba, the CG said year 2022 event is very unique to the service as the Corps marks the World Civil Defence Day which is celebrated across the globe every 1st March.

According to the CG, the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) is an intergovernmental organisation whose objective is to contribute to the development by States of structures ensuring the protection and assistance of populations and safeguarding property and the environment in the face of natural and man made disasters.

Alleged unlawful detention: Court hears Abba Kyari’s bail application, Feb 28

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will on February 28, hears the bail application filed by detained former Commander of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Intelligence Bureau, Nigerian Police Force, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

The Feb 28 date was following

the counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mike Kassa’s submission that the bail application was not served on him.

He added that though he was served with a motion on notice, he was yet to be served with the bail application.

Responding, counsel to Kyari, Cynthia Ikenna, maintained that there is a proof of service to that effect in the court file.

After going through the court file, Justice Inyang Ekwo directed the applicant’s lawyer, Ikenna to serve Kassa in open court.

Therefore, the court has adjourned to February 28, to hear the bail application.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/182/22, Kyari sought order of court to immediately release him and in the alternative, asked the court to admit him to bail in liberal conditions.

Kyari, in an ex-parte through his counsel, Cynthia Obianuju Ikena, claimed to be suffering from chronic diabetes and hypertension threatening his life and therefore needs urgent medical attention.

The plaintiff wants an order of court directing the Federal Government to pay him the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) for unlawful violation of his constitutional right.

ross section of Atiku rescue Nigeria Group, (political group rooting for Alh. Atiku presidency) after their media conference at the NUJ FCT council Secretariat, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin- Imo-owo

2 persons electrocuted in Benue

From Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

A

t least, two(2) persons have been reportedly electrocuted in Wadata area of Makurdi, Benue State capital yesterday.

A resident who pleaded

anonymity said there was heavy surge from a transformer when electricity supply was restored to the area and the persons who attempted to unplug their appliance from the socket were electrocuted.

Hear him, “A nurse who works at a private hospital was

cooking with an elecrric cooker when there was power cut. As soon as electricity was restored, she had gone to unplug it and was immediately electrocuted to death. Another person said to be a JSS 2 student had ran to disconnect an appliance from the socket and was electrocuted.

Several others sustained injuries and have been hospitalized”.

Regional Manager, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JEDC, Felix Adamu who confirmed that there were cases of electrocution, said his men were yet to visit the area and ascertain the cause and level of destruction.

FCTA, JICA partner to standardise abattoir operations in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

s part measures to standardise abattoir operations, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have indicated strong interest to work together on improving hygiene and meat handling practices, using advanced technologies.

This move was revealed yesterday when a team from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) paid a visit to the FCT Agriculture And Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), in Abuja.

In his remarks during the visit,

ARDS Mandate Secretary, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, expressed hope that JICA’s interest in the abattoir sector will compliment FCTA’s efforts toward meeting the desired standards in meat handling practices across the Territory.

Ibrahim, said the visit is no doubt significant in so many ways, considering the renewed interest of the Secretariat to standardize abattoir operations, by addressing the important issues of infrastructural decay, meat inspecting, pollution, sanitation as well as stamping out the use of tyres to process cow skin.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to intimate you that

my boss, the Honourable Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has been a strong advocate of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative as an effective strategy in addressing our country’s developmental challenges.

“JICA has no doubt proven to be worthy partners in progress, which is why I assure you of our readiness to work with you towards repositioning the Agricultural sector. “ As you undertake a visit to our abattoirs with members of my management team, I urge you to feel free to bare your minds on any issue that may require our clarifications.

“ I have already directed the Director Veterinary Services to furnish me with a report on the visit to guide us on the our next line of action”.

Earlier, Country Representative of JICA, Sasaike Jako said hygiene is the critical problem, and the organisation is looking out for how to bring in Japanese technologies into Nigerian Abattiors.

Sasaike, stated that the initiative was a product of a collaboration between the government and JICA, targeted at improving meat handling practices using advanced technologies.

Similarly, Dr. Umar Haliru,

a representative of JICA, commended FCTA for making JICA relevant in the development of the FCT, which paved way the longtime relationship between both parties.

Also speaking, the Director Veterinary Services, ARDS, Dr. Mrs Regina Adulugba said the partnership would set a standard for what a modern abattoir should be.

She explained that the structure and areas to be considered for upgrade comprised veterinary slaughter points, carcasses processing tables with running water and animal skin gas burning points, among others.

the deployment of bomb experts to Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State to forestall explosion.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Co Conveners, Concerned Shiroro

Youths Of Niger State. Bello Ibrahim and Abubakar Yusuf Kokki.

The group urged government to be proactive by deploying experts to the embattled areas to diffuse IEDs that might still be

beneath the ground.

According to them, this step if taken will undoubtedly go a long way in forestalling possible tragedies in Galadima Kogo and its environs.

In the same vein, the group

also appealed to Government to immediately mobilize as well as direct its relevant agencies to move into the affected areas and ascertain the level of destructions recorded during the deadly invasion.

Group calls for deployment of bomb experts to Niger community

From Yakubu Minna

T

Mustapha,

he Concerned Shiroro Youths of Niger State has called on the Governments to as a matter of urgency mobilize

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 4

NEWS Renewed crisis in Benue communities claim one life From: Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

R

enewed fighting between Mbasombo and Mbakume communities in Ikpayongo, Gwer local government area of Benue State has left one person dead.

Our corrrespondent also gathered that several houses have been burnt in the crisis which started in the early hours of Thursday.

A resident of the area who spoke on ground of anonymity said, Tse-Tsuwe in Mbasombo vicinity had been completely razed with fire by arsonists who also torched the house of a retired police officer, known as, Yõnov Agber.

Other witnesses alleged that one person was killed while many houses were already burnt as Mbakume and Mbasombo resumed crisis last night.

“As we speak, shooting is still ongoing. I can’t really figure out what exactly triggered this fresh fight,” one of the witnesses alleged.

Our correspondent further learnt that many inhabitants have deserted the affected rural communities after the lingering crisis erupted.

When contacted on phone, Chairman, Gwer local government area, Terwase Ortserga said he was not around but said he received reports that the crisis was led by some hoodlums in the area.

Gov Bello assents to establishment of Baro Debt Commission Laws From Yakubu Minna

N

Mustapha,

iger State Government has established Baro Area Development Commission BADC, sequel to the signing of the law establishing it by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

According to the law, the commission shall have a member of the Governing Board to include the Chairman, Managing Director and Executive Directors.

The commission is a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal; which may sue and be sued in its corporate name.

Nude Photos: Court strikes out suit against Ex Gov Ohakim

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has struck out a criminal charge filed against a former Governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim.

The Police is prosecuting Ohakim and one Chinedu Okpaleke for allegedly threatening to release nude photographs Chinyere Amuchienwa if she fails to drop charges of attempted kidnap against them.

At the resumed sitting, Thursday, The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN requested to study the case file.

Reacting, Sani Bagudu, a counsel, from the office of the AGF had applied to withdraw the matter to enable the AGF study the case file and take appropriate action.

Consequent to the above, Justice Taiwo Taiwo strike out the case, pending when the AGF decides on what next to do in the matter.

Recall that, on September 27, 2021, Justice Taiwo had ruled that the AGF has unfettered power to take over the case, following a move by the Police to withdraw the charge against the defendants marked FHC/ABJ/CS/287/2020.

In the five-count charge

dated November 25, 2020, the police had alleged that Ohakim and Okpareke, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication through a computer system to harass and bully Amuchienwa, an offence that is punishable under Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.

Some of the charges read, “That you Chinendu Okpareke ‘m’ 49, and Ikedi Ohakim ‘m’ and others now at large on Aug. 13, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this court did conspire among yourselves by knowingly and intentionally sending messages by means of computer system or

network in a grossly offensive, pornographic, nude of an indecent obscene and menacing character of one Chinyere Amuchienwa ‘f’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27 (1)(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.

“That you Chinendu Okpareke ‘m’ 49, and Ikedi Ohakim ‘m’ and others now at large on Aug. 13, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this court did conspire among yourselves to cause annoyance and criminal intimidation to one Chinyere Amuchienwa ‘f’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.

L-R: Country Representing, “Resolve To Save Lives”, Dr..Emmanuel Agogo, Team Lead, National Home Grown School Feeding Program (NHGSFP), Aishatu Digil, National Coordinator, National Social Investment Program (NSIP), Engr.Umar Binder, Focal Person, Katsina State NHGSFP, Abdulkadir Mamma Nasir and the Special Assisti (Legal), to the Minister, Maimuna Idris, during the two days National Consultative meeting on public Food Procurement in the context of Nigeria’s National Home Grown School Feeding Program, held in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Olympics: School inter-house competitions key platform for talent hunt - FCTA

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has identified Secondary School inter house Sports Competition as a veritable platform for Olympics talent hunt in the country.

Making this assertion, Mr Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, stated this at the 20th Annual Inter-House Sports Competition held at Government Secondary School Nyanya, Abuja.

Attah said the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello and the Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu both believe in combination of sporting and education as a viable tool in ensuring that students are properly developed.

This, according to him, will enable students shun the twine vices of drugs abuse and cultism. “ The FCT Administration believe that Secondary School Interhouse sports competition avails us the opportunity for talent hurting. “ Because from places like this great talent that stood in for Olympics NUGA games in the university and other very vital national games were discovered,” Attah said.

He expressed optimism that the interhouse competition would avail the school management and government opportunity to fished out talent that would do not just FCT but the nation proud.

Attaj said that the FCT Minister has directed him to

make a passionate appeal to the students across the territory to shun vices of cultism and drugs addiction. “ Because your future remains bright and it will not be blink if you decide to follow the right path. “ So, please do all you can don’t get involve in cultism, gangsterism and don’t fraternize men that do not represent the moral standard of your parents, faith and calling.” he said.

Earlier, the Principal of the School, Mrs Olure Irewole, said sports promote discipline and academic brilliance as well as provide opportunity for students to come closer to one another, to form bonds and friendship.

She appealed to the FCT Administration to provide a big

hall for indoor games which were recently introduced to the students such as Scrabble, Chest, Ludo, And Ayo. She also begged the administration to support the school with sports equipments such as Jersey, balls, net and upgrade the school sports field to a standard one.

Also, Mrs Nanre Emeje, the acting Chairman, FCT Secondary Education Board, disclosed that three students of FCT discovered through interhouse sports are already participating at the international athletics outside the country. “ They were picked in two of our schools in Jiwa and Deidei.”

She, however, urged students to take their academic activities seriously.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Greenland Concepts breaks ground for Oakville Homes, as experts seek FG alliance

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

G

reenland Concepts Nigeria limited (GCNL) has performed the ground breaking ceremony of what it described as its affordable and elegant Oakville Homes development, being a flagship green development initiative of the industry.

Speaking at the event which took place at Karshi in Piyanko, Kurape District, Karu Local Government area of Nasarawa State on Tuesday, major housing development stakeholders said Nigeria can only claim housing sufficiency when government begins to unveil pyramid of houses like the rice pyramid in the agricultural sector.

A post event statement issued yesterday

by Barrister Victoria Balagbogbo, who is the Head of Legal Compliance and Special Duties of GCNL, said senator Aliyu Wamako, President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), chaired the occasion.

The President of the REDAN, Alhaji Aliyu Wamako, in his opening remarks, lauded the efforts of Greenland Concepts Nigeria Limited. He specifically commended the efforts of the Founder and Director, Barr. Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade (mni) as a foremost female developer for her contribution towards housing development in the FCT. The MD/CEO of Family Homes Funds Limited, Femi Adewole, in his goodwill message said it is very important that female developers are assisted in the industry and are encouraged with support since the construction industry is filled with men.

He also commended the CEO of Greenland Concepts Nigeria Limited for her resilience, diligence and commitment to quality and excellence in housing development.

Also speaking, Barr. Festus Adebayo, Convener of the Abuja International Housing Show said “Nigeria can only say it is recording progress in the housing sector when government begins to unveil pyramids of houses as it is doing for rice in the agricultural sector.”

The statement said the highlight of the event was the foundation laying ceremony conducted by the Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Wamako, and supported by other dignitaries present at the event.

In her response to goodwill messages, the Founder and Director of Greenland Concepts Nigeria Limited, Barr. Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade (mni), thanked and appreciated everyone present at the ground breaking.

She said that GCNL has been doing housing projects and developments for over 22 years and has been reducing the housing deficit in the country, adding that the values and principles that guide her as an individual are the same values that the OAKVILLE HOMES project represents.

“These values are integrity, honesty, trust, excellence, dedication and resilience”, she said.

She appreciated the REDAN President for his stamp of approval on the project and the assurance given to everyone that whatever they are getting is authentic.

She appreciated that the NSITF Cooperative Society for the confidence reposed in Greenland Concepts, having chosen GCNL as their official developer to provide housing for their members.

She concluded by thanking everyone present at the occasion for their assistance and support. The organizers made a call for the general public to subscribe to the project as it is fast selling out.

Dignitaries at the ground breaking event include the immediate past Acting Executive Secretary of FCDA, Hajiya Zalihau Ahmed, mni; Director; Executive Director, Bank of Industry, Mrs. Toyin Adeniji; Managing Director/CEO, Hydrafoam Limited, Mr. Abdulhakeem Huthman; Chief Executive Officer of Cognity Advisor, Mr. Tope Toogun amongst others.

PAGE 5

NEWS

Urgently evacuate Nigerian students from Ukraine now - Reps

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives, Thursday asked Federal Government to put necessary measures in place for the evacuation of Nigerian students in Ukraine following the worsening conflict with Russia.

The House equally mandated the Majority Leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Buba Yakub to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) with the view to airlift the students back to Nigeria without further delay.

The House mandated the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in conjunction with the

Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ascertain the exact figures of Nigerians affected by this conflict and put in place comprehensive monitoring, evaluation and evaluation mechanism.

The House resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of Urgent Importance to evacuate Nigerian Students in Ukraine sponsored by Hon. Ahmed Munir, who solicited for the House intervention.

The House also directed the Majority Leader and his team to travel to Ukraine on Friday and come back with as many Nigerian students as possible by Monday.

The House also resolved that if nothing comes of this arrangement, then it would work with the local airline, Air Peace, to see how the

students can be brought home in a manner that would be devoid of bureaucracy and bottlenecks.

The House noted that there is a worsening conflict between Russia and Ukraine of which the situation is deteriorating by the hour.

It also noted that Nigeria has a significant number of undergraduate and graduate students currently studying in Ukraine out of which a significant portion, is under government scholarships, as well as a number of Nigerian diplomats and their families in the Kyiv Embassy and Nigerian expatriates across Ukraine.

The lawmakers further expressed concern that if a strategic plan is not put in place to secure and provide safe passage for Nigerian citizens, they may be trapped or worse, harmed.

L-R: Member, Concerned Citizens Support Group of Nigeria (CCSGN), Arc. Ini Offiong Umoh, Deputy National Coordinator CCSGN, Baranu Nwigberance Nubeni , the National Coordinator of the group, Alh. Mohammed Ibrahim and others, during the CCSGN media conference calling on Gov Nyesom Wike to contest for the office of the president in the 2023 general election.held yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Troops kill 63, arrest 86 terrorists in Borno •As 466 surrender

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Nigerian military said its troops killed 63 terrorists and arrested 86 others at various locations in Borno

state.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General, Bernard Onyeuko stated this yesterday while giving update on the military operations in the country.

He added that, 466 Boko Haram and ISWAP Terrorists surrendered with their families.

“Those who surrendered comprised of 120 Adult Males, 137 Adult Females

and 209 Children surrendered during the operations.

“During the period under review, own troops conducted operations along PulkaKariwa, Kekeno, Road Gwoza-LimankavaDamboa Biu road to Sabon Gari at Mandaragrau in Biu Local Government Area, Gadayi Village in Gubio Local Government Area, Mandara Hill in Gwoza Local Government Area, as well as Kirta Wulgo in Marte Local Government Area all in Borno State.

“The operations also took place in Bama, Mafa, Dikwa, Gamboru,Gwoza, Banki junction and Kondiya all in Borno

State.

“Cumulatively, the troops within the last 2 weeks, neutralized 63 fighters, arrested 86 members of the terrorists, recovered 4 gun trucks, 25 AK47 rifles, 56 magazines with 6.2mm special ammunitions, 78 rounds of different calibers of ammunitions, 67 packets of rounds on links, 3 FN grenades and 3 bandoliers.

“Additionally, 20 abducted civilians were rescued by own troops. The surrendered terrorists have been properly documented and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions.”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 6

NEWS NCPC boss charges POWA to remain backbone of husbands

By Albert Akota

T

he Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has charged the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) to remain the backbone of their husbands.

He made this statement in his office at the NCPC corporate Headquarters on 23rd February, 2022 when the delegation of the Police Officers Wives Association, Abuja Chapter paid him a courtesy visit.

The Executive Secretary said he was elated with the delegation’s visit because having lost his mother; he knows the value of mothers.

He charged the delegation to always support their husbands no matter the challenges they face in their marriage as there is no marriage without challenges.

According to him, “the Police Officers face a lot of challenge in the field as such, they should return home to meet a serene atmosphere”.

Earlier, the leader of the POWA delegation, Hajiya Maryam Babaji, wife of the Commissioner of Police FCT, said they were in the Commission to identify with the Executive Secretary, having heard of his good works and so they have come to encourage him and assure him of their support.

She informed that the Association also came to pay a condolence visit and to commiserate with him and the entire family over the loss of his mother .

NECO releases 2021 SSCE external candidates’ results

By Maryam Abeeb, Abuja & Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

he National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the 2021 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) external candidates results.

Announcing the results in Minna, Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the results were released just after sixty-four (64) days of the last paper.

According to the NECO boss, “the number of candidates that registered for the examination was 47, 916.

“The number of candidates that sat for the English Language

were 45,821 out of which 36,116, representing 78.82%, made Credit and above.

“45,756 Candidates sat for Mathematics, out of which 35,706, representing 78.04percent made Credit and above.

“The number of candidates who got five (5) Credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics is 29,342, representing 62.59%.

“On the other hand, 37,991 candidates, representing 81.04%, got five (5) Credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.

“The Number of Candidates booked for various forms of malpractice in 2021 is 4,454, as against 6,465 in 2020, which

showed a significant decline in the number of malpractice cases.”

Speaking further, Prof.

Dantani said candidates can access their results on the NECO website www.neco.gov.ng, using their examination registration numbers.

While saying the Council has embarked on various programmes to reposition the examination body to better performance, the NECO boss commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the two ministers of education for their massive support.

“I thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support and assistance towards the execution of the Council’s

mandate.

“My sincere appreciation also goes to the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and the Minister of State for Education, Honourable Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for their support and guidance.

The same goes to the Chairman and members of the Governing Board under the leadership of Dr.Abubakar Siddique Mohammed for their untiring support and guidance.

“I would also like to appreciate Members of the National Assembly who have continued to support the Council, through relevant oversighting committees,” he said.

L-R: Representative of the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mallam Yahaya Yakubu, the representative of the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. N.A Sede, representative of the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Aborisade Kehinde Ayoola and the Head, Edo State Tax Audit, Mr Oyeniyi Samuel Adeola, during the TETFund/FIRS 2021 Joint Interactive Forum, held in Benin City, Edo State.

No political party can compete with PDP in Delta — Aniagwu

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu has said that with the remarkable achievements recorded by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, it would be very difficult for any political party to compete with

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Speaking on Arise Television “The Morning Show,” monitored in Asaba, Aniagwu said he can beat his chest to say that no political party can compete with the PDP in view of the many accomplishments in infrastructure development

across various communities, youth empowerment programmes as well as urban renewal projects in the state.

He said in nearly seven years in the saddle, Governor Okowa has constantly paid workers’ salaries as at when due, built over 1600km of road infrastructure and drainages, human capital

development and uniting the peaceful people of the state.

He said Okowa has built bridges of possibilities connecting communities particularly in the creeks.

“If you come to the state capital today, you will see our brand new state Secretariat which is now called the ‘workers

city’ when you get there you will see that there’s nothing in this part of the world that can be compared to it”.

“It is a Secretariat that’s called an ‘intelligent building’ that possess a whole lot of facilities to ease work and work related activities within that territory”.

of 5 billion naira rurral road project.

The 55 kilimeter road project, MakurdiUdei-Yogbo-Udei branch is handled by Triacta Nigeria Limited.

Governor Ortom decried that lack of access road in the area has constituted a great hinderance to security agencies responding to distress call by locals whenever there is an attack on them by

suspected fulani herdsmen.

He said 35 kilometer of the road has already been cleared, assuring that it will be completed before the commencement of the rainy season.

He added that when completed, the road will enhance economic development, security as well as help boost the evacuation of agricultural produce.

Ortom flags off N5b rural road project

From: Uche Makurdi

B

Nnorom,

enue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday flagged off the construction

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Victims of banditry get NEMA’s support in Niger

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday donated relief materials to victims of armed bandit attacks in four local government areas of Niger.

The Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, during the distribution of the items to victims in Kontgoara said that they were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to cushion effects of the attacks.

He said that on receiving report on the incidents, NEMA Minna Operations Office was activated to conduct an assessment to determine the extent of damage and level of Federal Government’s assistance to the affected persons.

Ahmed said the affected communities were across Kontgoara, Mariga, Magama, Mashegu and Wushishi Local Government Areas where many lives were lost, many displaced, property and livelihoods were destroyed in the attacks.

He said that the relief items included 1,500 bags rice (10kg), 1,500 bags of maize (10kg), 1,500 bags of beans (10kg), 150 kegs of vegetable oil (20ltrs), 250 cartons seasoning cube, 75 bags of salt (20kg) and 125 cartons of tin tomato.

Other items were 1,200 bags of cement, 1, 000 pieces of ceiling boards, 800 bundles of roofing sheets, 60 bags of nails (25kg), 300 packets of zinc nails, 1,000 pieces of mattresses and 1,000 pieces of mosquitoes treated nets.

He added that other relief materials were 1,000 pieces of nylon mats, 1,000 pieces of blankets, 1,000 pieces of guinea brocade, 1,500 pieces of children’s wears, 1,000 pieces of women’s wears, 1,000 pieces of men’s wears, 200 cartons of toilet soap and 200 cartons of detergent.

The director-general said that the items were to complement the efforts of what the Niger government was doing and other corporate organisations and spirited individuals in providing succour to the affected persons.

Responding, the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau, appreciated the Federal Government for the intervention, adding that there was need to address the security challenges to enable the people to return to their homes.

Also, Member, House of Representatives, representing Mariga, Kontagora, Mashegu and Magama, Rep. Abdullahi Garba, appreciated NEMA for the prompt response in delivering the relief items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the directorgeneral was accompanied by the Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of NEMA, Alhaji Alhassan Nuhu.

(NAN)

PAGE 7

CRIME NEWS No Local Govt in Nigeria under terrorists’ control – CDS T he Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says there is no local government area in Nigeria under the control of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.

Irabor said this at the 21st Century Chronicle Roundtable with the theme: “Going for Broke: Fighting Insecurity in Nigeria”, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He recalled that state of emergency was imposed on a number of local governments in the North East in the past, especially in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

According to him, the measure taken at that time was necessary as the country had protocol outlined to manage such crisis.

“Looking at these issues, the military had to emplace measures by way of crafting operations to suit peculiarities of every

geopolitical zone.

“We have Operation Lafiya Dole now Hadin Kai in the North East, Hadarin Daji in the North West and different operations in the North Central.

“There have been recovery of space. At the peak of insurgency, 14 local government areas especially in Borno were under the control of Boko Haram but currently there is non under their control.

“Equally in Yobe, almost four local governments were under the control of Boko Haram as well as in Adamawa but currently, Boko Haram is not in control of any local government.

“We have recovered arms and ammunitions as well as arrests and surrender of Boko Haram terrorists,” he said.

Irabor said the military had absorbed a good number of Civilian Joint Task Force and deployed them to relevant areas.

He said that 80 per cent of the armed forces personnel were currently deployed across the 36 states of the federation providing security and performing police duties.

According to him, that is the more reason he joined those advocating community policing.

“Yes there is a community policing framework currently, but it has to be escalated.

“The NPF is already working on this to see how they could boost community policing mechanisms beyond what it is right now.

“Nigerians need to understand the basis of our involvement and the basis are internal confrontations.

“Of course, our constitution mandates the armed forces to play a supporting role to the civil authority, in this case the Police, in circumstances that we have found ourselves.

“The manifestation of these insecurities have assumed such a proportion that the military will be at the forefront of addressing them,” he said.

The CDS also said the security challenges in the country had been politicised.

According to him, the politicisation of military approach became so profound that the good intentions of the military were skewed.

Irabor blamed the insecurity in the country on the Libyan crisis, which according to him, led to free flow of arms through Nigeria’s porous borders.

He called for allocation of more resources to defence and security sector to meet the needs of the military.

The CDS said Nigeria look inward for its military hardware to gradually replace imported ones.

(NAN) Gov Babangana Zulum of Borno State (R), with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Maiduguri International Airport, during the latter’s one-day visit to Maiduguri on Thursday 23/2/22).

FG to consider Eco green buses

T

he Federal Government says it will consider patronising Eco Green Buses which have been proven to have 95 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions to curtail greenhouse gasses.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, said this when the Executive Officer of Eco 360 Group, Johann Reiger, presented

an array of Eco friendly buses to her in Abuja.

Saraki said the Federal Government would soon role out a long term durable solution to best tackle road transportation challenges in Nigeria.

The minister of state for transportation said this was necessary since more than 90 per cent of Nigerians travelled by road.

“A high performance vehicle which can suit the Nigerian road system will be welcomed,” she added.

Speaking earlier, the Group Executive Officer said the Eco Green Bus was of the highest safety standards with real time feedback of driver’s behaviour via telemetric.

Reiger said 70 per cent of its buses could be assembled

locally with extensive transfer of technological know-how throughout the value chain, in addition to provision of two years maintenance parts.

According to him, vehicles currently in use in Nigeria are of CNG Euro II (Compressed Natural Gas), whereas Eco Green Buses are of CNG Euro IV-V, making them more fuel efficient and cost effective. (NAN)

Elumelu @57: We’re proud of your accomplishments - Okowa

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed immense pleasure with the accomplishments of the Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi

Elumelu, as he celebrated his 57th birth anniversary.

In a statement in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the governor said that the state and the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was proud of the sterling attainments of

Elumelu in all spheres.

He said that Elumelu was an astute politician and outstanding lawmaker, and commended him for his remarkable contributions in the legislature, especially as Minority Leader in the 9th Assembly.

According to Okowa, Elumelu

has been a great leader, an exemplary lawmaker and a model politician of refreshing candour.

He said: “As a government of our dear state, Delta, we can’t thank you enough for your leadership role, especially in supporting our efforts at developing our dear state.”

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 8

NEWS

Okowa Nigeria to host 2022 World Toilet Summit in November mourns, N political aide, Okakwu

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

G

overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has sent condolences to the family of his late Senior Special Assistant (Political), Chief Martin Okakwu, who passed away on Wednesday.

Okakwu, who hailed from Ebu, Oshimili North Local Government Area, reportedly died at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was admitted for a few weeks. He was 65.

In the condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa expressed deep sadness over the incident, saying that it was a big loss to the family and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to him, the passing of the PDP chieftain is a big blow to our party, his family and his Ebu community, considering his invaluable contributions to the party’s victories in the state.

The governor described the late Okakwu as a fearless and bold politician who made friends for the party across the state.

He noted that Okakwu’s concern for the growth and development of PDP and his community and local government area was laudable, and stated that he would be greatly missed by his political associates and others whose lives he touched.

He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of an astute politician of amiable personality.

“Chief Okakwu was a renowned party leader, with outstanding reach at the grassroots, and contributed his quota to the development of the state.

“The news of his death came to me as a great shock for he was a valued asset to PDP in Delta and distinguished himself in the service of the party and his people. ``He contributed hugely to our party’s victories in several elections in his Ebu community and Oshimili North.”

igeria has been named as the official host of the 2022 World Toilet Summit, slated for November 2022.

Mr Jack Sim, Founder of the World Toilet Organisation (WTO), made this announcement at a virtual meeting of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Stakeholders and Development Partners on Wednesday.

According to Sim, the United Nations member countries in 2013, unanimously adopted November 19, as the day to create awareness on access to toilets.

He said the summit would be a great opportunity for its

members to come to Nigeria, to seek out ways to address its sanitation challenges.

He noted that Nigeria’s selection was an opportunity to showcase the extensive efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria and also to drive the intended change.

Also speaking during the Zoom meeting, Mrs Caterina De Albuquerque, Chief Executive Officer, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), pointed out that sanitation was at one time not discussed and almost forgotten globally.

She applauded the leadership of Nigeria, for prioritising Water,

Sanitation and Hygiene, stressing that Nigeria’s example would inspire other African Countries to follow suit.

Dr Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator, Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPSWASH), said that the choice of Nigeria for the summit was a clear endorsement of the commitment and political will of the Federal Government towards Water, Sanitation and Hygiene delivery in Nigeria.

He highlighted that the private sector had a critical role to play in driving the sanitation economy while also facilitating job creation.

He said SWA’s three key objectives included; building and sustaining political will, championing multi-stakeholder collaboration and facilitating strategies to attract new investments.

In his remarks, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, noted that the selection of Nigeria as the host country for 2022 World Toilet Summit was a welcome development.

He stressed that the choice of Nigeria to host the Summit was coming at a period when Nigeria had made concrete plans to exit from the comity of nations practising open defecation. (NAN)

L-R: National President, Pest Control Association of Nigeria, Kunle Williams; Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Environmental Health Officers Registration of Nigeria (EHORECON), Dr. Yakubu Muhammed Baba; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Engr. Hassan Musa; Emir of Jiwa, HRH, Idris Musa and Director General/Chief Executive Officer, National Agency for Great Green War, Dr. Bukar Hassan, during EHORECON public presentation of professional regulatory instruments, held yesterday in Abuja.

Photo; Justin Imo-owo

Senegal-Nigeria cooperation successful – Envoy

A

mb. Babacar Matar Ndiaye, Ambassador of Senegal to Nigeria, says his country’s bilateral cooperation with Nigeria has been quite successful in many spheres.

Ndiaye, who is the outgoing Senegalese envoy to Nigeria and Permanent Representative of Senegal to ECOWAS, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He commended Nigeria to have made remarkable progress and explained shared attributes between Senegal and Nigeria in terms of culture and tradition.

According to him, both countries share good bilateral relationships and are well represented globally.

Ndiaye said, “Senegal and Nigeria have done a lot together to further deepen their cooperations; we are the same people in every context and you do not feel like being any different.

“It is exciting to have served Senegal and contributed to strengthening the relationship with Nigeria. To have worked in ECOWAS was challenging and deepening cooperation with Nigeria as a country of interest.

“We have done a lot in terms of cooperation; the idea is to boost our bilateral relations.

“We were thinking of possible areas of cooperation and then, Senegal discovered oil very recently and the processing will begin next year.

“The idea was to learn from

Nigeria since the country has been in this particular sector for decades and the experience is very interesting.”

He identified the oil sector to be a priority area that Senegal would want to further strengthen her ties with Nigeria, in the bid to build strong economy in the post COVID-19 era.

“One of our main aspects of cooperation is the oil sector, we decided to organise bilateral meetings and we also decided to organise this bilateral commission, which we did amidst COVID-19 challenges.

“In terms of exploring technical areas of cooperation, we could not make it, which is something my successor will be very inspired to work on,” he said.

He expressed the hope that the emergence of the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, as Chairperson of African Union would mark a new turn in the economic development of the ECOWAS sub-region.

He decried the inability by the mission in Nigeria to have held its proposed Private-sector Business Forum between Senegal and Nigeria to encourage economic growth.

He described Nigeria as a nation that is strategically positioned, while noting that more would be done by the mission to achieve the desired goal.

“Nigeria is important to Senegalese, it is a great country in the whole of Africa and the world and it is very strategic. (NAN)

We’re committed to prompt justice delivery- OGCCA President

T

he President, Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal (OGCCA), Justice Mobolaji Ojo has said Customary Court is committed to prompt and cheaper justice delivery to the people.

Justice Ojo stated this at the commissioning of the Grade II Customary

Court, Odosenlu, Ijebu North East Local Government Area, adding that the court was designated to cover the areas within its jurisdiction, such as Odoregbe, Itamarun, Padi, Igede, Egenolu, Idofin, Eruwon, among others.

He noted that apart from the facilitation

of Customary Courts building in some parts of the State, the present administration had also embarked on a gradual process of repositioning all Customary Court systems, as well as employment of more staff to strengthen its workforce.

“The Grade II Customary Court Odosenlu

is competent to adjudicate in proceedings for a declaration of title to land, as far as the land in dispute is situated in a non-urban area and is subject to the customary right of occupancy within its area of jurisdiction, as well as matters of dissolution of marriage contract under native law and custom”, Ojo said.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

T

he Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, has impounded 40 bags of smuggled rice and seized the boat used in smuggling them.

The Commanding Officer, Navy Capt. Muhammed Kabiru, made this known to newsmen in Ibaka on Wednesday while handing over the bags of rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Kabiru said the 40 bags of rice were seized from smugglers on Feb. 15 during routine patrol operations by the forward operating base.

He said that the smugglers abandoned the rice and the boat and fled on sighting the naval patrol team.

He assured that the base would not relent in putting an end

PAGE 9

NEWS Navy impounds smuggled rice, seizes boat in A’Ibom to illegalities on the Akwa Ibom waterways.

Kabiru said that the seizure was on the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Auwul Gambo, on zero tolerance to all forms of criminalities on Nigerian maritime domain, particularly the smuggling of rice and crude oil theft.

He said, “On Feb. 15, 2022 at about 18:00 hours during our usual patrol to weed out all forms of illegalities within our areas of

responsibility, we came across a boat suspected to be a smuggling boat.

“Upon sighting our gunboat, the crew jumped into the water and swam to the nearby creek, thereby escaping arrest.

“We have no option than to tow the boat to the base. The boat is here at the jetty with the outboard engine. The content of the boat has been discharged, which is 40 bags of 50kg of rice; they are here.

“So, I, Navy Capt. Muhammad Kabiru, Commanding Officer of FOB Ibaka, hereby hand over the content of the boat 40 bags of 50kg rice to Superintendent Kikems Danbana of Nigeria Customs Service, Joint Border Patrol Team, Oron axis, for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

He advised smugglers to relocate from the Nigerian maritime borders, adding that it would no longer be business as

usual for them.

He urged those engaging in smuggling and other illegal businesses to engage themselves in legitimate endeavours.

Danbana, who received the 40 bags of rice on behalf of NCS, said the service was determined to stop smuggling in the country.

He also warned smugglers to desist from the illegal trade, stressing that the NCS would continue to checkmate economic sabotage in the country. (NAN)

NCDC says Nigeria’s infodemic management system

T

he Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in collaboration with Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria and African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), said its robust and strategic rumour management system has been effective in managing infodemics.

Dr Chinwe Ochu, Director, Prevention Programmes and Knowledge Management, Head of Research, NCDC, made this known on the sideline of Media Preparedness against Future and Current Outbreak Response Programme Brainstorming session on Wednesday in Lagos.

Ochu explained that NCDC had a robust rumour management system that utilised a software to scan the social media and Internet for trending news.

“We usually classify these news as valid, misinformation or disinformation. When rumours contain information that can constitute a public health threat, we usually counter such rumours with scientific evidence and facts.

“Our infodemic management system counters rumours with evidence, making sure credible information is made available and accessible to the public.

“So, it is a very robust system that was developed with a lot of our communication partners.

“We are always working with the media and making sure we provide necessary information for the public through the media,” she said.

Also, Dr Yahya Disu, Head, Communications, NCDC, said Nigeria had been playing a leading role in the infodemic management road map for the country.

According to him, it is more like the coordinating agency for the infodemic management team for the country.

“We have Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as partners who are work8ng with us. (NAN)

L-R: Clark of the committee on financial crime; Mr. Suleiman Danalmajiri, Chairman committee on financial crime; Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Duse and Chairman Public Account committee; Hon. Wole Oke during the committee’s public hearing to Amend the Bill on Financial Crimes and Asset Declaration, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Enugu LG polls: Military, Police halt attacks on polling stations, federal lawmaker by unknown gunmen

By Folorunso Abuja

S

Alagbede,

ome daredevil unknown gunmen, who have been ravaging the South Eastern part of the country, were today repelled by a combined team of army and police personnel as they launched a deadly offensive aimed at disrupting the scheduled Enugu State Local Government Elections in Amodu, Agbani and Akpugo, all in Nkanu West LGA of the state.

The terror merchants, it was learnt, began their havoc tyesterday at a polling station in Obeagu in Enugu South LGA, shooting sporadically into the air and scaring away voters at the hitherto peaceful ongoing council polls in the state.

The unknown gunmen, after causing mayhem and stampede targeted at intending voters

at Obeagu, sources sad, soon attacked a polling station at Amodu in Nkanu West LGA, killing an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Also reportedly killed was an ad-hoc staff of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) on duty at the polling station as an assistant poll clerk, while also burning to ashes vehicle belonging to one Mr Emma Ogbu who was the returning officer for Amodu ward.

Other ad-hoc electoral officials were reportedly subjected to severely beatings by the hoodlums.

The unknown gunmen, it was gathered, moved to the council headquarters of Nkanu West LGA at Agbani where they met the stiff resistance of security operatives on ground.

Eye witnesses informed that

after a heavy crossfire between the invaders and the security forces deployed to council headquarters, the gunmen left in their Toyota Sinenna van for Akpugo where they unleashed their most devastating attack of the day.

In broad daylight, the hooded bloodthirsty gunmen attacked a polling unit at Akpugo after which they proceeded to the nearby compound of Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, a federal lawmaker representing the Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency.

The hoodlums reportedly shot their way into his compound and torched three cars and a section of his house while destroying the glass designs of the building, bringing them to ruins.

It was gathered that unknown to the gunmen who were having a field day with the only resistance at the council headquarters, the chairmanship candidate of the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the council, Hon. Uchenna Nnaji who witnessed the exchange of gunfire from the council premises tipped off the military task force patrolling the area who went in pursuit of the gunmen.

The team, led by Captain Kayode Omoniyi and another team of army personnel led by Lieutenant Adeshina, however saved the day as they arrived at the lawmaker’s residence in Akpugo while the attackers were shooting recklessly in their bid to set the house ablaze.

The rampaging gunmen were however forced to flee by the army patrols joined by policemen on election duty, with many items recovered from them such as phones, POS machines and live ammunitions.

A top police officer, who wished not to be named confirmed the development.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 10

NEWS

PDP Governors commence peer review of projects in Sokoto

L-R: Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, HOn. Yemi Adaramodu, House Leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ari Mohammed Abdulmuminu and a member of the committee, Hon. Olumide Osoba, during a public hearing on a Bills for an Act to establish the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund and Provisions for establishment of Youth Entrepreneurship, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

A

peer review exercise and special interrogation and reporting on Legacy (high impact) projects initiated and executed by PDP Governors in their respective states will start today in Sokoto State.

A statement yesterday by the Director-General of the PDP Governors’Forum, Hon. CID Maduabum, showed that Sokoto, which is popularly known as the State of the caliphate, is to be reviewed under the agreed and approved set of criteria.

A team of independent consultants and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, to conduct the review, according to the Maduabum’s statement, was drawn from the across the country.

The review will last a few days, in the first instance.

According to the statement, “ Each review exercise will begin with a presentation of identified Legacy projects by the states, followed by a site tour of some of the projects, and incisive appraisal of programmes and policy options and outcomes.

“This will be followed with a conference interrogation by the team of the quality of delivery of the projects, cost management, capacity and relevance of the projects and impact on citizens of the State.

“The Team will also be looking at the project’s multiplier impact for social and economic development in the State.

“The peer review campaign is being coordinated by the PDP Governors Forum, PDP – GF, and will take the Team to all the states controlled by the party”, it said.

The Director General of the PDP – GF, Hon. Maduabum explained further that the review will be objective, intensive, incisive and will measure value for money spent. It may well represent a first of its kind in the country.

He said “the PDP must begin now to collate materials and narratives that will usher it boldly and convincingly into the debates and campaigns for the 2023 General elections based on performance indicators of its Governors, who presently represent a sample of the kind of government to be run by the party in 2023 at the federal level.”

Maduabum said PDP Governors have demonstrated an uncommon capacity in projects execution and prudence in the administration of their States over the past six years.

He added, “These legacy achievements will be introduced to Nigerians through a peer review campaign and media reporting on the Legacy projects in infrastructure, agriculture, roads, bridges and flyovers, health, education, encapsulated in the human capital development identified and presented by the states for Peer Reviewing. “it will be a massive showcase of impact oriented projects executed by each State, under the exemplary leadership of our Governors”, he said.

According to Maduabum “the PDP ruled Nigeria for 16years and is now essentially a party in opposition. But it controls 13 of the 36 states in the Federation.

“It cannot in any way be a push over in a contest for hearts and minds ds of Nigerians for power at the federal level in 2023, following the disastrous performance of the APC led Federal Government ”

Photo: Mahmud Isa

NEMA receives 159 stranded Nigerians from Libya T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday received 159 Nigerians stranded from Libya at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Alhaji Habib Mustapha, Director-General of NEMA, represented by the Acting Coordinator of the Lagos Territorial Office of the Agency, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Farinloye said that the stranded Nigerians arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 7.10p.m. with Al Buraq Airline with registration number 5A-DMG.

He said that the returnees were brought back to the country by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) through a voluntary repatriation programme for the distressed who had left the country to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrated.

He said that on arrival, the director general admonished Nigerians to adopt positive attitude towards life challenges.

Farinloye said that the returnees are 67 male adults, 80 female adults, six male and four female children, with two infants (one male and the other female).

According to him, on

arrival, Mustapha implored the returnees to look inward within the country that has been blessed with abundant resources and take up an entrepreneur that can turn their lives around.

“It is normal in life to struggle for better and improved livelihoods but in the struggle, we must avoid endangering our lives.

“I wish to state that there is nowhere in the world that its citizens will not have to strive in attaining good life within the limited resources available in that country.

“Nigeria is well endowed far more than most countries that young Nigerians are travelling to in seeking greener pastures that are no longer there,” he said.

The NEMA boss said: “What we need to do is for all of us to look inward and avail ourselves of the countless opportunities in Nigeria.

“The present government has been providing enabling environment for us to thrive and will continue to cooperate with development partners in creating level playing grounds for all Nigerians in the country.”

He, therefore, advised the returnees to be advocate against irregular migration to other youths who may think there are greener pasture elsewhere.

The returnees were received

by NEMA, along with other sister agencies such as: Immigration Service, Refugee Commission, FAAN and the Nigeria Police. (NAN)

Adulterated fuel: Our imported product met Nigerian specification-Duke Oil, Oando Plc

By Christiana Ekpa

T

wo oil companies, Duke Oil and Oando Plc have refuted culpability in the importation of the adulterated fuel that hit the country recently.

Appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) investigating the circumstances of the unhealthy situation, Wednesday, the companies said that their product met the required Nigerian specification.

In his presentation at the public hearing, the Managing Director of Duke Oil, Lawal Sade said that the product his company imported was certified Ok both at the Port of loading and the Port of discharge by the relevant authorities.

He however said they were notified by the Nigerian National

Petroleum Corporation NNPC, a few hours after the discharge that the product had some particles which made to discontinue the process.

He noted that the product has since been quarantined.

“Duke Oil is an international trading company engaged in petrol and crude oil products. It is a wholly owned 100% NNPC subsidiary vested with the responsibility of trading petroleum products both internationally and locally. And it’s important to mention that Duke Oil is very complying company with long years of experience in international trading.”

Coming to the crux of the matter, the supply of the PMS to NNPC on boad NPNote gariner, with IMO no 947720 with bill if lading dated January 7, just to give a background as well, in November 2021, NNPC issued a request as

part of the strategic restocking to national energy security.

Mr Chairman, yes, there was a delivery of cargo by Duke Oil like you have seen in the report and that cargo met up with the Nigerian spec as it is both at the loading and discharge ports.

There was a confirmation by the regulator which is the new Nigerian midstream, downstream authority to discharge that cargo within the stipulated date. The cargo discharged and the vessel sailed. It was just after 24 hours of operation then, Duke Oil was notified by the NNPC that there was a complaint from some of their customers that the cargo has some particles “So, Mr. Chairman, with the notification from PPMC/NNPC, Immediately, the management of Duke Oil authorised the NNPC not to evacuate the cargo any further

and requested for a recertification.

But it is important we reiterate the fact that the cargo has been certified by the midstream and then, there is a joint inspection before the discharge and the specification provided in the contract with NNPC meet up the Nigerian specification.

“And then, some remedial actions were taken immediately, Mr Chairman, to conclude the report and give an assurance to this hon. Committee and indeed, all Nigerians that Duke Oil as a wholly owned subsidiary of NNPC and commercially driven company, we are not just in business to make money but also to guarantee the energy security of our great nation and we never compromise the quality of the product we supply to Nigeria and any other place we do business and we will always seek to maintain this positive position.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

L

Fires in IDP camps

ast Saturday, fire razed through the Muna ElBadawy camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The State’s emergency management agency, Monday, confirmed three refugees died in the fire. Its director-general, Hajiya Yabawa Kolo, said besides the deaths, “at least 3,000 shelters were destroyed and many households displaced”.

Disaster Management and Social Development to assist the IDPs,’’ she said.

The plight of IDPs in insurgency ravaged parts of Borno and Yobe States is all too familiar. They are often attacked by the enemy and sometimes strifed by government jet fighters, mistaking the camps for enemy targets. Their women and daughters are raped by persons that pretend to be helpers.

Accidental fires now add to this trail of woes.

Yabawa said the fire started in a tent and spread quickly because there was no fire fighting system However, something can be nearby. She lamented that fire outbreaks in IDP camps and done about the fires. This time communities where refugees had of the year is the dry season when sticks and been resettled had grass are dry and become rampant. tender. Shelters According to her, made of mostly two persons died Yabawa said the these combustible recently in a similar fire in Ngirburi fire started in a tent stuffs easily go up village in Jere and spread quickly in inflame at the strike of a match. local government because there this is the area. “There have was no fire fighting Knowing case, managers of been records of system nearby. the camps should huge losses in food and non-food She lamented that fortify the shelters items as well as fire outbreaks in against accidental animals that were IDP camps and fires or, at least, station fire fighters destroyed by fires communities where close by. That in IDP camps,” she refugees had this is not being said. “Another fire incident occurred at been resettled had done is serious Mandarari IDP camp become rampant. dereliction of duty which should be in Konduga town in Konduga local government area.” punished.

“

The director general said the agency was conducting an assessment to ascertain the level of damage done, noting that the critical needs of the fire victims were food, shelter and other non-food items. Meanwhile, “We appeal to the National Emergency Management Agency, the Northeast Development Commission and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

We acknowledge the serious work the Borno State government is doing to resettle the IDPs in liberated communities. It would be appreciated the more if the resettlement were scaled up to reduce the IDP population to a manageable number since the government has told the world that neither Boko Haram nor IPSWA holds territory in the state.

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Letter to the Editor

Goje: Sunset at dawn

By Kabiru Danladi Lawanti

A

fter the modest stewardship of Governor Abubakar Habu Hashidu, may Allah rest his soul (1999-2003), Mohammed Danjuma Goje took over amid tremendous efforts made by patriotic Gombawa to move quicker to the mission and vision of the creation of the state. As Governor, Danjuma Goje realized early the challenges faced by the new state, especially in terms of 21st-century development. As a Governor, he worked hard with his team in laying the foundation for a modern state, where critical infrastructure and development initiatives hallmarked his administration. As Governor, we have to give it to Goje because he remains an illuminating leader of modern Gombe. After his illustrious tenure, he showed the way for a competitive stewardship and possibilities in Gombe State.

However, fast forward to his representation as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Gombe Central. As an astute politician, a graduate of political science and a two-term Governor much was expected.

In August 2020, the Daily Trust newspaper listed Senator Danjuma Goje in the list of Senators who had only two bills to their names.

Therefore, when he announced his retirement from active politics early last year, many thought Goje, an elder statesman, was paving the way for his mentees to replace him in the Senate Chamber. Albeit, a few months after the announcement, Goje ate his words. According to media reports, Goje was compelled by a group of “stakeholders” to rescind his decision and threatened to take legal action if Goje refused to heed their calls to stand for future elective positions. In an article I wrote last year, I advised Goje not to allow some people, calling themselves “stakeholders”, to drag his hard-earned political reputation into the mud. However, I later learned he sponsored the movement.

Since Goje has decided to remain in elective and active politics, our responsibility as stakeholders is to call his attention to some fundamental issues he plans to do for his constituency. In the 2022 fiscal year as this may be his final tenure in the senate. It is also essential to remind Goje that he needs to be careful about his legacy to bequeath to those coming after him. In the constituency projects I sighted, what drew my attention was his intervention in education.

All the projects he listed and the amount to be spent on the projects is commendable. As someone who works in the educational sector, I

think what was mentioned is far from the needs of his constituency. If I may come in here, and if electorates have a voice in the way projects are cited or allocated, I think what I saw in the submission made by Senator Goje is, to say the least disappointing.

For instance, Goje’s constituency project for the 2022 fiscal year included distribution, supply and provision of educational materials, textbooks, educational aids, writing materials, educational charts and fertilizer to schools and farmers across the constituency.

The project will cost a whopping N3bn. What attracted my attention was the materials to be supplied, provided or distributed. Since my concern is education, I did a small analysis, looking at the places these “educational materials”, “educational aids”, “textbooks”, “writing materials”, and “educational chart” are going. In that alone, Goje is to spend N2.2bn for this project.

I am considering that most of these schools receiving these are not in need of these intervention, rather good class rooms, qualified teachers, and a conducive environment for learning.

On Sunday, 24th February 2022, the Punch newspaper report shocked the world when it visited a community in Akko Local Government, Goje’s constituency, where children of about 150 people learn under harsh conditions after a windstorm demolished their school years ago. I don’t think Goje or any of his aides is not aware of the plight of these communities. The community is a few kilometres from the NYSC temporary orientation camp at Amada, stressing that they were tired of promises.

It does not make sense for the Senator to put N200m to supply writing materials in Kembu when a whole community has children learning under the harshest conditions you can imagine. Also, even if there are no communities like Wui-wui, does it make any sense to put N2.2bn for the “distribution”, “supply”, and “provision” of educational materials (forget the repetition of one word in different synonyms) while most of our rural communities are without schools or drinking water?

As an elder statesman and a politician of repute, I think Goje ought to know better. History will not be kind to him if these are the legacies he wants to leave as a senator of the federal republic. Goje is not too late to review these constituency projects and channel our resources to where we need them.

Lawanti wrote in from the Department of Mass Communication, ABU Zaria kblondon2003@yahoo.com

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

Opinion

Nigeria’s democracy: More questions than answers

By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi

I

believe that when plundering and debilitating hands of the military are removed from governance and the country’s infrastructure, educational and health systems are reconstructed, Nigeria will enjoy a boom of creativity and productivity -Mr. Ola Vincent, Former CBN Governor, .

Prior to May 1999, when democracy re-emerged on the political surface called Nigeria, there existed so many reasons why Nigerians yearned for, and preferred democratic system of government to the military regime. First, .many believed that in democratic governments, political leaders will be elected as against military regimes where members of the administration are not elected. To others, in a democratic government, fundamental human rights are guaranteed and respected while in military regimes, they are curtailed and violated with impunity.

Actions of democratic governments are open to public scrutiny and criticisms while military regimes are intolerant and undemocratic. The rest argued back then(before 1999) that political instability in the country is the handiwork of the military and exacerbated by their reputation of intolerance, immature, corrupt, unserious, unpatriotic and tribalistic..

Today, aside from committing the same offence that the military were accused of, our present crop of leaders has added non performance to the lists.

More painfully, looking at the indicators universally recognized as democratic pillars, it will elicit the question as to how far have Nigeria and Nigerians fared under democratic era, idea and ideals?

Have we truly as a nation enjoyed a boom of creativity and productivity in the past two decades when plundering and debilitating hands of the military were removed from governance? Has the nation’s infrastructure made any appreciable progress? What about the

nation’s educational sector where strike actions have become the order of the day?

And the health sector which has become the easiest gateway to the ‘great beyond’?

Why has it taken democracy a long time to have these systems reconstructed?

Why has democracy not curbed the alarming insecurity in the country (terrorism, banditry and kidnapping among others)? Why has democracy not solved the problem of galloping youth unemployment in the country or saved the Niger Deltans from environmental degradation and socioeconomic squalor?

Viewed differently, it is believed that in a democracy, the value of individual personality is restored which implies the need to respect the other man, to listen to his arguments and to take into account his point of view.

Also, in a democracy, Independent it amounts to a standing rule the electoral commission must be independent and impartial so as to be able to conduct and organize all elections. But how well have as a nation practicing democracy kept to this dictate?

This question becomes even more well appreciated when one remembers that the global community, especially development-based groups and elections observers, do not think that what Nigeria is doing is the best way to organize elections be it at Federal, states or local government levels as Governments actions often fail to meet the four basic conditions necessary to create an enabling environment for holding of free and fair elections.

These conditions they noted include; an honest, competent and non-partisan body to administer the election, the knowledge and willingness of the political community to accept basic rules and regulations governing the contest for power, a developed system of political parties and teams of candidates presented to the electorates as alternative choices. And an independent judiciary to interpret electoral laws and settle election

disputes. Without doubt, these worries, failures and failings partly explain the inertia, and damning/reports that trail every election in the country monitored by international observers; Local, state and Federal government.

While the above remains a lamentable development, the piece signposts yet another ugly development inherent in the nation democratic practice.

A recent report noted that periodic elections, which of course are an essential feature of modern democracies, helps to establish, nurture and sustain democracy and democratic political culture while providing the electorate with the power to freely participate in choosing their leaders and in providing the much-needed support and legitimacy to the state. But when you cast a glance at the nation’s democratic that has spanned for two decades, is it possible to truly say that the nation’s electoral experience meets the said responsibility? Or visibly and curiously derogates the sanctity of elections as an institutional mechanism for conferring political power on citizens in a democratic dispensation?

That is not the only worry about our democracy.

Let’s take another illustration. In a democracy, the law is said to be the ‘king’. It has also been established that in a democracy, ‘rule of law ‘makes us stronger by ensuring that decisions will be tested, studied, reviewed, and examined through the processes of government that are designed to improve policy. And the knowledge that they will be reviewed prevents over-reaching and checks the accretion of power. As whenever power is unchecked and unaccountable, it almost inevitably leads to mistakes and abuses. And in the absence of rigorous accountability, incompetence flourishes, dishonesty is encouraged and rewarded’.

Despite the validity of this expression, what daily flies on the faces of Nigerians is but a direct opposite.

Before this piece catalyze answers to the above questions, it is very important to first to add context to why our leaders behave the way they do.

Acting on his research result carried out to unravel why leaders make bad decisions, Sydney Finkelstein, a Steven Roth Professor of management at the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, United States of America, underlined; the presence of inappropriate self-interest, distorting attachments and the presence of misleading memories act as factors/red flags that fuels deformed decisions.

Flawed decisions start with errors of judgment from individuals, he concluded.

Although corporate organizations were Finkelstein’s focal point in that research, one could not agree more that the fruit of his findings has since transcended to,/found a home in the public office sphere particularly here in Nigeria- where those underlined factors have become not just a challenge but a crisis…

Specifically, examples of such acts on our political space essentially consist of the denial/non recognition of the supremacy of, and optional adherence to the nation’s 1999 constitution (as amended) and its provisions. And its ‘works/consequences principally manifest in actions such as; non consideration of human rights approach to governance that will guarantee education/infusion of human rights principle of participation, accountability, transparency and non-discrimination, as well as foster the attainment of equity and justice.

Without doubt, this piece admits that leading a person into the future, preparing others for what lies ahead whether in the concrete terms of actual or conceptual scenarios requires prolonged efforts and certain administrative pressure.

That notwithstanding, performing this duty as a leader is made complex not

because of leadership encumbrances, ambiguity or lacuna in the nation’s constitution but because of the leader’s asymmetrical culture of promoting democracy only when it is in line with their state of mind and favorable to their personal interests.

rotation of power to the South that the region and its people unarguably deserve it, and that those agitating against power shift to the South East should perish their thought.

To me, every Nigerian should be made to have a deep sense of being a Nigerian in the true sense of the word wherever he or she domiciles. Indeed, such requirement should exclusively be made applicable during an official count or survey, especially of a population.

It would be recalled that Nigeria initially was divided into Western, Eastern and Northern region after independence, before it was further classified into six geopolitical zones thus: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South-South and South West.

There has been advocacy emphasizing that rotational system should not be enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, arguing that even if it is been practiced at the federal level between North and South, that it should not be considered to be applied at the state and local levels.

Now it is expedient to ask, since the rotation of power between the North and South commenced, has better governance being delivered at any point in time in our nation? The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as the challenge of governance in Nigeria has never being in the system adopted but in the people (the politicians) that operate the machineries of governments across the three tiers.

As appropriately posited by most political observers, it is difficult to ascertain who is a patriot, upright and sincere politician in Nigeria. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as many a politician had in the past appeared to voters with pleasing mien only for the politician to reveal through his seemingly anti-people activities and utterances while in office, that he or she is a wolf in sheep clothing.

Nyesom Wike.

Sincerely, most politicians have used any of the above or similar responses to respond to media interviews when asked what motivated them to join a political race. Any of the responses may appear candid and logical on the surface, but when they are deeply and properly analyzed, it would be discovered that they are spurious. The underlying reason they joined politics is to make money, acquire fame and power. I stand to be corrected but without being pretentious we all know it is the truth.

Be that as it may, in the Christendom, the book of 1 Samuel chapter 16 verse 7 says “The LORD seeth not as a man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance but the LORD looketh on the heart”. In the same nexus, in politics, the electorate tend to cast votes for candidates based on their outward appearances.

At this juncture, it is expedient to urge fellow electorates that there is an important qualification they should discern in any political aspirant that would woo them for their support ahead of the 2023 General Elections. That is, they should be able to discern whether the political antecedent of an aspirant shows that he has been able to distinguish sharply between democracy in principle and in practice in his previous political position. The reason for appraising an aspirant with the yardstick of his past achievements or failures is because there is near-universal agreement that our democratic system is not working well, in particular, that it is not delivering the results people want. This is troubling because most people value democracy for its fruits, not just its roots.

To further underscore this position, history taught us that ‘democracy works where the people have the culture of accommodation and tolerance which makes a minority accept the majority to have its way until the next election and wait patiently and peacefully for its turn to become the government by persuading more voters to support its views.

Instead of keeping to this rule, particularly when considered unfavourable, those in position of authority fracture the nation’s geography into ‘ethnosyncrasies’ and idiosyncrasies and turn the country to an entity where tribal loyalty becomes stronger than the sense of a common nationhood.

Under this arrangement, they neither consider the feelings of the masses nor work towards gaining the people’s confidence that the government will not cheat or harm them. This fact, coupled with the prevailing ignorance, democratized poverty and backwardness in the country, make these leaders the primary reality that Nigerians worry about.

Certainly, why this development should not be a surprise is that globally, any country that allows or enthrones leadership without ‘disciplined thoughts and actions, such a nation must not expect a disciplined political and socioeconomic culture.

Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), A Lagos-Based Non Governmental Organization (NGO).

And could be reached via Jeromeutomi@ yahoo.com/08032725374.

Of Turn-By-Turn Presidency, marginalization of the Igbos and good governance

By Isaac Asabor

T

he reason for appraising an aspirant with the yardstick of his past achievements or failures is because there is near-universal agreement that our democratic system is not working well, in particular, that it is not delivering the results people want. This is troubling because most people value democracy for its fruits, not just its roots.

There is no denying the fact that “Turn-By-Turn Presidency”, popularly known as “Rotational presidency”, which is based on ethnicity, race, religion or region in Nigeria may sound allencompassing and considered to be a better way of calming the nerves of agitating indigenes of any particular region, such as those in the South East Region, that have from one political dispensation to another been unjustifiably denied the opportunity of producing a President, and some key political appointments.

The reason for the foregoing line of thought cannot be farfetched as the relegation of the Igbos is from its all ramifications unjustified even as it has by each passing political dispensation made them the most sidelined ethnic group in Nigeria since the end of the civil war. It is indeed worrisome and inexcusable that they have been so much relegated and sidelined as if they are no more Nigerians.

Argued from the foregoing perspective there is a school of thought that totally disagreed with rotation of the office of the presidency, saying it does not pave the way for merit, and that it is encouraging atmosphere of bad governance. Let me quickly chip in in this context that if doctrine of necessity is required to make the South East the only region in the Southern part of Nigeria to benefit from

Be that as it may, not few Nigerians see rotational presidency to be limiting, ill-advised and potential descent to mediocrity. In fact, those that see “Turnby-Turn” Presidency to be retrogressive are certain that Nigeria’s economy can only be bettered if Nigerians conduct primary and general elections in a manner that will produce the most qualified and forward looking candidate.

They also argued that best leaders can emerge across constituencies in the country only if politicians eschew rigging during elections which will ensure that the best candidate emerges after each election.

Even if it would be difficult for most Nigerians to look beyond ethnicity, race, religion or region during electioneering and polling, it is certain that electoral behavior of such people will change for the better with time.

It is not an exaggeration to say that, to a large extent, that the seed of primordial sentiments along the line of ethnicity, race, religion and region was unarguably sown by the government as evidenced in official forms wherein applicants of such forms are compulsorily expected to indicate the ethnic group, race, religion and region they are affiliated to. Against the foregoing background, it would placidly be pragmatic to advise government in this context to always expunge such discriminatory requirement in official forms or documents so as to deepen the sense of belongingness in every citizen of being a Nigerian.

In fact not few Nigerians have been kicking against power rotation.

For instance, Pastor Tunde Bakare, in November last year, criticized rotation of power, and said the confrontation between the Northern and the Southern parts of the country over who will run in the 2023 presidency was uncalled-for.

Bakare, who is the Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (formerly Latter Rain Assembly), said the issue of competence should be at the heart of the debate rather than dwelling on inanities.

It is not an exaggeration to say that reactions have continued to trail the adoption of rotational power system, which is in this context dubbed “Turn

by Turn Presidency” as its opposers unanimously said it would encourage “mediocrity and sectional leadership.

They insisted that the issue of rotational power system will lead to mediocrity, sectional and divisional leadership, in the sense that when anyone is a leader in a particular zone, other zones will be left behind and such a leader can only develop their area, leaving other states to suffer.

As it is now, it appears most of them are in government to impoverish the people and diminish the wealth of our blessed country.

Laughable enough, when a typical politician is interviewed in order to ascertain from him what actually motivated him to leave his profession or business for politics, the most likely response is always, “I want to serve my people” or “my people dragged me into politics” or “I have been involved in politics right from student union days”.

“All fake! Fake! Apology to Governor

Isaac Asabor is a Public Affairs

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 13

Comment

Police and security must swiftly address rising kidnapping in Mozambique

By Kester Kenn Klomegah

M

ozambican President Filipe Nyusi has called on the police force and security agencies to address swiftly incidences of kidnapping that has been on the rise, and tarnishing the investment climate as well as the image of the country abroad.

He further branded as completely unacceptable the transformation of police stations into breeding grounds for kidnappers.

While addressing in Maputo the opening ceremony of a meeting of the Coordinating Council of the Ministry of the Interior, Nyusi urged the participants to craft concrete solutions to relentlessly fight the evil that has been weakening the collective action of the police, as guardians of the security of Mozambicans as well as of foreigners living in the country.

“I cannot accept that police stations become nests of kidnappers, and the commander of the station has top responsibility on the matter. If he does not know the life of his staff, he should resign from his post,” Nyusi declared, and added that it was shameful to be the commander of a police station branded by the public as a den of kidnappers.

Nyusi stressed that there is no development without effective security, and therefore it is extremely important to move on with the professionalization and equipping of the Mozambican police.

Success in professionalization

and capacity building are the most important conditions for meeting the multiple and changing threats the country has been facing. He also called for strict screening criteria for candidates for jobs in areas covered by the Interior Ministry including criminal investigation, the immigration service, civil identification and the fire brigade.

“Do not allow the intrusion into the police by individuals with dubious interests, who will only subvert police standards and jeopardize the security of society,” he said.

The modus operandi of threats such as terrorism, illegal immigration, kidnappings, human and drug trafficking, and other crimes must supply the necessary information that will enable a profound and better response.

Nyusi stressed the need to boost institutional capacity to prevent, monitor, foresee and eliminate these evils.

Many foreign business people h a ve ki d n a ppe d for mone y.

The latest, Bharat Dhanji Tapu (Chavda), an overseas citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, was kidnapped in broad daylight at gunpoint. Chavda owns a car showroom in Mozambique.

While his Mozambique-based family and friends in Gujarat are worried about his medical condition, the Indian Associations of Mozambique have made a representation before the Indian High Commission on the rise in kidnappings of Indian origins and

citizens of India.

The Times of India reported that fearing such kidnappings, many Gujarati and Indians at large have migrated to Dubai and London. The Government of India (GOI) has friendly relations with the Republic of Mozambique.

Late last year, Xian Yao, a Chinese businessman, was kidnapped. The kidnappers asked for 25 million meticais for ransom – approximately €338,000. In another case, Kapil Rajasa 31-year-old businessman of Indian origin, was abducted.

Rajas was kidnapped at his workplace and took him to a house in the Maputo neighbourhood of Mahotas. The gang demanded that the victim’s family pay a ransom of US$600,000 for his release.

In similar related developments, the Confederation of Business Associations of Mozambique has repeatedly called for severe penal frameworks to stop the wave of kidnappings in the main Mozambican cities.

“It is necessary to introduce, additionally, deep changes to the legal framework, making the respective penal framework severe, without the possibility of paying bail,” said Zuneid Calumias, Vice President of CTA, the largest employers’ organization, at a press conference held in Maputo. “It is also frightening because these crimes occur in the surroundings of police stations, seen as a guarantee of public protection, where criminals have been demonstrating their freedom of action”.

For Mozambican employers, the growing number of kidnapping cases in the country reveals alarming levels of violence, with an impact on the business environment. The CTA reiterated that it is available to support the state in efforts to curb this type of crime. The business association highlighted the creation, of a Security and Private Protection division within the CTA, which has been interacting with the authorities in the search for solutions to combat kidnapping in the country.

“The CTA will continue to dialogue tirelessly with the government in search of solutions.

It believes it is important to ensure the safety and confidence of investors, as well as the credibility of the country as a privileged destination for investment and tourism,” said Zuneid Calumias, and further reported that CTA y is organizing a study to analyze the economic impact of the wave of kidnappings in Mozambique.

After a period of relative calm, Mozambican cities, mainly the country’s capital, have again been plagued since 2020 by a wave of kidnappings, targeting mainly businessmen or their relatives.

In November 2021, the police launched the formation of a mixed force to respond to this type of crime, a group of officers who will be trained by Rwandan specialists for six months.

Dewa Mavhinga, the Southern Africa director with the Africa Division at Human Rights

Watch, also spoke about human rights violations that included frequent kidnappings. Mavhinga says the government needs to take responsibility for its own policy failures. While militants have committed grievous acts – including kidnappings, rapes and – rights groups have also documented abuses by Mozambican security forces, including torture and extrajudicial killings.

In addition to that, for instance, expert discussions via a videoconference held by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) of the United States called on President Filipe Nyusi to make consistent efforts toward addressing the systemic governance deficit, deepening political discontent, and widening socio-economic disparity is the surest possible way to maintain a long-term peaceful environment in Mozambique.

With an approximate population of 30 million, Mozambique is endowed with rich and extensive natural resources but remains among the group of poorest and underdeveloped countries in the world. It is one of the 16 countries, with a collective responsibility to promote socioeconomic and political and security cooperation, within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) created in 1980.

elections”. Imagine what our country will be like if millions of our people get involved in party politics at the ward, local government, state, and federal level. Critical decisions will be swayed for the betterment of the ordinary citizens. To be honest, politics goes beyond party candidates whose names eventually make it to the polling unit on election day. A lot happens behind the scenes that culminates to the ballot paper we see on the voting day.

Since the return to Democratic rule in 1999, the database for number of votes used to elect Nigerian Presidents is worrying. In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo got 18 million votes. In 2003, that number rose slightly to 24 million votes for him to be re-elected. President Umaru Musa Yar Adua garnered 24 million votes to win in 2007 and Dr Goodluck Jonathan got 22 million votes to clinch the seat in 2011. The incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari had 15.4 million votes to win in 2015 and scored 15.1 million votes to retain it in 2019. A number of reasons can be adduced for the steady decline in the figures since 1999, top of which is voter apathy.

Many Nigerians had this nudge of ‘vote or no vote, who win don win’. This mindset needs to be reset. Even the Late President Yar Adua (God bless his soul) acknowledged gleefully that the election which brought him to power in 2007 was flawed.

However bleak the electoral process has been, there are visible improvements. The Edo State Governorship elections of 2020 and the recently concluded 2021 Anambra State Governorship elections have shown that a popular candidate backed by the people can win. In these two examples, we the people came out to vote in our numbers albeit that of

Anambra State was low due to obvious extenuating factors. Those who could not, did everything from wherever they were, thanks to social media to ensure the will of the people prevail. We were determined to change the tide and chart a new course and ‘we the people’ won both of those elections fair and square. The new voting technologies such as electronic transmission of results are helping to reduce human contact and tampering of figures. Also, the advent of smartphones means that nefarious activities such as blatant thumb printing of ballot papers and ballot box snatching is waning. Those involved now know that they stand the risk of being recorded and exposed on social media in the blink of an eye. It has served as a deterrent.

The third mindset reset needed in Nigeria is for the middle and professional class to rise up and take their place in the scheme of things.

Abandoning the ship and allowing the ‘moneybags’ to run the show has huge painful ramifications of unimaginable proportions. Think of a Nigeria where the academia, organised labour/trade unions, civil society organisations, students’ union, religious groups, professional bodies/associations, entrepreneurs, and the likes throw their hats in the political ring. Such a coalition will be an immovable force.

Nothing will be able to stand in its way.

Be it known that such unity of purpose from this diverse group can change the face of our nation. A synergy of this group along with the market women and men, youths and artisans would be unbeatable. Any candidate supported by this mass of citizens is guaranteed a landslide victory at the polls. No ifs, no buts.

Dr Agbons is founder of the Institute of Good Governance

Kester Kenn Klomegah is an Int’l Affairs Commentator.

Time for a revolutionary vote

By Tony Osakpamwan Agbons

I

t is not what you are thinking; but it can also be what you are thinking. Yes! Please be free to think whatever you want to think after all we are in a free world. There is a popular axiom, “drastic situations require drastic measures”. This axiom sums up precisely what Nigeria needs at this moment in history. Our Nation’s current level of hardship and hopelessness has reached an alarming proportion. The apathy of the Nigerian people to their freedom and emancipation from the jaws of a few political elite is at an all-time high. No one seems to bother anymore about our collective aspiration. It is now a case of survival of the ‘fittest and elimination of the unfit’. Our faculties have become environmentally manipulated to grab what one can and pursue daily survival either by hook or crook. Another election season – 2023 is on the horizon and the bags of trickery are being delivered out of the warehouses of our political vultures once again.

This writer like many others have been sermonising on some of the core issues bedevilling our politics cum national development. Alarm bells have been ringing and credible solutions proffered in some instances, but the impact of such postulations remains to be seen or palpated.

Certainly, we must keep pushing the narrative of our shared humanity and nationhood. Since the concepts of shared humanity and nationhood are a state of mind, it means Nigeria will not change until a greater majority of Nigerians, make a paradigm shift to decide once and for all that we are ready to make it happen. Angels are not going to come down from heaven

to do it for us. It is ours to do. We the Nigerian people are the ones to make it happen.

The sight or hearing of the word, revolution elicits instant and varied reactions. For those in Power (the rulers in Government) it is an anathema for citizens to write this word or say this word. Anytime they hear or see this word, we know that their hearts go into a gallop with the thought that it means ‘Treason` until proven otherwise. For those of us on the other side of the divide, it is however not what we mean. Mindset reset is what the word revolution means to us. Talking of early beliefs about revolution, the Encyclopaedia Britannica states inter alia, “Though the idea of revolution was originally related to the Aristotelian notion of cyclical alterations in the forms of government, it now implies a fundamental departure from any previous historical pattern. A revolution constitutes a challenge to the established political order and the eventual establishment of a new order radically different from the preceding one”. Such revolutions change not only the system of government but also the economic system, the social structure, and the cultural values of those societies unquote. Furthermore, revolutions of the type described by Aristotle, begins in the minds and hearts of the people. It is true that a lot of people will think about violence and the use of force at the mention of revolution, but that is not the advocacy of this writeup. This is about us – the Nigerian people changing our lives and those of our children yet unborn with the magic formula of our mindset reset ab initio. Beneath are some of the fundamental frameworks that will bring this mind set change to fruition.

Let`s go!

The first mindset reset Nigerians must make is to have the `supreme belief` that our votes count. Surely it does count! While it is true that in the past, politicians were quick to manipulate election figures, that dark behaviour is waning and almost at a negligible level due to the adoption of new voting technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Dear Nigerians, it is time to discard that myopic notion of `our votes don`t matter`. That wrong insinuation is a thought from the pit of hell. Please, let us not be deceived further. `Our mumu` don do` as Charly Boy Oputa would say. If votes don`t matter, how come politicians go the extra mile to induce potential voters with cash and other sundry gifts. Do you think these politicians do not know what they are doing? We the people need to be ahead of some of this demonic lots vying for elective positions.

The second mindset reset is our level of political participation. Only in Nigeria you hear people say unending phrases like, ‘politics is a dirty game’.

‘Politics is not for me’. ‘If you don’t join cults, nothing for you in politics’. I can go on and on. Truth be said, like in any other field of human endeavour, no one is saying politics is for the faint hearted. It is tough, rough, and full of stumble with its ups and downs. Yes, politics can be dirty and stormy but that is not enough for credible, kindhearted, good citizens to run away from it. If the so-called `good citizens` run away from participating in politics, who then is going to change our society? Is it the so-called bad ones? A wise man once said, “bad people are elected to government by good people who refuse to take part and vote in

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 14

News Kaduna electricity launched mobile application for hazard reporting

NAF, Fire Service partner to combat incessant fire outbreak

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he leadership of the Federal Fire Service ( FFS) and the Nigerian Air Force have agreed to forge their tactical expertise in suppressing and stemming the tide of incessant fire outbreaks in the country.

The partnership was sealed when the acting Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Dr. Karebo Pere Samson , who is bent on delivering on his mandate on Wednesday, led a delegation of senior firefighters on a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amoa , at the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force.

According to the FFS boss, the agreement was aimed at deploying aerial aircraft and other aerial resources to combat major fire outbreaks .

“These aircrafts, according to him, are to be used in aerial command and control roles in fighting major fires, providing tactical coordination with commanders on the ground and other aircraft in the sky.”

He explained that the move is to undo the obstacles of lack of access and proximity to affected areas, adding that it is also dangerous for firefighters to enter into some burning buildings to fight fire.

The acting CGF expressed worry about

the frequent fire disasters recorded in the country.

Dr. Karebo, vowed not to only meet his obligations but to exceed expectations while saddling the affairs of the Fire Service.

He promised to ensure that highly mobile aircraft are positioned around the country to respond to all manner of fires, protect communities, public and commercial buildings as well as to support firefighters on the ground.

On his part, the Chief of Air Staff, Isaika Amoa Air Marshal promised to provide the Fire Service with all the necessary support to ensure the safety of Nigerians.

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K

aduna Electric has launched a mobile application for customers to report hazardous situations they come across within its franchise The company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stated that the application named KE-SAFE which was developed in-house by the ICT department has since gone live on Google Play Store for customers to download on their devices.

Jigawa confirm recovery of 86 percent loans from farmers

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

T

he Jigawa state government has confirmed the recovery of 86 percent loans given to farmers across 27 local governments areas of the state.

The confirmation was announced by the managing director Jigawa Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (JARDA) while speaking to news men in Dutse, the state capital.

He explained that, the present administration under the leadership of Muhammad Abubakar Badaru disbursed soft agricultural loans to over 150,000 farmers to boost their farming and return the loan for others to benefit.

The managing director maintained that, the loan include; fertilizers, agro-chemicals, new varieties of seeds and take-off funds with additional training and supervision by state extension workers across 27 local governments in the state.

“Jigawa state farmers ranks best in return of agricultural loans in the whole country.“

L-R: Deputy Chairman, Presidential Security Advisory Committee, Dr. Ahmed Chiroma, Director General National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Major General Shaibu Ibrahim and Chairperson NYSC Governing Board Ambassador Fatima Bala Abubakar, during a public hearing on a Bills for an Act to establish the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund and Provisions for establishment of Youth Entrepreneurship, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Ogun TESCOM boss tasks principals on managing critical situation

T

owards equipping secondary school leaders with relevant skills to manage critical situations in their work environment, the Chairman, Ogun State Teaching Service Commission, Evang.

Olalekan Ifede said it is essential for Principals in State public schools to develop their administrative skills and improve the capacity to manage stress.

Ifede stated this during a training session organised by the Commission

with the theme “UpSkilling Critical Measures in Critical times” at Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade in Remo.

He noted that the training was designed to furnish the principals with the necessary skills to enable them to build their managerial perception and leadership potentials during critical times, saying it would also foster effective service delivery in the education sector.

“I believe this training will

enlighten you on how to manage critical situations in your schools. So, I implore you all to attune yourselves with the opportunities offered, as it will help develop your administrative skills and improve capacity to manage stress”, the Chairman said.

The TESCOM Boss commended the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the ongoing revamping exercise in the education sector, which is gradually yielding results.

In his contribution, a

Commissioner and Chairman, Training Committee, TESCOM, Hon. Olanrewaju Majekodunmi informed that the Commission deemed it expedient to acquaint the academic leaders with the rudiments of efficient administrative disposition to official duties.

He urged them to always establish a cordial relationship with their subordinates, as this would pave way for peace and progress in their schools.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

O

ne of the Chairmanship aspirants for the position of national Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Mohammed Saidu Etsu, has said the aspirants will not accept the choice of former Nasarawa State Governor, senator Abdullahi Adamu, as the party’s consensus candidate as allegedly being espoused by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement he issued yesterday, Saidu Etsu said the aspirants are still watching the party to confirm that the rumour is true before they will take appropriate action, adding that the stakeholders championing this cause should desist and discontinue with it.

“My Co-contestants and I have spent a great deal of resources campaigning and rallying around the 36 of Nigeria for at least a year now. I will categorically state that I am unhesitatingly ready to purchase the party chairmanship form right away, should the sales of forms be rolled out at this point.

“I am therefore calling on the stakeholders to look into the current situation and swiftly react to it because if this is true, we cannot agree to this decision as candidates.

“While we are holding back to hear from the party, this decision remains unacceptable and I beseech the stakeholders to disregard and discontinue this claim”, he said in the statement.

In addition, he said “politics is about people, whether directly or indirectly, nominations and the reaching of consensus for this sensitive position should be a game of numbers. We have over 41 million registered APC members across the country, with a number of them being

PAGE 15

We won’t accept Buhari’s choice of Adamu as APC consensus candidate - Saidu Etsu involved in the internal party decision-making process. Most of which, I know that are not aware of this claim.

“In the situation of partisan politics, elections do begin from the political party’s politics. This implies that our party, the ruling All Progressives Congress must take the responsibility of acting as a good ambassador for a fairhearing internal party politics as

well as promoter/custodian of true democracy. This is what I intend to uphold with my ‘Reset Agenda’ when I emerge as the party chairman.”

He said as a solid contender vying for the APC national chairman from the north-central part of the country, he would be utterly surprised to see this claim come to light.

The aspirant said nobody has

communicated to him to this effect, adding that if such claims are to hold weight, he strongly believes that the party knows the best channel to reach out to them, as fellow aspirants who are equally qualified for the seat.

Recall that the Media had reported yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari, at a brief meeting, told some northern governors that the next All

Progressives Congress chairman should come from the North Central and that the person should be former governor of Nasarawa state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

The report said that with Buhari’s presidential endorsement, all other aspirants vying for the chairmanship seat were expected to withdraw from the race, hence Etsu’s reaction.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Co- Operation and Integration in Africa, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago(2nd left) with his family during his 48th birthday anniversary in Abuja on Wednesday

2023 Presidency: Bala got it wrong on APC’s zoning to South

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has faulted Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed’s argument against the party’s zoning of the 2023 Presidency to the South, saying that the governor got it wrong on all fronts.

Okechukwu noted that Governor Bala’s disposition shows the lack of dynamism in the political thinking of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that the opposition party has shown that it is incapable of upstaging APC, especially when the unity and prosperity of Nigeria is not uppermost in their calculations.

Bauchi State governor had, after his visit to Obasanjo in Abeokuta, told journalists that APC’s decision to zone the Presidency to the South is not a threat to the PDP, because his party’s strategy is to whip up ethnoreligious sentiment.

But, speaking to reporters in Abuja, yesterday, Okechukwu, who is also the Director General (DG) of Voice of Nigeria (VON) stated “Methinks if the statement credited to him is correct, His Excellency, Bala Mohammed and by extension PDP, is

simply being opportunistic by saying that APC’s zoning of Presidency to the South is not a threat to the PDP, because if we put it to the North, it will give us more electoral victory. That’s ethnic chauvinism simple.

“The Bauchi State governor and PDP seems to forget that Nigerians are fairminded and upholds justice and equity in their voting preferences. That was why the late Moshood Abiola of Social Democratic Party (SDP), defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa in his Kano State home in 1993.

“In 2023, Nigerians are going to repeat that feat by acknowledging President Muhammadu Buhari and APC’s decision to do the right things for national unity peace and progress.

“To me, the doctrine of swap of offices between the north and the south is a masterstroke by Mr. President and good for APC and Nigerians in every material particular. It is not only a threat to our sister political party, the PDP, but also signals their imminent defeat. My friend governor’s reaction seems inspired by sense of defeatism and phobia for APC.” He regretted that “after just seven years in opposition, PDP has retained its character of deception, duplicity, selfishness, promise

and fail; otherwise how can a rational political party flagrantly and unscrupulously breach its constitution, which expressly ingrained zoning?”

On the perception that PDP’s strategy could be geared towards getting more votes from the north, Okechukwu insisted that the Bauchi governor may be speaking on behalf of those who underrate the political sophistication of the north and their abiding faith in equity, natural justice and good conscience.

While contending that the governor may have forgotten that a latent vote bank would be created in the South through a southern presidential candidate, the VON DG stated: “The north cannot be led by the nose by Governor Mohammed and his co-travellers.

Have we forgotten how notable northern politicians like Alhajis Abubakar Rimi, Umaru Shinkafi, Adamu Ciroma, Dr Sola Saraki et al out of overriding public interest and uncommon patriotism constructed the zoning convention, which birthed the 4th Republic as the longest democratic era in the annals of Nigerian history?

“I am confident that Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry how PDP nurtured Nigeria towards becoming the World Poverty

Capital, gross unemployment and palpable insecurity by their squander mania and share-the-money syndrome which became its slogan.

“Nigerians know that those monies PDP shared among themselves and their cronies were budgeted for critical infrastructure and social development of our dear countrymen.

It is therefore ironical that the same PDP is struggling to washoff its hands like Pontus Pilate from squandering money budgeted for military equipment, roads, rails, education and healthcare.

“Or do we forget the less than transparent sale of national assets and State owned Enterprises, where the sordid agreements like that of DISCOs are more or less tailored by tenant for the Federal Government, who is supposed to be the landlord.

“The tenancy-tailored agreements had made it impossible to unbundle the none performing DISCOs and free Nigerians from the yoke. That is the darkness we cannot easily overcome. One flatly disagrees with those who say that APC and PDP are the same, because whereas our great party invested in critical infrastructure, PDP shared Nigeria’s money for temporary happiness.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 16

POLITICS

By Christiana Ekpa

A

member of the House of Representatives, and chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC. Lagos), has said that Clause 8(10) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, only seeks to create a level plain field for

Electoral Bill: CNPP asks Nigerians to step up pressure on Buhari

By Musa Baba Adamu

C

onference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on Nigerians to sustain the current pressure of President Muhammadu Buhari administration to get him sign the re-amended Electoral Act as transmitted by the National Assembly.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu, CNPP said there were two major reasons the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration is not willing to sign the reamended Electoral Act. “First, the APC government envisaged that there would be a major uprising if the real reasons Mr. President was advised to withhold assent to the rejected bill were given.

“What we have come to realise, which we disclosed in an earlier press release, was that electronic transmission of election results was the reason the bill was returned to the National Assembly, not about the mode of election at party primaries as we were told.

“Secondly, we have discovered another reason the APC and their allies are now putting pressure on President Buhari not to sign the Electoral Act as re-amended in line with President Buhari’s demands.

“The APC finds clause 84 in the amendment unfavourable to the party. According to Clause 84 of the transmitted bill, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election”.

“The implication is that all political appointees in President Buhari’s government would no longer be eligible, either as voting delegates or aspirants during the conventions or congresses of their political parties.

“We’re shocked that the APC has always stood against sanity, equity, and anything that would promote a credible electoral process since coming into power, even though the party came to power through electoral reforms by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

“The PDP introduced technology into the electoral process that increased the credibility of the election, which paved the way for APC to come to power.

“How come that APC is against Clause 84? Are they going to remain in power forever?

Electoral Act: What clause 84(10) seeks to achieve – Hon. Babajimi Benson

all aspirants during congresses and conventions.

Hon. Benson who stated this on Wednesday in a chat with journalists in his office, argued that the clause which seeks to act as a leveler, does not in any way undermine the rights of political appointees to hold office or participate in primaries or main elections.

According to him, the time frame given by the clause (three months) for appointees to resign from their positions before conventions or congresses is only meant to place every aspirants on the same pedestal, and not to stop them from contesting as

being erroneously alleged in some sections of the public.

“Assuming without conceding that that’s what it says, section 84(10) that appointees must resign 3 months before primaries or convention, let’s say it’s geared towards stopping political office holders from contesting, there’s a section of the constitution which says that you shall resigned 30 days before the general elections. If that constitutional provision clashes with the electoral Act, which supersedes?

“So there’s no need to even worry about that clause if that’s the way they perceive it. But we are trying to do is that for a convention

or a congress, you have statutory delegates. But a governor will go and appoint 1000 political appointees to participate in the Congress, who do you think will win? The governor will.

“So we are saying no, you can’t do that. Let’s have a fixed number, manageable number. Let’s give a fair chance to you, you and you, and not to the stooge or the preferred candidate of the governor. So that’s what that clause is trying to prevent.

It is not trying to prevent political office holders from running. And I said even if does prevent political office holders from running, there’s a provision in the constitution that protects them,” lawmaker added.

Insinuations have been rife to the effects that state governors and ministers are lobbying the President against signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill currently before him, using Clause 8(10) as a reason, in that it seeks to remove them or their political appointees from office even before their tenures were over.

Giving credence to the alleged lobbying by governors and powerful interests, the President has yet to append his signature to the Bill almost 4 weeks after it was retransmitted to him following the adjustment he pointed out must be made before he could sign it.

Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Mr Kennedy Ibeh (M) and Deputy Speaker Amara Iwuanyawu, at the APC campaign rally for the forthcoming Ngor-Okpala State Constituency bye-election, in Owerri.

Rights group demand probe of HoSF over alleged abuse of office

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

rights group, Coalition of Civil Societies for Equity, Justice and Good Governance has demanded a probe of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for frustrating recruitment into federal tertiary institutions and other government departments and agencies.

The coalition, at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, alleged that while the legitimate recruitment process has been frustrated, illegal recruitment is been done secretly.

Dr. Isa Abubakar, convener of the group, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the group, argued that the problem was responsible for the denial of accreditation of tertiary

institutions by regulatory agencies in the country.

Flanked by the co-convener of the group, Mr Danesi Momoh, he claimed that many institutions are grossly understaffed leading to extra workload for the few that are already in the system.

He contended that the situation has led to a situation whereby students do not get the best teaching they deserve and lecturers cannot adequately combine the work of teaching, research and community work effectively.

Blaming the Head of service of the federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan over her alleged refusal to grant waiver to institutions in dire need of staff recruitment, the group called on the authorities to wade into the matter in the interest of the country.

The group noted: “This is totally unacceptable and must not be accepted from an administration that has fought corruption headlong.

“Many institutions have also lost accreditations because of manpower shortages. The case of University of Abuja is close enough to our doorsteps.

Students who graduate from such courses suffer unjustly for no fault of theirs. These evil acts must not be allowed to continue.

“While the Head of Service is denying waivers to institutions to employ, she has secretly been conducting recruitment through the backdoor in direct contravention of the Civil Service rules. She must therefore be sacked from service since she has constituted a stumbling block to the President Buhari anti corruption campaign.

“Recall that the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had previously questioned the Head of Service over what it termed lopsided and illegal appointments into the civil service. This did not deter the Head of Service who is a secret anti Buhari agent. The harm she has done to the army of unemployed youth, Nigerian tertiary institutions and this administration must be stopped.

“After sacking her, the Code of Conduct Bureau and EFCC must quickly swing into action and investigate her corruption and financial impropriety as well as ignoble cases of abuse of office.”

The group thereby threatened to occupy the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation 7 days from today if Yemi-Esan fails to resign her position.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

POLITICS

Aides give NASS two weeks ultimatum to offset outstanding allowances *We’ll pay them when money comes - Mgt

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF) yesterday accused the management of the National Assembly of withholding allowances and other entitlements due to them since they were engaged in 2019. They are said they will embark on a peaceful protest beginning from March 8, if all the outstanding entitlements were not paid.

NASSLAF Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Zuru who made the accusation while briefing newsmen at the National Assembly complex said there has been a systemic and monumental corruption, and embezzlement of appropriated funds meant for payment of salaries and allowances of Legislative Aides by the Management of the National Assembly.

Zuru explained that the National Assembly Legislative Aides are Parliamentary staff employed by the National Assebly Service Commission on a tenure basis as political appointees to provide technical legislative, and administrative support to elected members of the nation’s apex legislature.

He added that over the years, the functions of the legislative Aides have been expanded to include conducting research, Bills and Motions drafting, writing briefs and speeches for the legislators, handling of protocols, coordination of constituency offices and projects, press relations among others.

“Since the advent of the 9th National Assembly Commission in 2019 under the current leadership, legislative aides have been subjected to servitude through denials of legitimate entitlements and allowances provided for under the aforementioned service documents.

“In the 2019 Appropriation Act, the sum of N128Bn was appropriated for salaries and overhead for legislators, National Assembly bureaucracy and legislative aides. This means that salaries and allowances of legislative aides and their principals (legislators) takes effect from the day of inauguration of the 9th Assembly officially recognized as their date of assumption of duty, 11 June, 2019.

“Legislative aides usually assume duty same day with their principals, but due to bottlenecks from the then National Assembly Service Commission, aides received appointment letters between 11 June – 31st December 2019, endorsed by their Principals with effective date from 11 June, 2019.

When it was time for payment of the arrears, management chose to pay some aides and refused to pay others.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Nassarawa state Governor, Abdullahi Sule and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele as the President cut the tape to inaugurate the central Bank of Nigeria Branch Building in Lafia , Nassarawa state on Thursday, February 24, 2022

Enugu LG Polls: PDP wins 17 chairmanship, 260 councillorship seats

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), on Thursday, announced the results of the February 23, 2022 Local Government Elections.

It declared the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winners of all the 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship seats in the state.

Announcing the results at the ENSIEC Headquarters in Enugu, the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mike Ajogwu disclosed that the candidates of the PDP scored the highest number of votes cast in all the elective positions contested.

Dr. Ajogwu added that the PDP Chairmanship candidates garnered more than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the wards in their respective council areas.

He stated that the elections were largely peaceful and transparent, and were conducted in accordance with the Local Government Law of Enugu State.

Issuing certificates of return to the elected Chairmen, the ENSIEC chairman revealed that

the certificates of return of the 260 councillors-elect will be issued to them in their various LGAs. Announcing the result of Nsukka LGA, the ENSIEC Chairman said that the chairmanship candidate of the PDP, Walter Ozioko scored 163,240 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ngozi Ugwu of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), who scored 55 votes, and declared Ozioko of PDP as duly elected.

In Aninri LGA, Dr. Ajogwu declared Benneth Ajah of the PDP as elected Chairman of the Council, disclosing that he scored 28,602 votes to defeat the candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who scored 7 and 25 votes respectively.

Other PDP chairmanship candidates who were declared winners by the Chairman of ENSIEC were; Hon. Chukwudi Ozoeluba, Ezeagu LGA (56,611 votes), Hon. Pedro Okwudili Nwankwo, Awgu LGA (43,327 votes); Hon. Livinus Nze Anike, Enugu East LGA (83,242 votes); Hon. Emeka Onunze, Enugu North LGA (41,215 votes); Barr.

Robinson Chiemezie Nkwuo, Enugu South LGA (54,220 votes); Hon. Anthony Ikenna Nwodo, Igbo-Etiti LGA (35,044 votes); Hon. Williams Ejike Itodo, IgboEze North LGA (88,751 votes); Hon. Vitus Okechi, Igbo-Eze South LGA (48,820 votes); Hon. Obiora C. Obeagu, Isi-Uzo LGA (36,467 votes); Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, Nkanu East LGA (38,843 votes); Uchenna C. Ejim, Nkanu West LGA (6,379 votes); Hon. Chinedu Onyeagba, Oji River LGA (58,652 votes); Hon. Solomon Izuchukwu Onah, Udenu (88,957 votes); Philip Nnamdi Okoh, Udi LGA (43,514 votes) and Hon. Celestine Chukwudi Nnadozie, Uzo-Uwani (13,488 votes).

Other members of ENSIEC board present at the event were Barr. Chukwudi Celestine Amah (Secretary); Dr. Greene AnikeNweze (Commissioner); Hon. Solomon Udeh (Commissioner); Rt. Hon Theresa Egbo (Commissioner); Hon. Chinenyenwa Anthonia Ogbu (Commissioner); Dr. Bernadine Ezugwu (Commissioner); Barr.

Ugwu-Nnadi Anthony Ugochukwu (Commissioner) and Barr. Obiora George Ani (Commissioner).

Prior to the announcement of

the election results, a coalition of accredited independent observers for the 2022 LG polls in Enugu State, had expressed utmost satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise in the state, describing it as “peaceful, transparent, free and fair”.

Speaking to newsmen after the elections, the National Coordinator, Forum of Civil Society Organizations (FCSOs) in Nigeria, Comrade Fidelis Nweke, maintained that the elections were peaceful, transparent and orderly in the various local government areas they visited.

Also speaking, Amb. Manukwem of Centre for Positive Change and Civic Responsibility added that the Enugu State LG elections “went peacefully and there was also a large turnout of voters”, stressing: “We are also impressed with the Enugu people, they came out peacefully and cast their votes”.

On his part, the Executive Director of Centre for Strategy, Ethics and Value, Mr. Azubuike, applauded ENSIEC for its efficiency and transparency of the elections as well as the electoral body’s good relationship with the observers.

party’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) will serve as Chairmen while the Deputy Governors of the zones will serve as secretaries.

In a statement by the National Secretary of the Caretaker/

Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, said “The Chairmen of the Committees are all members of the CECPC, while secretaries are selected from amongst the Deputy Governors

from their respective geo-political zones.

“Meetings of zonal stakeholders hold on Saturday, 26 February, 2022 at the respective geo-political zones.”

Sen. Akpanudoedehe disclosed.

CECPC members to chair zonal congress Committees of APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Committees for the Saturday 12th March, 2022 Zonal Congresses, indicating that members of the

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 18

NEWS

Resources in hands of terrorists can destabilise Nigeria -El -Rufai … Says investigations implicate police, military personnel ...Decries uncoordinated approach to menace

By Egena Sunday Ode

A

s the continues the search for solution to the menace of insurgency, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir ElRufa’i, has raised the alarm that the financial resources available to various terror rings in the country is enough to destabilise it.

El-Rifai made the disclosure when he featured at the weekly Ministerial Briefing, organized by the Presidential Media Team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to him also, preliminary investigations had revealed that some security operatives are working for terrorists.

The governor noted that the nature of terrorism in the Northwest region of the country is far more vicious, with more casualties, than the Boko Haram insurgency being experienced in the Northeast region of the country.

He noted that, while 937 were killed and 1,972 kidnapped by bandits in the state in 2020, a total of 1,192 were killed and 3,348 kidnapped in 2021, suggesting a deterioration in the situation.

The governor, however, said the only answer to the quest of ending terrorism in all its forms is by total elimination, explaining that terrorists, especially those specilising in banditry and kidnapping, have adapted their crime forms into a business, with the kind of financial turnover their original trades in cattle breeding could not have earned.

El-Rufai affirmed that kidnapping and terrorism had since become business but with the added element of collaborating with Boko Haram even as he said the effort to tackle the menace had been uncoordinated.

According to him, some state governors had the impression that negotiating with the criminals would end the problem but later realized that it was a mistake.

He revealed that Northwest state governments began a process of cooperation and co-financing the military operation against cattle rustling.

The governor regretted that the operation was not sustained because some of them backed out after some success was recorded only for kidnapping to take over.

Responding to a question on suspicion that the security arrangements might have been infiltrated by terrorists, he said “yes, we are concerned and it is not impossible to have infiltrators. As I alluded to when I was answering this question, the preliminary report of Boko Haram financing also showed some links to bandits and pointed to some police and military officers in service as having some communication or connection with the bandits.

“So, there’s always that risks, in any system you have traitors and we’re concerned about that. But till date, we don’t have any firm evidence of that. I think a lot more work needs to be done.

“As I said, we need to pursue the financing and logistics chain of banditry as well because the

amount of money these bandits are making is enough to destabilize this country. It is a lot of money.

We only have an idea of what it is because those that make the payments don’t tell us the truth all the time, but we hear from the legal intercepts of the conversations about how much money they are asking for, how much they have received and so on.

“The numbers are mind boggling. It’s a major source of national insecurity and it will grow unless it is decisively dealt with. So, yeah I am concerned”, he said.

Comparing the security situation in both the Northeast and Northwest reagions, the governor said “I am persuaded that the insurgency in the Northwest is far more lethal, far more serious than Boko Haram, both in terms of the numbers of people affected.

As you can see this is just Kaduna numbers, one or two years. I can assure you the numbers in Zamfara and Katsina are two to three times this if they are keeping tabs.

“The numbers in Sokoto, Niger and Kebbi will be about this. So, we are talking of tens of thousands of people getting killed, getting kidnapped, is far more serious than Boko Haram.

“The only thing is that these guys don’t take territories. They are in the forests, ungoverned spaces.

So, they do not attract the same kind of single-minded attention that Boko Haram does and because Boko Haram’s ideologies is religious or contentiously religious, you know, it elicits more passion.

“But really, this is a far more serious problem because this is largely a situation in which people of about the same ethnicity, about the same religion, you know, killing each other, stealing each other’s property, creating an industry out of criminality. It’s very serious and it requires single-minded attention”, he said.

He said the state government established the peace commission so as to end the conflicts unsettling Southern Kaduna, emphasising

that true peace will not be achieved without some level of dialogue.

He said the state has also invested a lot into technology in order to effectively beat the rate of crimes in the state, adding that some of the gadgets procured had assisted the state to locate the hideouts of the criminals.

He said it will be unfair to write off the efforts of government at both the federal and state levels.

He stated that the country still needs to spend more on security, noting that the entire police and armed forces strength of the country is far below the need of the country, adding that in some cases, the criminals wield more powerful firearms and ammunition.

Responding to a question about his next likely political aspiration, Mallam El-Rufa’i, who said he is not an ambitious person, said he is not aspiring to any office in 2023, just like he never aspired to be governor of Kaduna or Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when he was appointed.

Former Governor of Gombe State Dr Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo receiving Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna at his Abuja residence on Wednesday

Insecurity: Stakeholders task Media on responsible reporting

By Stanley Onyekwere

I

n order to effectively tackle the prevailing insecurity in the country, stakeholders in the media are enjoined to embrace responsible reporting to prevent the escalation of tension and conflict, by abiding by the tenets of fairness, justice and national interest.

In particular, editors and media owners are admonished to step up their efforts to entrench professionalism and uproot all the vices that assist criminals in the country.

This charge was part a communique issued at the end of the first Chronicle round-table, organised by 21st century chronicle on the theme: “going for broke: fighting insecurity in nigeria,” held At Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, on Wednesday .

The Roundtable, which was

attended by prominent Nigerians, top military and security officials, federal and state government officials, members of the National Assembly, diplomats, civil society organizations, representatives of paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, and the creme-de la-creme of the media in Nigeria, opined that no effort should be spared to create synergy and coordination involving all stakeholders in the fight against insecurity.

Some of the stakeholders include Senator Kashim Shettima, former Governor of Borno State,General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defense Staff; Major General Chris Olukolade [retired], a former Director, Defense Information; Hajiya Zainab Okino, Chairperson of the Editorial Board of Blueprint newspapers Abuja; Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity; and Professor

Jibrin Ibrahim of the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) amongst others.

Also, in the Communique, the Roundtable noted that the there is need to build the capacity of journalists to engage in conflictsensitive reporting, adding that the code of media ethics should be strengthened and regularly taught in newsrooms.

It however, added that although the Nigerian news media has played a generally positive role in the search for peace in Nigeria, but other areas of concern remain, especially with the rise of social media.

Furthermore, the Roundtable called for improved intelligence gathering through surveillance and reconnaissance strategies to facilitate precision in military operations against criminals; retraining and re-equipping Nigeria Police to carry out its constitutional

function of effectively fighting criminals across the country in order to reclaim many internal security duties that over the years have been taken over by the armed forces due to necessity.

“The fight against insecurity must be depoliticized. Criminals must not be shielded from justice by their kith and kin on sentimental regional, religious or political grounds. We must strive to ensure social injustice and equity in our society because they are the main drivers of insecurity and criminality. An equitable approach to wealth distribution should be the long-term basis for discouraging criminality in Nigerian society.

“National security is an expensive business that must be invested in times of both war and peace. Government should urgently budget and provide the necessary resources for the recruitment of more soldiers,

policemen, their training, welfare, and the acquisition of weapons and technology to facilitate the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.

“Corruption in defense spending weakens the fight against terrorists. Therefore, the military and security agencies should ensure transparent and accountable utilisation of resources allocated to them. Also, there should be strategic use of available meagre resources for optimum benefit.

“Our country’s public prosecutors and judiciary should rise to the occasion and ensure speedy dispensation of justice in cases involving terrorism and criminality all over the country. At the moment, terrorism cases drag on for too long, leading to delayed justice”, the Communique signed by the Roundtable Rapportteur, Theophilus Abbah stressed.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 19

Power Reforms implementation critical for sector growth -NBET MD

By Etuka, Sunday

T

he Managing Director, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) Plc, Dr. Nneaemeka Ewelukwa has said that the implementation of the power sector reforms of the federal government would reposition the sector for the desired growth.

Dr. Ewelukwa spoke recently in Lagos at the capacity building workshop for members of Power Correspondents Association (PCAN) and Civil Society Organization on the theme: ‘Building knowledge and plugging skills gap in power sector reporting.’

The NBET boss said, a lot of efforts are ongoing through reforms implementation to build a technically robust Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

With the reforms, Ewelukwa said the electricity distribution companies were already improving on their performances and facilities to supply about 15,262MW of electricity to the national grid.

On how to bridge the gap between peak demand and peak generation, NBET CEO said two things would need to happen.

“The system must have the capacity to physically move additional power, while the power

generation companies must have the capacity to bring that additional power, which must be paid for,” he said.

To realise the transmission expansion plan, Ewelukwa said the government has begun the implementation of the agenda under the FGN/Simens Presidential Power Initiative, with Phase 1 expected to transmit about 7,000MW; Phase 2 11,000MW, and Phase 3 (25,000MW) supply.

On the timeline for bridging the demand-supply gap, Ewelukwa said it would be sooner than later, as the present administration was keen on implementing these reforms to achieve set targets.

At inception of the reform

agenda, he said NBET took over the Power Purchase Agreements that the defunct Power Holding Company (PHCN) signed with some gas suppliers, including the gas component.

On NBET’s function in a Transition Electricity Based Market, Ewelukwa explained that it was characterized by a marketbased agreement for electricity trading.

“NBET is designed to be a temporary bridge in the electricity market between the electricity generation companies and their distribution counterparts.

“NBET has a long-term role to play in the market, to drive market competition by ensuring that it is

moved from a government centres market to a private sector-driven electricity market.

Going forward, NBET will no longer need to buy power as a central procurer of electricity, rather the power purchased will stand the process of handing it over to the DisCos and the GenCos so that the DisCos can now buy power directly from GenCos. “NBET is enthusiastically looking at the point when it will actually start the innovation process of handing over the PPAs signed to power distribution licensees and eligible customers as the case may be,” Ewelukwa said.

Vast majority of Nigerians are Pension Illiterates -PenOp Boss …calls for more awareness creation T

By Etuka Sunday

he Chief Executive Officer of the Pension Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), Mr. Oguche Agudah has said that the vast majority of Nigerians are pension illiterates, therefore, was need for more awareness creation.

Mr. Oguche spoke virtually at a Retreat/ Maiden Magazine unveiling of the Pension Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PenCAN), Thurday, February 24, 2022 in Abuja.

He stressed the need for more awareness creation to bring the informal sector into the Nigeria’s Micro Pension Plan, noting, that the culture of savings must be at the front burner to ensure that Nigerians have something to fall back when they are retire.

Making his submissions on the relevance of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in the 21s century, he said, “Nigeria has about 60% citizens in the informal sector that have not enrolled into the Contributory Pension scheme, they do not have any retirement plan at all.

“As such, stakeholders in the pension industry must keep engaging with he informal sector and create awareness by not only getting information out, but putting it in a way people can receive it, understand it and be interested to join”, he said.

Speaking on the relevance of savings, he added that “Micro pension is very important owing to the fact that it is private Sector driven and transparent.”

He said, if the informal sector which forms a large chunk of Nigeria’s population do not have anything to fall back on, they will be a liability to the country, but with the Micro pension Scheme which

President Muhammadu Buhari, Nassarawa state Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele at the inauguration of the Central Bank of Nigeria Branch Building in Lafia, Nassarawa state on Thursday February 24, 2022. is managed by professionals, it will provide as a buffer for them as they age.

Mr. Oguche admitted that the Contributory Pension Scheme is not perfect, but it has proven overtime

to be of help to of great support to the elderly who make deliberate efforts for the retirement.

He urged the Association to keep the Advocacy drive in the pension sector and complement

the efforts of the operators and regulator to ensure a safe and transparent pension Sector.

Earlier in her remarks, President of PenCAN, Nana Musa highlighted the relevance of media

participation in awareness creation in the pension industry.

She Also reiterated the Association’s commitment to partner with stakeholders in driving the growth of the sector.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

BUSINESS

Kaduna Electric Launches Mobile Application for Hazard Reporting K aduna Electric has launched a mobile application for customers to report hazardous situations they come across within its franchise.

The application named KE-SAFE which was developed in-house by the ICT department has since gone live on Google Play Store for customers to download on their devices.

The user friendly application, according to a statement by the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, offers customers the ability to send images of hazardous situations such as fallen poles, sagging wires, transformer explosion and other electricity related hazards in order for immediate action to be taken to avert loss of lives or properties.

Once a customer sees such a situation, he/she is expected to upload a photo on the app, input the state (Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara or Kebbi), provide location/street name, nearest landmark, a general description of the hazard and then submit.

The statement said: “the main objective of the KESAFE application is to create a platform where customers

can report electricity related incidents to the company.

“Safety is our number one priority in Kaduna

Electric and we determined to reduce accidents to the barest minimum. Our goal is achieve Zero accident in our

area of operations.”

The statement further called on customers to observe all safety

precautions when using electric appliances and to avoid building or trading under service lines.

Most Beautiful Lady in Nigeria, HRM, Queen Blessing Okon (L); Alara of Ara Kingdom, Dr. Oba Bayo Windapo (2nd L); District Governor of Rotary International District 9125, Ayo Oyedokun (3rd L); Keynote speaker/representative of National Security Adviser, Rear Admiral YEM Musa(rtd) (3rd R); representative of the Commandant, National Defence College, Brigadier General Mike Alechenu and others, during Rotary International District 9125 peace seminar with the Theme Achieving Peace in a Changing World held in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

3.5GHz Spectrum: MTN, Mafab Pay for Licences

P

rovisional winners of the 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum licence, MTN Communications Nigeria Plc and Mafab Communications Limited, have made their full payment of $273.6 million each for the 5G Spectrum license to the Nigerian Communications Commission.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, officially confirmed the payment status today, February 24, 2022, just as the deadline set for the two winners of the spectrum auction elapsed.

A statement yesterday by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs at the NCC said as part of the auction process emplaced by the Commission in the Information Memorandum (IM), three companies, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd and Airtel Networks Ltd submitted bids with an initial bid deposit (IBD) of $19.74 million, representing 10 per cent of the Reserve Price of the 3.5GHz Spectrum by the close of the Bid submission date

of November 29, 2021.

Following the successful auction on December 13, 2021 and the emergence of MTN and Mafab as winners, they were required to pay the balance of the bid amount of $253.86 million on or before February 24, 2022.

However, aside the $273.6 million payment, MTN paid additional $15.9 million, being the bidding sum it offered at the assignment state of the spectrum auction, making it clinch its preferred Lot 1 (35003600 Megahertz-MHz) in the 3.5Ghz spectrum; while, Mafab Communications, which bided lower at the assignment stage, consequentially settled with Lot 2 (3700-3800Mhz) at no extra cost.

Confirming the payments by the two licensees, Danbatta said: “I wish to officially announce that NCC has received and confirmed payments from MTN and Mafab for their acquisition of 1 slot of 100Mhz each in the 3.5Ghz spectrum auction, which was successfully conducted by the Commission on December

13, 2021. They both met the deadline of February 24, 2022 as set by the Commission”.

“Arising from this and on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, the Board and Management of the NCC, I wish to congratulate the MTN and Mafab for this feat, as we look forward to accomplishing other deployment timelines in the 5G deployment roadmap, as articulated in the National Policy on 5G Networks for Nigeria’s Digital Economy”, Danbatta stated.

For meeting the payment deadline, Danbatta has commended the two companies for their commitment to 5G deployment drive through their private investments, which he said, was a demonstration of the licensees’ belief in the sound regulatory environment in the Nigerian telecommunications sector.

Danbatta also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support and commitment to the deployment of 5G technology

in Nigeria which, he said, will bring substantial network improvements, including higher connection speed, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities to communications services in Nigeria.

The Commission published a Public Notice on its decision to award two lots of 100MHz Time Division Duplex (TDD) available in the 3.5 GHz band through an auction process, to support the delivery of ubiquitous broadband services for the deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria.

Subsequently, an Information Memorandum (IM) was issued on November 10, 2021, in which Bid Applications for the available spectrum lots were invited.

By the deadline for receipt of applications on November 29, 2021, the Commission received applications from three licensed telecommunications companies, namely: Airtel Networks Limited, Mafab Communications Limited, and MTN Communications Nigeria Plc. The Auction held successfully

on Monday, December 13, 2021 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja with the three bidders competing for the available two lots in which the Commission adopted the Ascending Clock Auction format that ended after Round 11, and proceeded to the Assignment Stage.

In the auction, MTN and Mafab emerged provisional licence winners and arising from this, the winning bid price for the auction was put at $273.6 million for each lot of 100 MHz TDD. The Provisional licence winners were then directed to pay the Winning Bid Price less the Intention-to-Bid Deposit, by February 24, 2022.

Industry stakeholders and observers have commended the Commission for the auction process, described as efficient, fair, well-organised and transparent; as well as designed to deliver the ideal outcome which saw the strongest bidders emerge as winners, raising a substantial amount for the Federal Government and setting the stage for the next phase in Nigeria’s 5G roadmap.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

DME Committee ups intervention in IDP Camps

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Department of Mass Education Committee on the out of School Children and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Children in the FCT of the Education Secretariat has step up its intervention initiative to the various lDP camps in the FCT. A statement from Deputy Director Information/ Public Relations unit of the FCT Education Secretariat, Kabiru Musa, said the committee made donations of food items and learning materials to Karu, Dagba, New Kuchingoro Karomajiji and Wassa centres respectively in AMAC. It added that the intervention activities led by the Chairman and Director, Department of Mass Education, Hajia Titilayo Alayande was one amongst many interventions carried out in the past.

The Director explained that the intervention is just one part of the Department mandates which is very key in sustaining the learner’s interest in the provision of affordable and accessible education for all.

According to her, the Committee’s task is among others is to ensure the out of School Children and Internally Displaced Children have Education and Skill development, livelihood counselling and Gender based issues .

She noted that the FCT Administration is greatly concern and have taken practical measures to intervene by putting in place the Committee to seek ways of catering for these categories of people while motivating them towards achieving holistic Education for all.

According to her, the Life Builders Education Initiative,a Non Governmental Organization was discovered when she assumed office and they have visited,monitor and involved them in their various activities such as International Literacy Day and Children’s Day Celebration among other activities.

In his brief, the Chief Executive of the NGO, Dr Sanwoola David said, it is heartwarming for them to receive enormous intervention from the Department of Mass Education Committee on out of school children IDP children of the Education Secretariat.

In her remark,the Deputy Director and DME Zonal Coordinator of AMAC, Mrs Victoria Nwaorgu described the intervention as a great relief to ease their burden, because they have been going to the various centres to engage and assist them.

She added that, there is need for the establishment of Literacy and skill acquisition centres in the five centres to be manned by their facilitators.

METRO

PAGE 21

Healthcare: AEIG seeks improved access for Abuja aborigines

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls (AEIG) has disclosed plans to conduct capacity training for ward heads and manager of Primary Healthcare centres, to accelerate the improvement of access to quality healthcare, and reduction in morbidity and mortality rate especially amongst the vulnerable groups such as women, children and people with disability.

AEIG noted that given the importance of improved access to quality healthcare services especially by Original Inhabitants in the Territory, it has been collaborating with the department of primary health care of the six area councils in FCT. According to the NGO, the campaign for inclusive access to healthcare, is part a two-year project in FCT titled: “Promoting The Rights of Original Inhabitants

in FCT”, packaged by Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), with support from MacArthur Foundation.

Speaking yesterday at the maiden Press briefing, AEIG Executive Director, Abiodun Essiet said over the years, AEIG has implemented projects in various communities in FCT which centered on improving access to quality healthcare services.

She noted that the move is part of the project to improve the capacity of Original Inhabitants (OI) ward health system committees, with the aim to promote access to efficient healthcare service delivery in the six area councils in FCT. According to her, the organisation has embarked on series of advocacy visits to stakeholders in order to intimate them and create awareness on the project, seek for their

cooperation during the project cycle and beyond and also bring them on board to create a synergy between them and the original inhabitants who are the end beneficiary.

“Ward Health System (WHS) represents the current national strategic thrust for delivery of Primary Health Care (PHC) services in Nigeria for improved health outcomes and is the model of implementation for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

“In line with the primary health care revitalisation agenda, the WHS has been reviewed to align with the primary health care under one roof (PHCUOR) Initiative, the national health Act of 2014 and other initiatives in the Ward Health System and efficient PHC service delivery.

“The goal of WHS is to improve and ensure access to sustainable quality, acceptable and affordable health services with full participation of the people at

community level”, she explained.

She added that “he FCT administration should increase the budgetary allocation to the health sector; especially the PHCs which caters for the health needs of vast majority of the Original Inhabitants.

“The Abuja declaration recommends 15% of budget allocations to the health sector”.

Also speaking, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, who lauded the initiative, which he described as apt, given the yearnings of FCT Original Inhabitants for better access to basic social amenities within their localities.

Candido, who is also an FCT original inhabitants commended MacArthur Foundation and other stakeholders involved in facilitating viable interventions aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of the people of the FCT.

Representative of the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mallam Yahaya Yakubu(4th left); Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. (Mrs) Lilian Salami;representative of the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Kehinde Aborisade and others during the 2021 TETFund/FIRS Joint Interactive Forum held in Benin City recently.

Abandoned buildings: Stakeholders harp on prioritising infrastructure dev’t

By Stanley Onyekwere

F

ollowing the increasing number of abandoned buildings in Abuja, the nation’s capital city, some stakeholders in the built industry have urged the FCT Administration to halt further allocation of land for development especially in virgin Districts, inorder to mitigate the menace.

In particular, the stakeholders, who are worried by the increasing spate of crimes arising from the proliferation

of abandoned buildings in the Territory, implored the FCTA to prioritise provision of critical infrastructure, in accordance with the Abuja Masterplan.

They spoke on the sideline of the monthly meeting of the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (nitp) on Wednesday.They also called for the involvement of town planners in the committee to be set up by the administration to address the issue of insecurity emanating from the menace of abandoned buildings.

Lamenting that the proliferation of abandoned buildings, Chairman of the FCT chapter of the Institute, Mustapha Mubdiyu, noted it has scaled up crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking and other forms of nefarious in all parts of FCT. Mubdiyu however, reiterated the readiness of the Institute towards supporting efforts targeted at ensuring development of the nation’s capital city, in line with to the Abuja Master plan.

On his part, Director,

Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, disclosed that there are over 2000 abandoned buildings concentrated in CBD, Phase1 and Phase 3 Mass housing districts.

The Director added that most of the abandoned buildings belong to the government.

He also noted that the FCT Administration need special funding to tackle the seemingly unending menace, by providing infrastructure to areas needed, in order to facilitate the completion of abandoned projects.

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 22

world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Thousands of Ukrainians flee country after Russian invades

T

housands of Ukrainians have left the country and as many as 100,000 are internally displaced after fleeing their homes following the attack ordered by Vladimir Putin, the UN refugee agency has said.

Videos and photos on social media show lines of cars moving out of cities and heading west, as well as an increase of people on foot near the southern and western borders.

The United Nations refugee agency said on Thursday that the situation was quickly deteriorating after Russia’s invasion, estimating that several thousand had already fled with more expected to follow. It appealed to neighbouring countries to keep their borders open to people seeking a safe haven.

“We have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees.

At the Luzhanka border crossing with Hungary in western Ukraine, hundreds of cars waited in a queue snaking more than 2 kilometres back from the border on Thursday afternoon. People said they had been waiting over six hours in line to cross.

A steady stream of people crossed on foot, carrying suitcases and holdalls stuffed with belongings. Many were Ukrainians from the Hungarian minority that live in the west of the country, and said they were traveling to stay with relatives for a few days in the hope the danger would pass.

Others had come from other parts of Ukraine and planned to drive on to Western Europe.

“The people who have money are leaving,” said one of the customs

minister. “We are preparing a sanitary train with full rescue service and medical equipment to transport the injured,” said Adam Niedzielski.

“This solution was created completely from scratch and, so far, has not been used in Poland.

At the same time, we already have a list of 120 hospitals throughout the country to which victims may go.

In total, we estimate at the moment that it would be possible to admit several thousand patients.”

Poland, in particular, has been preparing for various scenarios, including a wave of up to a million people fleeing Ukraine, said Maciej Wąsik, the deputy interior minister.

Poland is already home to about 2 million Ukrainians, many of whom moved after the 2014 conflict, Ukrainians flee the country as Russian invasion triggers warning of major refugee crisis officials at the post. He said over 1,500 people had left through the crossing by 4pm on Thursday, as opposed to just a few hundred on a normal day.

One 19-year-old man from the town of Svyalava said he had left both because he was scared of Russian assault and of potentially being called up to the Ukrainian army.

“My brother lives in Hungary and I’ll stay with him as long as it takes,” he said, waiting at the border post. He asked not to use his name.

Others also said they were fleeing before receiving army call-ups.

A queue of cars in western Ukraine waiting to enter Hungary People carrying luggage and accompanied by children crossed into the Polish city of Medyka, and lines of cars stretching for miles

were reported on the approach to Ukraine’s border with Moldova.

For weeks, central European countries on Ukraine’s western border have been making preparations for a potential influx of millions of refugees. Authorities in the countries next to Ukraine have already identified border crossings through which people can leave the country by land, such as Vyšné Nemecké in Slovakia, Záhony in Hungary, Siret in Romania, and Palanca in Moldova.

Maia Sandu, the president of Moldova, said on Thursday there was an increase in traffic flow on the border.

Poland is preparing a train, with medical equipment, to transport wounded civilians from the Ukrainian border to Polish hospitals, said the country’s health

and they have taken advantage of a relatively easy scheme to gain work permits. The government has said it is planning to house Ukrainian refugees in hostels, dormitories and sports facilities.

A reception point for refugees from Ukraine established in Dorohusk, Poland.

A few days ago, local authorities in the countries bordering Ukraine were asked to indicate the list of accommodation facilities for refugees, the number of people it would be possible to accommodate, the costs involved and the timeframe for the adaptation of buildings.

The ground floor of the exhibition centre in the southeastern Polish city of Rzeszów has been equipped to receive people who may flee Ukraine, about 30

miles to the east.

Germany has said it will offer support tocountries in eastern and central Europe, especially Poland, facing an influx of refugees. German media have cited estimates that between 200,000 and a million people may flee to the EU from Ukraine in the event of a war.

“We will offer massive support to the affected states – especially our neighbour Poland – in the event of large refugee movements,” the interior minister, Nancy Faeser, said in a statement, adding she had been in touch with the Polish government and the European Commission.

Franziska Giffey, the mayor of Berlin, told news outlet RBB 24 that the German capital was preparing for the arrival

of refugees. “For next week, we have set ourselves the goal of discussing concrete implications, what preparations we can make, especially in the event of people fleeing this situation,” Giffey said.

Other countries in Europe have offered support to countries in eastern Europe in case of a wave of refugees leaving Ukraine.

António Costa, the prime minister of Portugal, said potential refugees from Ukraine were welcome in the Iberian country, home to a large Ukrainian community. “Ukrainian citizens who have family, friends and acquaintances here are welcome in Portugal,” Costa said, promising to facilitate the issuance of entry visas.

(Theguardian.com)

Ukraine invasion: Kyiv residents seek shelter as blasts hit

R

esidents of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, woke to the sound of explosions and sirens, with many now either trying to seek shelter or flee the country.

Some are hunkering down in the city’s metro stations and air raid shelters. But others are trying to escape.

Traffic is jammed on motorways going west out of the capital towards the Polish border.

So on the streets of Kyiv this morning there are two starkly different tempos.

One of them is strangely subdued. Many people are still going to work as normal trudging the streets and getting on buses.

The other mood is urgent. Many people have been rushing to air raid shelters or metro stations to take cover.

Others are forming long queues at banks, supermarkets, petrol stations. Some are fleeing west by car.

‘I am ready to fight’ One man stops me in the street and says: “This is war.”

Mark, a 27-year-old sales executive had

- like us - been woken at around 7am by the sound of blasts and sirens.

He found a young girl in tears downstairs, and took her to the nearest metro station to shelter.

One of Ukraine’s 900,000 army reservists, Mark says he is ready to be called up to fight with Russia.

“We don’t have another way,” he tells me. “We must defend our country. And maybe die in this war.”

Mark says he is prepared to be killed fighting for “every millimetre” of Ukraine.

“It’s only one way - if our military comes to me and says I must die for my country, I will do it.”

‘We don’t know what to do’ Elsewhere we meet Svetlana, a school worker who is on her way to an air raid shelter.

After she was woken at dawn “when something went boom”, Svetlana took a call from her friends in Russian-annexed Crimea, where Russian tanks have

reportedly been crossing into Ukraine.

“It’s a war,” they told her.

Svetlana quickly packed a bag to take with her to the shelter. It contains a wash kit and a laptop, so she can continue working on her masters degree in psychology.

“We don’t understand what we do now - we’re going to a place where we can be in safety,” Svetlana says.

But she is worried about her family who live in Mariupol, the south-eastern port city where Russian troops have reportedly landed.

“I can’t say all what I feel - but it’s very, very nervous. I’m very scared.”

For many, the safest places to be are metro stations deep under Kyiv.

I meet a couple with a two-year-old who are following news on their phones and trying to work out what to do.

They were scared and didn’t speak much English. But I understood when they asked me: “Where are Nato?”

‘I want my family to be far from here’ While some are hunkering down in the

city’s metro and air raid shelters, others in Kyiv are trying to escape. Traffic is jammed on motorways going west out of the capital towards the Polish border.

31-year-old Alex Svitelskyi tells me he wants to get his parents out of Kyiv. He’s worried about his sister, too: “I want her to be far from here.” Alex says news of the Russian assault did not come to him as a surprise.

“We all knew that this would happen sooner or later, and I hope that our soldiers are ready because they were preparing themselves,” he says.

“We hope that they will hold the line.”

But Alex says he fears that if Russian forces do reach Kyiv they will carry out atrocities on its residents, reminiscent of those perpetrated by the Nazis in Ukraine during World War Two. He says he wants to get his parents away from the capital before it’s too late.

“I want them to leave Kyiv to some village, because there will be shelling soon.”

Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

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e w s

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‘Unethical’ baby formula marketing harming Africans study

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early half of new mothers in Nigeria, two in five Moroccan mothers and more than a fifth of South African mothers have been advised by a health professional to feed their babies a formula product, a joint study by the joint World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) has found.

“This report shows very clearly that formula milk marketing remains unacceptably pervasive, misleading and aggressive,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Health professionals in Nigeria and Morocco have reported that contact with baby formula companies was extremely common in public and private health care settings.

The report surveyed 8,500 parents and pregnant women, and 300 health workers in cities across the world including in Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

“We need robust policies, legislation and investments in breastfeeding to ensure that women are protected from unethical marketing practices -- and have access to the information and support they need to raise their families.” said Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell.

Breast milk is the ideal food for infants.

It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses.

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months as the most effective way to ensure child health and survival.

Breastfed children are said to perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Professionals in Nigeria and Morocco have reported that contact with baby formula companies was extremely common in public and private health care settings.

The report surveyed 8,500 parents and pregnant women, and 300 health workers in cities across the world including in Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

“We need robust policies, legislation and investments in breastfeeding to ensure that women are protected from unethical marketing practices -- and have access to the information and support they need to raise their families.” said Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell.

Breast milk is the ideal food for infants.

It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses.

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months as the most effective way to ensure child health and survival.

Breastfed children are said to perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

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A F R I C A

Senegal inaugurate new 50,000seat stadium in Diamniadio

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enegal’s new 50,000-seat stadium was opened on Tuesday with a legends football match following a ceremony attended by African and European heads of state and global sporting dignitaries.

The Abdoulaye Wade Stadium will host Senegal’s international matches, with its first competitive game set to be the second leg of the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff between the Teranga Lions and Egypt on 29 March.

The ground, named after the country’s president from 2000 to 2012, is in Diamniadio, a city which is being built about 30 kilometres from the capital Dakar.

The inauguration of the stadium comes just weeks after Senegal were crowned continental champions for the first time at any level, beating Egypt on penalties in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on 6 February.

“It is in this beautiful den that our valiant lions will celebrate their conquest of Africa and the world,” Senegal’s President Macky Sall said.

The Turkish-built stadium, constructed at a reported cost of $270 million, will host the Summer Youth Olympics in 2026, and was filled with fans waving Senegal’s green, yellow and red flag.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took part in a ceremonial kickoff ahead of a legends game, with former Senegal midfielder Kalilou Fadiga - a member of the team which reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup scoring the first goal in the stadium.

El Hadji Diouf, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o, Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, former Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan and exNigeria striker Daniel Amokachi were among the other former professionals playing.

Senegal’s President Macky Sall said the naming of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium was a “tribute to the multidimensional, intellectual, pan-Africanist politician”a Also in attendance were the presidents of Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Rwanda and Germany, as well as Gianni

Infantino, the president of world governing body Fifa, and Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe.

Seized cash to fund bursaries in Zambia

Z

ambia’s anti-corruption body has handed to the state about $4m (£3m) that it recovered from suspected proceeds of crime.

The money will now be given to the ministry of education to help more than 2,000 students in need of bursaries, the minister of finance Situmbeko

Musokotwane has said.

The announcement was made at an event attended by Mr Musokotwane, minister of education Douglas Syakalima and officials from the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Money was found last year in a house belonging to journalist Margaret Musonda,

also known as Faith Musonda, and was subsequently forfeited to the state as part of a deal for her not to be prosecuted.

Social embed from twitter ReportReport this social embed, make a complaint Ms Musonda also lost her house in which the money was found.

Seven killed in Ethiopia mine collapse

S

even people have died after an illegal mine collapsed on Tuesday morning in Gololcha district in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.

Eleven more people were taken to hospital, some with serious injuries, local

authorities told the BBC. The victims were residents who had dug deep shafts in an area where Ethiopia’s mining ministry had been prospecting for minerals.

A local official said that after residents

became aware of this, they started digging illegal mines hoping that they would find some minerals.

“No mineral has been found from that place yet,” the local official added.

Women worst hit by Cameroon Anglophone crisis - ICG

W

omen are most affected by the Anglophone crisis which erupted in Cameroon in 2017, according to a report published by the International Crisis Group (ICG) on Wednesday.

About 60% of internally displaced people are women and children, the report

said.

Many of them are also victims of torture and sexual abuse.

The military and armed separatists’ groups use rape as a weapon of war, the report added.

The ICG said the government should

also intensify efforts to prosecute perpetrators of sexual violence.

It also said separatists should indefinitely suspend school boycotts and refrain from coercing women into support roles in militia camps.

say Gadot served in the Israeli army and supports Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, the Culture Ministry said.

The film, a new adaptation of the

murder mystery Death on the Nile by the British author Agatha Christie, has already been banned in Kuwait and Lebanon.

Tunisia, which hosts some major

festivals to celebrate Arab and international films, also banned the 2017 film Wonder Woman, which featured Gal Gadot in the lead role.

Tunisia blocks film starring Gal Gadot over Israel row

T

unisia has withdrawn from cinemas a new film starring the Israeli actress Gal Gadot.

The decision had been taken following protests by activists who

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

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LABARAN I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS LABARAN YAKUBU TALLE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS LABARAN YAKUBU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE WALIJO’S HELPING HANDS FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “F’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT (CAMA) 2020.

NAMES OF TRUSTEES 1. EMMANUEL DANIEL - CHAIRPERSON 2. ESTHER BABA MADAKI - SECRETARY 3. DAVID BABA MADAKI - TRUSTEE 4. OKON SILVANUS KINGSLEY - TRUSTEE 5. EBENEZER DANIEL TOJI - TRUSTEE 6. BULUS ELISHA GIMBA - TRUSTEE 7. YAKUBU DAN-ASABE - TRUSTEE 8. JONATHAN MADOSHI - TRUSTEE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO UNDERTAKE ADVOCACY PROGRAMME AGAINST CHILD ABUSE AND CHILD NEGLECT. 2. TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL LEARNING MATERIALS SUCH ETC. AND TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES FOR STREET AS TEXT BOOKS, NOTEBOOKS, SCHOOL BAGS, UNIFORMS CARDIGAN, ORPHANS, VULNERABLE AND LESS PRIVILEGE CHILDREN. 3. TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN, YOUTHS AND WIDOWS, WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CRIME SUCH AS RAPE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND OTHER SOCIAL VICES. 4. TO RESTORE HOPE TO THE HOPELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH BY TECHNOLOGY(ICT), EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, SPORTS, THEIR DREAMS IN AREAS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION PROVIDING ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ACTUALIZATIONOF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, VOCATIONAL SKILL ACQUISITION, ETC. 5. TO PROVINCE MEDICAL INTERVENTION TO LESS PRIVILEGE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND WIDOWS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUINYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

26

Feature

Ukrainians put on united front as Russia crisis mounts Svyatoslav Vakarchuk is one of Ukraine’s biggest rock stars.

W

ith more than a million followers on Twitter, he’s used to packing out venues across the country with his band Okean Elzy (Elza’s Ocean).

But now we’re all looking on nervously as he climbs gingerly onto the railings of a towering bridge in central Kyiv and slowly lifts his arms aloft.

It’s an apt image as the future of his homeland hangs in the balance.

“Everything will be fine,” he sings. The lyrics of one of his greatest hits embodies the calm fortitude the country is trying to project in the face of the latest Russian aggression.

Hundreds have gathered round and are now joining in the chorus. Hundreds of thousands will be watching this streamed online.

Russian President Vladimir Putin may have done a lot of talking recently, but this is the voice of Ukraine.

As the impromptu concert ends and Vakarchuk tries to weave his way through his legion of fans, I ask what message he wants to send.

“The destiny and the future of Ukraine is not only the destiny and the future of Ukrainians, but also for millions and billions of people who want to live in freedom, dignity and democracy,” he replies.

He says his country needs the world to step up and stand by Ukraine more than ever.

“The most important message is that Ukraine is united, we are strong. We are optimistic. We are looking into the future with wide open eyes, and we shall overcome.”

This sense of defiance is pulsing through the crowd that has gathered here in the heart of the capital.

We find a group of history students quietly reciting the national anthem with their palms resting on their hearts.

The opening words proclaim: “Ukraine’s glory hasn’t perished, nor freedom, nor will.”

Freedom is a word so many people we talk to reach for.

Tamila Kalytenko explains: “We will fight for our nation, our city, our country, our home.

Everyone in Ukraine today is together.”

Maryna - only 15 years old introduces herself.

She says her parents are proud that she’s trying to protect her own future and that of Ukraine.

“I’m not afraid,” he says, “I

A group of students recited the national hymn

Taras Chmut says donations to military charity Come Back Alive have dramatically increased

Reservist Viktoria Dvoretska says she will do whatever the army needs her to do

praise my armed forces. I think they will save us from this.”

But what if the situation got very bad, could you see yourself leaving, I ask.

“I will stay because it’s my country, my city and I will fight for my national identity.”

This outpouring of patriotic pride is manifesting itself in another, more material way.

In the small office of the military charity “Come Back Alive”, they can’t believe what they’re seeing on their laptop screens.

Taras Chmut, a former drone pilot in military intelligence, tells me they’ve received more online donations in the past 24 hours than in the whole of the last year.

It’s the equivalent of £500,000 ($677,000).

This means more of the

thermal cameras, drones and landmine disarming kits stacked up on the tables will soon be making their way to the frontline to boost supplies for those who’ve been fighting Russian-backed rebels for the past eight years.

Taras Chmut says donations to military charity Come Back Alive have dramatically increased A man who once staked out the enemy’s lines, Chmut fears that Russia will soon try to seize more land in the Donbas region and look to create a land corridor to the Crimean peninsula Moscow annexed in 2014.

But he vows Ukrainians would “fight to the last soldier and to the last civilian.”

His final analysis is stark: “It will not end well for Russia.”

It could be that many of those we talk to are more concerned privately than they would like to let on.

But although a 30-day state of emergency has now come into force, you do not detect a state of panic in Kyiv.

Sorting out parcels in the next door room at the charity is Viktoria Dvoretska.

She has the honour of being the first woman to have served as a frontline commander in the Ukrainian armed forces.

Three years ago she left the field of battle for health reasons but now, aged 29 and mum to a toddler, she’s being called up along with thousands of other reservists.

But what does that mean for her and her family?

“As the mother of a small child I can choose whether or not to be mobilised now.”

She continues, speaking softly and with utter conviction.

“But if this is going to be a large-scale war, with an attack on Kyiv, my family will move far away and I will stay here - to do whatever the army needs me to.”

Source: BBC Quote In the small office of the military charity “Come Back Alive”, they can’t believe what they’re seeing on their laptop screens.

Taras Chmut, a former drone pilot in military intelligence, tells me they’ve received more online donations in the past 24 hours than in the whole of the last year.

It’s the equivalent of £500,000 ($677,000).

This means more of the thermal cameras, drones and landmine disarming kits stacked up on the tables will soon be making their way to the frontline to boost supplies for those who’ve been fighting Russian-backed rebels for the past eight years.

CLOSE TO

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

CHINA Xi’s key messages at Games and diplomatic schedule

C

hinese President Xi Jinping gave a toast at a banquet to welcome distinguished guests from around the world who attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 5, 2022.

President Xi had engaged himself in a flurry of face-to-face high-level meetings with foreign dignitaries visiting Beijing for the opening of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Xi held bilateral meetings with about 20 heads of state as well as government and international organization leaders, and held a welcoming banquet for the foreign guests.

Solidarity Among the visiting dignitaries were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, leaders of Central Asian countries who met Xi during a virtual summit days before the Games, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Unity, solidarity and togetherness were the most discussed keywords during the meetings.

Development Facilitating concrete development is another hot topic of Xi’s meetings.

Besides key bilateral projects ranging from energy to digital economy, the Belt and Road cooperation was much discussed.

Major infrastructure projects such as the HungarySerbia railway and the ChinaKyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway got a push. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov noted the country is willing to work closely with China to make the ChinaKyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway a flagship project in the Belt and Road cooperation. Argentina has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China on the Belt and Road cooperation.

Mutual respect Meeting with Guterres, Xi pointed out that no system should be regarded as the only model to follow, nor is there a single development model that fits all.

As agreed by both China and Russia, two countries that have built a model of international relations in the 21st century, people of all countries have the right to choose forms and methods of implementing democracy that suit their own national conditions.

27

Pomp, excitement at Winter Olympic in Beijing

T

he opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games held at the National Stadium in Beijing on Friday night, February 4 was greeted with pomp and excitement from all over.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Winter Games open after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach delivered a speech.

According Bach, “This Year of the Tiger is also an Olympic Year,” Bach said. “Both the Year of the Tiger and the Olympic Tiger stand for ambition, courage and strength. Today, thanks to this ambition, China is a winter sport country. Well over 300 million people are engaged in winter sports in about 2,000 ski resorts and ice rinks.”

“Dear athletes,” he added, “We are all standing with you. We are all supporting you. We are all cheering you on.”

Zhang Yimou, who was behind the epic opening ceremony of the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008, was again the chief director for the 2022 Winter Games opening ceremony. Snowflakes were at the heart of his central idea for Friday night’s show, which featured them in two programs. The lighting of the Olympic flame also carried the same motif.

“Different snowflakes come to Beijing and assemble into a giant snowflake of humankind,” Zhang said of his concept for the opening ceremony in an interview with China Media Group (CMG).

Delegations from over 90 countries and regions attended the ceremony, together with world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Argentine President Alberto Fernández, and UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres among others.

As part of the Olympic tradition, members of Team Greece were the first to enter the stadium during the parade of athletes, followed by Team Turkey. As the host of the Winter Olympics, Team China was the last to march. Speed skater Gao Tingyu and skeleton athlete Zhao Dan carried the Chinese national

World leaders at the opening ceremony

Bing Dwen Dwen is the official mascot of the 2022 Winter Olympics. All the athletes like it. flag for the squad.

At the end of the ceremony, the Olympic Cauldron was lit at the center of the stadium by the torch that had passed through the hands of some 1,200 torchbearers, including Bach himself, during a three-day relay in the three competition zones of Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou.

In the following 16 days, some 2,900 athletes will compete in 109 events of 15 disciplines under seven sports at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The countries participated

that

Nearly 3,000 athletes from 91 countries and regions gathered for Beijing 2022 in this city that has hosted both Summer and Winter Games. They compete under the Olympic flag, and share the joy and passion of sports.

About 170 official representatives (government representatives at the viceministerial level or above) from nearly 70 countries and

international organizations, including 31 heads of state and government, important members of the royal families and heads of international organizations, have traveled long journeys to China for the great event and cheer for the winter sport athletes. Olympians from different countries not only live up to the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger -Together” on the field, but also remove barriers and promote friendship through interactions.

development,” he said.

Xi called for staying committed to benefits for all, and caring about the special needs of developing countries.

He also highlighted the importance of innovation-driven development and harmony between man and nature.

China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, Xi said, adding that this requires tremendous hard work, and “we will make every effort to meet these goals.”

He also said China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and

low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad.

Xi called for staying committed to results-oriented actions and building a global community of development with a shared future.

The world needs to increase input in development, advance on a priority basis cooperation on poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity, among other areas, and accelerate implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said.

Xi pushes for Global Development Initiative

C

hinese President Xi Jinping proposed a Global Development Initiative in steering global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth in face of the severe shocks of COVID-19.

Xi said, “We must revitalize the economy and pursue more robust, greener and more balanced global development,” in his statement delivered via video at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

To promote global development, Xi called for staying committed to development as a priority.

He proposed that the world should put development high on

the global macro policy agenda, strengthen policy coordination among major economies, and ensure policy continuity, consistency and sustainability.

“We need to foster global development partnerships that are more equal and balanced, forge greater synergy among multilateral development cooperation processes, and speed up the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Xi said.

Xi stressed staying committed to a people-centered approach.

“We should safeguard and improve people’s livelihoods, and protect and promote human rights through

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

28

CLOSE TO

CHINA

UN Envoy in China makes case for Global Development Initiative to improve velocity of 2030 Agenda

T

he United Nations (UN) welcomed China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) as it will give velocity in implementing the 2030 Agenda, Siddharth Chatterjee, UN development system resident coordinator in China, has said.

During an interview with Xinhua on Thursday, Chatterjee said the UN stands ready to provide technical advice and guidance in ensuring the GDI works in concert with the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs) and becomes best practice.

The GDI, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, is an initiative to support the development of developing countries, promote global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era and strengthen international development cooperation.

“It is prosperity that we all aspire for,” said Chatterjee. All human beings should thrive and prosper because one of the most important principles of SDGs is to leave no one behind.

Many important lessons can be taken from China’s development trajectory, and much valuable experience can be shared with the developing world, he said.

Chatterjee spoke highly of the achievements China has made in the past few decades. In addition to its robust political will with the opening-up of its economy and its history of women becoming a part of its labor force very early on, China has also provided people a sense of hope and dignity, which is very crucial, Chatterjee said.

Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has sent more people back to hunger and poverty, Chatterjee said he is optimistic that the GDI will improve the velocity of the 2030 Agenda.

The GDI proposes key areas of cooperation, namely poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, the digital economy, and connectivity.

“The pillars of the GDI give us

Chinese celebrates Lantern Festival in style

O

n the 15th day of the first lunar month, two weeks after Chinese New Year, another important traditional Chinese festival, the Chinese Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Jie or Yuanxiao Festival, is celebrated. It marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period. Chinese Lantern Festival 2022 will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 15th in 2022.

On the night of the Chinese Lantern Festival, streets are decorated with colorful lanterns, often with riddles written on them. People eat sweet rice balls called tangyuan, watch dragon and lion dances, and set off fireworks.

lanterns, lantern riddles, eating tangyuan a.k.a. yuanxiao (ball dumplings in soup), lion dances, dragon dances, etc.

Popular Chinese name: Yuánxiāojié /ywen-sshyaoww jyeah/ ‘first night festival’ Alternative Chinese name: Shàngyuánjié /shung-ywenjyeah/ ‘first first festival’

Date: Lunar calendar month 1 day 15 (February 15, 2022) Importance: marks the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period Celebrations: enjoying

The Significance of the Chinese Lantern Festival Chinese New year, also called Spring Festival in China, marks the beginning of the Spring season.

The Chinese Lantern Festival marks the final day of these celebrations. After the Lantern Festival, Chinese New Year taboos are no longer in effect, and all New Year decorations are taken down.

Some people still wait till after the festival to return to work or study.

The lanterns symbolize people letting go of the past year and welcoming the new year with good fortune.

he president of OIC, Mr. Thomas Bach praised China for a successfully hosting during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

Bash said over the past 16 days, they admired outstanding performances.

“Each and every one of you strived to achieve your personal best. We were deeply touched how

you were wishing and cheering for your competitors to achieve their best as well.

You not only respected each other. You supported each other.

You embraced each other, even if your countries are divided by conflict.

“You overcame these divisions, demonstrating that in this Olympic community we are all equal. We are all equal – regardless of what

we look like, where we come from, or what we believe in.

This unifying power of the Olympic Games is stronger than the forces that want to divide us: you give peace a chance.

“The Olympic spirit could only shine so brightly, because the Chinese people set the stage in such an excellent way – and in a safe way.

“The Olympic Villages were

outstanding. The venues – magnificent. The organisation – extraordinary. The support of the National Olympic Committees, the International Federations, our TOP Partners and Rights-Holding Broadcasters – unwavering.

Our deepest thanks and gratitude go to the Organising Committee, the public authorities and all our Chinese partners and friends”.

oreign journalists covering the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics were not only amazed by China’s development in high technology and in winter sports, but also deeply felt China’s friendliness and thoughtful arrangements for journalists, as well as its efforts to ensure safe international sports events amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some reporters interviewed by the Global Times on Monday also called on some Western

media to focus on sports rather than unprofessionally politicizing the Games and smearing China, saying they should accept China’s development, which is beneficial to the world.

Emre Aytekin, a journalist with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, was thrilled to have an

opportunity to meet and talk to his youth hero - former NBA star Yao Ming - when reporting the torch relay on February 2.

“Yao Ming was a hero of my youth, because I played basketball. So I was very excited to meet him and ask him questions, and that was a highlight for me,”

Aytekin recalled his encounter with Yao, saying Yao gave him great answers.

Yao was among the first people to carry the flame as the Olympic Torch Relay began on February 2, and he was also a torchbearer ahead of the Beijing Summer Games in 2008.

IOC President praises China for successful hosting

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F

Foreign reporters hail China’s efforts in holding Games amid pandemic

UN Sec-Gen hails China’s organizational ability amid pandemic

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uterres said China’s successful organizing of such a large-scale and safe Winter Olympics is extraordinary.

The world needs a successful Winter Olympics, which sends a clear message that people of any country, nation, or religious belief can rise above differences

and achieve solidarity and cooperation, he added.

The UN chief commended China for its huge contribution to the global fight against the pandemic and underscored the importance of the Global Development Initiative put forward by Xi, which is of great significance to promoting

the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to addressing inequality and imbalance in global development.

The world cannot afford to have division and confrontation, and only by sticking to multilateralism, solidarity and cooperation can the world

effectively address risks and challenges, he said.

Guterres said the partnership with China is a vital pillar of the UN and multilateralism. He added that the UN seeks to strengthen cooperation with China and looks forward to China’s greater role in global issues such as the reform of the international system.

a lot of scope. We want to make sure that it opens up opportunities to all, which is coincident with our principle of leaving no one behind.

In this process, there are many issues that we could converge on together,” Chatterjee said.

To advance the GDI both locally and globally, Chatterjee stressed that the UN would work with China to provide the best technical advice and guidance, to ensure it is in step with the aspirations of the SDGs to which all member states have agreed.

China launches Group of Friends of Global Development Initiative

C

hina’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Thursday launched the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) who hosted the event, said the GDI proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for greater international synergy to speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achieve stronger, greener and healthier global development.

The initiative is undoubtedly highly relevant and has a farreaching impact, he said, noting that ever since its introduction, the GDI has been warmly received by the international community, and nearly 100 countries and many international organizations, including the UN, have expressed their support.

China looks forward to working with all parties to implement the initiative in order to achieve the four goals of re-prioritizing development, renewing commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), revitalizing global partnerships, and reactivating development cooperation, said Zhang.

He pointed out that the establishment of the Group of Friends aims to seek greater complementarity between the GDI and the 2030 Agenda, support UN work in the field of development, and help developing countries fight the pandemic and implement the 2030 Agenda.

The group will focus its work on strengthening policy dialogue, sharing best practices and promoting practical cooperation, he said.

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Sports

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Nigeria defeat Ivory Coast, qualify for 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations

By Amaechi Vitus

N

igeria reached the finals of this year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations Championship after the Super Falcons held out bravely to defeat hosts Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 1-0 in Abidjan on Wednesday evening. The scoreline meant an aggregate 3-0 win for the nine-time African champions.

The Ivorians threw everything into the return leg encounter at the Stade Robert Champroux but met a steely Nigerian defence and an inspired goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who would not give an inch.

The game flowed back and forth for large swathes of the first half. Coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the starting line-up from the first leg, bringing in midfielder Regina Otu and forward Francisca Ordega.

The lively Ordega thought she had given Nigeria the lead halfway into the first period, but the Nigerien referee ruled it out.

In the 34th minute, Nigerien referee Zouwaira Souley awarded a penalty to the homers after judging that Ashleigh Plumptre had tripped an Ivorian striker in the Nigerian area. Goalkeeper Nnadozie saved the shot, and the contact from the same player off the rebound went into side-

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie catches the ball during the 2022 WAFCON qualifier in Abidjan on Wednesday netting.

The Super Falcons dug their feet into the ground in the second half, refusing to give the Lady Elephants any leeway. Plumptre, Captain Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale and

Michelle Alozie all held their ground as the Elephants increased their onslaughts.

A minute to the end, Esther Okoronkwo, winning only her second cap for Nigeria, scored the back-breaker that confirmed a

3-0 aggregate win for the Super Falcons.

Victory and qualification for Morocco 2022 was sweet revenge over the Lady Elephants, who bumped the Falcons on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

FCT Handball Association launches Supporters Club, instruments

By Amaechi Agbo

D

etermined to ensure effective development and promotion of the game of handball in the federal capital, the FCT Handball Association have launched its Supporters Club as well as their musical instruments.

Chairman of the Association, Ambassador Dr. Edward Olutoke who disclosed this during the unveiling of the instruments, said it is part of the board’s activities to reposition handball in the nation’s seat of power.

He added that the FCT Handball Supporters Club is the first time the game is having a supporters club in Nigeria.

“We have just acquired state-of-the-art instruments. This is the first handball Supporters Club Instruments.

“There has never been any handball Supporters Club in Nigeria and we are going to take this to a higher level as the Lord will permit,” he said.

Ambassador Olutoke also highlighted that the welfare of the players is their priority stressing that the board would soon roll out its plans for handball competitions in the FCT. “We have several things for us to do. The priority for us are the players. If the players are not happy, there is no association.

“The players are the major resources for us. We need to take care of them whether they are winning or not and the only way they can be happy in life is to have regular competitions.

“If they train, they can compete at any level.

We are paying premium attention to that,” he concluded.

Members of FCT Handball Supporters Club during the unveiling in Abuja recently

Sulley Muntari’s Phone Stolen On His Hearts Of Oak Debut

PG30 >>>PG30

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OLANREWAJU ANUOLUWAPO DANIEL: CHAIRMAN 2. KIKI COMFORT KEHINDE: SECRETARY 3. JESUYON JOHNSON OBJECTIVES: 1. TO HELP PASTORS CHILDREN DEVELOP PERSONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. 2. TO UNITE PASTORS CHILDREN BY CREATING A SYSTEM THAT WILL MOULD THEM INTO CAPABLE AND STRONG CHRISTAINS. 3. PROVIDING FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL SUPPORT TO PASTORS CHILDREN WHO ARE IN NEED. 4. TO ENSURE PASTORS CHILDREN HAVE AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS. 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 :CHAIRMAN

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1 SANUOLA DAVID IYANDA -----CHAIRMAN 2 JIMOH OPEYEMI IDOWU ------TRUSTEE 3. POROYE OPEYEMI OLUWATOBA - TRUSTEE AND SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

MANIFOLD REVELATION MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL 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. NZEMEZIE LIVINUS ODINAKA CHAIRMAN 2. NZEMEZIE CHUKS VICTOR SECRETARY OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF THE REDEMPTION OF SOULS TO PEOPLE IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. 2. TO IMBUE IN MEMBERS SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY 3. TOWARDS THOSE AS YET UNREACHED 3. TO INCULCATE INTO MEMBERS THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD OF GOD 4. TO DO THE MIRACULOUS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

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TRUSTEES REMAIN THE SAME THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES HEREBY AMENDED 1. PREAMBLE 2. ARTICLE 2 3. ARTICLE 3 4. ARTICLE 4 5. ARTICLE 6 6. ARTICLE 7 7. ARTICLE 8 8. ARTICLE 9 9. ARTICLE 10 10. ARTICLE 11 12. ARTICLE 12 13. ARTICLE 13 ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES; 1 TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 2 TO BRING THE MEMBERS (PEOPLE) INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUE WORD OF GOD 3 TO FULFIL THE GREAT COMMISSION ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF MARK 16 VS 15 4 TO CARRY OUT PRINTING OR PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING PRODUCING, ACQUIRING AND DISTRIBUTING PRINTING MATTERS SUCH AS BOOKS, TRACTS, MAGAZINES, LEAFLETS, NEWS BULLETINS, CHRISTIAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC AND LITERATURE COMPATIBLE WITH THE OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 5 TO EMPLOY AND DEPLOY, TRAIN, LICENSE AND ORDAIN MINISTERS FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE CHURCH AND THE MINISTRY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH REGULATIONS AS SHALL BE SET OUT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MISSION.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.

KANU AGODI OKORONKWO 2.

SAM-AMOBI CHINWE 3.

NDUBUISI ODINIRU RUTH 4.

OTI CHEKWAS ALBERT 5.

OKE UWAKWE BENSON 6.

NKWO VICTOR OBRIEN 7.

KANU PRINCE PASCAL CHIJIOKE OBJECTIVE TO IDENTIFY LIKE-MINDED, EDUCATE AND POSITION THEM TOWARDS POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION OF THEIR STATES IRRESPECTIVE OF SOCIAL CLASS, RELIGION OR ECONOMIC STATUS TO ENCOURAGE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AMONST NIGERIANS TO SENSITIZE AND PROMOTE PROGRAMMES THAT WILL ENHANCE THE CAREER AND LEADERSHIP QUALITY OF NIGERIANS TO BE IN THE FORE FRONT TOWARDS SPONSORING PROGRAMMES ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND SKILL AQUISITION TO ENGAGE NIGERIANS ON THE NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT, AND TO PROMOTE A CORRUPT FREE SOCIETY TO PROMOTE MORAL VALUES AMONG NIGERIANS FROM VARIOUS BACKGROUND, TRIBE AND RELIGION ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE SHAMMAH FAITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CAC/IT/NO 33117 THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

TRUSTEES REMOVED 1. PASTOR ALEX OSAIN, 2. ELDER (MRS) SIDI SELE, 3 EVANG. FREEDOM TUNGBULU, 4. BARR SUNNY SIYAIDON RETAINED TRUSTEES 1 PASTOR PHILIP KOSUOWEI, 2. PASTOR (MRS) EBIMOEBORE KOSUOWEI, 3 PASTOR IBAKUMO OGIDI ARO 4 BRO DOUYE KOSUOWEI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

PAGE 31

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE EMMANUEL ROMEO TIETUBONENGI FOUNDATION

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ROMEO EMMANUEL TIETUBONENGI 2. ROMEO IBELEMA EMMANUEL THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO EMPOWER THE LESS PRIVILEGE PERSONS IN THE SOCIETY, TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER THE YOUTHS 2. TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUTHS TO ASSIST THE NEEDY, ORPHANS AND THE DOWNTRODDEN IN SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE LASACO LEGACY FOUNDATION

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OLABISI M. KAZEEM 2. LAWRENCE OLUYEMI SAMSON 3. DR MRS. ESTHER ADESHOLA OLA-JOHN 4.FOLORUNSO AYINLA OGUNSANYA 5. BAR MRS FOLASHADE ODE 6.OLUSHOLA OLATAYO LADIPO-AJAYI 7. MOHAMMED AYINDE- BALOGUN 8. GABRIEL ADEBAYO FOWODU 9. OLUSEYI OMOTAYO OLAYINKA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO PROMOTE CORDIAL, FREE, CAUTIOUS AND RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP AMONG ALL MEMBERS. 2. TO PROVIDE WELFARE SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS. 3. TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION AMONG MEMBERS. 4. TO CREATE AVENUE FOR PROMOTION AND PATRONAGE OF MEMBERS PRIVATE BUSINESSES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

GREAT MIRACLE OF GOD ASSEMBLY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.NWAWUOGOR ONUWA HONEST (CHAIRMAN) 2.NWAWUOGOR NGOZI (SECRETARY) 3.NWAWUOGOR KINDNESS SOMTOCHUKWU (TRUSTEE) THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 2.TO EMBARK ON SOUL WINNING AND GLOBAL EVANGELISTIC/ MISSIONARY OUTREACHES 3.TO TEACH AND EMPHASIZE ON THE DOCTRINE OF HOLY TRINITY 4.TO ORGANIZE CRUSADES, EVANGELISM AND TEACH THE WORD OF GOD.

HOLU NIKKA HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ADENIYI OLUMIDE OLADIMEJI - TRUSTEE /CHAIRMAN 2. AYILARA SHERIFAT TEMITOPE - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO HELP AND SUPPORT PHYSICALLY CHALLEGED PEOPLE IN ESTABLISHING THEM IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL FIELD. 2. TO EQUIP ,SERVE AND SUPPORTS CHILDREN EDUCATIONALLY AND VOCATIONALLY.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

DESTINY LOVE FOUNDATION CLUB

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. EMUEZE ONYEKA DESTINY - CHAIRMAN 2. IDUH EWERE B. 3. OKOH BRIGHT ORUNCHUKWU 4. AMAHURIEHUN NKEONYE - SECRETARY 5. OLOMU DAVID O. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED :GODSWILL EGEDE. 08032586129

PUBLIC NOTICE DIVINE ANOINTING DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

CHAIRMAN SECRETARY

AMIS AND OBJECTIVES 1.

TO PRAECH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1). ATANDA OLAWALE DANIEL (CHAIRMAN) (2). SABIYA PEMBARI WILSON (VICE CHAIRMAN) (3). ENI EMMANUEL NMAGU (SECRETARY) (4). ABDULAZEEZ KASIM (FINANCIAL SECRETARY) (5). SULEIMAN WAHAB AYODEJI (ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY) (6). OTSENYE ERIC IGILA (CAPTAIN) (7). DAUDA RICHARD AKUMI GAJE (VICE CAPTAIN) (8). OGUNTOYINBO OLAJIDE HAMMED (PROVOST) THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION SHALL INCLUDE : 1. TO UNITE ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLUB. 2. PROVIDE AN UMBRELLA UNDER WHICH ALL PLAYERS CAN COME TOGETHER TO SPEAK OR ACT ON ISSUES OF CONCERNS AS ONE BODY. 3. LIASE WITH INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, CORPORATE AND OTHER SUCH BODIES WITH THE INTENTION OF FURTHER DEVELOPING THE CLUB. 4. GO INTO AREA SUCH AS HEALTH, INSURANCE, AND COMPENSATION WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS. 5. AID ITS MEMBERS AS IT BEST CAN IN TIMES OF NEED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. UMORU OYAKHIKHO GODBLESS2. ANEGBE ANGELA OMOZE 3. HANSON AKANINYENE SUNDAY 4.UMORU THOMAS OSIAKANOMHE

EVERGREEN FOOTBAL CLUB

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UGO JULIA HELPING HANDS FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. JULIA CHINYERE NKWOCHA 2. MARIA IFEOMA NKWOCHA - SECRETARY 3. ONYEWUCHI MOSES DIKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES A. TO HELP AND PROVIDE BASIC AMENITIES FOR MOTHERLESS BABIES B. TO AID IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENT CHILDREN AND CAPABLE YOUNG PEOPLE BY PROVIDING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES. C. TO PROMOTE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT D. TO SUPPORT WIDOWS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN EVERYWAY POSSIBLE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE FOUNTAIN OF GRACE EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ISAAC AUDU AGBOR --- CHAIRMAN 2. PEACE TEMILOLUWA ISAAC --- SECRETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO BRING QUALITY EDUCATION PRIVILEGED AT NO COST

TO

THE

LESS

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 : BARR. ANDREW PIUS ACHIMI. 08059830577.

PUBLIC NOTICE MASJIDU AHMAD BIN HAMBAL MOSQUE

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.

ZUBAIRU MUNTARI MUHAMMAD 2.

AMINU SHAMSUDDEEN 3.

ADAMU SANUSI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM AND ORGANIZE VARIOUS PRAYER SESSION WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA. 2. TO PROMOTE AND PROPAGATE HIGH STANDARD OF SELF-DISCIPLINE, MORAL, SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT AND GOD’S CONSCIOUSNESS. 3. TO PROMOTE PROJECTS AND POLICIES THAT CAN BRING ABOUT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO THE RELIGION THROUGH SKILL ACQUISITION; HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAMMES AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY. 4. TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN MOSQUES, LIBRARIES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 5. TO PREACH PEACE STABILITY AND UNITY IN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE AYUDANTES EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.

GANDU ANDREW MAGAJI 2.

AZIKEN EMMANUEL ONYERO 3.

OYEMA AMECHI CHUKWUEKWU 4.

OYEMA OLUSEYI EUNICE AIM/OBJECTIVE A. TO ASSIST THE POOR OR INDIGENTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEATH CARE B. TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEATH CARE AND 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.

PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE WUKARI 1991 SET.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. RINDAP NANLOH -CHAIRMAN 2.CHIDI OJI NWEZE - SECRETARY 3.LADIPO OLUWOLE AKANBI 4. IKEJIAKU CHUKA 5. SADIQ HAUWA PATE 6. ACHO FANEN 7. MAIYAKI MARYAM ASABE 8. OKOYE UZOAMAKA 9. ONWUMERE CHINWEM 10. ASHIBOGWU MONDAY MICHAELS CHIEDU 11. OKOLO CHICHEBEM AKUCHUKWU 12. OKOYE CHISHOLM ANISIOBI 13. BRIGGS OTORU DANIEL. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO CONTRIBUTE AND LOOK AFTER THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION 2. TO WORK HAND IN HAND IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER SETS OF THE SCHOOL IN THE PROMOTION OF WELFARE OF MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL. 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.

. . . putting the people first

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

SPORTS Takeaways from President Buhari’s visit to Belgium LATEST

T

Pinnick hails Super Falcons’ resilience, steeliness

By Albert Akota

P

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Thursday applauded the gutsy play “and general display of the Nigeria spirit” of the Super Falcons in Abidjan on Wednesday evening which earned Nigeria a spot at this year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Cup holders and nine-time winners Nigeria took a 2-0 win from the first leg, and then survived a blistering first half in which goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a penalty kick, to rock the Ivorians with a goal one minute before the end and achieve a 3-0 aggregate win to qualify for Morocco 2022.

“We are extremely proud of the resilience, grit and steel of the Super Falcons in achieving this qualification.

Four of the starters in the first leg were winning their first caps for Nigeria, yet put up amazing performances to earn a 2-0 victory. In Abidjan, the players were all awesome and refused to cave in despite the onslaughts from the home team.

“They did a very good job and deserve commendation for this memorable outing.”

Esther Okoronkwo, winning only her second cap, broke the back of the Lady Elephants with an 89th minute goal to confirm Nigeria’s 3-0 aggregate win and passage to the 12-team 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in July this year.

After the victory, the Super Falcons praised the commitment and support of the President of NFF, Mr Pinnick to the team’s success, saying the NFF gave the team all it needed to succeed by providing the conducive environment and necessary implements for adequate preparation for the two-legged final qualifying round.

NFF says airport incident ‘unfortunate’ The Nigeria Football Federation has described as ‘unfortunate’ the incident that saw players and officials of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons delayed for over three hours at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on arrival from Abidjan yesterday morning.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “It was an unfortunate incident, because we had our protocol officers on ground at the airport and they did the needful before the team arrived. We are a responsible organization and the various National Teams have been going out and returning to Nigeria since these covid19 protocols, procedures and guidelines started. We have never been caught Tayenapping.

Taiwo and Oduamadi

ADVERT: NEWS: KANO: LAGOS:

here was no direct mention of China (and Russia) throughout the two-day European Union-Africa Summit in Brussels, Belgium, February 17 and 18th but the country currently wielding the biggest strategic and diplomatic clout on the African Continent was on the mind of everyone.

China (to some degree, Russia) has, through their Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, found a route to African hearts by helping to close infrastructure gaps in many countries: roads, bridges, rail, power, water and even agricultural projects. China is today the biggest name in African infrastructure.

This was not so a decade ago. In 2013, Europe commandeered 37% of major African infrastructure projects, while China was in charge of 12%. By 2020, China had gone up to 31% and Europe left with only 12%.

To recover lost space, Europe now plans a 300 billion Euro word-wide investment fund with a regional plan for Africa taking 150 billion Euros, which is exactly half of what is being spent by the combination of Public and Private sectors. Called the “Global Gateway Project,” this is Europe’s answer to the BRI, to provide alternative loans from China.

Against this background, the 6th EU-Africa took off with a focus on investment, security, health and issues of migration.

The structure of the summit, unlike the ones in the past was not formatted as a plenary. After the opening ceremonies and “Family Photographs,” leaders went into focused deliberations at thematic roundtables-seven of them- with each leader, African or Europeanexpected to make the choice of only two meetings to sit it. Each roundtable was co-chaired by one (or two) African Leader(s) and one (or two) European Leader(s).

For President Muhammadu Buhari, naturally the first choice to make was to co-chair the panel on Peace, Security and Governance.

These are some of the existential challenges facing Nigeria.

The second roundtable he chose was on health issues and vaccine production.

Ahead of this summit in Brussels, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had selected four countries in which to facilitate Vaccine Production on the continent. The selected countries-obviously emerging from the weighted influence of their European ex-Colonial masterswere Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Senegal.

The Buhari administration was convinced that these were unfair choices. Like many other countries

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GUEST COLUMNIST

By Garba Shehu on the continent, Nigeria had suffered from Vaccine nationalism over the peak periods of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Vaccines were not available for sale to us and when it came to donations, either that we were given too little, too late or in some cases about –to-expire vaccines which had to be destroyed shortly after they had hit our shores.

In addition to this, Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy. We have the largest bank of professional and skilled men and women. In terms of population size, one out of every five Africans is a Nigerian.

Before the commencement of the summit, at which formal pronouncement by WHO was expected on the choice of these countries, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire had taken Nigeria’s protest against its exclusion to all those who mattered and were helped in the fact that we had our citizens in key places where it mattered in multi-lateral organisations such as the United Nations with Amina Mohammed, the Deputy-Secretary General and the World Trade Organisation, WTO, where Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala holds sway.

If the account is correct, the WTO Director-General is said to have told WHO that her organisation would have nothing to do with the Africa vaccine platforms if Nigeria, the most populous country was not equally listed.

The President’s choice of this roundtable was against his wish to make the last pitch and push in the build-up to the selection of the countries for the production of the

“

Vaccines. And Nigeria won. Six countries- Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia were in the end, chosen.

In Brussels at this summit, the first ever meeting of the Africa Union “Group of Four (G4)” was held at its side-lines. The group is made up of Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Algeria (and Senegal and one other co-opted) and is considered as Africa’s equivalent of the G8 (now G7) in global affairs with a mandate to resolve various issues confronting the African continent.

The G4 leaders used the opportunity to discuss crisis areas in the continent with a view to finding practical and effective solutions.

This, hopefully, is a very influential group and a big one for Nigeria as a platform for bringing African countries together, coordinating actions and reaction for the continent in a proactive manner, and looking at how decisions could be better implemented.

While in Brussels, President Buhari penned on opinion article in the widely-read, influential magazine, Politico in which he riled against unfair trade relationship between Europe and Africa.

For instance, the President noted that Economic Partnership Agreements give Europe deeper access to African markets. At the lower end of the value chain, these supposed free trade deals ensure agricultural subsidies deliver another blow for African farmers.

Artificially depreciated produce flood the markets, undermining

To recover lost space, Europe now plans a 300 billion Euro word-wide investment fund with a regional plan for Africa taking 150 billion Euros, which is exactly half of what is being spent by the combination of Public and Private sectors. Called the “Global Gateway Project,” this is Europe’s answer to the BRI, to provide alternative loans from China.

their domestic competitors.

“At higher end of the valve chain, premature trade liberalisation demanded by EPAs puts manufacturers-such as those in textiles or agro-processing out of business. In other cases industries will not simply materialise because there is no incentive to enter the market. Consequently, the jobs required to satisfy the millions of young Africans joining the employment market every year are not created.”

In a major speech addressing his concern for the return of coups in Africa, President Buhari called for weighty sanctions for unconstitutional leadership changes.

In noting that the African Union has often responded to these challenges, isolating such regimes and imposing sanction, the President made an appeal to the EU and the rest of the World to go beyond the condemnation of coups, to impose weighty sanctions on countries that engage in unconstitutional change of governments, as well as manipulation of constitutions in favour of term limits.

Another important message from the Present is that while Nigeria in particular is defending democratic principles and institutions within the framework of ECOWAS and the AU; ensuring Security in the subregion and containing the spread of terrorist organisations, the efforts required and resources needed are weighty and the time has come for EU and other global partners to get more involved.

The meeting in Belgium was expected to be a show of friendship, camaraderie and equality between the two continents and with what we have seen from its outcomes, EU-Africa Summit will be gaining gravitas.

Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

DAN GAYE DANGAYE Senate, Reps okay direct, indirect, consensus for party primaries

Case closed!

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