Buhari Seeks Overhaul of AU to Make it More Relevant Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the African Union (AU) for it to be more functional in meeting set targets and relevance, warning that failure to do so will result in the organisation
becoming stale. Buhari, in a speech during the day two of the 34th Annual Summit of the African Union held virtually, told his colleagues that global realities demand that the AU must undergo comprehensive reform for it to remain relevant in intergovernmental processes.
The president, in a statement yesterday by his media assistant, Mallam Garba Shehu, rallied his colleagues to reposition the continental organisation. He said: "As your excellences are no doubt aware, global realities demand that the AU be overhauled
if it must remain relevant in intergovernmental processes. We must work concertedly to ensure a productive, selfsufficient and purpose-driven organisation that will fully serve the interests of the people. "As we commence the operationalisation of this new
structure and system, Nigeria demands a truly reformed, efficient, and effective AU Commission, one that is fully committed to the discharge of its duties and responsibilities.’’ Buhari commended President Paul Kagame of Rwanda for presenting a special report on the need
to reform the AU. He also appreciated the support of heads of state and government in the election of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye as Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security. The president noted with Continued on page 9
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CBN Investigates Cryptocurrency Companies’ Bank Accounts for Fraud Insists restrictions to safeguard Nigerians, financial system Lists inherent risks To block accounts with suspicious transactions BDC operators, groups back Emefiele on transactions' ban Obinna Chima in Lagos and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has opened investigations into bank accounts of companies involved in the trading of cryptocurrencies with the intention of blocking those with suspicious transactions and fraud.
A top central bank official while giving THISDAY more insight into last week's decision mandating banks to close all accounts belonging to cryptocurrency traders, also pushed back criticism of the policy, saying the bank won't abandon its regulatory roles to critics. Continued on page 9
Stakeholders Raise Concerns over Distribution of Extra Polling Units INEC receives 5,000 requests from 25 states, FCT Chucks Okocha in Abuja How will the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) distribute the new polling units it is planning to create in its efforts to expand the existing 119, 973 polling units in the country? Will the distribution ensure equity between the nation’s
two major geopolitical zones of North and South? These are the questions agitating the minds of critical stakeholders as INEC rallied support for the fresh polling units' delineation. So far, the commission has received 5,000 requests for the Continued on page 9
AMBASSADORIAL VISIT... L-R: Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Jatau; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr. Hajara Salim; and Governor Muhammadu Yahaya during the ambassador’s visit to the governor in Gombe...recently
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