Members of the Atunluse Initiatives with representatives of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso

By Segun Giwa

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, has solicited the support of Atunluse Initiatives, a Yoruba socio-cultural and political group, ahead of Saturdays presidential election.

This is contained in a statement by the Coordinator of the Atulunse Initiatives, Mr Shalom Olaseni, on Thursday in Akure.

Olaseni said that the NNPP presidential candidate made the plea when the Kwankwaso Inter State Election Committee for Ondo visited the secretariat of the Atulunse Initiatives in Akure, Ondo.

He said the group was very much on ground with members across the communities, villages and towns in Ondo state based on the operational structure of that can be activated within 24 hours.

NNPP appears not to be leaving any stone unturned in ensuring it wins the 2023 Presidential Election as it seeks Atunluse Onitiatives support, he said.

Olaseni said that Kwankwaso was represented at the meeting by the former House of Representatives member from Kano, Ibrahim Yakubu.

He quoted him as saying that the NNPP ideology was in tandem with what Atunluse represents.

The party will be glad to work with the organisation because of what they stand for.

Therefore, we want Atunluse to join hands with Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to rescue Nigeria from the shackles of bad and very wicked governance, he said.

The former member of the National Assembly narrated to the leaders of the organisation what Kwankwaso was able to achieve as a former governor, a federal minister and as a senator.

He said: People that are following Kwankwaso are not doing it because of money, but they are following him because they believe in him and his ideology.

Supporting Rabiu Kwankwaso to become president is a support to lift the poor masses from abject poverty.

Dr Umaru Dakwa, a member of the delegation, added that Kwankwaso share same ideology with Atunluse, saying he has the best programme for the masses among all the presidential candidates.

According to him, Atunluse is an organisation with diverse membership and this is the kind of people that we will like to work with.

The Chairman of Atunluse Initiatives, Otunba Akinsola Akinbobola, while reacting said both the Atunluse and NNPP were relative in terms of ideology.

Akinbobola reiterated that the organisation would only work with a mass oriented political party.

If you recognise us, we will recognise you, since you have come here, we will get back to you after our emergency state exco meeting with the members of the organisation.

Atunluse has the mandate to advocate for better life for Nigerians irrespective of where they come from, Olaseni quoted Akinbobola as saying. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Buhari arrives Katsina ahead of Saturdays Presidential election

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Katsina, Katsina State, for onward trip to Daura, his country home, ahead of Saturdays Presidential election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential aircraft conveying the president and members of his entourage landed at Umaru Musa YarAdua Airport, Katsina, on Thursday at exactly 4:40 p.m.

The president, who was received at the airport by Gov. Aminu Masari and other State Government dignitaries as well as heads of Federal Government agencies and departments, would be casting his vote in Daura.

Prior to leaving Abuja for Katsina on Thursday, Buhari had summoned a Security Council Meeting where he met with heads of security agencies to intimate them on the need to protect electorate, ensure hitch-free and fair elections.

The president also met with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu in Abuja, where he was assured of the commissions readiness and commitment to conduct free and fair general elections on Feb. 25 and March 11, 2023.

The Nigerian leader was also present at the International Conference Centre Abuja, where candidates participating in the 2023 presidential election signed a peace accord on Thursday.

Buhari had charged all the candidates to accept the outcome of the elections as the choice of the electorate.

In the build up to the elections, Buhari had in Feb. 2022 signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

He had also repeatedly vowed to bequeath an electoral process that would be adjudged credible and transparent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Whirl Punch have apprehended one of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022 terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Train service.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces, on Thursday in Abuja.

Danmadami said the suspect was one of thethree terrorists apprehended by the troops at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Feb. 14.

He said the operation led to the recovery of two motorcycles, mobile phones, the sum of 5,000 dollars, other currencies and some sundry items.

According to him, troops on fighting patrol also neutralised seven terrorists at Ungwan Birni in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

He said 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special, and seven magazines, among other items, were recovered from the terrorists.

Danmadami also said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, had within the period, neutralised 23 terrorists and arrested nine as well as rescued 23 abducted civilians.

According to him, the air component conduced series of air interdiction operations to decimate and deny the terrorists freedom of action within the period under review.

Specifically, on Feb. 13, an air interdiction operation was conducted based on intelligence report that terrorists had gathered for a wedding ceremony at location within Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Another air interdiction operation was conducted at identified terrorists locations within Kankara and Batsari Local Government Areas, all in Katsina state.

Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralised in both air strikes, the defence spokesman said. (NAN) ()

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

DD/Website

Members of Potters Gallery Initiative

By Bridget Ikyado

The Creative Director, Potters Gallery Initiative, Mr Donald Unanka says the organization will continue to build the capacity of Persons With Disability (PWDs) in the creative industry.

Speaking at a workshop organised for PWDs on Thursday in Abuja, Unanka said the intervention was imperative, in order to provide the PWDs with sustainable business skills.

According to him, the workshop will enable them to explore other potentials in the creative industry.

We do not want PWDs to be left out of trade and businesses just because they are physically challenged, Unanka said.

Promoting the skills of PWDs would also enhance self-reliance and build their career in different fields.

They will also understand the industry properly and the market for successful businesses, he said.

The Director said the three-day workshop, supported by UNESCO, has more than 50 trainees from various discipline.

A beneficiary, Comfort Ekwo said I learnt a lot from this workshop which include how to start and improve my business skills.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants were drawn from different businesses and organisations in the Federal Capital Territory. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdul Hassan/Maharazu Hamed

Source: NAN News

The Director General, Committee on Youths Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) with the Representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other CYMS members

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Committee on Youths Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) says it has commenced training on tracking vote buying in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure free and fair elections.

The Director General, CYMS, Mr Obinna Nwaka, said this at the 2023 pre-election conference and capacity building for observers on Thursday, in Abuja.

Nwaka said CYMSs policing volunteers were also working in synergy with security agencies on enforcement in the field, which he said would be followed with an official report to the EFCC for prosecution of individuals or candidates involved in vote buying.

He said CYMS was ready to track any one who engaged in vote buying as the group knew how to get them, saying such would not be tolerated in the forthcoming elections.

He reaffirmed CYMSs support for the EFCC in the fight against corruption, and that youths were also joining force with the commission to say no to vote-buying to avoid trading the future of the Youth.

He added that 93,469,008 registered voters were ready to cast their votes in the forthcoming elections, adding that Lagos had the highest total registered voters of 7,060,195 and Ekiti with the lowest figure of 987,667.

Looking at the demographic, age group and occupational registered voters of total 93, 469,008, the youth between ages (18-34) is 39.65 per cent with 37,060,399, while the ages between 35-49 is 35.75 per cent with 33,413,591.

Comparing to the present status quo of youths gives us the total number 70,473,990, which is equivalent to 75.40 per cent votes of young people from the entire registered number of voters, he said.

The CYMS DG commended the young people for their involvement in voters awareness programme, resilience in participation and PVC registration.

He urged them to use the same energy to cast their votes in the forthcoming election,.

He said it was obvious young people would no longer be taken for granted, especially in democratic engagement as youths had become the true heroes of democracy.

He said the collective strength of youths made them the determinants of elections, and also the instrument of carrying out unpatriotic and undemocratic activities by the politicians, especially vote buying, violence and thuggery.

We have been charged and are determined to be used only as the instrument of positive socio-economic development of our nation.

In this regard, we are saying no to vote-buying to avoid international embarrassment, especially now the international community and foreign observers are on stand by watching.

We commend the presidential candidates for signing the peace accord; we wish to state categorically that we align ourselves with it.

We call for integration of vote-buying into next process with the participation of EFCC to assist in reawakening the consciousness of office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria since vote-buying forms major reason for bad governance, he said.

Nwaka commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties for their preparedness ahead of the election, while being optimistic that the elections shall take place as scheduled.

Speaking, representative of the EFCC, in charge of Public Relations, Mrs Aisha Mohammed, said the commission had been engaging in enlightenment programme on no to vote-buying.

Mohammed said vote-buying was an economic crime adding that awareness started with the youth who were the future of the nation.

We have released phone lines to all the 36 states including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to monitor.

We are already out collaborating with all CSOs. I am happy our collaboration with CYMS is yielding positive results.

We are calling on the people to vote conscience and vote right. Do the right thing and say no to vote-buying and selling, she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

U.S. President Joe Biden encourages all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, region, or ethnicity, to vote, exercise their fundamental freedom and make their voices heard at the 2023 General Elections

According to him, the U.S. supports a peaceful and transparent election process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria, of which elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy.

Biden in a statement issued by United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, Public Affairs Section, on Thursday, emphasised that all Nigerians deserved this chance to choose their future freely and fairly.

I commend yesterdays peace accord in Nigeria, signed by the political parties and candidates running in Nigerias presidential election on Feb. 25.

By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and to support a peaceful transition of power.

Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future freely and fairly.

While the United States does not support any single candidate or party, we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria.

On election day, I encourage all Nigerians no matter their religion, region, or ethnicity to exercise this fundamental freedom and make their voices heard including young voters, many of whom may be heading to the ballot box for the first time.

According to the statement, the U.S. stands with the Nigerian people as they chart a path toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future.

I appreciate President Buharis firm commitment that the will of the people will be respected.

And in the coming days, I encourage voters to remain peaceful and patient as their ballots are tallied, and urge the political parties and candidates to live up to their pledge, Biden is quoted as saying. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Mr Malik Ghulam, 5thRight) and the Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) (4th Right)

By Maureen Okon

The Government of Pakistan has promised to accelerate export diversification and more trade inclusion to achieve the countrys trade relations in a short term.

Mr Malik Ghulam, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Commerce said this at the opening ceremony and the cutting of the ribbon at the 2nd Edition of the Engineering and Healthcare Show (EHCS) on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports from Lahore, Punjab that the event was scheduled to hold from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25, and it was organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan.

Ghulam said that the exhibition was an important initiative to bring together businessmen from non-traditional markets like Africa, Asia and Central Asian Regions under one roof to explore and open up new frontiers for enhancing trade.

He added that focus of international trade was shifting towards diversification, adding that, Pakistan was following the global trade scenario and diversifying its global trade in terms of products and markets.

Our vision is to double the trade of Pakistan in the next few years. Together we need to exchange more manufactured and engineering goods, have more knowledge transfer and create more value.

We need to accelerate export diversification and product sophistication and make our trade more inclusive.

This will enable us to shift from an over dependence on commodities to higher value-added products and services.

It will also build resilience to movements in demand and help in fetching better prices, furthermore, this is the fastest path to economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction, he said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr Muhammad Motiwala, Chief Executive of TDAP said it was a great moment for Pakistan with over 180 companies at the second exhibition in Lahore.

He added that the initiative of the government of Pakistan to open its doors to global business would also give participants the opportunity to know the people of the country and change their negative perception.

We are open to the world for both business and friendship, and also with this great initiative, I think the sky is the limit to the great potentials this expo will bring to us all, Motiwala said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

Former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar

By Busayo Onijala

Diplomatic missions of the U.S., Australia, Japan, Norway, Canada and the UK in Nigeria have charged presidential candidates and political parties to uphold commitments signed at the Abuja Peace Accord, the second in the series.

All political parties and their presidential candidates signed the second peace accord in Abuja on Wednesday to accept the outcome of the elections or to seek legitimate means of redress in the event of divergent positions.

The peace past was organised and coordinated by the National Accord for Peace under the chairmanship of former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

The diplomatic missions, in a joint-statement, notedthe commitments as accepting the results of the election as announced by INEC and to pursue any challenge of the results through the appropriate legal channels.

They welcomed the signing of the peace accord by the contesting parties, adding that they were fully committed to supporting all efforts that would ensure citizens decided who won the election.

According to the missions, it is vital for Nigerias stability and democratic consolidation that the elections are conducted and concluded safely, fairly and credibly.

We encourage all actors to intervene proactively to calm any tensions and avoid any violence in the periods before, during and after the elections.

We call on all officials at federal and local levels in Nigeria to respect the human and democratic rights of citizens.

We strongly condemn any actions that undermine the peaceful and transparent conduct of the electoral process, the statement read.

The missions also called on parties to respect electoral laws and institutions and to take a firm stand against violence and hate speech by their supporters.

They asked security services to do their utmost to protect the process and prevent and deter attacks against INEC facilities, materials and personnel.

They also called on all officials, including law enforcement agents to ensure a safe and conducive environment for the exercise of public freedoms.

This, they noted, included the freedom of opinion and expression; the freedom of peaceful assembly and the freedom of association, all of which are essential in democratic societies, in particular in the context of elections.

Law enforcement authorities should remain visibly neutral and respond in appropriate manner to any election-related incidents.

We hope that this years elections further build Nigerias democratic tradition, the missions stressed.

They congratulated Nigeria on its 24 years of democratic progress since 1999, noting that the country had been a symbol of the value of exercising democratic rights for the betterment of society to others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

Patients Bill of Rights (PBoR)

By Ginika Okoye

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has charged the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada on effective domestication of the Patients Bill of Rights (PBoR).

The Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Babatunde Irukera, said this when he visited the hospital in Gwagwalada on Wednesday.

Irukera commended the management of the hospital for their efforts toward ensuring the domestication of the rights in the facility.

He urged the management of the hospital to ensure that patients were treated with fairness, especially during their traumatic times.

Irukera said the Commission would hold the hospital responsible and accountable for every complaint raised by patients.

The executive vice chairman appealed to the management of the hospital to ensure that the implementation of the PBoR trickled down to all staff in the facility.

What we have come here to do is to congratulate you because you said that the hospital has already domesticated the 12 PBoR.

We demand more from you and for every complaint from patients, we will come after you.

Your work tolerates very minimal margin of error.

It is important that this domestication goes round to both the security men and cleaners in the hospital, he said.

Prof. Bissallah Ekele, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, said they had already domesticated the 12 PBoR in the institution through their dealings with patients.

Ekele, represented by Dr Bob Ukonu, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, said the hospital had transformed over the years to ensure effective service delivery to patients.

According to him, we have moved from a 350 bedded hospital to 550 bedded hospital.

We have made sure that things are put in place in the hospital and patients are attended to well, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PBoR was inaugurated in 2018 by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to tackle healthcare impediments. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

Illustration for a vulnerable community in Africa

By Ella Anokam

Person To Person Africa, a pro-community organisation, has been inaugurated in Abuja with the goal to sensitise and galvanise vulnerable communities across Africa to access socio-economic development.

Speaking at the inauguration, the founder of the organisation, Joi John, said that the goal was to create a safe and inclusive environment for all citizens, no matter their background or identity.

John, in a statement on Wednesday, said it was committed to listening to the unique needs of each community.

We believe that by working together we can create a more equitable and just society. We look forward to making a positive and lasting impact in Nigeria and beyond, she said.

In his remarks, U.S. Representative out of the District of Columbia, Dr Oye Owolewa, commended the Person To Person Africa on its initiative to galvanise people to vote ahead of the Nigerian general elections.

Also, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Segun Adeyina representing District 110, emphasised on the importance of Nigerians to exercise their right to vote.

Adeyina lauded the organisation on its advocacy efforts and call for citizens to vote for credible candidates.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Person To Person Africa aims to partner with relevant stakeholders to develop initiatives in education, health and governance issues to create an inclusive and sustainable future for everyone. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News