Olukayode Babalola

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF), says the Keffi Unity Polo Tournament will go a long way in creating harmony among Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the tournament on Sunday in Keffi, Nasarawa state Mustapha said: We need to lower the heat in the political atmosphere.

Platforms like this will create harmony and for people to be at ease, watch a game of polo and reflect on the issues of Nigeria is a welcome development

On the coming elections, the only responsible thing for the people to do is to make sure that they register to vote so that their voices may be heard.

The SGF urged Nigerians to avoid acts that will further aggravate the already tensed situation in the country.

We should take a cue from what just happened in Kenya where a declaration was made at the end of an election and instead of resorting to self help the loser went to Court.

And the Court had the opportunity to give its verdict and the loser accepted the verdict in the interest of the nation.

I think that is a very good lesson that we should imbibe as a nation.

At the end of the exercise in 2023, there will obviously be a winner, so the loser must either accept the loss in good faith or approach the Court to be heard.

He said the off-season election in Osun was a testament to the Federal Governments readiness to be neutral come 2023.

As a government, we have demonstrated that we will never interfere with the electoral process.

The off season election in Osun was a clear demonstration of our commitment to a clean and fair electoral process, Mustapha added.

He also commended Mr Ahmed Wadada for his initiative, adding, it was capable of creating harmony across political divides.

Also speaking, Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, praised the objective of the tournament, which according to him attracted several dignitaries and politicians from different political parties.

Dare pledged to ensure that his ministry supports any sporting activity that promotes unity among Nigerians.

Using polo as a tool to promote unity of our country is very encouraging and we pray that more people will play Polo.

The ministry will always support every sport that engages Nigerians and promotes unity, whether its polo, golf, football or athletics

The idea of hosting a national polo game came up and Wadada discussed it with us and we supported it.

I am happy to see the dignitaries here and polo has truly been used to promote harmony, so, Wadada had done a great job, he said.

PDP Presidential candidate, ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, represented by Babangida Aliyu, former Niger governor described the tournament as apt and critical in bringing people together.

This provides an opportunity to have open conversations in a friendly atmosphere on issues causing divisions in the country.

Coming here is very important, because we need these kinds of activities bring people of all kinds together to understand that politics is not a physical war.

Instead, it should be more a war of wits, a war of ideas. A war of getting people to appreciate who to vote for, he added.

APC Presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, was represented by Yusuf Husseini, Director-General, Tinubu Presidential Ambassadors of Nigeria and Diaspora (TPAND).

He said that bringing all the political stakeholders together indicated that the 2023 General Elections would be devoid of rancour.

Hence the call on more Nigerians to emulate Keffi Polo ranch by coming up with initiatives to promote unity.

This tournament is a very good platform for all individuals, irrespective of party affiliations to come and express their oneness and one love.

We are together and will work together for the success of the electoral processes, he said.

Ogianme Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri and the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo-Yamusa, extolled the objective of the tournament.

The duo pledged to support any initiative geared towards fostering peace and unity in their domains and in Nigeria in general.

Ahmed Wadada, Founder and Promoter of Keffi Polo Ranch said that organizing the tournament with the objective of promoting unity was as a mark of responsibility and responsiveness.

He said: As a mark of responsiveness in the sense that we all know what obtains today in our political dealings.

The tension is so much. So, being responsive to it made me to be responsible to have conceptualized this tournament.

We have been able to convey the message of the objective of the tournament.

This is to create a platform that will bolster peaceful coexistence of the political gladiators and players who will also in the long run ensure a hitch-free general elections in 2023.

We have demonstrated that it is not everything that must be viewed through the realm of politics.

Wadada stated there were people from all the political divides, adding, this is the message we try to preach.

The tournament is centred around unity and the representation here has shown.

The spirit of sportsmanship obtainable in sports in general and the game of Polo in particular must be seen to prevail in the forthcoming elections.

We must know that not all will be winners in the coming election. So, as we prepare to win, we must prepare to accept defeat if it comes.

.NAN reports that at the final of the tournament, Team Malco Mines defeated Team Keffi Ponys 8-7 via penalty shootout to win the tournaments champion trophy. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani has commiserated with King Charles III and the United Kingdom over the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State, in a condolence message to King Charles III, described the late Queen as a revered monarch that ever lived on earth.

He said the late Queen was an uncommon monarch, who paid attention to duty and promoted excellent work ethics.

He said that she was also diligent and had an unwavering commitment to the welfare and security of her people.

Queen Elizabeth was a quintessential monarch who spread goodwill in all nooks and crannies of the world.

She was royalty personified and gave dignity and meaning to monarchy to the admiration of the world.

She promoted world peace and cooperation especially through the Commonwealth Games. Above all, she exhibited an uncommon humility.

Her death is arguably an end of an era, she left indelible footprints in the sand of time

Our condolences to King Charles III, the British Royal Family, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth nations on the passage of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, he said.

Nnamani prayed God, in His infinite mercy, to grant her eternal rest.

He urged the people of England and commonwealth nations to immortalise the great monarch for her numerous contributions to humanity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) on Saturday inaugurated staff quarters for NAOWA College and 500 seater multipurpose hall for NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School in Abuja

Some deserving members of staff including teaching and non-teaching staff the two schools were also honoured with gift items for years of meritorious service.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the staff quarter was named after Mrs Nnena Ihejirika, the 500 seat auditorium was named after Mrs Martha Bamayi, both former presidents of NAOWA.

While Mrs Bamayi established the NAOWA model school in 1999, Mrs Ihejirika established NAOWA college in 2013.

The incumbent president of NAOWA, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya said the structures were products of her vision of Sustaining Legacies and Upholding the Tenets of Unity and Service.

Yahaya said that past leaders of NAOWA had carved a niche for themselves and secured ample space in the associations hall of fame through their remarkable leadership styles and establishments of sustainable legacies.

According to her, sustaining these legacies through maintenance of existing structures, construction of additional structures, standardisation of all facilities and enhancement of quality services through capacity development programmes for NAOWA members and staff, are the operating principles of her vision.

This Commissioning Ceremony is an avenue to celebrate and immortalize two great NAOWA past Presidents who have made noteworthy impacts in the growth structure of NAOWA.

In this regards, we resolved that the newly constructed Staff Quarters here at the NAOWA College Abuja be named Mrs Nnenna Ihejirika Staff Quarters and the Multipurpose Hall at NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School Asokoro be named: Mrs Martha Bamaiyi Multipurpose Hall.

This is indeed, our way of showing respect and also engraving continuity as a mantra in the leadership structure of NAOWA at all levels.

It is also a way of preserving history for the benefit of NAOWA members, prospective leaders. staff and students of these institutions, as well as the public at large, she said.

NAOWA president said that the 19 members of staff rewarded with gift items, had put in an average of 15 years meritorious service in the services of the two schools located in Asokoro.

She said the gesture was their way of showing appreciation for their hard work, commitment, perseverance and determination in the developmental process of the School.

She appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, commandants of army institutions, commanders and other senior military officers for their support towards the establishment of the structures.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Yahaya commended the efforts of the past and present leadership of NAOWA for their foresightedness in supporting the educational development in the Nigerian army.

Yahaya also commended the officers wives for taking the lead in addressing the needs of their homes as well as supporting to meet the educational needs of their children.

He pledged to continue to support NAOWA in their quest to touch lives within and outside the barracks.

The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Vickie Irabor, lauded the vision of the past presidents of NAOWA who established the schools that had become flagship in the military community.

Irabor said the women had continued to hold the home front fronts while their husbands were being deployed in various fronts to confront security challenges.

On her part, Mrs Bamayi thanked the NAOWA president for recognizing her contribution to the development of education in the Nigerian army.

She urged the association to sustain the vision of the founders and continue to build on the existing structures.

Mrs Ihejirika on her part commended the successive NAOWA leadership for sustaining and expanding the legacy of the past leaders.

She thanked Mrs Yahaya for acknowledging and remembering her for an honour to name the colleges staff quarter after her.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of various gift items like plasma LED television set to 19 teaching and non-teaching staff of the schools in recognition of their meritorious services over the years. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Ma

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

The Theatre Commander, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, said over 79,000 insurgents comprising combatants and non combatants have so far surrendered.

Musa made this known in Maiduguri while briefing newsmen on recent successes of the command.

The commander said that the sustained onslaught on the insurgents under the kinetic and non kinetic approaches had led to the mass surrender.

According to him, this led to need to have additional camps in Maiduguri to host the repentant that were being sorted out to identify the combatants and not combatants.

He lauded the support from the public, which he described as unsung heroes and urged them to sustain the tempo for a speedy end to the conflict.

We are really happy with the way the members of the public were cooperating with us; they see the sincerity in what we are doing.

We are committed to the human rights charter and the rules of engagement in our operations, Musa said.

Also speaking on recent success, the General Officer Commanding ( GOC), 7 Division, Maiduguri, Maj.- Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, said that within the period under review, three more Chibok girls were also rescued.

Shuaibu said the girls rescued comprised Falmata Lawan, Asabe Ali and Jinkal Yama, who are on serial number three, 12 and 20, respectively on the list of abducted Chibok girls.

The girls were rescued separately in Bama axis on Aug. 30, Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 respectively. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Thompson Yamput

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Saturday said a 26-year-old drug dealer had been handed over to it for investigation and prosecution by the state police command.

Mr Abdulkadir Abdullahi-Fakai, Kogi NDLEA Commander, made the disclosure while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja.

The NDLEA today, Saturday, Sept. 10, acknowledged the transfer of Friday Momoh, a suspected drug dealer to us by the Nigeria Police on Friday, Sept. 9.

Momoh was reportedly arrested just by the gate of the Kogi State Polytechnic by the security men of the institution, he said.

Abdullahi-Fakai disclosed that the suspect was nabbed with multiple drugs including Cannabis Sativa aka indian Hemp, adding, investigation has since commenced.

The commander thanked the police in Kogi especially the CP, Edward Egbuka, for the sustained synergy, cooperation and understanding existing between the force and his agency.

NAN reports that operatives of Kogi Polytechnic Security Unit on Thursday intercepted Momoh, who was in possession of suspected hard drugs while trying to enter the main campus of the polytechnic in Lokoja.

Found in his possession were 66 wraps of weed suspected to be Indian Hemp, 4 containers of the weed, assorted charms, scissors, N52,000 cash and other hard drugs called ICE.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Suleiman Shehu

The Police Command in Oyo State says the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is handling the investigation of the decomposing body of a landlord found in his bedroom at Awotan, Apete area of Ibadan.

It is recalled that skeleton of the landlord later identified as Aderemi Abiola was discovered in his bedroom by some residents of Awotan community after long period of searching for him.

The decayed body was found glued to his beddings lying upward.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered from the residents of the community that the deceased was last seen four years ago.

It also gathered that the late Abiola used to come to Ibadan occasionally from Abuja and did not relate with the neighbours.

Commenting, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, SP Adewale Osifeso, said that the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale William, had deployed a team of crime and forensic detectives to the residence of the deceased.

Osifeso said that the CP had also directed the immediate transfer of the case to the commands apex investigation body, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), to ascertain the cause of the death.

He said that the scene of the incident had since been cordoned off in the interest of public health and safety to enable the detectives carry out comprehensive investigation.

Osifeso said that the command became aware of the incident when representatives from the Landlord Association of Idi-Orogbo, Adeosun, Life Forte Area, Awotan, Apete in Ibadan reported the case to the command.

He said that preliminary findings from residents and the driver licence found in his wallet revealed identity of the deceased as Aderemi Abiola.

The police spokesperson said that the investigation revealed that the deceased was last seen around 2018, four years ago, which was corroborated by his family members.

According to Osifeso, the CP called on well-meaning members of the public for assistance regarding the provision of useful information about the incident.

He said the case would be actively monitored, assuring the public that detailed updates would be provided.

Recall that people of Awotan community became aware of the incident while clearing the bushy compound of the deceased, after seeking permission from the police to break into the compound.

It was the labourers employed to clear the compound who noticed that window of one of rooms was opened and decided to peep into it, only to discover a totally decomposed body of the deceased. (NAN)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says days of wanton manipulation of election results are over in Nigeria, as it has blocked all avenues for such.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, INEC said this at a Stakeholder Roundtable on Election Result Management and the Launch of the Election Results Analysis Dashboard (ERAD) Report on Electronic Transmission of Resultsorganised by Yiaga Africa in Abuja on Friday.

He said that INEC recorded a breakthrough with the new Electoral Act, 2022, which empowered it to adopt electronic means for both accreditation and results management and this made it a legal requirement for INEC to transmit results electronically.

According to him, the most critical technological tools introduced by the commission in recent times are the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal adding that while the former was a device, the latter was a web portal.

He said the BVAS was used for two principal purposes; to identify and accredit voters using two biometric modes: fingerprint and facial recognition, as well as capturing and uploading the image of the Polling Unit result form (Form EC8A), to the IReV portal.

Indeed, using the law, administrative measures and technology, the commission has drastically tackled major problems in result management in Nigerian elections.

Among the top ten of such problems are falsification of scores at Polling Units, falsification of number of accredited voters, collation of false results, mutilation of results and computational errors.

Others are swapping of result sheets, forging result sheets, snatching and destruction of result sheets, obtaining declaration and return involuntarily, making declaration and return while result collation is still in progress and poor recordkeeping.

It is clear that armed with an improved electoral act, administrative procedures and requisite technology, the Commission has increased the transparency and confidence of the public in its election result management processes, he said.

Yakubu added: I can confidently say that the days of wanton manipulation of elections results are over; yet, the commission is not resting on its oars.

He said that starting with the Nasarawa Central State Constituency by-election election, the IReV has been deployed in 105 election, involving 16,694,461 registered voters for five governorship, six Senatorial Districts, seven Federal Constituency, 18 State Constituency, six FCT Chairmanship and 62 FCT Councillorship elections.

He said that a total of 32,985 results were successfully uploaded, giving an upload success rate of 99.13 per cent.

What this successful transmission of results demonstrates is that the concern about the capacity of the Commission to transmit results from all over the country may well be unfounded.

He said that a total of 128,994 accounts have been opened by IReV users since it was launched two years ago August 2020.

He said another technical concern for INEC was the repeated attempts to break through its cyber security system for the portal but it has always failed.

Executive Director ,Yiaga Africa ,Samson Itodo ,while presenting the ERAD Findings on Electronic Transmission of Election Results in the 2022 Ekiti and Osun Governorship Election, said there were four key roles for ERAD.

According to Itodo, the Election Results Analysis Dashboard (ERAD) promotes transparency of election results management and support INEC by providing the public with access to election results from the polling unit in relative real-time.

He added that it provided an independent audit and integrity test of INECs election results management system by tracking results from the polling units based on commissions own published results among others.

He said that Yiaga Africa while monitoring elections observed some things and recommended some pathways for improving the transparency of election result management .

INEC should invest in the training of polling unit officials, with a special focus on result transmission, ballot paper accounting as well as the capturing of polling unit results using the BVAS. It will address the capacity deficits resulting to upload of incorrect or incomplete forms and blurry images.

In addition to the transmission of polling unit level results, INEC should electronically transmit and publish the number of accredited voters on the IReV. This is in accordance with the Section 64(4) (5)(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.

INEC should deepen the transparency of the collation process, the Form EC8B, Ward collation result sheet should be uploaded on the IReV portal at the close of collation at the ward level. It will facilitate monitoring and tracking of the results collation process.

INEC should increase the Amazon Web Services (AWS) resources for storing the form EC8A or polling unit results in the AWS server. Increasing the bandwidth, RAM size and storage capacity of the server to improve the processing power of the IReV portal and ensure public access to results uploaded on the portal, he said.

Itodo urged the commission to discontinue new registrations or user account creation on the IReV portal 12 hours to election day, saying this will reduce the stress level on the IREV server on election day.

He said the commission should review the features of the BVAS to improve picture quality and consider converting election results from PDF to jpeg and create options for varying quality for downloads similar to YouTube downloading options for easy downloads.

He added that INEC should introduce a form like the Form E40G for reporting cancellation of results at the polling unit, to avoid upload of documents not relevant to the IReV or handwritten letters.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/ Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed mixed feelings on the Federal Governments proposed nationwide ban on the use of motorcycles.

The Federal Governments move is part of its strategy to curb terrorism and other heinous crimes where motorcycles are largely used by perpetrators.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the FCT, some residents commended the directive while others advised the Federal Government to rescind the decision.

Mr Sunday Uche, a commercial motorcyclist operating in FCT told NAN that the proposed ban would bring more hardship to him and his family if actualised.

I will not be able to provide for my family if the Federal Government bans the operation of motorcycles because it is my only source of livelihood.

The proposed ban on commercial motorcycles nationwide will not only send thousands of youths into the labour market but will also affect motorcycle parts dealers negatively, he said.

Mr Victor Dawara, another motorcyclist operating in Gwagwalada area said that the ban would affect average Nigerians who could not afford a car.

Mrs Esther Udoma, a housewife and Gwagwalada resident, said the nationwide ban of motorcycles would increase the rate of crime and insecurity in the country.

It will be very difficult for those of us who reside in the remote areas, because of the bad road network.

The Federal Government should not ban commercial motorcycles because it saves time and is also cheaper than other means of transportation, she said.

Usman Mohammed, a mechanic in FCT said the ban would increase poverty and people would not afford three square meals for their families.

Mr Sani Lawal a Jabi resident, described the proposed ban as a punishment against many, for the sins of a few people.

According to him, I dont have a car and from my house to where I will get a vehicle to my office, is a far distance, I urge the Federal Government to have an alternative, he said.

Ado Saleh, a commercial motorcycle operator said the ban would affect many commuters source of livelihood, adding that, motorcycle was a major mobility for a lot of Nigerians.

Ibrahim Abubakar, a motorcycle rider said that the proposed ban would lead to increase in crime rate as many of the motorcycle riders would join the bandits and also do all manner of illegal businesses in order tomake a living.

Abubakar said that most of the motorcycle riders were men with many wives and children that they need to cater for and have no other business to do.

Bala Muhammad, another resident, however, described the directive as a step in the right direction.

According to him, many lives have been lost to the activities of some criminals, who use motorcycles and tricycles to perpetrate evil.

NAN further reports that the proposed ban has continued to generate comments including from the national assembly while the Federal Government is yet to make a final decision on the matter. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Solomon Asowata

Source: NAN News

By Philomina Attah

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Friday in Abuja reiterated the National Assemblys commitment to curb corruption and insecurity in the country through the enactment of enabling laws.

Lawan made the pledge at the National Policy Dialogue on Corruption and insecurity in Nigeria, organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He said that the National Assembly in its efforts towards unmasking the perpetrators of insecurity in Nigeria, had realised the need to enact an anti-corruption laws that would stop illicit financial flows which could be channeled into funding insecurity in Nigeria.

The Senate President explained that the 8th Assembly had to this end passed the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Bill.

Lawan added that this was one of the major anti-corruption laws that saved the country from being expelled from the global body of the Egmont Group.

He said that the 9th Assembly similarly, in collaboration with security and law enforcement agencies, passed three bills aimed at combating money laundering, terrorism financing and the proceeds of crime.

Lawan said the laws, which were in tandem with President Buharis commitment to fight corruption and curb insurgency further strengthened the agencies capacity to tackle terrorists activities against the state.

The Senate President noted that the challenges of Nigerias security infrastructure were the concern of everyone and not just those in government alone.

Indeed, this policy dialogue is showing us that summarily dealing with the ugliness of insecurity in Nigeria requires more than the deployment of military might. We must look at social and economic vices like corruption, which enables and even propagates insecurity.

As lawmakers, we look forward to the eventual policy brief that will be shared hereafter to guide the nations policy direction in ending insecurity in Nigeria.

I encourage all of us to fully participate and contribute to this all important policy dialogue, as it presents a rare opportunity for a multisectoral view of the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria, he said.

Speaking, ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said that corruption was a major contributory factor to the continuous existence and propagation of insecurity in the country.

According to him, ICPCs research and investigation findings on the subject matter shows that public sector corruption, directly and indirectly, enables insecurity, and can sometimes complement it.

He said that cases of job racketeering abound in the security sector and were under investigation by the Commission.

There are also ongoing investigations into military contracts spending.

Recently, ICPC arrested a military contractor that received over a period of less than 10 years cumulative sum of about N6 billion from the Nigerian Army in suspicious circumstances.

Some former military and security personnel are being investigated by ICPC and our sister agencies for embezzlement of funds allocated to security, he said.

He said there was a case of a former head of one of the arms of the military during his tenure deposited the sum of N4 billion from military budget into the accounts of two companies where he is a beneficial owner and sole signatory.

The proceeds were used to purchase properties in Abuja in the names of cronies and proxies.

Some of the properties paid for by his service were also fraudulently converted to his use.

ICPCs prosecution of this high ranking officer to recover all the implicated assets was strangely frustrated by a recently retired High Court judge who decided to order for forfeiture of some of the assets to the Federal Government and the rest left to the suspect, he said.

The ICPC boss added that the commission had filed notice of appeal, adding that this strange development aggravated an already bad situation and escalated insecurity and impunity.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, in his remark, said the war against corruption was a war in progress with the Anti-graft agencies in the country recording remarkable successes.

He advocated for greater focus on addressing the causes of corruption, and urged the ICPC to remain steadfast in the fight against corruption.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, who also attributed insecurity to corruption, assured of the support of the armed forces in tackling the menace.

The policy dialogues and concomitant policy briefs are designed to be part of the Commissions key performance indicators in the implementation of the Federal Governments National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NAS), 2017 2021.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogues are meant to deliberate on issues bordering on systemic challenges which require institutional improvement with practicable solutions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Mark Longyen/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News