NCWS National President, Hajiya Lami Lau

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has called on Nigerians to shun violence and ensure peaceful atmosphere during the general elections.

The National president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

She urged women and youths to come out en masse to exercise their civic responsibility and should not allow themselves to be intimidated during the polls.

Lau called on Nigerian youths to denounce electoral violence during and after the elections.

It is the votes of women that will determine who will lead the country after the elections, therefore, Nigerians should stand united against violence and activities that will jeopardise the elections.

I advised all Nigerians, specifically women and youths to work together towards free and fair elections regardless of political party affiliations.

As women, we are worst hit in times of violence and as patriotic Nigerians, our collective goal should be a better Nigeria, she said.

Lau discouraged women from vote buying and selling or mortgaging their conscience and future for mundane things.

She advised youths against been used by selfish politicians to disrupt elections as thugs or engaging in unpatriotic activities.

Vote for people who will not forget you when they win the next elections. This is for the sake of your children and the children of your children, she said.

According to her, no nation can move forward without active participation of women in politics.

If we must move the country forward, we must position women to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Leadership must be inclusive, creating equal opportunities for women to function in key positions both at the Federal and state levels, she said.

This, she said represents the best practices and standards for sustainable development, gender equity and justice.

It cannot be denied that the democracy practiced in Nigeria for many years has not met the full ideals because of its lack of inclusion of women in important decision making processes.

For Nigerian women, democracy is seen as retrogressing, sadly moving backward, with the dwindling number of women in governance in Nigeria, which we consider rather alarming.

However, not voting will not only worsen the situation, but tactically widen the gender gap in politics and leadership hence women are advised to go all out and support every female candidate, she said.

Lau said that voting women into elective positions, will greatly enhance the quality of lives of women in terms of healthcare, agriculture, procurement, business and access to funds, grants and loans.

She expressed confidence that in spite of series of attacks on INEC personnel and facilities, the commission has committed to live up to expectations.

Lau called on the public to support INEC, while urging the commission to be open to comments from Nigerians that would help in achieving its set objectives.

The president urged INEC to do more to ensure that elections are won at the polls and not at the court as a result of technicalities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Joseph Edeh)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former Ghanaian President John Mahama will lead West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mediation Team to Nigeria for the 2023 general election.

The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) in a statement by its Communications Officer, Wealth Ominabo, in Abuja on Saturday said that Mahama and his team are billed to arrive in Abuja on Feb. 22.

Ominabo said that the team was expected to be on the ground for the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections as well as the March 11, state elections.

He listed other members of the team to include Nigeria former President Goodluck Jonathan; former Beninese President, Boni Yayi, and former Vice President of the Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang.

Also in the team are former Burkinabe Prime Minister and president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Kadre Ouedraogo and former Deputy Chair of the African Union (AU), Dr Erastus Mwencha.

Ominabo said the GJF Executive Director and Coordinator of the WAEF Secretariat, Ann Iyonu, disclosed that the focus of the forum is to interface with key stakeholders and provide the necessary support that would ensure peaceful elections.

Iyonu added that the leaders would be working with key stakeholders in the elections as well as the observer missions, to ensure a crisis-free process before, during, and after the elections.

Unlike other observation missions, the forum has a special focus on election-related conflicts, and the Elders will be on the ground for a longer time.

The forum made up of former Presidents and Heads of Government in West Africa will be interacting with the candidates, political parties and members, the citizens, the election umpire, observers, and other key stakeholders all the time.

The leaders will be looking out for crisis triggers, with the mind of nipping them in the bud by offering mediatory roles and giving relevant advice to ensure peaceful polling, based on their personal experiences as former leaders of the sub-region.

The leaders will also be calling for individual accountability by those who by their actions or inactions undermine the democratic process and endanger lives, Iyonu said.

Ominabo recalls that during the Gambian elections in December 2022, WAEF carried out a similar engagement where they deployed a team led by Jonathan.

He said that the presence of the WAEF team in The Gambia and their mediatory activities, especially after the elections, helped to resolve post-election tensions that threatened the integrity and outcome of the poll.

He added that WAEF team would be in Abuja to witness the second signing of the National Peace Accord by Presidential candidates and chairpersons of political parties.

He recalled WAEF earlier deployed a three-man delegation to Nigeria to undertake a pre-election mediation mission.

The delegation, which had strategic engagements with key stakeholders from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6, 2022 was made up of former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma; former Vice President of the Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang.

Also in the team was Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambers; former President of the ECOWAS Commission and former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the UNOWAS.

The WAEF, an initiative of the GJF, was established to serve as a home-grown and non-partisan platform of past heads of state and government in West Africa.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

DD/Website

AU body appoints Nigerian clergyman its ambassador

By Temitope Ponle

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he stands ready to work with leaders of African countries to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

In a statement issued by the Peoples Republic of China in Abuja, Xi said this in his message to the 36th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday.

The Chinese president extended congratulations to African countries and the people in the opening of the summit.

He said the AU, over the past year, had united and led African countries to stand up to global challenges and accelerate the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He also said the AU played an important role in mediating issues in Africa, which had boosted its international status and influence.

He also spoke of sincere hope for African countries and people to achieve greater success on their path of development and revitalisation.

Xi further said China-Africa relations maintained sound momentum in development in 2022, adding that cooperation between China and Africa was moving steadily forward in an all-round, multi-tiered and high-quality fashion.

He said the cooperation took the lead in international collaboration with Africa.

However, the Chinese president said he was willing to work with African leaders to further enhance friendly cooperation between China and Africa, and facilitate coordination in international and regional affairs. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

DD/Website

EFCC operatives

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered an additional sum of nine hundred million Naira for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The spokesman for the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.

He alleged that the sum was part of money which some deposit money banks fraudulently withheld since 2015 and refused to remit into the Treasury Single Account for NHIS.

According to him, the recovered sum was released to NHIS on Feb. 8.

He noted that the commission, had on Feb. 10, 2022, released to the NHIS, N1.5 billion recovered from the banks.

The commission had also on Aug. 5, 2022, released N1.4 billion to the scheme.

The Executive Secretary of NHIS, Prof. Muhammad Nasir Sambo, had on July 29, 2021, praised EFCC for assisting NHIS in the recovery of funds trapped in commercial banks. (NAN)(www.nannews ng)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News

Gov. Babajide-Sanwo-Olu of Lagos

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Saturday appealed to residents to remain calm, even in the face of the difficulties and frustrations due to cash shortage.

Sanwo-Olu made the appeal while addressing newsmen at Lagos House, Marina, on the current situation caused by Naira redesign in the country.

He urged Lagos residents to avoid all forms of violence, arson and rioting, as sure were not the solutions to the difficulties and frustrations being presently experienced.

Let me thank you, the good people of Lagos for your patience and unwavering perseverance even in these challenging times.

My fellow Lagosians, this is a heartfelt call to you, as your Governor, to please remain calm at this time, and avoid all forms of violence, arson and rioting.

Even in the face of the difficulties and frustrations being faced by all, violence and destruction should not and will never be the answer.

We know that there are unscrupulous persons who want to sow seeds of violence and discord by their very utterances and actions, all with the view of robbing you of the chance to cast your votes in the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Do not allow them to use you to achieve their evil intentions, the governor said.

According to him, there is no justification whatsoever for attacking public or private property.

He said that the law enforcement agents had received clear instructions to take full control and ensure zero tolerance for any and all acts of arson, violence and destruction.

Sanwo-Olu enjoined all law-abiding residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear.

As a government that fully understands the challenges that you are faced with, with regards to access to cash, we are working very hard to provide palliative measures to lessen the burdens being faced.

As part of these measures, I have already approved an immediate reduction in transportation charges for public-owned transport, across the Lagos State public transport system: our buses, ferries and taxis.

We are also equally in discussion with private transport operators not to hike fares at this point of time, given the difficult circumstances in which many Lagosians find themselves.

We have also since commenced the distribution of food packs, to the most vulnerable citizens, the people most impacted by this disruption in the supply of cash.

We will continue to highlight more vulnerable groups within our distribution channels who would benefit from the palliatives.

As we scale up the rollout of these palliatives, we ask for your continued patience and understanding. Remain calm and go about your lawful activities and duties, he said.

The governor said the Lagos State Government under his watch would continue to stand by, with and for the ordinary people of Lagos.

He thanked the Police and other security agencies/operatives that had been working round the clock to maintain the peace, law and order in the state.

We owe you a debt of gratitude. May I also use this opportunity to ask you not to relent in your efforts at continuing to keep the peace in and around the metropolis, Sanwo-Olu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Mr Peter Obi

Peter-Obi

By Angela Atabo

A coalition of Obidient groups on Saturday called on Nigerians to vote for a presidential candidate without political baggage ahead of the Feb. 25 elections.

Mr Marcel Ngobgehei, Head of Strategy and Operations, Obidient Global March, made the call on Saturday during a rally in Abuja.

Ngobgehei said that this was because the political atmosphere had been characterised with moneybags and godfatherism politics.

He said that the 2023 General Elections had presented Nigerians with the opportunity to change the narrative of politics in the nation .

He said that the Obidient Movement started from the idea of rescuing Nigeria by ensuring that credible leaders came into power.

So at the inception, the obedient movement came together and said it was enough, Nigeria has to move ahead the way other civilised countries are moving.

We deployed some strategies and identified a candidate different from what we have in the political space of the country where we have money bags.

This is because we dont want our candidate to carry baggage because when people sponsor your candidate, then it becomes baggage.

When he gets into office they will want to influence him to say remember we put you there, but Peter Obi has no political baggage, nobody can say he is the one that brought him this far .

Ngobgehei said that the masses were the structure of Labour Party and they would do their best to ensure his victory, adding that Obi had come this far because of the goodwill of the people and notary political father.

He said that the group deployed some strategies to promote his presidential ambition by mobilising resources and people.

He called on Nigerians not to sell their votes but use them wise to decide their leader .

It is a new era where the youth decide who becomes their president and not one imposed on them by some money bags or groups of delegates anywhere, enough is enough.

Ms Nina Atalor, Focal Person for Support Groups at the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said so far the party had carried women along in its affairs .

She said it was a sign that women would benefit greatly and be supported in the govement of Peter Obi.

The female gender is well represented, most of our regional and state coordinators are females, they are well positioned and they have proved themselves.

This is our time, not just the youth this, its the time for the female gender .

Our principal Peter Obi has always said that he is very interested in the female gender, in positioning and strengthening us .

Atalor urged Nigerians to come out in mass and vote for Obi for a better nation.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Alex Enebeli

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Frank Nweke Jr, has warned traders in Afor Ogwuiga and Eke Obinagu, against accepting money in exchange for their votes in the coming election.

Sharing his plans for the people during a tour of some markets on Friday, Nweke stated that politics and elections were no longer business as usual.

Politics should be about the welfare of the people.

In the case where a political party has failed to uplift you, the only option left is for you to vote them out and vote for people whose sole interest is to serve you, he said.

In response several traders reaffirmed their commitment to voting for competence and character in the coming election.

They stated that their desire was to have a change in the state of affairs.

Victoria Sylvanus, a trader, said they did not need any politicians money.

We have suffered enough. We want water. We want good roads. We want a good governor like you, Frank Nweke Jr. We dont want money she said.(NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

DD/Website

Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Sambo

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Muazu Sambo, has appointed the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) as port regulator to establish a Port Community System (PCS) before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

Sambo made the call when he paid a visit to the council in Lagos on Friday.

According to Sambo, Nigeria needs a port community system that can compete favourably with its counterparts.

The minister cited the Republic of Benin as a country that has working port community system.

You are the regulator of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and other agencies that have anything to do with the port.

The responsibility is on you to ensure we have a port community system. I think it is because we have not placed the responsibility on somebody, thats why we have not been able to achieve the PCS.

Next week, I will call you and other agencies and roll-out the issue. We must have a PCS working for us in Nigeria before the administration comes to a close, he said.

Sambo, however, noted that NSC would be held responsibile if a PCS was not provided by May 29.

He urged the council to look at a country with an effective port community system and replicate its template for Nigeria.

This is a question of direct procurement, were not going to circumvent the law of the land. The Public Procurement Act gives us opportunity to do direct procurement.

You need to coordinate as I have given you the role today, he said.

According to him, having a single window is attainable if the country had a functioning port community system that works, because all that is needed is integrating those presently available.

On concessioning of terminal operators leases, he noted that the NPA should not have recommended to the ministry its renewal without the impute of the council.

Renewal of leases should be done terminal by terminal, with original agreement, Keep Performance Index (KPI) should be looked into, to know if they have met with the development plan, cargo traffic, revenue and others.

Others include the obligations incumbent on them, how they have performed, everything should be clear and if they have achieved what was set out to achieve, he said.

Sambo noted that port reforms were meant to achieve efficiency, increase cargo, revenue amongst others.

He urged the council to ensure that when terminal operators leases were not to be renewed, they must be bold enough to say so.

I am going to give you this role. So start getting ready for it, get the concession agreement that was signed in 2006, identify all the KPIs now, lock everything in your system and be ready to work, he said.

Earlier, Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, NSC, hinted that the minister of transportation on some of the tasked achieved by the council.

According to Jime, the council has been charged to focus on some of the tasks that can quickly be achieved within the time frame given to it.

I told you that we needed to complete the process of the development of the inland dry port infrastructure put in place, as well as update on other key transport infrastructure being promoted NSC.

We accompanied you this month together with the President to deliver on your first low hanging fruit in the industry, the Dala dry port and also the Funtua as the port of origin and destination.

These are key transport infrastructure that will aid the policy of the federal government as regards exportation, he said.

Jime explained that the next milestone was the implementation of the cargo tracking note as well as its history and challenges.

Jime noted that the minister had given the assurance on the implementation of the note.

He stressed the need to strengthen the legal framework of the NSC to be able to perform its functions and bring about efficiency at the port.

The funding source of the NSC is completely inadequate. The one per cent freight stabilisation levy is the main source of the NSC and we have never been able to access that source of revenue, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the visit had in attendance the board and management team of the NSC as well as the entourage of the minister. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Source: NAN News

Some foodstuffs in Nigeria

By Aderemi Bamgbose

Residents of Okitipupa, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State appeared to have find succour in Hausa traders in Sabo Market in the town where they now swap their old naira notes for foodstuffs and condiments.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traders and commercial motorists in the town began full rejection of the old N500 and N1,000 notes, immediately after President Muhammadu Buhari addressed on Thursday, sparing only N200 as continued legal tender, until April 10.

A visit by NAN Correspondent to Sabo Market in Okitipupa on Friday, showed large crowd of residents, openly swapping their old N500 and N1000 notes for items like rice, beans, tomatoes, pepper, onions among others.

NAN also reports that the Hausa traders, in turn, jacked up the prices of their foodstuffs, as a rubber of rice and beans formerly sold for N1,500 and N800, now cost N2,500 and N1,500 respectively.

In same vein, the quantities of pepper, tomatoes and onions, hitherto sold for between N200 and N300, have now been increased to between N500 and N800.

Alhaji Amidu Abubakar, a Hausa rice trader said he had sold more than seven bags of rice between Thursday and Friday, and that residents were indeed trooping to the market to swap their old naira notes for foodstuffs.

My sales have increased since yesterday because residents here are no longer collecting the old notes and we are still collecting, because its Nigeria money, Abubakar said.

Mr Kabiru Muhammed, a beans trader, said he had sold eight bags of beans since Thursday, saying that he was surprised at the crowd that suddenly began to besiege the market since yesterday(Thursday).

I have sold eight bags of beans since yesterday, the price of a rubber is N800 if you have the new notes, but it is N1,500 for old notes, he said.

Another Hausa condiment trader also said his pepper, tomatoes and onions sales have increased, saying he was happy for the turn-over.

Mrs Rebecca Korede, a resident, said she heard from her neighbour that Hausa traders were still collecting the old notes, in exchange for foodstuffs, and that since she still had large amount of the old notes, she had to patronise Sabo market.

I still have large amount of old notes and our Yoruba market women no longer collect the old notes, so I have to partronise Hausa traders at Sabo Market to exchange some part of the old notes for foodstuffs, so I dont lose on both sides., she said.

Another resident, Mrs Modeola Ajayi also said she preferred swapping the old notes for foodstuffs, rather than wasting the large chunk of the old notes she still had at hand.

Although, these Hausa traders have increased the prices of their goods, but do I have any other choice? I have to patronise Sabo market in order to relieve me of the frustration concerning the old notes, Ajayi said.

Mr Olusegun Adeyi, another resident also said that the Yoruba traders should also reason along and take a bold steps like their Hausa counterparts on the issue of the old notes, so that the frustration would not degenerate into further protests. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idowu Ariwodola/Tayo Ikujuni

Source: NAN News

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested an accountant of a filling station at Dutse Alhaji in Abuja.

The Commissions spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the accountant was arrested over alleged new Naira notes racketeering.

According to her, this latest arrest follows the continued onslaught by the commission on some elements who have taken advantage of the scarcity of the new Naira notes to swindle unsuspecting Nigerians.

Ogugua said that the Commissions Monitoring Team had earlier received a tip-off that the said filling station deliberately disconnected its Point of Sale (POS) services to aid its fraudulent practices.

Hence, motorists could not have access to the Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called Petrol, using their Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

Upon reaching the Petrol Station, the Team found out that motorists were forced to pay for the product in cash, and those without the new notes were directed to a POS operator directly opposite the station to access their cash.

ICPC operatives found out that the POS did not only belong to the accountant of the Filling Station, but it was indulging high charges as commission against the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) was discovered with the POS operator which the Team directed that it should be paid into a bank account.

Ogugua said the accountant and the POS operator were promptly arrested, adding that, both of them have been granted administrative bail by the Commission.(NAN)

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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

Prof. Razaq Abubakre

By Abigael Joshua

Prof. Razaq Abubakre, a former Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin has commended the APC presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu for always appointing competent Nigerians to positions without discriminating.

Abubakre who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that this is one of the qualities that make Tinubu best suited to be president of Nigeria.

He said that Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, appointed Raji Fashola, Ben Akabueze, Joe Igbokwe and Yemi Osibanjo among others and the personalities had excelled in their service to Lagos State and the nation.

The emeritus professor said Tinubu has leadership qualities and the ability of turning challenges into opportunities, as such he is always proactive in his decisions and policies.

For example, he increased internally generated revenue by many folds when President Obasanjo withheld the local government allocation for Lagos State.

Tinubu is innovative. He embraced innovation to remove ghost workers and ghost positions through effective database management of big and deep data. He also enshrined good governance and respect for the rule of law.

This strengthened institutions and ensured the sanctity of agreements which enhanced ease of doing business and reduced transactional costs allowing businesses to thrive in Lagos, Abubakre said.

He expressed the strong belief that what Tinubu achieved in Lagos as the state governor would be replicated if he is elected president of the country.

Abubakre said that Tinubus qualities and innovative way of proferring solutions to challenges and issues made him best suited to address insecurity, low national cohesion, Nigerias revenue challenge and the massive exodus of Nigerian youths.

He will build industrial hubs across the country, revive critical industries by ensuring essential sectors such as the steel sector, e.g. Ajaokuta steel rolling mill, and unleash the benefit of using and exporting cleaner gas by encouraging investment.

Notably, he will create the enabling environment to support Nigerian youths to leverage their energy, dexterity and passion in technology, entertainment and fashion to earn foreign exchange while working from Nigeria.

Many actors in his detractors political camps often behave as agnostics, underestimating what God shall do or acting His role, he said.

Abubakre said such detractors took delight in arranging to put stones, snakes and scorpions on Tinubus way in order for him not to advance.

They are always oblivious of the primordial divine intervention from the mysterious power of The Almighty God.

With this divine superior might, all the strategems of the opponents often boomerang resulting in reversal of fortune for them.

It is this unassailable and inalienable power of God The Omnipotent that more often than not abide by Tinubu and shall grant Tinubu victory at the poll to the eternal chagrin of the evil plotters, come what may, he predicted.

Abubakre was Head of the Department of Religions at the University of Ilorin from 1992 to 1995 and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ilorin from 2001 to 2003.

After that, he became Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin from 2008 to 2010 and Federal Commissioner, Osun Public Complaints Commission from 2012 to 2018.

Abubakre is a member of Agba Osun (Elders of Osun) from 2021 to date. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

Mr Adesote Adebowale

By Kingsley Okoye

Nigerian entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer, Sotab Continental Limited, Mr Adesote Adebowale, has been inducted by the Chartered Institute of Public Resource Management and Politics (CIPRMP), Ghana, into its 2023 Fellowship Hall of Fame.

CIPRMP has a focus to re-position economy of the African continent through cross-fertilisation of ideas from high-level intellectual executives and outstanding statesmanship leaders, and growth oriented public servants.

It is poised to make the African continent an exemplary hub of unrivalled political and socio-economic excellence.

According to a statement by the institute in Abuja on Friday, Adebowale bagged an Honorary Doctorate, also received a special Gold Award.

The award was conferred on him as a world-class corporate professional, policy development expert, exceptional business executive, renowned entrepreneurial of international repute in construction and housing sectors development.

The award was presented by the Executive Directors of the institute, led by the Head, West African Operations, Dr Richard Ikpadaku.

This award is given to only individuals who have consistently demonstrated uncommon resilience and innovation in their various economic engagements, he said.

Ikpadaku said that the institution greatly commended Adesotes corporate relevance over the years and his indefatigable passion for economic growth, having spent several years in projecting excellent image of Nigeria internationally.

He said the wonderful humanitarian services through his foundation and indefatigable passion for economic growth of Nigeria as an exemplary and patriotic nation builder, was phenomenal.

Adebowale in his remarks after the award, said: This is another reason for myself to keep doing my best to pursue and support dreams of all those who need help.

My foundation has been there to continue to support the youths and those vulnerable persons in our streets; If we all continue to contribute in our own little way, Nigeria will be better.

He also thanked the institution for the recognition and pledged to keep supporting them as their mission resonated with his ideas. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Cross section of participants at the EU-funded British Council Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) programme in Abuja

By Cecilia Ijuo

The British Council through the European Union-funded Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) Programme, has advised the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to promote compliance to legislative and regulatory requirements, self-governance, and transparency among others.

The Country Director, British Council, Lucy Pearson stressed this on Thursday, in Abuja while it assembled 200 CSOs at a discuss titled Knowledge Share Fair.

The theme of the discus is Nigerian CSOs Translating Knowledge to Capacity and Impact harped on compliance to legislative and regulatory requirements, self-governance, and transparency among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that ACT works in partnership with CSOs in 10 states across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

The states are Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

ACT supports the capacity development of CSOs in Nigeria to become more effective and credible agents of sustainable development among others.

According to Pearson one of the programmes focus is to help citizens to contribute towards inclusive and open society.

She said the programme had assisted CSOs from the 10 focal states since 2019 in the area of training, coaching and mentorship.

Pearson said the knowledge share fair was organised to enable CSOs that benefitted from the programme over the years to share with others.

The fair is also organised to help find solution to challenges affecting CSOs in Nigeria.

The country director assured of British Councils commitment to contributing to inclusive, open and prosperous society.

The ACT National Programme Manager, Mr Damilare Babalola said the knpwledge share was organised to allow CSOs share their learnings and experience on the programme.

Todays event is meant to ascertain how the programme has translated to tangible results and impact on the various organisations and communities.

The British Council wants an inclusive society and sustainable development, he said.

Mr Oyebisi Oluseyi, Executive Director, Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organisations(NNNGO) said CSOs in Nigeria had been faced with issues of trust, transparency and accountability in recent times.

He said the body was not unmindful of the fact that some CSOs might not be credible.

According to Oluseyi, who was a keynote speaker at the event, NNNGO is working with relevant stakeholders to purge the sector of any CSO found wanting.

While thanking the British Council for the ACT Programme, the executive director said there was a need for CSOs to comply with regulatory requirements.

Data has shown that about 95 per cent of CSOs are using their own resources and only between three and five per cent of the CSOs have access to funds from donors.

It is also important to note that CSOs are voluntary, self-governing and not for profit in nature.

But be that as it may, the moment you are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) as a body you have become public and should be ready to abide by the rules he said.

He equally said it was important for regulators to minimise the demands on CSOs, adding that CSOs complain of parting with a chunk of their budgets to regulators, leaving them with meagre amount.

He said CSOs also complained of not meeting up with their obligations as a result of that.

Mr Erinomo Temilope, Chief Superintendent of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said the EU-ACT Programme had assisted the commission to extend its mandate.

Temilope, who is from the Special Control Unit against Money laundering, said, We appreciate the platform provided to reach out to where we might not be able to reach.

NAN reports that the event was attended by government agencies like the Pension Commission (PenCom), Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) and other relevant stakeholders.

High point of the event was gallery tour, documentary show and exhibition among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

Mr Hamzat Lawal ,Chief Executive CODE (2nd left) with other during the unveiling of the report in Abuja

By Angela Atabo

A civil society organisation, Connected Development (CODE) has unveiled a pre-election security assessment report and electoral intelligence technology to monitor the 2023 elections.

Mr Hamzat Lawal ,Chief Executive CODE , at the official launch in Abuja said the report has tagged Same Currency for Violence; Troubling Elections and the EI electoral monitoring tool were initiatives under its Uzabe platform.

According to Lawal, using the Uzabe platform, CODE actively participated in election observation in Nigerias 2015 and 2019 General Elections and deployed over 10,000 observers in both polls.

He said that for the 2023 elections, leveraging the Uzabe platform, CODE would deploy 20,000 community-based observers to provide real-time situation reports from their polling units using two of its channels to provide structured and unstructured data.

CODE is not interested in the result of the elections but interested in the processes of the elections to ensure that INECs guidelines are adequately met in this election.

The high rate of insecurity as well as the cash crunch due to the Central Banks currency redesign policy has escalated the tension causing growing fears, and might impact voter turnout, and as well cause voter apathy among Nigerians.

We know that corrupt politicians were planning to leverage on this situation to further induce voters, and we are scared that Nigerians may have no option than to sell their votes on election day because of the impact of access to naira.

One area we are also concerned about is the fact that INEC, looking at the Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 as amended, has the powers to postpone this election on the possibility of breach of peace and security.

Lawal said that CODE was also partnering with Meta to help bring down fake news on social media that might make round on the day of the election.

He said that CODE would collaborate with security agencies and critical stakeholders who would use the platform to have security insights to improve security situations.

There will be an upcoming situation room by CODE on Friday Feb. 24 which will involve other CSOs.

Also speaking, Mr Emmanuel Njoku , Director of Democracy and Governance, CODE , called for the need to extend Nigerias voting time from six hours upwards.

Njoku said that Kenya deployed technology similar to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS ) for its recently concluded 2022 Elections.

He said that Kenyas voting population of about 22 million had about 11-12 hours to cast their ballot.

Still, Nigeria with a larger population of registered voters allocated only six hours for voters to carry out their civic responsibility.

Meanwhile , CODE also held a roundtable between media and Civil Society Organisations to drive collaborations on effective coverage and reporting of the 2023 elections.

The roundtable was on how CSOs and media practitioners could uphold the integrity of the electoral process and the forthcoming elections.

Present at the event were Directors and representatives from various CSOs like the International Centre for investigative reporting (ICIR), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC),and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Others were : SERAP, Accountability Lab, Radio Now, Citizen FM, Ready to Lead Africa, and other reputable media and Civil Society Organisations.

A memorandum of understanding(MOU) was signed between CODE and media organisations to facilitate collaborative efforts toward tackling fake news, misinformation, and disinformation that have the potential to significantly impact the 2023 elections. (NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/SadiyaHamza

Source: NAN News

NYSC members

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on communities in Lagos State to accept and offer necessary assistance to corps members posted to them to enable them serve them and the country effectively.

Mrs Yetunde Baderinwa,the State NYSC Coordinator, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos,

Baderinwa said that the NYSC had prioritised grassroots, health and education sectors in the deployment of corps members after the mandatory three-week orientation course.

According to her, the NYSC believes that the grassroots,education and health sectors are areas where corps members are most needed and can better impact the society .

We expect communities where our corps members are posted to embrace them and see them as their own.

They should support them in any way they can, irrespective of tribal or religious differences .

They need all encouragement to feel at home and have a sense of belonging to spur them to be committed and deliver services better in their host communities, she said

On deployment of corps members ,the coordinator said NYSC could deploy corps members based on requests by organisations.

According to her,letters of requests from such organisations are usually verified by NYSC before postings are made.

We receive letters from some organisations requesting corps members, as the case may be.

We verify the request letters and inform them(organisations) to pay them monthly stipends before posting, she said.

Baderinwa noted that a number of organisations had been working with the scheme in ensuring that corps members discharge their duties during the service year,commending them for their efforts.(NAN)

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Source: NAN News

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has tasked relevant stakeholders to support the Humanitarian Mine Action with a view to tackle its devastating impact of land mines on victims.

Farouk who was represented by the Director, Humanitarian Affairs Mr Grema Ali, said the call also underscored the Federal Governments determination to grow capacity towards ensuring ownership of Humanitarian Mine Action Centre to be established soon.

The Minister spoke on Wednesday during a stakeholders meeting on the establishment of a National Humanitarian Mine Action Centre organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in Abuja.

She said that, Nigeria is a party to the United Nations convention relating to explosive ordinance and humanitarian mine action.

According to Farouk, each of the conventions places certain responsibilities on the Federal Government and Nigeria as a responsible member of the international community.

Based on the Presidential directive, the Ministry has established the National Humanitarian Mine Action Committee.

The committee is to tackle issues associated with mine action by leading and coordinating all humanitarian mine action activities in Nigeria, she said.

The Minister said the Committee would provide neccessary advice, recommendations, plans and projects to ensure that Nigeria met its international obligations under the various conventions.

Farouk said that the ministry had identified mine action as one of the key strategic tasks that required involvement of all stakeholders to tackle.

She said this was by providing enabling environment through which personal security was guaranteed, especially in the North-East.

For instance, Explosive Ordinance mostly notably improvised explosive devices, cause deaths and severe injuries, impedes access to basic socio-economic activities.

It also hampers safe resettlement and movement of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Farouk said.

Also speaking at the event, the Coordinator of Humanitarian Mine Action Committee, a retired Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu, said, the threats posed by the explosive ordinance especially in the northeast been documented in several national and international document.

Sadeeq noted that, the Buhari administration made humanitarian mine action a priority area.

By identifying explosive ordinance risks as one of the challenges of return and prolonged displacement and had identified 38 targeted local government areas as directly affected by violent destructions and are contaminated by various types of explosive ordinances.

While many of the communities reclaimed from insurgents through the successful advancement of the Nigerian military have been identified as booby-trapped with land mines and unexploded bombs. he said.

In his goodwill message, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mr Buki Ponle, represented by Dr. Razak Owolabi, assured the gathering of the determination of his Agency to provide effective media coverage of activities of the Ministry.

Ponle also commended the ministry for their efforts to address cases associated with mine action in Nigeria(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

AMU/ORO

Edited by Razak Owolabi

Deputy Editor in Chief,
Head of Website/Solutions Journalism desk.

Source: NAN News

Old and new naira notes

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reintroduction of the old N200 note as legal tender alongside the new N200 note until April 10.

The president gave the approval in a nationwide broadcast on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the approval was necessitated by the need to cushion the hardship experienced by citizens following the implementation of the new monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Nigerian leader revealed that the approval was also as a result of wide consultations with relevant stakeholders.

I similarly consulted widely with representatives of the State Governors as well as the Council of State. Above all, as an administration that respect the rule of law I have also noted that the subject matter is before the court of our land and some pronouncements had been made.

To further ease the supply pressure particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank note be released back into circulation and that should also be allowed to circulate as a legal tender with the new N200, N500 and N1,000 bank notes for 60 days from Feb. 10, 2023 to April 10, 2023 when the old N200 ceases to be legal tender.

In line section 20 sub-section 3 of the CBN Act 2007, all the existing old N1,000 and N500 notes remain redeemable at CBN and designated points.

The president, who listed the advantages of the ongoing financial reforms embarked upon by the apex bank, challenged the citizens to make their deposits of the old notes by taking advantage of the platforms and windows being provided by the CBN.

According to him, he has since directed the CBN to deploy all legitimate resources and legal means to ensure that citizens are adequately educated on the new policy, enjoy easy access to cash withdrawal through availability of appropriate amount of currency and ability to make deposits.

He also directed the CBN to intensify collaboration with anti- corruption agencies in checking the activities of those who were bent on sabotaging the smooth implementation of the new Naira redesign policy.

He reassured that government would continue to assess the implementation of the policy with a view to ensuring that Nigerians are not unnecessarily burdened while urging the CBN to ensure the availability of the new Naira notes across the country.

The president, who called for more understanding from the citizens, reiterated the commitment of his administration to handover a financially stable economy to the incoming administration on May 29, 2023. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Deputy Editor in Chief,
Head of Website/Solutions Journalism desk.

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government has urged the Chartered Institute for Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA) to evolve measures that will transform and promote the countrys transport sector.

Prince Ademola Adegoroye, the Minister of State for Transportation, made the call during the inauguration of the 2nd Governing Council of CIOTA in Abuja.

Adegoroye commended achievements of the institute, adding that it had supported the ministry in policy formulation, development of initiative and development of local capacity in the country.

Prince Segun Obayendo, President, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA), emphasised the need for synergy between relevant stakeholders and the government to advance the countrys transportation sector.

Obayendo said the collaboration would bring about the positive change desired in the nations transport sector.

Obayendo, Chairman of CIOTAs Governing Council, said the council was the highest decision making body of the institute, charged with providing policy guidelines for effective administration of the institute.

He said, the implementation of these key responsibilities is germane, particularly as the institute strives to implement its laws and ensure professionalism and efficient management and administration of transportation in Nigeria.

There is therefore, a greater need for synergy among the newly constituted governing board, relevant stakeholders and the government at all levels.

He said such synergy would strengthen public engagements, advocacy initiatives and ensure implementation of policies for the mutual advancement of the transport sector.

While commending the visionary founding fathers of the institute, Obayendo said the institute had made giant commendable strides since its inception.

According to him, CIOTA has the onerous responsibility of advancing the study, training and regulating the practice of transport management and administration in Nigeria, regardless of the specialisation within the industry.

He said it also provided professional opinion to government on current and proposed transport policies, whether as a result of prepared legislation or custom and practice.

The governing council chairperson pledged the commitment of members to work with well -meaning stakeholders to bequeath an institute that would take the transportation sector to greater heights.

Dr Anthonia Ekpa, former Transport Director, Ministry of Transport, expressed her wiliness to support CIOTA in achieving its desired goals.

Ekpa, a member of the World Road Safety Organisation, said she planned to introduce the organisation in Nigeria, and sought the collaboration of the institute to ensure this was realised.

The Director-General, Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute, Prof. Sampson Duna, reiterated the need for collaboration among relevant stakeholders to ensure safe and cheap means of transportation for Nigerians.

We are ready to partner with any stakeholder in the transport sector and fund their projects that is geared towards advancing the sector, Duna said.

The Chairman, Membership and Planning Committee of the CIOTA, Prof. Odewumi Samuel, expressed optimism that the recently inaugurated council would develop measures that would help tackle most challenges faced in the sector.

The Deputy President of CIOTA, Alhaji Umar Iya, said he had confidence that the committee would move the institute forward and drive its policies.

Mrs Chinwe Uwaegbute, National Publicity Secretary of CIOTA, said the committee would as a matter of urgency, hit the ground running to ensure it delivered on its campaign promises.

You will recall that the president, during his campaign, made a lot of promises; what we are looking at is that at the end of this inauguration, we want to hit the ground running.

We are looking forward to a very realistic roadmap and how we can easily achieve them in the remaining space of months that we have for this tenure, she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Niger Delta Development Commission, in collaboration with the Savannah Centre for Development and Training L.td., on Wednesday in Abuja trained over 70 staffers of the commission on policy formulation and security management.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the training was: A management Implant on Policy Making in a Dynamic World and Security Management.

Speaking to newsmen during the training, the Executive Director of the centre, Amb. Sani Bala, said that the aim of the training was to enhance the performance of the commissions personnel.

Bala also said that the training would equip the staffers to have a better understanding of security issues in the Niger Delta, with a view to enabling them collaborate with the security agencies to ensure the security of the entire communities in the region.

He topics of the training centred on policy formulation, because all activities of organisations are largely dependent on the policies they produce to achieve our objectives and goals.

Bala said: So, if you dont have the right policy definitely you are going to have difficulties in attaining your goals and objectives and that is why we trained them on how to formulate policies.

If you look at the content of the presentation on policy formulation it is very rich, comprehensive and garmane. The other aspects is on management. There is going to be a presentation management.

How do you plan, organise, coordinate and also direct or implement the policy direction of the organisation? Then the third aspect is the issue of security because security is a very serious challenge, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

And for any organisation that is going to operate in the Niger Delta region must be conscious of the security. So it is very important we equip the staff of NDDC on the issues of security challenges. How do you management, prevent the situation that may challenge the security of the region.

Also, a Deputy Director at NDDC, Mr Chris Ekah, affirmed that the training was designed, among others, to equip the staffers with the relevant knowledge on policy making and assist them on how to deliver on the mandate of the NDDC.

The second aspect of the training is on security management. As you are aware Niger Delta is a very volatile area unlike Abuja here, so we are training our staffers to be very mindful of the environment.

It also focuses on how to guard themselves in the area as well as safeguard our information in terms of our work tools, information flow within the system and the commission, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, an Assistant Manager, Abuja Liaison Office of the commission, Mr Utin Archibong, said the training had been very incisive, educating and it brought to fore what policy formulation in context should look like.

He said: It simply means that our policy should be more domesticated here, within our environment, the Niger Delta region and the country at large.

And that it should be more inclusive because when we have a lots of inclusiveness, the outcome will be much more better than we see now. (NAN) ( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari will make a national broadcast on Feb. 16, 2023 at 7.00a.m.

The Presidents spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, confirmed this in a statement late Wednesday night.

Adesina, therefore, enjoined television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
edited by Sadiya Hamza

Deputy Editor in Chief,
Head of Website/Solutions Journalism desk.

Source: NAN News