By Georgina Adegbie

The Association of Former Female Athletes in Nigeria (AFFAN) has unveiled the first Netball Court in Nigeria to develop the sport from the grassroots.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unveiling ceremony of the first netball court and equipment was held at the Old Parade Ground on Saturday in Abuja.

The unveiling ceremony was tagged: #AFFAN revamp netball.

The President of the AFFAN, Esther Aluko, told newsmen that the aim of the association was to revive the sport in the country.

According to her, the mission of the association is to develop the sport in all the six geopolitical zones so as to make the game popular in every state.

We want the game to be known in all primary and tertiary schools in the country because this is where we can get raw talent. We will organised more competition to catch them young, she said.

She said the first thing is to create awareness of the sports in the country.

She said that the sports was in existence in the year 60s and 70s, but it died because of lack of facilities.

I played netball in the 60s in the primary school and I played netball in the 70s in the secondary schools.

We dont have the netball courts and basketball came and kill the sport and took over even the few existing courtyards.

We need a permanent netball court. We have spoken to the officials of FCT secondary school boards, and they have assured us that they will give us three secondary schools per each Abuja council area, she said

Aluko, who is also the Secretary of Nigeria Netball Federation said they are sending out equipment to zonal areas to develop the sport.

The sports we have no facilities and without facilities we cannot develop any sports. The essence of having this court in Abuja is to create an awareness.

We are sending out the equipment to primary, secondary schools and zonal centres for them to be able to construct net court neighborhood.

It is important for us to spread the game of netball to the states. We cant just stay here in Abuja and say that Netball is back. This is just an official launch.

We have already received demands from some clubs from the States and some potential institutions to get this equipment.

We need the facilities to build infrastructures to spread the game in the neighborhood; we are working hard as an association to develop our goal which is to revive the sport in Nigeria.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) defeated AFFAN by 22-20 in a demonstration at the unveiling ceremony.

The AFFAN also donated netball equipments, including netball balls, rims/nets, and training bibs, to all the six geopolitical zones in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, on his 38th birth anniversary.

The governors congratulatory message is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba on Saturday.

The governor described the monarch as one of the foremost respected traditional rulers and man of peace with discerningly leadership qualities.

He said that the revered monarch was a leading light, a role model and eminent custodian of the culture and traditions of the Iwere people.

Okowa lauded Atuwatse III for his contribution to peace and growth of Warri Kingdom and the state since he assumed the ancient throne of his forebears.

On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, Your Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri Kingdom, on the occasion of your 38th birth anniversary.

As a government, we have enjoyed your invaluable support in many aspects and it is my belief that you will continue to make your domain a model of peace and unity.

In spite of initial hitches, Warri Kingdom has, under your royal watch, witnessed phenomenal transformation in terms of peace and development.

As a revered traditional ruler in our state and country, you have remained a peace builder, a beacon of light and a symbol of humility and excellence in leadership.

The government appreciates your royal carriage and approach to issues and I thank you immensely for your contributions towards the attainment of the Stronger Delta vision of our administration, Okowa said.

He prayed to God to bless the monarch with longer life and wisdom to enable him to continue with his service to the kingdom, state and humanity.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed safety of 14 more passengers on board the attacked Abuja-Kaduna train of March 28, bringing the total safe passengers to 186.

The NRCs Managing Director, Mr Fidet Okhiria, confirmed this in a statement he issued on Sunday.

The statement is aimed atupdating Nigerians on theon-going development regarding the clearing of the incident site (recovery of the rolling stock, repairs of the track) and status of Passengers that were on-board the AK9 train of Monday, March 28.

Of the 362 validated passengers on board the attacked AK9 train service on March 28,186 persons on the manifest are confirmed to be safe and at their various homes (additional 14 persons confirmed safe today), Okhiria said.

He said 51 phone numbers on the manifest are either switched off or not reachable since Tuesday morning and35 phone numbers on the manifest are ringing, but no response from the other end.

He stated that 60 phone numbers on the manifest when called, response non-existent, 22 persons are reported missing by their relatives and eightpersons confirmed dead.

According to Okhiria,Two coaches (SP 00016 and SP 00017) earlier re-railed have safely been moved to Rigasa Station.

He said: This brings the total number of recovered Coaches and safely moved to NRC Stations to be seven.

Intensive work continues on track repairs. More concrete Sleepers were moved to site while some section of twisted tracks has been straightened.

We remain grateful to the security agencies for all the support. We are very appreciative of the Squadron Commander MOPOL 1 Kaduna visit to the accident site today.

The NRC will continue to update the general public of developments to prevent misleading information and falsehood, the NRC boss added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Rukayat Moisemhe

FlourMills of Nigeria Plc (FMN) says the company has taken the lead inpropagating the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) agenda through its Sugarcane Outgrower Scheme.

The company made this known in a statement signed by its Head Corporate Communications, Modupe Thani, on Saturday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the schemes pilot edition ceremony took place at theGolden Sugar Companys Sunti Sugar Estate, Niger State.

According to the statement, top performers in the pilot edition of scheme, an initiative by the company, were awarded to encourage dedicated and committed participation in the programme.

It noted that FMN had participated in the NSMP and Backward Integration Plan (BIP) since its inception in 2012 through its subsidiary Golden Sugar Company situated on the Niger river.

It added that the sugarcane outgrower scheme was another integrated, direct, and productive response to the Federal Governments quest todevelop the Nigerian sugar industry to ensure it attains at least 70 per cent sugar self-sufficiency.

The company has an area of 22,000ha on which a 15,000-hectare sugar estate is being developed.

More than N73 billion has already been invested to establish the sugar estate of 3,500ha of irrigated sugar cane and a sugar factory with a 3,000 tonnes per day milling capacity.

The factory is the only one constructed under the NSMP and producing sugar today and once the development is complete 150,000 tonnes of sugar will be produced per year, it said.

Mr Anlo Du Pisani, General Manager, Sunti Sugar Estate, said that prior to the progressive agricultural interventions by the company, there were no sugarcane cultivation in the area.

Du Pisani said that establishing the outgrower scheme showed local farmers that sugarcane was an easy to grow and lucrative crop.

He added that the presence of the golden sugar company estate and sugar mill at their doorstep guaranteed technical experience, support and market for their crop.

The result has been beyond expectation and we have trained hundreds of sugarcane farmers under the out-grower scheme and have sent some to Malawi for training to scale-up their output.

The pilot edition of the Golden Sugar Company Outgrower Scheme had 29 participatory communities, each community was allocated an area ranging from one hectare to two hectares with an average of 1.45 hectare per community.

An overall of 42 hectares of land area was cultivated with sugarcane out of which 14.2ha was for plant and 27.8ha was for ratoon and at the end of the planting season, a total of 3,291 tonnes of sugarcane was delivered by the local farmers as harvest.

The stated result succinctly depicts that the scheme is a huge success not just for the group but also a proven profitable venture for communities that participated in the program, he said.

He added that the company was expanding the scheme area to cover 110ha for the coming season and planned to keep accelerating the scheme from this solid base.

FMNs Director, Group Strategy and Stakeholder Relations, Mr Sadiq Usman, highlighted the applaudable commitments taken by FMN daily to ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria.

Usman said that the company had greatly invested in feeding the nation every day and the scheme was a pragmatic example of its commitment to Nigeria and the citizens.

As a group, we are once again leading the industry in line with the implementation of the National Sugar Master Plan mandates.

The results of the Outgrower Scheme pilot edition depict that first, farming, and in this case sugarcane farming is a profitable venture especially when an inclusive investor and industry player like FMN orchestrates the process.

Secondly, we would continue to work with the Federal Government and the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) to ensure food and sugar self-sufficiency in Nigeria.

Finally, we beckon on more local farmers to key into the scheme as all existing results and feedback has proven that the programme is an inclusive investment with a shared profit model, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Dangote Fertiliser Limited has announced plans to train over one million farmers in the next three years to enhance the agricultural sector and create jobs.

Mr Uchenna Nwankwo, Deputy Sales Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Ltd., made this known in a statement on Sunday from the ongoing Enugu International Trade Fair.

Nwankwo said the training, which Is part of the companys agriculture extension services will involve spot demonstrations, result demonstrations, field demonstrations and soil sample collections.

He added that the exercise was designed to instruct farmers on the best practices in fertiliser application.

He revealed that free samples of the fertilisers would be used in field demonstrations while the results would be collated at the end of the farming season.

Earlier, President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Jasper Nduagwuike, praised Dangote Industries Limited for the sponsorship of the Enugu International Trade fair.

He said that the indigenous conglomerate activities were making great impact in the economic development of the country.

Nduagwuike lauded the firm for turning Nigerias economy from consuming to producing, by manufacturing household items, fertiliser and other products.

ECCIMA expects other companies to emulate Dangote industries because that is the only way you can change the course of this economy.

I challenge Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to understand that Dangote industries was once a SME but with hard work, resilience, and determination, it is today a conglomerate.

The profound gratitude of ECCIMA to Dangote industries for being a part of the sponsorship of the fair and this relationship will continue and for us it is morning yet on creation day, he said.

Regional Sales Director, Dangote Cement, Southeast, Mr Abayomi Shittu, said the interest of the Dangote Group was aimed at supporting government in job creation and reducing poverty in the country.

He noted that the company, through its job creation mechanism, had become the second biggest employer of labour in the country outside the government.

Shittu stated that the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, was passionate about promoting the activities of Chambers of Commerce and Industries across the nation.

He is interested in activities of all the major Chambers of Commerce and Industries in Nigeria, hence our participation in trade fairs organised by Enugu, Abuja, Ogun, Kaduna, and Kano Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

Our participation at all major trade fairs across the country is a means of demonstrating our belief that Chambers of Commerce and Industry occupy a unique position in driving economic development through their activities.

Our expectation is that this trade fair will further expand awareness for our innovative products, generate sales, get prospective buyers, improve the image of our brands, and open up new markets that will further translate in job creation, he said.(NAN)(

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

An International technical supply company, C. Woermann Nigeria, has said it would supply high-quality agricultural equipment to farmers and factory automation systems for food production in the country.

A statement issued on Sunday by Mr Klaus Okunowski, the Managing Director of C. Woermann Nigeria, said that the company took the decision when it featured at the just-concluded Agrofood Nigeria 2022.

The show which was the 7th in the Agrofood

By Taiye Olayemi

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), has emerged Chairman, Federation of Nollywood Guilds and Associations (FRENGAN).

This was disclosed in a statement by Emeka Rollas, National President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), in Lagos, on Saturday.

Rollas said this came after the coalition of Nollywood Guilds and Associations had metamorphosed into FRENGAN and now become the apex body of Nollywood.

He said Dr Ahmad Sarari, President of Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPAN) was elected, Vice Chairman.

Other elected officers of FRENGAN include, President of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) , Mr Victor Okhai as the Secretary General; President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Emeka Rollas as the PRO.

Also, Bolaji Amusan, President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners of Nigeria (TAMPAN) becomes the Treasurer, he said.

Rollas noted that it was a new dawn for Nollywood, adding that the era of anybody anywhere becoming a film maker was over.

The body is out to address all issue of Nollywood professionally in line with international best practice and shall continue to build bridges to ensure the growth and development of Nollywood in good reputation, he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

HOPE 2023 AND THE QUEST TO BRIDGE EXISTENTIAL GAPS IN NIGERIAS BODY POLITICS

BEING TEXT OF AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO OF KOGI STATE AT THE OCCASION OF HIS FORMAL DECLARATION FOR PRESIDENT IN THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS AT EAGLE SQUARE, ABUJA ON SATURDAY, 2ND OF APRIL, 202

I am grateful to Almighty God who has blessed me so much life, health, family, friends and well wishers. But for God, I would have no story worth telling at all, and no platform from which to tell it, but by His grace I am what I am. I am grateful for the opportunities to serve my country which I have been given so far. In spite of the difficulties we face today, the privilege of being a Nigerian is one I cherish dearly

Dear friends and fellow patriots, I wish to declare my intention to run for President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2023 General Elections. I will be doing so under the auspices of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). I will be running on a broad political philosophy of progressive activism through social action and political reforms

We are so blessed as a nation and yet it does not always seem so. I am running to restore Hope by providing firm guarantees of Security, Unity and Progress to all Nigerians. Our focus will be proper management of our great diversity so that it can really be an advantage. We will foster more cooperation and integration among citizens and make sure that progress is made steadily across all sectors and indicators

Despite the dire challenges facing Nigeria today, no one can deny that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has given our country the greatest achievements in public works, government housing and social services since this 4th Republic began. In addition, this administration has invested heavily in our national security. The war against insecurity may be taking longer than earlier expected but President Buhari has ensured that we have the combat resources to keep hitting our foes hard until victory is achieve

It can also not be denied that under this APC government, Nigeria is pushing forward the most comprehensive proposals for restructuring since Independence. The sum of government policies, the Electoral Act and other statutes enacted and the ongoing amendment of our Constitution are fundamentally changing the way we do things

For instance, the average Nigerian Governor has more powers today over matters of security, public transportation, taxation, fiscal federalism, mineral and agro resources, electricity, etc than at any other time in our history. These are the legacies of Mr. President. They will help the next president take longer and easier developmental strides, provided Nigerians make sure he is succeeded by one who is not out to discredit but to consolidate. I have proven time and time again that I am the only such successor in the APCs line-up for 2023.

I am running for President because I see a bright light shining at the end of the tunnel for our nation. I am not one of those who only see doom and gloom. It is my intention to take custody of that light, to pierce the dark spots in our past and present with it, to illuminate every gap in our nationhood and to fix them. I will ensure that this light is handed over in due course to successors who will be trustworthy stewards of the great future which a federal government led by me will build for our nation.

I am not an unknown quantity. I have been the Governor of Kogi State since January 27, 2016. I invite Nigerians to assess my suitability to be president on the scorecard of my performance. Of course, I mean my real scorecard, of course 00- the verifiable, tangible basket of works that we undertook and are undertaking to improve the lives and welfare of our people.

I do not deny that false and evil reports against us have often filled the press but all of us know why. He who pays the piper dictates the tune, and those who control the media control their narratives. It is well known that we offended powerful vested interests on our way to power in Kogi State.

Moreover, since we took office we have committed the unpardonable political sin in Nigeria, that is, refusal to have godfathers and kowtow to them. Their anger has burned furiously against us and sadly they have often misled the media about us. As a result, we have had to work extra hard to receive fair comment, not to talk of accolades or credit for our many achievements.

Before now, we have not cared much for biased reportage. Actually, we have gone ahead to record huge successes in spite of it. However, the 2023 Presidential Election is actually a battle for the survival of Nigeria and I am passionate enough about my country to fight for the privilege of leading her. In this race, I am adamant that the truth and nothing but the truth shall count for any assessment of Yahaya Bello, as a man, as a Governor and as a presidential aspirant.

As part of our efforts to set the records straight we have developed an e-Compendium which is probably the first and the only one of its kind among Nigerian states. We have showcased what we have done in my New Direction Administration in Kogi State there. It is domiciled at www.kogipedia.net and covers the period 2016 till date.

Kogipedia is a rich resource for research into the claims of performance which we shall be making in the course of our presidential run. I have instituted a standing reward for anyone who can disprove any of the hundreds of projects we have done in Kogi State which are showcased there. More information about how we have led the Confluence State can also be found at our official state website at www.kogistate.gov.ng

In Kogipedia you will see our strong efforts in Education, Health, Infrastructure and Utilities, Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, Civil Service and Pension Reforms, Agriculture, Security, Human Capital Development as well as our efforts in Cooperation and Integration

Chimamanda Adichie warned the world about The Danger of A Single Story. She insisted, and I agree with her, that Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can breakbut stories can also repair..

To us, it is imperative that sincere Nigerians who truly love this nation are given every resource they need to make informed voting decisions ahead of the 2023 General Elections. The question of the next Nigerian President is way too important to fall victim to lies like in past presidential elections and the truth will start with fair and accurate assessment of all candidates. In Kogipedia, you will find us telling our own story, ourselves. It is likely to be an alternative narrative to what you have heard about us, but I assure you that it is the truth.

Let me itemize the most important qualities which I consider imperative in our next Commander-in-Chief. I invite Nigerians to rate all candidates by them if we want a country that will live up to our expectations come 2023.

Youthfulness. Natural force and physical energy cannot be abated if performance is to be elevated. I am 46 and a half years old and by the grace of God, I am fit in all physical and mental faculties.

Courage. A clear capacity to be zealously affected in a good matter and to lead with courage and foresight in the pursuit of the overall best interests of the people and the nation. The aftermath of the covid pandemic has vindicated me enough for the times I stood alone and insisted that Nigerians deserve better.

Security. Proven ability to enforce Security, Unity and Peace in a large territory with difficult terrain. Citizens must be safe in their homes and assets. We must be able to safely go where we want in Nigeria, when we want. What God has helped us to do in Kogi, I am persuaded He will help us to do in Nigeria

Diversity. Our next president must possess excellent records in successfully managing diversity. We were able to take a polarized Kogi and forge it into a society that is both diverse and inclusive today. We genuinely demonstrated that every tribe, religion, gender, age, class and physical ability among us is unique and possesses intrinsic value.

We distributed projects and appointments fairly and made room at the table of government for everyone. Today we have a Kogi State where the youth are predominantly the ones in office, the women have crossed the 35% Affirmative Action threshold, People With Special Needs have adequate representation in government.

Kogi State is a microcosm of Nigeria and possesses the same diversities that, often mismanaged, have caused us so much trouble in Nigeria. However, I mobilized my people and together we are working through our differences. Is it any wonder that the brutal personality cults, tribal clashes, farmer/herdsmen conflict and religious upheavals we inherited have ceased.

One of my most outstanding achievements as Governor, and one that I am very proud of indeed, is the dismantling of these agelong dichotomies. Another is the elevation of inclusivity as a cardinal point in the compass of governance. Increasingly, the measure of an individual among us is their humanity and their merit, that is, the sum of their own character and contribution, nothing else.

I was pleasantly surprised recently when I learnt that we have achieved the 35% affirmative action threshold for women and that 54 Nigerians from every state and the FCT have been appointed into our government ranging from Cabinet seats to clerical and administrative positions. Moreover, I am gratified that these new Kogites continue to add incredible value to Kogi State.

When we talk about inclusivity within the Nigerian context, our next leader must also recognize that it cannot be fully functional without Cooperation and Integration. Nigerians must be able to live and contribute anywhere in this nation with the guarantee that they will not be called strangers there one day. To achieve this we must make sure that place of domicile gives way for place of origin in determining who is a son or daughter of the soil. Our citizenship must no longer be diminished by indigeneship. This is the next level in what it means to be a Nigerian which I will actively champion as President.

I promise that under a Yahaya Bello Presidency, Nigerians of every extraction will know what it means to be free of the principles of exclusion that currently demean our very existence. All of us deserve to belong in our country without discrimination or marginalisation and to receive our full and valuable parts in the national scheme of affairs.

I am Ebira and as a person who overcame the minority syndrome with much difficulty to be where I am today, I want every Nigerian, especially the youth, to live in a country where no tribe or religion or gender is ever considered a minority again, particularly by the things leaders do or fail to do in government.

Just like I have done in Kogi State, I will ensure that we apply a lot more empathy in how Nigerian society is run. Equity, fairness and justice must undergird government actions in the distribution of national resources and opportunities, including in the recruitment procedures of public entities. listen to all sides.

As president, I will make sure that each and every Nigerian becomes mentally and physically empowered with the unshakeable conviction and practical proof that they are not inferior to any other person for any reason. I believe that such conviction, fully internalised, frees people in their own minds and allows them to grow to heights of achievement previously thought impossible.

Leadership can lead one into some lonely places where you may have to stand on your own against other people. I have had to do that aplenty in the course of my own journey as a Governor, for example, during the covid pandemic. If there is nothing at stake a leader can afford to be flexible but once the people and their welfare are involved, one must only do what is right without caring for acclaim or accusation. Hopefully time will vindicate you. Even if it does not, you still get to have and keep a clear conscience because you did your best.

A Yahaya Bello Presidency, like his Governorship, will be tough on crime. I believe that crime is crime and all crimes are inexcusable and I have demonstrated strong capacity to neutralize crimes and criminals in Kogi State. Most Nigerians probably do not know this, but we went from being the state where violent crime was most endemic in 2015 to become one of the safest states in Nigeria from 2017 till date. Our crime rate has been one of the lowest in the country for years now. Terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes will not be tolerated when, by the help of God, I become the President and Commander-in-Chief

I will not tolerate non-state actors who take up arms against the nation whatever their grievances but I will be willing to listen to all sides and address all agitations fairly, especially those which are borne out of genuine imbalances in the treatment of citizens by the system. I will put a stop to existential mistreatment of any people among us, provided that agitators are willing to give peace a chance and threats of harm to the Nigerian Nation and People are not brought to the table as leverage.

The health or disease of our economy is crucial to the health of the country. According to a BBC News report of February 13, 2012 over 100 million Nigerians lived in extreme poverty during the PDP era. In 2018, with APC in the saddle that figure had dropped to about 87 million people, yet Nigeria overtook India as the poverty capital of the world. Just this month Nigeria, through the valiant efforts of the Buhari Administration, relinquished the ignoble title back to India, having brought the numbers down to about 70.6 million

This means that as of today we have at least 70.6 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty, which is defined as living on less than N855 per day. It is therefore clear that our path to national prosperity lies in pulling tens of millions of Nigerians out of poverty. We must make our citizens our greatest resource for economic growth and wealth creation

The Buhari administration has a target of lifting 100m Nigerians out of poverty by 2030. A Yahaya Bello Presidency will have an additional target of creating at least 20 million millionaires by the same year 2030, with the aim that each of them will employ or otherwise empower at least 5 other citizens.

In this regard, we are going to learn a lot from the South East. The apprenticeship model by which a boy, from an indigent or affluent background, is taken, trained and turned into a millionaire businessman in as little as 10 years is one we have to understudy and invest in. Harvard University already studies it and the Nigerian Government must do no less.

I have personally observed that this model works on average 50% of the time with at least 5 out of 10 boys who apprenticed with various Igbo friends of mine millionaires today in their own rights. I also observed that it is not the line of business but the underlying principles and practices that work so well. This is because this amazing phenomenon is repeated sector after sector whether they deal in vehicle spare parts, electricals, pharmaceuticals, clothing, or even foodstuffs, etc. This means it is a system that can be replicated. We will explore methods to do so

I have a vision of a Nigerian government and economy that is open, inclusive and honest. Leaders like me and governments such as mine have a duty to manage the economy so that it operates with a human face and transparent processes. Kogi State under my leadership has consistently led others in the World Banks States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) indices. It is a result I want to mainstream to the nation as a whole

This is why, as President, I will foster an economy in which every citizen can maximize their potential as wealth creators and change agents. We will work towards a democracy of the economy which places equal access to the factors of productivity within the grasp of any citizen who is ready to work hard and to work smart in pursuit of their own dreams

Being Nigerias youngest Governor comes with its own challenges, particularly the burden of being constantly held up as a yardstick to measure the past and predict the future of youth participation in politics and governance. The expectations are rife, and some are frankly unreasonable, but in the main, I am challenged to prove that leaders can be simultaneously youthful and useful in high Office. While my approach to resolving this conundrum may not be loud or popular, it has certainly proved effective.

A Yahaya Bello Presidency will pursue a clearly defined strategy on broadening the footprint of new technology in our economy. We know how important this is to youth enterprise in todays world. In particular, we will set up a National BlockChain Taskforce (NBT) to develop a trailblazing policy for the nation in cryptos, the metaverse, NFTs and blockchain technology. This emergent field can certainly not be ignored and outrightly banned or completely outlawed. We must help our youth to keep pace with their generation in a lawful manner.

Dear friends, I am not running for President apologetically, but on a solid record of verifiable achievements in my current assignment as Governor of Kogi State. I have proven antecedents in the very areas that Nigerians crave for succour urgently, that is, Security, Unity and Progress. I would therefore say that I possess the academic qualifications and hands-on experience to be the Next Nigerian President on meri

The slogan of our campaign is HOPEBRIDGING THE GAP. All we want to do is bring Hope to our nation and people while bridging the gaps in our body politics. This is only possible with the support of my party and the Nigerian people

This is why MKO Abiola of blessed memory once said, People of Nigeria, our time is now. You are the repository of power in the land. Enough of square pegs in round holesEnough is enough

Nigeria, believe me when I say, THERE IS HOPE! Indeed, there is great HOPE

My name is Yahaya Bello, I am a Nigerian and I hereby formally declare for President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2023 General Elections under the All Progressives Congress. I crave your support, now and when I get my partys ticket.

To God be the Glory

YAHAYA BELLO

GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE

AND PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT

ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji and Angela Atabo

Some Nigerians have pledged their support for Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for President in 2023, noting that he is the best man to solve the problems of insecurity in the country.

They made this known while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja during the official declaration of Bello to contest for Presidency in 2023 under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

They noted that aside tackling the insecurity bedeviling the country, Bello also has the capabilities of providing good governance, unifying and improving the living conditions of Nigerians and building infrastructure.

Mr Moses Okezie-Okafor, Director, Research and Development, Kogi State government, said that 2023 would no longer be business as usual.

Okezie-Okafor said that 2023 would be time for Nigerians to choose the most competent person capable of tackling the numerous challenges confronting the country.

Nigerians need to know that in 2023 Presidential elections it will not be business as usual.

This is not the time to vote sentiments, this is not the time to vote tribe, this is not the time to vote anything but what we as Nigerians need and what that is, security and unity, peace and progress.

And that is what Yahaya Bello has achieved in Kogi State against all odds over that past six and half years.

Kogi used to be worst state in terms of security outside the North-East. Today it is the safest state in the country.

So today I am urging Nigerians, especially my people of the South-East that as my boss declares today and goes to the primaries, I believe in God we are going to get the ticket.

It is time to vote somebody who is a friend of the Igbos, a friend of Nigerians.

There are 54 people from all over Nigeria working in his administration and I can tell you that I sit in the Kogi State Executive Council since 2016.

Because this cosmopolitan, detribalised Nigerian saw what I carry, not who I am and appointed me on the basis of merit so this is the kind of thing we want in Nigeria, Okezie-Okafor said.

Prince Abdullahi Attajiri, President, Arewa Voters Forum said that Bello is the right person to solve Nigerias insecurity from what he has achieved in Kogi State.

Attajiri said that Bello also demonstrated his capability of guaranteeing peace in the recently held APC National Convention which went hitch free with Bello Chairing the Security sub-Committee.

Yahaya Bello did not just stand up to become President, It was people that started clamoring for him to come and be our President considering his record of performance in Kogi State.

Kogi state is the most peaceful state in the country, this record is there and you can go and check.

Look at this convention that we just had, he was Chief Security Officer at the convention and things went without many hitches.

So he is the best man for the job. By the time Yahaya Bello becomes President of this country, we can sleep on the street and I can assure you of that, Attajiri said.

Abdullahi Ohere, Kogi State Commissioner for Works and Housing, said that Bellos Presidency will give Nigerians what they clamour for at the moment which is guaranteed security.

From what I know about his Excellency between 2016 till date and what I know of him before that time, he has demonstrated enough capacity to show that he can lead Nigeria.

One major reason we are craving for him, as you can see, the country is bedeviled with insecurity and when he came on board, that was the major problem Kogi was having but today we have put it behind.

Another line of thinking is that Kogi was divided along ethnic lines, along religious lines, and so many divides that you cannot name but he was able to harmonise all interest in Kogi State.

Before you can develop any local economy for instance, there must be adequate infrastructure, there must be roads linking communities.

All these were not in place when he came on board but today he has been able to put all those in place, Ohere said.

Mrs Zara Onyinye, a Political Analyst, lauded Bello for surpassing the 35 per cent affirmative action of Women inclusion in governance, noting that more women would be occupying political position when Bello becomes President.

In terms of women inclusion in government, in terms of security and in terms of managing the unity of that state, Yahaya Bello has impacted on the people and the state.

So the women and youths are actually clamouring and saying, please come and go to that bigger position which is the Presidency, Onyinye said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo/Lizzy Okoji

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Saturday officially declared his intention to contest for the 2023 presidential election and promised to end poverty by raising 20 million millionaires by 2030.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello declared to run for President under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said that economy, security, peace and unity would be his watchword as he works to create a nation where everyone is carried along regardless of religion or tribe.

According to him, the slogan of his campaign is Hope, Bridging the Gap because all he wants to do is bring hope to the nation while bridging the gaps in politics.

A Yahaya Bello Presidency will have an additional target of creating at least 20 million millionaires by the same year 2030, with the aim that each of them will employ or otherwise empower at least five other citizens.

In this regard, we are going to learn a lot from the South East.

The apprenticeship model by which a boy, from an indigent or affluent background, is taken, trained and turned into a millionaire businessman in as little as 10 years is one we have to understudy and invest in.

Harvard University already studies it and the Nigerian Government must do no less.

I have personally observed that this model works on average 50 per centof the time with at leastfiveout of 10 boys who apprenticed with various Igbo friends of mine are millionaires today in their own rights.

Bello said he had a vision of an open Nigerian government and economy, inclusive, honesty and managed to operate with a human face and transparent processes.

Bello promised to consolidate on the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that he would give more powers to governors over matters of security, public transportation, taxation, fiscal federalism, mineral and agro resources and electricity.

These are the legacies of Mr President, they will help the next president take longer and easier developmental strides, provided Nigerians make sure he is succeeded by one who is not out to discredit but to consolidate.

I have proven time and time again that I am the only such successor in the APCs line-up for 2023.

I am running for President because I see a bright light shining at the end of the tunnel for our nation. I am not one of those who only see doom and gloom.

It is my intention to take custody of that light, to pierce the dark spots in our past and present with it, to illuminate every gap in our nationhood and to fix them.

I will ensure that this light is handed over in due course to successors who will be trustworthy stewards of the great future which a federal government led by me will build for our nation.

Bello said that he worked hard as governor of Kogi and delivered on his mandate, urging Nigerians to check out his achievement on www.kogipedia.netwhich covered his work from 2016 until date.

Let me itemise the most important qualities which I consider imperative in our next Commander-in-Chief, Iinvite Nigerians to rate all candidates by them if we want a country that will live up to our expectations come 2023.

Youthfulness: Natural force and physical energy cannot be abated if performance is to be elevated. I am 46 and a half years old and by the grace of God, I am fit in all physical and mental faculties.

Courage: A clear capacity to be zealously affected in a good matter and to lead with courage and foresight in the pursuit of the overall best interests of the people and the nation.

Security: Proven ability to enforce Security, Unity and Peace in a large territory with difficult terrain. Citizens must be safe in their homes and assets.

Diversity: Our next president must possess excellent records in successfully managing diversity.

Bello promised inclusivity, adding that Nigerians should be able to live and contribute anywhere in thenation with the guarantee that they wouldnot be called strangers .

He said that his desire was to have every Nigerian, especiallyyouths, to live in a country wheretribe, religion or gender would be ever considered a minority again, particularly by the things leaders do or fail to do in government.

He said that equity, fairness and justice must undergird government actions in the distribution of national resources and opportunities including the recruitment procedures of public entities.

He also promised as a president every Nigerian wouldbecome mentally and physically empowered with the unshakeable conviction and practical proof that they are not inferior to any other person for any reason.

Bello said that his presidency like his governorship, wouldbe tough on crime, adding that Kogi went from being the state where violent crime was most endemic in 2015 to become one of the safest states in Nigeria from 2017 till date.

He therefore, said that terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes wouldnot be tolerated when he becomes the President and Commander-in-Chief.

He promised to pursue a clearly defined strategy on broadening the footprint of new technology in the nations economy.

He said that he wouldset up a National Block Chain Taskforce (NBT) to develop a trailblazing policy for the nation in cryptos, the metaverse, NFTs and block chain technology.

I am not running for President apologetically, but on a solid record of verifiable achievements in my current assignment as Governor of Kogi State.

I have proven antecedents in the very areas that Nigerians crave for succour urgently, that is, Security, Unity and Progress. I would therefore say that I possess the academic qualifications and hands-on experience to be the Next Nigerian President on merit.

The Chairman of the occasion, Salvador Moshood ,said that the Bellos declaration for president was hope for youths ,women and other marginalized groups.

Moshood, therefore, urged them to give their support to Bello for a better Nigeria and garner more support from friends and family alike.

The National Coordinator, Sen. Jonathan Zwingina, said that Bello would continue with the good works of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that although Bello is young but he has much to offer for a greater nation.

According to Zwingina, Bello is a detribalised leader with no trace of ethnicity or religious difference as he works for the good of everyone and would replicate such in the larger country as president .

Deputy Governor of Kogi, Edward Onoja, who reeled out a 10 point achievement of the Bellos administration in Kogi said that he was leaving a great legacy behind forthe state.

He said that Bello disbanded criminal gangs, ending kidnapping and other social vices and insecurity, destroyed tribalism and religious differences and built a church in the states government house after 28 years of not having one.

He said that he supported zoning of presidency but this time the zoning had to be in favour of youths, adding that it was time for people under 50 years to rule the nation .

The Director-General of GYB Campaign, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, said thatwomen had been sidelined for decades and only been known in political activities as singer and cooks but Bello changed the narrative by making her the DG of his campaign team.

Abiola-Costello said the nation was on the match to its true destiny with Bello, adding that women would build the nation and therefore, encouraged womenand youths to support Bellobecause the takeover tie for them had come.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Alkali Usman, says the rumour making the rounds that Kaduna is inaccessible by road, air or train is a mere propaganda.

The IGP stated this during his operational visit to the Abuja-Kaduna road on Saturday in Kaduna.

He said the visit was to check the situation along the Abuja-Kaduna road.
Usman noted that they have already made arrangements to secure the road.

My coming out today is to check the deployment we made to ensure the road is safe and also to check the deployment we have made at the scene of the train accident where repairs are taking place.

We have also deployed our men to assist the engineers in taking care of the situation and I want to assure the public that the propaganda going round that Kaduna is inaccessible by road, air or train is not true.

The road is safe for motorists and we will try our best to keep it safer.

He added that the visit was also to ensure that officers and men deployed to keep security on the road are performing their duties diligently.

The IGP explained that they would work with available resources given to commands, however, he called for improvement.

Government is giving us the resources and in turn we are deploying them to our commands.

Usman, responding to questions from journalists on the certainties that passengers would no longer patronize the train when restored, said It is only a perception, the incident has happened and gone, that of course has informed us on measures to take in ensuring such a thing does not occur again.

He called on the troops to be diligent and dedicated in discharging their national duties. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Julius Toba-Jegede

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday expressed its readiness to renew working relationship with the Egypt-owned news agency, the Middle East News Agency (MENA).

Mr Buki Ponle, Managing Director of NAN, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to Amb. Ihab Awad, the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, in his office in Abuja.

NAN reports that the managing director was received by the ambassador in company of Mr Tarek Mahfauz, the Deputy Head of Egyptian Mission to Nigeria.

Ponle recalled that at inception of its operations in 1978, NAN located one of its foreign offices in Cairo, Egypt, as a result of cultural, social and economic ties between the two countries.

He told the ambassador that NAN was looking beyond the paucity of fund which earlier led to the closure of the office; but willing to reopen it because of several mutual benefits in the exchange of news and other services.

We started our operations in Egypt in 1978 immediately we commenced our operations in Nigeria. We had about 10 international offices then apart from the ones we had in Nigeria. The office in Cairo served the entire North Africa region.

In spite of all the current challenge of fund; we still cover African events with special interest in North Africa. This is because Africa is the centre of our development issues in NAN. When we started, we had a news exchange programme with MENA, but it fell through at a stage.

Now we want to have these programmes renewed. We want to re-establish a real partnership with our sister news agency in Egypt, so that we can have continuous flow of information.

Over the years, Egypt and Nigeria have been like children of the same mother. We share so many things in common: socially, culturally, economically, including commerce and trade. We want all these areas to be promoted and this can be achieved when we have a channel of news exchange.

We report things happening in Egypt to our Nigerian and Egyptian audiences interchangeably, he said.

Ponle expressed optimism that the partnership would correct some wrong notions, help situate issues properly and present in proper perspectives, the abundant opportunities that abound in the respective nations.

The truth is that there have been so many distortions and misinformation that need to be corrected and properly situated because of the communication gap that has been existing.

However, when we report in our own way and style which is positive reporting, which is Solutions Journalism. No doubt, issues that have been distorted will be brought back into their proper perspectives.

This will help us eliminate negativity and fake news. These are some of the things we will benefit from this partnership. And you are in a good position to facilitate this and make our reporting more appreciated on the African continent, he said.

In his remark, Amb. Awad appreciated the visit with a promise to immediately swing into action and drive the process leading to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NAN and NEMA, in view of the mutual benefits.

Awad said that he had been looking forward to meeting the MD following the information he gathered from his own predecessor about the strength and coverage capacity of NAN, especially on the African continent and beyond.

He reiterated the significance which the Egyptian government and its mission in Nigeria attach to NANs operations and their readiness to ensure success on both ends.

I have been really looking forward to this opportunity to meet you. Of course, I can safely say that since I arrived here or even before my arrival. My predecessor had particularly pointed to the importance that he attached to embassys interaction with NAN. We do hold our relationship with NAN in a very high regard.

We also take as very important, the issue of reporting transparently and sincerely on the major developments and events that are happening in our respective countries. This is because the media is the most influential and effective way of shaping the mentality and perception of the populations.

Though the social media too is becoming very important, but traditional media is still very influential and part and parcel of our overall drive to enhance the relationship between Egypt and Nigeria. This is the role of this embassy and the role of Nigerian Embassy in Cairo.

So, I cannot agree enough with you that we need to take the collaboration to the next level. We need to revive our cooperation on the media. This visit, I believe will provide that push we need to achieve the result.

We will need to receive templates of agreement from the two agencies, their objectives and see how they can converge them and expedite the process of signing the MoU, he assured.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ministers of Information, Youths and Sports, CBN Governor and Lagos governor during the inspection tour of ongoing renovation of the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on Saturday

By Lydia Ngwakwe/Aderonke Ojediran

The ongoing renovation work of the National Arts Theatre Complex will be completed and inaugurated in November, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has said.

Mohammed spoke on Saturday shortly after undertaking an inspection tour of work done so far on the facility.

He lauded the Bankers Committee for providing the finances for the project.

Mohammed also lauded the Lagos State Government for providing the enabling environment, especially in the areas of rail transportation and the usage of the waterways.

From what we have seen, a lot of work has been undertaken here since our last visit in December 2021.

We are satisfied with the progress that has been made. We are hopeful. And we have crossed the rubicon.

By the time we come back in two months time, we will all see that a lot of work has been buried under, he said.

The minister assured Nigerians that the renovation project would, not be an abandoned project.

Alao speaking, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that by the last estimates, the project costed the Bankers Committee about 100 million dollars.

For avoidance of doubt, this project is costing the bankers committee, by last estimates, about million. More will be invested in this project, but it is going to be business where the monies will be realised again.

Im happy that foreign investors are already showing interest.

I want to place it on record that we have received enquiries from the United States from investors who have said that they are interested in taking a look at not just just the National Arts Theatre, but also the creative opportunities that we are developing around here.

So, I must say that this is exciting for us at the Bankers Committee and also at the Central Bank of Nigeria, he said.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari would, on the day of the inauguration, lay the foundation for the four verticals the music, the movie, IT as well as the fashion hub.

He thanked the Lagos State Government for actively supporting the project and declared that he was excited with the progress so far made.

I am getting excited because we are hoping that by the end of this year, there will be some programmes and global activities which will be hosted in this complex.

We would be talking to arts gallery and hopefully by this year, we can bring the arts exhibition into this complex because we know that by November, this place will be ready.

So, in November, we can begin to bring this place back to us again, and then put life into the tourism sector in Nigeria and particularly in Lagos State, he said.

In his remarks, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, commended the Lagos State Government and the CBN governor for their dogged commitment to the National Theatre renovation project.

He commended the CBN Governor for ensuring a steady flow of funds for the execution of the project.

The minister particularly expressed happiness that many jobs would be created for the youth in the area of creative entertainment.

On behalf of the Nigerian Youths, the greatest beneficiaries of the renovation project, I want to commend the Federal Government and the Bankers Committee for initiating the project, he said.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the project would further help to deepen the states GDP and that of the country in general.

He said he was particularly excited and grateful to the Bankers Committee for the investment.

Sanwo-Olu also said that the new National Theatre, when fully operational, would enable Nigeria export its talent in the areas of fashion, arts, ICT, entertainment among others, to Africa and the rest of the world.

On behalf of my entire millions of youths that are in Lagos, I want to sincerely, through the CBN Governor, thank the Bankers Committee; their leadership are the ones that are here today, Mr Herbert Wigwe and Mr Segun Agbaje.

But, I tell you, there are so many of their other colleagues who are actually committed onto this project, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister, the CBN Governor and the Lagos State Governor later inspected the train station within the National Arts Threatre Complex.

NAN also reports that renovation work at the national arts theatre would cover the amphitheatre, VIP suites, ICT hub, cinemas, banquet hall, arts fallery, exhibition spaces, among others.

It is expected that over 16,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created during and after renovation of the complex. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Baba Busu

The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, has urged Muslims to renew their commitment and intensify prayers to God to overcome the nations challenges and for the success of next years general election.

The speaker, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Jibrin Gwamna, congratulated the Muslim community for successfully ushering in this years Ramadan.

He said prayer is key to success, hence the need for Muslims and other Nigerians to continue to pray for the peace, unity, progress and development of the country.

He also called on Muslims, especially the wealthy individuals, to use the holy month and support the less privileged in the society to enable them observe the holy month with ease.

Abdullahi enjoined believers to use the period to also offer special prayers for the nation to overcome its security and other emerging challenges.

Besides, the speaker called on Muslims and other Nigerians to pray for leaders to succeed.

This is to enable Nigerians enjoy more dividends of democracy, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Chairman, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd., Alhaji Ahmed Wadada, has felicitated the entire Muslim ummah (community) in Nasarawa and the country as they commence the Ramadan fasting.

In a statement on Saturday in Abuja, Wadada, who is a frontline senatorial aspirant for the Nasarawa West Senatorial District, emphasised the need for Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for the restoration of peace and harmony in the country.

The former two-term member of the House of Representatives admonished wealthy Muslims to give more charity to the poor in order to ease their difficulties during the breaking of the fast.

Wadada, founder of Keffi Polo Ranch, also urged Muslims to assist the needy, particularly the orphans, widows and the less privileged.

He thanked the Almighty Allah for sparing the lives of the ummah and giving them the grace to witness this years Ramadan.

This, he said, is a season of high spiritual exercise that called for sober reflection and recommitment to worshipping the Almighty Allah.

Wadada, who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Keffi, advised the Muslims to pray for Gods mercy, guidance and protection, as well as avail themselves solemnly to the teachings of Islam.

The former lawmaker emphasised the need for all Muslims to imbibe the spirit of peace, tolerance, and patience as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad.

He stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence without which no development could be achieved. (NAN) (www.portal.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Johnson Eyiangho

The National Commander, Man O War, retired Col. Sani Depsia, has called on Nigerians to contribute their quota toward tackling the current security challenges facing the country.

He spoke to newsmen on Saturday at Nyanya in the FCT, shortly after the inauguration of newly appointed Man O War state commanders and their deputies.

Depsia, who is also the Special Adviser to the Gombe State governor on Security, said that insecurity was everywhere, hence the citizenry must assist the security agencies in tackling it.

He said: insecurity is not outside the scope of where we are. Therefore, it requires that each and every one of us participate in assisting the security agencies.

You can assist the security agencies in terms of information of who, where, what is suspected.

On the role of the Man O War in combating insecurity, Depsia said that they could complement the efforts of security agencies when called upon.

He said that as volunteers, they should complement the efforts of the police and other law enforcement agencies toward maintaining law and order in the various communities.

Depsia described volunteerism as an aspect of human nature which has to do with building the community.

Volunteerism is an aspect of human nature that has to do with selfless service to build man and build the community.

At whatever level you find yourself, try and see that the community is secured and the value of the community is enhanced.

According to him, volunteerism is an office or institution with registered volunteers and with adequate logistics.

That is what we are trying to do in Nigeria, we have not got there but I think with time we will be able to make an impact.

But you cannot do volunteerism without the will. The will matters. It is selfless service, nobody is paying you for doing volunteerism, he said.

Earlier, the national commander urged the newly appointed state commanders and their deputies to be tolerant, carry out their duties diligently and carry their men along. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme (NG-CARES) says it has disbursed N35.3 billion to all the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to boost their performance in the country.

The National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, made the disclosure at the training for Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, Heads of Delivery Platforms in all the states and Heads of States Cares Coordination Units, on Friday in Abuja.

Obaje said that the resources was an advance to all the states, noting that the programme was a performance programme for results funding framework of the World Bank.

The coordinator said that the advance, which ranged from N500 million to N1.3 billion had been given to all the states of the federation.

Implementation has started in many states as we speak, some few states already have results because even achievements of results prior to the effective take up of the project is considered as part of what will be reimbursed when the Independent Verification Agents visit the states.

As we speak today, all the 36 states of the federation and FCT are now effective and resources have been disbursed to all the 36 states amounting to N35.3 billion.

And the states are expected to post specific results in line with the Delivery Link Indicators (DLI) that they have selected for themselves.

It is on the basic of satisfactory that the payment of this results are supposed to be reimbursed but the Federal Government in its wisdom and the World Bank have agreed to give the states some advance.

And this advance ranges from N500 million to N1.3 billion and this have been given to all the states as we speak.

So the results with effect from 2020 are also consider so we have quite a lot of such results across the states that are participating.

Obaje, however, said that though not all the states but very many states are have prior results and this will be considered for reimbursement anytime the Independent Verification Agent came.

He said that the advance was supposed to enable states boost enough results so that anytime the Independent Verification Agent came to verify their DLI that have been achieved, then resources would be made available to do more.

He said that the resources coming to the state currently was an advance, adding that NG-CARES encouraged all the states government to add more resources.

So that the price money and the gains that will come after independent verified agent assessment will be bountiful to enable them continue implementation.

It is a two year programme, expected to close in June 2023 and there is a lot yet to be done so we need a lot of resources to enable state meet up.

What we are interested in is quality data and integrity of the data that are generated at the state level is of utmost importance to us.

Obaje said that the objective of the training was to give the target participants first-hand knowledge on operationalisation of the Monitoring and Evaluation Manual developed jointly with the states.

We train them on how the manual will operate, what are the template to be used; what are the regularity of reporting, how should report be sent to us and most importantly, we are now in an ICT- driven world.

So we have a high dose of Information Technology Integration into submission of report from the data and all that.

So we are taken them through some software that have been designed to fast track the process of submitting report to the state and to the Federal Government for consolidation.

Earlier, the Chairman, Federal Cares Technical Committee, Mr Aso Vakporaye, reiterated that the programme was aimed at ameliorating the impact of COVID-19 on the vulnerable and the poor.

The unique components of the programme is a programme for result, so it is not like the usual take money and go. You work first then you show your results.

After evaluation and verification, then you will be reimbursed for what you have done.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, the Head, State Cares Coordinating Units, Delta State, Lady Patience Ogbewe, said the workshop had exposed all participants on how to generate credible data for effective implementation of the programme. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says global increase in crude oil price occasioned by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and ensuing energy disruption call for geopolitical energy security and sustainability.

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the Commissions Chief Executive, NUPRC, made this known in Abuja at the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum 2022 (OLEF), organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

The forum themed: Global Energy Transition: Implications on Future Investments in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, was hosted and sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

Komolafe, represented by his Special Technical Adviser, Mr Abel Nsa, said the attendant disruption of the global oil demand-supply chain had reawakened the call for sustainability in the industry.

For instance, in the United Kingdom, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) formerly the Oil and Gas Authority, is envisaging a leasing and licensing round for oil and gas exploitation and future projects.

Thereby, reassuring the relevance of oil and gas in the future energy mix.

Given this outlook, it is evident to note that in meeting the growing energy demand in the short and medium term, we need to carry out further exploration and development drilling, he said.

This, he said, would optimise reservoir extraction, drill into new targets, and employ technological advances to maximise production yields for appropriate energy mix.

The NUPRC boss said the global energy transition could pose great challenges to future investments in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, but stakeholders were working assiduously to mitigate every negative impact.

According to him, as all geopolitical zones grasp with the appropriate energy mix for their energy security, Nigeria is poised toward the development of its untapped huge gas resources to achieve economic growth and energy security.

He said the commission, empowered by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, had steered its focus toward working with all stakeholders to ensure business investments in the oil and gas sector were adequately protected.

Komolafe said that in the light of the global energy transition, funding for oil and gas projects, was a huge challenge as funding sources were now predominantly channelled toward renewable energy projects.

He further said that the clarity in the fiscal regime provided by the PIA would hopefully help to turn the tide around, especially as regards some important upstream projects that have been stalled due to financing.

Some of these projects, including the Preowei project, Bonga South West Aparo project and Bonga North project, among others when completed, have the combined capacity to add upwards of 800,000 BOPD to Nigerias production figures.

He said it was, therefore, imperative for Nigeria to take advantage of the present high crude oil prices, as well as the emergence of the energy transition, to fully exploit our hydrocarbon resources in a timely manner.

The commission will ensure that all the necessary engagements are made, and that innovative ways to fund oil and gas projects are explored, in order to bring these projects back on stream, he added.

Komolafe said it was striving to ensure that all bottlenecks associated with regulatory processes were eliminated or minimised, to ensure seamless operations, as it gradually roll out the key policy initiatives necessitated by the PIA.

According to him, section 92 of the recently enacted PIA 2021 provides a flexible tool for honouring investment guarantees and contract sanctity.

Komolafe also commended the SPE Nigeria Council on its effort to proffer proactive solutions and recommendations for energy transition and sustaining the forum up to its 22nd edition, in commemoration of Nigerias first commercial oil discovery at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State in 1956. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Idowu Gabriel

About 42.9 hectares of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) farmlands were destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Ekiti Command, in the year 2021.

The NDLEA Commander in Ekiti, Mr Anthony Olowonihi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.

Olowonihi said the destructions were carried out in Ise-Ekiti and Eporo-Ekiti, in Ise Local Government Area and Emure Local Government Area, respectively, between January 2021 and December 2021.

The Ekiti NDLEA boss, who decried the increasing rate of drug abuse in the state, said a total of 5,140 kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa, known as Indian hemp, was also seized within the period under review.

There was a rise in the use of illicit drug in Ekiti in 2021. In January we seized 29kg of Cannabis sativa and down the line it kept increasing.

By September we seized 61kg, while nine hectares of Indian hemp farmlands were destroyed and in October another 32 hectares of farmlands was destroyed on Use-Ekiti forest and Eporo in Emure.

In November, we seized 2,838kg of illicit drug within Ise and Emure axis.

In other areas of the state, we seized 1,447kg of cannabis sativa for the months of September, October, November and December all in 2021, Olowonihi said.

He urged land owners in Ekiti not to give their lands to Indian hemp farmers.

Do not give your lands to those who will use them for illicit drug cultivations; rather release the lands to people that will use them to farm yams, cassava, maize and cash crops that will benefit our nation, he said.

Olowonihi advised Nigerians, especially Ekiti residents, to desist from smoking or use of illicit drugs, as they are destroying their future, that of state and the country at large.

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

A former Vice President of The Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang, says Nigerian women have to be deliberate in contesting elections and map out clear strategies for success.

Fatoumata spoke at a forum in Abuja on Friday, where the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Women in Politics Forum also had participants.

The participants strategised on ways women can clinch elective positions in the 2023 polls.

It was organsied by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) on Women and Electoral Politics in 2023: Setting the Agenda.

The event also witnessed the launch of a report interrogating 20 years of democracy..

Tambajang said that a woman who wants to participate in decision making has to develop an agenda ,have diplomacy and must have a constituency across board of men, women and youths.

In the issue of Nigeria today, due to the bills that have not been adopted, I will like to recommend that you have to develop a strategy for 2023.

You have to identify competent women among you and build a coalition among women, forget about yourselves and your sense of differences and work for the empowerment of women.

You must also identify men from different levels, even from the executive, and then have your conferences; bring men and women together to vote for women.

One of these strategies is that you have to be bold to tell men that if you dont put us in governance ,if you dont give us opportunity in politics, we are going to have professional defiance, which is, we are not going to vote for the men.

Tambajang said that when women threaten men with losing their number in elections, they would adjust, because no political party would want that.

She also advised women to leverage the laws and charters adopted by Nigeria, then use them as basis to hold them accountable.

Tambajang also urged Nigerian women to mobilise millions of votes by signing petitions both live and on internet to submit to all the arms of government.

That way, their voices would be heard too, she said.

Dr Sintiki Ugbe, Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS, said that Africa is one region where women have not really been participating in politics.

The director said that ECOWAS had, therefore, come up with a strategy to tackle it.

Ugbe said that different barriers ranging from cultural, religious beliefs, to income inequalities were some of the major obstacles that hindered women participation in politics.

It will surprise you to know that out of the 15 countries that we have in west Africa, nine have a sort of legislation or reserved seats for women, but where is Nigeria?Nigeria is not among them.

If you are a member of a community, how come you have nine that have some form of affirmative action and quota systems and we as Nigerians dont have any form of affirmative action or quota?

Senegal is ahead with its gender parity law, Guinea is there with its parity law ,Rwanda is there, Cape Verde is there, they are all members of ECOWAS.

I think that is not impossible to achieve in Nigeria, that was why ECOWAS came up with the Gender and Election Strategic framework so that our member states can know that there are 10 areas they need to work on to ensure equal participation and representation.

Ugbe said that with constant mentorship and leadership programmes, women would be well equipped with the right skills for vie for leadership positions.

A legal practitioner, Frank Tietie, advised women to leverage existing laws and the constitution to demand for their rightful place in politics.

Tietie, who is also the Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights, encouraged women to establish women political parties to contest for elective positions.

He said that section 40 of the constitution empowered Nigerian women to form a political party exclusively for women.

This, he said, would give them some type of power and a voice in the political sphere.

He also urged women to raise funds and garner support from Nigerians so that financial constraints they experience would reduce.

The President, Women in Politics Forum, Ebere Ifendu, said that affirmative action would have helped the marginalised groups to participation in politics, but it was turned down by the National Assembly.

Ifendu said that all the parties that had held conventions had not given women reasonable positions.

Consensus does not favour women, so far, all the parties that have conducted election still dont have enough space for women, only the position of women leaders; we were targeting working committee.

It shows that women still need special seats through affirmative action, and from the way things are going, 2023 election might still witness low women in politics if deliberate action is not taken.

This is where legislation would have helped us because every political party would have been compelled to put into consideration special seats for women to participate .

Ifendu said that the country was going through a lot of challenges but some of these were because enough women were not part of governance.

She called for support and collaborative effort by all stakeholders to improve women participation in politics so they could contribute their own ideas, expertise and augment the effort for national development.

Mr Austin Aigbe, Senior Programme Manager, CDD, said that the programme was organised to underpin womens participation in politics and to strategise on increasing their participation in the 2023 elections.

Source: NAN News