By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, has said the emergence of Sen. Bola Tinubu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate is a win for Nigerians.

Sanwo-Olu said this on Saturday at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, when he returned from Abuja after the APC Congress.

We are happy that at the end of it all, it is not a win for Lagos alone, it is a win for Nigeria, it is a win for all of us. It is a win that cuts across the Niger, it is a win for the North, for the East, for the West, for the South, he said.

According to him, Tinubus victory at the primary signals the beginning of greater work, to ensure he wins the presidential election in 2023.

His win also signifies the beginning of more work. As you can see that almost immediately after winning the primary, he has gone ahead to open his hand of collaboration and reconciliation to all other aspirants.

He is going around to consult, to bring forward his brothers and sisters, telling them it is not something that one person can do. He will lead from the front, but he needs everyone on the journey, he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that Tinubu would use his experience, clarity of knowledge, transformational leadership to make Nigeria work.

He described Tinubu as a completely detribalised Nigerian, with a high level of religious tolerance. He made friends and competitors across the country.

We are all testament to his ability to have led Lagos through a difficult time, and how Lagos has continued to remain the melting point of our country.

He will be going with those wealth of experience to the office of president, and I believe that at the end of the day, all of us will be the beneficiaries, the governor said.

He said that all had a part to play to ensure that the countrys young democracy grew.

Sanwo-Olu commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring an open, transparent, free and fair contest, during the APC Presidential Election. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Yiaga Africa , Civil Society Organisation (CSO)has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for deploying additional 209 machines to Kano, Lagos and five states in the Southeast.

Executive Director ,Yiaga Africa Samson Itodo in a statement in Abuja also called on INEC to extend the Continuous Voter Registration (CRV) exercise by three weeks.

Itodo also called for investigation of allegations of bribery and non-deployment of personnel in some registration centers

As part of efforts to provide independent oversight of the CRV ,Yiaga Africa deployed 119 trained and accredited citizen observers to observe the ongoing exercise in the six geopolitical zones.

Yiaga Africa Watching the Vote also received reports from its volunteers from all the 36 states and the FCT.

According to the reports received thus far, the CVR exercise has been largely successful except for some glitches that may undermine the transparency and credibility of the process or result in the disenfranchisement of voters if unabated.

Itodo said that the main challenges observed by Yiaga Africa included malfunctioning of the Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) and inadequate registration devices.

He listed others as :capacity deficits on the part of INEC registration officials, inconsistencies in the decentralisation of the CVR in some states, low public awareness of the schedule.

He added that locations for the rotational CVR and lastly, extortion and bribery of registration officials were also part of it.

He said that Yiaga Africa comments INEC for responding to citizens demands by deploying additional enrollment devices to manage the high turnout of intending registrants in some states.

Itodo, however, said that the group noted with concern reports alleging denial of the rights of citizens to register and disruptions of CVR in some locations.

Yiaga Africa urges INEC to investigate these reports and ensure the constitutional right of citizens to register to vote is protected.

Having conducted extensive voter mobilisation for the CVR and engaged citizens in various communities across Nigeria, Yiaga Africa recommends the following.

Itodo said that there was need for INEC to extend the June 30th deadline for the CVR by three weeks.

He added that an extension would accord INEC the opportunity to handle the high volumes of applications for application.

The Executive Director said that while they noted that the CVR extension would require a shift in the schedule, it does not violate, Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022 .

He said that the section stated that, the registration of voters, updating and revision of the voter register shall stop not later than 90 days before any election.

He called on INEC to immediately investigate the allegations of the payment of N1,000 for voter registration in some locations, especially in Kaura Namoda LGA in Zamfara state.

Itodo also urged INEC to resolve malfunctioning Voter Enrolment Device (IVED).

He said that to inspire confidence in the CVR process, INEC is urged to improve the efficiency of the enrollment devices.

He also urged INEC to ensure timely replacement of malfunctioned devices to prevent suspension of the exercise as was observed in Ilofa, Oke Ero LGA in Kwara State where the CVR was temporarily suspended on Friday, June 3, 2022.

Itodo said that there was need to also address the intimidation and harassment at the registration centers:

He called for Improved collaboration to support the CVR process:

Yiaga Africa commends civil society groups, media organisations, religious and traditional organisations for their steadfastness and commitment to citizens mobilisation for the CVR.(NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Akeem Abas

A political support group, The Osinbajo Think Tank (TOTT) has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to strengthen good governance in the country.

Mr Olugbenga Olaoye, the TOTTs spokesperson, in an interaction with newsmen on Saturday in Ibadan, expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the partys primaries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu, the APC National Leader and former Governor of Lagos State, emerged the partys presidential candidate at the recent primaries in Abuja.

NAN reports that Tinubu had emerged winner, having polled 1,271 votes to defeat all other presidential aspirants among whom were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Mr Rotimi Amaechi.

Olaoye said the group was pleased with the peaceful conduct of the primary election, urging Tinhbu to strengthen good governance in the country.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja defeated our dogged Principal and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and 12 other candidates in the presidential primary election.

This group in accordance with our vision of promoting good governance, is in support of every process of democracy, as demonstrated by the APC.

We congratulate the APC National leader on his recent victory and urge him to uphold good governance in Nigeria, as he has always done, he said.

Olaoye described Tinubus victory as well-deserved, considering his contributions to the development of democracy in the country since its advent.

He assured the people of the groups commitment to a united Nigeria, urging all political aspirants to toe the path of Osinbajo.

Olaoye eulogised Osinbajos unalloyed affinity for the nation, which led him to being a frontline presidential aspirant.

He congratulated Osinbajo for his show of maturity and unwavering conviction, in spite of the pressure to step down.(NAN)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, said on Friday that he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to injustice in the Kebbi State chapter of the party.

Abdullahi, representing Kebbi North, had on Wednesday joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The lawmaker told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that it was a case of serial denial of rights.

He said: Yes, I have left the APC due to injustice by the Kebbi State Governor.

It is not just injustice; its a serial denial of rights and undemocratic rights which we reported to the party for more than 11 months.

Nobody did anything about the manner the governor handles the party affairs in the state; imposing candidates and doing whatever he wants.

The national headquarters of the party failed to bring order. We cannot just sit down and mortgage our own political career to the whims and caprices of one man.

We thought the best thing is to leave the party, Abdullahi said.

NAN gathered that Abdullahis defection may not be unconnected to his loss of the APC governorship ticket on May 26.

Abdullahi failed to get a single vote while the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr Nasiru Idris, emerged the partys governorship candidate with 1, 055 votes out of the 1, 090 votes cast.

Alhaji Abubakar Gari-Malam, who came second, polled 35 votes.

In his reaction, Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Kebbi State Governor, said the allegations by the Senate Leader were not true.

The governor is a loyal party member that has worked assiduously to unite the party since he came into power in 2015.

In fact, he has succeeded in wooing many important politicians into the party from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sarki stated.

He added that notable politicians had joined the APC because of the purposeful leadership of the governor.

On the issue of alleged imposition of candidates, the governor has never meddled in the affairs of the party. It is entirely a party and electorate affair to elect candidates.

In order to carry every one along, whatever decision has to come from the partys stakeholders which the petitioner or complainant is part and parcel.

Numerous stakeholders meetings were convened to reach a decision on matters affecting the party.

The governor never believes in one man affair to run the party. All stakeholders are involved in decision making.

Any time an event, meetimg or any occasion of the party is organised, invitations are extended to all in writing or physically including the complainant.

So it is just that he may have lost out on the state politics as well as grassroots politics that is why he left the party, he said.

NAN reports that as the Senate resumes plenary session on Tuesday after parties primaries, it will be expected of the Senate Leader to vacate his seat as the majority leader in the Senate. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Tayo Ikujuni

Source: NAN News

By Obinna Unaeze

The Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NSPHCDA) says more than 250,718 families embraced Family Planning (FP) from 2021 to May 2022 in the state.

The FP Coordinator in the agency, Ms Dorcas Abu, made this known during a media forum on Status of Family Planning organised by Pathfinder International, an international NGO in Minna on Friday.

Abu said that the families embraced FP methods so as to minimise complications from pregnancies or childbirth.

She said that in 2021, many families across the 25 local government areas of Niger accepted FP.

Between January and May 2022, more than 50,000 families also accepted FP, and still counting.

She, however, said that some factors affect the uptake of FP in the state, adding that the male (husband) factor had been an impediment because some husbands dont want to hear anything about FP because of their religion or tradition.

Women are the worst hit because sometimes they have to tell a lie to their husbands that they are going for immunisation in order to come for FP services.

Some other women access FP services when they take their children for immunisation.

The coordinator said that untimely release of funds by government and security challenges in parts of the state were other factors affecting the uptake of FP in some areas.

She explained that the meeting, organised by Pathfinder International, was to assess its five-year partnership project with the state government on FP.

According to Abu, the project has achieved a lot in sensitising families to embrace FP, with free or affordable health consumables depending on availability.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Muhammad Makusidi,said there was the need for birth control to enable the government to plan for everybody.

He said the state government needed to support families to embrace FP to reduce maternal mortality.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that fertility rate is the average number of children delivered by one woman of child-bearing age.

In 2019, the fertility rate in Nigeria rose to 5.32 children per woman.

Dr Andrew Okoh, Consultant Pharmacist, NSPHCDA and Secretary, Advocacy Working Group for the project, said that the main achievement recorded so far was acceptance of FP by the people of the state.

Okoh called for increased funding by government to sustain the project as Pathfinder International would withdraw after the five-year partnership.

Dr Hauwa Kolo, the Director, Community/Family Services, NSPHCDA, said the agency had redoubled it efforts in training and re-training of staff on FP issues in primary health facilities in the 25 local government areas of the state.

Earlier, Mr Bayo Ewuola, the Media and Communications Officer, Pathfinder International, had urged the state government to continue to make funds available for FP and create an enabling environment to sustain the programme. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government has solicited the support of media practitioners in checkmating the activities of quacks, who are tarnishing the image of journalism profession.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the request on Friday in Abuja at the Institutional Interaction Workshop to celebrate the 2022 World Press Freedom Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the theme of the 2022 World Press Freedom Day is Journalism under Digital Siege.

Mohammed, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, said the activities of quacks in the guise of citizens journalism is impacting negatively on the profession.

Specifically, the minister said quackery is affecting the ability of journalists and practitioners in related fields to freely and effectively use information for public good.

There is no doubt that the sanctity of professionalism in the media industry in the past few years has been threatened by the malevolent use of technology to distort and even subvert pure journalistic efforts.

We must know that the tangible cord that links the source and the receiver, or in this case the reporter and the audience, is the truth.

Truth in this context means timely and undistorted information disseminated in good faith and with the general intent of improving society, he said.

The minister also underscored the need to ensure the safety of Journalists and equip them for the dynamic and ever-changing technologies.

Just this past Tuesday, I was at a UNESCO event organised for Judges on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Judges.

I reiterated the huge pain I feel when I hear of journalists being attacked or slain in the line of duty.

I therefore urged our Lordships to ensure swift judgement for those found guilty of these heinous acts.

With this, the family and friends of the deceased can take solace in the fact that justice had been duly served, he said.

Mohammed reassured that the media have nothing to fear from the federal government, because they see the practitioners as partners in progress, rather than as adversaries.

He seized the opportunity of the event to announce that Nigeria will be hosting the Global Media and Information Literacy Week Feature Conference and Youth Forum 2022.

The minister said the event which will hold from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 in Abuja, is expected to have over 73 countries from around the World participating physically.

NAN reports that there were goodwill messages from UNESCO, Nigeria Union of Journalists and other stakeholders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

By Magdalene Ukuedojor

A total of 23 African countries bordering the Atlantic coast have made a commitment to tackle organised crime, trafficking and terrorism along the coast.

The countries, in a declaration achieved after the First Ministerial Conference of African Atlantic Countries in Rabat on Friday, said they would defend their territorial integrity.

We are deeply concerned over the increasingly complex threats posed by terrorism, transnational organised crime and maritime piracy.

We commit ourselves to continue with cooperation and coordination to enhance political and security dialogue around the areas of countering terrorism, transnational organised crime in all its forms, piracy, migrant trafficking and kidnapping for ransom at sea.

There is a need to act collectively by coordinating actions on a set of strategic themes and structuring sectors.

This will meet the imperatives of security, sustainable development and prosperity of this common area.

The ministers of the African Atlantic States reaffirm our firm commitment to pursue the dialogue around common principles, shared challenges and converging interests.

This is with a view to making the African Atlantic space a zone of peace, stability and shared prosperity, they said in the declaration.

The countries ministers also stressed the importance of optimising the African Atlantic space for a more concerted and coordinated migration governance as well as continued consultations to address environmental challenges.

They also called for the strengthening of transatlantic cooperation, particularly with Latin American countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

The ministers particularly commended the vision of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, for coordinating a pragmatic and relevant inter-African framework for cooperation.

We hail His Majestys commitment for reactivating this geostrategic consultation framework among African Atlantic States.

They, therefore, agreed to establish the Permanent Secretariat of African Atlantic Countries in Rabat, Morocco.

The secretariat will serve as a platform for the exchange of information on challenges and opportunities in the African Atlantic space and for coordinating actions and meetings of the bloc. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Magdalene Ukuedojor

Nigeria has pledged to collaborate with 22 other African Atlantic Countries to achieve the vision of peace, stability, security and shared prosperity in the oceans coastal area.

Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affiars, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, made the pledge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Rabat, Morocco.

The minister, a lead presenter at the First Ministerial Conference of African Atlantic States in Rabat, said Nigeria would establish initiatives for the full realisation of the vision.

We are going to set up the supporting framework for it.

We are going to set up focal points, first of all in the ministry and then we will call an inter-ministerial meeting to then have a larger framework for cooperation.

This will be done so that Nigerias involvement is institutionalized and made very clear and very concrete in terms of cooperating and charting a roadmap with the other countries, he said.

NAN reports that the African Atlantic coast is threatened by insecurity, smuggling, terrorism, transnational organised crime, maritime piracy, acute environmental challenges and their consequences on food security and human flow.

The Kingdom of Morocco initiated dialogue among the 23 countries along the Atlantic coast to tackle the threats and to revive the resources of the area for shared prosperity.

The countries bordering the Atlantic are Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Cape Verde, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cte dIvoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Cameroon.

Others are Sao Tome and Principe, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Namibia and South Africa.

Representatives of these countries have expressed their full support for the collaboration among the African Atlantic States, to capitalise on mutually beneficial opportunities and to tackle challenges on the coast. (NAN) (www.nan news.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Bashir Rabe Mani

Mr Jelani Aliyu, the Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has inaugurated 2,322 gas-powered Made-in-Nigeria buses bought by the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vehicles were procured by the association for its fleets in the 774 local government areas in the country.

Inaugurating the buses on Friday in Abuja, Aliyu said:It s very exciting to see that all the vehicles were built in Nigeria by an indigenous company.

I hereby congratulate the Executive National Chairman of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Maitakobi, for the commitment to buy the Nigerian built OMAA vehicles, he said.

The director-general further called on all transport associations in the country to emulate the RTEAN and key into the National Gas Expansion Programme, by patronising Made-in-Nigeria Gas Powered Vehicles.

Aliyu said: What was witnessed was a testimony to the fact that the implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) by the NADDC is yielding results.

The CNG powered vehicles produced locally by OMAA Motors, will make transportation cheaper for the commuters and also save lives and protect the environment because it is a cleaner fuel compared to petrol and diesel.

As one of the 195 signatories to the Paris Accord on the mitigation of greenhouse gases, Nigeria must leverage on the huge reserves of natural gases as a transition fuel. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) on Thursday decried the problem of multiple taxation confronting its members.

Its National Chairman, Mr Patrick Lee, during the inaugural CEAN conference held at Filmhouse Cinema in Lagos, said that the problem of multiple taxation had been an age-long one which must be surmounted.

Lee said that cinemas had to pay insurance tax, entertainment and merriment tax in addition to the Federal Government tax and some others.

He said these were too much for the cinema exhibitors to break even in their businesses, as he commended the National Films and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) for trying its best in ensuring this problem was tackled.

He noted that CEAN had partnered with a reputable firm to be able to address the tax issue.

Multiple taxation is a reality in the cinemas, we are made to pay insurance tax for every customer that visits the cinema, they should be insured, we also pay entertainment and merriment tax along with the federal government tax, these are too much for us to bear, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that another set of executive council members were elected to oversee the affairs of the association in the next two years.

Mr Ope Ajayi was elected new National Chairman of the association, while Mr Moses Babatope was elected General Secretary, Mr Jonathan Yakubu and Mrs Shileola Ibironke were elected Treasurer and Publicity Secretary respectively.

Lee noted that when he assumed office few years ago, he had three objectives to be met to deliver a reporting structure that was reliable, dependable, trustworthy, and internationally accepted.

I am pleased to say that the comScore reporting system we have introduced has met those criteria and the information we provide weekly is trusted and being used as a benchmark for the progress and health of our business and the industry at large.

We have also successfully joined international organisations like NATO and the aim is to continue this international progress.

The second objective was to ensure that the association had an inclusive character, this meant ensuring that every cinema in the country was encouraged to join the association.

I am happy to report that today over 98 per cent of all the cinemas in the country are members of CEAN.

The association has also helped in setting the standards for opening new cinemas in Nigeria, he said.

Lee noted that the association had been positioned in a way devoid of controversies, establishing the right relationshipwith Nollywood and sister associations.

Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Secretary, NFVCB, commended the cinema exhibitors for their cooperation in aligning with the rules of filmmaking and exhibition in the country.

Thomas advised CEAN to formally write to the NFVCB, notifying the board of the challenge of multiple taxation, assuring that the board would wade into the problem promptly.

He urged all movie producers to align with a registered association in order to be reckoned with in the industry.

He advised the cinema exhibitors to continue to invest in capacity building of its members of staff to be able to improve on the quality of service rendered in the cinemas.

Niyi Akinmolayan, Nigerian renowned filmmaker, urged cinema exhibitors to cultivate the habit of notifying movie producers of some necessary feedbacks which could help in proper marketing of films.

He advised on nollywood ticket price flexibility, adding that films could have varied prices depending on the quality and value of the film.

Also, Keme Okwuosa, Group Chief Executive Officer, Filmhouse Cinema, advised cinema exhibitors on constant upgrade of their facilities to constantly attract viewers.

Enhance cinema-going culture by marketing your products appropriately, paint your cinemas constantly, work on the sound, cooling systems and other things that could make viewers comfortable, he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News