By Oluwatope Lawanson

Sen. Tokunbo Abiru (APC Lagos East ) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) made the best decision in choosing Sen. Bola Tinubu as its 2023 Presidential Candidate.

Abiru who congratulated Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor on his emergence, also said that APC now have a formidable candidate that would ensure its victory at the presidential election.

In the congratulatory message by his media spokesperson, Mr Enitan Olukotun in Lagos on Thursday, the senator expressed confidence in Tinubus capacity.

Abiru who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries said: Only Tinubu have the capacity to confront the opposition and secure victory for the ruling party in the 2023 general elections.

I heartily congratulate our revered Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the APC presidential primary election.

The delegates of our dear party have made the best decision by electing Asiwaju to fly the flag of our dear party, APC in 2023.

The Bola Tinubu presidency promises to bring transformational development to Nigeria as witnessed in Lagos state, where he served as governor for two terms.

Abiru, therefore, urged Nigerians from all walks of life to look beyond premodial considerations and throw their support behind Tinubus candidacy.

He noted that complexities and protracted challenges facing the nation required a tested and experienced leader like Tinubu to tackle them headlong.

I congratulate all APC members and supporters for this historic feat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
recalls that Tinubu won the APC presidential ticket, defeating 13 other aspirants to emerge the flag bearer of the APC at the end of the Special National Convention of the party on Wednesday in Abuja.

Tinubu, polled a total 1,271 votes, while Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past Minister of Transportation, came second with 316 votes, followed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who came third with 235 votes. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has appealed to the Federal Government to develop a national cybersecurity strategy and regulatory framework to protect the countrys cyberspace.

The President of NCS, Prof. Adeshina Sodiya, said this during the three-day cyber security forum and workshop in Abuja.

He said the initiatives must be multi-stakeholders approach, including paying close attention to the construction of incident response capacities in all sectors.

As a nation, we are not as developed in the area of cyber security like other developed countries where they meet twice a month to strategise and also update.

Any nation that is not talking or coming up with strategies on how to protect or manage the digital infrastructure is not safe.

Many organisations and individuals not only in Nigeria are moving their activities online, people want to be sure they are safe to transact and conduct their activities where they are not monitored, Sodiya said.

He, however, said many Nigerians had been victims of cybercrimes, adding that cybercrimes would be on the increase when digital economy was fully implemented in the country.

Sodiya said there were three levels of cyber-attacks, confidentiality, integrity and availability.

He, however, said cybercrime could be committed in any part of the world not necessarily in Nigeria, adding that there was need to protect the digital infrastructure.

Sodiya said the aim of the forum was to address the current situation and proffer possible solutions on cyber security to be on the same page with other developed countries.

The Chairman, African Union Cyber security Expert Group, Mr Abdulhakeem Ajijola, said there was need for more capacity building in cyber security and improvement in the area of awareness as the common man was becoming digitalised.

We need to improve in governance mechanism and make sure we adhere to the right kind of standards.

We need to make sure the policies already articulated are more thoroughly implemented in the various sectors.

Governments cannot act alone, and the participation of the technical community and the private sector as well as the civil societies are essential to building effective resilience capabilities, he said.

Mr Kola Okunola, the Director, Intelligence Strategic Data Mining and Analysis Development of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), said youths should leverage on the positive opportunities in the cyberspace.

He said the youths could improve in their field of studies as well as engage in courses and free trainings online.

Okunola commended NCS on their efforts to come up with the forum, saying there was need to have an enabling environment for the younger generation to thrive.(NAN)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on Thursday cautioned Nigerian content producers to desist from feeding Google, Youtube, Amazon and other online platforms with uncensored contents.

NFVCBs Executive Secretary, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, said this during the maiden edition of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) conference, held at Filmhouse Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He noted that content producers circulating uncensored contents on online platforms were suspected to be producers who had not registered with recognised associations in the country.

He said they should exhibit some level of respect for the laws guiding film production and distribution in the country.

According to him, feeding various internet platforms with uncensored contents has continued to affect Nigerias cultural values and the children who stumble on them unconsciously.

He said financial benefits should not only be considered in their dealings but also the moral development of the children and youths who are the future leaders.

We are concerned about maintaining our cultural and moral values, we should be mindful of the multiplier effect of showcasing obscene contents on google, amazon and all.

I call on those content producers in the habit of distributing obscene contents to google, amazon and all to desist from such, he said.

Thomas appreciated Netflix for working with the board to ensure contents released into the public domain on itsplatform were censored.

According to him, NFVCB is working unanimously with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to see how the circulation of these negative contents can be regulated.

He said the board had not rested on its oars in monitoring and evaluation of the entire industry as arrests were still being carried out, and seizures of films with obscene videos and vague languages.

He said that the Ghana Film Authority had informed the nation of its decision not to allow filmmakers shoot films in Ghana without seeking permission.

Earlier, Mr Patrick Lee, the outgoing National Chairman of CEAN, spoke on the need to engage government more to enjoy incentives. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Abuja natives under the auspices of Coalition of FCT Concerned Youths has urged the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, to heed to court order by inaugurating the newly elected Area Council Chairmen.

The Convener of the coalition, Mr Joshua Yohanna, made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, while reacting to court Judgment which directed the minister to swear in the chairmen.

The FCT High Court sitting in Kubwa district under Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, on Thursday ordered immediate swearing-in of the newly elected chairmen and their councillors.

Ibrahim set aside the judgment given in favour of tenure elongation for the immediate past Chairmen and their councillors.

Reacting to the judgment, Yohanna, emphasised the need for the FCT minister to immediately direct the Chief Judge of the FCTA to administer the oath of office and swear in the chairmen and councillors-elect.

He described the judgment as courageous, adding that it had once again proved that judiciary remained the last hope of the common man.

Based on the foregoing, and according to the orders of the court, we are calling on the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, to immediately, without hesitation, direct that the Chief Judge of the FCT administers their oath of office and subsequently swear them.

This has become expedient, based on the fact that the area councils are already lagging in terms of administration and good governance, as a result of the vacuum created by this impasse.

We strongly believe that the minister is a man of integrity, character, and good conscience, and will keep his word, more so quickly.

He congratulated the new chairmen and councillors and urged them to hit the ground running, and work hard for the development of the FCT and the interest of the people, to enhance their lives and well-being.

Yohanna said the coalition would continue to remain a formidable and active voice in promoting good governance and human rights and justice in the administration of the FCT.

We also urge all our members, to be magnanimous in victory, while maintaining peace and goodwill.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis has congratulated Nigeria and political parties for the smooth conduct of primaries across all levels.

Tunis gave the commendation during the opening of the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the Parliament on Thursday in Abuja.

He urged the Nigerian government, political parties and the citizens to sustain the tempo as the world looks forward to Nigeria in conducting a free, fair and credible general elections in the year 2023.

I wish to congratulate the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly the political class, for the successful conduct of their primaries of the two major political parties.

We acknowledge the complexities of the Nigerian society; hence we admire the maturity and tolerance exhibited so far.

As we inch closer to full scale political activities, let me seize this opportunity to advice all actors on the need for additional tolerance in this anxious period of full-scale political activities.

The sub-region and indeed the whole world looks up to Nigeria and expects a successful, as well as free, fair and peaceful election in early 2023, Tunis said.

The ECOWAS speaker also said that 2023 will be a pivotal one for the sub-region as Member States, Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra-leone would be conducting their general elections.

He said the role of the ECOWAS Parliament in ensuring successful democratic process could not be overemphasized hence the need for long engagements before election days.

May I remind us that 2023 will be very pivotal for democracy across the region. With elections scheduled to hold in three Member States; the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Our role in ensuring that the democratic processes are conducted in a way that guarantees the best possible outcomes cannot be overemphasized.

In coordination with the ECOWAS Commission, we must begin our engagements long before the polling day to ensure successes in all the three Member States, Tunis said.

Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the event, Sen. Obinna Ogba Member of the ECOWAS Parliament and Nigerian legislature representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District also commended the peaceful primary elections at all levels.

Ogba said that the conduct of peaceful and primary elections in the country which he also emerged as a gubernatorial aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shows a growing democracy.

Ogba said the peaceful conduct of the primaries shows that a peaceful transition has also started and it is left to the people to elect their choices.

The smooth transition has started, the PDP has done their primaries, the APC have also done theirs.

I believe that Presidential candidates and others have now emerged and it is now left for the people to elect who can give them the dividends of democracy.

And, they will now elect the person when the time comes, Ogba said.

He, however, stressed that in ensuring sustained democracy, it is also important to involve citizens in the democratic process of their country.

I thank my party for giving me the opportunity to fly the flag and by Gods grace when I win the election, we need to involve everybody in governance.

And when you involve everybody in governance, it reduces a lot of tension, and if everybody has something doing, they will not have that time to engage in crime.

Poverty contributes to the problems we have. When somebody does not go to school and is at home doing nothing what do you think he will do, Ogba said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament from June 9 to July 2 seeks to deliberate on draft community regulations emanating from the Commission.

The Parliamentarians will also discuss issues bothering on examining community strategies targeted at improving governance.

It will also address issues of unconstitutional change of governance, insecurity, and proffer solutions towards democratic consolidation in the sub-region. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Sidie Tunis

By Lizzy Okoji

Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis has tasked Members of the Regional Parliament on actionable solutions to ending the insecurity, bad governance and other challenges confronting the sub-region.

Tunis made the call at the opening of the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the Parliament on Thursday in Abuja, stressing that there must be a change from just talk shops to actions.

Tunis, who lamented the spate of insecurity and political instability in Member Countries, said that citizens were counting on Parliamentarians and people in authorities for solutions.

As you are aware, our Parliamentary Sessions provides us with the opportunity to discuss wide ranging topical issues of the Community and render opinion on a number of referrals that have been presented to us.

The Supplementary Act provides that we shall reflect our views on issues of the Community by Opinion or Mandatory Assent.

The onus is, therefore, upon us to support policies that address these day-to-day issues. It has become evident that our people are much more concerned with the decisions we make and the ripple down effects they have on them.

Each time I travel across the region, I am confronted with the hard questions: What is ECOWAS doing about food shortages?

What is ECOWAS doing about rising prices of food and energy? What is ECOWAS doing about poverty eradication? among others.

These are the questions we must address. Not only with policy formulations and conferences, but with actionable solutions that are indisputable.

As we do our work over the next few days, I pray we place much more emphasis on practical results. We cannot afford to fail our people, Tunis said.

Tunis also condemned the recent act of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria and other countries of the region, which he said has caused a major setback in the affected countries.

On a sad note, terrorism, kidnapping and banditry continue to cause major setbacks for security in the region. In Burkina Faso, Mali and the Federal Republic of Nigeria the situation has worsen.

We condemn the recent attack on the Kaduna International Airport and the Abuja-Kaduna train that led to the loss of innocent lives and injuring to many others;

The gruesome attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo State that led to the killing of many, and many others unfortunate deaths across the region.

We thank the Nigerian government for its continued efforts in fighting the perpetrators of evil and call for increased vigilance in areas that are susceptible to threats, he said.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Brou commended the Members of Parliament working tirelessly during several of its sessions to discuss burning issues confronting the sub-region for possible solutions.

Brou who was represented by Vice President of the Commission, Finda Koroma lamented the security situation in member states, pledging the unwavering support of the Commission to also finding solutions.

Despite all the progress our Member States are making in running of their countries, our region continues to face numerous challenges in the areas of security, humanitarian, political and economic affairs.

We, therefore, welcome the Accra Initiative as well as other efforts by our member states to fight the menace, Brou said

Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also tasked Members of the Parliament to leverage on their positions to effect the desired change for the sub-region.

It is important for the Parliament to set the pace for better understanding of the role of the legislature in governance.

It is time to start thinking outside the box to understand the role of parliament in democracy, Gbajabiamila said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament from June 9 to July 2 seeks to deliberate on draft community regulations emanating from the Commission.

Other agenda for discuss includes; examining community strategies targeted at improving governance, address issues of unconstitutional change of governance, insecurity, and proffer solutions towards democratic consolidation in the sub-region. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has promised to ensure development of sports in military barracks to engaged more youths in sporting activities.

Irabor made the pledge at the closing of the 2022 edition of Abuja Military Barracks Youths Sports Championship organised by the Defence Headquarters on Thursday, in Abuja.

The CDS, was represented by the Director of Education, Defence Headquarters, Rear Adm. Chibuike Azike,

Irabor assured the youth that deliberate efforts would be made to ensure the continuous construction, renovation, reactivation and remodeling of sporting facilities within the barracks.

In additional and by way of encouragement, we shall continue to facilitate the participation of youths across all barracks in organised sports competitions around the country.

I urge all youths across all the barracks not to rest on their oars as they go about pursuing their educational and sporting careers.

There are enough challenges currently being faced by government at all levels, while efforts are on to arrest the crisis.

This championship as organised, no doubt have widened the horizon of our barracks towards exploring opportunities offered by sports, he said.

Irabor commended the Directorate of sports for a job well done in ensuring the smooth conduct of the competition.

He also commended the participating youths for the excellent performance, saying the championships must have taken a toll on their physical and mental strength.

He added that objectives set out to be achieved via the conduct of the championship had been realised.

I therefore commend all the youths for the efforts they have put into winning trophies for their teams.

You will all agree with me that every team is a winner. We can see that there are trophies in front of every team.

Specifically, I commend and congratulate the youths that have distinguished themselves by winning individual prizes during the championship,he added.

On his part, the Director of Education, DHQ, Rear Adm. Azike, said the fourth edition of the military youth sports competition started well and ended well.

Azike said the fourth edition was unique because it was held in the newly remodeled football pitch, adding that the football pitch was FIFA rating.

According to him, it means that various sporting conditions national, local and national and beyond.

So, I believe that in the nearest future, we will have talents from this particular competition to represent the country and even beyond,he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the championship features four sports including: football, basketball, volleyball and badminton involving five teams.

The teams are: Team Lungi, Team Mambilla, Team Mogadishu, Team NAF Base and Team Zuma in both male and female categories.

Team Mambilla emerged the overall winner with 620 points, Team Lungi came second with 480 points, while Team Mogadishu won the third position with 400 points.

Teams NAF Base and Zuma came fourth and fifth with 320 point and 280 points respectively. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Mr Farouk Salim, the Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has canvassed for the strengthening of pharmaceutical sector in the country through development of standards that deal with the peculiar problems.

Salim made this call on Thursday while delivering the maiden Public Lecture of the Dora Akunyili College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was themed: The Impact of Standards on the Practice of Pharmacy Profession.

The SON boss said the call became necessary as standards in pharmaceutical sector is crucial given its role in the care of the sick.

It is the existence of standards that assures the safety of lives and properties as they establish boundaries and advocate responsibilities.

In addition, the pharmacy practice in its entirety both in the clinical and industrial practice has tolerance for error as derived from standards, he said.

Salim, who is also a pharmacist, regretted that only three per cent of the drugs in the Nigerian market are produced locally.

In spite of the great potential for the pharmaceutical industry in Africa with increasing urbanisation, healthcare capacity and supportive business environment as the major drivers of the Africa pharmaceutical market, 95 per cent of all medicines produced in Africa are imported with only three per cent being produced locally, he said.

Salim noted, however, that SON given its statutory function as the facilitator and enabler of standards and Secretariat of the Standards Council of Nigeria, was critical for the survival of the countrys industrial sector.

In his opening remark, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the event signposted the commitment of the institution to scholastic engagements and community services aimed at strengthening its relationship with society.

Ezemonye said the management of the university recently awarded a grant of N2.5 million for the College of Pharmacy for research and drugs development.

The vice-chancellor announced that the colleges Cancer and Reproductive Research Group is currently working on development of therapeutics useful in easing labour, reducing postpartum haemorrhage and reduction in mother/child mortality/morbidity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Editted by AbdulFatai Beki/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nasir

BUA Cement Company, Sokoto, on Thursday donated drugs and a borehole worth N25 million to nine host communities.

The Managing Director, Alhaji Yusuf Binji, who handed over the items at a brief occasion in Sokoto said the gesture was part of the companys commitment in supporting its host communities.

Binji, represented by Alhaji Sada Sulaiman, Corporate Affairs Manager, said the solar-powered borehole was donated to Dagelawa community in Wamakko Local Government Area and gulped N15 million.

The 10,000-gallon borehole is to support the community to access potable water as part of the companys commitment to address the peoples needs.

However, the drugs, which were shared among eight community clinics, are worth N10 million, in continuation of the gesture for our hosts to access free medicines, he said.

Sulaiman listed the benefitting clinics to include: Mobile Police clinic, Gidan Boka clinic, Gidan Bailu clinic, Arkilla clinic, Kalambaina clinic, Sabon Garin Alu clinic, Wajeke clinic and Bakin Kusa clinic, all in Wamakko local government.

Responding on behalf of the communities, Alhaji Zubairu Dundaye, Vice-chairman, Wamakko LGA, thanked the company for the gesture.

This is a rare gesture which will immensely support our communities and complement the state governments commitment towards addressing the needs of the people.

We are highly impressed with the support and generosity of BUA Company towards improving the living standard of our people, he said.

Dundaye urged the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the donations for the purpose they were meant for and urged the people of Dagelawa community to safeguard the borehole from vandalism.

Also speaking, the District Head of Wajake, Alhaji Muhammadu Mailato, lauded the firm for its sustained support to the communities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The price of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) basket of 13 crude oil samples stood at .54 per barrel as of Wednesday.

This is compared with .16 per barrel recorded on Tuesday.

This is according to OPEC Secretariat calculations obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Bonny Light (Nigeria) and Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea).

Others are Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News