By Bridget Ikyado

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, says the Commission will commence the transportation of pilgrims to Israel and Jordan by the middle of June.

The NCPC boss made the disclosure on Tuesday, in Abuja at a send forth organized for a retiring senior officer of the commission, Pastor Tete Yakubu, who had attained the mandatory retirement age of 60.

Pam explained that the 2021 main pilgrimage was expected to have commenced on May 30, based on the understanding the commission had with states pilgrim officials but was shifted forward due to operational reasons.

The executive secretary said that all arrangements had been completed for a successful operation.

On the retiring official, Pam described him as a true man of God who had worked tirelessly for the commission.

He admonished him to hold on to God and depend on Him as his guide even as he exited the commission.

In his remarks, the Director of Administration, Mr Barnabas Ali said Pastor Yakubu had conducted himself very well all through his service in the Commission.

Retirement is part of life and every public servant must retire one day, he said, urging members of staff of the Commission to be supportive and show love to one another.

He also enjoined them to engage in healthy relationship and shun rivalry, as no one remains in civil service forever.

In his remarks, Yakubu appreciated the staff of the commission for the time he spent in service, and advised the staff to be patient and always do the right thing as they await their turn to retire. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Sarafina Christopher

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NEEM Foundation to promote and manage peace in Nigeria.

The Director-General of the Institute, Dr Bakut tswah Bakut, while signing the MOU in Abuja, said that the memorandum would provide a platform for joint conferences.

He said that it would also facilitate provision of seminars and workshops to enlighten and train citizens on peacebuilding.

According to him, it will go a long way to addressing and managing conflict in the country because there are more hands-on decks to ensure that peace reigns in the country.

We believe this is a good opportunity for the institute to promote peace and this MOU will not be like others that were signed and forgotten

We also believe that we will be able to achieve the set goals on it, even before the three years elapse, Bakut said.

Dr Fatima Akilu, Director of NEEM Foundation, in her remarks said that the foundation worked primarily in conflict resolution across northern Nigeria in the areas of peace, security and trauma management.

While appreciating the director-general of the Institute for the opportunity for partnership, she noted that a lot could be done about peace in the country, especially with the crisis happening.

In the last couple of days a lot of conflicts have been happening in Nigeria ranging from different spheres and we believe that if we all work together, then peace is possible in the nation.

We are really committed to seeing that peace is kept and the foundation has a lot of ideas in terms of peacekeeping,

But it cannot be actualised without the involvement of the institute, so, I want to thank and urge the institute to work hand in hand with us to achieve this given set goal and objective, Akilu said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Adedeji Egbebi

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ido-Ekiti on Monday, dismissed another suit filed by the Akombo and Alawe Ruling Houses challenging the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti Chieftaincy Declaration of 2016 by the Ekiti State Government.

The Declaration had restored the Arubiojo and Onifisin as Ruling Houses in line with the original 1957 Declaration.

The suit was filed in August 2020 by the two Houses claiming that the Declaration was fraudulently obtained.

This was after they had lost in the same court, their attempt to quash the inclusion of the Arubiojo and Onifisin as Ruling Houses by the state government in 2015.

The state government had raised preliminary objection to the new suit on four grounds, including being statute barred and abuse of court process since the case had already been decided by a Court of competent jurisdiction.

While delivering his ruling on the Preliminary objection, the Presiding Judge, Justice Ariyibi Apuwabi held that the claimants were statute barred, having filed their suit outside the period stipulated by the Public Officers Protection Law.

The court also, held that the suit was an abuse of court process on account of a similar suit having been filed in the same court and appealed against by the claimants against the same defendants.

He, therefore, sustained the objection of the defendants and consequently dismissed the suit.

Cumulatively, the Akombo and Alawe Houses have lost three suits in their quest to eliminate two ruling houses to the throne of Olosi of Osi-Ekiti.

The first was the attempt to quash the decision of government to include the two Houses.

After five years of litigation, the case was decided in favour of Arubiojo and Onifisin Ruling Houses on the six issues raised.

The second was the appeal filed in respect of the court judgment, which they also lost, while in a unanimous judgment, the Court of Appeal sitting in Ado Ekiti, upheld the judgement of the lower court on all the six issues raised and dismissed the appeal as lacking merit and substance.(NAN)()

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Adedeji Egbebi

The Obalodo-designate of Ilodo-Oye-Ekiti, Mr Bamitale Oguntoyinbo has stressed the need for Ekiti indigenes to always make proper findings of their source.

Oguntoyinbo gave the advice while hosting the Obaloran of Ilode, Ile-Ife in Osun State, Oba Sakariyau Olawusi, and his Council of Chiefs at the Obalodos palace, which was undergoing construction in Ilodo, Oye-Ekiti.

He noted that no community could exist without a source as it is the only means by which the community could be developed.

Obalodo-designate explained that Ilodo-Oye-Ekiti people came from Ile-Ife and settled in Oye-Ekiti which made the community have a representative in nine quarters that made up Oye-Ekiti.

Every Ekiti indigenes must be able to trace their source in the Yoruba lineage to be able to have a good legacy when they start having children.

I want to correct a wrong impression about what some people have been saying about the origin of Ilodo and us, we are not outcasts, we are firmly rooted in the history of Oye-Ekiti.

According to history, Oloye, Obalodo, and Oloyemoyin left Ile-Ife the same day, the main assignment of Obalodo was to make the nine arms of Oye remember the harmattan that symbolises the Oloyemoyin annually.

Oloye has wide powers on all Oye nine arms in traditional and political administration, while Obalodo also has power all over Oye nine arms.

I want us to settle very well before we invite the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, one of Nigerias foremost traditional rulers, who has achieved a lot in the development of the community, he said.

Oguntoyinbo thanked Obaloran of Ilode-Ile-Ife, his Council of Chiefs for their visit, and pledged to sustain the relationship between them.

Reacting, the Obaloran of IlodeIle-Ife, in Ile-Ife, Oba Olawusi, said that Ilodo has come to stay, urging people who are spreading news of conflict and unfounded history to give peace a chance in the community.

Oba Olawusi, who was represented by High Chief Sobaloju Adifala, the Baale of Ilode-Ile-Ife, charged the Obalodo-designate to use his position to promote peace and love in the community.

Ilode-Ile-Ife is fully in support of Obalodo-designate, Mr Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, to rule the community as their King.

I want to urge Ilodo people to embrace peace, and love that will bring development to the community, do not fight anybody because whoever God has destined to become a King will surely wear the crown, he said.

Oba Olawusi commended Obalodo-designate for the ongoing construction of the palace and his determination to revive his communitys culture and traditions despite all distractions.

Bamitale, do not think that some chiefs and Obas are angry with you, it is some people who desire to have a beautiful palace such as this one, that is envying your position, he added.

The traditional ruler through his representative presided over the royal blessings at the tomb of the last occupant of the Obalodo stool, Late Joseph Oguntoyinbo, who joined his ancestors 24 years ago after reigning for 56 years on the throne.

He assured them not to exercise any fear, adding that the relationship between Obalodo of Ilodo-designate, Oguntoyinbo, and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Ademolaju remained intact.

One of the Obalodo of Ilodo descendants, Mrs Ibiduni Adediran, who spoke on behalf of the Ilodo people, appreciated the Obaloran of Ilode-Ile-Ife, Oba Olawusi, and his council of chiefs for their visit to the community.

She prayed for Obalodo-designate that God would grant him wisdom and long life to rule the community. (NAN) ()

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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Sarafina Christopher

Dr Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Coordinator and Representative of the UN Secretary General in the Kyrgyz Republic, says security is not the only solution and agenda for peace building in Nigeria but only a countermeasure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ojielo said this at a one-day seminar on: Agenda for Peace building in Nigeria on Monday, in Abuja.

According to Ojielo, issues that causes conflict do manifest as security challenges, but most of them are not security nature rather they stem from many driving factors like social, economic, environmental and even political problems.

Therefore, security is not the only solution to peace building in Nigeria.

We know that it is important to say that the outset that conflict prevention and sustaining peace cannot be achieved through an approach driven mostly by security considerations.

Though security provisioning is important especially when violence is threatened or is occurring.

However, it needs to be borne in mind that a security driven approach should be only one component of a much larger integrated approach to conflict management and resolution.

Very often, the security approach should be the last option, rather than the first and easy option.

So, if you have a social problem, you cant use a tool box of security to address it, Ojielo said.

He also noted that establishing a process for peace building in Nigeria is very important because one may not be able to solve it alone.

In order to break the cycle of violence, an early warning mechanism should be adopted.

One of this mechanism is technology. When people discern that violence is threatened, they should be able to call or send message to somewhere,

Someone should be able to respond to that call and message immediately.

The role of the IPCR in the development and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated approach to prevention and sustaining peace is crucial. he said.

Ojielo also added that the timing of this discussion is appropriate because the various political parties are selecting candidates for various elective offices at state and national levels.

I am hoping therefore, that this discussion will provoke a reflection among state actors on whats working, not working and needs to change in the remaining period of the various administrations in the country.

More importantly, it is my hope that our discussion today can help frame a new agenda for conflict prevention and sustaining peace for the incoming administrations in 2023.

Ojielo also cautioned citizens to stop taking laws into their hands and trust the state actors to step in.

Earlier in his remarks, Dr Bakut Tswah Bakut, the Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, said that Nigeria needed to build peace presently and not just rely on solving it.

According to him, the country is tense and this tension creates agitation that leads to severe violence therefore, peace builders should step up and prevent the escalation of this agitations.(NAN) (.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Obi emerged winner after all other aspirants stepped down for him and in the interest of the party in a presidential primary elections held on Monday in Asaba, Delta.

According to Chairman, Electoral Committee, Usman Abdullahi, five presidential aspirants were cleared to contest the election.

Abdullahi disclosed that a total of 104 delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), were accredited for the election.

However, in the unfolding event, the presidential aspirants; Prof. Pat Utomi, Mr Joseph Faduri and Mrs Olubusola Emmanuel-Tella stepped down while Mr Charles Uchenna withdrew from the election.

Obi, at the end of the voting, polled a total of 96 votes to clinch the party ticket for the general election.

While declaring the result, Abdullahi declared Obi winner and presidential candidate of the LP for the 2023 general election for having polled a total of 96 votes out of the 97 valid votes with one invalid vote.

He described the process as free, fair, transparent and credible.

Obi, in his acceptance address, said that the country was in dire need of effective leadership that could remove the country from consuming to productive nation.

According to him, the only way to fight insecurity is to pull people out of poverty.

He said that under his administration, education, power generation and the economy would be the priority, if given the mandate as president.

Obi said that having secured the mandate as presidential candidate that the journey to the presidency haf begun.

He said he would mobilise to harness votes from all nook and cranny of the country too win the presidency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the process was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) amidst tight security by security agencies and the media, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress were represented.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe
The Presidency has again, reeled out 28-page of President Muhammadu Buharis strides in Oil and gas reforms, Digital economy, Mines and steel development, Agriculture, Education, Health, Creative Industry, Sports and infrastructural development; roads, bridges, rail, air and sea ports, housing, and many others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidents scorecard is coming ahead of the seven year anniversary of the Buhari-led administration on May 29, 2022.
President Buhari had in May 29, 2015, took the oath of office as President, promising to serve Nigeria faithfully in all spheres of national life.
The seven years milestone, according to the Presidents spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, presents a major landmark and opportunity to review the service of the president to the country, and its people.
Adesina noted that the Buhari administration has so far delivered in its promises to Nigerians although revisionists would want to look at security challenges, which are being robustly tackled by the government.
A one-stop shop of the achievements of the Buhari administration at seven indicated that a lot has been done, and a lot more will still be done in the 12 months ahead.
Nigeria, under Buharis watch, has continued to witness the biggest and most ambitious federal infrastructure programme since Nigerias Independence.

On legislative reform of the Buhari administration, Nigeria has seen the most ambitious legislative programme in its history.

Several landmark Bills have been passed or amended in the last seven years, including the following:

Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022

Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022, which repeals the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

It provides a comprehensive legal and Institutional Framework for the prevention and prohibition of money laundering in Nigeria, while also conferring on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the legal status of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering.

Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022, which repeals the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 as amended in 2013, and provides for the effective implementation of international instruments on the prevention and combating of terrorism and suppression of the financing of terrorism.

Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022, which makes comprehensive provisions for the seizure, confiscation, forfeiture, and management of properties derived from unlawful activity.

Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, 1993 (Amendment) Act, 2019, which will deliver increased revenues to the Federation.

Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON (Amendment) Acts of 2019 and 2021.

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Bill, the first legislation in Nigerias history focused on curbing anti-competition practices; establishing the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Establishment Act, 2018

Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, an Executive Bill, signed into law in 2019.

The Bill facilitates the identification, tracing, freezing, restraining, recovery, forfeiture and confiscation of proceeds, property, and other instrumentalities of crime, as well as the prosecution of offenders in criminal cases regardless of where in the world they might be.

Act establishing the Police Trust Fund, which will significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force (2019).

Nigeria Police Act, 2020 the first comprehensive reform of Police legislation since the Police Act of 1943.

Repeal and Re-Enactment of the Companies

By Ismail AbdulAziz

Sulaiman Bakari has emerged as the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) House of Representatives candidate for Jalingo, Yorro, Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba.

He emerged through a concensus of the party executives and other stakeholders in the state during its primaries.

Ibrahim Yusheu, elections Committee Secretary, who made the announcement, said the emrgence of Bakari was an agreed decision done in the best interest of the budding party in the state and the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bakari is from Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba and a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a Masters Degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from the same University and currently running a PhD programme in Security and Strategic Studies..

He is also an FBI certified Criminal investigative Analyst, an Anti-Corruption expert, who worked with the foremost Anti-Corruption agency, EFCC for over a decade.

Dr Umar Mohammed, state Chairman of NNPP, said that the emergence of Bakari as the flagbearer would change the dynamics of politics in not just the Jalingo, Yorro, Zing Federal Constituency but Taraba in general.

He said all stakeholders of the party in the state would work assidiously for the success of Bakari and all other candidates of the party in the state and the country.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has hailed the declaration of a renowned environmental activist, Chima Williams as one of the six winners of 2022 prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize.

A statement on Sunday by Mrs Obiageli Onuorah, Deputy Director/Head Communications and Advocacy said Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, NEITI made this known in his congratulatory message to the environmental activist.

Williams, a lawyer and founding member of the Civil Society Steering Committee of NEITI won the Prize for Africa as a result of his leadership in championing environmental justice in the Niger Delta.

This was through his legal fight for the clean-up of the Ogoni land especially helping three communities in the Niger Delta.

He helped Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo communities in Ogoni land, Bayelsa State to win the 13-year-old case for the oil spills and environmental damages against Shell at The Hague.

He was also part of the legal team that litigated the action against gas flaring in the Iwherekan community in Delta State in 2005.

Orji described Williams win as Victory for environmental justice to oil, gas and mining host communities in Nigeria.

It is also an encouraging development to NEITIs commitment to push the boundaries of civic space in tackling environmental degradation in Nigeria which is in line with EITI standards, Orji stated.

The NEITI executive secretary said that, Williams through the years had been committed and dogged in his advocacy for justice and equity for vulnerable citizens, especially those who resided in the Niger Delta region.

Winners from other continents include Niwat Roykaew of Thailand who won the prize for Asia, Marjan Minnessma of the Netherlands who won the prize for Europe and Juliet Vincent who picked the prize for Australia.

Others are Nalleli Cobo of the U.S. who collected the prize for North America as well as Alex Luciatante and Alexandra Narvaez from Ecuador who jointly won the prize for South America.

The global award, known as Nobel Prize for grassroots advocacy to protect the environment was announced in a virtual ceremony held on May 25, 2022 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

We hope that as Nigeria moves into environmental reporting, Williams, a valuable resource person on environmental issues, will bring his wealth of experience, skills, and expertise to guide and complement our efforts as we engage the sector, Orji said.

The award was announced at the time Williams was in Abuja as a lead discussant at a seminar on addressing environment challenges in Nigeria.

The Goldman Environmental Prize started in 1989 and is awarded annually to honour the achievements and leadership of grassroots environmental activists from each of the worlds six inhabited continental regions.

The Prize recognizes individuals for their sustained significant efforts in protecting the environment and seeks to inspire other ordinary people to take extraordinary actions to protect the natural world.

Williams is the third Nigerian to receive the prize after the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa won it in 1995. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Temitope Ponle

Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, the President African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, says the bank will continue to make Africa proud by supporting implementation of impactful and life-transforming projects across the continent.

Adesina said this via a tweet on Sunday, through his verified tweeter handle @akin_adesina.

This day in 2015, I was first elected president of the AfDB. Six years later, the Bank was named the Best Multilateral Financial Institution in the world, and 4th most transparent institution in the world. We will keep making Africa proud.

He said that he was delighted at Global Finances recognition of the AfDB as the best multilateral financial institution in the world in 2021.

I am proud that for the first time since its establishment in 1964, the Bank has risen to a position as a foremost globally-respected financial institution.

Adesina described the award as one which was duly earned.
He, however, credited the banks continued success to a new culture of results, strong client orientation, leadership, creativity and continued innovation by a team of excellent staff across all its jurisdictions.
According to him, we are constantly innovating, developing and deploying financial, investment and knowledge products to meet the rapidly changing needs of African countries and the private sector.
In 2021, the U.S. magazine, Global Finance, specialising in financial markets and investment banking named the AfDB as the Best Multilateral Financial Institution in the world for 2021.
The award is a global recognition for the path breaking efforts of the bank as it transforms itself into a solutions bank for Africa.
The bank achieves this through a combination of its operations, knowledge services and investment positioning, which continue to help accelerate Africas development.
Furthermore, Mr Joseph Giarraputo, the Publisher and Editorial Director of Global Finance said investment banks would play a leading role in reshaping the world economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
With widespread expectations of consolidation in multiple sectors and all around the world, investment banks will play a leading role in reshaping the world economy post-pandemic,
Companies need more than ever to understand the specialties and skills that investment banks bring to the table. Global Finance awards are a valuable guide.
The award is an affirmation of the success of the operational strategy being pursued by the AfDB under the leadership of Adesina, who was unanimously re-elected to a second consecutive five-year term as president. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News