By Aderogba George

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Anneozeng Ogozi Aid Foundation (AOAF) on Friday empowered 10 indigent women petty-traders in the Federal Capital Territory with cash gifts to support
their businesses and improve their standard of living.

The Founder AOAF, Mrs Anneozeng Peters, said that the objective of the empowerment programme called Lets Talk Charity COVID-19 Initiative, was to cushion the economic impact of the pandemic experienced by the women.

Peters said AOAF partnered AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, an international NGO, for the selection of the women from different communities across the FCT where AHF currently has interventions for women.

She said each of the selected women was given N25,000 cash gift to support and expand their petty trades.

She added that this initiative was birthed to help get indigent women who may have been affected by COVID-19
to get back to their businesses and sustain their livelihoods.

Through this initiative, we have been able to empower a total of 55 amazing and powerful women who are willing
to take their businesses to the next level.

The AOAF founder thanked AHF for the role it played, alongside other support in making the empowerment programme a reality, saying AHF had remained a mentor in this direction.

Mr Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF-Nigeria, said the group always thrived on partnership
with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) in supporting their works with grants, capacity building and mentoring.

Aborisade said the foundation also works toward reaching local communities with various interventions.

According to him, the indigent women selected are from a large pool of women across different communities that the foundation had worked with in the FCT.

Some of the communities include: Gosa, Gwagwalada, Waru, Alieta, Kuje, among others.

He said some of the women are bread winners of their families, struggling to meet up with their daily needs through their petty businesses.

The N25,000 given to each of them will go a long way in their businesses, it may not look big but it is very significant to them.

The key criteria for their selection is the will to survive in spite of the challenges they face, they believe that they must have something
doing like a trade and must have demonstrated the will to multiply wealth.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Christiana Onwe who is involved in the business of selling pure water and carbonated soft drinks, appreciated AOAF for the support.

She said the money would go a long way in boosting her business and giving her family a better life.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Ramatu Hassan, who is into food business, appreciated the organisation for the kind gesture.

Hassan said the money would help her to expand her business and would help to support her children in school. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

Some stakeholders of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lokoja, Kogi and Kabba/Bunu Local Government Areas, have promised their support for Mrs Adedoyin Eshanumi, to represent Kogi West at the Senate in 2023.

The stakeholders gave the assurance on Friday when Eshanumi paid a consultation visit to the APC excos in Lokoja, Kabba, and Kotonkarfe.

In her remarks at the various APC Secretariats in the three LGAs, Eshanumi said the visit was to consult stakeholders in Kogi West and declare her intention to represent them at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly; soliciting their support.

Eshanumi urged the delegates to support and encourage womens participation in politics, as APC is bringing up a policy to fielding women candidates in various elective positions in the 2023 general elections.

She appealed to the people, especially women folks to support her and rally round women candidates in the 2023 general elections.

It is women that remember home, and mostly have the interest of the people at heart. Please, give woman a chance, support me and I will not disappoint you.

I am ready to surpass every record that the men senators have made in the past in Kogi West, pls give me a chance and I will not let you down.

I contested in 2019, and I am back again. I am pleading with you to have confidence in me and give me a chance; I will represent your interest very well, Eshanumi said.

In their separate comments, the three APC Chairmen and other stakeholders, all commended Eshanumi for her courage to step out in 2019 and now, and encouraged her to remained focus and stand her ground.

The APC Chairman, Kogi/Kotokarfe, Hon. Abubakar Onar, commended Eshanumi for her courage and for making the party proud.

According to Onar, this is the first time we are ushering-in a woman aspirant in Kotonkarfe, and we will choose for ourselves with equity and fairness.

We pray they give us a level playing ground during the primary to elect the candidate of our choice; we assure you of our total support.

He prayed that God will grant her desire and make her dream of becoming the first woman senator in Kogi a reality.

On his part, the APC Vice Chairman, Lokoja LGA, Mr Emmanuel Lonis, said, if there will be a level playing ground in the primary, we assure of our support.

Once the masses have decided to support you, we will do our best to back you. We want you to consistently be in touch with us either you win the election or not.

We salute your courage, and we will do our best to support you. Always see yourself as a winner.

The APC Chairman Kabba/Bunu, Mr. Olorunmosunle Elisha, commended the female aspirant for her courage to recontest in spite losing in 2019

Kabba/Bunu is ready to support Yagba candidate because they have a good chance, but the multiple aspirants showing up interest is the main problem.

It is aspirant that have our interest at heart we will support. We like your composure and we pray that God will favour you, he said.

The APC PRO, Kotonkarfe, Mr Adulrahman Original, said they had tried men several times and this was the time to support women and compare both.

The truth is that when you give woman a power she will perform, we will give her our total support and lobby our men to do the same. It is time to try a woman., Original said.

APC Women Leader, Kabba/Bunu, Mrs Grace Obamo, and that of her counterpart in Kotonkarfe, both urged the people to give women a chance, insisting that they would do better.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Eshanumi made some cash and foodstuff donations to the stakeholders at the three APC Secretariats. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Kenyas former president Mwai Kibaki has died at the age of 90, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced in a statement on Friday.

Kenyatta hailed Kibaki as a notable father figure in Kenyas history and ordered several days of
national mourning until the funeral.

Kibaki left behind a more united and prosperous country, Kenyatta said.

Kibaki was the countrys third president after independence from Britain in 1963 and was in office from 2002 to 2013.

He was seen by many as a political and economic reformer.

His inauguration ended one-party rule in the East African country.

The Kenyan constitution was also reformed under Kibaki, presidential power was limited and decentralisation was introduced.

However, after the presidential elections in 2007, there were bloody clashes and around 1,200 people died in the process.

Source: NAN News

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said it had registered 133, 935 additional eligible voters in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Lagos State as at April 18.

INECs Public Affairs Officer in Lagos State, Mrs Adenike Oriowo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the figure covered the first week of the fourth quarter of the exercise.

Oriowo said that the commission registered 21, 808 eligible voters in the first week of the fourth quarter, thereby bringing the total figure of the new registrants in the state to 133, 935.

She stated that as at the end of the third quarter of the CVR in March, the total number of fresh registrants, who had completed their registration in the state, was 112,127.

The official, however, said that a total of 405, 010 applicants visited the commissions portal for online pre-registration as at week one of the fourth quarter.

Oriowo stated that 84, 994 fresh applicants did online pre-registration in the first week of the fourth quarter.

She noted that as at the end of the third quarter of the CVR in March, 320,016 new applicants did online pre-registration in the state.

The INEC spokeswoman, who said that there was a little increase in the turnout of fresh applicants, noted that many people who did online pre-registration had not showed up physically for the biometric registration, to complete the exercise.

The number of people who have completed their registration in the state stands at 4,806,616. Those who registered online account for 2, 079,303 while the figure for physical registration is 2,727,313, she said.

Oriowo noted that the electoral body was committed to registering all eligible applicants in the state, who wanted to participate in the 2023 general elections.

She said that the fourth and last quarter, which began on April 11, would be rounded off on June 30.

Anybody who wants to vote should take advantage of this window to get registered, transfer their registration or replace their lost or defaced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before it will be too late, she said.

Oriowo explained that persons who just celebrated their 18 birthday could visit any INEC office across the state and other designated centres provided to get registered.

NAN reports that the number of fresh registrants nationwide since the exercise started in June 2021, has hit 8, 271,647 as at April 18, the first week of the fourth quarter.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all registered political parties to submit copies of their membership register to the commission, in compliance with the new Electoral Act 2022, before their primary elections.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the directive at the second regular quarterly meeting of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, on Thursday.

Yakubu said that the new Electoral Act made it mandatory for political parties to submit their registered members to the commission 30 days before their primaries.

Let me also seize this opportunity to remind political parties that by the provision of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2022; each party is required to maintain a membership register in hard and soft copy and to make such register available to the Commission not later than 30 days before the date fixed for primaries, congresses and conventions.

So far, only one political party has complied. It is a mandatory requirement of the law and all parties are required to comply.

Doing otherwise is like going into an election without the register of voters. There can be no credible primary or general election without a credible register of voters, Yakubu said.

The INEC chairman also advised the RECs to thoroughly study the new Electoral Act, saying a credible election is anchored on the law.

As you are aware, the Electoral Act, together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and our Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, constitute the electoral legal framework for elections.

As election managers, it is incumbent upon us to familiarise ourselves with the legal framework.

On the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), particularly the creation of additional centres to devolve the exercise beyond INEC State and Local Government offices nationwide, Yakubu said that a total of 2,673 centres had been activated nationwide.

He disclosed that in the last one week of the exercise, 405,587 eligible Nigerians had completed the registration at the various centres.

This, according to him, represents about 31 per cent increase on the average figure of 125,000 weekly registrations since the exercise commenced in June 2021.

Yakubu also said that while INEC expected a surge in new registrations as it approached its June 30 deadline, it was prepared for it.

He, however, said that INEC was concerned about the safety of prospective registrants, INEC personnel, equipment and materials, including the printed Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) made available for collection by registered voters.

Yakubu, who said that recent incidents involving INEC staff and facilities were worrisome, recalled that following the unfortunate attack on INEC staff in Imo State last week, the Commission suspended the CVR in all the 54 additional centres in the State.

The exercise is now restricted to our State and Local Government offices except Ihitte Uboma, Njaba and Osu where the exercise had been suspended for the time being.

Similarly, based on the urgency of the situation in Anambra State, the CVR has been suspended in all the 42 additional centres and confined to our State and Local Government offices except Nnewi South and Ogbaru LGAs where the exercise had also been temporarily suspended.

Furthermore, in Kaduna State, the exercise had been suspended in Jemaa and Kaura as well as large areas of Birnin Gwari and Giwa on account of insecurity in the four LGAs.

In addition, two of our staff were abducted by bandits but later released in Isa LGA of Sokoto state while on voter registration duty.

Yakubu said that the commission would keep monitoring and reviewing the situation nationwide, always bearing in mind the imperatives of ensuring the safety and security of INEC staff and registrants.

However, he said that in spite of the security challenges, INEC remained resolute in its determination to conduct the 2023 General Election as scheduled.

In doing so, every eligible Nigerian must be given the opportunity to vote, including citizens in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Happily, the Commission has a standing policy on IDP voting which had been periodically reviewed.

In the light of the security challenges around the country and guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission will immediately review the policy to ensure that no internally displaced Nigerian in any part of the country was disenfranchised.

The issue of IDPs is one that would be discussed at this meeting.

The Commission is confident that our security agencies have the capacity to deal with the security challenges ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

Fortunately, we have started the preparations for the election early. There is, therefore, ample time to deal with the current situation to enable the Commission and all stakeholders to deploy nationwide for the elections.

Yakubu added that INEC would continue to work with the security agencies for a peaceful electioneering and conduct of elections, including holding high-level meetings with the security agencies and consultations with stakeholders immediately after the forthcoming national holidays.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

Prof. Muhammed Isah, Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), has advised public officers to desist from diverting public wealth to their personal pockets.

He gave the advice at a one-day workshop, organised for staff of the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was on strict compliance with assets declaration and code of conduct for public officers.

Isah, represented by Prof. Samuel Ogundare, Federal Commissioner, Education and Advocacy Services at the Bureau, said it was important for public officers to maintain high level of integrity as they carry out government activities.

Public officers are key to public administration and that is why you were carefully selected in terms of your education, skill and experience.

That is why you have been given the legal backing to carry out your duties as well as conducive environment to discharge your responsibilities.

So, having given you much like this, government expects that you discharge your responsibilities effectively and efficiently, by doing things right.

And how you deploy these wealth is important to the government, rather than deploying it to personal pockets, other wise known as corruption, he said.

On his part, Mr Elijah Mohammed, Registrar, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), urged the participants to be objective and accountable as they carry out their duties.

What this thing is all about is objectivity, sincerity and accountability and by so doing you will be able to account for certain things for yourself.

You will find out that you are helping yourself to take stock of yourself as nobody is witch-hunting us and the watch word is accountability, he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Kelechi Ogunleye

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, says it is impossible to swap inmates in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service with free citizens.

The minister said the on Friday in Abuja in his opening remarks at the third and fourth quarter 2021 performance review meeting of the ministry and its agencies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that rumour mills had been replete with stories about how the Nigerian Correctional Service swaps inmates with free citizens.

The allegations we hear are worrisome and most are false and almost impossible.

There is a minimum setback between our facilities and human development areas, but if its not being enforced at some correctional services, we will ensure the enforcement, he said.

The minister assured that no such swapping would be tolerated under his watch, stressing that government would further secure already properly-secured facilities of the Nigeria Correctional Services.

Speaking on current delays in the issuance of travel passports, Aregbesola said the integration of the National Identity Number (NIN) with names database was responsible.

He stressed that Nigerians must know that if the names on their passport bio data and NIN do not tally, it would be difficult to prove that such names identified one person.

We must integrate NIN with passports and thats why most of the delays are not caused by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

For as long as your bio data integrates with your NIN which is in the database of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), then you have no issue.

If the database of NIMC cannot accept your bio data, then the issuance of passport will be difficult, he said.

Aregbesola also blamed periodic server failure at the NIMC for delay in confirmation of NIN and consequently the issuance of passports.

Tally in arrangement of names is important as theselittle things conspire against speedy processing of passports.

Most applicants do not care about these minute details even though we have digitalised the entire application process, he said.

He said the ministry and the NIS were working to ensure that passports applicants were able to track their applications online.

Agencies of the ministry are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Fire Service and the NIS.

The minister urged the agencies to pay serious attention to public perception about them.

What you get the public to see and believe is of great importance and if a user of your service is dissatisfied with your service, then act, appropriately, Aregbesola Advised. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

To boost entrepreneurship, Prof. Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has charged youths to be active in the area of digital creativity and innovation to solve Nigerias economic problems.

Pantami gave the charge at the World creativity and innovation day (WCID) expo organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said innovation and entrepreneurship were the two globally-accepted models used to address economic problems which could only be achieved by promoting creativity and innovation.

Identity the various challenges we encounter in healthcare, education, security, finance and provide IT solutions to them, he said.

The Minister disclosed that It is indeed really encouraging that in Nigeria our future in digital creativity and innovation is very bright..

There is no doubt about this. If you look at the ideas that are coming up from the discussions.

The quality of the inventions of our young innovators today presented before us shows originality and can be transformed into innovations, that is goods and services.

It is indeed very clear that our future in digital innovation is very bright, he said.

He recounted that many Nigerians start-ups were blazing the trails at the global level from the innovations they were coming up with which he described as encouraging.

He added that the country would always provide the necessary enablement and support for the start-ups in the digital innovation ecosystem.

In his remark, the Director-General, NITDA, Malam Kashifu Abdullahi, seized the occasion to speak on the vital role innovations played in the growth and development of a nations economy.

Innovation is a vital key to the prosperity of any nation, and our prospects for future economic growth largely hinges on our ability to innovate.

He stated that Innovations, particularly market-creating innovations, have the potential to transform nations and lift them out of poverty.

Market-creating innovation pulls infrastructure and investments that can transform the economy and create prosperity.

Abdullahi said that the Nigerian digital innovation space was making waves on the African continent..

He noted that as part of the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, the Agency had identified innovation as a great tool that would enhance the implementation.

At NITDA, we have identified innovation as a critical tool for implementing National Digital Economic Policy and Strategy.

We have taken bold steps to drive our nations prosperity by boosting digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

Our drive towards building a robust framework and infrastructure to bolster technology innovation for all Nigerians has the firm and usual support of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Inuwa stated.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of a cheque award for N2 million to GreenAI, a farming solutions hub, as the winner of the innovation challenge and pitch session.

Other winners that emerged from the competition also got cash prizes ranging from N500,000 to N1 million.

About 50 techpreneurs were at the stand to display their various IT solutions to challenges in agriculture, e-commerce, healthcare, education and e-learning for the partially impaired and physically challenged. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on academics and members of other professional bodies to participate actively in the task of making Nigeria a better place for all.

Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the vice president received, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, a team of 13 professors who came to endorse and support his aspiration ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

The top academics, drawn from the six geo-political zones, came under the aegis of the Progressive Intellectuals Advisory Group.

The group was led by Prof. Shehu Adamu, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

These days, you find all sorts of pretenders claiming expertise in everything under the sun without any real expertise.

So, it is important that academics do not vacate that space to allow all sorts of people to begin to postulate on practically every issue, he said.

The vice president recalled his experience as an academic who became an Attorney-General.

Osinbajo welcomed the interest of the professors in the upcoming 2023 presidential elections.

One of the most important things I recall when I served first as Attorney General of Lagos State was that it is so important for those of us who are in academics to participate because not only are we among the more knowledgeable groups, we have also done more work.

The path that you have chosen is a very crucial one because in the future, more intellectual groups will take the responsibility that is really theirs.

And I think that for those of us who are from the academic community, it is a privilege that we have being the intellectual crme de la crme of our society, and this comes with responsibility.

The vice president appreciated the groups endorsement of his presidential aspiration.

He said that if there was any sort of endorsement that had given him particular joy, it was the groups endorsement.

Because if one is endorsed by professional colleagues, people who live their lives by critical analysis and evaluation; it is worth celebrating.

These matters are not to be taken lightly. For a professor to say that he supports a political cause, it is a weighty matter indeed, because you are aware that a lot of reflections go into it.

But when you have 13 professors all over the country saying that they are aligned to one cause; I am greatly humbled; it is one of those things that doesnt happen often.

We will work together to make a significant difference for our country, Osinbajo said.

Earlier in his remarks, Adamu said the visit was to intimate the vice president on activities and efforts of the group to support his aspiration to become Nigerias President.

He said the academics were convinced of Osinbajos capability to lead a more prosperous Nigeria; hence their resolve not only to endorse him, but also offer their expertise and do what it would take to ensure that he emerged victorious.

Adamu said the group would engage in activities, including media engagements, community mobilisation, and partnerships with other professionals, among others, to shape public opinion in a manner that will lead to a successful run by the vice president in 2023.

Another member of the delegation, Prof. Nasiru Musa Yauri, the Vice Chancellor of the Al-Kalam University, Katsina, said members of the group had decided not to fold their arms.

We will do whatever it takes to actualise the PYO 2023 project, he said.

Moreso, Prof. Chukwuemeka Nwanegbo, the Head of Political Science Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, said that members of the academic community would throw their weight behind the vice president.

We do not want to sit back and watch the political terrain disallow you from emerging.

So, we want to work with you, other professionals and students to actualise your bid, he said.

Aside Adamu, Yauri and Nwanegbo, the other academics at the meeting included Prof. Yahaya Baba, Usman Danfodiyo University in Sokoto and Prof. Mashood Omotosho, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Others were Associate Prof. Philips Okolo, Director of the Institute of Peace and Security Studies, Niger Delta University, Prof. Shola Omotola, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof. Danjuma Abubakar, IBB University, Lapai and Associate Prof. Abdullahi Jibrin, Federal University Lafia.

Associate Prof. Atelhe George, University of Calabar, Prof. Saleh Mohammed, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Haruna Adama, University of Yola and Prof. Ike-Elechi Ogba, Ebonyi State University were also in the delegation.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Philomena Attah

The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye has lauded the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for establishing its Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday while inaugurating the agencys ACTU, Owasanoye said the inauguration was a display of strong testament and commitment by NAN.

The chairman who was represented by Mr Olayinka Aiyegbayo, a Deputy Commissioner, added that such commitment portrayed NAN as being in the forefront of driving the anti-corruption initiatives of the Federal Government through the unit.

Owasanoye urged members of the ACTU to stay in the part of integrity by being responsible and responsive in performimg their duties.

He urged them to avoid any oppresive act given the strategic role they were expected to play.

In his remarks, Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director of NAN urged Nigerians to fight corruption at individual level for the fight championed by the Federal Government to be successful.

Ponle said that corruption was a monster that had defied solution over the years, as such it should be fought with all vigour.

This fight must also be fought collectively. NAN will identify itself with anything that stands against corruption, he said.

In his speech, Dr Razak Owolabi, chairman of the newly inaugurated anti corruption unit said the unit was not out to witch-hunt any member of staff.

Owolabi, a Deputy Editor in Chief, said the unit could not function without the support of management and staff of NAN.

He solicited for the support of the Managing Director and staff to make the job of the unit successful and for it to be worthy of emulation by similar units in federal ministries, departments and agencies.

Other members of the agencys ACTU are, Mr Ugochukwu Nwogute (Secretary), Mr Aliyu Abubakar, Mr Dele Olorunfemi, and Mrs Racheal Kopkung.

Alice Bolarinwa, a lawyer from ICPC performed the formal inauguration by conducting the oath taking ceremony for the ACTU members.

Mr Silas Nwoha, the Editor in Chief of NAN, Mrs Gbemisola Erinoso Babalola, Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr Moses Uzoagba, Deputy Director, Administration, and Mr Martins Asuquo, Head of Marketing were at the occasion.

Mr Nwaobilor Emmanuel, Mr Abuo Larry, and Mr Usman Adewale were among the ICPC team. (NAN)

Source: NAN News