By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Nigerian community in New York City, United States, on Sunday organised a debate for the mayoral candidates to learn about their views on critical issues impacting on the Nigerian community.

The debate was convened by The Nigerian Forum, a coalition of the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) and the Nigerian-Americans Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), a political action committee.

The New York City mayoral election is very competitive and strategic due to the citys diverse nature and an annual budget of about US$ 100 billion, the largest municipal budget in the U.S.

No fewer than 13 Democratic and two Republican candidates have qualified for the citys 2021 mayoral election following the Democratic and Republican primaries on June 22, 2021, and a general election on November 2, 2021.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than three Nigerians are contesting in the city councils elections.

They are Prof. Ranti Ogunleye, contesting for Staten Island City 49; Dr George Onuorah, contesting for Queens district 21; and Chris Durosinmi, contesting for Brooklyn District 37.

The Nigerian community is therefore positioning itself as an organised and important voting bloc that has enough weight to pull support for a candidate whose agenda resonates with the community.

Chairman of NAPAC New York, Mr Gbenga Omotayo, said that the debate aimed to discover the agenda of each candidate so as help make an informed choice about whose agenda would best support the Nigerian community.

Omotayo said a lot of issues affects Nigerians in the city, adding the candidate whose agenda best addresses the issues would secure the Nigerian communitys support.

We have a vision to make sure that our children get to wherever and whatever level they deserve and desire.

We are going to use some criteria to determine who we should work with and whoever we go with it, by the grace of God, is going to be the next New York Mayor.

When he is there, we are going to make demands of him; gone are the days when Nigerians were pushed aside. We dont want that to happen any longer, he said.

Omotayo also canvassed support for Nigerians contesting for New York City Council positions, saying, we have our brothers contesting, we will support them.

Similarly, Dr Nelson Aluya, President of NAPAC, canvassed support for Nigerians contesting for elective positions.

Aluya said: New York has a role to play, not only for us as Africans or for us as Nigerians but also for us black people.

We must begin to put our differences aside and come together to achieve result.

Also speaking, Dr Bola Omotosho, who moderated the forum, said the goal was for Nigerians to hear first-hand from the candidates as a voting bloc in New York.

Omotosho, a former Democratic candidate for New York City Council, said New York is a melting point of the world and the city is very important to the Nigerian community.

He added that the forum would afford Nigerians the opportunity to ask questions, noting that New York is a very diverse community and whoever becomes its next mayor will inherit a lot of responsibilities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Eric Adams, a leading mayoral candidate in the polls, pledged to deliver the prosperity of New York to the Nigerian Community in the city.

Adams, current borough president of Brooklyn, said education, security and wealth creation as well as health would be top on his agenda, noting that he had supported the health sector in Nigeria by establishing a clinic in Lagos.

The Democratic candidate also pledged to connect Africa with New York through cultural, educational and youth exchange programmes.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Eric Adams, a leading New York City Mayoral candidate, has assured the Nigerian community of a place in his government if elected the mayor in November.

Adams gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on the sidelines of a debate convened by The Nigerian Forum.

The forum is a coalition of the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) and the Nigerian-Americans Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), a political action committee.

You are going to see yourselves in my government. It is time to tear down those barriers and walls that prevent you from being decision makers.

Were going to empower your non-profits so that outsiders wouldnt come in your communities and deliver services.

You know what your communities need. Im going to empower you with resources so that you can provide the services that are needed.

No more are we going to allow others to build up our community. This is our opportunity.

Adams, who is contesting on the platform of the Democratic Party, said he had been to Lagos and other parts of Africa helping the people.

According to him, he knows exactly how it feels to be a Nigerian or an African living in the U.S.

To my brothers and sisters from the Nigerian community, this is an important moment for you.

You have to ask yourselves, people are now coming to you to support them but where were they when it was time to deal with serious issues in this community?

I dont have to introduce myself to you. Im just saying hello to good friends. I know what it is to be in Lagos helping the young people learning the skillsets and opportunities.

I know what it is to be on the continent of Africa.

This is an opportunity for one of your own to become the mayor of the city of New York.

We are going to do real partnership with good and services; 22.5 billion dollars budget for your small businesses to operate.

The New York City mayoral election is very competitive and strategic due to the citys diverse nature and an annual budget of about 100 billion dollars, the largest municipal budget in the U.S.

No fewer than 13 Democratic and two Republican candidates have qualified for the citys 2021 mayoral election following Democratic and Republican primaries on June 22, 2021, and a general election on Nov. 2, 2021.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than three Nigerians are contesting in the city councils elections.

They are Prof. Ranti Ogunleye, contesting for Staten Island City 49; Dr George Onuorah, contesting for Queens district 21; and Chris Durosinmi, contesting for Brooklyn District 37.

The Nigerian community is therefore positioning itself as an organised and important voting bloc that has enough weight to pull support for a candidate whose agenda resonates with the community. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Amb. Lot Egopija, the new Consul-General of Nigeria in New York says consular activities have picked up at the consulate after some disruptions brought about by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Egopija told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in New York that with the opening up of activities in the U.S. and the countrys vaccination drive, the consulate was also improving on the level of its services.

The Nigerian envoy regretted that the pandemic impacted negatively on activities of the consulate.

However, with the opening up and with host government vaccine drive, the society is opening up and we are also improving on the level of services we render.

We have beginning to have Nigerians who would have come during the lockdown to review their passports, to apply for one document renewal and all that.

They are now coming here so we are making ways to accommodate and to ensure their services within given period so that they dont spend the whole day.

For instance, we have to deal with as many as between 80 and 100 plus people everyday, he said.

The consul-general said that consular activities at the consulate were reduced by about 30 to 40 per cent due to the pandemic.

As part of COVID-19 measures, we are opening up the second floor of Nigeria House so as to reduce the crowd at the reception.

Nigerians will begin to use that place as soon as possible, he said.

Egopija also said Nigeria would continue to abide by the rules of the host country, adding that it would do everything possible to ensure the laws are respected.

He said Nigeria would continue to collaborate with the U.S., especially in the area of trade and investment.

Aside from dealing with consular issues, attending to every Nigerian in real time, we would also be focusing on trade.

He said Pursuing investment into Nigeria and that will help boost and accelerate our economy even as we begin to get out of COVID-19 situation.

NAN reports that Egopija took over on April 30 from Amb. Benaoyagha Okoyen, who is currently Nigerias Ambassador to Cuba. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By EricJames Ochigbo

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila says record has shown that only nine per cent of the total budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Armed Forces is spent on equipment.

Gbajabiamila made this known at public hearing on the Armed Forces Support Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, organised by the House Committee on Defence on Monday in Abuja.

Gbajabiamila said that appropriation records show that about 91 per cent of the current funding of the Armed Forces is spent on recurrent overhead, salaries and welfare.

This bill seeks to provide an injection of additional capital funding for the Armed Forces of Nigeria at a crucial time in our nation.

I am sure many of you will wonder why the Armed Forces of Nigeria need an additional financial injection at this time.

The fact based on appropriation records is that about 91 per cent of the current funding to the Armed Forces go on recurrent overhead, salaries and welfare, leaving only nine per cent for capital purchases.

This reality has prompted this 9th House of Representatives to seek a way of providing funds that will be focused on the capital needs and training of our Armed Forces, he said.

Gbajabiamila said that the importance of the bill is evidenced by the dwindling resources available to the Armed Forces of Nigeria to prosecute the various security operations it is involved in.

According to him, this requires innovative ideas to raise additional funds without placing any burden on Nigerians, in support of the Nigerian military.

Gbajabiamila said that Nigerias expenditure on military hardware and training in the last five years hovers between a paltry nine to 11 percent of budgetary allocation to the Armed Forces.

He said that it is grossly incapable of empowering the military to face the security challenges in the country especially the insurgency in the North East.

Gbajabiamila said that to succeed in the fight against insecurity, the Armed Forces of Nigeria required more funding for modern weapons and required trainings.

He said that spending on military hardware must definitely increase to support the zeal and commitment already being exhibited by the soldiers.

The speaker said the bill is a time limited endeavour to upgrade the equipment infrastructure of the Armed Forces.

According to him, if Nigeria must develop, we need to get our security estate right by ensuring that our military is adequately equipped and well- trained; this requires funding which cannot be sourced solely through the annual budget provisions.

Gbajabiamila said that during war times, countries do not fund their military through regular appropriation alone as seen in the United States, United Kingdom and all Western powers who engages in extra budgetary funding.

Nigeria is at war against insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping and all manner of insecurity; hence the need to uplift the resources available to our armed services to enable them procure the best tools to help win this war.

So, what we seek to do in this bill is not new or unique to us as a nation; the solution to our security challenges requires asymmetric actions across many policy areas. This is what we have tried to do as the representatives of the people.

The concept of a trust fund already exists for the Nigerian Police; it only makes sense to also bolster our military capability as well through this unique vehicle, he said.

In his remarks, Chairman, House, House Committee on Defence, Rep. Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos) said that the bill seeks to explore alternative sources of funding for the armed forces.

He said that the need to create additional funding for military has become apparent giving the myriad of security challenges facing the country.

According to him, only approximately nine per cent of the annual budgetary allocation is available for capital expenditure in the military; a large chunk goes for recurrent expenditure.

The rep said that the Nigerian armed forces had continued to expand and there was need to provide adequate weaponry and equipment to sustain the ever-increasing operations.

Babajimi said that efforts in the past to meet the required weapons to adequately combat insecurity had met brick wall due to insufficient funds.

He said that Nigeria ranked very low in terms of defence spending and that develop countries like the U. S. , Russia, United Kingdom, Poland all have alternative sources of funding for defence.

The lawmaker said that Nigeria spends .6 billion rank fourth in Africa after Algeria, Morroco and South Africa which spend .7 billion, .8 billion and .1 billion respectively.

He said given the security challenges facing the country today, the fund seeks to ensure a robust, efficient, well-trained and equipped armed forces.

The chairman said that the house will stop at nothing to ensure that the Nigerians are safe and their properties secured across the country.

Dr Charles Omole, the Special Assistant to the Speaker on National Security and Intelligence, said that bill is not placing extra responsibility on the citizens or taxes on businesses in the country.

He explained that the revenue for the fund will be sourced from statutory deductions as well as voluntary donations for individuals or organisations.

Omole said that the bill expressly states that the funds will only be spent on equipment and special trainings for military personnel.

He said that the bill provides that the fund is expected to last for five years and is subject to renewal if deemed fit by the National Assembly.

Omole said that the bill puts a duty on the fund to ensure, as much as possible, the use of locally manufactured defence equipment and also create room for importation.

He said that the bill provides for proper oversight of the fund by the National Assembly and the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By David Adeoye

Governors of the thirteen Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled states are currently meeting at the International Conference Centre of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 13 governors are;Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Gov.Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.

Others are Umar Fintiri of Adamawa, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Godwin Obaseki of Edo. the host governor Seyi Makinde and the deputy governor of Zamfara state Aliyu Gusau who represented Gov. Bello Matawalle.

It is expected that Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba and Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River would join others as the meeting progresses.

The governors, who arrived the conference Centre at exactly 1:10 p.m. in a coaster bus, went into a closed door session.

Feelers from the venue revealed that the gathering of the governors was centered on the security challenges across the country.

The meeting which is being presided over by the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, will also discuss issues relating to the progress of the party.

It is expected that a communique will be issued at the end of the meeting. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied releasing timetable for its Congresses and National Convention.

Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Our attention has been drawn to obviously coordinated and syndicated misinformation being circulated in some sections of the media on purported plans and timetable for Congresses and National Convention of the APC.

This is the handiwork of political jobbers parading themselves as media sources.

The media, party members and indeed the general public should be wary and completely disregard the misinformation, antics and schemes of these fifth columnists, Akpanudoedehe said.

He said the APC had never lied about its activities and had no reason to lie.

Akpanudoedehe said that the consultative leadership style instituted by Gov. Mai Mala Buni led CECPC had institutionalised the APC as a party of processes and internal democracy.

He said the committee was focused on delivering itsmandate to recover, rebuild and reposition the APC ahead of 2023 poll.

Akpanudoedehe said the committee was also focused on achieving peace and ensuring true reconciliation within the party to give a sense of belonging to all members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) at its meeting Dec. 8, 2020 meeting gave the Buni-led CECPC until June 30 to conduct congresses and the National Convention.

The CECPC which was constituted in June 2020, following the dissolution of the Adams Oshiomhole-led Nation Working Committee (NWC) was initially given six months to reconcile various factions of the party.

The committee was also to ensure that aggrieved members of the party in court withdrew all litigations as well as conduct a National Convention for the emergence of a new NWC.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

The European Union and the United States have reached a truce in their steel tariff dispute, the European Commission announced on Monday.

The EU agreed not to increase retaliatory tariffs in the steel dispute, as had initially been planned for June 1, arguing that it was in both sides interest not to raise the stakes further.

Former US president Donald Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Europe.

In retaliation, the EU imposed tariffs on goods including whiskey, jeans and motorbikes from the US.

The two partners will now begin talks on the matter, with a view to settling the dispute by the end of the year, according to a joint statement.

Both sides aim to preserve our critical industries, according to the statement by commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

To ensure the most constructive environment for these joint efforts, [both sides] agreed to avoid changes on these issues that negatively affect bilateral trade, the joint statement reads.

They also agreed that it was in their common interest to work together to hold countries like China that support trade-distorting policies to account.

Dombrovskis the EUs trade commissioner said the truce gives us space to find joint solutions to this dispute and tackle global excess capacity.

US politicians responsible for trade policy had initially signalled that the new administration under President Joe Biden would stick to the tariffs of his predecessor.

Source: NAN News

By Ayinde Olaide

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in Bauchi state, on Monday advocated for a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour in urban or built up areas for all categories of vehicles in the state.

The recommendation is contained in a statement by Mr Yusuf Abdullahi, the Bauchi Sector Commander, and made available to newsmen by Mr Rilwanu Suleimanu, the FRSC Public Relations Officer in the State.

According to the statement, the corps observed that speeding was responsible for about 30 per cent of crashes in Nigeria.

Abdullahi explained that the corps would be using the 6th United Nations Global Road Safety Week, which will run from 17 to 23 May, 2021, to carry out an advocacy programme where people in the state would be educated on the issue.

The 6th UN Global Road Safety Week will focus on the issue of speed.

The Week advocates for safer streets motoring by making 30 km/h speed limits, the norm for cities worldwide in places where people mix with traffic.

The Week is concerned about policy commitments at national and local levels to deliver the 30 km/h speed limits in urban areas and to generate local support for such low speed measures in order to create safe, healthy traffic flow within Urban cities globally.

As a lead agency in Road Safety Management and administration in Nigeria, FRSC is hosting the event and embarks on nationwide advocacy to replicate this global activity in selected Nigerian Cities.

Pursuant to this, the Bauchi State command of the FRSC organises public education campaign programmes to inculcate the norm of 30km/hr speed limits among road users, he said.

He called on the general motoring public to always adhere to the maximum legal speed limit while in the city or in built up areas so as to prevent crashes, its attendant injuries as well as its fatalities.

Abdullahi, who further stressed the need to avoid speeding which was considered among the critical traffic violations with high risk factor, said speeding leads to increase in the degree of crash severity, resulting in more fatalities or injuries.

The sector commander explained that more damage is caused to vehicles involved in speeding when they crash, thereby increasing the likelihood of such vehicles not drivable after crash.

Speeding also leads to extra fuel consumption and frequent replacement of auto parts, among others, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Public advocacy programme would include media charts, road shows, visits to hospitals and advocacy visits to stakeholders, including policy makers and others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, has ordered investigation into the fire incident at Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in the state.

Aliyu also directed a total cordon off of the premises to allow for proper investigation of the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday.

NAN recalls that fire broke out at the INEC headquarters in Enugu, located at number 1 Achi Street, Independent Layout, Enugu, on Sunday evening (May 16).

The commissioner, who raced to the scene alongside heads of other security agencies in the state, also ordered the deployment of adequate security men within the precincts of the INEC office complex.

He said: Yet to be identified armed miscreants on Sunday, May 16, at about 8:30 p.m., attempted to set the Enugu Headquarters of the INEC ablaze.

But were stiffly resisted by joint security operatives, who swiftly mobilised to the scene.

The Enugu State Fire Service personnel that promptly responded to calls helped in quenching the fire, which had already set on five vehicles and two cushions within the office complex.

The commissioner, however, enjoined law-abiding residents of the state to remain vigilant and promptly volunteer useful information that would help the police in the investigation.

Meanwhile, INEC officials in the state are yet to respond to NAN enquiries over the incident as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), his deputies and PRO did not pick their calls.

NAN recalls that on May 13, at about 9.40 p.m. there was fire outbreak at the INEC area office located in Orba community in Udenu Local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner of police had directed for investigation into the cause of that fire incident. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olajide Idowu

The Police Command in Osun has described as false, a report that Modakeke Town in Osun was attacked by gunmen on Sunday.

The news is fake, the spokesperson for the command, SP Yemisi Opalola, said in a statement on Monday in Osogbo.

Opalola said that what happened in Modakeke on Sunday was a show of force by some vigilantes guarding the area against thieves and other hoodlums.

I wish to keep you abreast of the incident that occurred in Modakeke last night, 16th May, 2021 and has been trending on the social media.

I want to categorically state that it is an erroneous belief that some people came to attack people.

The true situation is that vigilantes guarding the area against hoodlums were on routine show to alert the people of community of their presence and assure them of safety.

But because of what happened recently, people became apprehensive thinking they were under attack, she said.

According to Opalola, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode, wishes to reassure Osun people of his commitment to ensuring adequate security.

He, therefore, appeals to everyone to report any strange movements or anyone suspected to be of questionable character.

He urged the residents to go about their lawful businesses without any fear, the spokesperson said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News