Osagie Ize-Iyamu APC candidate for Edo Governorship election

By Joy Odigie

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo Governorship election says Gov. Godwin Obaseki has toyed with his chances for re-election by failing to keep to his electoral promises.

Ize-Iyamu made the assertion on Monday, during his ward-to-ward campaign at Ogwa, Esan West and Amahor, Igueben Local Government Areas of the state.

He said Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), missed his chances of reelection when he betrayed the trust of people of the state.

He said it was because the governor could not give account of his stewardship to Edo people that he decided to cross-carpet to PDP where he felt he would not be held accountable for his actions.

The governor did nothing for Edo people for almost four years and does not deserve a second term because he will also not work for the people, he said, urging theelectorate to vote massively for APC to restore Edo to the path of development.

We will bring more roads and employ teachers in your schools.

In the area of Manpower development, our women need more than wrappers, they need money to support their businesses, Ize-Iyamu said.

At Udo, Igueben council, he promised to construct the road linking the community to Igueben town.

In his remarks, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo, said he withdrew his support for Obaseki because he failed to continue with the upgrade of infrastructure he met on ground.

Oshiomhole said Obaseki could not deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo people, a promise the Governor made during his electioneering campaign in 2016.

Today, you are complaining of lack of good roads, no teachers, no water because he failed to continue with my work. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said it was committed to the credible electoral process in the upcoming forthcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, made thisknown at a webinar on Edo/Ondo Elections organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) and theAssociation of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).

The theme of the webinar was Edo/Ondo Elections: The imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage.

Oyekanmi said that the commission was committed to providinga level playing field for all candidates and parties.

We are not interested in the outcome of the elections but the credibility of the process to ensure that materials get to the polling unit on good time.

Oyekanmiappealed to journalists to be fair and objective in reporting the Edo and Ondo elections, adding that in spite ofthe utterances of political actors in Edo and the challenges, INEC was ready for credible poll.

He saidthat the commission had taken proactive measures to address security concerns.

INEC is determined to conduct the election despite the current difficult circumstances.

Out of the 14 activities listed in the timetable released in February, we have carried out 12.

The only two left are the deadline for campaigns slated for Sept. 17 and the election proper slated for Sept. 19.

All the logistics needed for the election have been taken care of. The non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the 18 local government areas of the state, he said.

Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of ICP, said the key objectives of the webinar were to strengthen the capacity of the media to engage professional, ethical, issue-oriented, gender-sensitive issues.

Arogundade said it was also to improve their capacity oninclusive sensitive and conflict sensitive reporting of the electoral processes and elections.

Arogundade said the webinar wasorganised with a specific focus on the imperative of safety consciousness and conflict sensitivity in media coverage of the two elections because of the prevailing circumstances in the two states.

In the area of safety, we are looking at how journalists could avoid getting in harms way in the course of their legitimate duties amid the general concern that the elections could turn violent as pockets of violence are already being recorded here and there particularly in Edo.

We are also looking at how journalists could ensure their health safety in view of the fact that the two elections are taking place under the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

In the area of conflict sensitivity, we are looking at how journalists could contribute to the peaceful conduct of the elections by embracing the principles and guidelines of conflict-sensitive journalism, he said.

Arogundadeurged journalists in the two states and elsewhere to read and digest the Resource Manual on Elections and Democratic Accountability and the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage.

Both publications actually have chapters or sections that deal extensively with details of how journalists could be conflict-sensitive, avoid hate speech and be personal-safety-sensitive in the coverage and reportage of elections, he said.

He reminded journalists that their main duty during elections was to relay the information that citizens would require to make informed choices.

It is a duty we must not abdicate but which we have to undertake with the utmost sense of professional responsibility so as to set the appropriate pubic interest agenda as far as elections in Edo and Ondo states are concerned, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NURTW

By Alaba-Olusola Oke

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun, has tasked members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) on a peaceful election as the state holds its gubernatorial poll on Oct.10.

Oleyelogun made the appeal during a meeting the states executive members of the NURTW on Monday in Akure.

He noted that there was need to ensure a peaceful and credible gubernatorial election in the state at this point in time.

The speaker, who lauded the leadership of the union for its peaceful disposition to electoral matters, enjoined them to continue towing the line of peace ahead the election.

He said that all stakeholders should eschew anything that could lead to crisis either before, during and after election.

Oleyelogun pledged the assemblys support to the union, saying that all hands must be on deck to ensure improved standards for the people of the state.

The speaker also deniedthat some suspended lawmakers, who were recently reinstated by the state HighCourt, were being denied access to the House.

Responding, Mr Jacob Adebo, the state Chairman of NURTW, thanked the lawmakers for the timely engagement, describing it as particularly relevant timely.

Adebo commended the unprecedented strides of the state governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, in the 18 council areas of the state, promising the lawmakers of peaceful co-existence before, during and after election.

He expressed the support of the NURTW members for the second term bid of the Akeredolu administration, to enable it to further consolidate on its achievements in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened trading for the week on Monday, with a loss of 0.09 per cent, ending five days consecutive bullish trend.

Specifically, the All-Share Index lost 23.41 points or 0.09 per cent to close at 25,582.23 compared with 25,605.64 recorded on Friday.

Accordingly, the Month-to-Date gain moderated to 1.0 per cent while Year-to-Date loss increased to -4.7 per cent.

Also, the market capitalisation dropped N13 billion to close at N13.345 trillion from N13.358 trillion achieved on Friday.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Guaranty Trust Bank, Dangote Sugar, Red Star Express, United Bank for Africa and Zenith Bank.

Commenting on stock market expectation this week, analysts at United Capital Plc, predicted that the market would experience profit taking.

They said that resumption of foreign exchange sales at the Investor

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal, Sadique Abubakar

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country.

Abubakar made the commitment in Gombe on Monday, at the ground breaking ceremony of 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group of the NAF, Sanni Abacha International Airport, Gombe.

According to hm, the newly established group is strategically located in Gombe State to enable NAF to carry out its responsibilities more effectively, especially in the North-East.

He said the group was also expected to add more value to organisational operations in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges in the zone and the country at large.

The group also marks another milestone in the service efforts to mark its presence in the critical parts of the zone.

Upon my assumption of duty in 2015, I charted a new course for the service with the vision to reposition NAF into a highly professional discipline for capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient deployment of firepower.

We also expanded the service by creating two new additional commands, one of which is the operational command with headquarters in Bauchi, as well as several others, he said.

Abubakar added that all the efforts were geared toward securing the country as well as bringing security closer to the people.

We also created some quick response groups/units also to bring security closer to the people.

Some of these groups/units are located in Gembu in Taraba, Zamfara, Agatu in Benue; Plateau, Nasarawa and Katsina State, in response to the security challenges in the various areas, he said.

Also, the Special Guest of Honour, Gov. Abubakar Yahaya of Gombe state, commended NAF for establishing the group in the state.

Yahaya said NAF had been in the front line in the fight against insurgency and other security threats plaguing the country, especially in the North-East.

I have no doubt that the group will go a long way in tackling insecirity and othe security threats plaguing the state.

The establishment of the group will also foster civil/military relations in the state. The people of Gombe state will no longer live in perpetual fear of the insurgents, he said.

Source: NAN News

EFCC, key player in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria official

The Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, on Monday pledged his support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its anti-graft war.

Gambari, who is also the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Kwara, gave the pledge while receiving the EFCC delegation in Ilorin.

The delegation led by Kazeem Oseni, while on a courtesy visit, had solicited for the support of the emir and members of the council.

While responding, the emir assured the team on behalf of the traditional rulers in Kwara of total support , adding I will be there to assist you.

I welcome you to the ancient Palace of Ilorin. Although we dont have criminals in Kwara, which I believe has made your work easier,the royal father said.

Earlier, the leader of the team, while appreciating the support by the traditional rulers in the state, in the fight against corruption, solicited for continued support in the fight.

I believe that it is important to be here to pay homage. I am also here to seek for more supports in the fight against all forms of financial crimes.

We have heard so much about you and I am sure you will support us to sensitise your subjects, so that they can understand that the fight against corruption is not a personal fight, Oseni said.

Source: NAN News

NICO urges security personnel to learn indigenous languages to boost intelligence gathering

By Stanley Nwanosike

Mr Mohammed Yahuza, the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), says ability of security personal to communicate in many indigenous languages will boost the fight against insecurity.

Yahuza spoke on Monday in Enugu at the commencement of a two-month Nigerian Indigenous Languages Learning Programme, organised for personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command.

Yahuza was representedby Mr Emeka Nwajiagu, NICO Head, Enugu Office.

He said that being conversant with indigenous languages promote interaction, information and intelligence sharing between security personnel and members of the public.

Knowing indigenous languages will enable security personnel to mingle with everybody around him, both the natives and other personnel, as well as easily winning their trust.

By getting close and winning the trust of the people; the job of gathering useful and timely information and intelligence become easier, effective and less costly, he said.

The executive secretary lauded the NSCDC Enugu State Command for keying into the programme, adding that the command would gain a lot as well as promote greater unity among its personnel.

The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Mr Everistus Obiyo, lauded NICO for bringing such a programme to teach personnel indigenous languages free in the comfort of the commands hall.

Obiyo said that no one can fully enumerate the benefits of indigenous languages to the individual personnel and collectively as a command, since the NSCDC have the mandate to ensure security of lives and property, especially critical government infrastructure.

I have directed all my personnel to participate and learn one or two of the indigenous languages and utilise it to push the work and mandate of the NSCDC forward in the state.

I must thank the executive secretary for giving this command this rare privilege to learn our indigenous language and interact better with members of the public and gain their trust and cooperation, he said.

In a goodwill message, Chief Edward Okolo, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, noted that most great people in history and modern day speak more than a single language.

According to Okolo, most great leaders have learnt not just languages of others but their culture as well.

Once you speak a language of an indigenous people; they easily welcome you and take you as their own and part of them. This is the magic and first benefit you get by speaking an indigenous language, he said.

Over 200 participants drawn from the various departments and divisions of the command enrolled in the programme.

The programme covers three indigenous languages- Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to ECOWAS leaders not to elongate their tenure in office beyond constitutional limits.

Malam Garba Shehu, the presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja said Buhari made the appeal while presenting Nigerias General Statement at the 57Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Niamey, Niger Republic on Monday.

The Nigerian leader urged his colleagues to respect constitutional provisions and ensure free and fair elections.

He said: It is important that as leaders of our individual Member-States of ECOWAS, we need to adhere to the constitutional provisions of our countries, particularly on term limits.

This is one area that generates crisis and political tension in our sub-region.

As it is, the challenges facing the sub-region are enormous; from socio-economic matters to security issues, the ECOWAS sub-region cannot therefore afford another political crisis, in the guise of tenure elongation.

I urge us all toresist the temptationof seeking to perpetuate ourselves in power beyond the constitutional provisions.

I commend those in our midst that have resisted such temptations, for they will be deemed exceptional role models in their respective countries and the sub-region as a whole.

Related to this call for restraint is the need to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. This must be the bedrock for democracy to be sustained in our sub-region, just as the need for adherence to the rule of law.

On the political situation in Mali, Buhari described it as serious concern to ECOWAS.

He commended President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic and out-going Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and the Leadership of the ECOWAS Commission, as well as the Chief Mediator, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, for effectively demonstrating commitment in handling the political situation in that country.

Nigeria remains resolutely committed to ECOWAS decision for a civilian-led Transition Government not exceeding 12 months.

This is important because of the circumstances surrounding Mali where violent non-state actors and other negative tendencies reside and who can take advantage of the unstable political situation to overrun the country, thereby plunging it into greater danger that will affect the political stability of the whole sub-region.

While Nigeria understands the current political realities in Mali, the sub-regions commitment to theProtocol on Democracy and Good Governance, must never be compromised.

An early return to democratic governance which is transparent and civilian-led, will commend itself for Nigerias support for progressive relaxation of sanctions against Mali, he said.

On security, the Nigerian leader noted that terrorism had continued to be the greatest security threat in the sub-region, complicating other national security challenges.

Buhari, therefore, stressed the need for the sub-region to collaborate more by working hand in hand with each other, to combat the root causes of the different security-related manifestations in their respective countries.

Nigeria is concerned with the rapidity at which terrorist groups in the Sahel and West Africa are working together against all of us.

We must urgently review these ugly developments to guarantee the safety and survival of our sub-region.

Our national security apparatus and the relevant Units of ECOWAS must urgently be seized with these unfolding events across our sub-region and act decisively on the emergence of early warning signs, he said.

While dwelling on the long-standing single currency issue for the sub-region, the president said: Nigeria remains committed to the implementation of the action plan towards the actualization of the monetary union and single currency programme of ECOWAS.

He called on member states to show support to the resolution of the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS on this matter.

The president said the member states must remain collectively focused and resolute in working to achieve the objectives of the ECOWAS monetary union as a project for the sub-region.

Cognisant of the likelihood that many ECOWAS member states may not meet the convergence criteria over the next few years due to the impact of COVID-19 on our economies and which as a consequence, will affect the take-off date of the single currency.

Notwithstanding this envisaged delay, we must remain collectively focused and resolute in working to achieve the objectives of the ECOWAS monetary union as a project for the sub-region,he added.

While insisting that the premature adoption of the ECO has unnecessarily heightened disaffection and mistrust among members of the emerging monetary union, Buhari encouraged UEMOA (French acronym for the West African Economic and Monetary Union) to return to the road-map on the common currency in the sub-region.

He also urged all stakeholders to bear in mind that those economic convergence criteria must be based on sound and sustainable macroeconomic fundamentals.

He noted that some key unresolved issues still remained such as delinking the CFA franc of the UEMOA from the Euro; whether the UEMOA countries join as a bloc or individual countries; design of the exchange rate mechanism; Stabilization Fund; policy harmonization and exit strategy and reserve pooling among others,

The Nigerian leader called on his colleagues to provide African solutions to African problems.

Buhari maintained that foreign interference and so-called advice may not be in the best sub-regional interest.

He stressed the need for UEMOA to return to the agreed road-map of the ECOWAS Single Currency by complying with the established framework under the road-map and cooperate with other member countries in achieving the objectives of the programme.

The president observed that the Summit was holding under a very complex health pandemic, whose impact on the global health and economy has so far been devastating.

He said, like the rest of the world, our sub-region is witnessing economic downturn with negative growth that is headed towards deep recession and the outlook continues to be uncertain.

Buhari, therefore, charged his colleagues on the need to continue to work in concert with each other on several fronts to ease the negative effects of the pandemic.

We need to demonstrate our collective resolve to harness the opportunities that come with COVID-19, despite its overwhelming negative impact on lives and livelihoods.

The Nigerian President, who is the ECOWAS Champion charged with mobilising and coordinating the efforts against the pandemic, admitted that the outlook for our sub-region with COVID-19 hovering over us is gloomy indeed.

He, however, expressed confidence that where there are challenges, opportunities are also available to be seized upon through greater collaboration with each other.

We must pool our resources together in unity to save our generation and generations to come from multiple challenges, including COVID-19 and related health issues.

We need to redouble our efforts in preparing our national economies to withstand impending shocks against prospective multi-sector challenges that await us in the sub-region, he declared.

While acknowledging that it is no easy task, Buhari appealed to fellow leaders to embrace our collective vision for the future with greater determination and innovative thinking and creativity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Angry JOHESU members

By Joan Nwagwu

The leadership of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) says it will commence a nationwide warning strike from Sept. 13, over the Federal Governments failure to meet the unions outstanding demands.

Mr Biobelemoye Josiah, the JOHESU Chairman, said this during a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Josiah listed the allegedshortchanging of the union in the payment of COVID-19 Special Inducement and Hazard Allowance (SIHA) to frontline health workers, as part of the unions demands.

It becomes imperative to inform you that if the federal government does not meet these demands by midnight of September 13, JOHESU will have no choice than to commence a nationwide seven days warning strike.

The strike will include our members in all the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs), states and Local Government health institutions, Josiah said.

According to him, JOHESU is forced to draw attention to the deliberate short-changing of our members in the payment of COVID-19 inducement allowances.

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) ought to redress and supervise the adherence to the payment of 40 per cent or 50 per cent COVID-19 SIHA as appropriate to all health workers in Isolation Centres, FHIs and other related health facilities.

This is without discrimination bordering on clinical or non-clinical status based on our Memorandum of Understanding of April 21 and as admitted by the FMoH at a meeting of July 1 that the payment of 10 per cent was done in error.

Consequently, FMoH agreed to correct the anomaly and pay the outstanding balance of 40 per cent of Consolidated Basic Salary to all the beneficiaries hitherto earning N5,000 as hazard allowance.

The federal government did not ensure total and full implementation of the July 1 agreement with JOHESU when it disbursed the third tranche of the allowance for June.

This has created grumbling across our membership and the challenge of assuaging the affected and restive members.

The situation has made it impossible to guarantee industrial harmony within the generality of JOHESU members, Josiah said.

He expressed concern that the government was not forthcoming in the payment of all withheld salaries of members at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, including the April and May 2018 salaries and adjustment of CONHESS salary structure.

The JOHESU chairman also decried the recent increase in the pump price of fuel and hike in electricity tariff in the country.
We at JOHESU take cognisance of the deregulation of fuel prices by the Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency.

We, in strong terms, reject the hike in electricity tariff, especially at this critical period occasioned by COVID-19 because it clearly increases the sufferings of poor Nigerians.

As a short term solution, we demand urgent fixing of our refineries to begin local refining and mitigate the volatility of the petroleum products prices with attendant anti-masses effect, he said.

The union also called on the Federal Inland Revenue Service to reverse the new stamp duties to be paid by tenants in properties, describing its introduction as unacceptable. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian journalists

No Fewer than 41 journalists have been attacked at different locations in the country in the course of their duties between January and August, the International Press Centre (IPC), has said.

IPC Programme Officer, Mrs Melody Akinjiyan-Lawal, made the revelation during a webinar on Edo and Ondo State elections in Benin on Monday.

The webinar was organised by the IPC, in conjunction with the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) for journalists.

Akinjiyan-Lawal, who spoke on journalists safety during elections, said of the 41 attacks, 35 were on male, while five were on female and one was on a media house.

She noted that the nature of the attacks were in form of harassment, threats to life, physical and verbal assault as well as damage to work equipment, among others.

The programme officer explained that journalists needed to take cognisance of the fact that nothing had changed in the way and manner politicians viewed election to be a do-or-die affair.

So journalists must report effectively while staying safe in the dangerous electoral terrain we still operate.

In this regard, it is important for journalists to situate their role and interest in the context of the interest of the two major stakeholders which are the politicians and the people.

The candidates and their supporters in these elections will not care whose ox is gored for them to actualise their ambition.

Journalists need to keep abreast of this fact so as not to be victims of any cross fire, she said.

According to Akinjiyan-Lawal, journalists covering the Edo and Ondo elections must not be partisan, but must be smart and ensure that they moved in groups during the exercise.

In his remarks, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, spoke on the proactive measures taken by the commission to address security concerns ahead of the polls.

Oyekanmi said consultations with the Inter Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Edo and Ondo were on-going to ensure the safety of everybody during and after the elections.

About two weeks ago, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, led a delegation to meet with the revered Oba of Benin, to ask him to intervene and appeal to political actors to allow a peaceful election.

The respected monarch promised to invite them to his palace for interaction and he has already done so.

Plans have also been concluded for all the 14 political parties participating in the election to sign a peace accord in the coming days, he said.

According to him, with all the efforts, it is hoped that the election will be held peacefully.

Earlier in an address, the Executive Director, IPC, Lanre Arogundade, said the training was one in a series for journalists across the country, under the European Union support for democratic governance in Nigeria.

He said safety of journalists was paramount in the Edo and Ondo State polls hence tagging the training, Imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage. (NAN)

Source: NAN News