Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged Nigerians to be patient over decision to shift elections by one week.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave logistic reasons for shifting all the elections by one week.

Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday Feb. 16 were shifted to Feb. 23, while state elections also scheduled for March 2 were also moved to March 9.

In a statement he issued on Saturday in Yola, Abubakar urged Nigerians not to react to the postponement with violence, but come out to vote on the new day.

Abubakar said that the All Progesives Congress (APC) had more than enough time and money to prepare for these elections and that Nigerians were poised and ready to perform their civic responsibility by voting in the elections earlier scheduled for Saturday.

This postponement is obviously a case of the hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob.

He said that the postponement was to disenfranchise the Nigerian electorate to ensure that the turnout is low on the rescheduled date.

Nigerians must frustrate their plans by coming out in even greater numbers on Saturday, Feb. 23 and March respectively.

Abubakar said that the plan was to provoke the public, hoping for a negative reaction and then use that as an excuse for further anti-democratic acts.

As such, I call on all Nigerians to be patient. We have tolerated the maladministration of this government for four years. We can extend our tolerance a few more days and give them our verdict via our votes.

Maintain the peace and be law abiding. Do not react to this provocation with anger, violence or any action that might be exploited by those who do not want this election to hold. Remain calm.

We will overcome this. You can postpone an election, but you cannot postpone destiny.

Please come out to vote on Saturday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, March 9 respectively.

Frustrate those who do not want this election to hold by coming out in very large numbers. That is the best antidote to their plans, he said.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmmood Yakubu said that the Commission would meet key stakeholders to update them on the development at 2 p.m. on Saturday, at the Abuja International Conference Centre.

Yakubu said that the decision would afford the Commission the opportunity to address identified challenges to maintain the quality of the elections. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Discussion involves the exchange between people any given idea or topic. It can be formal or informal and can be in large groups or small groups.

It is an effective teaching technique which promote the sharing of information and it involves the student. One of the key ways to promote communication is through discussion.

How to use Discussion

• You must be prepared to encourage and begin your discussion when appropriate . it is a way to take advantage of a teachable moment.
• Moment – interesting discussion which are unplanned may arise. Formal discussions requires some planning and possible informal discussion can be planned but the spontaneous discussion can be equally effective. The teacher will have to decide whether discussion take place in small groups or involve the whole class.
• The teacher should have a reason for utilizing discussion in the classroom.

Checklist for Utilizing Meaningful Discussion

• How will the discussion enhance the teaching experience of all students.
• What will be emphasized in terms of the discussion. The content of the discussion or both.
• How will students be evaluated.
• How will the teacher get all students to participate in the discussion.
• The teacher should make clear any rules the student will be required to show prior to the discussion.
• There must be a recorder for each group but if the whole class is to serve as a group, the teacher can act as an impartial recorder and record all the activities on the board.
• The teacher should encourage the participation of all students.

Things teachers must consider before creating a discussion.

• Establish a stress free environment
• Establish or arrange their sitting positions in a way that they can have a eye contact
• Never encourage the idea that teachers is all knowing. You should as much as possible learn.
• Teachers must be supportive and refrain from dominating and discussion.
• Teacher should make research before the class.
• Decide which form of discussion is appropriate for the topic being discussed either formal, informal, large, small group discussion.
• The discussion must have purpose and focus.
• Consider the group dynamic, lay down the rules e.g. be considerate in the class, do not interrupt, do not insult, ignore the teacher or student, you encourage rather than discourage them.
• Make sure you put it in mind that one or two students may want to dominate the discussion.

In talks with Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, President Muhammadu Buhari said people have more confidence in a government they have elected in free and fair polls, than one that wangles its way into office through artifice and subterfuge.

The Commonwealth scribe had paid a courtesy visit to President Buhari at State House, Abuja, after attending the signing of the Peace Accord at the International Conference Centre.

One Nigeria is non-negotiable, the President said. Over two million people died in the civil war we fought, and when people elect their own government through a free and fair process, they have more confidence in such government. We will not spare any effort to organise credible polls, and people should come out and vote for their choices, he added.

President Buhari expressed pleasure that the Commonwealth was showing keen interest in the Nigerian election, appreciating Rt. Hon. Scotland for coming all the way to be a part of what would engender free and fair polls.

The Secretary-General described Nigeria as a treasured member of the Commonwealth family, adding that the signing of the Peace Accord would lead to better voter turnout, as they would have seen the commitment to peace by all the main actors.

She commended what she described as President Buharis calmness and good humour, even as the polls approach, stressing: When Nigeria is healthy, vibrant and strong, the whole of Africa is strengthened.

Rt. Hon. Scotland also lauded the energetic way the President has pursued issues of security and anti-corruption, pledging that the Commonwealth stands ready to assist Nigeria at all times.

Source: NAN

By Johnson Eyiangho

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, assumed duty on Thursday at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Musa was appointed the army spokesman in a redeployment of senior officers released on Sunday.

His appointment followed the voluntary retirement of Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman on Feb. 7, after putting
35 years of service.

Col. Aliyu Yusuf, the Chief of Staff in the Directorate of Army Public Relations, who acted in the interim,
handed over to Musa.

Until his appointment, Musa was the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Enugu.

Musa pledged to evolve measures, potent ways and means that would improve and strengthen civil/military
relationship.

He also pledged to improve media relations to win the war against terrorism and other forms of criminality.

He said that the directorate had over time developed strategies in managing, defending and projecting the
image and reputation of the army in spite of challenges by the social media.

The new spokesman called for continued partnership between the army and media, devoid of rancor and
distrust, adding that the media must assist to tackle security challenges.

Dignitaries at the assumption of duty included the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr
Chris Isiguzo and the President, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Alhaji Mukhtar Zubairu.

Others are representatives of the Guild of Editors and Online Publishers. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has appreciated former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, for his continuous support for Nigeria and the growth of her democracy.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, said President Buhari gave the commendation in a telephone conversation with Clinton on Wednesday night.

President Buhari described Clinton as a friend of the country, while commending his constant support for the peace, stability and progress of Nigeria under a democratic dispensation.

He also assured him of his commitment to free, fair and credible elections in the weeks ahead.

President Clinton, who regretted his inability to visit the country to witness the signing of the final peace accord before the general elections, wished Nigeria well as her citizens go to the polls, the statement revealed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Clinton had planned to witness the signing of the Wednesdays second Peace Accord where presidential candidates in the Feb. 16 general elections renewed their pledge for peaceful conduct of exercise.

The candidates also agreed to accept the outcome of the elections.

The event, which was witnessed by prominent personalities including three former African Presidents from Liberia, Tanzania and Bostwana, was organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the chairmanship of the former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Source: NAN

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says that more than 900 million dollars worth of Pangolin for illicit trading were seized in Nigeria in 2018.

Asst. Comptroller Mutalib Sule of the NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, made the disclosure at an event to mark the 2019 World Pangolin Day on Wednesday in Lagos.

The event which was organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Lekki, Lagos, in collaboration with the Pangolin Conservation Guild of Nigeria had the theme: Pangolins and Politics.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Pangolin is a harmless African and Asian Mammal with body covered with horny overlapping scales: it has small head with an elongated snout.

It has a long sticky tongue for catching ants and termites and a tapering tail; it also has large protective keratin scales covering the skin; they are the only known mammals with this feature.

Asst. Comptroller-General Mutalib Sule of the Nigeria Customs service delivering a paper/session on History of Confiscation, Current Challenges and Opportunities in Combating Pangolin Trafficking in Nigeria, during the 2019 World Pangolin Day event by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Lekki, Lagos and Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria. (NAN Feb. 13, 2019)

The summary of Pangolin seizure by the FOU Zone Aunder my superintendent in the year 2018 is 14,833 metric tonnes.

My study across the world revealed that this is the highest seizure of Pangolin in the world.

Japan came a distant second having made a seizure of 7.100kg of Pangolin in the same year with the estimated value of 450, 000 dollars.

Going by this, Nigerias seizure under my watch cannot be less than 900,000,000 million dollars or even more, Sule said.

The assistant comptroller-general of NCS said that people engaged in illicit trade of Pangolins because of the benefits.

Roasted pangolin scales are believed to cure cancer, relieve palsy and even stimulate breast milk.

Pangolins are hunted for food, for use in traditional medicines and as fashion accessories; it is considered a delicacy in China, Vietnam and other parts of South East Asia.

The scales are prized 3,000 dollars per kilogram, while the meat is 300 dollars per kilogram; live pangolin attracts 1,000 dollars based on current black market prize, a kilogramme of pangolin is sold at 15,000 dollars.

The mouth-watering price of the illicit trade largely accounted for the business to boom and attract international attention; about 10,000 Pangolins are poached every year.

According to Sule, the NCS has been working hard to curtail this act.

On Feb. 12, 2018, the FOU patrol team led by my humble self went to a building located along Allen Avenue and confiscated 54 sacks of pangolin scale and 218 pieces of elephant tusks.

The Pangolin weighed 2001kg, while the elephant gave us 343kg; a Chinese citizen was apprehended in connection with it and taken to court by customs for prosecution.

On March 3, another Chinese was arrested at a location off Toyin Street; 329 sacks of pangolin was discovered and evacuated; the sacks gave us 8.492 metric tonnes.

A second visit there gave us 78 sacks of pangolin of 1,771 metric tonnes; also on July 22, 2018, around Lekki area of Lagos, 21 sacks of pangolin and 4 pieces of elephant tusks were found stashed in a shop.

On Aug. 11 of the same year, we swooped on the den of some Chinese nationals suspected to be engaging in the illicit trade; 10 sacks of pangolin were found and evacuated; these gave us give us 738 metric tonnes, he said.

He noted the need stop the poaching and trading of Pangolins because it will affect the ecosystem and make the animals go into extinction, especially as it is a rare species of mammal.

Sule also highlighted that some of the challenges that the NCS face in its mission to seize and arrest culpable individuals in connection with this highly profitable illicit trade of pangolins.

According to the assistant comptroller general, the challenges include dangerous terrains while making arrests, resistance, attacks, poor reward system and lack of enforcement of laws against trafficking as well as the judicial system. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Aisha Cole

The Lilypond Container Terminal Customs Command in Lagos generated N3.03 billion as revenue in January 2019, against N1.90 billion generated in the corresponding period of 2018.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Lami Wushishi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

Wushishi said that the command generated N2.48 billion in December 2018.

She attributed the increase in revenue to the continuous dedication of officers in the command and close supervision by the heads of various units of the command.

According to her, over 95 per cent of the revenue generated came from the Customs Processing Centres (CPCs) at Lekki Free Trade Zones in Lagos.

She said the command was able to record continuous increase in revenue because all revenue leakages had been blocked with the replacement of Nigeria Customs Integrated System (NICIS II).

Wushishi said that the command had no record of seizures in January as a result of the commitment of the officers and men of the command.

The controller said she had always sensitised clearing agents on the importance of honest declarations on freight which had resulted in no record of seizures.

Wushishi also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, for motivating the personnel of the service.

The controller assured of the commands determination to remain committed to boosting international trade and increasing revenue generation for the Federal Government. (NAN)

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday made a tumultuous entry into the stadium with a surging crowd trailing his motorcade.

Security operatives had a hectic time preventing the crowd from entering the already filled 35,000 capacity Muhammadu Diko Stadium in Katsina where the grand rally to mark the end of the campaigns held.

Aside taking over all the seating terraces and the main bowl of the stadium, many other climbed all the available polls erected for facilities inside the stadium.

It was all praises for Buhari as the crowd intermittently chantedSai Buhari, Sai Baba.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), took to the dancing floor to herald his turn to speak on their mission to Katsina.

Speaking in Hausa language, he turned to smiling Buhari and said: Today you should feel fulfilled. You have demonstrated your honesty and integrity.

You will go down in history as the first sitting president who visited all the 36 states and FCT to campaign and for the affection people showed.

You cannot be loved by everyone. It is in the Bible. But you touched the lives of poorest of the poor.

Those who pauperised the people cannot be on your side, but the beauty is that everyone has one vote.

The one with majority will emerge. I have every confidence that by this time on Saturday indications will emerge that you are victorious.

You have taken on corruption and corruption is fighting back, but you have overwhelmed those who welcome corruption.

All those you have empowered, including farmers and small traders would support you.

You have tried to curb rural urban migration.

The opposition PDP has promised to revive structural adjustment programme and sell out major assets.

President Buhari has not come into government to show bad behaviour. We will not support violence because of elections. We will not support war because the President knows the meaning of war because as a General he fought war before.

Oshiomhole, presented the governorship flag to the contestant, Aminu Masari.

No place like home, President arrives Katsina for his final Presidential Campaign Rally.

No place like home, President @MBuhari arrives Katsina for his final Presidential Campaign Rally. #VoteBuhari pic.twitter.com/YuANLBV2rI

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) February 14, 2019

Source: NAN

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered vehicular restriction from 6am 6pm tomorrow 16 February during the election.

Adamu said the restriction was in furtherance of the overall interest of public order, public well-being and safety and national security.

IGP Adamu said the restriction will assist the security agencies in effectively policing the electoral process, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from hijacking and disrupting the electoral process.

Adamu urged the citizens to troop out en-masse on the day of the election to exercise their franchise without any fear or apprehension as the Police and other security agencies have already put in place adequate security measures to ensure a safe, secure and conducive environment for a peaceful and credible election.

While regretting the inconveniences the restriction will cause the citizens, the IGP warned that the Force will deal decisively with any individual or group that will want to test our common will in our resolve to ensure a peaceful election.

He therefore enjoined the citizens to steer-clear of vote buying, vote selling, hate speeches, circulating fake news, snatching of ballot boxes and other act(s) capable of truncating the peoples will noting that the Force will not hesitate to bring to bear the full weight of the law on anyone who engages in any crime during this period.

Source: NAN

By Francis Onyeukwu

Anambra Government has declared Friday work free day to enable public and civil servants to participate in Saturdays Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Head of Service (HOS), Mr Harry Udu, announced the the work free on Thursday in Awka.

Udu urged workers in the state to show patriotism to government by ensuring they exercised their franchise peacefully.

Udu explained that the work free day would enable those traveling to their respective communities to do so in time.

The HOS said that the government expected massive participation of all eligible voters during the elections.

He reaffirmed the states commitment to workers welfare, saying it remained top on the agenda of the Gov. Willie Obianos administration.

It is a known fact that the state government has since late last year begun renovation and upgrade of the Anambra State Secretariat Complex.

The government undertook complete maintenance of the structures, including servicing of appliances, paintings, refurbishing of furniture and improved landscaping.

Others are construction of standard toilet facilities, parking lot to decongest roads and walkways within the secretariat, Udu said in a statement.

The HOS noted that ongoing renovations were part of the efforts of Obiano to improve on workers welfare and ensure serenity at work environment.

According to him the government is working relentlessly to ensure regular power supply through dedicated lines to the secretariat complex and invariably improve productivity and efficiency.

He pointed out how important it was for workers to show loyalty to a government that had continued to devote prompt attention to workers related issues.

It is paramount that workers become diligent so as to improve productivity and the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

Improved IGR will make it possible for government to pay whatever the Federal Government commits to as the minimum wage, Udu said.

He cautioned workers against engaging in electoral malpractices during the upcoming elections as any defaulter would face the consequence.

Source: NAN