Soludo promises to fight insecurity through dialogue, to ...

Nigeria’s public debt now N39trn, says DMO

EFCC arrests Nigerian pastor wanted by FBI for wire fraud

APC CECPC passes a Vote of no Confidence on Akpankudohede

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Soludo promises to fight insecurity through dialogue, to announce commissioners next week

Indigenous technology can facilitate Nigeria’s economic transformation – FIIRO D-G

Convention: Buni endorses actions taken by Bello as acting chairman

2023: Civil society woos North on Southern presidency PG 2 PG 7 PG 6

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Friday, March 18, 2022 DAILY

ROYAL NEWSThe online

We’ll always insist on due diligence – MalamiPG 6

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has promised to

fight insecurity in the state and the southeast through dialogue.

Soludo was at 9:49am on Thursday sworn in as the sixth governor of the state.

Soludo was sworn in by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu at the

government house, Awka in a low profile ceremony.

The professor of econometrics while presenting his inaugural address after his swearing-in said: “My heart bleeds to see and hear about our youth dying in senseless circumstances. Every criminal gang-kidnappers, wicked murderers, arsonists, rapists, thieves- all now claim to

be freedom fighters. Criminality cannot be sugarcoated. This must stop.

“All the stakeholders must now review both the narrative and the action plan. For starters, I endorse the recent statement (March 7, 2022) by the Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Bishops/

Archbishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution, requesting for a tripartite discussion between them, The Presidency, and South-East governors to deal with the conflicts in the South East, especially in relation to Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“There is no conflict that

dialogue, in good faith, cannot resolve. Our government is determined to urgently restore peace and security in Anambra, and we will seek the active cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders.”

Soludo told IPOB/ESN, the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra

Continues on Page 2

The new governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, inspecting a Guard of Honour shortly after his swearing-in as governor in Awka, Thursday

As Obiano’s wife fights Ojukwu’s wife at inauguration

2 [email protected]. MAR. 18, 2022

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EFCC arrests Nigerian pastor wanted by FBI for wire fraud

2023: Civil society woos North on Southern presidency

CoverSoludo promises to fight insecurity through dialogue, to announce commissioners next week

APC CECPC passes a Vote of no Confidence on Akpankudohede

Anambra State Governor elect, Charlse Soludo

(MASSOB), and other armed groups that it is time to interrogate both the purpose and means of their campaign.

He also warned politicians playing politics with the insecurity, that they are riding a tiger.

“The current trajectory is a road to desolation. Let us get around the table and talk. Let the elite in the closet come out, and let’s debate our future and forge a consensus. The conspiracy of silence by the elite and some community leaders must end.

“If you see something, say or do something! Securing Igboland and Nigeria must be our collective responsibility. Let those in the forests come out, surrender their guns and let’s work together to rehabilitate and empower you to contribute positively to the peace and prosperity of our homeland,” Soludo said.

On why his inauguration was a low key event, Soludo said: “Today is my first day at work. I just reported for duty and will work for at least eight hours. We had more than a month since the election to celebrate our historic victory. Now is the time to work, and there is no minute or kobo to waste in fanfare.

“In a few minutes, I will announce some of the principal officers of the administration, and commence with serious meetings of the Anambra State Security Council, followed by a meeting

with the permanent secretaries, a meeting on Okpoko, and with my Strategy, Execution and Evaluation (SEE) team.

“Within the next one week, the list of commissioners will be laid before the House of Assembly. Tomorrow, we will head to Okpoko in Ogbaru Local

Government Area and parts of Onitsha and Idemili as we signpost our commitment to fundamental urban regeneration, beginning with the greater Onitsha metropolis.

“I insisted that this event must not cost the government of Anambra one kobo. I would

rather use such resources to lay the foundation stone for a public hospital at Okpoko or elsewhere or empower our security agents to fight criminality.

“Yes, there will be a time to celebrate. We will celebrate when: security of life and property is guaranteed and law and order

restored; every child of schooling age is in school; every schoolchild is receiving the 21st-century education for the digital age.”

…Obiano’s wife fights Ojukwu’s wife at Soludo’s inaugurationMore facts have emerged on the reason the former Governor of Anambra State, Willy Obiano, and his wife abruptly left the venue of the swearing-in ceremony of the new Governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

It was gathered that Obiano’s wife, Ebelechukwu, fought Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the event.

The reason for the clash was not ascertained as of the time of filing But it was gathered that after Soludo was sworn in, Ebelechukwu walked to where Bianca was seated and immediately, both women engaged themselves in a fisticuff. The unfortunate spectacle drew the attention of security agents and some personalities who pulled Mrs Obiano off the hold of Bianca who was visibly shocked at the action.

There was a temporary commotion at the venue as guests ran helter-skelter before normalcy was restored and Obiano’s wife was moved out of the venue.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has

arrested Kelechi Vitalis Anozie.Anozie is the Founder of

Praying City Church located in Owerri, the capital of Imo.

The suspect is on the watch list of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In a statement on Thursday by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, Anozie was nabbed following intelligence linking him to alleged conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering.

Anozie is said to have worked with four accomplices: Valentine Iro, Ekene Ekechukwu (alias Ogedi Power), Bright Azubuike (alias Bright Bauer Azubuike) and Ifeanyi Junior.

“They are alleged to have defrauded one F. F., who lives in Illinois, the sum of $135,800 and another $47,000”, the statement added.

BY IHEGAZIE CHIDINMA, ABUJA

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance, CCSGG under

her project #thenextpresident has begun a multi-stakeholders consultation tour of the Northern part of the country with a view to seeking support of the region for Southern Presidency.

The group, in a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by its Convener, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob and Coordinator North East, Comrade Saleh Kanada, said its major aim of the engagement is on power shift to Southern Nigeria in 2023.

It added that the project was also meant

to “X-ray leadership profiles that will fit in the final project 2023 through consolidated consultation thereby providing an open political engagement with a focus on Southern president with a specific focus on President Goodluck Jonathan.”

“It is imperative to note that we have been engaged in this search for a Southern president and have consulted and still in consultation with some political leaders, civil society groups, faith, women and students based organizations as a build up to an intensified campaign for power shift to Southern Nigeria in 2023.

“This group have held series of town hall meetings, media engagement, roundtable discourses in the last one year,” the group stated.

CCSGG said it decided to embark on a tour for consultation and verification on the candidacy of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for some reasons, including the fact that “he’s qualified for the office, he’s the immediate past president and has a term, he’s from Southern Nigeria which is one of the major focus of the project #thenextpresident and to help clear the air on the speculations of his intent.”

“Amongst these secondary reasons, power shift has become a prominent factor for stabilizing the political system in Nigeria and more so that we are a plural society where there are divergent views on issues of national concern.

“This, however, remains a political engagement to review the profile of

contending stakeholders against 2023, most specifically from Southern Nigeria.

“We wish to reiterate that this is not an endorsement of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the continual sustainability of this project shall be fundamentally ingrained in its acceptability by the civil populace thus it is a project identification tour which shall produce a project identification brief,” it further stressed.

The group also informed that the members would visit every state of the

Northern region, calling on all well-meaning Nigerians, especially the youths, students, women and political leaders to support power rotation and shift to the South as it remains the fulcrum for balancing power in the country.

Continues from cover

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Care-taker and Extra-ordi-

nary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has passed a Vote of no Confi-dence on its Secretary, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe.

This is contained in a let-ter dated March 8 and made available on Thursday in Abu-ja.

The letter was jointly signed by Gov. Abubakar Bel-lo of Niger, Sen. Ken Nnama-ni, Sen. Yusuf Abubakar, Prof.

Tahir Mamman, Sen. Abba Ali, Mr David Lyon, Mr Akin-remi Olaide, Mrs Stella Oko-tete and Mr Ismaeel Ahmed.

“We members of the APC CECPC as duly constituted on June 25, 2020 by the National Executive Committee (NEC)

of our party and sitting in our regular meeting on March 8, hereby unanimously resolved and adopted a motion of Vote of No Confidence on the sec-retary of the committee, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe,” it said.

[email protected]. MAR. 18, 2022

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The immediate-past Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano (middle), during the official handover to the new Governor, Prof. Charles Nwa Mgbafor Chukwuma Soludo (right, raising the handover notes) at the Government House, Awka. State

Stakeholders advocate for closure of TB funding gaps

Financial Leakages: Osun Finance Commissioner charges MDAs to further pug holes Nigeria bags

excellence award in road safety management

BY AMINAT AMINU

Stakeholders in the health sector have called on Nigerians,

public, private sectors to come together and put a close the about 70% funding gap in Tuberculosis, TB in the process of stopping the spread of the disease.

Speaking at a Pre-World TB Day (WTBD)conference in Abuja on Thursday, the executive director KNCV TB foundation, Dr Odume Bethrand said Nigerians must do more to address the funding gap; invest more in human and material resources needed to control the TB epidemic.

Dr Bethrand noted the timeliness of this year’s celebration theme: “ Invest to END TB, Save Lives, and that is why we are choosing to Give more, do more & End TB Now” as Nigeria still accounts for a funding gap of 69%, and donor dependence for TB control while still accounting for 4.6% of the global estimated TB cases, with the highest TB burden in Africa, the 6” globally and 1 of 10 countries that accounts for 70% of the global gap between the estimated global incidence of multidrug resistant TB each year and the number enrolled on treatment.

He also explained that the closing of the funding gap will afford Nigeria the opportunity for continuing to build the capacity of the front-line health care workers, expand access to TB diagnostic services — GeneXpert, Truenat, TB Lamp as well Chest x-ray services by investing more on digital portable x-rays.

The funding gap closure would also ensure

for adequate supplies of drugs and essential commodities, strengthening the health system especially data management and TB surveillance system through the creation of a conducive environment that encourages TB innovations and research.

Similarly in her address, Dr. Queen Ogbuji, Ag. Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, stressed that the theme and slogan of this year’s celebration conveys the urgent need to invest resources to ramp up the fight against TB and achieve the commitments to end TB made by global leaders.

This she says is critical especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has put End TB progress at risk, and to ensure equitable access to prevention and care in line with the drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

“More investment to TB will save millions more lives, and accelerate the end of the TB epidemic. The Stop TB Partnership and all partners are calling on all those involved in the fight against TB to unite under this overarching theme and sound the alarm that the low levels of funding for the TB response year after year cannot continue nor be accepted anymore.

“Globally, of the US$ 15 billion annual funding for TB promised by world leaders at the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM on TB in 2018, less than half has been delivered. And in Nigeria, of the $373 million needed for TB control in Nigeria in the year 2020, only 31% was available to all the implementers of TB control activities in Nigeria (7% domestic and 24% donor funds), with 69% funding gap.”

BY AKIN RICHY, OSOGBO.

Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government have again

been urged to help boost the State’s revenue by ensuring that they avoid financial leakages in a bid to assist government accelerate development across the State.

Commissioner for Finance, Mr Bola Oyebamiji stated this during a special meeting with MDAs operating under the Finance Conglomerate at the government secretariat on Thursday.

Oyebamiji at the meeting tasked revenue generating agencies especially, to see themselves as partners with Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in the task to rebrand Osun and place it on a rising pedestal which will be to the benefit of all.

He enjoined the Osun Internal Revenue Service (IRS) led by it’s Chairman, Prince Gbite Ademikanra to double up efforts so as to assist the government deliver on his campaign promises to the masses of Osun.

According to him, “We should realize that the effort of moving our State forward is a concerted one which requires the input of all and sundry. Government has it’s part, Civil Servants have their part and also residents of the State have their part to play.

“Residents of the State can assist the government to keep the economy afloat through their hard-work and prompt payment of their taxes and other levies which government seriously needs to embark on developmental projects across the State.

“On the part of our Civil Servants, you must ensure accountability and see to the blocking of financial leakages in our system, it is very important that we all do this to ensure the economic prosperity of Osun which will lead to infrastructural development and improvement across all sectors of our dear State.”,The Osun Finance Chief concluded.

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi has cautioned motorists on

abiding by road safety measures in order to save lives as life has no duplicate.

Amaechi who is also an advisory board member of the United Nations Road Safety Trust Fund (UNRSTF) said this at the maiden edition of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award which held in Accra Ghana.

The Minister Said, “Motorists must be careful on the road. They must understand that life has no duplicate. To ensure there’s road safety, we call on road users and motorists to adhere and be obedient to the laws and order, and keep to speed limit.”

Amaechi further said, “Nigeria is amongst countries that performed credibly well to ensure there is road safety, that is why we are deemed worthy of the award”.

Nigeria won Excellence in Road Safety Management award. Other recipients of different categories of the awards are Morocco, Namibia, South Africa; and the host nation Ghana.

The Minister of Transportation who received the award on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led the Government’s delegation. In his entourage were the Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps Dr. Boboye Olayemi Oyeyemi; Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri; Assistant Corps Marshal , Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem; and others.

For his part, the Ghana President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who presented the awards, described road accidents as a global pandemic and public health issue that must be addressed.

He stressed the need for the award ceremony to be sustained to encourage governments on the continent to learn from global best practices.

Nana Addo urged countries on the continent to develop and implement innovative initiatives to address road accidents.

Road Safety, according to the President, is the bedrock to the development of the continent and called for all stakeholders to work together to make the roads safe.

BY AKIN RICHY, OSOGBO

Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, has said that his administration will continue

to protect the interest of Persons with Disabilities(PWDs) in the state.

Oyetola said this during an engagement programme with the members of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Osun Chapter on

I’ll continue to protect your interest, Oyetola tells people with disabilities

Nkem Okereh News editor

[email protected]

News

Thursday in Osogbo.The governor, who was

represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said his administration is committed to their welfare, adding that they are important members of the society, who deserve to be well catered for.

The governor said, to show how important the PWDs are,

there is an ongoing Executive Bill tagged “Special People’s Bill” for their protection.

The bill when passed and signed into law, persons with disabilities will be safeguarded against any form of discrimination and also have equal access to an environment conducive to social and economic development.

On other intervention

programmes, Oyetola said the PWDs were also given priority during the state government free monthly food distribution.

The governor noted that a reasonable number of PWDs also benefited from the Community for Social Development Project (CSDP) as well as training at skills acquisition centers built for persons with disabilities in various parts of the state.


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We’ll always insist on due diligence – Malami

Tallen promises support for UN Women gender programmes

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN

says that the ministry will always follow due diligence in all its efforts for proper justice delivery.

Malami said this while delivering his Keynote address at a conference organised by the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), on Thursday in Abuja.

The conference has as its theme: ”The Judiciary and 2023 General Elections: The way Forward.”

“We always insist on due diligence, assiduous scrutiny, as well as beyond-reasonable-doubt exploration and meticulous examinations .

”This is in our policy to bequeath on posterity sound and impeccable precedents in the determination of issues.

“It is unfortunate that these legally

recognised processes that we strive to strictly adhere to are misconstrued by mischievous publications to convey negative undertones.

“It has been our desire to tame the tide of conflicting judgments and instill due diligence in the judicial process,” Malami, added.

The minister added that the struggles in the P&ID case symbolised the due diligence policy of the Federal Government, as well as the need to address judgment debts, in the interest of the Nigerian public.

“This has been our position on a number of current national issues,” he said.

The minister said he hoped with the 2023 General Elections approaching, the conference would address the practice where journalists would be conscripted by agents of destruction to spread false information about

personalities and issues.Malami said, “Unprofessional media

practitioners have been reporting untrue and fabricated information against public office holders.

“Many public officers have been victims of malicious media reports, and mischievous and deliberate distortion of facts.

“No doubt, the media are important in shaping public opinions, but hate speech and fake news challenge our cherished and collective culture of peaceful and harmonious co-existence as a people.

“We cannot afford to go wrong on account of mischievous actions and inactions of some who claim to be journalists.

“There must be consequences for the conduct of the journalists that offer themselves to conscription by agents of destruction that make it their stock

in trade to spread fake information about personalities and issues.”

He, therefore, called for enhancement of media literacy for Nigerians to appreciate fact-checking and verification of information.

“I call on journalists to refrain from fake news, defamation, sedition, hate speech, blasphemy, and incitements through inflammatory statements in their reportage.

”These could jeopardise our corporate existence as a nation and hamper the peace we have been enjoying.

“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation awaits the recommendations of the conference in order to key into factors brought forward in enhancing vertical and horizontal integration in the process of making people-oriented policies in the country,” Malami added.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, on Thursday, said the ministry would continue to support UN

Women programmes that promote gender equality.

She made the commitment at the first edition of WomenX – a meeting of seasoned speakers and thought leaders in the areas of gender equality, women’s rights and sustainable development in Abuja.

The event was organised by UN Women, with the theme: “Gender Equality For A Sustainable Tomorrow.”

Tallen, who was represented by Mr Ilyasu Zubair, the acting Director, Women Development Department, Ministry of Women Affairs, commended UN Women toward gender equality programmes.

She called for more programmes that would promote women in the society, adding that “the ministry is saddled with the responsibility of advancing women’s agenda.

“The ministry is willing to support the programme any time and hope for more of it.”

Ms Comfort Lamptey, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the first edition of the WomenX was built on the theme of the 2022 International Women’s Day: “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”.

She said that the event coincided with the priority theme for the 66th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66).

She added that the theme is “Achieving Gender Equality and Empowerment of All Women and Girls in the Context of Climate Change, Environmental and Disaster Risk Reduction Policies and Programmes.”

Lamptey said that with the COVID-19 restrictions still in place in 2021, UN Women set the task of localising the CSW.

She added that “this brought the discourse around progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action closer to activists, experts, civil society organisations and grassroots organisations working tirelessly on the issues.

“Through WomenX, we are yet again presented with an opportunity to share experiences and solutions around issues that affect women and girls the most.

“Today, we have the privilege of listening to four phenomenal speakers on the themes “Climate Action and the Role of Rural Women; Sustainability and Women’s Businesses; Women’s Political Representation, as well as Male Allyship in the Gender Equality Movement.’’

The country representative explained that “gender inequality, coupled with the climate crisis, are greatest challenges of our time.”

She said that in Nigeria as in other countries, the gender dynamics of climate change were relatively poorly understood and women were still generally lacking in climate-security policymaking and practice to date.

Lamptey added that without gender equality today, a sustainable and equal future would remain beyond reach.

According to her, drought and other extreme weather events leave women and girls more susceptible to forms of Gender-Based Violence, including child marriage and rape.

Dr Yemisi Asagbra, the Director-General, Federal

Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos, says indigenous technology offers significant opportunities for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Asagbra, who said this at the ongoing 2022 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) expo on Thursday in Abuja added that it could to some extent create opportunities for global competitiveness.

She said that indigenous technologies could offers significant opportunities for transformation if those technologies were improved and standardised through the deployment of STI.

She noted that as a developing economy, Nigeria was better positioned in growing its economy and compete globally if the country looked inwards to develop science, technology and innovation (STI) in specific areas of comparative advantage.

According to her, with a focus on small and medium

Indigenous technology can facilitate Nigeria’s economic transformation – FIIRO D-G

News

term enterprises, businesses could be developed around these technologies which will foster national innovativeness, create employment and generate wealth.

The FIIRO director-general said that FIIRO was home to Nigeria’s indigenous technology and the readiness to industralise the nation was

its mission.Asagbra said researchers

of the institute were all about value addition with an increasing urge to contribute to national growth and excellence.

She enumerated various investment opportunities available in FIIRO via mechanised cassava

processing technologies, cereals and legumes, fish and meat processing technology among others.

Asagbra said training programmes were also available in cassava flour production, instant pounded yam flour production, bread and confectionery baking among others.

Yemisi Asagbra,


ROYAL NEWS

OpinionBy Abiodun Komolafe

In the last three years, the alleged hostilities between Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and

Rauf Aregbesola, his predecessor in of-fice, stayed only in the realm of specula-tions. But, a few weeks ago, the cat was eventually let out of the bag when Areg-besola, now a Minister of the Federal Republic, openly confessed that there ‘are now two factions in the state chap-ter of the All Progressives Congress. Thenceforth, the battle line seemed to have been drawn. But, while the shadow boxing lasted, it is on record that Oye-tola has remained focused, unmoved by the display of inanities by the invented opposition or faction from within. De-spite the riotous storm, the governor has kept the compass of governance on course and this is commendable. Of course, it takes maturity and great man-agerial skills to accomplish this feat, which is an essential attribute to look for in leadership!

In other climes, untoward attitudes like the one on hand are enough to shred a government into tatters, especially, when such avoidable feuds are coming from the same political family and polit-ical party. That Oyetola is not losing his central balance but remains focused in the discharge of the business of gover-nance as constitutionally demanded of

him is therefore noteworthy. We need not forget that, up till now, the gover-nor has not even volunteered a state-ment, officially. In public perception, he has also avoided public confrontation with his former boss, who contributed his own quota to the development of the state under the same party. As far as he is concerned, he has a state to gov-ern and he is doing just that with digni-fied deportment. Had he gone on air to make broadcasts or embarked on some campaigns of calumny against perceived or real enemies, the story would have been different, possibly.

A political party is an institution—a public entity—with institutionalised rules of conduct and social engagement. It’s not just a political gathering. Suffice it to say, therefore, that a viable party is one that has a grip on its affairs. This also speaks to why people join political parties. A basic function of a political party is the recruitment of members. Besides, one of the foundational philo-sophical ethics of a party is that no true member will dare attempt stuff that has the capacity to lead to its ruin. To put it bluntly, people join a political party be-cause of the central pillars holding such a party together. These include, but are not limited to, a constitution that is clear about a party’s goals and about the role and tasks of members and a com-pelling document of party manifesto

and programmes. Once these pillars remain intact, then, it becomes a ‘till death do us part’ pact.

Elders of our land, let it be known that there’s no family without crises, not even royal kingdoms. But the perception of an unresolved conflict is a clog in the wheel of progress of any society. With particular reference to Osun APC, isn’t it surprising that rather than recruit new members into its fold, supposed believers or sub-scribers are now embracing a ‘to your tent o Israel’ kind of arrangement? If

nothing has happened to the consti-tution and/or manifesto of the party, why then will a loyal party man want to rupture the pillars upon which the par-ty stands? Yes, there may be grievances but isn’t it time stakeholders came to a roundtable with a view to discouraging a journey back to the Red Sea?

Now that the troubling scenes are in the open and now that it can no longer be denied that ‘brothers are at war’ in Osun APC, the ball is therefore in the court of an unpretentious intervention by the party leadership to take pre-em-inence, or an invented concrete mecha-nism, to keep undesirable intrusions at bay. Why did I say so? As Osun steadily approaches July 16, 2022, how the in-ternal wrangling is resolved will serve as a precedence for other would-be con-flicts. In other words, if reconciliation isn’t encouraged, where necessary, and trust isn’t rebuilt, where needed, it will become an unfortunate reference point. This time, it is most likely going to be a negative preceedent. Not only that, the peace of the society will also be at risk and that will not be too good for a fledg-ling democracy like ours.

Talking about the implications of the ongoing fracas between opposing members of a family, government may need to educate as well as orientate the people about what’s going on across

party lines as a way of further enhanc-ing the credentials of democracy in the state. For example, with the reported factionalisation currently rocking Osun APC, many followers who are not so literate are most likely to be confused about what’s going on, not only locally but also nationally, and that’s likely to have severe consequences for the moral authority and integrity of our democra-cy. Therefore, if the leadership can see the essence of holding state and ward meetings, consistently, at a time like this, that will no doubt go a long way in dousing tension as well as cementing any existing cracks.

All said, it is important to note that Oyetola has been able to achieve this much for Osun—paying full salaries and ensuring smooth running of the state—because he has stayed focussed. Many of the roads, including rural roads, that some Nigerians were complaining about, hitherto, are now receiving gov-ernment’s attention, with some either completed or almost completed. Yes, it is because the governor has opted not to seek a place on the bed of Caesar but has rather continued to prophesy to Caesar about his duty to his citizens’ that other sectors like health, agriculture, educa-tion, internal security, special interven-tion programmes and other aspects of the domestic economy have all become a success story.

Lastly, Oyetola should not allow him-self to be distracted by the condemna-tion of the dark world that may be work-ing contrary to the state’s happiness. Instead, he should admit that there are challenges and that the only way to make the beautiful destiny of Osun APC more attractive and busier is by keeping the party machinery moving. To this end, the governor must put his house in order and ensure that members who have chosen to remain loyal are not giv-en any opportunity to drift away. He

should bear in mind that a party that wants to implement its plans successful-ly must be blessed with active members. Conversely, a party that cannot attract, then, nominate candidates, will sooner or later surrender its elemental oppor-tunity for power. So, the governor owes posterity a duty to find ways of keeping loyal party members happy and active. The more the party devises programmes to develop ‘members into activists, and activists into leaders’, the more those whose pastime reside in a fertile fan-cy infatuated with flimsy straws in the ocean of disingenuous tales will contin-ue to wallow in their collective amnesia.

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Osun State!

Komolafe writes from Ijebu-Jesa Osun State via [email protected]

By Qudus Lawal

History taught us about the state of nature when man was a wan-derer and a gatherer. When

man lived in caves and slept on branch-es of trees. When man competed se-verely with animals and fellow man for survival. When man fed on wild animals and fellow man. When wild animals fed on man. When man ate his food raw. When the environment was the master of man because a man had little or no power to master his envi-ronment.

With time, man evolved and began to live a settled lifestyle. He domesti-cated plants and animals for food and for company. Man began to build hous-es for himself and other necessities of life. This was the beginning of what is to be known today as modern man.

All this was not achieved by luck. It involved hard work and agreement. It was on the basis of this agreement that government was formed. Man agreed to surrender some of his rights to an authority which in return guaranteed him his safety.

For ease of governance, customs, norms, morals and ultimately laws were made to regulate the activities of man. Hence, government was fully formed. Constitution was made. On the basis of

this agreement, government conceded to ensure the safety of man.

The Nigerian society of today is not an exception. It was a product of the evolution that man went through be-fore today’s modern society came to be.

A country like Nigeria with its colo-nial history has found it necessary to strike a balance in the distribution of its resources and developmental proj-ects. Her heterogeneous nature com-pelled her founding fathers to put into consideration an appropriate system of government that would ensure that no part was left behind.

Of a truth, Nigeria was not created on the agreement of her indigenous peoples. The British created Nigeria in this conglomerate largely for their eco-nomic interests. But, in the long run, it has been discovered that this diversity is a blessing.

Unfortunately, since independence, the benefits of this diversity, material resources and her population strength have not been explored nor exploited. Our human and materials resources are largely left to lie and remain fallow. They have not been effectively utilised. These resources are gradually becoming burdens as they have become readily available tools that are used to threaten the corporate existence of the country. The reason for this underutilisation of

human and materials resources, and its attendant underdevelopment of the country, is largely because we have not gotten our leadership choice right.

In the wisdom of our founding fa-thers, this country was divided into geopolitical zones. The South-East re-gion remains the only region that has not produced a substantial president since independence in 1960 except for the short-lived reign of Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi of blessed mem-ory. The best they had had were a cere-monial president and a vice president.

Constitutionally, the Ndigbo might

not have a unilateral claim to produce the next president but logically, mor-ally and on the principle of equity, the South-East is long overdue to produce the next president of the Federal Re-public of Nigeria come 2023.

One might be compelled to ask why the Ndigbo are not considered fit enough to produce the country’s presi-dent after the ugly civil war? Could it be because of their political leanings? The fear that they might cede or disintegrate the country? Is it because of their roles in the civil war? Or could it be that their business prowess is seen as a threat to other regions?

None of the above reasons nor any other that any person, persons or groups can put forward are enough to deny the Ndigbo a sense of belonging in their own country. They have paid their dues. They were also victims of the war. They are the economic power of Nigeria. Their business acme is a major contrib-utor to national revenue. They are the pride of the black race. They fly the flags of the country and the continent high in the diaspora. No region in modern day Nigeria has contributed economically more than the Ndigbo to Nigeria’s gross domestic and national products.

An Igbo president come 2023 is not out of pity. It is not a consensus. It is not an option nor a political opinion. It is an

overdue necessity to heal our country of the unjust treatment of a particular region that is not only qualified to lead this country but also has some of the best administrators, technocrats and economic gurus of international class. It will also pacify our illustrious brothers and sisters of the eastern origin and the Biafran heroes and heroines who lost their lives in the unfortunate civil war. It will be a spirit lifter for the victims of the war on the Nigerian government side. It will ensure that our First Republican he-roes who paid the supreme price rest in peace. It is a national duty. A duty that all must collectively partake in to write their names in gold.

On the other hand, the Igbos must put their house in order. They need unity of purpose to get their rightful due. This is not the time to divide their ranks. They should conduct primary, lo-cal elections and come out with the best candidate. A popular candidate from their region. A candidate with the best and practicable blueprint to set the basis for national develop-ment. A candidate that will convince all of wht the country has missed by denying the Ndigbo their rightful role in national development.

Qudus Lawal writes from Lagos via [email protected]

Igbo presidency, just cause for national development

Osun: Progress in spite of fractured politics

It is important to note that Oyetola has

been able to achieve this much for Osun - paying full salaries

and ensuring smooth running of the state - because he has stayed

focussed

Of a truth, Nigeria was not created on

the agreement of her indigenous peoples. The British created

Nigeria in this conglomerate largely

for their economic interests


ROYAL NEWS

OAU appoints Prof. Adebayo Bamire as new Vice-Chancellor

Drug abuse: Centre rehabilitates 2,000 clients in Bauchi State

2023: Civil society woos North on Southern presidency

Oganiru Anambra Exponent Dr Alex Obiogbolu has

congratulated Anambra new Governor, Prof Charles Soludo on the occasion of his inauguration as the sixth Executive Governor of the state.

Dr Obiogbolu noted that the new governor’s inaugural speech has given hope to the people of Anambra State who are pondering on what the future holds for them under a new administration.

“It is gratifying to note that you are passionately committed to security of lives and properties of Ndi-Anambra and residents alike. This is heartwarming

Oganiru Anambra exponent drums support for Soludo

The Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University

(OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced Prof. Adebayo Bamire as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the university.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Chief Owelle Oscar Udoji, announced the appointment at the Main Hall Africa Centre of Excellence in ICT-Driven Knowledge Park of OAU, on Thursday, in Ile-Ife.

According to Udoji, Bamire’s appointment as the 12th vice chancellor of the institution is effective from June 7.

Udoji said the decision of the Council shall be communicated to the Visitor to the University, President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

He said the selection process of the vice chancellor began on Dec. 7, 2021 at the last Council meeting when it advertised the position in line with the

relevant statutes and Acts guiding appointment to the position.

The pro-chancellor said that shortly after the widely advertised position in the media, “the curriculum vitae of all 20 applicants were submitted and at the end, 16 were shortlisted, having met the advertised media.”

According to him, all the 16 candidates appeared before the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board, with each candidate and scored them according to stipulated criteria.

Udoji explained further that the three highest scoring candidates were presented to the council for further consideration as provided by the law.

“The entire exercise of the Joint Selection Board was witnessed by the representatives of the Federal Character Commission who have confirmed the exercise was fair and transparent,” he

said.He said that the exercise was

carried out in full compliance with the provisions of the Federal Character Commission Act.

According to him, in line with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions)(Amendment) Act as amended, the report of the Selection Board was considered by the Council.

“After a careful and dispassionate review of the report, they have decided to appoint a Professor of Agricultural Economics from the Faculty of Agriculture of the institution, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, as the next vice-chancellor with effect from June 7, 2022.

“The decision of the Council shall be communicated to the Visitor to the University, President Muhammadu Buhari, through Hon Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.”

The Malam Kawu Youth Rehabilitation and Orphanage Centre, a Bauchi-based

organisation, says it has rehabilitated 2,000 drug abusers since inception in 2002.

The Proprietor of the Centre, Malam Abdullahi Kawu made this known during his investiture and merit award presention conferred on him by a group, Rehabilitation and Orphanage Journalists (ROJOF), on Thursdayin Bauchi.

He said that the Centre was helping people to lead a normal life after they have been ill, or when they have had a drug or alcohol problem.

The clients of the centre, he said, have been trained in vocational skills, literacy, Islamic Religious Knowledge and recitation of the Holy Qur’an,

adding that 60 of them had momerised the Holy Book.

According to him, the centre also sponsored the education of 100 orphans and vulnerable children up to the secondary school level.

“We have sponsored 10 clients to tertiary education level and most of them had graduated from their schools.

“Also, we trained the clients on entrepreneurial skills including tailoring, carpentry, barbing, computer literacy and appreciation,” he said.

In his remarks, Malam Usman Abbas-Osku, ROJOF’s Chairman, said the award was in recognition of the positive contributions of the centre in the campaign against drug abuse and youth empowerment.

Abbas-Osku assured of the media continued support to make Bauchi a drug free state.

BY IHEGAZIE CHIDINMA, ABUJA

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance, CCSGG under

her project #thenextpresident has begun a multi-stakeholders consultation tour of the Northern part of the country with a view to seeking support of the region for Southern Presidency. The group, in a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by its Convener, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob and Coordinator North East, Comrade Saleh Kanada, said its major aim of the engagement is on power shift to Southern Nigeria in 2023. It added that the project was also meant to “X-ray leadership profiles that will fit in the final project 2023 through consolidated consultation thereby providing an open political engagement with a focus on Southern president with a specific focus on President Goodluck Jonathan.” “It is imperative to note that we have been engaged in this search for a Southern

president and have consulted and still in consultation with some political leaders, civil society groups, faith, women and students based organizations as a build up to an intensified campaign for power shift to Southern Nigeria in 2023. “This group have held series of town hall meetings, media engagement, roundtable discourses in the last one year,” the group stated. CCSGG said it decided to embark on a tour for consultation and verification on the candidacy of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for some reasons, including the fact that “he’s qualified for the office, he’s the immediate past president and has a term, he’s from Southern Nigeria which is one of the major focus of the project #thenextpresident and to help clear the air on the speculations of his intent.” “Amongst these secondary reasons, power shift has become a prominent factor for stabilizing the political system in Nigeria and more so that we are a plural society where there are divergent views on issues of national concern.

because growth and development cannot be witnessed in an environment devoid of security.

“Your determination to see urban regeneration as it concerns Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area and parts of Onitsha and Idemili which would signpost a new commitment to fundamental urban regeneration that would propel the realisation of the Megacity status is commendable.

“I must state again that your capability and capacity is not in doubt, I know that with God on your side, Anambra will know the Soludo administration for wonders.

“On behalf of myself and the entire members of all proponents

Dr Alex Obiogbolu

of Oganiru Anambra, I urge all the political class in the state irrespective of their political leanings to give maximum support and cooperation to the new governor. I must state with all sense of responsibility

News

that good governance is a collective responsibility.” Dr Obiogbolu explained.

He also called on Ndi-Anambra in general to continue to be supportive of APGA government.

Dr Obiogbolu said “In the words of our new Governor, ‘Each day, every Onye Anambra must ask himself or /herself: what have I done today to make my home state livable and prosperous?”


ROYAL NEWS

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade

Yemi-Esan, has said the office of the HOCSF is collaborating with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to ensure an effective civil service for the country.

Yemi-Esan who stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the First Quarter Public-Private Partnership Units Consultative Forum Meeting added that the aim was to attain a World-class civil service.

Yemi-Esan who was represented by Mrs Ehigie Agalasi, Director Infrastructure in the HOCSOF, said that there was already a Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan implemented from 2017 to 2021.

“We have a succession plan from 2021 to 2025 and what the Office of the Head of Service is doing is to bring innovation to the service so that it can be the best.

“That is why we are partnering with ICRC because we know that government does not have all the money; so we need the

Businessnews

Nigeria’s public debt now N39trn, says DMO

Head of Service to partner with ICRC on efficient civil service

The Debt Management Office (DMO), says Nigeria’s public debt as

at December, 2021 is N39.55 trillion.

Patience Oniha, the Director-General of the DMO, said this on Thursday, while addressing newsmen on the country’s debt situation.

Oniha said that the amount represented the total external and domestic debts of the Federal Government, 36 state governments as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

DMO had earlier revealed that the country’s debt stock as at September 2021, was N38 trillion.

She said that the increased public debt included new borrowings by both the Federal Government and state governments.

“For the Federal Government,

it would be recalled that the 2021 Appropriation and Supplementary Acts included total new borrowings of N5.48 trillion to part-finance the deficits.

“Borrowing for this purpose, and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral creditors account for a significant portion of the increase in the debt stock, ” she said.

Oniha said that the new borrowings were raised from diverse sources, which included issuance of Eurobonds, Sovereign Sukuk and Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds.

“These Capital raisings were utilised to finance capital projects and support economic recovery,’’ she said.

According to Oniha, the country’s debt situation is within reasonable limits.

She, however, said that the Federal Government had taken concrete steps to address revenue challenges which made servicing of the debts burdensome.

“With the total Public Debt-to-Gross Domestic Product ratio of 22.47 per cent, the debt ratio still remains within Nigeria’s self-imposed limit of 40 per cent.

“This ratio is prudent when compared to the 55 per cent limit advised by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for countries in Nigeria’s peer group.

“The Federal Government is mindful of the relatively high Debt-to-Revenue ratio and has initiated various measures.

“The measures are to increase revenue through the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative and the introduction of Finance Acts since 2019,’’ she said. (NAN

The Chief Financial Officer of Mixta Africa, Ms Rolake Akinkubge-Filani, has called

for increased investments in Nigeria’s construction sector to spur improved standard of living as well as create job and wealth opportunities.

Akinkubge-Filani made the call in a virtual interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that Mixta Africa is the leading African real estate and infrastructure development company.

Mixta Africa specialises in the execution of medium to large-scale and commercial real estate development projects in Africa, while also providing real estate advisory services.

According to Akinkubge-Filani, the construction value chain is a money-spinner globally, hence, the need for Nigeria to harness the enormous opportunities to grow the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“The housing sector and the real estate sector is a major contributor to GDP in Nigeria. I think if you look at the last quarter, it came top five per cent of contributors to Nigeria’s GDP.

“But over and above that, the building and construction value chain is the astronomical driver of jobs growth in the Nigerian economy,’’ she said.

She explained that the company’s passion to bring in diaspora remittances through real estates investments back home in Nigeria led to its current investment platform for citizens abroad.

She said that the firm was also exploring use of local building materials, thereby growing local economy while creating jobs.

Speaking on Mixta Africa’s road show in London for diaspora investments, she said several Nigerians abroad want to own properties back

home and need a safe investment corridor.

According to her, that is the gap the firm is filling.

Akinkugbe-Filani said that the roadshow started in 2021 and that the 2022 edition was on to evolve user-friendly real estate investment platform for Nigerians in the diaspora.

“Our thinking was that there is a largely untapped audience and we need to find a way to connect with them to bring the opportunities to them in the diaspora,’’ she said.

She said Nigerians abroad were used to low competitive interest rates on mortgages, hence the firm’s keying into the Federal Government’s seven per cent long-term financing opportunities to expand homeownership.

The Mixta Africa’s Chief Financial Officer said the shelter gap in Nigeria and Africa was huge and necessitated the need for deliberate sustained policies by both governments and the private sector to close the gap.

She also said that finding credible lenders was a challenge in Nigeria as such, the firm was tapping into funding from development finance institutions to make housing affordable and accessible.

She listed various housing schemes completed and sold out through the National Housing Fund (NHF) due to partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and other primary mortgage institutions.

She said that the opportunities were available to civil servants and other contributors to the NHF to pay at low-interest rates in the long term.

She commended the FMBN for subsidising homeownership while calling for increased collaboration with the private sector to increase housing stock to bridge the shelter gap.

Institution urges Nigerians to pay tax for developmental needs

The African Heritage Institution (Afri-Heritage), Enugu, has called on Nigerians to pay their taxes in order to meet the developmental and transformational needs of the country.

The Executive Director of Afri-

Heritage, a non-public institution, Prof. Ufo Okeke-Uzodike, made the call in Enugu on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Big Ideas Podium Conference.

Okeke-Uzodike noted that the forthcoming conference with the theme: “Taxation and Accountability: Why Should Nigerians Pay Tax?” would be held on Thursday, March 24, both virtually and physically at the institution’s auditorium in Enugu.

He said that governments at all levels could do little without the people being so patriotic to ensure they paid their taxes as and when due especially “paying the accurate amount”.

The executive director noted that those running the government would not use their personal resources to fund development efforts.

According to him, Nigeria has

Real Estate expert advocates increased investment in construction sector

Unity bank, NASME partner to empower women owned MSMEs

collaboration of the private sector to get us to where we should be,” she said.

She expressed the optimism of the HOCSOF to liaise with all other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government in attaining the set milestone.

On his part, the Acting Director-

General of ICRC, Mr Michael Ohiani, said that the commission had attained great milestones in the last couple of years.

He said even the COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder the ICRC from issuing certifications for new concession projects.

“The commission issued 19 Outline Business Cases (OBCs)

in 2021 which makes a total of 116 OBCs from inception, and 5 Full Business Cases (FBCs) in 2021, which makes a total of 47 FBC’s from inception.

“Four projects were approved by the Federal Executive Council, making a total of 49 FEC approvals from inception to the end of 2021.

“ICRC facilitated a World Bank-

sponsored APMG Certified PPP Practitioner (CP3P) course for 60 Nigeria Government staff at Federal and States level.

“The Federal Executive Council has granted approval to two PPP projects, The Onitsha River Port project and the Federal Coastal Fishery Terminal, Ebughu, Akwa Ibom.

Folasade-Yemi-Esan


ROYAL NEWSBusiness

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Thursday said

feedback from its members indicated that production capacity utilisation was going down due to the unsustainable cost of running daily production on diesel.

Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General, MAN, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Ajayi-Kadir said that the rising price of Automotive Gas Fuel (AGO) , otherwise known as diesel, had become very worrisome following its negative impact on businesses, especially the manufacturing sector of the economy.

He noted that the hike was due to the increase in price of crude oil at the international market which had gone above $110 per barrel following the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

“Knowing also that diesel has been deregulated removes the question for a buffer to the cost.

“The law of demand and supply is at play here and since we have historically lacked local refining capability, we are left at the mercy of the vagaries of international price and the geopolitics of it.

“As long as the price of crude

Diesel hike: Manufacturers suffering dwindling production capacity utilization – MAN

KDSG mobilises stakeholders to enhance industrial, infrastructure development

The Kaduna State Government (KDSG) says it is mobilising the private sector, and other

stakeholders to enhance industrial, innovation, and infrastructure development in the state.

Mr Bashir Ladan, Head of Economic Intelligence Unit, Planning and Budget Commission said this in Kaduna on Wednesday.

He spoke on the sideline of the 2nd Edition of Quarterly Policy Dialogue organised in collaboration with Kaduna Business School.

Ladan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the goal of the dialogue was to bring experts, academics, private sector, citizens, and development partners together.

According to him, the aim is to share ideas on how to develop and implement development policies in the state.

This, according to him, is critical due to the challenges of implementing development strategies and policies.

“For example, we have developed

an industrial plan since 2019, but the issue of implementation has remained a challenge.

“Part of the reason is because the private sector in the state has little understanding of the concept of the knowledge-based economy or circular economy.

“The private sector does not understand these concepts and that is what is preventing them from keying in to develop the state Industrial sector in spite the huge potential,” he said.

He said that a communique would be developed and sent to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai after the dialogue for the government to decide on the recommendations.

Ladan said after the state had taken a decision on what actions to take, the key stakeholders would be mobilised, including the media on how to implement them.

Also speaking, the permanent Secretary, Planning and Budget Commission, Mrs Umma Aboki said that the state government had mainstreamed its developed

goals into the State and Local Government Development Plan.

“We want to move Kaduna state forward and greater, and we can achieve this only if we work together as a team,” she said.

Earlier, Dr Dahiru Sani, the Director-General, Kaduna Business School said the departure from a linear approach to socio-economic development to system approach, with all the economic and social sectors, were linked.

Sani urged Kaduna state government to key into the circular economic model where production and consumption involve sharing, re-using, re-pairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials for suitability.

He said that a circular approach to consumption, production and construction would connect all sectors together, particularly through the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

One of the panelists, Ms Rukaiya El-Rufai of

PricewaterhouseCoopers Nigeria, who joined virtually, stressed the need for the state to invest in digital skills and quality education to produce the needed manpower.

According to her, the government should also improve internet access among the population and strengthen partnership and alliance for sustainable economic growth and development.

Another panelist, Hajiya Balaraba Aliyu-Inuwa, Commissioner/Administrator, Zaria Municipal Authority, said that the consistent demand for infrastructure was having a toll on the environment.

Aliyu-Inuwa advised that materials used in the construction industry must be properly managed in such a way that it does not generate huge waste, destroy the environment, or harm people.

She said that the government should develop a legal framework to promote the use of renewable materials and effective waste management.

Dr Abubakar Abdullahi of the

Economic Department, Kaduna State University, another panelist said that the state must key into the Fourth Industrial Revolution also known as Industry 4.0 to make progress.

Abdullahi said that Industry 4.0 enables manufacturers to integrate new technologies, including the Internet of Things, cloud computing and analysis, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning into production facilities and operations.

Similarly, Ms Yomi Odutola, Director for Networks and Relationship, Circular Economy Innovation Partnership, also a panelist, said that conversation between government and the private sector was crucial to developing a direction for the state economy.

Odutola stressed the need for advocacy and sensitisation to mobilise the business community and citizens on how to generate wealth from waste as part of climate change mitigation and response.

oil continues to go up, price of AGO will equally skyrocket.

“It is now said to be selling at N750 per litre, up from about N300 per litre two months ago.

“Unfortunately, manufacturers who largely rely on diesel to run their factories due to unreliable nature of the grid power supply, are contending with a huge cost to sustain their production line.

“The direct implication of this trend, as many Nigerians are already feeling the heat, is the reflective high cost of goods in the market owing to the high cost of production,” he said.

The MAN director-general said that it was on record that manufacturers expended N100 billion yearly on an alternative energy source which constituted between 30 to 40 per cent of their cost structure.

He said that the implication was that the manufacturing cost structure was thrown overboard; working capital depleted and capacity utilisation nose-dived.

“Since the average Nigerian’s disposable income has been depleted, we can only expect that the resulting higher prices of goods will further constrain purchases and aggravate the poverty level.

“The solution is rather complex since we are dealing with a deregulated industry as I earlier mentioned. Director-General, MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir.

“In the short term, we can only look at how to get more favourable prices from the marketers; seek to remove other costs that are in the country such as Value Added Tax on AGO.

“We will also work with the government to reduce the pressure in other pain points for the manufacturers,” he said.

Ajayi-Kadir stressed the need to make the nation’s

refineries work, incentivise the building of more refineries and generally ramp up the private sector players in the sector, including foreign ones.

“And of course, the big elephant in the room is making electricity available to manufacturers.

“Government should deliberately prioritise supply to the sector in view of the multiplier effect it has on the

economy and government revenue.

“The eligible customer scheme should be allowed to work without any hindrance, including the requirement of no-objection from the electricity distribution companies.

“The tariff structure that makes the maximum demand on customers to pay more should also be re-examined,” he said.


ROYAL NEWS

Justice Yellin Bogoro of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday, sentenced

a 24-year-old bus driver, Mike Onyekachi, to six months at the Ikoyi correctional facility and six months of community service over drug trafficking.

Bogoro held that the community service should commence after the convict had served the six months’ jail term.

The defendant was arraigned on Thursday, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

Crimenews

Court sentences teenager to 14-day community service for stealing 2 hens

Bus driver bags 6 months’ jail term, community service for drug trafficking

Man, 35, arraigned for allegedly obtaining N8m under false

pretenceA 35-year-old man, Ganiyu

Lateef, on Thursday appeared in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly obtaining N8 million under false pretences.

Lateef, whose residential address was not provided, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and

stealing.The prosecutor, Insp

Gbemisola Adedeji, told the court that Lateef and others still at large, conspired and obtained N8 million from the complainant, Adesina Olalekan, from October, 2021 to January, 2022.

Adedeji said the defendant who committed the offences at Apete area, Ibadan, obtained the money on the pretext of prophesying a better future for the complainant, knowing

full well that the prophesy was false.

She said the offences contravened provisions under sections 516, 419(A) and 390 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, O.A Akande, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until May 24, for hearing. (NAN)

An Upper Area Court Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Thursday ordered that

a Student, Hillary Yunana, be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abuja for allegedly stealing items worth N1.57 million.

The defendant, a resident of Bassa Village in Abuja, was remanded after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of house breaking and theft.

The Judge, Mr Sani Umar adjourned the case until April 6 for sentencing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Abudulahi Tanko, told the

court that Yunana broke into a shop belonging to Jane Akuma of Bassa Village, Abuja, on Feb. 6.

Tanko said that Yunana allegedly stole handsets, earpiece, ear pods, chargers, and memory cards.

He alleged that he also stole a cash sum of N98,000 from the shop.

Tanko said all the items allegedly stolen by Yunana were valued N1.57 million.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 346 and 287 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

A 22-year-old man, Babatunde Rilwan, was on Thursday appeared before

an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly breaking into a house.

Rilwan, whose residential address was not provided, was charged with house breaking and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp Foluke Adedosu, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Feb. 18, at about 12.05 p.m, at Layiju, Inalende area, Ibadan.

Adedosu said that the defendant unlawfully entered the apartment

of the complainant, Hammed Adejare, and stole one television set worth N14, 000, one CD player valued at N5,000 and one radio worth N12, 000.

She said the offences contravened provisions under sections 413 and 390(9) of the Criminal laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate I.O. Osho granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 and two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until March 31, for hearing. (NAN)

Court remands student for alleged stealing

Man, 22, in court over alleged housebreaking, stealing

Man docked for allegedly duping cooperative society of N120,000

on a two-count charge of drug trafficking.

He pleaded guilty to the charge.After his plea, the prosecutor,

Mrs M.J Mamza, reviewed the facts of the case through an NDLEA officer, Mr Lucky Oghalifu.

Some the documents tendered include: statement of the convict, request for scientific aid form, packaging of substance form, drug analysis report, brown sealed envelope and a bulk exhibit

The court accordingly, admitted

and marked the evidences.After analysing the content of

a transparent pouch in the brown envelope containing some of the narcotics, the prosecutor urged the court to proceed and convict the defendant.

She dwelt on the provisions of sections 274(2) and 356(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, as well as guilty plea, to convict the defendant accordingly.

In his plea for mercy, defence counsel, Mr Okeh Ojakovo,

argued that the convict was a first offender.

He told the court that the convict, whom he described as a bus driver with a promising future, had learnt his lessons, urging the court to mitigate the sentence

The court consequently, sentenced the convict to a term of six months in the Ikoyi correctional service, as well as six months of community service, after his jail term.

The court also ordered that the narcotics be returned to the

NDLEA for destruction.In the charge, the convict was

said to have unlawfully dealt in 11g of Cannabis sativa and one gramme of Molly.

Both substances are categorised as restricted by law, as they are similar to cocaine and other psychotropic substances listed in the NDLEA schedule as being prohibited.

The offence contravened the provisions of section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004. (NAN)

The police on Thursday arraigned a 29-year-old man, Seth Simon, in

Karu, Abuja for allegedly duping Goldmine Cooperative Society, Abuja of N120,0000.

The defendant, who resides at Karu, Abuja is standing trial for criminal breach of trust, cheating by impersonation and criminal misappropriation.

Simon pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Olarewaju

Osho told the court that the complainant, Rose Godwin of Kurudu Village, Abuja reported the matter at Karu Police Station on Jan. 26.

Osho alleged that the defendant approached the society for N100,000 loan, with interest of N20,000, to be repaid in four months, which was granted by the society.

He said the society became curious when the defendant could not allegedly meet his repayment

plan agreed with the society.He said the society visited

the address provided by the defendant at Karu Market and found that he allegedly gave false information because the shop he gave as his does not belong to him.

The Judge, Inuwa Maiwada, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.

Maiwada adjourned the case until May 3 for hearing


ROYAL NEWSNewsFCTA begins implementation of NEMSAS

Meter bypass: How we lost N36m revenue to Mexis Group – DisCo

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to begin the full implemen-

tation of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).

A press release made available to media houses yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Minister, disclosed that the Sec-retary for the Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Abubakar Tafida, noted this through a memo

he presented on the scheme to the FCT Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting held on Monday, 14th March 2022, in Abuja.

The statement quoted Dr Tafida as saying that the memo emanated as part of the National Health Act 2014, in which the Federal Gov-ernment approved five per cent of the basic healthcare provision fund to be used for emergency medical and ambulance services, adding that the FCT Executive Committee

The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) said it recorded over N36 mil-

lion revenue loss from energy theft by a private company in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

PHED’s Head of Corporate Com-munications, Mr John Anonyai, said this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

He said the Police had arrested the unnamed proprietress of the company and electrician involved in the illegal connection, uncovered by a PHED team on routine inspection.

Anonyai said his company made the discovery at the company’s ‘Cold Room’ facility in Rumuolumeni com-munity in Port Harcourt.

“Upon discovery of the meter by-pass, the proprietress contacted the electrician who buried the service cables underground, leading to the premises where she (proprietress) op-erates a giant cold room.

“The electrician was directed by the proprietress to quickly excavate the cables and rearrange the connections to appear like it was never tampered with.

“After the discovery of the bypass, she offered PHED officials who made the discovery N1 million bribe in an attempt to stop the escalation of the offence,” he said.

Anonyai said the PHED team re-fused the bribe in compliance with the company’s zero tolerance on corrup-tion by staff.

“Our investigation revealed that Mexis Group – a Maximum Demand Customer – has been illegally receiving electricity from two feeders in Rumu-olumeni and UST for several years.

“Statistically speaking, the quan-tum of energy illegally consumed over the years by Mexis Group is estimated to be over N36 million to say the least.

“Meanwhile, the electrician, who was hired by the proprietress, has also

been arrested in the course of attempt-ing to rearrange the bypass,” he added.

The PHED spokesman said the dis-tribution company had intensified its campaign on meter bypass, energy theft and vandalism to dissuade peo-ple from indulging in activities that were capable of affecting PHED’s op-erations.

According to him, the company has suffered revenue losses of over N2.5 billion monthly to meter bypass and energy theft.

Anonyai noted that PHED’s Manag-ing Director, Dr Henry Ajagbawa had reaffirmed his resolve to institution-alise the company’s zero tolerance pol-icy on illegalities, irrespective of the defaulters’ status in society.

“To this end, PHED has dedicated a whistle blowing line where mem-bers of the public can directly report suspected acts of bribery, corrup-tion, and vandalism to Ajagbawa on 08114646572.

Court fixes May 25 to hear alleged land seizure by FCT minister, FCDA

Head of Service partners ICRC on efficient civil service

Justice Baba Sani of an FCT High Court, Apo, has fixed May 25 for a hearing on

alleged land seizure against the FCT Minister, Alhaji Muhammed Bello, and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

Sani fixed the date following the absence of the minister’s counsel, Mr C. Nwaji, when the case came up for hearing.

Sani adjourned the matter until May 25, for hearing and ordered for hearing notice to be served on the defendants.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, counsel for the claimants, Mr John Godwin, informed the

court that he had properly filed and served the defendants, yet they were not in court.

“My Lord, the defendants have been served with our writ of summon and the hearing notice of the case for today, but unfortunately they are not here.

“Although we have not been served with their reply and/or counter, I think it will be better if the case is adjourned in the interest of Justice,” Godwin said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two aggrieved land allottees, Messers Ahmed Musa and Rasheed Musa, had dragged the minister to court over

the alleged seizure of their plots of land by FCDA.

NAN reports that the alloteees/claimants alleged that the minister and the FCDA moved to seize their lands situated at Mpape “D”, Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

The claimants are demanding N500 million as general damages from the defendants over what they described as “act of trespass”.

They claimed the act had caused them unnecessary apprehension, trauma, pains and depression.

In the writ of summon, the claimants prayed the court to issue an injunction restraining Bello and FCDA from making any attempt or action against their alleged legitimately acquired plots of land, pending the determination of the suit.

The claimants further prayed the court to determine whether the defendants could expropriate the claimants’ title to lands situated at Mpape “D” in Bwari Area Council, without their consent, due negotiation and permission.

The Head of the Civil Ser-vice of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr Folasade

Yemi-Esan, has said the office of the HOCSF is collaborating with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to ensure an effective civil ser-vice for the country.

Yemi-Esan who stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the First Quarter Public-Private Partner-ship Units Consultative Forum Meeting added that the aim was to attain a World-class civil ser-vice.

Yemi-Esan who was repre-sented by Mrs Ehigie Agalasi, Director Infrastructure in the HOCSOF, said that there was already a Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan implemented from 2017 to 2021.

“We have a succession plan from 2021 to 2025 and what the Office of the Head of Service is doing is to bring innovation to the service so that it can be the best.

“That is why we are partner-ing with ICRC because we know

(FCTEC) has approved the imme-diate implementation of the pilot scheme in the FCT, as well as grant-ing them the permission to engage a total of 66 personnel for the pilot programme.

On how residents of the FCT will benefit from NEMSAS, Dr Tafida ex-plained: “Essentially, we are talking of a situation where if there is any injury or any ill health that is capable of risking the life of an individual or posing a permanent disability to the

that government does not have all the money; so we need the collaboration of the private sec-tor to get us to where we should be,” she said.

She expressed the optimism of the HOCSOF to liaise with all other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of govern-ment in attaining the set mile-stone.

On his part, the Acting Direc-tor-General of ICRC, Mr Michael Ohiani, said that the commis-sion had attained great mile-stones in the last couple of years.

He said even the COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder the ICRC from issuing certifications for new concession projects.

“The commission issued 19 Outline Business Cases (OBCs) in 2021 which makes a total of 116 OBCs from inception, and 5 Full Business Cases (FBCs) in 2021, which makes a total of 47 FBC’s from inception.

“Four projects were approved by the Federal Executive Coun-cil, making a total of 49 FEC approvals from inception to the end of 2021.

(L-R) FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmed, Director, Human Resources Department, Dr Bashir Muhammed

health of that individual, he or she is meant to be given prompt care at the point of the incident and then prompt transportation in an ambulance system to an emergen-cy treatment centre in designated hospitals and treatment would be provided until such a person is stabilized for further treatment in that same hospital or transferred to a higher hospital where better care appropriate for that injury or ill health is provided.”

He said that “during the first 48 hours of an emergency, not a sin-gle dime would be asked from this particular individual. So, essen-tially, it’s a big plus for the health sector where a lot of delays would narrow and where lives would be saved and disabilities are reduced maximally or even avoided.”

He noted that the FCTA has al-ready begun a dry run for the pilot

phase of the scheme and challeng-es and possible problems have been identified, added that they were integrating the challenges as corrected in the next dry run be-fore they finally begin a real pilot involving real patients, into their hospitals.

Recalled that the FCT was se-lected to pilot the new National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, which ac-cording to him is a national pro-gramme of the Federal Ministry of Health that will be implemented in the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, just as added that It provided pre-hospital care in the form of ambulance services, to transport patients to hospitals and emergency medical treatment services for up to 48 hours in the hospitals at no immediate cost to the patient at the point of care.


ROYAL NEWS

Eagle N.Tech Ltd unveils Studyhub20 mobile app learning platform

19-year-old arraigned for alleged wandering

Assault on Bianca: Igbo youths declare war on Obiano’s wife

Court decries divorce rate among young couples

A top online learning site that offers an integrated set of interactive online

services which provides trainers, learners, and others involved in the education sector with information, tools, and resources to support and enhance educational delivery and management, has debuted in Nigeria, with a mission of using new technologies to inspire and educate its subscribers and clients.

The learning app, studyhub20, an indigenous software development company based in Nigeria with head office in Abuja, offers Administrative, Executives, Professional Adult, Management, Capacity-building courses and In-Life skill courses for adolescents/children, poised to dominate Nigerian and African markets in the e-learning sector.

The company behind the e-learning hub, Eagle N.Tech Ltd, through its executive director Barr Mrs Ugo Kalu, believes that “with an array of first-class instructors

assembled from all over the world and with a strong organizational structure comprising of well skilled and experienced staff, has some top-of-market partners like Agip, WASC, CIOB, FIRS, JAMB, Federal Ministry of Education, amongst others, that drives the success of studyhub20, and offers good quality courses developed by expert instructors, aimed to achieve subscribers’ personal and business growth without hassles, through its online courses.”

She added that the company “partners with companies and accredited Institutions, like universities, polytechnics, colleges, professional bodies, and vocational/technical schools across the world to offer online courses to enable Learners to earn Professional Certifications and Certificates.”

The team behind the hub, includes Barrister Mrs Ugo Uzor Kalu, an IT expert and executive director of Eagle & Tech Ltd and founder of

studyhub20, with many years standing leading the pack. Others are Umeh Jessica Onyinye, Marshall Kalu, and Dr Dike.

The access the hub, what you need to do is just sign up through Studyhub20 Mobile App, pay the required fees, study on a chosen course and the Certificate of Completion will be delivered to you at the end of each course, with no admission requirement procedures needed.

The app can be downloaded through the mobile app “Studyhub20” from the Google Play store.

The police in Ibadan on Thursday arraigned one 19-year-old Opeyemi Tiamiyu for alleged

wandering and unlawful possession of hemp.

Tiamiyu, whose residential address was not provided, appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court.

The police charged him with wandering, unlawful possession of cannabis sativa (hemp) and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.The prosecutor, Insp Foluke Adedosu,

told the court that Tiamiyu, on March 10, at 10. 00 p.m., at Oke-Ado, Ibadan, conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.

She submitted that the defendant constituted a nuisance.

She said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 249(d), 250(6) and 430(i) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

Magistrate I. O. Osho granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until June 2, for hearing. (NAN)

A coalition of Igbo youths, un-der the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Lead-

ers (COSEYL), has declared the re-ported attack of former first lady of Anambra state, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano on the wife of former leader of the All Progressives Grand Alli-ance (APGA), late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Bianca, as an insult on Ndigbo

Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, was re-ported to have slapped the lat Biafra leaders wife, during the swearing-in ceremony of professor Charles Solu-do on Thursday

Condemning her action in a state-ment released to newsmen in Owerri by the President General of the Igbo group, Goodluck Ibem, the group said the action further described her attitude towards Ojukwu’s wife as despicable and disrespectful.

‘It is the height of insult on the entire Igbo nation for Mrs Obiano to slap the wife of our revered and great Igbo Leader and Icon Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu. Mrs Obiano has exposed to the en-tire world that she is an untrained and uncouth low life,’ the group said.

Dr Gambo Aliyu, Director-General National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA),

on Thursday said that access to HIV services was key to eliminating Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT).

Aliyu said this at an award ceremony to honour persons whose roles have reduced HIV in Nigeria in commemoration of International Women’s Day.

The event was organised by the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, West Africa region (ICW) in Abuja.

Gambo called for the collaboration of stakeholders to avail communities, especially pregnant women, HIV services ranging from test to treatment.

“We cannot think of eliminating Mother to Child Transmission if we do not have access to pregnant women.

“We need to ensure that pregnant women have access to our services, which includes testing and treatment if found positive, ” he said.

The Director General who assured the women of NACA’s support, said that the failure of communities to access HIV services was the reason

The Igando Customary Court, Lagos State, on Thursday, bemoaned the rate at which young couples divorce their marriages.

The court President, Mr Koledoye Adeniyi, said this during the dissolution of a marriage between Mrs Olubunmi Adebanjo and Mr Balogun Adebanjo on grounds of abandonment and constant battery

In his ruling, he said: “it is sad these days the rate at which young couples within a short period of their marriages run to court for a divorce.

“It is necessary for a man and a woman to observe and study each other very well before going into marriage.

“But more often than not, this does not happen and couples quickly get married as soon as they fall in love not caring whether the love is genuine or not, which is why they put up the excuse of being incompatible with each other and seek divorce.”

Using the case at hand as an example, he said, the union would have been saved if there was genuine love in the first place.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olubunmi, a caterer, had approached the court on Feb. 8, accusing her husband of abandoning her for two years.

She also complained of incompatibility, lack of love and care and frequent beating.

Olubunmi had told the court that her husband would pick up quarrels with her over trivial issues, and beat her at any slight provocation.

She told the court that her husband stopped caring for her immediately after their marriage and became hostile and unfriendly.

Access to HIV services, key to eliminating MTCT – NACA

News

for continued existence of HIV.

He said: “Let us break that fear and let them know that persons living with HIV can live as long as possible

“Let us let know that HIV is just like any other disease”.

Ms Assumpta Reginald, Regional Coordinator, ICW, West Africa, expressed the

commitment of the group to ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Reginald commended the people, especially women who had contributed immensely to the elimination of Mother to Child Transmission.

“ICW West Africa and ASWHAN celebrate all women, NACA and all other

agencies that are making efforts to break the bias that promotes women’s infection with HIV.

Break the bias such as Gender-Based Violence, poor educational access to girls, early child marriage, and other structural barriers which disempower women to have autonomy”.

Dr Gambo Aliyu, Director-General National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)

Barr Mrs Ugo Kalu


ROYAL NEWS

Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Chairman, All Progressives Congress

(APC) Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), has endorsed actions taken by Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, as acting chairman of the committee.

Buni confirmed validating those actions in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, while reacting to media reports that he had suspended some of them.

“This is to bring to the notice of all stakeholders and members of the party that the purported suspension of some activities initiated and executed

Politicsnews

Katsina Commissioner declares for guber race

Convention: Buni endorses actions taken by Bello as acting chairman

Katsina State Commissioner for Budget and Economic

Planning, Alhaji Faruk Lawal, has declared his interest to vie for the state governorship seat on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lawal said this when he briefed newsmen on Thursday in Katsina, saying that he took the decision after series of consultations with friends and political associates.

He said that leadership was a challenging tasks with heavy responsibilities.

“I am happy today that the coalition of youths under three umbrellas called on me to declare my intention for the Katsina State governorship seat in the 2023.

“You are all witnesses to the reason why they asked me to contest,” Lawal said.

He said that the call for him to join the governorship race was based on his numerous

achievements in the service of the state.

“My first assignment when I became a special adviser to the governor on Banking and Finance, was to close 232 bank accounts belonging to MDAs in Katsina State that were never reported to us as a government when we came on board in 2015.

“And the balances as of that time accruing to these 232 accounts was in the excess of N4 billion.

“There was no mention of these funds we took over. The official document handed over to the administration in 2015 officially submitted 29 accounts,” Lawal said.

He said that the government closed the accounts and the balance was transferred to the consolidated revenue fund account of the government for developmental projects in the state

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that youths under

the auspices of Nigerian Youths Congress on Thursday presented a letter to Lawal, asking him to join the 2023 governorship race.

The youths said their decision was due to his economic-driven strategies that had enhanced internal revenue generation in the state.

An Abuja-based Gender Consultant, Mrs Grace Ahmadu, had urged women

to continue canvassing for gender equality and social inclusion to make their impact felt in the political space.

She stated this at a three-day training on “Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)” organised by Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised with the support of MacArthur Foundation and the Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED).

Ahmadu said that GESI was a concept that addressed unequal power relations between women and men and between different social groups.

While noting that women-related issues had been on the front burner of Nigeria’s politics, Ahmadu said that there was the

need for gender mainstreaming.“Gender mainstreaming is a

strategy to improve the quality of public policies, programmes and projects, ensuring a more efficient allocation of resources.

“Better results mean increased well-being for both women and men, and the creation of a more socially just and sustainable society,” she said.

She said that the training was aimed at educating Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on how to better mainstream gender and social inclusion.

“The CTA is implementing a project on cultural values of the people living in the FCT with emphasis on women, girls and persons with disabilities.

“The idea is supporting CTA to better mainstream GESI to work toward reducing gender inequalities between women and men, girls and boys.

The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) says it plans to partner with the Chinese

Communist Party on global best practice, ahead of 2023 general elections.

IPAC National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, said this when he received a delegation from the Chinese Communist Party, led by Mr Wu Baocai in Abuja on Thursday.

“IPAC was established about 12 years ago against the backdrop of the nation’s chequered history of democracy,” Sani said.

He said that the Council’s primary mandate was to promote and sustain intra party harmony among political parties as well as enhance internal cohesion and sanity within them.

He added that IPAC also work towards constructing bridges of understanding

and synergies between the three democratic organs of the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive.

Sani said that the collaboration would help IPAC to achieve its overriding objective of deepening the roots of democracy and democratic institutions in Nigeria.

“As Nigeria inches toward another round of general elections in 2023, the political atmosphere in the country is already, characteristically, charged to a high pitch.

“The emerging signals on the political horizon are clearly demanding greater level of preparation and strategies on the part of IPAC and the other strategic key players in the country’s democracy project.

“At this critical juncture, Nigeria will

certainly be needing the robust support usually given by friendly nations in order to be able to surmount the looming challenges,” he said.

Sani said that IPAC was attracted and excited by the phenomenal feat achieved by the Chinese Communist Party over the years.

This, he said was in its leadership and guidance of 1.4 billion strong population of divergent ethnic backgrounds and communities toward unity.

“That IPAC was also enthralled by the spectacular achievements, unsurpassed in the records of human development, by the People’s Republic of China under the supervision of the Communist Party, in the near total banishment of poverty, illiteracy and disease.’’

Don’t relent on quest for gender equality, consultant urges Nigerian women

2023: IPAC to partner Chinese Communist party on global best practice

by the CECPC under the acting chairman and Niger Governor, Muhammed Bello is not true.

“Therefore, all activities that were done in my absence remain valid and binding.

“All party stakeholders and members are hereby advised to disregard the previous statement discarding the activities of the committee under the leadership of the acting chairman,’’ Buni said.

He said he duly transferred leadership of the committee to the Niger governor before traveling outside the country for medical attention.

“Therefore, all actions and measures taken by the

committee under his leadership as Acting Chairman remain effective,’’ Buni who is also the Governor of Yobe said.

He called for the support and understanding of the

party’s members to move it forward to a successful National Convention slated for March 26.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that new

national executives were expected to be elected at the party’s national convention to manage its affairs currently being managed by the CECPC.(NAN)

brahim Abdullahi

Alhaji Faruk Lawal

Buni


ROYAL NEWS

Nomination fees: Lagos PDP hails national leadership’s responsiveness, youths’ sensitivity

I’ll make Southern Kaduna an ICT hub- Senatorial aspirant

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State chapter, has lauded its national leadership for protecting youths’ interest in fixing fees for nomination forms ahead of the party’s primaries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the PDP leadership, after its 95th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, resolved that youths interested in contesting the 2023 polls would pay half of the nomination fees for each of the elective offices.

This followed the release of the party’s timetable for nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections.

The party pegged the fees for nomination and expression of interest forms for the presidential aspirants at N40 million, while aspirants for the governorship election were to pay N21

million.Similarly, aspirants for state Houses

of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate were to pay N600, 000; N2.5 million and N3.5 million respectively, for nomination and expression of interest forms.

Reacting, Mr Hakeem Amode, PDP Publicity Secretary in Lagos state told NAN that every effort to promote youths inclusiveness in the 2023 general elections remained the best for the party.

Amode, who commended the party’s leadership for adequately taking care of the youths by reducing by half, the nomination fees required from them, said that the step was appropriate and good.

“Any youth from 25 years and 30 years is expected to pay half of the fees for the nomination forms for any position they are contesting for. The

party has thought it wise to take care of the youths in the party.

“The youths are well accommodated on their ambitions if they are interested in contesting for any position.

“We felt that the party has done well to recognise the position of the youths and the importance of youths in the party,” he said.

He said that such recognition had become imperative to encourage more youths to throw their hats into the rings in the forthcoming primaries of the party in May.

“So, in line with what the leaders, members, the NEC and the NWC have done, we feel it is right and appreciate.

“We support that wholeheartedly and the party in Lagos state is with the national body on this,” Amode said.

According to him, the party is

moving forward, preparing and working hard to ensure it wins all elective offices in 2023.

“Our efforts are geared toward winning all the seats in the house of assembly, house of representatives, senate and that of governor and president.

“We are set to take over power in 2023,” he added.

Also speaking with NAN, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, a PDP Chieftain in Lagos, said the national body had demonstrated high level of responsiveness and responsibility.

“In reducing its nomination fees for participating youths in all levels of elective offices, the leadership of the PDP is being responsive and responsible.

“The party understands that all Nigerians are living in unprecedented hard economic times.

Mr Sunday Katung, an aspirant for the Southern Kaduna Senatorial seat, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), has promised to turn the zone into an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub.

Katung, a former lawmaker at the House of Representatives made the pledge when he inaugurated his campaign office in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

“Iam passionate about ICT, because the sector is fast becoming a goldmine which the teeming youths in the area can take advantage of and become self reliant.”

According to him, getting youths engaged through ICT will keep them off crime and help curb crime.

“We are in the jet age where almost everything is going digital and we as a people cannot afford to be left behind. We have to move with the times.

“Creating an ICT hub in Southern Kaduna will help keep many of our youths engaged and turn their minds away from crime, thereby reducing insecurity,” he stated.

Katung said that his decision to seek for election as a Senator was borne out of his desire to serve the people.

“I am running for the seat, not for my self, but to serve the good people of this area. I promise to fight for your rights and also defend you.

“I will work to ensure that the people of Southern Kaduna are not shortchanged and that whatever is meant for them will get to them,” he said.

The aspirant also promised to place more priority on education, as well as work towards boosting agricultural production in the zone.

“We are a people that are passionate about education and that is why I have decided to formalise my educational foundation.

“We will be giving out scholarships to indigent students who cannot afford to pay their tuition fees and other things.

“Again, we will focus on agriculture, because we have crops that can give us comparative advantage like ginger which we can export and get revenue,” he added.

In his remarks, the Director General of the aspirant’s campaign organisation, Mr Simon Arabo, described Katung,”as the right man for the job given his impressive pedigree in politics.”

Arabo said that Southern Kaduna was blessed with human and material resources, ”but needed sound and visionary leadership to fully maximize its potentials.”

Mr Zakaria Shamaki, a PDP chieftain, lauded the aspirant.

“He has what it takes to place Southern Kaduna on the path of sustainable development.”

Shamaki urged PDP faithful in the zone to work for the collective interest of the party in choosing its flag bearers in the 2023 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Katung was also a former commissioner in Kaduna State. (NAN)

The Amalgamation of Youth Associations from Northwest, has

endorsed late MKO Abiola’s daughter, Rinsola, as All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader.

Mr Sabiu Suleiman-Ibrahim, the group coordinator, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Kano.

“We are APC card carrying members; we also have among us, political activists who believe in the promotion of women in governance and politics.

“So, her sterling qualities are consolidating aspect of the entire process. She has all it takes to contest for the position and bring new changes for youth development.

“We can understand that part of what she has in shopping list, is to mobilise young voters for the 2023 elections through extensive nationwide engagements with different segments of youths across Nigeria.

“With this, she can be able to help Nigerian youths navigate correctly

Northwest youths endorse Abiola’s daughter for APC National Youth Leader

with clear vision and direction,” he said.

He added: “Our choice of Rinsola is to establish a central unit to support young candidates with many things from legal advice to campaign branding and materials.

“So as to further strength and consolidate

on the philosophy of Not Too Young to Run.”

He said that Rinsola’s choice was aimed at enhancing women inclusion in politics.

“She is unarguably patriotic and detribalised, just like her late father Chief MKO Abiola of

blessed memory.“She dedicated all of her

adult life in advocating for youths.

“She can engage them; convince them, because she is one of them. It is indeed the passion for youth development that led her to join politics,” he said.

MKO Abiola’s daughter, Rinsola

Politics


ROYAL NEWS

1,609,250

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NIL

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N222,000

January 15th, 2021

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Publisher/Editor -In-Chief: AROWONA ABDULAZEEZ

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Effective February 2022

• Dr. Alimi abdulrazaq

Published by MODISULT Media Concept, Suite BPS 19, Bannex Plaza, Wuse 2, Abuja. Adverts 08135343684, 08058179272, e-mail: [email protected]; Publisher/Editor -In-Chief: AROWONA ABDULAZEEZ

[email protected]; +2349033698187 Thursday, March 17, 2022

Mohammad Abdulkadri GUEST COLUMNIST

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TURBANING; The Burden of History as Dr Alim Abdulrasaq Becomes Mutawali of IlorinThe esteemed family of

AGF Abdulrasaq of blessed memory has a huge decades

of monumentally unbeaten records and recognitions in the anals of the cherished community of Ilorin and by extension kwara state in particular and Nigeria in General. The Family is dominating like Colossus and octopus the Legal, political, governance and socio- economic terrains beyond the shores of our dear state. I do not intend to dig deep into the above assertions regarding the eminence of Abdulrasaq family. Abdulrasaq is an household name in Ilorin and much of what to known about the family are already within the public domains nationally and internationally to warrant any further information in this write up. Infact to do that here will amount to an overkill venture to embark on historical excursion and elucidation on a well documented pedigrees of the famous Abdulresaq family of Ilorin. Again the fear of veering away from the focus of this piece which has to do with the turbaning of the new MUTAWALI of Ilorin Emirate and its environs on one of the foremost illustrious ,industrious and dexterous son of the soil, Dr Alimi Abdulrasaq by His Royal Highness Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari. The traditional portrait and portfolio of Matawali has Legal implications, connotations and interpretations on who ever is holding the title. His mandate include acting in a trusted position of Adviser to the Emir on matters requring equity, fairness and justice without

compromising the dictates of the rule of law. Going by the meaning of Matawalin, a co- joined hausa word of Mata and Wali one can say unequivocally that the First Mattawalin of Ilorin who was the patriarch of Abdulrasaq’s family and the First Nothern Lawyer was the most qualified personalty for that exalted traditional position even as he was a well decorated and well crowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN. With the death of the first Mattawalin Ilorin history is again repeating itself n accordance with the popular saying that “what goes around comes around”as the second Matawali of Ilorin is undisputably and deservedly given to an eminently qualified legal luminary, a quintessential legal practitioner and an outstanding advocate of the masses who has paid his dues and still standing like Iroko trees in service to fatherland Dr Alimi Abdulrasaq. Indeed Dr Abdulrasaq has carved a niche for himself as one of the foremost, finest and best sons and prides of Ilorin , kwara state and indeed a well priced Nigerian of all times. Show me a man that is dilligemt in his work and standing before the Kings, that is the story of our amiable, reliable and dependable gentleman lawyer par excellent Dr Alimi Abdulrasaq, the new Mutawali of Ilorin. For the avoidance of doubt and to put the record straight for many people putting calls accross to know more about the great man who the turban fits as MUTAWALI Ilorin I make haste to put on record that Dr

capacity, a well cultured and widely trained and travelled personality with a robust understanding of the matrix of interpersonal, inter-communal, inter-state and intercontinental relations who is eminently well suited to wear the highly referred turban. I pray that your reign shall be eventful and successful and your turban will remain and be retained on your wig head for many more years in service to humanity and to Almighty Allah as you navigate the path bestowed on you by the burden of history at this auspicious times.Mohammad Abdulkadri is theSpecial Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity .

expectations of the people of Ilorin are high that he will advice the Emir and the Governor on how to emplace best strategies towards making Ilorin and indeed kwara state uncharitable and unhabitable for the criminal elements seeking safe haven of harmony in the state of harmony. In setting agenda for the new Matawali his love for the downtroden masses is expected to inspire him to lift them out of abject poverty, take them off the streets as serial beggars and out of servitude in the hands of slave drivers. All hail Maigrima second Matawali Ilorin, a man of intellectual sagacity, and

Alimi is a bridge builder, a man of indomitable personality, highly principled and a man of philosophical standing who is selflessly committed to building a virile state and nation. In my decades of bonding with him I found him to be a special breed and a very rare specie of Ilorin extraction who has deep respect for traditional institutions, a stunch defender of the cultural heritage of the ancient City of Ilorin, an advocate of peaceful co-existence and a progressively minded individual with unassuming mien and favourable disposition to the empowerment of our youths. No doubt the ascendancy to the thrown of Matawalin by Dr Alimi, a great man who is well known for his simplicity, humility, transparency, honesty, piety and generosity portends greater things to come. Knowing him fully well for his avowed commitment to sustaining the trajectory of hardwork and dogged service towards uplifting and upgrading the living conditions of our people as bequeathed by his father, he will not denigrate on all of these expectations. As a man of proven integrity and uncommon personality that is most sought after nationally and internationally the horizon of opportunities to attract local and foreign investors to kwara state under the administration of his younger brother Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq will go a long way in industrialising the state of Harmony. Also as Matawali the

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