Month: March 2024

Senate President Akpabio ushers in new era of Nigerian diplomacy at 148th IPU assembly through delegation’s actions on Gaza crisis

THE Nigerian delegation, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio, president of the Nigeria Senate, has garnered international commendation for its diplomatic efforts, particularly in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, at the ongoing 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Amidst the contending interests and intrigues characterised by divergence among established and emerging powers on global order, the Akpabio-led Nigerian Delegation stood firm in rallying parliamentarians from across the world to uphold the basic tenets of humanity.

Senator Akpabio’s compelling appeal during the debate on the inclusion of an emergency item into the IPU Assembly agenda resonated deeply with parliamentarians worldwide. This is as he urged members to set aside ego and differences to work collectively towards drafting an all-encompassing resolution, showcasing Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to global peace and humanitarian principles.

This is a lone voice from Nigeria. We tried our best in Angola and we failed to lend a collective voice towards what is happening in Gaza.

“Today, the world is very expectant. We must drop our ego. It has nothing to do with which country brings a proposal. The basic tenets of humanity demand that we leave here with resolutions for the rest of the world: to show that we have humane feelings in us,” remarked Senator Akpabio.

The Nigerian delegation, comprising notable members including Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong, Osita Ngwu, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Ibrahim Dankwambo, alongside Reps. Victor Abang, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, and Marie Ebikake, have played a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic interests and promoting global peace and security.

Deputy Speaker, Kalu, a Member of the Nigerian Delegation, had last October, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to Parliamentary Action for Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), urging IPU members to work relentlessly towards achieving it. He emphasised that a crisis in any part of the world is a crisis for all, reflecting Nigeria’s proactive approach to international affairs.

The 148th IPU Assembly, themed “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges for Peace and Understanding,” provides a crucial platform for delegates to deliberate and exchange views on pressing global issues. The Nigerian delegation’s advocacy for the inclusion of an emergency item on the IPU agenda, leading to a substantive debate on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has earned them widespread praise and admiration.

March 26, 2024
I wasn’t in Kogi during the governorship election, SDP witness tells tribunal

Flowerbudnews

Mr Abdulmalik Njidda, the star witness of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, on Monday, told the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja that he was not in the state on the day of the poll.

The star witness, who is a data analyst with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated this as he completed his evidence-in-chief and was cross-examined by the respondents counsel

Njidda had earlier testified to events that took place during the Nov. 11 governorship election in the state, with regard to entries on the BVAS machines used for the election in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, Ogori Magongo and Lokoja Local Government Areas of Kogi.

However, drama ensued during cross examination.

When counsel to the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC asked him is whereabouts during the poll, Njidda turned around to say he was nowhere near the state on the day of the poll.

The witness confirmed that he was posted to Imo for the governorship election, which held on the same day the election in Kogi was held.

Specifically, the the INEC analyst admitted that he was never at any of the polling units complained about on election day and in respect of whose BVAS machines he examined before the tribunal.

He said he was therefore not in a position to know or show how the BVAS machines were operated at those polling units.

In his further testimony under cross examination, the witness also admitted that as an INEC data analyst, he was never assigned any function on the day of the election in Kogi, hence, he had no reason to operate the BVAS machines he was brought to court to prove its contents.

When he was further cross examined on the serial number of the BVAS machines that he was called to demonstrate in court, the INEC data analyst said he did not know the serial number of the machines.

He added that the BVAS machines he demonstrated in court were not the entirety of the BVAS machines used for the election in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, Ogori Magongo and Lokoja Local Government Areas of the state.

The witness visibly evaded some of the questions put to him by the team of defence lawyers.

He said it was the duty of the presiding officers to operate BVAS machines at any polling unit, have the picture of Form EC8A on the respective BVAS used in their polling units and transmit the result to IRev.

He noted that BVAS machines used for an election were meant to contain Form EC8A but that the BVAS machines he demonstrated in open court did not all have the picture of Form EC8A.

The witness added that he could not tell which ones had the picture of the Form EC8A used at the various polling units.

Attempts by lawyer to the petitioner, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, to safe the day through re-examination were objected to by the defence team and were overruled by the tribunal.

The three-member panel adjourned the matter until March 26 for continuation of hearing

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, represented INEC; Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, represented Gov. Ododo and E.C. Ukala, SAN, appeared for APC.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

March 25, 2024
Breaking: President Macky Sall Congratulates Senegal’s Opposition Leader on the Presidential Election as Rivals Concede Defeat

By Paul Ejime

Dakar (Flowerbudnews): Outgoing Senegal’s President Macky Sall, on Monday congratulated opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his victory in Sunday’s presidential election.

Almost all other presidential candidates, including former Prime Minister Ahmadou Ba, the candidate of the ruling Alliance for Republic, APR, have also conceded defeat and congratulated Faye.

“I salute the smooth running of the election and congratulate the winner, Mr. Bassirou Diomaye, who is the winner by the trends. This is the victory of Senegalese democracy,” Sall said through a post on his X, former Twitter handle, hours after Ba had congratulated Faye.

The National Electoral Commission, CENA, is still compiling the official tally of the election in the country’s 14 regions

.

But unofficial estimates indicate that Faye might have received about 57% of the vote, against the runner-up Ba’s 31%.

Under Senegal’s Constitution, a candidate requires more than 50% of the vote to win the presidency in the first round of balloting, otherwise, the two frontrunners go into a run-off vote.

The Appeal Court of Dakar is expected to announce the final figures of Sunday’s contest on Wednesday, and this will be validated by the Constitutional Council, if no objections are raised.

The Council has the final say on electoral matters in the country, while CENA supervises the electoral process.

President Sall will hand over power to Faye, as Senegal’s 5th and youngest President on April 2nd.

It is a perfect birthday present for Faye, who turned 44 on Sunday, the election day, and a great relief particularly to pro-democracy advocates in Senegal and ECOWAS, which is battling growing military incursions into politics in the region, with four of its 15 member States now under army rule.

Credit should also go to the Senegalese population, especially the civil society groups for their resilience in checkmating Sall’s political manoeuvrers.

Among the immediate tasks of Faye, a former tax collector is the reconciliation of a country, whose democratic standing had been shaken in the past couple of years, particularly by Sall’s tenure elongation plan, which he was forced under local and international pressure to abandon.

But this was not before the attendant political tension and street protests that killed at least 20 people, followed by uncertainties over the rescheduling of the presidential vote originally fixed for 25 February, before it was moved to March 24.

As an appeasement gesture, a subdued President Sall declared a general amnesty for detainees recently, including Faye and his comrade Ousmane Sonko, who were released to join the campaign trail.

Sonko was barred from contesting the presidential election following his conviction for radicalizing the youths, a charge critics consider politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Faye has promised to tackle corruption and address the needs of Senegal’s youthful population from where he and Sonko draw their most support.

Given the unsalutary experiences of “anointed candidates” or Godfatherism in Africa, political observers will closely monitor the Faye-Sonko relationship with political power in their hands. (Flowerbudnews)

March 25, 2024
Don’t Place Congratulatory Adverts for My 72nd Birthday on March 29, Tinubu Urges Well-wishers

By Biola Lawal

Abuja (Flowerbudnews): President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who will turn 72 on March 29, as appealed to friends and Well-wishers to avoid placing congratulatory adverts, but should rather utilise such funds to help the less-privileged in his name.

Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy disclosed this in a statement on the President ‘s impending birthday

Onanuga quoted ‘President Tinubu as enjoining friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials ”to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name,” .

Onanuga Wrote:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will turn 72 on Friday March 29, 2024. The day will be another important milestone in his life as a leader and a statesman.

During an auspicious occasion as this, it is customary for family members, friends and associates to celebrate him in different ways.

As the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name.

President Tinubu appreciates the honour of being the leader of Africa’s leading nation at this time and he is working very hard to make life better for the generality of our people.

According to him, because of the present mood of the nation and recent killing of the officers and men of our Army and Police in Delta State and recent spate of security breaches by criminal elements in different parts of Nigeria, there should be no form of birthday event and placing of birthday goodwill advertorial messages in newspapers.

Goodwill messages should not be placed on radio and television stations too.

President Tinubu enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name.

Although the President appreciates the gallantry of our armed forces in freeing our children kidnapped in Kuriga, Kaduna State and in Sokoto State, he will use the opportunity of his birthday to reflect and re-dedicate himself to the task of building a more stable, more secure, virile, prosperous and united Nigeria. (Flowerbudnews)

March 25, 2024
NSCDC arrests armed robber, recovers pistol, expended cartridge in Enugu

By Flowerbudnews

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect, One Chinonso Nwakpo, 32, after a foiled armed robbery attempt near Holy Ghost axis of Ogui Road within Enugu metropolis.

The NSCDC operatives recovered locally made pistel and an expended cartridge.

Parading the suspect before newsmen on Monday in Enugu, the NSCDC Enugu State Command Public Relations Officer, SC Emmanuel Nwatu, said that Nwakpo was arrested on Sunday, March 24, by gallant officers conducting routine patrol in Ogui Road axis of Enugu.

Nwatu, who is a Superintendent of Corps, said that the notorious suspect hailed from Ohaukwu Local Government Atea of Ebonyl.

He said: “The suspect was intercepted while attempting to deprive a lady of her handset and other valuables.

“The swift response of the victim, who promptly raised an alarm and sought assistance, led to the apprehension of the suspect by vigilant NSCDC operatives conducting routine patrols in the vicinity.

“Upon apprehension, the suspect, Nwakpo, was found in possession of incriminating evidence, including a locally made pistel and an expended cartridge.

“During interrogation, the suspect mentioned an individual named Onyebuchi, currently at large, as the source of the firearm.”

The NSCDC spokesman said further investigation uncovered that the suspect and his syndicate frequently operate within the Abakpa and Ogui axis.

According to him, it has been verified that both the suspect, Nwakpo, and his accomplices have been under surveillance by low enforcement agencies for several months within the state.

“In response to the arrest, the Commandant of NSCDC in Enugu State, Commandant Cyprian Otoibhi, has emphasized the commitment of the NSCDC Command to ensuring the safety and security of all residents within Enugu State.

“The state NSCDC boss also warned criminal elements that the full force of the law will be applied without hesitation.

“The Commandant urges citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative with security agencies by providing timely and actionable intelligence thereby facilitating the apprehension of criminals and the preservation of public safety.

“The state Commandant also lauded the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr Ahmed Audi, for supporting the Enugu State Command in its operations, which is yielding results already,” he said.

March 25, 2024
Zulum approves appointment of 168 aides, 104 board members

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has appointed the appointment of 168 assistants and 104 board members for the 15 agencies and commissions of the state.

This is contained in a statement issue by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, (SSG) Alhaji Bukar Tijjani on Monday in Maiduguri.

He said the appointees comprised of nine Senior Technical Assistants(STA), 81 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and 78 Special Assistants (SAs).

The SSG said also listed 104 others as Chairmen and Board members of 15 agencies and commissions.

The appointment, the SSG said, was done based on powers conferred on the governor by the provisions of Section 208(2)d of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

“The governor congratulates the appointees and looks forward to their contributions to the development of Borno,” the SSG said. (NAN)

March 25, 2024
Customs boss urge Muslims to rededicate to values of Islam

News Desk

The Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Adewale Adeniyi, has urged Muslims to rededicate themselves to the values of Islam by working to eradicate extreme poverty which is a driver of insecurity in the country.

He made the call at Iftar programme by Al-Habibiyyah Islamic society on Sunday where he participated in giving out food for people breaking fast.

CG Adeniyi while commending the Iftar programme where over 2000 people were served dinner said, “Poverty is the driver of insecurity in Nigeria.

According to him, if all Muslims came together to reduce extreme poverty by paying Zakat and helping the poor, poverty will reduced and also insecurity would come down.

Adeniyi emphasised the need for all Muslims to support feeding of indigents in their localities.

He added that while it is good to give in the month of Ramadan, Muslims should cultivate the habit of giving all year round.

Also, the National Chief Imam of the society, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, called on Nigerians to support the food bank project of the mosques which provides food for about 2500 people every day in the month of Ramadan regardless of faith and Religious inclination.

March 25, 2024
Arraignment of 4 suspected kidnappers of UNIABUJA lecturers, children stalled

Flowerbudnews

The arraignment of four suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping of University of Abuja (UniAbuja) lecturers and their children in 2021 was, on Monday, stalled due to the commencement of Federal High Court (FHC) vacation.

The matter, which was on number one on Justice Donatus Okorowo’s cause list, was however fixed for May 13.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen had, on Nov. 2, 2021, invaded the UniAbuja Staff Quarters in Gwagwalada and abducted six persons, including Professor Joseph Adavani, Dr Ferguson Tobins, among others.

The abductors, who contacted the families of the victims a day after their kidnap, demanded a ransom of N300 million.

But the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, DSP Josephine Adeh, on Nov. 5, 2021, confirmed their release.

According to her, the development followed the efforts of the command in a joint operation with other security agencies.

She also stated that some suspects linked to the crime had been nabbed by security operatives.

NAN reports that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), however, filed a two-count criminal charge against the four suspects.

They are Adamu Abubakar; Nura Muhammed Ahmadu; Ismailia Abubakar and Abdulrahman Ado, also known as Yellow.

The charge, dated July 5, 2023, was filed July 11, 2023 by David Kaswe, the Chief State Counsel in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The federal government said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 15 and 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention)(Amendment) Act 2013.NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

March 25, 2024
SSANU, NASU AND NAATS suspend warning strike.

Flowerbudnews
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Joint Action Committee Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU),and the Non-academic Staff Union of Educational Association Institutions (NASU),have suspended the ongoing seven-day.

Also, the National Association of Academic Technologists of the University (NAATS)has ended it’s three-day warning strike.

JAC of SSANU and NASU had for about a month called the attention of the government to it’s exclusive from the payment of the withheld salaries, which it commenced payment for the Academic Staff Union of Universities in February.

Their salaries were withheld when the administration of former President Muhammad Buhari invoked a ‘No work, No pay policy’ against ASUU , SSAN, NAATS who embarked on a strike that lasted months respectively in 2022.

NAATS also joined and it’s three-day warning strike on Wednesday . Speaking on Sunday during a zoom meeting with journalists, the National President,JAC of SSANU and NASU, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, explained that all the Unions would resume on Monday.

He however, lamented that the government had yet to respond to the Unions’ demands.

Ibrahim said the FG had not paid the non-teaching Staff, adding that it would meet with the National Executive council to decide the next line of action.

He said in a statement on Sunday, “consequently , you hereby informed that the seven-day warning strike shall end at midnight of Sunday, March 24,2024,and normal work will resume on Monday, March 25,2024.

March 25, 2024