Edo, Ondo Gov Election: INEC Extends Registration Of Voters By One Week, Now To End June 9

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June 4, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has extended, by one week, the registration of voters in Edo and Ondo states.

The exercise earlier scheduled to end on 5th June, will now stop on the 9th of same month.

National commissioner of INEC in charge of voter education, Sam Olumekun in a statement on Abuja stated that “the commission met today Tuesday 4th June 2024.

“Among other matters, the meeting reviewed the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo States scheduled to end tomorrow Wednesday 5th June 2024.

“However, following appeals by stakeholders, the Commission has approved the extension of the exercise from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th June 2024 to enable more eligible persons to register.

“Similarly, the duration of the exercise is extended from 9.00am – 5.00pm daily.

“Furthermore, the number of centres has been increased beyond the 397 wards and the two State offices in Benin City and Akure to include all the 36 Local Government offices of the Commission in the two States.

“More machines will also be deployed to areas identified to have peculiar needs such as difficult terrain or communal issues.

“Like the Ward registration centers, detailed information on the names and location addresses of the LGA offices have also been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for the guidance of registrants in the two States.”

The Commission noted that the exercise is progressing well in the two States.

“As at yesterday, Monday 3rd June 2024, eight days after the commencement of the CVR, a cumulative total of 120,458 new voters have registered.

“Of this figure, 55,861 (46.4%) are male while 64,597 (53.6%) are female. Majority of the registered voters (82,003 or 68.8%) are youths (18 -34 years).

“In terms of occupation, 43,419 or 36.8%) are students while 812 (0.67%) are Persons with Disability (PWDs). The public should please note that these are preliminary figures.

“The final figures will be published on State by State basis and for all categories of registrants at the end of the exercise and after data clean-up using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

“The Commission once again appeals to eligible voters to seize the opportunity of the extension to register, transfer or correct personal information on their PVCs as provided by law. No further extension will be granted by the Commission.”

During his just concluded your of the two States of Ondo and Edo, the chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, was confronted by protesters that were complaining of inadequate CVR machines and also wanted extension of period of registration.

NBA Däres Judiciäry, Invites Emir Sanusi As Royal Father At Conference

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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June 4, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a move being perceived by not a few observers of the lingering Kano Royal stool face off, as smacking of brazen and gross disregard for subsisting Court orders enjoining the maintenance of status quo ,the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Monday invited Emir Muhammad Sanusi as the Royal Father of the day at the opening ceremony of its Annual Conference holding in the Commercial city.

The Source reports that between May 23 and 27 four conflicting rulings two each from the Federal High Court and Kano State High Court had refrained parties under whatever guise from recognising as Emir of Kano the duo of Aminu Ado Bayero and Sanusi pending hearings and determination of the Motions on notice.

The two gladiators who are currently waiting for further judicial pronouncements to know their fate, have since been holding court at parallel palaces in Kano.

Two motions on notice before the duo of Justices Mohammed Liman and Amina Adamu Aliyu of Federal and State High Courts Kano ,scheduled for hearing June 3 and 4 respectively were stalled by the just suspended organized labour industrial dispute with the Federal Government.

In the eyes of the law ,until the motions are heard and restraining orders vacated by both Justices ,neither Bayero nor Sanusi is expected to be related to in their capacities as Emir of Kano.

But the invitation extended to Emir Sanusi by NBA ,a critical stakeholder, and partner in the protection and preservation of the sanctity of the judiciary and rule of law ,have appeared to many as a subtle undermining of the Country’s Judiciary.

At the NBA Annual gathering which is having in attendance ,the National President of the umbrella body of legal practitioners Yakubu Maikyau, President of the National Industrial Court ,Chief Judge of Kano state ,and other high profile legal experts, Emir Sanusi was represented by Mahe Bashir Wali ,(Walin Kano) ,a retired DIG .

Instructively, Emir Bayero was neither invited nor represented at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Monday.

However,while welcoming the NBA members to Kano, which he noted has a rich cultural heritage, Emir Sanusi described as apt the theme of the Conference “Administration of Justice in Nigeria: Challenges and Reforms .

He posited that peace will only flourish in an atmosphere of justice, which in turn will promote progress and development in the society

On his part , Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf ,expressed concern over the spate of conflicting court rulings on the kano Emirate crisis,even when the matter is an internal affairs of kano people.

Governor Yusuf represented by the Secretary to the State Government SSG,Abdullahi Bappa Bichi called on legal practitioners to always be firm, and bold to tell truth to power ,as well as their clients when ever cases are brought to them .

He, therefore, called for the respect of the rule of law by all concerned if we are to meaningful face the challenges of confronting administration of justice in the country.

Spräying Naira: Nigerians Läment EFCC’s Doublë Ständard As Agency Offërs 5 Percent To Whistlëblower

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 4, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has promised Nigerians five percent if they report anybody spraying the naira.

The agency’s spokesman Dele Oyewale made this known when he appeared on a radio programme on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He explained that the commission is poised more than ever to enforce the law and protect the economy from the negative impacts of naira abuse.

The commission recently secured the conviction of cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Brobrisky for spraying the currency at a social event.

The socialite was convicted by the court which sentenced him to six months in prison for committing the crime.

According to the Oyewolem who stated that rejecting the naira as a medium of exchange is a crime, the EFCC has secured 50 convictions of those who misuse or abuse the currency across the country.

He said: “There’s a reward if you report anyone spraying the Naira. That is whistleblowing. The whistleblowing act offers 5% reward of whatever amount that is involved to whoever offers credible information that can stand the rigour of prosecution and not derived from malice and mischief.

“It is a crime to reject the naira. If there’s nothing wrong with the naira, maybe it’s dirty and not mint, and you reject it; it is a crime.

“The naira is the symbol of our economy. We are a sovereign nation, with our own territorial integrity, so, whatever is within the ambit of our economy and every transaction in Nigeria must be done in naira.”

Not a few Nigerians have, however, described the EFCC war against naira abuse as selective. According to those who hold this view, the commission has failed to arrest and prosecute the high and mighty in the country who spray naira indiscriminately at social events, because of their social status.

For instance, a traditional ruler in Ogun state, Olu of Owode, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo who had been widely criticized by not a few Nigerians for abusing the naira while spraying popular fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1 at a party, has yet to be arrested by the EFCC, some contend.

The video of the event went viral in February this year, but Nigerians have not stopped lambasting Oba Somemimo for bringing the traditional institution into disrepute.

Oba Sowemimo has since been suspended by the state government.

Härdship: Adeboye Urges Nigerians To Cäll On God For Help

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 4, 2024

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Respected Man of God, Enoch Adejare Adeboye has urged Nigerians to call on God for help due to the current economic hardship in the country.

The MOG made the remark during a Sunday sermon at the headquarters of the church to mark the monthly thanksgiving.

According to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, things are seriously hard for many Nigerians, who he said should called on the Almighty for help.

Adeboye said, “If you need provision, if things are hard and I know things are hard for quite a few of us, call on the one whose name is Jehovah El-Shaddai, the God who is more than enough.

“Call on Him – the one who is more than enough and He will meet your needs…He has many ways, depending on what is your need.

“When all ways are blocked, call on Him who is called the way when you don’t even know what’s going on.”

Recall that ‘Daddy GO’ as he’s fondly called by the members of his church once predicted that the economic situation in the country would get worse before it gets better.

He made the prediction during the Church’s cross-over night on December 31 at the Redemption Camp in Ogun state.

He said, “For Nigeria, the wind is already blowing. The wind is blowing.

“Everything God is saying is centred around that little sentence. The wind is blowing, include in your prayers that the wind will blow you well.

“Things will get worse before they get better. Things will get a little hotter before it gets better.”

Abuja Highway Named After Soyinka Who Told Tinubu Not To Rün For President

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 4, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has named the Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Abuja after Prof. Wole Soyinka, renown poet and Nobel Laureate.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu made this known on his X handle on Tuesday, stating that Tinubu’s action was meant to honour the literacy icon.

In the post titled: “Tinubu names Abuja Highway after Wole Soyinka”, the president’s spokesman said Soyinka who recently celebrated his 90^th birthday has brough honour to the country.

Onanuga wrote: “President Tinubu has named the Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) as Professor Wole Soyinka Highway as recommended by the FCT administration.

“In naming the road after the distinguished playwright, poet and novelist who clocks 90 on 13 July, President Tinubu said Soyinka was the first African to win the Nobel Literature Prize. He said Soyinka has brought honour and fame to Nigeria.”

Recall that Soyinka once stated that Tinubu completely ignored his advice not to contest Nigeria’s presidency.

Soyinka:“We met last five years ago, and it was an embarrassing visit because I went to tell him not to run for office.

“I told him and Atiku to leave the stage for young people. I call him “olori kunkun” (strong-willed). He ignored my advice completely.

”I came to see him to find out how he is doing after neglecting my advice. I wanted to see how he and his wife are faring. I also came to wish them a merry Christmas.

”You know we are old friends. And it was as a friend that I told him ‘don’t run.”

Police To Use Drone In Tackling Insecurity – IGP Egbetokun

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Ayodele Oni

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June 4, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the Nigeria Police Force will soon establish a full drone system to tackle the nation’s security challenges adequately.

Egbetokun said this while delivering the first distinguished Personality Lecture, organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Multidisciplinary Studies (TCEMS), University of Ibadan (UI), in Ibadan.

The lecture was titled: “The Nigeria Police Force and the Management of Internal Security”.

Egbetokun said, “Although the force already had a drone, it would now establish a full drone system to capture everywhere in Nigeria from its headquarters in Abuja.”

He added that the drone system would also help the police see criminals whenever they are committing crimes.

“The ungoverned spaces will soon become governed,” he assured.

He further said the force would establish a Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in all the states of the federation to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality in Nigeria.

The police boss explained that the deployment of the SIS in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has yielded results leading to the arrest of many kidnappers and bandits, including the recovery of weapons.

The units, he said, has successfully conducted numerous rescue operations leading to the safe return of kidnapped victims and the arrest of perpetrators.

Egbetokun highlighted the shortage of manpower, inadequate equipment, public distrust and insufficient budgetary provisions as some of the challenges facing the force.

He, however, pledged the force’s commitment to the protection of lives and property of citizens.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, commended the IG for his visionary leadership in managing the nation’s security challenges.

PSC Releases Names Of New Police Recruíts

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Ayodele Oni

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June 4, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Additional 10,000 recruits are expected to be added to the Nigeria Police Force to boost its manpower.

This follows the Police Service Commission (PSC) approval and release of the list containing names of successful applicants for recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Commission had on Tuesday received the report of the Police Recruitment Board.

A total number of 9,000 applicants were approved for recruitment for general duty while 1,000 applicants were recruited for the Specialists cadre.

PSC explained that to ensure fairness and justice in the recruitment process, the Commission worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission.

According to a statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country.

Ani pointed out that the Commission had earlier inaugurated a recruitment Board, a broad-based stakeholders body populated by representatives from the Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Police Affairs, Federal Character Commission, Police Colleges and the Police Trust Fund to Superintendent over the recruitment process and report back to the Commission.

He said interested Nigerian youths were invited to apply online for consideration for the subsequent stages of the exercise through paid advertisements in several national media.

Interested applicants were given six weeks to conclude the online applications, 15th October to 26th November 2023, in line with the Federal Character requirements.

A total of 609,886 applications, Ani said were received while 416,323 applicants who met the advertised requirements were shortlisted for the second stage of the exercise which was physical and document screening.

“This stage held in the 36 states of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory between Monday, 8th to Monday 29th January 2024.

“The Commission, after the physical and credentials screening, shortlisted 171,956 applicants who met the requirements for the Computer Based Tests (CBT).

“The test was conducted by the Joint Admission and Martriculation Board, JAMB an organisation renowned for its expertise in Computer based tests.

“A total of 15,447 general duty applicants who did well in the CBT were further invited for CBT medical screening to determine their health status.

“The 55,645 Specialists who were shortlisted from the Physical and credentials screening were subjected to practical tests and later medical screening.

“Each stage of the recruitment process was carried out with a high level of scrutiny and care.

“A total of 10000 applicants made up of 9000 General Duty and 1000 Specialists were recommended for final selection.

“The selection of specialists were done in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force on the need assessment ensuring capability and balance of geographical representation.”

“Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase said the rigorous recruitment process was to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and to reinforce its commitment to community rooted and service oriented policing.”

According to him: “I am filled with optimism because these young men and women represent the future of our nation’s security and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their journey begins on a foundation of integrity, transparency and excellence.”

Ondo PDP Gov Candidate, Ajayi, Canvasses More Time For Registration Of Voters

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Ayodele Oni

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June 4, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the November Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, Agboola Ajayi, has remarked that with transparency during the scheduled poll, losers will not resolve to litigations.

Ajayi urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure the November 16, Governorship election is transparent enough to discourage litigations.

Ajayi who spoke in Akure, advised the electoral umpire, to make the PDP’s primary election in the state as a model to work with.

The primary election was adjudged the most transparent election to have taken place in the country in recent times.

According to Ajayi, the electoral body, should be challenged by the standard of the PDP primary election and use it as the yardstick to conduct elections, including the pending November 16 Governorship election in Ondo state.

By doing so, the Gubernatorial candidate submitted, “INEC would have been able to conduct an election devoid of litigations and other excuses.”

He added that the Ondo PDP primary election could not be challenged by any one because it was conducted in an obviously transparent manner.

The PDP candidate also appealed to the electoral body, to embark on a vigorous enlightenment programme to sensitize the voting public to take advantage of its ongoing registration exercise and to make owners of the over 200,000 uncollected PVC’s in its custody to collect them .

The former deputy governor emphasized on the need for INEC to embark on an aggressive media campaign for the public to embrace all the laudable efforts it is making to conduct a plausible election by November 16.

Ajayi further canvassed, that INEC

should continue with its voters registration exercise, till at least a month to the election, declaring that the 20,000 newly registered voters declared so far, is a bit low, even as he established optimism, that more people would still come out to register for the election.

Advising security agencies to brace up and discharge their responsibilities, was of the view that, the election will be free and fair if INEC conducts it according to guidelines, because INEC “has good laws that could make any election credible if strictly adhered to.”

One Deäd, Two Security Operatives Injured In A Foiled Attäck On NCS/Military Teäm At Seme Border

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

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June 4, 2024

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Comptroller Kola Oladeji - Customs FOU Ikeja

By Suleiman Anyalewechi.

A joint Nigeria Customs/Military patrol team has foiled a deadly attack by some suspected die-hard smugglers on the water ways of the Badagry- Seme border.

The attempted attack left on its trail the death of the smuggling gang’s leader and severely injured a Customs officer and a military operative.

The Comptroller of the Federal Operation Unit FOU Zone A, Kola Oladeji has thumped up the bravery and commitment of the military and NCS operatives in repelling the deadly attack.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, by the Units spokesperson Theophilus Duniya ,the attackers who were armed with dangerous weapons, charms and matchets struck on Sunday June,2 while evacuation efforts of some seized foreign parboiled rice and other items were ongoing.

Duniya stated that a customs officer and one military personnel were injured in the attack,which also left the leader of the attackers dead.

” The FOU Ikeja has confirmed an incident that occurred on Sunday morning June 2, 2024 at approximately 0300hours ..A joint patrol team comprising FOU personnel and some soldiers intercepted a boat carrying smuggled rice, and vehicles by the water side in Badagry, Lagos state.

While evacuating the goods ,a group of men, led by an individual armed with charms and a matchet, attacked the team injuring a Customs officer in the face and a soldier on the leg .

The personnel acting in self -defence ,maimed the leader of the gang to prevent him from inflicting more injuries on the personnel and was evacuated for immediate medical attention. Unfortunately ,he later died enroute hospital..

The Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Kola Oladeji commended the Army and Customs personnel for their bravery and professional conduct in the face of a dangerous attack.

He reiterated the Units commitment to combating smuggling and urged parents and community leaders to discourage their wards from engaging in criminal activities that could put their well-being and other citizens at risk” part of the statement reads .

Organized Labour Suspends Strike For One Week

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Akinwale Kasali

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June 4, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Following the closed door discussion with the Federal Government over a new minimum wage, Organized Labour has called off the ongoing Strike for a week.

The reason for the suspension of the Nationwide Strike that started yesterday, June 3, 2024, was for negotiations to continue.

The Organized Labour said that the five days suspension of the strike is to give room for uninterrupted meeting with the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage.

It was gathered that the Labour leaders had a successful meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, and other government officials and reached a resolution that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to a new minimum wage higher than N60,000.

They equally resolved that the Tripartite Committee would meet every day for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable National Minimum Wage.

A source within the Labour leadership disclosed that , “Today at a meeting with FG Tripartite Committee scheduled by 10am, Labour suspended its srike”.

With this development, every government and private offices are expected to reopen and function as usual.