Akwa Ibom: Army Not Complicit In Lt. Bazza’s Suicide

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November 15, 2023

The Nigerian Army has launched an investigation into the death of an officer, Lt. Alphonsus Alexander Kalthy Bazza who died last week.

Reports had claimed that the officer took his own life by committing suicide in Alphonsus Alexander Kalthy Bazza, in Essien Udim Local Government, Akw Akwa Ibom state, using mosquito net.

Some reports were also suggestive of complicity by the Army over the death of the officer.

Reacting in a statement, the Army said it would be wrong to jump into conclusion over the real cause of death of the soldier, absolving the Army of involvement in his death.

An investigation has been instituted by the Nigerian Army authority, according to a statement by Major Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations.

The statement: “The late officer died while deployed at the 2 Brigade Step-Up Headquarters for Exercise STILL WATERS III at Essien Udim Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

“For the records, on 11 November 2023, the officer was not seen at the Step-up Headquarters; all efforts to reach him proved abortive. Hence, a search was launched in the general area, and his lifeless body was discovered.

“The Division sympathizes with the deceased officer’s family over his unfortunate demise and wishes to call on the media to refrain from publishing narratives suggestive of complicity in his unfortunate demise.

“The NA remains a professional organization that places a high premium on the welfare of its troops and would not take the demise of any of its personnel in any controversial circumstance for granted.

“While not joining issues with the media houses propagating this misinformation, it is important to state that there are regimental precepts through which such occurrences are handled in the NA”.

Kogi Monarchs Rejoice Over Peaceful Election

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Ayodele Oni

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November 15, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Traditional Rulers in Kogi State have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, Security Agencies and other stakeholders for the peaceful and credible conduct of the governorship election, which held in the state last Saturday.

They congratulated the Governor-elect, Usman Ododo and affirmed the traditional institution’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Kogi State Government to enhance the unity and development achieved under the current administration.

A statement by Onogwu Muhammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Wednesday, stated that the monarchs spoke when they paid a congratulatory visit to the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, at his GRA residence, in Okene.

The Atta Igala and serving President of the Kogi State Traditional Council of Chiefs, Mathew Alaji Opaluwa Ogwuche-Akpa, said the purpose of their visit was to celebrate with the Governor, his administration, and the Governor-elect, Usman Ododo, for the peaceful and successful governorship polls held on November 11, 2023.governorship polls held on November 11, 2023.

The monarchs recalled their peace accord meeting with relevant stakeholders before the election, where they were advised to be cautious of information on social media, and where they were assured that the government and security agencies had implemented mechanisms for a peaceful election.

On the election in Okunland, Oba Ogwuche-Akpa, stressed that the people were united in acknowledging and rewarding the governor for the positive impact of his administration.

He expressed the confidence that if they had to do this again, the people of Okunland would not only deliver the entire Okunland but would also widen the margin of lead.

Oba Ogwuche-Akpa, appealed to Governor Bello to continue in his efforts at strengthening the bond among the people of Kogi State, advocating for a united identity as Kogites rather than being identified based on ethnic divisions.

He commended the achievements of the current administration in fostering peace and unity over the past seven and a half years.

Governor Bello, accompanied by Governor-elect Ahmed Usman Ododo, expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers for their prayers and the pivotal roles they played in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the November 11 election.

He commended His Royal Majesty, Williams Keke, the Aguma of Bassa, and His Royal Highness Bukar-Khalid, the Ohiogba of Mozum, for their contributions to the peaceful election and the overwhelming victory for the APC in Bassa land.

The governor emphasized the need for collaboration among senatorial districts for the overall interest of the state, emphasizing that politics ends after elections, while development and good governance would continue.

He stressed the importance of every part of the state feeling the impact of governance, regardless of political affiliations.

Popular Nigerian Rapper, Oladips Is Dead

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 15, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Music and Entertainment Industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of popular Rapper, Oladipupo Olabode Oladimeji, known as Oladips.

Oladips died Tuesday at about 10:14pm, according to an information posted on his official instagram page.

He had, according to reports, collapsed on Tuesday morning and was rushed to the hospital.

His Personal Assistant, also, stated Tuesday that the Musician ’s mother requested that he brings him home instead of the hospital.

Oladips was signed to Reminisce’s record label before they fell out. He has since then released several songs and worked with top artistes in the industry.

The family has released a Statement announcing his passing.

“We are saddened to inform the general public that Oladipupo Olabode Oladimeji aka Oladips has passed away yesterday November 14th, Tuesday evening at exactly 10:14pm. We are still in shock as we speak!

“For over Two Years, he has kept his battles within himself, his body is now with family and funeral services will be announced as soon as it is concluded.

“The family asks that we respect their privacy in this trying time. May God give us the fortitude to bear this great loss (Amen)”.

Tributes have been pouring in on various social media platforms for Oladips, as his fans and loved ones are yet to come to terms with his sudden departure.

Abuja: Labour Minister Speaks On Gender-based Violence Friday

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James Orji

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November 15, 2023

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To commemorate the ’16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’, an annual international campaign, dedicated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Gender Agenda AIT TownHall, would be hosting a gender based town hall parley, in Abuja.

The Town Hall meeting, with the theme, “5 Gender Bills, Review, Policy implementation and The Way forward, would take place from Friday, November 17 – December 1, 2023.

Some of the expected participants include, Dr. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs, FCTA, Barrister Ebere Ifendu, President, Women in Politics, Mufuliat Fijabi, Executive Director, Sustainable Gender Action Initiative, Cynthia Mbamalu, Co-founder, Yiaga Africa, among many others.

According to the host and anchor of Gender Agenda, Dr. Adaora Sidney -Jack, “The Gender Agenda Townhall Series is designed to bring issues that concern women to the fore and also bridge the gap between policy makers and the people.

“It focuses on the accountability of government and its institutions towards creating the enabling policies, laws and enabling environment as it concerns Women in Nigeria and across Africa.”

One of the main objectives of this programme, according to the theme, is to bring back the issue of the five gender Bills that were rejected by the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives.

Those rejected five gender bills included, the Bill on Citizenship, which seeks to amend Section 26 of the constitution, to grant citizenship to foreign husbands of Nigerian women as is currently guaranteed in section 26(2)(a) for foreign wives of Nigerian men; The indigeneship Bill, which among other issues, addresses Section 31 and 318(1) to allow women to claim their husbands’ state of origin after at least five years of marriage and the Affirmative Action Bill which seeks to specifically amend Section 223 to ensure women occupy at least 35 per cent in political party administration and appointive positions.

Others are the Bill on Ministerial or Commissioner Nomination, which among others seeks to amend Sections 147 and 192 so that at least 35 per cent of the nominees are women; and Reserved Seat Bill, is to among others, amend Sections 48, 49 and 91 to create additional 37, 74, and 108 seats for women at the Senate, House of Representatives, and the State Assemblies, respectively.

But the Speaker of the 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has promised that the House under his leadership would revisit the rejected Bills.

He said in a recent public engagement on the issue, “The 10th House will be revisiting the Bill as part of our legislative agenda, and we believe that working together with the women and stakeholders, we should be able to have a law that will benefit the women and all Nigerians and improve governance in Nigeria.

“What this means is that men must lead the drive for women’s inclusion in governance, after all, it is men who shut the door. They have to open it and allow the women to enter.

“This is the import of the growing awareness across the globe of the need for men to lead the charge for the expansion of the governance, political and development space for the greater accommodation of women.

“On our part as members of the legislature, the 10th House of representatives set up a legislative agenda committee, which has captured the issue of women prominently.”

NIMASA: No Pirates’ Attack On Nigerian Waters In 2yrs

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James Orji

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November 15, 2023

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The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA Bashir Jamoh says collaboration with the Nigerian Navy has played a key role in the achievements of his Administration in terms of maritime security in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

The NIMASA DG stated this today when he received the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hasssan and a delegation of senior Naval officers in Lagos, Nigeria.

Jamoh noted that the Nigerian model is now being adopted in other countries, adding that the change in narratives about security in Nigerian waters from the era of over 26 Piracy incidents and negative media exposure, to no single piracy incident in Nigerian waters for almost two years now, is a direct product of effective collaboration of the Maritime Administration with the Nigerian Navy, a relationship he hopes to deepen.

In his words “Collaboration with the Nigerian Navy is largely responsible for the confidence of stakeholders in the current Management of the Agency. I was in Brazil last week, the South Americans and even our neighbors like Ghana are eager to learn how we arrived at this MARAD-NAVY collaboration yielding successes. Just imagine that the negative media exposure in 2019-2020 about prevalent piracy and criminal activities in Nigerian waters had continued, you can only imagine where Nigeria would have been by now. I am glad we sought and got collaboration with the Navy.

The NIMASA Helmsman noted that the NIMASA is eager to ensure policy to ensure Nigerians enjoy benefits accruable from the Blue Economy. “The time has come for us to implement our Crude to Blue campaign since 2021. Maritime stakeholders in Nigeria should be ready to repay President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCRF for creating the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry. If we must make headway in Tourism and fishing, security is priority. We will make a case for the designation of Marine Protected Areas particularly for fishing and the Nigerian Navy definitely will play a major role.

The constitution of an eight-man committee, comprising four each from the Navy and NIMASA was also announced to serve as catalyst for Shift from Crude to Blue, now that Nigeria has a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The FOC West, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, noted the need to sustain information sharing between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy. He commended NIMASA Management for the non-kinetic support to the Western Naval Command.

He also requested NIMASA to support ‘Operation Water Guard’ to combat smuggling around the Badagry channel.

The FOC West, who had the Commander Deep Blue Commodore OA Akinbami on his entourage, noted that the Deep Blue assets are fully functional and requested for further deepening of information sharing between the Western Naval Command and the NIMASA C4i center.

He also urged NIMASA to bring to the notice of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the need for Nigeria to take possession of a border island in Badagry, the oil rich Tongeji Island between Nigeria and Benin Republic for maritime tourism in particular. Dr Jamoh described the oil rich island as a low hanging fruit for the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, with an assurance that the Agency will relate with the supervising Ministry for further actions, particularly as regards maritime tourism.

The closest village to the Tongeji Island in Nigeria is Badagry and it is about 55 minutes by water, while just 5 minutes from Porto Novo. The residents speak French and English and they do their daily shopping from Porto Novo.

CBN: Against Supreme Court’s Order Apex Bank Extends Validity of Old Naira Notes

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James Orji

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November 15, 2023

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Amidst the biting scarcity of the naira notes, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has extended the validity of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes indefinitely.

The apex bank stated this on Tuesday in a statement signed by the bank’s Director, Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, stressing that it took the action to forestall fresh naira scarcity similar to the one experienced early this year due to the naira swap policy.

The extension comes on the crest of the naira scarcity being experienced in some parts of the country since the beginning of the month.

The magazine had reported that the naira scarcity, which began early this month had taken a serious toll on businesses in some states in the northern part of the country, and is now spreading fast into the south.

The latest CBN’s action, analysts insist, contravenes the judgment of the Supreme Court in March this year which said the old naira notes must stop being legal tender by the end of the year.

The Yemi Cardoso-led apex bank said it’s working to vacate the order.

The CBN said in the statement: “Without prejudice, the Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public of its desire to extend the legal tender status deadline of the old design of N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations; ad infinitum.

“This is in line with international best practices and to forestall a repeat of earlier experiences.

“Thus, all banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, in accordance with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act 2007, will continue to remain legal tender, ad infinitum. even beyond the initial December 31, 2023, deadline.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria is working with the relevant authorities to vacate the subsisting court ruling on the same subject.

“Accordingly, all CBN branches across the country will continue to issue and accept all denominations of Nigerian banknotes, old and redesigned, to and from deposit money banks.

“The general public is enjoined to continue to accept all Naira banknotes (old or redesigned) for day-to-day transactions and handle these banknotes with utmost care, to safeguard and protect the lifecycle of the banknotes.

“Also, the general public is encouraged to embrace alternative modes of payment, e-channels, for day-to-day transactions.”

The latest move by the CBN, is therefore, believed to be a bold step to address the problem of scarcity, particularly following suggestions that the old banknotes would seize to be legal tender by December 31 this year.

This is the fourth time the apex bank had refuted the claim within two weeks.

Presidency Dismayed By NLC/TUC Strike Action

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The Source

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November 15, 2023

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By Bayo Onanuga

We notice with dismay the decision by the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to call out workers to commence a strike action from midnight, despite a restraining order issued last week by Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court.

This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC.

We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.

While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered investigation into what happened to Mr. Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state.

Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest.

Our national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader.

This flagrant disobedience to court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour would champion.

The labour movement has always been a champion of rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for court order.

We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and cause civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable.

Onanuga is the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy

Imo Workers Celebrate Uzodimma’s Victory, Elders Council, IPAC Too

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The Source

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November 14, 2023

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It was celebration galore at the Government House Owerri on Tuesday as workers in Imo State trouped out in their numbers to celebrate the reelection of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Also same day, members of the Imo State Elders Council and the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) stormed the Government House Owerri to celebrate with Governor Uzodimma on his victory at the polls and to assure him that they are solidly behind him on his electoral victory.

The civil servants, led by the Head of Service, Barr Raymond Ucheoma and his Permanent Secretaries, had turned out in their numbers, danced and prayed to God for granting their requests to have Governor Uzodimma reelected because of what he has done for the workers in particular and the State in general.

Members of the Imo State Elders Council were led by their Chairman, HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya while the politicians under the umbrella of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) were led by Ichie Livi Ekeh of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The IPAC members had called on their candidates who took part in the Saturday November 11 governorship election in Imo State and lost to forget about any form of litigation and support the Governor, saying that Governor Uzodimma’s victory was not only overwhelming, but that the process that gave him victory was largely free, fair and credible.

Among them were the five governorship candidates – Dr. Iwuanyanwu Isaac (Booth Party), Edoziem Clinton Chibuike ( Allied People’s Party), Isiodu Uchechukwu (PRP), Prince Andy Anyadike( Zenith Labour Party) and Dr. Lawrence Cole Okwara (NRM) – who congratulated Governor Uzodimma on his re-election.

Other IPAC Parties in attendance were the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and Action Alliance (AA).

They described his re-election and victory as well deserving and promised to mobilise the other governorship contestants to ensure they are on the same page on the Governor’s victory and the need for them not to waste their resources on needless contestation in court.

In his address, Eze Ilomuanya said they came to congratulate the Governor on his re-election victory and to thank Imo people, security agencies and even the governorship candidates in particular for accepting the result and quickly congratulating the winner.

Eze Ilomuanya called on his fellow Elders to continue to make sacrifices that will ensure peace and harmonious coexistence in Imo State.

He implored the Governor to strive and improve on the achievements he recorded in his first tenure in office.

Some of the Imo Elders who came to congratulate the Governor include Engr. E. C Iwuanyanwu, Chief Greg Mbadiwe, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, Prof Maurice Iwu, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, Princes Gloria Akobundu, Sen. Chris Anyanwu, Rt Hon. Maxwell Duru, among others.

Explaining the reason the civil servants came to congratulate the Governor, Ucheoma said his reelection was not just free, fair and credible, but that the winning indicates how much the Imo civil servants in particular and the people of Imo State at large love Governor Uzodimma.

Ucheoma recalled the good things the Governor has done for the Imo civil servants and said his re-election means a lot to them because Governor Uzodimma has now been repositioned to do more for them and the State.

The civil servants proceeded to present a gift of an art impression of the Governor, and a congratulatory cake which Governor Uzodimma cut with his deputy governor- elect, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, key civil servants and some top government officials.

Responding, a happy Governor Uzodimma assured the Imo workers that the loyalty they have shown that culminated in the reform in the civil service, increase in the emoluments, constant payment of salaries, including the 13th month, payment of minimum wage and recently, increase in their minimum wage, are pointers to better things to happen to them.

He urged them to remain committed to their duty as his plan is to make Imo civil servants the envy of other workers in Imo and elsewhere.

To the IPAC members, Governor Uzodimma said in every contest there is bound to be a winner and a loser, but that it is gratifying to note that IPAC members have shown that in the just concluded governorship election in Imo State, there are no bad losers.

He thanked them for coming to identify with his victory at the polls and assured them that everyone has a role to play in making Imo the State of our collective dream.

Addressing the Imo Elders Council members at the New Exco Chambers, the Governor assured them that the confidence reposed in him by the re-election will not be betrayed and that the renewed mandate is a challenge to him to do more for the people.

He thanked the Elders and also congratulated them on his victory on behalf of the Government and people of Imo State.

The Governor said their sacrifices and contributions, as well as their ideas helped to reduce political tension with the concept of the Charter of Equity.

He said that he was not surprised over his victory “because Imo Elders as well as Stakeholders took a decision that went beyond political and ethnic inclination.”

The Governor recalled that “the Charter of Equity was a proactive measure to remove acrimony and tension that had enveloped Imo politics in the past, it was a decision the elders took in good faith,” insisting that he was not just convinced but that he bought into the idea.

He assured the elders that his successor will be produced by the Charter of Equity.

Continuing, Governor Uzodimma informed that the journey to a new Imo has started, saying that despite every distractions in his first tenure he was able to achieve results which helped and encouraged Imo people to re-elect him.

He appealed to the elders to go home and relax as he will get it right.

Governor Uzodimma said he will use the renewed mandate judiciously, with the fear of God and will not allow mischief makers to derail the good programmes and policies of the 3R administration.

The Governor who appealed to the elders to always guide their utterances, said that the Imo Citizens will always refer to what they said and go by that, reassuring them that the next Governor will not come from Orlu zone.

On the workers strike, the Governor informed the elders that it is on record that Imo workers are not owed a dime as salaries, noting that despite all odds he was able to clear backlog of judges’ salaries he met on assumption of office in 2020.

He said if at all some workers are being owed, it may not be up to 2% “and it is because there are discrepancies in their records or they are fraudulent in their payroll records.”

The Governor said that having achieved automation of salaries and pension his government is now embarking upon “installation of clock-in and clock-out” system to check truancy in work place and to fish out some workers who get their regular alerts when they don’t even come to office.

On the problem of Nigerian Labour President, Comrade Joe Ajero, the Governor regretted any assault on him but condemned in its entirety the way and manner the President ignored his root and decided to besiege the State as though there are no authorities or government in Imo State.

He said that the entire scenario is regrettable and told the elders that as Governor he will not succumb to intimidation of any kind.

Lady Ekomaru, Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, Majority Leader, Dele Onyemechi, Chief Whip, Chigozie Nwaneri, Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barr COC Akaolisa, Commissioners, other political appointees and Sir Chukwuma Ekomaru attended a witnessed all the events.

INEC Reacts Says Kogi Accreditation Figures Intact

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Ayodele Oni

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November 14, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has denied tampering with some figures related to last Saturday’s Governorship election in Kogi state.

The Commission described the allegation as unfounded saying update data relating to the poll are still on the Bimodal Accreditation Voter Accreditation System, (BVAS).

A statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna National Commissioner and Member Information and Voter Education Committee stated: “The attention of INEC has been drawn to some media reports alleging that the Commission was tampering with the accredited figures of voters in the Kogi Governorship Election results uploaded on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. However, these reports are unfounded.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the most accurate and up-to-date Voters’ Accreditation Data is available in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which is used for the authentication and accreditation of registered voters at various polling units on election day. It automatically retains the accreditation data of all voters.

“The BVAS is designed to primarily work offline without Internet connectivity, which facilitates faster and seamless authentication and accreditation experience for voters.

“However, when its application is active or in use, depending on the strength of its connection to the Internet, the BVAS automatically exports the accreditation data to the Accreditation Backend System (ABS).

“This exportation of data does not happen when the device’s application is inactive or when the internet connectivity is poor.

“The same experience applies to a situation where more than one BVAS gadget is used at a polling unit with more than 1,250 registered voters.

“This could be compared to a situation when poor network services delay the delivery of an SMS sent from one individual to another through a mobile phone.

“At the close of poll, Presiding Officers are expected to press the data exportation button on the BVAS to ensure that all the accreditation data are exported to the ABS.

“This process, referred to as synchronization and which is ongoing, could lead to changes in the accreditation figures as more data flow in to update the existing figures.

“This is the basis for the caveat provided on the IReV portal, regarding the accreditation figures. The accreditation data cannot be changed on the BVAS after the close of poll.

“The public should disregard the misleading report and misinformation.”

LAHA To Regulate Multiple Taxation Of Transport Unions, Summons Top Govt, LASTMA

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 14, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Following the face off between Transport Unions and Officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, which led to the strike action by Commercial Transport Workers in Lagos on Monday, the Lagos State House of Assembly has waded into the issue.

The Lawmakers at Plenary on Tuesday frowned at the alleged recklessness of some motorists operating in the State just as the Lawmakers raised concerns over the activities of some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, with the transport Unions.

At Plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the House invited the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, to appear and give explanations concerning the incessant recklessness of drivers and the roles played by LASTMA officials.

Also invited, among others, is the General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba.

The decision of the House followed a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ raised by a member, Hon. Temitope Adewale, on the death of two officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) resulting from a road rage engaged in by two drivers.

Speaker Obasa, while noting that incidents involving recklessness of drivers and careless attitude of LASTMA officials were on the increase, said, in addition to the invitation of the affected top officials, there was a need to revisit the laws guiding transportation in the state.

“The Commissioner and others can be invited so we know what to do to change the current narrative. It is good that we also look at the law to see the penalties. Maybe this would reduce such recklessness on the roads.

“The driver who has been arrested must be prosecuted to the latter. If the driver is not found, the owner of the vehicle should be arrested where the driver is an employee of someone so as to serve as deterrent to other motorists,” Dr. Obasa said.

The Speaker also supported suggestions by the Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, and another lawmaker, Gbolahan Yishawu, that modern technology be added by the government in the cleaning of roads in the state, but said it was necessary to accommodate the sweepers, who, he argued, were employed to earn a living and assist their families.

“We have to call on our people, the road users, to be very careful. LAWMA should also come up with ideas to help protect staff, insure them and make the motorists know when the sweepers are working,” the Speaker said while calling for more enlightenment of motorists.

The House held a minute silence in honour of the deceased while Obasa instructed the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to convey a condolence message to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly may dust up the law regulating transportation to address the problem of alleged multiple taxations by various unions in the sector.

Dr. Obasa gave the hint following a motion raised by Hon. Adewale, over a recent protest against alleged extortion by the transport unions in Lagos.

“This alleged extortion affects our people generally and looking at the economic condition of the country, we need to intervene. We must be able to define the paths that these unionists have to tread so that they do not make life unbearable for the people.

“At every bus stop, they collect money causing traffic snare. At the end, the man making the payment would go home with nothing and to avoid this, he has to put the weight on the commuters.

“We must avoid a situation where people would be moved to take laws into their hands. We need to extract seriousness out of this situation. Where there is a law, there will be penalties,” he said while calling for the engagement of candidates recently interviewed for recruitment into the Neighbourhood Safety Corps to expand the security network in the state.

The House resolved to invite the transport unions in the state for discussion.