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OPINION: A Leader Like Jacinda Ardern

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The Source
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Azu Ishiekwene

By Azu Ishiekwene

A leader like Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand doesn’t come in tens. Not even in twos. And so, it was such a bright day on October 26, 2017, when she took office as New Zealand’s Prime Minister.

She was 37-years-old and also the youngest head of government at the time. What’s there not to love?

But now, more than five years later, she has announced the withdrawal of that special light as she resigns the position, stating that she “no longer had enough in the tank” to carry on in office.

“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility – the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple,” she said.

Leaving office citing burnout is not what politicians do often, but leaving office at 42 when you are almost certain to win at the next general election definitely leaves many of us from the continent with a certain level of bewilderment.

When Ms. Ardern said politicians are human and should therefore know when it’s time to quit, one was glad, for her sake, that her audience was far from Africa. A number of our leaders would have laughed her off.

Home to the oldest and longest-serving presidents and heads of government, African leaders and even the followers will probably never be able to understand what Ms. Ardern meant by burnout.

Burnout means, for example, that 89-year-old Cameroonian President, Paul Biya, should have been long gone and spared himself and his country that pathetic performance at last December’s US-Africa summit where after being towed on stage, and wired to speak, he was still asking himself where he was.

“I didn’t ask to be here,” Biya told a bemused gathering, and then added drowsily as the boom mic was being fastened, “I’ve become a celebrity!”

Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, reported as one of the first African leaders to ever resign voluntarily from office, stepped down only after 21 years, and he was about 63 years old. With that, Ms. Ardern would have done four terms and more.

Another, of course, was Nelson Mandela, who without even the slightest pressure from any quarters declined to run for a second term. But then one can also argue that age was no longer on his side, and that the tank was inevitably empty.

We can also mention one, two or even more scattered on the continent’s political landscape but the rarity of it all makes Ardern voluntary resignation our own modern-day unicorn.

Nigeria’s former President and Mandela-wannabe, Olusegun Obasanjo, became military head of state at 39. Twenty-three years later, he ran for office as civilian president and won. He ran for a second term and won. And then after exhausting his constitutional two-term limit, deployed foot soldiers who splurged nearly $500m in a futile bid to secure a third term, according to the book by Chidi Odinkalu and AyishaOsori, Too Good to Die.

Of course, the world has also seen outliers like Winston Churchill who became British Prime Minister at 66 and was re-elected at 77. The Ardern message is not necessarily about age, else Liz Truss who became Prime Minister nearly 20 years younger than Churchill wouldn’t have been such a disaster. Nor is physical condition necessarily a barrier as the extraordinary record of US President and paralytic, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, showed.

It’s about moments, about knowing when to say, enough, for the greater good.

Ardern’s resignation caught many unawares, especially when all she has come to represent in the past five years is weighed in.

In 2017, at a time when the United States of America’s 45th President, Donald Trump, was inspiring the rise of far-right leaders such as Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil and Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, a different type of leadership sprung up in New Zealand.

She joined the Labour Party at the age of 17. After graduating from the University of Waikato in 2001, Ms. Ardern worked as a researcher in the office of Prime Minister Helen Clark. She later worked in London as an adviser in the Cabinet Office during Tony Blair’s premiership.

In 2008, Ms. Ardern was elected president of the International Union of Socialist Youth. She was first elected as an MP in the 2008 general election, when Labour lost power after nine years. She was later elected to represent the Mount Albert electorate in a by-election on 25 February 2017.

As her tenure as prime minister ends on February 7, it appears that Ms. Ardern has become a victim of her own success.

And, yes, she has had an amazing run as a leader in today’s world.

But perhaps, her handling of the COVID-19 crisis will continue to separate her from many others. When the pandemic broke out, she listened to science and locked down early and strictly. And when vaccines became available, New Zealand’s vaccination drive was matched by only a few countries. These measures made New Zealand record one of the fewest transmission rates and COVID-related deaths.

She left the hyped super powers gasping and trailing behind her and her country as they dealt with increasing body-bag numbers.

But the world we live in is a strange one in that Ms. Ardern’s exemplary leadership during a global health crisis also earned her more than a few new enemies.

Quoting data from Newhub, The Guardian wrote in June 2022 that threats against the outgoing prime minister almost tripled over three years. The data showed that she received 18 threats in 2019, 32 in 2020, and 50 in 2021.

The threats, police records show, were mainly from conspiracy movements and anti-vax groups.

These people went to the extent of occupying and attacking parliament and calling for Ms. Ardern’s public trial and execution. One fellow even posted on YouTube that he had a legal right and obligation to assassinate the prime minister!

When she was confronted with the Christchurch Mosque attack, a mass shooting committed by a far-right extremist in March 2019, her deft and quietly revolutionary crisis management skills earned her global accolade.

Her handling of the Christchurch shooting got noticed around the world, especially her ability to articulate a form of leadership that embodies strength and sanity while pushing an agenda of compassion and community which she herself termed “pragmatic idealism”.

Ms. Ardern’s effort to regulate firearms since the Christchurch attack has been met with vehement, bitter and bigoted opposition by far-right rebels and their co-conspirators.

Every of Ms. Ardern’s actions, including when she retreated to the back of the room to breastfeed her three-month-old child, has been dangerously blown out of proportion with unnecessary scrutiny by a section of the New Zealand media loyal to the extreme right wing.

Understandably, her successor-in-waiting, Chris Hipkins, has vowed to protect his family from what he called the “abhorrent” abuse that his predecessor received while in office. He told Ardern’s bullies that, although he would become “public property” as prime minister, his family wouldn’t be.

Ms. Ardern’s “sins” may never be forgiven by her adversaries and she may require a special type of security arrangement for herself and her family after February 7. The good news, however, is that New Zealand’s conspiracy theorists and their far-right anti-vax friends in the media would have to search for new prey.

Ms. Ardern said she was looking forward to finally getting married to her partner, Clarke Gayford, and also to later this year when her daughter, Neve Te Aroha, starts school.

Hopefully, her assailants and cyberbullies will allow her to enjoy her new life outside politics.

But head or tails, her immediate family – partner Clarke Gayford and daughter Neve Te Aroha – appears to be the biggest gainers of Ms. Ardern’s decision to relinquish the reins

Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP

Obi In Bauchi Says Discovered Oil Not For Sharing But For Development

By
The Source
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Peter Obi in Bauchi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Thursday took his campaign to Bauchi state, assuring that the recently discovered oil in the state will be explored and used to develop the people and the area not for sharing.

Obi also told the jubilant and obviously organic crowd that the hide and skin industry in the state will be developed and turned into a production centre for export.

He said that taking back Nigeria entails that we change the country from Consumption to Production and to achieve that, the country must be well secured.

“We cannot achieve anything if the country is not secured and it would be the top priority of Datti and I to secure the land and return the people to the farms,” he said.

The LP candidate noted that he and Datti’s projection to pull the people out of poverty, especially in the North, will not be possible if the land is not secured.

This, he said, explains why security will be their number one priority if elected into office come February 25, 2023.

According to the former Governor of Anambra state, “Datti and I have the key to unlock the wealth of the North which is embedded in the vast arable land in the region.”

The VP candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the National Chairman of the Party Bar Julius Abure and other leaders of the party underscored the candidate’s position about the Labour Party’s desire to pull people out of poverty, develop education and health infrastructures and create job for the vibrant youths.

Earlier before the rally, on arrival in Bauchi, Obi and his team comprising the running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed and National Chairman of the Labour Party, Bar Julius Abure paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleman Adamu, in his palace.

The royal father, who received them with his chiefs and other prominent sons of the ancient city, wished them well in their heart desires.

Obi had told him that he and his Vice are in the race because they feel they have the key to help Nigeria youths take back their country and rebuild it.

G5: Ikpeazu In Trouble Over Ikonne’s Death; May Beg Ayu, Atiku

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

The death of the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abia State Chapter, Professor Uche Ikonne, has placed the Governor of the State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, in a difficult position.

Ikonne, a Professor of Optometry, and a former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, died on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

Following the Candidate’s death, the PDP, Abia State Chapter, is required to field a new Candidate. And, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has given the Party 14 days to conduct a fresh Primary for a fresh Candidate.

Ordinarily, it should be a simple process. But in the case of Abia, it is not, no thanks to the strange choice made by the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.

Ikpeazu is a member of G5, a group of five PDP Governors at loggerheads with the National Leadership of the Party, as represented by its Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, and the Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The face of G5 is the Governor of Rivers State, the tough-talking Nyesom Wike who is the most vocal of the lot. Even though Wike claims that the leader is the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, it is Wike who has the cash, and talks and threatens most.

This Group has, since after the Presidential Primary where Atiku beat Wike to a second place, distanced itself from all PDP activities, including the Presidential Campaign. The members say they want Ayu out as Chairman of the Party. They say a Southerner should take Ayu’s place because the Presidential Candidate is from same Northern Zone as Ayu. But not a few people think that giving Ayu’s resignation as a condition is a smokescreen. The main reason is Wike’s loss to Atiku. They accuse Ayu of corrupting the process which threw Atiku up. The situation worsened when Wike, also, lost the Vice Presidential slot to his Delta State counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. So people ask: If Wike was the Vice Presidential candidate, would he have asked Ayu to step down? Would he have exempted himself from  PDP’s activities?

They never invite Ayu and Atiku to any Party activities in their States, including the flagging off of the campaign of their Governorship Candidates, National Assembly and Houses of Assembly candidates.

Mostly, Wike plays the role of handing over Party flags to the candidates, a function reserved for the National Party Chairman and, in the case of PDP, the Presidential Candidate.

However, now, with the death of Ikonne, the chicken has come home to roost. Ikpeazu is in trouble. As earlier stated, the PDP has 14 days to replace its Candidate. The Governorship Election is on March 11, 2023 – barely one month away.

Here’s the problem for Ikpeazu. Usually, it is the National Chairman of the Party who writes to INEC informing it of the of the conduct of the Primary. It is the National Chairman who would sign and send the name of the new Candidate to INEC. So, now, who will perform the functions for Ikpeazu and the Abia PDP which he leads?

On the day Ikpeazu flagged off the Campaign in Abia – Governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly, he did not invite Ayu and Atiku. But Wike and his group were at hand to perform the duties.

It was Wike who handed over the Party’s flag to Ikonne as the Party’s Governorship Candidate, a function, symbolically reserved for the Chairman. As he did so, Wike didn’t  spare Ayu his usual acidic tongue. He gave Ayu that fully, while Ikpeazu watched excitedly, and grinned from ear to ear.

Now, who will write and sign the letter to INEC, informing, and inviting it to the fresh Primary? Who will write and submit the Candidate’s name to INEC? Who will do that for Ikpeazu? Who will, even, screen the fresh aspirants for him and his Chapter? Will he invite Wike to do those for him? INEC only recognises the Party’s National Chairman only. Any other thing is void.

And, if the National Leadership of the Party decides to play tit for tat, it will never allow Ikpeazu have his way, as Governors usually do, in the choice of the Governorship Candidate.  It is easy to screen out his preferred candidate using any excuse, no matter how flimsy.

Opinion is that Okezie will run helter-skelter to find a way to appease Ayu and Atiku – and, finally, play the good boy.

Breaking: CBN’s Emefiele To Appear Before House Of Reps After Speaker Threatened Arrest

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Nigeria’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest for Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN governor over his failure to appear  before the House.

The lower chamber had on Tuesday invited Emefiele and commercial bank chief executives to appear before an adhoc committee set up to look into issues sorrounding the January 31, 2023 deadline set by the apex bank to demonetize the N200, N500, and N1000 banknotes.

Emefiele and the bank chief executives did not show up, forcing the Housing to shift the meeting to Friday this week.

Recall that the House and Senate had, on Tuesday, ordered the CBN to shift the deadline for phasing out the naira notes to July 31 this year .

But Emefiele had responded at the monthly Monetary Policy Meeting, MPC, that there was no going back on the CBN decision to illegalise the naira notes by the end of the month.

Reporting to the House on Thursday, the Committee chairman who also doubles as Majority Leader, Alhassan Doguwa said Emefiele ignored their summons, and also failed to sent Representatives to appear before the committee.

Doguwa said Emefiele’s refusal to appear is an insult on the lawmakers, adding that the CBN governor and others were given enough time to appear before the committee.

“The committee invited the CBN yesterday, and we decided to take the governor specifically yesterday, we invited the CBN governor yesterday, to come with the officials of the central bank. I want to say, with all sense of responsibility, that the committee was delayed by the absence – flagrant refusal of the CBN to make an appearance,” Doguwa said.

“The governor was not there and no other person came in place of the CBN governor. My committee sat without them. We spoke with the liaison of the CBN and he said they got the letter late. As an institution, we gave them a benefit of the doubt. We gave them 1 pm.”

Gbajabiamila in his response, said that he is willing to activate Section 89(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, which gives the House the power to direct security agencies to order an arrest warrant against anyone.

He said, “Therefore, I will, pursuant to the authority conferred by Section 89 (1)(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Order 19 (2)(1) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, not hesitate to issue a warrant to the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force to compel the attendance of the CBN or Managing Directors who fail, refuse or neglect to respond to the summons by the House of Representatives.”

Meanwhile, the magazine has learnt from competent sources in CBN that Emefiele is likely to appear before the committee on Friday.

“In case the CBN governor is going to be absent due to the exigency of his work, he will send some officials to represent him,” the source said.

Ondo: Ilaje LG Councilors Direct Chairman To Proceed On Suspension

By
Ayodele Oni
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Goke Jatuwase - Ilaje LG Chairman

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Goke Jatuwase, has been caught by the web of anti party activities and suspension clamped on him by the Legislative arm of the council.

Although, the chairman was accused of alleged gross misconduct and indiscipline among others, sources reveal some underlying politics.

The Councilors, in a letter on Thursday, passed vote of no confidence on Jatuwase,and ordered his immediate suspension.

They claimed that the Chairman was suspended to allow the Legislative Council carry out investigation of monetary documents, as allocated to the Ilaje Local Government in terms of Adhoc fund and internally generated revenue.

This is even as the embattled Chairman was asked to transmit power to his Vice Chairman, Mebino Obele, pending the outcome of the Investigation.

The letter titled, “Notice Of Vote Of No Confidence And Immediate Suspension Of The Executive Chairman , Ilaje Local Government (Hon. Goke Jatuwase)”, was signed by eleven Councilors.

The suspension letter reads, “Rising from a plenary session held on the 25th January, 2023, the Ilaje Local Government Legislative Council has passed vote of no confidence and immediate suspension of the Executive Chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Hon. Goke Jatuwase indefinitely after a motion was moved and seconded on the floor of the house.

“Your reason for suspension is to allow Ilaje Local Government Legislative Council carry out investigation of monetary documents as allocated to the llaje Local Government in terms of monthly adhoc fund and the internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Ilaje local government for the last two years.

“Equally your reason for suspension is directly related to the following as compounding abuse of power.

“Gross misconduct and indiscipline, High level of incompetence and callousness, a total disregard for democratic principles and the yearning of the teaming population of Ilaje Local Government.

“Lack of transparency in the management of fund for the last two years. Mr. Chairman, be informed that your suspension takes immediate effect.

“Therefore you are hereby totally prevented from performing any role of whatsoever of the Executive Chairman, llaje Local Government.

“Hence you are required to, with immediate effect, transfer power to the Vice Chairman “Hon. Mebino Dickson Obele.”

It was gathered that the romance of the chairman with a candidate of opposition party was major reason for his suspension.

2023 Election: US Imposes Visa Ban On Riggers, Sponsors Of Violence

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Anthony Blinken - US Secretary of State

Barely one month to the general election, the United States of America, USA has imposed visa ban on some Nigerians whose conduct is considered to be inimical to democracy.

According to statement by US Secretary of state, Anthony Blinken on Wednesday, some members of the family of those affected will also be sanctioned.

Recall that the President Joe Biden administration had last year announced its plan to place travel restriction of those causing violence in the country ahead the 2023 election.

The US however did not mention the names of those that the policy will affect.

According to the top diplomat,, “We are committed to supporting and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. Today, I am announcing visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democratic process in a recent Nigerian election.

 

“Under Section 212(a)(3)C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, these individuals will be found ineligible for visas to the United States under a policy to restrict visas of those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria.

 

“Certain family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions. Additional persons who undermine the democratic process in Nigeria—including in the lead-up to, during, and following Nigeria’s 2023 elections—may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy.”

 

“The visa restrictions announced today are specific to certain individuals and are not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria. The decision to impose visa restrictions reflects the commitment of the United States to support Nigerian aspirations to combat corruption and strengthen democracy and the rule of law,” the statement said.

Tinubu’s Attack On CBN, NNPC Sparks Anger In Presidency

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

The All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sparked anger in the presidency over his comment on Wednesday that some appointees of the current administration are working to scuttle his chances to win next month’s election.

The APC presidential hopeful had during the party’s presidential campaign in Abeokuta, Ogun State indicted some officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria,  CBN,  and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation,  NNPC Limited of trying to frustrate his presidential  ambition.

He alleged that the ongoing fuel scarcity and naira redesign are ochestrated to stop him from emerging winner in the February 25 presidential poll.

The former governor of Lagos state is a frontrunner in the election alongside Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Labour Party, LP, and, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

But speaking during the campaign, Tinubu alleged an ongoing plot to stop Nigerians from going out to vote on election day, saying he’s the target.

According to him, “they have been scheming to create fuel crisis, but forget about it,” they cannot stop the party from winning, adding “they hoarded money, they hoarded naira, we will go and vote and we will win, even if they change the ink on Naira notes.”

He said, “relax, I Asiwaju I have told you that the issue of fuel supply will be permanently addressed. Whoever wants to eat the honey embedded in a mountain won’t worry about the axe.

“Let them increase the price of fuel. Only them know where they have hoarded fuel.

“They hoarded money, they hoarded naira, we will go and vote and we will win, even if they change the ink on Naira notes.

“Whatever their plans, it will come to nought.We are going to win. Those in the PDP will lose.
“We will take over the government from them – the traitors who wanted to contest with us. They had no experience. The great Nigerian youths, the great Nigerian students, the confident Nigerian youths.

“This is a revolution. This election is a revolution. They are plotting, but they will fail.

“They said fuel price will increase and reach N2,000 per litre. Go and relax. They don’t want this election to hold.

“They want to scuttle it. But on this one, I’m guaranteeing you one thing: there will be student loan.

“Nobody will drop out of the university because of school fees. I guarantee you that.
“We are too smart, we are brilliant, we are courageous, we are sharp, we will make four years course four years course.

“Do you agree? Will you vote whether there is fuel or not? Call your sister, we are bringing revolution. “Let me say what’s on my mind.

“The other day, I told you. This one too, they think they can cause crisis by sabotaging fuel supply.

“They are sabotaging fuel supply.

“Whether there is fuel or not, whether there is Okada (motorcycle) or not, whether there is tricycle or not, we will go and vote and we shall win.

“This is a superior revolution and when I tell you, you know what I mean. You know me. We are going there to win.”

His comment is now causing disquiet in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration with some top administration officials demanding that the APC candidate be called to order.

Those close to the president are suggesting to Buhari that Tinubu’s comment is capable of bringing the administration to disrepute among Nigerians, and further make it unpopular among those that have accused it of underperformance.

“For the ruling party presidential candidate to make such a careless state is uncalled for. What he’s trying to tell Nigerians is that those working for the president are working against him. How can that be when the president has fully thrown his weight behind you after you emerged from the primary,” a source said on Thursday.

He stated further that the president is not ” responsible for the ongoing full scarcity, and has recently set up a committee to look into the matter. On the issue of the redesign naira notes, President Buhari threw his weight behind the CBN governor because he believes this is the right thing to do.  And as you can see, the incidence of kidnapping for ransome has really reduced since the CBN announced the policy. How come he’s now alleging that he’s the prime target, when he’s not one of the sponsors of criminality in the country and benefitting from it.”

Some APC stalwarts who spoke with the magazine said they are not happy that Tinubu openly indicted the party. The APC candidate is supposed to be selling the ruling party instead of trying to bring it down.

“It s unthinkable that somebody who we are hoping to succeed President Buhari, and supposed to be the major promoter of government is now making comment capable of running the administration down.

This is not good for the party as we go into the election next month. How can you be demarketing a government you want to succeed,” a source in the Abdullahi Adamu -led APC National Working Committee, NWC also said.

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that top members of the APC will continue to distant themselves from Tinubu campaign so long he continues to make gaffes they consider enough to rubbish the party.

For instance, the National Chairman of the APC Abdullahi Adamu and some members of the NWC were conspicuously absent during the campaign in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

N180bn Cabotage Fund Disbursement: NIMASA, 5 Banks Meet

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
CVFF

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has met with the Executive Management of Jaiz Bank, United Bank of Africa, UBA, Union Bank, Zenith Bank and Polaris Bank which are the Federal Government approved Primary Lending Institutions, PLIs, for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF.


According to figures obtained from the top maritime regulator last year, the fund has accrued to slightly over N16 billion and $350 million, totalling over N176 billion. Sources in the agency said the Funds has sInce inched to N180 billion mark in three new year.


Speaking shortly after a closed door meeting, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, noted that the meeting is a major step towards the implementation of the Presidential directive on disbursing the CVFF as announced by the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, late last year.


Jamoh noted that their engagement was to ensure that the Agency and the PLIs are on the same page to ensure that lessons from the past will prove useful in implementing the CVFF disbursement and lead to developing shipping and the blue economy in Nigeria.


The NIMASA DG said, “we are engaging the banks on the management and disbursement of the CVFF because they are the ones who have the professional know-how in fund management and this would help us in the reduction of risk in order to avoid the same mistakes of the Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Fund.


” The banks are expected to come up with issues such as the interest rate, tenor, collateral, and other requirements needed to access the fund. NIMASA is of the position that the interest rate should be of international best practices because the fund being disbursed is Dollar denominated.”


The DG also noted that the CVFF regime is a win-win for all stakeholders involved including the banks adding that the banks should look at the windows of opportunity inherent for the benefit of all parties involved.

On their part, the PLIs applauded the initiative and pledged their support towards ensuring judicious use of the funds to the beneficiaries in order to ensure accountability of the funds are guaranteed.


The Managing Director of Jaiz bank, Dr. Sirajo Salisu, who spoke on behalf of the PLIs assured of prompt action towards disbursing the funds, noting that interested shipowners should be ready to abide by the provisions of the Cabotage Act.


“We will try our best to partner with the beneficiaries or the proposed beneficiaries of these funds and I believe they are much aware that this is not a grant, this is money that is meant for a purpose and we will ensure that that purpose is achieved to the benefits of the country,” he said.

Ikonne: INEC Orders PDP To Conduct Fresh Governorship Primary

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Independent National Electoral Commission

By Akinwale Kasali

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has ordered the Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to conduct a fresh Governorship Primary.

The order for a fresh Primary follows the death of the Party’s Governorship Candidate, Professor Uche Ikonne. Ikonne, a Professor of Optometry and a former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, died Wednesday morning at the National Hospital Abuja.

Giving the directive, Festus Okoye, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, said the Party has 14 days within which to choose a replacement, failing which it would not field any Governorship Candidate against the March 11, 2023, election.

Okoye said since the election is still a little over one month away, the PDP still has a window within which to pick a replacement for Professor Ikonne.

According to him, “if a candidate dies when polls have commenced, section 34(3)(b) of the Act provides that the Running mate shall continue with the election and nominate a new Running mate”

Okoye: “Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022, is clear, unambiguous and unequivocal that a political party shall be allowed to change or substitute its Candidate whose name has been submitted to the Commission under Section 29 of the Electoral Act in the case of death or withdrawal, provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a Candidate, the Political Party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh Primary to produce and submit a fresh Candidate to the Commission for the Election concerned.

“The period slated in the timetable and schedule of activities for the withdrawal of the Candidates has lapsed. In the said timetable the last days for withdrawal by Governorship and State Assembly Candidates was August 12, 2022.

“Moreover, Section 31 of the Act makes it clear that a candidate can only withdraw his or her candidature by notice in writing submitted to the Political Party that nominated him, and such must be conveyed to the political party not later than 90 days to election.”

Professor Ikonne hailed from  Agburuike-Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State. He was aged 66 years old.

Professor Ikonne: Ikpeazu Suspends Campaigns, Orders Flags Flown Half-mast

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the death of Professor Eleazer Uche Ikonne, the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia State, the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has suspended election Campaigns at all levels. Ikpeazu also ordered that all PDP flags in the State be flown at half-mast.

Ikonne, a Professor of Optometry, and a former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, died in the early hours of Wednesday, January 25, 2023. His passing was confirmed by his son, Dr  Chikezia Uche Ikonne in a terse release.

He said his father passed at about 4.00am on Friday after a massive heart attack, at the National Hospital Abuja.

According to him, the Prof had just come back from London on medicals when he suddenly relapsed.

Mourning Professor Ikonne, Governor Ikpeazu said in a statement he personally signed:

“It is with a heavy heart but total submission to the will of God that we announce the passing of our Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, which sad event took place in the early hours of today at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.

“While we condole with the family of the late Professor of Optometry, the PDP family and Abians in general, we pray God to have mercy on his soul, grant him eternal rest and give everyone affected by his unfortunate demise the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“As a mark of honour to our dear departed brother, I hereby direct that all flags in Abia State PDP offices be lowered and flown at half mast while all campaign activities for the party at all levels be suspended until Monday, 30th January, 2023.

“I urge all PDP leaders and members to remain calm as we navigate through this difficult period together.”

Professor Ikonne was last seen in public in November 2022 at a Campaign event in Umuahia. Before his death, speculations had been high over the state of his health.

The Governorship election is scheduled for March 11, 2023.

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