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First Bank MD Warns Of Spike In NPLs From N1.5trn

By
James Orji
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The managing director/ chief executive officer of First Bank Nigeria, FBN Limited, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, has warned that bank customers are likely to default in their loan payment this year if they are not closely monitored by their banks.

Adeduntan told Thisday that the situation could pushup the Non-performing loan, NPL, figures as businesses are hit with  economic headwinds in the new year.

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, figures the value of 12 banks NPL stood at over N1.5 trillion as at June 2022.

The First Bank chief executive said more collaborative effort is needed between commercial banks and customers to mitigate the problem of NPL amidst economic uncertainty projections for the country this year by those closely monitoring the nation economy.

According to Adeduntan “To prevent rising NPLs, businesses and their bankers will have to collaborate more and ensure timely flow of information to prevent surprises.

“Banks on their part will have to improve monitoring of their loan portfolio to quickly identify early warning signals for attention before a full-scale loan deterioration.

“Overall, businesses and their bankers must approach 2023 with a partnership mindset to ensure that a win-win outcome is achieved despite the anticipated macroeconomic challenges.”

He pointed out that expectedly, rising cost of debt and contracting demand would exacerbate the challenges that businesses would face this year, particularly for players operating in small-margins sectors of the economy.

He expalined that macro economic problem such as surging inflation, reduction in disposable income, fall in demand for essential commodities and services will further dip leaving most customers frustrated.
In spite of this, Adeduntan said more business opportunities will open in the financial sector for keen players to be exploited.

Such areas, he said include payments, digital security, mergers and acquisition, M&A, opportunities, partnership across segments and consumer lending.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria’s renewed drive on cashless policy has provided an opportunity for players in the financial services industry to enhance existing digital product offerings and create more attractive product offerings that will further reduce frictions in the payment process. This will help to reduce the financial exclusion gap, increase fees and commissions revenues, and improve overall viability and stability of the financial system,” he said.

“Increasing adoption of digital payments platforms will necessitate increased requirement for the security of payment channels. Thus, opportunities exist for players in the financial services industry to leverage robotics and artificial intelligence to improve security protocols on digital payment channels.”

“With the anticipated pressures on earnings, opportunities exist for big and liquid players to gain additional scale and market share through outright acquisition of fringe players with the right strategic fit.

“There is also an opportunity for two or more small and/or medium size players to merge their operations/businesses to obtain scale advantage.

“The growing number of Fintechs and licensed Payment Service Banks also presents an opportunity for improved partnerships across various categories of players in the financial services industry for both mutual and industry-wide benefits.

“Tightening financial conditions of the average household will create opportunities for consumer loans in several variants such as buy-now-pay-later (BNPL), salary advance, consumer asset finance, etc. The industry is already witnessing a rising trend in the creation of digital consumer loan product offerings. This is likely to intensify in 2023,” Adeduntan said.

NPLs has remained the bane of many banks in the country. For instance, financial analysts had blamed the collapse of defunct Diamond Bank majorly on huge NPL, which stood at over N700 billion by the time it desolved into Access Bank Plc.

You’re A Wobbly, Wonky, Narcotic-Devastated Presidential Candidate – Atiku Tells Tinubu

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu,  as corrupt and unfit to hold public office. He called Tinubu corruption personified.

Atiku did not also spare Tinubu’s alleged health status. He said the APC is trying to sell “a wobbly, wonky and narcotic-devastated Presidential Candidate” to Nigerians.

These strongly-worded words were contained in a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, the spokesperson of the Atiku- Okowa Campaign Organization.

The reaction was sparked off by a statement by the Tinubu/Shettima  Director of Communications, Bayo Onanuga, where he challenged Atiku to make public his health status.

The Atiku Campaign described Onanuga’s statement as ludicrous and “a failed attempt by Tinubu, the famed Lagos property stripper, who has gained notoriety as corruption- personified, and the living example and the artful dodger, aimed at trying to impugn the impeccable character and integrity of the incoming  people’s President, Atiku.

The Statement, released Wednesday evening, reads in part:  “It is imperative to observe  that our campaign had focused on issues and refrained from Tinubu’s appalling health issues prior to this ignoble public dance of tge Tinubu/Shettima Campaign.

“However, since Tinubu, himself, has opened the channel for Nigerians to examine his ill-health, we have no further option than to expose that the APC candidate must be suffering  from manifest Parkinson disease, accompanied with incontinence.

“For clarity, Parkinson disease is a brain disorder, memory problems, as well as general mental and physical weakness which are all being witnessed in the APC Presidential Candidate.

“This, perhaps, accounts for the desperation, the endless gaffes, the articulation errors, the incoherence, the many blunders and disconnection from reality for which Asiwaju Tinubu has become the butt of weird jokes among Nigerians and internationally.

“It is rather unfortunate that the APC Presidential Candidate who cannot stand  erect or walk up an elevation unaided, who is plagued by visible tremor of the hands, who palpilates at the slightest physical exertion and who is reported in the public space as being challenged by incontinence could attempt to speak on the health status of any Nigerian.

“Moreover, some medical professionals have associated certain cases of nerve cell death with narcotic use and unhealthy lifestyle and our campaign urges Tinubu to examine himself in that regard.

“Furthermore, Nigerians find it incongruous that the tarnished Asiwaju Tinubu who is badgered by a smelly  criminal past including the $460,000 forfeiture sentence for narcotics related offence by a Court of competent jurisdiction in the United States; alleged looting of Lagos State treasury, and stripping of her property; cases of forgery, impersonation, perjury, inconsistencies in name, age as well as questionable educational background, ancestry and genealogy could attempt to speak on corruption and integrity.

“Asiwaju Tinubu should rather hide his face in shame given his maladourous activities for which well-meaning Nigerians have dissociated themselves from his Presidential Campaign.

“In any case, Nigerians are aware that Tinubu is not ethically, physically and mentally fit to hold office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, unlike the decent, honest, physically, mentally and emotionally fit Atiku Abubakar, who exhibits the manifest readiness, intellectual alertness, capacity and experience to lead our Nation at this critical time.

Those pushing Emilokan’s candidature cannot claim to be unaware that he is not fit to preside over a country of 200 million people. They just don’t wish Nigeria well.”

The Presidential election will be held on February 25, 2023, and the new President   inaugurated on May 25, 2023.

APC Enugu Party Bigwigs Boycott Tinubu’s Presidential Rally

By
Uche Mbah
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Bola Tinubu in Enugu

By Uche Mbah

Candidate Tinubu dismisses Nigerians leaving the Country over hardship as “suffer-suffer”

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC,  Enugu State Chapter, came to a head Wednesday, January 11, 2023, when virtually all the big names in the State boycotted the rally organized by the State chapter of the party for the benefit of their Presidential flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu was in Enugu to canvass for votes in his quest to become Nigeria’s President come 2023.

Though the party bigwigs  were at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to receive Tinubu, they all left en mass to the home of Sullivan Chime, former Governor of the State.

Tinubu, however, addressed the rally at the Michael Okpara square, the venue settled for, after initial controversy about using the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium.

Those who boycotted the rally include Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, former Enugu Governor, Sullivan Chime, former Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly,  Eugene Odoh, former Secretary to the Enugu State Government,  Onyemuche Nnamani,  Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, the immediate past chairman of the Party in the State, Ben Nwoye, and Juliet Ibekaku who works at the Presidency.

The stakeholders were to later brief journalists in their bid to justify their absence at the rally.

Speaking on their behalf, Sullivan Chime, immediate past Governor of the state under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, blamed the State Chairman Ugochukwu Agbala, for their action, which was meant to send a “clear signal” to Aso Rock, which has largely ignored their protests against the Chairman.

He lamented that the situation took them to Aso Rock where they led a peaceful delegation to protest his appointment and imposition by the South east APC leader, Governor Hope Uzodinma. According to him, nothing has come out of that protest.

“We received our Presidential candidate at the Airport. We believe in him, he is the best.”, he said.

“However, we were not there at Okpara square because of internal crisis within the party in Enugu state. The party had been in disarray, since the imposition of someone who is not a member of the party as the Chairman.

“The Party leaders went to Abuja, complained, but nobody took them seriously. The issues continued. So, we have to distance ourselves from the local chapter of the party.

“We will ensure that he (Tinubu) gets more than the required 25 percent. Enugu must be counted” he concluded.

Part of his grudge was a violation of the unwritten principle of zoning, where both the Governorship candidate and his deputy are from the same senatorial zone.

Pledging that they will work towards victory of the party while distancing themselves from the organization of the rally,  former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, lamented that the party has been hijacked by an “external body”, apparently referring to Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodinma. He insisted that this made the Chairman to boldly run the party as a sole administrator. He complained that prominent people have been sidelined in the party.

Prior to the rally, a Group, the Concerned Enugu All Progressives Congress, APC Members, had claimed the Chairman of Enugu state chapter of the party,Chief Ugochukwu Agballah,  embarked on massive renting of crowds from neighboring states  for the rally. The group, which appears to work at cross purposes with the official APC in the state, claims that the Chairman was desperate to impress Tinubu with the crowd but, according to them, he is actually “killing the party”.

In a statement issued by its Leader and pioneer Deputy State Chairman of the APC in Enugu, Comrade Adolphus Ude, Tuesday, in Enugu, the group faulted the confidence of the Chairman who, according to them, could not grow organic crowd for the party.

“Faced with the reality of an empty venue, the Chairman of the APC in Enugu State has embarked on a crowd-shopping drive to deceive our national party leaders, particularly our presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.”, the statement read.

“We can authoritatively disclose that Agballah and the governorship candidate, Chief Uchenna Nnaji, have engaged contractors to ferry rented crowd from Ebonyi, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Benue and other nearby states to come here and answer Enugu people at tomorrow’s rally for Asiwaju and Senator Shettima in order to save themselves the impending embarrassment of an empty venue. The national leadership of our party and the people of Enugu State should watch out of this fraudulent act by Agballah and his cohorts.

“It is a shame that they still have to shop for crowd beyond the borders of Enugu State even after they settled for Okpara Square, which is a very small venue compared to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. But can the people they are mobilizing to Enugu tomorrow cast votes for our party during the general election? The answer is ‘No’.

“But we have an overwhelming population in Enugu, which if harnessed will give our party the support and result Asiwaju needs in Enugu State. In fact, there is no result we cannot achieve if the stakeholders and the leaders of the party come together in Enugu. But this is exactly what Agballah cannot deliver and does not also want”, the statement said.

Meanwhile, at the rally, Tinubu appealed for South- east votes, promising to make Igboland an industrial hub if elected. He also said he will revive the coal mines in Enugu if elected. He took a swipe at those running away from the Country.

“Those who are running to overseas are ‘suffer, suffer.’  We have been there.  Anybody who tells you that you cannot do something, pray you can do it,” he said.

Court Tells Unmarried Police Women: “Feel Free To Give Birth Without Marriage”; Awards Victim Five Million Naira

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Woman Police Officer

By Adesina Soyooye

Unmarried Nigerian Police Women on Wednesday, 11th January, 2023, had cause to celebrate. They have been released from bondage. They, finally, have their freedom to get pregnant out of wedlock, and have their babies.

“Finally, the inexplicable discrimination between us and our male counterparts has been thrown into the dustbin where it rightly belongs”, said a married female Police Officer.

She added: “I almost lost my husband over that. We dated for three years, and for those three years, because of the crude Police Regulation, and to the anger of his mother, I didn’t get pregnant. She even refused to understand why we could not get legally married, and asked her son to look elsewhere. She said I was playing a double game.”

Known in the Police as “Regulation 127 of the Nigeria Police Regulation made pursuant to the Police Establishment Act 2020”, it forbade unmarried Police Women from getting pregnant, a discriminatory situation not extended to their male counterparts. Any such Police Woman was summarily dismissed from the Nigerian Police Force.

But on Wednesday, the Honourable Justice D. K. Damulak of the Nigerian Industrial Court, held that such action was not only discriminatory but illegal.

The case which gave the Police Women their freedom   was sparked off by the dismissal of Miss Omolala Olajide on 26th January, 2021 under the leadership of former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Miss Olajide, who was serving at the  Ekiti State Police Command, fell foul of the Police rule when she got pregnant outside marriage, less than one year after enlistment into the Nigerian Police Force. She was, actually, still on probation.

In dismissing  then Constable Olajide from the NPF, the then Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command,  Babatunde Mobayo, told Journalists that she violated Section 127 of Police Act and Regulations.

But Miss Olajide went to Court to challenge her dismissal from the NPF. She told the Court that her dismissal was discriminatory since her male counterparts do not get  dismissed or punished in anyway under similar circumstances.

Hon Justice Damulak, in the  judgment delivered at the Akure Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court agreed with the dismissed Constable. He  held that: “The Police regulation which permits the dismissal of unmarried pregnant police women is discriminatory, illegal, null and void as it violates section 42 of the Constitution and article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act which abolished discrimination on basis of gender”.

The Police Regulation, the Judge said, “cannot stand as it is not applicable to unmarried policemen who impregnate women.” He, therefore, set it aside.

Damulak: “The Court accordingly, finds and holds that the provision of Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation 127 thereof, which applies to unmarried women Police Officers getting pregnant while in Service but does not apply to unmarried male Police Officers impregnating females while they are in Service, are discriminatory against unmarried women Police Officers by Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. If any law is inconsistent with the provision of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of its

inconsistency, be void.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the case of the Claimant succeeds in part only in terms of prayer B which is A Declaration that the provisions of Regulation 127 and section 127 of the Police Act which is against women Police Officers getting pregnant before marriage but does not apply to male Police Officers impregnating women before marriage is discriminatory, illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the Claimant’s Fundamental Right under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the said provision is hereby declared null and void and struck down.”

Justice Damulak awarded N5 million in “aggravated damages to Miss Olajide for the violation of her fundamental right to freedom, from discrimination.”

But the Honourable Justice rejected her prayer for reinstatement as a Police officer. He upheld the submission of the Police Counsel, Mr. P. S. Abisagbo,  that she could not be reinstated as she was on probation at the time of her dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.

Damulak who relied on many judicial authorities and, especially, the case of Women Enlightenment and Legal Aid v Attorney-General of the Federation where the Federal High Court struck down the police regulation that placed a three-year ban on female recruits from getting married.

Mrs Funmi Falana of the Falana & Falana’s Chambers who handled the case of the three-year ban before marriage, was full of praises for Justice Damulak but noted that the Court should have reinstated Olajide, having declared the Police Regulation under which she was dismissed as discriminatory and illegal.

Couple Killed In Imo By Gunmen

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

A couple, identified as Ezemezie Ifechukwu Martins and Mba Ifeoma Gloria, has been killed in Imo State by gunmen.

Ezemezie and his wife were killed on Tuesday night. The gruesome murder reportedly took place at Ndiejezie Izuogu in the Ideato North Local Government Area of the State.

The circumstances which surrounded their murder is still sketchy. But while a source said they were killed a few days to their Traditional Marriage, another said they were killed a few days after it.

The sources, also, said a younger brother of the groom was also murdered in the inexplicable attack.

TheCable quoted a source as saying that the “attackers are notorious for snatching cars in the area. Vehicle owners who refuse to surrender to them are killed in the process.

“We are no longer safe in Arondizogu. Students are afraid of going to school. Our mothers are no longer going to the market for fear of the unknown”

Out of fear, the source revealed, many indigenes of the area are moving out of their homes, and relocating to safer areas.

“As we speak, there is mass exodus of people from Arondizogu this morning (Wednesday) after the incident last night (Tuesday).

“I complained of these reckless kidnappings and killings and burning of vehicles in Arondizogu last year, and the Imo state PPRO assured me that something was already done about it.

“But since then, the killing and kidnapping have been everyday affair.

“Our people living abroad did not come back for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The few that came back could not move around in their cars. It’s an unfortunate situation.

“We call on the Government of Imo state to come to our rescue and send the military to take over the area to forestall further killings.”

However, a senior citizen from Imo State thinks the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma could be reluctant  in asking the Army to help. “If the Governor seeks the Military’s help, those complaining now will be the same people to say he has brought Fulani Army to kill Imo youths.”

“Boko Haram Insurgency Designed To Destabilize, Destroy Nigeria” – Buhari

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Muhammadu Buhari
Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari believes that Boko Haram terrorists who have crippled the economy and brought so much agony and pains and tears to North Eastern States was designed not only to destabilize Nigeria but to destroy it.

Boko Haram group and its attendant ideology — which abhors Western education — officially known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, is an Islamic terrorist organisation that has troubled Nigeria’s North with targeted bombings and offensives since 2009.

But an obviously happy President Buhari said the Nigerian Armed Forces have degraded the sect significantly since 2015 when he came into office.

“I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both States, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation has improved since 2015, especially in Borno State.

“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually,’’ he said when he received Executive members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House, Abuja.

In a Statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday, titled ‘Count on us to further improve security, reposition economy before leaving office, President Buhari assured

that the government is now focused on rebuilding infrastructure and re-orientation on education in the North-east.

He also promised that the gains recorded in security will be further consolidated, and more attention will be given to the economy, before handing over on May 29, 2023.

“I am very grateful for your visit to the Presidential Villa, and I agree with you on some of the observations you have made. The question of insecurity is most important to us because unless a country or institution is at peace, it will be difficult to manage.

“I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both states, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation had improved since 2015, especially in Borno State.

“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually,’’ he said.

Buhari told the Catholic Bishops that the Government will continue rebuilding infrastructure in parts of the country affected by terrorist attacks, while emphasising that terrorists had no control over any space in Nigeria.

“Some people have acknowledged the difference,’’ he added.

As regards the economy, the President said creditors had full confidence in Nigeria, with the capacity to utilize resources and repay loans before the approvals were granted.

“We are credible, that’s why the countries and institutions agreed to support our development with the loans,’’ he stated.

He lamented that the destruction of oil facilities slowed revenue generation, and the Government would be harder on saboteurs.

President Buhari said that some of the challenges faced in the past, which include coups and counter-coups, and civil war, had prepared Nigeria for survival.

“If you look at the economy, we are trying hard to rely more on ourselves. Nigerians rely more on agriculture for livelihood, and we are putting in our best to enable more people, and diversify.

“We thank God that Nigeria is still one. We should not forget that more than a million died for the nation to survive.”

2023: “Nigerians Have Track Record Of Supporting Their Abusers” –  Sowore Says People Who Vote APC Enjoy Long Sufferings

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Presidential Candidate of African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, is perturbed that track records shows that Nigerians always support their oppressors and abusers.

Sowore stressed that since 2015 that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, got into the saddle, Nigerians have continued to experience hardship and long sufferings.

He lamented that despite the sufferings, some people  are still planning and ready to cast their votes for the APC.

He said he would be shocked if the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as President of Nigeria in 2023, because this can only be achieved through rigging or the people who would vote for them loves suffering.

He made this statement at an interview on ‘The Roundtable’ organised by PUNCH Newspapers, where a livid Sowore said if the APC wins, “I’ll be surprised but first we will need to analyse two things.

“First is if there was a credible election because the APC is used to winning elections that don’t happen. Very shady party, the same thing applied to the PDP when they were in power (at the centre).

“Secondly, if it is true they won the election, then we would need to examine Nigerians as a people, if there is something wrong with our ability to take punishment. Do we ever get tired of punishment? Do we ever get tired of being abused?

“Why will a people be seemingly convenient with hardship? It’s nothing new anyway, but I’m just reiterating it. I have asked myself this question many times.

“Sometimes, you read comments by pundits with ignorance and very holistical views about the state of the nation, you will question what is wrong with us. And some of them are people you happen to respect.”

He continued, “Some would say with authority that the position of the government is the best. They did it when June 12 election was annulled; they did it when former President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to run for third term, with some defending that Nigeria had never had a leader like him so he should run for third term.

“They also did it during (Gen Sani) Abacha’s time, five political parties came together and were swearing that he was the best thing that could ever happen to Nigeria; but the day he died, they sang a different tune.

“At the end of the day, we need conscious citizens to remain steadfast and regardless of who wins this election, we will all bear the consequences of our actions,” he concluded.

Former Falconets Coach, Daniel Evumena, Dies, NFF Mourns

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Daniel Evumena

By Akinwale Kasali

The nation’s football family has been thrown into mourning following the death of a former Falconets Coach, Daniel Evumena.

The late Evumena led the Falconets to the Under-20 Female FIFA World Cup in Chile where Nigeria was booted out in the quarterfinals.

The former Head Coach of Delta Queens Football Club in the Nigeria Women’s Football League was said to have died of an undisclosed illness which he has battled since December 2022.

Mansur Abdullahi broke the news of Evumena death.

Abdullahi is another respected women’s football coach and former Technical staff of the Nigeria U-20 Women’s team, said the death was painful.

“Well, he was a hardworking person, he was dedicated to his job, and he was a disciplinarian. He was a senior citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because he was retired from civil service as a senior immigration officer,” Coach Mansur said.

“He was my coursemate; just last year we graduated from London University in Sport Management. It is quite sad.”

According to Coach Mansur, the late Evumena fell sick just before Christmas and sadly never got over it.

“He fell sick on the 24th of last month and a few days ago, he went into a coma and gave up,” he lamented.

“Though pained by his death, the legacies of Evumena who led the Falconets to the quarter-final stage at the 2008 World Cup will be remembered by all.

“When it comes to coaching, he’s a sound tactician. There are no two ways about it and he is a disciplinarian.

“In every aspect of life, if one is not disciplined, then you should forget about it. It is quite sad.

“He was a former president of the amalgamation of women football coaches of Nigeria and former Chairman of Delta State Football Coaches Association. In fact, he was the immediate past Chairman.” Coach Mansur recalled.

Lamenting the demise of Evumena, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, expressed “deep sorrow” at the death, saying the loss is so sudden.

“The news of Dan Evumena’s death is too hard to take. I am still in shock. This is a young trainer who has done creditably well at Club and National levels, and still had so much in his tank with which to fertilize and nurture the growth of many more women footballers.

“The death of every human being diminishes us, especially the death of every young person. He had his life in front of him. Our prayer is that Almighty God will grant him eternal life and also grant those he has left behind, particularly his young family, the fortitude to bear the big loss,” NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja.

According to the NFF, it learnt that the former Falconets’ chief strategist was hospitalized for a few days but did not recover from the ailment.

Evumena served as Assistant Coach of the Super Falcons before his upliftment as Head Coach of the U20 Girls.

As Head Coach of the Falconets, he steered the team to the quarter finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Chile in 2008, before the squad lost to France.

The late sportsman was also a government employee. In 2021, he retired from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Until his death, the deceased was the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association – Delta State Chapter.

“Verify, Not Falsify Facts”, Obi-Datti Media Speaks On Next International (UK) Ltd

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Obi-Datti Media Office has debunked a report which claimed that the United Kingdom Authorities has dissolved a company, Next International (UK) Ltd, owned by Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party for not filing its accounts in 2021.

A statement signed by Diran Onifade, Head of Media, Obi-Datti asked those propagating and celebrating the the story to: “Verify, not falsify facts.”

It said: “We have watched with bemused skepticism as agents of the political opposition, unsettled by the high rising profile of the Labour Party flag bearer , ran around and made fools of themselves over the Next International (UK) Ltd being removed from the record in 202”, the statement said.

It said nothing could be further from the truth, as the story being propagated.

It explained:

“In order that the huge human and material resources deployed to search and locate any negative against the high flying  Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi is not seen to have been wasted, anything could be concocted to justify the efforts.

“We have watched with bemused skepticism as agents of the political opposition  unsettled by the high rising profile of the Labour Party flag bearer, ran around and made fools of themselves over the  Next International (UK) Limited being removed from the record in 2021.

“Ordinarily, this is the type of mischief and impishness that should deserve no response but for the credulous  in our midst who are the real target by this impairment.

“For the record,  the entity was 99% owned by Next Nigeria International Ltd. and establised as its buying office in the 90s and Peter Obi was its CEO.  At the time Peter Obi became governor of Anambra State in 2006, his wife assumed management of the winding down of the company and about one year ago requested that the company be dissolved under the voluntary strike off of the entity on grounds of dissolution and being  inoperational, which is  normal in winding up an entity.

“Peter Obi has consistently maintained that he is no longer involved in any Next  related business.

“When our Principal insists that you go and verify facts about him and the information he dishes out, it didn’t say go and falsify facts.

“The LP candidate by his antecedents in Anambra state for eight years, in private ventures where he heldsway his records among the pack in this race for the Presidency, puts him  miles ahead in moral rating.”

From all accounts, Obi is the frontrunner in the Presidential election scheduled to hold on February 25, 2023.

What Buhari Must Do Before May 29 – Catholic Bishops

By
Ayodele Oni
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Buhari with Catholic Bishops

By Ayodele Oni

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has charged President Mohammadu Buhari to rid the country of criminals before handing over to his successor in May.

The Bishops also appealed to Buhari to bring an end to the issue of insecurity plaguing the country.

The Bishops made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the President on Wednesday, at the Aso Villa, Abuja.

According to them, as Christian religious leaders, it is both their right and duty to contribute to the political life of the nation not only by praying for all rulers, but also by offering them good advice in the name of God.

The  President, Most Rev Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji pointed out that the president can still do a lot to turn things around before May 2023 when his tenure in office will be over.

“A lot can be done to turn things around for the better in the about four months left of your presidency before you step down in May 2023.

“We cannot be unconcerned about the way our nation is managed by those whom God has allowed to be in charge of our nation.

“We have seen some signs that government is not entirely incapable of tackling the sad state of insecurity in the land, which has consumed thousands of innocent Nigerians across all regions, creeds and ethnic groups.

“Our Church personnel have been frequent victims in terms of kidnapping or outright murder.

“The Owo – Ondo State Catholic Church massacre on Pentecost Sunday, June 5th, 2022, is still very fresh in our hearts.

“In your capacity as our Commander-in-Chief, we urge you to make sure that our nation is effectively rid of these murderous criminals.

“We assure you of our prayers that the Almighty and Merciful God will bless you with what it takes to achieve this urgent objective.”

The group which commended the President for the efforts put into ensuring real improvement in the electoral system and processes of the country, however expressed concern on the Nation’s economy.

The Bishops charged the President to ensure the 2023 polls are free, fair and credible so as to bring to power the President who can move Nigeria forward.

“Our nation’s economy has been put under serious stress by both internal and external negative forces, which has had serious adverse effect on the lives and livelihood of the average Nigerian.

“This has been further worsened by the consequences of the growing foreign debt burden, which is even mortgaging our future and that of generations after us.

“With better political and economic management, Nigerians have both the resourcefulness and spirit of hard work to turn things around.

“In particular, the many loopholes and leakages of endemic corruption still need to be sincerely and adequately addressed, if our economy is to recover.

“We commend and congratulate you for the efforts government has put into ensuring real improvement in our electoral system and processes, especially your signing into law the electoral bill.

“Please do not relent in making sure that INEC and other relevant agencies of government carry out their serious duties to conduct peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

“It is the hope of most Nigerians that the forthcoming 2023 elections will be a watershed in the political history of Nigeria. Let our hopes not be dashed.”

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