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EKSU Tackles ASUU Over Remarks By Leadership

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Management of the Ekiti State University, (EKSU) Ado Ekiti has said the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osodeke is bereft of ideas going by his remarks against some state universities which have resumed academic activities despite the ongoing strike.

Osodeke had during an interview on Arise TV mentioned that some state-owned universities in Nigeria are quacks and irrelevant.

In the same press interview with Dr. Reuben Abati, Osodeke listed some first generation universities as the ones that matter most in the ongoing struggle by ASUU.

Reacting to this development, Management of EKSU said the statement was denigrating.

According to a statement  by the Head, Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Bode Olofinmuagun, such derogatory remark about some universities, coming from the National President of ASUU is unfortunate, reckless and unwarranted.

“The statement reads:”Ekiti State University, Ado- Ekiti is currently the 14th best university in Nigeria out of about 200 Federal State and  Private universities.

“Apart from the above, EKSU has nearly all its academic programmes accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional regulatory bodies.

“The university is proud to have many top rated globally recognized academics, and its alumni are making waves both Nationally and Internationally.

“By the grace of God,  Mr. Biodun Oyebanji,  the Governor-elect of Ekiti State is an alumnus and a former lecturer in the University.

“Even in ASUU, a number of staff of our university had served and still serving in various capacities at zonal and national levels including but not limited to ProfAfolabi Popoola, Dr. Sikiru Eniola, ProfEddy Olanipekun, Ayan Adeleke and Olu-Olu Olufayo.

“Therefore, categorizing EKSU as among the quack and irrelevant universities is a testimony to the fact that the ASUU President is probably uninformed or is bereft of ideas.

“This arrant nonsense coming from  Comrade Osodeke is totally unacceptable and condemnable.”

The Management called on  Osodeke to toe the path of honour by retracting the provocative remark and tender an unreserved apology without further delay.

Imo: Gunmen Storm Hotel, Kill Three

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Tragedy occurred at Isu, Onicha Imo State on Friday.

Three Gunmen, who rode on a motorcycle, stormed the Galaxy Home Hotel and killed three people.

One of those killed, Augustine Nwadibia, was the owner of the Hotel.

Killed along with him was a man with whom he was sitting and holding a discussion. The third person, identified as a Guest, was coming out of his room, saw the Gunmen and ran into his room.

Unfortunately, they ran after him and gunned him down in his room.

The Hotel owner and his friend, witnesses say, were shot on their backs as they ran to escape. The guest was shot on the head.

A blood-chilling video watched by this medium, showed the three men sprawled on the floor, in their own pool of blood.

At the time of writing this, the Imo State Police Command was yet to comment on the sad incident.

Gunmen, usually described as unknown have, for months on end,  been wreaking havoc, sowing agony, pain and tears in the once peaceful South-east region.

Obi Responds To Invitation Of Nigerians In Diaspora; Says “I’m Eager To Learn More Ideas For The Rescue Mission’’

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The Obi-Datti media office says it has been inundated with calls from numerous members of the Obidient family seeking to know and to follow the itinerary of the Presidential candidate’s one week tour of some foreign countries.

The Labour Party Candidate, Peter Obi’s tour is a response  to numerous invitations from Nigerians in Diaspora who are seeking to make their own contributions to the mission of rebuilding the country.

Obi who believes very strongly that Diasporas are critical to the future of  moving Nigeria forward said he intends to make such consultations abroad regularly in the course of the campaigns.

Obi’s messages ahead of 2023 which resonates with Nigerians especially youths who are turning it into a political movement has attracted the attention of Nigerians and indeed Africans in Diaspora who wants to share in his vision and invited him to come over for various conferences, meetings and interviews.

He had soon after his emergence as the party’s flag bearer commenced consultations with various segments of Nigeria community preparatory to the National campaigns.

Obi who is excited about the trip said he is anxious because Diasporas who are leaving in a good system have a lot to impact for the challenges ahead.

“I need to tap their brains on the task ahead, they are all as anxious as all of us for a better Nigeria in our life time, I am excited to meet them all”

The Presidential Candidate remarked that for effectiveness and urgent results, all Nigerians must be involved and be carried along.

“For this mission to be effective and result oriented, all hands must be on deck”

The first arm of this tour which takes Obi to Europe, Canada  and America will feature conferences, town hall meetings, media interviews and lectures.

According to the breakdown, on Sunday August 28 Obi will be in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for a Town Hall meeting to discuss “ Postive Impact of Nigeria’s Diaspora on  our Country’s Growth and Development”

On Monday August 29; 2022 he is Los Angeles, California, USA for media interface with international Journalists, Ademola Fayehun, same day he delivers lecture over a Dinner on the “Role of Nigeria’s Diaspora innCivic Leadership in the Country”

On Tuesday August 30, 2022, Obi is in Texas USA for another Dinner lecture  on “ Active Engagement by Nigerians’s Diaspora for Civic Leadership “

On Wednesday August 31, 2022, he holds media interface with USAAfrica Interview, same day he holds a breakfast meeting with some select Leaders to discuss theme “Rebuilding Nigeria is a collective Responsibility”

This day also he holds a Town Hall meeting in North Carolina”Role of an Active Diaspora in Nigeria’s Economic Development”

On Thursday September 01 2022, the Candidate is in US capital Washington DC for an Economic Roundtable with the US Chamber of Commerce; the same day he holds Town Hall meeting at Howard University School of Business and Dinner reception later at Swahili Village.

On Friday September 02, 2022, he delivers a breakfast lecture to some audience at Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC and goes to Atlanta same day for a Town Hall Meeting on theme “ Rebuilding Nigeria’s Economy”

By Saturday September 03 Obi will hold breakfast and media chat with CNN Zane Asher

And on Sunday September 04 he holds his last Town Hall meeting in New York, USA on “ Afro Economic and Government Policy: A Conversation with Obi.

It’s envisaged that the tour will help mobilize Nigerians in diaspora to be on the same page with rest of Nigerians at home in this great mission of rescuing our dear country.

Rivers 2023: Abe Says 2023 Election Will Change The Nation’s Political History

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Rivers State Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Magnus Abe, has said that the 2023 General Election will change the political narratives in the country.

He added that the election would be a watershed event in the political history of Nigeria, as there would be a political tsunami in Rivers State, as it would break known barriers.

Senator Abe made this assertion at the official commissioning of the SDP constituency office in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

A statement by his Spokesman, Parry Benson, said, “To all of us that are here, I will deliver one important message.

“I have said severally that 2023 elections will be a watershed event in the political history of this country. In Rivers State, 2023 elections will be a political tsunami because it will break every known bounds and barrier.

“Let me say to all of you that our votes, our support in 2023 will enshrine justice, fairness, equity and progress in this land.

“Everybody that wakes up in the morning is looking for progress. Progress is not when the state is rich, progress is when you make money for yourself; that is progress.”

Abe further said gone were the days when elections were won and lost along political party lines, noting that a lot of things had happened in the country and people had also learnt their lessons.

“Before, Nigerians used to vote on the basis of political party, so this is our party we must support the party, anybody they bring they vote, but things have happened in this country that people must learn as lessons.

“Before, when we followed a party you knew what you’d get when you supported that party. If you were in the UPN and your state voted the UPN, you knew you would get free education.

“If you were in the NPN, and your state voted the NPN, you knew you would get housing and agriculture, but since after those parties left, Nigerians continue to vote party, but nobody could see what they were getting.

“Today if you are in Akwa Ibom, you vote the Peoples Democratic Party, what you get depends on what the governor wants. If you are in Oyo, you vote the PDP what you get depends on what the governor wants.

“If you’re in Kano and you vote All Progressives Congress, what you get depends on what the governor wants. If you are in plateau you vote the APC what you get depends on what the governor wants. Nobody checks what the party said or what the party is doing.

Earlier, Chikwem Orlu, the candidate of the SDP in Obio/Akpor Constituency 2, assured Senator Abe and party members of the people’s commitment to vote the party massively in the 2023 general election.

“Your Excellency, the people you are seeing here today are teeming supporters of project the SMA (Senator Magnus Abe).

“My business this evening is very simple; it’s just to tell you that this people you are seeing here today, have unanimously agreed that no one vote will go to another party other than the SDP on whose platform you will be the Governor of Rivers State come 2023 by the grace of God,” he said.

Abe, a Lawyer, was the  Secretary to the Rivers State Government under the administration of then Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

He later went to the Senate. The two of them later fell apart so badly that in 2019, it robbed their Party, the All Progressives Congress, of participation in the election. All their candidates were disqualified.

A couple of months ago, Abe quit the APC for the SDP, and finally picked its Governorship ticket which was consistently denied him  in the APC.

Group Urges IGP, Usman Baba, To Reopen Secretariat; Condemns By Police, Ex President

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Alkali Baba Usman - IGP

By Akinwale Kasali

A Group under the aegis of South-East Forum of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba, to order the reopening of its National Secretariat sealed by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi.

The Group in an Emergency Meeting condemned the alleged invasion of the Secretariat by one Innocent Bola Audu with his cohorts to forcefully take over the Secretariat with the active support of the Lagos CP, describing it as unacceptable.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the emergency meeting held in Enugu on Wednesday night, the forum warned that if its national secretariat was not unsealed immediately, there will be a massive protest of members across the country against the police.

The communiqué, which was signed by all the chairmen and secretaries of the five South Eastern states chapters of the association, stated that the intervention of the Lagos Police boss, which led to the temporary closure of the association’s national secretariat, was tantamount to supporting a group of unscrupulous elements in their bid to destroy a union that represents the interest of millions of civil/ public servants in the country.

The forum explained that Audu, who was elected as the National President of the association in July 2020, was expelled from the association by the National Executive Council during a meeting in August 2021 for his involvement in child trafficking and anti-union activities.

It wondered why Audu, who instituted a legal action in a Federal Capital Territory High Court against his suspension and subsequent expulsion from the association, will resort to self help; and advised him to wait for the final decision of the court on the matter.

The communiqué read in part, “After an emergency meeting of the South East Forum of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, held on Wednesday August 24, 2022 at Enugu, which was attended by all the branch and chapter chairmen, state secretaries and Central Working Committee members from the zone.

The forum deliberated on a number of issues and resolved as follows: That Innocent Bola Audu was expelled by the National Executive Council of the association, comprising the leadership of the association from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“By his expulsion he has since ceased to be a member of the association. Hence, his invasion of the association’s national secretariat is seen as a threat to lives and property and a criminal act that should not go unpunished.

“That the intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, that led to the temporary closure of the secretariat is tantamount to supporting a group of unscrupulous elements in their bid to destroy a union that represents the interest of millions of civil/ public servants in Nigeria.

“That the IG should call the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to order and direct for the immediate reopening of the secretariat or face mass protest by members of the association across the country.

“The entire membership of the Association in the South East zone reaffirms their vote of confidence on the National Leadership of the Association ably led by Dr Tommy Etim Okon, the National President and Alade Bashir Lawal, the Secretary General and all the Central Working Committee (CWC) members and urge them to take every legitimate measure to ensure that Innocent Bola Audu and his cohorts face the full weight of the law for their unruly rascality.”

The communique was signed by the Forum Chairman, Comrade Mike Nwonu; Forum Secretary, Comrade C I. Igbokwe; National Vice President, Comrade K.O. Ngene; National Ex-Officio Member, Comrade Samson Okere.

Others are Chairman Abia, Comrade Sunday Age; Chairman Anambra, Comrade C. D. Muomaife; Chairman Imo, Comrade Basil Iwu; Chairman Ebonyi, Comrade N.M. Nwonu; Chairman Enugu and all their secretaries, Comrade Julie Nnam.

Don’t Alter Our Culture; Akure Group Challenges Akeredolu Over Order To Monarch

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A socio cultural group in Akure, Ondo state, Ooye Development Initiative, (ODI) has challenged Governor Rotimi Akeredolu over directive that traditional rulers must seek clearance from government before closing markets for traditional festivals.

ODI described the directive as ‘anti-culture’ and perceived hostility of the present administration to Deji of Akure in particular and entire people of the community.

In a release issued by ODI Secretary, Professor Abiodun Ayodele and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the group said it considered the statement credited to the Commissioner for Information in the state, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju not in the best interest of the people.

“We consider the statement a continuation of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu government’s persistent riding roughshod over the people of Akure, hostility to their ancient practices and persistent disregard for their monarchy and the monarch.

“The closure of markets for the yearly festival has not only been in practice in Akure since ancient time, it constitutes the corpus of tradition, belief system and practices of the people, which is guided by laws, order and consideration for the welfare of the people of the state capital.

“At the beginning of the age long traditional festival and as is its wont every year, the Deji of Akure, through his Chief Press Secretary, adequately announced the programme for the observance of the annual Aheregbe Festival, part of which was the closure of markets.

“During this period, no trading or opening of shops was allowed, with the exemption of pharmacy shops and Patent Medicine Stores which are always allowed to open, but with strict enforcement of free human and vehicular movements in the state capital.

“We are also aware that the Deji-in-Council thoroughly monitors this festival to ensure that miscreants do not infiltrate the ranks of those who quietly observe the culture of the ancient kingdom.

“It was then shocked that the Akeredolu government could unilaterally, without prior consultation with the custodian of this culture – the king – ban this practice which it said was one of the glues that cement the Akure society together.

“Every town and village has its cultures and traditions that have been in existence since time immemorial.

“The ones that are felt to be repugnant to public good are either reformed or done away with. The Aheregbe is in the league of ‘Igogo Festival’ celebrated by the people of the governor’s hometown of Owo.

“At Igogo, residents are banned by culture from beating drums of any kind, even at ceremonies such as marriage, burial etc.

“This happens for weeks and does not exclude churches. We are not aware that the governor has banned Igogo in Owo. Why is he then banning Aheregbe in Akure.

“If the alibi of the ban was to pave way for the full exercise of fundamental rights, the Igogo Festival was also in violation of the freedom and rights of the people.

“The philosophy of the Aheregbe is to encourage traders in the city to rest for a day in a year and pray for the progress of the city, just as their King does during the annual Ulefunta Festival.

“Ahereghe is not evil and has no demonic affiliation to any god. It can be explained in the need for social harmony, a good and healthy citizenry and should not be outlawed by the fiat of an executive.”

The state government decision to announce the directive was due to counter instructions from Akure monarch and that of Isinkan, which caused tension among the two communities.

Wike Plays Games With Political Parties; Meets Atiku in London

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Atiku and Wike in London

By Adesina Soyooye

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is playing the beautiful bride with the three main Political Parties/Presidential aspirants.

He is playing games with them. And he is not hiding it.

Relaxed in London with a good number of the high profile members of his Camp in the PDP, he is not only playing the big boy, Wike is playing the role of the lord of the manor.

About 48 hours after Wike and his team’s much celebrated, but unconfirmed (no pictorial evidence unlike of other meetings) meeting in London with Bola Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Wike held a high profile meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Labour Party Presidential candidate,  Peter Obi. Present at the meeting alleged to have been arranged by Obasanjo, were a number of Team Wike. They included the Governors of Benue, Abia, Oyo – Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Seyi Makinde, and a former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke.

The Media went frenzy over the meeting, especially, with the presence of Obasanjo. Questions such as: Why was Obasanjo present? Why would Wike hold such a meeting with Obasanjo and Obi? What was the subject of discussion? Is Wike planning to decamp to the LP? Or is he reaching a working arrangement with Obi – like telling his State to vote Obi for the Presidency and vote PDP in the rest of the elections? Is the Rivers State electorate that sophisticated, especially, as the Presidential election and that of the National Assembly hold same day?

While, obviously, PDP is nervous about these meetings, the tension was suddenly doused.

Here’s why.

The same Thursday, the story, backed by photographs, emerged of Wike and Team in a meeting  with Atiku in  London. The meeting coincided with a press statement issued by Atiku, signed on his behalf by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, warning his supporters to stop the attack on Wike. He preached unity.

It is not known yet if Atiku’s London meeting with Wike will bring the much needed peace within the PDP. What, for instance, will Atiku and the PDP concede to Wike and his Camp? They are asking for a couple of things.

For one, Wike and not a few people believe Atiku should not have been part of the PDP Presidential Primary.

When the PDP suddenly threw the race open, after it had elected Dr Iyorchia Ayu, a Northerner, as the National Chairman of the Party, many people cried foul.

The belief, after Ayu’s election, was that the PDP candidate would come from the South. But the PDP did the opposite. One of the requests, therefore, by the Wike Camp is that Ayu must give way as the National Chairman for a Southerner.

Before now, Ayu had promised to step down if the Presidential candidate came from the North. But, he has since changed his mind, insisting he was elected for a four-year tenure and would serve it out.

Atiku took a middle level position. In an interview, he said Ayu would step down once he wins the Presidential race.

But the Wike Camp disagrees, and condemns what is now called as the “Northernisation” of the PDP.

The Chairman of the Biard of Trustees, the National Chairman, and the Presidential candidate all come from the North.

This other day, the BOT  Chairman, Senator Wahid Jibrin worried about the Northern monopoly of high profile offices in the Party. He described it as unfair.

While the outcome of the Atiku-Wike meeting in London is being awaited, the questions are: Can the PDP afford to lose Wike, and so, Rivers State? And can Wike afford to decamp to another Party from PDP?

Not a few people think it is not likely Wike would decamp, even with his threats. Said a source close to him: “He knows where his bread is buttered. He dares not go to APC, for instance. He is not likely to work against the PDP in 2023. PDP remains his only refuge. It is in his interest that the PDP wins at the centre.”

PDP Crisis: Atiku Takes Charge, Warns Lamido, Aliyu Over Utterances

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

A few hours before his meeting in London with the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, finally, personally decided to douse the raging fire in the Party.

In a Press Statement on Thursday, August 25, 2022, signed on his behalf by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku took charge, and sounded conciliatory. He told those who not a few people think have been stoking the fire of crisis in the Party, albeit in his support, to hold it and be careful and cautious of what they say.

Even though he did not mention anybody by name, not a few fingers pointed at the former Governors of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu  and that of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.

Both former Governors had, in the past couple of days, put Wike on the firing line over his wrangling with Atiku.

The relationship between the two men had soured since after the PDP Presidential Primary where Atiku beat Wike to a second place. To add salt to a festering sore, Atiku ignored Wike and picked Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate against the recommendation of a Committee he and the PDP set up to choose a running mate for him. Asked why he shunned Wike, in a television interview, Atiku said he wanted somebody he could work with amicably.

An outraged Wike and his Camp which include the Governors of Benue, Abia, Enugu, Oyo – Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Seyi Makinde, respectively- and other high profile stakeholders, gave the Party a wide berth. They have, instead, been carrying on in a manner one could easily dismiss as anti-party.

Angered by what he called Wike’s antics, Lamido called him an emperor, told him, literally to go to hell, and informed him that neither the Party nor Atiku, owed him an apology or any explanation. In eight months time, Lamido told Wike, you will be a former Governor. On Rivers State votes, Lamido told Wike that he, Wike, had no control over the votes. Aliyu spoke in much the same manner.

And, not to be outdone, Wike dismissed Lamido as politically irrelevant, and accused him of being one of the reasons the PDP lost elections in 2015 to the then opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

But on Thursday, Atiku who had played above the fray, perhaps, in realisation of the damage the crisis could do to his chances in 2023, called on party members and stakeholders and his supporters “to desist forthwith from making statements that are capable of compromising the on-going work towards further strengthening the Party and bringing all its leaders together”

Said Atiku: “It has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the Presidential candidate to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party.”

Following is the full text of the statement, entitled:

Atiku calls on PDP members, supporters to desist from statements that may compromise party’s unity

“It has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party.

“This appeal becomes necessary in order to call the attention of party leaders and members to the diversionary antics of the ruling All Progressives Congress which, in manufacturing a false impression of division within the PDP, aims to hoodwink the Nigerian public to overlook the monumental failures of the ruling party.

“Today, Nigerians look up to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the charge in ousting the ruling party. This expectation from the people is the reason why the APC is jittery of their impending fall in next year’s general election.  It is also the very reason why the ruling party is manipulating the political process to create a sense of division in the PDP.

“Because they know that there is nothing to campaign with from their records of performance in office, the APC has elected to play the role of the devil’s advocate, regaling in celebration of their imaginary invincibility upon a fraudulent claim that the PDP is divided.

“It is for this reason that appeal to every true member of the PDP and anyone who truly wishes the success of the PDP presidential candidate to not fall for the antics of the APC in making statements that could give credence to the false claim of divisions in the PDP.

“All the leaders of the party, including especially the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Wike and all governors of the PDP are united in working for the victory of the PDP in next year’s general election across board.

“What is at stake in the next year’s election is the future of Nigeria and all leaders and members of the PDP are on the same page in the mission to rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of the APC.”

Atiku and Wike, for the second time since after the choice of Okowa as running mate, met in London on Thursday. Their first meeting was in Abuja at the residence of Professor Jerry Gana, a PDP Board of Trustees member, and a member of the Wike Camp.

2023: Borno Govt Shuts Kwakwanso’s NNPP Office In Maiduguri

By
James Orji
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0
Kwankwaso

The Borno state chairman of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP Mohammed Mustafa has accused the Borno state government of sealing its state secretariat.

The development many say is a serious setback for Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, the NNPP presidential candidate in next year’s election as he tries to galvanise support for his presidential election.

The alleged act of the Governor Babagana Zulum state government, according to those watching what is happening in the state is clear intimidation of opponents as the ruling APC tries to consolidate power in 2023.

The party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu is understood to be in a three-horse race with Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the PDP and Labour Party, respectively.

Kwakwanso had dumped the PDP earlier this year to pursue his presidential ambition in the NNPP, despite pessimism among not a few Nigerians that he’s not a strong contender in next year’s presidential election, though others also believe that he poses a serious threat to frontline presidential candidates.

The former governor of Kano state has been visiting states in the north as part of his ongoing consultations to achieve his presidential bid.

It is, therefore, a surprise that the state government shut down the party’s secretariat, the NNPP chair in the state said.

According to him, “Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, our presidential candidate, is expected to visit Maiduguri on Saturday, but we woke up today (Thursday) to see Policemen with Armoured Personnel Carrier stationed in front of our secretariat.

“The Policemen have prevented party members from going in. The party occupied this secretariat three months ago and it was expected to be formally inaugurated by our presidential candidate on Saturday.

“He was also expected to hold a meeting with party stakeholders in the state there.”

UN Demands 20 Percent Budget Allocation To Education

By
James Orji
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Adamu Adamu

The United Nations says it will be difficult for Nigeria to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs except the federal government increases budgetary allocation to Education to 20 percent.

This was disclosed in Abuja on Thursday by Matthias Schmale, United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, who said poor funding of the sector would affect the quality education in the country.

The global body had in January this year commended the federal government for increasing the budgetary allocation to 7.5 percent in the 2022 National Budget of N17 trillion, from five percent in the corresponding year 2021.

But analysts insist that the 7.5 percent still fell short of the UN benchmark of 20 percent.

Speaking at the launch of the ‘Reports of the Independent Country-Led Evaluation of SDGs-3 and 4 in Nigeria,’ Schmale, said allocating more funds to the sector will lead to quality learning standards in the country.

According to him, “In relation to SDG-4 on quality education, it is, for example, concerning to note that Nigeria is unlikely to achieve the global agenda for universal inclusive and equitable basic education for all school-age children by 2030 if the current very low public investment in the education sector remains the same.

“The evaluation indicates that the right policies (especially around free basic education and gender) are in place, but an increase in quality and access to education is critical.

“In the 2022 budget, there was an increase to 7% on education, but the evaluation says it will need to increase to 20% with clear accountabilities on delivery.

“Similarly, government resources for health financing are inadequate for the achievement of SDG-3 targets related to good health and well-being.

“It is good to see that the recommendation of revitalizing the primary health care has already started and its effectiveness will be enhanced with a clear plan and accountability on human resources and financing at state level.

“We must collectively push forward with education and health sector specific transformative initiatives such as prioritising and revitalising basic primary health care and improving the quality of teachers and learning in and out of classrooms,” the UN envoy said.

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