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Kaduna: PDP Members Escape Death In Hands Of Violent, Armed Thugs

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The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

But for the grace of God, Nigeria would have witnessed a blood bath in Kaduna on Monday, 17th October, 2022.

The incident occurred when dozens of political thugs, armed to the teeth, stormed and attacked the Presidential Campaign Rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kaduna City.

The Rally was midway gone when the thugs stormed the venue with all kinds of dangerous weapons.

In a swift reaction, same day, the PDP put the blame on the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the Party condemned in strong terms what it tagged the unprovoked attack on its Presidential Rally in Kaduna.

Said the Party: “The unprovoked attack is not only reprehensible, but also exposes the desperation of the APC which is overwhelmed by the continuing popularity of the PDP and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar for which they have now resorted to violence.”

It said the APC had one thing in mind for the attack: bloodshed.

“The aim of the APC for this attack is to frustrate the PDP Presidential Rally, trigger tension, violence and cause bloodletting in Kaduna State”, the Party noted.

Following is the full text of the PDP statement.

PDP Condemns APC’s Attack on Its Kaduna Presidential Campaign Rally; Insists It is Undeterred

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in the strongest terms possible the violent attack on its Presidential Campaign Rally in Kaduna, Kaduna State capital today, Monday, October 17, 2022 by heavily armed hoodlums sponsored by the liquidating All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This unprovoked attack is not only reprehensible but also exposes the desperation of the APC which is overwhelmed by the continuing popularity of the PDP and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar for which they have now resorted to violence.

“The aim of the APC for this attack is to frustrate the PDP Presidential Rally, trigger tension, violence and cause bloodletting in Kaduna State. This is contrary to the undertaking in the Peace Accord signed by political parties on September 28, 2022 in which the Presidential Candidate of the APC was conspicuously absent.

“The attack today by the APC must give well-meaning Nigerians concern as some report allege that the vicious assault on the PDP Presidential Campaign was spearheaded by the APC governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

“The frustrated APC having realized that it cannot legally and legitimately sponsor candidates for the 2023 general elections has now resorted to violence and attacking our party members and innocent citizens with the aim of derailing the entire democratic process.

“The APC is intimidated by Atiku Abubakar’s popularity and acceptance among majority of Nigerians following their confidence in Atiku Abubakar’s practical experience, record, capacity, broad-mindedness, Pan-Nigerianism and willpower to unite our nation, revamp our devastated economy and guarantee security of lives and property in our country.

“In any case, our Party is undeterred by such cowardly attack as Nigerians are already connected with our issue-based campaign and Atiku Abubakar’s message of hope which is already resonating throughout the nooks and crannies of our country.

“The PDP salutes the courage displayed by the people of Kaduna State in coming out enmasse to resist and overwhelm the APC and its agents, ensure the success of the PDP Rally, reinforce their support for Atiku Abubakar and re-emphasize the fact that Kaduna State is home to PDP, which gave Atiku Abubakar the highest votes in the 2019 Presidential election.

“These desperate elements should be reminded that from history, the people of Kaduna State have never been cowed or subjugated and cannot now especially in their present resolve to vote in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of Nigeria.

“The PDP acknowledges the massive inflow of new members into our Party, especially from the fizzling APC in Kaduna State and throughout the country because of APC’s failures in governance.

“Kaduna State is a Melting Pot State and such inflow into the PDP denotes the confidence and trust Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religion and political affiliation, repose in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of the country.

“It should be recalled that the PDP, on Sunday, October 16, 2022 alerted on the plot to disrupt our scheduled Presidential Campaign in Kaduna State today. Our Party therefore charges security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this attack are brought to book.

“The PDP calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to call his partymen to order and ensure adequate security for a free, fair and credible electoral process in our country.”

The Campaigns started on 28th September, 2022. The Presidential election will take place in February 2023. Not a few Nigerians are afraid the 2023 General Elections could be marred by violence.

The Unmet Needs Of The North

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The Source
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Peter Obi with Northerners

By Peter Obi

  1. It is an honour to return to the City of Kaduna and to participate in the Arewa Joint Committee Interactive Session, and rub minds on some fundamental issues germane to the future of Nigeria.
  1. I thank the leadership and stakeholders of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for their gracious invitation.
  1. I wish to preface my remarks by setting out our mission and vision. We are all Nigerians. I am a Nigerian running for the Nigerian Presidency to serve every Nigerian. I continue to insist on a show of respect for every candidate, ethnicity, religion and person.
  1. The mission and vision of the incoming Obi-Datti Administration is to give full expression to our democracy by moving our country from consumption to production; we shall achieve this by giving primacy to implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Status Quo

  1. Our dear country today has become a shadow of itself. Indeed, there is evidence that Nigeria exhibits two known indices of a failed state; parlous economy and loss of territory and emergence of ungoverned spaces.
  1. The purpose of politics and governance is to generate economic and social progress for the citizens in larger freedom. But the status quo is the reverse. This is more so here in the North, where poverty, unemployment and insecurity are the new normal.
  1. The North has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. It has highest number of school kidnappings in the world. The North also has the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. The vast agricultural lands of the north -the so-called food basket of the nation stand desolate and abandoned. This situation is painful and needs to be fixed.

Returning to Dreams of Great Nation

  1. Great nations are built through visionary policies, programmes and projects, anchored on the people. This was always the hope and wishes for Nigeria by our founding fathers. Sadly, things changed.
  1. Our leaders became selfish, myopic and stopped listening and caring for the common man. Bad leadership, divisive rhetoric, and impunity became the norm. Nigerians have suffered; they have lost jobs, and lost their farms and herds and their trust in our leaders. That narrative must change.
  1. The Nigerian people want solutions to the many problems confronting them.After all economic prosperity for all is an all important aspect of ay successful leadership. There is hope. We know this for sure: A new Nigeria is possible.
  1. But we must return to dreams of our founding fathers to create an egalitarian society. The Nigeria we seek will be a United and Secure Nigeria that symbolizes the spirit, letters, and exhorting ethos of our national anthem – “one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity” where “peace and justice shall reign.”
  1. As we seek to come to power in May 2023, we are aware of the daunting array of domestic and external challenges confronting our dear nation, and we are fully prepared to lead from the front.
  1. We are cognizant of the domestic policy challenges that have accumulated over time; and that the lack of adequate public policy responses has made them worse, with a devastating impact on national unity, social cohesion, public trust in government, and economic performance. We have a grasp of prevailing challenges.
  1. Nigeria’s needs and unmet needs are very huge. Yet hunger, insecurity, poverty and deprivation know no tribe, religion or gender.
  1. What we offer is a return to Purposeful Leadership. For this, reason, I want to speak on how we plan to address the needs and unmet needs of Northern Nigeria.

Addressing Needs of the North

  1. With all sense of urgency, we will, pursue aggressively policies programmes and projects to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.
  1. For the North we will do the following:
  • We will offer immediate and decisive long-lasting and permanent-effect resolution of all security challenges in the North;
  • Ensure that farmers return to all farmlands for the 2023 farming Season. We will make Nigeria’s arable land in the North her new oil and gold;
  • As part of our Marshall Plan for Education, we will foster Federal intervention in education at all levels in the North and partnership with State Governments and international organizations in order to improve access to affordable and quality education at all levels;
  • Ensure very adequate representation in government, equitable appointments especially in the Security and Economic Sectors;
  • Incentivize the resuscitation of the moribund cotton and textile industries; and full exploration of the cattle economy value chain, notably the $75b global hide and skin economy. Nigeria’s share of the global industry is envisaged to generate over $1bn by 2025; and finally,
  • We will ensure very generous deployment and allocation of economic andsocial projects and infrastructure in the North – with keen attention to Roads, Energy, Power, and Dams- and Solar energy from Sunlight.

Conclusion

  1. In closing, let me say this on record. I have come in peace to develop, to secure, and to unite, and I will do so with every commitment to the growth of Nigeria, as one great and united country. We shall pay as much attention to the development of the North as to the development of all other parts of the country; but with much greater emphasis on the development of the Agricultural resources. The North remains where the biggest ad sustainable wealth of this great Nation lies.
  1. If elected President, I shall govern with the fear of God and with all good conscience and intent. The Constitution and the rule of law will always prevail. I thank you for your kind attention. May Almighty God bless you all and bless Nigeria.

Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, made these remarks at the Arewa Joint Committee Interactive Session held on Monday, 17th October, 2022, at the Arewa House Auditorium, Kaduna

“The Wealth Of The Nation Is Here”, Obi Tells Northerners; Says Farmers Will Return To Their Farms 2023

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The Source
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The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General election, Peter Obi, has assured the Northern Region that his Presidency, if elected, will give the Region premium place in his agenda because the wealth of the nation is in the Region.

Obi who titled his remarks, The Unmet Needs Of The North, told the Arewa Joint Committee Interactive Session at the Arewa House Auditorium, Kaduna, on Monday, 17th October, 2022,  that the Region is strategic to the development plans of Obi-Datti administration if elected President in 2023.

“We shall pay as much attention to the development of the North as to the development of all other parts of the country; but with much greater emphasis on the development of the Agricultural resources. The North remains where the biggest and sustainable wealth of this great Nation lies.”

The LP Candidate said that they intend to pursue aggressively policies, programmes and projects to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.

And will in particular do the following in the North;  “offer immediate and decisive long-lasting and permanent-effect resolution of all security challenges in the North; Ensure that farmers return to all farmlands for the 2023 farming Season. We will make Nigeria’s arable land in the North her new oil and gold.

And as part of our Marshall Plan for Education, “we will foster Federal intervention in education at all levels in the North and partnership with State Governments and international organizations in order to improve access to affordable and quality education at all levels;  Ensure very adequate representation in government, equitable appointments especially in the Security and Economic Sectors; Incentivize the resuscitation of the moribund cotton and textile industries; and full exploration of the cattle economy value chain, notably the $75b global hide and skin economy.

He announced that Nigeria’s share of the global industry is envisaged to generate over $1bn by 2025; and his administration will ensure very generous deployment and allocation of economic and social projects and infrastructure in the North – with keen attention to Roads, Energy, Power, and Dams- and Solar energy from Sunlight.

Obi said that a new New Nigeria is possible and the Nigerian people want solutions to the many problems confronting them.

“But we must return to dreams of our founding fathers to create an egalitarian society. The Nigeria we seek will be a United and Secure Nigeria that symbolizes the spirit, letters, and exhorting ethos of our national anthem – “one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity” where “peace and justice shall reign.”

The former Anambra state Governor said that Obi-Datti ticket plans to offer Nigerians purposeful leadership with the fear of God and with all good conscience and intent. where the Constitution and the rule of law will always prevail.

Obi also told his audience that included Northern Corporate and Political leadership that Nigeria situation got this bad because “Our leaders became selfish, myopic and stopped listening and caring for the common man. Bad leadership, divisive rhetoric, and impunity became the norm. Nigerians have suffered; they have lost jobs, and lost their farms and herds and their trust in our leaders. That narrative must change.”

2023: Tinubu Throws Jab At Atiku, Seeks Endorsement; Says It Is Payback Time

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has called on the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, to endorse him for the 2023 Presidency, saying it is payback time.

The former Lagos State Governor threw the jab at his main opposition in the Presidential race and accused Atiku of playing ethnic card ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu made this statement at an interactive session with the Arewa Joint Committee held at the Arewa House, Kaduna, on Monday.

The APC National Leader said he is pan-Nigerian, having transversed all parts of the country.

He, however, noted, “You (apparently referring to Atiku) started from Uyo and now ended up in Kaduna and you are speaking to the North that you are the right candidate for the North; how do we reconcile that? You have lost the election.”

He stressed that Atiku is obliged to support his Presidential ambition, he, Tinubu, having supported Atiku in 2007 for the Presidency instead of competing with him for the same position.

“It’s payback time. Let Atiku endorse me instead of campaigning in Kaduna. I supported him in 2007,” he added.

The former Lagos Governor told the gathering that comprised of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation,  Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, the Center for Historical Development Research (Arewa House) as well as the Arewa Research and Documentation Project, that he was also one of them.

“I am one of you. Yes. I am a city boy from Lagos,” he added.

Reciting the the old National Anthem…Tinubu said, ’Though tribe and tongue may differ…’  to buttress his point of not portraying himself as an ethnic champion as his other opponent.

He said under his Government, the rag-tag bandits terrorising the region would cease to exist, noting, “a rag-tag bandit will not defeat us. We will defeat them.”

He added that  if elected as President, he would mobilise all assets within “our national power” to secure Nigeria.

“As you are aware, security is a function of resources. I am committed to mobilising all assets within our national power to secure Nigeria.

“We did this in Lagos through many initiatives, especially the Security Trust Fund, through which we addressed many needs of our security forces which helped to sanitise Lagos State.

“As you may recall, when I assumed office as governor in 1999, the situation I met was basically a case of banditry where urban gangs ruled the streets.

“I returned law and order, tamed what could have been a huge ethnic war and made Lagos one of the safest states in Nigeria. I will replicate that across the country,” he said.

He added, “We will address the welfare and training needs of our security personnel and strengthen our security institutions with modern technology and equipment to better position them to respond to modern challenges that we face in a fast-changing world.

“Under my leadership, the Nigerian military will receive a much-needed injection of trained personnel to strengthen the heroic efforts of the troops that are currently in service.”

On the economy, the APC presidential hopeful said the country is sitting on a gold mine with abundant natural resources, adding that “with strategic investment in research and development and effective management, we will explore and exploit these resources to the fullest.”

He said under his leadership, the Nigerian Government would be business-friendly.

According to him, “We shall support private businesses in our country and attract foreign direct investment to create jobs, re-industrialise our country and accelerate economic development.”

Uzodinma Unveils Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026 

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma - Imo Civil Servant Promotion

Governor Hope Uzodnma’s Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022 – 2026 that is anchored on six strategic pillars and aimed at highlighting his plan to ensure the digitalization of Imo State economy has been unveiled.

The IDEA entails having the entire communities in Imo State in the net to benefit from the digital economy.

At the unveiling in Owerri on Monday, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi who stood in for the Governor said the five year medium term plan was envisioned by Governor Uzodimma through the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government which he heads.

He said the policy document was formulated to harness ICT potential, provide new solutions to developmental challenges and foster economic growth, competitiveness, enhance access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication and social inclusion.

The event attracted members of the Imo Tech and Business Community.

Dr. Amadi told the audience that the implementation of IDEA 2022 – 2026 will help them maximize the benefits of digital economy by laying the foundation for digitalization of State Government institutions for enhanced productivity and quality service delivery.

It will “foster strategic partnership with the tech ecosystem, facilitate broadband penetration across towns and villages to enable fast pace-based social economic growth in the State.”

The Commissioner said Imo is the first State to establish a Ministry of Digital-Economy and E-Government with sole objective of supporting the Federal Government Policy Trust of diversifying the economy through the deployment of digital technology.

The Imo IDEA 2022-2026, he added is anchored on six strategic pillars – Digital literacy and Skill, Solid Infrastructure, Service Infrastructure, Advocacy, Monitoring and Evaluation, Collaboration and Partnership.

The Commissioner said the vision of the programme is to position Imo as a leading digital economy State in Nigeria with the mission to build smart cities that leverage digital technologies to drive governance, innovation and entrepreneurship while promoting value creation and prosperity for all.

He told the audience that their mandate as a Technology Opportunity People (TOP) is to develop and adopt digital technology for creating people-focused opportunities and economic prosperity.

Furthermore, the Commissioner noted that the Imo Digital Economy Agenda as proposed will also identify eight work streams indication timelines, responsibilities and expected outcomes from the six strategic pillars which constitute the key issues that must be addressed for the government to achieve a thriving digital economy in the State.

He said the expected outcome from the full implementation of the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022-2026 is to position Imo as the Digital Skills Hub in Africa.

“This will position Imo as Africa’s highest supplier of market-entry and high level digital skills with sustained digital literacy and skills programmes.”

Dr. Amadi explained: “The Imo IDEA will create jobs of the future where Imo will become a leader in digital entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Again, it will enable Imo meet the growing global demand for technological skills. Re-skilled and up-skilled youths with fourth industrial revolution skill where Imo State will be the next exporter of industry ready workforce that will drive the global digital economy.

“In addition, the IDEA will create opportunities for Imo Digital Status to solve local and global challenges as the programme will create enabling environment that will spur ground breaking innovative solutions for local and global challenges leveraging emerging technologies as well as enhance creative thinking and complex problems solving skills.

“Other expected outcomes will include but not limited to providing an enabling environment for public sector, private sector, civil societies and development partners participation in training  fivebmillion Nigerians including Imo people in technology skills which will snowball into the creation of a Digital Skills Database to identify a digitally literate Nigerians and their levels of competence.

“The Imo IDEA which has the entry skilled programme and the advanced level programme is designed to accommodate everybody irrespective of the level of literacy which is the youths, the old and young and even the children whether ICT compliant or not as it will allow and give room to learn from the grassroot to the top through a simple process of interaction.

“The programme also targets the 27 LGAs of Imo State aimed at capturing those in the rural areas, villages and communities because the greater number of the population are domiciled in those areas.

“It will also provide and organize programmes for the kids in what is called ‘catch them young’ using learning tools that will make them feel interested.  The sole objective of this is meeting their needs so that by the end of the digital programme they will be useful to themselves, the economy of the State and the world at large.”

National Carrier Goes Into Operation Before End Of Year – President Buhari

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Muhammadu Buhari - Londo Trip

By Ayodele Oni

President Mohammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the national carrier will commence flight operations before the end of the year.

He disclosed that the establishment of a national carrier for Nigeria is at 91 per cent completion.

The President also disclosed that  the feat is being boosted with the certification of Lagos and Abuja International Airports by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), while Kano and Port Harcourt Airports are undergoing similar certification processes.

Declaring open the last Ministerial Performance Review Retreat of his administration on Monday in Abuja, the president declared that high-impact projects have been implemented across the country, to meet yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

With less than eight months to the end of his eight-year tenure, President Buhari scored his administration high, saying his government has been able to meet the yearnings of Nigerians through the execution of impactful projects across the country.

Addressing the retreat organized to evaluate the level of progress made in the implementation of the Nine Priority Agenda of his administration, President Buhari highlighted remarkable progress made in the areas of agriculture, economy, infrastructure, security, health and anti-corruption.

The president told participants and guests at the retreat including the Keynote Speaker and former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, that over 3,800 Kilometres of roads have been constructed across the country, while 38 new aircraft were acquired for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to boost the fight against insurgency.

He also added that 38.7 million Nigerians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, representing 35 per cent of the total eligible population target for vaccination.

On infrastructure, the president said: ”In recognition of the importance of critical infrastructure in economic development and the quest of this administration to leave a lasting legacy, we have implemented high-impact projects across the length and breadth of the country that meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

”Some of the notable achievements include the completion of 326km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line and railway ancillary facilities; the completion of over 156.5km Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway modernization project with extension to Lagos Port, Apapa.

”On road projects, this administration has constructed 408km of roads; 2,499km of SUKUK roads and maintenance of 15,961km of roads across the country.

”Key among these projects are the construction of 1.9km 2nd Niger Bridge linking Anambra and Delta States with 10.30km approach road; rehabilitation, construction and expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway; the ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road, among others.”

He further disclosed that the federal government has embarked on the reconstruction of 21 selected federal roads totalling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development & Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy.

According to him, the roads, which are funded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), are in addition to similar existing collaboration with Messrs Dangote Industries Limited and other corporate organisations to improve the stock of the country’s road infrastructure.

Commenting on the nation’s economy, the president restated that the country witnessed seven consecutive quarters of growth, after negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.

”The GDP grew by 3.54% (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2022. This growth rate represents a sustained positive economic performance, especially for the non-oil GDP which fell by 4.77% in Q2 2022 against oil GDP that grew by -11.77%.

”Most sectors of the economy recorded positive growth which reflects the effective implementation of the economic sustainability measures introduced by this administration.”

India 2022: Flamingoes Book Quarter Final Spot, Defeat Chile To Advance

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Nigeria Flamingoes at Indian U17 World Cup

By Akinwale Kasali

THE Nigeria Under-17 Female National Team, the  Flamingoes has booked a place in the Quarter Finals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in India after defeating Chile 2-1.

Blessing Sunday gave the Flamingoes the lead as early as the 8th minute with a low shot on the arch of the Chilean half to give Nigeria the lead.

The Flamingoes squandered a lot of scoring opportunities in the first half despite dominating the game, with the Chilean Goalkeeper, Catalina Alvarado making brilliant saves to deny Opeyemi Ajakaye, Amina Bello and Bisola Mosaku on several occasions.

In the second half, the Flamingoes continued from where they stopped in the first half, firing from all cylinders, with the Chilean creating a scoring opportunity that was fired wide.

In the 82nd minute of the match, Mosaku got the Flamingoes the much needed second goal to cement their qualification into the knockout stage.

With the second goal coming towards the end of the match, the Chilean resisted the Flamingoes attack and were rewarded with a penalty courtesy of the Video Assistant, VAR, that saw Tali Rovner scoring the penalty to give the Chilean the consolation goal.

Coach Bankole Olowookere started the game with Faith Omilana in goal, Miracle Comfort Folorunsho, Tunmininu Adeshina, Shakirat Oyinlola and Miracle Usani in the defense,

Taiwo Afolabi, Blessing Emmanuel, Bisola Mosaku and Omamuzo Edafe in the midfield.

While Opeyemi Ajakaye and Amina Bello led the attack.

Nigeria finished runner up in the Group behind Group winner, Germany who won all its three matches to finish Nine Points.

Polaris Bank Commits To Breast Cancer Awareness, Treatment

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

The bridge bank has restated its commitment to work with major stakeholders to combat the breast cancer scourge in the country.  

Over the years, the commercial bank said, it has collaborated with relevant NGOs like Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, COPE, and Societal Healthcare Organisation, SHO, to breast cancer in the country, adding that one of the core of the bank’s CSR is to ensure good health among Nigerians.

According to Global Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence, GOLOBOCAN, breast cancer (BC) was the most common cancer worldwide, with death rates higher in low -medium-income countries like Nigeria.

 It is also the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among women globally, the global cancer awareness body said, adding that female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases annually globally.

Speaking Nduneche Ezurike, Polaris Bank’s, Group Head, Strategic Brand Management said the bank remained unwavering in its efforts to stem breast cancer among Nigerian women.

He made this comment in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCAM), an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer organisations every October to increase awareness among women of the scourge and to raise funds for research and prevention.   

According to Ezurike, “In partnership with the aforementioned NGOs, we have covered five key milestones namely; awareness, advocacy, capacity-building, prevention, and treatment in an ongoing effort to reverse the negative impact and trend of the scourge and other related health complications.

“We have screened over 20,000 women including female staff members of the Bank through our prevention program, donated three ultra-modern breast cancer screening machines to enhance quality diagnosis and clinical practices, sponsored the treatment of over 30 indigent cancer patients, and organized a 10-km walk with over 2,500 participants to draw public attention to the breast cancer scourge.”

Responding, the President of COPE,  Ebunola Anozie, said “we are grateful for the timely support of Polaris Bank. They were able to donate prostheses that ensured our breast cancer survivors lived better lives”.

ASUU Begs For Money To Return To Work

By
James Orji
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0
ASUU Meeting

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU says its members have no money to go back to class to start working.

The president of the union, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke revealed this on Sunday, adding that his members have been impoverished because.  they have not received salaries for months.

The lecturers cannot even afford the transport fare to return to work, Osodeke said.

He said unlike in the past when lecturers live on campus, many lecturers, he explained, now live outside the campuses, and would need money to transport them back to work.

The union ended its eight-months-long strike last week after a deal was brokered with the federal government. They are expected to resume today.

The angry lecturers embarked on strike on February 14 after their demands were not met by the Buhari administration, and only agreed to end the strike after the Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila intervened.

But the lecturers have not been paid for eight months by the federal government which insisted on no work no pay policy.

But the magazine learned that part of the deal that was reached with the government is that their salary will now be paid.

According to him, “In schools those days, every lecturer lives on campus and you can trek to your office but these days, many lecturers live 20, 30 kilometres to their offices. How will they pay for their transport to work?

“These are the issues we are going to have, that the branches will have to deal with. We expect the government to pay the money [eigth months salary arrears] so that these people will go back to work while we are negotiating on other issues.”

“We are resuming because we are obeying an industrial court judgment because the issues have not been fully resolved, and no agreement signed.

“We are also hoping that with the intervention of the Speaker [of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila], as promised by him, we will resolve this problem within a very short time.

“Our lecturers will teach but you can’t expect someone who is owed eight months’ salary, maybe from his bank, he has collected more than N1m as a loan and you have not paid him one kobo and you want him to go to class and teach.

“I pray they go there because of the children and do the best they can do. You don’t expect a hungry man to go there [school] with an open mind.”

Following the announcement last week that the lecturers will resume work on Monday, the magazine learned that many students have returned to their various campuses across the country hoping that lectures will resume immediately.

But from all indications, full academic work is not expected to start immediately considering that the returning lecturers would need to resolve some of these problems, while the campus environment would also be cleaned up before work can start in earnest.

“Yes, we have resumed based on the agreement reached last week with the federal government. But we also need time to settle down and clean up our tables before full academic work can start,” a lecturer in the University of Lagos, UNILAG said on Monday.

Falana Calls For CDS Sack, Says Buhari Has Lost Confidence In Military

By
James Orji
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0

The Chief of Defense Staff, CDS Gen. Lucky Irabor must be removed from his position, Femi Falana, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has said.

Falana, a human rights activist was responding to a comment made by the Defense Chief last week to the effect that the burning of a crude oil vessel caught stealing Nigeria’s crude was done in “line with the rules of engagement’ by the security agents that carried out the action.

 The vessel was arrested by operatives of Tanita Security Services owned by repentant militant, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo, and later set on fire by the representatives of the military and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.

What Irabor said: “There are various approaches, various solutions to a problem and at any time based on certain factors, certain considerations, available to those that are at the frontline, actions are taken based on the directive which are contained in the rules of engagement.

“So, the burning of the vessel, it is because the thief was caught in the act and the procedure, if you are caught in the act, is that everything you are using to undertake that criminal activity should be destroyed and that was done.

“What investigation do you need that you find somebody who decided to deplore several pumping machines and has several hoses that are deployed to a dug out pit where crude oil is stored over a period?

“It was caught in the act. So, the instrument of operation was what was destroyed. I think it is straightforward. Whether that is the best is a different matter entirely but did they act in line with the rules of engagement? Yes, they did.”

Speaking on Sunday, Falana said the vessel should not have been burnt, describing the act as illegal.

According to a statement he signed, Falana said the miliary and NNPC has resorted to self-help, adding that some interests in the country only tried to cover up the theft by setting the crude tanker on fire when investigations had not been carried out.

He said Irabor was only trying to cover up for the illegal activities of his men who have been fingered in crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

“In an embarrassing justification of the criminal conduct, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor said that the swift destruction of the oil bunkering vessel by the criminal suspects is in line with ‘the rules of engagement’,” Falana said.

The statement said further, “As if self-help has become part of the rules of engagement the General said the vessel was caught in the act and security agents subsequently set the ‘instrument of operation’ ablaze, noting that no investigation is needed to carry out the action. It is trite law that only the Federal High Court court is empowered to order the interim or final forfeiture of any vessel that was used for conveying stolen crude oil.

“Therefore, the statement credited to General Irabor is a deliberate attempt to cover up the involvement of military personnel in the serious crime of oil theft as there is no provision of the rules of engagement that authorises military personnel or security operatives to set fire or destroy vessels loaded with stolen crude.”

“In view of the gravity of the offence that is being covered up by the military oligarchy, general Irabor ought to resign his appointment to prevent the sabotage of the ongoing operations designed to expose the perpetrators of oil theft in the Niger Delta region,” Falana added.

“If the general decides not to call it quits, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President Muhammadu Buhari should not hesitate to fire him. After all, by authorising the engagement of non-state actors to carry out the constitutional duties of the armed forces, the President has lost confidence in the leadership of the armed forces.

“Furthermore, the president should order the chief of army staff to ensure the immediate arrest of the military personnel who set the vessel on fire to charge on and allied offences before a court martial.”

Meanwhile, Falana has also called for the sack of all the security chiefs in the country, saying President Muhamamdu Buhari has lost confidence in their capacity to end insecurity in the country. He spoke on Channels Television on Monday.

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