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2023 Presidency: Atiku Sparks Anger In South East

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

Presidential hopeful Atiku Abubakar has sparked anger in the south eastern part of the country after he urged the people of the region to wait for another four years for one of their own to become president.

Atiku spoke barely few hours after Hakeem Afegbua, one of his former spokesperson said the Nigerian presidency is not Atiku’s patrimony.

Afegbua, a  former commissioner for Information in Edo state said on Sunday that the former number two citizen is too old to contest for president next year.

The magazine learnt that Atiku’s admonition has not been well received by Igbo who have been clamouring for somebody from the region to succeed incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure expires in 2023.

“After supporting his presidential aspiration in 2019 we believe that that what is right for the former vice president is to support the south east to produce the country’s next president. This is not the only right thing to do at this time that the feelings across the country supports and Igbo president, but Atiku should know that Igbo have always supported him,” a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftain from Anambra who spoke under anonymity told the magazine on Tuesday.

Not a few Nigerians insist on power shift to the south east to promote equity and justice as no politician from the region has ruled the country since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

Agitation for power shift to the south east has gained momentum recently with many Igbo politicians expressing their interest to contest for the nation’s top job.

Some presidential hopefuls from the region include, Antim Pius Amyim, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state, Peter Obi, a former PDP vice presidential candidate, Orji Uzo Kalu, a former governor and Senate Chief Whip and a host of others.

The feeling in the southeast is that Atiku should support one of the PDP presidential aspirants to succeed Buhari, having received massive support from the south east during the 2019 presidential election.

But Atiku said the region should support his presidential ambition, in turn he will back any candidate from the area in 2027.

The PDP chieftain made this known through Raymond Dokpesi, the leader of the technical committee, Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign in Umuahia, Abia state on Monday.

According to Dokpesi, it’s only Atiku that has the capacity to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The media mogul said the North would ensure that power return to the south east in 2027, as Atiku will only rule for four years.

Dokpesi said “Our party believes in rotation of the office of president between the North and South for two-term of eight years, according to the Nigerian constitution.

“That was why former President Olusegun Obasanjo handed over to Late Umaru Ya’Adua, but after his death, former President Goodluck Jonathan took over and completed his first term.

“Jonathan also asked for another four years which was given to him, but when he started asking for another term in 2015, the North felt it was against the zoning agreement of the party.

“So we went for into the election with a divided house and we lost. That is why we have reasoned that for us to wrestle power from APC we need a strong presidential candidate from the North

“Since it’s believed that North-East and South-East are the two geo-political zones that have not produced the president, we felt that Atiku, coming from the North-East is a strong candidate for the job”.

Alcohol Business Crumbles, As NAFDAC Curtails Abuse, Bans Registration Of Sachet Drinks

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

For alcohol consumers, sachet alcoholic drinks are easily accessible and affordable.

But this could become out of the reach following the ban on sachet alcoholic drinks by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

With the directive from NAFDAC that the registration of alcohol in sachets, small volume PET and glass bottles below 200 millilitres should be banned, companies producing these alcoholic products will be greatly affected. Businesses  would crumble.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement said the registration of new alcoholic drinks in sachet and small volume PET and glass bottles above 30 per cent Alcohol by Volume (ABV) has been banned by NAFDAC, following the recommendation of a high powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Industry in December 2018.

Other members of the Committee are the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN).

According to the NAFDAC boss, the Agency will ensure that the validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category does not exceed the year 2024.

She explained that manufacturers of low volume alcohol beverages (200ml) with satisfactory laboratory reports already submitted to NAFDAC for registration before the decision, have been directed to reformulate their products to stipulated standards free of charge.

She said: “Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria was also given a matching order to embark on intensive nation-wide sensitization campaigns against underage consumption of alcohol by adolescents below the age of 18 years in the bid to stem the tide of alcohol abuse in the country.

“Producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce production by 50 per cent with effect from January 31st, 2022 while ensuring the products are completely phased out in the country by 31st January 2024.

The Agency is committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the health of Nigerians particularly the vulnerable youths against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol.”

The main aim of banning sachet alcoholic drinks by NAFDAC is due to the rate at which the underage population has access to alcohol, which is said to at an alarming rate because the manufacturers of this product make it accessible and affordable to everyone.

Femi Adefila, a Medical Doctor said the ban on sachet drinks will do the nation a lot of good that due to its availability in sachets, many young people experience the effects of drinking too much alcohol at an early stage in life. As a result, underage drinking has become a major public health problem in the country.

According to the NAFDAC DG, Uncontrolled access and availability of high concentration alcohol in small sachet and small volume PET or glass bottles have been a major factor contributing to substance abuse in Nigeria with its negative impacts on the society.

Ikenna Madueke, a social workers and influencer said that the Consumption of alcohol in high concentrations can have serious impacts on both the public and the young population’s health and safety.

He said that Young people under the influence of alcohol often engage in violent acts, lose control, behave inappropriately, and harm others. They get involved in criminal acts like robbery, rape, a conflict that could lead to murder. For instance, a student under the influence of alcohol can forcefully insist on having sex with another student.

“Young individuals often desire to live a better life and alcohol can intensify their feeling of desperation and cause them to steal, break the law, and get into trouble with the police. Alcohol abuse amongst the underage population can lead to an increase in the crime rate in a country and hereby deter the growth of the economy”.

Madueke said it necessary for NAFDAC to take such step in curtailing the excess and abuse of alcohol intake among the youths, especially sachet alcoholic drinks that is at the reach of this youngsters.

Gospel Musician, Sammie Okposo Confesses Impregnating A Lady In US, Apologises To Wife

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Sammie Okposo

By Akinwale Kasali

Gospel artiste, Sammie Okposo is enmeshed in crisis and struggling to weather the storm.

The musician has confessed that he engaged in extra marital affairs with a lady, which led to a pregnancy in the United States of America.

Remorseful, Okposo took to his Social Media page on Instagram to publicly apologise to his wife, family, friends, and fans for his act of infidelity.

The apology came 24 hours after the Social Media was awash with a claim by a lady who goes by the alias, African Dull who accused him of impregnating her.

According to the lady, she met the Singer in Dallas, United States of America, during one of his tours. They became close and started an affair which led to the pregnancy.

Following this disclosure by the lady, Okposo summoned courage and took to his verified Instagram page to tender the apology.

He said: “I need to bring a very unfortunate incident to your attention as I am not proud of it but know that this is the right thing to do,.

On my recent trip to the USA (late 2021), I got intimately involved with a lady, knowing that this was not appropriate as a married man and a Minister of the Gospel.

“I am ashamed and regret my actions as it has caused a lot of pain to my dear wife, Ozioma, my family and I.”

“As I work in making peace with God, repenting and asking for His forgiveness, I am suspending myself from all Ministry work until full restoration as this is what is proper and what I know I owe God and His people.

“To my wife, Ozioma, I am sincerely sorry I put you through this shameful and embarrassing situation. I broke your trust and disappointed you.

“Your forgiveness of my moral failure and poor judgment is important to me. I pray I will eventually be able to build back the trust and confidence every single day for the rest of my life.

“I want to take this moment and apologise to all Fathers and Mothers of the Faith and Ministers of the Gospel for my behavior and moral failure. I won’t be here if not for your investment and belief in what God has called me to do. I sincerely apologise for this embarrassing situation.

“To all that have been a part of my Ministry, followed my Ministry or know me personally, I am truly sorry for disappointing you. I regret any pain or disappointment that this news of my moral failure and poor judgement may cause you and I am truly sorry for disappointing you. I humbly ask that you continue to pray for me.”

Okposo got married to Ozioma in July 2010.

Ekiti: PDP Opts For Indirect Primary As NWC Cancels Ward Delegates Congress

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Iyorcha Ayu

By Ayodele Oni

The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nullified the outcome of the party’s January 15, 2022 Ekiti state Ward Delegates Congress.

The party elected a three-member ad hoc delegate to elect the PDP flag bearer in the June Governorship election.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, who announced the nullification at a media briefing on Monday night, said the Ekiti Governorship Primary Election would be conducted using the statutory/automatic delegates list.

The PDP Chairman called for the immediate withdrawal of all Court actions instituted by aggrieved parties in the dispute.

According to him, the decision of the party leadership was binding on all stakeholders in the Ekiti.

According to the party’s constitution, automatic/statutory delegates include Wards, Local Governments  State Executives, former Political Office holders from Local Government to National levels.

About 1,256 delegates are expected to participate in the  primary election with five aspirants slugging it out during the exercise.

Barring any last minute change, the party is billed to hold the Governorship primary election on Wednesday.

We Are Tackling Drug Cartels Headlong – Marwa; Commends South-east On Mkpuru Miri

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brigadier-General Mohamed Marwa, Rtd, has assured Nigerians that the Agency has set up a special task force across the country to deal with drug cartels behind the production and distribution of methamphetamine, also known as Mkpuru Mmiri in local parlance.

Answering questions from journalists during a press briefing at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja Monday, he asked communities to own up to the war on drugs.

Monday 24th January, 2022 was his first anniversary as Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA.

Mkpuru miri has become the drug wrecking havoc among the youths, particularly in the South-east. But the South-east is tackling the menace locally by flogging, humiliating and shaming of both dealers and consumers. Part of their deterrent action involves public flogging.

Marwa was represented by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

“If you look at the preponderance of the dealers in drugs, I’m not saying anything new but the South-east has the predominance and that’s a fact. Who are the Boko Haram people? I know they are not Yoruba and I know they are not people from Edo, but if you go to the North West and ask who are the bandits, I know they are not from Cross River or from Lagos”, the statement said.

“If you ask the people doing the human trafficking, the women, you know from where. So definitely, we have the preponderance of the drug dealers from the South East, but what more do you have; the greatest efforts by communities to rid the country and their communities of drug use is from the South East.

“Clearly, in the same South-east,  they are doing two things; first, they are telling their fellow travelers who are not decent, that look ‘you are the very few who are spoiling our names here. Stop it!’

“And more importantly, they are riding their communities of drug abuse, they have taken the ownership of the war themselves against drug abuse especially the Mkpuru-Mmiri. By the way, we have set up a special task force to face that challenge and very soon you would hear and see the results of our efforts.

“In essence, what I am saying is that, I am now taking the South East as an example, for all the other communities in Nigeria. This war has to start from the bottom, from the communities; set up your War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, Committees.

“In every community, you are the ones who know those patent medicine stores that sell drugs, the mai shayi, those at the corner ends of the streets who sell and hawk drugs, you know the traffickers and you know those who use them.

“Take this war to your communities because you know these people, cleanse your communities, and take the ownership of this war and the NDLEA will always be there to back you up.

“However, the NDLEA does not and will not support the flogging of the culprits and some of the other human rights abuses. We will be there to support with counseling and treatments. And I urge the entire country to take an example of the ownership of the war against drug abuse from the South East,” Marwa stated.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, National Assembly, Minister of Justice and other stakeholders including international partners such as UNODC, EU, and foreign governments as well as local CSOs and NGOs for their dupport, while stributing the success of the past yesr to God.

The NDLEA boss listed  some of his achievements for the past year as the arrest of 12, 306 suspects, 7 drug barons; convicting 1, 400 offender and seizure of over 3.4 million kilograms of drugs.

“The Agency has come a long way. And there is still a long way to go. We have a clear vision of where we are headed, and there is a roadmap to that destination.

“Today, the improvement in our fortune as an organisation is driving the NDLEA workforce to continue to push for the attainment of organisational goals and fulfillment of our core mandate of securing our country against the drug scourge. We all believe in the vision of the new NDLEA and we are committed to its mission. Our mandate is to ensure a drug-free Nigeria. We shall continue to play our role towards the achievement of that goal.”

Cross River State Government Descends on Quack Trado-medical Practitioners

By
The Source
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Dr. Betta Edu

Premises of the magnificent cultural centre, Calabar, venue of a trado-medical fair, witnessed a drama of sorts at the weekend when a task force from the Cross River State Ministry of Health stormed it and put a stop to the event.

The organisers had already set up tents and camps ready for the fair before the Anti-quackery Task Force of the Ministry, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ushie David,  swooped on them and destroyed the tents.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu has warned quack and unregistered Herbal Medicine Practitioners to steer clear of the State or face the full weight of the law.

The Commissioner insisted that all herbal products in the State must be subjected to a thorough evaluation by relevant authorities before being sold to the members of the public.

According to her, Herbal Medicine Vendors in Cross River must register with relevant Agencies and obtain approval before promoting their products.

Dr Edu warned that the Government will not compromise on the health of the citizens and will not, therefore, allow quack herbal producers and practitioners to ply their illicit trade in the State.

She decried unethical practices  by the Herbal Medicine Practitioners adding that “one drug cures all ailments” is illegal and unacceptable”

Government To Suspend Removal Of Subsidy

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

Government has indefinitely suspended the planned removal of subsidy with its attendant hike in fuel price, The Source has learnt.

There has been hues and cries following the announcement that subsidy payments will terminate in July, as marketers are lamenting on the toll on them.

But persons knowledgeable on the issue claimed there have been pressures from “powerful quarters” against the proposed deregulation.

The decision to put on hold the plan was confirmed by Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget, National Planning, during a meeting held at the National Assembly complex Monday in Abuja.

The meeting, which was convened by Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate, had Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director, NNPC Limited, in attendance.

A few days ago, former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the removal of fuel subsidy will cause an unprecedented crisis in the country. The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, has also been preparing for a show down with the Federal Government.

Kano State Revokes Operational Licences Of Private Schools

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

By Ayodele Oni

Kano State Government has revoked Certificates of Operations of all private schools in the state.

Addressing a news conference on Monday in Kano, the State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Mohammad Karu, explained that the State Government has asked Proprietors to come forward for revalidation of their certificates.

The State Government’s action is coming on the heels of the killing of a five year old girl, Hanifa Abubakar, by her school teacher and Proprietor of a private school, Noble Kids Academy.

The  Commissioner declared that “we are all aware of the ongoing case concerning Hanifa’s death as she was gruesomely murdered by a suspect called Abdulmalik Tanko, who is the Proprietor of Noble Kids Academy.

“In view of the sad incidence, especially regarding how she was murdered in the private school, the State Government has decided to withdraw the Certificates of all private schools for revalidation.”

According to him, the ministry of education is expected to set criteria for their recertification.

He also announced that a panel has been constituted to look into the process of revalidation of private schools in the state.

The panel, the Commissioner said, comprises of the ministry of Justice, Department of State Service, (DSS), Civil Defence and other agencies.

2023: Miyetti Allah Joins Northern Leaders Supporting Tinubu

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN the umbrella body for cattle breeders in the country has joined those rooting for the presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The presidential aspirant has been dragged by some leaders from the south for keeping quiet over the deadly clashes between herders and farmers, particularly in the southern part of the country.

Tinubu’s critics insist that he kept his opinion close to his heart in order not to offend northern leaders, many of who have expressed their support for him to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure ends next year.

The former Lagos state Governor and All Progressives Congress, APC National Leader has been receiving support across the country for his presidential quest.

The cattle rearers said their decision to support Tinubu is based on the fact he will make life better for their members of elected president in 2023.

The group at ameeting held at the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, Abuja, on Sunday, said it has been monitoring all the presidential hopefuls, and believed that the former Lagos helmsman will serve its interest.

Ya’u Haruna, convener of the meeting and a former chairman of the Jigawa chapter of MACBAN, said Tinubu is a leader that can be trusted based on his antecedent as Lagos Governor.

He said the members of the association are peace loving people who have been living in harmony with other Nigerians, adding that the distortion of the Grazing Routes is at the middle of clashes between herders and farmers.

He said the association has encouraged its members to take active part in politics ahead next year’s election.

According to him “already and following our effort in sensitising our people, many now have their PVC cards and are only waiting for the election time.

“We are also scanning the people showing interest in the presidential seat with Bola Tinubu leading because he was the one that intervened in our matter while he was governor of Lagos and we had a crisis in Benue.

“Tinubu came all the way, got us on a round table, and reconciled us, so, someone who could do this at that time, we believe can do more when he is at the helms of affairs.”

Ekiti 2022: NHRC, CSOs To Monitor Party Primaries Election

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s quest to elect credible leaders will be determined partly by how transparent the primary elections are, the Nigerian Human Rights Community, (NHRC), said in a statement on Monday.

The Group, a coalition of several Civil Society Groups in a statement signed by Fred Ojinika said monitoring of the Party Primary is essential in the search for the emergence of credible elected leaders.

Ojinika said it will monitor Party Primary beginning from the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Primary slated for Thursday February 27. No fewer than eight aspirants have collected the nomination forms while the election is expected to take place in all the 177 wards.

NHRC said  Nigerians and the international community are looking up to the primary election in Ekiti to signpost the future of similar events in Nigeria ahead of the 2023 elections.

Some party Primaries in Nigeria have been associated with rigging and manipulation of the will of the people, the group said adding that to deepen democracy it is essential for the Civil Society to monitor the level of transparency and credibility in the process that leads to the real election the primary being one of  the most important steps.

“There cannot be credible elections when the candidates are imposed by a few people. The starting point for a credible election is the primary. If the primary is direct, it gives the people greater opportunity to choose their leader. We are glad the Ekiti APC primacy is direct. This  means an inclusive process that we hope will strengthen democracy and uphold the rule of law if the exercise is transparent and credible,” the NHRC said.

He urged participants to discourage their supporters from any acts of violence while urging the electorate to vote for their conscience and their economic and political future. The group said lack of transparency in the electoral process often leads to exclusion which is partly responsible for violent expressions in many instances.

The group said it has conducted training for the monitors adding that 350 monitors will be deployed across the 16 Local Governments and the 19 Local Government Development Areas in Ekiti State.

“Direct primary gives greater opportunity for the people to make a choice out of their own free and informed consent. It creates a level playing field and broaden grassroots participation in the electoral process”, NHRC said.

It added that it will be looking out for punctuality, access to vote by party members, if there is material inducement, organization of the process and the freedom the electorates have in exercising their rights, and will also conduct extensive interviews with all stakeholders especially voters adding that its findings will be made available to political parties, the National and State Assemblies and the electorate hoping that it would help in the search for democracy and sustainable development in Nigeria.

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