Obasanjo Acknowledges Adeleke, As Dancing But Working Gov Of Osun

September 10, 2023

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has acknowledged that Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is both a dancing and working Governor.

He commended the Governor for proving that he is hard-working Governor in the governance affairs of the state.

At a Thanksgiving Service at the 16th Harvest Anniversary at the Love of Christ Generation Church C&S in Victoria Island, Lagos State, Obasanjo said that Governor Addeleke is an example of a leader who is not ashamed to praise God despite occupying the highest office in the state.

According to the former President, dancing and working for God and the people are things to be proud of.

“Mr. Governor, they call you a dancer. But you are dancing to praise God. “And I heard you are working hard for your people.”

In an event attended by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Aare Dele Momodu; Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Adewale Egbedun and members of Osun House of Assembly as well as top political and traditional rulers, Obasanjo said: “dancing to praise God is praiseworthy, especially with the reports of good developments happening in Osun state.

“God whom you are praising will shower his blessings on your state and government. I associate with you.

“Again, I learnt you are a listening leader. They said you take advice from the young and old. I am happy to hear that.

“I call on His Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, and other royal fathers to support the Governor to deliver more. Mr. Governor, continue to work closely with traditional rulers, elders, and stakeholders of your state.

“I charge Kabiyesi Ooni to always host close-door meetings with the Governor. God whom the Governor is praising will continue to support him. He will not fail.”

Speaking, Governor Adeleke said that his habit of praise worship is to celebrate the owner of heaven and earth, saying: “I am never ashamed to hold unto God through song and dance.

“Several men and women of God predicted my governorship. I am here to praise God for the prophecy that has come to pass. My communion with God is to come back to thank and praise him.

“I do this in several places of worship. My covenant with God is also to truly deliver dividends of democracy to my people. In 100 days in office, I did what many could not achieve in four years.

“We reformed the public service, attended to worker’s welfare, constructed and reconstructed over 40 kilometers of roads, and implemented free medical surgeries with more than 40,000 beneficiaries.

“We are working on super overhead bridges to ease connectivity. We are reforming the education sector. We are building up our agriculture sector. I am working to make Osun State a reference point.

“I seek your prayers. I solicit your support. We are committed to God and the people.”

Yes, I Found Irregularities In FCTA’s Project Execution, But No Plan To Probe Ex Minister – Wike

Editorial staff

September 9, 2023

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has said that though he found irregularities in the ways projects were executed during the eight year administration of the immediate past minister, Muhammad Musa Bello but that he is not contemplating of asking that he should be probed.

Wike was reacting to recent online media reports, claiming that he plans to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Musa Bello, in relation to certain irregularities in the award of contracts and other such matters.

In a statement today, September 9, by the Director of Press in the minister’s office, Anthony Ogunleye, the minister “categorically and unequivocally state that these reports are entirely baseless and without any merit whatsoever.”

He however admitted that during his routine inspections of various projects within the FCT, he has cause “to express concerns and frustrations regarding irregularities in the procurement and execution of certain projects, amongst other observations which he very publicly expressed.

“However, at no point did I contemplate or authorize any action by anyone within or outside the FCT Administration to invite the EFCC or ICPC to investigate the former FCT Minister in connection with these or any other matters.”

The statement said that the online story in question is nothing more than a product of the imagination of its authors and is clearly designed to mischievously sow discord and confusion among the general public.

“We view such misinformation with great concern and urge the public and well-meaning Nigerians to exercise caution and discernment when encountering such unfounded reports.”

The Minister said that he remains focused on his responsibilities to ensure the efficient and transparent administration of the capital city, saying that any action or decision taken by the administration in this regard will be communicated through official channels and in accordance with due process.

“We hereby advise the general public to disregard the story in its entirety, as it is nothing but a deliberate attempt to spread fake news and create unnecessary tensions.

He vowed to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the discharge of his duties.

Earthquake Swallows Over 600 People In Morocco

September 9, 2023

A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco has killed more than 600 people, officials said today, September 9. The disaster believed to have sent terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night.

The US Geological Survey reported that the 6.8-magnitude quake struck a mountainous area 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of tourist hotspot Marrakesh at 11:11 pm (2211 GMT) Friday,

It said that strong tremors were also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca and Essaouira.

Moroccan media reported it was the most powerful quake to ever hit the country.

“We felt a very violent tremor, and I realised it was an earthquake,” Abdelhak El Amrani, 33, told AFP by telephone from Marrakesh.

“I could see buildings moving,” said Amrani who went outside, joining many other people, “all in shock and panic. The children were crying and the parents were distraught.

“The power went out for 10 minutes, and so did the (telephone) network, but then it came back on,” he added. Everyone decided to stay outside.”

Updated interior ministry figures on today showed the quake killed 632 people, more than half of them in Al-Haouz and Taroudant provinces.

The ministry also recorded deaths in Ouarzazate, Chichaoua, Azilal and Youssoufia provinces, as well as in Marrakesh, Agadir, and the Casablanca area.

Another 329 people were injured, including 51 in critical condition, the ministry said.

Unbearable’ screams

Faisal Baddour, an engineer, said that he felt the earthquake three times in his building.

“There are families who are still sleeping outside because we were so scared of the force of this earthquake,” he said. “It was as if a train was passing close to our houses.”

Frenchman Michael Bizet, 43, who owns three traditional riad houses in Marrakesh’s old town, told AFP that he was in bed when the quake struck.

“I thought my bed was going to fly away. I went out into the street half-naked and immediately went to see my riads. It was chaos, a real catastrophe, madness,” he said.

Bizet shared a video of piles of rubble from collapsed walls in the streets.

Other footage on social media showed part of a minaret collapsed on Jemaa el-Fna Square in the historic city.

An AFP correspondent saw hundreds of people flocking to the square to spend the night for fear of aftershocks, some with blankets while others slept on the ground.

Houda Outassaf, a resident, told AFP he was walking around the square when the ground began to shake.

“It was a truly staggering sensation. We’re safe and sound, but I’m still in shock,” he said.

“I have at least 10 members of my family who died… I can hardly believe it, as I was with them no more than two days ago.”

Fayssal Badour, another Marrakesh resident, told AFP the earthquake hit while he was driving.

“I stopped and realised what a disaster it was… The screaming and crying was unbearable,” he said.

The interior ministry said that authorities have “mobilised all the necessary resources to intervene and help the affected areas.”

The regional blood transfusion centre in Marrakesh called on residents to donate blood for those injured.

In the town of Al-Haouz, near the quake’s epicentre, a family was trapped in the rubble after their house collapsed, local media reported.

Significant damage likely

“We heard screams at the time of the tremor,” a resident of Essaouira, 200 kilometres west of Marrakesh, told AFP.

“People are in the squares, in the cafes, preferring to sleep outside. Pieces of facades have fallen.”

The USGS PAGER system, which provides preliminary assessments on the impact of earthquakes, issued a “red alert” for economic losses, saying extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread.

Past events with this alert level have required a national or international level response, according to the US government agency.

Internet connectivity was disrupted in Marrakesh due to power cuts, according to global internet monitor NetBlocks.

European leaders offered condolences, as did Russian President Vladimir Putin and Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, along with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel which established diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2020, ordered “any necessary assistance.”

The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Algeria, where the Algerian Civil Defence said it had not caused any damage or casualties.

In 2004, at least 628 people were killed and 926 injured when a quake hit Al Hoceima in northeastern Morocco, and in 1960 a magnitude 6.7 quake in Agadir killed more than 12,000.

The 7.3-magnitude El Asnam earthquake in neighbouring Algeria in 1980 killed 2,500 people and left at least 300,000 homeless.

EDITORIAL: Presidential Tribunal: The Verdict, The Noise

Greenbarge Reporters

September 9, 2023

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) – some people call it Court, on Wednesday, September 6, delivered a 798-page judgement on petitions filed before it substantially by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential candidate in the February 25 election in Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party (LP) with its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The five-member Tribunal took their time reading out the judgement which ran through over 12 hours, during which the famous, but humourous sleeping bug caught nearly all the lawyers, some journalists and even the “big men” who turned up in the court to witness the judgement.
Expectedly, shortly after the judgement, the petitioners: candidates of the PDP and LP rejected the verdict and gave strong indication of taking the matter to the Supreme Court, which is allowed in the circumstance.
Looking at the furore that was generated across the country shortly after the election, the sentiments that rose from the final judgement could also be understood. But what has not been clear is the postulation by the opposition parties, specifically, the petitioners that the cause of justice they sought was faulted through the verdict of the Tribunal. In particular was the Atiku Abubakar who insinuated that the judges have failed the nation’s democracy in theory and practice.
To be sure, Atiku said, at a world press conference he addressed on September 7: “The last presidential election in our country and the way it was managed by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, leaves behind unenviable precedents, which I believe the courts have a duty to redress. Our gains in ensuring transparent elections through the deployment of technology was heavily compromised by INEC in the way it managed the last presidential election, and I am afraid that the judgement of the court as rendered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal yesterday, failed to restore confidence in our dreams of free and fair elections devoid of human manipulations.”
The election itself has been tagged variously by opposition as “banditry” “robbery” and has been given other derogatory appellations even at the time the petitions were still under Judicial scrutiny.

We in Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper are not comfortable that about 24 years into unbroken democracy, politicians still see free and fair election from the point of view of their being the winners. In other words, to them, elections are rigged if they don’t win and adjudged the best if they win. This is without any exception.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Presidential candidate, including their supporters, would have put up the same posture if they had not won the last presidential election and if the Tribunal had ruled against them on Wednesday.
What is worrying is for the losers to be imputing bad motives to the judicial handling of the election petitions.
Who told Atiku and Peter Obi that Tinubu would have taken it lightly if the case didn’t favour him? Of course, Tinubu and the APC would have been raving if they had lost the election, and at the Tribunal.
One wonders why the politicians who lose elections are taking pleasure in rubbishing all the institutions that have to do with the administration of electoral processes in the country: the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and others?
Though the country, especially America from which we model our democracy, as we know, hardly drags the winners of elections to Court to challenge the validity of the elections, we need, if we must deviate from accepting the results of elections at first instance, to imbibe the spirit of trust in the institutions that are constituted to carry out the processes, believing that such institutions are not flawless, but mean well.
And the most dangerous thing to democracy is when politicians begin to question the judiciary, in situation where they lose. When they begin to give the judiciary a bad name so they can hang it. And hanging it may be an invitation to unpleasant consequences, some of which can, advertently trap them and their unpolished ambition.
After 24 years of democracy and elections to install leaders, our politicians should learn to grow out of this sentiment, of it is either they win by any means or the country should be destroyed, through their utterances that suggest such.
If the democracy should take root and grow in Nigeria, and indeed, Africa, respect for the law and the institutions that govern the system, even at the point of “provocative loss” of election, as it had often happened in America, is the best way to go. Any thing short of that is a blind walk into political self defeatism.

PEPT Verdict: Need To Uphold The Sanctity Of Judiciary, By Abdulrazaq Alkali

Greenbarge Reporters

September 8, 2023

The ruling by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) led by 5-member team of justices from the appeal court and high courts upholding the electoral victory of the President Bola Ahmad Tinubu will go a long way in upholding our democracy and strengthening the efforts and independence of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
The handling of the legal process and the verdict delivery displayed high level of legal sagacity, professionalism, and responsibility on the part of the tribunal judges despite the media and social media attacks lunch against their personalities and their families. The constitution has clearly laid down procedures to follow in challenging election at tribunals up to supreme courts. The action of some supporters from the opposition parties in blackmailing and threatening our Judges should highly condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. One would wonder whether these actors and their supporters are interested in having a just system that works for all or that they are only interested in access to power by hook or crook. It is unfortunate that these actors who have also failed to learn from their previous mistakes of using economic, ethnic and religious blackmail to ascend to power have now resorted to blackmailing our justice system. It is therefore critical for well-meaning Nigerians and lawyers to speak up and upheld the sanctity of our judiciary. We should be careful of the possible repercussions that will befall us as a nation if we allow such elements to rubbish and destroy the image and confidence of our judiciary through their dubiously crafted lies and blackmail.
Apart from these treacherous plans against the judiciary, some of the actors from the opposition have secretly promoting and calling for national protest, with the aim of creating instability and worsening the socio-economic conditions of Nigerians. They are hoping to exploit the difficult economic challenges bedevilling Nigeria to rile up citizens into violent protest against the elected government. It has also emerged that some of these actors are planning to use the crisis and instability to promote military intervention, motivated by the recent military coups that is sweeping some of our neighbouring countries. This can be seen from quite a number of their supporters who are recorded on social media calling for crisis and military takeover in Nigeria. It is disheartening to see that a group of retired military generals threatening the elected government of president Tinubu with coup scare by reference to happenings in other African countries.
It is vitally important for us as citizens not to allow politicians and criminals to exploit our vulnerabilities and current economic difficulties to lead us into unimaginable crisis that will bring this country on it knees. At the end of the day, it is us the citizens that will bear the consequences of those crisis. Politicians should understand in clear terms that the only option for them to seek redress is through the judicial system as laid down by our constitution. The ruling delivered by the PEPT is not a final judicial judgement regarding presidential election, thus the petitioners have a right to appeal this ruling at the Supreme Court.
It is important for Nigerians to understand that the current economic situation should not be a reason to allow politicians exploit our anger. Every well-meaning Nigerian knows that difficult decisions and changes need to be implemented about the existing economic policies particularly regarding fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates. These schemes are bedevilled by corruption with only a few individuals enriching themselves from the nation’s wealth. It is crucial that Nigerians give the current government a chance and the needed time to implement the palliative programs and salary adjustments necessary to cushion the economic difficulties we are facing. Also, the plans by the government to direct savings from these inefficient schemes into developmental project should be highly welcome development, even if Nigerians don’t see the benefit in the short term, the medium- and long-term economic benefits will be enormous.
This is not in any way discouraging Nigerians from speaking up, Nigerians have every right to engage in constructive criticism of government decisions and processes, but for Nigerians to be careful with treacherous and selfish politicians who are power hungry and are willing to go to any extent just to gain power.
Abdulrazaq Alkali, Executive Director
OCCEN, wrote in from Abuja, Nigeria.

Elumelu Advises Indian Private Sector To Hasten To Invest In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

September 8, 2023

Chairman of the Heirs Holdings Group, Chief Tony Elumelu has advised Indian private sector to take advantage of the vistas of opportunity to invest in Nigeria.
He spoke yesterday, September 7, at the ongoing Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Conference in New Delhi. The Roundtable and Conference was organised by the High Commission of Nigeria to India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC).
Elumelu, who has built pan African financial service businesses and controls significant power and natural resources operations, all focused on value creation in Africa, was in Delhi for the G20 Summit as co-chair of the Business 20 (B20) Action Council focusing on African economic integration, the private sector counterpart to the G20.
In a keynote address, Chief Elumelu invited Indian private sector leaders to join him and other global investors in accessing the rapidly evolving Nigerian economy, which is home to 20 percent of Africans, and is one of the largest consumer populations globally:
“This is the time to invest in Nigeria. I speak as a private sector investor in Nigeria, the companies in our Group’s investment portfolio demonstrate the opportunity. I believe you also can take advantage of our track record and success.”
Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of UBA Group said: “Nigeria is a huge market; over 200 million people with the largest economy on the continent.
“Most importantly, the population is not just over 200 million people; the demography of the population is exciting. We have a cohort of young people who are there to consume, and we also have people who are intelligent, energetic, hardworking, who provide the human capital that investors need to drive their businesses.”
At the Presidential Roundtable, Indian investors pledged investments of nearly $14 billion to Nigeria following the Nigerian President’s commitment to create an enabling environment for foreign investments to thrive.
Elumelu was recently named co-chair of the Business 20 (B20) Action Council focusing on African economic integration, alongside Sunil Mittal, Founder of Bharti Enterprises (Owners of Airtel).
Established in 2010 within the G20, the B20 comprises corporate business enterprises and organisations and serves as the official platform for dialogue between the G20 and the global business community.

How Prof. Ahidjo Is Revolutionizing Healthcare In Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, By Yakubu Musa

Greenbarge Reporters

September 8, 2023

One big paradox about our dear country, Nigeria, is the size of the population of her unsung heroes and her under-celebrated celebrities.
There is one of such unsung heroes, another champion in Maiduguri, Borno State capital that is making a difference for the nation. He is Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, who is the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
The Professor is engaged in what can be termed as silent revolution in that part of the country. Amidst the complexities and triumphs that define this vibrant part of the country, this medical visionary has been working diligently to revolutionize healthcare.
Professor Ahidjo has spent the last four years of his tenure, leading this institution, toward an extraordinary transformation; one that is not only making it a beacon of hope for patients in the region but positioning it as a national healthcare powerhouse.
Under his visionary leadership, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital is evolving into a medical Mecca of sort, particularly for its exceptional cancer care.
The hospital’s journey towards excellence in healthcare began with the establishment of a world-class cancer center, which boasts of state-of-the-art facilities that rival some of the best in the world. The cancer center, featuring four cutting-edge treatment bunkers, is a testament to Professor Ahidjo’s unwavering commitment to advancing medical care in Northern Nigeria.
One of the crowning jewels of this transformation is the hospital’s acquisition of the HD Versa, a sophisticated cancer treatment machine only available in Kenya in the entire African continent. This cutting-edge technology allows for precise and effective cancer treatments, sparing patients the need to travel abroad in search of advanced care. The addition of the Linear Infinity and other state-of-the-art equipment further enhances the hospital’s capabilities, ensuring that cancer patients receive world-class treatment within their region.

This development alone has alleviated the financial and emotional burden on countless families and is a shining example of what we need to be doing to make this country great.
Professor Ahidjo’s vision extends far beyond the realm of cancer care. The hospital’s kidney clinic, equipped with 84 beds and top-notch facilities, is also becoming a regional hub for transplantation and advanced surgeries. Patients suffering from various kidney ailments no longer need to embark on arduous journeys to seek specialized care. Under Ahidjo’s leadership, the hospital has become a haven for those in need of critical medical attention, offering advanced treatments, including endoscopic procedures for kidney stones.
A testament to Professor Ahidjo’s commitment to holistic healthcare is the magnificent 150-bed Child Center, an autonomous facility comprising 12 specialized clinics catering to the unique needs of pediatric patients. This center is not merely a medical facility but a sanctuary of healing and compassion for young patients and their families, embodying the hospital’s commitment to comprehensive care.
In an extraordinary collaboration, Professor Ahidjo successfully attracted the establishment of a prosthetics center by the Red Cross, a facility into which a substantial investment of 3.6 million USD was committed. This center provides life-changing services to those in need, and it further solidifies the hospital’s status as a comprehensive healthcare provider with a focus on improving the quality of life for its patients.
Besides Professor Ahidjo’s transformation of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, his dedication to sustainability is also acknowledged.
The hospital now generates 0.8 megawatts of electricity from its solar power source, ensuring that essential units such as the cancer center and others have a reliable power supply. This sustainability initiative not only reduces operational costs but reflects Professor Ahidjo’s forward-thinking approach to healthcare infrastructure and his commitment to environmentally responsible healthcare practices.
Beyond the remarkable facilities and initiatives, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s leadership at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital has cultivated a culture of excellence, compassion, and innovation. His tireless dedication to improving healthcare services in the northern region of Nigeria is an inspiration to all, and reminds us that visionary individuals can indeed make a profound difference, regardless of the challenges they face.
In a world where healthcare disparities persist, Professor Ahidjo’s transformative leadership serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, innovation and a deep commitment to humanity converge.
The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, under his guidance, stands as a testament to what can be accomplished in just four years when visionaries like Professor Ahmed Ahidjo embark on the journey to transform a local hospital into a regional healthcare hub.
As we celebrate the remarkable progress achieved thus far, it is evident that Professor Ahmed Ahidjo’s path to transforming the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital into a regional healthcare powerhouse is far from over. His unwavering dedication to advancing healthcare in Northern Nigeria continues to inspire us all, reminding us that the pursuit of excellence in healthcare knows no boundaries and that the future holds even greater promise for this remarkable institution and the patients it serves.
Professor Ahidjo’s legacy is one of hope, healing, and boundless possibilities.
Yakubu Musa wrote in from Abuja.

Nigeria’s Telecom Contribution To GDP Hits 16 Per Cent – Prof. Danbatta

Greenbarge Reporters

September 8, 2023

The telecommunications sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased significantly to 16 per cent in the second quarter of 2023, according to the data reported by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), based on the computation by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, dropped this hint yesterday, September 7, in a keynote address at the annual Telecom Executives and Regulators Forum (TERF) hosted by the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Lagos.
According to Professor Danbatta, from a 14.13 per cent contribution in the first quarter of 2023, and up from the hitherto 15 per cent all-time-high record in the second quarter of 2022, the telecommunications sector had added 16 per cent to the national GDP in the second quarter of 2023 to set a new record.
Speaking on the theme: “Success Factors and Barriers to National Broadband and Digital Economy Aspirations,” Professor Danbatta said that from about eight per cent contribution to GDP in 2015, when he came on board as the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, the quarterly GDP has increased significantly to reach its current threshold of 16 per cent.
He said that this has continued to positively impact all aspects of the economy.
“Through sustained regulatory excellence and operational efficiency by the Commission, the industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the past two decades and this has impacted on all other sectors of the economy. The effective regulatory regime emplaced by the NCC and with the support from all stakeholders has been our major success factor as an industry.”
Professor Danbatta said that while there are barriers to broadband deployment in the country, ranging from the issue of right of way (RoW), fibre cuts, high capital requirement for deployment, multiple taxations and regulations, among other challenges, the NCC is navigating regulatory complexities, digital divide and literacy, security concerns with firmness and increased collaborations with necessary stakeholders such as ATCON to create measures towards tackling the challenges.
On the RoW challenge, the NCC boss said that there are about 46 different taxes directed at the telecom sector at the moment. Such charges and levels, coming in various names, are imposed on telecom operators by some agencies and tiers of government, especially at the state and local levels. Danbatta said the challenge translates into greater economic burdens on telecom subscribers in the country.
On connectivity, Danbatta said: “Over the years, we have identified some clusters of access gaps all over the country but we have recorded a significant drop in the number of access gaps, as we continue to drive initiatives that boost access to telecommunications services.”
He said that the Commission does this by enlisting government commitment to a digital economy with robust policy frameworks, promotion of investment and funding, stimulation of infrastructure development, digital inclusion and literacy, promotion of competition and market liberalization, effective allocation of spectrum, as well as driving the e-government ecosystem.
Danbatta said that with various ongoing regulatory efforts, “The NCC is confident that we are going to reach 50 per cent broadband penetration threshold by the end of 2023 and by 2025, we would have met and possibly surpassed the 70 per cent broadband penetration target, as contained in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025.”
The NCC boss commended ATCON and its members for being partners in progress and for constantly engaging the Commission in constructive ways towards finding solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting the industry. The EVC said a national broadband network and a thriving digital economy are not without their challenges.
“However, these challenges can be overcome through determination, innovation, and strategic planning. By focusing on the success factors and addressing the barriers, we can create a future where every Nigerian have access to the opportunities that the digital world offers.”
Danbatta said that the success of the nation’s digital aspirations is beyond technological advancements but also about transforming lives, driving economic growth, and ensuring that a nation remains competitive on the global stage.
“As we work together to navigate this path, I enjoin all our stakeholders in the public and private sectors to remain committed to building a brighter and more connected future for our country.”

Tribunal Fines Labour Party Over N47 Million, Others, For “Frivolous Petitions”

Editorial staff

September 7, 2023

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) has fined three political parties for filing what it described as “frivolous petitions.’

They are the Labour Party (LP) which is fined

N47, 910, 431.87; the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which is fined N23, 391,001.45 and the APM, fined N13,675,890.00.

The Tribunal said that the fines were in line with the Judicial Act 87, sub-section 390 of 1968 (as amended).

The judges asked the parties to pay the money within 48 hours after the judgment into the consolidated account of the Appeal court, lodged at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

I’ve Nothing Against Tinubu, Atiku Clarifies; Says He’s Not Retiring From Politics

Editorial staff

September 7, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has made it clear that he has nothing against President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) even as he said that he has no plans to quit active politics yet.

A statement today, September 7, by Paul Ibe, his media adviser said that Atiku “has nothing personal against President Tinubu. He owes him no ill will.”

Paul Ibe said that the PDP presidential candidate is not going into retirement and will instead continue to be part of the struggle to deepen democracy in the country.

“This struggle is not about Atiku; it’s about Nigeria and the future of our democracy.

“By allowing election riggers to get away with their misdeeds, our democracy will be in greater jeopardy. “Consent is essential to democratic mandate; ruling people against their will undermines everything democracy stands for.”

He stressed that the struggle is about principle and justice and that Atiku is not in this struggle because he hates Tinubu.

“He is in it to ensure that people who rigged elections are not allowed to get away with it. “Injustice and rigging promote bitterness and division. No leader should be proud to lead angry and aggrieved citizens.”

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