The Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, today, February 9, minced no word in asking the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar to endorse him for the Presidency of Nigeria, as February 25 presidential election knocks. Tinubu was in the Sultan Palace with President Muhammadu Buhari and top government and party leaders to pay homage before going for the mega presidential campaign rally in Sokoto city stadium.
Buhari, Tinubu, others at the mega rally in Sokoto stadium.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the closure of universities across the country, to enable students to participate in the 2023 general elections.
In a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellors of all universities and Directors of inter-university centres, the National Universities Commission (NUC), said that the directive was issued by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.
The letter reads: “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Director/Chief Executive of Inter-University Centres are quite aware that the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, March 11, 2023, for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively.
“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mal. Adama Adamu has, following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22 February and 14th March 2023.
“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors and Chief Executives of inter-university centres are, by this Circular, requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday, 22nd February 2023 to Tuesday, 14th March 2023.
“Please, accept the renewed assurances of the Executive Secretary‘s highest regard for your understanding and unwavering cooperation.”
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has expressed disgust on those who are in the habit of abusing and cursing leaders because of the fact that, to them, such leaders are not performing to their satisfaction.
He said that cursing leaders amount to cursing the country and the system, saying that such people only succeed in complicating matters for the country.
The Sultan, who received in audience today, February 9, President Muhammadu Buhari, who led the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a courtesy visit ahead of the campaign rally in Sokoto today, said that the more one prays for the leaders, the more God would help such leaders to do better for the good of all.
“If you pray for leaders, God may answer you and intervene to make them perform better for the benefit of all. But if you curse them, God may also answer you by intervening to make them weak and confused, also for the hardship on the people. We all suffer for the consequences of what we say about our leaders.”
Sultan Sa’ad said that he had always been praying to God to help President Buhari to do better for the country, adding that even after he leaves office, he would continue to pray for him.
The Sultan said that as traditional ruler, he cannot openly take side in the political contest due to take place shortly, saying that the only thing he would continue to do is to pray to God to give the country the best president that would elevate Nigeria to greater height and bring about peace, security and good standard of living for the people of the country.
“Our concern is peace, security, stability and development of the country in all ramifications. That is why we don’t openly support any candidate, believing that God has already known who the leader we are praying to have, is.”
President Buhari told the Sultan that he chose to join the campaign trane of Asiwaju Tinubu for three reasons: that he and Tinubu have been together as friends in the last 20 years and the fact that he performed wonderfully well when he was Governor of Lagos State.
“The third one is that Tinubu won my party’s presidential primary in a free, fair and credible process and therefore, he is the legitimate candidate of my party.”
He appealed to Sultan to support Tinubu, who Sultan called; “The Jagaban of the World.”
Tinubu also appealed to Sultan Sa’ad to support and endorse his candidature as a mark of respect for President Buhari who led him to the palace.
He said that if he is voted as President, he and his team will turn Nigeria around in all aspects of life, adding that he had never known to disappoint in his promises.
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has approved the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for the campaign of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The rally is slated for Wednesday, 15 February, 2023.
This was made known by the Rivers State Coordinator of Bola Tinubu Campaign Organization, Tony Okocha, at a news briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday, February 8, saying that all arrangements have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free rally for the APC presidential standard bearer.
Tomy Okocha said that Governor Wike, out of his benevolence, approved the use of the stadium without collecting the required N5m fee prescribed by Executive Order 21 from the campaign council.
“Wike in his usual magnanimity has granted the approval of an alternate venue, the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, for the presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold on February 15, 2023 absolutely free of charge.
“But subject to the issuance of a written guarantee of the safety and security of the facilities at the venue due to the violence recorded in recent rallies by the governorship standard bearer of the party in the state.”
Okocha, who is also the Coordinator, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT-Vanguard in the South-South), said that an 11-man committee had been set up to coordinate and ensure the successful hosting of the rally in the State.
He noted that the campaign committee in the state had done its homework to ensure that Tinubu wins in the state.
The Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan Iya has resihned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and immediately joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He handed in his resignation letter to the leadership of the PDP today, February 9, a few hours before the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari to float the presidential campaign rally of the APC with the Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some APC governors and top leaders..
The Deputy Governor, who holds the traditional title of Walin Sokoto, in a letter dated 8th February 2023 and addressed to his Ward Chairman in Kware, Kware Local Government, said that he was notifying the Party leadership of his resignation.
The letter is titled: “Letter of Withdrawal from the Peoples Democratic Party.”
It read: “I write to notify you of the withdrawal of my membership from the Peoples Democratic P’arty (PDP) with effect from 8th February 2023.
“I appreciate the opportunities given to me, which made me serve in various capacities under the PDP.
General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has emerged unopposed as the new President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The veteran labour activist was picked at the International Conference Centre Abuja when it became confirmed at the Opening Ceremony of 13th National Delegates Conference of NLC that he has no challenger for the office. “History is already being made here. This is the first time a President of the Nigeria Labour Congress will be elected as a consensus candidate,” one of the delegates, Prince Emeka Kalu, National Vice President (South-East), Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), said. He said that though the election holds yesterday, February 8, “Ajaero has already emerged as 13th President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).” Ajaero succeeds Comrade Ayuba Wabba, whose tenure as NLC President ends with today’s election.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a message of congratulation to Ajaero on his emergence as the new president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. The President also hailed the National Executive Committee of the NLC on the success of the congress that produced the new leadership. “After many years of hard work and struggles, the selflessness with which Ajaero dedicated himself today paid off. His journey in the Labour movement has been a remarkable one, marked by many important milestones. “This victory that emerged from a rancor-free congress is a mark of the strength of democracy in the nation’s labour movement. “Today, as he rises to the highest position in the NLC, it is our hope and desire that he will use the position to write a new chapter of progress for all workers and the labour movement in the country and the continent in general.” The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed the hope that Ajaero and his team will continue to be partners to the administration in fulfilling the aspirations of Nigerian people. President Buhari also congratulated Comrade Ayuba Wabba for a successful completion of his tenure as the head of Nigerian workers, wishing him the best in his future undertakings.
Sixty-six years after the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State by Shell, the Federal Government has awarded the Phase-1of the Engineering, Procurement & Construction contract for Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The contract was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc with a completion period of 30 months. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, February 8, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, further approved the scope of work which would include a masterpiece museum and aresearch center.
This is expected to close a major gap in the nation’s quest for home grown technology inputs required to service exploration and production activities in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The establishment of OMRC has been at concept stage for over 30 years and the inability to progress to the construction phase is viewed as an historical oversight as an operational museum and research center would preserve the heritage and developments in the oil and gas sector similar to what obtains in other oil producing nations.
Details of the project indicate that it has four development partners, comprising the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and the Bayelsa State Government (BYSG).
Each entity would contribute to the development of the monument in the ratio of 40, 30, 20 and 10 percent respectively. The project team for the symbolic project was 9rst launched in August 2020 by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, with the inauguration of key project committees and setting of delivery timelines. The project is approved as part of President Buhari’s signature programs that would leave behind enduring legacies, and impact the oil and gas community, the people of the Niger Delta, and the entire nation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has set up an Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Team for deployment across the states of the federation.
A statement today, February 8, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that the Team will identify, analyze and mitigate threats, as well as carry out on-the-spot assessment and appraisal of the security emplacements ahead of the 2023 general elections.
According to Adejobi, the setting up of the Team is in furtherance of the drive by the Police for safe, secured and credible general elections, as well as ensuring adequate security coverage before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
He said that the police boss appointed the Vice President (INTERPOL) and Head, National Crime Bureau (NCB), AIG Garba Baba Umar, as the National Coordinator of the team of experienced and seasoned Police Officers.
Such officers, he added, have vast knowledge in election security management, and be assisted by other team members, including the AIG Force Secretary, AIG Habu Sani, CP Election Monitoring, CP Basil Idegwu, the Force Public Relations Officer, himself: CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
“The team also comprise 7 other Commissioners of Police, 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 30 Chief Superintendents of Police, and 16 Strategic Officers of other ranks.”
Adejobi quoted IGP as reiterating the commitment of the Police to ensuring that the elections are safe, secure, credible, and in line with global best practices.
The police boss tasked the team to, amongst other things, ensure the propriety of deployments, give real-time coverage of the electoral process, and safeguard against hostile external and internal influence using INTERPOL, anti-cybercrime and intelligence tools and assets of the Nigeria Police Force.
“In the same vein, the IGP reaffirms the establishment and viability of the Electoral Offences Desks domiciled at the State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCID) of all commands across the nation headed by the Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of the SCID. The Electoral Offences Desk is saddled with the responsibility of collating, investigating and prosecuting all matters relating to electoral offences nationwide.
“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, calls on well-meaning Nigerians, international communities, and all stakeholders to support the NPF teams in all areas, particularly on intelligence sharing and regular engagements, to achieve success in the 2023 General Elections.”
The Nigerian Communications Commission’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT), has alerted Nigerians that cyber threat actors continue to devise means of compromising their targets and has rolled out some advisories in the first few weeks of the year 2023 on it.
A statement today, February 8 by the NCC spokesman, Reuben Muoka, called on users to be mindful after attackers use Microsoft OneNote attachments in phishing emails that infect victims with remote access malware, which may allow hackers to remotely access vital information on victims’ devices.
The statement advised users not to open files from people they do not know and not to click ‘OK’ and immediately exit the application if they receive a warning that opening an attachment or link can damage their computer or files and to promptly share an unknown email they believe to be genuine with a security or Windows administrator to assist in determining whether the file is secure.
“It had recently advised people not to open attachments in suspicious emails and to only purchase or download applications from official websites in response to the discovery of phishing malware that can gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data and download further malware.”
The NCC-CSIRT, according to Muoka, reported that cybersecurity analysts at ASEC (South Korea’s cybersecurity emergency response centre), discovered a NetSupport RAT malware being distributed by threat actors from a phishing website disguised as a popular Pokemon card game.
“The malware is a remote access tool that easily controls its victims’ Personal Computers and may allow the attackers to remotely control the compromised computer’s mouse and keyboard, access the system’s file management and history and even execute commands allowing them to install additional malware.
“According to the researcher, the CRAFTED website that spread the malware is still online. It claims to be home to a new NFT card game built around the Pokemon franchise, offering users strategic fun together with NFT investment profits.
“In a related advisory, following the discovery of several phishing apps on the Google Play Store, NCC-CSIRT had also advised users not to give out sensitive information through untrusted platforms.
“NCC-CSIRT’s advisory on the discovery said the apps, which have been downloaded 450, 000 times in total, can be games or investment services, but that they are designed to steal sensitive user information.
“While some of the malicious apps have been removed, others are still active on the store, with the affected apps listed as Golden Hunt, Reflector, Seven Golden Wolf Blackjack, Unlimited Score, Big Decisions, Jewel Sea, Lux Fruits Game, Lucky Clover, King Blitz, and Lucky Hammer.
“According to the advisory, after installing and opening the app, it will contact a remote server which will reply with instructions on what to do. These instructions typically include phishing pages that will be displayed to unsuspecting users to collect their sensitive information.
“Meanwhile, NCC-CSIRT also advised users to update their Galaxy App Store following the discovery of multiple vulnerabilities in the Samsung Galaxy App Store Application can lead to unwanted app installations and code execution. It disclosed that Ken Gannon, a cybersecurity researcher from NCC Group, discovered the vulnerabilities in the Galaxy App Store application on Samsung devices that are running Android 12 and older.
“The CSIRT is the telecom sector’s cyber security incidence center set up by the NCC to focus on incidents in the telecom sector and as they may affect telecom consumers and citizens at large.
“The CSIRT also works collaboratively with ngCERT, established by the Federal Government to reduce the volume of future computer risk incidents by preparing, protecting, and securing Nigerian cyberspace to forestall attacks, and problems or related events.”
The Federal Ministry of Education has approved the use of corporate/cape size hijab as part of the school uniform of female Muslim students in all the 112 Federal Unity Colleges, together with Federal Science and Technical Colleges.
The approval was contained in a circular released by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, dated 1st February 2023.
The circular, titled: “Use of Corporate/Cape Size Hijab as Part of School Uniform for Female Muslim Students of Federal Unity Colleges,” was forwarded to Principals of all the Federal Unity Colleges, PRNigeria gathered.
According to Andrew, David Adejo, Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, the students can use corporate/cape size hijab of their various school uniforms.
He however cautioned that no students should be compelled to use the corporate/cape size hijab on her uniform against her wish.
“You will recall that the female students have two sets of school uniform which are:
“i. Skirt and blouse (blouse, short or long sleeve as the case may be) with a hat or beret; and
“ii. Trousers and kaftan (kaftan below the knee) and a head tie. Please be guided accordingly,” David Adejo said, in the circular.
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