Atiku: What Manner Of Unifier? By Fredrick Nwabufo

October 18, 2022

Atiku Abubakar’s campaign motif is vacant of imagination. His ‘One Nigeria campaign’ theme is also destitute of originality and sincerity. Personally, I feel insulted and trolled. And I feel plagiarised. I would explain why.

In 2020, under the discordance of the secessionist agitation in the south-east, I began the ‘’One Nigeria’’ campaign, and adopted the sobriquet, ‘’Mr OneNigeria’’. This was born out of the necessity of the times. I wrote essays and did some publicity calling for peace, dialogue, and unity.

I believe Nigeria faced its greatest threat yet at the time when the country was becoming ungovernable. I felt it was a bounden duty as a citizen and as someone whose faith and trust in Nigeria remain untrammelled, that I should call on my brothers and sisters in the south-east to cease the violence and abandon the doomed secessionist agitation.

I was insulted, blackmailed, and threatened by supporters of the now proscribed secessionist group. I was declared an objectionable citizen of Igbo land by those who assumed authority over the land through the instrument of fear and intimidation. When the threats persisted, I had to petition the security agencies.

It is important to state that at the time, any show of support for a united Nigeria or any call for the cessation of violence in the south-east was met with brutal attacks. Houses and businesses of known adversaries of the enforcers of anarchy were sacked, looted, and razed. And some were killed.

I was told by an uncle to avoid returning to the south-east because these death dealers were on the look out for me. Some of the bloodiest attacks happened in my local government area in Anambra.

This is situating the ‘’One Nigeria’’ campaign in its natural context.

What is the ‘’One Nigeria’’ campaign shibboleth of Atiku, PDP presidential candidate, about? It is an irony, really. Is it about Nigeria or about one man’s native ambition? Can a ticket forged on inequity unify the disequilibrium it created?

Atiku upturned the delicate power balancing between the north and the south, setting off a tangle of prejudiced permutations.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) blundered when it discarded a sacerdotal principle – the zoning precept. Since 1999 zoning has governed the PDP’s power distribution. It was by dint of this that Umaru Musa Yar’Adua became the party’s standard bearer in 2007 and president after Olusegun Obasanjo.

Goodluck Jonathan’s ascendancy was an accident of time and the making of a benevolent fate. The distortion of the power character and geography was to be corrected by the PDP in 2015 as Jonathan had reportedly agreed to do only a single term. Power was expected to return to the north in 2015, but Jonathan chose to seek re-election. This fractured the PDP and spun a web of palace conspiracies and subterranean plots, leading to his deracination.

Naturally, after eight years of power residency in one section of the country, it is expected to orbit to another. It is hard to explain and farcical to rationalise PDP’s gaucherie. How will the party convince Nigerians to subsist with the current geography of power after eight years of the present leadership?

So, is Atiku making an attempt at ‘’future unification’’ since his presidential bid puts a dagger to the tenuous thread of north-south power equilibrium? Is he prophesying into the future on the possible consequences of his quest?

The PDP is torn by internecine contretemps principally over Atiku’s presidential pursuit. The party has failed to heal the wounds of the wounded and to even provide an umbrella for the vanquished. The unification must start hither.

What manner of unifier?

On Monday, Atiku open the window into an incautious mind at an interactive session of the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna. He made, what is probably the most divisive comment yet this season, stoking the ethnic chord.

He said: “I know the whole of this country. I have built bridges across this country. I think what the average northerner needs is somebody who is from the north, and who also understands the other parts of Nigeria and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country. This is what the northerner needs. He (northerner) doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate, or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs.’’

What manner of unifier?

The ‘’unifier’’ needs to beat a retreat from this path, and perhaps, unify himself with the truth that ethnic baiting is not a campaign strategy. If he divides the country during the campaigns, he runs the risk of presiding over a much more sundered people if he wins. After all, he is seeking the office of the president of Nigeria, and not of a section of the country.

Fredrick Nwabufo, Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a writer and journalist.

How Peter Obi Detained Me As Anambra Gov In 2013 – Gov El-Rufai: It’s A Lie, I Did No Such Thing – Obi

Editorial staff

October 18, 2022

Kaduna State Governor used the occasion of the visit of the Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi to narrate how Obi, as Anambra State Governor, detained him in 2013.

This was even as Peter Obi quickly responded by saying that he never arrested and detained Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Anambra state while he was the Governor of the state.

Obi said he never ordered the Assistant Inspector General of Police to detain him nor anyone.

“There’s no way; I cannot do that. I never ordered any AIG to arrest or detain anybody. I had the best ADC, the best policeman in Nigeria. He is from Kano.

“The police commissioner that was there then was from Adamawa. The AIG in that election was from Nasarawa, strictly Nasarawa from the North. Tell me how I will use my power to issue order for somebody to be detained.

“There is no way I can do that. I didn’t ask anyone to do that, as Governor of Anambra State.”

Governor El-Rufai had said that Obi arrested him in Anambra state when he (Obi) was the Governor of the state in 2013.

El-Rufai, who spoke at an interactive session of Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna yesterday, October 17, insisted that Obi arrested and detained him for 48 hours.

According to him, the Labour Party presidential candidate was seeking a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the time.

El-Rufai alleged that he (El-Rufai) was accredited by the APC to monitor the state’s governorship bye-election in Anambra at the time.

The Governor said that now, he has all the security architecture at his disposal now that Obi is coming into his domain.

“In 2013, I went to Anambra State as an official of the APC to witness the bye-election for governorship.

“Your next guest, Peter Obi, as Governor, got me arrested and detained for 48 hours in my hotel room.

“Now I’m the Governor of Kaduna State and he’s coming to Kaduna.

“In addition to the police and the State Secret Service, I have one Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army here, if I need to arrest and detain anyone.

“But we are northerners, we are civilised. We don’t do things like that.

“I wish you all safe journey back to your destinations.”

2023 Handover: Buhari Directs SGF, Ministers To Start Preparing Transition Documents

Editorial staff

October 18, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and all the ministers to start preparing transition documents for the handover of government to the President that will be elected in the 2023 election.

The President also warned Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Government Agencies not to abandon the business of governance for electioneering which is ongoing across the country, saying: ”any infraction will be viewed seriously.”

The President issued the directive at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Ministerial Performance Review Retreat today, October 18. It was preceded by his signing of Executive Order 012 on Improving Performance Management, Coordination and Implementation of Presidential Priorities.

The President told participants at the Retreat that with the commencement of campaigns towards the 2023 general elections, the business of governance must continue to receive the needed attention during this period.

”Consequently, all Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies must remain focused in the discharge of their duties, as any infraction will be viewed seriously.

”Our collective goal is to map out a transition plan for the incoming Administration to ensure proper documentation of all the Policies, Programmes and Projects of Government with up-to-date status of implementation.”

President Buhari noted that the lessons learned in the last three years of implementing the administration’s policies, programmes and projects would serve as the needed tool to propel every ministry to remain committed towards the achievement of developmental objectives.

He charged all ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to step-up, double their efforts and work in synergy toward total delivery of the Administration’s set targets.

On Executive Order 12, the President explained that it would institutionalize a culture of accountability and transparency in the pursuit of good governance.

President Buhari also directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to continue with the quarterly review process and assessment of ministries for the third and fourth Quarters of 2022, saying that the reports will form part of transition documents of his administration to the incoming government.

To achieve this objective, the President ordered all Ministers and Permanent Secretaries to ensure that the performance reports of their Ministries are submitted on a quarterly basis to the Office of the SGF for review by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.

”The outcome of these reviews would be made available for my consideration,” the President said.

The President also declared that following discussion and recommendations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been directed to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure the completion of all large-scale integrated Rice Processing Mills before the end of this Administration.

”This will help our country to maintain sufficiency in the local production of rice as the ban on the importation of foreign rice will be sustained, ” he said.

On electricity, President Buhari directed that all hands must be on deck to ensure timely realization of the increase in electricity generation to 25,000 Megawatts in six years.

He recounted that the plan on electricity generation, through the partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and German Siemens AG, is on course as the first batch of the transformers has arrived Nigeria already.

Considering the huge investment made in the rail sector, the President directed the Ministry of Transportation and relevant security Agencies to ensure the provision of maximum security along the railway corridors.

”We must ensure the safety of our rail users and strive to achieve the intended economic goals. We must at the same time ensure realizable schedules and first-class maintenance.

”Following the milestones recorded in the road sector, coupled with the innovative ways of funding road infrastructure, the Ministry of Works and Housing has been directed to compile a list of all completed roads, bridges and other infrastructure for commissioning before the end of this Administration.”

The President directed that the Federal Government’s investment in the reconstruction of 21 selected on-going Federal Roads totaling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy must be closely monitored and tracked to ensure the roads are completed on schedule.

”In line with the outcome of the Panel session on Priority 4 (Improve Transportation and Other Infrastructure), the Ministry of Aviation is hereby directed to conclude and ensure the take-off of the National Carrier Project before the end of the year.’’

In order to expand the fiscal space and improve the nation’s revenue generation efforts, President Buhari directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to ensure effective implementation of the Strategic Revenue and Growth Initiative.

”In the same vein, we must also build synergy between the fiscal and monetary authorities in order to avoid unnecessary drawbacks in our economic planning and performance.”

On the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, the President directed that a monitoring and evaluation framework be put in place by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with relevant agencies and partners to track the disbursement and utilization of the Fund.

On humanitarian issues, the President noted that in the three years of existence of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the ministry has provided substantial support and assistance to vulnerable citizens through various programmes.

He directed the Minister to facilitate and work with the Attorney General of the Federation in transmitting the Federal Executive Council’s approved National Social Investment Programme Establishment Bill (2022) to the National Assembly.

This, he said, would ensure the sustainability of this important programme which leaves a lasting legacy for the vulnerable Nigerians by this Administration.

On industry, trade and investment, the President directed the Ministry to engage relevant stakeholders to secure privatization of the six Special Economic Zones as approved by the Bureau of Public Enterprise.

To complement the current efforts in the Oil and Gas Sector, the President announced that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been mandated to ensure the completion of the reorganization of the new Agencies unbundled from the defunct Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation in line with their mandates.

”This should be completed by the end of the 1st Quarter of 2023.”

President Buhari used the occasion to appeal to the National Assembly to fast-track the consideration and passage of key legislative bills as agreed during the Panel Session at the Retreat.

According to him: ”this will serve as our collective legacy towards entrenching key reforms that will serve as a springboard for the next Administration.”

President Buhari, who described the two-day retreat as time well-spent, said that it has provided an opportunity for ‘‘reflection and lesson learning aimed at reviewing progress and agreeing on key actions that will ensure we finish well by the end of our Administration come May 29th, 2023.

”We have used the opportunity provided by this Retreat to carry out an objective assessment of our commitments in line with the contract we signed with the Nigerian people at the inception of this Administration in 2019.

”I am glad to note that we have sustained this yearly stock-taking innovative initiatives introduced in 2019 by holding three consecutive Performance Review Retreats in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. This has helped us to clearly identify what we have done, what needs to be done and how best to get it done.

”From the assessment report and discussions at this Retreat, it is evident that we have made appreciable progress through collective efforts in setting the Nation on the path of sustainable development while improving the well-being of our people.

”Notwithstanding these achievements, there are still unfinished businesses that we must speedily complete to ensure we finish well. We must, therefore, endeavour to close every gap in our implementation efforts to ensure the attainment of set targets by 2023.”

The Nigerian leader thanked former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, the Keynote speaker at the Retreat, for sharing his wealth of experience during his tenure in Office.

He wished the former President a productive retirement and expressed the hope that he would continue to serve his people and the African continent in every way possible.

He further thanked the Kenyan delegation led by the former President for their support and contributions during the Retreat.

Commending the efforts of the SGF and his team for successfully organizing four Retreats in the life of this Administration, the President acknowledged the support of the technical partners and resource persons for adding immense value to the process.

I Will Eradicate Poverty In The North, Peter Obi Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

October 18, 2022

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has made it clear that he will eradicate poverty in the Northern Nigeria if he is voted into power next year.
Peter Obi, who is the former Anambra Governor, spoke yesterday, October 17, at an interactive session with the Arewa leaders in Kaduna State.
The LP presidential candidate said that apart from kicking poverty out of the North, he would also make sure that the North benefits a lot from his administration.
Obi observed that the highest number of out-of-school children are from the North and that education would be his priority.
The presidential hopeful said that the fight against insecurity would be the first thing he will do when he assumes office in 2023.

Maybe When I Die, People Will Get To Know Where I Come From – Ordinary Ahmad

Greenbarge Reporters

October 18, 2022

As popular as he is on the air-wave; as a dexterous broadcaster, media savvy and above all, the Ordinary President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, no one can accurately say where Alhaji, Dr. Ahmad Isah comes from. His birth place is Idanre in Ondo State, yes, but he is not an Ondo indigene.

Many people have said that he is Ebira by tribe from Kogi State, while others said that he is Ebira koto in Kotonkarfe local government of Kogi State, even as others said that he is Igala by tribe, in the same Kogi State.

And when it was time for Ordinary President to clarify the position in an interview with a journalist, Aliyu Usman Vulegbo, on May 5, 2018, he would not disclose his tribe, saying that maybe it is when he dies that people would get to know his tribe. But for now, he prefers to be known simply as a detribalized Nigerian. Though he speaks pidgin English, he is highly educated, with two PhDs, after going through hell in his younger days.

Ordinary Ahmad Isah is the founder of Brekete Family, a radio magazine and reality programme in Abuja. His programme has held Abuja residents and other listeners from around the world spell-bound for years. His radio station, Human Rights Radio 101.1 FM, commenced commercial broadcasting in Abuja in 2019.

He spoke on many aspects of his life during the interview. Please, read on:

With the way you assist people, you must have come from a very wealthy home.

Please, come around often and see things for yourself. What you see should inform what you write about me. I don’t want to sound like I’m blowing my own trumpet or sound like I’m bragging. God is only using me to do what I’m doing. I’m a nobody. I came from a very humble background. I came from a wretched family.

You are from a wretched home, how?

Yes. Because feeding even once in a day was a miracle. Where to sleep was near impossible. Sometimes, when it was in evening time, I will begin to cry. This was because I didn’t know where to sleep. Everybody avoided me.

How then did you overcome these challenges?

God saw me through. And that is why everything I do; I give the credit and the glory to God, for making me something out of nothing.

Despite your claims to be illiterate, it was rumoured that you are well educated, how will you react to this?

Yes, I am educated. I have two PhDs. The reason I said that (I am not educated) is to give hope to those that never had the opportunity to go to school for them not to lose hope in life. If I can say confidently in the public that I’m an illiterate, I never went to school; it means someone somewhere will say oh, there is hope for me.

But because we have been brainwashed over time, people have come to believe that it is only when you go to school that you become successful. I want to change that narrative. I want to change that school of thought.

Don’t you also think that could lead to unintended consequences; people can just say that they don’t have to go to school after all?

Well, you have a choice to decide, but my major concern is the people who never had the opportunity to go to school. You hear me talk about the books I have read or the books I’m reading; this means you can improve yourself. What I am telling my listeners is that it is never too late to learn in life.

Could that also be the philosophy behind ‘lazy man wake up’ and other similar charges you give on air?

A lot of people have been inspired. A lot of people come on air to confess that those words pushed them out of their self-set comfort zones. Originally, they thought they were comfortable. Some thought it has ended for them. But with that talk they got moved and today, it is a different story entirely. Some of the things you do on air are different and they are unusual.

What motivates you?

Well, creativity. I don’t believe there is only one way of doing things in life. Those who have been in broadcasting since and have been doing it the way they were taught in the past have not made any significant improvement. So, I decided to come up with mine.

I believe that even some of those things that those people were taught came up as a result of someone’s ingenuity and it came to bear; so what stops me. So, instead of going by conventionality, I decided to come up with something that concentrates more on human angle.

From being a presenter, you are today a Chief Executive Officer of a radio station. How did the idea of a human rights radio come about?

I have always been futuristic. I conceptualised the idea of owning a radio station about 17 years ago.

The first time I applied for a radio license, my senior colleagues at that time were laughing at me. They were making jest of me. Having known the kind of family I came from, they thought that even if I was given a licence, I don’t have the financial muscle to execute it.

So, how did you do it?

I kept buying the equipment little by little. Today, I have four radio licences. The one in Kaduna has already been allocated a Frequency, the land is there, the mast is up, the structure is about 90 per cent completed and the equipment are here (Human Rights Radio, Abuja).

By the end of this month (January), we are going to start installation. After that, I will move into Mowe in Ogun state for another radio station and then to Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

You seem to have a greater passion for radio, why?

With radio you can reach out to more people. Poor people can afford radio not everyone can afford television or newspaper. You don’t even need to own a radio for you to listen to radio. Once somebody who owns one switches it on, you can stop or stand by to listen and you will get the information you need. But newspaper is not like that, Television is not like that. That is the reason why I choose radio. I have come to revolutionise radio station.

What is the revolution that you have brought so far?

I’m the first person to run a 24-hour online stream on Facebook and YouTube.

Do you mean the first person in Nigeria or you mean in the world?

In the whole world; this is the first terrestrial Human Rights Radio in the whole world. There are other Human Rights radios, but they exist only online not terrestrial.

My app is the first Human Rights Radio app in the whole world. If you go app store for android, search for human rights radio, it is only mine that is there for now.

I know that as time goes on, other people will venture into it but for now, mine is the only one. I have been able to come up with things that have put Nigerian name in the map.

This station has the record of being the radio station with the longest test transmission that has ever been done. We did test transmission for over a year because we were denied approval to commence commercial broadcasting

What do you think could be responsible for that?

I don’t want to talk about it.

How do you source for funding?

You should know that I’m a creative artist. I’m a professional anchor person. I’m a Master of Ceremonies (MC) and I don’t anchor just anyhow event. The minimum fee that I charge to be an MC at an event is N1 million.

People say you live like a common Nigerian, do you agree?

I make my money but I don’t live an affluent life. This shoe I’m wearing (pointing to his pair of shoes when this interview was conducted), I bought it in Garki (Abuja) for only N7, 000 in Lagos Street. The material of my cloth is just N2, 000. I buy my wrist watches in the traffic.

So, when my mates were busy buying cars, socialising, doing other things, I was busy building my future. Because I don’t want my children to suffer what I have suffered or my wife to suffer what my mother suffered in the hands of poverty. So, I have always been futuristic about my life.

How did you create the Hembelembe chant and the other idiosyncrasies that go with it?

Creativity! I just created it. The language (English Language) that you and I are speaking today was created by some people. Someone started it somewhere way back in time. The Ebira, Hausa and French languages were all created.

So what makes you think you and I cannot create something that can be made reference to in the future? That is it. Hembelembe means, he who has nobody, has God and Olololo means, he who has God, has everything. In Brekete language, vanor means to talk, repete means, fine, omonyor is love-making.

Another thing is your personality. Your approach to issues is blunt.

I’m not a pretender. I don’t pretend about my feelings, I’m a realist. My programme is a reality radio and television magazine programme. Broadcasters that believe in conventionalities–these are broadcasters who if you don’t make them up, they will never appear before the camera.

I don’t wear makeup. I have never been made up. Even when I’m invited to TV stations as a guest – like on Channels TV, NTA and therest. When they come with their powders, I will tell them no! If you insist, I will tell you, I’m not doing the interview.

Let me take you back to your childhood and upbringing. Where did you grow up?

I was born In Ondo state – Idanre. My childhood was in former Bendel, Kaduna, Kogi – it was different places, yeah.

Is that why you speak many languages?

Well, maybe but the drive behind that is the push to be a unifying base and to unite people.

Of all the languages you speak, which one is your mother tongue?

I will wish to keep that to myself. I’m a detribalised Nigerian. I want Nigerians to just see me as a Nigerian–as a rallying point. By the time I mention my tribe, my tribal people will begin to personalise me like a property. He is our brother, he is our tribal person. I want every Nigerian, every human being, to see me as his or her brother. Maybe when I die, people will get to know where I come from.

Around 2014, when the man, AbdulRasheed Maina, dominated national discourse, no one knew where he was, let alone speak with him. But you reached him and interviewed him on your programme. How did you do it?

At that time, I believed he was innocent. I felt that someone who did something good for the country was being victimised. So, I started doing my background investigation until I discovered that he was somewhere and I got a functional number. I even thought he was in Nigeria. Until after I called him. That was when I discovered that he was in Dubai while we spoke. Eventually, it was last year – sometime around November or December that they started using the interview I did in 2014/15.

But I have a different belief about him now. At that time, I had believed that he was innocent. When I asked him to come back to Nigeria for him to expose and confirm those things he said over the phone, he never showed up. That was when I began to doubt his story. But he used that interview to whip sentiments and create sympathy.

What challenges do you usually face while doing such things?

Government is always on the other side. They see me as a threat. I don’t know the right words to use, but no government has ever given me any support.

What kind of support?

Any kind of support, but I work with some government agencies like the Nigeria Police, and all other government established agencies. I’m not an authority. I collaborate with them and even they don’t like me because I’m making them work. They see me as a nuisance.

What is the wisdom behind the title of Ordinary President that you bear?

It is for me to be constantly be reminded that I’m a no body.

You think you’re nobody?

Yes, I am. I’m a no body. God is only using me to do extraordinary things in ordinary people’s lives and that makes me an ordinary person.

Again, by having the title Ordinary, I’m kept focused. That way, it is for me not to ever get carried away by fame, acceptance and popularity which can intoxicate the human being. In all of my recent certifications, both local and international, I bear Ordinary Ahmad.

So, has it become part of your formal identity?

Yes. It is even on my International Passport.

Source: Blueprint Newspaper.

Clashes Among Party Supporters, Hate Speeches By Candidates Worry INEC Boss

Greenbarge Reporters

October 18, 2022

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Manhood Yakubu has expressed worry over the reported clashes among the political parties and their supporters as well as the hate speeches by presidential candidates.

“Even as the Commission is working hard to ensure a credible process in the forthcoming elections, reports of clashes among parties and their supporters in some States of the country during the ongoing electioneering campaign is worrisome.

“So too is the reported denial of access to public facilities for parties and candidates in some States of the Federation. Let me caution parties and their supporters to focus on issues and steer clear of attacks on each other. These are not only violations of the Electoral Act 2022 but also negate the voluntary commitment by all political parties and candidates to the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord signed about three weeks ago under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC).”

Professor Yakubu spoke today, October 18 in Abuja, at the Training of Master Trainers (TMT) on election technology for the 2023 general election,

The INEC Boss warned that political parties, candidates and their supporters should not, by acts of commission or omission, further complicate the prevailing security situation in the country.

According to him, a peaceful electioneering campaign is critical to the conduct of peaceful and credible elections.

He promised that the Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely and will convene a meeting with leaders of political parties next week to discuss, among the other issues, the imperative of peaceful campaigns and equal access to public facilities.

“In the same vein, the Commission will also meet with the security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) next week.

Professor Yakubu said that the training-the-trainers which the Commission had embarked upon is one of the most important training activities ahead of the 2023 General Election.

He said that over the last two years, the Commission has increased the deployment of technology in the elections in Nigeria.

“Systems and portals have been designed and developed to cater for different electoral activities ranging from voter registration and accreditation, result transmission from the polling units, the nomination of candidates by political parties to the accreditation of polling agents, observers and journalists for elections.

“Of these innovations, most Nigerians are more familiar with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) which doubles as a device for accreditation as well as the upload of the Polling Unit level result sheets to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in real-time on election day.

“These innovations have increased transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. They are also part of the legal requirements for conducting elections in Nigeria.

“The combination of the BVAS and the IReV portal have come to stay as a means of voter accreditation and transmission of election results.

“From the experience of recent off-cycle elections, the Commission is convinced that a critical success factor in the deployment of technology in elections is training.

“We need to build the capacity of the staff involved not only to competently handle the devices during the accreditation process but also respond effectively to any glitches that may occur during elections.

“Our plan for the 2023 General Election is to commence the training of election officials early and for a longer period of time for optimal understanding of the processes and procedures in order to serve Nigerians better. A key component of this effort is election technology.

“Today, we begin the process with the training of master trainers to serve as Registration Area Technical Support (RATECH).

“A total of 82 officials drawn from our offices nationwide will form the nucleus of the training. Over the next three days, they will receive intensive hands-on training on the new technology. “Thereafter, they will train more officials at zonal level to cover all the 8,809 Registration Areas (or Wards). In turn, these officials will be involved in the training ad hoc staff for the 176,846 Polling Units nationwide.”

The INEC chairman called on the 82 staff involved to pay special attention to the training that they will receive at the Workshop, reminding them that their role as master trainers is critical to the success of training at subsequent levels and ultimately the successful deployment of the devices during elections.

“For this reason, the Commission will not accept laxity on your part. Much as we have confidence in your ability to understand and discharge your responsibilities to the officials you will subsequently train, there will be consequences for unethical behaviour or any act of misconduct. I wish you a successful training.”

Zamfara Backs Down On Closure Of 5 Media Organizations, Apologizes

Greenbarge Reporters

October 18, 2022

Zamfara government has backed down on its order shutting down five media organizations operating in the state and apologized for the action which, though, it insisted, was right.
The media that were shut down are the NTA, FRCN’s Pride FM Gusau, Gamji TV, Gamji FM and Al-umma TV.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, had alleged that the affected media violated it’s Executive Order No.10 and abused journalism practice.
However, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of Zamfara State Committee on Prosecution of Banditry and Related Offences, Dr. Abdullahi Shinkafi, at a news briefing in Gusau, the state capital yesterday, apologized on behalf of the government, saying that the media organizations were shut down for violating the Executive Order No.10, 2022, which came into effect on October 13, 2022.
He said that the government, in the Order, banned all forms of political rallies and meetings in the state due to security concerns, suspended all political activities in the state and totally shut down Anka, Bukuyum and Gummi Local government areas’ roads and other affected towns and villages affected by order No 10, 2022.
Part of the order reads: “In the exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 5(2), 176(2) and 315 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended) and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I honorable Dr Bello Muhammad (Matawallen Maradun) MON, Executive Governor, Zamfara State, following the recent spate of attacks and killing of some innocent souls in some communities across some local government areas of the state, particularly Gusau, Tsafe, Gummi, Bukuyum, Anka Bungudu, Maru, Maradun and Laura Namoda, resurgence of some activities of banditry, recent cases of kidnapping in their communities and some major federal high ways in the state.
“And in an effort to curtail the menace of Armed banditry and other related crimes in the state as well as the need to widen the scope of measures taken by the Government so as to strengthen the fight against banditry and other forms of social vices in the state, do hereby issue the following Restrictions Orders;
“The Order may be cited as Restriction of movement and banning of all political activities Order No. 10, 2022 and shall come into operation on the 13th Day of October 2022:
“From the commencement of this Order:
“All political activities in the state has been suspended until when the security of the state improves.;
“Political meetings and gathering at individuals’ residents are also banned with immediate effect.
“Total shut down of Anka, Bukuyum and Gummi Local government areas, roads as well as Yarkufoji Birnin Tudu, Rini, Goran Namaye, Janbako, Faru, Kaya, Boko Road, Bakura to Lambar Damri Road, Mayanchi Daki Takwas to Gummi road Daki Takwas to Zuru road Kucheri, Bawa Ganga, Wanke road, Magami to Dangulbi road and Gusau to Magami road until when the security improves in the areas.
“All movements are henceforth restricted in the mentioned local government areas and towns;
“Danjibga, Kunchin Kalgo and Bagega Markets are hereby closed until when security of the affected areas is restored;
“All security agencies are hereby directed to arrest anybody found violating the restriction order.
“Mobile courts are hereby established to deal with violators of this Order.”
Shinkafi acknowledged that the government action of shutting down the media houses attracted unprecedented reactions and criticisms from various organizations and agencies.
They included broadcast media regulators, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Press Institute (IPI), among others.
The APC chieftain, however, insisted that Governor Matawalle’s action was guided by the powers vested on him as enshrined in relevant sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic.
According to him, the government has since withdrawn the order given to the Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute personnel seen around the affected media organizations.
Shinkafi said the government has also withdrawn the security forces deployed to the Media houses to allow the personnel resume their work.
He called on the Media organizations and all Journalists to respect the state laws and support the government in its effort to tackle banditry and kidnapping in parts of the state.
Source: NAN.

Gov Wike Accuses Atiku Of “Northernising The Presidency,” Insists PDP Must Apologise

Greenbarge Reporters

October 18, 2022

The Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike has accused the Presidential candidate of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar of making a careless remark that amounted to “Northernising the Presidency” and capable of threatening the unity of Nigeria.

Wike spoke yesterday, October 17, on his arrival from Spain in company of Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Samuel Ortom (Benue), in reaction to the widely reported “don’t vote Yoruba, Igbo” remark by Atiku .

The Governor, who has been at cross-purpose with his party over the continued stay of its national chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, insisted that PDP should apologise to Nigerians for the comment of its Presidential candidate.

He described such comment as not only “amounting to Northernising the Presidency but capable of threatening the nation’s unity.”

The governor blamed Atiku’s handlers for the damaging remark, adding that the “circumstances in which it was made” should be explained to Nigerians.

“I don’t believe that my candidate could make such a statement. But assuming he did make that statement, and this is one of the things we have been saying, this country needs to be united and part of the way you unite it is to include everybody.

”That comment has now confirmed to me one of the reasons why those of them in their camp, do not want Ayu to resign because they do not want inclusivity.

“I don’t know how those who are packaging the presidential candidate will allow him to make such a statement. I was reading where somebody was saying that it was a direct response to a question he was asked.

“Given that the statement is now in the public domain, I will advise the leadership of PDP to tender an apology to Nigerians while explaining the circumstances in which the statement was made.

“Be that as it may, I don’t think that it was necessary at this time, as people who are going in for an election, as people who want Nigerians to trust them to have allowed such a statement to be made. If it (statement) was made, as they said, I think, as a party, we need to apologise to Nigerians, assuming the (statement) was made.

“People are denying that it was made but if you watch the video, it appears true people are saying with recent technology, anything can be done.

“This requires further explanation by our party, because Nigerians, as it is today, we can’t go this way if we want this country to remain as the way our founding fathers struggled, laboured, and toiled all the night to see that there is a country called Nigeria.”

Governor Wike also insisted that the national chairman should resign as the only solution to the rift in the party, even as he queried the impropriety of the controversial one billion issue rocking the party.

He adjudged Senator Ayu as being indicted in the one billion naira controversy, “going by his responses to the allegations leveled against him.

“Luckily for me, he (Ayu) has now mentioned that he went to the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa where they discussed on the issues of borrowing.

“Now, the question is, when you talk about borrowing, who approves borrowing? You must go to the National Working Committee (NWC) to say you want to borrow money.

“I challenge him to bring the records where NWC approved that the party should go and borrow N1billion. What is the collateral?”

Governor Wike said that in matters of funding the party, the governors had been up to that responsibility dutifully.

He said that it is unthinkable that Ayu would, in the guise of seeking funding for the party, opt to collect loans without notifying the NWC and governors.

“How can you talk of an N1billion loan without the NWC mooting the idea, without the governors knowing? Then you talk about the N100 million. He said he told the Board of Trustees (BOT).”

NCC Washes Hands Off Letter On Certificate Of Site Ownership In Circulation

Editorial staff

October 17, 2022

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has distanced itself from what it described as “a fraudulent letter, titled: “Certificate of Site Ownership,” for clearance of “Mast Transmission Antenna,” that are being circulated by some unidentifiable individuals.

The Commission said that it discovered the fraudulent letter through social listening and environmental surveillance.

A statement today, October 17 by the NCC Chief spokesperson, Reuben Muoka said that the fraudulent letter claimed that the Commission had conducted an inspection on a certain site which is for “9-Mobile Telecommunications Company G.P.R.S.”

The statement said that the fraudsters also gave conditions that the unsuspecting recipient of the letter would meet to make the certificate valid and effective for use by “10th November 2022.”

It said that several and variants of the fraudulent letter may have been sent to individuals and organizations, with the intent to defraud, using the name of the Commission.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission, therefore, wishes to dissociate itself from the import, and content of this letter, or similar ones, which may have been sent out by the faceless individuals.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the design and format of the forged letterhead bears no similarity with those of the Commission. The department quoted in the fraudulent letter is non-existent at the Commission.

“The signatory to the letter is also not known to the Commission.

“The public is hereby advised to note that telecommunications services are offered by companies which are issued licences by the Commission.

“The Commission also maintains a register of all telecommunications companies in the country. Suffice it to say, that, the process of initiating, or exchanging correspondence between the Commission, and the licensees, has definite and distinct standard and style.

“In addition, the Commission has very open and credible channels of communication, through which all information about it, and its activities, including matters relating to correspondence on any subject matter, can be leveraged for verification.

“While the Commission frowns at the nefarious activities of these fraudsters, telecom stakeholders, the Nigerian public, and corporate organizations, are advised to be wary of the wiles of many fraudsters prowling in the streets with all kinds of illegitimate documents, to avoid being victims of their nefarious activities.”

Buhari Counts Over 7 Year Stewardship Of His Administration, At Ministerial Retreat

Editorial staff

October 17, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has taken his time to reel out what his government has been able to accomplish in the over seven years he has been in the saddle.

The President, who spoke today, October 17, at the third ministerial performance review retreat in Abuja, said that the retreat was organised to evaluate the level of progress made in the implementation of the Nine Priority Agenda of his Administration.

He expressed satisfaction that over the past three years, Ministries have continued to navigate the challenging times to ensure the implementation of Policies, Programmes and Projects in the Ministerial Mandates, signed by Ministers and Permanent Secretaries in 2019.

“The implementation of the laudable policy thrust of this Administration is periodically tracked, reviewed and analysed by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit through quarterly performance reports of the 29 Ministries including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“Through the innovative delivery initiative put in place by this Government in 2019, I have continued to receive weekly updates from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, prepared by CDCU on the implementation of the Ministerial Mandates. So far, the reports show that we are making remarkable progress and on track to reach most of the deliverables in the Ministerial Mandates against the benchmarked targets for 2023.”

President Buhari said that the objective of the retreat is to ensure that his government completes and delivers on the flagship projects and programmes, promotes sustainable economic growth and development, as well as improves the living standard of the people.

He said that 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 156.5km Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway modernization project with extension to Lagos Port, Apapa.”

The President went to list other achievements of his government thus:

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 & expansion of Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan dual carriageway; the ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road, among others.

We have sustained our commitment to infrastructural development for the past 7 years. This is evident in the handing over of 941km of completed SUKUK road projects nationwide.

Furthermore, the Federal Government has embarked on the reconstruction of 21 selected Federal Roads totaling 1,804.6km, under the Road Infrastructure Development & Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy. The roads which are funded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited are in addition to similar existing collaboration with Messrs. Dangote Industries Limited and other corporate organisations to improve the stock of our road infrastructure.

On another front, the establishment of a National Carrier for Nigeria is at 91% completion, expected to commence flight operations before the end of this year. This is being boosted with the certification of two of our International Airports (Lagos & Abuja) by International Civil Aviation Organization, while Kano and Port Harcourt Airports are undergoing similar certification process.

On the economy, we have witnessed seven consecutive quarters of growth, after negative growth rates recorded in the 2nd and 3rd Quarters of 2020. The GDP grew by 3.54% (year-on-year) in real terms in the 2nd 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.

As part of our continued drive to promote the Communications & Digital Economy Sector, giant strides have been made through our broadband coverage which currently stands at 44.32%. This is being reinforced by 77.52% 4G coverage with the establishment of 36,751 4G base stations nationwide.

The Power Sector has remained a critical priority for the Administration. The implementation of a ‘Willing Buyer-Willing Seller’ Policy introduced by this Administration has opened up opportunities for increased delivery of electricity to underserved homes and industries.

We are also executing a number of critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, which will result in achieving the national goal of improved power supply by 2025.

It is important to state that the partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and German Siemens AG through the Presidential Power Initiative to increase electricity generation to 25,000 Megawatts (MW) in six years is on course, as the first batch of the transformers has arrived Nigeria already.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, you will recall that I signed the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) into law on 16th August 2021. The Act provides a legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, as well as the development of host communities and related matters.

To achieve the objectives of the PIA, we have unbundled the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and have established the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

As part of efforts toward strengthening our national security, we have substantially invested in arms, weapons and other critical military hardware as well as continuous training for our Armed Forces.

The Nigerian Air Force has acquired 38 brand-new aircraft and is expecting another batch of 36 new ones, while the Nigerian Navy has been equipped with new platforms, sophisticated riverine, Rigid-Hull Inflatable, Seaward Defence, Whaler & Fast Attack Boats as well as Helicopters and Capital Ships.

To boost the number of our Police personnel, 20,000 policemen have been recruited, trained, fully integrated and deployed in 2020 and 2021. This exercise has strengthened our community policing strategy which is enshrined in the Police Act, 2020.

As an Administration, we are unwavering in our fight against corruption. We will continue to review and prosecute high-profile corruption cases and ensure speedy completion. Accordingly, we have established platforms to promote collaboration among anti-corruption and prosecuting Agencies of Government. This is to ensure Government at all levels is effective, efficient, accountable and transparent.

The implementation of our Social Investment Programmes and other socio-economic programmes and policies, demonstrates our Administration’s continued commitment to enhancing the welfare of the average Nigerian. As of June 2022, we had enrolled 75% of the 1 million beneficiaries of Batch C under the N-POWER Programme. Additionally, 9,990,862 pupils are being fed through the School Feeding Programme, which employs 128,531 cooks in local communities.

Following the passage of the National Health Act in 2014, this Administration began the inclusion of the 1% minimum portion of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to cater for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

Consequently, 988,652 poor and indigent Nigerians have been enrolled in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

We should also note that a total of 7,373 primary health facilities have been accredited and capitated under the National Health Insurance Scheme pathway, while 7,242 Primary Health Care facilities are receiving Decentralized Facility Financing under the National Primary Health Care Development Agency – Basic Health Care Provision Fund gateway.

On the issue of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Nigeria has done extremely well in its response to the Pandemic, having been commended by the World Health Organisation.

As at end of September this year, 51,713,575 eligible people had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, representing 46.3% of the eligible population. Out of this number, 38,765,510 people have been fully vaccinated, and this represents 34.7% of the eligible population that is fully vaccinated.”

Buhari encouraged all eligible Nigerians to ensure that they are fully vaccinated as Nigeria’s vaccine stock balance stands at about 27 million doses.

He said that as a direct result of the government investment, the Agricultural Sector has experienced significant growth, saying that the shortfall in food production and food importation bills have both been reduced significantly.

“Along with the production of other staple crops, we have reached our goal of self-sufficiency in rice production. We are exerting a lot of effort to solve the problem of the rising cost of food that is related to inflation, being a global crisis.

“Our efforts in building the capacity of our youth are yielding results. Only recently, Nigeria finished 7th on the Medals Table out of 72 Nations and Territories that participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, winning 12 Gold, 9 Silver and 14 Bronze.

“Indeed, the Nation is proud of the exploits of Tobi Amusan for winning the 2022 World Athletics Championships 100-metre hurdles gold medal in Eugene, Oregon, thereby setting a new world record at the World Athletics Championships.

Distinguished Guests and Participants, to consolidate our achievements over the last three years, this Retreat has been designed to:

Review the performance of Ministries in delivering the Ministerial Mandates signed in 2019;

Identify and propose solutions towards resolving key impediments to implementation; and

Re-strategize on how to accelerate the delivery of results along the Nine Priority Areas of our Administration, especially as the Administration is winding down.

At this critical point in the life of our Administration, it is imperative for Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and all Heads of Agencies to reinvigorate their efforts in ramping-up delivery of flagship programmes and projects contained in their Ministerial Mandates.

Let me now acknowledge the efforts of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and his able team in sustaining the Annual Performance Review Retreats, which has enabled us to maintain focus on our Agenda and more importantly, provided solid evidence that supports our achievements.

I am also proud to see that our Administration is staying true to our commitment to the Open Government Partnership initiative which I signed up in 2017. In this regard, the Presidential Delivery Tracker was launched on 30th August 2022, which is a clear testament to this Administration’s commitment to participatory governance.

As part of efforts to strengthen performance management culture, the Central Delivery Coordination Unit is being institutionalised. As an initiative of this Administration, I am delighted to bequeath this legacy to my successor as part of the mechanisms that will assist the next Administration in delivering on its promises to the Nigerian people.

Finally, I wish to encourage all participants to engage optimally throughout this Retreat.

I look forward to a very fruitful session and stimulating exchange of views.”

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