Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disqualified two of the 17 presidential aspirants who presented themselves for screening as per the party’s arrangement.
The chairman of the screening committee, Senator David Mark, who made this known to newsmen today, April 29, in a chat, would not give the identities of the disqualified aspirants and the reasons for their disqualification.
According to him, the aspirants did not meet the requirements to contest for the ticket of the party.
On whether the party will refund the N80 million with which the disqualified aspirants bought the nomination form, Senator David Mark quipped: “why should the party refund the money?”
For the first time in two years, after the world’s biggest lockdown to slow the COVID-19 pandemic, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to return to receiving guests on the traditional Sallah homage in Aso Rock Presidential villa, Abuja.
A statement today, April 29, by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that such guests would be welcomed only on invitations.
According to Garba Shehu, the invitees would be required to wear face masks and undergo the linear Covid-19 test at the State House Conference Centre to obtain a negative test result as condition for admittance to the event.
“Although this is a sign of the return to normalcy as infection rates fall to their lowest, those coming on invitation are still required to wear face masks and undergo the linear Covid-19 test at the State House Conference Centre to obtain a negative test result as condition for admittance to the event.”
The spokesperson said that about 100 guests are expected to be hosted by the President at the new State House Banquet Hall at 3:00pm on Sallah Day, which may be Sunday or Monday, subject to the moon sighting, to be announced by Islamic authorities in the country.
“Invited Guests for the event, led by Muhammed Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of Service, the Senator and House members from the territory; leadership of the FCT Judiciary, Members of the Cabinet, Service Chiefs and heads of security agencies, Muslim and Christian leaderships in the FCT, Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers and others who received invitations as listed on the manifest.”
A billionaire business tycoon, Tahir Fadlallah, owner of Tahir Guest Palace Hotel and Arabian Sweet has died, aged 78. His death was confirmed in a tweet today, April 29, by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who is a good friend of the deceased. Garba Shehu wrote: “we have lost Tahir. May Allah grants him Aljannah.” He included a picture of himself and Tahir. The picture was taken shortly after he was discharged from from hospital after months of treatment in Beirut. The billionaire was flown to Beirut, Lebanon for treatment in an air ambulance in May 2020 after he tested positive for COVID-19 in Nigeria. He was said to have been under intensive care ever since, with a version saying that he had been in a vegetative state and has been breathing on a machine. Tahir Fadlallah, who left behind, a wife and five children, until his death, was the chairman of the Lebanese Community in Kano State. Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani twitted: “Just learned of the death of Mr. Tahir Fadlalah; a great Kano based Lebanese Businessman. An accomplished man who believed & proudly identified himself with his adopted country in good & bad times. A great loss to Nigeria & the Lebanese community. RIP.” Responding to Sani’s post, @promisejos wrote: “Lebanese nationality Decades contributions to our national development, poverty reduction and unemployment is undoubtedly. May the soul of Tahir Fadlalah rest in peace & may Allah strengthen the families of the decist (sic) to fill the Vacuum left behind. Aameen Thuman Aameen.”
Late Tahir Fadlallah was a good friend of the Editor-In-Chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine, Yusuf Ozi Usman when he was in Kano as Bureau Chief of THISDAY newspaper. He prays to Allah to forgive his sins and admit him into Aljanah Firdausi.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Cosmas Ndukwe, has gone to court, seeking for the stoppage of the party’s presidential primary slated for May 28.
The aspirant alleged before the Federal High Court, Abuja, today, April 28 that the party has planned to overturn the zoning arrangement during such primary, in preparation for the 2023 general elections.
National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu has made it clear to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he won’t work for his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate despite the more than 30 years friendship with him.
Dr. Ayu, who received in audience Atiku’s campaign team and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) today, April 28 a visit at the party’s Secretariat, stressed that although he and Atiku were key players in the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), he won’t work for his interest in the PDP primary election.
The PDP national chairman said he will work for all the party’s presidential candidates.
“Let me acknowledge the fact that you and I have been close friends personal friends for more than 30 years as it was indicated, we were key players in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and key players in the emergence of Chief MKO Abiola.
“So you are a presidential aspirant today. But I want people to know that you are still my friend. I can’t deny you; I never deny my friends including those who are in the other disastrous party. You know them because even there, we have common friends who miss road, who normally should be here with us.
“More importantly, since we formed this party as you have mentioned, we have worked together in various capacities. It is you and I that plotted the emergence of President Obasanjo. An administration that did very well, putting Nigeria on a healthy map economically, socially and politically.
“Again, I can’t deny the fact that we work together harmoniously, whether political issues or economic issues and on the National Security Council when I was minister for internal affairs.
“I’m saying this to make it clear that those who say oh, because of my personal relationship with you, as chairman, I’ll work for you. Mr. Vice President, I will not work for you as an aspirant. I will work for all the 17 aspirants. It is left to you to convince the delegates of our party that you are the best.”
While emphasising that the PDP NWC under his leadership will not support any particular candidate, Ayu advised the former vice president to work hard to present and convince the party’s delegates that he was the right person for the job.
“You have to market yourself, you have to work hard. This National Working Committee for now we remain an umpire. We are not going to take side with any particular aspirants. But we love you all.
“I’ve said repeatedly that each one of you given the opportunity will run this country better than what APC has done or will be able to do.”
The PDP has fixed May 28 and 29 for its presidential primary elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned politicians and foreigners to stay out of electoral malpractices in the 2023 generl elections even as he vowed to use every legitimate means to protect the votes of Nigerians.
“Those planning to rig the forthcoming elections should think twice because I intend to resolutely protect and defend the sacred will of the Nigerian people, to be expressed through the ballot box.”
The President, who spoke at an Iftar (breaking of Fast) dinner with members of the Diplomatic Corps, cautioned against foreign interference in the forthcoming elections.
“As you are all aware, the tenure of this Administration ends on 29th May, 2023. Typical of election years all over the world, the tempo of political activities is often high.
“That is the nature of democracy. I am committed to bequeathing a stronger culture of credible elections to Nigeria than I met.
“As Nigeria goes through this trajectory, I urge our friends in the global community, represented by you the Diplomatic Corps, to adopt a positive role that reinforces the doctrine of respect for our internal affairs and respect for facts and devoid of pre-conceived notions and bias.”
Speaking on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the President called for greater consideration for humanitarian conditions in the affected areas in the ongoing crisis, warning that the conflict will get worse, if an immediate resolution is not found.
“The war has lasted too long, cost so much and hurt too many people, well beyond the immediate theatres.
“The rest of the world is progressively facing the impact of the conflict and this will certainly get worse, if an immediate resolution is not found, not least in the area of food security.”
President Buhari welcomed the recent initiative of UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutteres, of visiting Moscow and Kyiv, commending his efforts in search of a ceasefire, as a prelude to other enduring solutions.
“The United Nations must continue to actively lead the way for engagements that could ultimately unlock peace through diplomacy.”.
The President urged the world, especially the Muslim community, to use the solemn and rewarding month of Ramadan, and especially these last days of the fast, to intensify prayers for de-escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and for the return of peace to the world.
President Buhari also used the occasion to apprise members of the international community on some of the critical issues that are currently on the front burner of this Administration’s agenda and spirited efforts in handling them.
“We continue to make steady progress on the daunting tasks of combating insecurity; fighting corruption; diversifying the economy; promoting good governance; and containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite the many challenges we faced, and continue to face, we have instituted measures to plug leakages, improve the economy and enhance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“These include: Renewal of vital infrastructure, including rail and roads; Implementation of the N2.3 trillion Economic Sustainability Plan to create jobs and provide support to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises; and Launch of the National Development Plan (2021-2025) to spur economic growth, leverage science, technology and innovation.
“Other measures include: Establishment of the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDGs with the responsibility for ensuring coherence between development policies, plans and strategies;
“Launch, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, of the Nigeria Sustainable Development Goals Implementation Plan (2020-2030), to prioritise and mainstream the SDGs into their medium and long-term development policies and plans.”
On COVID-19, the President, who restated Nigeria’s demand for vaccine equity and waiver of patents for manufacturing vaccines and approved drugs to treat the highly infectious disease, said the country would continue to expand its capacities for managing the pandemic.
On regional security, the President told the diplomats that the impact of the Libyan crisis on the countries in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, West and Central Africa is still enormous and catastrophic.
He expressed concern on the free circulation of small and light arms in these regions, made worse by the uncontrolled expulsion of foreign fighters from Libya without adequate consultations with the countries of the region.
“The world needs to work together to combat these common challenges and I call on all your respective countries to reflect on this and collaborate with countries in these regions to combat this consequential spread of violence.’’
On the fight against Boko Haram, the President said: “as you know well, Nigeria has made significant progress in combating the Boko Haram group in the North East.
“We are, however, recently confronted with new tactics deployed by the enemy to threaten our democratic values, as well as the common peace and freedom we enjoy in this country.”
Commending Nigeria’s defence and security service men and women for their recent successes in routing the terrorists, the President said he was confident that the security situation would soon be brought under control.
He also acknowledged the support of Nigeria’s friends and partners in the global community, particularly the European Union and the United States “for their understanding, support and agreement to allow us to procure vital equipment and resources to successfully propagate this war.”
The President added that “this cooperation and collaboration need to be intensified in spite of other major challenges confronting the international community.”
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Amb. Ibrahima Salaheddine, pledged that the international community would continue to support Nigeria before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
“As Nigeria enters another electoral year, we pray almighty Allah to put the electoral process under divine guidance for peaceful, free and fair elections.”
Amb. Salaheddine, who described this year’s Iftah as special, noted that due to COVID-19 the tradition of meeting the President for the breaking of fast did not hold for two years.
He congratulated the Nigerian government for curtailing the spread of the pandemic, saying the “enlightened leadership” of President Buhari has largely brought its spread in Nigeria under control.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May, 2022 as Public Holidays to mark this year’s Workers Day and EIdul-Fitr Celebrations.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration today, April 28 on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated workers across the country on this year’s celebration.
Ogbeni Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, saying that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.
“Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working.”
Ogbeni Aregbesola called on the workers to imbibe the culture of productivity.
“The end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is therefore the path to national and individual prosperity.”
He urges workers to raise the bar of their trade in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration’s drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the nation.
The Minister also congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the Holy month of Ramadan.
Ogbeni Aregbesola called on all Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
“The self-restrain, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper.”
The minister expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country will soon be a thing of the past, noting that the government is putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all round.
Ogbeni Aregbesola assured Nigerians that the administration of President Buhari is fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners alike.
The Minister commended all security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against criminals across the country and the peace that has returned to the formerly embattled places.
He urged Nigerians to be part of the nation’s security architecture by being vigilant and reporting suspicious individuals and activities to law enforcement agencies nearest to them, noting that security is everybody’s responsibility.
Ogbeni Aregbesola wished all Muslims a happy Eidul-Fitr celebration and prays that the peace, blessings and favours of Allah be with you all. Ameen.
The statement was signed on behalf of the minister by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. M.L. Shuaib Belgore.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced the process of conducting a study on 78 licenses for the purpose of assessing the current level of competition in the colocation and infrastructure sharing (CIS) segment of the Nigerian telecommunications sector.
The study, according to a statement today, April 28, by the NCC spokesman, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, is to enable the Commission to have insightful and evidenced-based facts to glean the dynamics at play and ensure the continuous growth of the CIS segment of the telecom market.
The statement said that the Commission takes this issue as priority in view of the critical role played by the colocation and infrastructure sharing segment of the telecom ecosystem in ensuring robust services.
It said that already, the Commission has engaged the services of Messrs. Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC), one of the world’s reputable consulting firms, to conduct the study on its behalf, in exercise of NCC’s regulatory functions as provided in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003.
The study, according to the statement, is expected to be concluded between April and July, 2022.
Speaking at the NCC’s stakeholders’ forum, organised in Lagos on the commencement of the study, the Director, Policy, Competition and Economy Analysis (PCEA) at NCC, Yetunde Akinloye, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, said the forum was hosted to intimate operators in the CIS segment of the telecom market on the study and to secure their buy-in and cooperation with the consultants undertaking the study.
Akinloye said that in line with its mandate of creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services, the NCC periodically conducts studies to assess the level of competition in the industry.
“Having successfully conducted competition assessment studies in 2005, 2010 and 2013, the Commission had issued determinations based on the findings of the studies while outcome of such studies has also enabled the Commission to come up with various regulatory interventions and initiatives to continuously provide a level-playing field for the interplay of market forces. These procedures are emplaced by the Commission to ensure fair, efficient and sustainable competition in the Nigerian telecom industry,” Akinloye said, adding that since the successful completion of the 2013 study, there had been significant development and activities in some market segments of the industry that had necessitated the conduct of another competition study.
For instance, he said, at the time the 2013 study was conducted, the CIS market segment was still at embryonic stage and as such, much emphasis was not placed on it. “The CIS segment has however recorded significant growth and transformation over the years having about 80 licensees, operating in the segment while its performance and activities continue to impact significantly on other segments of the Nigerian industry.”
The Director PCEA said that activities in the CIS market has also attained the targets set out in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025).
Akinloye declared that the overarching objective of the study is to provide current insights into the level of competition in the CIS market segment and articulate strategies to enhance opportunities in the market, as well as ensure the deepening of competition which will ultimately support the provision of innovative services for the benefits of both market players and the consumers at large.
“Therefore, in line with NCC’s participatory approach to regulation, this initial stakeholders forum has been convened to formally introduce the project and the appointed consultants to the industry.”
Akinloye said that the forum provides opportunities for stakeholders to gain an understanding into the objective, scope and methodology of the study, as well as to ensure that questionnaire or Request for Information (RFI) developed by the consultants to access the level of competition in the market are well understood.
He asked the stakeholders to see the forum as an opportunity to seek and receive clarification based on presentation delivered by the consultant and to make comments on issues relating to the study.
He advised all participants to commit to the objectives of the study, by providing complete, timely feedback to questionnaires.
Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity at NCC, Bako Wakil, also joined Akinloye in seeking the full cooperation of licensees in the CIS segment of the telecom market whenever they are approached by the consultants for relevant information either through the instrumentality of the RFI or through one-on-one sessions with consultants in the course of the implementation of the study.
Wakil said that the study is in the interest of the CIS licensees, other players and the consumers, adding that it would also provide the Commission with useful and evidenced-based insights necessary to ensure healthy competition and a level-playing ground in the CIS segment and ensure sustainability in the growth of the telecommunication industry.
“Also, be rest assured of the confidentiality of any information provided to the Commission in the course of this study, no matter how sensitive.”
Earlier in her presentation to telecom stakeholders, Partner at PwC, Mary Iwelumo, stressed the objectives of the study and urged them to cooperate with the firm in providing accurate, timely and adequate responses to the RFI or the questionnaire that would be administered, which she said, would ensure that appropriate information are to obtained to address the challenges in the sector.
Iwelumo said that the study is to analyse the structure and operations of the collocation and infrastructure sharing segment of the telecoms market, draw out insights and advise the Commission on necessary regulatory interventions required.
Iwelumo listed three major tasks of PwC in the execution of the study to include: gathering data, reviewing and analysing information that would be sourced from the Commission, the operators, other jurisdictions for benchmarking; engaging identified stakeholders to get feedback and suggestions after the completion of market assessment; and finally to make recommendations and prepare the study report.
“Operators are very critical to the success of the study. Therefore, they would be involved in this critical assignment, as important sources of information, as provider of technical inputs, and finally, help to validate the findings of the study.”
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Ahmed Tijjani, has attributed the resurgence of kidnapping and banditry, to what she called “intelligence failure.”
The minister, who spoke at the sixth security meeting with area council chairmen, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the territory today, April 28, advised that security agencies not wait until attacks are launched on residents before embarking on fire brigade missions
A statement by her spokesperson, Austine Elemue, quoted the minister as calling on the traditional rulers and other stakeholders to evolve new methods of tackling insecurity in the nation’s capital.
She said that the directive became imperative in view of pockets of reported kidnapping cases and the forthcoming Sallah, stressing that there is the need to re-strategise and strengthen areas of needs.
The statement reads in part: “In view of recent reports from area councils like Gwagwalada, Kwali and Bwari, there is every reason for us to come back, re-strategise and ask what is happening, where we are failing and where we need to strengthen. We need to do an analysis of where our strength lies and where we need to fortify.
“In our expanded FCT security meetings, we have all adequate committees in place, and we have sub-committees that are overseeing the affairs of security and intelligence gathering in the federal capital.
“Despite all these, we are still having reports of people invading communities and our peace, especially in the satellite towns where the terrains are difficult.
“Therefore, the royal fathers who are the custodians of the people should come up with new strategies that will put an end to this menace.”
The minister further said the FCTA was doing everything possible in ensuring that jobs were created for the teeming youths and women in rural communities across the six area councils.
Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar bowed to greet the National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, when Atiku met with members of the PDP’s National Working Committee at the party’s secretariat in Abuja today, April, 38.
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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced the process of conducting a study on 78 licenses for the purpose of assessing the current level of competition in the colocation and infrastructure sharing (CIS) segment of the Nigerian telecommunications sector.
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Ahmed Tijjani, has attributed the resurgence of kidnapping and banditry, to what she called “intelligence failure.”
