Anambra Election: We’ll Crush IPOB, Other Criminals, Police Boss Assures Voters

October 13, 2021

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has assured electorate in Anambra State that his men are ready to crush members of the rampaging Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other criminals thereby securing public space for the November 6 Anambra State gubernatorial election.

The Inspector General gave the assurance, today, October 13, during a strategic meeting held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, with Commanders of the Police Mobile Force Squadrons in the country, as part of efforts to specifically contain the activities of criminal elements in the South-East and particularly guarantee a safe and secure environment for the elections.

The Police said that the leadership of the Force has commenced the reorganization, re-equipping, training and re-orientation of the PMF with the goal of strengthening its operational capacity and re-situating the unit to accomplish the task of confronting violent crimes in the country.

He charged the Squadron Commanders to upscale their supervisory roles to ensure their personnel demonstrate high level of professionalism, firmness, courage and respect for human rights while carrying out their duties.

The police boss said that the Nigeria Police Force in the coming days will be implementing a robust national security action plan to refocus the internal security dynamics of the country in addition to securing the electoral processes in the Anambra State Gubernatorial election including the protection of personnel and materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and critical national infrastructure.

The IGP noted that the Police Mobile Force, will as usual, form a critical component of the operational plan, to deter any subversive elements that could threaten or disrupt the smooth conduct of the election.

He reiterated that the Force will continue to do all within its powers to combat all forms of criminality and violent crimes including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and violent extremism, amongst others, across the country.

Buhari Announces N600 Billion Loans For 2.4 Million Farmers, At World Food Day

Editorial staff

October 13, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced N600 billion loans to support 2.4 million farmers across the country. The loan will be disbursed through the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support project (APPEALS).

President Buhari, who spoke today, October 13, at the opening of the National Agricultural Show/Exhibition of the 2021 World Food Day in Abuja, said that his Administration is not resting on its oars in addressing the challenges of the country’s agricultural sector.

The theme of the 2021 edition of the Agricultural Show is: “Our Actions are our Future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.”

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, said: “the Federal Government, through the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support project (APPEALS), has set aside N600 billion as loan support to farmers across the country.

”No fewer than 2.4 million farmers are expected to benefit from the loan which has zero interest.

”The gesture will support farmers in the country, to improve their productivity aimed at boosting the country’s food security, improving farmers’ production and increasing exports.

”It is gratifying that the sector is being treated as a business, no longer as a development project, with massive distribution of high quality farm inputs, dissemination of appropriate research results and significant enhancement of the agricultural commodity value chains.

”I would wish to reiterate and it is clear that if the agricultural sector must be made more productive and food systems sustainable, we must all be prepared to invest massively in the sector and rise to the call against looming food crisis as predicted by the World Bank, FAO, AfDB and other key actors in food and agriculture.”

The President said that since the beginning of the 2021 farming season, the Federal Government had distributed inputs to states, across the country to boost food production.

”Nigeria recorded a boost in the production of her major staple crops especially, maize and rice, which rose from 12.8 and 12.3 to 13.94 and 14.28 million metric tonnes (MMT).

”The same is obtainable for cassava, whose production rose from 58.47 MT in 2018 to 73.91MT and is even projected to rise to 93.6 by 2023.

”Growth has also been recorded for groundnut, tomatoes, and sorghum production. Cattle beef, dairy and fish production also rose by 166 per cent, 146 per cent, and 11 per cent, respectively between 2020 and 2021.

”The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Bureau of Statistics report indicates that Nigeria’s national agricultural import bill also reduced from 1.2 to 1.1billion Naira.”

Also speaking, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, said that the Buhari- administration had initiated programmes and policies towards agricultural development and food security in the country.

Adamu, who thanked God for the World Food Day which comes up on October 16, said that it is a very important day on the calendar of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). Source: NAN.

How Tinubu Helped To Thwart Obasanjo’s Third-Term Moves – Ex Senate President, Nnamani

Editorial staff

October 13, 2021

Former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, helped in thwarting the third-term moves by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to him, Tinubu contributed immensely to the growth of democracy and good governance in Nigeria, which he said are strong factors in his support going forward.

“Your many contributions to the growth of democracy in Nigeria ‘stand strong’. Your role in NADECO and your efforts along with those of others helped in terminating military rule.”

The former Senate President spoke today, October 14, when he visited Asiwaju Tinubu at his Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos residence to extend his good wishes to him after his return from United Kingdom. He presented to Tinubu his new book titled: “Standing Strong: Legislative Reforms, Third Term and Other Issues of the 5th Senate,” due to be presented to the public on Thursday, October 21, in Abuja..

Nnamani said the former Lagos governor’s support was invaluable to him during his time as Senate President, particularly during the bid to stop the Third Term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“You helped many times in stabilising the country. You assisted me a lot during my time as Senate President and particularly in stopping the Third Term project of former President Obasanjo.”

The former Lagos governor congratulated Nnamani for putting together his experience in office and his ideas and thoughts which he said would be helpful for the country.

He called other political actors to endeavour to write books to document their experiences and efforts which would go a long way in helping the nation to solve problems and in nation-building

Avoid ‘Digital Sin,’ IT Expert, Nweke, Cautions Online Publishers At GOCOP Confab

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2021

Group executive editor of ITREALMS Media group, Remmy Nweke has cautioned online publishers against what he called “digital sin” through ‘hotlinking’ of images.
Nweke who spoke at the two-day 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) at Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, stressed that it is a ‘digital sin’ for a publisher to consciously link images from another online news medium directly in order to save his own bandwidth.
“It’s like taking rent on another person’s website.”
He said that when viewing a website, it’s not always immediately clear that an image is hotlinked because it blends seamlessly into the page, but that the bandwidth of the real host is in use.
Nweke advised, who is also the Lead consulting strategist of the ITREAL News median, advised GOCOP members to ensure they have standard image sizes which must align with their medium online.
He advised further that Publishers need to know what should be embedded, the cost as regards the financial inflow of the advertisements placed on the platforms so as to aggregate the return on investment.
“You will most certainly decide on how to market your product which is your online platform; basically entrepreneurs think about making profit to sustain the publication.”
According to him, though their deadlines are self-imposed, they must stop clicking on Google Ads on their websites from same internet protocol (IP) address.
“You will ultimately be prepared to incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life by engaging in a series of training designed to build more productive habits. So, please take your health seriously. Health is wealth even in the digital age.”

To Attract More Foreign Investment, Okonjo-Iweala Harps On Improved Security, Lowering Cost Of Business

Editorial staff

October 13, 2021

“Improving security and lowering transaction cost for foreign investment, even for domestic investment, would be necessary.

“Nigeria is part of a group of countries negotiating an agreement on investment facilitation at the WTO.

“Once this agreement is negotiated, ratified and is being implemented, it could be instrumental in attracting additional trade-oriented investment.

“To complement investment facilitation, Nigeria has to cut down on trade cost, infrastructure cost, linkage cost, regulatory cost, customs cost, basically, all costs associated with moving goods from tie factory or farm gate to the final consumer.

“Nigeria’s trade costs are too high. According to the World Bank-ESCAP trade costs for 2019, trade costs for African countries are on the average equivalent of a 304 per cent tariff and for Nigeria, it’s even slightly higher at 306%.

“These numbers are one and half times higher than trade cost in high-income countries. Such high costs are not conducive to forming a regional value chain.

“Congestion, capacity constraints and high costs in our ports make life difficult for anyone seeking to build supply chain operations in Nigeria and hence, expand trade from there.”

These views were expressed by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala while speaking to President Muhammadu Buhari and his team via a video link on the second day of the Mid-term Ministerial Performance Review at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Okonjo-Iweala, who was minister of Finance in the government of Present Goodluck Jonathan, stressed that Nigeria must cut down not only on trade cost but also infrastructure cost, linkage cost, regulatory cost, customs cost and all costs associated with moving goods from the factory to the final consumer to complement investment facilitation.

Abia Partners With France To Train Abia Youths On Agriculture, Agro Allied Processing

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2021

The Abia State government and the French Government have struck a deal to develop a stronger economic cooperation with special emphasis on agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as the Enyimba Economic City in Abia State.
At the end of discussions between Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and the French Minister of Trade and Commerce, France Riester at the Livestock Summit organised by the French Embassy in Nigeria, the governor said that the partnership would involve vocational training for Abia youths who are willing to engage in agriculture.
The youths, he added, would also be exposed through training, to aquaculture, processing and export of agricultural products as well as support for the development of the MSMEs in the state with particular reference to those engaged in the export of made-in-Aba brands.
Governor Ikpeazu, who sought for stronger partnership between Abia and France in order to give the needed push to economic activities in the state also requested for greater engagement in the areas of livestock farming with a specific focus on Efi Igbo (the local breed of cattle found in Southeast zone).
The governor described his recent trip to France as “highly successful” and that his administration will continue to seek partnerships that will ultimately ensure a better life for the people of Abia state.
“Our focus remains to bequeath a better Abia to the people of the state who entrusted us with their mandate and this trip is one of many such efforts.
“We are hopeful that a lot of positives will come out of the engagement.”
The visit, which was facilitated by the French Embassy in Nigeria also reviewed the planned establishment of a Technical Vocation Education Training (TVET) Village at Nsulu in partnership with Schneider Electric of France.
Other areas that were discussed for possible cooperation with France include the Waste to Energy project, Bamboo plantation, production and its value chain, Solar electricity generation, and solar street lighting.
The delegation Governor Ikpeazu led to the Livestock Summit included the Coordinator of Abia State Education for Employment (E4E) Agency, Ndubuisi Endi Ezengwa, Commissioner Nominee and former Commissioner for Agriculture, Ikpechukwu Mgbeoji, Coordinator of Abia Livestock Farmers Association, Uchenna Onyeizu, agricultural expert, Nonso Ogbunamiri, a member of Abia Livestock Farmers Association, Okey Ahaiwe.

NNPC Rallies Stakeholders To Rebuild Some Nigerian Roads Under Tax Credit Scheme

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2021

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has rallied critical stakeholders in a move to find lasting solutions to the road network challenges and other lingering issues in the country.
This is part of its effort to sustain the current smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide within the festive period and beyond.
A statement by the Group General Manager,
Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Garba Deen Muhammad recalled that following NNPC’s intervention over the weekend, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) called off a planned strike action, agreeing instead to accept the dialogue option proposed by the Corporation.
According to him, such development had sustained smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.
The statement said that the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, took a decisive step yesterday, October 12, hosted a major stakeholders’ meeting at the NNPC Towers.
It said that the meeting was attended by the NNPC, the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Union of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
The statement said that during the meeting, the NNPC boss announced that stakeholders have agreed on a framework for NNPC’s intervention in critical road rehabilitation through the Federal Government Tax Credit Scheme.
“We are committed to utilising the Federal Government’s Tax Credit Scheme to rebuild some of the affected roads in line with Mr. President’s Executive Order 7. Upon our fruitful deliberations today, the NNPC has pledged to support the PTD and NARTO in carrying out quick intervention fixes on some strategic bad spots identified to enable unhindered movement of trucks for transportation of petroleum products nationwide,” Mallam Kyari was quoted to have said.
“Established under the Federal Government’s Executive Order 7 of 2019, the Road Trust Fund Policy/Tax Credit Scheme gives private sector operators an opportunity to fund critical infrastructure with the government.
“Stakeholders also agreed to enforce mandatory installation of safety valves in all petroleum product trucks in the country effective February 1, 2022 with full commitment given by NARTO.
“The meeting also frowned at the abuse of axle load or tonnage limits, with the NNPC agreeing to engage the Nigerian Customs Service for enforcement of preventing the importation of tanks that exceed 45,000 litres capacity.”

Senate Okays Electronic Transmission Of Elections, Direct Party Primary

Greenbarge Reporters

October 12, 2021

The Nigeria’s Senate has reconsidered the electoral act amendment bill and has empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine the ‘best mode’ in the transmission of election results.

The red chamber also approved that all political parties must use the direct primary mode in picking candidates.

The senate approved four clauses in the electoral act amendment bill.

Electronic transmission of election results is a position that was contained in the Conference Committee report submitted to the chamber.

The electronic transmission of election results which is a proviso in clause 53 of the Electoral amendment act places on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the right to transmit results without subjecting their discretion to any other organ as was firstly captured that generated controversy.

ICPC Insists Ex-Presidential Aide, Obono-Obla Forged Certificate To Read Law, Goes To Court

Editorial staff

October 11, 2021

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla, over allegations of certificate forgery.

The Commission, in a two-count charge filed at the Jos Judicial Division of the High Court of Plateau State, maintained its allegations that the former SPIP head presented a fake result with a credit pass in English Literature to the University of Jos, with which he secured admission to read law.

The charge filed before Justice C. L. Dabup, revealed that while Obono-Obla did not seat for the Ordinary Level, General Certificate Examination (GCE) in English Literature in 1982, he presented a result of the same GCE to the University of Jos, in 1985, containing Credit 6 from Mary Knoll College, Ogoja.

He was alleged to have committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 366 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State.

Obono-Obla entered a not guilty plea on each of the two-count when they were read to him, following which his counsel, M.A. Agara, filed an application praying the court to grant him bail on self-recognizance.

Agara had earlier filed a motion contesting the jurisdiction of the court on the matter as well as accused the prosecution of bringing a defective charge before the court and prayed the court not to allow the charge to be read to the defendant.

ICPC’s lead Counsel, Henry Emore, who opposed the motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court, submitted that the defendant was brought before the court because the offense of certificate forgery was allegedly committed in Jos where the court seats.

He however did not oppose the bail application, but urged the court to admit him to bail on stringent terms.

Justice Dabup, in her ruling on the bail application, admitted Obono-Obla to bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum. She ruled that the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and must submit an affidavit of means including a tax clearance certificate showing evidence of payment for three years.

The case has been adjourned to November 25 for trial.

Anambra Poll: INEC Discovers 62,698 People With Double Registrations

Editorial staff

October 11, 2021

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the discovery of 62,698 persons who were already registered voters in Anambra State and still went ahead to register again.

Speaking today, October 11 at an emergency meeting with stakeholders, the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu said that such double or multiple registrations are invalid by law.

“We have archived these registrations and will not print new PVCs for them. “Their old PVCs remain valid and they can use them to vote at the Polling Units where they registered and probably voted in previously elections.”

Professor Yakubu recalled that before the end of the First Quarter of the CVR nationwide, INEC devolved the exercise to the Wards or Registration Areas in Anambra State.

He said that the end of registration was followed by the cleanup of the data to remove the names of ineligible registrants before the printing of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

“In Anambra State, a total of 138,802 citizens completed the registration, including applications for transfer and requests for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs as required by law.

“However, in the process of cleaning up the registration data, we discovered that many previously registered persons re-registered afresh. This is a testimony to the effectiveness of our new system for checking double and multiple registrations.”

The INEC boss said that the same cleaning up exercise is going on nationwide and that as soon as it is over, the Commission will provide further details to Nigerians on the situation in other States of the Federation and action to be taken on the matter.

“Let me remind all Nigerians that the law prohibits double registration. The Commission appreciates the fact that the deployment of technology, including the online pre-registration, has simplified the process and made voter registration in Nigeria easier.

“However, the same technology has also made it easier for us to detect multiple registrations.

“Consequently, the number of valid registrants in Anambra State at the end of the First Quarter of the CVR exercise on 5th September 2021 is 77,475. This figure has been added to the existing register of 2,447,996 eligible voters used for the 2019 General Election. “Accordingly, the number of registered voters in Anambra State now stands at 2,525,471. We shall provide a detailed breakdown of the figure for public information in the days ahead.

“I am glad to report that we have already completed 10 out of 14 activities in our Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Governorship election. Only yesterday, we published the final list of candidates in our State and Local Government offices in Anambra State and simultaneously uploaded the same information to our website and social media platforms.”

Professor Yakubu said that all the 18 political parties participating in the election have been issued a soft copy of the updated register of voters at a meeting held in Awka.

“We are presently working on the printing of the PVCs. We shall use various channels, including e-mails and text messages, to contact the new voters to collect their PVCs before the election.”

He said that INEC had almost completed the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the election.

In all, he said, about 26,000 election duty staff are required even as he admitted that there are still some minor shortfalls.

He believed however that the Commission will complete the recruitment in time for their training scheduled to commence on 19th October 2021.

According to him, the training of other categories of staff, such as Electoral Officers (EOs) and Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) has been completed, while the training of Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) will commence soon.

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