The Federal Government has promised harnessing the potential of an aging population, assuring of its commitment to improve the quality of life and well being of Nigerians.

The assurance was given on Tuesday by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, while delivering an address at the International Day of Older Persons ceremony at the UN House in Abuja.

Speaking at the event with the theme: “Fulfilling the promise of the universal declaration of human rights for older persons across generations,” which was organised by the UN and the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), Edu commended the establishment of the NSCC by the NSCC Act 2017 to promote mainstreaming of older persons in the delivery of positive outcomes for the aged.

She assured of President Bola Tinubu’s move to reposition the ministry demonstrated the government’s political will to develop mechanisms and achieve the desired goals.

Edu said such would ensure sustainable systems to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of Nigerans, as well as progressively lift 133 million Nigerians out of poverty.

She noted that: “The NSCC remains the veritable agency to consolidate opportunities for the older population, in partnership with the various Ministries, Department and Agencies through multi-sectoral coordination.

Edu promised that: “The present administration will ensure adequate support; persuasion of the state governments to domesticate the NSCC Act , VAPP Act, Persons with Disability Act and National Health Authority Act.

“The present administration will focus on harnessing the potential of an aging population, combat ageism and negative stereotypes and close the gaps and inconsistencies in data.

She added that the administration would focus on research, human capital development and continue to create systems capable of supporting older persons, including age friendly environments, universal health coverage and long term care systems.

On his part, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale, reassured of UN’s support for Nigeria in the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons.

Schmale commended the event for being tailored to provide opportunity for reflection on the impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the protection of the rights of older persons.

He said: “It is my sincere hope that today’s dialogue will allow for reflections on effective promotion and protection of older persons in Nigeria, focusing on their contributions throughout their life, for the knowledge and expertise they can pass on to younger generations.

“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the UN in Nigeria is committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts towards enhancing the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons.

“Especially, older persons living in vulnerable situations and making the promise of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights a reality for all Nigerians.”

The Director-General of NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro, identified universally declared rights of older persons to include right to life, liberty, and security of person, freedom from discrimination, abuse, violence and torture, right to work and education; and right to participate in cultural, social, and political life of their country and right to economic empowerment, access to justice, disability and age friendly environment.

Omokaro said: “Today, we wish to present highlights of IE’s Report and Nigeria’s response, and have a multi-sectoral panel of discussants to make inputs.

“The outcomes we hope will enhance understanding of opportunities and challenges of older persons.

“(To) strengthen partnerships and technical support, increased aging mainstreaming in multi-sector plans, the SDGs, equity and solidarity across generations”

…Says media blackmail does not take the place of law

The state chairman of Revenue task force, Mr. Malachi Monye has called on Deltans with claims of extortion to report to the appropriate quarters instead of running to the media to blackmail the taskforce.

He stated that the taskforce does not tolerate extortion and that anyone found guilty of such indecent act will be punished and the unit disbanded if the complainants follow due process and show proof of extortion.

He noted that revenue agents under his taskforce are not allowed to extort anyone and that there are dedicated state account numbers that offenders can pay penalties to.

Mr Malachi noted that there are reasons to doubt the veracity of the trending story of extortion by revenue taskforce given the content of the news article in circulation.

He noted with concerns that if the woman in question indeed existed, why would her identity be withheld when she has nothing to loose by exposing a supposed ills in the Society, he went further to point out that the law does not allow you to drive without a licence or expired papers as those renders the vehicle not road worthy and there is no penalty stated by the law below fifty thousand Naira for such offences therefore it is clear that the figure quoted by the author of the malicious article is conflicting with facts.

Further more, he pointed out that the woman should have a smart phone and would have atleast discretely captured the agents and even the vehicle but no such evidence is handy.

Another crack in the half baked story is that the writer clearly wrote that the office she had transaction with were VIO and DETSMA yet went ahead to accuse the revenue taskforce. This can only show you the malicious intent of the writer.

Mr. Malachi reiterated that the purpose of one’s movement was not considered in the law guiding the activities of the taskforce, irrespective of your destination, it is unlawful to drive without a valid license or expired documents, when you do that it is an offence in the eyes of the law, the law states that the vehicle will be out off the road, so if caught the taskforce will help you to put the vehicle off the road for your safety and that of other road users. you would have to pay a penalty for going against the law, then you have to get the needed papers and licence validated before coming to get the vehicle. In a case where it’s exceeds the date the vehicle was out off the road, every extra day attacks demurrage daily.

The taskforce chairman made it clear that his team can not be blackmailed with unfounded fiction stories about a non existent extortion, but when reports are properly reported through the right channel with evidence, he will spare no one who is found guilty of the offence.

Meanwhile he appealed to citizens to always do the right thing by driving with valid papers and licence no matter the emergency to avoided being fined

-By Fortune Abang:

Nigeria’s strategic partnership with China has continued to attract tangible development since inception of the formal establishment of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations on Feb. 10, 1971.
Over the years, both countries worked closely together, particularly in celebration of their respective independence anniversary on October 1, annually.
The celebration centered on the commemoration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the Independence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria often promote benefits of cooperation between them.
As both countries commemorate their anniversary this year, it has become important to glance at gains of Nigeria’s partnership with China so far, in terms of national development.
Such gains derived under framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) include; the Agricultural Projects tagged: Green Agriculture West Africa Ltd., (GAWAL) by CGCOC Group Co., Ltd in 2006.
Construction and Operation of Agriculture High-tech Abuja-Industrial Park in 2013, by GAWAL and development of Lekki Port, the first deep sea port in Nigeria by CHEC with the BOOT model, completed in October, 2022.
Also, construction of the Lekki Deep-Sea Port, Lagos Rail Mass Transit and Lagos-Ibadan Railway, Lagos Rail Mass Transit and Lagos-Ibadan Railway projects are expected to create nearly US$360 billion of economic benefits and 170,000 jobs for Nigeria.

Furthermore, the Abuja-Kaduna Railway, constructed by China Civil and Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).
Nigeria-China relations which span above 52 years has indeed, stood the test of time with Nigeria benefitting strategically in their trade volume pegged at $5.4billion, as of the first quarter of 2023.
Nigeria and China share similarities, in terms of celebration of indepence every 1st of October, which mark an important day for both countries having the largest population in their respective continents.
Nigeria and China are both highly complimentary in economic structure and development strategy.
Obviously, Nigeria has enjoyed comprehensive and rapid development through cooperation with China and thereby, flourished in many spheres of economic and social development.
Nigeria, one of African countries that has attracted most investments from China is the third largest trading partner to the country.
According to Ms Yan Yuqing, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, trade volume between Nigeria and China reached $23.9 billion in 2022.
Yan said, “In spite of the impact of Covid-19, Nigeria still maintains its position as China’s largest civil engineering contracting market, second largest export destination, third largest trading partner and major investment destination.
“The opportunities arising from Chinese Modernisation will certainly benefit 200 million Nigerians.
“China is willing to work together with Nigeria to strengthen the development strategy dialogue, enhance close contacts at various levels to firmly support each other.
“To expand pragmatic cooperation in all aspects and promote development of China-Nigeria strategic partnership towards a deeper and higher level.”
Obviously, partnership between Nigeria and China brought about High-Quality Development of Belt and Road Cooperation, and many landmark construction projects by Nigeria-based Chinese enterprises.
Nigeria’s strategic partnership with China also enjoyed comprehensive and rapid development.
Cooperation between the two countries is flourishing, especially in the fields of politics, trade, infrastructure development, IT, agriculture and culture.
As of January 2023, the opening ceremony of Nigeria’s Lekki deep-Sea Port herald its operation as the largest deep-water port in West Africa constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited.
In line with this, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping had during the official exchange of pleasantries on the occasion of October 1, independence anniversary promised to deepen Nigeria-China ties.
The two leaders exchanged pleasantries on the occasion of Nigeria’s 62nd and China’s 73rd independence anniversary respectively.
In his letter, congratulating the Chinese president on the anniversary, Buhari said Nigeria’s relation with China achieved far-reaching and fruitful results on the basis of equity, mutual trust and mutual benefits.
According to him, Nigeria sought to elevate its strategic partnership with China to a new level.
Buhari said, “The bilateral ties between Nigeria and China have achieved far-reaching and fruitful results on the basis of equity, mutual trust and mutual benefits.
“We thank China for its support to us in various ways and are ready to seek more collaborations with you, as well as to elevate the Strategic Partnership between our two countries to a new level.”
For his part, Xi said the Sino-Nigerian relations enjoy sound momentum, with political mutual trust being enhanced, cooperation in various fields yielded fruitful results and coordination on international and regional affairs being closer.
“I highly value the development of China-Nigeria relations, and would like to join efforts with you to promote the strategic partnership between our two countries and the two peoples.”
Meanwhile, in his remarks during the 74th independence anniversary celebration of China, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, lauded Chinese for driving growth and development in the nation.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by Bimbo Salu-Hudeyin, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said China had helped in the actualisation of significant projects in Nigeria.
According to him, the completion of the first phase of the Blue Line rail transportation from Marina to Mile-2 is one of the mutually beneficial partnerships between China and Lagos State.
“We commend the people of China for their incredible spirit that has continued to drive growth and development.
“Your outstanding and remarkable accomplishment in critical areas such as infrastructure, technological innovations, and aerospace technology, ecological development, cultural evolution etc, is most inspiring.
“The government of Lagos State cherishes the long standing beneficial relationship with the People’s Republic of China.
“This relationship has contributed immensely to the rapid growth of our economy, especially in the areas of trade infrastructure and road construction,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The analysts agreed that irrespective of the evolving international situation Nigeria-China pragmatic cooperation in major sectors also witnessed a rapid development, driven by wheels of guiding strategy, trade, investment and contracted projects, development assistance, and that a lot more could be achieved by deepening relations to build community with shared future.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has continued to raised the bar on disaster preparedness and mitigation through continous human capacity development of staff and stakeholders.

The concerted effort by NEMA is aimed at bolstering inter-agency collaboration and enhance the capacity of grassroots-level human resources. These endeavors aim to equip its personnel and stakeholders with the essential skills and knowledge required for effective disaster management. The training programs were conducted in collaboration with international partners, such as the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) and the United States Forest Service, facilitated by USAID, and took place in Abuja.

The collaboration with UN-OCHA resulted in the training of 125 individuals divided into two cohorts. The focus areas encompassed various critical aspects of disaster management, including Humanitarian Coordination Mechanism, Disaster Management Cycle, Institutional Capacity, Resource Mobilization, Information Management, Community-Based Disaster Management, Search and Rescue, Incident Command System, Disaster Preparedness, Risk Management, and Early Warning Systems.

Concurrently, the collaboration with USAID consisted of two separate batches focused on the Incident Command System (ICS) and the Emergency Coordination Centre/Multi-Agency Coordination (EOC/MAC). These sessions featured facilitators from the United States Forest Service, bringing a wealth of expertise to the training.

Mustapha Habib Ahmed, the Director General of NEMA, emphasized the imperative nature of capacity-building programs. He stressed the importance of continuously enhancing the knowledge and skills of disaster managers to ensure sustainable and efficient disaster management in Nigeria. Ahmed stated that “training of personnel is a critical component for effective and efficient disaster management” and affirmed NEMA’s commitment to exploring avenues for ongoing capacity development among its staff and stakeholders.

Highlighting NEMA’s recent training efforts, Ahmed mentioned previous collaborations with the United States Forest Service in January 2023 and Bournemouth University Disaster Management Center in February 2023. These training programs included participants from NEMA staff, State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and other stakeholders. Ahmed also hinted at upcoming capacity development programs in the near future.

Furthermore, Ahmed elaborated on the significance of training SEMA staff, aiming to strengthen the working relationship between federal and state emergency management agencies. This collaboration seeks to facilitate coordinated disaster management efforts, aligning with NEMA’s mandates, while simultaneously bolstering the capacities of SEMAs to effectively manage disasters at the state and local government levels.

The Director General expressed his deep appreciation for the collaboration with UNOCHA, USAID, and USFS, as well as the support from various other international development partners. These collaborations have been instrumental in the success of NEMA’s capacity development initiatives.

Ahmed encouraged all beneficiaries of the training to leverage the knowledge and skills acquired to enhance the services provided by their respective agencies and locations. Participants in the training included staff from SEMAs, officers of Fire Services, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and others.

In conclusion, NEMA’s commitment to enhancing disaster management capabilities through training and collaboration with international partners demonstrates a proactive approach to safeguarding lives and property in Nigeria. The agency’s dedication to continuous improvement and capacity development is a testament to its mission of effectively responding to and managing disasters at all levels. As NEMA continues to strengthen its partnerships and invest in its personnel, the nation is better prepared to face and mitigate the challenges posed by disasters, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all.

Manzo Ezekiel and Abdulkadir Ibrahim
wrote in from NEMA Headquarters press unit

A suspected drug kingpin wanted for alleged attempts to ship illicit drug consignments to the United Kingdom tops the list of arrests made by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA through interdiction operations that led to the seizure of four tons of illicit substances in the past week.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi on Sunday, Obiorah Chigozie has been on the wanted list of the NDLEA since 15th September 2023 when a consignment of 1.5 kilogrammes skunk concealed in flour going to London, UK was intercepted at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, during which his freight agent, Nworah Adaugo was arrested.

Babafemi said that Obiorah convinced that the 1.5 kilogrammes consignment had sailed through, walked into the agency’s dragnet last Thursday when he personally brought another tranche of 2 kilogrammes concealed in cartons to the airport for shipment to the UK. He noted that during interrogation, Obiorah claimed he was into shoes sales in Lagos before venturing into the illicit drug business.

He said operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Command of the agency last Friday intercepted a container truck with registration number BD G41 XM coming from Lagos to Kano at the Gwagwalada area of the FCT, revealing that no less than 1,188 kilogrammes of skunk loaded at Owo, Ondo state and hidden under cartons of toothpaste were recovered from the truck and its driver, Amafan Fattison, 28, arrested.

In the same vein, NDLEA officers in Bayelsa state last Wednesday seized 432 kilogrammes of the same substance from an abandoned J5 bus along Saipem road, Opolo, Yenagoa. The vehicle was equally recovered from the scene for further investigation.

In Kano, a septuagenarian grandpa, Ado Mai Unguwa, was arrested last Saturday with 143.2 kilogrammes skunk in Dindere village, Tofa local government area, while operatives in Enugu same day recovered 110.6 kilogrammes of same substance from a locked-up shop at Aria new market.

Babafemi revealed that operatives in Lagos on Saturday stormed the notorious Idi-Oro drug enclave in Mushin where they seized 212.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa belonging to a wanted drug lord. This is even as NDLEA officers in Kwara state recovered 104 kilogrammes of skunk from a Toyota Camry car in Offa area of the state, while a Chadian, Mohammed Ibrahim, 25, was nabbed at Mafa check point, Borno state with 11.8 kilogrammes of same substance last Monday.

He said in Plateau, the state police command in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration transferred four suspects: Yusuf Akim; Frank Gah; Jackson Ejeh and Joseph Utsu, and 1,978 kilogrammes cannabis recovered from them to the state command of NDLEA, while in Cross River, operatives last Monday seized 40,000 ampules of pentazocine injection from two suspects: Fajulugbe Adeshola, 35, and Nnaorji Agwe, 54, at Mobil by MCC road, Calabar.

Also in Kogi state, NDLEA officers last Wednesday arrested a suspect, Ifeanyi Odoh, 25, with 59,867 pills of opioids including Tramadol and 4.03 kilogrammes cannabis sativa at Idah area of the state.

Babafemi dissident the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy activities equally continued across the country in the past week. He noted that some of the activities include: WADA advocacy visit to the Director/CEO, Nigeria French Village, Badagry, Lagos, Prof. Lateef Ayeleru by the Seme Special Area command of NDLEA; WADA sensitisation lecture at Ar-Rahmania College of Health Sciences, Minna, Niger state; WADA advocacy lecture at Pentecostal Academy, Aba, Abia state and WADA sensitisation lecture for students and staff of School of Nursing, Eket, Akwa Ibom state among others.

Meanwhile, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, FCT, Bayelsa, Borno, Kogi, Kwara, Cross River, Borno and Enugu Commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Heads of drug law enforcement agencies in Africa have called for the setting up of specialized courts to try drug cases and other organized crimes across the continent.

This was part of recommendations adopted at the end of the weeklong 31st Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa (HONLAF) in Abuja.

At the meeting which drew to a close on Friday, the participants agreed that: “Governments should consider the establishment of national specialized
courts and asset recovery offices dealing with organized crime and money laundering and supporting tracing, recovering and management of proceeds of crime. Governments are encouraged to make effective and full use of existing informal regional and international cooperation instruments aiming at facilitating investigations and prosecuting organized crime including drug crimes and related money-laundering, including West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP), Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for Southern Africa (ARINSA), Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of West Africa (ARINWA) as well as the UNODC CRIMJUST programme.”

They also urged governments in African countries to promote cooperation and the
sharing of best practices in the confiscation of proceeds of crime, including drug-related cases.

They agreed that: “Governments should adopt adequate legal and regulatory frameworks on virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, to prevent and combat their use for drug-related crime and money-laundering.”

Other recommendations adopted by the HONLAF working group during the annual meeting include asking African governments “to develop and implement drug policy responses that address, indirectly or directly, the environmental impact of illicit crop cultivation, drug manufacture and drug use, taking into consideration positive and
negative effects.

“Governments are encouraged to empower indigenous people, youth groups
and local communities to protect the land, forest reserves and water sources in their
areas, making the best of local knowledge and in line with local interests and needs.

“To address the challenge of limited data, countries are encouraged to promote research and monitoring systems to collect data and establish baselines on
environmental impact, which will allow for evidence-based interventions and impact
assessment.

“Governments are encouraged to strengthen their capacity to safely dispose
of seized drugs, chemicals and the precursors and drug waste, utilizing guidance available from relevant national organizations as well as UNODC.

“Governments are encouraged to increase domestic collaboration between
law enforcement agencies and other relevant national agencies, such as the ministries of environment and agriculture.”

Meanwhile, delegates and participants at the meeting were on Thursday 28th September treated to a gala night dinner by the host agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, where the special guest of honour at the evening event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume charged them to implement agreements reached during the conference.

The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, Dr. Maurice Mbaeri stated that:
“Beyond the relaxation and camaraderie of the evening, Nigeria looks forward to a fruitful result of the various deliberations of the past few days, particularly in areas of joint operations and regional cooperation. We hope that in another year, and elsewhere, when we hear of the report of this 31st HONLAF, we will be able to look back with nostalgia at the Abuja meeting.”

The federal government has commenced important step towards drafting the nation’s Circular Economy Roadmap Framework to guide Nigeria’s transition to a more circular economy in the short, medium and long terms (2023-2050).

Speaking during the Stakeholders Validation Workshop of Nigeria Circular Economy Roadmap in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Idris noted that Nigeria with a population of over 200 million people generates about 32 million tons of solid waste per year, with little or no segregation is illegally dumped in open spaces or co disposed off with hazardous wastes in dumpsites and burnt openly.

He decried that: “These unwholesome practices have been linked to perennial flash floods across the country, increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, increased incidences of cancer, loss of aquatic life, loss in agricultural productivity, etc.”

He however said the large volume of waste being generated in the country presents circular economy business opportunities across the waste management value chain which should be properly harnessed for job/wealth creation, establishment of micro, small and medium scale enterprises, private sector investment including foreign direct investment.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Director, Human Resources in the Ministry, Lawrence Adigwe revealed that in order for Nigeria to benefit from it circular economy potentials,, a study on ‘Nigeria’s Transition to Green Economy: Linking Circular Economy and Natural Capital for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Investment’ was commissioned with support from African Development Bank (AfDB), the Government of Netherlands and the African Green Growth & Development Forum (AGDF) as part of the process for the development of the Nigerian Circular Economy Programme (NCEP).

He said the scope of the study is basically to carry out feasibility studies of all Circular Economy and Natural Capital Accounting Activities in the country and develop a Circular Economy Roadmap Framework to guide Nigeria’s transition to a more circular economy in the short, medium and long terms (2023-2050).

He disclosed that the European Union through the Switch to Green facility is providing support for the development of the Nigeria Circular Roadmap and the stakeholders inception workshop was held on 17th August, 2023 during which the draft Roadmap was presented to stakeholders for their comments and contribution.

He told the participants at the workshop that “it is on this note that you are here today to validate the Nigeria Circular Economy Roadmap as part of the process for its Development to support Nigeria’s transition to circular economy.

He added that “this workshop is apt and coming at time when the global community including Nigeria is making concerted efforts in innovative resource management through circular economy practices.

“As you aware, the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with critical stakeholders has established the Nigeria Circular Economy Programme as part of its efforts to promote the adoption of circular economy in Nigeria as a model of sustainable development in which the productive use of resources is enhanced overtime, wastes reduced and jobs created.”

Nigeria’s population is currently growing at 2.59% annually. This makes Nigeria the fastest growing population of any country and is estimated to reach 400 million people by 2050, which will make it the world’s third most populous country. The demographics of Nigeria’s population show that 63% of the population is currently 24 years or younger.

Although categorized as a middle-income country, Nigeria’s poverty and human development indicators, as well as its current performance with respect to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is deteriorating. Nigeria’s massive population growth exceeded its GDP growth, and that divide will likely widen. Diversifying the economy beyond oil, creating opportunities and empowering young people, women and girls will be vital to overcome these challenges. Nigeria has a population of over 200 million with a median age of 18.1 years old and more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Thus, the political, economic and social development of Nigeria will largely depend on the ability to provide young Nigerians with opportunities for employment, education and health, and access to the decision-making processes.

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has announced the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) as the best Federal Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDA) in the Use of Environmental Sustainable Technology Implementation in the country.

In a letter ref. BPSR/ICT.20/1/139 conveying news of the prestigious Nigeria GovTech Award, the Director General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Arabi also revealed the nomination of the Director General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro for the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award for exemplary leadership.

Arabi disclosed that a major criteria for the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award was the advancement of GovTech initiatives and digital governance in line with the Federal Government digital transformation in the public sector.

He said the awards which will be presented in October this year, followed a “nationwide nomination and online voting process initiated on Radio, Television and Newspaper publication, Punch Newspaper of September 4th, 2023.”

The federal government is committed to investing in the harmonization of the country’s data through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has reiterated.

The Minister who said that his ministry committed to success of the programme, vowed that the era of multiple ID registrations will soon be over.

He gave the promise while receiving the MTN management team led by it’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Karl Toriola in Abuja on Monday.

He said NIMC has been mandated to harmonize the country’s database as President Ahmed Bola Tinubu seeks to enhance the country’s Identity and security architecture.

Speaking on the significance of harmonizing the country’s data, Tunji-Ojo emphasised the need for the country to have a tech-driven data-hub under the ministry.

He said: “We must have an interior hub. A massive data centre where we will have all our identity information documented.

“Data harmonization is key. If we must succeed at the Ministry of Interior, the success will start with NIMC. The integrity of our travel document must be restored through the harmonization of our data.

“This way, our people do not have to repeat data capture processes during the passport enrolment phase when they have a valid NIN.”

The Minister further explained that data harmonization will drastically cut down on stress for the people as well as overhead cost on the part of the government.

He said: “When we harmonize our data, there will be an exchange amongst agencies such that when our people need data for passport or BVN, with their NIN, their data can be pulled out. This will not only save us stress, cost and energy but also help us optimise our processes.”

He added that information regarding issuance of driving license and Passports, Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identity Numbers (NIN), Subscribers Identity Modules (SIM), and others should be harmonised into digital chips for the purpose of planning and execution of government programmes for accelerated development.

He further argued that NIMC, as an agency under the ministry, has the potential of re-writing the narrative where the country only has a single point of data entry.

He said: “There is no need for us to have a BVN number, a voter’s number, a NIN, and a passport number all at once, and this is why we have to work with NIMC to ensure that we harmonise all these and do away with these duplications.

“If NIMC performs well, NIS will perform better, and the police, NSCDC, and other agencies will perform admirably above par.”

The Minister also elaborated on the role of private sector players, such as MTN, in achieving the vision towards the harmonization of data, saying: “And, to do that, there must be a way to inject private partnerships to help us achieve our objectives.

“For us, we are open to partnerships from private sector players, as NIMC may not have the full financial capacity to fulfil the ambition.”

-By Austen Akhagbeme:

Dr Azemhe Azena, a popular Governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Edo State, has expressed sympathy and concern over the death of about ten persons and many others who sustained various degrees of injury in a road accident in Okpella, Edo state on Monday.

The accident was caused by a long-loaded truck with a failed break that ran into the popular Ewo Market along the Okene- Auchi expressway.

The popular LP aspirant who was born and raised in that same community expressed shock over the incident and called on the government and public-spirited Nigerians like him to think of a way to stop a future occurrence while praying to God to grant his people the fortitude to bear the loss.

In a statement by his media team. Dr. Azemhe said, “It is very painful that innocent villagers who came out to make a living for themselves and their families will be met with such a gruesome death. It is a pity”.

The victims of this mishap include market women, Okada riders, members of the NURTW and innocent passersby.

Upon the dawning of the age of commercial crude oil discovery and exploration in Nigeria and particularly Bayelsa State as the pace setter, the people of oil producing communities like Azamgbene, which hosts the lucrative Atala oil field and Bayelsa State as a whole, were licking their lips in anticipation of the benefits that a major oil asset would offer.

This in reality turned out to be a mere consolation for the varying levels of devastation crude oil exploration would later bring to such communities. Oil exploration is turning out to be a bitter pill to swallow because of the callous desire of certain individuals to use their positions and loopholes in the system to steal the commonwealth of the people for themselves.

It is believed that having a prominent individual firmly seated on the table of national decision making is a plus to any state, as the interest of the state, its communities and people are expected to be upheld to ensure that certain benefits do not elude them. It is regrettably sad that the reverse is the case, especially for the people of Azamgbene communities of Ekeremor Local Government Area and indeed for Bayelsa State as a whole regarding the case of the Atala Oil Field, a major oil asset belonging to Bayelsa State and the crooked diversion of the benefits of this asset to personal pockets, due to the greed and putting personal interests and gains above corporate ones by somebody who ought to be a representative of the people. For personal aggrandizement, the commonwealth of Bayelsa people was cornered into private pockets.
It is also a pity that Chief Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum, while on air on a radio programme in Yenagoa, referred to the Atala Oil field as a “Spilled milk” as if to say it was there for the taking, clearly signified an attempt by Silva to justify the wicked action of denying the state of its prized asset and the role he has played in the whole saga.

History would record the perpetual struggle forresource control which was spear headed by the late former governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Alamieyeseigha, which allowed states gain more control of their valuable assets, especially oil and gas and the accruing benefits it offers. The struggle clearly gained some level of success as President Olusegun Obasanjo thought it wise to propitiate the state by handing over the license of the Atala Oil Field, OML46, to Bayelsa State, officially making it a state owned asset, albeit still paying returns and royalties to the federal government. The Oil field was to be managed by the Bayelsa Oil Company Limited (BOCL) alongside Century Exploration and Production Limited (CEPL) and Hardy Oil Nigeria Limited, with all three

retaining a shareholding structure of BOCL 51%, CEPL 20%, Hardy 29% respectively.
Clearly, men who are deeply engaged in the dark arts of public assets stealing and funds thievery do not rest and are always on the lookout for new targets.

Investigative details gathered from operatives of the then Directorate of Petroleum Resources revealed that Silva may not come out clean over the diversion of the Atala Oil field in collaboration with his then aide, one Dr Kelechi Ofoegbu, who presumably is an expert in such matters and the Technical Assistant to Sylva. He had reportedly written Silva to use his position in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to approve the revocation of the license of operation of the oil field and a swift reallocation of same and also raising the percentage control to Halkin Exploration and Production, which was incorporated in September 2019 with registration number RC 1611389. The oil field was sold to Halkin Exploration and Production with no proof of payments and development.
This plan was set in motion in 2020, when Silva in his capacity as the Minister of State for Petroleum had announced the revocation of licences of about nine oil fields, the Atala Oil field inclusive, citing a lack of returns to the federal government as reason. A reason which to a large extent proves to be untrue according to available records of renumeration by the BOCL to the federal government.

Investigation revealed that there was criminal personal interest in the Atala oil field when the revocations were made and this fact was proved when the internal moves to reallocate a huge percentage of the BOCL’s 51% stake to Halkin E & P was revealed. Clearly, this move was only going to be possible if a high ranking official of the BOCL was on board with the plan, therefore it was no surprise that Mr Ebikabowei Charles Dorgu, who was the Managing Director of Bayelsa Oil Company was also listed as a director of Halkin E&P upon its registration in 2019.

Revelations by credible sources show that Silva’s plan was in full swing when he allegedly gave authorisation to a written letter authored by Dr Kelechi Ofoegbu via the the then Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) enroute the office of the Minister of State for Petroleum seeking official stamping for the sales of 41% of BOCL shares to a private company Halkin E&P citing a resolution from the company’s board as reason. Same board that had Charles Dorgu as MD, same Halkin E&P that has Charles Dorgu listed as a director.
This clearly raised eye brows with huge suspicions of foul play and rightly so.

Looking at the initial reason of lack of returns to the federal government as a catalyst for the revocation of license for about nine oil fields including the Atala Oil field announced by Silva in 2020, proper check on records to verify the claim shows it to be invalid to a large extent.
At the time, the reason for such revocations of license was quite unbelievable for many, especially those with good information and access to records and transactions on the matter. infact a check on records reveals that the Atala Oil field has been producing and remitting funds to the federal government. Records show that on Nov. 27, 2018, Century Exploration, on prompting of the BOCL, paid the sum of $110,269.45 to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) as remittance for the sales of 64, 283 barrels of crude oil. DPR issued a payment receipt for the sum of $15,695.54 to Century Exploration on behalf of BOCL on the same date, as oil royalty for Atala OML 46 for the sales of 17, 699 barrels of crude oil.

Further records also reveal that between March and June 2018, the Atala Oil Field produced 87,411 barrels of crude oil as stated in the production data of DPR and $125,000 was paid to the DPR as remittance. furthermore, on January 15, 2020, the BOCL and its joint venture partners paid the sum of $12,000 being outstanding National Data Repository Annual Fee for six years.(2014-2019). Also in the same January 2020, DPR received the sum of $31,827.88 as payment for the outstanding crude oil royalty and gas flared, $2,752.31 from BOCL and its partners.

The records debunk the original reason for revocation of licenses and exposes it as only the first steps by Silva to perpetrate a hostile take over of state assets for personal gain. This is further cemented by the fact that of all the nine oil fields affected, only the Atala Oil field has since been handed over to a new company.
As expected, upon resumption of office the current Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, in his usual patriotic nature waded into the matter with a view to stopping this heist on the commonwealth of the state and putting a halt to the use of political power to siphon state’s assets into personal pockets and control. The matter was brought to the knowledge of the then President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari, who gave an order to stop any sales pertaining to the oil field. Governor Diri’s intervention has taken the matter to the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly where subsequent fraudulent dealings are being revealed as time goes on.

It is known that evil always finds a way to fight back and in this case, there have been attempts by high placed individuals to negatively influence the outcome of the hearings and deliberations on the issue by the National Assembly, but there is optimism that by the help of God, the prayers of Baylesans and the sacrifices for those that sadly lost their lives in the past due to the struggle to assume rightful control of state assets, justice will prevail at the end and the perpetrators of corruption, greed and selfishness will be revealed. This Atala Oil field saga is well publicized and the people of Bayelsa are already marking those individuals who due to their greed and wickedness are seeking to rob the state and its people of their

commonwealth. In this case, we will hold even the present governor and the Minister of State Petroleum as accomplices, if they don’t act appropriately to reverse this criminality perpetuated by a man who has decided to sell our common patrimony.

Reading between the lines it obvious that his mission is to Creek Haven is consolidate his already stolen asset and wreck havoc if not why the desperation for a man who once stated categorically that the chapter of contesting the governorship elections is closed.

• By Allison Abunah, a Political Analyst from Yenagoa

Over four tons of illicit and controlled drugs including consignments of nitrous oxide popularly known as laughing gas, skunk, codeine syrup, methamphetamine and tramadol have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, during interdiction operations in the last one week in Lagos, Kogi, FCT, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto and Edo states.

A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi also said no fewer than 1,194 cylinders of laughing gas with a total weight of 2,547.2 kilogrammes loaded in two Toyota Sienna buses were last Friday intercepted by NDLEA operatives along Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway.

He said two suspects: Onyebuchi Ikpozu and Kenneth Igwe who were taking the consignments to the nation’s capital, Abuja for distribution have been arrested and taken into custody.

Babafemi said while one of the Toyota Sienna buses marked KTU 582 HV was conveying 99 cartons containing 594 cylinders weighing 1,267.2 kilogrammes, the second bus with registration number FKJ 329 YA was conveying 100 cartons of the substance with 600 cylinders weighing 1,280 kilogrammes.

He also said a 48-year-old woman, Mrs. Ugo Eluba was also arrested in Abuja in a follow up operation after 2,400 ampules of pentazocine injection and 100,000 tablets of Exol-5 intercepted in Kogi state were traced to her.

In the FCT, operatives intercepted 977 kilogrammes of skunk last Wednesday in a trailer marked LSR 343 XW, bearing cartons of maggi. The spokesman said the skunk consignment was loaded into the truck at Ipele junction in Ondo state. While 959 kilogrammes of the substance were meant for distribution in Sokoto state, the rest was to be dropped off at Gwagwalada. Two suspects: Auwal Mohammed and Abdullahi Abubakar have been arrested in connection with the seizure, while two other suspects: Mutari Abdulazeez, 31, and Ayuba Madaki, 28, were also arrested last Saturday at Zuba area of the FCT with different quantities of
methamphetamine, cannabis and 13,930 pills of tramadol.

Babafemi also revealed that Shuaibu Yusif, 27, and Abubakar Hussaini, 20, were last Saturday nabbed with 89.1 kilogrammes of skunk along Kano -Hadejia road, Jigawa state during a stop and search patrol by NDLEA operatives.

He disclosed that no fewer than 6,000 ampules of pentazocine injection were recovered from a suspect, Usman Sidi, 35, last Monday along Abuja – Forest road, Kaduna while on his way to Bauchi state.

He said a follow up operation in Bauchi led to the arrest of the actual owner of the consignment, Dominic Chukwuma, 35, last Tuesday with at least 2.58 kilogrammes of diazepam and 36.55 kilogrammes of pentazocine injection recovered from his home.

Two other suspects: Inuwa Nuhu and Isiyaku Sani were also arrested same Tuesday in connection with the seizure of 49 blocks of cannabis sativa concealed in a black sack weighing 26 kilogrammes in a commercial vehicle coming from Ogere, Ogun state to Kano.

Babafemi said a total of 183kgs of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from body compartments of a J5 bus intercepted in Lagos last Wednesday, operatives in Sokoto, last Tuesday arrested one Charles Okeke, 44, with 473 bottles of codeine syrup at Unguwar Kosai area of Sokoto.

In Edo state, 365 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 258 kilogrammes were recovered from a Toyota Camry car marked KTU 886 EZ at Igarra, Akoko Edo local government area.

He said in a massive operation between Monday 11th and Wednesday 13th September, NDLEA operatives stormed thick forests in Ijesha Isu-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti state, where they destroyed 40 tons (40,000 kilogrammes) of cannabis plants covering 16 hectares of farmland.

Meanwhile, across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture at Madarasatu Tarbiyyatil Aulad Islamiyyah Izala Mosque, Sabon Gari Wudil, Wudil local government area of Kano State; WADA sensitisation town hall meeting with principals of secondary schools in Kaduna north and south local government areas organized by the Zone J command of the agency; WADA advocacy visit to the palace of Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike, Enugu state and WADA sensitisation lecture for students of the Oyo State College of Science and Health Technology, Ibadan, among others.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the officers and men of the Lagos, FCT, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kogi, Sokoto and Edo Commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, also applauded their compatriots in all the commands across the country for intensifying the WADA sensitization lectures and advocacy messages to every part of their areas of responsibility.

-By Austen Akhagbeme:

Like a bolt out of the blue, the Election petition tribunal in Kano gave a big blow, with their Judgment, to the sitting Governor and the Kwakwassiyar grassroots movement led by the embattled former Governor Rabiu Kwakwaso who until recently, a chieftain of the NNPP.

Senator Rabiu Kwakwaso has had many battles to contend with in the recent past. Having suffered a recent expulsion from his beloved Party, NNPP on whose platform he contested the last Presidential election, the recent sacking of his political Godson, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is one crisis too many for the former minister of defense.

The election tribunal which met virtually via Zoom invalidated 165,663 votes from the sitting Governor’s earlier declared total votes of 1,019,602. This makes the total vote cast lesser than that of his opponent, the APC’s Nasiru Gawuna who has been declared the winner.

The votes that were invalidated by the tribunal on the basis that the ballot papers were not stamped have brought to the fore more questions than answers. Whose responsibility it is to ensure that the ballot papers are stamped? Is it INEC or the Political parties?

If it is INEC, why should the party be the victim? Does such a huge amount of unstamped ballot papers suggest that they may not have originated from INEC? How did the judges conclude that all of the over 150,000 invalid ballot papers belonged to the NNPP only? Is the tribunal not supposed to have called for a rerun in such polling units?

While we are waiting for these riddles to be answered probably by the next appellate court, we must all call for peace to reign in the potentially volatile city of Kano.

• Austen Akhagbeme is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two suspected oil thieves alongside two alleged armored cable thieves at separate locations in the Federal Capital Territory territory (FCT), Abuja.

The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC,
Olusola Odumosu,on Thursday during parade of five male suspects between the ages of 25 and 37 at the FCT command, said that the Command through credible intelligence reports apprehended two persons illegally in possession of 16 jericans of petroleum products suspected to be crude oil at Pai in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

He noted that: “Investigation is in progress in order to ascertain the source of the products and possibly, x-ray the men behind the mask.

“Two other persons suspected to have vandalised electrical facilities at the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) were also arrested.”

According to him, investigations are ongoing to further unravel those involved in the illicit crime alongside their sponsors and clients.

The Commandant said that a suspect was also apprehended for taking a flat screen television at Maitama District Hospital.

He said that the Command is taking proactive measures in eradicating and clamping down on the operations of miscreants and criminals, thereby chasing them into hiding.

Odumosu said: “We are also tackling the theft of critical national infrastructure that are being vandalised and stolen by miscreants who disguise as scavengers.

“Over the years FCT has been polluted due to uncontrolled influx of these so called scavengers.

“Today there is an improvement and fresh air has began to sway in at all nooks and crannies of the metropolis.”

He reaffirmed that the Command is not going to compromise its efforts in eliminating all forms of vandalism and criminality within the FCT.

The Command also commemorated the International Day of Peace 2023, themed, Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals.

According to Odumosu, Peace begins with loving your neighbours as yourselves, having human sympathy, compassion and our ability to settle disputes in the most civil and diplomatic way.

“We as humans should learn to abide by peace to make the world a better place.

“For Nigeria, a country that has experienced its share of socio-political and religious unrest, the essence of the peace day celebration becomes even more vital.

“It offers an opportunity for all Nigerians to come together, irrespective of socio-cultural, political or religious differences, and unite in the pursuit of peace, security and well-being.”

The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army / Land Component Commander, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamal Abdussalam has affirmed that the National Identification Number (NIN) is a critical national project that must be supported to succeed.

According to Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Major Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, he made the call when the State Coordinator, National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), Rivers State, Mr Bob-manuel Ibiba Agala paid him a working visit at his office in Port Harcourt, Barracks, Rivers State.

The GOC, while welcoming the team, acknowledged the importance of the project to the nation. This, he said, would assist the nation tremendously in checkmating the population, knowing the movement of the citizenry in and out of the country, as well as checking the level of crime and criminality in the society.

Major General Abdussalam used the medium to appreciate the State Coordinator for establishing an office in the Barracks.

This, he stated, had eased the pains troops and their families have been going through in a bid to get registered.

The GOC further stated that with NIMC domiciled in the Barracks, going forward, there would be the need to enforce “Operation show your NIN as a requirement for having access into the Barracks”.

He spoke of the Division’s support to NIMC to enable the commission to discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively.

This, he said, was demonstrated when the Division provided an office space for NIMC to operate in the barracks.

Earlier, the Rivers State Coordinator, Mr Bob-manuel Agala, while appreciating the GOC for the warmth reception, accorded him and his team, added that the Division has demonstrated the much-needed support to the commission.

The State Coordinator further stated that the Commission is saddled with the responsibility of keeping the database of all Nigerian citizens. Hence, the advocacy to the barracks, having seen that troops of the NA have little or no time to be registered due to operational engagements.

This, he said, informed the decision of the commission to bring her services closer to the Barracks community for easy enrollment.

He urged all to endeavour to register as this has huge benefits.

The United Nations has appealed to Nigerian government to commit specific percent of national budgets and development funds to interventions that address gender disparity in the country.

Addressing the media at the end of his visit to Nigeria, the UN Women Regional Director for East Africa, West, and Central Africa, Maxime Houinato noting that this was in congruence with the
demand earlier made by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guteress.

Houinato while explaining that in order to bridge the multisectoral gender gaps in Nigeria and improve the standard of living for women and girls something should be done, appealed that the government of Nigeria commit specific percent of national budgets and development
funds to interventions that address gender disparity in Nigeria.

Houinato said: “Gender inequality is crippling the economy,” noting that: “Women are at the heart of
human capital for economic development in any nation – health, education, agriculture, and business. Gender disparity and the suffering of women are having a detrimental impact on the
building of that human capital which is at the centre of productivity and development”.

The regional director during the press conference informed the media that while in Nigeria he has had meetings with stakeholders to whom he advocated for increased investment in gender equality and women’s empowerment and allocation of specific.

This, he said, includes advocacy
meetings with Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, where he advocated for increased allocation of specific budget lines to address gender disparity in Nigeria.

He also revealed that this was also echoed this during his meeting with the Director General of the Public Procurement Agency in Lagos where an AfDB/UN Women-assisted gender-affirmative procurement project is being implemented to promote participation of women-owned businesses in public and private procurement.

He disclosed that the DG assured him of the government’s commitment to promoting best practices that enable women-owned businesses to access
public contracts.

Houinato said while meeting with the management of Nigeria Exchange Group, he requested that the corporation commit a percentage of its returns to gender-responsive interventions and
encourage its clients to do the same.

He said, while in Lagos, he had a
roundtable meeting with women CEOs in Nigeria where a 25-million-dollar GBV fund was launched.

The fund, he explained, would be a contribution from private sector organisations in Nigeria, to fund gender responsive interventions that will curb violence against women and girls and enhance women’s empowerment.

The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, in her remark, stated that the financial implication of GBV is enormous and reiterated that if the prevalence of violence against women and girls reduces, family income and earnings will improve and so will the economy of the society at large.

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has revealed that over 4,000 inmates are still locked up in various correctional facilities across the country for their inability to pay fines.

The Minister made this declaration while hosting the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and West Africa, Samuela Isopi where he seek support for the various reforms in the Interior Ministry.

The Minister, said: “We have over 4000 inmates in the facilities for their inability to pay various fines. We believe we can reduce the number of inmates in our correctional facilities by about forty per cent if we explore non-custodial alternatives as provided for in the Correctional Service Act.”

Tunji-Ojo said the support of EU is needed as the ministry intend to implement key reforms in areas of migration and the reformation of Nigeria’s correctional centres.

During the meeting, the minister described the relationship with the EU as “historical”, noting that areas of bond with the ministry’s key reforms include combating illegal migration, unearthing organised crime, and upholding the rule of law.

According to the minister, the EU could support the country in deploying technology to buffer and enhance border management architecture within the country.

“The European Union is important to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. Our relationship with the EU is historical in terms, of but not limited to, bilateral support,” he said.

The Minister added that: “If we are able to solve crime and migration problems in Nigeria, Africa will be better for it. Due to the boundaries Africa shares with the EU, our problems are more of an EU problem than any other part of the world. And, because we are committed to solving this, we will explore all avenues.”

He noted that the Ministry was working on key reforms, especially in areas of travel documentation processes and knowledge transfer, while adding that: “We have commenced the process to unbottle the bottlenecks in our international passport application and collection process. Today, we have made huge progress. We are also working on ways to reduce identity theft. We want to make sure the green passport regains its pride and integrity.”

Speaking on plans to decongest the nation’s correctional facilities across the country, the minister revealed that over seventy per cent of the 79,000 inmates are awaiting trial.

The Minister urged the EU to support the Federal Government’s plan to carry out an audit of all correctional centres.

Earlier during the meeting, the Ambassador assured the Minister of the support of the European Union, noting that the EU would render technical support in managing the illegal aspect of migration as well as curbing human trafficking and people smuggling.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ibrahim Idris has charged implementing Ministries, Department and Agencies of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) to ensure proper supervision and monitoring of projects to achieve delivery of their mandate to the project.

Idris, who is also the Chairman, Federal Technical Committee of the ACRESAL Project, gave the charge on Friday at the presentation of operational vehicles to some of the lead implementing MDAs on the ACReSAL Project.

The presentation of the vehicles is to enable the project realize it’s cardinal components of increasing landscapes restoration and enhance livelihoods in the participating states.

According to the Permanent Secretary, “Even at personal level, if you invest your money, and do not supervise what is happening. You will lose. So you must move around to see what is happening. Where you have problems, you address these problems.

In his welcome address, Mr. Umar Abdulhamid, the National Project Coordinator disclosed that ACReSAl has an investment portfolio of 700 million US dollars to intervene and address issues surrounding landscapes degradation arising from desertification, deforestation that has been brought about by climate change, challenges, natural causes and human activities.

He said the impact has been enormous “The project is a six -year lifespan project that just started a year ago. Our team has started actual implementation. Restoration of landscapes have started immensely. At the last count, we have actually been able to restore over 2,000 degraded landscapes.

“We have over 96,529 beneficiaries directly and the list is ongoing. Our expectation is that by mid-term review, we would have been able to deliver more than 60% of the goals and achievements at the land and ecosystem restoration level and the beneficiaries in total.

Some of the recipients of the operational vehicles are representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, department of Climate Change- Federal Ministry of Environment, others are department of Forestry -Federal Ministry of Environment, National Space Research and Development Agency, department of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Management among others.

Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said every institution, commercial and social recreation centre should have certified fire and safety personnel.

The Minister said the personnel must go through drills from the National Fire Academy, Sheda, Abuja even as he suggested the need to broaden the scope of the institution.

Speaking, after his first official inspection tour of the academy, Tunji-Ojo said the facility has the capacity to play key roles in training safety officers who will be “on-ground” responders for the private sector.

He said: “A lot has been done, but there is still a lot more to be done. With what I have seen here, I can guarantee you that we will work very hard to see that this facility will not only be useful in training officers of the fire service but also for the private sector.”

He added that: “We must make fire safety a personal affair. Every institution, commercial and social recreation centre should have certified fire and safety personnel, trained by this facility.”

The Minister explained how the academy could serve various private sector players, saying, “a market, bank, hotel, mall, restaurant, or even ministries should have first responders that can administer basic fire fighting remedy while waiting for the arrival of a full operation squad of the country’s Fire Service.”

Tunji-Ojo explained that the tour was to fortify him with the situation of things at the facility, and also see how fire service processes could be innovated to serve a broader spectrum in line with the #RenewedHope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said: “Today, we have over 3 million private guards certified by the NSCDC. We can have something similar for the fire service. We need private fire service men to enhance our service and response time. The President’s #RenewedHope agenda has charged us to be innovative if we must change the narrative.”

He noted that: “As a matter of fact, this is another innovative way to generate revenue because we expect that anyone looking to become a safety or security guard should get trained and certified by this academy.”

The minister, who inspected the facility alongside the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, was led on the tour by the Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu.

The sector commander Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS 5.2 Delta state CC. Udeme Bassey Eshiet has urged drivers/ road users to be conscious of their driving as we entered the EMBER months.

The commander stated this at the 2023 EMBER months public enlightenment and road safety campaign in Asaba, said speed thrills but kills, drive responsibly and avoid overloading

He maintained that this year enlightenment campaign is to educate the road users to avoid overload, extra light in their vehicles, making calls while driving and night driving.

He appealed to drivers, road users to be conscious in this EMBER months that only the living can celebrate .

Addressing drivers at Benin/ Asaba park at the toll gate and koka Junction in Asaba, the sector commander told drivers that reckless driving, overload, night driving is dangerous.

As EMBER Months begins, be careful in your driving, make sure all the necessary components in your vehicle is in other, Eshiet advised road users.

While addressing his staff on how the command will make easy flow of traffic during the EMBER months, He acknowledge the Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Marshall Dauda Biu for early enlightenment campaign as the EMBER Months began.

He charged his staff to ensure that the flow of traffic is contained in an appropriate manner, adding that their vehicles will be well take care off for any emergency.

-From SUNNY A. DAVID:

The Stakeholders in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State have decried the sudden transfer of the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Fegge Police Station, CSP Rabiu Garba.

In the statement issued by the stakeholders, they said that they would miss Rabui Garba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), and aword winning Police officer who has been the DPO of Fegge Police Station for the past 9 years.

In the statement signed by Dede Uzor A. Uzor and Mazi Chika Udemadu Chika, the stakeholders said since the arrival of Garba in February 2014, 9 years ago, he has been able to unify the residents of Onitsha South.

They said he brought and maintained peace as well as fought crime to a standstill.

”He recovered dangerous weapons including Ak-47 among the other weapons of death.

“He attracted huge developmental projects to the Division which include a borehole with an overhead tank water reservoir donated by Transglob Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

“He turned around Fegge Police Station and also constructed offices for officers in different departments.

“CSP Garba built fence, Mosque, Church, and recreation facilities for young people, especially Table Tennis department,“ said the stakeholders.

They also said part of Garba’s major achievements were the concrete flooring of the entire Fegge Police Station premises, the building of a six-room block to house newly transferred Police Officers who always found it difficult to get accommodation, provision of a big Mikaino generating set, including winning Interface Hero award for three consecutive years which earned him a different Hilux Vans which he in turn donated to the Division.

The Stakeholders said he has won over 1050 different awards and kept an open-door policy which made him accessible to many while he was in Fegge.

DPO Garba, they said, was known for using his salary to sponsor less privileged members of the society.
A philanthropist per excellent.
We greatly miss him.

“We urge the new DPO, CSP Ifeanyi Ibure, the youngest CSP to take a cue from him and work for the security of the lives of the people of Onitsha South including adopting bail is free introduced by CSP Garba.

“We urge the new DPO to disregard a policy of ceasing people’s phones at the station gate and adopt the same open-door policy introduced by CSP Rabui Garba.

“We also assure him of our adequate support,” the stakeholders stated.

The stakeholders thanked the CP Aderemi Adeoye for choosing another visioned officer like Mr. Ibure to Fegge while Mr. Garba took from Ibure from Central Police Station, Onitsha.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has congratulated immediate past Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh, on his birth anniversary.

Governor Oborevwori in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, described Ogieh as a leader, whose contributions to the growth and development of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is laudable.

He commended the Uzere-born leader for his unwavering commitment to the development of the Isoko nation and Delta State in general.

Governor Oborevwori said: “On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta State, I congratulate you on the occasion of your birth anniversary on September 12, 2023.

“Over the years, you have continued to contribute to the peace, progress and development of Delta State, as a staunch Chieftain and a leader in our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“As a quintessential politician and astute public administrator, you have rendered outstanding service to the State, having served as Chairman of the Isoko South Local Government Council and Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State Chapter; Executive Director Finance and Administration (EDFA) and later as Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

“As the Udu of Isoko nation and Odio of Uzere Kingdom, you have contributed your own quota to the growth and development of the traditional institution in the Isoko nation and Uzere Kingdom, in particular.

“As you deservedly mark this anniversary of your birth, I join your family and political associates in thanking God for a life of great and sterling accomplishments with which He has blessed you”.

The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima
has called for unity between diverse leaders and other stakeholders across the northeast in order to address challenges facing the geo-political zone.

The VP made the call on Saturday in Maiduguri while declaring open the 8th meeting of the North East Governors Forum (NEGF).

Shettima, who was in Borno State on a two-day official trip to inaugurate projects executed by the state governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, also used the opportunity of his visit to flag off the distribution of palliatives by the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) and open the Northeast Governors Forum meeting.

The VP said unity between diverse leaders and other stakeholders across the northeast would go a long way in addressing the many challenges facing the geo-political zone.

Shettima commended the northeast governors for deliberately forging unity amongst themselves despite their differences in political ideologies.

The host, Governor of Borno state and Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi and Yobe states, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Bala Mohammed, and Mai Mala Buni were in attendance, while those of Gombe and Taraba were represented by their deputies.

Deputy Governor of Borno, Umar Usman Kadadur, senators and members of the House of Representatives, state lawmakers, Secretaries to the State Governments from the northeast States, traditional rulers led by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Elkanemi and senior government officials from the six states of the northeast attended the opening session of the meeting.

Chairman of the North-East Governors Forum and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, advocated for a partnership that can give birth to an independent power station and railway network across the northeast.

He said: “Let me draw our attention to the recent amendment to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which saw the removal of Power Generation and Railway Transportation from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list. It is therefore important for us in the North East to partner towards the provision of independent power supply and rail transportation in the sub-region.”

Zulum also called for proactive measures towards curtailing the activities of illegal miners while at the same time maximizing the benefits of those minerals towards the overall development of the people in the northeast region.

He charged his colleagues from the region to give priority to the issues of youth unemployment and poverty in the region.

He said: “As we are set to deliberate on matters of common interest and shared responsibilities, we should, in addition to the issues of insecurity, floods, illicit mining and North East Development Commission projects in the sub-region, also focus specifically on youth unemployment, the deep-rooted poverty among the majority of our people due to the removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government.”

Zulum commended the Nigerian military for their efforts in curbing the security situation in the northeast, which has brought relative peace.

“Let me use this occasion to commend our brave military in the fight against the insurgency, which remains unquestionable, while their determination to succeed is very glaring. No doubt, they have considered and acted upon a wide range of options in the fight against terrorism,” Zulum said.

The Governors later went into a closed-door meeting to deliberate, after which they are expected to issue a communique.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori must have been in the mind of the French writer Rouget De Lisle(1760-1836) when he wrote “come children of our nature land, the day of glory has arrived”The governor has completed his hundred days in office and his morning is showing an excellent take off flight. This flight would have a smooth landing.

When the thirty second president of united states of America, Franklin Delano Roosevet initiated the hundred days tradition he felt that the score card of leadership should be made public for all to judge after leadership has stayed hundred days in the saddle. When Governor Oborevwori assumed power on 29^th may 2023, he promised a robust, detribalized administration, offering a comprehensive syllabus in advance prosperity and development. His mantra is MORE: Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms and Enhanced peace and security. He pledged his fidelity to his road map and he hit the road running by appealing to his officials to be open to Deltansin their service delivery. He said compassion must be an abiding lifestyle of government officials in dealing with ordinary people that come to them for services- whether such services are intricate or simplistic. In other words the governors in junction is that: have a listening ear.

Those who know the governor intimately say that the governor was speaking from his heart. He was not involved in grand standing or platitude. He had in previous occasions, especially during his electioneering campaign said he was a peoples person, a community person, a rural person and a ‘street man”. Many will not be surprised if he disguises and enter the street, perhaps to one of the far corner ‘tombo’ joint to feel the pause of the people he is governing. That might be following the tradition of great and legendary kings and rulers who usually enter the anonymity of night to hear what their people feel about their government. He will prefer to hear the voices of the people from the street than from some facts twisting officials of government.He will quickly fit into the gathering of the ordinary people because he does not have the airs and the grandiose of inaccessible leaders. Neither does he have the inscrutable face of governors who are completely alienated from their people. He is a good mixer, full of laughter, jokes and compassion. One hundred days after he has ruled Delta State, he has not changed his skin of grace and prodigious calm. 

In his attempt to forge an all inclusive  government  he has extended a hand of fellowship to the opposition. He does not call them losers. He calls them brothers. He has told everybody that his government will be non- discriminatory. The climate around Governor Sherieff Oborevwori will allow all good seeds to germinate for the good of Deltans, many people have seen the optimism he is exuding. His eyes are focused on the future of Delta State. These eyes are not foggy. His stride is steady and steadfast. His stride is long and forward looking. These have been the story of his hundred days.

In one hundred days in office he has brought energy and purposefulness, recruiting people who are humble and would not exhibit arrogance. In swearing in the commissioners, he made clear that there is a road map for his administration which he clearly enunciated during his inauguration as governor. He has directed the commissioners to have it, read it because his administration’s policy direction is there. The purpose of this directive is to make everybody be in one page in pushing the frontiers of development in Delta State. For him as a governor he does not intend to run a rudderless government. He told the commissioners that what should be trending in their minds is the development of Delta.

Few days before the hundred days in power 29 roads were commissioned in the state capital. They were also other projects commissioned which cannot be captured in this short article. Napoleon Hill may have got Sherieff Oborevwori in mind when he said “it is not what you are going to do but what you are doing now that counts. Governor Oborevwori”s hands are on the plough. Civil servants have got ten thousand naira salary additions, committees have been set up for the distribution of palliatives to cushion the fuel subsidy removal; he has already told local government chairmen to tread softly on multiple taxation because ‘country hard’. But above all he has toldhimself that fame, choking protocol and pride will not come between him, Delta people, and his God. Even now when he is in the house of God he still serve his role as the servant of the most high God who is the governor of all governors.

Throughout this hundred days in office he has consistently said that the MORE agenda will push forward the frontiers of development beyond where his predecessors ended. His style of government is empathy and compassion, he does have that boisterousness of a zealous new comer or the naïve apathy of a novice. He has shown mastery of his job the way he handled his assignment as speaker of the Delta State house of assembly with uncommon responsibility without rancor. In this hundred days there are flaming indications that inclusiveness fairness and equity are part of his MORE agenda and will flower extravagantly and will produce the most endearing harvest that will bring unity peace and development.

In this one hundred days of being in the saddle of power he has shown that we can advance ethnic and cultural friendship while forging a harmonious State whose vitality and potentials will yield more fruits of development. In this short time the elites are burying their differences and the ordinary people remain expectant. Finally Governor Sherieff Oborevwori have taken off on a smooth flight. Everybody will feel the hands of his government. A people’s supplementary budget of one hundred and sixty six billions have been sent to the house of assembly. It is a budget for the take off his admiration. Deltans and expectant. We have hope. 

Azua Alonu,

Former political assistant

To the minister of State for

Agriculture during 

President Olusegun Obasanjo administration 

Nigeria and Ghana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards boosting production of agricultural produce.

The MoU was signed betwen a Nigerian company, EGTA Investment Limited and a Ghanaian conglomerate, Jospong Group of Companies, at the Ghana High Commission in Abuja on Friday.

The MoU was signed under the supervision of Alhaji Bello Goronyo, Minister of State for Water Resources, Mr Eddison Agbenyegah, Ghanaian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Also at the signing of the MoU which was centered on boosting rice farming, wheat, soya beans, yellow corn, and sunflower production, among others, was Mr Aminu Goronyo, President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).

Speaking at the event, Mr Bashir Ibrahim, Group Managing Director of ECTA, underscored the need for adequate investment towards growth of Africa through cooperation, financial, social and political relationships between African nations.

Ibrahim said: “It is on that basis that the EGTA delegation went to Ghana to negotiate this historic MoU; this led ECTA delegation to Ghana and Jospong delegation to Nigeria.

“To negotiate and come to agreement on this MoU, built on the long standing friendly relations that has existed since independence between Ghana and Nigeria.

“In fact, if there are any two countries that are close to the extent that event in one country leads to same event in another, it is Nigeria and Ghana.

“So the signing of this MoU is in line with that tradition. The future of Africa depends on this concept of cooperation, financial investment, technical, social, economic, and political cooperation between African nations.”

He described the agreement between both entities as an extension of the historic relationship between Ghana and Nigeria, noting that EGTA ⁃Jospong MoU would cover production of agricultural commodities; and also provide technical, financial and investment cooperation, as well as training and capacity building of Ghanaians in the agriculture ecosystem.

He explained that the agreement was one out of many with other foreign partners been made possible by President Bola Tinubu administration’s business-friendly commitment to make private sector key drivers in economic diversification.

Also speaking, George Blavo, who signed the MoU on behalf of Jospong, said the agreement was “basically aimed at lifting people of Ghana from poverty through agricultural development.

Blavo, also Lead Coordinator, Rice Project, said the agreement was in line with Ghana’s agricultural agenda of adding value to the agricultural food chain, food-security, reducing food imports, with private sector as pivotal force.

“We are hopeful this MOU will further strengthen the Nigeria -Ghana bilateral relationship; which must ensure that partnership betwen Ghana and Nigeria is given priority.

“In Ghana, we cherish the long standing relationship between our two countries and it is our hope that this partnership will grow from strength-to-strength, for our mutual benefits,” he said.

He commended Ghana-Nigeria relationship to have been bordered by economic, trade and investment, technology, security and agriculture.

According to him, the ceremony attested to the long standing relationship that existed between both countries.

For his part, Agbenyegah said that Ghana seeks to learn beat practice from Nigeria, which has since become Rice Super Power” the country has become one of the leading producers of rice in Africa.

“We are all aware that Nigeria is the biggest producer of rice and the contribution of EGTA to this achievement is well known to all of us.

“We are going to ride on the policies and business policies the Federal Government of Nigeria will reel out, to make this kind of cooperation easy and even, more fruitful.

“We are happy to be partners in this private sector initiative in deepening rice production in Ghana

“Ghana is hosting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) Secretariat, therefore we want to deepen cooperation to propel regional growth,” he said.

Jospong is a Ghanaian company with business interest in over 14 sectors spanning 60 subsidiaries with operations in Africa and Asia.

Meanwhile, the President of RIFAN, Mr Goronyo, explained that Nigeria made remarkable progress in rice production over the previous decade after banning importation of rice.