PeacePro raises alarm, over professional fake news syndicate working to disrupt peace in Nigeria

_Calls for specialized operations against syndicates_

A peacebuilding organization, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has raised an alarm, over growing numbers of professional fake news syndicates, well trained to impersonate legitimate bodies to project false and misleading perspective to instigate mass discontent against the nation

PeacePro also said that, the organized and professional fake news syndicates are created to cause chaos and set Nigeria ablaze.

In a statement by the Executive Director of PeacePro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group said that the federal government of Nigeria and the entire security agencies must see the continuous operations of these fake news syndicates as a national security threat, deserving of specialized operations to not only arrest the situation, but to also get to the root of their operations, including the motivation, sponsors etc.

According to Hamzat, the level of fake news in Nigeria is huge. It appeared that in the past few years, there's organized syndicate, trained to create content, impersonating legitimate bodies to perpetrate certain narrative, in order to cause chaos in Nigeria.

Hamzat explained that, during the just concluded presidential election in Nigeria, several fake documents and reports, ascribed to legitimate bodies, both local and international, have been circulated on the social media, attempting to delegitimize the election, using the name of hitherto legitimate organizations to project certain narrative against the legitimacy of the country's leadership.

"Our investigation reveals that most of these reports were fake and fabricated, but they are being pushed all over the social media to convince the populace about their truthfulness, thereby creating fatal ground for subversive actions" Hamzat said.

Hamzat explained that, some media organizations have also been misled by these reports and it has become more a regular occurrence in Nigeria.

"Few moments ago, European Union debunked one of such reports that has been widely circulated in its name, which confirmed the findings of PeacePro, but many more of such contents are in circulation, with the impersonated organizations unaware of the reports ascribed to them"

Hamzat maintained that, the impersonation of legitimate organizations to peddle misleading narrative on social media is a propaganda tool to convince the populace wrongly over certain claims and we believe this actions were deliberately being carried out by organized syndicates to gradually undermine the country in the mind of its citizens, which is often a prelude to a bigger action by organized none state actors.

PeacePro therefore call on the federal government to quickly pay attention to the issue beyond the rhetorics of condemning fake news or threatening perpetrators with punishment, to digging deep to understand the operations of the syndicate organization, motivation and sponsors".

"We are in the information age, where wars are fought in the digital space to capture minds, to instill hate and anger or motivate people into subversive actions through false narrative to disrupt peace and security of nations" Hamzat concluded.

End

PeacePro cautions OBJ and opposition parties over attempt to scandalize INEC

_Says 2023 election may not be perfect, but it is an improvement on the past_

A peacebuilding organization, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has cautioned former president Olusegun Obasanjo and other opposition parties attempting to scandalize the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the 2023 presidential election.

PeacePro stated that, heating up the polity in an injurious manner, undue scandalization of INEC and outright misinformation, geared towards gaining political advantage is a great disservice to this nation.

In a statement by the Executive Director of PeacePro, Amb Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group explained that, former president Olusegun Obasanjo is a statesman, who should be above political partisanship, but we find the statement credited to the former president shocking, owing to the partisan and dangerous nature of the statement.

Hamzat, who is a former Nigerian Ambassador to the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) maintained that, being a former president who has led the country in the past, Obasanjo should not be amplifying rhetorics and undue partisanship threat, under the guise of national concern.

"President Obasanjo should know better, being the president who was in charge during an election many considers the worst in Nigeria's recent history."

"The former president should not be amplifying dangerous rhetorics, capable of setting the country against itself" Hamzat said.

According to him, while the ongoing 2023 election is not perfect, the process is still an improvement on the past and there's no part of the law that has been bridged by INEC to warrant such unnecessary scandalization.

Politicians should not seek to set the country ablaze due to personal consideration Hamzat said, adding that the recent insurrection in United States after America's 2020 presidential election should serve as a lesson to all.

Amb Hamzat also prevail on opposition political parties to express their concerns and observation in a peaceful and legal manner.

He maintained that, irrespective of what any political party consider as infraction, the law can adequately address it if presented before it, adding that, resorting to threat and disruptive actions will not be in the interest of the nation.

He therefore, urges all parties to uphold the peace, as they had committed themselves to, in the peace accord signed by all political parties.

End

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*2023 analysis for the layman*

Labour party can't win more than 1 state in Nigeria, Anambra.

At most, they may win 3, Enugu and Abia included. Although, this is very unlikely.

PDP is likely to win more states in South East than Labour.

Labour can't have 25% in more than 6 states, Anambra,Enugu, imo, Abia, ebonyi.

At most, Labour could have 25% in Edo, because many Obaseki's PDP guys who couldn't get ticket are currently contesting in labor.

Apart from the afore mentioned states, which they probably, probably could, not that it is likely.

Labour can't have more than 5 percentage in any other state of the federation, except Lagos.

The election is between APC and PDP.

APC will win the entire 6 states in the south west.

PDP may have 25% in 3 out of 6 states in the west, Oyo, osun and Ekiti.

Labour party can't have 25% in any state in the west, not even Lagos. It may attempt to have 25% in Lagos, but that's very unlikely.

In the south east, APC may likely win Ebony. At worst, it would have 25% there. Actually, APC would have minimum of 25% in at least, 3 out of the 5 states in South East. Ebonyi, Imo and Abia.

In South South, APC will have at least, 25% in entire 6 states. APC may likely win at least 2 states. Bayelsa and cross River. In the remaining 4, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, APC would compete properly and at least have more than 25% in all. PdD will likely win the 4 states.

In north central, APC would win kwara by landslide, Niger, nasarawa and kogi. PDP may win plateau and Abuja. Labour party will attempt to have 25% in fct.

In north east, APC will clear borno and yobe. PDP to clear taraba and Adamawa. Gombe and Bauchi is split between APC and PDP.

Probably labour could get 5% in taraba, gombe, plateau and Adamawa because of the Christian population.

In north west, APC will clear Kano, kaduna, Katsina. Sokoto and Kebbi is for PDP. Jigawa, and Zamfara will be split between APC and PDP.

NNPP cannot win any state in Nigeria, but it may even have more votes than Labour party.

Labour party could attempt to have 5% in kaduna.

NNPP will attempt to have 25% in each state of the north west and considering the huge voting population there, they are likely to have more votes than Labour, the possibility of labor winning some small states.

In all, APC is front runner and likely to win the election. PDP to follow. The 3rd position will be contested between NNPP and Labor party.

*Op-ed: Kwara Must Change is re-defining civil and political advocacy*

By Kwara Tabloid

Kwara Must Change (KMC) is a leading Pro Democracy group in Kwara State that is leading the process of development, political participation and governance accountability.

The group has in a bid to refocus her advocacy in line with the global best practices, transformed into development and policy driving using a scientific and data based Good Governance Watch (GGW) to prepare a research based assessment.

Kwara Must Change is re-defining civil and political advocacy through its novel Good Governance Watch, which comprises of 4 cardinal projects such as the Legislative Watch, Executive Watch, Local Government Watch and Judiciary watch.

The group’s Good Governance Watch is a databased governance baseline assessment which serves the multilateral purpose of government accountability in all arms of government, citizens’ participation in accountability process as well as strengthen institutions inline with their establishment mandate.

The direction of Kwara Must Change is unique and distinct in the sense that, it purposely deviated from the conventional sensational activism approach to a more diplomatic and collaborative approach, where it operates more as a teacher, who carefully build students capacity up in a collaborative manner, than being a commander that is forcing a course of direction.

The group, which started as Team for Progress in 2009, for social reengineering and citizens reawakening, metamorphosed into what is now known as Kwara Must Change in 2012 to serve as a youthful vehicle for good governance advocacy.

At the height of its advocacy before the otoge revolution in 2019, the group led the attempted recall process of former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki in 2017 and played a major role in the political emancipation of Kwara State.

Shortly after the 2019 election, Kwara Must Change led advocacy for inclusion of women in governance at its 1st women summit, in which it demanded for 50% cabinet position for women, a demand that was graciously considered by the governor of Kwara State.

The group equally continues to lobby and demand more responsibility for youths in governance, an advocacy that has seen youths take a larger chunk of political appointments in the state.

Kwara Must Change was convened by AbdulRazaq Hamzat and other young people who believe in the sanctity of democracy as a vehicle for citizens participation in governance processes.

Abdulrazaq Hamzat is a transformational peace professional, vibrant youth leader, diplomatic Human Rights Ambassador, Baseline researcher, Crisis Communicator and SDGs advocate.

He has Bachelor and Masters Degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Abdulrazaq Hamzat has worked with the International Human Rights Commission as ambassador at large and representative in Nigeria, leading engagement on human rights violations across Nigeria as well as promoting human rights education in the country.

He has also worked as Research officer for organizations such as Bresson Energy and Transnational Energy.

Currently working at Foundation for Peace Professionals as Executive Director, who develops peacebuilding initiatives, conflict tracking methods, mapping developing crisis, designing programmes and facilitating sessions on Interfaith and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Hamzat is also an Executive Director at GrandPlan Consultant, a research and communication outfit, which specializes in digital media, baseline assessment and strategic communication.

Hamzat’s skills has prepared him to understand root causes of governance challenges and through Kwara Must Change, he and his team are working to transform those challenges to opportunity for positive social changes.

With over 10 years of valuable experience in the civil society space in Nigeria, Hamzat brings palpable passion to entrench responsible politics through governance accountability.

Kwara Must Change has become a movement that not only energizes the local populace through its statewide activities, but it has also become a bridge that connects the grassroot to contemporary discourse through simplification of complex civil and political development. The group has through various forms of sensitization and media advocacy, called for inclusive and participatory democracy.

https://thekwaratabloid.com.ng/close-up-on-kwara-must-change-initiative/

PeacePro cautions EU over unhelpful commentary on Ethiopia

A peace building organization, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as Peace PRO has cautioned the European Union against unhelpful commentary on the ongoing peace process in Ethiopia.

Peace PRO also advised that, if the EU has any advice for Ethiopia, it should communicate with the government through respectable channel or the African Union which facilitated the ongoing peace process instead of making excessive media commentary that maybe misinterpreted.

In a statement by the Executive Director of Peace PRO, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group explained that, the ongoing peace process in Ethiopia was negotiated by Africa Union with great diplomacy and we expect the EU to respect its African Union counterpart by restraining itself from unhelpful media commentary.

According to Hamzat, EU was barred from observing the peace process for a reason, which signifies outright, loss of confidence and we expect that it should be more concerned with rebuilding trust, rather than creating an atmosphere of permanent hostility.

“Making excessive media commentary over the ongoing peace process in Ethiopia portrays the EU as a meddlesome interloper and we consider this unhelpful to rebuilding relationship between the sovereign nation of Ethiopia and the European Union” Hamzat said.

Hamzat also maintained that, EU’s posture as moral police over Ethiopia over human rights issues is not a good approach, actually, it is a sign of disregard to all those who facilitated the peace process in Ethiopia because what EU is saying in literal terms is that, “those who worked to reconcile the conflicting parties and facilitate peace in Ethiopia, are not able to protect human rights.

“Facilitating peace is the greatest human rights protection in war time”, Hamzat said.

Recall that the European Union (EU) asked that the Ethiopian government to ensure accountability for human rights violations and crimes committed in northern Ethiopia during the two-year war.

Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, and France’s Foreign Minister and Minister for Europe, Catherine Colonna, both visited Ethiopia this week.

Since the Tigray war, the EU has halted all financial assistance to Ethiopia and has urged for stronger sanctions against the Ethiopian federal government.

Ethiopia, on the other hand, stated that the EU cannot participate in the Pretoria peace accord, but it granted US observer status.

https://politicsdigest.ng/peacepro-caution-harmful/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=peacepro-caution-harmful

EtinosaDLaw:


Olawepo Hashim the hungry failed politician don release predictions

What concerns Olawepo Hashim with KMC report?

*10 facts about 2023 election revealed in #KMCResearch*

1. Labor Party do exist in Kwara, but its existence is inconsequential

2. NNPP is more popular than PDP in Edu local govt.

3. Contrary to public expectations, SDP is not a factor in Ilorin East local govt, where its Governorship and Federal House of Representatives comes from. APC and PDP are still holding sway.

4. APC is more popular in Kwara North than Kwara Central. And more popular in Kwara Central than Kwara South.

5. Tinubu is the common factor in all 16 local govt areas of Kwara State

6. ADC cannot win senate or Reps election in Kwara South. But it may have an impressive showing in Ifelodun local govt.

7. YPP is present in every local govt, even if they are not a competitor

8. Accord Party cannot win senate or Reps election in Kwara South, but it may have an impressive showing in Offa local govt.

9. Although, the popularity of APC in Kwara South is not as much as Kwara North and Kwara Central, nonetheless, Isin local govt, with a small voting population, would likely give APC its largest percentage of vote margin amongst the 16 local govt.

10. The name of Bukola Saraki is burden, not an asset to PDP candidates in 2023 election

#KMCResearch will be made public soon with 2023 projection

*Peacepro urges presidential candidates to adopt peacebuilding plan to heal Nigeria*

_Says peacebuilding would prevent self sabotage_

A popular peacebuilding organization, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has called on the leading presidential candidates of popular political parties in Nigeria, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of opposition People's Democratic Party (APC) amongst others, to adopt the organization's peacebuilding plan to heal the nation.

Peacepro noted that, there must be healing, reconciliation and genuine conversation around issues hurting different sections of the country for us to make genuine progress in our quest for good governance.

In a statement by the executive director of peacepro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, Peacepro stated that, any government that is able to mobilize significant population of the country around issues of peacebuilding will achieve tremendous success in governance.

According to Hamzat, the issues that led to Nigeria’s civil war in 1966 and those after are part of the fundamental challenges holding Nigeria back from progress.

"We must recognize that people, whose tribal and family members were cruelly murdered in the first coup, counter coup, pogrom, civil war and the various riots and organized criminality are still hurting". Hamzat said, adding that they are all front line victims still hurting from the pains of the past.

Hamzat maintained that, Nigeria as a country should offer specific apology and if possible, relief to these set of victims and a national apology to all Nigerians, who may have been directly or indirectly affected by these unfortunate incidents.

"This singular action will begin the process of leading Nigeria to civil peace. Hamzat said.

Hamzat further explained that, Peacepro had since identified national peacebuilding as a necessity to prevent continuous self sabotage in the country.

This realization made the organization develop national peacebuilding plan, which it has continued to pitch to leaders for consideration in the interest of the country.

As Nigeria approach the 2023 general election, we are therefore using this opportunity to call on leading presidential candidates, including Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling party and Atiku Abubakar of the major opposition, including candidates of other political parties to consider the adoption of a national peacebuilding strategy as corner stone to our quest for good governance. Hamzat said

4 things every Nigerian benefits from govt

4 major subsidy gulping funds in Nigeria are as follows:

1. Fuel subsidy.

This one is popular and it takes the lion share. At least, in 2022, fuel subsidy claims N3.5 trillion. This subsidy is paid directly through the federal budget.

Every Nigerian, from rich to poor enjoys fuel subsidy from govt.

2. Education subsidy

This is the second major subsidy govt cover in Nigeria.

Everyone that acquired education in Nigeria enjoyed from education subsidy in the country.

Government at all level in Nigeria, from federal, to state and even to local govt pay some level of subsidy in education.

This makes it difficult to arrive at a figure.

Apart from the fact that govt is responsible for building education infrastructure across the country, the primary source of funding in a government-owned institution in Nigeria is tuition, subventions, and grants. However, after payments of staff salaries what is left is usually not enough to run the university. The average tuition in Federal universities is N20,000-N30,000 while in state-owned universities it’s within N50,000-N200,000. In comparison with private universities where tuition ranges from N300,000-N1,000,000. The figures showed that the Federal and State Governments pay subsidies for Education in the country, but it is usually not enough due to the universities in the country, and also considering other levels of tertiary education such as Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Colleges of technology, amongst others.

3. Health Subsidy

The 2022 budget for health is N724 billion, which represents 4.2% of the N17.16 trillion budgeted for 2022.

State governments also cover some subsidies to make life easier for people, especially at the rural areas.

Due to relative subsidy in prescription drugs in Nigeria's health sector, drugs in Nigeria are often not so expensive.

In order to subsidize healthcare in Nigeria, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), was launched in 1995 but became operational in 2005. Funding for the NHIS has been the sole responsibility of the Federal Government.

4. Power subsidy

One thing that might shock Nigerians is that the Federal Government pays subsidies on power in the country.

The Federal Government announced it spent N1 trillion on fuel between 2019-2021 to help lower the tariff.

There are other subsidies too not mentioned here.

Abdulrazaq Hamzat

*10 Key Achievements of Obasanjo led Peace Deal in Ethiopia*
By Abdulrazaq Hamzat

On Tuesday, 2nd November, 2022, the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) agreed to a “permanent cessation of hostilities”, effectively ending ten days of negotiations – led by the African Union and a civil war that began in November 2020.

Both parties in the conflict which has left over 600,000 dead and displaced millions in the northern region of Tigray, agreed to “orderly, smooth and coordinated disarmament” and “restoration of law and order”

After the outbreak of civil war in Ethiopia in 2020, a Non Governmental Organization, Foundation for Peace Professional also known as PeacePro counsel the Nigerian government on the need to make direct intervention in Ethiopia, saying the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) can’t do it alone.

In a statement dated 20th November, 2020, PeacePro stated that, Nigeria must take proactive steps to halt further destruction of the second most populous country in Africa, noting that the crisis needs the direct intervention of a capable African brother.

After almost 2 years of fighting, confusion and global conspiracy, Nigeria's former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has successfully negotiated a permanent ceasefire between the conflicting parties.

Here are the 10 key achievements of Obasanjo's Peace Deal in Ethiopia

1. The peace deal in Ethiopia was facilitated by Nigeria's former President, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo, strengthening Nigeria's role as African giant and affirming its peace building credentials.

2. Mr Obasanjo's mandate is directly from the African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Moussa Faki, not with the involvement of any outside body or global vested interest.

3. The United Nations (UN), United States, European Union and others were completely excluded from the peace deal.

4. Despite the exclusion of UN and US from the peace process, they were invited to witness and observe the final deal signing as a sign of recognition.

5. In addition to excluding the European Union from the peace deal processes, the EU was equally barred from observing any of the processes, including the final signing, even though it is the AU's largest donor. Why was EU barred from all of the processes, when US and UN were granted limited previlage to observe the final process?

6. Assessing reports of violations and adjudicating disputes will be at the discretion of Mr Obasanjo and AU commission chairperson, Mr Faki, which is a novel approach in the continent.

7. The agreement goes much further than a simple cessation of hostilities. It sets a blueprint for future relations between Tigray and the federal government, whose “constitutional authority” over the region is to be swiftly restored. Federal troops are to enter Mekelle, the region’s capital, and are to be stationed at its airports and guard highways and federal facilities. The Tigray Defence Force (tdf), established early in the war in response to occupation of Tigray by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, is to be disarmed and demobilised within 30 days.

8. An “inclusive interim” administration will govern the region until elections are held. In effect that will mean the dissolution of the tplf-led regional government, elected in September 2020 in defiance of a federal government edict. It was this election that set the country on its path to war three months later when Abiy, furious at Tigray’s defiance of federal authority, massed troops on the region’s borders. This prompted the tplf to launch a pre-emptive strike on the central government’s forces.

9. Ethiopia's unity and territorial integrity has been preserved through issue based negotiation by fellow African brothers.

10. All guns and bombs have gone silent and peacebuilding and reconstruction process is to begin immediately.

*Abdulrazaq Hamzat is an executive director at Foundation for Peace Professionals. He can be reached at discus4now@gmail.com*

Okoroawusa:
Arisetv -- Pro-Obi

Channels -- Pro-Controversy

Lol

Hoedogwu:


Do the useless PR work that your failure of an oga sent you to do and leave P.O out of your mouth!

Both you and your oga no serious.

successmatters:


Bro, stop supporting ancestral spirits.

Stop wasting your time with people with no vision.

successmatters:
Tinubu is sick, very sick.

He is not coordinating, so he doesn't know what he's agreeing to.

Dwelling on APC candidate's health risks, a challenge faced by the PDP candidate, will not be of any value to Obi, Sowore and the other younger candidates. Most Nigerians will rather follow frail looking older men that are demonstrating grasp of issues and capacity rather than the younger candidates if all they can show is their physical fitness, emotive phrases, shallow monologues, a few unconvincing record of achievements and young enthusiastic followers with no coherent body of ideas.

*Tinubu's 10% Economic growth target is achievable and surpassable*

BY GBENGA OLAWEPO-HASHIM

Just when a number of patriotic Nigerians were begining to express concerns about the ethno-religious nuances of the messaging in the 2023 campaigns, the Presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, launched the eighty five page document envisioning the road map for governance if he and his running mate Kashim Shettima are elected.

The document should help to fundamentally refocus discuss on the real issues about the future of Nigeria- economic prosperity, national security, infrastructural and social development.

This for me is a welcome relief from the inane, emotive and the ephemeral, which the discussions surrounding 2023 Presidential Election has been, especially in the social media.

Immediately the document was released, I tried to get a feedback from some of my younger friends, one, a Deputy director in a Federal agency, another, a music artiste. Their reactions were the same. The one who is a public servant summarised the perspective of both of them, "Oga, eighty pages that is theory, let us talk practical things."

The reactions of these my friends who are both graduates summarizes the prevailing anti intellectual culture in Nigeria among young people. I understand most young people do not want to read. I am usually counselled by my online advisors that any post longer than eight or ten lines runs the risk of not been read. Short hilarious or items suggesting sex or portraying nudity do better.

I picked up issues with these my friends immediately, asking "what is wrong with theory?"
I am yet to see any country in the world where the leaders promised a new society without laying a bold plan and a road map. Sometimes leaders exceed the target in the implementation of their plans and sometimes they underperform.

When we talk about the French revolution, we talk about the several Writings of French philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Montesquieu. We talk about the Federalist papers of leaders of the American revolution apart from inspirational works of writers like Thomas Paine. In Russia, we talk about V.I Lenin's New Economic Plan (NEP), that transformed Tsarist Russia uncompetitiveness in Europe into a modern state between (1918-1922). The nation on that foundation became a Super power.

In Nigeria, our Independence leaders such as Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello laid down several thousands of pages of documents on their dream for a great Nigeria, and they delivered on their plans with Nigeria becoming one of the leading countries of the third world, a step ahead in the club of Malaysia and Thailand. The superlative performance of the Nigerian independence leaders between the period of limited independence and early independence (1955 -1966), had boldly written programmes as guide to action.

It was this culture on anchoring a political vision on a solid boldly written plan, programme, and action that Kingsley Moghalu and I in our intervention in the 2019 Presidential campaigns tried to re-awaken. Documenting a vision is a priceless practice in the scripture. "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (Habakkuk 2:2).
What Candidate Ahmed Tinubu has done is to plainly lay down his vision.

Now to the document itself, I will only limit myself to a quick review of Tinubu's Economic plans, some comments on National Security and my expectation on the management of Nigeria's diversity, due to space constraints. I would be more detailed on the Economy, because whatever promises anybody is making, if you do not have a plan of how to find the money, everything else is a Joke!

Here I have seen Tinubu's profound grasp of Political Economy in a way equal or deeper than the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo. That should be expected as the Asiwaju lives in an era of more information.

I start with his position on budgeting. Hear him: "Budgeting custom bases our annual budget and fiscal policies largely on the dollar value of projected oil receipts, not only does this practice artificially restricts the Federal Government's fiscal latitude, it also attracts the Nation's attention towards a single source of fiscal receipt to the detriment of others"

Continuing, candidate Tinubu offers his solution "To achieve optimal growth in the long term we must wean ourselves from this limitation. A more efficient fiscal methodology would be to base our budgeting on the projected level of government spending which optimises growth and jobs without causing unacceptable inflation."

I cannot agree more. This is a radical departure from the Bretton woods orthodoxy that has constrained growth since 1986 when IMF and World Bank succeeded in Hijacking Economic planning in Nigeria or better put, when Nigeria stopped Economic planning.
The proposed 10% Economic growth target is achievable, and if the accompanying fiscal and monetary measures are vigorously implemented, it is supassable given the country's current massive infrastructural deficit of 20-25 % to GDP stock has compared to infrastructural stocks of middle income economies in the range of 70% stock of GDP as well as the Nation's high unemployment rate.

The economic plan correctly singles out the digital economy as one low hanging fruit for foreign exchange earnings as well as job creation. Nigeria potential in this regard is even underestimated in the document. Nigeria is a latent cyber power, the 7th largest Internet user country in the world with over 104.4m users, the Global outsourcing market in the digital space is over 500billion dollars. Nigeria has a big advantage, having a young, huge, fluent English speaking and writing population that is enthusiastic about coding and software development.

To be added to the digital sector as low hanging fruit for the economy will be a programme of optimization of Nigeria's competitiveness, and efficiency in oil and gas as one of the sources of immediate cash for a growth focused economic plan. The oil and gas sector was mentioned in passing in the Renewed Hope 2023 document because of an understandable bias for the next new economy. We just needed a few tweaking in structure and personnel as well as applicable fiscal regime in the oil and gas sector to harvest our natural advantages in the few remaining life of fossil fuel as an energy source.

Candidate Tinubu's Tax plan is superb, that is his turf. His industrial and manufacturing agenda are inspiring. His planned return of Commodity boards is bold and welcomed. The commodities boards where technically Agric insurance platforms, their absence in the past thirty something years as a result of the pressure of the IMF for them to be scrapped has seen Nigeria lost its competitive advantage in crops like cocoa, groundnuts, oil palm, cotton etc.

In summary, the Tinubu Economic plan is core progressive policy platform that will return Nigeria to economic development, a path we traveled before in the first Republic and achieved phenomenal development. It is the path Malaysia, China, India, have walked recording outstanding results. It is the path Samir Amin calls the path of Autocentric National development, away from the path of arrested development of the past four decades.

On the section on National Security, I have only seen basic and routine recommendations apart from the promise of an integrated database. I understand that you cannot be detailed in a published document on Security Plans, but I would have loved to see some real meat.

I have not also seen serious position on how Asiwaju intends to manage the diversity of the country at a time of great division. Renewed Hope 2023 did not show as much depth and detail as we saw in the management of the economy in this equally important area. Perhaps this is a tactics to avoid difficult questions from his North West supporters that his campaign appears to be seriously cultivating for their potentially huge votes. I hope this will not define his government even if he wins. He needs to pay better attention to matter of inclusiveness and political balancing. Mobilising for Economic growth will be a huge challenge in the absence of National cohesion, unity and peace.

Aside from the salient issue of not been convincing on the question of politcal balancing, key question of devolution of powers and inclusivity, the Renewed Hope 2023 document is a welcome relief in a campaign season that has been clouded by inanities and the mundane.

The former Vice President and candidate of the PDP, Waziri Abubakar Atiku(GCON), now has to show the nation his own document. In fairness to him, he presented something fairly robust in 2019 whether this will suffice now is a different matter.

Mr Obi, a major third candidate on the platform of the Labour Party whose supporters have brought energy and enthusiasm which has seen an increase in youth participation in voters registration must now step forward. The nation will like to see and scrutinise his vision for a New Nigeria.

The nation will like to see more depth from him than the short snippets from his very energetic and creative "obidients". The bar has been raised by the launching of 'Renewed Hope 2023'. Dwelling on APC candidate's health risks, a challenge faced by the PDP candidate, will not be of any value to Obi, Sowore and the other younger candidates. Most Nigerians will rather follow frail looking older men that are demonstrating grasp of issues and capacity rather than the younger candidates if all they can show is their physical fitness, emotive phrases, shallow monologues, a few unconvincing record of achievements and young enthusiastic followers with no coherent body of ideas.
The real debate has started, let it continue!

*Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is a 2009 Lord Max Beloff Prize winner in Global Affairs and Presidential Candidate in the 2019 General Elections.

Media interest in Nigeria

1. Daily Trust- Pro North
2. Leadership- Pro North
3. BluePrint - Pro North
4. Vanguard Pro East
5. Sun - Pro East
6. Authority- Pro East
7. The Nation- Pro West
8. Tribune- Pro West
9. Punch- Pro Controversy
10. Guardian- Pro Business
11. Daily Independent- Pro Business
12. AIT- Pro politics
13. Channels- Pro Politics
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*Kwara Must Change calls for implementation of child right act*

_Urges govt to establish enforcement unit across all schools in the state_

_1 in every 4 girl child is abused before the age of 18 in kwara state_

_School principals, teachers defiling multiple children, impregnating them and carrying out abortion_

_Young boys subjected to labour works on teachers private farms_

_Security agencies conniving to intimidate and subvert the course of justice_

A leading Pro-democracy group, Kwara Must Change has called on the government of Kwara State to immediately set in motion, modalities to implement the child right act, already domesticated in the state.

Kwara Must Change also stated that, the government should immediately create child right enforcement unit across all schools in the state, with coordinating unit situated in State Universal Basic Education Board (Subeb) for basic school, Ministry of Education for senior schools and the governor's office for overall coordination.

In a statement by the Kwara Must Change Coordinator for Gender (Women Wing), Alhaja Sikira Akande Okoso, the group decried the growing rate of child abuse and molestation, especially in private and government schools.

According to Alhaja Sikirat, schools and academic environment, which should ordinarily be center for learning and character moulding, is gradually becoming a breeding ground for child abuse and miseducation.

Alhaja Sikirat explained that, Kwara State is one of those northern states that have domesticated the child right act due to our interest in the protection of the rights of children and we can no longer delay the implementation of the law, which is highly needed at this critical time, to tame the growing rate of child abuse, especially in schools.

She noted that, almost 20 years of Nigeria’s adoption of the Child Rights Act (CRA), the country has achieved less than 20 percent of its implementation, while the prevalence of violence against children, especially the girls child is still on the rise.

"Statistics show that, 1 in every 4 girls and 10 per cent of boys reported to have suffered sexual violence in Nigeria and of the children who reported abuse against them, less than 5 out of 100 receive support".

"Children subjected to violence and abuse are unwilling to lodge formal complaints due to a lack of trust in the authorities and stigmatisation in the society"

Alhaja Sikirat explained that, Kwara State has domesticated the child right act, but the implementation process has been very slow.

According to her, children in Kwara State are facing serious abuses in their schools and even in their own houses, where some children are abused by their own family or parents.

"There are reported cases of children being used for labour works on teachers private farms, several incidences of child molestation by parents, teachers, family members and lots more calls for drastic steps, starting with the implementation of the child right act and establishment of enforcement units across all schools in the state. She said.

Kwara Must Change posited that, increasing incidences of school principals and teachers defiling multiple children, impregnating some and engaging in abortion is too frightening to be left unattended and the group said that enforcing the child right act in schools will be a good beginning.

Kwara Must Change also expressed surprise that some security agencies, which should ordinarily assist in the process of eradicating this menace are also not being fair in its handling of reported cases.

While one of the security agencies in the state had also stated that, "hardly will a day passby without reports of abuse against children, especially gender-based violence’
"there are several reported cases of victims and their families being subjected to acts of intimidation and outright abuse by security agencies aswell"

End

In this analysis of the ongoing ASUU strike, Abdulrazaq Hamzat explained how ASUU had earned 5 years salaries without going to work since 1999.

Enjoy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM966rfGLCU