₦airaland Forum

Advancing with mobile communication technology is SIM card development. SIM cards are subscriber identification modules which are offered subscribers by mobile network operators, most a times for a price. These modules contain a pre-programmed mobile number firmly established in it, in addition to several additional subscriber details. The most recent evolution of these modules labelled the eSIM comes with stirring advantages.

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An Embedded SIM or eSIM is basically a SIM card which is embedded permanently into your device. You won’t be able to remove this kind of module from your device, as it is safely soldered to the motherboard of your device. Your thoughts might likely encircle around an idea where one would be unduely limited to the service of a single network carrier. This isn’t the case, as every subscriber using an eSIM compatible device would be able to use the services of different network carriers at will.

SIM innovation
You might also wonder why this new innovation should interest you; it certainly should engage your interest. This evolution in SIM card technology is gradually being implemented by popular mobile carriers and phone makers; it’s destined slowly to your domain. Usual of several innovations in mobile communications, the eSIM innovation is arguably going to be a new norm in years to come, and that should be of appeal to you!

eSIMs was globally introduced in 2016 as a probable replacement to the nano SIM cards which debuted in 2012. Four years after debut, this innovation has been implemented in scores of countries amid interests from firms and persons.

eSim in details
From standard, mini, micro, nano, and now the eSIM, what propels these changes have been size. The space occupied by the standard SIM card is larger than those of the mini, micro, nano and recently the embedded SIM; their sizes are in addition descending down the list. The eSIM is comparatively half the size of the smallest nano SIM card. This minute of size is attained because this type of card is permanently binded to phones, digital wearables and other supported devices; there’s no convenience made for it to be removable.

The size of eSIMs is of advantage to phone manufacturers as spaces would be freed for other necessary components; as well as to the phone users who relish possessing phones with less weight and dimensions. This would result in our phones, tablets and laptops being less in size, a convenience that would positively affect smart working. Auto makers are also advantaged; due to the glued nature of the SIM to gadgets, vibrations usual of most of these gadgets would have less effect on the functioning of an eSIM.


Learn more: https://telcoinsider.com/ng-en/news/esim-in-nigeria/

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed all tertiary institutions to begin the conduct of the first and second choice admission from August 21.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the board gave the directive in the 2020 admission guidelines released in Abuja by the board Spokesperson, Dr Benjamin Fabian.

Dr Fabian, in the guidelines, warned institutions against duplication of forms, adding that they should desist from selling forms for admissions into some listed programmes.

He urged institutions to advise candidates to apply for the programmes through its office, saying that all admission exercise must be conducted on the Central Admission Processing System.

“All applications for admissions to First Degree, National Diploma, National Innovation Diploma and the Nigeria Certificate in Education into full-time, distance learning, part-time, outreach, sandwich, etc, must be processed only through JAMB.

“Institutions that desire to place advertisement can do so by advising candidates who applied for the current Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination to change to their institution as the first choice rather than requesting the candidates to purchase another application form or apply.

“This is to prevent the issue of double registration which is a violation of the JAMB mandate,” he said.



https://tribuneonlineng.com/breaking-schools-should-begin-admission-august-21-says-jamb/

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The Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stepped aside as head of the panel investigating alleged financial recklessness in the NDDC.

He stated this on Monday during the continued hearing in the National Assembly.

The NDDC acting managing director, Daniel Pondei, had on Thursday led a walkout on the committee.

Mr Pondei, who appeared with other management staff of the commission, accused Mr Tunji-Ojo of corruption. He said because of that, his team will not speak before the committee.

The lawmakers later passed a vote of confidence on the committee chairman while they asked Mr Pondei and the Niger Delta minister to appear before the committee today, Monday.

Both men appeared before the committee and were still there at the time of this report.

In his remark, while stepping down, on Monday, Mr Tunji-Ojo said though he had the support of his colleagues, he preferred to step aside in order to give all parties a fair hearing.

More details shortly…


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/403973-breaking-reps-committee-chairman-recuses-self-from-panel-probing-nddc.html

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People are really politicising everything. Obaseki remains the surest wager between the both key contenders!

MrFly:
are u an Akwa Ibomite? Can u defend ur statement? Look b4 u leag

Oga am an indigene of Akwa Ibom.
The screenshot below explains everything.
Note that some youths are not complaisant. We speak facts! He is a looting machine.

Does this explains the billions he looted even as Akwa Ibom governor. Being a looter, always a looter!

@lalasticlala

During the weekdays preceeding Monday 23rd March 2020, a memo from the Nigerian University Commission was relayed to all university students in their respective institutions. The memo required that all students were to return to their homes for a period of one month, a move the commission said became necessary to contain a novel coronavirus.





Usual of students studying in Nigeria's tertiary institutions, we rejoiced over the break in our supposed education, packed our belongings and bolted for home.



It was double fun for us, given that we were in the verge of begining our first semester examinations. This meant we were free from our timely strolls to school campuses, stale gaze at the ‘never-ageing’ professors, and majorly, the tedious task of consistent reading coupled with keeping up with night classes.




The one month notice of halt of studies appeared to students like killing multiple birds with one single stone. Here the stone in the hand of the NUC was the caveat on a halt of academic activities, while the multiple birds are the unaccounted miseries Nigerian university students passes through daily in school.



Problems of accomodation, dismal quality of workshops and laboratories, exorbitant cost and plethora of fees (some unwarranted), 'system-induced stresses' are some of the prominent inconveniences faced by undergraduates. The effect of these noticeable in the resort of students to drugs, malpractices, extortion and gangsterism.




Depressing it is also to know that due to these challenges, an upward surge in cases of robbery, rape/sexual abuse, have been instanced on students in and out of our campuses. Despite the breather from these hot potatoes for a short while, as these breaks don't normally come often, student were to be served an unexpected surprise.




A week preceding April 23, which would have been the date student were to return to lectures, a new memo was tacitly served universities authorities: student were to remain at home indefinitely. The reason was simple. A coronavirus foremostly brought in by an italian National on 27 February has escalated and was spreading swiftly through the states of the federated republic aswell as the highly decorated federal capital.




As students whose objection wouldn't have gone a yard, we reasoned with the government and continued in our induced vacation. Despite the ills befallen our fellows in the facade of rape and sexual abuses, we continued in our solemnity, obeying all lockdown rules put up by our different governments, when restrictions of such were finally layered on citizens.



The imposed lockdown demanded citizens bore several sacrifices, as such parents and students, including the younger citizens deprived themselves of their usual exuberance in order to contain the virus. However when palliatives came, the country's university students weren't paid attention to.



And although despite the inconveniences of lockdown restrictions, the federal government asserted that it has spent about N679 million on feeding school children, no suggestions were again made about students in the higher echelon of education.


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A post COVID-19 economic sustainability plan emerged afterwards, and as usual of our government, tertiary institutions and the education sector in general was distanced from any fund allocations. The government promised a stimulus spending package of N2.3 trillion, with no consideration whatsoever on students, forcing them into informal activities to keep a survival.



It is worth noting that a similar package by the united states government had reasonable regards for students of tertiary institutions and schools as funds were provided for them aswell as to their parents. Other countries like Bahrain and Australia offered their students relishing reliefs aswell, while the UK, Canada, and several other countries had unique consideration for students in their Covid-19 succors.




Staying at home with little to no access to reasonable electricity heightened the frustrations of the branded 'leaders of tomorrow'. It should interest the government to know that proper attention to the education sector would have prevented the ridicule it is today. A situation inwhich no single federal and state tertiary institution could implement an online learning framework should be of shame to any modern government. A situation by which the Academic Staff Union of Universities has to launch periodic strikes to prevent an undermine and further deterioration of the system.



It should interest our government yet again to know that with a proper projection of our universities, the economy would correspondingly be awakened. It is for the record that the breakthroughs on combination therapies for HIV, self-driving cars, and cloud computing were all products of researches that took place at universities. However, Nigerian universities hardly go into reseaches, much due to the tacit negligence by the government.



Governments that prioritises wage slips of government appointees (more than 42% of the unrevised 2020 budget was meant to be spent of recurrent expenditures), than on capital infrastructure and intelligent nation building.



How could the government slide back on track? The government could win back the trust of our university-going youths by initiating a tuition fee waiver for university students and others in different tertiary institutions for the remainder of the academic session and the next. This would enable students to redirect their contemplations from the adverse effect the coronavirus pandemic would have on them towards discreet academic and vocational trainings.




The greater beneficiaries of such well-advised move would have been parents, guardians and benefactors. They would have had time to recover on the losses from the pandemic, as despite the low quality of education in the country, parent still had to pay more to enable their ward's name appears on degree-awarding certificates.




Aside pointing out the shortcomings of government on education development, the reasonable strides of the central and states government is encouraging but not satisfactory. The University tuition waiver if implemented by government of all levels in federal and state institutions, aswell as a sustainable and befitting developments of our institutions to meet standards, would be revolutionary and would signify a new hopeful trajectory for the country at large.



Education is said to be the passport to the future; for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today, they say. However our future as students in this clime is no more certain than the present we see ourselves. We demand for leadership of tomorrow from today!
#WaiverOnUniversityTuition



Daniel Daniel is a concerned student of the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden.

Greater numbers of people feels quivery whenever they appear in the presence of the person they have romantic affection on. The remaining percentage either possesses a unique gift of boldness or merely feigns liking for the person.



I remember when I was in secondary (first year), I hardly talked to girls, and I feel that I still can't relate well with girls presently even when it's not about courage. In my JSS1, I only had discussions with girls that were my sister's friend. I hardly talked to ones my troubling mind thought were romantic; I wouldn't have survived looking them straight in the face.



Although the affection was there, the body wasn't willing to act, so I had to continue sighting my numerous crushes from afar. It was an exciting and yet, a burning task. Exciting in that you keep day-dreaming of a time you would come to cage the rare beauty, and burning because although you visualize talking to them, others are easily actualizing your day dreams with relish.



One day, one of my crushes called my name in class. I hardly replied due to the build-up of tension in me. She came closer, and I had to hold on to an adjacent chair to douse the anxiety. She actually came to inquire about the boy he always walked with: whether I've seen where the mate is; whether he's arrived in school. Anger brought in courage, I curtly told her "no". Why would she ask me such during what was supposed to be a first date?



I took away something from there. She was also quivering during the conversation like I was, although she was more composed than I. Although she had others to have asked about the boy, she preferred getting a discussion with me. In reasonable term, she had a crush on me. It was admitted at a later date.




Why saying all these? Boys are always quivery when they meet up with who they have erotic affection for. Mainly boys, because the opposite sex and the society in general have seen it as a paradigm for males to be asking out the females. So while the boys commands over the tension, the girls pretend not to be nervous.


The girls actually are also nervous when they meet a guy they have affection for. When I remember how my sister would say she could form for Africa, I laugh, because she could deceive the lingering boys into thinking she couldn't form for them.


Nervousness is a part of affection, my brothers! I come and go in peace! ☮️

Bolaji Tunji, media aide to Senator Abiola Ajimobi has described as untrue reports of his death.
In a post on his social media handles, he urged Nigerians to pray for the recovery of the APC chieftain who is battling with COVID-19.


https://www.independent.ng/ajimobi-not-dead-media-aide/

The MTN XtraValue presents an avenue for subscribers to get a joint airtime and data value in one subscription.

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Ordinarily, most subscriptions on the network are either uniquely for only data or solely for airtime reboosts. These purchases being unable to satisfy subscribers who fall within the midpoint bracket – those in need of both airtime and data, a third set of bundle became necessary.

This third but needed category of mobile subscription caters simultaneously for both the data and calling needs of a network user. It erodes the inconvenience associated with purchase of multiple airtime for data subscription and for calls.



Nigeria has made this combination pack more relishing, as there are two subdivision of ‘a more of data’ pack, and ‘more of call time’ pack. This means that as a talking ace, I could place several yet numerous calls to family members and friends, get offered a data allocation for me to slide intermittently into the internet, all while still within my set budget.


Conversely, as an unrelenting internet user, I could access priority contents from the world wide web, catch up with friends on social media, and get a call time allocation necessary to offset any calling undermine.
The MTN XtraTalk bundle is one which gives you more airtime than data, while the XtraData bundle gives you more data than airtime.

MTN Nigeria is the widest telecom network in the country, and their XtraValue bundle is one of their best unreserved value-packed offers. All Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers are eligible to subscribe to this package.
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Read more: https://telcoinsider.com/ng-en/news/mtn-xtravalue/

One of the few telecommunication word that you might not be in cognizant of, but regularly become aware of by virtue of it’s wide use is “roaming”.



The apparent cluelessness about its denotation is due to its association with international travel: an undertaking most of us haven’t the opportunity to experience.


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Roaming is a unique term used in the telecommunication ambience to denote the use of a regular network carrier in another country where your local network isn’t accessible, although a convey had been agreed on to allow for a seamless use at this new travel location.


You make and receive calls, send and receive SMS and access data services for a location-varied prices.



A roaming agreement is agreed upon by the home carrier, suggestively: MTN, Airtel, Globacom or 9mobile, with a foreign carrier for its traveling customers to employ the foreign network while still retaining their identity with the home telecom provider.



Telecom operators popularise the process because it’s an effective gateway to upsurge their revenue, inflating rates at will as no international law regulates roaming prices.


Before Roaming

Before considering roaming, have a look at the network bands supported by your phone. Different telecom operator operates on different licensed frequency band, implying that a smartphone which is effective in a particular region could turn useless at another.


This might not be a challenge though, as most new smartphones support majority of the bands used by popular telcos.




Be specific on the foreign operator you need to roam with. Double-check from your local carrier’s catalogue, the roaming operators it’s supports for the country you’re traveling to.



You might also save yourself future distress if you research on the foreign carrier you so choosed and it’s availability for the specific region you are poised for.


Learn more: https://telcoinsider.com/ng-en/news/roaming-mtn-airtel-9mobile-globacom/

The need to stay connected with family, friends and fans via social media, VoIP platforms, and all other numerous internet broadband modalities has necessited the search for available cheap data bundles. Referencing the eight popular broadband internet providers in Nigeria, we provide an explainer into the cheapest data bundles presently offered in Nigeria.

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How cheap should data be?

There are immense needs for cheap internet data by active internet users in the country. Reason isn’t far placed. Majority of citizens live below the bracket of an ‘average income earner’. As such, the least priorised necessity in their checklist is internet subscription. Talk less of doling out exurbitant fees on ‘just’ data.

A recent report referencing numbers from the country’s bereau of statistics, revealed that about 40% of citizens live below the $1.05 a-day income borderline and as such are ‘extremely poor’. Sadly also, majority of the remaining percentage of people either have their income shortchanged by their employers or are employers themselves who earns less than necessary due to blunt economic realities.

To this assertion, subscribers see it prerogative of telecom operators to dish out cheap bundles, as they claim their incomes are necessarily directed towards ‘priority’ needs.

In a population with majorly young people, you wouldn’t expect less a craving for broadband internet exploitation. And you wouldn’t be disappointed if such becomes reality also, however, how cheap could internet subscriptions be?

A 2019 report denoted that the country’s average data pricing for a 1GB data is $2.22 . The report also positioned the country at 44th spot among several other nations. When abbreviated to include only African states, Nigeria was rated the country with the 10th cheapest data pricing in Africa. The cheapest plan was purported to be $0.26 while the most expensive plan was $13.79.


Read more: Cheapest data bundles and their subscription details – Glo, 9mobile, MTN and Airtel

Have you ever envisaged an internet penetration at 100% in interior villages and minor residents where broadband connection is little to none? The possibility of such is clearly a doubt to many. nevertheless, it’s actually not a daylight dream, but rather an actualization forwarded by SpaceX’s CEO, Elon Musk in a project codenamed Starlink.

Starlink aims to make use of circulating satellites around the Earth’s atmosphere to provide broadband internet to all parts of the globe, hopefully, at a much reduced fee.

To achieve the purpose, the project aims to put up about 4200 of these satellites; with 420 of it presently now in orbit.

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While our contemporary broadband service providers make use of communication structures to rebound signals to our devices, starlink’s satellite internet wouldn’t need such, thereby eliminating certain costs.

What is starlink comprehensively all about?
The “Starlink — internet from space” project is fully funded and executed by a private space services company, SpaceX. The founder of the California based firm is Elon musk, who doubles as a major shareholder in the leading electric car manufacturing company — Tesla. Musk hopes to evade infrastructural costs associated with the present telecom broadband services.



Read more: https://telcoinsider.com/ng-en/news/starlink-internet-satellites/

The conception of working right from home had been perceived by many as a fanciful yet unrealistic proposition. This was rightly so until the advent of the novel COVID-19 virus and it’s ensuing Covid-19 lockdown, which has successfully halted much of the world’s industrial activities.

Governments around the world have barred social gatherings and pencilled down strict regulations. These necessary actions are made to reduce the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Health professionals have taken it upon themselves to advise individuals on hygienic living while at home. Compulsory wearing of masks and social distancing have been encouraged when on essential trip outside of home. Lockdowns are being imposed, indicating a temporary break from ‘outdoor working’. In Nigeria, the federal government imposed restrictions in two states (Lagos, Ogun) and the FCT. Lagos and the FCT, Abuja are the two major flight entry location in the country, while Ogun state serves as a satellite town to Lagos State. Several other state governments have as well imposed independent restrictions in their different states.


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The workplaces appears to be the most hit by these impositions, with many workers instructed to work from their homes. While several industrial workers are advised to steer clear from workplaces, some on ‘essential duties’ are cautioned on best hygienic practices while at their jobs. However, this idea of ‘working from home’ is still yet to be put into application by many firms and business outlets. Reason being that businesses in the country gives little interest to it, and foremostly due to the cost of setting up a virtual workplace.



In all, working from home during the Covid-19 lockdown although challenging might be a relishing process given that excellent services and tech tools help to convert your house into a unique workplace.


Continue reading: https://telcoinsider.com/ng-en/news/covid-19-lockdown-services-aiding-virtual-working/

In recognition of the ordeals currently suffered by Nigerians during this lockdown period, Globacom Nigeria, one of the country’s four main telecom firm has roled out a data palliative tagged: Glo Stay Home Data Plan.

The telecom company in a statement recognises the effects of the novel coronavirus across several homes following state-wide curfews. Numerous businesses have been suspended for weeks. Families have been restrained from outdoor socialization. And workers are encouraged to work directly from their homes.

The end effect means families are now more together, with all partners most often indoor, while businesses (most of them running on a deficit), had to quickly create new strategies or risk extinction.



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To heighten the fun and excitement currently enjoyed across families, and in recognition of the calls for a cut in data prices, the company has made an upward review of it’s data packages. The new Glo Stay Home Data plan aims to help customers sustain activities in their businesses, reach out to loved ones and entertain themselves.

The bonus data one receives is however dependent on the size of package bought. that is, “the more data you buy, the more data bonus you enjoy.”



Read more: https://telcoinsider.com/ng-en/news/glo-stay-home-data-plan/

COVID-19 is a viral disease declared by the World Health Organization, WHO in March 11 as a global pandemic. The novel virus first discovered in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei province, has led to more than 50,000 deaths globally.




COVID-19 is believed to have been transferred from animals down to humans; with new strains of the virus discovered. The virus stems from a family of Coronaviruses, including the SARS and MERS which all typically attacks the respiratory system. Symtoms of COVID-19 includes: fever, cough (which are most atimes dry), running nose, sore throat, aches and nasal congestions.



The virus is known to spread from human to human through secretions from coughs or sneezes. Droplets of these secretions from an infected person on surfaces could easily lead to a transfer of the virus to a healthy individual if it is eventually picked up by the hand to the eyes, nose or even the face. Scientists avers that the disease could stay up in a surface outside a host for 72 hours.






The disease has crumpled economies, halted notable events, and killed thousands. Palliative measures have since been taken by governments across the world. In Nigeria as in most other countries, concerted efforts have been channelled towards containing the spread of the disease which presently doesn't have a cure. Billions have been donated by individuals and private sectors, with the support from the sector majorly from banks.




How the telecom industry are responding to the outbreak globally



Across Europe, mobile operators are being compelled by the government to share the location details of subscribers. These data helps government agencies monitor movements of citizens in locked-down regions. In Italy, a country with the highest number of cases besides the US, the major network couriers: Telecom Italia, Vodafone and WindTre are helping authorities there with location data of persons. Although these have to a certain extent served the purpose of tracking movements, persons who felt perched to their houses reportedly went about their businesses without their cellphones.




In Switzerland, UPC, one of the country's largest telecom operator had from the 19 of March(three weeks after an index case was confirmed in the country) upped it's internet speed to 100 Mbit/s from 60Mbit/s for six weeks at no additional charge. It furthermore unlocked all children's channels which would remain free of charge from 25 March to 6 May 2020. These benefits are exclusive to the extant provision of about 500,000 wifi locations in Switzerland where UPC customers can browse free of charge from.



In the UK, popular telecom firm, Vodafone announced a 30 days free access to unlimited mobile data to its most vulnerable subscribers. The firm also announced that the first 500,000 new subscribers would also benefit from the offer.



Telcos response in Nigeria



Akin to similar moves across Africa, telecom firms in Nigeria are offering little or no assistance to abet the situation. In Nigeria, access to covid19.ncdc.gov.ng — the government's recognized Covid-19 update portal is free to access on the four major telecom network — MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile.



Aside that, MTN Nigeria, the country's largest telecom network by market share, offers it's subscribers 10 free SMS services for 30 days. This gesture has been considered by most subscribers as irrelevant given that social media messaging had overtaken the mobile SMS messaging services. MTN has also prided itself to announce that it has gifted not less than N500 million worth of airtime, data and analytics to state governments during the restriction periods. It also announced that about N1.4 billion has so far been spent by the telecom firm as relief in form of data, airtime, and devices to frontline health workers including the NCDC.




Globacom's Chief Executive Officer, Mike Adenuga through his foundation has donated not less than N1.5 billion to aide the fight against the novel virus. However for most other telecom companies, it's business as usual, necessitating calls by Nigerians on social media for a reduction in data prices. The average data bundle in the country is a 30-days plan of 1.5GB for N1000. When the recently augmented 7.5% tax is levied from, this value decreases.




As at the time of writing, there are 190 confirmed cases in the country of which 20 of them have been discharged with 2 proven death from the ailment. Are telecom firms really doing enough?



https://telcoinsider.com/ng-en/news/covid-19-how-are-telecom-operators-intervening/

2020 promises to be a year full of intrigues, and as always the political scene won't be left out in this.

Throughout 2019, the general elections conducted at the beginning of the year stole headlines, the outcome completely going the bookmakers way.

Aside some political upheavals later after the elections, much of the national issues arose due to the outcome of it. The early conduct of the 2019 polls gave the opposing Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ample time to lick it's wounds on the loss at the poll, till the end of the year.

The ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, meanwhile under the same time span consolidated on it's presidential election victory by winnig massively in Kogi and Bayelsa; with the victory at Bayelsa coming as a shock to onlookers.

The new year 2020 wouldn't lodge any general election, however new and developing issues would certainly emerge. The political trajectory in the country isn't difficult to pickout by any neutral who has been following activities by political bigwits. Happenings that would likely come to realization in the new year are as follows:
President Buhari Would Still Shy Away From His Promises
The economic realities would again popup this new year. Before his election in 2015, one inwhich an incumbent president was first defeated in the country, Buhari and his well wishers campaigned on the premise of delivering an annual economic growth of about 10 percent up from 7 percent.

However, growth rate from 2015 onwards slipped, averaging 1.9% yearly. By early 2019, growth rate improved to 2% but experts claim a rate of about 3.5% or more need to be attained for any noticeable improvement to be achieved. This they say is because of the swift rise in population.

It was under the current administration that the country was rightly labelled as the entity with the largest number of extreme poor.

The narratives might likely not change coming into 2020, as bulk of the country's budget is spent on recurrent expenditures rather than on capital projects.

The president's new year speech to Nigerians likewise affirms to how unlikely new multi-million dollar projects would be funded by his government.

A little away from the economy, President Buhari's honeymoon tales of delivering 24 hours electricity, prioritized security of lives & properties and consequent decimating of the Boko haram insurgents are few of his promises which have not come to fruition.

These promises are always going to be assured once again in 2020 but none would entirely be done.
The 'Responsible' Cabals Would Still Tread On Aisha's Path
Amid the buildup to the presidential poll, the presidency had dismissed the existence of cabals, calling it an 'imaginary creation attached to all past governments of the country.'

It also reproached the people's Democratic Party, PDP for using such as it's campaign issue.

The President's wife is known to be unrelenting in speaking on issues arising around the country and even inside the state house.

This earned her the courtesy of being reminded she belonged to the 'other room' by her husband during the latter's first term.

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Aside congratulating her hubby on delivering on his mandate to Nigerians, The First Lady had accused cabals in the government house of hampering the needed development required of by the populace.

From vowing not to campaign for her husband's re-election to accusing the Senior Special Adviser on media and publicity, Garba Shehu of loyalty to these cabals rather than to the first family, Aisha's battle against the cabals in 2019 only clocked new gears.

From all perspective, 2020 seem a more likely year for the cabals to continue their in-house activities.

If what the first lady said of the cabals is true, then decisions concerning the buildup to the 2023 polls would be by them. Remember Shehu said they were responsible Nigerians who have the interest of the country at heart?
Osinbajo's Moves Would Still Be Strictly Monitored
Vice president, Yemi Osibanjo might have had his best spells in Aso rock when the duties of president was handed him in 2017.

During President Buhari's medical trip abroad, the 104 days the professor took charge might have being so prolific; possible of eclipsing the president or possibly ruining the chances of 'cabals' who might show interest in 2023.

Signs the VP stepped on toes became evident when he wasn't delegated to occupy the presidential seat while President Buhari went on a medical leave this year. Adding to that, the president's chief of staff, Abba Kyari, was deemed fit to fly to the president a bill for the latter to sign.

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Osinbajo's travails appealed public sympathy when in September a presidential directive requiring the VP to seek the approval of President Buhari before taking any major decisions concerning all the agencies under his watch was issued.

The Vice President watches over the National Boundary Commission; the National Economic Council (mandated by law); the National Emergency Management Agency; the Border Communities Development Agency; and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

The purported memo which contains the directive is yet to get to the public but major dailies have indicated it contains that an ‘abuse of due’ process in the management of some responsibilities during the first term, was the reason Buhari issued the directive. Many have argued that the 'abuse of due process' while on his cameo role as President included the confirmation of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the sacking of Lawal Daura as the Director- General of the Department of State Services.

These they say didn't go down well with the cabals who were opposed to the influence he was gathering.

The last major presidential decision to affect the VP in 2019 was the sacking of at least 35 of his aides on the grounds of reducing cost of governance.

Edging close to 2023, the decision makers at the state house would still need the Vice Presdident to lay down his influence.


Tinubu Wouldn't Still Make Plain His 2023 Ambitions; His Grand Sheme Would However Unfolds

Many would argue into the night of the minimal chances of Bola Tinubu at the polls if ever he would show interest to contest in 2023.

It is as crystal clear as ever that Tinubu wouldn't envisage being a National leader of one of hundreds of political parties in Nigeria forever.

It should not be forgotten easily of how he threw the VP slot to Prof Yemi Osinbajo; reasoning the slim chances of the APC if it presented a muslim - muslim candidate in 2015. This was when it became apparent he was to be the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari then.

The controversial leader widely considered the most successful political statesman onward from 1999, has designated influence to many, making appendages to himself.

https://politicsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/senator-bola-ahmed-tinubu.jpg

With Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos state held sway under his hold, a party chairman, a vice president, governors, and senators were made while opposing politicians disloyal to him were quickly blotted out of political relevance.

The 'Jagaban' would be aged 70 by 2023 but he wouldn't be as old as President Buhari currently is, then when he finally declares to contest.

Political experiences suggests that his bourdilion bridled aides are instinctively playing to instructions waiting for the right moment to wade in. 2020 would further uncover more about the intent of Tinubu's 2023 plot, as his activities throughout the year would bud evidences.



https://politicsnigeria.com/2020-how-the-political-atmosphere-would-likely-be-this-year/

The report seems correct.
Apc has no elective post in akwa ibom state.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has said that the party was making all necessary arrangements to ensure victory during the rerun ordered by the Appeal Court for Essien Udim local council of the state.
The state party chairman , Obong Paul Ekpo, made the disclosure yesterday during a press conference held at the party’ s secretariat in Uyo , the state capital.
The Appeal Court sitting in Calabar had ordered a rerun for Essien Udim local council alone in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in the elections involving Senator Godswill Akpabio for the senatorial election and Mr . Emmanuel Akpan for the House of Representatives elections .
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) was yet to fix the date for the rerun.
But Ekpo said the party was satisfied with the judgment of the appellate court and was preparing for the elections .
“ We sincerely appreciate the intellectual industry invested in the delivery of the judgments by the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal. They have proven to the world that our country ’ s judiciary is
constituted by persons of towering integrity and unbending honesty , applying extant laws to presented facts and delivering judgments according to law , irrespective of political affiliations.
“ This explains why we have accepted all the judgments of the court in good faith, even when one did not go in favour of our party, ” he said .
The party urged members that won their cases at the Appeal Court to look inward and see their victory as a call to duty and not a mark of superiority over those that voted them into office .
“ They should endeavour to reach out to their fellow contestants and share knowledge for the good of the state . A reasonable victor must be magnanimous in victory. We must keep in mind that at the end of the
tenure, the verdict of the people will be given on our performance.
“ For the rerun in Essien Udim local council which will hold for the State and National Assembly, we can assure the world that we are making adequate preparations for the elections . We will go to these
elections like we went to the previous , with the name of the Lord and as before , we will win again. Only God saw us through the most turbulent elections in our state ’ s history and we are more than certain that with Him at the fore, our victory in all the rerun elections is sure.
“ Very soon we will roll out our campaign timetable , which will be vigorously pursued. We charge our ward and chapter officers in Essien Udim to begin to energise our grassroots structures in preparation for
our impending roll out, ” he added .


https://m.guardian.ng/politics/were-ready-for-a-rematch-with-akpabio-says-akwa-ibom-pdp/

PDP release statement adter appeal court orders rerun.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission had confirmed that only 19,455 voters were accredited in Essien Udim local government area(the affected LGA).


The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar today ordered a rerun election in Essien Udim local government area alone, in their Judgement on the Appeal filed by Rt. Hon Emman Akpan and Senator Godswill Akpabio both of the APC against the Judgment of the Tribunals, which upheld the elections of the Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong and Senator Chris Ekpenyong for Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District respectively.


This judgement acknowledges the widespread irregularities that occurred in Essien Udim local government Area, which were noted and highlighted in different reports from observers.


Everyone will recall that the results from Essien Udim local government area was delayed for more than five hours after all other results had been turned in and collated.


We recall further that Senator Akpabio and his APC supporters had taken over the INEC office at Essien Udim, chased out everyone, held the INEC staff hostage and falsified election results. The court judgement in nullifying the elections there, simply confirms the reality. We welcome the judgement of the Court and hereby indicate our preparedness for elections, as this will provide an opportunity for us to widen the margin of victory against Rt. Hon. Emman Akpan, Senator Akpabio and the APC.


We are expectant that the Senator will very soon tender his resignation from his ministerial office to meet us in the campaign field,as the law demands. Our party urges the general public to ignore the false stories being peddled by members of the opposition APC about the judgement- which specifically ordered a rerun in Essien Udim local government area alone.


It is on record that the margin of victory currently outstanding is in tens of thousands of votes, which has not been affected by the judgement of the court.

Signed:

Comrade Ini Ememobong
State Publicity Sec

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I humbly present to you, the new political Leader of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, one of the strongest pillars that have retired WARSAW and Emman Ekon from politics. The talk and do Master. A man of few words. The National Legal Adviser of PDP, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem

INEC TO DECIDE ON IKOT EKPENE SENATORIAL DISTRICT ELECTION TODAY


Focus returns to INEC, Uyo today for the decision on Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.


Nobody has been declared winner, with votes from Essien Udim yet to be announced.


It currently stands at 123,090 PDP votes to 68,867 APC votes from 9 Local Government Areas.


Chris Ekpeyong of PDP won in 8 LGAs. Godswill Akpabio of APC won in one LGA.


Results published at ward collation centres in Essien Udim indicated PDP won in 5 wards,APC in three wards while 3 wards were cancelled.



Senator Akpabio hosted a party yesterday at his base to charge up his supporters ahead of what looks like clearly a defeat. Mind games.



INEC will rule on all that, today. This is heading for a photo-finish.