₦airaland Forum

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has urged the National Defence College (NDC) to think outside the box and come up with ideas with which Nigeria could address the various security challenges facing the country.

Speaker Abbas, while lamenting the loss of lives and property to insecurity in the country, stated that the NDC, as a research-based security institution, should come up with proposals on how best to tackle the challenges.

The Speaker made the call when the Commandant of the college, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu, led the management of the NDC on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Friday.

Speaker Abbas said: “Commandant, you are aware of where Nigeria is today in terms of security. We are at the lowest ebb. We rely on institutions like yours to come up with policies that will minimise – if not eliminate – all the security challenges that this country is facing.

"I believe one of the reasons why you (the NDC) are in existence; why your institution was established, was to proffer solutions in terms of policies," Speaker Abbas said, while challenging the Commandant to put on his thinking cap.

“Think outside the box. Come up with advice for the Executive as well as for us in the Legislature on what we need to do to actually bring to an end, this incessant insecurity that is bedevilling this country. You are up to the task, and you will be able to deliver at the end of the day.”

The Speaker further asked the NDC to conduct a research on the link between a cashless economy and insecurity.

“A lot of members have been coming to say ‘let us go and talk to the President and ask him to revisit this issue of cashless policy introduced towards the end of last year,' because it was found that the introduction of the policy significantly reduced terrorism, kidnappings and banditry,” the Speaker disclosed.

Speaker Abbas, therefore, charged the college with proposing non-kinetic measures against the security challenges in the country.

The Speaker, while congratulating Olotu on his appointment as Commandant of the NDC, expressed confidence in his ability to take the “very important” institution to a higher level.

“Commandant, your institution is one of the most prestigious security related institutions that we have in Africa,” Speaker Abbas stated, adding that the NDC remains one of the few military schools that have risen beyond the African continent to become an international institution.

He said: “This is something of great delight to us. From the feedback we are getting from participants all over the world, they are very proud of the kind of training and engagement they get from that institution. So, a big congratulations to you.”

The Speaker disclosed that the House was aware of the challenges facing the NDC, especially concerning funding and enabling laws.

“I want to assure you that before you called in, we already set the ball rolling to ensure that this time around, under the 10th House of Representatives, your institution will be given legal backing,” he said.

Earlier, Rear Admiral Olotu urged the Speaker to facilitate passage of the bill seeking to change the name of the college.

“One of the assurances we will be seeking later is passage of the bill on renaming of the National War College to National Defence College, because the Act still envisages that it is a National War College whereas the college has become National Defence College since over a decade ago,” he said.

The Commandant disclosed that the NDC had graduated a total of 2,758 participants, out of which the Nigerian Army had 1,051.

Olotu also disclosed that the NDC would organise a stakeholders’ roundtable on October 31, 2023, to look at issues around the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States.

Signed:
Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
25 Bills...

1. National Institute for Criminology and Criminal Justice Research (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.740) (Hon. Julius Ihonvbere) – First Reading.

2. Anti – Dumping and Countervailing Bill, 2023 (HB.741) (Hon. Julius Ihonvbere) – First Reading.

3. Nigerian Marine Coast Guard Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.742) (Hon. Francis Waive and Hon. Aliyu Wakili Boya) – First Reading.

4. Nigerian Civil Defence Academy (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.743) (Hon. Ahmad Sani Muhammad and Nine others) – First Reading.

5. Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Oke- Igbo, Ondo State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.744) (Hon. Adefiranye Ayodele Festus) – First Reading.

6. African Avition and Aerospace University, Abuja (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.745) (Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi) – First Reading.

7. Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.746) (Hon. Dabo Ismaila Haruna) – First Reading.

8. Librarians (Registration, etc.) Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.747) (Hon. Dennis Idahosa) – First Reading.

9. National Inland Waterways Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.748) (Hon. Dennis Idahosa) – First Reading.

10. Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.749) (Hon. Dennis Idahosa) – First Reading.

11. National Water Resources Institute Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.750) (Hon. Dennis Idahosa) – First Reading.

12. Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.751) (Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi) – First Reading.

13. Nigerian Solid Minerals Company (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.752) (Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi) – First Reading.

14. Chartered Institute of Mentoring and Life Coaching of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.753) (Hon. Alex Egbona) – First Reading.

15. Maritime Security Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.754) (Hon. Pascal Agbodike) – First Reading.

16. Immigration Service Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.755) (Hon. Pascal Agbodike) – First Reading.

17. Chartered Institute of Paramedic Studies (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.756) (Hon. Pascal Agbodike) – First Reading.

18. Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.757) (Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong –Udo) – First Reading.

19. Labour Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.758) (Hon. Whingan Sesi Oluwaseun) – First Reading.

20. Pension Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB. 759) (Hon. Whingan Sesi Oluwaseun) – First Reading.

21. National Water Resources Institute (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.760) (Hon. Sadiq Ango Abdullahi) – First Reading.

22. Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.761) (Hon. Mohammed Bello E-Rufai) – First Reading.

23. Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB.762) (Hon. Mohammed Bello E-Rufai) – First Reading.

24. Centre for Rainforest Agriculture, Ugwogo-Nike, Enugu State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.763) (Hon. Paul Sunday Nnamchi) – First Reading.

25. National Institute for Technical and Vocational Education, Fagge, Kano State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB.764) (Hon. Muhammad Bello Shehu) – First Reading.

Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Member representing Lokoja/Kogi-KKF Constituency, Hon Danladi Suleiman Aguye has charged communication scholars in the country to raise the moral quality of the media.

Hon. Aguye made the call while delivering a goodwill message as Guest of Honour at the 24th African Council of Communication Educators (ACCE) Conference, which held Wednesday in Kaduna.

The lawmaker, represented by his Senior Legislative Aide on Strategic Communications, Ahmed Balarabe Sa'id, acknowledged that, conversations about the patterns and extent of regulation is part of all basic traditions of evolving democracies, particularly as modern technologies in the digitized era continue to mediate spaces and markets. He noted that the quality of the society will continue to depend on the moral quality of the media.

Hon. Aguye affirmed that, government, just as citizens, benefit where media practice is responsible, as government needs to pursue legitimation of it's policies and programmes within the realm of public opinion.

He argued that, even in countries fairly dedicated to free market, some form of regulation is necessary in the overall national interest. He admonished the organisers of the conference to consider deliberations and resolutions that will offer the necessary guide for quality legislation. "It is proper to say that, we shall continue to count on the knowledge sector to drive the necessary intellectual input towards enhancing matters of legislation and governance", he stressed.

The Guest Speaker, former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, identified the rise and growing adoption of social media as a major challenge for mainstream media in the country and globally. He advocated for continuous capacity development for practitioners, beginning from educational institutions, as well as constant review of the enabling laws, towards greater professionalism.

Earlier, the Chief Host and Rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, Dr. Suleiman Umar, noted that, the realities of the new media have posed significant challenges for practitioners, users and government. He commended the host department of Mass Communication for retaining it's Hallmark tradition of producing quality media practitioners who have remained exemplary. The Rector called on participants at the conference to reach vital recommendations that will assist professionals, policy, political office holders and other relevant stakeholders towards tackling the challenges necessitating media regulation.

Press Statement from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives

October 20, 2023

Speaker Abbas sad over demise of Nigeria's Deputy Ambassador to Morocco, Mansur Bamalli

...as Speaker, Gov. Sani, thousands attend late Ambassador's funeral in Zaria

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D has expressed grief over the death of the Nigerian Deputy Ambassador to Morocco, Amb. Mansur Nuhu Bamalli.

The late Amb. Mansur Nuhu Bamalli, who held the traditional title of the Magajin Garin Zazzau, passed away on Friday morning after a brief illness. He was the younger brother to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as well as a cousin to the Speaker.

In a statement of condolence by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said he was "deeply saddened" by the news of the demise of the late Magajin Garin Zazzau.

Speaker Abbas, who holds the traditional title of Iyan Zazzau, led some members of the House to attend the funeral prayers held at the Emir's Palace in Zaria by 6.pm on Friday.

The funeral prayers, attended by hundreds of people, were led by the Chief Imam of Zaria, Malam Dalhat Qasim.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, former governor Malam Nasir Ahmed El-rufai, the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Liman Dahiru, the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and several others, were among the dignitaries that attended the funeral prayers.

The Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero led other traditional rulers to the funeral prayers.

Speaker Abbas sent condolences to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the Zazzau Emirate Council, the people and Government of Kaduna State over the irreparable loss.

"Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Illaihir Raji'un. I received with sadness, the death of my brother, the Magajin Garin Zazzau, Ambassador Mansur Nuhu Bamalli, who died in the morning of Friday, October 20, 2023 after a brief illness.

"The late Magajin Garin Zazzau was more than a brother to me. Apart from the fact that we came from the same lineage, we shared a lot in common. He was a humble and kind human being to a fault.

"Even as the Deputy Ambassador of Nigeria to Morocco, he remained unassuming. He served his country diligently to the best of his ability. We will definitely miss Magajin Garin Zazzau.

"I am heartbroken that Ambassador Mansur left us at a time that we needed him most. Indeed, not just the Zazzau Emirate, but also the entire Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole have lost an illustrious son.

"As painful as the demise of Magajin Garin Zazzau is, I find solace in the fact that he lived a life worthy of emulation. I pray that Allah (SWT) will grant the late Magajin Garin Zazzau a peaceful resting place in Jannatul Firdaus," the Speaker said.

The remains of the late Ambassador Mansur Nuhu Bamalli were interred at the Magajin Gari Cemetry in Zaria.

Signed:

Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The red chamber also confirmed the appointment of Muhammad Hammajoda as the Secretary of the anti-graft agency.

The confirmation of both men followed their screening by the upper chamber on Wednesday afternoon, about a week after they were appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

The Senate also screened and confirmed the appointed of Halima Shehu as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA)

Africa can be the first green industrial hub of the world because of its vast potential of renewable energy, a teeming youth population and an abundance of natural resources, according to the immediate past Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON.

Osinbajo who was a Special Guest and speaker at the 10th anniversary of the Financial Times (FT) Africa Summit yesterday which in London, added the African Continent is set on the path of achieving the Climate Positive Growth Plan if given the right type of funding.

He spoke on the topic  “How Africa is Navigating the Energy Transition,” to an audience of international business leaders, policymakers and speakers from Africa and around the world at the well attended summit.

While referencing the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit which held in September in Kenya, Prof. Osinbajo noted that the adoption of the “Nairobi Declaration” at the summit endorsed by the African Union, has the Climate Positive Growth Plan as one of its important features.

He explained that the Climate Positive Growth Plan would ensure “Africa can actually be the green industrial hub of the world. We can grow using our renewable energy which has the largest potential in the world, and we can grow without adding emissions or keeping emissions constant but actually reducing emissions.

“We have the largest potential for renewable energy in the world; second, we have the youngest and fastest growing workforce in the world and third, we have an abundance of natural resources, and in particular, the critical minerals in the world. The real issue then is if all of these are harnessed and we get the right type of investments, Africa can actually become the green industrial hub of the world.

“Take for example, converting some of the bauxite to aluminium, if that is done using renewable energy, we control 25% of the world’s resources, and assuming that we can actually process that using renewable energy resources, we will save the world about 335million tons of CO2, and actually increase jobs at about 280,000 and earn about $37billion, just by keeping that production within Africa and using renewable energy.

“This is where the Climate Positive Growth Plan is very important and points to the solution. It will happen if we get the right type of funding.

“There is a real opportunity here and it is a commercial proposition and will make a real difference to ensure everyone will achieve net zero by 2050.”

Making the point about developed countries’ growth trajectory and how it increases carbon emissions over the years, the former Vice President noted that “economic growth has always also meant emissions growth, that is the trajectory the world has followed, but if Africa were to grow in the same way wealthier countries of the world have grown, what we would find would be that Africa would be adding a minimum of about 12 gigatons of CO2 emissions all the way up to 2050 which will make it completely impossible for the world to achieve net-zero by 2050.”

On the issue funding for a just energy transition, Prof. Osinbajo said “the question around funding generally with funds for adaptation, mitigation and even the loss and damage fund, is that these are not economic propositions, these are basically funding that comes from the goodness of the hearts of wealthier countries.

“As you can imagine, the rate of default on these commitments is very high indeed, and that is how it will remain. Even with the loss and damage fund, it is very unlikely that we are going to find the kind of results we expect because going by the track record, this is what will turn up.”


With regards to Carbon Markets and strategies, the former VP observed that a lot of work has been done by the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative, ACMI.

According to him, ACMI, which is an initiative of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, GEAPP, is now able “to support several countries that want to develop their carbon market activation plans. This is crucial as we go along because we find out that there is a great deal of potential here and more importantly there are several landmines on the way. What ACMI has been able to do is to help ensure that there is some planning and advice that the carbon credits have integrity and legal frameworks.”

He explained that the argument for gas as a transition fuel was simple enough. According to him Africa struggled with energy poverty, with millions lacking access to power, and 1 in 4 deaths of women in rural areas caused by pollution from the use of firewood.

So he posited that “the question for gas-rich African countries is why should we leave this versatile and relatively low carbon fuel in the ground when it offers a cheap and available source of electricity for our domestic and industrial use and LPG clinical clean purposes?

“This is the argument of gas-rich countries, we have a situation where renewable energy even within Africa is becoming cheaper than gas and of course, it is possible by investing in renewable energy. We need to ask ourselves the question whether or not we can sustain gas as a transition fuel especially with finance becoming a problem.”

Other speakers at the 10th anniversary of FT Africa Summit included Patrice Trovoada, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO); Judd B. Devermont, Special Assistant to President Joe Biden and Senior Director for African Affairs, White House; Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation; James Mwangi, Founder of Climate Action Platform for Africa; Olugbenga Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, amongst others.


18th October 2023

Press Statement from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives
October 7, 2023

Enough of killings in Zaria, other parts of Nigeria – Speaker Abbas

...charges security agencies to descend on killers

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has condemned in strong terms, the attack by suspected bandits on Anguwar Dankali community in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, during which four people were reportedly killed and five injured.

The Speaker said "enough is enough" on the killings in Zaria and other parts of the country, charging security agencies to "descend on the killers."

The suspected bandits reportedly attacked the community, shooting nine people and abducting five others, who later escaped on the arrival of security operatives that engaged the attackers in a gun duel.

While describing the latest attack as one too many, Speaker Abbas commiserated with the families of the victims, as well as the people and government of Kaduna State.

In a press statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker noted with concern, the spate of attacks and killings of innocent Nigerians by bandits.

Speaker Abbas recalled, with pain, how some of his constituents were similarly killed in an attack earlier in August.

The Speaker lamented reported killings not only in Zaria, but also in other parts of the country, insisting that the lives and property of Nigerians must be protected and safeguarded as provided in the country's constitution.

He said the security agencies should go after the suspects, apprehend them and bring them to book. He further charged them with preventing the loss of more lives and property across the country.

Signed:

Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Laolu Akande
New York

Not being a depositors' bank, AFREXIM is unable on its own to raise the $3billion loan it agreed to provide to the NNPC Ltd in August, Empowered Newswire can now authoritatively reveal.

The money - the $3B - it is said in official FG circles, besides supporting NNPCL, is also meant to help with foreign exchange liquidity as a strategy for stabilizing the Naira in the FX market. The NNPCL came up with the idea in what was deemed a brilliant concept just as the Tinubu administration terminated the Dual Foreign Exchange policy two months ago in a bid to sanitise the FX market.

But sources said AFREXIM can only raise $500million by itself and therefore the financial institution has resorted to seeking out the money as a loan from some other global banks in the US, Singapore, India and other parts of the world.

Authoritative sources in New York financial circles confirmed that staff and agents of AFREXIM have been shopping for funds and financial instruments in the US in the last few weeks and discussing raising funds from top-notch American Banks like JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup among others.

A member of the Board of one of the banks who pleaded anonymity told Empowered Newswire over the weekend that some of the US banks are raising questions about the strategy of Nigeria using a third-party non-deposit financial institution and broker. "It raises credibility issues," he said.

He added that Nigeria has top notchers and executives who are Nigerian citizens in the New York financial markets and across the world who could easily provide a more credible and cheaper means to raise funds for Nigeria. In New York alone there is Mr. Bayo Ogunlesi and Mr. Jide Zeitlin.

While Ogunlesi, an investment banker is currently chairman and managing partner at the private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Zeitlin is the immediate past CEO of Tapestry — the parent company of international luxury brands such as Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman.

Outside New York, there is Kase Lawal, a Texas-based oil business guru and the chairman of Unity National Bank of Texas.

Besides seeking the funds from US banks, AFREXIM is also reported to be shopping for the money from international oil traders.

But industry watchers here in the US are also concerned that the option of engaging a broker instead of a deposit bank could raise the level of risk involved in the loan since AFREXIM would have its own charges besides those of the eventual financiers it may manage to enlist.

In August, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL), announced it had secured an emergency $3billion loan from a pan-African financial institution, African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), to improve its services across the entire petroleum value chain.

According to the NNPCL, the loan which will be repaid using a limited amount of future crude oil production – will enable the company to settle taxes and royalties in advance while supporting the Nigerian government to stabilize the local currency from devaluation against global major currencies.

“A strengthened Naira as a result of this initiative will lead to a reduction in fuel cost. This means that if the Naira appreciates in value, the cost of fuel will drop and further increases will be halted,” the NNPC said in its press statement

Afreximbank, a development bank, has a mix of shareholders drawn from public and private entities divided into four classes and consist of African governments, central banks, regional and sub-regional institutions, private investors and financial institutions, as well as non-African financial institutions, export credit agencies and private investors.

The bank, according to public records “provides loans, guarantees, letters of credit and advisory services to sovereigns and private-sector entities. As part of the mandate, it also extends countercyclical loans to assist its member states in tackling the negative economic impact of external shocks"

The bank operates in 52 African countries who are among its shareholders. It also has offices in a few other parts of the world including the Caribbean Islands.

Unlike other Multilateral Development Banks, however, AFREXIM has a profit-driven business model, which focuses on trade finance and most of its loans have fairly short maturity and self-liquidating nature.

3rd October, 2023

An Islamic scholar, Ustaz Muhammad Al-Badawiy, has identified the non-payment of compulsory charity (Zakat) by Muslims, as the reason for the poor state of the economy.

He said if Muslims give out 2.5 per cent of their yearly earnings as charity, it would not only alleviate poverty in the land, but grow the economy.

Speaking at the eighth Merit Awards of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Kaduna branch, Al-Badawiy, who is a lecturer at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), said the aim of giving out a percentage of one’s wealth to charity is not just to alleviate poverty but to eradicate it.

“The prophet (S.A.W.) said when you keep giving failed promises, Allah will send to you bad leaders, when people refuse to give out a percentage of their annual earnings to charity they will never see value for their money and the economy will be damaged and when people see adultery as normal, people will die easily.

“We are having a poor economy because Allah is angry with us. If we can change our attitude by giving our charity, keeping our promises and avoiding adultery we will not only flush out the anger of Allah, but we will help society because the aim of charity is not just to alleviate poverty but to eradicate it,” he added.

He called on Islamic preachers to use the pulpit in their mosques to preach the giving of charity to the poor.

Chairman of Ansar-ud-Deen, Alhaji Saburi Adeyemi said the ceremony was organised by the society to recognise members and non-members who have contributed to the development of the society and propagation of Islam.

The branch chairman noted that the society, which was established 100 years ago by a group of 42 young men for the propagation of Islam, is in need of support of wealthy Muslims to keep up its programmes, including education, reformation, propagation, and defence of Islam.

Governor Uba Sani, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Agency, Dr. Yusuf Yakub Arrigasiyyu, pledged to support the society in the propagation of Islam in the state.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Amao Ademola Abideen said: “Contributing to Ansar-Ud-Deen means contributing to a better education of the Muslim children, empowerment of the less privileged and other forms of Daawah.”

Highlights of the event was presentation of excellence awards to outstanding Muslims. They inluded the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Yekini Ayoku; former General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Kamaldeen Role (rtd); wife of the former Osun State CPS, Hajia Hadrat Onolola Omipidan and Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Dr. Yusuf Yakub Arrigasiyyu.

https://thenationonlineng.net/our-economyll-boom-if-muslims-pay-charity-says-muslim-cleric/

Both pro- and anti-Tinubu news outlets and blogs are selectively reporting the documents that Chicago State University handed over to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday. Here are 6 non-partisan tidbits I discovered from poring over them:

1. Chicago State University’s Office of the Registrar affirmed that Bola A. Tinubu indeed attended the university “from August 1977 through June 1979” and was “awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Honors on June 22, 1979.”

 The registrar also swore to this under oath. The penalty for lying under oath in America can be steep. It is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

This information is consistent with my September 2, 2023, column titled, “Tinubu Definitely Graduated from Chicago State University.”

2. The certificate (we call it “diploma” in the US) that Tinubu submitted to INEC is inconsistent with the certificates CSU issued in 1979 and subsequently, indicating that Tinubu forged his. (In the US, diplomas are mere ceremonial documents that most employers don’t ask for. Transcripts directly from universities are the usual ways to verify attendance and graduation.)

Although he did legitimately graduate from Chicago State University in 1979, he obviously lost his certificate and, instead of applying for a replacement, decided to forge it. 

That strikes me as mysterious self-harm. It costs only $26 to get a replacement diploma from CSU. But it takes between eight and 10 weeks to receive it after filling out the Diploma Replacement Order Form. 

My guess is that, in the typical last-minute, fire-brigade approach to things among Nigerian elites, Tinubu didn’t plan ahead and didn't have enough time to apply for his replacement diploma from CSU to meet INEC's deadline and decided to visit Lagos’ infamous “Oluwole” for a counterfeit replacement.

3. The Southwest College transcript that Tinubu used to get admitted to Chicago State University belongs to a female. I had questioned the authenticity of the transcript because of the many errors in it, such as the date and social security number. We await what CSU has to say about this.

This reality, though, seems to validate uncorroborated but long-standing whispers from the grapevine that Tinubu, who was allegedly born Lamidi Amoda [Yoruba Muslim domestication of Abdulhamid Ahmed] Sangodele in Osun State’s Iragbiji, stole the identity of a female Bola Adekunle Tinubu to go to America.

4. Nonetheless, this whisper may be difficult to sustain in light of the fact that Tinubu’s Chicago State University admission letter dated August 23, 1977, was addressed to “Mr. Tinubu,” not Ms. or Miss Tinubu. 

Was the “F” in the transcript from Southwest College a clerical error, especially because the social security number and the dates were also clerical errors? Or was there a cover-up somewhere? 

Well, we saw from the documents released to Atiku that after accepting his transfer credits from Southwest College (which later became Daley College), CSU required Tinubu to take qualifying exams in English, math, and reading, which he passed. Why did CSU allow a man who presented a transcript that belonged to a woman to take qualifying exams as a man? 

Tinubu obviously identified as a man throughout the two years he studied at the school. A Nigerian CSU graduate and classmate of Tinubu’s swore under oath that Tinubu ran for and won election as president of CSU's accounting students’ association. His yearbook photo from 1979 also clearly showed a younger version of Tinubu. 

And Tinubu’s handwriting and signature in the June 27, 2022, Consent to Release Student Education Records form, which authorized CSU to release his academic records to one Oluwole Afolabi of 3 Roosevelt Avenue, West Orange, New Jersey, seems to me similar to his handwriting and signatures in his CSU records.

Finally, if he used a woman’s associate degree from Southwest College to gain admission to CSU without having any background in accounting or business administration, his performance at CSU was perplexing. Of the more than 30 courses he took there, he got C’s in only three courses. The rest were A’s and B’s, which earned him honors.

5. The Bola A. Tinubu who applied to Southwest College for an associate degree in 1975 claimed to have attended Government College, Lagos, and presented a 1970 GCE A-level result with grades E in Chemistry and Biology and an F in Physics. The problem is that Government College, Lagos, was established in 1974. So, there’s a chronological conundrum there, which signposts forgery. 

The GCE A-level result also shows that “Bola A. Tinubu” took the exam as an HSC student, which used to be a two-year study after 5 years of secondary school education. In other words, the owner of the certificate must have graduated from secondary school at least in 1968. 

It’s not clear at the moment if the GCE A-level result is fake or authentic—or if it belongs to the man we know today as President Bola A. Tinubu. My hunch is that it doesn’t belong to him. But this will become clear in the coming days.

6. Tinubu tells the world that he was born on March 29, 1952, but the birthday recorded in his CSU transcript says he was born on March 29, 1954. The space for birthday in the Southwest College transcript he submitted to CSU is blank. So is the record of his secondary school education. These facts added to my previous suspicion that the transcript was probably fake.

If he was born in 1954, it means he was 14 years old when he graduated from high school.

Bonus: Tinubu’s last name was misspelled in a few of the CSU documents. I thought the “THUBV” misspelling in his final graduation record was bad enough until I saw “Tinububu” in one of the documents.🤣 Bubu, remember, is Buhari’s nickname among a vast swath of Nigerians. Make of that what you will.

We should all thank VP Atiku Abubakar for his doggedness, which has helped us to get this much clarity about Tinubu’s past.

https://www.farooqkperogi.com/2023/10/6-major-findings-about-tinubu-from-csu.html?m=1

Press Statement from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives

October 2, 2023

Speaker Abbas appoints Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi as Chief of Staff

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D has approved the appointment of Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi as his Chief of Staff.

The appointment, according to a press statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, takes effect from October 17, 2023.

Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi is to take over from Mr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, the Acting Chief of Staff to the Speaker, who is taking another appointment.

Mr. Smart became the Acting Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives following the expiration of his tenure as the Chief of Staff to the Speaker in the 9th Assembly.

Until his appointment, Prof. Dan-Azumi was the Technical Assistant to the Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), National Assembly.

Jake Dan-Azumi is a professor of Political Science and Development Studies. He has extensive experience in development work focusing on democratic governance and public policy, parliamentary institutional strengthening, research, peace and security, human rights, conflict and peacebuilding and gender.

He previously worked as a Special Assistant to the President of the Senate, Sen. (Dr.) David Mark, GCON, between 2011 and 2014.

Prof. Dan-Azumi, who has over 14 years cumulative experience in the National Assembly system, is an expert in the design and delivery of parliamentary and democratic support programmes.

He holds a Doctorate Degree in International Development from University College London (UCL); MSc International Human Rights Law from Oxford University; a BA (First Class) from the University of South Africa, and a BA (First Class, Honours) from the University of Zimbabwe, where he was awarded the Book Prize for the Best Student.

His other qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods from the University of Bradford, UK, among others. Prof. Dan-Azumi hails from Zing Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Signed:

Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By Laolu Akande, New York
(Empowered Newswire)

As the United Nations General Assembly High-Level week proceeded last week, the idea of Africa as the next business frontier of the world resounded with glaring ardour.

Even the very fact that New York where all of the world’s attention is turned to about this time every year is led by an African American is symbolic. And that the UN which is the host has a Deputy Secretary-General who is an African woman is also especially significant.

Besides the speeches of many African leaders at the ongoing General Debate that opened last week Tuesday, September 19th, it was the event of the UN Global Compact themed Unstoppable Africa that really took the shine in New York if you ask many.

The Global Compact, a UN agency had started a Global Africa Business Initiative GABI, as "the premier private sector-led global platform that galvanizes African and global leaders to amplify Africa’s unstoppable business, trade, and investment opportunities."

So Unstoppable Africa is a product of the UN Global Compact's Global Africa Business Initiative which was launched last year by the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Ms. Amina Jane Mohammed, a former federal minister in Nigeria. This year GABI had two days of high energy conversations on Unstoppable Africa which peaked with a high-powered dinner, steps away from the UN headquarters last Thursday night.

Ahead of the dinner, Unstoppable Africa in several sessions at the Westin Hotel held several strategic high-level discussions between Heads of State, private sector leaders, investors, heads of multilateral organizations, and leading creative economy personalities from the continent.  The focus this year was on: Energy Access and Energy Transition, Inclusive Growth and Trade, and Digital Transformation.

But it was the speeches of both the New York Mayor, African American Eric Adams and UN's Amina Mohammed that fired the imagination of many that Thursday night dinner in New York and certainly many more who would review the event.

Seated among the few hundreds in the ballroom were leaders across the continent and the world, such as the notable African billionaire Mo Ibrahim from Sudan. There were many from Nigeria including Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Ekiti State Governor, Wale Edun; Finance Minister & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Bosun Tijani; Communication & Digital Economy Minister, billionaires Tony Elumelu Abdul Samad Bua and FolorunshoAlakija. There was also Oscar Onyeama of the Nigerian Exchange Group and SSA to the President on SDGS; Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

According to the New York Mayor, who spoke at the dinner challenging African business and political leaders, "this is our moment as Africans." He made the point that New York is the most important city in the world and it is today led by a man of an African descent.

The Mayor, a leading politician here in the USA, said Africa must take charge of its present situation by seizing the moment to position itself as the cornerstone of the world’s future.

"We must through self-determination ensure that the natural resources of Africa will never again be exploited. We have our solutions. It is not about the brain drain of the continent that once regained academic standards. We must use the academic knowledge that we got from prestigious institutions to go in and build Africa and make it what we want," the Mayor charged.

He continued "the most important city on the globe is New York City and the Mayor of the most important city is an African. So we must do business together.

Telling a bit of his personal story, Mayor Adams disclosed: "I was told I would never amount to anything when I was a little boy. In all my life, I was rejected. We left Africa in slavery. This is our moment as Africans. It is not going to remain forever....this is our moment.

"This is our time to build Africa the way we know Africa can be. I am so proud to be in this room with you. Now, let's use this moment to finally make the connection. The cradle of civilization is undeniable with all the mighty African people. We can be what we will," he concluded.

**The real power is in Africa, says Amina Mohammed**

Speaking next right after what was a beautiful dinner was the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who said Africans anywhere in the world possess real power irrespective of their demography.

She acknowledged among others the unique role Nigerians and Africans were playing globally. She herself is a representation of that fact.

"Africans in this room today, whether they are of African descent or diaspora,... the real power is in Africa," said Mohammed.

She was also proud of the progress women were making in the continent and globally and asked the women leaders at the UN to be recognized as many applauded at the event. Sanda Ojiambo the CEO of UN Global Compact, a Kenyan lady and Olajobi Makinwa, a senior adviser in the agency from Nigeria were among many others that the Deputy Secretary-General was referring to.

Speaking on the theme, she then observed that indeed "we are only unstoppable when we own everything; the good, the bad and the ugly and whatever needs to be done we do it as leaders, we need you to step up.

"Leaders in governments, leaders in civil society, the leadership in Africa needs to step up and to step out so that everyone knows why we are unstoppable and we Africans can look up to our leaders and say they are going to make something of this."

Ms. Mohammed then charged that Africans need to leverage their potential.

"Whatever it is, look at the potential and feed from it because we can. We just heard from our Minister in Nigeria for technology. What amazing inspiration, this is someone who didn't need to come into government, and he will succeed because there is leadership that knows that the young people are not waiting anymore.

"We have spent time in New York, and we decided to encourage the African business community to meet at the greatest gathering every year in September, in New York. That gathering gives so many people an opportunity to see Africa differently and that gathering is opening for us to visualize Africa differently.

"We have been taking SDGs goals halfway through, we are failing, 15 percent performance but what we have seen in this last week is amazing voices that started rising from Africa, from Paris, talking eyeballs to eyeballs with their colleagues and partners, saying stop there, you are wrong, this is for Africa and this is where we are going."

Speaking as an African herself she said: "we got potential but we have conflicts, we have issues of governance and we need to solve this because we can, but we are only going to be able to do it because we put women at the helm of affairs so that is one thing."

According to her, Africa is blessed with the best brains who can develop the continent, especially with the women's power, "We are not talking about numbers, we are talking about brains, we are talking about the capacity to sit in a room and to discuss with other men."

"Remember when it comes to conflicts, men talk about winning wars while women talk about a pathway to peace so we don't want to make gentlemen an endangered species. With women in the room, I think we can succeed so men move aside just a little to the left we will move a little to the right and when we come together, we can be unstoppable," she concluded her remarks at an event which certainly renewed the hope of leaders around the world regarding Africa, whether they be political or business leaders.

In all, it was an evening of hope, fun, and yet one offering a serious anticipation of what the future holds for Africa in our world.

The UN Global Compact that hosted the event is simply put the UN agency that rallies the private sector in the member countries of the world body to support its work as a global intergovernmental organization. The Compact has over 23, 000 participants, in 166 countries, and 62 local networks in those countries.

29th September, 2023

The Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A) warmly welcomes H.E. Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN to the Board of Directors as Chair, with immediate effect. Prof. Osinbajo is the immediate past Vice President of Nigeria having served two four year terms from 2015.


“We are deeply honored to have Prof Osinbajo join the CAP-A Board of Directors as Chair to assist with the next phase of our growth and our mission of unlocking Africa’s potential as a global hub for climate action,” said CAP-A Founder James Mwangi. “His vast experience and passion for transforming African countries’ economies in harmony with climatic needs, will be invaluable to CAP-A’s mission, especially coming out of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit that made a strong push for accelerated climate action.”

Prof. Osinbajo said, “Since the recent founding of CAP-A, I have witnessed their work in shifting the global and continental narrative from Africa being a victim of the climate crisis to holding the key to accelerating global climate action. I’m honored to join the Board of Directors as Chair in support of CAP-A’s teams and programs across the continent, and in realizing Africa’s economic development through Climate Positive Growth.”

In addition to serving eight years as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo previously served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State. An accomplished lawyer, Prof. Osinbajo attained the distinguished rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He is one of Nigeria’s leading legal experts and has served as Professor and Head of Department of Public Law at the University of Lagos.

During his time in public service, Prof. Osinbajo was involved in various government initiatives and policies, including economic reforms, social intervention programs and efforts to address access to justice and energy security in African states. He chaired the Inter-Ministerial Energy Transition Group, overseeing the development and delivery of the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan in 2022.

He also led the implementation of Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Plan which featured the rollout of 5 million new off-grid solar connections to rural communities. His dedication to this cause extends beyond his time in office as he continues to champion climate action initiatives, not only within Nigeria but also across the African continent and globally.

https://cap-a.org/cap-a-announces-h-e-professor-yemi-osinbajo-san-as-the-new-chair-of-the-board-of-directors/#

Press Statement from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives

September 25, 2023

Speaker Abbas marks 100 days in office with distribution of palliatives to 15,000 constituents

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, Ph.D, at the weekend, marked his 100 days in office with the distribution of rice palliatives to 15,000 of his constituents in Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

The rice was distributed across 13 wards of Zaria Federal Constituency, which has 584 polling units.

The Speaker's gesture, under the Phase 1 of his palliative measures, was to cushion the effects of the current hardship faced by Nigerians, especially due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

The Phase 2 of the programme will see another 15,000 constituents of the Speaker benefiting. A total of 30,000 people are billed to benefit from the palliative measure.

The beneficiaries cut across all political parties, including the APC, PDP and the NNPP, among others. They also include religious leaders, traditional rulers, persons with disabilities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The excercise was conducted peacefully as beneficiaries expressed their happpiness over the Speaker's effort to cushion effects of subsidy removal in the area.

Speaker Abbas was elected overwhelmingly by 353 members out of 359 members seated on June 13, 2023.

The distribution of the palliatives was supervised by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker (Administration), Engr. Jamil Ahmad Muhammad.

The beneficiaries, who were full of appreciation for the gesture, prayed for the Speaker's success in his tenure.

Signed:

Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The induction ceremony for foreign-trained medical and dental graduates that passed Council’s Assessment Examination held at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State in July, 2023 is scheduled to hold as follows:

Date:      Wednesday, 4th October, 2023.

Venue:   MDCN Secretariat, Kaura District, Abuja

Time:     10:00 am.

Every Inductee is required to arrive the venue at 9am on induction date.

Only candidates who have completed the online registration processes will be inducted.

Each inductee is ALLOWED a maximum of TWO (2) guests.

Dressing MUST be formal. Guests should be seated at 9:30am.

 

Management.

Honorable Member representing Lokoja/Kogi-KK Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Danladi Suleiman Aguye has assured of overwhelming victory for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and candidate of the forthcoming governorship election, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Hon. Aguye gave this assurance shortly after his inauguration as a member of the Kogi State APC Governorship Campaign Council. He recalled with enthusiasm, the formidable front that the candidacy of Alh. Ododo projected, right from nominations and at the primary elections, adding that, the wave of realignment and consensus across the party within the last few months have further elicited greater prospects for the victory of the party and Alh. Ododo, come November.

Hon. Aguye commended party leaders and supporters across the state for building more confidence in the party and praised the effort of the Governor, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, in particular, for what he described as "an appropriate and result-oriented composition" of the Campaign Council.

The Campaign Council, which was inaugurated Tuesday, with Governor Yahaya Bello as Chairman, has notable party leaders and prominent, influential party faithfuls as members, including Director-General of the Ododo/Oyibo 2023 Campaign, Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu. Others are Hajiya Rashida Bello who is to serve as Vice Chairman and Coordinator of Women Affairs, Barrister Deedat Ozigi, as Secretary and Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo as Spokesperson, with a long list of membership which also includes all current representatives of the National Assembly and other distinguished and eminent party members.

DEC International Schools is
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We are recruiting to fill the position below:

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Job Description
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• Must be passionate about teaching and working with students with high-level commitment and integrity.

• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and be a team player.

• Must display dynamism of the 21st- Century learning skills.

• Candidates must possess excellent written and spoken English Language skills.

Application Closing Date
2nd September, 2023.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications and copies of their Credentials to: decintl2023@gmail.com using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured a life imprisonment sentence at the High Court in Abuja against a public officer, Dr. Abubakar Mustapha Danraka, for sodomy.

This was a historic and landmark ruling in the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

A statement yesterday, by the agency’s spokesman, Vincent Adekoye, noted that the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Kubwa, Abuja and presided over by Hon. Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf, on Monday convicted and sentenced Danraka, Ph.D holder to life imprisonment for rape (Sodomy)under Section 1 of the VAPP Act of 2015.

Adekoye revealed that Danraka was a former Chief Pharmacist of National Hospital, Abuja, and Senior Special Adviser (Technical) to the Director of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development.

He noted that the ruling ended the three-year-old controversies surrounding this celebrated case which had attracted much attention from stakeholders across the country.

Adekoye, said the convict was arrested on March 27th, 2020, for defiling a minor (name withheld), who happened to be his neighbour, living in the same estate with him in Abuja.

He lured the victim to his apartment and had anal intercourse with him after stupefying him with a drink.


He was charged to court vide a charge dated 9th August 2021, and was arraigned on 5th April. 2022 where he pleaded “not guilty.”

The prosecution team from NAPTIP sufficiently proved the charge beyond a reasonable doubt which led to the September 18, 2023 judgment.

Reacting to the judgment, the Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri – Azi, hailed the judiciary for its doggedness in ensuring that justice is served under the VAPP Act.

She said, “I want to specially commend the Judiciary for its sustained collaboration, and support in the implementation of the VAPP/Law in the Country which has culminated in this landmark judgment. This is a victory for us as a country.

“In our bid to make Nigeria a violence–free nation, in collaboration with all our esteemed partners and stakeholders, we will continue to scale our efforts in ensuring more convictions and less impunity,” the NAPTIP Director General stated.

This was the third rape conviction secured by NAPTIP in the FCT for the year 2023.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/09/20/former-chief-pharmacist-of-national-hospital-abuja-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-over-sodomy

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas had an interactive session with members of the House of Representatives Press Corps at their centre today.

"The media is critical to the growth and development of our democracy. I, therefore, sought the support of the fourth estate of the realm in deepening our democracy". - Hon. Tajudeen Abbas PhD

Today, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas hosted the management of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) led by the Chairman of the Commission, Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi, in his office.

Press Statement from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives

September 18, 2023

10th House responding to yearnings of Nigerians, says Speaker Abbas


The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has stated that the 10th House is committed to responding to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

“To us as Representatives of the people, institution building is the gateway to professionalism, efficiency and productivity. We are committed to ensuring that the 10th House of Representatives can respond to the yearnings and expectations of the citizenry. We have been called to serve at the most critical period in the nation’s political history,” the Speaker said at a roundtable with development partners of the National Assembly at his office in Abuja on Monday.

Speaker Abbas noted that it is only a committed legislature, which is properly equipped, that will be able to deliver service to meet the expectations of the people.

At the meeting were representatives of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the Department for International Development (DFID), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), the Civil Society and Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), International Community on Red Cross (ICRC), Order Paper, among others.

On the side of the House were chairmen of relevant House committees and principal staff members of the Office of the Speaker.

While noting that it was the first time his office would be having a direct interface with the development partners, the Speaker said the interactive meeting was organised to provide an opportunity to share ideas and updates on your contributions and support to the House on capacity development for members and staff.

Speaker Abbas said: “One of my cardinal policy thrusts, on assumption of office as Speaker of the House, is capacity development for members and staff of the House of Representatives. This has become more imperative following the high turnover rate of the 10th House of Representatives where we have over two hundred new Members with hundreds of Legislative Aides. This number of members and aides requires improved capacity to cope with the offices' demands. Hence, institutional capacity development is considered one of the priority components of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House.”

The Speaker noted that the contributions of the technical partners are partly responsible for the success story of the legislative business of the National Assembly in the past, urging them to do more for the 10th Assembly.

He also noted that the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House is the barometer to monitor and evaluate the engagement of the House with Nigerians “and we expect that you will as usual play critical role in the successful implementation of the agenda.”

Speaker Abbas said: “We have observed that over the years, some of you have had to engage different committees and departments of the House of Representatives to, sometimes, organise programmes without a coordinated approach or NEEDS ASSESSMENT of the House. The assumption is that each development partner has its own area of focus for which budgetary provisions would have been made, and their representatives in Nigeria would engage the relevant Committees of the House in that regard. While that support is greatly appreciated, there is need for coordination in the 10th House because of our peculiar challenge of capacity gaps.

“It is on this note that I have considered the proposal for the creation of a Programme Monitoring Unit (PMU) in my office to be supervised by the Special Adviser on Policy and Strategy. The purpose of the unit is to ensure that all partnership programmes of the House are properly documented and utilised to bring about the desired change. The unit is to provide guidance in line with the Legislative Agenda of the House for your technical support and partnerships. This is to ensure that all Committees and departments of the House receive necessary and equal attention.”

Representatives of the development partners, in their remarks, also expressed their readiness to offer more technical assistance to the National Assembly in various thematic areas including electoral laws, legislative processes and law-making, training and capacity building, among others.

The partners also suggested that the a technical session be organised by the PMU where all stakeholders would deliberate and come up with a policy document on how they assist in the design and implementation of the 10th House Legislative Agenda, an idea that the Speaker welcomed and directed should be implemented.

Signed:

Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed two new ministers in charge of the Ministry of Youth.

They are Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Minister of Youth) and Ayodele Olawande (Minister of State For Youth).This was disclosed in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.

Ngelale said the appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

“The President has further approved the nomination of Mr. Ayodele Olawande to serve as the Minister of State for Youth, pending his confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim is a young medical doctor and most recently served as the President of the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF). She has also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Mr. Ayodele Olawande is a community development expert and youth leader in the governing All Progressives’ Congress (APC). He most recently served in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Innovation from 2019 to 2023.

“President Tinubu charges the above-mentioned nominees to ensure that they consistently reflect the dynamism, innovative zeal, and unyielding productivity that are synonymous with the young people of Nigeria as they discharge their duties,” the statement read.

https://dailytrust.com/breaking-tinubu-appoints-new-ministers/

CNN — 

The United Arab Emirates has contradicted claims by the Nigerian government that it is to lift a year-long visa ban on Nigerian travelers.

An official from the Gulf state told CNN: “There are no changes on the Nigeria/UAE travel status so far.” 

The source asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

The UAE said in a notice last October it will no longer issue visas to citizens from Nigeria and 19 other African nations. It did not provide further details. Obtaining a 30-day tourist visa was relatively easy until the UAE abruptly stopped issuing the visas to Nigerian nationals.

Flights between both countries were stopped last year after Dubai’s Emirates airline suspended its operations in Nigeria citing trapped revenues.

The carrier said it could not access and repatriate its funds amounting to $85 million withheld in Nigeria.

Earlier this week, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu met with UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi where both men “finalized a historic agreement,” according to a statement released by the Nigerian government.

The government said in the statement that the agreement paved the way for the lifting of the visa ban, including the immediate resumption of flights between both countries.

“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay,” a statement by Nigeria’s presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said.

However, a statement by the UAE government later Monday said both leaders had during the meeting, “explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration” with the hope of “reinforcing ties between the UAE and Nigeria,” but did not mention lifting the visa ban or flights restarting.

In a follow-up statement, Nigerian government spokesman Ngelale said officials from both countries needed more time to finalize agreement details, contradicting his earlier statement.

“Given the agreement struck between the two Heads of State, there is need to allow cabinet officials from both sides to work out the finer details and finalize the cross-sectoral agreements,” he said, adding that “Everyone can now allow the process to work itself out organically, devoid of speculation.”

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/15/africa/nigeria-uae-travel-embargo-intl/index.html

Photos of Laolu Akande, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, Emerge Ahead of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly


As the world gears up for the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which is set to feature a congregation of world leaders and presidents, Former Presidential aide Laolu Akande is on ground in New York.


Laolu Akande, who had previously collaborated with the United Nations on several projects and had interviewed global leaders including a sitting US President before he became a presidential aide, is currently in New York to provide extensive coverage of the high-level week of the UN General Assembly session. The General Debate, a hallmark of the event, serves as a platform where global leaders-Kings, Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers & Heads of States gather annually to discuss pressing international issues and chart a course for the future.

In a tweet posted earlier today, Akande who has since returned to being a journalist after  8 years of public service expressed his excitement about returning to covering the prestigious event:

"IN New York to cover the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (High-Level week) opening on Tuesday with the General Debate, where world leaders gather yearly. We are proud of our distinguished sister, @AminaJMohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General who is always welcoming us."

Laolu Akande's presence at the 78th UNGA session signifies the growing importance of international cooperation and diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected world.

Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, has been a prominent figure in global diplomacy, championing various initiatives aimed at addressing critical issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and gender equality. Her welcoming presence at the UNGA session highlights the vital role of the United Nations in fostering international dialogue and cooperation.

As the 78th UNGA session kicks off, the world watches with anticipation as leaders come together to address the most pressing challenges facing humanity. The coverage provided by Laolu Akande promises to offer valuable insights into the proceedings, ensuring that global citizens are well-informed about the decisions and discussions that will shape the future of our world.

It would be recalled that Akande was before he returned to Nigeria in 2015, the longest serving African Correspondent at the UN Headquarters in New York. Recently he shared photos of when he organised and participated in an exclusive interview in 2006 with then Secretary-General of the UN, now late Kofi Annan.

An open letter to Gov Uba Sani of Kaduna state.
By:
Ishaq Alhassan Qauranmata.

Your Excellency,
I pray this letter meets you well and in
high spirits.

The first 100 days of any administration in Nigeria has since become a period of review and assessment of progress, as well as a yardstick to gauge the government's ability and preparedness to meet up with expectations.
Your excellency, You and your close allies my not agree with me but a majority of the people are convinced that your first 100 days in office leave much to be desired!
First, you appointed commissioners and other lieutenants after some delay. Unfortunately, much similar to Ex-President Buhari, your nominations didn't come with anything spectacular as to justify the delay.
Second, you commendably responded to one of the key issues in your campaign promises; reversing El-Rufai's anti- poor policies that made him the most hated governor in the history of Nigeria. You reduced the unreasonably high school fees in our tertiary institutions.
Your excellency, praise singers and hangers-on around government may praise you to high heavens, but the fact remains that the objective of that reduction, which is making education available to the "children of the poor" is far from being attained.
Your excellency sir, let's review the scenario:
The "common man" was barely managing to pay between #30,000 to #50,000 as school fees to keep his child in school when someone (for whom the common is nothing more than a fawn on a chase board) emerged. He rode to power on the shoulders of the common man with a slogan, " the poor man's son must have access to qualitative and affordable education" and once in power, promptly shot the fees far beyond the reach of the "poor man"!
Then you came around with a promise to review the situation, if given the chance. As far as the common man, or any discerning person is concerned, reviewing the situation simply means making it possible for the poor man to send his child to school! Anything short of that amounts to a second betrayal.
As things stand your excellency:
1 - students of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, College of Education Gidan Waya and co who were paying between #30,000 to #50,000 before the crazy hike to #150,000 are now required to pay #75,000 at 50% reduction.
2 - KASU students paying the same range of #30,000 to #50,000 before it was shot up to #150,000 and above for Arts/Humanities and #300,000 and above for Sciences/Engineering are now to pay #105,000 and above for Arts/Humanities and #210,000 and above for Sciences/Engineering at 30% reduction.
Your excellency, the bitter truth that Yesmen (and women) around you will not tell you is that this "reduction" CANNOT achieve he desired objective, assuming the objective is to make it possible for the common man's child to return to school!
Your excellency, even if this reduction had preceded the fuel subsidy removal, #75,000 per session for diploma and NCE and #105,000 or #210,000 per session for degree are still way beyond the majority of those who either voted for you or looked the other way while INEC officials and APC stalwarts "helped" you, in the hope that you will keep your promise. And we are only talking about those with one child. I leave you to do the calculation for a family with 3 or 4school age children! Unfortunately, coming as it did on the heels of subsidy removal, with its attendant devastating effects on life and living renders the gesture "dead on arrival"!

Your excellency, no one can accuse you of disappearing, in the last 100 days. The truth is you have been very visible in both the conventional media as well as the social media. Whoever cared to follow would have seen that you made critical appointments, ensured the emergence of a leadership you want in the state assembly, paid courtesy calls, signed MOUs, "reduced" school fees, etc.
However, I think it is pertinent to tarry a bit and review situations. Your excellency, you inherited a very badly battered state.
well over a hundred thousand people have been removed from government payroll, mostly unjustifiably. More than 90% of those have not been paid their entitlements. Several hundreds of thousands more who were hitherto not only self employed but actually employers of labour have had their businesses and/or capital destroyed. Marketers had their shop areas taken and allocated to private developers who have invested their money to build "modern markets" and are now selling to the highest bidder.
Your excellency, MOUs and other efforts to attract some foreign governments to come and build houses may be good in the long term but in the immediate, what the people expect to see is cogent steps to redress the inhumanity of the immediate past.
Not a few people expected that within these first 100 days in office, you would have set in motion a machinery to:
1 - establish a comprehensive data bank of all laid off and retired civil servants and the total amount of entitlements due to them so that payment can commence within the state's financial realities.
2 - produce comprehensive data bank of marketers whose places of business the past government gave out and who cannot afford to buy the new ones built, with a view to assisting them.
3 - come up with some definite measures to address the security issues that have crippled economic activities and agriculture.
4 - address the issue of abandoned projects, especially those causing untold hardship to people such as the Kofan Doka, Agoro roundabouts and similar projects elsewhere.
Your excellency, these and similar actions were our expectations of you in your first 100 days in office.
Finally, let me remind you sir, that several years ago, one of your predecessors Arch. Namadi Sambo tried a similar housing scheme around NNPC, Zaria. Nearly thirty years on, the houses are on an advanced level of dilapidation without ever being occupied!
What usually happens, your excellency is that the so-called Low-cost houses are beyond the reach of the common man, they are mostly built without regard to the taste of potential owners and, more often than not are poorly built by contractors. In the end, they simply add to the many white elephant projects around!

Thank you Sir.

Hon Member representing Lokoja-Kogi/KK Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Danladi Suleiman Aguye has described his victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal as the verdict of the people and a reflection of their genuine will.

In a statement issued after the declaration of his victory, Tuesday, Hon. Aguye acknowledged that, his desire to serve the people from his foray into active politics has remained his focus and driving force, adding that, this has consistently been complemented by the consistent, overwhelming goodwill of his people.

While thanking the Almighty for the verdict, he commended the judiciary for upholding the will of the people and assured that, the real work of delivering on the Aguye Mandate had just begun.

Hon. Aguye expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kogi state, Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello for his vision in inspiring result oriented politics in the state. He also thanked his major contender, Hon. Shaba Ibrahim, Esq, for believing in democracy and holding up this faith in the judiciary.
He expressed hope that, Hon. Ibrahim will oblige the good people of his constituency the benefit of open, resourceful collaboration to deliver on the Aguye Mandate.

While thanking his constituents for their prayers and constant encouragement and support, he noted that, his focus on delivering on his commitment has been undaunted, as the verdict is coming well ahead of his numerous, notable projects and programmes which have been widely acknowledged by the people.
He assured that, going forward, his task is to focus more critically on addressing the poverty bracket and reverse the development indicators that are identified as severely challenging his people, particularly value creation in the areas of access to improved conditions of living and overall well-being.

It was feeble and though he meant it to hurt, Bello Adoke's recent vituperations against his perceived enemies including former VP, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was just another proof of his low-life existence lately.

In a recently circulated interview entitled "Untold Story," the former Attorney General of the Federation, threw a jab at his senior colleague Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, reminiscing on the diatribes in his book, in which he had alleged that the former Vice President sent former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, against. But this was already a dead issue since 2019, as comatose as his name and reputation had become.

*When asked in an interview with Adesua Giwa-Osagie, to "let's talk about your prosecution" to which he abruptly responded, "For me to have contemplated at a time to commit suicide...." Then, the question continued, "There are four people in your book who are common threads, one of them is former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo..." Adoke answering, snapped at the learned man, saying, "He is a shame, I don't want to talk about him..."*

The interviewer was referring to claims made by Adoke in his memoirs, “Burden of Service: The Reminiscences of Nigeria’s Former Attorney-General,” published by Clink Street Publishers in London and New York and also put on sale in Nigeria, where he had alleged that Osinbajo, Senator Ali Ndume and Mohammed Abacha used the EFCC chairman to hoodwink him and implicate him in the OPL 245 bribery scandal.

But, in a strong-worded response issued on his behalf by Wilson Uwujaren, the then EFCC head of media and publicity, Magu had said he was alarmed at the “brazen attempt” by Adoke to “rewrite history and portray himself as a victim of persecution.”

The statement read: “Specifically, he claimed in Chapter 8 of the book, that Magu was recruited by Prof. Osinbajo to hound and persecute him despite, as he claimed, his role in reinstating Magu to the EFCC from the police ‘where he had been vegetating.’ Adoke attributes his source of information on the alleged Osinbajo instruction to Magu against him to an unnamed governor from the North West, who according to him, claimed Magu told him that he had the instruction of Osinbajo to ‘deal with Adoke.’

Magu faulting Adoke, however, said his "claims are tissues of lies, contrived to entertain and attract underserved attention to himself," as he categorically stated that "at no time did the Vice President discuss, counsel, or direct him in any way on any issue concerning Mr. Adoke. It is wicked and evil to make such a false allegation against anybody especially where it is based on hearsay."

The EFCC had since 2019 trashed Adoke's faulty and unverified claims as published in his memoir, noting that, "The accounts in Chapters 8 and 9... are not only inaccurate but self-serving.

It said, "For the records and emphasis, Magu never received any instructions from the Vice President, neither had he communicated verbally or in writing to any governor from the North-West... about such a patently false purported instruction from Osinbajo to ‘deal with Adoke."

While no one would be shocked that Adoke is already bereft of moral scruples, it is the attempt to reinvent himself as a credible figure in public affairs that is laughable.

Ordinarily, a character like Adoke, throwing invectives on national leaders, the like of former Vice President Osinbajo, SAN, who served creditably well with no established scandal, should not be walking freely on the streets in a sane clime.

Imagine the role he played in the OPL 245 scam, which involved an extraordinary series of events culminating in the release of US$1 billion said to have been held in an English escrow account to a company named Malabu, and as the Attorney General, Adoke, was equally said to have received a substantial portion of these funds personally.

In printed testimonies against him in a United States District Court, during the P&ID case which Adoke exposed Nigeria to over $10bn dollars liability, a witness said, “Despite the high stakes of the Arbitration, the Attorney General at the time, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke ("Mr Adoke", who in 2019 was charged with facilitating a $1 billion bribery and fraud oil license scheme (with Mr Adoke himself pocketing more than $800,000)..."

These are issues Adoke should face to clear his name and ask for forgiveness from God and Nigerians whom he misrepresented in the course of a series of shady deals that went under him and the country's AGF. He should rather resign into oblivion and keep his mouth shut forever and he lacks the credibility and integrity required of honourable men to dabble into issues of personal and national matters, especially as it concerns a highly and completely believable leader like Osinbajo whose fingers are not soiled like Adoke's.

Group flays attempt at disparaging Osinbajo over Tinubu decisions on ministerial appointment, sack of agency boss

The Era Of Change (EOC), in a statement on Sunday, September 3, 2023, condemned recent attempts by those it addressed as "faceless individuals hiding under the media guise to disparage the immediate former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, over recent decisions of Tinubu administration to drop a ministerial nominee and the sack of an agency head.

The national coordinator of EOC, Amb. Yahaya Umar noted that the party politics within the APC should not be used to target the former number two citizen he said had already received global applause for the meritorious services he rendered to his fatherland, which recently fetched him an award of Africa's "Peace Icon," by Peace Ambassador Agency Worldwide, among others he had been given after he left office on May 29, 2023.

The political group referring to the recent pre-ministerial appointment's schemings which saw to the president's withdrawal of the ministerial nomination of Maryam Shetty from Kano and replaced her with Dr Mariya Mahmoud, faulted what it called an "unverified and unfounded claim" that she was reportedly dropped for being an ardent supporter of Osinbajo as circulated in a section of the media.

Similarly, it described it as "a wicked fabrication," news circulated over the weekend that Dr Bashir Gwandu, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), was sacked by President Bola Tinubu and replaced by Khalil Suleiman Halilu “with immediate effect,” because he (Gwandu), "was recommended for the position by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is not in the good books of the current administration, even though they’re all members of the same party."

The said news story which was only attributed to a "source," the group said was "a mere speculation and fabrication from the figment of the imagination of the writer who was not bold enough to name any credible source, which obviously is nonexistent."

Dismissing the reports, over the withdrawal of Shetty's nomination as a minister attributed to her support for Osinajo during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, the Era Of Change, said, "We think some people are simply trying to create bad blood within the party and they will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. Prof. Osinbajo has served Nigeria meritoriously and would not interfere with the new government, why drag him into matters he has no business in?" the group quizzed.

"It is important to note that some people who worked for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to emerge as President were not appointed; would that be attributed to Prof. Osinbajo too?"

EOC noted that Prof. Osinbajo is a staunch APC member and will continue to be committed to the party irrespective of what traducers say. "Osinbajo has global engagements and appointments and he is more concerned about giving his best to Nigeria and Nigerians through these engagements, he should be left out of this weak politics."

"Those behind this petty rumour should desist, the APC as a party has worked to do and every member of the ruling party should pour their energy into this course.

"We wish President Tinubu well as he works tirelessly to steer Nigeria in the right direction. All hands should be on deck as the party delivers on campaign promises," the group said.

Also, on Gwandu's sack, the group said the President as the head of the government has the right to decide on who he retains and who he sacks especially as he is forming his direct team after assuming office as the country's helmsman.

"President Bola Tinubu is now the boss of everyone. And by his constitutional mandate, he has the power to appoint and sack anyone without prior notice, that is what makes him the Commander-in-Chief. It is his time, let him decide as he likes in the national interests. Don't bring the name of Osinbajo, who has served creditable well into the mainstream of activities. Let the current government decide on the best way forward for the country," the group warned.


Group: Era Of Change.(EOC)
Coordinator: Amb. Yahaya Umar

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs Barr Uju Kennedy Ohanenye Attends the Roundtable of African women leaders Network which took place in Abuja,Nigeria.

The Programme was centered on Priority actions on ending violence against women and girls and increasing women's representation in democratic governance for AWLN in Collaboration with the UN women and other critical stakeholders and also to identify actions for joint advocacy on ending violence against women and women's leadership with specified target stakeholders.

Dr Mrs Fumilayo who was a keynote speaker who discussed extensively on the topic also asked on how can we go beyond the Mere articulations and law,what safe measures could we adopt to ensure equitable opportunity to maximize full potentials.She advised on the need for we the collaborators to stick together and expand the oil steering community including those in the private sector .

H.E Erelu Bisi fayemi who was also the Guest speaker spoke on Women's high level advocacy to secure political will in support of policies to be domesticated in different states.In her speech,she Advocated for Capacity Building among women and the increase of allocation for the ministry of Women Affairs for Gender equality Coordinating Mechanism in various states across the federation."The reconstitution of Taskforce on Gender violence as implementation framework will give he campaign a right direction" she said

Honourable Minister Barr Uju Kennedy Delivered her speech in the Programme by Underlining her agenda in the office which are Economic Empowerment,Increasing Women Participation in governance,campaign against Female Mutilation and Gender based violence.The Minister talked about the introduction of Mobile Courts as follow up mechanism and punish violators.In her speech,a propers Awareness Programme and sensitization will be done thoroughly across the nation.This policy are part of the agenda the Minister will be campaigning to have a better Nigeria were the women society can thrive.

In partial fulfilment of her drive to reposition the status of women in Nigeria,the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs Barr Uju Kennedy Ohanenye empowered over 50 women in Abuchi Community of Gurara Local Government,Niger state.

This measure according to her, is In line with the disposition  of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to ensure Economic Prosperity and development in Nigeria.

Speaking further, Barr Uju stated that the empowerment will serve as Soft loans to the over 50 women  which will enable them invest in small or medium scale business in order to curb the alarming rate of poverty and to boost economic prosperity

The Honourable Minister also promised to assist the women in the community to open Bank accounts for their co-operatives to ensure proper records and security for their finances.

The Governor of Niger state who was ably represented by his Deputy H.E Comrade Yahaya Garba Yakubu thanked the Minister for assisting the women in Niger barely a week in office and urged the women to invest the funds wisely to achieve set goals. He also pledged the support of the State Government  for  the Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure that women in the state are empowered to support their husbands and enhance their capacity to add value to national growth.

About 75,000 women are enrolled in the scheme under the Nigerian Women Project which supports each woman with about N60,000.00 to start businesses as part of measures to improve their wellbeing.

57 YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE.

MR. SPEAKER, RT. HON TAJUDEEN ABBAS Ph.D SALUTES VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA ON HIS BIRTHDAY.

Mr. Speaker recognized the life of service laced with excellence, integrity and diligence Mr. Shettima had lived for 57 fulfilling years.

The man known for his intellectual prowess, oratory and exemplary leadership as displayed first in the private sector where he rose to the pinnacle of his banking career to his service to his people as Governor of Borno for 8 successful years, where he turned ruined places into comforts of abode.

His people testify to the rebuild of more than 30,000 homes spread in Gwoza, Bama, Mobbar, Damboa, Nganzai, Mafa, Konduga, Kaga, Maiduguri and other locations. 

The seven new General Hospitals, overhauling of 18 General Hospitals, Establishment of diagnostic and kidney dialysis centres. raising the number of medical doctors from the 65 which was inherited in 2011 to 152, and nurses/midwives from 980 to 1,850.

They testify to the new Industrial Park which housed 16 manufacturing plants which increased the Agricultural value chain for the produce of farmers in Borno.

Accelerated revolution in Borno’s public education which birthed 1,711 classrooms and other school buildings in 256 primary and junior secondary schools. The establishment of 16 new secondary schools, renovated more than half of over 80 secondary schools and built 44 Mega primary schools of world class infrastructure.

These and many more are the reasons the Speaker and indeed the Nation celebrate you this day and the feeling of excitement is thick for having you as our Vice President.

We can only wish you many more years on earth so we can further enjoy the benefit of your selfless Visionary service.

Jowosimi Olabamiji Eniitan for 004...