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2023: INEC Present List of 93.4 Million Voters To Political Parties
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday, met with the leadership of the 18 political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
At the meeting, the first this year, the commission chairman presented the 2023 voter register to the parties ahead of the elections as required by the 2022 Electoral Act.
In attendance at the meeting include leaders of the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Labour Party, the New Nigeria People’s Party, amongst others.
The commission presented a register containing 93,469,008 voters for the 2023 general elections.
The voter distribution also reveals that 44,414,846 registered voters are females, and 49,054,162 are males.
Of the total registered voters, the number of young people between the ages of 18 and 34 stood at 37,060,399, representing 39.65% of total registered voters while the elderly between the ages of 50 and 69 stood at 17,700,270, representing 18.94% of total registered voters.
The INEC chairman said with the presentation of voter register, the commission has successfully implemented 11 out of the 14 activities scheduled for the 2023 general elections.
According to him, every other arrangements are going on smoothly including the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
Accordingly, the commission does not contemplate any postponement of the election date.
January 11, 2023
Domestic Violence: NDLEA to conduct drug test on intending couples
By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom has said it would conduct drug test for intending couples to reduce domestic violence in the state.
State Commander of NDLEA in the state, Mrs Obot Bassey, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday on the activities of the Agency in the outgone year and projection for 2023.
Bassey also disclosed that in the year 2022, NDLEA siezed 460.344kg of hard drugs and arrested 348 suspects.
She said the suspects comprised 302 males and 46 females, while the hard drugs siezed were 231.377kg of cannabis Sativa, 2.611kg of Cocaine, 0.919kg of Heroine, 0.032kg of Meth, 92.803kg of Amphetamine and 133.196kg of psychotropic substance.
The state commander said that during the period the command secured 58 convictions, rehabilitated 15 persons and counselled 265 cases.
She added that within the year under review, the command destroyed by burning to the glare of the public, a total of 2.786 tonnes of drugs exhibits siezed.
“Of spectacular notes were the arrests and siezures of 90kg Amphetamine with street value of N2.5 billion and 2.4kg of Cocaine by the State Command.
“Who knows what great damage these drugs if un-intercepted would have done to our immediate families, community and the State,” Bassey said.
According to her, out of the 31 Local Government Areas in the state, Uyo LGA is the highest area of drug abuse, closely followed by Ikot Ekpene LGA and Itu LGA.
She said that the command was in dire need of operational vehicles to effectively and efficiently cover the 31 LGAs, operational boats for the marine unit to patrol the waterways and barracks for safety of personnel.
The commander appealed to multinational organisations, philanthropists and all individuals to join hands with the NDLEA, to reduce drug abuse and trafficking to the barest minimum in the state.
“So, I am using this medium to tell the entire Akwa Ibom people to look for all substances that are not supposed to be consumed and keep the NDLEA posted on these substances.
“They must also report any suspected environment or neighbours doing any illicit drug trading or abuse to the agency,” she said
The Official said the agency was disturbed by the influx of new drugs like Fentanyl into Nigerian market, stressing that fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to Morphine, Heroin and Codeine and 50 to 100 times more potent.
Bassey added that the command had a robust relationship with other securuty agencies in the state and would continue to in the year ahead to enhance its performance.
On her projection for 2023, the NDLEA commander said the command’s mandate remains to dismantle drug cartels in the state, prosecute offenders and intercept the deadly illicit substances from being consumed in the society.
She emphasised continued sensitisation of the public on what drug is, drug abuse and misused as the 2023 elections draws near.
The commander warned drug peddlers and dealers in the state to give up their illicit business or face the full wrath of the law.
She commended Akwa Ibom State Government for their support and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for ensuring the completion parameters fencing of the command office.
January 11, 2023
Gbajabiamila mourns AMAA CEO Anyiam-Osigwe
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has described as shocking, the death of the founder and CEO of the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
The Speaker said the Nigerian and indeed the African movie industries have lost one of its finest and committed members.
Gbajabiamila recalled that the late Anyiam-Osigwe touched many lives positively during her lifetime, using her network of friends and associates across the continent.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said the late AMAA founder would be remembered for her humanitarian services and positive impact on the industry.
Gbajabiamila prayed to the Almighty God to grant her eternal rest and give her family and many associates the fortitude to bear the loss.
January 11, 2023
2023:APC insists on Akan Udofia as A’Ibom Guber Candidate
By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo
The APC has said it has already fowarded the name of Obong Akan Udofia to the Independent National Electoral Comnission, INEC as the gubenatorial candidate of the party in Akwa Ibom in next month’s elections.
The declaration by Minister of Niger Delta Mr Umana Umana at a stakeholders meeting in Uyo recently would bring some relief to supporters who have become apprehensive over the continued inability of INEC to recognise Udofia.
Udofia had defeated about five others in the gubenatorial primary of the party last year but several court cases instituted by some of the defeated aspirants have stalled his recognition by the electoral body.
The Minister had notified stakeholders that the National Executive Council of the Party had presented the name of Udofia to INEC as its guber candidate but only awaiting confirmation by the court for INEC to do the needful.
Umana who called for collective support for the oil mogul urged party stakeholders to cease dwelling in the past and rather look at the bigger picture that the future holds for the party in the state.
“Let us move away from petty bickering and wrangling over the past. Now, we are to focus on the APC presidential rally while strategic steps are being taken to peacefully redress the protracted challenges in our party.” He said.
Also, a former Presidential aspirant of the party and immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom Chief Godswill Akpabio who commended Umana for the meeting maintained that Udofia was the duly elected and recognized guber candidate of the party and called on all supporters to rally round him.
Akpabio who sued for peace and unity said he was personally ready and focused on achieving peace for the party.
On his part, the governorship candidate, Obong Akan Udofia commended the resilience of members who have remain faithful and committed to the party and thanked stakeholders for their doggedness and loyalty to the party.
“I am a man of peace and a child of destiny. I have come in peace to build with you. Let’s work together to prosecute the coming general election. Let us bury all the court cases that has held the party back.
“Our challenges and frustrations stems largely from poverty, hunger and lack that has enveloped majority in the state. I dare say that if we unite to win the election, we shall barnish poverty and hunger in our state.” He said.
January 11, 2023
Two Bankers bag three years jail term for N9.4m ATM card fraud in Makurdi
Two bankers identified as Agbo John Agama and Edoh Steve were today, Wednesday, January 11, 2023, convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment by Justice Mojisola Olajuwon of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for conspiracy, aiding and abetting fraud to the tune of Nine Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N9, 400,000).
The bankers were prosecuted on one count charge by the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.
The charge reads
“That you, Agbo John Agama “M” and you Edoh Oga Steve “M” while being employees of Access Bank Plc Makurdi Branch and others now at large, on or about the 8th day of January, 2021 at Makurdi, Benue State of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, used an unauthorized access device to wit: a primed ATM Card on Account No. 30041040648 being operated by one Mejuru Chibueze Gospel with Access Bank resulting a loss of Nine Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N9,400,000) Only to him, thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 33(2)(b) of Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act “
The defendants pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them. In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, Mary Onoja asked the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Olajuwon convicted and sentenced them to three year imprisonment each. They were also ordered to pay a fine of N100,000 each to the Federal Government of Nigeria and restitute the victim in the sum of Two Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira each.
January 11, 2023
Boko Haram Was Fraudulent, A Plot To Destroy Nigeria – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said Boko Haram was just “fraudulent” and “a plot to destabilize Nigeria”.
The president stated this on Wednesday when he hosted Buhari hosted members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House in Abuja.
“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually,” Buhari asserted.
He told the delegation that the gains recorded in security will be further consolidated, promising that more attention will be given to the economy before the May 29 handover date
He said security had improved over the years, particularly in the Northeast where the focus had shifted to rebuilding infrastructure.
The president said during his visit to Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, the people confirmed the situation got better since 2015.
He told the Bishops that the government will continue to rebuild infrastructure in parts of the country affected by terrorist attacks
January 11, 2023
Traders Mourn As Fire Raze 86 Shops In Yobe
A fire outbreak has destroyed 86 shops in Patiskum main market in Dogo Nini ward, Patiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The Chairman of Traders Association in the Market, Alhaji Nasiru Mato, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the phone on Wednesday.
He said the disaster which occurred on Sunday around 8:36pm destroyed property and goods worth N40 million in the market.
According to him, the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained, but said it was not caused by electric surge.
January 11, 2023
Court Stops Sen. Elisha Abbo From Contesting APC’s Senatorial Election
A High Court in Yola has sacked Elisha Abbo as the senatorial candidate for Adamawa North in the forthcoming general election.
It also restrained the All Progressives Congress (APC) from recognising him as such.
In the judgement delivered on Monday, Justice Danladi Mohammed ruled that Senator Abbo is not entitled to seek re-election since he has been expelled by the party.
Justice Danladi held that the embattled Senator and APC are bound by the resolution of Mubi North local government executives of the party dated, 7th October 2022, which expelled the lawmaker thus he is not entitled to enjoy any right or privilege accorded to APC members.
It further restrained Sen. Abbo from parading himself as the candidate of the party for the zone.
But Senator Abbo has faulted the ruling, describing it as a cash-and-carry judgement. He told Channels Television that the Court is said to be the last hope of the common man but claimed that where it becomes cash and carry affair, it cannot be described as such.
According to him, it is a bought-over judgement because those who purportedly expelled him from the party are not local government party executives and therefore have no jurisdiction to do so.
He claimed that only the ward executives of the party, according to the APC constitution, have the right to punish any erring member and not the local government or even the state exco.
Senator Abbo argued that the presiding judge had once issued a restraining order on the local government exco from parading themselves as such. The lawmaker said he will take the case to the Court of Appeal and also called on his supporters to disregard the ruling.
January 11, 2023
A’Ibom to secure foreign certification for Skill Acquisition Centre
By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
Akwa Ibom government has commenced moves to secure international certification for graduates of it’s multi Billion Naira Dakaada Skill Acquisition Centre in Ibiono Ibom Local Council of the state.
Project Consultant, Mr Churchill Udoh told newsmen who inspected the complex yesterday that the international certification to be accorded by City and Guild of London would be in addition to that of the National Board for Technical Education and other relevant trade certification bodies.
Already, Udo said the University of Lancaster, University of Lagos and the University of Uyo have expressed interest for an exchange programme with the centre while different national professional bodies have been notified for proper accreditation of it’s courses.
The centre Udoh explained is multi diciplinery and would take off this year wiith 500 students and would grow to 10,000 in five years with additional hostels and other facilities.
According to him, the School is built to be self sustaining after six months it commenced with the incorporation of commercial services to be executed by the students while both the short term and long term courses to be offered are expected to last for between three months to one year.
Courses to be undertaken include Civil Technologies, Mechanical Engineering, Automobile Engineering, ICT, Fashion/Tourism/Hotel Management, Agriculture, Steel Fabrication, Carpentary Works and General Studies
“This is an old Technical College funded by the World Bank but we have added 18 brand new structures, a 1,500 capacity chapel/event center, three Surviellance Centres with CCTV cameras.
“We also built staff quarters,
Industrial kitchen and bakery for internal use and commercial purposes, a poultry for 45,000 birds,
space for 65,000 free range birds,
ranch to accommodate 4000 cows and 6000 other harbivores and a 60,000 litres water storage for irrigating the feeding areas for the herbivores.” He explained.
On the need for the centre inspite of the re-equipping and renovation of some technical colleges in the state, Udoh said it was primarily meant to give opportunity to talented youths who could not go through a formal technical college and also graduates who could want to undertake short term courses in the different vocational courses and trades to be offered in the school.
He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for the project which he said would also provide the required manpower for the industrial revolution embarked upon by the state government.
January 11, 2023
NARD gives FG ultimatum to resolve lingering payment issues or face Nationwide chaos in health sector
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has warned of an imminent industrial disharmony in the health sector if the Federal Government fails to resolve the myriad of lingering CONMESS payment and other related issues affecting it’s members.
This was contained in a letter from NARD to the Munister of Health Dr. Ehanire Osagie and other key government Ministeries.
The Association stated that the warning was in view of an ultimatum issued to the Federal six months ago concerning lingering unresolved issues affecting it’s members which includes delay in the upward review if the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS,, review of Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, Outstanding payment of arrears of the new hazard allowance.
Other grievances include non payment of the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016, non-payment of the consequential adjustment of minimum wage to some of members.
Salary arrears of our members in State Tertiary Health Institutions running into several months, including Abia, Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe States, and non-domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) in most states across the Federation.
According to NARD these unresolved issues have now become sources of serious nationwide agitation threatening industrial peace and harmony in the health sector.
The Resident Doctors appealed to the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to resolve the issues bedeviling to health sector before it’s January 2023 National Executive Council Meeting slated for 24th to 28th or face an immediate Nationwide industrial disharmony in the health sector.
January 11, 2023