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Post Date : February 17, 2023

Our logistics arrangement won’t fail Nigerians, INEC assures

  WITH nine days to the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, assured Nigerians of adequate arrangements put in place for logistics and commencement of polls. The assurance was given by the Director, Voter Education, Victor Aluko, gave the assurance at a Media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) roundtable on 2023 elections with the theme, ‘Avoiding Landmines, Overcoming Obstacles and Conducting Credible Elections’ organised by the International Press Centre, IPC, in Abuja. Aluko said: “I assure you that with the system we have put in place, the logistics arrangement and with the fact that we are employing credible persons as electoral officials, I don’t see anyone getting to the polling units late. “What we do is we usually activate our racks and we move officials there a night before election so that very early in the morning, they move to polling units within the registration areas. So, we don’t anticipate a situation where they will arrive late. It won’t happen, I assure you.” However, he maintained that with recent visit to the Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Engr Mele Kyari, and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, the Commission is sure these two critical organization would not disappoint. Meanwhile, he (Aluko) urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to know their polling units to visit the Commission’s online portal, and said the essence of the portal is to enhance less stress on Election Day. According to him, “The commission has launched ‘operation know your polling units’ via its websites for voters to know where they will vote. “We have also mobilsed all our Local Government Areas, LGAs, officials to mobilise people of influence like community and political leaders to sensitise voters. “Also, a directive has gone out to all electoral officials that before the first election which is on February 25, the voter register will be pasted for eligible voters to confirm their names on the register. “For polling units that maybe a little far from where people are voting before, we have men on ground from community and political leaders to sensitise and assist eligible voters to know their units. If we put all this together I think we are ready to do it. “I want to conclude that as a nation we should ensure that as a country we do not put any landmines and obstacles on the path of our people as they prepare to vote this year.” However, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, expressed concern over court pronouncements in the electoral process as they erode confidence of the electorates in the judiciary. “It is of huge concern looking at the recent pronouncement by the courts. I would like to remind the judiciary that justice is rooted in public confidence. “A situation where the public is losing faith and trust in the system won’t mean well for us”, Itodo stated. Also the Executive Director, IPC, Lanre Arogundade, called on security agencies to give adequate security cover for journalists during the election coverage, and not to leave them at the mercy of political thugs who attacked journalists in previous elections conducted by INEC. Meanwhile, Arogundade called on media professionals at the meeting to ensure professionalism is put to play in discharging their election assignment, and also said the scarcity of Naira should be holistically addressed by Mr President before the elections. “The issue of naira scarcity will also affect observers and journalists because they will also need money to move around. Therefore something must be done to ensure that we have easy coverage”, he said.

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

Suspected meningitis outbreak kills 38 in Jigawa

  No fewer than 38 persons have died of suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis, CSM, in Jigawa State, an official has confirmed. Dr Salisu Muazu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, told newsmen in Dutse, yesterday, that the state recorded a total of 398 suspected cases between October 2022 to date. Muazu said the disease was detected in 56 political wards across seven local government areas of the state that border the Niger Republic. He said the outbreak was initially from the neighbouring Niger Republic and later spread to the border communities in the state, through trans-border activities. The permanent secretary listed the affected areas including Babura, Maigatari, Suletankarkar, Birniwa, Gumel, Gwiwa and Yankwashi. He said: “This is despite the fact that last year, we conducted immunisation against this disease across the state. “But after getting the report of the outbreak, we took the samples for testing in the laboratory, and we discovered it was a strange disease. “It is not a normal CSM disease that we commonly know which is type A, this one, we discovered that it is bacteria, known as type B. “And immediately after results were obtained, the state government, through the ministry swung into action, by offering free treatment, control and prevention measures in the affected areas.” Muazu further said the ministry had established an isolation centre at Gumel General Hospital, to which affected persons were being referred to for treatment and observation. He stressed that the situation had been brought under control, as cases are being sporadically recorded. “As of now, we record only one to two cases per day. In fact, there are some days that passed without recording a single case, as the last was recorded on Saturday,” he said. The permanent secretary commended the UNICEF, WHO and NCDC for their support to the ministry in tackling the outbreak.

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

Polls: FG goes after Simon Ekpa

  The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba yesterday, said that the Nigerian authorities are not taking lightly, the threat from one Simon Ekpa, who claims to be a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, saying that there will not be elections in the southeast. It was reported that Ekpa, who resides in Finland and is allegedly being sponsored by some external forces outside the southeast and a few miscreants within the zone is responsible for the continued lock-down of the economy through the so-called sit-at-home on Mondays and some other designated days.   The IGP also said that about 404,106 personnel from police and other security agencies will be deployed for the conduct of the February 25 and March 11 elections in the country to ensure the smooth conduct of the exercise.   While appearing at the Ministerial Media Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the IGP said the threat made by Ekpa against conducting elections in southeast was an attempt to destabilize the country. He also said that out of the 404,106 security personnel, the police will be providing 310,973 personnel while the balance will be sourced from complementary security agencies in the country. Baba also said other security agencies besides the military and the Department of State Services ,DSS, will compliment the efforts of the police with a total of 93,133 personnel, bringing all to 404, 106 personnel. “Nigeria police will deploy 310,973 personnel for the elections’ security operations. This will comprise of the conventional policemen, the mobile policemen, the special counter terrorism unit, the special forces, intelligence response team and other sections of the police. “The manpower requirement for this exercise will be complemented by the military and other security agencies. In this regard, aside the military and the DSS, other security agencies will contribute a total of 93,495 personnel for the election security operations. “These include the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense, which will deploy, through the Police, 51,000 personnel; the Federal Road Safety Corps, 21,000; Nigerian Correctional Service 11,336; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, 9,447; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 350, totalling 404,106 to the elections. “With this layout, a minimum of at least two personnel, drawn from the above agencies, will be jointly deployed to man each of the polling units across the country while the armed personnel will secure the public space, INEC facilities, vulnerable locations, border areas, as well as undertake armed escort duties for INEC personnel, materials and local and international observers. “We also expect the military to complement this situation by providing armed protection to critical national assets, ensure that the enforcement of movements are curtailed through the blocking of exit points and entry points to various states, local governments and so forth”, he said. The police boss said an intelligence unit had been put in place to track and apprehend those who might engage in vote-buying and others who might want to disrupt the exercise. “As part of efforts to address the menace of vote-selling and buying, a special intelligence unit of the force has been constituted to clandestinely monitor the trend and work with EFCC, ICPC and INEC in identifying the network that may be involved in this illegality and apprehend them where possible. “ Alkali asserted that an intelligence unit is in place to track and apprehend those who may engage in vote buying and others who may want to disrupt the exercise. On the red zones, he said, “The force has identified the following major crimes that could negatively impact on the peaceful Democratic trajectory. “We looked at offences like banditry and terrorism which is majorly located in the northeast geo-political zone, violent secessionist campaigns by elements of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network which has been targeting the symbols of democratic governance including INEC assets, police stations and personnel, military and other agencies as well as state government officials, and traditional institutions, all in an effort to attain or disrupt the 2023 general election. “We also have this growing misguided activities of the Oduduwa nation agitators who from intelligent sources of late are attempting to also attempt to destabilize the situation. “We have this issue of illegal small arms and light weapons trafficking which are being used to bring a lot of problems. We have issues including cyber crimes, cyberbullying, kidnapping and all sorts. “So, generally, the situation as it is against this background, the focus of the force has been to upscale our operational activities to stabilize these situations in order to ensure that the election takes place. “We have in place certain strategic operational and tactical measures to ensure a peaceful electioneering atmosphere in Nigeria.” On what the police would do to address post-election challenges and the preparation to ensure elections were held in Southeast and Northwest, the IGP said the force was ready with the use of minimum force, adding that “We are prepared to confront any situation that requires special intervention from simplest to violent ways of confronting rioters.” The IGP absolved the police of any blame over the low prosecution of electoral offenders, saying “the Electoral Act as amended gives us the latitude to investigate but not to prosecute. We have done much but prosecution is very low”.

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

Bitcoin Tops $25,000 To Hit Eight-Month High

  Bitcoin hit an eight-month high to surge past $25,000 on Thursday as the volatile cryptocurrency rises despite pressure from US regulators. The digital coin has soared by 50 percent since the start of the year, though it remains far off its peak of $68,992, which it reached in November 2021. Bitcoin reached $25,249 on Thursday, its highest point since June and the first time it topped $25,000 since August. A more optimistic outlook for the world economy is propping up the markets, including cryptocurrencies, with Paris and London stock exchanges hitting all-time highs on Thursday. “While regulatory crackdowns continue to drive some unease, there’s clearly a growing sense of relief that the worst is behind it for the industry and 2023 could be a much better year,” said Craig Erlam, analyst at online trading platform OANDA. US officials are cracking down on the cryptocurrency sector after the uproar caused by the recent bankruptcy of FTX and Alameda Research. FTX, once the world’s highest-profile crypto exchange, collapsed spectacularly in November, leaving nine million customers in the lurch and seeing cofounder Sam Bankman-Fried indicted for fraud by US prosecutors. US regulators on Monday ordered crypto firm Paxos Trust to stop issuing dollar-pegged cryptocurrency BUSD, a stablecoin, for trading platform Binance. “The third largest stablecoin was given an expiration date of February 2024 and the market has seemingly shrugged it off,” said Riyad Carey, analyst at cryptocurrency data provider Kaiko.   As stablecoins are backed by one or more national currencies with a near fixed rate of exchange they don’t experience the swings in value that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have seen.

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

Makinde to Tinubu: Oyo will vote presidential candidate who’ll promote unity, justice

  Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, says the people of the state will vote for a presidential candidate who will promote equity, justice, and unity. The governor spoke on Thursday when he received Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ibadan, the state capital. The APC held its presidential campaign rally in Oyo on Thursday. He asked Tinubu to feel free to campaign in the state, saying everything has been done to ensure the event is peaceful and hitch-free. He said his administration believes in putting people first, and that “political players will come and go, but the country will remain”. Speaking on the position of the G5 governors, Makinde said “if we have to choose between the unity of this country and our political aspirations, we will choose the unity of this country”. “If we have to move forward as a people, we have to involve a system such that there is inclusivity, there’s fairness, there’s justice, there’s equity in how we run this country,” he said. “There are different political parties, different players, but if the country does not survive, the political parties will fade away. “There has to be inclusiveness by all sections of the country in power-sharing if the country must progress. If the country does not survive, how can anyone aspire to be anything in that country? “I wish you well. It’s only a couple of days to the election, but one thing I want you to take away from this is the fact that we will vote for equity, for fairness, for justice, and unity.” In his remarks, the APC presidential candidate thanked Makinde for the warm reception, saying he came to accord him the respect that he deserves as the chief executive of the state. “I cannot come to Oyo state to campaign for votes without visiting you to pay my respect to you as a governor, leader, and an Omoluabi.”

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

Peter Obi Visits Imo, Promises Purposeful Leadership

  The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has identified leadership and corruption as major challenges stalling Nigeria’s development but promised to provide purposeful leadership if elected. Obi disclosed this at a town hall meeting with the business community in Owerri the Imo State capital on Thursday. He also vowed to tackle all forms of corruption. I just arrived at the Relief market Owerri to an awesome reception. -PO pic.twitter.com/fW4vo6AApg — Peter Obi (@PeterObi) February 16, 2023 Before the meeting, the LP chieftain visited major markets in the state to woo the electorate. They include Alaba Spare Parts Market, the Ogboshishi Timber Market, and Relief Food Market. I’ve just arrived at the Timber Market, Owerri for a market storm. – PO pic.twitter.com/e5KnehkaXL — Peter Obi (@PeterObi) February 16, 2023 He promised economic stability to the traders who came out in their numbers to welcome him. Some chieftains of the LP who came with the former Anambra State Governor expressed optimism that with the level of reception Obi is getting from several parts of the country, he will win this month’s presidential election. At the Alaba Market Naze, Owerri for a market storm. We will create an enabling environment for businesses to grow and prosper. -PO pic.twitter.com/4uipfKJpAe — Peter Obi (@PeterObi) February 16, 2023 Obi who enjoys huge youth followership is battling it with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Nigeria’s number one seat. With less than ten days to the presidential and National Assembly elections, political parties and their candidates are crisscrossing the country wooing voters and giving reasons they should be voted.

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

BREAKING: CBN Directs Commercial Banks To Collect Old 500, 1000 Notes

  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed commercial banks to collect the old N500 and N1,000 notes from members of the public. It, however, pegged the maximum amount the banks can collect at N500,000 daily per deposit. Osita Nwanisobi, director of the apex bank’s corporate communications, confirmed the development on Friday. More to follow…… Credit: Journalist101

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

2023: Ebubeagu will not be part of security for polls

  The Commissioner of Police in Imo, Muhammed Barde says the state vigilance group, Ebubeagu, will not be part of the security organisations to be deployed for election duties. Barde gave the assurance during a one-day interactive meeting with stakeholders and signing of peace accord organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Owerri on Thursday. “This issue of security personnel who wear black and black, we have reasons for it, but I assure you that on Election Day, you will only see Policemen in full uniform. “I want to assure Imo people that the Ebubeagu will not be part of the election,” Barde said. The CP said the police would continue to stem politically motivated violence, killings and kidnappings, warning that politicians who hire thugs and arm them to wreak havoc, would be dealt with. He urged candidates and political parties who might feel aggrieved during and after the elections to seek redress through legal means rather than taking to violence. “As a security agency, all the political parties belong to us. This forthcoming election, by the grace of the Almighty, will be free, fair and credible. “I will like to urge all the politicians to go close to their Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders who are closer and who could answer to your complaints accordingly,” Barde advised. The police boss also advised residents to phone 08034773600 and 08098880197, in case of emergencies. Also speaking, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Sylvia Agu reaffirmed INEC’s readiness to conduct the general election. Agu assured all political parties and candidates in the state that the commission would not undermine the election process, including the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). She urged the various political parties to deploy credible and vigilant party agents to polling booths to monitor the elections. “Do not be afraid of fake ballot papers because INEC has a customized ballot papers for this election,” Agu added. The REC who noted that the violent attacks on supporters of political parties necessitated the signing of the peace accord, called on security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute violators of the accord. Concerns by the stakeholders over INEC’s readiness to conduct the election were equally dispelled by the REC. Earlier, the state chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mr John Iwuala, raised concerns over the use of the Ebubeagu vigilance group for the election. Also, the state Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Iyke Umeh expressed concern over insecurity in the state ahead of the general election. According to him, many of his party faithful had died from attacks allegedly perpetrated by opposition parties.

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

DAILIES TOP STORIES: El-Rufai dares Buhari

  Friday 17 February 2023 I am working for Peter Obi — Ortom Polls: FG goes after Simon Ekpa I begged Shettima’s wife for N2m – Remi Tinubu Our logistics arrangement won’t fail Nigerians, INEC assures Ebubeagu will not be part of election security – Imo CP G-5: Too late to reconcile with PDP National -Wike Naira redesign plot for interim govt – El-Rufai Buhari’s Directive To CBN Good But Falls Short Of Supreme Court Order – Gbajabiamila NHRC Poll Tips Tinubu For Victory Buhari’s Message Gave No Hope Of Ending Suffering Of Nigerians – Falana Emefiele Directs 15 Bank Executives To Make N200 Notes Available NECO Releases Nov/Dec SSCE Results, 57% Scores Five Credits And Above US Returns $954,000 Alamieyeseigha Loot Buhari To Attend 36th AU Summit In Addis Ababa Security Agencies To Deploy Over 400,000 Personnel For Elections Bitcoin Tops $25,000 To Hit Eight-Month High Makinde to Tinubu: Oyo will vote presidential candidate who’ll promote unity, justice PDP campaign: Opposition politicians using naira scarcity to trigger crisis Allow Naira Redesign Work, Emefiele Begs Nigerians Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

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Post Date : February 17, 2023

Security Agencies To Deploy Over 400,000 Personnel For Elections

  The Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali has announced that 310,973 police personnel comprising conventional police men, mobile police, special counter terrorism unit, Special forces, intelligence response team and other sections of the police will be deployed to ensure a smooth conduct of the elections, while 93,495 personnel complement from other security agencies. He disclosed this during the weekly ministerial briefing at the state house. Listing threats against the conduct of the elections to include fuel scarcity and cash squeeze, the Police Chief expressed the believe that the situation will stabilize before the commencement of the upcoming exercise. According to him, the police have upscaled their activities to tackle other existing crimes and threats to disrupt 2023 elections like terrorism and banditry, secessionist campaign by IPOB and what he terms as ‘growing and misguided activities of the Oduduwa nation agitators’ who are also attempting to dis stabilize the situation, cyber crimes etc. The IGP equally asserted that an intelligence unit is in place to track and apprehend those who will engage in vote buying.

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