Commissioner for Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai said the Lagos government had provided over 3,000 housing units in the last four to five years, with efforts underway to reach 7,000.

Mr Akinderu-Fatai disclosed this at a media parley on his ministry’s scorecard on Thursday in Lagos. He said building more units would help address the housing deficit.

He said the housing deficit was a major challenge, particularly for low-income earners.

To this effect, he said the government was working on policy changes to attract investment and build more housing units.

He noted that population growth was putting additional pressure on available houses, hence the need to meet the growing demand for affordable housing.

According to him, the attraction of people from other areas to Lagos has further increased the demand for housing.

The commissioner said that the state government was seriously working to amend two laws that would build investors’ confidence and make them bring their money.

He said, “The state government is seriously working on two laws – rent control laws and the mortgage laws. The rent laws are aimed at imposing limitations on rent increases, so amending them will make them more flexible and attractive to those looking to invest in rental properties.

“Also, the government is working on improving mortgage laws and attracting private sector investment in affordable housing. So, modifying construction standards or permitting processes can streamline the development process and reduce investment costs.’’

Mr Akinderu-Fatai noted that inflation and foreign exchange exposure had also made building affordable houses for these groups more challenging.

The commissioner advised the private sector to cooperate with the state to address the housing needs of low-income earners through corporate social responsibility initiatives.

He said that the government was open to flexible forms of involvement and would welcome even limited contributions to make a collective impact.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has said Nigeria will soon overcome its challenges, going by recent developments.

Mr Ganduje said this when he received the Concerned North Central APC Stakeholders and Elders Forum in Abuja.

“There is no doubt that there is an opposition, but we believe with your cooperation, we will not continue to listen to undesirable elements who are not focused. Who are not real party men, who want to see us that we are in disarray, we have no place for that, we are people, politicians who are committed.

“We know we are forging ahead, these assaults on Mr President, these assaults on Nigerians, we believe we will soon be out of these problems. We have to thank the President for his renewed Hope Agenda; efforts, commitment and we assure him that we are 100 per cent for him.’’

Earlier, a former President of the Senate, Amebh Ebute, who led the delegation, said that the visit was to express appreciation to Mr Ganduje for his leadership style.

He said the visit was also to encourage him to continue to do more for the APC as its national chairman.

He said, “Indeed, we have counted among us, grassroots and eminent leaders of communities and associations that are passionately APC in their political leanings and identities. We are from communities in Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Federal Capital Territory and Kwara.’’

Mr Ebute said the forum was not unaware of some moves by some individuals in the North-Central calling for the shifting of the APC national chairmanship to the zone.

He added, “While we acknowledge the efforts of these advocates of returning the chairman’s office to North- Central, we however, believe that the more compelling reason for anybody to advance the manner of person that will occupy the office of the national chairman of our party.

“It should be about consideration for track record of performance as shown in winning political contests against the opposition. Equally important, is how the rank and file members of the party are directly benefiting from the activities of the party across the country.’’

He said that Mr Ganduje was not just a performing national chairman, but a chairman that had done well in the shortest possible time.

He noted, “Ganduje has positively impacted individual members of the APC while the party had recorded impressive electoral strides bereft of rancour under his leadership. By these considerations, we hereby declare our unalloyed support for you to continue to manage the affairs of our great party.’’

He expressed happiness that the party’s membership register had been digitised in alignment with global best practices.

“This is a first in the political history of our great country. This translates to mean that while the opposition was busy doing nothing, you put your hand to the plough and got busy working and thinking for the party,” Mr Ebute said.

He added that Ganduje was blazing a new trail in ideological politics in the country’s political annals.

He added that with the progressive institute that Ganduje was structuring, APC members could boastfully tell opposition parties that they were not the same.

“Thanks to you.Your Excellency, our party is not only ideological driven, it has a school where we impart knowledge and leadership grooming for our members. You have done well and for that reason you have our undiluted support,” Mr Ebute said.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate and fast track implementation of the Pulaku Initiative.

The Pulako Initiative is in fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of Nigerians.

At the inauguration on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Shettima said the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa would chair the committee with governors of the participating states serving as members.

Other members include the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; representatives of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Also in the committee are the BUA Group, Dangote Group and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency.

Mr Shettima said the project must be seen as an emergency to tackle a challenge that threatened the fabric of Nigeria.

“It serves as a testament to the fulfilment of the promises made by President Bola Tinubu. The aim is to create an environment where the prosperity of our people is not a distant dream but a tangible and achievable reality. This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of all citizens.

“This initiative will address a challenge that has persisted across various generations and demands our collective resolve, our optimum sense of justice and our unconditional compassion. This is not merely a response, it is a call to action. We are here because each of our programmes or policies will falter unless we get to the root of the dysfunctions we have inherited,” he said.

According to Mr Shettima, the Pulaku Initiative is a national commitment to confront threats that fuelled distrust and conflicts within the communities and across boundaries of the federation.

“This non-kinetic solution is not designed to compensate for any particular group or region. Therefore, we must cast aside any notion of divisive regionalism and see the Pulaku initiative for what it truly is – a practical response to a shared challenge.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, said the programme was expected to take off in two weeks, adding that it focused on construction of houses, schools and hospitals.

He said, “The meeting went very well. We are here representing our states, we are serving governors. It is an inaugural meeting for the Pulako Initiative by the Federal Government, and indeed the essence of this entire programme is a non-kinetic approach to the problem that is caused by insecurity in the country.

“You are aware that a lot of people have been having issues of settlement because of the problem of insecurity, so the Pulako initiative is a very welcomed development.

We are really happy about it because it will really help in addressing the problem of people that (who have) abandoned their houses. Most of them are homeless as we speak because of the insecurity crisis and, of course, this initiative will really help in supporting the vulnerable and the Internally Displaced Persons.’’

Also, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State described the programme as a good initiative that would positively impact the people.

“This is a resettlement scheme for the Pulako and this is another non-kinetic approach to the issue. I think it is important you use the kinetic and non-kinetic approach so that we can address the issue that is affecting our people,” Mr Radda said.

For his part, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State said the initiative was a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to peace and prosperity in the country.

“If we move into full investment in agriculture, as this programme is intended to do, that is going to curtail a number of things,” he said.

The Pulaku initiative will focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by farmers-herders conflicts.

They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna states.

On Tuesday, three senators who recently won by-elections in their respective senatorial districts took their oath of office on the floor of the Senate.

The new senators took the oath of office before the Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

The senators are Pam Mwadkon (ADP-Plateau North), Anthony Ani (APC-Ebonyi South) and Mustapha Musa (APC-Yobe East).

The oath of office was administered by the clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, after which they were led to their respective seats.

Finland’s conservative former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has won Sunday’s presidential election, final results show.

He secured 51.6% of the vote, while his Green Party rival Pekka Haavisto, the former foreign minister, had 48.4%. Mr Haavisto has already admitted defeat.

It is the first election since Finland joined the Nato military alliance.

Mr Stubb, 55, takes a hardline approach towards Russia, with which the Nordic nation shares a long land border.

He had said that joining Nato was a “done deal” for his country as soon as Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Finland officially became the Washington-led alliance’s 31st member last April.

At a press conference late on Sunday, Mr Stubb, a member of Finland’s National Coalition Party, described his election victory as “the greatest honour of my life”.

He also stressed that it was “rather self-evident that it’s difficult to have any kind of political dialogue with Putin as long as Russia is waging an aggressive war against Ukraine.

“So, I don’t see any kind of communication with Putin or with the Russian political leadership in the near future. We all want to find a pathway towards peace, but it seems to me that that pathway happens only through the battlefield at the moment.

“Mr Haavisto, who ran as an independent, admitted his defeat.

“Well, Alexander. Congratulations to Finland’s 13th president,” the 65-year-old said.

“If you ask me today if I’ll ever be involved in any elections again, my answer is probably ‘no’, not for a while and maybe never,” added.

Mr Haavisto, who had also unsuccessfully run for the presidency twice before.Instead, he said he would would now focus on his job as a lawmaker.

Mr Stubb will officially assume office on 1 March, replacing Sauli Niinisto.

The Finnish head of state is directly responsible for foreign and security policy, and is commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces.

Malam Aminu Yammawa, the Chief Imam of GRA central mosque in Katsina, says President Bola Tinubu should remember to keep his campaign promises and take immediate action over the current economic hardship.

The Chief Imam who made the call during his Juma’at sermon on Friday in Katsina, said low-income Nigerians are suffering.

According to him, during his campaign, the President promised to make the country’s economy better.

He said that despite the promises, the Nigerian economy is worsening, leading to serious hardship.

He called on the President to take immediate and necessary measures to end the current economic hardship in the country.

Yammawa also called for immediate measures towards ending the security challenges in the country, especially in Katsina and other northern states.

He said innocent people are being killed daily in Katsina and other states by suspected bandits.

According to him, “the government needs to take necessary and sustainable measures over these economic challenges.”

He called the attention of the relevant authorities to what he described as extortion of the local grain sellers by some security operatives along major highways.

The Imam also called on the grain sellers to avoid hoarding the goods, saying “no doubt, those involved in such a bad act would be dealt with by God”.

Yammawa also appealed to the president to reopen the Nigerian borders with the neighbouring Niger Republic through Katsina.

He further urged the general public to intensify prayers to see the end of the current hardship and insecurity challenges facing the state and the country in general.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared Margaret Emefiele, the wife of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele and three others wanted for alleged involvement in money laundering activities.

According to the EFCC, Margaret Emefiele, Eric Odoh, Anita Omoile, and her husband Jonathan Omoile, are wanted for their roles in a scheme to convert large sums of money belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The agency accuses them of committing offences such as obtaining money by false pretences, theft and contravening Sections 411, 287, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

A statement released by the EFCC late Friday night included mugshot portraits of the four suspects, urging anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact the nearest EFCC Command or police station.

“Emefiele, Odoh, Mr and Mrs Omoile, wanted by the EFCC. The quartet of Eric Odoh, Margaret Emefiele, Anita Omoile and Jonathan Omoile, are wanted by the EFCC for offences bothering economic and financial crimes.

“Any information on their whereabouts? Please contact the nearest EFCC Command or the nearest police Station,” The statement reads.

The declaration of wanted comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings against Godwin Emefiele, who is facing charges of fraud amounting to ₦1.8 billion and $6.2 million.

The latest amended charge, presented before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, accuses Emefiele of impersonating the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to illegally obtain $6.2 million.

The EFCC alleges that Emefiele, in collaboration with Odoh Ocheme, obtained the funds from the CBN under false pretences and claimed it was requested by the SGF.

Emefiele is further accused of forging documents and conferring corrupt advantages on his wife and brother-in-law by awarding them contracts for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has temporarily banned the sale and distribution of food items and other farm produce in Niger to other states in Nigeria.

The declaration by the governor on Thursday followed the growing hunger experienced in Niger and the country at large, occasioned by the rising inflation, removal of petrol subsidy, floating of the naira, and insecurity under President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Mr Bago said, “Trucks who come to pack or buy foodstuffs from our villagers in bulk should be halted for now. We have stopped mass purchase(s) from our local markets in all our local governments from now henceforth until further notice.”

The Niger governor added, “Anybody found doing that, we have given security agencies the go-ahead to confiscate those trucks and share the food with the people.”

The governor’s move is geared towards having enough food and farm produce for residents in the state to address the hunger and poverty ravaging the state.

Meanwhile, Mr Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release about 42,000 metric tonnes of grain, including maize, millet and garri.

Similarly, the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria also committed to immediately releasing over 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to the public.

The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this after the meeting of the presidential committee on emergency food intervention on Thursday in Abuja.

He said these were immediate measures the federal government took to reduce the hardships faced by Nigerians who are made to bear the brunt of high food prices in the market.

“These will be made available and we know that that is enough to take Nigeria in the next couple of weeks. One month, six weeks, perhaps up to two months. Now, the whole idea of this is to crush the cost of these food items. And these are measures that will happen immediately.

“Now, the third item is that government is also looking at the possibility of, if it becomes absolutely necessary and as an interim measure, to also import some of these commodities immediately so that these commodities can be made available to Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Idris also said the ministry would invest massively in farming to boost production and fully exploit the country’s food potential.

He said the government would appeal to persons or groups to stop hoarding these products to maximise profit to the detriment of ordinary Nigerians.

“Government, of course, is also looking at all those who are hoarding these commodities because, actually, these commodities are available in the stores of many traders. Government is appealing to them that they should open up these doors and make these commodities available in the interest of our nation.

“There is no point when the whole country is looking for this food. You are locking up these products where you make more money, and then Nigerians suffer. Of course, the government will not fold its arms,” the minister explained.

He stressed that the government would also ensure that food continues to be accessible and affordable to Nigerians.

“This is an emergency situation. Every nation faces emergency situations. This is our own time to face these challenges,” stated Mr Idris.

“The President has directed that whatever it will take, food will be available to Nigerians at a cost that is also very reasonable.”

The US Supreme Court will wade into uncharted legal waters on Thursday as it considers if Donald Trump should be barred from running for president.

The justices will weigh if Colorado can strike Mr Trump off its ballot after finding he engaged in insurrection over the US Capitol riot.

Their decision will also determine if similar bids to keep Mr Trump off the ballot in other states are valid.

He is the definitive frontrunner to be the Republican party’s candidate.

Unless the justices rule against Mr Trump, he looks likely to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in November.

It is the most consequential such case to reach the court since it halted the Florida vote recount in 2000, handing the White House to Republican George W Bush over Democrat Al Gore.

The challenge has been expedited by the US Supreme Court, and there is pressure for a decision before 5 March, when voters in 15 states – including Colorado – cast their ballots in Republican primaries.

Mr Trump’s name so far remains on the Colorado ballot, pending the court’s ruling. Maine also has excluded Mr Trump from its ballot, a decision on hold, too, while the justices consider the matter.

The legal challenge hinges on a Civil War-era constitutional amendment that bans anyone who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding federal office.

This prohibition has never been used to disqualify a candidate for president.In December’s ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court wrote that it was aware of the magnitude of its decision.

“We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach,” the justices wrote.

In turn, Mr Trump’s lawyers argued that the Colorado ruling had “unconstitutionally disenfranchised millions of voters in Colorado” and could be used to further disenfranchise millions more across the country.

His argument has been supported by the chief legal officers of 27 states, who filed a brief saying the Colorado ruling would sow “widespread chaos”.

“Most obviously, it casts confusion into an election cycle that is just weeks away,” the attorneys general wrote. “Beyond that, it upsets the respective roles of the Congress, the States, and the courts.

“Courts in Minnesota and Michigan have dismissed parallel efforts to remove Mr Trump from their ballots, while other cases, including in Oregon, are pending.

The US Supreme Court’s decision in this case is expected to turn on how a majority of the justices interpret the provision of the 14th Amendment, which includes the insurrection clause.

Lawyers for the former president have provided several reasons to the court for why he should not be removed from the ballot.In one, they argue that the 14th Amendment does not apply to presidential candidates.

In another, they contend that Mr Trump’s conduct at the time of the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021 did not amount to insurrection.

The case lands with a thud before a Supreme Court that is already facing near all-time lows in terms of public approval.

No matter the ruling by the nine justices – three of whom were nominated by Mr Trump – it is likely to prove hugely divisive.

The top court has a history of finding ways to extricate itself from politically charged legal issues by sticking to the narrowest of legal grounds, which could turn out to be the case here.

Mr Trump, who is in the midst of his third presidential campaign, is not expected to attend Thursday’s hearing.

He is facing a number of legal challenges. Last month, he was ordered to pay $83.3m ($65m) for defaming columnist E Jean Carroll, who he was found to have sexually assaulted in a separate case.

The Supreme Court itself – which holds a 6-3 conservative majority – may soon be asked to weigh in on another case involving Mr Trump.

Earlier this week, a federal appeals court in Washington DC rejected his claims of presidential immunity, ruling he could be prosecuted on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election.

Mr Trump has until Monday to ask the Supreme Court to pause this ruling.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday issued certificates of return to winners of Saturday’s rerun and by-elections.

The presentation took place at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Those who got the certificates included Prof. Anthony Okorie, senator-elect for Ebonyi South, Pam Dachungyang, senator-elect for Plateau North and Musa Mustapha, senator-elect for Yobe East.

Others were Ifeanyi Ozokwe, rep elect for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo, Clara Nnabuife, rep elect for Orumba North/Orumba South, Ehindero Babatunde, rep elect for Akoko North East/Akoko North West and Daniel Ago, rep elect for Jos North/ Basa.

Speaking shortly after collecting his certificate, Mr Okorie dedicated his victory to the people of Ebonyi South, urging them to have confidence in him to be their good representative in the Senate.

Senator-elect, Uzokwe appreciated INEC for a free, fair and credible election. “If we have stronger institutions than stronger people, Nigeria will be better,” he said.

Mr Ozokwe also commended President Bola Tinubu for not interfering in the rerun and by-elections.

He also commended security personnel for their professional conduct during the election. Also Ms Nnabuife appreciated the people of Orumba North/Orumba South, especially women who stood by her and trusted her with their mandate, pledging not to let them down.

The police, on Wednesday, arrested women who spearheaded a protest against rising cost of food and hunger in the country under President Bola Tinubu.

It was reported on Monday that protesters hit the streets of Minna, Niger state capital, lamenting rising cost of food and severe hunger in the country under Mr Tinubu’s watch.

However, Wasiu Abiodun, Niger state police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of Aisha Jibrin, the leader of the protest, and 24 others.

In a statement on Wednesday, Amnesty International condemned “the Nigerian authorities for the arrest of Aisha Jibrin, Fatima Aliyu, Fatima Isyaku and twenty-two others in Minna Niger state; for participating in protest against the staggering cost of living crisis people are facing nationwide.”

This arrest of protesters comes barely nine months into Mr Tinubu’s government. A market survey conducted at Mararaba Market, Nasarawa State on Wednesday showed that prices of most food items have increased by almost 100 per cent compared to what was obtainable last May, when Mr Tinubu assumed office.

Inflation accelerated after Mr Tinubu’s sudden announcement of the removal of the petrol subsidy in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, followed later by the CBN’s policy of floating the naira.

Though lauded by experts, the duo policies of Mr Tinubu have seen petrol prices rise from N145 per litre to N630, while the naira plunges against the dollar at the parallel market, trading at about N1,500 to $1.

Nigerians have cried out over economic hardship with inflation and food prices spiking under Mr Tinubu’s watch. Earlier in the week, protests over soaring food prices rocked two northern states, Niger and Kano.

Some Yoruba market women in Ogun lambasted Mr Tinubu for promulgating economic policies that negatively affect the prices of goods and cause untold hardship for Nigerians, threatening to beat the president up if they saw him.

Mr Tinubu acknowledged the country’s prevalent hardship but urged Nigerians to show understanding.

“The financial re-engineering of our country is ongoing. We are determined to deliver Nigeria safely through the tunnel of hope, stability, and economic prosperity,” said Mr Tinubu in December.

President Bola Tinubu has finally returned to Nigeria after a two weeks private visit to France.

The president’s jet touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday night.

Tinubu was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Opposition parties had tackled the president for allegedly abandoning the country amid the security and economic crisis ravaging the nation.

Some of the opposition leaders believe that the president had no reason to embark on a private visit at the time the country is bleeding.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Jigawa State have collectively rejected the N10,000 wage award proposed by the state government as a palliative in response to the removal of fuel subsidy.

The rejection was communicated in a press statement issued after a meeting of the Organized Labour in the state held in Dutse, the state capital.

The joint statement, signed by the state chairmen and secretaries of NLC and TUC, described the state government’s announcement of the wage award as premature, asserting that no agreement had been reached on the matter.

The statement mentioned that the NLC Salary Negotiation Committee had engaged in prolonged negotiations with the state government committee, presenting various submissions without receiving any response.

The Organized Labour expressed surprise at the state Commissioner for Information, Youth, and Culture, Hon Sagiru Musa’s announcement of the N10,000 wage award for three months.

“It is important for the general public to note that the Organized Labour has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding with the Jigawa State Government on the N10,000 wage award; the Negotiation Committee is yet to conclude its assignment,” the statement clarified.

However, when contacted for comments, the state’s Head of Service, Muhammad K. Dagacire, stated that the NLC Negotiation Committee was fully aware of the decision taken by the state government regarding the palliative measures for the workers.

Dagacire explained that the agreement included a three-month wage award, distribution of food palliatives, and provision of farm inputs, including lands, for every civil servant.

“So it is surprising to hear this story from you on the said NLC’s rejection of N10,000.

“Our interventions to workers to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal are of three stages and Governor Malam Umar Namadi is committed to fulfilling all,” he stated.

Reno Omokri, a sociopolitical critic, has tackled the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye over his latest comment on the fall of the naira against the United States, US, dollars.

Omokri said prayer would not help the naira to gain value against the US dollars as populated by Adeboye, stressing that Nigerians should resort to work.

The former Presidential aide urged Adeboye to influence his followers to take up agriculture and patronize locally made Nigerian goods to help the naira improve against the dollar rather than resort to prayer.

Posting on X, Omokri wrote: “Thank you for your call. We love you and honour your contribution to the growth of the church. However, I again beg to differ. The Naira situation is not something we should PRAY about with all our strength. Rather, it is a situation that requires us to WORK with all our combined strengths.

“Other nations with high-value currencies did not achieve that feat via prayers. They got there through hard work and sound economic policies. And many of them, like China and Japan, are non-praying, non-tithing, non-Christian nations. That is why in China, a Chinese man was asked, ‘Do you know Christ?’ responded with, ‘No. But if you show me, I will produce a copy!’ It sounds funny, but it goes to the root of their economic success.

“You have millions of members under your influence as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. If you want the Naira to rise, tell your members to switch from Airtel and MTN to Glo. Tell them to eat Dangote spaghetti and other staples. And encourage them to drive Innoson vehicles.

“Then, reduce your church activities. RCCG members attend church almost daily. Pick only one or two days. And then tell your members to go to work at their jobs or businesses on the other days.

“Finally, use your considerable influence to counsel your members and other Nigerians not to see the rainy season as ‘weather for two’, but instead use it to go to the farms and cultivate what we eat so that Nigeria can reduce her $5 billion annual food import bill.

“If millions of RCCG members implement such a directive, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product will explode.

“But to rely on prayer alone is both unscriptural and unscientific. We must remember that God promised to “bless all the work of your hands” in Deuteronomy 28:12. Prayer is not work. It is faith. And, James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Ifeoluwa Ehindero, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s by-election for Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, has been declared winner of the exercise.

Mr Ehindero, who had earlier expressed optimism of winning the election, was declared victorious by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday night.

Johnson Fasinmirin of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the Returning Officer of the election, declared the APC candidate winner after the counting of votes at Victory College, Ikare-Akoko, venue of the final collation exercise.

Mr Fasinmirin revealed that Mr Ehindero scored a total of 35,504 votes to defeat his closest rival, Olalekan Bada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Peoples Gazette reports that Mr Bada garnered 15,328 votes.

He said that the total votes cast were 51,896 with valid votes at 51,341 while 555 votes were rejected.

“That Ehindero Ifeoluwa Babajide of APC having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner and return elected,” the INEC returning officer added.

Mr Ehindero defeated Mr Bada with 20,176 votes to emerge the winner.

However, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ishmail Adeshina, came a distant third with 213 votes.

Mr Ehindero has dedicated his victory to the support he gathered from the constituents who overwhelmingly supported him at the poll.

“This victory is for all of us. I’m happy. Truly, the people have spoken with their votes,” he said in a short message.

The by-election in Akoko NorthEast/NorthWest Federal Constituency was conducted on Saturday to fill the seat vacated by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

Before his appointment, Mr Tunji-Ojo was a former member of the House of Representatives occupying the federal seat at the National Assembly.

A member of the House of Representatives, Abiodun Faleke, on Saturday, urged members of his constituency to continue to support him in order to impact as many lives as possible.

Mr Faleke (APC- Ikeja) made the appeal while speaking during an empowerment programme he organised for his constituents in Ikeja.

No fewer than 1,500 members of the constituency benefitted from the programme.

Items such as sewing machines, grinding machines, mini-buses and other empowerment items were distributed to beneficiaries at the programme.

The lawmaker also distributed patrol vehicles to police stations in his constituency, distributed SUVs to traditional rulers and donated ambulances for the use of the various communities in Ikeja.

Mr Faleke said he was irrevocably committed to the welfare and well-being of his constituents and that the empowerment programme was a clear demonstration of his commitment to improving lives.

“We really thank God for giving us the opportunity to execute this empowerment programme. So many people are beneficiaries and our residents deserve more.

“This constituency is a special place with special people, and that is why we must ensure they enjoy the dividends of democracy. We have done it before, and we will continue to do more for our people.

“We have distributed over 400 minibuses, 103 tricycles, 118 driers, 315 grinding machines and solar lights to light up our streets and communities.

Today, we have five SUVs for our traditional leaders, five Hilux vans for police stations for effective policing, three ambulances for our community safety and emergencies, three Hummer buses for our market traders and empowerment items for our artisans.

“I am committed to improving lives in the constituency and by God’s grace, I will continue to do my best to serve the people,” he said.

Cornelius Ojelabi, Lagos State chairman of APC, in his speech, also thanked Mr Faleke for the empowerment programme, saying it would change lives and communities in the constituency.

According to him, when a representative serves effectively, it will have a positive impact on both the residents and the society.

“When a representative serves diligently, the impact will be felt not only in the constituency but the entire state and country as a whole.

“God has been using Faleke to solve challenges in the constituency. He has done so many things here.

“We strongly believe that Honourable Faleke will continue to do his best to better lives in Ikeja,” he said.

Mr Ojelabi urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the items given to them and advised them to always support the party for more democratic dividends.

Kazeem Morgan, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the lawmaker for organising the empowerment programme, saying the mini-bus given to him would go a long way to help solve his financial challenges.

Iyabo Adebayo, another beneficiary, said the industrial sewing machine given to her would make her work faster and better as a fashion designer.

“I really thank our representative, Faleke, for what he is doing in Ikeja. May God bless him and protect him and his family,” she said.

The APC candidate, Prof. Anthony Ani, has been announced the winner of Saturday’s Ebonyi South Senatorial by-election in the state.

Ani won with 46,270 votes, defeating his closest rival, Ifeanyi Eleje of APGA who garnered 3,513.

Silas Onu of the PDP polled 2,783 votes and Mr Linus Okorie of the LP scored 2,710 votes in the election.

Returning Officer for the Ebonyi South Senatorial election, Eze Uchechukwu disclosed this on Sunday in Afikpo Local Government Area of the state.

According to Eze, Prof. Ani, having been certified by the law, is declared the winner and is returned elected.

The returning officer earlier announced that total votes of 56,363 were cast while rejected votes were 695.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mahmoud Musa Kallamu, has won the just concluded House of Assembly by-election in the Mayo Belwa constituency of Adamawa State.

Announcing the results of the Saturday bye-election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared that PDP’s Kallamu scored 1,306 votes to defeat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ibrahim Musa Italiya who garnered 874 votes.

According to the INEC Returning Officer, Professor Mohammed Baba Ardo of Modibbo Adama University Yola, Kallamu won six out of the seven polling units in the election.

He said there were a total of 5,024 registered votes; 2,252 accredited votes; 2,192 valid votes, 06 rejected votes and 2,252 total votes cast.

The returning officer recalled that in the 2023 general election, there were valid votes of 20,824 and 367 rejected votes for the constituency while votes cast stood at 21,191 when APC scored 7,912 while PDP scored 7,840 with a margin of 72.

Compared with the By-election exercise, the registered votes are 56,999; accredited votes are 24,610 while the total votes cast are 23,443.

He declared that the candidate of the PDP who scored in all, a total of 9,146, won the by-election; with the APC candidate coming second with 8,786 votes in both the general and bye-election.