Politics

I want to leave legacy of credible polls in West Africa and not only Nigeria – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has said that one of the legacies he wants to leave behind is free, fair, transparent elections and smooth transitions.

Buhari who said this on Monday, November 28, at the opening session of the 2022 second ordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament in Abuja, also added that Nigeria is committed to peace and political stability in the sub-region.

He also promised that Nigeria will support efforts that will lead to the restoration of democratic governance in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

Buhari was quoted saying in the statement released by his media aide, Femi Adesina;

“We are convinced that the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law should remain the norm in this promising region.

“There will be multiple political activities in some ECOWAS member states, including Nigeria, where general elections are due to be held in February and March 2023.

“Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to free, fair and transparent elections and smooth transitions.

“This is one legacy that I want my administration to bequeath, not only to Nigeria but to the region as a whole.

“The vision of the founding fathers of ECOWAS was to have a West Africa that is integrated economically with harmonised policies, enjoying the free movement of persons, goods and services, as well as the seamless right to establishment.

“We must continue to strive harder to attain those objectives.

“Let us take advantage of existing mechanisms and our enterprising population to turn our dreams into reality.

“We have the capacity to do so. Let us collaborate more and remove our outdated physical and psychological boundaries and other colonially-inspired differences so our region can fully attain its full potential.”

Lifestyle, World News

FG issues travel advice to Nigerians traveling to the US and UK after both countries authorities issued terror threats about Nigeria

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The Federal Government has advised Nigerians traveling to the United States, the United Kingdom, and some European countries to be wary of thieves targeting their personal belongings.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, gave the advice on Monday, Nov. 28, in Abuja while speaking at the Fifth edition of the PMB Administration scorecard, 2015-2023.

He said there are multiple reports of theft of valuables, including passports of Nigerians so it became imperative to warn Nigerians.

He said:

“It has come to the attention of the government that Nigerian travelers to the United States and some countries in Europe are having their belongings, especially money and international passports, stolen at an increasingly high rate.

“The most recent victims of this are travelers to the UK, most of whom were dispossessed of their belongings at high brow shops, particularly in the high street of Oxford.

“We have therefore decided to advise Nigerians traveling to Europe and the United States to take extra precaution to avoid being dispossessed of their belongings.

“This is not your typical travel advisory. Issuing such is the prerogative of our embassies/high commissions as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is merely a piece of advice to Nigerians who may be visiting the affected parts of the world.”

The advice comes one month after the US and UK authorities issued a travel advisory to citizens over a likely terror threat in Abuja, Nigeria.

Lifestyle

Man jailed for attempted trafficking of three Nigerian girls to Libya

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A Kano State high court has sentenced a 53-year-old man, Hycinth Uchechukwu Enekwechi to two years imprisonment for attempting to procure the illegal entry of three girls from Oyo and Osun to Libya through Niger Republic.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

According to the statement, Enekwechi was convicted on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

“The convict – a 53years old Male of No. 59 Abeokuta Road, Sabon Gari Quarters, Kano State was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with an additional fine of N250,000 for attempting to procure the illegal entry of 3 Females to go from Oyo and Osun State respectively to Libya through Niger Republic.” the statement read.

World News

The rate at which Nigerians are leaving the country is worrisome – Nigeria Immigration Service

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The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has described as worrisome the alarming rate at which Nigerians are leaving the country in search of greener pastures abroad.

Speaking at a sensitization campaign on the scourge of Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) for stakeholders in Enugu State on Thursday, November 3, The NIS boss in Enugu state Joachim Olumba said.

“Indeed, this program couldn’t have been held at a more appropriate time, considering the alarming rate at which, not only the youth, but older generation of Nigerians exhibit interest to leave the country.

This is creating a worrisome phenomenon which has come to be popularly known in local parlance as “Japa” The Immigration boss stated that the appetite to jet out of the country was usually driven largely by social, economic, and security concerns.

He mentioned that Nigerians, especially the youth, were leaving the shores of the country in their droves.

“To many, what is paramount is to achieve the goal of migrating from the country and not the means of reaching their destinations.

Whether they are smuggled or trafficked, or they even get to leave the country by means of a stowaway, does not really matter to them.

The ultimate interest is to relocate to foreign lands. As far as the vast majority are concerned, the end will eventually justify the means” he said

Olumba averred that the desperation had brought unspeakable and unprintable hardships on numerous Migrants.

Politics

Consider your future before voting – Clergyman, William Kumuyi advises Nigerians

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Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has advised Nigerians to consider their future and vote for credible candidates.

The cleric gave the advice when he spoke to newsmen in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Our future is in our hands, that is why we have democracy and that is why we were given a choice to know our candidates, both at the local government and state levels as well as the federation level.

And since we want the best and we have been dreaming and expecting that we have the very best for our country, it’s to our advantage if we talk to ourselves and be at peace, so that we can have a peaceful and fair election.”he said

Lifestyle, Politics

Preliminary number of registered voters in Nigeria now 93.5m – INEC

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Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the preliminary number of registered voters in Nigeria is now 93 million.

Yakubu disclosed this at the third quarterly meeting with political parties on Wednesday October 26.

He revealed that 9,518,188 new voters have been added to the existing register of 84,004,084 voters.

He said;

“It is preliminary because section 19(1) and (2) of the electoral act 2022 requires the commission to display the hard copies of the register of voters for each registration area (ward) and local government area (and simultaneously publish the entire register on the commission’s website) for a period of two weeks for scrutiny, claims and objections by citizens not later than 90 days to a general election.

“Accordingly, in the next few days, the commission will print 9,352,228 pages of the register. The hard copy will be displayed for each of the 8,809 registration areas (wards) and 774 local government areas nationwide while the entire register will be published on our website for claims and objections as required by law.

“The display of the physical register will take place at the designated centers from Saturday, 12th to Friday, 25th November 2022.

Further details, including the procedure for filing claims and objections, will be released by the commission next week. I would like to appeal to all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the display to scrutinize the list and help us to clean it up further so that the final register of voters for the 2023 general election can be compiled and published.”

Yakubu also said that the permanent voter cards (PVCs) will be available soon as they are working hard to finish the printing process.

He added;

“In the coming days, we will also inform Nigerians of the detailed plan to ensure a seamless collection of the PVCs.

We are aware that Nigerians expect an improvement in the procedure for PVC collection.

Since the end of the CVR in July this year, we have been working to ensure that citizens have a pleasant experience when they come to collect their cards.”

World News

NAFDAC warns Nigerians against fake antibiotic in circulation

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Nigerians have been alerted by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) about a fake Augmentin 625mg tablets in circulation within the country.

The health agency in a statement released on Monday October 24, said the falsified antibiotic has the batch number 562626, a manufacturing date of April 2021 and expiry date of April 2024.

The product also has a fake NAFDAC registration number of 04-1928. The statement read; “No inscription “manufactured by” is written on the label, only the address.

Manufacturing and Expiry dates do not meet the acceptable format. No MAS scratch number for verification. The logo “gsk” is not properly positioned as on the original.

“Please note that the genuine Augmentin 625mg has legible product labeling information including date markings – expiration and manufactured dates, batch number and NAFDAC registration number.

“NAFDAC’s advice to wholesalers, distributors and pharmacies is that medicines should be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers, increased vigilance is hereby encouraged within the supply chain to avoid infiltration of the falsified product.

The products’ authenticity, physical condition and labels should be carefully checked. “NAFDAC implores healthcare providers to ensure vigilance to prevent the administration of the falsified products on unsuspecting patients.

Members of the public in possession of the above suspected counterfeit product are advised to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Healthcare providers and the public should notify the nearest NAFDAC office of any information concerning the distribution, sale, and use of the falsified version of the Augmentin product.”

Lifestyle

IGP orders FCT Commissioners to re-strategize security management, launches “Operation Darkin Gaggawa” in Abuja

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The Nigeria Police Force has reassured Nigerians and all other residents and visitors in the country that it will effectively review the United States of America Embassy in Abuja’s security advisory which was issued, widely circulated, and published by the media on October 23rd, 2022, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.

Both the UK and the US embassies released security advice to their nationals in Nigeria, warning them of a possible terrorist attack in Nigeria, especially the FCT.

A statement released by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, says a review of the advisory is necessary due to the fact that Police, as the lead agency in internal security, will not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted; thus, there is no cause for alarm as all hands are on deck to collectively nip threats in the bud.

”The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, CFR, has however ordered the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, heads of tactical squads domiciled in the FCT, and other State Command CPs to restrategize security management within their jurisdictions, as the Force Headquarters will continually avail them with required support, logistics, and deployments necessary for providing safety to all and sundry in Nigeria.

While the NPF will continually work with other security agencies to make every part of Nigeria safe, especially the FCT.

In furtherance of his zeal and strategies to decimate activities of non-state actors and other criminal elements in the FCT and other parts of the country, and to analyze and de-escalate threats gathered from various intelligence at the Force’s disposal, U.S advisory inclusive, the IGP has announced the immediate commencement of a Counter Terrorism Incident Simulation Exercise codenamed “Operation Darkin Gaggawa” will hold within the Force Headquarters and the Police Officers Wives Association School opposite the Force Headquarters, Abuja, between Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th October, 2022.

The exercise will involve diversion of traffic, use of blank ammunition, and other operational manpower and assets, and is designed to improve interoperability and synergy between different Units and Formations of the Force in response to terrorist incidents and other violent crimes. The NPF thereby urges the general public not to panic at the sounds of explosives and gunshots during the exercise.” the statement in part reads

World News

UK warns of possible attack in FCT, restricts access to British high commission

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Just like the United States, the United Kingdom (UK) has also issued a terrorism alert to citizens in Nigeria.

UK warned of an increased threat of terrorist attack in the federal capital territory (FCT) and also admonished its citizens to stay alert, “consider movements carefully, follow the local news and the advice of security authorities”.

UK citizens were warned against visits to markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, football viewing centres, displacement camps, transport terminals (including train networks), government buildings — and schools.

The British High Commission in Abuja also said that from Monday, October 24, only critical staff will be allowed access to its facility.

Parents were also warned against sending their children to school.

Lifestyle

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers has warned Nigerians against panic buying gas

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The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has warned Nigerians against panic buying of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas.

The warning is coming after last week Monday’s Force Majeure declared by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) over the recent flooding incidence that impacted its operation in the Southern part of Nigeria.

NALPGAM President, Mr Oladapo Olatunbosun, made the appeal on Sunday, October 23.

The President said that “Based on information reaching the Association; NLNG has not shut down its production facility in Bonny as rumoured.

He confirmed that NLNG on Thursday, October 20, 2022 had shipped a cargo of LPG for the domestic market.

He said that the dedicated vessel for shipment of LPG from the NLNG Plant in Bonny, “Alfred Temile”, arrived in Lagos on Thursday to discharge product.”

“The public should know that the supply of LPG from NLNG has not stopped. “We should not give opportunity for further price hike due to speculated shortage of the product.

We are already in hard times with the Russian/Ukraine war causing upset in the markets and the scarcity,” he advised.

The President said that NLNG has assured the Association that it will keep producing LPG based on the feed-gas it receives from its gas suppliers, adding that production was expected to pick up after the flood recedes.

He cautioned middlemen in the value chain not to take advantage of the hysteria in the market as a result of the flood which has also hampered the distribution of the production across the nation.

World News

539 stranded Nigerians couldn’t get UAE work permits – NEMA

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The National Emergency Management Agency has revealed that most of the Nigerians who were evacuated to the country after being stranded in the United Arab Emirates complained of not being able to get a work permit because of a new policy by the government of the Middle East country.

About 542 Nigerians were evacuated from the UAE and arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday, October 23.

According to NEMA, the evacuees who returned on board the Max Air flight consisted of 79 males, 460 females, and three infants.

Speaking to the media, the Head of the Media Unit, NEMA, Manzo Ekeziel, said plans were in place to see the return of more Nigerians stranded in the UAE.

He said, “The Federal Government received communication and decided to support them back to the country. I don’t know if there’s any diplomatic row or not.

He continued, “There are some of them that could not come in today but arrangement is on for them to be transported, maybe tomorrow. I’m not sure of the total number of those still left behind.

“One of the evacuees, Blessing Okorie, from Ebonyi State, interacted with, blamed a new visa policy; and that they could not get a work permit.

“She said she travelled to that country with valid papers but after some time, according to her, the government of the UAE came up with a new visa policy that made her unable to get a work permit. Because of that, she was sacked from where she was working and, according to her, she had to hustle.”

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission revealed that the evacuees were given $100 each to facilitate their return home.

Lifestyle

Nigeria denied 1,681 foreigners visas in 2021 – Aregbesola

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A total of 1,579, 667 movements of passengers in and outside Nigeria was recorded in 2021.

163,091 passengers arrived in the country by land, 993,508 by air and 195,219 came in through the sea.

In the document released by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, it was revealed that 177,352 persons left the country by land, 1,093,518 by air and 88,459 by sea.

The Nigeria Immigration Service also denied no fewer than 1,681 applicants visas to the country. No reason was given for this.

The NIS also issued a total of 2,811 official and 895 diplomatic passports among others in 2021.

It read;

“Immigration in 2021 recorded a total of 1,579,667 passenger movement. This is made up of arrival by land, 163,091, air 993,508 and sea 195,219. Departure by land was 177,352, by air 1,093,518 and sea 88,459.

“Within the same period, 148,711 applications for Nigerian visas were received, out of which 147,030 were approved while 1,681 applications were rejected.

“Same last year, the NIS issued 1,041,537 standard Nigerian passports to Nigerians at home and abroad that applied for them. It also issued 2,811 official and 895 diplomatic passports, 14,214 Emergency Travel Certificates and 150 refugee passports.”

World News

Two Nigerian nationals arrested in Malawi over alleged illegal entry

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Two Nigerian nationals have been arrested by police in Mulanje, Malawi over alleged illegal entry into the country.

Mulanje Police Deputy spokesperson, Leah Kambalame, who confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, identified the duo as Kingsley Mwachuku, 25 and Vincent Onyeneka, 27.

Police arrested them on the night of October 17, 2022 after receiving a tip-off from residents that there were suspicious people staying at Mathambi village.

Upon receipt of the information, police rushed to the scene and arrested them. They both have no proper documents allowing them to stay in Malawi.

The duo has been charged with illegal entry which contravenes section 21 of the Penal code and will appear in court soon.

Kambalame said the police wishes to appreciate the community for the partnership in ensuring a safe and secure country.

Politics

I’ll hand over a Nigeria free of insecurity – President Buhari assures

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President Buhari has once again reassured Nigerians that he would hand over a Nigeria free of insecurity to the next set of leaders in 2023.

The President gave the assurance while speaking at the 2022 National Honours Award Investiture held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, October 11.

Buhari said his administration would root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency before leaving office in May 2023.

“We will continue to root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the land.

As I stated earlier in my in- dependence address to the nation, I will hand over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders” President Buhari said

According to the president, the national honours were not mere decoration but a reminder of citizens’ responsibility, saying that, “we must always endeavour to do our best for our country.”

Lifestyle

Nigeria understudies South Korea’s education model

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A Federal Government delegation has visited South Korea to understudy the country’s smart education model.

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi who led the Nigerian delegates to the Asian country, said the visit became necessary as the Federal Government is already establishing 37 smart schools in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Head of Public Relations, UBEC, David Apeh, said the delegation to South Korea comprised some states’ Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) chairmen and top officials from UBEC, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI).

Smart Education is a concept that describes learning in the digital age, where the emphasis is placed on the role of technology, to foster engaging learning experiences to meet the diverse needs of learners, through the innovative use of information and communications technology.

World News

Ethiopian Airlines will no longer issue visas on arrival to Nigerian citizens

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Ethiopian Airlines has said it will no longer issue visas on arrival to Nigerian citizens and those of other African countries.

According to a document sent by the airlines and made available to The PUNCH, the aviation company stated as thus,

“Please be informed that effective immediately, no more visa on arrival for Nigerian Citizens.

”The circular explained that “passengers are to obtain their visa at the Ethiopian embassy in Abuja before travelling.”

It was earlier reported that the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed that Ethiopian Airlines emerged a core investor in the Nigerian National Carrier, Nigeria Air, following a bid.

Sirika, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, said Ethiopian Airlines won the bid with a consortium and would have 95 controlling shares in the airline.

Speaking on the latest developments, an expert in the industry, Olumide Ohunayo, noted that Ethiopia’s decision was not in fair interest of its partnership process with Nigeria.

“I doubt if Ethiopia has given us some respect. Here is an airline that is trying to partner us as a national carrier, who already has about three points of entry into the country using the Togolese national carrier.”

Lifestyle, Politics

”This election is not about who is healthy and who is not. We just want who is not a thief” – Gospel artiste Frank Edwards writes

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Gospel artiste, Frank Edwards has said that the 2023 elections will not be about who is healthy and who is not but will just be geared towards electing anyone who is not a thief.

In a tweet shared on his handle, Frank said anyone can procure good medical attention.

His tweet reads;

”This election is not about who is healthy and who is not, anyone can get good medical attention, not about tribe, not about who’s turn it is !! WE JUST WANT WHO IS NOT A THIEF !! WE ARE IN A CRITICAL CONDITION.”

In another tweet, he stated that Nigerians will not go to the polls to elect a person who they were influenced to vote for by any influencer.

According to him, Nigerians will be influenced to vote for their preferred candidates based on the sufferings they have endured.

”The Good thing is Nigerians eyes are open now… these are not the days when 1 influencer can make people vote for just anyone. People are now influenced by their sufferings”

Politics

Nobody is totally well – Governor Umahi replies those questioning Tinubu’s health

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Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has issued a response to those questioning the health of All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

Fielding questions on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily today October 3, Umahi added that those asking such questions are being petty.

He also said that Tinubu’s workout video which is trending online, was taken without his knowledge.

Umahi said;

“Nobody is totally well, and nobody is totally sick; this is one point. Another point is that Nigerians are petty; some of us are petty.

“A man doing his workout, you know, is being videoed and circulated on social media without his knowledge.

“And so, a man that has life does not need to show any proof of life. Asiwaju has life, and he doesn’t need to show any proof of life, and you can see that.

“I think we should concentrate on tangibles because life is like being on the bus, and you don’t know where the next bus stop is.

“Some of the people talking about the health of the leaders of the country don’t even know when their bus stop is coming. So, we should rely on tangibles. Every life and health rests in the hand of God; that is how I look at it.”

Politics

Vote competence and not religion – PFN tells Nigerians

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President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke has asked Nigerians to consider political candidates in the 2023 general election based on competence and not religion or ethnicity.

Oke who warned Nigerians against selling their future to money-bag politicians, stated that every voter should identify one of the 18 candidates in the presidential race that can take Nigeria to the promised land. Speaking on Sunday October 2, the PFN President said;

“If a Muslim can solve Nigeria’s problem, I will vote for him so far he will treat Muslims and Christians as equal stakeholders in Nigeria, and he will not favor one religion above another.

“For me, if a Hausa man emerges, okay, if it is Fulani man, good, If it is Igbo, Kanuri, Edo, Ibibio, or Yoruba man, okay, provided he stands for justice, equity, fairness, and one Nigeria. He must also be a man that can deal with the problem of Nigeria decisively.

“Vote for whoever has the capacity to turn around Nigeria, use your votes to change the fortune of the nation to give Nigerians the nation we want

“Let’s decide and go beyond religion sentiment, ethnicity, and party so that Nigeria can get to its destination.“Nigeria shall be beautiful and great, let us all cooperate with God so that we can get to the promised land..”

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