My Blog

Category: News

  • Supreme Court dismisses PDP’s double nomination suit against Tinubu, Shettima

    The inauguration of Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as President and Vice President respectively has been sealed as the Supreme Court has struck out a suit seeking their disqualification over alleged double nomination.

    The appeal was filed  by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through their counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

    The PDP alleged that Shettima had double nomination as senatorial candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District and vice-presidential candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The five man panel of Justices of the Apex court, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, held that the PDP’s appeal praying disqualification of Tinubu and Shetima on ground of alleged double nomination by Shetima was grossly lacking in merit and dismissed it.

    Consequently, the court awarded a cost of N2million on PDP.

    It held that PDP has no right to meddle in the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC)in the conduct of its primary elections and nomination of its candidates.

    Justice agreed with Tinubu’s lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN that PDP acted as busy body and meddlesome interloper in the ways and manners it dabbled into APC’s affairs unjustly.

    The Apex Court held that apart from the fact that PDP lacked requisite jurisdiction to institute the suit, the party also failed to prove by documentary evidence that Shettima engaged in double nomination.

    It maintained that Shettima withdrew from the Senatorial race before accepting the nomination as Vice Presidential candidate for the APC

    Therefore, the Apex court described the PDP’s claim on the alleged double nomination of the Vice President-elect as most unfortunate and a clear deliberate mischief to mislead the Court and the country.

    The Supreme Court also agreed with lawyer Fagbemi (SAN) that no matter the pains of PDP on how APC conducted it’s primary election and nominated its candidates, PDP must remain an onlooker.

    “It is abundantly clear that the Appellant (PDP) in the totality of its position in the instant case, is peeping and poke-nosing into the affairs of another party as a busybody and meddlesome interloper,” Fagbemi had said.

    The Court held that the action of PDP was painful because it used the social media to set a trap for the Supreme Court to blackmail it.

    “This is most unfortunate, unwarranted and uncalled for and I advise the perpetrators to desist from it,” the court said.

  • May 29: Police announce traffic diversions in Abuja

    The police in the Federal Capital (FCT) on Friday announced traffic diversions in Abuja ahead of the May 29 Presidential inauguration ceremony slated to hold at Eagle Square.

    The diversion is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, on Friday in Abuja.

    She said the diversion points are Goodluck Jonathan Expressway by Court of Appeal, Deeper Life Junction, Bond/Total Filling Station, POWA/FCDA Junction, Finance Junction by ECOWAS/Women Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

    “Other diversion points are Eagle Square (Phase 1 & Phase 11), Kur Muhammad Way / National Mosque, Abia House, NITEL Junction by Ademola Adetokunbo and Gana Junction/Transcorp.

    “Traffic will also be diverted at Bayelsa House by Federal High Court, Aso Drive, Ceddi Plaza, NNPC Twin Tower and NNPC/NBS,” she said.

    She said the Command had also deployed human and material resources across the nooks and crannies of the FCT to ensure a safe and peaceful Inauguration.

    Adeh said the deployment consists of all Intelligence and tactical assets at the disposal of the command, solidified with inter-agency collaboration.

    She said the idea was to ensure a peaceful atmosphere during the inauguration and to avert any form of threat on the nation’s democratic process

    Adeh said the operational deployment was characterised by visibility policing across the territory, stop and search duty, intelligence-led raids on black spots, surveillance and vehicular/foot patrol.

    “The command equally wishes to notify the public of proposed fireworks scheduled to take place on the eve of the inauguration, midnight of May 28 at the City Gate and the Millennium Tower, to usher in the new administration.

    “The fireworks will be carried out by Messrs Innate Arts and Media,” she said.

  • Osinbajo to lead Commonwealth Observer Group to Sierra Leone


    Nigeria’s Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo has accepted to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) constituted by Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, to observe the Sierra Leone 2023 general elect

    Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice-President, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    The Secretary-General constituted the observer group, a team of distinguished experts upon the invitation from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone for the June poll in the West African nation.


    As the COG Chair, Osinbajo would be the leader and spokesperson of the group of distinguished experts drawn from around the world, interfacing between the group, the media and the authorities of the host country.

    In a statement on Thursday, Scotland expressed gratitude to Osinbajo for accepting the invitation in spite of his busy schedule.

    “As a senior statesman from the region, Osinbajo understands in depth, the challenges across West Africa and I am confident he will lead a brilliant team,” Scotland said.


    Responding, Osinbajo welcomed the opportunity to lead the election observers in Sierra Leone on June 24.


    “I’m highly honoured by the unique opportunity to continue to bring my expertise and experience in contributing to deepening democracy, especially in Africa and the Commonwealth by extension,” he said.


    According to the Commonwealth Secretariat, Osinbajo will be joined by recognised dignitaries from various fields including politicians, legal, media, gender and election administration professionals from across the Commonwealth to carry out the task in June.


    The mandate of the Osinbajo-led Commonwealth Observer Group in Sierra Leone would be to observe the electoral process and provide an independent assessment of whether the election has been conducted in a credible manner.


    The group will then report on the conduct of the elections in accordance with the standards to which Sierra Leone has committed itself, including its own laws.


    “In line with Commonwealth methodology, the group will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for credible and inclusive elections, including a fair election environment; whether public media has been impartial; the transparency of the entire process; and whether voters are free to express their will.


    “The group, upon completion of its assignment, will submit its recommendations in a report to the Commonwealth secretary-general, who will subsequently share it with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Electoral Commission, political parties and all Commonwealth governments,” the Secretariat said.


    The vice-president, on behalf of the Nigerian government, had been at the forefront of championing democratic governments especially in the West African sub-region, under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).


    On several occasions, Osinbajo had represented President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria at different sessions of the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

  • We’ve never had it so bad like under Buhari- MACBAN, COPAN

    *Say Nigeria lost over N500bn to farmers-herders’ conflicts; Buhari failed

    Cattle breeders in Nigeria have expressed displeasure at the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as it concerns the security of lives and property during his tenure.

    They claim that Buhari, who claims to be a cattle breeder, ought to have brought cattle breeders and farmers together with a view to finding an amicable solution to the persistent conflicts that had led to loss of several lives in virtually all states of the federation.

    At a joint press conference, the Cattle Breeders however, expressed hope that incoming administration will restore peace between herders and farmers.

    The joint press conference was attended by the National President, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Dr. Baba Othman Ngelzarma; President General, Fulbe Global Development and Rights Initiative (FGDRI) Dr. Salim Musa Umar; Vice President, Tabital Pulaaku International Nigeria Chapter, Alh Auwal A. Gonga under the umbrella of Pastoralists Association of Nigeria (COPAN).

    Dr. Salim Musa, who spoke at the forum demanded that the incoming President look into activities of security agents in charge of these areas and mandate them to do more in protecting innocent people who are continuously harassed by the activities of those described as criminal vigilante and bandits.

    COPAN called on the security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute all those involved to serve as a deterrent to other criminally minded individuals.

    While calling on elected officials at all levels of government to be responsive to factors that may escalate insecurity in the country, the coalition also urged pastoral communities in the states to exercise restraint in the face the calamity that has befallen them.

    Responding to questions, Alh. Auwal Gonga urged the incoming administration to establish the Federal Ministry of Pastoralist Affairs to manage issues around this aspect of the economy, in line with global best practices, and as obtainable in most neighbouring countries and other ECOWAS member countries.

    According to them, the ministry will be charged with the responsibility of harmonizing and managing the affairs of both farmers and pastoralists, instead of leaving it in the hands of security agencies whom he said have shown themselves to be biased.

    Concluding, the MACBAN president said;

    “You see, wether we are happy he’s going or not, one thing is clear:

    “It is on record that after eight years of his (Buhari) administration, over N500 billion was spent on agronomy and nothing was spent on livestock farmsteads. 

    “And we have never had it so bad like when Buhari was in government.

    “This is the worst era for the Nigerian pastoralists – we’ve never had it so bad like this time.”

  • Steer clear of NDIC day-to-day management, Finance Minister tells board

    The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has cautioned the board of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to steer clear of the day-to-day management issues of the Corporation. 

    The minister, who gave the advice at the official inauguration of the board of the NDIC on Thursday in Abuja, urged the board to focus on its role of giving direction, policy formulation, strategic planning as well as oversight.

    This, she said, will ensure that the Corporation delivers on its mandate.    

    She said: “Let me just add, what the role of the board is not; the role of the board is not day to day management of the corporation. That is the role of the management.

    “So, Mr. Chairman, it is your responsibility to make sure that that delineation is clear that there is no mix in the roles and there is no conflict arising there.”

    Mrs. Ahmed urged them to see themselves as having a key role to play at a crucial time in the nations’ financial system.

    “You are assuming duty at a time when the Nigerian Financial System is still facing some challenges and requires efforts aimed at addressing issues such as corporate governance, high level of non-performing loans and slide in revenue generation. The potential benefits and risks associated with the Financial Technology (Fintech) and block chain technology are also on the front burner. 

    “These and other challenges can cause threats to the stability of our financial system and must be addressed promptly for the sector to play its role in facilitating the implementation of the National Development Plan 2021 to 2025.

    “Therefore, I have no doubt in my mind that with the caliber of personalities appointed on the Board, these challenges would be addressed head-long. 

    “I therefore charge you to design policies and programmes with the Management team to enable the Corporation deliver on its mandate,” she said.

    In his response, the chairman of the NDIC board, Abdulhakeem Mobolaji Abdullateef assured the minister that the board will stick to its mandate and its assigned role.

    According to him, the board will stay in its lane.   

    “We will try our best to work very closely with the management that is performing. One of the most disturbing thing is when people don’t know their role and they want to over reach, and because we have so much to do that we do not need to do anybody’s job.

    Ends  

  • Breast Cancer Mgt: National Hospital inaugurates Telemedicine Unit

    The National Hospital, Abuja, on Thursday inaugurated its Telemedicine Unit for the diagnosis and staging of breast cancer.

    The hospital’s Head of Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, Dr Uchechukwu Shagaya, at the inauguration, said that the unit was designed to
    help bring specialists closer to patients so they could get prompt care.

    The unit was established in partnership with Pfizer BioPharmaceutical Group.

    Shagaya said: “There is also a seminar on `The Use of Telemedicine in Diagnosis and Staging of Breast Cancer.”

    According to her, late presentation and misdiagnosis of breast cancer are some of the major issues hindering its treatment in Nigeria.

    She added that “one of the problems we have been having is late presentation. Some patients will tell you that I was going to the
    doctor, they told me that there is nothing wrong with my breast.

    “However, with sessions like what we have just had and what we plan to be having regularly, doctors in rural areas who are not
    oncologists will know exactly what they are supposed to do for the diagnosis.

    “By the time they send the patients to tertiary centres, the process has started and nothing has been missed so it will definitely
    improve outcome by improving early detection and treatment.

    “So, if we are able to get every doctor whether from the rural or urban area to hear the lecture we had today, nobody will make a mistake
    with diagnosing patients.”

    Shagaya said that the practice of oncology is usually done in the high end urban regions but that should not deprive those in rural areas
    from getting the best management of cancer related diseases.

    She added that by bridging the gap, doctors would be guided and know how to refer patients for radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

    Speaking on the inaugurated unit, she said it was the first phase of the implementation.

    “So, it is telemedicine that we are inaugurating in National Hospital today. It is phase one where the healthcare provider
    who is a doctor can call a number and speak to another doctor who is a specialist for now for 10 minutes or less.

    “If they want more of the discussion and more detailed discussion, they can actually schedule a virtual meeting.

    “In phase two of this, we plan to actually be able to consult with patients, we are able to do the healthcare provider
    consultation, we are going to do trainings online, webinars and reach out with the help of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)
    to doctors in rural areas.”

    The Medical Director of Pfizer Biopharmaceutical Group for Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr Soroh Kodjo, said that the benefits of
    using telemedicine for diagnosis of breast cancer are tremendous.

    According to him, there are some patients that will not be able to go abroad for treatment but through this, they will
    be able to access care here in the country.

    “They will be here in Nigeria and still have that expert input in their management; so, it is unquantifiable.

    “Also, Nigeria will save a lot of billions of dollars that would have been spent in going abroad for treatment
    because it is a partnership not just with Pfizer and National Hospital, but also with experts outside the shores of this country.”

    Kodjo also said that because there were limitations to the diagnosis and staging of breast cancer, the group was also
    working not only with the National Hospital but with pathologists across the country.

    This, he said, was with a view to improving capacity to make the right diagnosis so that patients could receive care.

    “So, the collaboration is like using the National Hospital platform to bring this technology. It is the first in this sub region;
    so, we are happy to partner them and that is part of addressing our mission which is reaching the last patient faster.

    “How can we reach the last patient faster? he said, “with this technology, we can.”

  • Group tasks Tinubu on fuel subsidy removal

    The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has urged the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to ensure the immediate removal of fuel subsidy, once he assumes office on May 29.
    The Executive Director CTA, Ms Faith Nwadishi said this in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to her, subsidy would have to give way if the country’s economy is to grow, but it should be done gradually.


    “Whether we like it or not, the subsidy has to go for us to grow in this country.
    “I support the removal of subsidy but not to remove it immediately. I thought subsidy was the only way that we can benefit from the Commonwealth.
    “We are not benefiting. We have four refineries in this country that are supposed to produce 445, 000 barrels per day. Now when you refine 445, 000 barrels you get over 70 million litres of petrol.
    “So if we refine our own 445, 000 barrel, we will have excess and be looking for where to take the rest to,” Nwadishi said.
    She urged the incoming administration to place a high priority on the repositioning of the extractive industry as well as addressing Nigeria’s high unemployment rate and the country’s indebtedness.
    “Extractives should be a priority because the extractive sector is our golden goose that lays the golden egg.
    “We must ensure that we make it a priority. We must look at building our economy so that we can address the issue of the debts we have.
    “I know that as a government coming in with this kind of financial situation and crisis we find ourselves, there is no way the government will not borrow.
    “But in borrowing, we need to find ways to block the loopholes such as subsidy,” Nwadishi said.
    The executive director urged Tinubu to develop the solid mineral sector and block all the loopholes in the sector, especially the activities of illegal miners.

    “Tinubu should give a better blueprint with the relationship with China and India in the part they play with extracting our solid minerals without anything coming back to Nigeria.

    “We need to also look at community participation in all of these.

    “The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is also there. We need to ensure that the PIA is working and very well.

    “We have to also look at the issue of security and see how we can gain the trust of Nigerians.

    “The level of insecurity has skyrocketed. We need to look at that very closely.

    “We have to look at our economy and begin to reverse the inflation rate to go back to a single digit. We need to also look at the issue of multi-dimensional poverty in the country,” she said.

  • Breaking: Tinubu, Shettima conferred with GCFR, GCON

    The President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima have been conferred with the titles of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), respectively on Thursday.

    The investiture ceremony is currently taking place at the State House Conference Center in Abuja.

    More details later…

  • May 29: Shun fake news, raising false alarm, DSS cautions media, CSOs

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the Media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to shun fake news, false alarms, skewed reportage and sensationalism ahead of the May 29 inauguration.

    The Public Relations Officer of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said the call was to guard against reports that could inflame division, tension and violence prior to and after the inauguration.

    Afunanya said the service was aware of plans by subversive elements to disrupt the programme in parts of the country.

    According to him, their aim is to undermine security agencies’ efforts at ensuring peaceful ceremonies and create panic and fear among members of the public.

    “Based on these, citizens, the media and Civil Society Organisations are advised to adhere strictly to security and civil protocols during the events.

    “They are also urged to shun fake news, false alarms, skewed reportage/narratives and sensationalism that may likely inflame division, tension and violence prior to and after the exercises,” he said.

    The DSS spokesman said undesirable acts would serve no purpose other than destroying national unity and cohesion.

    Afunanya warned unauthorised and non-accredited persons to stay away from restricted and certain designated areas at the inauguration venues.

    He called on the public to remain calm and law-abiding, adding that the DSS would continue to sustain collaboration with sister agencies to ensure successful inauguration ceremonies nationwide. 

  • Children’s Day: ICPC holds anti-corruption debate for students in Osun

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday organised an anti-corruption debate for secondary school students in Osun on the impact of corruption in the society.

    The debate was organised in commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day celebration on May 27.

    Mr Demola Bakare, ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in the state, said the debate was geared toward behavioural change in the minds of the students and further push its anti-corruption drive among the youth.

    Bakare said a careful stakeholders’ analysis had identified the school system as a major pillar of any behavioural change and anti-corruption endeavour.

    He said it was based on this analysis that the commission put together a robust programme of engagement with the school system as well as youths in the country.

    “The debate is part of the public mobilisation (education and enlightenment) mandate of the ICPC.

    “At the end of today’s debate programme, ICPC would have contributed something to competitive scholarship among secondary schools in Osun State.

    “We would have deepened our engagement with the anti-corruption clubs established by the commission in schools around the state.

    “Also, as part of the national ethics and integrity policy of the commission, students and youths would speak their mind, which will further encourage them to make useful inputs into the fight against corruption,” he said.

    Bakare urged the students to add morality to their education, shun the get-rich-quick syndrome, embrace integrity and strive to achieve their dreams in life.

    The debate, which is the first edition, has as its topic: “Who Is Responsible for Corruption, the Masses or Government?”

    Fakunle Comprehensive College, Osogbo, emerged winner of the debate, defeating four other secondary schools that participated.