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Police kill 10 bandits, in Niger, Zamfara gun battle

Gunmen kill15 cops, 2 farmers, 6 injured Bello orders equipment to reduce casualties two hours, while several other bandits
Nigerian banks
at forefront of
reportedly escaped with bullet injuries.
By Aideloje Ojo, Minna and
Sanusi Muhammad, Gusau
The bandits were reported to have
attacked the police base recently established
in the village following incessant attacks and
kidnap of a royal father.
It was learnt that the police however lost
two men in the gun duel which lasted over
A witness who pleaded anonymity said:
PAGE 6
technology
– Adedipe PAGE 25
14 die in Osun auto crash
The Nigerian Police Special Unit,
Operation PUFF ADDER Saturday killed
10 bandits in gun battle at Kundu village in PAGE 7
Rafi local government area of Niger state.

COVID-19 3RD WAVE/SALLAH...

FG places Kano, Lagos, Rivers, Page 6

Kaduna, FCT, 2 others on red alert

Orders states to heighten protocols enforcement Assures on border protection at Sallah, FCT shuts parks PAGE 5

S/West senators urge tight security, warn on agitations NIPRD develops 3 COVID-19 products, 10 others

Rams on display at
the Zango Market
in Kaduna Sunday
as the Eid-el-Kabir
celebration gets
closer

Photo: NAN

Kukah sowing seed of discord among Nigerians – Presidency

Says bandit attacks not targeted at Christians PAGE 5

Telcos to Senate: We’ve NAHCON gets 3 Congresses: APC releases 2023: S/west, N/Central
capacity to transmit election timetable, grants not qualified for
results electronically PAGE 18
new directors PAGE 8 waivers to new members presidency – NYLF PAGE 18 PAGE 5
2 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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In the
News
The Presidency Sunday described
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah as
one of the influential figures in the
country spreading falsehood and
sowing seed of discord and strife
among Nigerians. 5
A chieftain of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in
Kano state, Alhaji Musa Danbirn,
has described Governor Abdullahi
Umar Ganduje as a trail- blazer in
the area of critical infrastructure
which has made his administration
to receive the blessing of President
Muhammadu Buhari. 9
Ahead of the 2023 general
elections, director general of the
Progressive Governors Forum
(PGF) Salihu Lukman, has called
for the review of manifesto of the
ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC) to strengthen political
initiatives for national unity.
The PGF boss made the call amidst
the challenge of national unity
facing Nigeria. 14
Supporters and well wishers
of the immediate past chairman
of Lafia local government area
of Nasarawa state, Hon. Aminu
Mu’azu Maifata, weekend
purchased the All Progressives
Congress (APC) expression of
interest and nomination form for
him to contest for the October 6,
2021, chairmanship elections in
the state. 15
Sports
NPFL: Musa-less Pillars pip
Dakkada, Rivers hold Akwa
in PH
31
Politics
Tokyo 2020: Fidelity Bank
boosts basketball teams with
N15m 31
ABDUCTION
CHIBOK
GIRLS
GONE 2651 DAYS
2023 guber: Who succeeds
Wike?
Nigeria, Cubana, and our donkey business
Proposed law on donkey ranching
divides senators, Bill on Donkeys tears
Senators apart, Senate Divided over
Bill on Slaughtering, Breeding...Senate
sets aside constitutional point of order
for donkey business bill
Whichever headline suits...the
crux of the matter is that last week
a constitutional point of order
during consideration of a bill to
regulate donkey business in Nigeria
was set aside yesterday following
disagreement among senators.
As reported, the bill was passed
despite disapproval from Senate
Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe
and Senate Spokesman Ajibola
Basiru (APC, Osun Central).
The bill tagged: ‘An Act to
regulate the slaughter of donkeys
and establish the breeding and
ranching of donkey’s through the
export certification value chain to
mitigate the extinction of donkey’s
and related matters, 2021’, was
sponsored by Senate Leader Yahaya
Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi State).
Basiru, a lawyer, reminded
the chamber that no portion
of the exclusive and concurrent
components of the 1999
Constitution (as amended) gave
the National Assembly powers to
legislate on livestock.
He clarified that only state
Houses of Assembly were lawfully
empowered to handle the issue,
stressing that further deliberation on
the legislation was unconstitutional
As soon as the bill came up for
consideration, Abaribe, relying on
Section 4, 17-20, said the Senate
lacked the powers to legislate on
livestock and animal husbandry.
But Senate Deputy Chief Whip
Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi failed to quote
any section of the constitution to
back his claims, insisting that the
passage was necessary, despite the
clear provisions of the law.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan
however ruled in favour, saying:
“If we are looking at the economic
value of the donkey, not in terms of
selling it, but in terms of keeping
the environment balanced, I believe
we have the jurisdiction to legislate
on that.
“And based on our Standing
Order 25, which gives me the
chance donated by you to interpret
the rules, I rule that we can go ahead
and take this bill.”
Feature
Recognising Mai Jigida’s
contributions to humanity
17
Prince
Charles Dickson
pcdbooks@gmail.com,
www.burningpot.com
08033311301, 08057152301
Lawan, thereafter, referred the bill notice despite the hue and cry, not a
to the Committee on Agriculture single Senator has been kidnapped,
and Rural Development to report no legislator at the National
back in two weeks. Assembly has suffered the trauma
Now with that out of the way we of a kidnapped wife, girlfriend,
greeted with the Obi Cubana, and sidechick, son or daughter, so why
all the Ali and Biodun Cubanas of would ewe not discuss donkeys.
Nigeria, everyone went on overdrive Cubana things came and went, no
regrading the fanfare, or better unknown gunmen, no kidnapping,
still the Naira rain that trailed there is something delicious about
the burial of the big boy hotelier Nigeria, such that it is not only the
Obinna, Nigerians sought to outdo rice that taste nice, but even the
themselves on opinions regarding charcoal used in cooking is sweet, so
how one should bury his mom, no matter how much lamentation,
or how to spend money and why every week provides a break from the
the monies was not expended or reality of our nation.
spended like a former Minister once What feedback gets to our leaders,
put it. do they reflect, do our leaders set
Nigeria is a country of donkey aside ego, or they see themselves
business, cow business, fowl business as demigods. And when we scold
and all businesses but we never seem our leaders and make all sorts of
to get it right in the business of good demands, who are we as a people?
governance or development. We It has lately been called the
major over minor, while every nation bribe-for-job scandal, most people
is leaving us behind. We have stayed are talking about it like it is new
with donkeys as worsening insecurity but really is it new, or is it a case
exposes our lack of a governance of business gone sour, business as
structure, we have a nation on the usual or simply put, it is escalating?
brink, and are more bothered about Well, let me say in my admonition
donkeys, the business of killing that it comes in many shades; do
them, and cubana. not mind our dramatic nature, now
We have forgotten the Islamiyya the National Assembly seems to
children, scores of them are sick, and be so interested when indeed they
we are more fixated ‘cubana-ing’. are equally involved. My fellow
Meanwhile truth be told, one of the Nigerians do not worry, nothing will
many lessons that one can pick from change, at least not anytime soon,
the Cubana and Donkey business but we will keep talking, let’s not
is that Nigeria may not be breaking give up.
into the proverbial pieces or the We are pontificating on Obi
Biafra, Odua, and Arewa Republics Cubana, and the Cubanas, when in
are nowhere close. reality, we are all the Cubanas, that is
We need the foolishness that why our senators can comfortably be
comes with discussing donkeys discussing donkeys...
at the National Assembly, and Let me put it this way, all the
the Naira rain of Oba Burial to Cubanas complaining about Obi
understand a little about what our Cubana are the same people that do
values are. We need to understand bribe-for-job, bribe-for-admission,
that in all the donkey business of bribe-for-marks, bribe-for-promotion,
the National Assembly, if you take bribe-for-transfer, bribe-for-nysc,
the Senate as an example, you would bribe-for-justice/injustice, bribe-for-
Judiciary
Graft war, death threat and the
EFCC chair
19 23
Monday, July 19, 2021
treatment, bribe-for-bail, bribe-to-
lead, from private to public sector,
our Cubanaism has no religion, to say
the sarcastic least, while Christians
and Muslims fight, if the matter is
bribe related, they all become pagans,
if the bribe is in millions, both
Yoruba and Igbos, Niger Delta and
Hausa persons claim to be patriotic
Nigerians...it’s one thing that unites
us; Cubana and Donkeys!
Nigeria and her Cubana culture has
left us as a nation in a state of neither
here nor there. Many Nigerians feign
ignorance of this phenomenon that
has not just eaten into our moral
fabric but has equally torn it into
different bits, shreds and pieces.
A family has a health emergency
and it runs to the National Hospital
or any of the many docile general,
teaching and specialist hospitals
littered across the country and the
first question you are asked is “hope
you know someone”? You must know
at least a messenger, at best a doctor, a
nurse or auxiliary staff before you will
be attended to. You need to facilitate
the process or you have yourself to
blame. After paying, you bribe-for-
bed, bribe-for-drugs, bribe-for-a-
good-doctor, it is almost a case of
bribing your way all through to the
great beyond.
You must know Cubana or you
are a donkey, Cubana will give you
a letter or complimentary card from
some Minister, ‘big woman or bigger
man’, with some phrase like “assist the
bearer he is from me”.
Let me explain the donkey business
that berths the cubana thought
process, a parastatal has an opening
for 2000 workers--The National
Assembly gets 500, Ministers get
60, another 40 is shared around,
governors get a 100, and then the
ruling party and bigger beings
get 1000, we have barely 300 to
go through several hundreds of
thousands that have applied.
These slots are sold for money,
racketeered by syndicates, sold for sex,
sold for who your dad, mom, uncle,
aunt or family is, it is sold for where
you come from, and other favors.
We then end up complain that some
people are discussing donkeys, and
wail that Cubana and his friends were
vain in his mom’s burial, truth is until
we do a cubana out of the business
of governance, and start discussing
great developmental strides, what we
become—Only time will tell.
Agric
Why Nigerians should reduce
use of plastic – Expert
26
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Monday, July 19, 2021 twitter: @blueprint_ng instagram: @blueprintNigeria

Sale of NDPHC plants: Short-changing the North? Business

Where is the power? Baba assets of the states including.
News
Tahir IBRAHIM
quipped about the purported The fear here is that if the
$16 billion spent on power BPE goes ahead to sell the
generation during the power plants, the money
T
Obasanjo administration. generated from the sales will The federal government under
As at today, Nigeria’s peak be treated as just ‘slush’ funds the National Sugar Development
Council said it established
AHIR

power generation stands at for the federal government to

5,801.60MW, while capacity
stands at 7,652.6MW. 16
billion dollars is a lot of
money and one can imagine
that it would have given us
more than the infrastructure
we need in terms of power
generation and distribution.
The lack of prudence in
government spending has
seen us fritter away a fortune,
either as junketing funds, or
as funds spent on phantom
projects. Another $16 billion
was handed over to the
Paris club as debt payment,
which could have been better
handled by part payments
while negotiating debt relief.
Today we are still back in
the debt pool, with 72% of
government revenue going
away as debt servicing. We
have been unfortunate enough
not to save for the rainy day in
the hay days of 140 dollars per
barrel price of crude.
The mega power project of
the OBJ era was christened
NIPP. The National
Independent Power Project
was conceived in 2004 to
address the issues of power
generation and incessant gas
flaring in the Niger Delta
from oil exploration. Today,
the Niger Delta Power
Holding Company consists
of the 564.37MW Calabar
SCPP at Cross River state.
507.6MW Ihovbor SCPP at
Edo state and 451.49MW
Sapele SCPP at Delta state.
Others are the Egbema in
Imo with 380.7MW, Gbarain
in Yenagoa with 253.8MW
and Omoku power station in
Rivers with 264.7MW, as well
Guest Columnist
as Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom.
There’s the Omotosho power
plant in Ondo with 512.8MW
capacity. Some others are the
Olorunsogo II in Ogun state
with 754MW and Geregu II
at Ajaokuta with 506.1MW.
I stand to be corrected on the
actual capacities of the plants
which may not be precise,
as some may differ from
conceptualisation to present
day output.
These power plants were
funded by monies from all
the 3 tiers of government.
Funds used in building the
power plants were taken from
the federal government, the
36 state governments, and
the 774 local governments
of the country. So the power
plants do not belong to the
federal government alone.
The agreement at the time,
in using the funds, was that
after the actualisation of the
plants, monies generated
from them, would be used in
building similar plants in the
North. The plants built in the
South were considered as a
solution to the power problems
in the South. Later on, the
funds from the southern
plants would be used to fund
the plants in the North to
equally solve the problems of
power shortage in the North.
Now the plants are up for
sale and there is no mention
or preparation for using the
funds for the development
of plants in the North as per
the agreement, when the
funds were sourced in the
first instance. The Coalition
of Northern groups had
issued a statement, bringing
the public’s attention to the
sale of these assets, without
any preparations for the
development of those in the
North. 5 of the plants are
up for sale according to their
statements.
In a letter dated 1st of
July, 2021; The House of
Representatives had invited
The Association of Electricity
Generators of Nigeria, to
an Investigative hearing, on
the need to investigate the
planned privatisation of the
Niger Delta Power Holding
Company’s power plants. The
House had earlier discussed the
issue, under matters of public
importance, and had decided
to urge that the sale of the
power plants be suspended,
until the lingering issues were
resolved; especially those
surrounding the ownership
of the NDPHC. This is an
indication that the proper
consortium of owners of the
power company, have not been
carried along in the sale issue
of the plants of the NDPHC.
It seems the BPE is going
ahead with the sale of the
plants as assets of the Federal
Government alone, and not as
utilise as it deems fit. With the
paucity of funds in these trying
economic times, one can
imagine that the funds will just
come in handy, for one govt
expenditure or the other. But
in reality, the funds are monies
that were investments from
both the states and the federal
government.
If there are no returns on
investment, or just the capital
input is realised, or even a loss
on investment, the decision
on their utilisation should
be a collective one and not
a singular decision of the
federal government. The earlier
agreement on the utilisation
of the funds, in building the
plants in the South only, was
with the understanding that it
was an investment; to be used
in building similar plants in
the North.
So if the plants are sold now,
will they be used in building
similar ones in the North?
What is in it for the North in
the sales of its investment in
these power plants? We hope
that the House committee
on power will give this issue
a due diligence approach,
and not end up just being
stampeded by the BPE
into assenting to their sale
proposal. The idea is not to
burden the federal government
with the management of the
power plants, but to make
sure that the proceeds of the
privatisation are chaneled
appropriately, with due
recourse to the consortium of
owners of the company.
Tahir is Talban Bauchi
the Nigerian Sugar Master
Plan (NSMP) to encourage
and incentivize sugar refining
companies in their Backward
Integration Programme (BIP) for
local sugar production. 24
The FishNet Alliance, an Africa-
wide network of fishers engaged in
and promoting sustainable fishing
practices in line with ecosystem
limits has called on the World
Trade Organization (WTO)
to be detailed as it negotiates
with fishing industry players on
subsidies for the industry. 24
World Poverty Clock says the
number of Nigerians living in
extreme poverty has increased
by 51 per cent of the country’s
population from 87 million
people in 2017 to 105 million
in 2019. Nigeria is said to have
a population of 205.32 million in
2019. 25
Banking in Nigeria is almost
as sophisticated as you can find
anywhere else in the world and
they have proven to be at the
forefront of technology leverage,
Dr. ‘Biodun Adedipe, founder and
Chief Consultant of B. Adedipe
Associates Limited (BAAConsult)
has said. 25
Comment

Quotes of the Day

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than from success. Don’t let
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– Unknown

I think there is pressure on

Anguish as Maj.-Gen. Hussein
Ahmed is laid to rest in Abuja
21
people to turn every negative
into a positive, but we should
be allowed to say, ‘I went
through something really
strange and awful and it has
altered me forever.’
Marian Keyes
I think we can allow the
therapeutic uses of nuclear
transplant technology, which
we call cloning, without
running the danger of actually
having live human beings
born.
David Baltimore
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Monday, July 19, 2021

A Toyota pickup overload with firewood at Gombe-Kano-Ashaka Police checking point in Gombe recently Photo: Joseph Atabo Shehu

Western colonialism and imperialism and Egypt’s continued dalliance with

TODAY IN HISTORY the Soviet Union.

Dulles might have believed that without the American aid, the dam project
would fold. On this point, he was wrong. The Soviets rushed to Egypt’s aid,
and the Aswan Dam was officially opened in 1964. Nasser, of course, was
July 19, 1956 furious with the U.S. action. So, too, were the British, who believed that
America’s withdrawal of aid had provided the opening for Soviet penetration

United States withdraws of Egypt. In October 1956, British, French, and Israeli forces attacked Egypt,
claiming that they were protecting the Suez Canal. The incident nearly
provoked a U.S.-Soviet confrontation, but President Dwight D. Eisenhower

offer of aid for Aswan Dam

coupled stern warnings against any Soviet military action with a refusal to
support the British, French and Israeli invasion. The invading forces withdrew
from Egypt in early 1957. Nevertheless, the damage to U.S. relations with
Secretary of State John Foster Dulles announces that the United States is the Middle East was done and the area would remain a Cold War hotspot
withdrawing its offer of financial aid to Egypt to help with the construction throughout the next 35 years.
of the Aswan Dam on the Nile River. The action
drove Egypt further toward an alliance with the
Soviet Union and was a contributing factor to the
Suez Crisis later in 1956.
In December 1955, Secretary Dulles
announced that the United States, together with
Great Britain, was providing nearly $70 million
in aid to Egypt to help in the construction of
the Aswan Dam on the Nile River. Dulles had
agreed to this assistance only reluctantly. He
was deeply suspicious of Egyptian leader Gamal
Abdel Nasser, who he believed to be a reckless
and dangerous nationalist. However, others in
the Eisenhower administration convinced Dulles
that the American aid might pull Nasser back
from his relationship with the Soviet Union and
prevent the growth of Soviet power in the Middle
East. Just seven months after the announcement,
however, Dulles declared that the American
offer was being revoked. He cited difficulties in
arranging the financial details of the U.S. grant
with the Egyptian government, but his real
motivation was Nasser’s unceasing attacks on
Monday, July 19, 2021
By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
The Presidency Sunday described
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah as
one of the influential figures in the
country spreading falsehood and
sowing seed of discord and strife
among Nigerians.
Kukah had, in an address to the
U.S. Congress, accused President
Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism
in key appointments in favour of
Muslims and poor handling of
security situation in the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja,
the Senior Special Assistant to
the President on Media and
Publicity Mr Garba Shehu said the
condemnable attacks in the country
From left: Former President Goodluck Jonathan, President African Development Bank (AfDB) Akinwunmi Adesina and Chairman Dangote Group Aliko Dangote during the burial of Mrs.
Emily Okhenren Aig-Imoukhuede at Our Saviors Church Tafarwa Balewa Square in Lagos Photo: NAN
Airforce debunks reports of another plane crash in Kaduna
By Benjamin Samson
Abuja
The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) has
debunked report by an online medium
(Daily Post) that its Alpha jet crashed in
Kaduna.
According to the medium, “The
fighter jet left Yola, the Adamawa capital,
this morning (Sunday) to go clear
Eid-el-Kabir: Beef up security, IGP tasks AIGs, CPs
By Chizoba Ogbeche
Abuja
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP
Usman Baba, has tasked Commissioners
of Police (CPs) in the 36 states and the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and
their supervisory Assistant Inspectors
General of Police (AIGs), to beef-up
security ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir
celebration.
The IGP in a press statement by
the Force Public Relations Officer
(PPRO), CP Frank Mba, Sunday
in Abuja, said the directive was to
prevent any untoward situation in
Kukah sowing seed of discord, strife
among Nigerians – Presidency
are not targeted at Christians as
claimed by Kukah.
“With due respect to the esteemed
position he holds, the Bishop’s
assertion that only Christian schools
are being targeted by bandits or
terrorists is not supported by the
facts on the ground. It is sad to say
but also true that victims of crime,
kidnapping, banditry and terrorism
cut across all strata of the society.
Sad but true that Kankara students
in Katsina State were stolen by
bandits before it reportedly went down."
Quoting a source, the medium said
the location was given as “somewhere in
Kaduna state”.
Similarly, Daily Sun reports that a
top NAF officer, who does not want to
be mentioned in print, told Daily Sun
that the NAF base at Yola is already in a
mourning mood as the news of the crash
filtered in.
their Areas of Responsibility (AoR)
throughout the Eid-el-Kabir season
and beyond.
IGP Baba assured the nation of
sustained efforts by the Force in
fighting crimes and criminality and
improving public safety and security
across the country.
The statement read in part, "The
IGP, particularly, directed the Zonal
AIGs and state CPs to put in place all
necessary security measures to ensure
a secure, peaceful and incident-free
celebration.
"They are to, amongst other things,
deploy human and other operational
bandits of the same Islamic faith as
those they took away.
“The same may be true of those
who are still holding the 134
students of the Islamic School at
Tegina in Niger State. The nation
witnessed the sad incident of the
female students abducted by bandits
at Jangebe in Zamfara State and the
over 100 predominantly Muslim
students of the Federal Government
Girls College Birnin Yauri in Kebbi
State who are currently in captivity-
Although the NAF is yet to confirm
the crash, the source said “I can tell you
authoritatively that a NAF Alfa Jet has
crashed in Kaduna. The Jet left Yola for
anti banditry operations in Kaduna.
“As we speak, we don’t know the state
of the crew on board but a search team
has left for the crash site. The Air Force
base around Yola is now in a mourning
mood as this crash is becoming too
assets to carry out confidence
building and crime prevention patrols
on major highways, residential and
industrial areas, vulnerable points,
places of worship, other places of
public resort and around all critical
national infrastructure.
"The IGP equally warned
that personnel deployed must be
professional and mindful of the
fundamental rights of the citizens, and
discharge their responsibilities with all
sense of decorum and alertness."
The spokesperson said, "The IGP,
while congratulating the Muslim
Faithfuls in the country on the
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and the nation’s security agencies
are hard at work to release them
unharmed.
“The attack on Christian students
is sad and unacceptable; so also is
the abduction of students of other
faiths. The claim that only Christian
schools are being targeted is totally
untrue,” the statement said.
The statement also dismissed
remarks by the cleric that the
President was nepotistic in
appointments into sensitive offices
much for the NAF, the authorities need
to do something even if it means going
spiritual because this is not ordinary”.
But reacting to the reports, Nigerian
Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore
Edward Gabwet, said, "No crash
in Kaduna. No aircraft left Yola for
Kaduna..... I am making contact and
awaiting information from other
locations. Thanks."
occasion of the year 2021 Eid-el-
Kabir celebration, reiterated that the
Force would continue to improve on
the recent gains achieved in stabilising
security order in parts of the country,
protecting lives and property of
citizens, and denying space for crimes
and criminality to thrive in and around
the country.
"He enjoins citizens to celebrate and
enjoy the beauty of the Eid-el-Kabir
while remaining security conscious
and compliant with the COVID-19
prevention protocols.
"The IGP wishes all Muslims a
happy and peaceful Sallah celebration."
5
such as the heads of security agencies
and service chiefs.
“There is no bias in this
government when the president
is northern and Muslim, the vice
president southern and Christian,
and the cabinet equally balanced
between the two religions.
“There is no place in mainstream
civil discourse for those who
actively, negatively, and publicly
label an individual ethnic group,
especially before a foreign audience.
These are not the views expressed or
opinions held by the vast majority
of the citizens of Nigeria. For all our
challenges as a nation, nearly all of
us seek to live together in harmony,
celebrating differences, and finding
common ground as Nigerians above
all. But people like Kukah are doing
their best to sow discord and strife
among Nigerians.”
2023: S/west, N/
Central not qualified
for presidency
– NYLF
By Muazu Abari
Yola
As the six geo-political zones in the
country continue to lock horns over
2023 presidency, the Northern Youth
Leaders Forum (NYLF) has said the
southern governors were wrong in
their approach to the call to zone the
presidency to the region in 2023.
The group said the region occupied
the top seat for eight years since the
return of democracy in 1999.
NYLF, a coalition of over 42
northern political groups with over four
million- membership capacity across
the country, also berated the southern
governors, saying intimidation and
threat won't give them presidency in
2023.
Addressing journalists in Yola,
Adamawa state weekend, the group
said the north central also should
also jettison any plan to produce
the president having produced some
leaders from the geo-political zone.
“If Nigerians can also be fair to
themselves even the North Central
don't need to contest for presidency
now because they also have their own
fair share of the country’s leadership
as can be clearly seen in Gen. Yakubu
Gowon who ruled the country for 9
years, IBB who ruled for 8 years and
Abdulsalami Abubakar who ruled for
one year. It is only North East and
South East that are most qualified to
produce presidency in 2023."
Speaking to journalists, NYLF
National President Comrade Elliot
Afiyo said: "We view the Lagos
declaration by the southern governors
demanding for southern presidency in
2023 as a deliberate and intentional
scheming to project the political
interest of some few individuals against
the collective national interest, which
has exposed the political inexperience
and infancy of southern governors, a
further proof that thye lack political
mastery and planning.
"It is a known fact that you don't
get power in a democratic system by
coercion or intimidation but through
negotiations and understanding.
The only zones that are qualified to
demand for 2023 presidency are North
East, South East and probably South-
South.”
6 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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LEAD STORY
FG places Kano, Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, FCT, 2 others on red alert
By Abdullahi M. Gulloma,
Chizoba Ogbeche, Abdullahi Muhammad,
Abuja and Ojo Oladele, Ado-Ekiti
Amidst the emergence of the Delta
variant of COVID-19 infection in
the country and the rising number of
new cases, the federal government on
Sunday put six states and the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) on red alert.
The states, cutting across four of
the country’s six geo-political zones
of South-west, South-south, North
-West and North-central are Lagos,
Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau
and FCT, the nation’s capital city.
A statement issued early Sunday
morning and signed by Chairman
Presidential Steering Committee on
COVID-19 Boss Mustapha, said in
recent time, the nation had continued
to witness “worrisome early signs of
the third wave of the pandemic.”
Mustapha, who is also Secretary
to the Government of the Federation
(SGF), therefore, advised the
concerned states and the entire
country against losing their guards.
It said: “The PSC, however, warns
that all States of the Federation should
heighten their state of preparedness
and continue to enforce all protocols
put in place, given the renowned
greater ease of spread of the Delta
variant. These steps are critical as we
begin to see worrisome early signs of
increasing cases in Nigeria.”
Also, Mustapha listed some
recommendations to avoid the spread
of the infections during and after the
celebration of the Islamic festival of
Eid-el-Kabir coming up Tuesday, July
20.
On eid prayer
The presidential committee also
recommended the decentralisation
of the eid prayer on the day of the
festival.
Rather than allowing large
gatherings at community central
prayer grounds, the committee
recommended outside of the
neighbourhood mosques where Friday
prayers usually hold should be used for
the eid prayer.
Mustapha said: “The PSC
felicitates with the Muslim Ummah
on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir
celebration. It, however, urges all
State Governments and Religious
Leaders to be mindful of the potential
for wider spread of the virus during
large gatherings. The PSC, therefore,
recommends the following preventive
measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir
celebration: a) Decentralisation of
Eid Prayer to neighborhood Friday
Prayer Mosques (outdoor); b)
Suspension of Durbar activities; and
c) Observation of limitations on all
Indoor gatherings.”
Durbar activities
It called for the suspension of
durbar event, which has become a
major tourist attraction.
It said the event is an age long
celebration organised in many
northern Nigerian cities and usually
involves colourful parades of the emirs
and their entourage on horses, who are
accompanied by musicians.
The committee said the event’s
potential of attracting large numbers
of participants which may be
difficult to control, informed its
recommendation that the event be
suspended.
On border posts
Further to this, the committee
promised that “the surveillance at the
nation’s border posts and particularly
the airports will be strengthened,”
saying the existing quarantine
protocols and restrictions shall be
sustained.
It said: “The PSC shall continue to
minimise the risk of importation of
Variants of Concern into the country
by strengthening Surveillance at all
Points of Entry (POE), enforcing
extant quarantine protocols and
sustaining the current restrictive
measures against travelers arriving
from India, Brazil, Turkey and South
Africa.”
FCT to shut parks
Meanwhile, the Abuja Park
management has issued guidelines
ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir
celebrations, announcing the closure
of recreation centres within the FCT
Police kill 10 bandits, in Niger, Zamfara gun battle
"The bandits numbering over 100, and
riding on about 30 motorcycles, invaded the
Police camp situated at a primary school in
Kundu village about two kilometres from
Zungeru town at about 10am on Saturday
and opened fire on the policemen".
He said the police personnel who had been
put on alert that the bandits were moving
towards their direction in large numbers
to attack the camp, strategically positioned
themselves before the arrival of the bandits.
He explained that the bandits emerged
from a maize farm, 50 meters from the PUFF
ADDER camp which they used as a cover to
lunch the attack on the policemen.
"After about two hours of heavy fighting,
10 of the bandits were killed and their bodies
successfully evacuated by their members.
Some of them were moving the bodies
of those killed while others engaged the
policemen in the gun battle. A woman was
among the bandits killed and her body also
taken away," the source said.
Gov Bello lauds operation
And elated by the successful operation,
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello commended
the gallant policemen, assuring of further
support by government.
During a visit to the scene Sunday, the
governor, while sympathising with the
families of those that paid the supreme
sacrifice, assured security agencies of the
government supports in the fight against
armed bandits in the state.
He commended the resilience and
bravery of the Operation PUFF ADDER in
repelling the attack on the village, saying the
government had ordered for some equipment
that will make the fight against those he
described as "criminal elements" easier.
He said: "We have ordered for some
equipment that will reduce casualties on the
side of our security agents and make the fight
against these criminals easier. Very soon those
equipment will arrive".
While assuring them that their efforts at
ensuring the peace and security of the state
will not be in vain, he said government would
do whatever it can to support the families of
those policemen killed in the attack.
throughout the festive period.
A statement issued Saturday night
by the chief press secretary to the
FCT minister, Anthony Ogunleye,
said the decisions were taken at the
meeting of an emergency operations
committee on COVID-19 in the
capital city.
“All Eid prayers in the FCT
are to be held in the open spaces
at Juma’at Mosques as well as the
National Eid Ground…All open Eid
grounds should have multiple entry
and exit points with hand washing
and temperature checking facilities;
the holding capacity of Eid grounds
should be reduced to 50% to ensure
physical/social distancing.
“Imams should ensure that
sermons are short so that the entire
Eid prayers do not exceed one hour;
all parks and recreational grounds
and facilities shall remain closed
throughout the festive period,
and worshippers are enjoined
to adhere to all prescribed non-
pharmaceutical preventive measures
of facial coverings, constant hand
washing and physical distancing,” the
statement said.
Southern senators preach unity
at Eid-el-Kabir
He announced the donation of a cow to
each of the police and military camps across
the state to enable them celebrate Sallah away
from their families.
13 cops killed in Zamfara
Meanwhile, no fewer than 13 policemen
and two civilians were killed following
gunshots by bandits who laid ambush early
Sunday morning along Kurarmota area in
Bungudu local government area of Zamfara
state.
A resident of the area who spoke under
anonymity told Blueprint on the telephone
that the bandits numbering over 50 rode on
motorcycles around 12:30pm and attacked
farmers’ busy working on their farms leaving
two of them (farmers) dead.
Upon sighting the police operatives, the
bandits laid ambush and killed 13 of the
security agents with six others sustaining
various degrees of injuries after which the
criminals fled into the bush.
"The bandits came with heavy weapons
and attacked farmers when they were busy
working in their farms living two of our
people dead and on sighting police operatives
from Bungudu Divisional Police Office, they
confronted them in which they overpowered
the police and killed 13 of them while 6 were
critically injured,” he said.
In the same vein, about 24 villages
were sacked by bandits in Shinkafi local
government area of Zamfara state during
simultaneous attacks on innocent villagers
between Friday and Saturday respectively.
The bandits suspected to be the boys of
a notorious kingpin popularly known as
Turji, was said to have given the affected
communities four hours to leave their homes
or be attacked.
Turji was said to have told the villagers
that he was bitterly angry over the arrest of
his father by security operatives in Jigawa
state, a reason he vowed to vent his anger on
the people if his father was not released before
performing congregational Friday prayers in
the area.
However, all efforts to reach the state
police command public relations officer, SP
Muhammad Shehu, proved abortive as at the
Meanwhile, members of the
National Assembly under the aegis
of Southern Senators Forum have
appealed to Nigerians to embrace
peace and dialogue in settling all
differences, rather than threatening
division and war.
The lawmakers said the country's
diversity has been its greatest
strength, respect and reckoning in
the global politics, maintaining that
Nigeria has immeasurable dividends
to savour in staying united than
disintegrating into fragments.
They saluted Muslims for their
contributions to the stability of
this nation, urging them to sustain
the tempo for Nigeria to regain its
strength economically, politically and
in all ramifications.
The forum’s chairman and
lawmaker representing Ekiti Central,
Opeyemi Bamidele said this in a
Sallah message Sunday.
The All Progressives Congress
(APC) lawmaker warned that the
country has nothing to gain with
the deafening war drums being
beaten over agitations in some
quarters, saying such demands can
still be achieved through dialogue,
understanding and mutual respect.
Bamidele urged Muslims to offer
time of this report.
Villagers return home
However, villagers evicted by Turji started
returning home Sunday morning after an
aide of the governor met with the outlaw.
Bandits loyal to Turji had sacked several
villages in Shinkafi local government area and
kidnapped more than 50 people, according
to sources.
Turji was said to be angry that some
residents of the area provided information
to security agents that led to the arrest of his
father at the Kano-Jigawa boundary.
A reporter with PREMIUM TIMES
listened to an audio recording of Turji’s
conversation with Moyi Sidi, a special
assistant to Governor Bello Matawalle, who
is also from Shinkafi local government area.
In the clip, Turji said he was angry because
“two influential Hausa persons facilitated the
arrest of my father,” saying they were the only
people in Zamfara state giving him trouble.
When the governor’s aide pleaded with
him to release the abducted persons in his
camp and allow those fleeing their villages
to go back, Turji responded: “You know I
protect them (villagers) more than the DPO
of the area. But when I started protecting
people by fighting other bandits to reclaim
stolen cows and give it back to people, they
started envying me.”
Turji told Sidi how the “Hausa men
started blackmailing me and my father. At
a time, he relocated to Katsina and started
planning against me. That was how they got
at my father.
“But I don’t understand how they would
just go and arrest my father. I am the one
who has issue with them, my father is
innocent and they know where I am with
my boys.
“Why would they arrest my father? They
said my father is the one keeping all the cows
we stole from Kebbi. Imagine, they said my
father took cows from Kebbi to Jigawa! How
would my father lead cows from Kebbi to
Jigawa? Where did he follow to reach Jigawa
State? Just imagine the lie!”
The banditry kingpin promised to release
the abducted persons in his camp, assuring
Monday, July 19, 2021
prayer supplications for Nigeria
as they celebrate Sallah for Allah
to rescue the nation from the
dungeon of kidnappings, carnages of
multifaceted dimensions and threat
of secession.
"This is the most challenging time
for this nation and we need God's
urgent intervention to rescue us from
this unpalatable situation.
"This is not the time for blame-
game or exchange of tantrums on the
basis of ethnicity, politics and religion
that can exacerbate already tensed
condition and stoke the ember of
disunity amongst our diverse ethnic
nationalities.
"The combined effects of the
COVID -19 and insecurity have
affected our economy adversely. Food
inflation is crippling the economy
and the masses are groaning in
excruciating pains.
"We need collective efforts to
save the nation from this parlous
situation. Our Muslim brothers
have made huge sacrifices and this
time offers another opportunity to
help the country further with their
prayers.
"We rejoice with them at this
festive time and wish them a happy
celebration,” the forum said.
that nothing would happen to them because
he has no problem with the Zamfara State
Government “save for some five people. Two
Fulanis and two Hausas”.
He told the governor’s aide: “I promise
you. If Musa can bring my father to the
riverside, let him just call me and hand over
my father to me, Wallahi I will release all the
people in my camp. What would I even do
with them?”
However, a source in Shinkafi local
government council said those who spent
the night at the secretariat had started
moving back to their villages.
The source sent exclusive pictures to
confirm the development.
It was not immediately clear if the
development was connected to Turji’s
promise to the governor’s aide.
Commenting on the development,
however, chairman of a socio-political group,
Zamfara Circle, Aminu Tsafe, lamented the
state of law enforcement in the state.
“These are about 900 people with 900
guns, assuming each of them is carrying
one gun, and thousands of rounds of
ammunition. These people cannot be
hidden. It is clear that the fight against
banditry is not being accorded the attention
it deserves,” he said.
The security adviser to the governor,
Mamman Tsafe, declined to comment on the
development.
But a director in the department
confirmed that the displaced residents
were returning to their villages and those
kidnapped have been released.
When asked whether the state government
led discussion to ensure Turji’s father was
released, he said: “Well, I’m not even sure
whether the guy’s father was arrested. But in
the audio you sent to me, he didn’t mention
Zamfara State. He doesn’t have issue with our
government so; I don’t know what you mean
by asking whether we’ve released his father.”
He said the state government and the
security office will release statements on the
issue.
Mohammed Shehu, Zamfara state police
command spokesperson, didn’t respond to
calls and SMS sent to him by reporter.
Monday, July 19, 2021
NIPRD develops 3 COVID-19 products, 10 others
By Chizoba Ogbeche
Abuja
In a bid to get lasting solution to
the deadly COVID-19 scourge, the
National Institute for Pharmaceutical
Research and Development (NIPRD)
has developed and listed 3 COVID-19
products, while 10 other products are
awaiting industry takeoff.
The Director General, NIPRD,
14 die in Osun road accident
The Federal Road Safety Corps
(FRSC) in Osun says no fewer
than 14 people lost their lives in
an accident that occurred on Ipetu-
Ijesa – Ilesa Highway on Saturday
evening.
Sector Commander, Paul Okpe,
made this known in a statement
issued by Agnes Ogungbemi, the
command’s spokesperson, which
was made available to journalists on
Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), receiving Vanguard Personality of the Year Award 2019/2020 from former Minister of Industry Chief Nike Akande
during the Vanguard Newspapers Awards in Saturday Photo: Sunday Eshiet
Group condemns Lai for calling AbdulRazaq ‘one chance gov’
By Ahmid Lawal
Abuja
A northern socio-political group
known as Arewa Youth Frontiers
for Good Governance (AYFGG)
has condemned Minister of
Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, for reportedly calling
Kwara state Governor Abdulrahman
AbdulRazaq a ‘one chance governor’.
The minister, at the unveiling
of a factional All Progressives
Congress (APC) secretariat in Ilorin
recently reportedly said he regretted
supporting AbdulRazaq.
“It was immediately after the
governor emerged as the party’s
candidate for the election that it
dawned on us that we had entered
‘one chance’,” he was quoted as
Dr. Obi Adigwe, stated this when
receiving an award at the 24th
Annual National Conference of the
Association of Industrial Pharmacists
of Nigeria (NAIP), Saturday in Lagos.
Adigwe and the NIPRD’s Head
of Research and Development, Prof.
Martins Emeje, were honoured
for leading a new NIPRD which
leverages on modern technologies to
produce new products.
Sunday morning in Osogbo.
Mrs Ogungbemi explained that
the accident occurred at about 5:40
p.m. at the Powerline area, killing
four males, four females and six
children.
She said the children were two
females and four males, adding
that a total of 14 people died in the
accident, involving 18 passengers.
The sector commander explained
saying.
But at a press conference in Abuja
on Sunday, the National Coordinator
of AYFGG, Mohammed Hussaini,
described the minister’s comment
as sad and unfortunate, especially
as it came from a minister and a
leading figure in the All Progressives
Congress (APC).
According to the coordinator,
Lai’s ire was provoked because the
governor has refused to dance to his
tune and the political stakeholders
have denied him the role of a
kingmaker in Kwara state.
Hussaini described the minster as
an “Abuja politicians” who should
diligently focus on the national
assignment given to him instead of
seeking relevance in Kwara politics.
He said AbdulRazak should be
The NIPRD boss noted that
while tropical diseases such as malaria
remain a significant healthcare
challenge, non-communicable and
emerging diseases such as Ebola and
COVID-19 were steadily rising in
Nigeria and many African countries.
“NIPRD has already developed and
listed 3 COVID-19 products while at
least 10 other products were awaiting
industry take up,” he revealed.
that four males, who survived in the
accident, were rushed to a nearby
hospital.
“The 14 corpses have been
deposited in a morgue, and the road
cleared to avoid gridlock on the
highway,” Okpe said.
He said that an articulated vehicle
(Howo-Sinotruck) with number
plate BAU 171 ZE collided with a
Toyota Sienna (Gold Color) with
number plate KRD 842 GY.
According to him, we received a
distressed call at about 5:45 p.m. on
Saturday evening about an accident
supported as he unprecedentedly
transforms the state, instead of being
distracted.
Hussaini said: “Our attention
has been drawn to a recent
statement credited to the Minister
of Information and Culture, Mr.
Lai Mohammed, describing the
government of Alhaji Abdulrahman
Abdulrazaq, in his own language, as
a ‘One Chance Governor’.
“The reality should dawn on
Lai Mohammed that by the grace
of Almighty Allah, Governor
Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is the
leader of the APC in Kwara state. And
nobody can take that away. And to
add up, Lai has neither the financial
muscle nor the political sagacity to
lead the party in the state. He is an
Abuja politician, who should remain
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Adigwe, however, reassured that
NIPRD under his watch remained
committed to achieving health equity
in Nigeria through Research and
Development (R&D) for local drug
production and medicine security.
This, according to him, informed
the huge investment already deployed
at NIPRD to having what he
christened as the Africa’s most robust
Artificial Intelligence and Machine
on Ipetu-Ijesa – Ilesa Highway,
involving two vehicles.
“Our men arrived the location at
5:50 p.m and met dead bodies at
the scene, which we have taken to
the nearest morgue at the Wesley
Hospital in Ilesa,” Okpe said.
The sector commander said
that the accident occurred due
to disobedience to road safety
ordinance by motorists.
Okpe, however, cautioned road
users to be safety conscious while
embarking on a long journey.
(NAN)
in Abuja and do his work.
“We salute the patience, resilience,
tolerance and comportment of
Governor
Abdulrahman Abdulrazak since
assuming office, if it were in other
states the pressure from the likes of
Lai Mohammed would have gone
out of proportion. He has remained
focused, working for the people that
voted him into office.
“He is a politician who has the
interest of the people at heart rather
than the elites. He thinks Kwara first
before any individual. In fact, since
Kwara state was created, this governor
remains the most effective amongst
all the governors put together,
simply, because he is working and
transforming the state and the
people are feeling the impact.”
Learning project in Drug Discovery
& Phytomedicinal Development.
This intervention, he said, would
exponentially improve relevant
outcomes, while conserving scarce
resources in Nigeria’s research and
development setting.
According to Adigwe, the
recent infrastructure investment in
Bioavailability and Bioequivalence
was aimed at achieving high quality
Nigerian products with the hope
of dominating the continent once
the implementation of the African
Continental Free Trade Area
(AfCFTA) picked up speed.
He called on experts in the
pharmaceutical industry to partner
with NIPRD’s Active Pharmaceutical
Ingredient (API) and Excipients’
Value Chain Production Project,
noting that the API project, was
considered by many to be Africa’s
most ambitious project geared
towards ensuring Medicines’ Security
and changing the contribution of the
Nigerian pharmaceutical industry to
the nation’s GDP from the current
abysmally low value of less than 0.25
per cent to at least, 30 per cent in the
next decade.
Eid-el-Kabir: Goje
doles out cash to
constituents
By Chamba Simeh
Abuja
Senator Muhammad Danjuma
Goje representing Gombe Central
of Gombe state has doled out cash
gifts to his constituents to enable
them fulfill their Sallah obligations
of animal sacrifice.
The beneficiaries of the largesse
are party stakeholders, executives,
elders, orphans, underprivileged
as well as traditional and religious
leaders drawn from his Gombe
central senatorial district.
Speaking during the distribution
exercise, Senator Goje, represented
by his personal assistant, Alhaji
Adamu PA, announced that each
of the beneficiaries received various
cash donations to enable them
make sacrifices and enjoy Sallah
celebrations.
Adamu said the gesture was in
the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir celebration
in order to cushion their economic
pangs, particularly at this hard time.
He maintained that the gesture
would as always give his constituents
a sense of belonging.
“As usual, this gesture today will
no doubt put smiles on the faces of
many families to fulfil their religious
ob¬ligations,” he said.
He congratulated the
bene¬ficiaries and urged them to
imbibe the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir
by extending the goodwill to all the
people of the constituency.
Goje has been relentless assisting
his constituents in many ways
including educational assis¬tance to
youths and others that has given the
youths a sense of belonging.
In their separate remarks,
beneficiaries of the gesture thanked
Goje for his relentless concern
about their welfare, especially at the
time they needed help the most.
They reaffirmed their support and
loyalty to Senator Goje.
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NAHCON gets 3 new directors
By Ahmid Lawal
Abuja
The management of the National
Hajj Commission of Nigeria
(NAHCON) has approved the
promotion of three staff of the
commission to the position of
Speaker House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila (right), and Speaker Kenyan Parliament Justin B.N Muturi during the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
(Africa Region) conference in Nairobi, Kenya Sunday Photo: Speaker Office
NDLEA arrests Anambra drug kingpin, recovers 548,000 Tramadol tablets
By Agi Onda
Abuja
A major illicit drug kingpin in
Anambra, Okeke Chijioke, 44, has
been arrested by operatives of the
National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA) and 548,000
tablets of Tramadol branded as
Tarkadol recovered from his
warehouse at 3 Atunya Street,
Maryland estate, Nkwelle, Oyi local
government area of the state.
A press statement by Femi
Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman,
Sunday, said Okeke’s arrest
on Saturday, 10th July, 2021
followed credible intelligence and
surveillance, which confirmed he
stocked his warehouse with the
illicit drug. After the search of
Ayade excited as Cally Air records first landing at Abuja airport
By Tope Sunday
Abuja
Cross River state governor, Professor
Ben Ayade, has expressed delight as
the state owned commercial airline,
Cally Air, made its maiden landing at
the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
airport Abuja, Thursday.
Ayade, who was at the tarmac
for the historic touchdown of the
aircraft, expressed excitement over
the flight which earlier left the
Murtala Mohammed International
Airport Lagos for Abuja.
Ayade, who boarded the plane
upon landing, for inspection, said
directors.
The promoted persons are
Alhaji Maigari Ahma,Director
Admin (CEO’s Office). He also
doubles as Acting Secretary to the
Commission.
The others are Alhaji Aliyu Usman
Shamaki, Director Inspectorate
his warehouse, 548,000 tablets
of Tarkadol weighing 302.500
kilograms were recovered. The
suspect accepted ownership of the
substance recovered.
Preliminary investigation has
established that Tarkadol is a brand
of Tramadol that has just been
introduced into the market to evade
attention. The substance has also
tested positive to amphetamine.
The drug was equally labeled
100mg pain reliever on its packs
to avoid scrutiny, while laboratory
tests confirmed it’s a 225mg drug.
It was further discovered that the
drug was manufactured in India
and smuggled into Nigeria without
NAFDAC number or certification.
During the search on the
warehouse, a double barrel pump
he was happy that the CallY Air
dream, which started in 2016, was a
reality without any borrowing by the
government, adding that intellectual
money made procurement of the
aircrafts possible.
The governor, while
congratulating the people of Cross
River state for the feat said, “This
is the beginning of Cross River
state’s emancipation and complete
decoupling from dependence on
the federal government.
“My strong conviction is that
Cally Air is the beginning of the
privatisation process of actually
creating a private sector that
and Compliance, while Alhaji
R.O Abdulsalam is now Director
Monitoring and Evaluation.
While handing them promotion
letters, NAHCON Chairman
Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan
congratulated the officers on their
well-deserved promotion. He
gun with 3 live cartridges,
which licence expired since 2019,
was also discovered and recovered.
This is even as operatives of
the Benue state command of the
Agency on road patrol in Apir
village on 14th July intercepted and
seized 28,400 capsules of Tramadol
from one Dankawu Madaki, who
hails from Misah LG, Bauchi state.
In a related development, a
notorious interstate drug dealer,
Godiya Linus, based in Taraba
but supplies narcotics to dealers
in Adamawa has been arrested in
Numan area of the state. Godiya,
an ex-convict, was in jail between
2012 and 2018 following his
conviction on drug related charges.
A drug dealer, Mohammed Ali
had earlier been arrested on 10th
never existed before. It is also the
beginning of creating an alternative
economy that never existed in Cross
River state.”
Ayade also said the Cally Air
reality was a strong message that
sub-nationals could actually become
fully independent, observing that
the Airliner was going to increase
passenger traffic to Cross River
state and the Obudu international
airport which he disclosed would be
completed by December, 2021.
“Let the people know today that
anything your mind conceives can
be achieved. Cally Air will also be
flying Obudu and Obudu cattle
urged them to see their elevation as
recognition of their hard work as
well as a mandate to do more.
Alhaji Hassan wished them
progress in their new offices while
expressing confidence that this will
bring greater achievements to the
commission.
July with 1.150kg of diazepam in
Numan. A follow up operation
led to the arrest of Godiya who
supplied Ali, while investigation
has since revealed that he’s based
in Mayolope village in Lau local
government area of Taraba, from
where he supplies Jambutu park
in Yola and other parts of Numan,
using an unregistered boxer
motorcycle for distribution. Few
days after Godiya’s arrest, another
dealer, Emmanuel Ishiwu was
nabbed with different quantities of
Tramadol, Exol-5 and Diazepam,
totalling 6.103kg also in Numan
on 14th July, followed by the arrest
of Muhammadu Garba and Shaibu
Haruna with 48.500kg of cannabis
in Gurin area of the state on Friday,
16th July 2021.
ranch will have its huge traffic.”
According to the governor, Cally
Air’s involvement in the Nigeria’s
aviation industry would increase the
industry standards for other aviators
to follow while ensuring safety and
punctuality remained paramount.
“Even if I, as the governor, is
late for boarding by one minute,
the planes have to shut their doors
and leave me on the ground. It is
a commitment that I give that no
one single Cross Riverian will have
the right to keep this aircraft on
the ground for one second. Leave
as soon as it’s due. What I want is
Cally on the dot,” he said.
Monday, July 19, 2021
ASUP urges FG to
address insecurity,
high cost of food
By Moses John
Abuja
The Academic Staff Union of
Polytechnics (ASUP) on Sunday
urged government at all levels
to tackle prevailing insecurity as
well as high cost of food in the
country.
The union after her National
Executive Council (NEC)
meeting in Auchi Polytechnic,
Edo state also lamented over
the deplorable roads in Nigeria,
calling for urgent steps to fix
them to avoid incessant road
crashes.
According to the communiqué
signed by the National Publicity
Secretary of the union,
Comrade Abdullahi Yelwa , the
union urge government and
other stakeholders to ensure
compliance with the provisions
of the 2019 amended Polytechnic
Act in all institutions for the
purposes of uniformity in quality
and standards.
The communiqué reads: “NEC
appreciates President Muhammad
Buhari GCFR for approving
N15 billion as revitalisation fund
for Polytechnics and Colleges
of Technology in Nigeria and
also appealed to him to direct
the immediate release of the
fund to enable the sector enjoy
the benefit of addressing critical
infrastructural deficits.
“NEC calls on government at
all levels to address the terrible
state of security across the country
and the disturbing threats to lives
of citizens amplified by attacks on
staff and students across all strata
of education in the country.
“NEC calls on the government
to do the needful to bring down
prices of foodstuff and other
essential items by putting in
place strategies to support local
production through revitalization
of industries and more robust soft
loans for Nigerians interested in
farming and other legitimate
business.
“NEC calls on government at
all levels to address the deplorable
condition of roads in some parts
of the country by fixing the bad
roads and opening up new roads
to network the communities
across the country.
“NEC calls on the government
and other stakeholders in
technological education to as
a matter of urgency ensure the
compliance with the provisions
of the 2019 amended Polytechnic
Act in all institutions for the
purposes of uniformity in quality
and standards.
“NEC calls on the federal
government to settle the 10
months arrears of the national
minimum wage in Federal
Polytechnics, to avoid further
devaluation of the money, and
that all State governments yet to
implement the minimum wages
as well non-payment of arrears
should without further delay.
“NEC calls on the state
governments to desist from using
any tactics to avert or undermine
the financial autonomy of the
local government.”
Monday, July 19, 2021
By Joseph Obung
Calabar
With the National Assembly approving
a budget of N74, 773, 601,916.30,
and the inauguration of a Board for
the Police Trust Fund (PTF), after
it was signed into law by President
Muhammadu Buhari, a consortium
of human rights organisations have
appealed to the federal government to
ensure its workability.
The groups said the PTF, if properly
managed, would finance necessary
Stop pushing projects to your home town, Enang tells Emmanuel
By Uko Etim
Uyo
Senior Special Assistant to the President
on Niger Delta Affairs Senator Ita Enang
has warned Akwa Ibom state Governor
Udom Emmanuel against funneling all
the state projects to his hometown in
Onna local government area.
The senator described the act as
“politics of gluttony,” saying this follows
the alleged governor’s quest to corner
From left: FCT Commissioner of Police Bala Ciroma, FCT Comptroller of Immigration Angela Esekhaigbe and Chief of Staff to FCT Minister Bashir Mai-Bornu during the
meeting of the FCT Security Committee in Abuja Saturday Photo: Ayuba Raji
No plans to take over Bodija Eid ground – Oyo govt
By Bayo Agboola
Ibadan
Oyo state government Sunday declared
the Bodija praying ground as been
insinuated by some elements hell bent
on disrupting existing peace in the state
through religious incitement.
In a statement by the chief press
secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde,
Ganduje is a workaholic – APC chieftain
By Bashir Mohammed
Kano
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) in Kano state, Alhaji Musa Danbirn,
has described Governor Abdullahi Umar
Ganduje as a trail- blazer in the area of
critical infrastructure which has made his
Groups seek holistic implementation of
Police Trust Fund law
expenditures of the Police Force,
including a comprehensive retraining
and reforms.
NOSAD executive director, Mr
Nneonyi Ofem, and his counterpart
in Liberty Now, Barr Innih Archibong,
and pipe down the recently approved
Federal University of Technology to his
LGA.
Enang stated this while speaking to
journalists in Uyo weekend.
He said for justice, fairness, and
equity to prevail, the institution
should be sited in Ikot Abasi local
government area.
“The self-centered manner of the
governor for stretching his hands and
seeking to site the university at his
Mr Taiwo Adisa, the government said
the insinuation is not true and should
be disregarded by the people of the state.
Oyo state government emphasised
that contrary to the insinuation, the
proposed development of the facility at
the Bodija Housing Estate does not stop
anyone from practising his/her religion.
It added that: “ It is pertinent to point
out that the proposed development of
administration to receive the blessing of
President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking to news men in Kano,
Danbirni said even the governor’s
implacable critics can attest to the fact that
Governor Ganduje is working in the face
of lean financial resources. He added that
the ancient city of Kano is much revered,
in a press conference in Calabar,
weekend, said with those positive
steps, the coast was clear for the
repositioning of the Nigerian Police
for effective service delivery.
In a press statement signed by the
home is not encouraging.
“I want to say that the whole of
Akwa Ibom people should rise up
including the traditional rulers,
the youth leaders and politicians
across political parties and try to
encourage Governor Emmanuel that
he should accept and work for the
establishment of this university in
Ikot Abasi and not Onna.
“He had formally made a request
that the university should be sited in
the Recreation Centre doesn’t in any
way affect Bodija Central Mosque and
the Church beside it.
“The peace-loving people of Oyo
State are enjoined to disregard every
attempt to disrupt the fragile peace of
our dear state. Oyo state government
took the decision to develop the
11,435.711-square-metre open field in
Bodija as a recreation facility in order
courtesy of his purposeful leadership and
his capacity to deliver.
He said no responsible leader would
love to ignore the yearnings and aspirations
of his people in a genuine democratic
dispensation. He affirmed that his posture
of continuity is what has made his style of
leadership exemplary.
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duo, the consortium said: “The cardinal
purpose of the PTF is to provide
money for the training and welfare
of personnel of the Nigeria Police
Force. Of the amount appropriated,
N988, 279, 006.05 is estimated
Onna. I consider this as improper,
imprudent and not acting as
governor of the state. If everything
that comes to Akwa Ibom has to
go to Onna, then the governor is
acting in a manner that could best be
described as Udomcentric and self-
centered.
“Onna has the University Teaching
Hospital built by Abdusalam, flower
mill, syringe factory, roads, biggest
estate owned by one person,” he added.
to serve the purpose of the original
master plan of the area and cater for the
recreational needs of Bodija Estate.
“Part of the land designed as a
recreation centre since the creation of
Bodija Estate was used to build a Mosque
and a church, while the government is
only converting the remaining land to
a modern recreation facility in line with
the master plan.”
He said: “The president has given the
governor a clean bill of health for his
spectacular performance when he was
here in Kano on an official visit. He has
undoubtedly disabused the minds of
doubting Thomases by telling them in
an unambiguous term that Governor
Ganduje has performed wonders.”
9
for personnel cost, N10, 027,
610,310.25 for overhead expenditure
and N63, 757,712,600.00 as capital
expenditures.
“The consortium demands that a
healthy balance be created from the
outset and throughout the lifespan of
the fund between personnel training
cost and capital costs. For a long time,
the welfare of officers and men of the
Police Force has been thrown to the
dogs.
“The fund must seize this chance
to make a real and visible change in
the well-being and belief system of
the policeman on the streets. The
fund must not be an opportunity to
indulge in the creation of bogus white
elephants.”
Lawan commends
Buhari on federal
presence in Yobe
By Taiye Odewale
Abuja
President of the Senate Ahmad
Lawan has expressed gratitude to
President Muhammadu Buhari and his
government for considering his people
in Yobe state for federal government
projects.
Lawan could not hide his emotional
feeling of satisfaction after an on-the-
spot assessment of the progress made on
some federal projects in his Yobe North
Senatorial District Saturday.
Some of the ongoing projects include:
Government Science Secondary School,
Gashua, Mother Care Center, IDPs
Housing Estate, School Clinic and
Hostels at Federal University, Gashua,
Gasamu-Gogaram Road and Gogaram-
Dasama Road.
Speaking at the construction site of
the 36 km Gasamu-Gogaram Road in
Jakusko local government area, Lawan
described the project as a major one that
would enhance the development of that
part of the country.
“The environment is entirely
populated by farmers. Our people in the
rural areas are largely farmers and this
area hasn’t had the opportunity to have
access road.
“Therefore this road is going to
establish this part of the country as
an agricultural hub. Our farmers will
have the opportunity to evacuate their
agricultural products to markets in
various parts of the country.
“We are all happy. We are very
expectant. We are jubilant. We are
pleased with the decision of President
Muhammadu Buhari to approve the
construction of this road,” he said.
He said the people of the area had
been abandoned and neglected for so
long, but with Buhari government, they
had never had it so good.
“This is why we are saying that people
should support this administration and
our people particularly because we have
never had it so good like this.
“We were in a way abandoned to our
faith for a long time in the history of this
country, but since the administration of
President Muhammadu Buhari came
into the office, we have received the
kind of attention that other previous
administrations denied us.”
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A reflection on 2021 Mandela Day
Yesterday, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s Nelson
Mandela International Day, also known as Mandela Day. The theme
of this year’s celebration is “One Hand Can Feed Another”. The theme
prioritises action against hunger and continuing fight against poverty.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation calls on all Nelson Mandela Day
Global Network to help alleviate hunger for millions. It highlights not
only the importance of working together to build a peaceful, sustainable
and equitable world but also to live everyday as Mandela Day.
The Day, observed on July 18, every year, further seeks to draw the
attention of the global community to Mandela’s achievements in the areas
of conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation.
It is also a global call to action for people to recognise their ability to
have a positive effect on others around them. The Day hopes to inspire
people to embrace the values that Mandela shared. These values include
democracy, freedom, equality, diversity, reconciliation and respect.
Many people and organisations around the world take part in many
activities to promote Nelson Mandela Day. These activities include
volunteering, sport, art, education, music and culture. Various events are
also held on or around July 18 to honour Nelson Mandela’s works and to
promote the different projects that were inspired by his altruism.
Mandela Day also celebrates a campaign known as “46664”, in reference
to Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison number. The campaign was
originally launched to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. However, its focus
expanded to broader humanitarian work. The efforts from Mandela
Day support the campaign’s ongoing work and other Nelson Mandela
charitable organisations.
Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa, on July 18, 1918.
He was one of the most well-known anti-apartheid activists in South
Africa. He was jailed in 1964 for leading the liberation movement against
apartheid and for his stance on the human right to live in freedom.
Mandela’s prison number was 466 and the year was 1964 when he was
imprisoned on Robben Island, off Cape Town in South Africa. The Robben
Island prisoners were never referred to by their names, but rather by their
numbers and year of imprisonment, hence 46664 was Nelson Mandela’s
number. His release from prison in 1990 fueled political debates in the
country and contributed to South Africa’s transition towards a multi-
racial democracy.
After his release, Nelson Mandela continued from where he left off,
addressing racial issues in his country and supporting reconciliation
Monday, July 19, 2021
MISSION STATEMENT
is committed to the
tenets of democracy
and the task of restoring hope to our lives as
a nation. We will eagerly take our pens and
fight those that threaten Nigeria’s wellbeing,
Chairman, Editorial Board unity and progress through corruption,
Zainab Suleiman Okino misplacement of priorities, as well as nepotism
Managing Editor and prejudice. At the same time, we will
Clement Oluwole celebrate Nigerian achievers at home and
overseas, tasking others to emulate them.
Editor We endeavour to ensure that this news
Abdulrahman A. Abdulrauf
publication is well-produced, while adhering
General Editor to high ethical and professional standards of
Chamba Simeh the journalism profession.
So help us God.
initiatives. His efforts resulted in him becoming elected as South Africa’s
president in 1994. He remained in office until 1999. He also won the
Nobel Peace Prize, together with another former South African president,
Frederik Willem de Klerk, in 1993. In 2007, Mandela formed the Elders,
an independent group of global leaders who offered their influence and
experience to support peace building, help address major human suffering
causes and promote shared interests of humanity.
The five-yearly Prize aims to recognize the achievements of those who
have dedicated their lives to the service of humanity as guided by the
purposes and principles of the UN. The 2020 Prize was awarded to
Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis of Greece and Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté
of Guinea, selected by the UN Selection Committee. The laureates were
honoured at the weekend’s commemoration of the day which was marked
virtually due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The in-person award
ceremony will take place at a later date at the United Nations Headquarters
in New York.
The first Mandela Day was launched in New York on July 18, 2009,
but the UN resolution to celebrate the Day occurred later that year. On
November 10, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a
resolution declaring July 18 as “Nelson Mandela International Day”.
Nelson Mandela International Day is a call to action for people around
the world to make a difference in the communities where they live and
work by taking time off to render selfless services to humanity.
In his message on the 2015 Mandela Day, the former UN Secretary-
General, Banki Moon announced that the United Nations was bestowing
the first-ever Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, established by the General
Assembly. This honorary award would be presented every five years to
two individuals – a man and a woman – who, through their dedication,
hard work and compassion, have built on Madiba’s legacy.
The UN Secretary, Antonio Guterres, in his message for this year’s
commemoration, said, “Each year, on this day, Nelson Mandela’s
birthday, we pay tribute to this extraordinary man who embodied the
highest aspirations of the United Nations and the human family.”
While honouring and paying homage to Mandela’s extraordinary life
and legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation,
we admonish leaders across the globe, particularly those on the African
continent, to emulate his qualities and virtues to better the lot of their
people that are wallowing in abject poverty and underdevelopment in the
midst of abundant resources.

Monday, July 19, 2021
Dakas: As service
to humanity
beckons...
By Suleiman H. Suleiman
It is instructive that this time the people should pay
attention to the phrase political will. It is also very
vital that as we approach 2023, our people must
understand why the next occupant of the Plateau
state governorship seat should be different.
We could see our state reinventing itself and
running away from the rest developmentally in spite
of the general dependence on crude oil earnings
and the blight of federal efforts to the state. Plateau
is the 12 largest state in Nigeria. Approximately in
the centre of the country, it is geographically unique
in Nigeria due to its boundaries of elevated hills
surrounding the Jos Plateau and the entire State.
Plateau state is celebrated as “The Home of Peace
and Tourism”. With natural formations of rocks,
hills and waterfalls among other natural endowment
that make Plateau unique among it contemporaries
in Nigeria.
The state since its creation has suffered from
inefficiency in governance that further deteriorated
the state economy. Political instability and lack of
proper accountability have severely impeded the
ability of successive governments to implement
economic policies for the common good of the
people, thus creating a lack of basic amenity for the
citizenry which has left many sons and daughters of
Plateau with an unanswered questions.
As the next elections draws near, political elites
have already started the discussion on which region,
who and where the seat of power (governorship)
should be shifted after Governor Simon Bako Lalong
second whose life circle is expiring in the less than two
years. Since the return of democracy after military
incursion in 1999 zoning form the dominant of
our political discourse aimed at reducing increased
tensions and agitations for power sharing among the
ethnic nationalities of the state.
The state is divided into three senatorial districts
namely Plateau North, South and Central with each
of the underlisted zones have roles to play when it
comes to the issues of government and governance. It
is very clear now that the Plateau citizens are praying
and hoping that come 2023, another son of the
state takes over from Governor Lalong to sustain his
current tempo of peace building and long heritage
of Plateau project. Professor C.J Dakas is one of the
great Plateau minds that will work tirelessly to protect
and preserve our cultural heritage.
Professor Dakas rose from lecturing at the Faculty
of Law, University of Jos, to the rank of Professor
of International Law and Jurisprudence in October
2010. He is a visiting Professor (International
Human Rights Law), Osgoode Hall Law School, York
University, Canada where he has taught “Human
Rights in Africa” through a virtual classroom which
involves interface via video conferencing between
Canadian and Nigerian students and faculty.
A legal luminary of many outstanding firsts, Prof.
Dakas was one of only two First Class Honours law
degree holders from the University of Jos since its
establishment in the mid-1970s; the first, and so far
the only academic to be appointed Attorney-General
of Plateau state; the youngest person to hold the office
of Attorney-General of Plateau State.
It has been said that Plateau state is very difficult
to rule but injustice on the part of the government
and the governed if not solved will continue to
elude us good governance that will provide the
basic necessities of live like Security, good road
network, portable drinking water, free and affordable
education, employment and electricity, and other
things too many to mention of which is the sole
responsibility of government at all levels to shop for
or facilitate through sound policies and programmes
in the interest of the well being of the Plateau citizens.
The state since 1999 had produced three elected
civilian Governors - Governor Joshua Chibi Dariye
from Bokkos local government area and from the
Central Senatorial district, former Governor Jonah
David Jang from the Northern Plateau while the
incumbent Governor Simon Bako Lalong is serving
Dakas
his second term in office from the Southern Plateau.
It is very clear that the ball is now in the court of
the Political elites in the Central Senatorial District
and since then, many has indicated their interest to
occupy the little Rayfield number one house come
2023.
The state will be glad to have one of its sons who
will not only protect and preserve the heritage but will
also sustain the peace-building efforts of the Lalong
administration and ensure that more infrastructural
development that will provide jobs to the Plateau
citizens is his major priority.
Plateau state will be set on the pedestrian of new
down with Professor Dakas C. J. Dakas, a Senior
Advocate of Nigeria, Dean of the Faculty of Law at
the University of Jos and a former Attorney-General
of Plateau state. He is the youngest Nigerian professor
to be conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior
Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In a rare feat, he was
conferred with the prestigious rank of SAN at his very
first, and only attempt, the fourth professor of law
from the entire northern region of Nigeria.
The state needs a leader who command respect
among his contemporaries, a man whose mind is
bounded by reconciliatory traits and characmatic
statesman who have paid a price for APC to survive
against his personal interest. Dakas is a man who says
little but has achieved much. He is the man our dear
Plateau needs to be revived and with a man like him,
it will never be a plea bargain where personal interest
superceed National interest. Professor Dakas has all
the capacity and tempo to sustain Governor Lalong’s
rescue policy trust anchored on peace building and
revival of the downtrodden.
I am leading a state-wide youth consultation across
the 17 local government areas in Plateau to share this
loudable crusade with youths and women associations
aimed at drumming support towards the actualisation
of this dream and project that will take the state to
its destination of the home of Peace and Tourism.
Dakas as a Professor of Law has a good track records
of achievements, successes and his perseverance
defined him as an a incurable optimist who see
opportunities even in the midst of pandemic rather
than seeing obstacles. His policies and programmes
are dynamic and also his achievements are footprints
in the life of ordinary People of Mangu local
government and University of Jos are tangible and
feasibly glaring.
It means Nigerians can only follow the person
they trust and who they strongly believe that he is
the same with his character. Dakas vast experience
in government and governance first as a professor of
law and seasoned lecturer will no doubt be an added
advantage in making Plateau state a better place and
a home for all. It has been said that the purpose of
history is to know the past, adjust the present and
plan for the future. We have a very rich history and
cultural heritage that singled the state out of its
contemporaries.
The need to support true Plateau son with the spirit
of Plateau rich cultural heritage is now and we are
kick starting this campaign in our efforts to sensitise
our youths and women groups particularly members
of All Progressives Congress on the need to support
Professor Dakas.
He is therefore, the struggle we are championing
and it shall be achieved because of the man we are
advocating as the next governor of Plateau state will
certainly ensure Plateau first and will sustain the
ongoing rescue administration of Governor Lalong’s
policies.
Suleiman writes from Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria
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Sallah: Lessons from Prophet Abraham
By Bilyaminu Gambo Kong-kol
Eid Ul Ad-ha also known as The Eid of Sacrifice is the second festival celebrated each
year by Muslims all over the world after Eid Ul Fitr. The festival is being celebrated
on the 10th of Zhul Hajj, the last month of Islamic calendar. Muslims on this day
are expected to sacrifice sheep, goat, cow or camel. The meat of the sacrificed animal
is expected to be divided into three portions. The first portion is for the family,
second for friends and relatives while the last part is for the needy.
The festival is celebrated to commemorate the spirit of obedience and sincerity of
Prophet Abraham (A.S). It was reported that Prophet Abraham (A.S) had severally
dreamt that Allah (SWT) ordered him to slaughter his only beloved son named
Ishmael as a sacrifice. He informed his wife, and later the son too, the development
and they had all agreed to obey the order from their Creator. While trying to slaughter
his son, Iblis (The Devil) appeared and asked him, how dare was he to slaughter his
son? Abraham (A.S) pelted the devil seven times and then moved to another place
to slaughter the son, here too, Iblis followed him, he again pelted him with seven
stones and moved to the third place. As he was about to put a knife on the neck of
his beloved son, Allah (SWT) sent a sheep to replace Ishmael.
What transpired above was one of the numerous tests and challenges Prophet
Abraham (A.S) underwent during his lifetime. Recall that Prophet Abraham (A.S)
was the son of Aazar, the idol worshipper and seller. At about seven years old, the
little Abraham started questioning idol worship. He was once reported to have
asked his father, “how could you worship what could not help or harm you?” He
then advised Aazar in a respectful way to stop worshipping Iblis, and follow him,
he would show him the guidance. The father -Aazar got angry at one point and
threatened to stone his little son, Abraham if he had continued asking silly questions.
Furthermore, his community too decided to burn him to ashes as a punishment
for destroying their deaf and dumb gods – idols. After setting one of the hottest
fire on Earth, the idol-worshippers catapulted Prophet Abraham (A.S) from a far
distance into the fire. His prayer was ” HasbunAllahu Wa Ni’imal Wakeel meaning
“Allah is enough for me.” Allah then asked the fire to become cold and peaceful to
Abraham (A.S). The fire had answered the order from its Creator and untightened
him from the ropes and made him feel comfortable in it. Abraham (A.S) later
walked out from the fire majestically without being hurt. The idol-worshippers
were shocked and realized that the real Lord was with him but unfortunately none
of them accepted to follow Abraham (A.S) but his little nephew, Lot (A.S). They
(Abraham and Lot) decided to migrate (first migration in the world for freedom
of worship) from Iraq, where they were born, to somewhere in the Middle East.
When Prophet Abraham (A.S) married his beautiful wife, Sarah and left for
Egypt, the King of Egypt, Nimrod, attempted to sleep with Prophet Abraham’s
wife but with supplication and absolute trust in Allah by Abraham (A.S), Sarah was
protected and the arrogant King was paralyzed. Allah then gave Prophet Abraham
(A.S) Hagar and then revealed the whole set of laws while Prophet Abraham (A.S)
was at the age of 80. In the laws, he was ordered by Allah to circumcise himself
which he did without questioning. Prophet Abraham (A.S) prayed to his Lord to
grant him a child and his prayer was answered and he got his first son, Ishmael
through Hagar. They were happy and joyous but his wife Sarah was jealous and
wanted Hagar and her child to leave. Allah then ordered Prophet Abraham (A.S)
to go and abandon the duo in a desert, the present-day Mecca, when Ishmael was
barely a year old. Hagar asked Abraham (A.S) that was he commanded by Allah
(SWT) to keep them there? Then Prophet Abraham answered Yes and had his way.
Hagar and her son exhausted the bottle of water that Abraham (A.S) gave them.
She, therefore, moved back and forth seven times between the mountains of Safa
and Marwa to search for help. She later returned to her son who was starving and
dehydrating to give him shelter. Allah SWT sent angel Gabriel to dig a well known
as Zam-Zam at the exact place the little Ishmael was kicking his legs.
The aforementioned were some of the tests and challenges Prophet Abraham
(A.S) went through and he had successfully passed them. What are the lessons to be
learnt from this Man of Honour? Prophet Abraham (A.S) was a symbol of bravery
in which he challenged his father, his community and the most powerful King of
his time – King Nimrod on the need to abandon their idols and worship Allah, The
Creator. Prophet Abraham (A.S) also symbolized sacrifice, patience, perseverance,
patriotism, respect, determination, commitment, dedication, trust, truth, justice,
sincerity and obedience to Allah at the expense of his happiness.
The question is, what then did he get in return for demonstrating these unique
qualities?
Allah has declared in the Holy Qur’an, the book in which Prophet Abraham’s
name was mentioned 73 times in 25 different chapters, one of which was named after
him, that “I shall make you the leader amongst men.” Thereafter, all the prophets
who came after him were from his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. All the children of
Israel, the Jews, Christians and Muslims look up to their father, Prophet Abraham
(A.S). He was the only Prophet that Allah (SWT) asked Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
to emulate his exemplary lifestyle.
Moreover, the desert Abraham (A.S) abandoned his beloved wife and son became
the city in which the last and final messenger, Muhammad (SAW), was born. The
Masjid built by Abraham (A.S) and his son, Ishmael continues to be the direction
millions of Muslims face to perform their prayers. The well of Zam-Zam dug for
his abandoned family still pumps water which is being drunk by millions of people.
The seven times movement between the mountains of Safa and Marwa, which was
done by Hagar, forms part of Hajj activities. Additionally, the three different places
he relocated while trying to slaughter his only son then, Ismael became a place of
Ibada known as Jamrats where every Pilgrim goes there and stones the devil seven
times as Prophet Abraham (A.S) did thousands of years ago.
Indeed, Prophet Abraham (A.S) was a true leader whom despite the tests,
challenges and calamities befell on him, never turned away from his Lord but rather
became more committed and dedicated to his religion so as to lead by example for
us to follow.
Kong-kol writes from Mass Communication Department, Bayero University, Kano
12 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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Thanks to education minister over Bogoro’s re-appointment at Tetfund
We, the prominent Bauchi
South stakeholders, express
our gratitude to the Minister
of Education, Malam Adamu
Adamu, for recommending
Professor Suleiman Elias
Bogoro to President
Muhammadu Buhari for re-
appointment as Executive
Secretary Tertiary Education
Trust Fund (Tetfund) in
January 2019
Both the first and second
coming of Bogoro as executive
secretary of Tetfund brought
a new lease of life to tertiary
education development in
Bauchi South Senatorial
District, Bauchi State and
Nigeria in general. Indeed, Prof.
Bogoro is a phenomenon whose
time as come; he is a shining
example on true leadership in
education development in our
great country, Nigeria
I, Alhaji Sanusi Babban
PDP to APC defections are mere political gimmicks
One will find it difficult to
identify the clear differences
that characterise the two major
political parties ranging from
their policies, strategies and
system of administration.
When looked at closely, one is
bound to realise that it’s a group of
the same people for over a decade
running from one political party
to another.
Both PDP and APC have no
respect for laid down rules and
the constitutional provisions that
guide and regulate the affairs of
the political parties. None of
them has ever conducted a free
and fair party congress which
they claim to be doing.
Party executives are usually
selected rather than elected by
some few stakeholders with
Letters should be concise and sent to: chambasimeh@gmail.com
Takko (Barayan Bauchi) a
chieftain of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Bauchi state
in a rally commended Prof.
Bogoro’s developmental strides
since his re-appointment as
executive secretary of Tetfund.
In the same vain special
commendation to our able
and dynamic silent achiever,
Malam Adamu Adamu, an
epitome of national unity
and integration for finding
Prof. Bogoro worthy of such
sensitive position equivalent
to two cabinet ministers. We
say Bravo to you Sir, for your
non tribalistic posture and as a
nation builder.
It’s unique that Malam
Adamu Adamu who is from the
Northern Senatorial District
of Bauchi state found Prof.
Bogoro from the Southern
Senatorial District of Bauchi
state worthy of this sensitive
the aim to get their preferred
candidate elected.
The so-called political bigwigs
keep controlling the affairs of the
two major parties for decades.
They making sure that their
candidates clinch victory for
whatever political position they
are contesting, and are given
returns after elections.
Many people trooped into
APC to contest for certain
political positions but left for
PDP immediately after losing
the primary elections claiming
injustice. Others simultaneously
left the PDP for APC and that’s
how the shifting blame game
continues.
Shamelessly, some of them
started criticising the former for
injustice and maladministration
position. It means he Adamu
Adamu is a true progressive
who believes in the unity of
our dear state and the country
at large.
Interestingly, we are saying
with loud voice without any
fear of contradiction that both
Adamu Adamu and Bogoro
Zamfara peace dialogue and the Ruga project
Permit me to express my opinion
on the Zamfara state security
matters, even though I’m not an
indigene of the state, neither am
I a security expert. Nevertheless,
a fight to end insecurity is a
fight for all, regardless of any
difference.
It has been observed that
the incumbent administration
of Governor Bello Matawalle
inherited insecurity problem
from the immediate past
administration of Governor A.
sidelining themselves on the role
played in running the affairs of
the claimed poor administration.
Consequently, politicians took
the advantage and manoeuvre
through the two major political
parties in search of cheap political
offices and appointment not with
sole aim if creating welfare and
job opportunities for the masses.
It is high time we learnt to elect
people based on their capacity
to deliver not because of their
political inclination.
The kind of people that
would deliver on their campaign
promises and lead with utmost
patience and high sense of
responsibility.
Mubarak Shuaybu Shelleng,
Yola, Adamawa state
are worthy ambassadors of
our people in Bauchi state and
need to be commended for a
job well done. We say Bravo
to both of you. So far so good,
you are representing us well.
On a final note, we appeal to
our visionary President Buhari
to consider Prof. Bogoro for
A. Yari because the issue first
arose during Yari’s first term
precisely in 2012, and it lasted
up to the end of his last term in
office.
However, when Governor
Matawalle came on board, he
met the sector in a state of mess,
because refugees were all over
the state, people were being
killed by bandits.
When Matawalle realised
that things were going beyond
control, and if care is not taken
more peoole would be killed,
he initiated a programme called
“RUGA PROJECT.” The aims
of the project was to bring to
an end the lingering conflict
between herdsmen and farmers,
which is the genesis of the
security issue.
Based on our perspective, the
RUGA PROJECT will serve as
a relief to the Fulani, because
the project comprises their
houses, market, schools and
hospitals, among many more
social amenities, as they are no
longer interested in living in
urban areas. The project took off
immediately Matawalle assumed
office.
Moreover, a year after the flag
off of the project, Sheikh Gumi,
an Islamic cleric, visited Zamfara
state where he met with the
bandits and some government’s
Monday, July 19, 2021
another term of four years to
enable him consolidate on the
numerous giant strides the
Tetfund executive secretary
has as put in place in our ivory
towers for the common good
of all Nigerians.
Alhaji Sanusi Babban Takko
officials. The purpose of the visit
was to broker peace between
the two parties. For, the bandits
agreed to lay down their arms,
but with the condition that
the state government will grant
them amnesty.
We all agreed that security
matters are beyond a state
government’s control, because it
doesn’t have any right to deploy
security personnel, instead it
can only lobby and seek federal
government’s intervention.
If Governor Matawalle knows
that the RUGA PROJECT
will help to minimize some
insecurity problems in the state,
by now the programme would
have been completed.
Therefore, Matawalle should
understand that the only possible
way to end the insecurity in the
state is to complete the project,
so as to enable the herdsmen
to have access to government’s
facilities.
But if the problem is far
beyond completion of RUGA
PROJECT, then he has to voice
out, may be some external
security experts will intervene in
the matter, since our domestic
ones seem to have failed.
Abubakar Muhammad Sani
Amsani2580@gmail.com
07036807559

Monday, July 19, 2021
Political control has crippled Nigeria’s judiciary – Balami
By Agi Onda
Abuja
A retired Judge of the Federal High
Court, Justice Nwada Balami, has
backed calls for the independence
of the judiciary as a necessary
step forward in the campaign for
prompt delivery of justice.
Justice Balami said undue
interference in the affairs of the
judiciary, especially the reluctance
of the executive arm to allow
the judiciary control its finances
and appointments has made
nonsense of the separation of
powers as enshrined in the nation’s
From left: Chairman Senate Committee on Work Senator Adamu Aliero, Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions Senator Uba Sani and
Managing Director Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) Bello Hassan during a retreat for members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial
Institutions in Kaduna Friday Photo: Tunde
Garba Ladan
ESPW: FG explains delayed payment of 774,000 beneficiaries
By Moses John
Abuja
The federal government has said
massive irregularities by some
participants of the 774, 000
programme is the reason for the
delay in the payment of stipends.
The National Directorate of
Employment (NDE), the agency
responsible for implementing the
programme has disclosed.
According to a statement signed
by Deputy Director and Head,
Information and Public Relations of
the Directorate, Edmund Onwuliri,
government is working assiduously
to resolve the discrepancies and pay
those affected.
Mr. Onwuliri further disclosed
that as at today, more than 90 per
cent of the beneficiaries have been
Edo: PCN raids 256 medicine shops over unethical practice
By Patrick Ahanor
Benin City
As part of efforts to ensure ethical
standards in quality medicines
distribution value chain, the
Pharmacists Council of Nigeria
(PCN) has raided 256 patient
medicine vendors in Edo state.
Registrar of PCN, Pharm. Elijah
constitution.
The retired judge told newsmen
in Abuja in an interview over the
weekend that political control
has crippled the judiciary and
that administrative officers of the
justice system have been reduced
to beggars who must request for
everything from the executive to
run their offices.
Justice Balami said the recent
strike by the Judicial Staff Workers
of Nigeria (JUSON) was caused
by the neglect of the judiciary
by state governors who expect
judges to come cap in hand to
beg for everything, including their
paid, adding that those remaining
would be paid as soon as government
and the designated banks sort out
the differences in the documents
submitted.
He also advised participants
who are yet to receive their stipends
to approach the branches of their
respective banks where their
accounts were open for further
action.
“The attention of the National
Directorate of Employment has
been drawn to some reports in
the media regarding the slow pace
or non-payment of stipends to
participants of the Extended Special
Public Works (ESPW) programme.
“To this end, it has become very
necessary to reiterate that the Federal
Government is working assiduously
towards ensuring that all registered
Mohammed, who disclosed this at
a press conference, said the shops
were sealed for violating laid down
guidelines.
He stated that the council
also sanctioned 84 pharmacies
for infractions and issued 22
compliance directives to premises
for poor documentation.
Pharm Stephen Esumobi, the
legitimate salaries and allowances.
“State governors have reduced
the judiciary to something pitiable
in the present dispensation. At the
federal level, things are better but
state governors expect judges and
magistrates to kneel down with
plates in their hands to beg for
those things that are their right.
“The long strike has set back
the growth of the judiciary. The
governors do not give the judiciary
its capital votes and the chief judges
must go begging before even their
office requirements are provided.
“We need to have proper
independence of the judiciary as
and duly verified participants in the
programme receive their payments.
“For the avoidance of doubt,
available statistics indicate that much
of the delay in payment of stipends to
the participants has been occasioned
by massive irregularities discovered
by the banks in the personal data
submitted by participants.
“For instance, many participants
across the country had provided
personal data that are at variance with
their Bank Verification Numbers
(BVN) among other irregularities.
“This development if unchecked
would have resulted into the
payment of persons other than the
actual participants. The designated
banks have spent a lot of time and
efforts at rectifying such anomalies
which consequently has slowed
down the pace of payment.
council’s director of enforcement
addressed journalists on behalf of
the registrar in Benin City, the Edo
state capital.
The registrar said the raid was
part of the federal government
policy direction aimed at improved
standards of practice in line with
global best practice.
According to him, “Our
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enshrined in the constitution which
says there shall be three arms of
government namely the executive,
the legislature and the judiciary.
“Independence means that
each arm should be autonomous
financially and administratively
and should not rely on another arm
to do its work. This is the only way
the checks and balances can work
out,” Balami said.
The judge called for strict
enforcement of the statute which
requires that cases should not be
adjourned more than three times
after the date of first mention
saying also that the nation should
“However, following recent and
ongoing consultations between
the Federal Government and the
designated banks across the country,
the pace of payment has significantly
improved in the last two weeks
thereby bringing the percentage rate
of payment to more than 93.22% of
the verified participants.
“It is pertinent to state that the
backlog of payment will be cleared
within the shortest possible time as
participants will continue to be paid
their stipends as they are cleared by
the banks. Therefore, the Federal
Government wishes to advise all
participants in the programme
who are yet to receive payment to
approach the branch of the bank
where their accounts were opened
for further actions,” the statement
said.
observation from the field in Edo
state revealed that most owners
of Patent Medicine Vendors in
the State are either unregistered or
registered but operating far beyond
their approved scope.
“The PCN will continue to
ensure provision of safe, effective
and quality medicines down the
distribution chain,” he stated.
13
adopt suspended sentences and
community service, rather than
imprisonment, as part of its
methods of punishing offenders
who break the law.
The way out is for the nation
to enforce the three times limit
for adjourning cases and also
adopt suspended sentences against
offenders.
“There is also the process we call
arbitration and community service
that can be adopted to decongest
the prisons. People will think twice
when they are made to sweep the
streets or clear the gutters as part of
punishment for offences committed
against society,” Balami explained.
Balami
Ohanaeze to hold
youth, women
wings exco election
By Chuks Nweze
Enugu
Igbo cultural organisation,
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has slated
August 5 and 6, 2021 respectively
for the election of officers into the
national youth and women wing of
the organisation.
A release jointly signed the
chairman, national executive
committee of the youth wing, Dr.
Kingsley Dozie and the chairman,
national executive committee of
the women wing, Chief Dr. Mrs
Selina Ugwoke-Adibua respectively,
indicates that the collection and
submission of nomination forms to
the National Secretariat, No 7 Park
Avenue, GRA, Enugu will take
place from July 19th to July 31st,
2021.
In the same vein, election of state
officers in the seven states that make
up Ohanaze will take place between
July 22 and July 27, 2021.
According to the release,
screening and publishing of names
of successful candidates will take
place between August 1 and August
3, 2021, while hearing of appeal
comes up on August 4, 2021 before
the elections proper on August 5th
and 6th.
14 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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Community threatens action against govt over high unemployment rate
By Joseph Obung
Calabar
The people of Ikot Effanga Mkpa in
Calabar Municipality of Cross River
state have threatened to take necessary
action against both the state and
federal governments over what they
described as uncontrollable rate of
joblessness plaguing its youths despite
playing host to various government
ministries, agencies and parastatals.
The community, which plays host
to the office of the Ministry of Niger
Delta Affairs in the state (NDDC),
Cross River Basin Development
Authority (CRBDA), office of the
Federal Character Commission,
Cross River State Dump Site amongst
many others, accused the Ministry of
NDDC of neglect and marginalisation
in their just concluded employment
exercise.
The leader of Ikot Effanga Mkpa
Town Council, Chief Effanga Ineng
Effanga, flanked by Hon. Bassey Edet,
Cleric urges Christians to vie for positions of leadership
By Donald Iorchir
Abuja
Christians have been advised to
participate actively in politics and vie
for leadership positions.
The president of International
Christian Organization for
Sustainable Development (ICOSD),
Bishop Joseph Vambe, stated this
immediately after ICOSD executive
council meeting in Abuja.
He encouraged members who are
politicians to pursue their ambition
Chief Offiong Essien Henshaw, Elder
Effiom Bassey (youth leader) and
Arc Effiom E. Ita, in a chat with our
reporter in Calabar at the weekend,
did not also spare the National Agency
for the Prohibition of trafficking
in Persons (NAPTIP) for allegedly
committing similar act.
PGF boss calls for review of APC manifesto
By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
Ahead of the 2023 general elections,
director general of the Progressive
Governors Forum (PGF) Salihu
Lukman, has called for the review of
manifesto of the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC) to strengthen political
initiatives for national unity.
The PGF boss made the call amidst
the challenge of national unity facing
Nigeria.
He said the big question is
with commitment.
He gave an illustration of how
Prophet Jonah preached the message,
and the king commended obedience,
then there was repentance in Nineveh
City. He said that, if for instance, the
king rejected the message and arrested
Jonah, there would not have been
repentance in the city.
“I therefore tasked Christian
faithful to participate and vie for
political positions of leadership to
make the gospel achieve more result.”
Bishop Vambe stated that the
They said despite NDDC
promising the community ten slots
during the said exercise, not even one
was allotted to the Ikot Effanga Mkpa
as host community.
The community also pointed fingers
at the Cross River Basin Development
Authority (CRBDA) for a similar act
whether the contest for leadership of
the country in 2023 will prioritise
processes of national consensus
building through negotiations and
agreement.
In a statement made available to
newsmen Sunday in Abuja, Lukman
identified inability of Nigerian politics
to facilitate political negotiations and
consensus building is responsible for
the current difficulties facing all the
geo-political zones of the country.
“For those of us in APC, the process
of re-organisation going on in the party
announcement of the global
development goals by the United
Nation (UN) in 2015 gave rise to the
vision of ICOSD.
He added that in 2016, ICOSD
was registered as an NGO with
Coperate Affairs Commission (CAC)
and went into business to bring about
Christian narrative to developmental
matters in the world beginning from
Nigeria.
He said this is in tandem with
God’s promises to Abraham in
Genesis 12:3 that through his seed,
of ‘negligence and insensitivity’ saying
it carried out its employment exercise,
the management failed to employ
somebody from the host community,
even after being approached over the
matter.
Chief Effanga said: “These
paratatals and agencies are not
presents an advantage. For instance,
it should be possible to commence a
campaign to review provisions of the
APC manifesto to strengthen political
initiatives for national unity.
“Will political leaders from all
the six geo-political regions commit
themselves to implementing
agreements that can strengthen the
bonds of unity among citizens from the
six geo-political regions? What could
be the details of such agreements? And
to what extent could the agreements
meet the expectations of citizens
the whole families of the earth shall
be blessed.
He pointed out that ICOSD was
established under God’s direction to
ensure Christian’s approach to the
sustainable development in Nigeria,
Africa and globe. He said the aim and
objectives of the organisation is to
promote Christian education, values,
initiatives, gospel music, drama,
dances, movies, literatures, outreaches
and propagation of the gospel of
Christ for sustainable development in
Nigeria, Africa and the globe.
Monday, July 19, 2021
observing local content principle in
terms of employment. The dump
site has become a major source of ill
health to my people. Unethical ways
and means of dumping refuse in the
area is causing untold health hazard
with attendant complications to the
people,” he said.
from all the six geo-political regions?
Beyond which region produces the
successor to President Buhari, what
will be the commitment of the post-
2023 Nigerian president to specific
agenda of regional developments of
both the region he/she come from and
the other five regions?
The APC chieftain said: “Part of
the projection should be to get the
next National Convention of the party
adopt a new manifesto, which would
highlight major commitments of the
party for national unity to be use
during the 2023 campaigns. Integral to
the campaign for national unity is the
issue of how the party intend to handle
negotiation for the emergence of the
standard bearer for 2023 elections. In
many respects, these are issues that
should be handled internally within
the structures of the party with all the
confidence that principles of justice,
equity and fairness can be achieved.
“This means that the campaign
for power shift, which is about
writing or respecting the rules of our
parties, should be handled within
the structures of the APC. There will
always be conflicting interests in terms
of who determine how agreements are
reached internally within parties.”
Monday, July 19, 2021
Assault: CCT chair drags Senate, Lawan, AGF, others to court
By Taiye Odewale
Abuja
Chairman Code of Conduct
Tribunal (CCT) Danladi Umar
alleged to have assaulted one
Clement Sargwak in March this
year, has dragged the man and
Senate to court.
Also included in the suit as
stated in the originating summons
dated 13th July , 2021 , are the
President of the Senate, Ahmad
Lawan, chairman and members of
the Senate Committee on Ethics ,
Privileges and Public Petitions as
well as the Attorney General of the
Federation, Abubakar Malami .
Danladi in the suit with file
no FHC/ABJ/ CS/671/2021, is
challenging the constitutional
power of the senate to conduct
investigation and for purpose for
which it is exercisable.
Specifically, the embattled
From left: An awardee, Professor Gbadebo Olagunju, Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru, Justice Olajumoke Aiki and wife of the Ogun state Governor Mrs. Bamidele
Abiodun during the University of Ife (UNIFE) Law Class of 1987 award ceremony in Lagos Photo: Sunday Eshiet
Electoral reforms can't be traded off -Omo-Agege
By Patrick Ahanor
Benin City
The Deputy President of the
Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege,
weekend said the ongoing
constitutional and electoral
Nasarawa LG poll: Group purchases form for immediate past chair
By Mohammed Yangida
Lafia
Supporters and well wishers of the
immediate past chairman of Lafia
local government area of Nasarawa
state, Hon. Aminu Mu'azu
Maifata, weekend purchased
the All Progressives Congress
(APC) expression of interest and
nomination form for him to
CCT chairman is asking the court
to interpret the constitutional
powers granted the Senate or
House Committees on Ethics and
Public Petitions whether it covers
public assaults which as averred
by his attorneys, are part of the
constitutional functions of the
police and the courts of law.
Copies of the originating
summons and suit signed by
Sunday Edward and other attorneys
from Abuka and Partners on behalf
of Danladi Umar, listed him as
the plaintiff while the Senate
, The President of the Senate ,
Senate's Committee on Ethics
, Privileges and Public Petitions
and the Attorney - General of the
Federation as defendants .
Umar in the originating summons
made available to journalists by
the chairman, Senate Committee
on Ethics, Privileges and Public
Petitions , Senator Ayo Akinyelure
reforms at the National Assembly
would set the nation free of undue
entanglements.
Omo-Agege said: "While
there are issues to be addressed,
in the long run, the urgency of
reforming our electoral process
contest for the October 6, 2021,
chairmanship elections in the state.
Speaking after picking the form
and handing it over to the aspirant
weekend in Lafia, former special
adviser to the aspirant on special
duties, Hon. Muhammad Elele,
stated that the purchase of the form
by well wishers demonstrates the
wide followership Maifata enjoys
Elele said they decided to tax
in his office Friday , seeks court
interpretation of the powers of the
four defendants to investigate the
case of assault in question.
The summons read in part: "
Whether the purported case of
assault which allegedly took place
at Banex Plaza on 29th March ,
2021 , forms part of the matters
the 1st defendant is constitutionally
empowered to investigate.
"Whether the 1st defendant
and its committee, that is , the
3rd defendant are competent
to investigate and/ or invite
the plaintiff in relation to the
investigation of the allegation of
assault leveled against him .
"Whether the powers of
the 1st defendant to conduct
investigation are not by and / or
subject to provisions of sections
88 and 89 of the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
1999 and are not exercisable for
cannot be traded off for other
considerations."
He stated this at his convocation
lecture at the Benson Idahosa
University (BIU) in Benin City,
Edo state capital.
He said:"No doubt, the
themselves to reciprocate the gesture
done by the former chairman and to
ensure that their mandate is secured.
He said in the last three years,
Maifata has proved himself to move
Lafia local government forward. He
called on Lafia indigenes to support
the reelection of Maifata at the
October 6 poll.
“We have willfully decided
to come together to pick the
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the purposes of making law and
exposing corruption , inefficiency
or waste in the execution of
administration of laws within its
legislative competence and in the
disbursement or administration
of funds appropriated by the 1st
defendant .
" Whether the 1st defendant's
move to conduct investigative
hearing on the petition before it
is not unconstitutional and does
not amount to an unwarranted
usurpation of the functions of
the Police and of the Courts of
competent jurisdiction".
Danladi went further through his
attorneys to inform the Senate to
discontinue with the investigative
hearing, as the man allegedly
assaulted (Clement Sargwak) , has
been sued .
"We write to inform you that
the case between our client and
Clement Sargwak is now before
leadership of the 9th assembly
has a patriotic agenda on electoral
reform in the country.
"Significantly, the modality we
worked out to achieve the reform
agenda has benefitted from wide
consultations with stakeholders.”
nomination and expression of
interest form for the reelection
of our amiable and performing
chairman, Aminu Mu'azu Maifata,
who had touched the life of the
people in the last three years." Elele
said.
Responding, the aspirant, Maifata
expressed his gratitude to the group
and promised not to disappoint
them.
15
the High Court of the Federal
Capital Territory ( suit no FCT /
HC/ CV/ 1544/2021 Mr Danladi
Umar vs Clement Sargwak) and the
issue as to whether or not Clement
Sargwak had discontinued and / or
withdrawn his petition before your
Honourable committee is equally
sub judice.
"We trust that Senate , as the
Upper Chamber of the National
Assembly, will respect due process
and refrain from delving into a
matter that is before a court of
competent jurisdiction", the letter
reads .
But after receiving the
originating summons slammed on
the committee and suit filed against
Sargwak by Umar, the committee
chairman, Senator Ayo Akinyelure
cried out to journalists on Friday on
how the hunted is turning to be the
hunter .
Akinyelure at a press briefing
in his office, said with the
court summons , it is clear that
Danladi will not appear before his
Commitee next week Tuesday but
his action will be challenged in the
court by legal department of the
National Assembly since no arm
of government is empowered to
stop another , from carrying out its
constitutional duties or functions.”
Eid-el-Kabir:
Tarabans lament
food, ram price hike
By Andrew Ojih
Jalingo
Residents of Jalingo, the Taraba
capital, Sunday lamented over the
price hike of rams, tomatoes, rice
and other food items.
Some popular ram markets
in Jalingo and its environs are
currently witnessing low patronage
due to high cost of animals and
food stuff.
A ram market along forest road
visited by Blueprint was empty
as the only sellers were looking at
the sky and praying to God for
customers to come.
A ram seller in the market, Alhaji
Habu Ndu, while speaking with
our correspondent lamented that
the turnover for this year's Eid-el
Kabir has greatly reduced compared
to the previous years.
He stated that an average ram,
which was sold in the past at
N18,000, now goes for N70,000,
while an average cow which was
sold for N120, 000 last year now
goes for N450,000.
He said he was worried that
from all indications, many muslims
faithful will not be able to sacrifice
ram during the Sallah period.
Also, a cow seller, Ya'auza
Gambdu, in Iwari market expressed
sadness that the current economic
situation of Nigeria is affecting
their cow business.
Residents of Jalingo also decried
the increase in the prices of
tomatoes in the market.
They told Blueprint Sunday in
Jalingo main market that the price
of the product has skyrocketed by
nearly 80 per cent, especially in the
last two weeks.
16 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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Chairmanship: My political battle ‘ll lead APC to success in 2023 – Yari
By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
One of the front-line chairmanship
aspirants of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) and former Zamfara state
governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, said he
has abundant experiences in political
battles to lead the party to success in
2023.
Speaking with newsmen Sunday in
Abuja, Alhaji Yari said he is not disturbed
Minority Leader House of Representatives Ndudi Elumelu (6th right) briefing House of Representatives Press Corps on disagreement on Clause 52 of the Electoral Act at
National Assembly in Abuja Friday, while other members watch. Photo: Ayuba Raji
Osun PDP crisis: Group urges NJC to discountenance petition
By Bayo Agboola
Ibadan
The Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) South West Youth Alliance,
Sunday, urged the Nigeria
Judicial Commission, (NJC) to
discountenance a petition calling
for reassignment of the case between
the embattled Chairman of Osun
state PDP Chairman, Hon Soji
Adagunodo and the party’s NEC.
PDP South West Youth Alliance
in a statement by its Osun state
leaders Comrades Adegoke
Abiodun, Oladapo Babatunde
and Basorun Adekanola Abiodun
kicked against the said petition to
Ex-IPAC leader urges youth to stop ‘fraudulent’ politicians
By Emeka Nze
Abuja
A former President of the Inter
Party Advisory Council (IPAC)
and National Secretary Coalition of
United Political Parties (CUPP), High
Chief Peter Ojonugwa Ameh, has
urged youth in Nigeria to take drastic
measures against those who have held
the country down since independence.
According to Ameh, the youth
should take their destiny in their own
hands and create for themselves an
enabling environment for free, fair
credible elections.
Ameh who in an “Open letter to
my young citizens of Nigeria,” spoke
against backdrop of the rejection of
about speculations that some serving or
former governors in the North-west
geo-political zone may be involved in a
scheme to jeorpardize his chairmanship
aspiration in order to ensure that one of
them becomes either President or Vice
President in 2023.
“Somebody told me that some of
my colleagues and former colleagues
are interested in the number one and
number two slots so, if the (National
Chairmanship) seat goes to the North
the NJC.
The petition wanted the Chief
Judge of Osun state to again for the
third time reassign to another judge
despite fixing judgement for July 29,
this year, the case which bothers on
removal of Hon Adagunodo from
office as PDP Osun state chairman.
The Youth Alliance said, “More
so, the case has been heard,
judgement is being awaited. And,
delivery of judgements has time -
bar, under the Constitution. We
compassionately plead that the
Judgement should be delivered as
scheduled. Whoever is not satisfied
can go on Appeal. The Judiciary
should not be blackmailed or
the electronic results transmission by
the National Assembly, advised the
youth to desist from aloofness during
elections thereby allowing politicians
to decide the outcome through a
process “driven by fraud in order to
perpetuate themselves in power.”
While reminding the youth that
“nobody will voluntarily give you
power”, he stated that “this is obvious
from the overwhelming rejection of
the clause for electronic transmission
of election results by the National
Assembly”.
He further noted, “it should also
dawn on you now that nobody willingly
creates an enabling environment for
you to witness credible elections where
citizens will decide the outcome in free
West, nothing will get to them, so they
ganged up to neutralize Yari.
“If God decides that it should be, it is
going to be. People can manouvre and
do all sorts of calculations but they will
not prevail.
“All I know is this: I have the capacity
to lead this party and they know what I
can do,” he said.
According to Alhaji Yari, despite its
inability to accomplish all the objectives
it set for itself in its progressive manifesto,
intimidated to pander to the wish
of a particular party”, it said.
The group added, “We hereby
call on the NJC to discountenance
their ill-conceived petition calling
for reassignment of the case and
as well call on every concerned
stakeholder in our Party and the
State to check the excesses of those
who are apparently living in false
hopes that laws are spider webs
through which the big flies pass and
the little ones get caught.”
It maintained that the latest
petition “to the NJC against the
current judge requesting the NJC
to direct the CJ of Osun state to
retrieve the case file and reassign
fair and credible elections. But they
are more comfortable with a process
driven by fraudulent means in order
to perpetuate themselves in power
without your consent. Democracy
without clear legitimacy is partially
forceful leadership by design.
“The decision is yours to make and
the future is yours to take today, yes
today.
It is practically impossible to trace
back to exactly when the promise to
build a Nigeria that can compete
developmentally and globally was
made but we all can find a middle
ground to agree that the promise has
failed repeatedly to become reality in
the lifetime of so many young people
before yours.
the APC has abundant chances of
winning the 2023 elections in a very
remarkable way, if the ‘right’ things are
done between now and next year.
He stressed that one of the right
things that APC needs to do is to enable
a people-focused party stalwart like him
to repeat past electoral successes that
he has accomplished even before the
beginning of the current democratic
dispensation.
Going down memory lane, he
it to another judge reeks of good
reasoning and constitutes an abuse
of the judiciary and if not checked,
will weaken the judiciary institution
in the state. We hold, therefore, that
this development is not in the best
interest of Osun and its people.”
“We strongly believe that the
recent petition to the NJC amounts
to arrest of judgement. It suffice to
state that the defendants had filed
a Motion on Notice for stay of
proceedings and a Notice of Appeal
in which their amongst other
reliefs were also asking the Court
of Appeal to direct the CJ of Osun
state to retrieve the case file and
transfer same to another judge”.
“This time is yours and for it to turn
a positive outlook from theirs then
things must be done differently by
taking drastic measures against those
we have held this nation down since
independence.
“The most sacred right we have as
Nigerians is the right to vote and be
voted for so to be active and effective
citizens in a democratic government,
we must take this responsibility very
seriously, he said.
The ex IPAC president recalled that
in 2019 with an active voters register
of about 84 million voters, only 25
million voters decided the outcome of
the presidential election, wondering
what happened to the remaining 59
million voters.
Monday, July 19, 2021
recalled his roles as a young politician
during the Abacha years as well as the
formation of the defunct All Peoples
Party (APP) which made him its State
Secretary as well as director-General of
governorship and presidential campaigns
to actualize massive electoral victories in
Zamfara state.
Yari further dismissed various
corruption allegations against him as
mere political dirt from faceless persons,
adding that having done his very best as a
member of the House of Representatives,
state governor and chairman of the
Nigeria Governors’ Forum, he has no
need to worry over the EFCC’s ongoing
investigation of his administration.
Group tasks
NASS on speedy
domestication of
Marrakesh Treaty
By Joshua Egbodo
Abuja
The Nigeria Association of the Blind
(NAB), has appealed to the National
Assembly to fast-track passage of the
Nigeria Copyright amendment Bill
before it, in order to fully domesticate the
Marrakesh Treaty.
The treaty makes the production and
international transfer of specially adapted
books for people with blindness or visual
impairments easier, through a set of
limitations or exceptions to traditional
copyright laws.
Speaking in Abuja over the weekend,
the group through its National Chairman,
Rilwan Abdulahi described the Marrakesh
Treaty as “what we hold so dearly to our
hearts, because it is specially advocating
education for the over three million blind
persons in Nigeria”, adding that the treaty
was in consonance with objectives of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The inability of government and
stakeholders in the education sector to
domesticate the Marrakesh Treaty in
Nigeria has continued to deny blind
persons access to education on the same
pedestal with their sighted counterparts.
It is imperative for the government not
to forget its responsibility on the treaty
which was ratified in October 2017”, he
said.
According to Abdulahi, its
domestication will facilitate cross-border
exchange of materials in accessible formats
for the blinds and visually impaired,
and allow them compete favourable in
education, when the impediments are
removed.
While commending executive arm of
the federal government for making the
treaty a part of the proposed amendment
to the copyright law and domestication
being awaited, he said it was the hope
of the NAB that authors and publishers
will heed their call by embracing the
production of books in formats accessible
to its members.
In his remarks at the media
chat, representative of the National
Commission for Persons With Disabilities,
Lawrence Edelifo assured that he will take
all suggestions to the presidency, to see
that it work to ensure that the treaty is
domesticated and implemented. “This is
for the benefit of all Nigerians. Blindness
can happen to anybody at any point”, he
said.
Monday, July 19, 2021
Politics
2023 guber: Who succeeds Wike?
As the major project of
2023 is for Nigerians
to elect a successor to
incumbent President
Muhammadu Buhari
who completes his
second tenure in office
in May 2023, so is
the battle gathering
momentum in the states
preparatory for the
governorship elections.
Consequently, many
gubernatorial aspirants
in Rivers state, are
oiling their political
machinery to succeed
their incumbent
governors.
Rivers as PDP state
A careful observation
of Rivers politics since
the dawn of democratic
rule reveals that the
state has a tradition that
maintains its ruling
party, the Peoples
Democratic Party
(PDP), irrespective
existence of opposition
parties.
Of all the number
of registered political
parties in Nigeria, the
PDP has remained
dominant and a force
that dislodges others
during elections in the
past and present in
Rivers state.
Although the All
Progressives Congress
(APC) has been the
only strong opposition
parity that shakes the
PDP structure during
elections in the state,
victory at the polls has
eluded it especially
into the Brick House
or even into the 23
Local Government
chairmanship and
councilors seats across
the state.
The immediate past
chairmen of the Local
Government Councils
and the recent elected
ones are all of PDP,
pointing to the fact
that PDP maintains a
stronghold of the state.
Wike warns
Thus come 2023,
the most critical and
cynosure of all eyes
in the state would be
governorship election.
What is however, a
bit of a dicey among
Rivers indigenes is,
who becomes the
next occupant of the
Government House as
its incumbent Wike
serves out his second
tenure on May 29,
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of the National Youth
Council of Nigeria
(NYCN), Rivers state
chapter.
He later became the
Commissioner for
GODWIN EGBA writes that Rivers state parades an array of governorship aspirants already jostling to succeed Energy and Natural
Resources, with high
Governor Nyesom Wike, come 2023, and beams his searchlight on some persons with acclaimed track records impact.
of service in the state He stepped up his
game, as a Development
Expert, to the National
Assembly as the
member representing
AKULGA/ ASALGA
Federal Constituency
in the Green Chamber
(2011-20145).
Dr. George aka ‘Dig
Deep’, is presently
serving as the President
of African Baptist
Men Association,
having moved up from
President, Nigerian
Baptist Men Fellowship.
He is the son of a
renown cleric and
educationist, one that
is dependale and not
given to treachery and
frivolities. Rivers state is
most likely to upscale if
he steps in and becomes
the governor in 2023.
Hon. Chief Ibinabo
Michael-West
This is a son of
Kalabari land and a
consummate politician
who made Rivers
indigenes view with
lots of respect due
to his philanthropy
and kindness. As a
House of Assembly
Wike Opara member (2003-2011),
2023. the state if he runs and representing ASALGA
Mindful of the wins the governorship Constituency 2, Ibinavo
distractions politicking None of you must engage in race in the years ahead. M-West brought actual
is capable of generating, political activities of succession representation to his
Governor Wike in a Rt. Hon. Austin people. He embarked
towards 2023, until I say on people-centred
recent broadcast sternly Opara:
warmed his political so, because I demand total This is a two-term projects that are now
appointees: “None of commitment and loyalty to member of the House called Legacy project.
you must engage in of Representatives who In 2015, this former
this mandate given to me by lawmaker also tried to
political activities of is nationally connected
succession towards Rivers people. If I catch you, and served out his 2nd get the guber ticket of
PDP in Rivers state.
2023, until I say so, I will sack you immediately term (2003-2007) as the
However, he could not
because I demand Deputy Speaker, even
total commitment and
because there shall not be any as the representatives get it, but was appointed
loyalty to this mandate “a beg” at all. I catch you, you of PHALGA Federal the Commissioner for
given to me by Rivers Constituency 1. Transport. Expectedly,
are gone”. he brought in certain
people. If I catch He was also in the
you, I will sack you run to succeed Sir Dr. innovations that
immediately because Peter Odili in 2007, but ensured sanity in the
there shall not be any “a appeared to have been sector and helped to
Hon. Dr. Dawari I. was also the State boost the economy of
beg” at all. I catch you, George, Hon. Chief Legal Adviser of PDP pressured to ‘allow’ Rt.
you are gone”. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Rivers state.
Ibinabo Michael-West, before his appointment Those close to the
Hon. Ojukaye Flag- as Chairman of Ameachi to pick the
Aspirants on parade ticket that time. Austin Minister of Transport
Amachree and a now- AKULGA. He also Chibuike Amaechi,
However, some recurrent name, Senator served as commissioner Opara is a staunch PDP
personalities are still member and though the APC leader in
Magnus Ngei Abe. for Local Government, Rivers state, have
being tipped to succeed Chieftaincy and presently not serving in
the outgoing governor. any particular capacity, maintained that Hon.
PDP: Dr. Tammy W. Community Affairs. Micheal-West, since
In the PDP, names Danagogo Public opinion in the he remains highly visible
like Hon. Dr. Tammy and influential in the defecting to the All
He is the serving state is that Danagogo Progressives Congress
W. Danagogo, Rt. Hon. Secretary to the Rivers is soft-spoken, gentle Wike’s administration.
Austin Opara, Senator (APC), has again
State Government, and very calculative, proved dependable and
Lee Maeba and Hon. a former Minister but also a stickler to APC: Hon. Dr. Dawari
Engr. Emeka Woke, are George trustworthy. He is said
of Sports, one-time excellence. People look to be a heavyweight and
names being bandied Chairman of Akuku- up to him that all these Dr. Dawari Ibietela
as likely successors of George was a very is part of the revival and
Toru Local Government qualities, would be new acceptability of
Wike, while the APC Area (2004-2007). brought to bear in the popular and influential
camp has people like two-time Chairman APC in Rivers state.
Hon. Dr. Danagogo political leadership of
18 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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By Blessing Anaro
Lagos
Operators of Nigeria’s
telecommunications (Telcos) sector
have disagreed with senators elected
on the platform of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) who claim that the
country does not have the capacity to
implement electronic transmission of
election results.
Telecoms operators, who spoke
with The International Centre for
Investigative Reporting (ICIR) in
separate interviews weekend said
the level of telecommunications
infrastructure and network coverage
available in Nigeria at the moment
could effectively sustain electronic
transmission of election results across
the country.
Also, the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC)
President National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ambassador Solomon Adodo (left), Pastor Divine Impact Assembly Abuja Billy Goodluck (2nd right), National
President Coalition of Nigeria Youth on Security and Safety Affairs Ambassador Ade Mario Emmanuel (right) and Pastor Victory House Mega Church Abuja Bishop
Godwin Okajah during the inauguration of Board of Trustees of Men of Valor and Discipline (MVD) Corps in Abuja recently Photo: Binta Shama
The Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project (SERAP) has
called on President Muhammadu Buhari
to withdraw the directive containing a
sweeping gag order to ban journalists
and broadcast stations from reporting
details of terrorist attacks and victims
across the country.
In an open letter to the President,
dated 7th July 2021, the National
Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
directed by asking journalists, television
and radio stations in Nigeria to stop
“glamourisng and giving too many details
on the nefarious activities of terrorists and
kidnappers” during their daily newspaper
reviews.
2nd River Niger Bridge ‘ll impact on S/East economy – Analyst
By Agi Onda
Abuja
The Second Niger Bridge being
constructed by engineering giant,
Julius Berger Plc, has the capacity to
impact on the economic viability of
the South-east and change the living
standard of the inhabitants, a policy
analyst, Patrick Okigbo has said.
A press statement by the media
unit of the conglomerate, issued to
Blueprint, Sunday, said Mr Okigbo
Telcos to APC senators: We’ve capacity to
transmit election results electronically
National Commissioner and Chairman
Information and Voter Education
Committee, Festus Okoye said, “INEC
has the capacity to transmit election
results from the polling units to the
Registration Area Collation Centres
to the Local Government Collation
Centres, the various states, federal and
senatorial district collation centres, and
the state and national collation centres.”
APC members in the Senate, who
opposed moves to adopt electronic
transmission of election results in
amendments to the Electoral Act, had
on July 15 voted in support of an altered
clause which stated that the Nigerian
ERAP gives Buhari 24 hrs to withdraw
directive on terrorists, kidnappers
SERAP in a letter dated 17 July,
2021 and signed by its Deputy Director
Kolawole Oluwadare said the contents of
the directive by the NBC to journalists
and broadcast stations are entirely
inconsistent and incompatible with
Nigeria’s obligations under Article 9
of the African Charter on Human and
Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the
International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights.
stated this while speaking to New
York Times recently, saying: “…it will
impact on the cost of doing business
and the lives of the people.”
In answer to the needs and yearnings
of the people, the analyst said “the
construction of the new bridge will
ease the traffic burden and enhance the
free flow of access to work, business
centres, markets and other places that
have social and economic significance
to the people.”
The Second River Niger Bridge is the
product of a Public-Private Partnership
Communications Commission (NCC)
and the National Assembly would
determine whether the Independent
National Electoral Commission
(INEC) could transmit results through
electronic means or not.
Senate President Ahmed Lawan, a
member of the APC and APC senators
rejected electronic transmission of
election results.
There were reports that the
leadership of the APC had instructed
its members in the National Assembly
to reject moves, supported by the
majority of Nigerians, to adopt
electronic transmission of results in the
SERAP warned that if the repressive
publication is not withdrawn within 24
hours, all appropriate legal actions in the
public interest will be taken.
It expressed “grave” concern expressed
that the contents of the NBC directive
will impermissibly restrict the rights to
freedom of expression, information, and
victims’ right to justice and effective
remedies that are central to public debate
and accountability in a democratic society.
involving the Federal Ministry of
Works, the Ministry of Finance,
the Nigeria Sovereign Investment
Authority (NSIA), the Presidential
Infrastructural Development Fund
(PIDF), and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
It is a Design, Finance, Build,
Operate and Transfer (DFBOT)
model; which means that the
government owns and finances the
project’s construction while Julius
Berger, a company with a track record
of excellence over 50 years, designs and
builds.
2023 elections.
Although it is widely believed that
the APC’s opposition to electronic
transmission of results is based on poor
performance in the last six years, the
party’s members in the Senate justified
their decision to reject electronic
transmission of results with the claim
that the NCC had said that only 43 per
cent of Nigeria had internet network.
Following the endorsement by 52
APC senators, the Senate adopted
the amended Section 52(3), which
read, “INEC may consider electronic
collation of results provided the national
network coverage is adjudged to be
SERAP said reporting on the growing
violence and killings in many parts of
the country is a matter of public interest
and The NBC directive to journalists
and broadcast stations to stop reporting
these cases, coupled with the possibility
of fines and other punishment, will
have a disproportionate chilling effect
on the work of those seeking to hold the
government accountable to the public.
(Premium Times)
The scope of Julius Berger’s work for
the Second River Niger Bridge includes
constructing two secondary bridges
at Amakom Village Road and Atani
Road, as well as approach roads from
Asaba and Onitsha, a new cloverleaf
interchange at Onitsha-Owerri Road,
and a toll station.
The bridge is already enabling
progress in the region and would do
even more upon completion. The
project employs about 1700 people
and is scheduled for completion in
2022, the statement said.
Monday, July 19, 2021
adequate and secured by the Nigerian
Communications Commission and
approved by the National Assembly.”
Initially, Section 52(3), in the report
submitted by the Senate Committee
on INEC, had read: “The commission
(INEC) may transmit results of
elections by electronic means where
and when practicable.”
Congresses: APC
releases timetable,
grants waivers to
new members
By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
The All Progressives Congress
(APC) has released the approved
schedule of activities and
guidelines for the conduct of the
party's nationwide ward congresses
scheduled for Saturday July 31,
2021.
The party has also granted
waivers to new members and
returning executives to contest.
According to the notice released
Sunday in Abuja by the National
Secretary of the APC Caretaker/
Extraordinary Convention
Planning Committee (CECPC),
John James Akpanudoedehe,
purchase of nomination forms for
Ward, Local Government/Area
Councils and State Congresses will
take place from 19th July to 28th
August, 2021.
Akpanudoedehe said screening
of aspirants for the Ward party
positions is scheduled for July
29th to 30th July, 2021, Ward
congresses will hold 31st July,
2021 while appeals arising from
Ward congresses will hold August
2nd to 7th August, 2021.
The notice reads in parts:
"In line with Article 11:A sub-
section (i-xiii) and article 16(i)
of the Party's Constitution (as
Amended), the All Progressives
Congress (APC) will be organising
its congresses across the 36 states
and FCT to elect its Wards, Local
Governments and States Officials.
Only Wards and Local Government
Areas stipulated in Sections 156
of the Electoral Act and in part
I&II of the First Schedule to the
1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as
Amended) are recongised.
"The Caretaker/Extraordinary
Convention Planning Committee
(CECPC) of the Party, in a bid
to ensure open, credible and fair
congresses that reflect the sanctity
of internal democracy in the Party,
issues a guiding regulation for
the nationwide congresses of the
Party. It is binding on all persons
coordinating and participating in
all Congresses.”
The statement added that
"without prejudice to these
guidelines, all aspirants with valid
court judgement (s) with respect to
previous forms purchase are eligible
to participate in the exercise.
"All persons vying for the
position of youth leader must be
persons aged between 18-35years."
Monday, July 19, 2021
Feature
Recognising Mai Jigida’s contributions to humanity
By Musa Adamu
Saturday July 3, 2021 was the day TPL Musa
A Usman (Mai Jigida) got noticed for his
leadership and mentorship efforts as he was
recognised by the Africa Institute of Public
Administration (AIPA), Accra, Ghana under
the aegis of a bilateral agreement with the
London Bridge Business School (LBBS) and
the Northeastern University both in the UK.
Mai Jigida was conferred with an
Honorary Doctor of Public Administration
and Business Administration alongside
others, notably Hamza Al- Mustapha, the
former Chief Security Officer to late Head
of State, Gen Sani Abacha; Chief Judge of
Ekiti state, Ayodeji Daramola Simeon and a
professor of Law and public affairs analyst,
Umar Mai Nasara Kogo.
Mai Jigida is the founder/ CEO of Mai
Jigida Youths Development Foundation
(MYDF), a vehicle through which he carries
out his humanitarian activities for the good
of society.
The investiture was of the 8th class
of the Transformational and Leadership
Masterclass, themed, ‘A Continent Wide
Signature Quick Intervention Strategy
Developed’ by AIPA and LBBS.
In his speech, AIPA governing council
chairman, Dr Ben Nwankwo noted that, “As
the awardees, you were so chosen after you
have passed through a learning journey that
sensitised you along critical dimensions of
leadership, governance, strategy, innovation,
human resource management, etc.
“We are admitting you into the fellowship
of Africa’s premier and apex professional
institute in the education and practice of
Public Administration as the 8th class.
“Our learning partners have graciously
consented to further admit few of the
members of the class who have track records
of service, achievements and moral rectitude
into the Honourary Degree of Doctor
of Public Administration and Business
Administration to strengthen your spark in
government, society or business.
“By virtue of your fellowship induction
and other investitures, you have become an
alumni of the institute as our role models
and ambassadors,” Nwankwo further added.
Noted for his humanitarian and selfless
service rather than his personality, Mai
Jigida is reputed for helping out indigent
children with school fees, under-privileged
graduates with employment opportunities
and widows with seed capital for business
and/or vocation.
His character/traits
Generally described as unassuming,
many have confessed to the fact that Mai
Jigida’s reputation precedes him as his
physical appearance hardly gives him away.
Commenting on the recognition, the
honouree who does not get bored at regaling
his audience with his modest background
and how he has ultimately been favoured in
life by God, however noted that, “I am yet
to come to terms with the reason behind this
recognition.”
In his characteristic approach to life, Mai
Jigida does not believe that the society owes
him any favour for doing what he refers to as
giving back to the society which he said has
been nothing but generous to him.
He sees the act of intervening in the
needs of the indigents, widows and the less-
privileged in the society as a duty upon him
and others in his shoes. He declared that,
“Those of us whose palm kernel has been
cracked by God should not take the favour
for granted.”
His life/working career
After a meritorious stint in the civil
service of the Federal Capital Development
L-R: Dr. Usman (Mai Jigida) and other awardees - former CSO Major Al- Mustafa and Professor Kogo- after the
investiture
Authority (FCDA) spanning 35 years, Dr
TPL Musa Usman is also now the director
general/CEO of Jagaban Borgu Movement
(JBM).
Usman, an astute town planner, who has
proved his mettle in his chosen profession and
the civil service, retired as a deputy director.
His preparation for management and
leadership position started early in his career
as he was exposed to almost all the most
important experiences that any career civil
servant could ever hope to gain.
As a go-getter, Usman started handling
serious and sensitive assignments at the point
that many may consider a learning stage.
He was appointed personal assistant (PA) to
late Gen Mamman Vatsa as minister of the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to oversee
the minster’s official residence, particularly
the general maintenance and renovation of
the residence between 1994-1997.
After his sterling performance at the
minister’s residence, Usman was redeployed
to the Department of Planning and Survey
where he served as district officer between
1997 and 1999.
Between 1999 and 2000, he was again
deemed worthy of working closely with
another former FCT minister, late Gen
Mamman Tsoho Kotangora as personal
assistant on land matters.
After a year in that position, he was
again appointed the personal assistant on
land matters to the director of lands in the
ministry, Alhaji Muhammad S U Kalgo
between 2000 and 2005.
He later became the zonal manager in
charge of Abaji Area Council of the FCT
between 2005 and 2007 and later as unit
head, Department of Urban and Regional
Planning between 2007 and 2013.
TPL Usman joined the enviable
directorate cadre in 2013 when he got
promoted to the position of an assistant
director, Urban and Regional Planning,
deputy director and full divisional head,
Urban and Regional Planning in 2017.
A consummate administrator, TPL
Usman attended many strategic professional
and leadership trainings both within and
outside the country that prepared him for the
roles he played in the building of the Federal
Capital City now the pride of all Nigerians
and even foreigners alike.
He attended a total of 16 professional
courses, trainings and workshops, including
the mandatory continuing professional
programmes in 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009,
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2008, 2007, 2005 and 2002 all organised by
the Town Planners Registration Council of
Nigeria (TOPREC).
He also attended the ‘Building Clean Cities
in Nigeria’ programme in 2014 organised
by TOPREC, Procurement Evaluation for
the Staff of the FCDA organised by the
NIGERIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION
4 & 5 Floor, Central Business District, C&C building, Federal Secretariat, Phase 3, Abuja
th th
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) AND INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
The Nigerian Law Reform Commission was established
in 1979 by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act
CAP N118 LFN 2004. The functions of the Commission
as set out in Sections 5 and 7 of the Act are generally to
keep under review all Federal Laws with a view to their
systematic and progressive development and reform in
consonant with the prevailing norms of the Nigerian
Society.
1.2
The Commission hereby invites interested consultants
to submit Expression of Interest and pre-qualification
documents for the execution of following projects:
2.0
SCOPE OF SERVICES/WORK
CATEGORY A: SERVICES
LOT1:
Reform of the Public Procurement Act, 2007
CATEGORY B: GOODS
LOT2:
Procurement of Sundry Office Equipment
3.0
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by the
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form
CAC1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7. Business Name is also
acceptable;
b. Evidence of Company's Income Tax Clearance
Certificate (or Personal Income Tax Clearance
Certificates of all the Partners in case of Business Name)
for the last three (3) years valid till 31 December, 2021;
st
with minimum average annual turnover of 2 million naira;st
c. Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31
December, 2021 (applicable where number of staff is at
least 15);
d. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance
Certificate valid till 31 December, 2021 (applicable
st
where number of staff is at least 5 or at least N50m
turnover);
e. Evidence of current Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund
(NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31 December,
st
2021;
f. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of
Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers
by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR)
expiring on 31/12/2021 or valid Certificate issued by
BPP.
g. Sworn Affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of
the relevant committees of the Nigerian Law Reform
Commission or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a
former or present Director, shareholder or has any
pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all
information presented in its bid are true and correct in all
h.
particulars;
Company's Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years -
2018, 2019, 2020;
i. Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank in
Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for
the execution of the project when needed;
j. Company's Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff
to be deployed for the project, including copies of their
Academic/Professional qualifications such as COREN,
QSRBN, ARCON, CORBON, ICAN, ANAN, LAW
k. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3)
similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including
Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job
Completion Certificates and Photographs of the projects;
l. Evidence of Firm's current registration with relevant
regulatory professional body(ies);
m. All documents for submission must be transmitted with a
Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firm's
19
Procurement Monitoring and Services
LTD in 2011 and Advanced Personnel and
Human Resource Management in 2009
Course by the Administrative Staff College
of Nigeria (ASCON).
In between 2007, 2008 and 2009, TPL
Usman attended courses that certified him
as one of the leading Nigerians in leadership
and project management cadre.
In 2009, he attended procurement/
project management course in organised by
the Centre for Management Development
(CMD).
In 2008, he attended the Due Process
Procurement Mechanism course by the
Procurement Monitoring and Services LTD
(Abuja) and Leadership Team Working,
Communication and Presentation course
organised by Leading Edge Management
Services in Accra, Ghana.
In 2007, he participated in the Interactive
Management Skills Course organised by
the Management and Financial Consultant
(Abuja).
Usman is a member of many professional
bodies including Town Planners Registration
Council of Nigeria (TOPREC); Nigerian
Institute of Town Planners (NITP); Nigerian
Environmental Society (NES) and Nigerian
Environmental Society (NES), among
others.
He holds a Masters Degree in Urban
and Regional Planning from Benue state
University, Makurdi.
Adamu wrote in from Keffi, Nasarawa
state.
Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the
Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate
Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone
Number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The
Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and
Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the
bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer
of the firm.
4.0
SUBMISSION OF EOI/PRE-QUALIFICATION
DOCUMENTS

Prospective bidders are to submit bid for each of the Lot
desired, two (2) hard copies each of the
EOI/PREQUALIFICATION documents and clearly marked as
“EOI” or “PRE-QUALIFICATION”. Thereafter, address the
envelope to HON. Chairman, Nigerian Law Reform Commission,
4thFloor, Rm 401, Central Business District, C&C Building,
Federal Secretariat, Phase 3, Abuja and clearly marked with (the
name of the project and the Lot number). Furthermore, the
reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and
address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box
provided by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission not later than
12:00 noon on Tuesday, 10 August, 2021.
th
5.0
O P E N I N G O F E O I / P R E - Q U A L I F I C AT I O N
DOCUMENTS
The EOI/ PRE-QUALIFICATION documents will be opened
immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:00 noon onth
Tuesday, 10 August, 2021 in the Hon. Chairman's Office, 4
th
floor, Rm 401, Central Business District, C&C building, Federal
Secretariat, Phase 3, Abuja. Please, ensure that you sign the EOI
Submission Register in the Hon. Chairman's office, as the
Nigerian Law Reform Commission will not be held liable for
misplaced or wrongly submitted EOI. For further enquiries,
please contact the office on nlrc_info@yahoo.com
6.0
GENERAL INFORMATION
a. Bids must be in English Language and signed by an
official authorised by the bidder;
b. Bids submitted after the deadline for submission would
be returned un-opened;
c. Bidders should not bid for more than one (1) Lot;
d. All costs will be borne by the bidders;
e. Presence of bidders/representatives and members of
the public shall not be required during the bid opening
ceremony in compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines. The
Bids Opening will be covered by video recording (link will
be sent to bidders) with the presence of two (2)
representatives of private sector professional bodies and
Civil Society Organisation in the areas of Anti-
Corruption/Transparency and shall be made available to
bidders upon request;
f. Bidders can submit through Post (Courier Services)
g. Only shortlisted firms will be invited at a later date for
collection of Request for Proposals (RfPs)/Tender
documents;
h. The Nigerian Law Reform Commission is not bound to
shortlist any firm and reserves the right to annul the
Procurement process at any time without incurring any
liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public
Procurement Act 2007.
SIGNED
DR. MUHAMMAD M. AMINU
SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION
FOR: HON CHAIRMAN
NIGERIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION
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Anguish as Maj.-Gen. Hussein Ahmed is laid to rest in Abuja
The corpse of former Provost Marshal
Nigerian Army Maj.-Gen. Hussein
Ahmed was on Friday laid to rest at the
Guards Brigade Cemetery Abuja.
He was burried with full military
honour and according to Islamic rites.
Late Maj.-Gen. Ahmed was killed 16
July 2021 by unknown gunmen while
travelling along Lokaja -Abuja road.
COAS mourns
In his remarks during the funeral rites,
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen.
Faruk Yahaya described the late senior
officer as an articulate, dedicated, loyal
and highly professional officer in the
discharge of his duties.
He eulougiseed Late Maj.-Gen.
Ahmed for his sterling qualities and
immeasurable contributions to the
Nigerian Army while he was alive.
He assured the deceased family that
the Army will not abandoned them in
this trying time.
“The army has provisions in our laws
in terms of entitlements and other
responsibilities and we fulfill that.
“Beyond that, the army, under my
watch, will improve on those provisions
and will be with the family of the late
general and all others who have also paid
the supreme price.
“Ahmed was a friend and colleague
and we have been together for a long
time. He was a very dutiful, responsible
and professional officer but everyone has
his time.
“On behalf of the Commander-in-
Chief of the Armed Forces, officers
and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, we
heartily condole with the family of late
Maj.-Gen. Ahmed.
“May his gentle soul rest in peace and
may God grant us and his family the
fortitude to bear the loss.”
Stories by Benjamin Samson
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal
Oladayo Amao on Friday winged 6
helicopter pilots who recently completed
their basic flying training at Draken
Helicopter Academy in the United
Kingdom.
A statement by Director Public Relations
and Information Nigerian Air Force Air
Commodore Edward Gabkwet quoted
CAS Amao as reiterating the importance
of the human factor as the most critical air
power component that must be enhanced
and sustained for effective and efficient
performance.
This, according to the CAS, gave reason
for the increase in manpower development
witnessed in the NAF in recent times.
We released 1009 cleared Boko-Haram suspects, not ex-fighters – Army
The Nigerian Army (NA) has debunked a
media publication alleging that it secretly
handed over 1009 ex-Boko Haram fighters
to Borno state government.
Director Army Public Relations Brigadier
General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement
Thursday, said the 1009 released were cleared
suspects, not ex-fighters.
He said they were released after being
cleared by experts from the Joint Investigation
Tears flowed freely as the body of Director Veteran Affairs (Army) Maj.-Gen. Hussein Ahmed killed
by gunmen along Lokoja-Abuja road was laid to rest. BENJAMIN SAMSON reports.
Senior military officers carrying the body of late Maj.-Gen. Hussein Ahmed
Citation
In the burial citation of the late
general, the Chief of Policy and Plans
(Army), Maj.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje,
said that Ahmed was a thoroughly
trained officer.
Omozoje said the late Ahmed served
in different capacities before becoming
the provost marshal of the army.
He said the late senior officer was
the Director of Veteran Affairs (Army)
before his demise.
Education and career
Maj.-Gen. Ahmed was born on 16
February 1968 in Maiduguri. He hails
from Maiduguri Local Government
NAF wings 6 helicopter pilots
60 personnel trained on A-29 Super Tucano
He said these efforts are expected to
place the Service in a dominant position
to deliver on its constitutional role more
effectively, especially in the light of NAF’s
involvement in several internal security
operations across the country.
“The operating in synergy with sister
Services and other security agencies, will
be better positioned to more effectively
counter both domestic and foreign threats
to the nation’s security and the wellbeing
of our people,’’ he said.
Centre (JIC) before being reintegrated into
the society
Nwachukwu said: “It is an indisputable
fact that the ongoing Counter Terrorism
Counter Insurgency Operations (CTCOIN)
in the North East has led to the arrest of
several terrorism/insurgency suspects.
“These suspects have been held in custody,
while undergoing profiling and further
investigations by experts from the Joint
Area of Borno state.
He attended Yelwa Comprehensive
Secondary School Makurdi, where he
obtained his Senior Secondary School
Certificate of Education.
He gained admission into the Nigerian
Defence Academy (NDA) in 1988
and was granted Regular Combatant
Commission on 25 September 1993 as
a member of 40 Regular Course in the
rank of Second Lieutenant. He was of
the Military Police Corps and rose to
the rank of Major General before his
unfortunate demise.
Late Major General Ahmed held a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Political
Science and Defence Studies, as well as a
Master Degree in Strategic Studies from
Speaking further, Air Marshal Amao
revealed that the NAF currently has a
total of 195 officers and airmen/airwomen
undergoing various training courses
abroad cutting across several specialties
and trades.
He also stated that locally, there are 12
student pilots undergoing Basic Fighter
Training at 403 Flying Training School,
Kano, while 10 others are undergoing
Basic Transport Training at 401 Flying
Training School, Kaduna.
Investigation Centre (JIC) and those who
are found culpable are usually handed over
to prosecuting agencies accordingly, while
those who are not implicated in terrorism
and insurgency are cleared and released
to the state government for rehabilitation
before they are reintegrated into the society.
“These cleared suspects are therefore not
ex Boko Haram fighters, as peddled in the
said online report and as the masterminds
Monday, July 19, 2021
the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He was one time the Provost Marshal
of the Nigerian Army and until his death
he was the Director Veteran Affairs at
the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Courses
The late senior officer attended several
courses including Young Officers’
Course Infantry, both Junior and Senior
Staff Courses at the prestigious Armed
Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji
and National Defence College among
others.
Awards and medals
In recognition of his meritorious
services to the nation, late Major General
Huseini Ahmed was honoured with
several awards and medals including the
Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service
Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field
Command Medal and Fellow Defence
College among others.
Roll call
The burial ceremony had in
attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff
, General LEO Irabor, representatives
of other Service Chiefs, representative of
the Inspector General of Police, Chief of
Defence Intelligence, Heads of Security
Agencies, Principal Staff Officers from
Defence and Services Headquarters,
Field Commanders, Senior Officers
both serving and retired, members
of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives
Association, the deceased senior officers
immediate family members, friends and
sympathisers among others.
He emphasized that these courses are
aimed at maintaining combat readiness
by increasing the number of pilots to
man existing aircraft, including the 26
new platforms acquired by the federal
government in the past 6 years.
On the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, the
CAS stated that about 60 NAF personnel,
comprising pilots, engineers, technicians,
and other specialists, have completed their
training on the aircraft in the USA.
While encouraging the newly winged
pilots, the CAS urged them not to rest on
their oars as the feat they have achieved
also comes with a burden of responsibility
as so much is expected of them.
He also advised them to continue to give
their best to the Service and the nation.
would want to impress on the public. A total
of 1009 cleared suspects, not ex fighters, were
therefore released after this rigorous process
on Wednesday 14 July 2021.
“It is also necessary to categorically state
that the handing over of the cleared suspects
was not shrouded in secrecy as it was
witnessed by United Nations Humanitarian
and government agencies, in tandem with
global best practice.”
Monday, July 19, 2021
THE GOVERNMENT OF KADUNA STATE
MINSTRY OF AGRICULTURE
19th July 2021
RECRUITMENT OF PROCUREMENT OFFICER
FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD
BANK AGRO-PROCESSING,PRODUCTIVITY
ENHANCEMENT AND LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT
SUPPORT PROJECT (APPEALS)
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
KADUNA STATE.
The Kaduna State Government through the support of World Bank is
implementing the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and
Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS). The Project is
aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity of small and medium scale
farmers and improving value addition along priority value chains in the
State.
The Project will be achieved through supporting farmers’ productivity and
their linkage to markets, facilitating consolidation of agricultural products
and cottage processing, facilitating farmers and small and medium
businesses’ clustering and connection to infrastructure network and
business services, providing technical assistance (TA) and institutional
support to beneficiaries in value chain development. Increased
productivity, production, and improving processing and marketing of
the targeted value chains that are expected to foster job creation along
valuechains.
The Project implementation Unit (PIU) of Kaduna State APPEALS
Projectrequiresa
Procurement Officer
Functions and responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the State Project Coordinator (SPC),
the ProcurementOfficer is responsible forprocurement, including
procurement planning and implementation for all goods, works and
servicesfinanced under the Project.
The specific duties of the position will include:
i) Preparation of procurement plans for implementation of the Economic Department (RPMESSD), Kaduna.
project.
ii) Preparation ofprocurement documents.
iii) Implementation of the day-to-day procurement activities.
iv) Initiation of procurement trainings and workshops
v) Preparation and Rendition of procurement reports,
vi) Carrying out any other duties as may be assigned by the State
Project
Coordinator.
Qualifications and experience required:
i. At leastfirst degree or HND in Engineering,Purchasing and
Supply or Business Administration/Management. Possession of
a higher degree will be an added advantage.
ii. Minimum of 7 Years Post Qualification Experience in Procurement
for World Bank/IDA or other donor assisted project as well as
Knowledge of the World Bank Procurement Framework including
use of STEP.
iii. Knowledge on community contracting is an added advantage.
iv. A good ability to use computer applications especially MS
WORD, EXCEL, ACCESS and MS PROJECT
v. Ability to communicate and write effectively in English.
Applications should be submitted not later than 12noon on 2nd August
2021 to:
Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture,
Ministry of Agriculture,
State Secretariat,
Independence Way,
Kaduna.
SIGNED:
COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY
OF AGRICULTURE
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NIGERIAN INSTITUTE FOR TRYPANOSOMIASIS RESEARCH (NITR)
(Federal Ministry of Science and Technology)
Private Mail Bag 2077,
No. 1, Surame Road, U/Rimi GRA, Kaduna
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR NITR 2021 CAPITAL PROJECTS
1. INTRODUCTION
In compliance with the provisions of the
Public Procurement Act 2007, of the Federal
Government of Nigeria, The Nigerian Institute for
TrypanosomiasisResearch (NITR), Kaduna, invites
interestedand fully qualified contractors and suppliers to
apply for pre-qualification for the Institute’s Year 2021
Capital Projects.
2. SCOPE OF WORKS/SUPPLIES
CATEGORY A-WORKS:
LOT
No
DESCRIPTION-WORKS
A-2 Perimeter Fencing of NITR Headquarters offices,
Kaduna
A-3 Perimeter Fencing of Institute’s land, at Suleja
Niger state.
A-4 Construction/Provision of NITR Liaison Research
Office at Uke, Nasarawa State
A-5 Construction/Provision of NITR Liaison Research
Office at Owo, Ondo State.
A-6 Extension of Office Block of Building at NITR
Headquarters, Kaduna.
A-7 Landscaping of NITR’s Premises 4th Phase
Kaduna
A-8 Construction of Integrated Facilities Phase II at
Nri, Anaocha L.G.A, Anambra State
CATEGORY B-GOODS:
LOT No DESCRIPTION-GOODS
B-3 Procurement of Biotechnology
Equipment for B.R.L.U, Kaduna
Research
B-5 Procurement of Materials for Emotological
Baseline Data Collection and Treatment in
Bauchi, Gombe, Kogi and Kwara States
(PATTEC).
B-6 Procurement of Research Kits-IgG4 and other
Consumables for Onchocerciasis Research
Department.
B-7 Procurement of Office Equipment, Chemicals
and other Consumables for Vector and
Parasitology Research Department.
B-9 Procurement of Research Consumables
and Office Equipment for Human African
Trypanosomiasis
(HATRD).
Research Department
B-10 Procurement of Animal Equipment, Drugs
and other Consumables for African Animal
Trypanosomiasis Research Department
(AATRD).
B-12 Procurement of Equipment and
Consumables for NITR Prototype
other
Ranch at Warrake, Edo State.
B-13 Procurement of Software and other
Consumables for Research Planning and
Monitoring, Extension, Statistics and Socio
B-14 Procurement and Installation of Equipment for
Website Development and Hosting at NITR
Headquarters, Kaduna.
B-15 Procurement of Office Equipment
Administrative Offices, Kaduna.
for
B-16 Procurement of Office Equipment for Finance
and Accounts Department
B-17 Procurement of Office Equipment for NITR
Zonal, Field and Liaison Offices.
B-18 Procurement of Equipment and Accessories for
the Establishment of Data Base for Pan African
Tsetse Fly and Trypanosomiasis Eradication
Campaign (PATTEC).
3. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Interested and eligible contractors are required to submit
the under listed documents for pre-qualification.
a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), including
Form CAC 1.1 or CAC 2 and CAC 7;
b. Evidence of Company’s Tax Clearance
Certificate for the last Three (3) years (2018,
2019 and 2020)valid till 31stDecember, 2021.
c. Evidence of Company Income’s Tax Clearance
Certificate for the last three (3) years valid till
31st December, 2021; with minimum average
annual turnover of (Nxxx) million;
d. Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid
till 31st December, 2021 (applicable where
number of staff is at least 15);
e. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December,
2021 (applicable where number of staff is at least
5 or at least N50m turnover);
f. Evidence of current Nigeria Social Insurance
Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid
till 31st December, 2021;
g. Evidence of Registration on the National
Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants
and Service Providers by submission of Interim
Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31/12/2021
or valid Certificate issued by BPP.
h. Sworn Affidavit:
- disclosing whether or not any officer of the
relevant committees of the Nigerian Institute
for Trypanosomiasis Research or the Bureau
of Public Procurement is a former or present
Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary
interest in the bidder and to confirm that all
information presented in its bid are true and
correct in all particulars
- that no Company’s Director has been
convicted of any offence in the law court.
SIGNED
NITR MANAGEMENT
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- Authorising NITR to make enquiries about the
information supplied by the Company/bidder
i. Reference Letter from a reputable commercial
bank indicating willingness to provide credit
j.
facility for the execution of the project.
Company’s Profile with the Curriculum Vitae
of Key Staff to be deployed for the project,
including copies of their Academic/Professional
qualifications such as COREN, QSRBN,
ARCON, CORBON etc.);
k. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least
three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five
(5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation
Certificates, Job Completion Certificates and
l.
Photographs of the projects;
Works: List and photographs of Plants/
Equipment with proof of Ownership/Lease
m. For Supply of Equipment: Letter of Authorisation
as representative of
Manufacturer (OEM);
Original Equipment
n. Audited Financial Statement of the company
for the past 3 years (2018, 2019and 2020) duly
signed, and sealed by relevant firm.
o. For ICT jobs: Evidence of current registration/
accreditation with Computer Professionals
Registration Council of Nigeria and National
Information Technology Development Agency
(NITDA);
p. All documents for submission must be
transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter
under the Company/Firm’s Letter Head Paper
bearing amongst others, the Registration
Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate
Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address,
Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), and
e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear
the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of
the Company at the bottom of the page and duly
signed by the authorised officer of the firm.
4. COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS
Interested companies are to collect the Bid Document
from Procurement Unit at NITR Headquarters, Kaduna
upon presentation of evidence of payment of a non-
refundable tender fee of N10,000.00 per Lot, paid into
the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research’s
Remita account in any reputable commercial bank in
Nigeria.
5.SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS
i. The Bid Documents (TECHNICAL) and
(FINANCIAL) for each LOT must be submitted
and the LOT Number clearly written on each
ii.
envelope.
Each submission should be sealed in an A3 Size
Envelope, containing the Technical Bid in an A4
Size Envelope and Financial Bid in an A4 size
envelope. The Job LOT number must be clearly
written at the top left hand corner of the A4 Size
Envelope and the Name of the Company making
iii.
the submission at the back of the Envelope.
The submission(s) should be addressed to the
DIRECTOR-GENERAL/CEO
Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research
(NITR), P.M.B. 2077, No. 1, Surame Road, U/
Rimi,Kaduna.
iv. The enveloped documents should be deposited
in the Tenders Box in the Office of the Ag. Head
of Finance& Accounts, NITR, Kaduna, on or
before 12:00 noonon Tuesday, 31st August,
2021.Please, ensure that you sign the Bid
Submission Register as the NITR will not be held
liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids.
6. OPENING OF TECHNICAL BIDS
Only the Technical bids will be opened immediately
after the deadline for submission at 12:00 noon on
Tuesday, 31st August, 2021, at the NITR Headquarters
Auditorium, Kaduna.
7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
i. Late submission shall be returned un-opened.
ii. Unsigned bid by the authorised officer of the
iii.
company will be rejected.
All bidders participating in the Exercise should
note that NITR is not bound to give anyone a
contract. The criteria set up will be used strictly
for the assessment and determination of the
iv.
eventual winner.
This advertisement shall not be construed as a
commitment on the part of NITR nor shall it entitle
responding companies to seek any indemnity
from NITR by virtue of such companies having
responded to the advertisement.
v. NITR reserves the right to reject any submission
vi.
based on unverifiable information.
The implementation of the advertised projects is
vii.
subject to availability of funds.
A bidder/Company shall not bidfor more than two
(2) Lots.
viii. A company with history of Job abandonment
need not apply;
ix. Presence of bidders/representatives and
members of the public shall not be required
during the bid opening ceremony in compliance
with COVID-19 Guidelines. The Bids Opening
will be covered by video recording (link will be
sent to bidders) with the presence of two (2)
representatives of private sector professional
bodies and Civil Society Organisation in the
areas of Anti-Corruption/Transparency;
x. Bid documents can also be collected in soft
copies and Bidders can submit through Post
(Courier Services);
xi. Only pre-qualified bidders at technical evaluation
will be invited at a later date for financial bids
opening, while the financial bids of un-successful
bidders will be returned un-opened.
xii. The NITR is not bound to pre-qualify any bidder
and reserves the right to annul the Procurement
process at any time without incurring any
liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the
Public Procurement Act 2007.
22
Graft war, death threat and the EFCC chair
Throw-back
While speaking during a meeting with the
American Secretary of State, John Kerry in
Morocco in 2016, President Muhammadu
Buhari admitted that the anti-corruption war
in his country is not just tough and grueling
but also the type that fights back
The occasion was the conference on climate
change, COP22, which held in Marrakech,
Morocco.
But Buhari assured that his administration’s
anti-corruption campaign would be won.
He had said “Corrupt people had
accumulated a formidable arsenal of illicit
wealth, which they were now deploying
against the government on diverse fronts.
“But it is a war we are determined to win,
and which we will win. People of goodwill are
behind us, countries like America and many
others are with us, and we will surely win,’’
the president said.
That was in 2016.
Also in 2020 President Buhari charged
Nigerians to join the government in
combating the menace of corruption and
return the country to the values of honesty
and integrity.
He spoke at the second National Summit of
the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other
Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on
Diminishing Corruption and launch of the
National Ethics and Integrity Policy to mark
the 20th anniversary of its establishment in
Abuja.
He said, “As military Head of State, I
fought corruption headlong and held public
officers who abused their offices or misused
public funds to account.
“I introduced the War Against Indiscipline
(WAI), one of whose cardinal objectives was
to promote ethical conduct, integrity, and
hard work in 1984, I recognised, as I do
now, that corruption poses a clear danger to
Nigeria.
“So, we cannot relent in efforts to eradicate
it in all its ramifications. As I have often
reminded Nigerians that if we do not kill
corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”
Sagay’s poser
Many stakeholders who are on all fours
with Buhari had also in the past expressed
their disappointment over spate of corruption
in the country.
For instance, in 2019, while venting his
opinion on the menace of corruption in
the country at a conference organised by
the National Orientation Agency (NOA)
in Jos, Plateau State, the Chairman of the
Presidential Advisory Committee Against
Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay
(SAN) noted that corruption was still largely
pervasive in the country.
Sagay who traced the history of Nigeria
January 15, 1966 and 1975 coup d’état to
allegation of widespread corruption in the
country, regretted that the justification for
the killings was that corruption would be
eliminated in 1966, stressing further that
since independence, every government had
identified graft as a major obstacle.
“The PACAC boss lamented that almost
60 years after the country’s independence,
corruption remains a major problem and an
obstacle to peace, unity and development of
the country,” Sagay noted.
Threat: Like Ribadu, like Bawa
Institutions created by law to fight
corruption have been working chasing
around corrupt elements in the society. In
fact, in 2008, Human Rights Watch called
on the Nigerian government to protect the
then EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, when
Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption campaigner
was subjected to an escalating campaign of
harassment, threats, and an apparent attempt
on his life.
In an interview, Ribadu told Human Rights
Watch. “I fear for my life, I have made a lot
of enemies.”
Amidst death threat, Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Abdulrasheed Bawa recently said the commission was set to begin prosecution of 800 new
corruption cases. In this piece, KEHINDE OSASONA asks if corruption is truly fighting back
Bawa
Although he was removed from his
position in December 2007 after the
commission arrested and indicted him of
alleged corruption charges, the campaign of
intimidation against Ribadu, observers and
pundits in the Nigerian project believed, was
aimed at silencing a key voice in the crucial
fight against corruption in Nigeria.
Ribadu was quoted as saying he had
received credible information about a
planned attempt on his life. He also said he
had received threatening phone calls in which
he was advised to “say his last prayers.”
“The harassment, the intimidation is meant
to put fear in me, to break me, but I am going
to stand and continue standing,” he told the
Human Rights Watch.
In December 2007, the EFCC sent shock
waves through the political establishment
by arresting the powerful former Delta State
Governor, James Ibori and charged him
with 103 counts of corruption, including an
alleged attempt to bribe Ribadu with US$15
million in cash to drop the case against him.
In August 2008, Ribadu was demoted from
the rank of Assistant Inspector General of
Police, on the grounds that the promotions
he received while at the EFCC had failed to
comply with police procedure.
On November 22 he was forcefully
removed by state security agents from the
graduation ceremony that followed the course
he was ordered to attend.
From all indications, from the former
chairman of the EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu to the
current chairman, Abdurasheed Bawa, the
lamentations have remained that graft war is
tough.
While also confirming the assertion at a
weekly ministerial briefing at the presidential
villa in Abuja recently, Bawa, was quoted as
saying “corruption is fighting back”
According to him, it could be part of the
reason his predecessors left office under
controversial circumstances, insisting that
those the EFCC deprived of illicit wealth will
naturally see them as enemies.
Bawa who claimed to have received death
threats since he assumed office insisted that it
is the case of corruption fighting back.
He said, “Last week, I was in New York,
as all Nigerians are aware of. A very senior
citizen received a phone call from somebody
that is not even under investigation. What he
(the caller) said to him on the phone is that
he is going to kill the EFCC chairman, the
young man.
“He said, ‘I am going to kill him. I am
going to kill him’. This is to tell you how bad
it is. It is actually real. Corruption can fight
back.”
When further asked if he meant he has
been receiving death threats, the EFCC boss
said, “Yes”.
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This medium recalls that the embattled
chairman had threatened to resign from the
position, if he was asked to compromise.
Bawa while featuring in an interview added,
“We need to change our attitudes in Nigeria.
“We are in the habit of worshipping people
that have money in the society, but never
bother to ask questions about their sources
of income. In winning the fight against
corruption, we are engaging all stakeholders
including religious leaders, community
leaders and others.
“We are going to embark on massive public
enlightenment to sensitize people on the need
to shun corruption in all its forms.”
The EFCC boss continued, “I will continue
to do what is right.
“The Commission under my watch will
continue to abide by the rule of law. If
anybody asks me to do anything contrary to
my conscience or against the rule of law, I will
resign my appointment.”
HURIWA, FPS show solidarity
Meanwhile, as the death threat against
Bawa became a public knowledge, some
individuals and organizations have started
showing solidarity, threatening that nothing
must happen to the EFCC boss.
One of them, the Human Rights Writers
Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) warned
that nothing untoward or sinister must
happen to the Chairman of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission.
HURIWA has therefore called on President
Muhammadu Buhari to extend the best
protection available to the EFCC chairman.
“Seeing his refreshing youthfulness and
his expressed or vocalized zeal to battle
relentlessly the hydra-headed monster of
economic crimes especially amongst top-flight
government officials, we are hereby expressing
our solidarity with Bawa and urging the
President and Commander-in-Chief of the
Nigerian Armed Forces to extend the best
protection available humanly speaking to his
trusted appointee who seems to have started
well, so his adversaries will not put him in the
way of harm or danger,” HURIWA said.
In a statement, jointly signed by the
National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel
Onwubiko and Zainab Yusuf, the Director
of media nationwide, added, “HURIWA is
calling on patriots to speak out.
“We are credible civil rights leaders to
speak out to put pressure on both the EFCC
Chairman and President Buhari to name,
shame, prosecute and punish the particular
identifiable man that the EFCC chairman
said made a call and threatened to kill him.
“In the last five years, life has become very
cheap in Nigeria and mass killers are roaming
freely even within the corridors of power in
Abuja and nothing is happening.
Monday, July 19, 2021
“The early warning by Abdulrasheed Bawa
should not be treated with the usual fire
Brigade approach whereby the government
would wait until the threat is executed before
running around trying to spread propaganda”.
Also in another statement issued in Abuja
and signed by the chapter chairman and the
secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ekwe Esq, of a
Journalism body, Fourth Estate Professional
Society have described as an act of cowardice
the death threat issued against Bawa.
The body has therefore urged the federal
government to swing into action so as to arrest
the situation and nip in the bud, noting that
the fight against corruption in the country is
not about Bawa alone but a collective one.
The statement partly reads; “The Federal
Government should as a matter of necessity
treat Bawa’s revelation with utmost urgency
and action that it deserves.
“The graft war which in our opinion now
fighting back is on the verge of consuming one
of the best hands trained and saddled with the
responsibility of bringing the corrupts in our
society to book,”
While bemoaning Nigeria’s status in the
recent global corruption index, the body
has therefore pledged its support and that of
members across the country to government,
its agencies and stakeholders¬-alike in the
fight against corruption.
Threat, setback in war against corruption
While also addressing a press conference
in Kaduna over the threat, Speaker of Arewa
Youth Assembly, Comrade Mohammed
Salihu Danlami lamented that a few highly
corrupt elite in the society are threatening
Bawa’s life for doing his job diligently, saying
the group will not tolerate any threat to Bawa’s
life or any staff of the commission.”
“This threat should not be taken for granted.
We as youths of this country have shown our
support and respect for the chairman from
when he was appointed and we are ready to
stand behind him to accomplish his task.
“Any attack or threat on the chairman
is a threat on us and we will be forced to
investigate who made the threat and will use
the law to deal with the person directly to act
as deterrent to any other person nursing such
thought.
“Mr. Bawa must be supported by all well
meaning Nigerians to bring corruption to a
stand still. He needs our support and prayers.
Just a few months after he assumed office as the
head of the anti graft agency, his achievements
have surpassed all his predecessors,” they said.
“This intelligent, workaholic, and focused
youth has achieved very much in this short
period,” he had added
Way out
Commenting on the alleged threat
to Bawa’s life, an Abuja based public
commentator, Peter Agbunifoh wondered
why the country’s hope bearer in the fight
against corruption could be so threatened in
the course of carrying out his legitimate duty.
He has therefore tasked the federal
government to beef security around the EFCC
boss and should also read a riot act regarding
the threat as a way of sending a signal.
“I think the government should talk tough
about letting such people issue threats now
that Bawa is on a mission and should not be
distracted,” Agbunifoh said.
Now that the anti-corruption czar is being
hunted, it would not be out of place to say
that corruption is indeed fighting back.
Nevertheless, it is hoped that the
government will do the needful so that Bawa
will not suffer disgraceful exit, and more
importantly would not be a victim of killer
hawks out there in the course of carrying out
national assignment.
Monday, July 19, 2021
Judiciary News
Wike, Malami flag off construction of Port-Harcourt Law School Campus
By Ise-Oluwa Ige
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike
has declared the readiness of hos his
administration to build, furnish and
deliver the best campus of the Nigerian
Law School in Port Harcourt.
He spoke at a ceremony marking
the official flag-off of civil engineering
works for the establishment of the
Law Campus at Rumueme Town of
Obio/Akpor Local Government Area,
yesterday.
The ceremony was well attended
by prominent legal practitioners
in both private and public practice
including the Attorney-General of the
Federation (AGF), Abubakar Mslami
(SAN) and a former NBA Predident,
OCJ Okocha (SAN).
The facilities in the new campus
now under construction will comprise
14 structures including 1,500 capacity
classroom blocks, hostel blocks
for 1,638 students, multipurpose
hall, 16 units of three-bedroom flat
staff quarters with swimming pool,
gymnasium and lawn tennis court.
PDP drops suit seeking to oust Zamfara Deputy Gov, Gusau over unlawful defection
By Kehinde Orisasona
In a dramatic u-turn, the Peoples’
Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday in
Abuja withdrew the name of Zamfara
Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mahadi
Aliyu Gusau from a suit seeking
Two dismissed
policemen, three others
to die by hanging for
kidnapping – Court
By Ise-Oluwa Ige
An Akwa Ibom High Court sitting
in Ikot Ekpene has pronounced
death by hanging sentence on two
dismissed policemen and three others
for kidnapping an Uyo-based cattle
dealer, Alhaji Muhammad Umar
Barkindo.
The affected police officers, now
dismissed, are Corporal Friday Udo,
a native of Ikot Inyang in Oruk
Anam Local Government Area and
Corporal Saturday Okorie of Ikot
Etenge also in Oruk Anam.
Also condemned to death were
Walter Jack Udo, a native of Iwok
Nsit in Nsit Atai, Udo Moses
Akpaetuk of Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono
Ibom and Udo Okon Etim from Ikot
Asua in Nsit Atai whose house was
used to keep the victim while they
demanded N100m ransom.
The judgement laid to rest the 10-
year-old trial of the 8-man squad also
linked to the kidnap of a medical
expert at the University of Uyo, Dr.
Ini Enang in August, 2011, a case
for which the court discharged and
acquitted the accused for want of
evidence.
The three other accused died in the
course of their trial with their names
struck out by the court.
In her judgment, Justice Eno
Isangedighi held the prosecution has
proved its case beyond reasonable
doubts and found the accused guilty
of conspiracy and kidnapping Alhaji
Barkindo on 25th November, 2011,
an offense punishable by death in
section one subsection two of Akwa
Ibom State Internal Security and
Enforcement Law 2009.
Justice Isangedighi prayed God
to have mercy upon the souls of the
condemned kidnappers.
Other facilities are library, moot
court/law, clinic building, sickbay,
administrative block, cafeteria and
sporting facilities for students.
Speaking at the event, Governor
Wike noted how Rivers people had
hailed his idea and eventful decision
to request for a campus of the
Nigerian Law School to be located in
Port Harcourt.
According to Governor Wike, if the
Rivers Government had not initiated
to flag-off the construction of two
hostels and an auditorium at the
Yenagoa campus of the Nigerian Law
School in Bayelsa State, it would have
missed the opportunity to request a
Port Harcourt campus.
With the request granted and
commencement of construction work
at the new Law School site, Governor
Wike said Rivers people would be
the greatest beneficiaries in terms
of employment opportunities the
campus will offer and the attendant
economic activities within the
precinct of the institution.
‘People are saying what a wonderful
to unseat him and his principal,
Governor Bello Muhammad
Matawalle at the federal high court
over alleged unlawful defection.
The party had earlier slated Gusau
for removal from office as the deputy
governor of the state over the same
issue.
However, on Friday, PDP lead
counsel, Kanu Agabi SAN applied for
withdrawal of the deputy governor’s
name on the ground that there was
no evidence of defection from him
In a motion to that effect, PDP
also formally took over the case as the
1st plaintiff on the ground that the
mandate being contested belonged
to it.
Following no objections from
other lawyers in the matter, Justice
Inyang Eden Ekwo ordered removal
of the deputy governor’s name.
The Judge also ordered that PDP
be made the plaintiff and directed
the party to amend and file all its
processes within seven days.
He subsequently fixed September
Constant visits of govt agencies to sitting judges over pending cases in their courts worrying – Babatunde
By Ise-Oluwa Ige
A prominent member of the inner
bar and publisher of Supreme Court
Law Reports, Mr Layi Babatunde
has expressed worry over what he
claimed is becoming a trend by
Federal Government agencies to visit
chief judges of the Federal courts to
solicit assistance on the disposal of
their cases pending before them.
The learned silk said such conduct
smacks of corruption.
Babatunde, the Managing
Director of Lawbreed Publishers
made the remarks in a paper he
delivered at the just concluded
Law Week of the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA), Ikeja branch.
He had wondered how it would
be viewed if bank debtors also form
themselves into an association and
pay similar visits to heads of courts
to seek assistance on the disposal of
their cases.
Babatunde who spoke to his
paper titled: Our role in the effective
implementation of Nigeria’s anti-
corruption laws said any action that
has the semblance of corruption
must be done away with.
He thereafter went into history
of corruption in the country and its
project; what a wonderful decision
that we took. I’m sure every Rivers
man and woman, even persons who
have a clear heart who is not going
to play politics will know that the
decision of siting Law School campus
in Port Harcourt is very key,’ he
expressed.
‘Not only will it help to reduce the
number of those who ordinarily will
not have the opportunity of going
to law school at the time they finish
their law programme at the university,
it will improve the economy of the
State. It will also create employment
for our people.’
Governor Wike noted the
importance of the Yenagoa campus
of the Nigerian Law School to the
South-South region but observed that
even together with the other existing
five campuses, there is still the lack of
carrying capacity for law students due
to such training.
The governor said the Port
Harcourt campus would be part of the
contribution of the State government
to legal education in the country.
29, 2021 for mention of the suit.
At Friday proceedings governor
Matawalle was represented by Chief
Mike Ozekhome SAN while Alhaji
Ahmed Raj SAN stood for the All
Progressive Congress (APC).
Another Senior Advocate of
Nigeria, Tanimu Inuwa represented
the Independent National Electoral
Commission INEC.
At the federal high court being
used as battle ground, the party asked
the court to sack the Governor over
his unlawful defection from PDP to
the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The request forms part of the
reliefs being sought in a suit,
marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/489/2021
earlier filed in the names of two PDP
members from Zamfara State, Alhaji
Sani Kaura Ahmed and Abubakar
Muhammed.
The plaintiffs are contending
that, in view of an earlier judgment
of the Supreme Court, to the effect
that the APC had no candidates in
the 2019 governorship election in
consequences.
According to him, “Being called
upon to deliver a paper, at this event,
as part of the activities marking the
NBA Ikeja Branch 2021 Law Week
activities is both an honour and a
challenge given the topic I have been
asked to speak upon.
“The issue of corruption is as old
as our country. We have never been
short of seminars, symposia and
several fora of discussion on the
debilitating subject of corruption
and the incalculable harm it has
done and continues to do to our
country.
“Indeed, when the military first
intervened in our country’s political
affairs, the consequences which we
still suffer from, their justification
for the coup was captured thus:
“Our enemies are the political
profiteers, the swindlers, the men in
high and low places that seek bribes
and demand 10 percent; those that
seek to keep the country divided
permanently so that they can remain
in office as ministers or VIPs at least,
the tribalists, the nepotists, those
that make the country look big for
nothing before international circles,
those that have corrupted our society
and put the Nigerian political
He particularly acknowledged
the apolitical consideration given to
his request by the Attorney General
of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami, a Senior
Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), despite
his being a major critic of the All
Progressives Congress (APC)-led
Federal Government.
The governor also handed over the
certificate of occupancy of the land
on which the campus is being built
and the land where the staff quarters
would be built opposite the Hotel
Presidential to the Attorney General
of the Federation and Minister of
Justice.
Governor Wike also announced
that the Rivers State government has
approved subvention for the running
of the Law School for the next four
years.
The state governor further declared
that he has the capacity and political
will to complete the construction of
the Law School on schedule.
Performing the flag-off, the
Attorney General of the Federation
Zamfara State, having not conducted
valid primaries, it would be unlawful
for Matawalle to retain his office
while defecting from the PDP to the
APC, and thereby transferring PDP’s
victory to the APC.
They want the court to among
others, declare that Matawalle must
resign from his office before his
defection to allow the Independent
National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to conduct fresh election,
within three months, for the PDP to
replace them.
Last Monday when the legal battle
was kick-started through ex-parte
motion argued by the plaintiffs
lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Justice
Inyang Eden Ekwo granted an
order of substituted service of the
originating processes on the Governor
through APC national secretariat
The governor had two weeks ago
defected from PDP to APC which
prompted the move by the PDP to
claim its mandates from him through
court action.
calendar back by their words and
deeds.
“Indeed, one of the earliest
attempts to checkmate corruption
through Legislation in Nigeria is
the Northern Nigeria Customary
Presents order 1955. This is the
precursor to S. 6(3) of the Code
of Conduct for public officers
contained in the First Schedule to
the 1999 Constitution (as altered).
“The Section provides:
6. (1) A public officer shall not
ask for or accept property or benefits
of any kind for himself or any other
Babatunde
23
and Minister of Justice, Malami, who
was represented by the Chairman,
Council of Legal Education, Chief
Nnaemeka Ngige, SAN, recounted
how the journey leading to the
foundation laying ceremony started
with the request made by Governor
Wike for a Law School in Port
Harcourt.
He asserted that the Council of
Legal Education had resolved that
henceforth, any State Government or
group of persons wishing or offering
to build a campus of Nigerian Law
School in any other part of the country
must comply with what is now called
the Rivers’ Model.
“I, therefore, use this medium to
congratulate Governor Wike, the
government and the good people of
Rivers State for the vision and proactive
stance in attracting monumental
project to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It is epoch-making and a landmark
achievement, which posterity will rate
very highly in the history of Rivers
State.’
He explained that following
Governor Wike’s request, the Council
of Legal Education has accepted
to name the Port Harcourt Law
School campus after legal luminary
and former Attorney General of
the Federation and Commissioner
for Justice, Justice Nabo Bekinbo
Graham-Douglas, SAN.
The Director General of the
Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa
Huyatu Chiroma, who commended
Governor Wike for his zeal to advance
legal education, said academic
activities are expected to start at the
Port Harcourt campus in the next six
to eight months.
Chief Judge of Rivers State,
Justice Simeon Amadi, commended
Governor Wike for conceiving the
idea of a Law School in Port Harcourt.
He further thanked the Attorney
General of the Federation and the
Council of Legal Education for the
approval to site the campus in Rivers
State.
Rivers State Attorney General and
Commissioner for Justice, Professor
Zacchaeus Adangor said the Law
School campus in Port Harcourt will
stand out as one of the most iconic
achievements of Governor Wike’s
person on account of anything done
or omitted to be done by him in the
discharge of his duties.
“(3) A public officer shall only
accept personal gifts or benefits from
relatives or personal friends to such
extent and on such occasions as are
recognised by custom:
“Provided that any gift or
donation to a public officer on any
public or ceremonial occasion shall
be treated as a gift to the appropriate
institution represented by the
public officer, and accordingly, the
mere acceptance or receipt of any
such gift shall not be treated as a
contravention of this provision.
“So its obvious that the battle
against corruption has been long
drawn and in some cases bloody in
Nigeria.
“Corruption in Nigeria
undermines democratic institutions,
retards economic development
and contributes to government
instability.
“Corruption attacks the
foundation of democratic
institutions by distorting electoral
processes, perverting the rule of law,
and creating bureaucratic quagmires
whose only reason for existence is
the soliciting of bribes.”
24 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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news
Contribute
to national
development,
Onu tells youth
By Binta Shama
Abuja
The Minister of Science and
Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu
has called on Nigerian youth to
contribute their quota to national
development in making Nigeria
greater.
Onu stated this when he received
the President of the Board of
Organisation of Military Sports
in Africa, (OSMA) Brig. Gen
Mohammed Abdullahi in his office
in Abuja, recently.
“It is important that young
Nigerians both girls and boys must
remember at all times that they
are the greatest asset and treasure
Nigeria has and the future of the
country depends solely on them.
Nigeria is a truly great nation
and can be made greater through
contributions from all Nigerians
and what team Nigeria basketball
has recently achieved is something
that can encourage them and give
them that assurance that they can
do it and they will do it.”
He further said that the
participation in sporting activities
is a very important ingredient for
national integration and unity.
The Minister said that sport
activities especially by Military
personnel in the Sahel region will
create peace in the region and
foster regional socio-economic
development.
“Sporting activities will place
emphasis on factors uniting these
countries and downplay factors
dividing us.”
He assured them of the ministry’s
contribution to the development
of sports in Nigeria, adding that
the National Research Institute of
Chemical Technology (NARICT),
one of the Ministry’s agencies, is
involved in the production of world
class footballs.
Earlier the president of the board
of Organisation of Military Sports
in Africa, Brig. Gen Mohammed
Abdullahi, said his organisation has
made the minister its patron for the
forthcoming Sahel Military games
in October.
He added that Nigeria is the host
nation of the forthcoming Sahel
Military games, with 16 nations
participating in the forthcoming
games.
BDC Exchange Rates
Currency Sell / Buy Rate Date
USD N 485 / 475 25/03/2021
EUR N 576 / 569 25/03/2021
GBP N 675 / 667 25/03/2021
Date
MPR 11.5% 23-03-2021
Inflation 17.33% Feb. 2021
Crude oil price($) $61.71 23-03-2021
CBN Exchange Rates N379($) 25-03-2021
Establishment of NSMP’ll encourage
sugar refining companies in BIP – FG
By Amaka Ifeakandu
Lagos
The federal government under
the National Sugar Development
Council said it established the
Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP)
to encourage and incentivize sugar
refining companies in their Backward
Integration Programme (BIP) for local
sugar production.
In a circular signed by Director,
From left: Chief Executive Officer Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) Temi Popoola, Managing Director First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited
Yemisi Edun, First Vice President Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) Oluwole Adeosun and Managing Director/CEO NASD Plc Bola Ajomale
during the investiture of Mr Olukayode Pitan as Honorary Fellow of CIS in Lagos Saturday Photo: Sunday Eshiet
Dangote Cement becomes first Nigerian coy to report financials using XBRL
By Blessing Anaro & Amaka Ifeakandu
Lagos
Dangote Cement has become the first
Nigerian listed company to report its
financial results using IFRS taxonomy.
It announced that its financial
information has been made available to
investors in eXtensible Business Reporting
Language (XBRL) format using the IFRS
taxonomy. XBRL enables companies
standardize the preparation, publishing,
and exchange of financial information in
a machine-readable format.
It is mainly used by publicly listed
companies which are required to use it by
law, such as companies listed in the USA,
Europe, and South Africa.
Data contained in the company’s third
quarter 2020, Full Year 2020 and first
quarter 2021 financial statements are
now available in XBRL format.
Michel Puchercos, Chief Executive
Trade & Exchange Department,
Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN)
Dr O.S Nnaji said that only three
companies who have made reasonable
progress in achieving backward
integration in the sector shall be
allowed to import sugar into the
country.
The listed companies are Bus
Sugar Refinery Limited, Dangote
Sugar Refinery Plc and Golden Sugar
Company.
Officer of Dangote Cement, on the
execution of XBRL, said: “We believe that
adopting XBRL reporting will strongly
benefit Dangote Cement’s existing and
potential investors. It represents another
step in Dangote Cement’s continuing
efforts to modernize and enhance
transparency of, and access to, companies’
disclosures.”
According to him, the adoption of
XBRL will “enable our publicly available
financial information to be captured
accurately and promptly, thus bringing
uniformity of our results on all the
platforms and ensuring that investors and
analysts who use these platforms have the
correct information. Although XBRL
reporting is not mandatory for companies
listed on the Nigerian Exchange, it
is becoming a universal format to
exchange financial data and promotes the
coordination of international reporting
requirements.
The implementation of XBRL
demonstrates Dangote Cement’s strong
dedication to reaching international
reporting and corporate governance
standards. As Africa’s leading cement
producer, we are leading the way with our
commitment to sustainability and best
practice. We are driven by the goal of
achieving the highest level of governance
and building a prosperous and
sustainable brand for all our stakeholders.
Transparency and consistency are at the
core of every part of our business culture.”
XBRL is a language for the electronic
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In its explanation, the apex bank,
in view of the foregoing, authorised
dealers shall not open form M or
access foreign exchange in the Nigerian
Foreign Exchange market for any
company including the three listed
above for importation sugar without
prior and express approval of the CBN
as the bank is charged with the mandate
of monitoring the implementation of
backward integration programme of all
the companies.
communication of business and financial
data which is revolutionizing business
reporting around the world. It provides
major benefits in the preparation,
analysis, and communication of business
information. It offers greater efficiency,
improved accuracy, and reliability to
all those involved in supplying or using
financial data. It is already being put to
practical use in several countries and
implementations of XBRL are growing
rapidly around the world.
For Dangote Cement, XBRL increases
the usability of financial statement
information. The need to re-key financial
data for analytical and other purposes
are now eliminated. By presenting its
statements in XBRL, the company offers
a lot of benefits to investors and other
stakeholders.
Dangote Cement Plc is sub-Saharan
Africa’s largest cement producer with an
installed capacity of 48.6Mta across 10
African countries and operates a fully
integrated “quarry-to-customer” business
with activities covering manufacturing,
sales, and distribution of cement.
Dangote Cement has a long-term
credit rating of AAA+ by GCR and Aa2.
ng by Moody’s due to its market leading
position, significant operational scale
and strong financial profile evidenced by
the company’s robust operating and net
profit margins relative to regional and
global peers, adequate working capital,
satisfactory cash flow and low leverage.
Monday, July 19, 2021
Stakeholders
oppose fisheries'
subsidies for
multinationals
By John Oba
Abuja
The FishNet Alliance, an Africa-wide
network of fishers engaged in and promoting
sustainable fishing practices in line with
ecosystem limits has called on the World
Trade Organization (WTO) to be detailed
as it negotiates with fishing industry players
on subsidies for the industry.
The Alliance should go after corporate
and vested interests doling out billions of
dollars as subsidies for dangerous fishing
expeditions, especially harmful fishing
practices within and outside their national
jurisdiction.
The Alliance in a statement signed by
Programme Manager, Health of Mother
Earth Foundation (HOMEF) Joyce Brown,
recently said it stands to oppose extractive
activities in water bodies including rivers,
lakes and oceans.
"As World Trade ministers meet
to negotiate the fisheries subsidies, it is
instructive to note that the negotiating
group rules contained in the revised draft
consolidated Chair text, are set to chase
the already vulnerable small scale/artisanal
fishers (who are victims of the operations
of industrial fishers) in developing and least
developed countries, out of business when
the proposed 2 years exemption for subsidies
elapses.
"Also, the setting of 12 nautical miles
from baseline as the limit of exemption for
developing and least developed countries of
low income, resource-poor and livelihood
fishing or fishing related activities is
unacceptable.
"The articles in the negotiating group
rules seem to be well crafted in a sinister and
conspiratorial fashion to allow for business as
usual for industrial fishers as long as they can
prove that there are some sets of imaginary,
unproven and untested systems in place
to maintain fish stock(s) at a biologically
sustainable level – a permanent loophole for
aggressive and mindless fishing regime to
the detriment of communities of artisanal
fishers.
"One pertinent question to ask is who
and what is responsible for overfishing,
overcapacity, by-catches and illegal,
unreported and unregulated fishing? Recent
reports shows how 10 countries — China,
Japan, South Korea, Russia, the U.S.A.,
Thailand, Taiwan, Spain, Indonesia and
Norway — spent over $15.3 billion on
harmful fishing subsidies in 2018. This has
had a negative rebounding effect including
social, economic and ecological impacts," it
stated.
The body stated further that the report
analyzed the expenditure of these harmful
fishing subsidies used by these 10 nations,
60% ($9.2 billion) for domestic fishing,
35% ($5.4 billion) for traveling long
distances to fish in the waters of 116 other
nations and 5% ($800 million) for fishing
in the high seas, which are part of the ocean
beyond any nation’s jurisdiction.
It added that members of FishNet
Alliance in Africa are strongly opposed to
these subsidies and unregulated resultant
incentivizing of unregulated fishing in
African waters.
According to the Alliance, "massive
plundering of fisheries on the continent’s
continental waters have severely impacted
the economy of artisanal fishers in the
region as well as affecting the nutrition of
the peoples.
Monday, July 19, 2021
news
'105m Nigerians in extreme poverty'
By Blessing Anaro
Lagos
World Poverty Clock says the number of
Nigerians living in extreme poverty has
increased by 51 per cent of the country's
population from 87 million people in
2017 to 105 million in 2019. Nigeria
is said to have a population of 205.32
million in 2019.
This is mainly because food prices are
rising amidst stagnant income.
Nigerians lament that, while the
average Nigerian income is stagnant,
the income of politicians keep growing
irrespective of the worsening economy.
Economist and Investment
Consultant Vincent Nwani said
insecurity had been a major cause of
price hike in recent times.
In a phone conversation with The
International Centre for Investigative
Reporting (ICIR), Nwani said the
conflict between farmers and herders
in Nigeria had negatively affected
the natural supply of food within the
From left: Group
Managing Director
Odu'a Investment
Company Ltd
Adewale Raji, Group
Chairman Dr Segun
Aina, Company
Secretary/Head of
Legal Department
Abiola Ajayi and
Chief Investment
and Business
Development
Officer Gbolahan
Mark-George
during the 39th
Annual General
Meeting of Odu'a
Investment in
Ibadan recently
Photo: NAN
By Amaka Ifeakandu
Lagos
Banking in Nigeria is almost as
sophisticated as you can find anywhere
else in the world and they have proven
to be at the forefront of technology
leverage, Dr. ‘Biodun Adedipe, founder
and Chief Consultant of B. Adedipe
Associates Limited (BAAConsult) has
said.
He also expressed concern over
Nigeria's foreign reserves at 5.45
months of import cover and below 11
months required for an economy in
Crisis.
Speaking at the Half-Year
Economic Review and outlook for
the banking sector, organised by
Finance Correspondents Association
of Nigeria (FICAN), Adedipe observed
improvements in some economic
indices and the resilience of the banking
industry in the last five years.
According to him, the banks are
doing well in the digital space supported
by deepening internet penetration,
country.
“Insecurity is having disproportionate
adverse impact on food supply. While the
natural supply of food has been distorted,
the demand is still very buoyant. The
supply can only become smaller as
herdsmen and bandits continue to chase
farmers out of their farms,” he said.
Nwani also said farm settlements
had been taken over by criminals and
predicted that the hike would persist
until security challenges in the country
were addressed.
He stressed the need to fix insecurity
in order to reduce rising food prices.
Sharing his struggles with low sales,
Onyekachi Ogbuh, who owns a stall in
Wuse Market, told The ICIR that the
increase in the cost of transportation and
logistics had contributed to the upsurge
in the prices of food.
“Transportation mostly is the problem.
Before now, we bring in these goods at
the rate of N60, 000 to N70,000. Now it
is N150,000,” he said.
In an interview with The ICIR, a trader
Nigerian banks at forefront of technology – Adedipe
Says import cover at disturbing levels
large youthful and rapidly growing
population, rapid urbanization,
strengthening innovation culture driven
by survival instinct and increasing
attention to competitive strategy.
He said critical future and forward
thinking is now the order of the day and
banks are already competing against
large powerful shadow banking systems.
He, however, harped on the need
for the lenders to do more because
they are facing extensive competition
from Silicon Valley both in the form
of Financial Technology (FinTech)
companies and big tech companies like
Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and
now Walmart that is here to stay.
He observed that the Nigerian
banking industry grew double digit in
the last five (5) years, demonstrating
effective marketing.
at Utako market Ibrahim Bulama said a
crate of eggs, which was sold for N900 a
few months ago, now cost N1600.
Bulama also said the price of a basket
of pepper increased from N1000 in
April to N2500 in July and attributed
the upsurge in food prices to the farmer-
herder crises across the country.
“We no dey get customers. If you tell
them the price, they go just go. We are
suffering,” he said in pidgin, an informal
type of English language spoken in
Nigeria and West Africa.
For Christy Chikodi, a trader in Wuse
Market, food had become a commodity
affordable only to the rich.
“A mudu of beans is beyond the
common man’s reach. It is N1000 now.
About four or five months ago, it was
N350 or N400 at most. Groundnut oil is
even worse. A bottle is N900 now, from
N650 or N700 three months ago,” she
said.
Economist and Lecturer at the Lagos
Business School Adi Bongo told The
ICIR that the worsening state of Nigerian
However, he noted that with loan-
to-deposit ratio averaging 70.4per
cent, the banks are below prescribed
maximum have room to expand
lending but the challenge then is how
the lending environment can be de-
risked, especially lending to Medium,
Small and Medium scale Enterprises
(MSMEs).
"There is no sector you operate in,
in the Nigerian economy that there is
no space for you to thrive, if you do
the right things, at the right places, and
right time, for the right person and with
most things now digital," Adedioe said.
The downward trend in all indices:
price, production and export are a
warning sign for Nigeria and are a sign
of the urgency of diversification of
foreign earnings he emphasized.
Adedipe also warned authorities
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roads had also contributed to the steady
rise in the prices of food.
Bongo also noted that a large chunk
of the farming population had been cut
down, due to the incessant harassment of
farmers by terrorists.
“So many farmlands are no longer
accessible to farmers in Nassarawa, Benue
and Taraba axes. Most of these farmers
have been displaced by marauding
herdsmen that the government has failed
to control,” he said.
He further identified the high
exchange rates and inflation in Nigeria
as another reason for the increase in food
prices.
“It has made our currency cheaper
than those of our neighbouring countries.
Trucks are now conveying grains to the
Sahel countries. That means that we are
now competing with outsiders for the
grain market in Nigeria. Our grains no
longer serve just us, it is also serving
other countries because farmers will
always want to get optimum profit for
their crops,” he said.
to take pragmatic steps to save the
economy, already in crisis.
According to him, with a monthly
import bill of N2.283 trillion or
$6.025 billion in the first quarter (Q1)
2021, liquid external reserves of $32.85
billion (as at July 9, 2021), represents
5.45 months of import, meaning
that Nigeria is below the minimum
threshold of six months of imports for
stability and twice below 11 months
required for an economy in Crisis.
Analysts insist that with economic
recovery still fragile, the business cycle
going forward will remain anchored by
restoration of peace in troubled regions
esoecially, confidence in the mind of
farmers that they can farm without
fear of being attacked by herdsmen or
bandits, developments in the oil market
and domestic foreign exchange policies.
25
Ecobank celebrates
Diaspora Nigerians,
announces zero fees
for Rapidtransfer
By Blessing Anaro and Segun Odunewu
Lagos
In commemoration of this year’s
National Diaspora Day event, Ecobank
Nigeria is joining the rest of the country
to celebrate Nigerians in the diaspora by
making transactions on its proprietary
money transfer app, Rapidtransfer, free
of charge.
The federal government has set aside
July 25 of every year as the National
Diaspora Day in recognition of the
contributions of Nigerians living outside
the country towards the development of
their homeland.
In a commemorative message,
Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria,
Patrick Akinwuntan stated that Nigerians
in the diaspora contribute significantly to
the socio-economic development of the
country. Mr. Akinwuntan lauded the
decision of the Federal Government to
set aside a special day every year as the
National Diaspora Day, adding that the
recent launch of the National Diaspora
Policy (NDP) by the government
would further promote and harness the
resources and capacity of Nigerians in the
diaspora towards national development.
“As a pan-African institution
positioned to foster the economic growth
and integration of our continent, we are
particularly pleased to work closely with
NiDCOM, ably led by the Chairman/
CEO, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa towards
the engagement of Nigerians in the
diaspora on policies, projects and other
initiatives geared at developing the
nation. From our constant engagement
with Nigerians in the Diaspora, we
understand their peculiar needs and
have created tailor-made solutions to
serve them effectively.” He noted further
that Ecobank has partnered NiDCOM
on webinars, diaspora quarterly
lecture series and will continue to seek
other collaboration opportunities to
deepen engagement with the diaspora
community.
Also speaking, Korede Demola-
Adeniyi, Head, Consumer Banking,
Ecobank Nigeria said Ecobank will apply
zero fees to all Rapidtransfer transactions
from 1st July till the end of October,
2021, thereby enabling Nigerians living
abroad to send money to their loved
ones affordably. According to her, the
decision to waive charges underscores the
bank’s commitment to helping Nigerians
abroad remit money home without
placing an additional burden of charges
on them, especially at this period of
global economic downturn.
Rapidtransfer is Ecobank’s
proprietary money transfer service
which enables users send funds across
borders, affordably and instantly. The
Rapidtransfer app is available for use by
Ecobank and non-Ecobank customers.
Remittances can be received directly into
the recipient’s account or as cash at any
Ecobank branch. Beneficiaries who wish
to receive funds into an account but do
not have domiciliary accounts have the
opportunity to open in Euro, GBP or
USD instantly and enjoy all the benefits
that come with Ecobank foreign currency
accounts.
In addition, N5 is paid on every
one dollar received as cash or direct to
account in line with the Central Bank
26 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng Monday, July 19, 2021
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Why Nigerians should reduce use of plastic – Expert

With the advent of modernization, strange
sickness and diseases linked to lifestyle are daily Reports have shown that most aliments in children and adults are linked to foods that
on the rise, as a nutritionist and an expert in are consumed. In this interview with founder, Pristine (Pastures, Pastries, Nurtures,
lifestyle, what do you think could be responsible
for this? Cultures, Skills, Mills) and Coordinator Association of Organic Practitioners of Nigeria
Modernization cannot exist without (NOAN), Nasarawa chapter, Dr. Rasheedah Sadiq, tells JOHN OBA that there is need for
adverse consequences, just like the
placenta will accompany the new born, Nigerians to reduce the use of plastic.
technological advances in every sphere
of life are accompanied with horrible
effects. No doubt, the invention of Are there possible solutions to some of the
electricity has adverse consequences on troubles caused by some of these utensils and
health, but of course we can’t do without packages?
it, modernization is like a known devil The body is the greatest and most
that must be your friend, it’s killing you complicated defense machinery on earth!
and you’re telling yourself to be calm.... Ordinarily, it can fight whatever bombs
it will be ok! So in every sphere of life, and poisons it is attacked with. But as
every sector of the economy, our health it fights day in day out, by the second,
is being bombarded and we just have to minutes, hours.... It will finally give way if
smile in the face of strange life threatening it is not equipped appropriately. There’s no
ailments. But just like the placenta must gun however sophisticated that can have
not outweigh the newborn, in fact the ratio limitless bullets. It has to be reloaded! So
is about 1:6, we must endeavour to see that the body must be loaded at all times, and
the adverse consequences of modernization the seat of about 70% defense of the body
doesn’t rip us of the benefits. For example lies in the gut! The little soldiers of the body
with electricity, we say that at times of rest, named beneficial bacteria must always be
all electrical systems should be shut down in abundance. Loads of fibrous foods, such
especially in places of rest (bedroom for as whole fruits, whole tubers, etc must be
example), because it interferes with the accompanied with Non-sterile yoghurts,
sleep and more dangerous. In fact, this Probiotics, fermented foods. Nuts and Seeds
year...I switched to Solar Energy and I are very essential, like sesame, walnuts et al.
roost my chickens with it as the sunsets. Mild herbal teas such as Stinging Nettle,
With the sun high in the day, whatever Chamomile et al which are abundant
needs electricity gets their share....by sunset locally should be incorporated in our diet.
activities generally wind down.....and it’s Raw herbs like ginger should be chewed
being a very beautiful experience! Rise and intermittently and preferably ingest the
Roost Model has been so fulfilling! fibre. As we believe in Pristine Nurtures,
there’s no life threatening ailment that
Will it be right to say the use of aluminum Sadiq cannot be reversed! Eat whole, chemical-
cooking utensils and some new modern kitchen free foods in moderation and dance your
equipment may mean death in our pot? it! The awareness that we’re living with fibre? With a huge sigh and my eyes full way to optimal health! Try to query the
In fact, you couldn’t have put it in a what is killing us gradually is the first line of tears I wipe for the current generation origin of your food! Know the farmers!
better way! of defense. Then, we take active steps to with a heavy heart remembering I’ve seen Let the farmers be your friend! To have a
swap plastics where necessary. For example, children as young as 7years diagnosed with conscious kitchen and consequently live a
What would you say about food packages, use of choose fabric dolls over Plastic ones for inflammatory conditions such as diabetes conscious life, I will make a few suggestions
plastic, nylon etc for food? our jewels. Use leaves to line plastics in et al. I am currently caring for a 19-year for swaps which are quite easy. Throw out
It’s so sad that we have life promoting the kitchen to avoid hot foods getting in old diabetic. And when I listed how much all aluminium foils and get leaves in your
alternatives and we choose that which contact with them. Entrepreneurs should of reversal we will make into the ancient fridge, preferably banana leaves, popular
endangers us. We are already living in an endeavour to use paper packaging as well life, the guardian was overwhelmed, so moimoi leaves, Pawpaw leaves. If no room
endangered world that we cannot control, as fabric packaging. It’s not impossible as I reassured them I will hold their hands in fridge or no fridge at all, please get A4
we should endeavour to focus on areas of Farm Essence packs cereals and flours in through out. It’s sad, though these ailments plain papers. Those who make moimoi or
control and leave areas of concerns which fabric. Just a step at a time and the journey are majorly reversible. The time we didn’t okpa in nylons should please line the nylons
we cannot control to God. Tie your camel gets easier! have to care for these bodies. Running with leaves or paper. If pets are reported to
is the popular slogan, not leave it to wander, to fast food joints plus all the hideous have died from the fumes of overheated
then say God is in control! You cannot leave How would you describe what most Nigerians packaging. It gets to a stage that the body cook wares with PFOA, how much damage
your doors open at night intentionally and eat and drink, especially all these juice we take becomes angry and starts working against will it cause humans? Kindly choose
say God is in control. We all have to play and give to our children? humanity. Humanity will then know natural alternatives since we’re not robots.
our part by making sure we reduce the use Whilst I do not have an accurate statistics they should have cared. I am appealing to For shrink wraps, line the top of the food
of plastics around the kitchen, alternatives at the time of this interview, I’ll say that with parents especially mothers to stop killing with leaves or plain paper, so the food wrap
abound with use of leaves, stainless steel, the rate at which I see children consume our descendants. Last Sunday, I literally doesn’t have direct contact with the food.
glass, wood, bamboo wares, in fact you “snacks” and drinks....it is mostly garbage cried when I saw a mother gave a child less Cheap packaging option like styrofoam
can go coco-friendly by using coconut shell they eat. There’s a difference between eating than 2 years packaged drinks of N50 worth should be lined appropriately. Whilst some
wares, and they’re so beautiful for the little and feeding. We eat, but our bodies slowly numbering 4 within one hour, whenever bottles are safe for one-time use, re-using
members of the family starve to death! Whilst some Nigerians try to the child cried, she handed it to her. If she can expose us to another chemical within;
eat local to a large extent, we sadly feel that continues with that trend, I should be able try avoiding reusing one-time bottles,
You talked about Bisphenol-A and Vinyl the children should eat something modern, to forecast how long the beneficial bacteria zobo in soft drink bottles. Flame retardant
Phthalate. Can you simplify this? How can we so we bombard their lunch boxes with in the gut of that baby will give way, and cooking utensils (usually black) should
avoid them? variety of modern foods and kill the little inflammation will set in, then it will be one be replaced with safer options e.g wood
They’re components of plastics and ones slowly. There are children as young ailment or the other. Have we ever checked wares. I believe anyone that attempts any
sadly we cannot avoid them in totality. as seven already battling life threatening the linings of those packaged N50 drinks? of these 7 will slowly decline the use of
We’re caged already! From furniture to ailments. Is there anything wrong with rice Though its paper on the outside for many, plastics. Whilst the above suggestions aim
construction, food wraps to bottling, and packed in leaves, with moimoi in leaves but the lining is plastic and likely contains at protecting the body, we should note that
from phones (shatter-proof plastics) to accompanying it? Loads of local fruits in phthalates, one of the most dreadful for every plastic we invest in, we betray the
other gadgets/devices. We cannot exhaust their lunch packs consumed with all the hormone disruptors. environment and nature at large.
Monday, July 19, 2021 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng 27
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PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

BLESSING’S CHILDREN NURTURING AND THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT This is to inform the general public of loss
MENTORING FOUNDATION PLOT NO.9, LP 33 WITH FILE NO: GS/G/7565
The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the of driver’s licence belonging to ZAKARIYAU
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the companies
and Applied Matters Act 1990. OF ABOUT 0.072 HECTARES, SITUATED AT FALILAT BOLANLE of Plot 50, behind Agete
THE TRUSSTEES ARE: NEW MARKET COMMERCIAL LAYOUT, GUSAU. Hotel, 1st Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
1. OTONG , DIANABASI DANIEL
2. AGU , BLESSING UWEMEDISO
3. UDOM , ANIEKAN FRIDAY
ALREADY SURVEYED AND DEMARCATED BY THE
4. ISONGUYO , SATURDAY JOHN .
FOLLOWING PB: GSB 8805, 8806, 8810, AND All effort to trace the said document proved
Aims and Objectives:
1. To provide educational and nutritional materials to less privileged children in 8811. CARRYING THE NAME OF MUSA MALLAHA IS abortive.
public primary schools.
2. To provide nutritional support to children at orphanages / destitute homes.
3. To promote the welfare of children in the community.
NOW BELONGING TO SA’ADU GARBA BANGAJE.
4. To assist in developing skills of children from deprived background in the
community.
5. To perform any such act or acts necessary and incidental to the attainment of the
If found contact nearest police station. The
objectives of the foundation. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE, PLEASE general public should please take note.
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,
Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street,
Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.
Signed:Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

ALALIBO AND COMFORT WEST FOUNDATION JESUS IS COMING SOON FOR THE SAINTS TRIUMPHANT SAINTS APOSTOLIC
EVANGELICAL OUTREACH
The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied
to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION
CHURCH
‘C’ of the companies and Applied Matters Act 1990. HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION
UNDER ‘PART F’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020. HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION
THE TRUSSTEES ARE: UNDER ‘PART F’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020.
1. FANYAMA. ALALIBO OKOLI----CHAIRMAN NAMES OF TRUSTEES:
2. KUNDA ALALIBO WEST-------SECRETARY 1. OSAWE CHRISTIANA OSAGBEMWONRHUE. NAMES OF TRUSTEES
2. IRIASE SUNDAY. 1. ANETOR KELVIN AIGBOGHAEBHO.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 3. AIGUOBORE ERUE QUEEN. 2. HARRISON ABIEYUWA.
1. To advance the cause and welfare of the poor , the less privileged, 3. JIBUNOR IFEAYI ANTHONY.
the sick and aged persons in the society. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD. AIM AND OBJECTIVE:
2. To Support the welfare of widows within the church of Christ. 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD
3. To Support the welfare of orphans and children whose education is ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE
challenged due to a lack of funds with special interest in grooming REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE
clever and talented children etc. CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS
PUBLICATION. CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS
SIGNED: PUBLICATION.
MUDIAKALO REMEKALO ESQ. SIGNED: SIGNED:
08030528365 TRUSTEES. SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

STARBURG EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION ENDTIME RAIN ASSEMBLY AKA ERA MINISTRY JESUS’ TEACHING AND RESTORATION MINISTRY
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION This is to inform the General public that the above named Foundation This is to inform the general public that the above name organisation
HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration has applied to the corporate Affairs commission for registration
UNDER ‘PART F’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020. under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020. under part’ C’ of the company and Allied Matters Act of 2020.
NAMES OF TRUSTEES:
1. BAKARE GLORIA.CHAIRMAN. NAMES OF TRUSTEES NAMES OF TRUSTEES:
2. OGBEIDE OMOH ABIGAIL. 1. MADU KINGSLEY NNANNA 1) Ebomah Michael Ikechukwu
3. OGBEIDE ELISHA RUKUBA - SECRETARY. 2) Ebomah Patience Amunu
2. MADU CHINONYEREM EMMANUELLA 3) Mokwuyem James Chinedu
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 4) Okube Emmanuel Ewere
1. TEENAGER, YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND AIM AND OBJECTIVE
EDUCATION SUPPORT SERVICES.
2. BY PROVIDING THEM WITH LOVE, CARE, NOURISHMENT & GUIDANCE. 3.TO 1. To preach the gospel of God AIM AND OBJECTIVE:
PROVIDE THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN COMMUNITIES 2. To win souls for Christ 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ
THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTH AND EMPOWERMENT
Any Objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Any objections to the registration should be forwarded to the
ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris
REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris
CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28days of this
Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street Pmb 198 Maitama Abuja within 28 Days publication.
PUBLICATION.
of this Publication.
SIGNED: SIGNED:
SSECRETARY SIGNED: Secretary GENERAL OVERSEER

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

GRACE FAMILY AND FRIENDS CHARITY ONYEBUCHI ANAGOR CHARITY SALVATION TABERNACLE OF GOD INT’L
FOUNDATION FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied
This is to inform the general public that the above name organisation to Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja for Registration under
The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied Part ‘’F’’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, (CAMA) 2020.
has applied to the corporate Affairs commission for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja for Registration under
under part’ C’ of the company and Allied Matters Act of 2020. Part ‘’F’’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts, (CAMA) 2020. Names of Trustees
1) Ikuomola Irewola Samson
NAMES OF TRUSTEES: NAMES OF TRUSTEES 2) Ikuomola Tunde Clinton
1. ANAGOR ONYEBUCHI JAMES - CHAIRMAN
1. MEKOH ANULIKA E. MRS - CHAIRMAN 2. ANAGOR CHINEDU UGOCHUKWU - SECRETARY 3) Joseph Gbenga
2. AKUABIA NONSO DENNIS - SECRETARY 4) Salami Rita Oniorode
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 5) Ikhaikhena Akhere James
AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. Supporting the children and the old
2. Scholarships for the poor Aim and Objective
1. To help the less privilege 3. Reliefs for the less privileged 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ
4. Charity for the masses
Any objections to the registration should be forwarded to the Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the
Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris
Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28days of this Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from
Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from this publication.
publication. this publication.
SIGNED: Signed -
SIGNED: General Ov
CHAIRMAN BARR. UCHE erseer

Mgbec heta IORSHAGHER ALHASSA N Luka iliy a Amina

I,formerly known as Miss Ehirim
Ifechukwu Augusta now
wish to be addressed as Mrs
Mgbecheta Ifechukwu.
Former documents remain valid.
Banks,General Public and Concerned
Institutions should please take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as
AGUSA RAYMOND AONDONA, now
wish to be known and addressed as
IORSHAGHER AONDONA. Former
documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to take
note
I, formerly known and addressed
as RABIU UMAR, now wish to be
known and addressed as RABIU
ALHASSAN. Former documents
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
I, formerly known and addressed
as David Mwanret Dakun,
now wish to be known and
addressed as Mrs. Mwanret
Luka. Former documents remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
This is to inform the general
public that mbuako iliya and
iliya .k.mbuako refers to one
and same person but prefers to
be called mbauko iliya all
former document remain valid
general public please take note.
This is to inform the general public
that amina Hassan and Amina
badamasi Hassan REFERS to one
and same person but prefers to be
called Amina Hassan ALL former
document remain valid general public
please take note.
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PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

GREAT TEMPLE OF JOY CHURCH WORLDWIDE PERAZIM INTERNATIONAL CHAPLAINS The OLD NAME :
SAPPHIRE FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS CLUB

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association
ORGANIZATION CAC/IT/NO: 151715
The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to
has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the NEW NAME:
under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts 1990. companies and Applied Matters Act 1990. SAPPHIRE NIGERIA WOMEN FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS CLUB
TRUSTEES NAMES: THE TRUSSTEES ARE:
1. EVANG. MRS UKOJI AGNESS NWAHUZI - PRESIDENT/FOUNDER 1. ADEGUNWA ADEDEJI - CHAIRMAN This is to notify the general public that the above named, has
2. MR. UKOJI NNAYEREUGO 2. ADEGUNWA OLUFUNKE OLUGBEMISOLA applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for Change of
3. PST. UKOJI UCHENNA EMMANUEL - SECRETARY 3. AJIBOLA ADENIYI name under Part F of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020.
4. EVANG. CHINYERE NWOSU 4. UNOGU ENO-ABASI
5. ORJI NWABUEZE JOHN 5. ADENIGBA ABIODUN FRANCIS Trustees remain the same
6. LAWAL OLUSEGUN OLATUNDE- (Secretary)
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
1. TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD TO ALL NATIONS, ORGANIZE PRAYERS AND Aims and objectives . Aims and objectives remain the same
HEALING SERVICE 1. To see chaplaincy every where by empowering churches, communities,
institutions, governmental organizations, law enforcement agencies and Any Objection to this application should be forwarded to the
Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the work places. Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris
Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris 2. To educate and empower individuals for innovative interfaith service.
Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days
publication. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar of this Publication
General, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi
SIGNED: Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed:
PST. UKOJI UCHENNA EMMANUEL Secretary
Secretary Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE Loss of PUBLIC NOTICE

HARPAZO GARDEN OF LIFE

document
AKPAKIP ORO PROPERTY AGENTS ASSOCIATION
The general public is hereby informed that the above named Association
This is to inform the general public that the original title
documents (Right of occupancy) in respect of Plot 1104
MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under
Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Decree No. 1 of 1990. Cadastral zone B04 Jabi District Abuja with File Number: Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named has
applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration of its
THE TRUSTEES ARE: MISC 104244 belonging to Gold-Leng Investments Trustees under part ‘ C’ of the Companies and Allied Matter Act, 1990.
1. ASUKWO ASUKWO EKPO - CHAIRMAN
2. DR. ANIEFIOK ATING BASSEY - VICE CHAIRMAN Limited has been declared missing. THE TrusteeS ARE:
3. EDUNO DAVID EDET - SECRETARY
4. DAVID ENO ETIM - MEMBER 1. Pastor Gabriel IKECHUKWU OKOLIE - Chairman
5. UMOH PIUS EFFIONG - MEMBER 2. SARAH OJOMA OKOLIE - Secretary
All efforts to trace the said title documents have proved
AIMS/OBJECTIVES:
1. To Bring Maximum Unity and Understanding among the Members abortive. Please if found, return to the nearest police Aims and objectives:
TO preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in power and Authority.
2. To Promote Peaceful and Cordial Coexistence among Property Owners
Residents
station.
3. To Create Platform for Interaction in Matters of common interest ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE
of its Members REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS
Signed: CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM
Any Objection(s) to the Registration should be forwarded to the
Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Mai Shelleng Manu THIS DATE OF PUBLICATION.
Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this
Publication FOR: Gold-Leng Investments Limited Signed:
Signed: CHAIRMAN. secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE
M S
HARPAZO GARDEN OF LIFE
bashir
ohammed
onumba
ophia
I, formerly known and addressed as I, formerly known and addressed as I, formerly known and addressed as This is to inform the general public

hafsat Mohammed damagum,
now wish to be known and addressed
as Hafsat Mohammed bashir.
Former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general
public to take note
Aisha damagum Mohammed
now wish to be known and
addressed as bashir Aisha.
Former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general
public to take note
MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Maureen chika nwokolo, that oyiwe Sophia HUSSAINA
now wish to be known and and Sadiq HUSSAINA REFERS to
addressed as Maureen chika one and same person but prefers to be
onumba. Former documents called oyiwe Sophia HUSSAINA Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named has
remain valid. Concerned authorities all former document remain valid applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration of its
and general public to take note general public please take note. Trustees under part ‘ C’ of the Companies and Allied Matter Act, 1990.

THE TrusteeS ARE:

BULUS
I, formerly known and addressed
as YUSUF BULUS LOBEJEH,
now wish to be known and
addressed as YUSUF BULUS.
Former documents remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
eg
bo
I, formerly known and addressed as
chineke Eunice ebele, now
wish to be known and addressed
as egbo Eunice ebele. Former
documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
AGNES
I, formerly known and addressed
as UDOH VICTROIA 02
JANURY1984, now wish to be known
and addressed as AGNES OJOKO
17 NOV 1982. Former documents
remain valid. Concerned authorities
and general public to take note
UMAR
I, formerly known and addressed as
UMAR NDAKOSU,DOB:04-09-1990,
now wish to be known and addressed
as UMAR ALHAJI NDAKOTSU,
DOB: O1-O1-1996. Former
documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to take
note
JAMILU
I formerly known and addresses
as MUHAMMAD ALIYU, now
wish to be known, Called and
addresses as JAMILU ALIYU, all
former documents remain valid,All
authorities concerned and General
public please take note.
ZAKARI
I formerly known and called
GARBA ADO ZAKARIYYA now
wish to be known and addressed
as ZAKARI ADO GARBA. All
former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and the
general public to please take note
Iorfa
I formerly known as Helen Ngur,
d.o.b: 01-01-1988, now wish to be
known and addressed as Iorfa
Helen Aver and correct d.o.b 29-
10-1995. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
BEGE
I, formerly known and addressed
as HOPE JOHN, now wish to
be known and addressed as
BEGE ZACHARIA ALAMATAI.
Former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
IJAJA
I, formerly known and addressed as
ELEOJO DORATHY OKPANACHI,
now wish to be known and addressed
as ELEOJO DOROTHY SAMUEL-
IJAJA. Former documents remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
K PETER
ujore
I, formerly known and addressed as
Amos Juliana Oluwaseyi, now
wish to be known and addressed as
Kujore Juliana Oluwaseyi.
Former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general
public to take note
MSHELIA
I, formerly known and addressed
as HABIBA SILAS, now wish
to be known and addressed as
HABIBA MAIDUGU MSHELIA.
Former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
REBECCAH
I, formerly known and addressed
as ALIYU REBECCA, now wish
to be known and addressed as
SALEH REBECCAH. Former
documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
w A
udokme
I, formerly known and addressed
as gana yilwada, now wish
to be known and addressed as
wudokme yilwada gana.
Former documents remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
YAKUBU
I formerly known as USMAN .A.
YAKUBU, now wish to be known
and addressed as YAKUBU
ABE USMAN. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
SAIDU SALISU
I, formerly known and addressed as I, formerly known and addressed
HUSSAINI ALHAJI SAIDU, now as MARYAM TANIMU, now
wish to be known and addressed wish to be known and addressed
as HUSSAINI SAIDU. Former as MARYAM TANIMU SALISU.
documents remain valid. Concerned Former documents remain
authorities and general public to valid. Concerned authorities and
take note general public to take note
VICENT DALMAT
I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly known and addressed
as TORKYON TERHENBA, now as ASABE SABAJEEN, now wish
wish to be known and addressed as to be known and addressed as
TORKYON VICENT TERHENBA. ASABE DALMAT SABAJEEN.
Former documents remain valid. Former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general ACCESS BANK and general public
public to take note to take note
ABDULLAHI
I, formerly known and addressed as I, formerly known and addressed
OBIOHA PETER, now wish to be as ABDULLAHI AMINU, now
known and addressed as OBIOHA wish to be known and addressed
PETER CHINEMEREM. Former as ABDULLAHI AMINU SARKI.
documents remain valid. Concerned Former documents remain valid.
authorities and general public to take Concerned authorities and
note general public to take note
CONFIRMATION OF NAME CONFIRMATION OF NAME
I was formerly known as, Ugwu This is to confirm that Nadoo Vera
Juliet Ginika. But now wish Aondona and Nadoo Aondona
as shown on my BVN is one and
to be known as, Aroke Juliet
Ginika. And that, Aroke
same person. But I wish to be known
as Nadoo Vera Aondona. My
Juliet Ginika and Aroke correct Date of birth is 10/04/1994
Juliet is one and the same and not 21st /04/1995 as shown on
person. my BVN.
BARNABAS UMAR
I, formerly known and addressed as I, formerly known and addressed
TABITHA BARNABAS BARO, now as LAGOS BASSA, now wish
wish to be known and addressed to be known and addressed
as TABITHA BARNABAS. Former as MUSA BASSA UMAR.
documents remain valid. Concerned Former documents remain
authorities and general public to take valid. Concerned authorities and
note general public to take note
ZAINAB
delani
I formerly known as Mulero, I formerly known as ZAINAB
omolara mujidat now wish MUSTAPHA, now wish to
to be known and addressed as be known and addressed as
Adelani, mujidat omolara.
All former documents remain valid. ZAINAB YAHAYA. Former
The West African examination Council document remain valid. Access
(WASSC),Lagos state University(Lasu) bank, concerned authorities and
and general public should take note. general public to take note
IBRAHIM FATIMA
I formerly known as OBADIYA I formally known as FATI SHEHU
PETER, now wish to be known now wish to be known and
and addressed as IBRAHIM T. addressed as FATIMA SHEHU
PETER. Former document remain HAMBALI.All former documents
valid. Concerned authorities and remain valid general public should
general public to take note please take note.
1. Pastor Gabriel IKECHUKWU OKOLIE - Chairman
2. SARAH OJOMA OKOLIE - Secretary
Aims and objectives:
TO preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in power and Authority
ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE
REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS
CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM
THIS DATE OF PUBLICATION.
Signed:
secretary
ALHAJI YAHUZA
I formerly known and addressed I was formerly known and
as UMAR GARBA now wish addresed as HABIBU IBRAHIM
to be known and addresses now wish to be known and called
as UMAR ALHAJI GARBA. as YAHUZA ATTAHIRU all
Former Ducoments remain documents bearing either of the
Valid. Concerned authorities and names belongs to me and remain
general public to take note valid.
UGAGU Amarachi
I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly known and addressed
as ESTHER SUNDAY, now wish as Miss Anumaka Amarachi
to be known and addressed glory, now wish to be known
as ESTHER UGAGU. Former and addressed as Mrs onimim
Amarachi glory. Former
documents
Concerned
remain
authorities
valid.
and documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to take
general public to take note note
AZUMI BALA
I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly known and addressed
as TANKO DANJUMA AZUMI, as ADAMU BALA, now wish
now wish to be known and to be known and addressed as
addressed as DANJUMA AZUMI. ABUBAKAR ADAMU BALA.
Former documents remain Former documents remain
valid. Concerned authorities and valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note general public to take note
JUSTINA
kashim
I, formerly known as JUSTINA This is to inform the general public
PETER TAUNA now wish to that my name was wrongly captured
be know and addressed as as Aisha shettima instead of
JUSTINA KUBAI TAUNA all Aisha kashim bukar shettima
former documents remain valid. in my national identity management
Zango Kataf and general public to enrollment slip general public please
take note take note.
SIMITI I
sa
I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly known and
as SIMITI MALLAM, now wish addressed as Mariya Nil
to be known and addressed as Isa, now wish to be known
ABUBAKAR SIMITI. Former and addressed as Mariya
documents remain valid. Isa. Former documents remain
Concerned authorities and valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note general public to take note
khadija
I formally Known as Khadija Ibrahim now wish to be call as
khadija Ibrahim Lawal. all my documents remain valid. public
and authorities concerned to take note,

Monday, July 19, 2021
ISAIAH
I formerly known as DAYOMIDE
ANTHONY, now wish to be
known and addressed as ISAIAH
ANTHONY. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
SUWAIBA
I formerly known as SUWAIBA
BABANGIDA MOHAMMADU, now
wish to be known and addressed as
SUWAIBA BABANGIDA ADAMU.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general
public to take note
RABIU
I formerly known as RABIU
MAMMAN MOHAMMED,
now wish to be known and
addressed as RABIU MAMMAN.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
EHIOWGUN
I formerly known and addressed
as FRIDAY AGHO. Now want
to be known and addressed
as EHIOWGUN SUNDAY
GODSPOWER. All former
document remain valid and the
general public should take note.
JESUDUN
I Formerly known and addressed
as Micheal Jesudun O. Now
want to be known and addressed
as JESUDUN Micheal
Oluwaseun. All former
document remain valid and the
general public should take note
MAGAJI
I formerly known as HAMZA
ISA MAGAJI , now wish to
be known and addressed as
MAGAJI, HAMZA MUSA.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ISAIAH
I formerly known as DAYOMIDE
ANTHONY, now wish to be
known and addressed as ISAIAH
ANTHONY. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
ZULAIHATU
I formerly known as TAJO
ZULAIHATU, now wish to
be known and addressed as
ZULAIHATU TAJO NUHU.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ZAKARIYAU
I, formerly known and called
Ismail Zakariyau now wish
to known and called Ismail
Yusuf. All former documents
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and the general public
should please take note.
MUSA
I formerly known and called MUSA
SAIDU MUSA now wish to be
known and addressed as MUSA
SAIDU. All former documents
remain valid. Concerned authorities
and the general public to please
take note.
MARYAM
I formerly known and called MARYAM
ABDURRAHMAN SANI now wish to
be known and addressed as MARYAM
MUHAMMAD. All former documents
remain valid. Concerned authorities
and the general public to please take
note.
MRS WHENTON
I formerly known as DATAN
TOPE MOSEDE, now wish to be
known and addressed as MRS
WHENTON TOPE MOSEDE.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ADIYA
I formerly known as ADIYA UJULU
JAWUR, now wish to be known and
addressed as ADIYA ASINAMAI,
correct date of birth is 14th August
1982. Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general
public to take note
BOKOJI
I formerly known as ADAMU
ABUBAKAR, now wish to be
known and addressed as BOKOJI
ABUBAKAR. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
ISAH
I formerly known as BABAJI
MAKERI, now wish to be known
and addressed as ISAH ADAMU.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
MORENIKE
I formerly known as MORENIKE
MARY OJOLAYO, now wish
to be known and addressed as
MORENIKE MARY AKINADE.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general
public to take note
Odudu
I formerly known and addressed
as Oduduabasi Ime
Alexander. Now want to be
known and addressed as Odudu
Ime Alexander. All former
document remain valid and the
general public should take note
ADEOSUN
I Formerly known and addressed
as AZEEZ ABISOLA SULIYAT.
Now want to be known and
addressed as ADEOSUN
LATIFAT ABISOLA. All former
document remain valid and the
general public should take note
RUKAIYAH
I formerly known as RUKAIYATU
HAMZA SULAIMAN, now wish
to be known and addressed as
RUKAIYAH HAMZA SULAIMAN.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general
public to take note
ALIYU
I formerly known as ALIYU
ISA, now wish to be known and
addressed as ALIYU SHEHU
ALIYU. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ONWU
I formerly known as EMEKA
GODWIN, now wish to be
known and addressed as
ONWU ESI EMEKA GODWIN.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
SARAH
I formerly known as SARAH
WARKANI, now wish to
be known and addressed as
SARAH YARO WARKANI.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
NASIRU
I formerly known and called
NASIRU GARBA MOHD now
wish to be known and addressed as
NASIRU GARBA MOHAMMED.
All former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and the
general public to please take note.
ISMA’IL
I formerly known and called SANI
IBRAHIM now wish to be known
and addressed ISMA’IL SALISU
GARBA. All former documents
remain valid. Concerned authorities
and the general public to please
take note.
AGONDON
I formerly known as JOSEPH
DANJUMA, now wish to be known
and addressed as AGONDON
DANJUMA JOSEPHDEIDEI.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
OWOEYE
I formerly known as OWOEYE
VICTORIA and OWOEYE VICTORIA
ADEMOLA, now wish to be known and
addressed as OWOEYE VICTORIA
ADEOLA. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
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MAIKUDI
I formerly known as M/KUDI D/
FAURO, now wish to be known
and addressed as MAIKUDI
ISAH. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
AHMAD
I formerly known as AHMAD
MUKHTAR, now wish to be
known and addressed as AHMAD
MUKHTAR. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
CHINWEDU
I formerly known as CHIWENDU
DALINTINE OHANAGA, now
wish to be known and addressed
as CHINWEDU DARLINGTON
OHANAGA. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
DENNIS
I Formerly known and addressed
as DORCAS DAVOU DALYOP.
Now want to be known and
addressed as DENNIS DORCAS
DOGO. All former document
remain valid and the general
public should take note
Loveth
I Formerly known as loveth
blessing williams now
wish to be addressed as Loveth
Blessing AREGBESOLA. All
former document remain valid
and the general public should
take note
JACOB
I formerly known as JACOB
OPKEOLUWA ADEKUNLE., now
wish to be known and addressed
as JACOB OPKEOLUWA SABA.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
MRS. FARIDA
I formerly known as FARIDA
MOHAMMED, now wish to be
known and addressed as MRS.
FARIDA BULYAMINU ADAM.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
LUCY
I formerly known as LUCY
KAMGANG, now wish to
be known and addressed as
LUCY KAMSANG NATANG.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ABDULWASI”U
I formerly known as
ABDULWASI”U MEMUD, now
wish to be known and addressed
as ABDULWASI”U OLABISI
MEMUD. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
HAUWAU
I formerly known and called
HAUWAU SHUAIBU now wish
to be known and addressed AS
HAUWAU SHUAIBU ALIYU. All
former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and the
general public to please take note.
ASAMAU
I formerly known and called
ASMAU INUWA GAMBO
now wish to be known and
addressed as ASAMAU ADO. All
former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and the
general public to please take note.
HASSAN
I formerly known as AKOMAYE
VERA A. , now wish to be known
and addressed as HASSAN
HALIMAT. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
ALHASSAN
I formerly known as ALHASSAN
ZAYYANU, now wish to be known
and addressed as ALHASSAN
YA.U. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
MOOLE
I formerly known as MOOL
MUHD, now wish to be known
and addressed as MOOLE
MUHAMMADU MUHAMMADU.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ILIYA
I formerly known as ILIYA
BARAU WAKILI, now wish to be
known and addressed as ILIYA
BARAU. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
OBIOMA
I formerly known as OBIOMA
AUGUSTINA., now wish to be
known and addressed as OBIOMA
AUGUSTINA OGOCHUKWU.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ABRAHAM
CONFIRMATION OF NAME
That I ABRAHAM GLORY SUNDAY and
ABRAHAM BLESSING SUNDAY and
ABRAHAM BLESSING and ABRAHAM
.S GLORY is one as same person now wish
to be known and addressed as ABRAHAM
GLORY SUNDAY all former documents
remain valid general public to take note
NKEM
I Formerly known and addressed
as ERUEMULOR SANDRA
NKEM, Now want to be known
and addressed as NKEM
SANDRA ONYEMA. All former
document remain valid and the
general public should take note
ADAMU
I formerly known as JOSHUA
AMOS, now wish to be known and
addressed as ADAMU DOGARA
AMOS. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ASMA’U
I formerly known as BABA
HADIZA, now wish to be known
and addressed as ASMA’U
SAFIYANU. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
MUSA
I formerly known as MUSA A.
BAKOJI, now wish to be known
and addressed as MUSA ALHAJI
BAKOJI. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
NASIBA
I formerly known as NASIFA
MUHAMMAD, now wish to
be known and addressed as
NASIBA AMINU HASSAN.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ALIYU
I formerly known and called
ALIYU YAKUB YAKUB now wish
to be known and addressed as
ALIYU IDRIS YAKUB. All former
documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and the general public to
please take note.
FATIMA
I formerly known and called
FATIMA UMARU now wish to be
known and addressed as FATIMA
AHMAD KANKAROFI. All former
documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and the general public to
please take note.
RECHAEL
I formally known and call ONI
RECHAEL OMOYENI now want
to be know and call OGBONYOMI
RECHAEL OMOYENI all former
documents remain valid keystone
bank and authority concern please
take note
Veronica
I formerly known as UWAKWE
VERONICA UCHECHI, now wish to
be known and addressed as Edward
Veronica Uchechi. REASON=
To Tally Wth My Nimc, Acct
And Bvn. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
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MUHAMMAD
I formerly known as DANLODIYO
IDRIS, now wish to be known
and addressed as MUHAMMAD
IDRIS. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
MARY
I formerly known as MARY
OKPEH, now wish to be
known and addressed as
MARY ODACHI OKOH .
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
NGOHA
I formerly known as NGOHA CHIDI
THANKGOD, DATE OF BIRTH
06/02/1980, now wish to be known
and addressed as NGOHA CHIDI
ROWLAND, DATE OF BIRTH IS
06/02/1979. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ADEDIRAN
I Formerly known and addressed
as OKO-OBOH OSASUMWEM.
Now want to be known and
addressed as ADEDIRAN
OSASUMWEM. All former
document remain valid and the
general public should take note
MRS CHUKWURAH
I formerly known and addressed
as MISS IKEGWU JENNIFER
ONYEKACHUKWU now wish to
be known and addressed MRS
CHUKWURAH JENNIFER
ONYEKACHUKWU. Former
documents remain valid. NYSC, Banks
and General public take note.
ADENIYI
I formerly known as ADENIYI
DAVID EDMON, now wish to be
known and addressed as ADENIYI
DAVIDIEDMON TUNDE. Former
document remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to take
note
ABDULLAHI
I formerly known as MAIBINDIGA
DUMA, MADUGU ABDULLAHI
DUMA AND MAIBUNDIGA DUMA,
now wish to be known and addressed
as ABDULLAHI MADUGU. Former
document remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to take
note
MUHAMMADU
I, Formerly known as DAHIRU
DANLAMI MOHAMMED now wish to
be known and called MUHAMMADU
DAHIRU DANLAMI. All former
documents remains valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to please
take note.
MUSA
I formerly known and called MUSA
MUDI now wish to be known
and addressed as MUSA MUDI
SULEIMAN. All former documents
remain valid. ZENITH BANK,
Concerned authorities and the
general public to please take note
MUBARAK
I formerly known and called
MUBARAK ALIYU now wish to be
known and addressed as MUBARAK
ALIYU IDRES. All former documents
remain valid. Concerned authorities
and the general public to please take
note.
ASEMOTA
I formerly known as OSAWAWU
NANCY, now wish to be known
and addressed as ASEMOTA
NANCY. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
AUWAL
I formerly known as HAMISU
SANI, now wish to be known
and addressed as AUWAL
MOHAMMED. Former document
remain valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
take note
JUSTINA
I formerly known as AHU
JUSTINA LILIAN, now wish
to be known and addressed as
JUSTINA LILIAN YAKUBU.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
29
SALE
I formerly known as DANTATA
SALE, now wish to be known and
addressed as SALE ALHASSAN.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ADETAYO
I formerly known as KAMILU
OMOTAYO LAWAL, now wish
to be known and addressed as
ADETAYO ABIADE ADETUNJI.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
ONYENAUCHEYA
I formerly known as EZEKIEL
GLADYS NNEKA., now wish
to be known and addressed as
ONYENAUCHEYA GLADYS
NNEKA. Former document remain
valid. Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
IBRAHIM
I Formerly known and addressed
as IBRAHIM BALA. Now want
to be known and addressed
as IBRAHIM’ MUHAMMAD
GARBA. All former document
remain valid and the general
public should take
MARY
I formerly known as MARY
MOJISOLA JOHNSON, now
wish to be known and addressed
as MARY MOJISON AJEWOLE.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
BABATUNDE
I formerly known as BABATUNDE
FATAI ABDULSALAMI, now wish
to be known and addressed as
BABATUNDE DANIEL SALAMI.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and general
public to take note
MOHAMMED
I formerly known as MOHAMMED
AMEEN 2|2|1994, now wish
to be known and addressed as
MOHAMMED AMINU 2|2|1980.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
MAIDAWA
I, Formerly known as MAIDAWA
JOSEPH now wish to be known
and called MAIDAWA JOSEPH
EBOY. All former documents
remains valid. Concerned
authorities and general public to
please take note.
HADIZA
I formerly known and called HADIZA
ABDULMUMIN HALADU Born on
04/02/1966 now wish to be known
and addressed as KHADIJA HARUNA
Born on 04/03/1967. All former
documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and the general public to
please take note.
MUHAMMAD
I formerly known and CALLED AMINU
ABUBAKAR now wish to be known
and addressed AS MUHAMMAD
AMINU ABUBAKAR. All former
documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and the general public to
please take note.
AMINA
I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED
AS AMINA MAS’UD ABDULKARIM
NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND
ADDRESSED AS AMINA MAS’UD-
ISMAIL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS
REMAINS VALID. AUTHORITY
CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL
PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.
LORETA
I formerly known as LORETA
KATOK JUGU, now wish to
be known and addressed as
LORETA KATOK TOHOMDET.
Former document remain valid.
Concerned authorities and
general public to take note
MONGLE
I formerly known as MONGLE
NGARING now wish to be known
and addressed as MONGLE
NGARING LAUSOH. All former
documents remain valid, Authority
concerned and the general public to
please take note.
30 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng Monday, July 19, 2021
twitter: @blueprint_ng instagram: @blueprintNigeria

Capital market
By Segun Odunewu
Lagos
Nigerian top banks’ market
capitalisation drops by N19.42bn
Market capitalisation of Nigeria’s five biggest banks
dropped to N2.49 trillion at the weekend as investors
in these banks lost N19.42 billion during the trading
week, according to data from the Nigerian Exchange
(NGX).
The loss is attributed to the sell-off witnessed in total of 54,443,124 units of the bank’s shares valued decline is a result of the 2.00 percent decrease in its The total volume, in comparison with the previous
the share prices of the banks, during last week trading at N494.46 million. The total volume traded for the share price from N24.95 traded at the end of last week, depreciated by 19.22 percent, from 86.43
days. week declined by 19.69 percent, from a total of 67.79 week, to N24.45 at the end of this week. million units traded last week.
According to the report, First Bank Holdings Nig. million traded in the previous week. Hence, a total of 69,822,966 units of the bank’s The FBN, UBA,GTB, Access and Zenith banks
Plc lost a total of N14.35 billion after its market Zenith Bank Plc lost N15.70 billion after its shares were traded during the week, valued at N1.70 make up over 70 percent of the NSE Banking sector
capitalization dropped from N276.39 billion to market capitalization declined to N767.64 billion trillion, making the firm’s stock the second most index, hence, they strongly influence the growth or
N262.04 billion due to a sharp decline in its share from N783.34 billion at the end of the week. This traded stock amongst the FUGAZ during the week. otherwise of the index.
price which closed at N7.30, shedding about 5.2
percent in a day.
ICSAN remains leading voice in corporate governance, public administration – Ayeku
During the week, investors traded about By Segun Odunewu examinations leading to the qualification as has become more relevant now. beyond rhetoric, we mean
18,632,436 units of the bank’s shares valued at Lagos Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. When we now say sustainability sustainability beyond mere
N137.11 million. The volume of shares traded “Over the years, we have consistently beyond rhetoric, what are we talking words, beyond mere lip service,
depreciated immensely by 597.64 percent, when President and Chairman Chartered promoted the ideals of Corporate about? Nearly everyone will agree sustainability beyond mere box-
compared to 129.90 million units traded the previous Institute of Secretaries and Administration Governance through periodic issuance of that the concept of sustainability is ticking; a kind of “they say we should
week. of Nigeria (ICSAN) Bode Ayeku have policy papers and Guidance materials on very vital not only for the present comply and we have complied.”
United Bank for Africa Plc gained N8.55 billion as said the institute remains the leading Corporate and Public Administration. business operations, but for the “I will refrain from delving too
its market capitalization appreciated from N256.50 voice on corporate governance and public For the past 55 years that we have future of human society as well. much into the theme in order not
billion to N265.05 billion, due to the increase in its administration in Nigeria with its various been in existence, we have regularly He however pointed out how to usurp the assigned responsibilities
share price from N7.50 to N7.75, reflecting a growth advocacy programmes. produced seasoned professionals who have many organisations or people are of our Speaker and Discussants who
of 3.30 percent. Ayeku reiterated this at the 2021 Public contributed their quota to the nation’s really committed to the ideals of are more than qualified to do justice
UBA Plc, during the week, traded a total of Lecture of the Institute Held On Friday economic advancement. sustainability. to the theme in all its ramifications,”
71,218,494 units valued at N536.88 million. In July 16, 2021, At the Institute Secretariat, “The theme of this year’s lecture is “So, when we say sustainability he added.
comparison, the bank’s share volume appreciated by Alausa Ikeja. “Sustainability Beyond Rhetoric as a
18.25 percent, from 60.23 million traded last week. He said one of the major ways the Corporate Survival Strategy”. Year in and year NYERIS ISTIFANU

S
I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly known and addressed
GTB Holding Company Plc lost a total of N1.47 ICSAN has acquired this enviable out, the Institute has consistently chosen very as JOSES NYERIS DANIEL, now
wish to be known and addressed as RUTH CHARLES, now wish
billion after its market capitalization dropped to reputation is through the various programs apt and trendy themes for her Annual Public as DANIEL JOSES and my correct to be known and addressed as
Date of Birth is 18: 01: 2000 not 01: RUTH ISTIFANUS. Former
N865.28 billion at the end of trading session. on topical business and national issues like Lecture (and indeed for all her programmes) 02: 1988. Former documents remain documents remain valid.
The marginal loss can be attributed to a slight Public Lecture, The Conversation, among and this year’s theme is not an exception. valid. Concerned authorities and Concerned authorities and
general public to take note. general public to take note.
decrease in the share price, from N29.45 traded at the other enlightening and educative programs. Ayeku said sustainability concepts as
end of last week, to N29.40 at the close of business, “The Public Lecture is an important espoused in the Environmental, Social and HADIZA EPHRAIM
I formerly known as HADIZA I formerly known as EPHRAIM
reflecting a marginal decline of 0.20 percent. event in the Institute’s calendar. It has Governance (ESG) therefore refers to the BENJAMIN DAUDA now wish to be DAVID DAMDAKALAK now
During the trading week, Investors traded a total become an established platform through inclusion of the non-financial topics within known and addressed as HADIZA wish to be known and addressed
MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI. All former as EPHRAIM DAVID. All former
of 120,899,602 units of the bank’s shares valued at which the Institute contributes to national investment decision-making. It is a business documents remain valid, Authority documents remain valid, Authority
concerned and the general public to concerned and the general public
N3.57 trillion, making the bank the most traded discourse on trending issues of national or approach that, through policy mainstreaming, please take note. to please take note.
stock amongst the FUGAZ during the week. global significance. seeks to build long-term competitiveness
Access Bank Plc appreciated by N3.55 billion as its “ICSAN is a leading, statutorily without unduly compromising short-term OGBODO AMINU
I formerly known as JOHN PAUL I formerly known as AMINU
market capitalization increased to N327.02 billion at established professional body, dedicated profitability and cash flows. EMEKA NWOFOR, now wish ABDULHADI DANLAMI now
the end of the trading week. The gain was due to a 1.1 to enhancing the status and practice “You would agree with me that the to be known and addressed as wish to be called and address
OGBODO EMEKA DANIEL. as AMINU DANLAMI, All
percent increase in its share price from N9.10 traded of Corporate Governance and Public challenges foisted by COVID 19 pandemic Former document remain valid. former documents remain valid,
Concerned authorities and Authority concern and general
earlier to N9.20. Administration. It is the only professional have exacerbated the problems of sustainability general public to take note public should please take note
At the end of the week, investors had traded a body authorized in Nigeria to conduct the in many companies and industries, the concept
LOSS OF DOCUMENT
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND SABIL ORPHANS-CARE FOUNDATION This is to inform the general
MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named has applied to the public of the Loss of original C OF
This is to inform the general public that the above named organization has applied to toeinformthegeneralpublicthattheabovenamed
to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) Decree No.
1 of 1990.
Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration of its Trustees under part ‘ C’ of the
Companies and Allied Matter Act, 1990. O No. FCT/GAC/RLA/AB/953 over
THE TrusteeS ARE:
1.MAINA MAHMOUD BUKAR- CHAIRMAN
THE TrusteeS ARE:
1. Isah Isah Alhaji
Plot No. 398, Cadastral Zone O4-
07, Old Kutunku Gwagwalada,
2.BUKAR ALI MAINA -SECRETARY
3.YARO AISHA UMAR -MEMBER 2. Isa Ali Alhaji
4.HUSSAINI ISA MARTE -MEMBER 3. Bukar Suleiman
Aims and objectives:
1.To help improve science through awareness creation programs such as training, seminars and science outreach events in sciences
for students, teachers, researchers, stakeholders and the general public.
Aims and objectives:
1. To raise fund and establish educational opportunities for vulnerable children.
Abuja, File No. AB 41493 for
2.To promote, organize, encourage study and enhance knowledge,
understanding and appreciation of nature, principle and practice of science among the community. 2. To provide career guidance to vulnerable children as they concentrate on their academic BARR. TEDDY CHIBUIKE ERUBA.
3.To promote education and awareness on issues related to development of science, natural resources, sanitation, open defecation,
safe drinking water and conservation of natural environment among the community.
pursuit.
All efforts made to trace the said
document proved abortive.
4.To frame co-curricular and organize courses in environmental sciences at all level of education among the community.
3. To facilitate the engagement of vulnerable children in the target location into
apprenticeship trainings
5.To provide educational support through; supporting girl child education, construction and rehabilitation of classrooms,

Authorities concerned and the

strengthening staffing system and provision of educational materials.
4. To facilitate the transition of Almajirai to modern Islamic schools
6.To build human capital and empowerment and women to improve their livelihoods through various support programmes.

general public should please, take

7. To provide guidance and counselling and consultancy services for any project related to the development of science, natural
5. To provide support to vulnerable children for sustainability of their day to day activities
resources and environment.
ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE
Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris
Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days to this publication.
Signed:
secretary
AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN
28 DAYS FROM THIS DATE OF PUBLICATION. note.
Signed: secretary

LOSS OF DOCUMENT LOSS OF DOCUMENT PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC This is to inform the general public of The general public is hereby notified
OF LOSS OF ORIGINAL STATUTORY RIGHT the loss of Original House Documents that the Islamic Forum of Nigeria
OF OCCUPANCY (R OF O) IN RESPECT OF of Three Bedroom Bungalow on July 13, of No. 327, Ashton Road, Kano, Kano
PLOT NO: 1392, CADASTRAL ZONE D09 OF 2021, which I Mrs Baraka Hussaini
KAGINI DISTRICT ABUJA, WITH FILE NO: MISC of No. 19 Yellow Duranta Street, F.H.A State with CAC/IT/NO. 6833 has applied
109634, MEASUREMENT ABOUT 1448.72 SQM. Nyanya, Abuja bought from one Senator to Corporate Affairs Commission for
BEARING MILTON NIGERIA LIMITED. Paul Ukpo; located at No. 22 Street A2 Amendment of its Constitution.
Karu, F.H.A, Abuja. ADDITION OF ARTICLE (12), the said
ALL EFFORT MADE TO TRACE THE SAID MISSING Article be amended to read as follows:
DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. I have the photocopy of the said House There shall be ten (10) Trustees of the
Documents. All effort made to trace
IF FOUND KINDLY RETURN TO THE NEAREST the Original House Documents proved forum in whom all the moveable and
POLICE STATION. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD abortive. If found call 08137204343 or immoveable properties of the forum
PLEASE TAKE NOTE. report to the nearest Police Station. shall be invested.
Monday, July 19, 2021
2 athletes test
positive for
Covid-19 in
Olympic Village
Two athletes have become the first
to test positive for coronavirus at
the Olympic athletes’ village.
According to organisers, the
two athletes are from the same
country and competing in the
same sport.
It means the total number
of known positive cases within
the village is now three after a
Games official tested positive on
Saturday.
A third athlete has tested
positive but is not living in the
Olympic village, Tokyo 2020
organisers added.
They also confirmed there have
been 10 new positive cases among
Games personnel in the last 24
hours, compared with 15 on
Saturday, bringing the total since
July 1 to 55.
The Olympics will open
on Friday, June 23 and run
until August 8 under a state of
emergency in Tokyo and three
neighbouring prefectures. The
emergency order lasts until
August 22.
Aiteo Cup Ouster:
Lobi Stars slams
half pay on Coach
Dogo, players
By John Shiaondo
Makurdi
The management of Lobi Stars
FC of Makurdi following series of
unimpressive performances, climaxed
by the round of 16 exit in the Aiteo Cup
2021 to a lower-tier Bayelsa United has
placed the team technical adviser,
Coach Kabiru Dogo and his assistants
on half salary and a two match pay cut
ultimatum to the players.
Vice Chairman Lobi Stars Mr
Emmanuel Tama Aondofa who
addressed the team ahead of an NPFL
fixture against Katsina United, express
his displeasure for the poor away results
in the league and the Aiteo Cup ouster
and lamented the lack of commitment
to work by the technical crew and the
players.
According to the Vice chairman,
if the results of games and the
general performance of the team is
not improved in the next two games,
the management will be left with no
option than to further enforce the pay
cut decision on the players too.
Tokyo 2020: Fidelity Bank boosts basketball teams with N15m
Nigeria's National Basketball
Teams D' Tigers and D'
Tigress quest for Olympics
medal has been given further
boost by another corporate
organization Fidelity Bank.
The bank has extended
support to the male and
female National Basketball
teams by doling out
USD30,000 (about N15
million).
Following a pitch by the
NPFL: Musa-less Pillars pip
Dakkada, Rivers hold Akwa in PH
With his impending move
to Turkish league nearing
completion, Ahmed Musa’s
Kano Pillars continued their
drive for the Nigeria Professional
Football League title on Sunday
after defeating Dakkada FC 2-0
at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium
in Kaduna while the top of the
table cracker between Rivers
United and table topper Akwa
United ended 1-1 a piece in Port
Harcourt.
The Sai Masu Gida’s quest of
emerging as Nigerian champions
had suffered a huge blow
following a 1-0 defeat at Sunshine
Stars in their last NPFL outing.
Against the Uyo-based outfit,
they returned to winning ways to
secure all points at stake without
Minister of Youth and sports
Development Mr. Sunday
Dare, Access Bank, Zenith
Bank and Guarantee Trust
Bank had collectively given
USD200,000 to the team last
week.
The Banks gesture followed
appeal by the minister for
corporate bodies to adopt
athletes and teams, even as
the male team, D’Tigers
climbed to world’s number
the presence of their inspirational
captain, Ahmed Musa.
Rabiu Ali gave Ibrahim
Musa’s team the lead in the 38th
minute and two minutes later,
Ebuka David doubled the hosts’
advantage to go into the half-time
break with a two-goal cushion.
Despite a frantic push by the
visiting side to make comeback,
they were unable to beat
goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo in the
Pillars goal.
With this win, Kano Pillars
climbed to third on the table
having accrued 58 points from
33 games, three points behind
leaders Akwa United who occupy
the summit of the NPFL table.
Kennedy Boboye’s Promise
Keepers stuttered in the title race
four position following their
impressive win over top
ranked United States.
The USD30,000 is to be
jointly shared by D’Tigers and
the female team, D’Tigress.
The Minister said the
gesture will spur the teams to
perform well in Tokyo.
The Minister had also
intervened to secure the
release of the team's kits at
the Port.
having been held to a 1-1 draw
Rivers United, who are currently
ranked fifth.
After a goalless first-half at the
Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port-
Harcourt, Akwa United took the
lead in the 53rd minute through
Atshimene Charles.
However, Stanley Eguma’s
team ensured that the game ended
on a no winner, no vanquished
note thanks to Bamba Bakari’s
effort three minutes from full-
time.
Kano Pillars will continue their
chase for a fifth Nigerian elite
division diadem when they travel
to Enugu Rangers on July 21.
According to reports, former
Leicester City star Musa could
join a Turkish elite division team
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before the end of July thereby
making him
In Lafia, Nasarawa United
impressive runs to the end of the
season continued as the Coach
Bala Nikyu side defeated MFM
of Lagos by a lone goal. The Solid
Miners are second on the log
table.
NPFL Matchday 32 Results:
Enyimba 2 Jigawa GS 1
Heartland 1 Rangers 1
Nasarawa 1 MFM 0
Rivers United 0 Akwa United 1
Warri Wolves 1 Kwara United 0
Katsina Utd 1 Lobi Stars 1
Kano Pillars 2 Dakkada 1
Plateau Utd 1 IFUB 0
Wikki Tourists 1 Abia Warriors 0
Adamawa 0 Sunshine 1
31
Shaibu makes
case for
handball league
in states
By Patrick Ahanor
Benin City
Edo state deputy governor, Rt.
Hon. Philip Shaibu has advocated
for the establishment of state
handball league across the country
in a bid to make handball a major
sport in Nigeria.
Shaibu said: “In the past,
you cannot qualify to play in the
National League, until you qualify
from the state league. That is how it
used to be and that is what it should
be. That is the only way we can
truly develop handball in Nigeria.
He stated this at the final of 2020
National Division One handball
league played at the Indoors
Sports Hall in Etete, Oredo Local
Government Area of the state.
In the final game, Tojemarine
Sports Academy of Lagos defeated
Police Machine by 18 – 20, in a
keenly contested game.
According to the deputy
governor, “We need the Handball
Federation to make it mandatory
for all states in Nigeria to have
handball leagues. We should have a
state handball league.
Earlier, Chairman Caretaker
Committee, Handball Federation
of Nigeria, Sam Ocheho, thanked
Shaibu and the state government
for agreeing to host the tournament
for the next four years.
FIFA plans to
reduce football
game from 90
to 60 minutes
World football governing body
FIFA is considering bringing in a
host of controversial changes to the
current football system with one of
such which will see games reduce
from 90 minutes to 60 minutes.
According to Mundo Deportivo
FIFA are looking for ways to
improve the game and are trialling
a series of different rules in the
‘Future of Football Cup’ youth
tournament.
Under 19 sides from PSV, AZ
Alkmaar, RB Leipzig and Club
Brugge are all partaking in the
experiment, which features five key
regulations.
Firstly, instead of 90 minutes,
games will be made of two 30
minute halves – with the idea of
shortened match believed to have
been taken from basketball and
futsal.
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Hassan Gimba not hate one another. In the

communities where they
cohabit, they often live in
peace and respect for one
The Arbiter another. It is the political class
that tries to cause division
among Nigerians to profit
agimbah@gmail.com, 09029880064 from the fracas that result.
For they know that once

Now is not the time to talk of separation
The calls for Nigeria to dissolve
into its various parts have
never been this high. The call is
more strident in the Southern
part of the country. In the
South East, the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB) is
calling for autonomy of the
zone, populated by the Igbo.
In the South West, there are
also such calls. The North,
too, is not left out as many
stakeholders align with those
who think it is not worth
remaining in a union with
those who no longer want it.
In the South, especially
the east, the agitation is
so widespread and gaining
momentum that it is
threatening to get out of hand.
The general feeling there is
that of people seeking freedom
from bondage. Unfortunately,
southern agitation is fueled
by propaganda which
the government could
not counter. The skewed
information dished out is
becoming the truth in the
minds of those targeted, those
meant to be convinced.
Perhaps miffed by the
avalanche of the propaganda,
all mischievously and
deliberately slanted to achieve
certain goals, the North
reacted. A section of its
elders met and stated that the
southeast should be allowed
to go. That the north, and
indeed Nigeria, is not willing
to fight anymore to keep
anyone in the federation.
A major aberration is that
those who cry about being
victims are in reality those
who victimise. However, they
craftily make it look like they
are at the receiving end or
there is a grand conspiracy to
end their existence on earth.
In other parts of the country,
they move freely and engage
in their activities without
harassment from any quarter.
In their area, certain people
are not as free and they live on
borrowed time.
But we have come a long
way as a nation. No one
should force anyone to remain
in Nigeria as a Nigerian. We
have to remain together as
one in our collective interest.
To borrow from a popular
cliché, united we will stand,
divided we shall all fall.
I have some time ago
written that even if Nigeria
would balkanise, now is the
wrong time, for all our sakes.
The best time would have
been 1966 and, perhaps by
now, we would all have been
independent nationalities,
each with its peculiar problems
and prospects. But now, none
of the six geopolitical zones
can survive outside Nigeria.
Bandits, insurgents, militants
and would overwhelm us
all. Even the Igbo nation
cannot stand on its own if left
alone to the arrogance and
demagoguery of its anointed
secessionist leader.
Even though the Boko
Haram insurgency appears
to be getting to an end, the
truth is if turmoil overtakes
Nigeria, the chances that the
insurgents will roll out their
“caliphate” and become the
lords of the north-east are
high.
The north-west and north-
central probably may go to
the bandits and herdsmen
who could easily be tempted
to join hands with Boko
Haram–if they are not under
their control already.
The south-east may likely
witness fights between groups
clamouring for dominance.
The group with the most
arms and daredevil members
may triumph after protracted
warfare. Militants will rule
the coasts and each group
may have its fiefdom. Perhaps
the only zone that may move
on as a nation-state after a
little turmoil may be the
south-west. It has a political
leadership and is economically
better organised. Its youth can
respect the elders as well.
The northern elders know
the uncertainties and dangers
associated with the dissolution
of Nigeria now. Despite its
bravado, the discerning from
the south-east also knows that
the upheavals to be witnessed
in their zone with Nigeria’s
dissolution is better imagined
than witnessed.
With all the brave faces
being shown by the Igbo living
in the North, they know that
living in the North is far better
than going back to the East. At
the height of the Boko Haram
killings in Borno and Yobe,
two states at the epicenter
of the insurgency, many of
them that fled back home,
returned almost immediately
afterwards. The stories they
gave of their experiences were
horrific. Those of them living
at home are mostly the ones
bent on seeing that those
outside return. Envy? Well,
only they and their God know.
With the current situation
of Nigeria, it is wise for
all parties to sheathe their
swords and extend the hand
of concord, friendship, and
understanding to one another.
Most of those shouting for
dissolution are those who
have lost out and think they
cannot compete favourably
with others within the united
nation. So they believe they
can be lords of the manor at
a part.
Let us build the country,
make it peaceful and secure.
The average Nigerian may not
give a hoot who the president
will be as long as there will
be fairness and justice; and
as long as he can provide for
his family the necessities of
life. This is at the root of the
problem.
The masses of people do
the suspicion and contrived
conflict among the various
peoples that make up this
potentially great nation are
pushed aside, the people will
band together to understand
who their common enemies
are - those who have
systematically appropriated
the vast resources of this
country for themselves, their
families and few associates.
And while they gorge
themselves on the people’s
commonwealth, seeking
to perpetuate their unfair
privilege, the masses wallow in
the most dehumanizing living
conditions one can imagine.
The agitations being
witnessed may spread to
engulf the country as those
ostracised from a reasonable
distribution of our country’s
wealth for decades will be
up in arms, unleashing their
frustrations on all of us. If
not addressed properly, and
when the masses get a uniting
leadership, the pull at the
country’s seams will increase
and thus threaten its very
existence.
But the bulk of Nigerians
know we are better off together.
Even in the East where the call
for dissolution has been long
and in the west where it just
began, most of the intelligent
class do not subscribe to a
dismemberment; they want a
governance arrangement that
they feel can stand a better
chance of improving the
general well-being of all than
what is currently on offer.

Why NAFDAC is yet to approve local

medications for COVID-19 – News
Because charity doesn’t
begin at home in Nigeria!
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Verstappen out of British GP after collision with Hamilton
Red Bull’s Formula One world championship leader
Max Verstappen crashed out of the British Grand
Prix on Sunday after colliding with Mercedes title
rival Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap, with the
race temporarily halted.
Stewards decided Hamilton had caused the
collision and handed the seven-times world
champion a 10 second penalty for his home race.
Verstappen stood unaided after the high-speed
accident that pitched his car off at Copse corner,
waving to fans before going for medical checks.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was leading when the red
flags came out.
Verstappen had started on pole position on a sunny
afternoon after winning an experimental Saturday
sprint but he and Hamilton duelled through the
opening corners before contact at the ninth.
Verstappen came across as the Mercedes driver
tried to go past on the inside and the Red Bull’s rear
right wheel hit Hamilton’s front left.
Such a clash had been seen coming as the title
10, Garki, Abuja. Editor: Abdulrahman A. Abdulrauf
battle heats up, with Verstappen starting Sunday’s on Hamilton, who should never have been in that
race 33 points clear of Hamilton after nine rounds, position.”
and the capacity crowd of some 140 000 gasped at Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff sent an email to
the drama. Masi and then got on the radio to the Australian
Crowd favourite Hamilton, the winner of a before going to see the stewards with evidence of his
record seven British Grands Prix and most successful own.
Formula One driver of all time, continued with a Aston Martin principal Otmar Szafnauer, who
damaged car before pitting. team use Mercedes engines, also came to the defence
“I was ahead going in there. Pulling alongside, it of Hamilton.
was my line,” said the Briton over the team radio.
Red Bull disagreed in the strongest terms, calling
race director Michael Masi to let him know their
view of the incident and asking him to “deal with it
appropriately”.
“Hamilton was never anywhere near alongside,”
said team boss Christian Horner, who was relieved
to see Verstappen walking away.
“Every driver that’s driven this circuit knows you
do not stick a wheel up the inside of Copse.
“That’s an enormous accident and it was 100%
Max’s corner. As far as I’m concerned, full blame lays