Electricity power station

By Constance Athekame

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says it is working with stakeholders to restore power supply to Bwari and environs.

The Management of AEDC, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the power outage, currently being experienced in Bwari and environs, was due to technical fault on the feeder serving the area.

The management of AEDC wishes to notify its esteemed customers in Abuja, Bwari Town, Ushafa Town, Dutse, Jigo, Kuduru, Kuchiko, Bmuko, Garam, Kogo., Veritas University and environs that the power outage they are currently experiencing is due to a technical fault on the feeder serving their areas.

All responsible stakeholders are currently working hard to restore the power supply soonest, it said.

The company said that it regret any inconveniences caused by the outrage. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Some of the children with special needs

Parents, teachers and the burden of children with special needs

By Aderogba George, News Agency of Nigeria

As the world marks the 2023 World Down Syndrome Day, many parents are encumbered with how to tackle the challenges of children with special needs.

According the United Nations (UN) estimates that globally the incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide

A UN report furthers says that yearly, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.

It is against this background that in December 2011, the UN General Assembly declared that with effect from March 21 it will mark the World Down Syndrome Day.

The aim is to raise public awareness of Down syndrome and galvanise international organisations, governments and the civil society to address the challenges of those suffering from the syndrome.

The joy of every parent is to see his/her child compete favorably with other children either in school, sporting activities or any other activities that could make them feel fulfilled.

Teachers on the other hand derive satisfaction in putting in their best to ensure they do not only meet the expectations of parents but also bring out the best in the child.

Teachers unlike parents are usually saddled with the responsibility of seeing the needs of children and being able to tackle such pronto.

This is why children with special challenges or children with special needs are often at the receiving end of parents getting to understand their plight and the appropriate measure to address such need.

Children with such special needs include; Down syndrome, Autism, Cerebral palsy and learning disability which are categorised as neuro-divergent children, while the non-challenged are neuro-typical children.

The confusion of where to place these children with such challenges is often a recurring decimal among parents, who lack the requisite sensitivity to understand how to address such needs with the necessary school environment.

Mr Philip Akpa, Chairman, Parents Teachers Progressive Forum, Safehost International Academic, Kurudu, Abuja said some proprietresses have taken up such challenges of creating the right environment to meet the social and educational needs of such children.

He said instead of locking up their children with special needs in rooms, parents should find the appropriate place that could help confront such challenges develop mentally and academically.

Akpa, said Safehost International Academy is one of the schools addressing the need by providing the right atmosphere for the children to compete with other children in the conventional school.

He said the proprietress thought it wise to have a school where children with neuro-divergent childrens needs could particularly melt.

According to him, the children are taught according to their needs, adding that the idea was to encourage inclusiveness, including the deaf and dumb and other disabilities.

There are courses for you, there are sign languages that they teach them there and other languages they communicate with these children and they understand, he said.

He enjoined parents to always ensure that experts handled their wards with special needs.

Ngozi Belolisa, Executive Director of the school, the society should embrace advocacy and inclusiveness for children with special needs.

Advocacy is talking about what the typical children can do and what the divergent children can do vis-a-vis with their strength and what they can handle, she said.

Some of the school had always encouraged the students to take sports as they help to develop their mental abilities.

The synchronisation of sporting activities in the school is actually deliberate, this is to help them to retain, as they are learning they are looking, Belolisa said.

Mrs Biboara Yinkere, Convener of the Engraced Ones, an NGO, that caters for children with special needs said with the right education and parenting, such children could become productive members of the society.

Yinkere, who is also the Director of School of Grace, a special needs school and the Gracelane Miracle Inclusive School, also in Kurudu, said she disability should not be seen as an encumbrance to productivity.

People with disabilities can thrive, we know of the Paralympians in Nigeria that are doing very well. Here, the neuro-typical children are brought together in a bid to help strengthen their resolve.

We also bring them together to foster friendship, to break down the wall of discrimination and segregation, she said.

The Federal Government said it is aware of the plight of children with special needs and will do everything it can to help them develop into citizens that will contribute their quota to the development of the country.

Now more than ever, we need to come together to support each other, and remember our most vulnerable populations, Malam Muhammad Musa the minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT said.

He spoke during a visit to Brain Bloom Centre, Abuja which is dedicated to the care of children with special needs.

As the world once again marks this years edition of the day of down syndrome, experts urge the authorities and every stakeholder to match words with action and fast-track efforts towards making life more enjoyable and meaning for children with special needs. (NANFeatures) (www.nannews.ng)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

Chellaz Schools on Monday celebrated Mothering Sunday, commending mothers for their efforts toward societal development and nation building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Mothering Sunday is usually celebrated every March 19 every year.

It is a celebration honouring the mothers of the family, motherhood, maternal bonds as well as their influence on the society.

Speaking during the celebration in Lagos, Mrs Adenike Johnson, Proprietress of the school, said mothers have been able to position themselves as great pillars of support to their wards.

She appreciated their various contributions to the growth of their children which are rubbing off positively on societal development.

She advised mothers on healthy living and regular checkup as they advance in age.

We want to appreciate our mothers, here present. You have been great sources of inspiration to these children and we appreciate this as a school that is interested in raising healthy and responsible children.

We appreciate your timely response to their needs.

I want us to pay attention to healthy living and take regular checkup seriously. We all need these so that we can keep being healthy to raise these children as well as enjoy our health, she said.

Also, Mrs Modupe Lawal, one of the parents, urged mothers to always cultivate the habit of making their children their confidants.
Lawal spoke on the need for mothers to communicate, effectively, with their children which also entailed giving absolute attention to them while they speak.

She commended the school for the systematic way in which knowledge and discipline were instilled on the pupils.

Lawal also advised the school management on ensuring the children were taught the African culture of respect.

Another parent, Mrs Arinola Fowowe, a businesswoman, advised mothers not to relent in their responsibility of engaging their wards on sex education early enough.

Fowowe noted that this would guide them against molestation so as not to truncate their bright future. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Source: NAN News

Sumaila Ogbaje

Arise Monalisa Foundation (AMF) an NGO, says all is set to celebrate female entrepreneurs, who are breaking forth in a male dominated industry from diverse fields, to mark the 2023 International Womens Day.

Founder of AMF, Monalisa Chinda, who said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, added that the foundation would be celebrating achievements and contributions of women to the country development.

Chinda said that other activities planned for the celebration of the IWD included reaching out to the less privileged ones and equally celebrating men folks who supported women agenda.

She said that the foundation had rolled out an event Tagged Equity versus Equality, Redefining Gender Roles, to celebrate the history of women in the society.

According to her, the event which will take place on Sunday, March 26, is billed to celebrate 2023 IWD, and also Womens History Month.

She said with the sub theme Embracing Equity (Empower One Woman Empower Generations), preceding the event was a Green Carpet session, followed by the main event at the Envoy Hotel Abuja.

Highlights of the event will include Networking Session, Charity Event, and Product Showcase and services.

This significant occasion will be celebrating female entrepreneurs from diverse fields who are breaking forth in a male dominated industry.

However, theres a twist to this remarkable event as it will also celebrate male folks, she said.

According to her, the foundation will also be celebrating men who have embraced their feminism sides and are proudly strutting their stuff in otherwise female dominated industries.

And, at the end of this event, we will be reaching out to the less privileged ones.

We are banking on the support of the friends and stakeholders of the foundation to donate food items, money, clothing, books and anything that you have that you are no longer using, she said.

Chinda said that IWD had occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people.

acco4ding to her, today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organisation specific.

Arise Monalisa Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation founded by veteran multi award-winning actress, TV Show Host and Humanist, Monalisa Chinda.

Its mission is to inspire hope, promote creativity and create opportunities. It has over the years, actively worked in association with other well-meaning organisations to provide empowerment initiatives for indigent women, youths and children in Nigeria.(NAN) ()

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Thompson Yamput

Six persons are allegedly feared missing when unknown gunmen attacked six Hummer Buses carrying INEC officials in Kogi in the early hours of Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Sunday that the incident, which occurred around 2 a.m of March 19 at Abajana, left several officials with gun shot wounds including policemen and drivers.

The six missing persons include two serving NYSC corps members and four ex- youth corps members.

The injured persons are already on admission at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), now Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.

Mr Salisu Ibrahim, one of the bus drivers, who was shot on his right leg, and recuperating at the hospital, told NAN that the attackers took them by surprise.

We were on our way back to Lokoja from Abujor RAC with the results of the House of Assembly election held there, when we were attacked by some people.

All the six buses moving in a convoy were attacked and in the process many of us sustained injuries.

Thank God, none of us died in the process but I learnt some youth corps members are missing during the attack on us this early morning, Ibrahim narrated.

Mr Dare Owofadaju, a youth corps member who was shot on his left thigh, said: It is only God that kept us alive considering the way and manner the gunmen attacked us.

Owofadaju said that the election was conducted peacefully and counting was completed, and it was when we were returning to Lokoja that we were attacked at Abajana.

Thank God some security operatives came to our rescue and rushed those of us injured to this Federal University Teaching Hospital Lokoja for immediate treatment, he narrated.

NAN also gathered that the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records (CAR), Maj-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, Kogi INEC REC, Dr Hale Longpet, and the Kogi NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Mofoluwaso Williams, have visited the injured in the hospital.

The REC and the state NYSC coordinator declined to respond to NAN enquiries on the incident.

But the Spokesman of Kogi Police Command, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, confirmed the incident, saying that the police was on top of the situation.

We are aware of the sad incident and preparing to issue a statement on the attack, he said. (NAN)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

By David Adeoye
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Gov. Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the March 18 governorship election in Oyo State.

Prof. Adebayo Bamire, the State Returning Officer, also the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, made the declaration on Sunday at the INEC State Headquarters in Ibadan.

Makinde floored his closet rival, a serving Senator, Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having won in 31 local government areas of the state, leaving only two to his opponents.

Bamire declared that Makinde polled 563,756 votes to defeat his closest rival, Folarin, who scored 256,685 votes.

The Returning Officer, declaring the final results, said, Seyi Makinde having polled the highest number of votes in the election, was returned elected as Governor of Oyo State.

He, also, said that the candidate of Accord, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, came third with 38,357 votes.

While Makinde won in 31 local government areas, Folarin won in Irepo and Orelope Local Governments.

In his reactions, Makinde said he was overwhelmed.

He, therefore, thanked the people of the state for the confidence reposed in his administration.

Makinde also thanked his friends, political associates and everyone that supported his aspiration in one way or the other.

He promised to work harder for the people of the state in his second tenure.

NAN reports that 16 registered political parties contested the governorship election in the state, some of the candidates, however, dropped their ambition few days to the election, to align with either of the three main contenders.

The margin of defeat is 307,071 votes.(NAN)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) logo

By Lucy Ogalue

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), says many African countries are struggling to meet the continents development goals due to the impact of severe and mutually reinforcing shocks.

Mr Adam Elhiraika, ECAs Director, Macroeconomic Policy Division, in a statement said the continent encountered severe developmental challenges due to increased poverty, high inequality rates and lack of decent jobs.

Elhiraika said that the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukrainian war and resultant food and energy crisis, rising inflation, debt tightening, and natural disasters were critical factors to the challenge.

The director said this while presenting an overview of recent Economic and Social Conditions in Africa at the ongoing meeting of experts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was held to herald the 2023 Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Ethiopia.

According to the Report, growth in Africa dwindled from 4.6 per cent in 2021 to 3.6 per cent in 2022.

In 2022, an additional 18 million new poor emerged in Africa, with more than half the highest proportion of the worlds poor at 54.8 per cent.

This is alarming because 546 million people were living in poverty in 2022, which is more than half of the continents population, Elhiraika said.

According to the director, women and girls remain particularly vulnerable, and the continent is facing a potential reversal of the hard-won gains made on gender equity.

He said another challenge stressed during the meeting was inequality which remained pervasive across all African sub-regions and was exceptionally high in Southern Africa.

Among the top ten countries where wealth inequality is the highest, seven of them, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Angola and Malawi, are in Southern Africa.

While two are in west Africa, Guinea-Bissau, and Sao Tome.

ECA estimates that although the economic outlook remains bleak, Africa is anticipated to grow by 3.9 per cent in 2023, he said.

Elhiraika said the commission had cautioned that the growth might experience headwinds.

Especially with an unfavourable external environment created by the recession in both the United States and the Eurozone and expected to weigh on commodity prices, he said.

Fostering recovery and transformation in Africa to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities is the theme of the ongoing meeting in Addis Ababa.

At the meeting, countries were urged to pursue pro-poor and inclusive macroeconomic policies and ensure access to affordable and innovative finance for an inclusive recovery. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Itohan Abara-Laserian/Stellamaris Ashinze and Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Temitope Adewale, representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, has identified orientation as a means of curbing voter apathy in the country.

Adewale, who was seeking re-election, gave the advice on Saturday against the backdrop of the governorship and house of assembly elections and the poor turnout recorded during the exercise.

According to him, a lot of youths still fail to understand the full import of the elections.

I have also realised that it is on the election day that we have our youth doing their own inter-house sports, that is when they decide to play football on the street.

You know, it is a Saturday and you will be surprised that most of them do not even have Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), so they are not engineered to go out and vote, he said.

Adewale stressed the need for more enlightenment of such youth on the reasons why they have to exercise their franchise.

He also expressed displeasure that the actual people that turned out to vote was a far cry from the number of PVCs collected in Lagos.

It is saddening because it is less than 10 per cent; movingforward, we need to continue to orientate our youth to get them involved in carrying outtheir civic responsibility, he said.

Adewale also berated the propagation of ethnicity and religious bigotry by some people during elections, saying these had no place in politics.

We should focus on what can be delivered in terms of the dividends of democracy to the people rather than going to religion and everything, he said, while also kicking againstpromoting the ethnic card.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the polls witnessed low turn out in many areas of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has cast his vote at polling unit 003, Sarkin Yara A in Daura, Katsina State, with a call to electorate to vote for their preferred candidates even if politicians tried to offer them money.

The president, who briefly spoke to newsmen both in English and Hausa languages after casting his vote on Saturday, said his administration had been preaching against vote-buying and monetisation of politics, calling on politicians to desist from such acts.

If they (politicians) still give you money, collect, but vote for your preferred candidates, Buhari maintained.
He again thanked the electorate for trusting the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections where the partys candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, emerged winner.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president, who cast his vote at about 9.55 a.m, refused to openly display his ballot paper as he did during the Feb. 25 Presidential election. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has described the 2023 polls as one of the most transparent and credible ever held in the country.

The minister said this on Saturday in his home town, Oro, near Ilorin Kwara while speaking with newsmen after casting his vote in the Governorship and State Assembly election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister voted at about 9.45 a.m. at Polling Unit 006, Oro Ward 2 in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

Justifying his assertion, the minister saidthe introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was a game changer in tackling the issues of multiple accreditations, voting and rigging.

With what I have observed both in the February 25 and todays elections, there has been a remarkable improvement in the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Without any doubt, the introduction of BVAS has been a game changer in the sense that with BVAS, you are able to get the actual number of people who are accredited.

Also with BVAS, it is now not possible for you to vote twice because your biometric and facial are captured.

That explained why though INEC said there were 84 million voters in Nigeria, the last election showed that only about 24 million people cast their votes, he said.

The minister said, in spite of the obvious improvements in the electoral process, he was worried about the red herring that trailed the outcomes of the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assemblies elections.

He said most of the issues being raised about the credibility of INEC in conducting the polls were distractive.

According to the minister, the electoral law does not recognises electronic voting while the decision of a federal high court in Abuja gives INEC the power to determine the manner it collates and transmits election results.

Mohammed said he was happy that some of the aggrieved parties in the concluded elections had approached the court to ventilate their grievances.

He, however, berated the activities of some non-state actors making analysis and propositions which he said were incendiary and injurious to the harmonious and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.

The minister said the activities of some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had also been very unhelpful because many of them came out to unjustifiably discredit INEC and set one ethnic and religion against the other

He said the media should also be circumspect of what they report on the elections and must show professionalism in discharge of their duties.

What we noticed is that some media houses had taken position for one candidate and this makes rubbish of most of the analysis we see on their platforms, he said.

The minister said the regulators of the media, particularly the broadcast media were doing their best by issuing warnings and fines where applicable.

He said many of the broadcast stations that were fined had refused to comply and pay up but dared the regulator.

He said the intention of the broadcast stations was to provoke the regulator to shut down their stations and by so doing labeling the government of stifling press freedom.

The minister assured that the regulators would not rest on their oars in the discharge of their constitutional duty of ensuring that the right things were done in the media industry. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

NCWS National President, Hajiya Lami Lau

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has called on Nigerians to ensure peaceful atmosphere during the governorship and Houses of Assembly Elections.

The national president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

She urged women and youths to come out en masse to exercise their civic responsibility and not to be intimidated during the polls.

Lau urged youths to denounce violence during and after the elections, adding that the Presidential and National Assembly elections recorded some decree of violence in some states.

I want Nigerians to stand united against violence and activities that will jeopardise the elections.

I advise all Nigerians, specifically women and youths, to work together towards free and fair elections regardless of party affiliations.

As women, we are the worst hit in times of violence; our collective goal should be a better Nigeria, she said.

Lau discouraged Nigerians from engaging in vote-buying and selling or mortgaging their conscience and future for mundane things.

She advised youths against being used by selfish politicians to disrupt elections as thugs or engaging in other unpatriotic activities.

According to her no nation can move forward without active participation of women in politics.

If we must move the country forward we must position women to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Leadership must be inclusive, creating equal opportunities for women to function in key positions both at the federal and state levels, she said.

This, she said represents the best practices and standards for sustainable development, gender equity and justice.

It cannot be denied that the democracy practiced in Nigeria for many years has not met the full ideals because of its lack of inclusion of women in important decision making processes.

For Nigerian women, democracy is seen as retrogressing with the dwindling number of women in governance in Nigeria.

However, not voting will not only worsen the situation, but tactically widen the gender gap in politics and leadership hence women are advised to go all out and support every female candidate, she said.

Lau said that voting women into elective positions will greatly enhance the quality of lives of women in terms of healthcare, agriculture, procurement, business; access to funds, grants and loans.

She called on the public to support INEC and urged the commission to be open to comments from Nigerians that would help in achieving its set objectives.

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Uche Anunne

Source: NAN News

Woman enjoying her sleep

By Joy Odigie

Prof. Frank Imarhiagbe, a Consultant Neurologist, has advised Nigerians going through sleepless nights to seek medical care instead of resorting to sleeping pills.

Imarhiagbe, a consultant at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Benin.

The consultant, who spoke on the occasion of the 2023 World Sleep Day, said that taking drugs like Valium and Lexotan were not remedy for sleeplessness.

He said, If you cant sleep, something must be underlining. Going to take pills to sleep is not the answer to your problem.

if you cant sleep for a night or two, consult a doctor to help you find out the cause of the sleeplessness.

Find the cause, dont resort to Valium, Lexotan; you are postponing the evil day and compounding the problem, he said.

The Neurologist said that there were different causes of lack of sleep, which include disturbed mind, drug abuse, medical condition, psychiatric illness, abusing sleeping pills and genetic condition.

According to him, sleep is the brain-controlled natural unconsciousness that is timed and fixed.

Sleep is not optional, it is a basic requirement to maintain life. It is usually regulated to the night time according to the bodys biological clock.

When the sun begins to set, some chemicals are released to the brain that tells the body that it is time to sleep; when you are at sleep the body rearranges itself for the next day.

He advised people who do night shifts to always make up for the sleep loss by sleeping during the day, noting that sleep is essential for healthy living.

Imarhiagbe also recommended good sleep hygiene, including keeping television set and reading tables away from the bedroom.

The bedroom should be made comfortable for sleeping; avoid too bright lights, put cell phones off the bed and have a good sleeping position.

NAN reports that World Sleep Day is an annual event that is held the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox (The Spring Vernal Equinox occurs on March 20th or 21st of every year) with the 2023 celebration falling on March 17.

The theme for the 2023 World Sleep Day is Sleep is Essential for health.

The day aims to reduce the burden of sleep disorders on society by promoting better prevention and management. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

Global Terrorism Index 2022

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) has called for enhanced stakeholders actions to stem the rising terrorism and crimes following the release of the 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report.

The index developed by the Institute for Economics

CP Aderemi Adeoye, the Commissioner of Police in charge of House of Assembly election duty in Anambra

By Chimezie Anaso

Residents of Anambra have been asked to turn out en masse to participate in the State House of Assembly elections on Saturday without fear.

CP Aderemi Adeoye, the Commissioner of Police in charge of House of Assembly election duty in Anambra, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Friday.

Adeoye said that the Command and other sister security agencies had been fully mobilised and were ready to ensure hitch-free elections.

He said no fewer than 7,000 personnel made up of a combined team of Police, Army, and other agencies would be on duty in the build up, during and after the polls.

The police commissioner urged voters to go out peacefully and carry out their civic duties without fear, as the security agencies would be there for them.

Fortunately, the situation at the moment is calm, environment is conducive and security is ready; all the agencies involved are set.

The Police in particular is fully mobilised to provide security for all and sundry taking part in the elections.

We already have Police stations and formations in all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state; with the support of other sister agencies, we are going to have a presence in all polling units with teams on standby to respond to situations.

We are going to give the people of Anambra a secure environment and space to exercise their franchise in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere, he said.

Adeoye said the personnel had been advised to be civil while providing security, but warned that the force would be firm and decisive in dealing with any breach.

The police commissioner said the security operation would also cover cross-border incursion.

Those who wish to foment trouble should think twice, they should better be in their best behaviours so that they will be alive to tell the story, he warned. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to tackle and improve on noticeable challenges experienced during the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The CSOs made the call in their preliminary statement on the March 18th elections, signed by the Convener and Co-Coveners, Ene Obi, Asmau Joda and James Ugochukwu, ahead of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Obi, while addressing newsmen on the preliminary statement in Abuja, said the Civil Society Situation Room deployed 2,340 election observers, with at least three election observers per LGA in every state of the federation, excluding the FCT.

She added that the number included 131 Persons with Disabilities for receiving data and reports from the field, which would be analysed and disseminated through press statements and reports.

Obi said that the Situation Rooms observation and analysis of the conduct of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections would be guided by the Credibility Threshold for the 2023 General Elections.

Situation Room expects that INEC has taken lessons from the challenges experienced during the Presidential and National Assembly elections of Feb. 25.

We hope that the commission has made adequate arrangements to forestall the recurrence of the gaps observed during the elections.

Situation Room also expects that the glitches that led to the malfunctioning of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) have been resolved.

And also that the issues that occasioned the inability of the commission to conduct elections in some polling units and late opening of polls in others have been addressed.

In particular, the Situation Room calls on INEC to address the shortages in the number of ad hoc staff available for the elections, she said.

Obi also urged INEC to make adequate transportation arrangements, conduct additional training for the ad hoc staff, and promptly reconfigure and deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other materials required for the elections.

According to her, INEC should ensure that it communicated in a timely manner to the public on any challenges or changes made to the electoral process.

Obi said that the security situation across the country appeared tense, with reports of violence, kidnappings and assassinations in several states, including Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Kano.

She reminded the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies that they had a primary responsibility to guarantee the safety and security of election officials as well as other election stakeholders.

Obi urged security agencies to take adequate measures to forestall the recurrence of acts of voter suppression, disruption of voting, and outright violence experienced in some places during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Situation Room calls on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to ensure that they are non-partisan, professional and will avoid any actions capable of being interpreted as acting in support of any political interest, she said.

Obi also used the opportunity to call on political parties to respect and abide by the Peace Accord signed by them.

She said that Situation Room would be tracking violent incidents across the states, adding that perpetrators and masterminds would be called out for investigations and punitive measures in line with Section 92 (5-8) of the Electoral Act 2022.

Obi called on citizens to continue to show patriotism and patience by coming out to cast their votes, and by conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the elections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Idris Abdulrahman

DD/Website

Labour Party supporters at a Day Unity Summit in Ughelli on Thursday

By Edeki Igafe

The Labour Party (LP) in Delta has urged party faithful to resist political thugs and ensure their votes count in the March 18, Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

The Chairman of LP in Delta, Mr Tony Ezeagwu, gave the advice on Thursday at a Day Unity Summit organised by the party in conjunction with the Nigeria Ministers in Politics.

Addressing the teeming party supporters in Ughelli, Ezeagwu said that the country had been mortgaged by some political parties on the guise of having leadership experience.

He added that LP did not believe in experience but candidates that had the capability to change the current narratives in the country.

He urged the people to vote for all LP candidates in the state to liberate Delta from the shackles of oppressions.

The party chairman decried the current monetary policy in the country describing it as unfortunate.

According to him,citizens are now buying Naira notes with the Naira.

LP is only providing candidates that will change the system unlike the parties that believe in experience.

We must try and liberate the country and Delta from those who have experience.

I encourage you to take the bull by the horn. Be serious with whatever you are doing. If they give you huge money, collect it because it is our money.

However, vote your conscience so that at the end, they will be ashamed that even with their money, they could not win, he said.

Ezeagwu, however, urged the people to remain steadfast and warned them against collecting miserable money so as not to mortgage their future.

Build your spirit and mind that this peanut you are collecting cannot help you. Have the confidence that we are already at the Osadebe (Government House) in Asaba, he said.

Earlier, the convener of the summit, Mr Benjamin Jakpor, urged the people to vote massively for the LP candidates in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Jakpor said that the essence of the gathering was to bring the LP candidates and their supporters in Delta Central together to forge amomentum ahead of the March 18 elections.

He noted that it would be better to tackle the election in group than approaching it individually.

We sent a clear message to the Federal Government that were tired of the government, of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the top and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta.

We gave them a deadly blow in the Presidential and National Assembly elections and we are going do it better in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

We are tired of corruption and debts in the state. Go to the poll and vote for LP candidates, so that we can have a new Delta.

Every indigene of Delta is owing about N150,000 debts cause by the state government.

Who will pay it, we are the ones that will put an end to that on Saturday through vote so that we can reclaim the state from the oppositions, he said.

Jakpor said that the momentum the party garner in theFeb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections still lives on, adding that the people were ready to replicate same in the March 18 polls.

He urged them not to allow APC or PDP win Delta otherwise the state would thrown into pepertual bondage in the next four years.

The summit convener assured that a new Delta would start on March 18 with LP Governorship candidate in the state, Mr Ken Pela emerging as winner alongside other candidates of the party in the House of Assembly.

On their parts, the LP candidates representing both Ethiope West and Ughelli South, Mr Lawrence Egodotayire and Mr Joshua Omorere respectively in the House Assembly election thanked the people and appealed for their support in the poll. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

Illustration for CSOs

By Ella Anokam

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations working in natural resource governance has urged the Federal Government to approve the nomination of Prof. Margret Ogbanga as representative to NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG).

Speaking on behalf of the coalition at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), said that Ogbanga emerged through a transparent electoral process.

According to Nwagwu, 68 authentic CSOs working in the various thematic and allied areas in the extractive sector participated in the process which duly elected Ogbanga to represent them in Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) working group.

In an election concluded on Sunday March 5, 2023, scores recorded by the candidates were as follows: Prof. Ogbanga Margret 13 votes representing 52 per cent, Ms. Victoria Ohaeri, six votes, representing 24 per cent and Ms Emem okon scoring five votes representing 20 per cent.

Celestine Odo one vote representing four per cent and Ibeh Gloria zero votes, he said.

While urging the Federal Government to approve her nomination, Nwagwu decried efforts by non-members of the group to undermine the process that ensured Ogbangas emergence.

He said that those castigating the process were not in NEITI CSO data base which has information and data on CSOs working with NEITI in the extractive industries.

He said the coalitions attention was drawn to the fact that people approached the election with self-entitlement mentality either for themselves or for their surrogates.

He said rather the painstaking process that was followed failed for them to realise this ambition and they now resorted to castigating the process.

We reject their approach and we think it is shameful, distasteful and uncivil, we want to call on the international Secretariat and the civil society globally to ignore their insinuations because it is self-serving, misleading and their claims frivolous.

The election was conducted and Prof. Ogbanga emerged, whatever may have been the issues encountered during the process may constitutes lessons we may have learnt.

Prof Ogbanga is a reputable woman of substance and mix directly into our 3 Cs which stands for Capacity, Competence and Credibility.

Above all, her election has also helped the civil society to have quality representation and address the issue of gender gap in the current NSWG Board which is made up of 15 Members with only one woman who is a government appointee.

We call on NEITI, the international EITI and the Civil Society Organisations in the EITI Process to ignore any insinuations against this process because it is lacking in merit.

We want to use this opportunity to call on government to please approve our choice to represent the civil society in the NSWG, Nwagwu said.

He, however, advised Ogbanga to initiate a reconciliation process to reunite the civil society constituency and harmonise the divergent groups. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

National Voters Drive Coalition (NVDC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address lapses recorded in the Feb. 25 elections and guarantee functionality and effectiveness of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The Coalition is made up of the African Primary Healthcare Foundation (APHF),Nigerian Physicians Advocacy Group (NPAG), The Compatriots ,Ready to Lead Africa (RTLA), Progressives Abia Youths (PAY) and Shift Nigeria .

Other supporting groups include Connected Development (CODE) and Accountability Lab.

Mr Godbless Otubure, President, Ready to Lead Africa, who made the call this at a news conference in Abuja, also urged INEC to ensure results were uploaded on INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV).

Having acknowledged the importance of technology in our electoral system, we call on INEC to fully utilise the BVAS in accreditation and transmission and ensure professional conduct of its staff in organisation of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

INEC staff should endeavour to arrive at the polling units ahead of time for an on time start, he said.

Otubure said that the Feb. 25 election was widely anticipated given the unprecedented number of major contenders and the promise of more transparency with the BVAS.

A member of NVDC, Ekejimba Kingsley, said the the coalition applaud the work of INEC.

Ekejimba, however, said the group was not blinded to the logistical challenges such as delayed arrival of INEC staff in over 75 PUs ,lack of preparedness such that electorate had to purchase inks and markers for INEC officials.

Failure of Presiding Officers to upload PU results to BVAS, delay in transmission of PU results to INEC Result Viewing Portal.

We hope that there have been lessons learnt and that necessary steps are in place to avoid a repeat of logistical shortcomings, he said.

Ekejimba called on Nigerians to come out en mass to vote and monitor their votes to avoid result manipulation and to elect leaders that would be more accountable to the people regardless of age ,gender ,ethnicity among others .

He also appealed to security agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a hitch free election to discharge their duties with diligence and honour.

Mr Hamzat Lawal ,Chief Executive ,CODE, said that the March 18 elections had given Nigerians another opportunity to decide who would lead them at the state level, urging citizens to make the most of it and make the elections a reflection of their wishes.

We must not give up on this key assignment Go out on election day ,cast your votes and stay peacefully ,let us all be part of rebuilding our nation, he said.

Ms Chiamaka Jonathan, Program Manager, Ready to Lead Africa (RLA), urged citizens to come en mass to excercise their civic rights adding that their votes would count.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that NVDC is a non-partisan citizen-led Coalition created to address voter apathy in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms and University of Lagos (UNILAG) Consult have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards building capacities for elected public office holders to entrench ethos of good governance.

The MoU was signed on Friday in Abuja on behalf of BPSR by its Director-General, Mr Dasuki Arabi, while Prof. Mohammed Usman, the Managing Director, University of Lagos Consult signed for UNILAG Consult.

The initiative is inspired on the need to ensure that newly elected officers are properly prepared for assumption of office, Arabi said after signing the agreement.

He said that the public officers would be taken through rigorous training in rudimentary governance procedures and practices.

Arabi said that this was necessary to equip them and understand the operations of the public service.

The director-general said that the MoU was in line with the mandate of the Bureau, especially the implementation of the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms, which includes induction training for top government officials.

The idea is to ensure that given the background of some of the appointees who were mainly drawn from the private sector, they are acquainted with the rudimentary knowledge on public governance in respect to their roles, relationship and responsibilities.

This informed the decision of the Bureau to quickly embrace the proposal from the UNILAG Consult to conduct a wider training that will involve the induction of elected public officers such as state governors, deputies as well as members of state assemblies.

According to him, the induction will ensure seamless take-off on their assumption of duties, as well as assist them on the expectations of their new offices.

Modern governance requires a lot of tasks owing to the vulnerability across the globe. It is therefore apt that elected public officers are properly up skilled on modern governance practices and challenges, he added.

He said that already, the Bureau had written to the SGF for approval to organise Post-Election Mandatory Leadership training for the newly elected governors, deputies, lawmakers and elected local government officials.

The proposed induction involving newly elected governors and deputies is expected to hold in the first week of May in Abuja, while that of the members of state assemblies will follow subsequently across the various geo-political zones.

Curriculum for the training has been carefully selected to cover multi-disciplinary areas such as Procurement, Public Governance, Economic and Financial Crimes.

Others are E- Governance, Freedom of Information, Investment and Internally Generated Revenue and the Open Government Partnership, he added.

Responding, Usman, who was also the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the event, thanked all members and urged them to put out in their best for effective public service delivery.

He said so far, four sub-committees had been formed and they were performing excellently to ensure public service delivered on their mandate.

He named the committees to include that of Finance, Technical, Logistics and Publicity.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar-Kana; Director (HRM) Hassan Baba; Director (Reforms, Coord