The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • Floods displace 19m children in Nigeria, 4 others

    Floods displace 19m children in Nigeria, 4 others

    The lives of no less than 19 million children have been thrown off course in Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Chad, and South Sudan, as extreme floods rage globally between August and October this year

    Save the Children International, SCI, is calling on governments at COP27 to support the creation of a new loss and damage climate finance mechanism to help address the cost of the impacts of the climate crisis on children’s rights, including supporting communities already hit by climate impacts.

    In a statement ahead of next week’s COP27 summit to get the climate emergency under control, Save the Children revealed that flooding ending between August and October 2022, affected about 38.7 million people in the top five most impacted countries, including about 19 million children, using World Population Prospects 2022 data to calculate the total number of children per country.

    Regretting that children have witnessed the most extensive flooding according to The International Disasters Database, the statement observed that in Nigeria, about 2.5 million total population including about 1.25 million children are affected.

    “Water flowing above dangerous levels left a trail of destruction in each country, with homes submerged, crops destroyed, and schools forced to close – jeopardising the education of thousands of children.

    “The five countries most affected by flooding with available Acute Food Insecurity Data all suffer from high levels of food insecurity, meaning they are all in the grips of a hunger crisis that is being accelerated by climate disasters – with at least 10 per cent of the population experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse: Pakistan (26 per cent), Nigeria (12 per cent), Chad (14 per cent), and South Sudan (54 per cent).

    “In Nigeria, where about 19 million people were already experiencing crisis-levels of hunger or worse, extreme flooding has destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, more than 1.25 million children have been affected by the worst floods to hit Nigeria in a decade.

    “At least 250 schools are destroyed and millions of people forced to flee their homes, flooding has taken a serious toll on children’s learning,” the statement noted.

    Falimata, 16, who lives in Likdir – one of the hardest-hit communities by the catastrophic flooding in Yobe State, northeast Nigeria explained,“We haven’t experienced a large volume of flooding in our community [before]. This year’s floods have destroyed homes, wiped away my parent’s farm, and blocked the road that leads to our school.

    “We don’t have clean water. We have a shortage of food and have difficulty accessing medical services. I now stay at home without going to school and I don’t know how long this will last. My dream is to be educated and support my community at large.”

    In the views of Yolande Wright, Save the Children’s Global Director Child Poverty, Climate and Urban, “It is extremely alarming how many countries have suffered from record-breaking flooding this year, let alone in the past three months. When looking at the total scale of how the climate crisis is affecting children around the world, it is almost unimaginable.

    “About 38.7 million people around the world have had their lives turned upside down by extreme flooding in the five worst affected countries, including about 19 million children. Many of these children are still reeling from the effects of the floods and require urgent assistance.

    “COP27 represents one of the final opportunities to get the climate emergency under control and provide ambitious funding to secure a safe future for our planet and generations to come. The climate crisis is a child rights crisis and the decisions made in Sharm el-Sheikh will affect children’s futures.”

    Save the Children noted that it will take months, if not years, to repair the flood damage in all five countries, even as the scale of need required for sustainable and resilient reconstruction likely exceeds most of the countries’ available resources.

    “The climate crisis is changing the world as we know it, with grave implications for children. One-third of the world’s child population is living with the dual impacts of poverty and high climate risk,” a recent Save the Children report noted.

    The research also found that 80 per cent of children are estimated to be affected by at least one extreme climate event a year.

    In Nigeria, Save the Children is providing children and families affected by flooding with life-saving food, safe drinking water, cash assistance, mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, child protection services, and emergency shelter kits. The team is supporting 36,000 children and 18,000 families in the most affected areas in six states (Jigawa, Benue, Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and Oyo).

    (Vanguard)

  • Reps rejects foreign affairs 2023 budget

    Reps rejects foreign affairs 2023 budget

    The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has resolved not to consider the 2023 budget of the Ministry of Foreign until it complies fully with the 2022 Appropriation Act.

    Chairman of the committee, Yakub Buba, revealed the position at the 2023 budget defence session.

    He said the ministry must direct all Nigerian missions to abide by Section 10 of the 2022 Appropriations Act.

    Buba said the section empowered the missions to spend their capital expenditures without approval from the ministry.

    The chairman said the committee had written the ministry to observe the law, but that the ministry had continued to prevent the missions from spending allocated funds.

    “We have called the attention of the minister to this Act, but he has continued to direct the missions not to obey this law in spite of receiving about four letters on the issue, including the latest one of Sept. 6,” he said.

    The lawmaker explained that Section 7 of the 2022 Appropriation Act states that all unspent funds shall be returned to federation account at the end of the fiscal year, except where waivers are given by the National Assembly.

    “In total disregard for the above, the ministry has continued to direct missions to retain and spend monies in their capital accounts without any waivers from the National Assembly. It is important to note that this committee has continued to draw the attention of the ministry to the above noted infractions, but all to no avail,” he said.

    The lawmaker said the ministry should furnish the committee with the list of unspent funds under the capital component of the missions’ allocations for the necessary waivers of the National Assembly.

    (Sun)

  • Buhari’s ministers, other appointees frustrating anti-corruption war –Reps

    Buhari’s ministers, other appointees frustrating anti-corruption war –Reps

    The House of Representatives yesterday accused ministers and other appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari of undermining the government’s efforts to fight corruption in the country.

    It particularly called out the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Budget Office of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, PAC, Wole Oke, who gave the reprimand during the 2023 budget defence with Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, spoke against the backdrop of disclosure by the Auditor-General of the Federation, Andrew Onwudili, that his office proposed a total budget of N11.151 billion for 2023 which the Budget Office slashed to N5.112 billion..

    According to him, the office had proposed a personnel cost of N3.041 billion against the N2.349 billion contained in the budget.

    He said also that the N5.59 billion proposed for overhead costs was slashed to N2.113 billion by the Budget Office, while the N2.52 billion proposal for capital expenditure was again reduced to N62.70 million.

    The figures infuriated the committee chairman who became livid with authorities in the fiscal policies of the country, accusing them of stalling the fight against corruption.

    Efforts to get the reaction of the Presidency proved abortive, as a top official of the Presidency who preferred anonymity, said only the Minister of Information can speak on the issue.

    However, the Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, could not also be reached as his mobile telephone lines were switched off.

    But Oke said office of the Auditor-General was supreme in the fight against corruption, stressing that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, were merely ancillary.

    The committee chairman, therefore, summoned the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed; Acting Accountant General of the Federation, Sylva Okolieaboh, Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Nwabueze; and the Head of Service, Folashade Yemi-Esan, giving them seven days ultimatum to appear and explain why the budget of such a strategic office was toyed with.

    He said: “It is very important at this point in time to state clearly our observations. We want to observe that the government of President Buhari was elected based on his promise, determination to tame corruption in our country.

    “One of the institutions, as a matter of fact, the fundamental institution which the crafters of our constitution put in place under Section 85 is the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. By Act of the parliament, we have created ancillary institutions such as ICPC, EFCC to work with the findings of the Office of the Auditor-General after due considerations by the Parliament.

    “It is very unfortunate that we have noticed the concerted effort and determination to undermine the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation to eradicate, repeal illegally the supreme audit institution of this country.

    “We have seen the determination of the lieutenants of Mr President, particularly the Minister of Finance, the D-G, Budget Office to undermine Mr President in his determination to wage war against corruption on the land.

    “Otherwise, why would you allocate several billions to ancillary institutions and you are giving N62 million to the office of the Auditor General of the Federation to fund Ccapital? They have to go cap in hand to pay workers?

    ‘’They are understaffed, they are undermined? They cannot conduct performance audit. As we speak, this office is yet to lay their reports in respect of 2022 and 2021 financial years.

    “We are saying we are determined to wage war against corruption. We cannot see how we intend to achieve the objectives, based on which budget is formulated, speaking to law, facts and issues.

    ‘The Procurement Act, Section 2021 (18) taking together, is the bedrock for budget formulation. In Sub-Section 18, an agency of government is expected to conduct needs assessment, conduct market survey, arrive at your needs and ensure they are embedded in the annual budget.

    “If the Auditor-General of the Federation has conducted needs assessment in terms of personnel, in the areas of working tools and have offices in all the 36 states and the FCT and they came to the conclusion about what they need and submit same to the Budget Office, and the Budget Office violated that same principle, Procurement Act and now reduced the capital requirements of this agency to N62 million, reduced their overhead by N3 billion and gave the agencies of government that are doing virtually nothing billions of naira, there is no other way to tell Mr. President that his lieutenants are working against him.

    “Or, are they telling Nigerians, that even the objectives laid by Mr. President is determined to undermine this supreme audit institution? Otherwise, Mr. President would have assented that bill presented to him, and this would have given the Auditor General’s office its rightful place in our country.

    “We reject this budget. This budget cannot work. The Accountant-General of the Federation, the minister of finance are hereby summoned to appear before this committee to tell Nigerians why this is so.

    ‘’The minister for finance, the DG Budget, the Accountant General of the Federation, the three of them should cause appearance before this committee and tell Nigerians why they are undermining the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation. Why the office has not been staffed? Why they are not being given the tools required to work, to weed offcorruption in the land?

    “They have to tell Nigerians why the EFCC and ICPC are being funded more than the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation? We will not accept it. It can’t be business as usual.

    “We are here to support the President in his bid to humble corruption, weed corruption out of the land. We owe him a duty of care to expose any of his lieutenants working against him. This is our position.

    “Auditor General, you have to re-appear when the minister of finance, the DG Budget office and the Accountant General are here. They have to tell Nigerians why they are funding agencies created by the Act of Parliament and under-fund a constitutional body? And I am giving them seven days to appear please.

    “Your budget performance has been submitted to sub-committee for review. Our findings will be communicated to you. Include the Head of Service in the summon”.

    Senate summons Finance Minister over N147bn multilateral/billateral project in Power Ministry Budget

    Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday summoned the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, over the N147 billion included in the capital project of the Ministry of Power.

    Speaking during the budget defence of Ministry of Power in Abuja, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Benue North East, who invited the minister, said the invitation became imperative against the backdrop of the fact that the committee could not explain how the fund for the bilateral/ Multilateral project in power sector was being expended.

    Suswan said: “ The actual capital budget of the ministry of power for 2023 is N44 billion, while N147 billion is meant for bilateral and multilateral projects.

    “We cannot explain how they are being expended; you cannot lay your hand on the projects; we cannot oversight it, the Ministry of Power does not know about it.

    “We are inviting the minister of finance to come, explain to us, the money has been put in the budget year in, year out.’’

    The Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, presented a budget of N250 billion for the ministry.

    (Vanguard)

  • EFCC arrests 87 forex dealers in Abuja, Lagos

    EFCC arrests 87 forex dealers in Abuja, Lagos

    In continuation of its onslaught against forex dealers over the current dollar crisis in the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arrested no fewer than 87 forex dealers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

    Findings by The reporter revealed that the EFCC detectives stormed several forex trading hubs in Abuja, ransacking their vaults for stash of dollars and naira.

    The operatives later arrested no fewer than 25 legal and illegal forex dealers in addition to the 40 arrested on Tuesday during a raid of the Zone 4 Wuse offices of the Association of Bureau de Change Operators, bringing the number of arrests in the Federal Capital Territory to 65.

    During the operation, the EFCC personnel were said to have seized the phones of those that were arrested.

    The anti-graft agency also nabbed about 14 forex dealers in Lagos on Wednesday while eight others were picked up at the famous Bureau de Change market located at Wapa in Kano metropolis.

    The development came barely 24 hours after operatives of the anti-graft commission arrested the Kogi State House of Assembly candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ismaila Atumeyi, with N326m and $140,500 cash.

    Atumeyi, who is seeking to represent Ankpa 11 Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, was arrested on Sunday, October 30, 2022 alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster in a sting operation at Macedonia Street, Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

    In Lagos, EFCC detectives swooped on forex dealers on Broad Street in Lagos Island as well as some BDC outlets in other parts of the states.

    Forex traders, who spoke with The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said the EFCC operatives came in two buses. It was learnt that about 14 BDC operators were arrested in Lagos.

    The reporter had reported that the operation against the BDCs, which began on Tuesday, would be extended to Lagos, Anambra, Oyo and Rivers states.

    Though no reason had been given for the raids, the EFCC operation, it was gathered, was targeted at tracking illicit funds from terrorists, bandits and politicians who might want to convert their stash in a desperate move to beat the redesign of the naira announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    The new naira notes, which would replace higher denominations, would be released on December 15.

    It was as if the naira responded to the raids as it rallied to N820/$ on Wednesday from N857 it plunged to the previous day at the parallel market.

    But speaking on the Abuja raid, the Assistant Provost, Association of Bureau de Change Operators, Zone 4, Wuse, Mallam Muhammed Nera, disclosed that 13 out of the 25 persons arrested on Wednesday had been released to the association, noting that their phones were, however, still in the EFCC’s custody.

    Nera described the raids as illegal, noting that the commission did not present an arrest or search warrant before ransacking offices and taking people away.

    40 arrested

    A visibly angry Nera stated, ’’Forty persons were arrested on Tuesday but they have released almost all of them but held on to their phones which they went to collect on Wednesday. They kept them throughout the whole day before releasing their handsets.

    “Today (Wednesday), they came again and arrested 25 persons. They released 13 of them without their phones and detained 12 others. Over 30 phones were seized; they even seized the phones of some bankers who were looking for depositors. It was when they wanted to leave that they realised their error and returned the phones.’’

    The forex dealer accused the EFCC of ethnic profiling, noting that the BDC operators were being harassed because they were northerners, insisting that they have not done anything wrong.

    He challenged the anti-graft agency to disclose the crimes for which the dealers were being held, noting that they were ordinary Nigerians doing legitimate business.

    Nera stated, “They (EFCC operatives) heard that people are bringing naira to the market to change into dollars. What is bad about that? Is it stolen money? If it is stolen money, let us know. We can work together, and help to identify people who stole their money.

    “We don’t understand what these people were doing. They threatened to break down our offices. They said if they met any office locked, they would break it down. They didn’t show us any warrant; they were just entering offices, they are doing illegal work. They didn’t have any warrant; just because they are EFCC. Anybody can wear (EFCC) jackets and claim to be EFCC.’’

    Asked if the operatives took away money, the ABCO official said, ‘’They didn’t collect money, it was just the harassment, threatening people. A bureau de change is a legal business. We have our certificates, we are doing legal businesses just like banks.’’

    He added, ‘’About 90 per cent of bureau de change operators are northerners. We are thinking they are harassing us because we are northerners but we are citizens of Nigeria. This business is not only for northerners, it is being done in Lagos and other places but most are northerners.

    ‘’They just want to cripple us because we have been keeping quiet. They have been harassing our people every time; it is annoying, it is getting out of hand. Nobody is above the law but they are breaking the law. We are going to petition the National Assembly and also take them to court. We are going to fight to the end.’’

    Nera particularly took umbrage at the alleged maltreatment of elderly forex dealers during the raid, insisting that the commission did not follow the proper procedure.

    “It is true that 70 per cent of us didn’t go to school, does that mean we should not have money? They would say it is aboki (Hausa) business. What they are doing is too bad. We are going to take it up legally. The other time, they accused us of funding Boko Haram. Is it because we are aboki or what? This is disgusting, it is not fair and God is watching.

    “Some people were even sleeping in their offices and they would ask them to open their offices and demand to see their dollars and other currencies. If you go to a bank, won’t you see dollars there? We are doing cash business,’’ he stated indignantly.

    The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren did not respond to the allegations when contacted on Wednesday.

    EFCC meets BDCs

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the EFCC, AbdulRasheed Bawa, on Tuesday met with the Association of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria, top forex operators under the aegis of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators as well as other critical stakeholders in the financial services sector in Lagos.

    The BDC operators were summoned to the meeting as the agency continues its raids on outlets.

    The meeting, it was learnt, was attended by the National President, ABCON, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe; Vice President, Azubuike Igbokwe, and no fewer than 12 other top exco members of the BDC association.

    Bawa, who chaired the meeting was said to have emphasised how the CBN naira redesign might lead to a situation where those with illicit funds would be seeking BDCs as an avenue to channel their funds.

    BDC operators at the meeting said all licensed BDCs were advised to be extremely careful in their day-to-day operations by requesting their customers’ information.

    “Secondly, they were informed that BDCS are the gatekeepers of the economy and their operations and that of their directors will be keenly monitored by both the CBN and security agencies. As such, the BDCs were advised not to be involved as cash couriers,’’ a source said.

    The EFCC chairman was quoted as saying, “It is a serious infraction and subject to prosecution. Render your statutory and regulatory returns; record-keep all your transactions.’’

    ABCON president, Gwabade, in an interview with one of our correspondents, confirmed the meeting.

    He said the association had been sensitising its members not to allow themselves to be used by political actors and other corrupt elements who might be seeking BDCs as avenues to keep their ill-gotten wealth.

    He said, “We are in support of the raids and we will continue to cooperate with the government. We have been sensitising our members and we will continue to do so.”

    However, the ABCON leaders said the raids had led to intended and unintended consequences such as the spike in the dollar against the naira in recent times, stressing the need for the CBN to address the liquidity shortage in the retail end of the market.

    “We will cooperate with the government to address terrorism, and banditry financing with naira redesign,” Gwadabe pledged.

    A statement by the Head, of Media and Publicity, Uwujaren on Wednesday, explained that Bawa sought the collaboration of the chief compliance officers as well as Bureau De Change operators in the fight against foreign exchange malpractices, money laundering and other fraudulent activities in the nation’s financial sector.

    He was also said to have urged them to promptly disclose fraudulent activities about illicit deposits and the movement of money through deposit money banks.

    Bawa advises dealers

    Bawa further advised the banks’ compliance officers and BDC operators to be wary of the activities of criminals who might want to use the financial institutions to hoard monies for the purpose of vote buying.

    He stated, “The EFCC cannot do the job alone. We need to work with you as critical stakeholders, particularly in ensuring a seamless exchange of relevant information to forestall the commission of economic and financial crimes.

    “We need better cooperation, synergy, collaboration, intelligence sharing and, if need be, joint operations with you.

    If there is better management, in terms of communication about the people bringing in monies or the modus operandi being used to disguise this origin of the money, it will go a long way in tackling the issue of money laundering and financial crimes.

    “In view of the recent move by the Central Bank of Nigeria to redesign and re-issue higher denominations of the Nigerian currency, the naira, there is a need for us to be proactive and be circumspect of the actions of the criminals who will use the financial institutions to launder illicit funds and commit other nefarious activities.

    “It is important for you to understand what this policy is all about, considering the fact that a lot of activities will happen, particularly as the 2023 general elections approach.

    We want to work with you to get more information on how to deal with these issues.

    “You are very critical in the fight against economic and financial crimes. This is because, at the end of it, money leaves the bank and money goes in, either for deposit or withdrawal.’’

    He further advised the financial institutions to take seriously the issue of ‘Know Your Customer’ and improve intelligence sharing with the Commission.

    “The issue of KYC must go beyond sighting utility bills and receipts of customers. This needs to be taken further to forestall cybercrime,’’ he admonished.

    In the meantime, the New Nigerian Peoples Party candidate for the Kogi State House of Assembly, Ismaila Atumeyi, who was arrested by the EFCC in Abuja for a mega bank fraud, has been moved to Lagos.

    The politician-cum cyber fraud suspect was flown into Lagos in the early hours of Wednesday in continuation of the investigation into the scam, the EFCC disclosed in a statement.

    He is billed to be interrogated by another team of operatives at the Lagos command of the Commission.

    Atumeyi and two others, Joshua Dominic and Abdulmalik Femi, a former bank employee, were arrested by the EFCC for allegedly hacking into the system of a commercial bank and defrauding the institution of over N1.4bn.

    The EFCC had in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that it recovered N326m and $140,500 from Atumeyi during a sting operation at his hideout in Queens Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja, while $470, 000 was recovered from Abdulmalik in Lagos.

    Obaseki’s allegation

    The Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has described the proposed plan by the CBN to redesign naira notes as political, noting that the move was a ploy by the All Progressives Congress-led government to sway voters ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Obaseki stated this while inaugurating the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party Women Campaign Council at the Presidential Campaign Secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Wednesday.

    Lambasting the Federal Government over the move, Obaseki said the redesign of the nation’s currency shouldn’t be a priority as the majority of citizens are suffering from hunger, poverty and economic hardship.

    He said, “They say we should all bring our naira and give it to them because they want to change it for us. Is that our priority now? Does changing of currency reduce the price of food in the market? They say they want to change our currency and dollars are going higher every day. We can’t even see dollars again.

    “I am an economist and I can tell you categorically that this policy by the CBN and Federal Government has no basis in Nigeria’s economy. There is no reason to do this; the move is purely political as there is no urgency in changing our currency.

    “The urgency is on how to get food for our citizens to remove starvation and hunger from the land. The urgency is on how to maintain discipline in our monetary policy so that we can manage our foreign exchange rate because we are import-dependent.”

    (Punch)

  • Queen Christiana Igwesi to be interred December 16 -Royal Family

    Queen Christiana Igwesi to be interred December 16 -Royal Family

    The Igwesi Royal Family of Obuoffia Ancient Kingdom in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State has announced December 16, 2022, as the date for the interment of the Queen of Obuoffia Ancient Kingdom and Matriarch of the family, Her Highness, Chief Hon. Lolo Ezinne Christiana Ego Igwesi (JP).

    This was contained in a message to newsmen in Enugu by Rt. Hon. Chief U.S.A Igwesi, Ikemba Enugu, the Queen’s second son.

    Part of the message read: “With the consent and approval of His Royal Majesty, Eze Barr. Igwesi O. Igwesi (the Chief Mourner), I formally announce the death and details of the rites of passage of the Queen of Obuoffia Ancient Kingdom and Matriarch of the family, Her Highness, Queen Christiana Nwakaego Igwesi, JP.

    “The programme of activities will commence with the final rites for His Royal Majesty, Eze John Egbo Igwesi, Ezechinawaeze II of Obuoffia Ancient Kingdom, Saturday, December 10, 2022, followed by his Memorial Service Sunday, December 11, 2022.

    “She will then be interred on Friday, December 16, 2022”.

    The former National and State Assembly parliamentarian revealed that the Queen, who was a wife of Late His Royal Majesty, Eze John Egbo Igwesi, Ezechinawaeze II of Obuoffia, was also the mother of the present traditional head of Obuoffia and traditional ruler of Omuoha, His Royal Majesty, Eze Barr. Igwesi O. Igwesi, amongst other surviving children, Prince Dr. Emeka Igwesi, Esq., Member, PDP Disciplinary Committee Enugu State and Chairman Nigerian Legion Enugu State, Prince Onyekwelu, Princess Ngozi, Princess Nneka and Princess Barr. Nonso, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and relatives. The Queen departed at the age of 76 years. 

    The former National and State Assembly parliamentarian revealed that the Queen, who was a wife of Late His Royal Majesty, Eze John Egbo Igwesi, Ezechinawaeze II of Obuoffia, was also the mother of the present Traditional Head of Obuoffia and traditional ruler of Omuoha, His Royal Majesty, Eze Barr. Igwesi O. Igwesi, amongst other surviving children, Prince Dr. Emeka Igwesi, Esq., Member, PDP Disciplinary Committee Enugu State and Chairman Nigerian Legion Enugu State, Prince Onyekwelu Igwesi, Princess Ngozi, Princess Nneka and Princess Barr. Nonso, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and relatives. The Queen departed at the age of 76 years.

    Thanking personalities and leaders from all walks of life throughout the country, friends and acquaintances who called, visited and sent messages of condolence and sympathy to the family after her death; he asked them to join the family in the funeral activities as follows:

    Saturday, 10th December, 2022.

    Final Burial Rites of Late His Royal Majesty, The Rt. Hon. John Egbo Igwesi, EzeChinawaeze II of Obuoffia, Awkunanaw, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State.

    Sunday, 11th December, 2022. 

    Memorial Service of Late His Royal Majesty, The Rt. Hon. John Egbo Igwesi, Ezechinawaeze II.

    Thursday, 15th December, 2022.

    5:00pm – Service of Songs/Wake Keep of the Queen at the Royal Palace of Peace and Justice in Omuoha Obuoffia Awkunanaw. Nkanu West LGA.

    Friday, 16 December, 2022.

    9:00am – Body leaves Eastern Nigeria Medical Center, Enugu to –

    the ancient family House, No190 Agbani Road.

    the ancient family House, No. 228 Agbani Road

    10:30am – Body arrives the Palace

    11:00am – Lying in state.

    11:30am – Inter – denominational church service at the palace.

    1:00pm – Interment.

    2:00pm – Funeral continues.

    Saturday, 17 December, 2022.

    10:00am – Funeral Rites of Her Highness, the Queen, at the palace.

    Sunday, 18th December, 2022.

    9:00am – Outing Service at Emmanuel Methodist Church, Obuoffia Awkunanaw

    Her Highness who died on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, held different  positions of trust and leadership in her lifetime, which include several offices and positions in Umuada Igbo, National Council of Women Society, NCWS, Methodist Church Nigeria, et cetera. She was at sometimes in the past member, Enugu State Rent Tribunal, Enugu South LGA, member, Transition Committee Nkanu West LGA,  Supervisory Councilor For Health, Nkanu West LGA, amongst others.

    RSVP: 08035413542, 08033100249, 08033256395

  • INEC budgets N355bn for 2023 polls 

    INEC budgets N355bn for 2023 polls 

    Ahead of next year’s general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has budgeted a total sum of N355 billion for the polls in the 2023 fiscal year budget.

    Recall that the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu had in December, 2021 told the National Assembly that it would require N305 billion as projected expenditure for the 2023 elections.

    What's INEC budget for 2023 Polls?
    INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu

    Yakubu had disclosed this when he appeared before the Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North led Senate Committee on Appropriations.

    Consequently, N305 billion was  approved for the conduct of the 2023 general elections by the National Assembly.

    But defending the 2023 Budget estimates yesterday before the Senator Kabiru Gaya, APC, Kano South led Senate Committee on INEC, the INEC boss said that the Electoral body has budgeted another N50 billion for its annual budget in 2023, an increment of N10 billion compared to 2022 budget which was N40 billion as approved by the National Assembly.

    In the 2023 budgeted submitted to the Senate Committee on INEC for consideration, N2.6 billion was earnmarked for off season election like Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa Governorship elections .

    The elections for the three states will hold on November 11, 2023.

    According to INEC, the N2.6 billion would be used  for the provision for elections , referenda and recalls expenses such as : Operation dept cost covering , printing of ballot papers, result sheets , printing of forms and Envelopes ,arterials and supplies , logistics expenses , honorarium for officials , supervision, RAC preparation, security /intervention support etc

    “Election ICT system support, printing of voters’ register for off season and bye elections , F$A Election fund management logistic.”

    According to INEC, in  the 2023 Budget of the agency, N50 million will be spent to buy firefighting equipment, Motor Vehicles – N150 million, N250 million to repeat offices and residential building.

    (Vanguard)

  • “Violence against women will not be tolerated in my government” – Frank Nweke Jr

    “Violence against women will not be tolerated in my government” – Frank Nweke Jr

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Enugu State, Frank Nweke Jr, has vowed that if he’s elected as governor, gender based violence will not be tolerated in the state.

    He made the vow in a statement released by his campaign organization on his behalf, following the trending video of a woman who was stripped naked and paraded in an Enugu community for picking snails from a place the community deemed sacred.

    The full statement read: “My attention has been drawn to an incident that occurred on Friday, October 29th at Agunese Affam-Mmaku Community in Awgu LGA, Enugu State.

    “A woman, a mother was stripped of her clothes and dignity, beaten and completely humiliated on the accusation of picking snails from a sacred grove. This is preposterous and I fully condemn this wicked act.

    “It is outright abuse and criminal, and every person involved must be brought to the book.

    “Under my government, the violence against our women, mothers and daughters, regardless of who they are, will not be tolerated or treated lightly.

    “Women are critical to nation-building and must be given the pride of place in our social, economic and political reality. We must intentionally protect our women’s rights, pursue inclusive representation and increase women’s participation in leadership at all tiers as equal partners in development.

    “I commend the LG Chairman for taking quick action to detain the culprits and salute the women’s groups that immediately condemned this act and commit to working with them to ensure that justice is done. My government will work to ensure that women are given full access to effectively play a role in the development of our society”.

  • Medical vacation: Clark, Middlebelt Forum, Arewa Youths, others call on Buhari to hand over power to Osinbajo

    South-South leader, Edwin Clark, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, now on a medical vacation in the United Kingdom, to as a matter of urgency, handover powers to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to act for the period of his absence from the country.

    Addressing journalists, yesterday, at his Asokoro residence, Abuja, the elder statesman described as illegal and unconstitutional, President Buhari’s refusal to transmit power to the Vice President, even as he asked why the President was afraid to hand over to his vice, who proved his competence while he acted as President in 2017, when he was out of the country for over 100 days.

    Clark said: “Section 145 of the Constitution is very clear, simple. There is no issue of 21 days and the President cannot import into the constitution what is not there.

    “What Section 145 says, President shall transmit to the National Assembly, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, whenever he will be away on medical vacation and in his absence, the constitution empowers the vice president to act for the president. And the word ‘shall’ is used there.

    “Where does Mr. President get that one (21 days) from? That one does not exist, except that’s another constitution. I am a lawyer.”

    Clark, who is the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, said: “The overseeing of the affairs of the government as acting president, is a must because the constitution used the word ‘shall’ which is obligatory. And anything done outside it is unconstitutional and illegal.

    “The constitution of the nation is the grundnorm and every aspect of it must be obeyed. Thus, Section 145 is mandatory and not discretional. The transmission of a letter to the National Assembly ought to be automatic and the president of the country does not have a choice to thinker with it, whether to comply or not.

    “A President’s inability to perform his functions, even for a few hours, mandates such action of transmitting a letter to NASS. This is what is done by any responsible government. Therefore, it should not be treated as breaking news, taking the whole nation by surprise, especially since it was not an emergency.

    “Second, the President of Nigeria is constitutionally bound to inform Nigerians, of whatever ailment or disease he is suffering from. For which government money is being spent. Nigerians will understand; he is a human, and that is why the framers of the constitution provided Section 145. Unfortunately, up till now, Nigerians do not know how much of tax-payers’ money is being spent on their President.”‘

    On ravaging floods

    On the ravaging floods in parts of the country, Clark who called on President Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency in Bayelsa, Delta, Kogi, Kebbi and other affected states, took a swipe at government’s response to the disaster as he accused the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs. Sadiya Farouk, of lacking humaneness.

    “In the area of the life ravaging flood, I do not even think that Mr. President is aware of the magnitude of humanitarian crisis the nation is being threatened with, when he has not even found it necessary to visit the places, to hold the children who look forlorn, with no hope, in order to give them hope and assurance, that the nation cares for them, and that it will be well.

    “People are dying in the flood, people are starving. No water for them to drink. Yet Mr. President does not care, where is the milk of human kindness?

    “We have a humanitarian minister that is not humane, who was only active to carryout school feeding of school children who were confined to their homes during the Covid-19 lockdown.

    “In such an urgent situation of ravaging flood, she has decided to maintain a disquieting quietness. Bodies such as National Emergency Agency, NEMA, were not able to take proactive measures. Where is the mother of the nation, the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari? Her fellow women are in deep agony, seeing their children dying of starvation and treatable minor illnesses, because there is no medication.

    “There are reports that at the Oxbow Lake of the IDP camp in Bayelsa State, women are giving birth under such conditions. Same is reported at the IDP camps in Delta State.

    “President Buhari, during the ravaging flood, travelled to South Korea, for a meeting, without even visiting the communities which are under water. A caring President, would have rushed back to his country even he was away, before the incident. Even after he returned, he did not visit the States to see things for himself, neither did he address the nation.

    “There was a stampede in South Korea, where about 150 persons died. In India, there was a bridge collapse, which killed more than 100 persons. He sent condolences to these countries. Fair enough! But what has he done in his own country, that is undergoing worse situation with thousands of persons dead? Nothing. This is appalling.”

    (Vanguard)

  • Alleged certificate forgery: IGP seeks dismissal of suit to initiate perjury case against Tinubu

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba, yesterday, sought the dismissal of a suit seeking to compel him to initiate a perjury case against the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Tinubu.

    The IGP, in a counter-affidavit filed against the suit instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy, a civil society organization, CSO, told the court that police had no criminal allegation pending against Tinubu to warrant his prosecution.

    He told the court that since the APC presidential candidate was not a suspect in any case, there was no reason for the police to put him on trial.

    However, the IGP, in the legal process filed through his lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, said he was aware of two different petitions from the group, requesting Tinubu’s arrest and prosecution over alleged perjury and certificate forgery.

    He explained that the two petitions were predicated on allegations that the Supreme Court decided in 2002, in a suit filed by the late foremost human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi.

    The IGP argued that since the alleged perjury and certificate forgery had been resolved by the apex court, there was no need for police to reopen the matter again.

    Besides, he contended that police does not need any court order to make arrest or prosecute any individual since it derived its powers from the constitution and statutes.

    Describing the suit as frivolous and vexatious, the IGP sought its dismissals for want of merit.

    Meanwhile, counsel to the Applicant, Mr Eme Kalu Ekpu, told the court that he was just served with the counter-affidavit, even as requested for a short adjournment to enable him respond.

    Consequently, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter till January 19, 2023, for hearing.

    It will be recalled that the court had earlier granted the group the permission to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the IGP to in line with Sections 31 and 32 of the Police Act and Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2015, prefer charges against the APC flag-bearer, following an allegation that he lied on oath.

    It ordered service of all the relevant processes in the substantive suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1058/2022, on the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, and the IGP, who were cited as 1st and 2nd Respondents, respectively.

    The group told the court that the suit was necessitated by the IGP’s refusal to take action on its petition against the APC presidential candidate over an offence it said was established by report of an investigation conducted by Lagos State House of Assembly in 1999.

    The CSO told the court that it earlier forwarded a petition to Police authorities, demanding further action on the said investigative report.

    It maintained that by virtue of Sections 214 and 215, of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Section 4 of the Nigerian Police Act, 2020, the Police have the statutory responsibility to “prevent, detect and investigate criminal allegations whether brought to their notice by individuals, person or persons, corporate bodies, institutions etc”.

    It further claimed that by Section 31 of the Nigerian Police Act, the Respondents, are duty bound to investigate alleged crime brought to them and report their findings to the Attorney General of the Federation or of a state, as the case may be, for legal advice.

    The Applicant added that by Section 32(1) of the Police Act, “a suspect or Defendant alleged or charged with committing offence established by an Act of the National Assembly or under any other laws shall be arrested, investigated and tried or dealt with according to the provisions of this Act, except otherwise provided under this Act”.

    It contended that it had the legal competence to invoke the jurisdiction of the court to compel the Respondents to discharge their legal, constitutional and public duties in line with the law.

    More so, the Applicant lamented that its two letters dated June 16 and 27, which it forwarded to the Respondents, wherein it demanded the prosecution of the APC candidate over alleged perjury, had until now been ignored.

    It said the Respondents had also “not notified the Applicant of any action taken on the said letter”.

    The Applicant told the court that following a letter by late legal luminary, Gani Fawehinmi, in 1999, the Lagos State House of Assembly had set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the alleged act of perjury wherein the Committee had in its report on page 13 stated that “However, on question of providing false information on oath (sections 191 and 197) we are satisfied that the statement of the governor’s educational qualification which he has admitted were incorrect were not intended…”

    (Vanguard)

  • Rise in fuel price as scarcity worsens

    Rise in fuel price as scarcity worsens

    The shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol appears to have defied all official solutions as motorists continued to contend with the effects of supply shortfall.

    This was even as oil marketers, including major oil marketers have discarded the official and approved ex- depot price of N148 per litre as set by the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

    The development has further compounded motorists’ woes as filling stations have now adopted unofficial price of N200 per litre as against N165 per litre approved by NMDPRA.

    Some of the marketers who spoke to Daily Sun in separate interviews alleged that major oil marketers have also joined private depot owners to exploits Nigerians.

    They lamented that major marketers who get regular product allocation from NNPC and are also allowed credit lifeline have joined forces to inflict pains of Nigerians.

    The report findings across some depots in Apapa revealed that the major oil marketers are selling at an ex-depot price of N183 while private depots pegged theirs at N188 per litre.

    Majority of the filling stations in Ikeja, Ikorodu Road, Surulere, Ikoyi and Apapa had long vehicular queues waiting to purchase fuel.

    Some of the motorists who spoke to Daily Sun expressed frustration at the frequent fuel scarcity being experienced across the country almost on a quarterly basis and calling on government to address the ugly situation.

    The Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN) Western Zone, Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, had last week condemned the hike in the ex-depot price of petrol from N148.17 per litre to N178 per litre.

    According to him, none of the NNPC depots have product while private depots took advantage of the situation to hike the price.

    “The only option for our members is to opt for private depots to keep our business moving. We are totally against the increase because it will affect our profit margins and also hurt masses.

    “Some private depots with product, deliberately refused to sell for reasons best known to them,” he said.

    The IPMAN chairman said that the marketers should not be blamed for the increase in pump price, stressing that “selling at N170 per litre is not realistic”.

    “Therefore, our members have no other option than to sell between N195 and N200 per litre within Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, while we will sell between N200 and N210 in Kwara, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states.

    “Most of the tank farm owners have justified this increase because of different charges, among which is vessel charges paid in Dollars. We are equally calling on the NNPC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the arbitrary increase in fuel price by the private depot owners.”

    (Sun)

  • Herdsmen list conditions for peace in communities

    Herdsmen list conditions for peace in communities

    Leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Fulani Socio-cultural Association, has listed conditions and measures that government and communities must take to restore lasting peace, unity and tolerance among farmers and herders in various troubled communities across the country.

    The conditions were contained in a communique released at the end of the expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, yesterday, under the leadership of the National President of the Association, Alhaji Bello Bodejo.

    National Secretary of the Association, Saleh Alhassan, who presented the communique to journalists at a press conference in Abuja, said the NEC, at the meeting, harvested and considered reports submitted from different states on issues that concerns the Fulani pastoralists and arrived at some suggestions that would, perhaps, herald lasting peace and unity among several communities in Nigeria.

    He said the leadership of the association identified the need for immediate designation, gazzeting and development of all 415 grazing reserves across the states of the federation as the only first strategic step in addressing the challenges confronting Fulani herders in Nigeria.

    He said NEC also suggested that such step should include building of earth dams and solar boreholes, building of veterinary clinics, development of diary (milk) collection centres, among several others.

    They demanded an end to the alleged continuous profiling of Fulani pastoralists, particularly by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, through his satanic anti-grazing law that has allegedly been used to conficate and auction millions of cattle belonging to Fulanis in Benue – Nasarawa and Benue – Taraba boarder communities.

    The association warned about imminent self-help option if the Inspector General of Police fail to set up a panel to unmasked those responsible for the alleged genocidal massacre of Fulani pastoralists in Taraba State and ensure justice is done to the victims’ families.

    They dismissed the consistent claims of farmers- herders conflicts as major setback of instability and insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that the conflicts are exacerbated by alleged activities of states-sponsored vigilantes and tribal hordes who wilfully continue to carryout extra judicial killings of Fulani pastoralists.

    They, however, presented a request to the Federal Government demanding the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Nomadic Affairs whose mandate would be to broaden educational opportunities and address pastoralist challenges across the country.

    They observed the need for overhauling of Nigeria security and justice systems to address cases of injustices and access to justice by pastoralist as many of the Fulani youths are languishing in detention centres across the country.

    Regarding the 2023 general elections, the president of the Association confirmed that the political awareness and mobilisation directorate of the association has been directed to embarked on massive enlightenment campaigns and voters’ education among Fulani pastoralists to massively participate in the forthcoming general elections.

    (Sun)

  • Stay of execution: Kanu heads to Supreme Court

    Stay of execution: Kanu heads to Supreme Court

    Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has given the nod to his legal team to appeal against the ruling of the Court of Appeal staying the execution of the judgment that quashed the terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal government.

    Justice Haruna Tsanami had in his ruling last Friday, granted the application by the Federal government to stay the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of its appeal at the Supreme Court.

    The judge held that the counter affidavit filed by the legal representation of Kanu against the Federal government’s application was misleading.

    However, in a statement, yesterday, lead counsel to IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor disclosed that the legal team headed by Chief Mike Ozekhome, has received instructions from the detained IPOB leader to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.

    The statement reads: “I visited Onyendu (Kanu) today (yesterday) at the Headquarters of the State Security Service (DSS) Abuja, to specifically brief him on the outcome of the Court of Appeal Ruling, of Friday last week, staying the execution of Onyendu’s Appeal Court Judgment.

    “Apart from critical legal strategies which will remain private, Onyendu did not hesitate in giving our legal team a nod to immediately proceed with an appeal at the Supreme Court against the Ruling of the Court of Appeal staying the execution of its Judgement, which expectedly, is to be heard under the Supreme Court Fast Track Rules.

    “Procedures towards an expeditious hearing of the appeal was agreed upon and we are very hopeful that it shall still end in praises, God being our Helper. As we had earlier stated, be assured that the Court of Appeal Judgement which vindicated Onyendu, and consequently discharged him of every bogus allegation, still subsists, it has not been set aside.

    “Onyendu’s legal team eminently led by Chief Mike Ozekome, SAN, will vigorously pursue an appeal at the Supreme Court against the Ruling of the Court of Appeal staying the execution of Onyendu’s landmark victory at the Court of Appeal…”

    FG, in the notice of appeal it hinged on seven grounds, wants the apex court to stay the execution of the judgement the appellate court delivered on October 13.

    The appellant among other things, contending that the appellate court panel erred in law and occasioned a miscarriage of justice when it relied on the manner Kanu was renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria after he jumped bail the trial court granted to him in 2017, to quash the entire charge against him.

    The Court of Appeal had in a unanimous judgment now under appeal, accused federal government of flagrantly violating all known laws in the way it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial.

    (Sun)