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Borno bombing death toll hits 32, 14 survivors discharged

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Borno bombing death toll hits 32, 14 survivors discharged

The death toll in the Saturday suicide bombing attacks in the Gwoza area of Borno State has hit 32.

While 14 of the victims have been discharged, 26 remain in the hospital receiving treatment.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, gave the update on Monday while speaking with journalists after paying a condolence visit to the victims and families of those who lost their lives in the suicide bombings.

The attacks, carried out on Saturday by suspected female suicide bombers, struck a wedding, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, a town near the border with Cameroon.

According to the Borno State Police Command spokesman, Nahum Daso, on Sunday, three blasts took place on Saturday in Gwoza.

Shettima described the incident as pathetic, rehashing the words of the late Dele Giwa saying, “One life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in cold blood.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, revealed details of the VP’s visit in a statement titled, ‘VP Shettima in Maiduguri, consoles victims of Gwoza suicide bombings’.

Shettima spoke to journalists immediately after meeting and commiserating with victims of the attack at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, conveying the condolences of President Bola Tinubu to the Borno State government and the people of Gwoza.

He said, “It was a very pathetic scene. Our hearts go out to the victims. So far, we have recorded 32 deaths; 42 of those injured were brought in from Gwoza and about 14 have been discharged, while about 26 are currently receiving attention.

“I want to use this forum to most sincerely register our profound gratitude to the Borno State government, the National Emergency Management Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency and ICRC for rising to the challenges of the times and giving their best in terms of support.”

The Vice President, who made a personal donation to all the victims of the attacks and condoled with the families of those killed by the multiple explosions, said the heart of the President was with them.

“The heart of President Bola Tinubu is with the victims and he specifically instructed us to come and offer our condolences and commiserations to the victims of this incident.

“We are here with the Director General of NEMA, with the Minister of Agriculture, with the Minister of Transportation and, of course, the Chief Whip of the Senate, a son of the soil from Gwoza, who was here since yesterday (Sunday), and the Acting Governor. They have been working round the clock to provide succor and support to the victims,” VP Shettima stated.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement on Sunday by the Presidency, said his administration would redouble its efforts “to ensure that those who trouble the nation, dispatching precious lives, and disrupting law and order are completely removed.”

While in Maiduguri, the Vice President also attended the funeral prayer for the late mother of former Borno Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Hajiya Aisa, at the family residence of Late Galadima Modu Sheriff along Damboa Road.

Also, the Southern Senators Forum, on Monday,  condemned the tragic suicide bombing attacks that took place in Tashan Mararaba, Gwoza town, Borno State.

In a statement on Monday and by its Chairman, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, and Secretary, Senator Barinada Mpigi,  the forum expressed profound shock and sorrow over the barbaric incident, extending their thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families, and the entire community affected by the  of violence.

The lawmakers said, “These heinous acts of terrorism are a stark reminder of the persistent security challenges facing our nation.

“The despicable act once again highlights the urgent need for a collective, collaborative, and robust response to terrorism in our country.

“We call upon the Federal Government and all security agencies to intensify their efforts in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians. Those responsible for this atrocity must be swiftly brought to justice.”

The forum, however, commended President Tinubu for his prompt condemnation of the attacks and his administration’s resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Similarly, opposition political parties, under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties,  condemned the Borno bombings.

The CUPP, in a statement by its National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, described the attacks as “evil works of formidable enemies who take advantage of government’s lack of proactive actions to wreak havoc on innocent Nigerians.”

The opposition parties said they received the new of “with a deep sense of grief.”

CUPP claimed that “over the years, it has become clear that the war against terror has been compromised by all those involved in dealing with the menace, with the government having no answers to the challenges posed by the terrorists that have been ravaging many parts of the country.

“The corruption enterprise surrounding the war efforts and absence of creative ideas on the part of government and the consistent failure of intelligence has contributed significantly to strengthening of the various terrorist groups terrorising the country for about two decades now.”

US Supreme Court says Trump enjoys immunity from criminal trial

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US Supreme Court says Trump enjoys immunity from criminal trial

The United States Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Donald Trump had some immunity from prosecution as a former President, a ruling that would likely delay his trial for conspiring to overturn the 2020 elections.

The 6-3 decision split along ideological lines comes four months ahead of the presidential election in which Trump is the Republican candidate to take on Democrat Joe Biden, AFP reports.

The historic case was the last heard during the court’s current term and had far-reaching implications for executive power and the White House race.

Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, in his majority opinion, said a president was “not above the law” but did have “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution for official acts taken while in office.

“The president therefore may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts,” Roberts said.

“As for a President’s unofficial acts, there is no immunity,” the chief justice added, sending the case back to a lower court to determine which of the charges facing the former president involves official or unofficial conduct.

A US District Court will now hold what is expected to be a series of lengthy pre-trial hearings, making a trial before the November election extremely unlikely.

Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the US as well as conspiracy to obstruct and obstruction of an official proceeding – the January 6, 2021, joint session of Congress held to certify Biden’s victory.

He is also charged with conspiracy to deny Americans the right to vote and to have their votes counted.

The three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor saying she was doing so “with fear for our democracy.”

“Never in the history of our Republic has a President had reason to believe that he would be immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law,” Sotomayor said. “In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.”

“Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organises a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune,” she said.

AFP reports that the 78-year-old Trump, in a post on Truth Social, welcomed the ruling calling it a “big win for our Constitution and democracy.”

Biden’s reelection campaign team countered that Trump “thinks he’s above the law and is willing to do anything to gain and hold onto power for himself.”

“Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results,” the Biden campaign said in a reference to the storming of the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

Trump’s original trial date in the election case had been March 4.

But the Supreme Court – dominated by conservatives, including the three appointed by Trump – agreed in February to hear his argument for absolute presidential immunity, putting the case on hold while they considered the matter in April.

Facing four criminal cases, Trump has been doing everything in his power to delay the trials at least until after the election.

On May 30, a New York jury convicted Trump on felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal in the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign, making Trump the first former US president ever convicted of a crime.

His sentencing will take place on July 11.

Why flood may worsen cholera outbreak in communities, experts warn

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Why flood may worsen cholera outbreak in communities, experts warn

As Nigeria is gripped by a fast-spreading cholera outbreak, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirming the disease in 115 Local Government Areas, across 32 states, physicians and researchers have urged the federal and state governments to provide safe drinking water to communities prone to flooding to curb further transmission of the infection.

The experts also want the FG to holistically address flooding in communities, warning that such a deluge could worsen the outbreak.

Establishing a link between flooding and cholera outbreak, a Medical Researcher, Dr Dan Onwujekwe, said communities affected by perennial flooding in the country may witness an outbreak of acute diarrhoeal diseases if the government fails to provide them with alternative sources of clean and safe water to drink.

Speaking in an interview with According Healthwise, the physician warned that an outbreak of cholera in flood-prone communities and states will fuel the number of casualties recorded so far from the outbreak.

Cholera, according to the experts, is a waterborne disease and the risk of transmission is higher where there is poor sanitation and disruption of potable water supply.

The researcher noted that cholera is always a major threat when the country experiences severe flooding.

Onwujekwe, who is a retired Chief Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba Lagos, recalled such outbreaks happening in the past and urged the government to avoid a repeat of the incident.

Cholera outbreaks, based on records, have been a reoccurring issue in Nigeria.

The World Health Organisation, Africa Region, noted that Nigeria experiences an increase in the number of cholera cases during the rainy season every year.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Surveillance and National Incident Manager, NCDC, Dr Muntari Hassan, recently announced that 54 deaths and 1,579 suspected cases have been documented since the beginning of the year.

The centre in its latest epidemiological report revealed that Nigeria has recorded a case-fatality ratio of 1.9% as of the beginning of June 2024.

Based on this, experts warn that Nigeria is at high risk for increased cholera transmission and impact due to the rainy season.

Further speaking on this, Onwujekwe explained that there was likely to be a surge in the outbreak of acute diarrhoeal diseases in the affected communities as the rains intensified.

“The major dangerous one of which is cholera, we must prepare for it. We are already having cases even before the flooding occurred.

“But it is just going to get worse with flooding. So, we must show preparedness, we must increase our preparedness, and show evidence to tackle it.

“The government should provide flood victims with alternative sources of protected and safe water to drink”, he maintained.

The current cholera outbreak has notably affected Lagos, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, and Nasarawa states.

However, Bayelsa State is the most impacted, accounting for 50 per cent of all suspected cases.

The primary cause has been linked to the consumption of contaminated water and inadequate sanitation, exacerbated by the onset of the rainy season, which often leads to increased cholera cases due to flooding and compromised water sources.

Continuing, Onwujekwe said there is a need to alert the public and also raise awareness of the inherent dangers of recording cholera outbreaks amid the flooding.

“The outbreak of cholera is what worries me most because sources of water for drinking will be compromised.

“We need to alert people to know that an outbreak of cholera is likely, due to the flooding. We need to be hammering on it so that everybody will know what to do to prevent cholera or what to do when they see such cases.

“There is a need to emphasize this because cholera is very deadly.

“It is a disease that is said to make physicians humble because they can easily get overwhelmed even though they are prepared to tackle it.

“We need to do a lot more now because it is going to happen, it is likely to spread.”

The researcher noted that awareness and preparation must be accorded a priority.

“In all those affected communities, we must do something to make sure that they have sources of water that are reliable. It is not rocket science. It can be done”, he said.

Economic activities grounded as flood washes away Taraba community road

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Economic activities grounded as flood washes away Taraba community road

Peva town, in Taraba State’s Takum Local Government Area, is the economic heartbeat of the region, contributing significantly to local and state revenue through its bustling market.

Adu, a nearby village, thrives economically by being closely connected to Peva’s market and serves as the agricultural hub supplying agricultural products to the market weekly.

However, this critical connection has been devastatingly severed by relentless rains, which have washed away the road linking Adu to Peva, plunging the community into isolation and economic hardship.

Mr. Tertsea Chieve, a resident of Adu, lost his rice farm to the floodwaters that cut off the village from Peva Market.

While reflecting on the sad development, Ugan said, “The rains came swiftly and fiercely, overwhelming Adu with a deluge that local elders describe as unprecedented.”

Arewa According reports that such was the havoc wrecked on the community that the road, which once meandered through rolling fields and past small homesteads, succumbed to the forces of nature.

Torrents of water cascaded from the hills, eroding the soil and undermining the roadbed, eventually causing large sections of the road to wash away.

“This is the worst rain I have seen in my life,” Chieve lamented, adding, “The road has never been in great shape, but it was our only link to the market. Now, it’s completely gone.”

The destruction of the road has far-reaching implications for Adu, a community where agriculture is the mainstay of local livelihoods. Farmers who relied on Peva Market to sell their crops and purchase essential supplies now face the grim reality of economic isolation.

Mr. Terkula Mnguve, a big-time farmer and businessman who equally lamented the development said, “We don’t have any alternative routes available, so we are forced to undertake the arduous and costly journey often through other neighbouring communities, just to reach Peva.

“The cost of transportation has increased tremendously, making it almost impossible for many to sell their goods at a profit,” he bemoaned.

Mr. Tersoo Mela, an economist and lecturer with the Taraba State University, said the impact of the damaged road extends beyond economic losses.

According to him, the road was also a vital conduit for essential services, including healthcare, education, and supplies.

“With its collapse, residents are cut off from these critical services. I was told that one Mr. Samuel Tordoo lost his wife, who was being transported to Peva during a child birth labour. Because of the damaged road, they took a long route, and before they could arrive Peva to access medication, she died on the way due to complications.

“That road and many other rural roads in the state need to be fixed quickly, or many lives will be at risk.

“For many families, the road also serves as their access to education, as children from Adu attend schools in Peva. With the road gone, the daily journey to school has become an insurmountable challenge, threatening to disrupt the education of dozens of children,” Mela pointed out.

Dr. Chiega Mela, Chairman of the Elders’ Forum for the People’s Democratic Party in the area, in a telephone interview with journalists, called for urgent help and determination from the authorities to rebuild the damaged road.

“We are a hardworking community, and all we ask is for the government to help us rebuild this road. It’s our lifeline. Without it, our future is uncertain,” Mela pleaded.

Hon. John Ali, Chairman of Takum Local Government Council, confirmed the devastating and totally collapsed state of the road occasioned by torrential rains.

However, he promised to mobilise resources and personnel to restore access.

“I received the report of the flooded road last night. The road is important to the people, and we can not allow it to remain destroyed. I will mobilise resources and men to the area to ensure there is access for now before taking further steps for proper construction,” Ali assured.

Kaduna NAWOJ addresses challenges of female journalists

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Kaduna NAWOJ addresses challenges of female journalists

A two-day capacity-building workshop that ended in Kaduna State on Friday has identified  alleged discrimination in the workplace and elevation in favour of their male colleagues as some of the challenges that women journalists in Nigeria endure.

In a communique at the end of the programme, the participants observed that women journalists “lack protection from their organisations and often face discrimination such as being passed over for assignments and promotion in favour of their male counterparts.”

Arewa According reports that CLEEN Foundation organised the workshop in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, the Norwegian Embassy, UN Women, and the Kaduna State Government.

Tagged, “Gender Responsive and Conflict Sensitive Actions,” the workshop drew participants from NAWOJ leadership from the North-West states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara as well as women security operatives and representatives of some Non-governmental Organisations.

Our correspondent, who was a participant at the conference, reports that some of the objectives of the workshop were to explore conflict sensitive journalism and mediation, emphasising the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women professionals.

According to the communique, “women journalists, especially those reporting on sensitive areas, frequently encounter harassment, intimidation and even physical threats both online and in the field.

“The demands of journalism such as long hours of duty are difficult for women journalists who also have family responsibilities.’’

“Women journalists have limited access to professional networks and mentorship opportunities compared to their male counterparts.

“Women journalists face additional barriers in accessing information sources and decision makers, especially male-dominated sectors and conservative communities.”

It added that, “Women journalists lack adequate knowledge on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR1325) which addresses the impacts of war on women and the importance of women’s full and equal participation in conflict resolution, peace building, peace keeping, humanitarian response and post-conflict reconstruction.”

The communique recommended that, “women journalists should be allowed to carry out their primary functions without hindrance or threat.

“NAWOJ at the State levels should establish a Support Fund to assist the less privileged among them and members undergoing emotional trauma.

“An enhanced women representation in media leadership and other sectors and capacity mentorship training for early career women journalists,” the communique maintained.

Oil companies patronise illegal refineries, Tantita Security alleges

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Oil companies patronise illegal refineries, Tantita Security alleges

Oil companies buy refined Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, from illegal refineries in various host communities in the Niger Delta region, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited allegedly declared on Monday.

It declared this in the presence of international and domestic oil and gas companies at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference holding in Abuja. This was not contested by the oil firms present at the event.

Tantita is a security company headquartered in Warri, Delta State, focusing on the oil and gas sector, and offers security solutions specifically designed for oil and gas assets. The firm currently offers security services to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Speaking as a panellist at the session titled, “Exploring Nigerian Content Solutions to Meet Energy Demand,” the Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh said illegal refineries produce diesel in large volumes and their customers include many downstream operators.

He said the outfits get patronage from not just smugglers, but also from oil companies, stressing that the clampdown of these refineries by Tantita and other security agencies was the reason why diesel prices had been on the increase.

“Why is there no scarcity of diesel while there is scarcity of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol)? The story is simple, most of the diesel you buy is produced by the communities.

“About 90 per cent of the diesel in the fuel stations is produced by the communities. It will also interest you to know that even the oil companies patronise the local communities. Don’t let anybody deceive you, they (oil companies) also patronise the local communities,” he declared.

Enisuoh explained that to provide Nigerian content solutions to meet energy demand, concerning infrastructure, “we might need to focus more on the local communities.”

He insisted that if not for the interventions of security agencies such as his firm, the production of diesel illegally would continue to increase.

“The reason why the price of diesel is high today is because of the works of private security companies like my company Tantita Security Services.

“This is because we have been able to somehow cut down on a lot of the businesses of the illegal refineries. This is why you see the cost of diesel going up,” he stated.

On April 10, 2024, The According reported that NNPC declared that a tugboat conveying suspected illegally refined diesel was apprehended by operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited.

NNPCL had stated that the tugboat was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State before it was arrested by the security outfit, adding that five persons on the boat were currently being interrogated by Tantita.

“On Monday, April 1, 2024, the Tantita Security Services team on patrol pursued and arrested a tugboat – Aya Oba Olori II, which was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State.

“The tugboat was laden with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO which was loaded from a barge at Onne dock on March 31. Five persons onboard the tugboat were arrested by Tantita team and are undergoing interrogation,” NNPC had stated.

In another development on the sidelines of the NOG conference, the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, led Nigeria’s delegation in a meeting with the African Petroleum Regulators Forum.

He said members of the forum, comprising regulators from various countries on the continent, would work together to harness and judiciously utilise the 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves in Africa.

He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards fostering a more collaborative, innovative, and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.

“The establishment of the AFRIPERF signifies our commitment to working together to overcome common challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead so that we can achieve our national aspirations in the development and utilisation of our hydrocarbon resources.

“Currently, Africa holds substantial oil and gas reserves. The continent’s proven oil reserves are estimated to be around 125 billion barrels, representing approximately seven to nine per cent of the world’s total oil reserves, while the proven natural gas reserves are estimated at around 620 trillion cubic feet, which is about seven to eight per cent of the global total (Mondaq),” Komolafe stated.

He noted that aside from hydrocarbon resources, Africa is blessed with potential for green and blue hydrogen, solar, wind, biomass and critical minerals for the development of clean energy technologies as well as a growing population predominated by young people representing a huge economic asset.

Arsenal return for Osimhen after fee slash

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Arsenal return for Osimhen after fee slash

According to Italian reports, Premier League giants Arsenal are preparing to make an offer for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen after Napoli reduced their asking price.

The Gunners, who finished as runners-up in the 2023/24 Premier League season, are now ready to negotiate with the former Serie A champions. Il Matino stated on Monday that Napoli are no longer insisting on the €120 million release clause included in Osimhen’s new contract signed in December 2023.

The 25-year-old forward has no interest in a move to Saudi Arabia, despite lucrative offers from the region. Napoli are keen to sell him this summer and focus on acquiring a new striker. However, completing a deal has proven to be challenging, although Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is actively working on the sale.

According to the Campania newspaper, Napoli have identified Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku and Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk as potential alternatives should Osimhen depart Diego Maradona Stadium this summer.

In the ongoing transfer saga, Manchester United have also shown interest in Osimhen and are reportedly considering a player-plus-cash deal involving striker Rasmus Hojlund, who joined the Red Devils last season and impressed in his debut campaign.

Napoli are prepared to cash in on Osimhen despite his crucial role in their recent successes, including the Scudetto-winning 2022/23 campaign. His release clause, initially set between €120m and €130m, has been a sticking point for potential buyers, prompting the club to recently lower their asking price to €100m.

While Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with Osimhen, no official bids have been made, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Napoli also turned down an offer exceeding €200 million from a Saudi Arabian club last summer.

Osimhen, who was signed from Lille in 2020 for around €75 million, has established himself as one of the most exciting strikers in world football, making him a coveted target for several top European clubs this summer.

‘Chivido’ and the beauty of blending

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‘Chivido’ and the beauty of blending

If what prevails on Nigerian entertainment scene had a way of instantly influencing English dictionaries, the likes of Oxford, Cambridge and Collins would have gained a new entry from our zone in the past few days. The new term would have been ‘Chivido’, the trending creation combining the names of star artiste, Davido, and his just-married wife, ‘Chioma’. So popular has it become that not even traditional media could resist using it: Chivido.

Interestingly, the term may have been casually or arbitrarily conceived — as others formed for similar occasions normally are — but the process of forming it is real in language. When you join a part of a word to the portion of another (or to the entirety of it), and form a new word from the exercise, the process is called blending.

Also called blend, it contrasts with compounding, which involves bringing the whole words together. Because we have discussed word formation on more than one occasion, I expect old members of this class to remember examples of both. These include brunch (breakfast + lunch) and Nollywood (Nigeria + Hollywood) for blending; and classroom as well as schoolchildren for compounding. Other examples of blend words are motorcycle (motor + bicycle), blog (web + log), sitcom (situation + comedy), biopic (biography + epic), Oxbridge (Oxford + Cambridge) and smog (smoke + fog).

A popular phenomenon

Blending, as we have in our own ‘Chivido’, is a universal phenomenon. That is why many experts have written about it, often with a tone of endorsement. For instance, on Studysmarter.co.uk, it is captured thus: “Blending in English grammar refers to the process of combining the sounds and meanings of two words to create a new one. This linguistic phenomenon is also known as a “blend,” “portmanteau,” or “fusion.” It’s a common way of expanding the vocabulary in English and involves merging two different words in such a way that the characteristics of both are still recognizable.”

Also, another writer, Matt Norton, says on cambridge.org:  “Blend words are popular in modern English and there are a lot of possibilities for designing them. They are interesting because they can capture the mood of a time, e.g. Brexit, or they can form families of similar items. Blend words expand a language, adding new words and new concepts. They appear to exist in every language, and they are quite democratic in that it is easy for anyone to make up new ones which might end up becoming popular English words.”

Handling blending

In blending, certain factors should be noted. First, pronunciation convenience appears to dictate the arrangement of the cuts being combined, although the initial parts of the terms are often joined. Consider br + unch, which becomes brunch. Could it have been unchbr (unch + br) or lunbr? It would definitely have been phonologically odd.

The second factor is that, when speaking or writing, if you must use a new blend — the one you generated yourself — ensure that the context readily establish what it means. It will be counterproductive if your listener or audience cannot relate with the idea you are playing around.

Between blend and acronyms

Apart from the fact that blending is not the same as compounding, its products are also different from acronyms. Acronyms are words formed from the initial letters of other words. Only the initial letters! Examples are NEMA, CAF, FIFA and WHO, respectively meaning the National Emergency Management Agency, Confederation of African Football and World Health Organisation. Compare them to these blend terms: malware (malicious ware) and email (electronic mail). There is a difference because the latter are generated from parts (not letters) of the original elements.

INEC lacks power to conduct LG elections – Yakubu

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INEC lacks power to conduct LG elections – Yakubu

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,  Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, says the commission has no constitutional power to conduct local government elections except in the Federal Capital Territory.

Yakubu said this on the sidelines of a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners on Monday in Lagos.

The retreat is to prepare the RECs ahead of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in September and November, respectively.

Reacting to the agitation seeking constitutional backing for INEC to be saddled with the responsibility of conducting LG elections, Yakubu described it as ‘a constitutional matter’.

According to him, unless necessary constitutional amendments are made, INEC will only continue to organise national and state elections.

“The same section of the Constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission and we cannot take over their duties.

“It is good for people to engage in advocacy for INEC to take charge of the whole elections, but the Constitution has to be amended for that to happen.

“For now, INEC can only conduct the local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory with six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.

“And it is in the FCT, the conduct of council elections has been regular and we are proud of what we have done to the best of our capacity.

“So, we are encouraged by what we have done, but as for taking over the LG elections in the states, the constitution has to be amended, and we are not there yet,’’ Yakubu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some Nigerians are canvassing for the dissolution of the SIECs in the ongoing constitutional amendment, to pave the way for INEC to take charge of local government elections.

The proponents believe that state governors are hijacking local councils’ allocation due to irregularities in the conduct of the LG polls.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in March this year called for the scrapping of SIECs.

Fagbemi said that SIEC’s function should be transferred to INEC, to ensure independence and transparency in the outcome of local government elections in the country.

Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman said the retreat was to prepare the old and new RECs for the elections coming ahead.

Yakubu emphasised the retreat’s role not only in inducting new RECs but also in reviewing and enhancing INEC’s operational capabilities.

He said, “Today’s retreat is held against the background of forthcoming governorship elections in Edo State in the next 81 days and Ondo State in the 137 days.

“In addition, there are five pending bye-elections for Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State and four State constituencies: Khana II of Rivers State, Bagwai/Shanono of Kano State, Zaria Kewaye of Kaduna State and Ganye of Adamawa State. These outstanding bye-elections bring the total of such elections to 14 since the inauguration of the national and state assemblies in June last year.

“Looking forward, there are four major elections before the next general elections in 2027. The Anambra State Governorship election next year will be followed in 2026 by the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections and, I must remind you in case you forget, the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Therefore, as we think, reflect and innovate for credible elections, we are also instantly implementing the reforms and innovations that we can introduce by administrative action. Since the election is a process governed by law, we also plan to intensify our engagement with the National Assembly for activities that require legal reform.”

The INEC Chairman stressed the importance of training and equipping the new RECs with the knowledge and skills required to effectively handle the upcoming polls.

“As new RECs, we should focus on how we can acquaint ourselves more with the processes and procedures of the commission. For the veterans, we should leverage our privileged field experience to contribute how to mitigate recurring challenges in the areas of pre-election and post-election litigation, operational issues, especially in the area of logistics, an improvement on voter education processes, issues of strategic communication and combating fake news, misinformation and disinformation as well as inclusivity in the electoral process, voter registration, allotting voters to polling units, the role of technology from pre-election activities to Election Day processes, political party issues, mainly arising from leadership crisis and the management of party primaries, the recruitment and training of election duty officials, election security and our code of conduct.”

He underscored the commission’s commitment to fair and credible polls.

 The According reports that nine of the RECs were sworn in on December 12, 2023 while one was sworn in on January 30, 2024.

They were deployed as follows:  Abubakar  Pawa, Kebbi; Abubakar Ahmed, Borno; Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, Edo State; Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah, Akwa Ibom; Aminu Idris, Kaduna; Mohammed Abubakar, Kwara; Oluwatoyin Babalola, Ondo; Olubunmi  Omoseyindemi, Ekiti; Etekamba Umore, Delta; and Shehu Wahab, Nasarawa.

Dangers of public wi-fi

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Dangers of public wi-fi

Public wi-fi networks have become an integral part of our daily lives, providing convenient internet access in public spaces across Nigeria. While public wi-fi offers numerous benefits, it also poses significant risks to data security. Cybercriminals often exploit public wi-fi networks to intercept sensitive information, putting personal data and online identities at risk.

The lack of encryption and security measures in place makes public wi-fi networks vulnerable to hacking. Whenever a connection is made to a public wi-fi network, one’s data is transmitted over an unsecured connection, making it easy for hackers to intercept sensitive information. This can include login credentials, debit card numbers, BVN, personal information, and business data.

One of the most significant risks of using public wi-fi is the threat of man-in-the-middle attacks. In an MITM attack, hackers intercept data transmitted over the network, stealing sensitive information or injecting malware into devices. Additionally, cybercriminals can use special software to capture data packets transmitted over the network, accessing personal information through a process known as sniffing.

Another risk of using public wi-fi is the threat of malware injection. Hackers can inject malware into devices, giving them remote access. Furthermore, scammers can set up fake wi-fi hotspots that mimic legitimate networks, intercepting data and stealing login credentials.

To protect one’s data on public wi-fi, it is essential to take necessary precautions. One of the most effective ways to secure data is by using a Virtual Private Network. A VPN encrypts one’s internet traffic, making it difficult for hackers to intercept the data. Additionally, enabling two-factor authentication can add an extra layer of security, requiring a second form of verification to access accounts.

Moreover, it is crucial to ensure that the websites visited have a secure connection, indicated by “https” in the URL. Refraining from accessing sensitive information, such as financial data or personal information, while using public wi-fi, is also recommended.

While public wi-fi offers convenience, it also poses significant risks to data security. By understanding these risks and taking necessary precautions, Nigerians can significantly reduce the risk of data compromise and protect their personal information and online identity.

Bukunmi Adekola, [email protected], 08060438346:

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