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Don’t abolish Niger Delta Affairs ministry, PANDEF tells Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has been urged not to abolish the Niger Delta Ministry by the Pan Niger Delta Forum.

Following Mr. President’s assignment of portfolios to ministerial designates this week, the group expressed disappointment at the lack to identify a Minister for the Ministry at the time.

The decision was made by the forum on Friday following an urgent meeting of its National Executive and Board of Trustees in the Abuja home of its national leader, Edwin Clark.

The Niger Delta Ministry was established by the former President Umaru Yar’ Adua to focus on, among other things, the infrastructural development of the nation’s oil-producing states, PANDEF reminded President Tinubu in a communique signed by Clark and its National Chairman, Emmanuel Essien.

“The meeting examined concerns relevant to the current nomination and assignment of Ministers, as it impacts the States of the Niger Delta region and South-South geopolitical zone, particularly the omission of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,” the communiqué stated in part.

The conference “Expresses great surprise that there is no designation for the current Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in the published assignment of Ministers to their various cabinet portfolios”

“Reminds Mr. President that the Ministry of the Niger Delta was established specifically to “focus on infrastructural development, environmental protection, and youth empowerment in the oil-rich Niger Delta region,” which is still significantly impacted by the oil and gas industry and is still the engine driving the national economy.

“That the Ministry was established by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2008 and maintained by his two immediate successors (Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari) to aid in the advancement of the Niger Delta region’s peace.”

The Forum cautioned “That any erroneous step towards eliminating or submerging the ministry will create an unfavourable climate with detrimental effects” while urging President Tinubu to rectify the omission right once.

“We further urge the Federal Government to refrain from meddling with any institutions that, together with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, have served as flagship institutions for promoting peace and development in the Niger Delta region.

“We are hopeful that the Federal Government will be appropriately advised on this topic, even as we reiterate the leadership of PANDEF’s commitment to enduring the reign of peace and stability in the overall good of the country.”

Jonathan, Osinbajo, Sultan have all been considered African peace icons

An worldwide peace-based agency, Peace Ambassador Agency Worldwide, has designated four African leaders as peace icons: former president Goodluck Jonathan, former vice president Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

William Ruto, the president of Kenya, Akinwumi Adeshina, the head of the African Development Bank, Tony Elumelu, Mr. Femi Otedola, the head of Geregu Power PLC, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, and Mohammadu Abubakar, the sultan of Sokoto, are a few of the other names on the list.

The “100 Most Notable Peace Icons In Africa” were introduced at a press conference on Friday in Abuja. The group’s project director, Ambassador Kingsley Amafibe, said the icons were honoured for their commitment to fostering peace and tranquilly on the continent.

He claimed that the recipients had consistently worked to lessen tensions, strengthen social ties, and forge links among Africa’s many distinct communities.

Amafibe stated that notable peace icons in Africa include economists, financial experts, sports figures, religious leaders, businesspeople in the entertainment industry, traditional leaders, activists, thinkers, and creators who have transcended boundaries and overcome obstacles to leave irreplaceable legacies.

Amafibe said, “By sharing their testimonies, we want to magnify the effects of their efforts and build a collective resolve to foster a more peaceful and wealthy Africa.

The author continued, “Within this illustrious list of the 100 Most Notable Peace Icons in Africa, we encounter a rich shade of leaders, economists, financial experts, sports figures, religious leaders, industrialists, entertainment entrepreneurs, traditional rulers, activists, thinkers, and creators who have transcended boundaries and overcome obstacles to leave indelible legacies.

“Each story stands as a testament to tenacity and tenacity, containing the beloved values of Africa: togetherness, harmony, and progress.”

He also disclosed the organization’s plans to award 20,000 needy students across the continent with scholarships.

It will be simpler for the group to accomplish its goals and objectives, he said, if the peace symbols contribute and support it.

“This scholarship scheme is designed to empower and nurture the next generation of African leaders, giving them the knowledge and skills necessary to promote the growth and stability of their individual nations,” he said.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to empowering kids through in-depth training and skill-enrichment projects because we recognise that they are the vanguards of revolution.

“We’ll provide young people the tools they need to succeed, investing in both their future and Africa’s ascent as a whole.”

“These programmes cover a wide range of topics, from entrepreneurship to technology, giving the next generation the tools they need to lead innovation and beneficial change.

Furthermore, we acknowledge the crucial need of clean water availability in rural populations. In order to address this urgent necessity, we are launching the Pipe Borne Water Project, “CleanAqua4All.”

It’s a project to provide rural areas that are underserved with access to clean, safe drinking water.

By ensuring access to this essential resource, he said, “we improve the quality of life, support health and well-being, and foster progress in these communities.”

Obaseki transfers Shaibu’s relative from sports commission

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The Permanent Secretary of the State Sports Commission, Mrs. Sabina Chikere, has been transferred to the Central Admin Department at the Government House in Benin City by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

Prior to her recent redeployment, Chikere, an in-law of state deputy governor Philip Shaibu, served as the club’s general coordinator for Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.

Maryann Philip-Shaibu, the spouse of the deputy governor, is the older sister of the former Insurance General Coordinator.

According to a source who provided confirmation of the incident to the Saturday PUNCH, it was not unrelated to the tension between Obaseki and his deputy.

The vital first-round preliminary encounter between Bendel Insurance and ASO Chief of Algeria, scheduled for Saturday at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, is less than 24 hours away.

“Mrs Chikere’s rise to the position of Permanent Secretary was allegedly influenced by the embattled deputy governor,” the source claimed, “as she (Sabina) was not a core civil servant in Edo and should not have been given the position.”

To stop Obaseki, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Edo State, and others from starting an alleged impeachment process against him, Shaibu had petitioned a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Although the governor denied the assertion, the two men’s friendship had deteriorated.

Billboards for “All Eyes On The Judiciary” are not objectionable, says Atedo Peterside

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Atedo Peterside, the founder of Stanbic IBTC and the Anap Foundation, supported the slogan “All Eyes on the Judiciary” on Friday.

According to Peterside, the statement shouldn’t offend a “right-thinking person.”

For the record, methinks #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary is a neutral slogan that should typically not disturb a right-thinking & sincere person in a civilised society, according to Peterside on X, formerly Twitter, which defended the phrase.

“I can understand why someone would reject a slogan like “Let’s snub the judiciary. I’ve said enough.

After the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria disbanded its Advertising Standards Panel as a result of the controversy sparked by the billboards, Peterside took his position a few days later.

The offered suggestions were not approved by the panel, according to a statement released on Tuesday by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director General of ARCON.

According to Fadolapo, this prompted the council to order the immediate removal of the content and the implementation of fines against the violators.

“The Advertising Standards Panel of the Council also erred in the approval of one of the concepts as the advertisement failed the vetting guidelines on the following grounds,” Fadolapo continued.

This saying recently acquired notoriety when it was posted on billboards in Abuja during the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal proceedings.

In this trial, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) are contesting President Bola Tinubu’s victory.

With 8,794,726 votes, Tinubu defeated Abubakar and Obi to win the election on February 25. Abubakar received 6,984,520 votes, and Obi received 6,101,533 votes.

Palliative N5bn spending won’t end poverty, claims NLC

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When distributed among the more than 133 million multifacetedly impoverished Nigerians, the N5 billion palliative package offered by the federal government won’t equal N1500 per individual, according to Joe Ajero, president of the Nigerian Labour Congress.

Ajero stated this on Friday during an interview on the Politics Today programme on Channels Television. Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, he claimed that N185 billion could not possibly make a difference for the 133 million multifacetedly impoverished Nigerians.

The leader of the labour union insisted that even if the money were translated to the equivalent of six trailers of rice, it would not equal one cup of rice for each person.

He continued by saying that more Nigerians had crossed the line into extreme poverty between the first and most recent increases in the price of petrol at the pump.

You will agree that it is impossible to feel the impact of such a number at a time like this when the Bureau of Statistics has come forward and stated that over 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. Let’s suppose that it is a palliative and not a loan.

“You begin to question the effect of N185 billion on 133 million people by their own, who are multifacetedly poor.

“In fact, many people shifted from the edge of poverty to a very high level of poverty between the first and most recent increases in the price of petrol at the pump. If you add that up and do the maths, you’ll find that it doesn’t come to N1500 per person, and you’ll wonder if that’s the impact we want to make’, he said.

Mixed Reactions as Nigeria Loses To Gambia In Best Jollof 2023

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Social media has been used by Jollof rice aficionados from around the world to express their opinions about The Gambia winning the 2023 Jollof competition at the West Africa Food Festival in Lagos, Nigeria.

The winning team, led by the award-winning Chef Saikou Bojang, defeated 15 other nations, including Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria, during the competition, which took place from August 9 to 14.

Four master seminars, cuisine, and wine tastings were all part of WAFFEST.

Tweeps have reacted to The Gambia’s victory by using the social media site X to express their opinions on the contest.

While some people were happy for The Gambia, others were shocked by their victory.

“The Gambia is the champion of Jollof!!!” tweeted Ava Dadonness. Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria may now put it away.

Thatmarieaj, “Chef Bojang @SenegambiaHotel is a great cook, and I had the pleasure of working with him.” Congratulations, team Gambia.

Father Hussain, “I don’t ever want to hear another JOLLOF RICE debate on this app!” The Gambia is in the lead. In the muck, Ghana and Nigeria.

Renee Rachel “So the Gambia won first place at the Lagos Jollof Rice Competition?!” I can see that my people are upset.

Sheabuttaqueen declared, “The jollof from another country other than Gambia and Senegal doesn’t compare.”

“The Gambia keeps winning this Jollof rice competition, 3 times in a row gotta mean something ukno,” Amie Bright further tweeted. Our only issue, which accounts for our absence from the scene, is the small population! LMAO smh.

Taking a dig at Ghana’s and Nigeria’s jollof prowess, HelloPrincess tweeted, “Ok so Gambia won the best jollof rice competition. Ghana and Nigeria need to quit yapping right away.

Several more Twitter users joined the chat and expressed shock at The Gambia’s victory in the following way:

The Gambia defeated Liberia in a Jollof competition, a Liberian named Ciatta Doe tweeted. FOOLISHNESS.”

Obinna. The Gambia achieving first place in the jollof competition is as absurd as a fish riding a bicycle, according to Et, who disagreed with the victory. a flaw in the system of gastronomic expectations. Very difficult to imagine!”

Royal Etonde, “I don’t even think Nigerian Jollof is in the top 3,” The top 4 are Senegal, Gambia, Liberia, and Cameroon (in that order).

“Wtf u mean Gambia won the competition for best jollof rice???” was all Eman tweeted.

Court rejects Emefiele’s ally’s charge against DSS for violating human rights.

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Friday, a Federal Capital Territory High Court dismissed a lawsuit for fundamental human rights brought by Sa’adatu Yaro, a member of staff at the Central Bank of Nigeria, against the Department of State Services.

The lawsuit demanded both a release order for her six exotic cars that were impounded by the secret police on July 12 and bail to avoid further imprisonment.

In the N6.9 billion procurement fraud lawsuit brought by the Federal Government against suspended CBN governor Godwin Emefile, Yaro is the second defendant.

On Thursday, the start of the case’s trial was delayed due to Yaro’s absence.

But in a motion on notice with the filing number FCT/HC/CV/6918/23 Through her attorney, J.B. Daudu SAN, Yaro requested that the court rule that her arrest on July 12, 2023, her husband’s detention, and the confiscation of her six exotic cars were all violations of her basic human rights.

Daudu further contended that the DSS lacked jurisdiction and legal authority to look into the applicant’s business operations because it was not an anti-graft agency.

According to him, Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria infringe the applicant’s right to personal liberty and right to human dignity because they have been continuously violated by the DSS since the 12th day of July 2023.

Customs to reestablish ties with Chad, Cameroon

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Adewale Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service’s acting comptroller general, has stated that the organisation plans to rebuild positive ties with Cameroon and the southern region of Chad.

This was said by Adeniyi in a statement that was received on Friday while he was hosting Prof. Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Borno State, in Abuja.

The service, according to him, would revive cross-border trade in the northeast.

Adeniyi also indicated his willingness for the service to enhance commerce activity in Nigeria’s northeast.

As the insurgency has weakened, he continued, “Moving forward, we will need your cooperation to connect with people of the Borno border communities. We will strengthen our positive connection with Cameroon and, of course, the southern part of Chad by using it as a springboard.

The policy, in accordance with the head of Customs, will strengthen the local economy and provide jobs for residents of the state.

The CGC valued the long-standing partnership between the service and the government of Borno State in terms of border security and humanitarian aid.

He also reaffirmed his willingness to assist terrorism victims in the state.

He told the governor that his government was committed to working with the military to create new policies that would help restore the region’s cross-border trade in its entirety.

Zulum had already congratulated Adeniyi on being named the CGC.

“Let me start by congratulating you on being named the new Comptroller-General of this important body in this nation. In addition, Zulum said, “I want to applaud the NCS for raising the living standards for the displaced communities in Borno and other parts of the northeastern region.

He praised the organisation for providing food and non-food products to the state’s displaced people, which, in his opinion, lessens the suffering of the Boko Haram insurgency’s victims.

I’m here to ask for your help in providing food and non-food items to Borno State’s most needy residents.

In order to encourage cross-border trade in the North-East, notably in Borno State, the governor indicated interest in working with the service.

I want to convey my willingness to collaborate with the NCS to improve the flow of products over Nigeria’s borders with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger as peace has gradually returned to Borno State.

Niger coup: Treason charge in Bazoum has no legal foundation – UN

Volker Turk, the head of the UN human rights office, argued that the military government of Niger lacked legal justification for bringing high treason charges against ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.

Turk added that Niger’s basic concept of freedom was in jeopardy.

The Niger junta declared on August 13, 2023, that it will charge deposed Bazoum with high treason for his communications with foreign leaders of state and international organizations.

The military authorities have “gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the ousted president…for high treason and compromising the internal and foreign security of Niger,” according to Junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane.

According to Reuters, the UN human rights director responded by declaring that the judgment was politically motivated against a democratically elected president and had any legal support since it ignored how democratic institutions typically operate.

“Niger’s very idea of independence is in jeopardy.

“Generals cannot decide on their own to disregard the will of the people. Gun rule is out of date in today’s society.

Niger, a significant uranium producer and a Western partner in the struggle against an Islamist insurgency, has seen its elected government overthrown and Bazoum imprisoned by the coup leaders.

10 important lessons from CBN’s mechanism for verifying foreign exchange rates

A method for verifying foreign exchange prices has been introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide importers access to foreign currency.

As of August 31, 2023, all Form M requests must include a price verification report from the site, according to a statement from the apex bank’s Trade and Exchange Department on Thursday evening.

According to the CBN, Form M is a legally required form that must be filled out by all importers when bringing products into Nigeria.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria hereby announces the Go-Live of the Price Verification System (PVS),” the announcement said. “Following the successful conduct of the pilot run and various trainings held with all the banks,” it continued.

The PUNCH summarises 10 major findings from the CBN forex pricing verification system in this paper, which is a development of the e-evaluator and e-Invoice CBN established in 2022 to replace hard copy final invoices in documentation processes for FX;

1. On August 31, the Price Verification System will go online.

2. A valid Price Verification Report, which can only be produced via the recently formed Price Verification System, must be submitted with every application for Forms M.

3. The Price Verification Report will now be a necessary trade document before Form M can be submitted.

4. The Federal Ministry of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in coordination with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Customs, has implemented the mandatory Form M documentation process, which enables the collection of import duties when necessary.

5. The PVS will assist in streamlining and controlling financial activities and paperwork in the banking industry.

6. The PVS is a development of the e-evaluator and e-Invoice, which CBN introduced in 2022 to replace the paper copy final invoices that were a requirement for all import and export operations.

7. Prices for imports and exports that exceed 2.5% of the confirmed prices will be questioned and Form M will not be accepted.

8. Nigerian importers and exporters of goods and services are required to register on the CBN’s designated electronic portal, which is run by the CBN’s chosen service provider.

9. A verification report and digital certificate, both of which are valid for a year, will be given to the importer or exporter following successful registration and authentication.

10. For each provider that is authenticated on the system, an annual subscription fee of an unconfirmed amount (formerly $350) will be paid.