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2019: Accredited observer group endorses Kano supplementary elections

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By Lubem Gena, Abuja

Accredited election observer groups under the auspices of the Centre for Credible Leadership & Citizens Awareness (CCLCA) has endorsed the Kano state supplementary elections and said it conformed with international best practice, globally accepted standard and conformed with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the Electoral Act.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja today, the Director General of the Centre, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu saidethe election became inconclusive when the number of voters who were prevented by a combination of factors from voting outstrips the margin between the two leading candidates.

While giving an objective and clinical analysis, Dr. Nwambu stated that the reportage of Kano State supplementary elections by some media establishments (online inclusive) and some observer groups were examined to arrive at their conclusion.

“Many observers and media could not mention more than 5 polling units where violence was perpetrated in Kano state supplementary election. Our question is using even a maximum of 10 polling units as possible units where violence were perpetrated out of 208 polling units and almost 300 Voting Points. Could that be enough to generalize and say that the election was marred with violence; the answer is NO.

“Again, let’s examine the total Permanent Voters Cards (PVCS) collected and the scores so far recorded. Kano State has a record of 87% of PVCs Collected.

“The Total number of Registered Voters in Areas where elections are cancelled is 128,324 registered Voters. Using a collection rate of 87%. That is, about 111, 641 persons had collected their PVCs in cancelled polling units.

“In the inconclusive election, PDP Scored 10, 239 Votes, while APC Scored 45, 876 Votes. Adding the both scores is 56,115. Now the total number of vote cast is less than 50% of the total PVCs collected and total number of registered voters.

“However, this election does not have incidences of over-voting, thus is still in line with the rules of a transparent election as provided by the electoral Act of 2010 as Amended. We observed massive vote buying and intimidation, pockets of violence in Chibia LGA, parts of Nasarawa town”, Dr. Nwambu said.

But in all these, CCLAC said INEC was very conscious and prudent in handling the situation and nullifying results where necessary.

“For us, it is our firm belief that inconclusive election is not peculiar to Kano state alone but rather a process that demonstrates the resolute determination of INEC in ensuring the conduct of transparent, free, fair and credible elections en route positive sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.

“It is evident that a few violence were recorded in Chibia especially in Nasarawa during the supplementary election in Kano state, but the ratio is not enough to condemn the processes of the election nor discredit it.

“Nigeria is an evolving democratic nation. Our democracy is deepening and maturing as INEC has demonstrated a high capacity and consistent improvement in the overall conduct of elections in Nigeria. Unlike in the time past when a few individuals sit in the comfort of their homes and determine election results. Greater participation in elections is observed because votes now count”, Dr. Nwambu emphasised.

He expressed worry over the challenges in the Nigerian electoral system arising from the inability of the political elites across party lines to abide to laid down fundamental rules and regulations stating that evident desperation of some party bigwigs has grossly undermined the efforts of the electoral management body and must be curtailed.

He said, his group however observed the indiscriminate use of certain INEC pronouncements as provided by law as demonstrated by some returning officers in Imo and Bauchi states respectively.

He cautioned returning officers and some security agencies to ensure transparent , free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria is not hijacked by political contractors.

“If this issue bothering on the professionalism and impartiality of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria is not addressed urgently, proper conduct of credible elections in Nigeria would continue to elude the Giant of Africa.

“Finally, to avert the huge expenditure and ensure transparent elections, we urge the 8th National Assembly to rectify the electoral amendment bill and send once again to Mr. President for urgent accent”, he concluded.

Dunamis condemns burning of traders’ goods along Abuja Airport Road

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The Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has in strong terms condemned the burning of goods belonging to some traders close to its Lord’s Garden along the Abuja Airport Road.

The ministry, however, faulted the viral video and report online, which claimed that it was responsible for the ejection and burning of the traders’ valuables.

Pastor Victor Stephen, who responded to the report, described it as a malicious propaganda.

The ministry in a terse statement on Wednesday said its Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche never ordered anybody to pull down traders’ property as claimed in the video.

The statement noted some traders selling outside the Church premises were even empowered by the Church as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to setup their own businesses and wouldn’t have in turn chase them away as being claimed in the video.

The statement below.
My name is Pastor Victor Stephen, Head, Central Admin of Dunamis Int’l Gospel Centre.
Our attention has been drawn to a video clip circulating the cyber space concerning Traders’ properties being burnt down by Dunamis Church at the New Headquarters.
We wish to state, though with dismay, that the Church, Dunamis was not responsible for that kind of act and can never be. Dunamis is geared towards the restoration of human lives and destinies and can never be associated with such heinous acts to indigent persons.

It is also worthy of note that some Traders selling outside the Church Premises were empowered by the Church as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility to setup their own businesses. It would therefore be mischievous for anyone to assume that Dunamis would authorize such an act.

Please disregard this malicious propaganda, Dunamis is not responsible.
Thank you and God bless you.

Stakeholders constitute committee on government contract dispute resolution

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The Dispute Resolution Centre (DRC) of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in combating the incessant rise in disputes between government contractors and vendors has set up a committee of stakeholders from the public and private sector to address issues around the resolution of disputes arising from the award and execution of public contracts.

This is contained in a press release signed by Chief Emeka Obegolu, the Chairman of Dispute Resolution Centre, who said, the move became necessary in order to check the perennial issues of abandonment of projects and cost overrun.

The rest of the release reads:

The stakeholders which include the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of FCT, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bureau of Public Procurement, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, Nigerian Bar Association, JICAM, amongst others met on the 28th of February 2019, under the auspices of the Stakeholders Committee on Government Contract Dispute Resolution to announce a National Workshop to be held at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre from Wednesday 7th to Thursday 8th of May 2019.

The aim of the Workshop is for major stakeholders in Nigeria to brainstorm and address how disputes arising from government contracts can be resolved speedily.

The registration fee is N150,000 (One hundred and fifty thousand Naira) only per participant, which covers workshop materials and manuals on effective resolution of conflicts.

The Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mallam Bukhari Bello, MFR, mni, F.DRI, who is also Vice President Legal, Abuja Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, on behalf of the Committee, invites Company Secretaries, Private Legal Practitioners, Legal Advisers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, Contractors, Dispute Resolution practitioners and the public to register and attend the workshop.

Don’t tear Nigeria into pieces – Pastor Chris Okafor warned over reckless statement on Kaduna crisis

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The founder of Liberation City, Pastor Chris Okafor, has been warned against making reckless statement that could tear Nigeria into pieces.

The New Initiative for Credible Leadership (NICreL), which gave the warning, said Okafor’s recent outburst on the crisis in Kaduna State and Governor Nasir El-Rufai is unexpected of a preacher of the gospel.

Pastor Okafor had during a Sunday programme warned the Kaduna State Governor to avoid persecuting Christians and preachers in the state or risks the wrath of God.

The preacher gave El-Rufai, whom he likened to Biblical Herob seven days to reverse bill at the state House of Assembly to license religious bodies or would be visited by God.

Reacting to his comment, NICreL in a ststement through its Executive Director, Samson Onwu, said Okafor’s comment could undermine peace and security across the country.

Full text of the statement below.

The founder of Liberation City, Pastor Chris Okafor, recently sought to incite sectarian strife by interpreting “A Bill for a Law to Substitute the Kaduna State Religious Preaching Law, 1984,” in ways that suggest it was targeted at Christians in the state.

Pastor Okafor went further to warn the state governor, Nasir el-Rufai to abandon the bill within seven days or face the wrath of God and possibly die within the first two years of his next term in office. He went further to link Governor el-Rufai’s choice of a running mate in the just concluded election with the bill while citing this as basis to assert that Christians are being persecuted in Kaduna state.

The New Initiative for Credible Leadership, after reviewing a video clip in which Pastor Okafor made these and other inciting comments over the bill found it necessary to condemn the preacher’s action and utterances in the strongest terms possible. The kind of behaviour he exhibited has no place in a country governed by law and he must therefore be censured to prevent him from exploiting the cover of being a clergyman to promote ethno-sectarian hate at a time Nigeria needs healing from all the divisiveness that had held it back.

Interestingly, while Pastor Okafor presented the bill as something that was initiated just a few days ago, the bill has been with the Kaduna State House of Assembly for over three years. Furthermore, contrary to his claim that the bill’s main objective is to persecute Christians, the proposed legislation was informed by an urgent need to address the waves of sectarian strife that had repeatedly rocked the state leading to loss of lives. It was a response to unscrupulous and unschooled clergy men across religious divides, like Pastor Okafor, who abuse their position of influence to incite their followers against persons of other creeds.

It is therefore irresponsible of Pastor Okafor to use a proposed legislation meant to discourage hate preaching as a basis to incite further hatred along sectarian lines. Such behaviour calls to question what Okafor believes in as there is no record of Jesus Christ endorsing attacks against those in authority or violent response to even those that attacked him.

The pastor’s admixture of politics into his sermon equally signposts an emerging dangerous trend that could undermine peace and security across the country as clergymen encourage the faithful to migrate their sectarian biases, hatred and disaffection into everyday life. The 2019 elections saw the Christian faith being exploited and abused to promote politics of hate, a development that demystified many clergymen that were once held in high esteem but have now become false prophets before their followers. There is no doubt that this is the fate that would befall Pastor Okafor when the seven days ultimatum he handed to Governor el-Rufai to rescind the bill or die within two years fails to materialize.

While it is well known that many of the hire-for-pay clergy men are under pressure from those they sold fake prophecies to and therefore smarting from their failed predictions in the 2019 elections, there is no way to justify Pastor Okafor’s resort to incitement as a coping mechanism. The pastor has by his acts and utterances certified himself as a candidate for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the event that any sectarian violence breaks out because of his preaching.
Pending when Pastor Okafor will keep a date with the ICC, we urge the Department of State Services (DSS) to do the needful by immediately investigating his motives and getting him to undertake not to give effect to his threats as this would lead to avoidable loss of life.

We urge the Kaduna State House of Assembly and the Kaduna State Government to note that the incitement by Pastor Okafor is a wake-up call that they cannot continue to delay passing the bill and signing it into law if fanatical and extremist clergymen must be checked. In the interim, the state government should explore exiting legislation, including the anti-terrorism laws, to discourage merchants of hate whose main intention is to cause crises that are of the magnitude as terrorism.

The Myth and Fallacy of Magu’s Missing ₦1.3 trillion

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BY Reno Omokri

Just days after the United States Department released a report which established that massive corruption remains rife under the Buhari administration, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has come out with a very incongruous riposte, intended to divert the attention of the public from the damning report.

Ibrahim Magu, as usual, sought to drag the name of former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan into the mix and blame him for this latest in a series of negative verdicts on the current administration’s anti-graft war.

Speaking at a programme in Lagos on Monday the 25th of March, 2019, the EFCC boss alleged, without producing any shred of evidence, that “N1.3 trillion was stolen between 2011 and 2015 … by 32 entities, including private individuals and organisations.”

This is strange because Magu was expected to have used the forum to address the issues of impunity raised in the U.S. State Department report which directly indicted leaders of the anti-corruption crusade by emphatically noting, among other things, that “there is a climate of impunity in the President Muhammadu Buhari government that allows officials to engage in corrupt practices with a sense of exemption from punishment”.

The claim of a stolen N1.3 trillion public fund which Magu reiterated on Monday is not new, for the discerning members of the public, the claim by Magu is rehash of false allegations that started its ill-fated journey in 2016.

In January 2016, Muhammadu Buhari’s prophetically named Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai (Lie) Mohammed, claimed at a world press conference in Abuja, to mark the beginning of the administration’s war against corruption, that 55 well-placed Nigerians stole a whopping N1.34 trillion between 2006 and 2013, a period covering the Presidencies of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan.

Nine months later, specifically in October 2016, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay repeated the allegation with only a slight alteration, by alleging that about N1.4 trillion was stolen by top government officials and businessmen under the last three administrations.

It will be recalled that in July 2015, Adams Oshiomhole, the current chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), had alleged that a former government minister in Nigeria stole $6bn (about N2.1 trillion). Oshiomhole said “US officials informed President Muhammadu Buhari of the alleged theft during his visit to Washington the previous month.”

However, the U.S. State Department denied the story, asking Oshiomhole, to name the official and not drag United States into Nigeria domestic politics.

The truth is that Ibrahim Magu lied and this is not the first, or second time he has lied to the public.

It would be recalled that Mr. Magu has boasted on many occasions that the EFCC under him had recovered about N739 billion within two years, adding that over N500 billion was recovered in 2017 alone.

However, Kemi Adeosun, the then minister of finance in the same Government at that time, decided to put a lie to Mr. Magu’s claims, by revealing in March 2018 that contrary to all the figures provided over time by the EFCC’s acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, only N91 billion of such claims could be accounted for by the Government.

So, instead of relying on wild and unsubstantiated allegations, I would advise Mr. Magu to focus on some facts, like the following:

According to Transparency International, Nigeria is more corrupt today than at anytime during the five-year period of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s time in office.

Whereas under Jonathan and the PDP, Nigeria made her best ever improvement on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, moving 8 places forward from 144 to 136 in 2014, but under President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria has made her worst ever retrogression, moving backwards 12 places from 136 to 148. This is a fact.

It is also a fact that under the Muhammadu Buhari administration arranged the recall, reinstatement and double promotion of Abdulwasiu Maina, the biggest ever thief in Nigeria’s civil service history and even gave him armed guards.

It is also a fact under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation awarded $25 billion worth of contracts without due process. To put this in perspective, that money can pay 1 million Nigerians the proposed new minimum wage of ₦30,000 for 4 years. This is a fact.

Moreover, it is a fact that renowned entertainer, Mr. Charles Oputa, AKA Charly Boy, recently revealed that the spokesman for the Muhammadu Buhari re-election campaign, Mr. Festus Keyamo, paid him a nine-figure sum (at least one hundred million Naira), to attack the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 2019 Presidential elections.

The question Mr. Magu should answer is where did Festus Keyamo get so much money that he carelessly throws around?

Finally, Nigerians saw clear evidence via drone imagery that bullion vans carted cash to the home of the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, 48 hours to the Presidential election.

Mr. Tinubu even boasted on live television that the bullion vans carried money and that it is nobody’s business. This is even as the Money Laundering Act of 2011 makes it illegal for any individual to make cash payments exceeding Five Million Naira. And provides that every cash transaction over ₦5,000,000 must be done via a financial institution. ‪

These are the types of characters surrounding President Buhari. Characters that you will not trust with even your dog.

One had expected that all these remonstrations from the US State Department among with the facts listed above would prompt Mr. Magu to change his politically-influenced blame game approach and adopt a more professional strategy.

Sadly, that was not to be.
To have simply repackaged the fable of the missing N1.3 billion at this time, shows that the EFCC boss probably thinks that Nigerians are a bunch of people with no retentive memory.

Magu should realize that his credibility and that of the agency he leads should derive from the attention he gives to objectivity, professionalism and hard evidence. It is rather unfortunate that Magu chose to enmeshed state institution such as the EFCC into partisan politics, thereby prioritizing propaganda, deceit, half-truth and hearsay as the organization’s strategy of governance. Enough! Nigerians want to hear something new, good news, tales of hope, and not this rehash of poorly articulated fables like corruption fighting back and non-existing folklores of people who stole in an unknown year.

Reno Omokri
Thinker. #1 Bestselling author of Facts V Fiction: True Story of GEJ Years. Avid traveler. Table Shaker. Buhari Tormentor. Sharer of the Gospel, not the gossip.

Prof. Adesugba to drive NACCIMA Education Committee

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The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has announced the appointment of the Provost of the ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba as the head of the NACCIMA Education Committee.

This was contained in a letter signed by the National President of NACCIMA Iyalode Alaba Lawson, MFR, FIoD, JP, which stated that “In a bid to grow the Education sector in NACCIMA, we have resolved to create an Education Committee.  This is with a view to enhance capacity for building programme and it is expedient at this time that NACCIMA has been certified by UNIDO and CIPE as a major Training Centre”.

“Terms of Reference of the Committee include the following: Monitoring and follow-up developments in Education and related issues in the country to serve the interest of the industry:

To consider and recommend ways of establishing and sustaining working relationship between the Association and Government, including relevant Agencies saddled with Educational matters and consideration of other issues germane to the mandate of the Committee”.

Prof. Adesugba is a Vice President at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry responsible for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) whose ideas has metamorphosed into the training arm of the Chamber known as the Business Entrepreneurial Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre.

Professor Adesoji Adesugba is an expert in organizational development and institutional reforms, who has combined the best in private sector entrepreneurial acumen with an expert ability to navigate public sector practice. Apart from been the Provost at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s BEST Centre, Adesugba is also a visiting Professor of Business Administration at the American International University of West Africa, Banjul.

He lectures part-time at the Roegate College in Dublin, Ireland and the Baden International Business School, Baden, Switzerland.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba obtained his doctorate in Business Administration with the highest distinction from the California Southern University, USA.

He has an M.Sc. degree in Investment Promotion and Economic Development from the Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, UK, and his MBA from the Ogun State University in Nigeria.

He earned his first degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos in 1981. Adesugba also studied law and obtained his LL.B. from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.

Prof. Adesugba’s professional certification includes a certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the World Bank Institute; a certificate in Chinese Economic Development from the Normal University, Beijing China; a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and a certificate from the Columbia Law School in New York.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Chartered Taxation Institute of Nigeria.

Other members of the NACCIMA Education Committee include Victoria Akai, who is designated as Secretary to the Committee, Dr. Ayuba Ibrahim Ph.D., Dr. Sunday Kayode Ph.D., Usman Abbas, Engr. Adeniyi Ogunsanya, Mr. Victor Adedamola, Princess Ajuora Caroline Nkechi and Miss Samera Abubakar.

The Committee is expected to assume its role with immediate effect.

CSOs to Embark on Massive Protest to prevent Federal Government, President Buhari from signing FID of the AGIP/ENI Zabazaba Deep water Project and call for Revocation of OPL 245.

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PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

 

Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen,

Gentlemen of the press,

We have called this press conference today, as part of our patriotic duty to this country, and in furtherance of our commitment towards supporting efforts of government and stakeholders, in ensuring that we eradicate our country of corruption and all forms of economic terrorism.

We want to call attention of Nigerians and the international community, to yet another attempt by some Persons within the Federal Goverrment, being coordinated by the Minister of State for Petroleum, in active cohort with officials of International oil giants, AGIP/ENI to illegally secured the development and exploration for Oil in the Controversial OPL 245, otherwise known as the Malabu Oil Scandal.

Ladies and gentlemen, recall the scandalous, lack of transparency associated with the purchase of the OPL 245 from the Dan Etete owned Malabu Oil ltd for $1.3 billion through the then administration of President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the then Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Jusitice, Mr Mohammed Adoke SAN, in the resolution Agreement of 2011.

It is a our knowledge, supported by the opinion of Experts and Global Energy Investors, that the Asset was under valued and the deal was Fraudulent, thereby robbing our nation and her people, resources that should be have been used for our collective good. The aftermath of the then shady deal, prompted the Governments of Host Countries of Headquarters of both AGIP/ENI in Italy and SHell Netherlands to Commerce Criminal Investigations into the involvement of officials of these companies, which as so far seen more than 7 top Executives, of both AGIP/ENI and SHELL, who were at the helm of affairs at the time of the scandalous deal, being prosecuted and sentenced, with the two Companies heavily fined.

In our own case in Nigeria, the EFCC has continue to investigate the scandalous manner, the $1.1 paid by AGIP/ENI was shared among Dan Etete, top government officials and Staff of both AGIP/ENI and SHELL. The cases are still in Court to prosecute.

Gentle men of the Press, current events in the public, supported by clear evidences from well known RESOURCES Track Organization, released recently indicated that, if the OPL 245 is allowed to be developed by AGIP/ENI through the Zabazaba deep water project of the Oil block, Nigeria will loses over $7 billion dollar again to these companies who are determined to continually economically terrorise our country. Can we just imagine how well the administration can go, in utilising such a whooping amount, in developing our education, infrastructure and health sectors.

Based on the available information of over $7 billion, anticipated losses, the Federal government , through the Office of the incumbent Attorney General and Minister of Justice has filed a fresh lawsuit to retrieved the $1.1 billion and recover the OPL 245, against JP Morgan in London, being the bank used for the illegal transaction and criminal purchase by AGIP/ENI of DAN ETETE MALABU OPL 245 for $1.1billion since November, 2018.

It may interest you to also know that other groups have also filed suits in Nigerian Courts for the OPL 245 to be revoke and restored to Nigeria.

However, AGIP/ENI, with connivance with top Petroleum Ministry officials, with all the monumental fraud associated with it, are hellbent on using back door tactics to get approval for renewal of OPL 245, which has expired through mischievously seeking approval for the Signing of the Final Investment Decision (FID) of Zabazaba Deep water Project.

This Protest is a call to duty and defense of our Nation. We can no longer allow these oil companies to subject our government and our people, to another form of colonialism, through their economic terrorism and greedy acquisition of our commonwealth.

Nigerians are determined and we shall ensure that we employ every legal means, to resist this attempt to allocate this controversial oil block to AGIP/ENI

We are calling on all Civil Society partners, pan-Niger delta organizations, sociocultural groups to join us in the mother of all protest against this stealing, fleecing, and assets stripping by AGIP/ENI, SHELL and their local conspirators.

We are also urging the EFCC to revisit the pending Malabu scandal trial and ensure that everyone culpable is brought to justice.

Onward together,

Solidarity forever

Signed.

Olufemi Lawson

Oladosu Rasaq

Co-conveners

SING FOUNDATION SET TO LAUNCH ITS FLAGSHIP CODE 3 PROJECT: TO SKILL UP OVER 15THOUSAND CHILDREN IN TECHNOLOGY RELATED FIELDS

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The Niger Delta has come to be defined by her oil resources and the struggle for a greater share of same, while her richly diverse ecosystem is progressively degraded and her people are left uneducated and poor. Oil however is diminishing in influence and value globally, following the push for more renewables and the discovery of shale oil, which puts the future of the region in jeopardy without an urgent intervention.
SING was founded by King A. J. Turner, a businessman, philanthropist and the paramount ruler of Opume Kingdom in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state. The Foundation was created to give a formal structure to the philanthropic works of the founder who, out of his belief that the human capital is the most important resource for national development, had given scholarships to over 2000 children of his locality as well as building an ICT center and a basic education center.
Taking into cognizance the fact that the jobs of the future are going to be more knowledge and ICT based, we must begin to equip the future adults with the right skills and knowledge to be major players therein. The “Code 3 Project”, is the foundation’s intervention towards preparing the children of the Niger Delta to be key players in the emerging fast changing global economic landscape.
The project is comprised of 3 components which are: Learn, Innovate and Impact. The project will drive the learning of new skills, which will enable the learners to innovate and impact their communities with the solutions they will create. Furthermore the project will push for modification of educational policies that shift the center of gravity in education towards learning of relevant skills for the 21st century and development of the natural talents of the individual learner.
The Code 3 project, which will be launched in May, 2019, will commence with a pilot phase of ICT training, which will expose children in rural communities to programming and mobile applications creation to make them creators of solutions to the challenges of their local communities. It is intended that, through the partnership model that SING will be adopting, about 15thousand children in the remotest villages of the Niger Delta region will be given the right tools and platforms to fulfil their potentials and compete on an even footing with their urban peers.
The project will, in the medium to long-term, create a pool of skilled youth, who clearly see a viable future away from the militancy and other violent crimes that have come to be accepted as the quickest route to success in the Niger Delta. In an emerging world system in which oil plays a less influential role, we must begin to ensure that our youth are equipped to be productively and sustainably engaged, and there is no better way to do this than through ICT education.

Signedx

Executive Director

SING NIGERIA

IDRIS-ETANAMI USMAN

Group recommends Buba Galadinma for medical check over comments on Nigerian military

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The Middle Belt Conscience Guard has recommended the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Buba Galadima, for urgent medical attention.

According to the group, Galadima’s latest statements on the state of the nation call for urgent attention before it gets out of hand.

MBCG said the recent claim by Galadima that Operation Python Dance was launched “effectively to intimidate voters, to harass voters, to kill voters and write results for the APC” was totally false.

The group in a statement signed by its National President, Prince Raymond Enero, warned the PDP candidate in the last presidential, Atiku Abubakar to stop taking advantage of the old man.

The statement reads below.

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard has been following recent interventions by disappointed elder politician, Buba Galadima and has come the inevitable conclusion that the time has come for the loved ones of the old man to commit him for professional specialized care if only to save him from continuing to embarrass himself. We are also worried he is embarrassing his age and geo-political zone.

Our position is a difficult one that was adopted only after Galadima made a disgraceful accusation on a national television network to the effect that the military’s nationwide Operation Python Dance was held to rig the recently held general elections.

Galadima claimed that Operation Python Dance was launched “effectively to intimidate voters, to harass voters, to kill voters and write results for the APC.”

The fact that Galadima bluffed about substantiating this fallacy before a law court has not done anything to relocate his claims from the realm of hallucinations into reality. Much as we sympathize with him, having been traumatized by supporting the defeated candidate of the PDP, we believe the logical thing would have been for him to reassess his situation and come to the realization that fraternizing with known treasury looters is not a desirable habit in one’s twilight.

It is most pathetic that the only strands of believability left for Galadima derive from his friendship with President Muhammadu Buhari, who he is now demonizing for a mess of pottage. Interestingly, Galadima’s family continues to enjoy President Buhari’s statesmanship as they occupy positions that their father grudges other Nigerians for aspiring to.

Even with these errant behaviors, our concern is for the well-being of this old man given the troubling signals emanating from him. Prior to the election, he declared that he remained a member of the ruling APC, which implied that he was either scamming the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, or he was genuinely muddled up and unable to understand his affiliations.

Another indication that he may be mentally and emotionally traumatized was when he attempted treason by making a video in which he claimed election win on behalf of Atiku before he was invited to explain why he was usurping the Constitutional role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The manner in which the PDP abandoned him to his fate after 18 hours should have been enough to stimulate him to the reality of his situation.

We assume that Galadima still has the luxury of lucid moments hence we advise him to desist from making claims that totally erase all doubts as to his mental state. This advice is in his own best interest because we envisage he might eventually make utterances or engage in acts for which diminished mental capacity will not suffice as defence.

Galadima should also note that Nigerians were happy and remain happy with the launch and performance of Operation Python Dance all over the country because they were confident the military would reduce the spreading criminality that had gone beyond the capacity of the police. It is interesting that it was later discovered that most of the terrorist acts and criminality that necessitated the operation were sponsored by Galadima’s newfound associates.

Had Operation Python Dance not held, the PDP had concluded plans, at its Dubai strategy meeting, to cause widespread bloodbath that would prevent the General Elections from holding. Even if Galadima is depressed because this plan has been thwarted it does not justify lying on the scale he did except of course he wants to claim he was too overwhelmed to understand the import of what he was saying in the television studio.

We, therefore, urge Galadima to voluntarily commit himself to care failing which his family members should urgently do something before his situation degenerates further. They should notify media houses to confirm with the family before putting on life television or publishing his comments.

Meanwhile, we urge the PDP and Atiku to stop exploiting the situation of Galadima by sending him on errands that he would not have run had he not been emotionally traumatized. To continue using him on disgraceful errands like this is the basest form of exploitation of a vulnerable person and it is condemnable in every sense.

Rivers election: Wike, INEC’s conspiracy to rig elections responsible for stalemate – Niger Delta Group

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As confusion continues to trail to trail the outcome of just-concluded elections in Rivers State, the Niger Delta Volunteer Congress has accused the state governor, Nyesom Wike of conspiring with the Independent National Electoral Commission to hold the state to ransom.

The equally hailed the Nigerian Military for its role during the election and for restraints it showed in the face of grievous provocations in the oil rich state.

According to the group, the Nigerian Military stood on the side of deepening democracy in the country by deploying its men for election duty as duly directed by the Commander-in-Chief if the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

NDVC rising from an emergency meeting on Wednesday March 20, to review the tense situation that is prevailing over the conduct of Governorship and State House of Assembly Election in the Niger-Delta region faulted the failure of INEC to hold its staff to account after it emerged that many of them, including those in senior positions were compromised and were working for specific candidates and political parties in violation of the neutrality expected of them.

A communiqué jointly signed at the end of the emergency meeting by James Goodluck, President and King- James Egule, Secretary General, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the INEC staff that took part in the elections in Rivers State, policemen, military personnel and all other actors with a view to identifying the compromised ones among them and to diligently prosecute anyone indicted.

The communiqué reads.

The meeting particularly noted the impasse in Rivers State, where confusion continues to trail the outcome of the elections, such that the prospect of violence remains high. It is obvious that subsequent actions taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will have implications for the peace and security outlook of not just Rivers State but the entire Niger-Delta region.

The meeting acknowledged the stabilizing role played by the Nigerian Military during the elections as the deployment of troops was crucial to the fewer incidents of violence that were recorded during the exercise relative to the heightened sense of imminent region-wide violence that had been anticipated.

Attendees however expressed concerns that the deployment of the military was exploited for evil by leading politicians in the region, particularly in Rivers State where thugs and hoodlums in military uniforms impersonated soldiers to cause mayhem at collation centres and other venues of electoral activities. The attendees expressed disappointment that INEC did not properly review the situation before concluding that those that disrupted collation centres and attacked its staff were military simply because of the uniform.

It was noted that the development in Rivers State, owing to its sensitive and volatile nature requires increased security and military presence to deter the violent thugs that are bent on sabotaging the electoral process to favour those that recruited them for such purposes. INEC’s misrepresentation of the vital role played by the military could however jeopardize its ability and that of other security agencies to provide protection to Nigerians during the remaining exercise.

The meeting was of the view that INEC must, within the limitations imposed by ongoing litigations and court pronouncements, immediately conclude the election in River State, and any other place with outstanding elections in the Niger Delta, in order to ease the tension that its poor handling of the process has created.

Niger Delta Volunteer Congress faulted the failure of INEC to hold its staff to account after it emerged that many of them, including those in senior positions were compromised and were working for specific candidates and political parties in violation of the neutrality expected of them.

Attendees observed that the people of the Niger-Delta region owe it a duty to themselves to remain law abiding, eschew violence, and alert law enforcement agencies to any breach as well as provide information that will assist in tracking down perpetrators of violence and those impersonating the military.

Following extensive deliberations and inputs from those in attendance, the meeting recommended that:
The Nigerian Military should be commended for standing on the side of deepening democracy in the country by deploying for election duty as duly directed by the Commander-in-Chief if the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Nigerian Military should be commended for its remarkable handling of the election coverage in states of the Niger-Delta while also being commended for the restraints it showed in the face of grievous provocations in Rivers State.

The Federal Government should order a detailed investigation to identify those that were responsible for mobilizing thugs to impersonate the Nigerian Military with a view to prosecuting anyone indicted as deterrence against the repeat of such dangerous act.
The Federal Government should direct INEC to apologize to the military for wrongly indicting it for the crime committed by hired political thugs in fake military uniform.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should investigate the INEC Staff that took part in the elections in Rivers State, policemen, military personnel and all other actors with a view to identifying the compromised ones among them and to diligently prosecute anyone indicted.

INEC must immediately act in accordance with its own guidelines and extant legislation to bring closure to the situation it has created in Rivers State.

The meeting ended with an agreement to give wide publicity to the recommendations made while appealing to the people of Niger-Delta to remain law abiding.

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