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LP won’t participate in Imo LG election – Party

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LP won’t participate in Imo LG election – Party

The chairman of the Labour Party in Imo State, Calistus Ihejiagwa, has said that the party would not participate in the forthcoming September 21 local government election in the state.

Ihejiagwa stated this during the party’s stakeholders meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital over the weekend.

He said, “We cannot participate in any election organized by the All Progressive Congress’ State Independent Electoral Commission because it will not be fair, credible and transparent.

“It would be a waste of resources and time. The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission is an agency of the government and we do not trust that it will conduct an election that could be adjudged free and fair.”

He said the LP is focusing on the outcome of the Supreme Court on the actual winner of the November 11, 2023 governorship election, adding, “And we are hopeful that the days of Governor Hope Uzodimma in the Douglas House are numbered.

“Uzodinma is sitting on a stolen mandate because the LP won that election.”

He charged the party stakeholders to be committed to the ideals of the party and do their best to support the revalidation and membership drive across the 27 local government areas of the state, adding that the party is the only hope the citizens have to vote out economic hardship brought in by the APC leadership.

He informed the stakeholders that the “LP is healthy and stable. It’s the only strong opposition party in Imo State that is organized and has the people on her side.”

He added, “The LP is the people’s party, loved by the people and closer to the people. There’s no crisis in the party as against speculations in some quarters.

“To make the party strong, we have amended the constitution. We have also customized the membership card that each local government has a unique customized card for identification.”

In his remarks, the National Youth Leader of the party, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, who represented the National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, called on the stakeholders and party faithful to continue to support the party, stressing that Nigerians are looking up to the party to save the country from the precipice of collapse and economic woes caused by the ruling party.

He said the LP is the only institutional party, whose ownership lies with the people, insisting that the party is not in crisis with the Nigeria Labour Congress.

APGA national chair inaugurates borehole in alma mater

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APGA national chair inaugurates borehole in alma mater

The National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Sly Ezeokenwa, has commissioned a water borehole dug by the old students of Agai Primary School, Fegge, Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra state, his alma mater.

Ezeokenwa commissioned the project over the weekend, at the school premises during the graduation of its primary six pupils.

He expressed his deepest appreciation to the management of the school for restoring the lost glory of the school, lamenting that the school, out of negligence for many years was turned into a soccer pitch.

Recalling when he was a pupil of the school, he disclosed, “I started my afternoon primary school here with my mother, who was one of the teachers then, I read classes one, two and three here and as a child of a teacher, she goes to any school she was transferred to with me.

“I later followed her when she was transferred to Niger City Primary School, Fegge, so I still have the memories of Agai Primary School, the fact is that Agai Primary School is the foundation of my primary education. If I didn’t get that foundation, I wouldn’t have been where I am today.

“And God through the instrumentality of the Old Boys/Girls Association, the greatest thing we can do to the next generation is to give our modest contribution to make sure that the institution that moulded us continues to mould the future generation.

“We are going to make sure that our alma mater is the best; my being here today reminds me of how I used to play around during the break time.”

He lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his resolve to take education to the next level with free education in the state.

He appreciated his fellow old students for the borehole, stating that “in recognition of the fact that this is our foundation, it is the reason the borehole was dug, we will make sure it runs 24 hours supplying water.

“One of the basic tenets of education is the ICT; we would put an innovation district in the school so that children in Fegge will acquire ICT training.

“You all know that anybody bred in Fegge was never given a chance because people looked at Fegge as a cursed person, but it is our duty and responsibility to change the narratives.

“We are going to institute scholarships for the first, second and third positions from the outgoing pupils to secondary school level and to provide the school with all their needs, even as he directed the headmistress to compile and forward to him.”

The school headmistress, Nkiruka Ezenwamma, in her vote of thanks, appreciated the Old Boys/Girls of the school for the borehole, lamenting, however, that it has been one of their challenges.

She lauded the governor for his cordial relationship with the teachers and pupils of all the schools in the state.

On her part, Lady Olivia Ezeokenwa, mother to Sly Ezeokenwa, appreciated the Old Boys/Girls of the school, saying that they are the reason she attended the occasion and advised other primary schools’ Old Boys/Girls Associations to emulate the kind gesture of the Old/Girls of the school.

The President of the Old Boys/Girls Association, Mr Victor Onyeka, appreciated Governor Soludo who took education to the next level, stating that the borehole they dug is to support the governor’s infrastructural development in the state.

He also advised the pupils of the school to respect the teachers, elders and their parents as there are blessings attached to it and to be dedicated to their studies, noting that they found themselves in their present condition because they adhere to what their teachers and parents impacted in them.

The Vice President of the Old Boys/Girls, Mr Onyeka Anyacho, noted that it is very rare for Old Boys/Girls of primary schools to come together and carry out projects in their alma mater as they are doing, as people are more concerned only about secondary and tertiary institutions thereby neglecting primary schools.

The Secretary, Mrs Nkiru Odina, stated that they have done a lot in the school, which included, repairing their staircase, refilling the school compound with stones, digging of borehole, and culvert at the entrance road, and building of security house, among others.

Highlights of the event included the commissioning of the borehole project by Hon. Ezeokenwa, the presentation of cash gifts to the senior citizens who were teachers in the school,( the headmistresses of Agai 1& 11 ), and displays by the pupils of the school.

Monies in dormant accounts prone to fraud – Cardoso

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Monies in dormant accounts prone to fraud – Cardoso

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has said that monies in dormant accounts in banks are susceptible to fraud.

He said this on Tuesday at the end of the 296th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee in Abuja, where he announced a further hike in the benchmark interest rate to 26.75 per cent.

The CBN recently directed financial institutions under its watch to transfer funds in dormant accounts, unclaimed balances and other financial assets to its custody for safekeeping.

According to the apex bank, the objective of the move includes identifying dormant accounts/unclaimed balances and financial assets to reunite them with their beneficial owners; holding the funds in trust for the beneficial owners; standardising the management of dormant accounts/unclaimed balances and financial assets; and establishing a standard procedure for reclaiming warehoused funds.

At the MPC meeting, Cardoso said, “With respect to dormant accounts, what I found personally is if you leave accounts dormant in banks, sometimes more than when you don’t leave them dormant in banks. In fact, most times, they are more susceptible to fraudsters copying your identity and trying to gain hold of the system to grab your money. So, that is a problem I think most money banks face.”

“The policy and the directive are meant to ensure that all those monies come to the central bank for safekeeping and it is at zero cost to the beneficiaries. All that will happen is that the central bank will manage the money within our possession and when the rightful owner surfaces, the money is returned plus whatever income is accrued to you.”

Also, the CBN governor noted that members of the MPC emphasised the need for a clear exit strategy on the recently announced duty waiver for food imports.

“In addition, the committee expressed optimism about the recent stop-gap measures by the Federal Government to bridge the food supply deficit. In particular, the 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities (maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas), amongst others, will moderate domestic food prices. It is noteworthy that these measures will not lead to a direct injection of liquidity into the economy to cause further inflation.

“While the measure is a welcome development and may prove effective in the short run, it is expedient that it be implemented with a defined exit strategy to avert a possible rollback of the recent gains in domestic food production. To support these initiatives, the Bank is already engaging development finance institutions like the Bank of Industry to ensure adequate support for industries with a focus on small and medium-scale enterprises,” he declared.

On the gross domestic product of the country growth projections, the CBN governor said, “Real GDP (year-on-year) grew by 2.98 per cent in the first quarter of 2024, compared with 3.46 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by both the oil and non-oil sectors. Staff forecasts, however, suggest that the domestic economy will grow by 3.38 per cent in 2024, while the IMF has projected growth at 3.1 per cent in 2024. As of July 18, 2024, external reserves stood at $37.05bn, compared with $34.70bn as of end-June 2024. This represents 11 months of import cover for goods and services.”

Meanwhile, analysts at Afrinvest were worried about the apex bank’s optimism over the Federal Government’s stop-gap to tame food inflation in the country.

“We have reservations with CBN’s optimism that the 150-day duty-free import window for selected food items would substantially temper food prices. Without the FG addressing the rising cost of logistics fuelled mainly by elevated energy prices and insecurity, the impact of such policy would be short-lived, at best.

“Furthermore, there has also not been any formal model announced to show how the beneficiaries of the duty-free window would be monitored to sell the staple items at fair prices across the country.”

Paris Olympic Games to Broadcast on DStv, GOtv

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Paris Olympic Games to Broadcast on DStv, GOtv

MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that it will broadcast the 2024 Olympics live from Paris on SuperSport channels available on DStv and GOtv, starting with the opening ceremony on July 26, live on (DStv ch 203 and GOtv ch 61), at 6:30 pm.

A total of 82 athletes will represent Nigeria at games scheduled to be held from July 26- to August 11. Nigeria will be participating in 11 events, including football, basketball, long jump, and weightlifting. About 10,500 athletes are expected to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Announcing the broadcast plan, Executive Head of Marketing MultiChoice West Africa, Tope Oshunkeye, said DStv and GOtv customers can follow the track and events live across all SuperSport channels.

“As part of our commitment to delivering the best sporting action to Nigerians, we will broadcast across SuperSport channels with additional pop-up channels on DStv and GOtv. The Olympics is the largest gathering of athletes competing for honours. We will make the games available to customers on DStv Yanga and GOtv Jolli. offering them the opportunity to watch history unfold and follow our Nigerian athletes at the Games. In the spirit of the Olympics, each of the SuperSport channels will also be renamed as ‘Olympic Channel’ for the duration of the games,” he said.

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Wakama names D’Tigress Olympic squad

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Wakama names D’Tigress Olympic squad

Head coach of Nigeria’s female basketball national team, D’Tigress, Rena Wakama, has named the squad that will be defending the colours of the country at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Forward Amy Okonkwo, who has been an inspiration to the team after claiming MVP honours at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2023 and impressed in a big way at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Antwerp, will be spearheading the squad to the Olympics.

D’Tigress received a huge boost in the backcourt with the return of Ezinne Kalu, another class act who has already delivered at the biggest events, including Tokyo 2020 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2018. The playmaker will reassume her position as a leader in the absence of team captain Sarah Ogoke, who won’t be at the tournament for personal reasons.

Ezinne Kalu returned to the team after missing the trip to Kigali last year.

It’s not beyond possibility, and perhaps the biggest hope is that the return of Kalu as court general after three years away from national team duties can give the African champions a new base to build their campaign on.

Alongside her will be Elizabeth Balogun and Promise Amukamara, who are both capable of putting up numbers in terms of scoring and, in the case of the latter, dishing out dimes.

Also, 24-year-old, 6’4-foot-tall centre Lauren Ebo, who was part of the Olympic Games qualifiers in Belgium in February, is heading to the Olympic Games with D’Tigress.

Nicole Enabosi, Murjanatu Musa, Ifunaya Okoro, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah, Blessing Ejiofor, Olaoluwatomi Taiwo, and Adebola Adeyeye complete the 12-woman squad.

Meanwhile, three players who were part of the success story in Kigali, Rwanda, did not make the cut. They are Adenike Olawuyi, Alimat Abiola, and Sarah Ogoke.

The team arrived in Lille, France, on Monday, for their last test game ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, which begin Friday.

D’Tigress had been preparing in Germany, where they played two warm-up games against Germany before travelling to Belgrade to face Serbia.

They lost both games, 77-63 to Germany and 70-62 to Serbia.

On Wednesday (today), D’Tigress will take on Japan in another friendly game in Lille, France.

Nigerians hail Amusan’s choice as Olympic flagbearer

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Nigerians hail Amusan’s choice as Olympic flagbearer

Tobi Amusan’s selection as Team Nigeria’s flagbearer during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Friday has been described as well-deserved by Nigerians.

 The opening ceremony will officially mark the commencement of the Games, which will end on August 11.

This year’s opening ceremony will break tradition as it will be held on the Seine River that runs through Paris on Friday, with boats for each national delegation. The six-kilometre floating parade will end in front of the Trocadero, an area of Paris that offers a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower.

Amusan was announced on Tuesday as the country’s flagbearer for the ceremony, becoming the first track and field athlete in two decades to receive this honour.

Similarly, African champion and badminton star Anuoluwapo Opeyori was named general captain of Team Nigeria.

The women’s 100m hurdles world record holder’s appointment was applauded by Nigerians.

“Yes, she deserves the honour. She’s been a good representative of Nigeria since her emergence as the world record holder in 100 mH. This year’s Olympics will surely add more to the glory of our nation beyond expectations,” Abdulfatah Zakariyah wrote.

Daud Olaolu said, “Oluwatobiloba Amusan, thank you so much for your service to our country. Keep our nation’s flag flying high in Paris.”

“Tobi Amusan. Queen of the track. So distinguished. A national asset. Pride of a nation with great antecedent. An amazon. Nice selection and quality representation. Good luck. My best wishes,” Kelly Amadi also wrote.

Amusan is also regarded as one of the athletes with the brightest chance of winning a medal for Nigeria at the Games.

The 27-year-old finished fourth at the last edition in Tokyo but had since then smashed the women’s 100m hurdles world record (12.12s) and also won three consecutive Diamond League titles.

Her rivals in Paris would be the USA’s Nia Ali, Alaysha Johnson, current world champion Danielle Williams, and Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.

Orban set for Lyon exit

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Orban set for Lyon exit

Nigerian forward Gift Orban may be on his way out of Olympique Lyonnais after just seven months with the French giants, According Sports Extra reports.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to another Ligue 1 club, Stade Brestois 29, who have reportedly shown interest in signing the Super Eagles invitee.

Orban secured a €13m move from KAA Gent to the French side after just a year in Belgium.

He joined Gent from Norwegian club Stabaek Fotbal during the 2023 January transfer window after impressing in the Norwegian second tier, helping Stabaek gain promotion to the topflight division with 22 goals in 27 matches.

In his first season in Belgium, Orban consistently hugged the headlines for his rapid goal turnover, netting 32 times in 52 appearances for Gent.It was his eye-catching performance that earned him the move to the seven-time Ligue 1 champions, who handed him the prestigious number 9 jersey following his signing.

However, Orban was unable to replicate the instant hit that he was known for with both Stabaek and Gent.In 16 appearances for Lyon, he managed three goals, forcing the club into the transfer market in search of another striker.

With the permanent signing of Guinea-Bissau forward Mame Balde from Troyes and the arrival of Georges Mikautadze, Orban faces stiff competition and a possible exit via a loan move.

Meanwhile, Brest have offered him a lifeline, with France-based journalist Nabil Djellit reporting that initial contacts have been made between the two clubs to bring the forward to Stade Francis-Le Blé.

While there has been no official statement from either Lyon or Orban’s camp, it is suggested that a loan move could be beneficial for the player, providing him with more playing time and an opportunity to regain his form.

FG okays 700 consultants for environmental audits

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FG okays 700 consultants for environmental audits

Over 700 consultants have been accredited by the Federal Government to conduct environmental audits and ensure compliance with environmental regulations nationwide.

A report by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, an agency of the Federal Government, stated that the consultants assist various companies in Nigeria in addressing environmental concerns.

The report, titled, ‘NESREA and Environmental Protection in Nigeria: The Journey So Far,’ obtained by our correspondent from the agency in Abuja on Tuesday, read in part, “The agency accredits environmental consultants to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

“Since 2009, over 700 consultants have been accredited, with 320 up-to-date. These consultants assist firms in addressing environmental concerns and promoting environmental compliance.

“Environmental consultants collect and document evidence, assess facility compliance, and conduct environmental audits. They advise clients, formulate action plans, and submit EAs (Environmental Audits) to NESREA for review and certification.”

The agency emphasised that NESREA-accredited consultants must operate within NESREA guidelines through periodic workshops.

The Federal Government enforces compliance with environmental laws through NESREA, as the agency often seals the premises of companies that neglect these laws.

In March 2024, for instance, it sealed 13 facilities in the Federal Capital Territory for non-compliance to environmental regulations after auditing their environments.

It named the sealed facilities as Veritas Plastics, Almat Farms, Dayak Nigeria Limited, FIK Contracting Limited, Salis Ventilated Homes Ltd, and Peachville Estate.

In its latest report, the agency said, “Environmental audits are reviewed to ascertain the Environmental Management Systems put in place by industries/facilities including banks.

“To further curb the menace of e-waste in Nigeria, NESREA collaborates with other relevant MDAs (ministries, departments, and agencies) to inspect and issue import clearance to importers of used electrical electronic equipment at the point of entry into the country.

“The agency has carried out enforcements on 115 facilities from 2022 to date.

The agency is implementing the circular economy through the registration of electrical electronics, batteries, food, beverage, and plastics.”

Speaking at the recent induction of 100 newly accredited environmental consultants in Abuja, the Director-General of NESREA, Innocent Barikor, said the consultants would be crucial in advancing environmental protection and sustainability in Nigeria.

“Our mission at NESREA is to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all Nigerians by effectively enforcing environmental regulations. This mission cannot be accomplished without the dedication and expertise of skilled environmental consultants like you,” he told the inductees.

Barikor added, “Your role is pivotal in the identification, assessment, and mitigation of environmental impacts. It is also pivotal in ensuring compliance with environmental laws and standards.

“As newly accredited consultants, you are now part of a vital network committed to environmental stewardship. You will be our eyes and ears on the ground, helping us to monitor, evaluate, and improve our environmental practices across various sectors. Your work will contribute to safeguarding our natural resources, protecting public health, and promoting sustainable development.”

Offiong rallies Nigeria’s table tennis team

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Offiong rallies Nigeria’s table tennis team

Nigeria table tennis player Offiong Edem is psyching up her teammates representing the country in the event at the 2024 Olympic Games starting July 26 in Paris, France, The According reports.

Edem, Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo, and Fatima Bello will fly the country’s flag in the event scheduled to run from 27 July to 10 August at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, with a total of 172 table tennis players participating.

Edem, 37, the oldest member of the Nigerian team, in a statement on her Instagram page, urged the rest of her teammates to succeed in Paris, urging them to deliver after putting in the work and making the sacrifices.

“The thrill of making it to the Olympic Games is still fresh, but our focus is already on the next step. I wish you all success in Paris! We’ve put in the work, made the sacrifices, and now it’s time to deliver. Let’s do this, team,” stated Edem, who secured her fourth berth at the Games at the African Olympic qualifying event in Kigali, having participated in the 2004, 2012, 2016, and 2020 editions of the quadrennial sports fiesta.

Aruna, who will be competing in the men’s singles, heads into the Games as the highest-ranked Nigerian player as the world’s number 19.

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Court okays Rivers PDP congresses

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Court okays Rivers PDP congresses

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, directed the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State to proceed with the conduct of its ward, local government and state congresses.

While delivering his ruling, Justice Peter Lifu barred the Department of State Services, the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission and seven others from “stopping, truncating or disrupting” the conduct of the congresses of the party.

The congresses were scheduled to commence on July 27 across the country with ward congresses, followed by local government congresses on August 26 and then the state congresses in September.

The scheduled congresses are to elect new officers that would run the affairs of the PDP at the wards, LGs and state levels of PDP in Rivers State.

Following the release of the timetable, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on July 16, 2024, barred the PDP from conducting its congress in the state.

The court order came a few weeks after Governor Siminalayi Fubara told some National Assembly members that the PDP had failed him and his supporters.

The Rivers court presided over by Justice Sobere Biambo gave the order in a suit marked PHC/2282/CS/2024 filed against the PDP, the party’s National Chairman, the National Financial Secretary, and the National Organising Secretary.

The applicants are David Chiinedu Omereji, Prince Solomon Eke, Isodoye Tobin, Goddy Manfred Pepple, Okiah Precious Chigozirim, Orolosama Peter Amachree, Goodfriday Nweke, Alfred Letam, Wechie Ndubisi Raymond, Mr. Erebie Michael and Ogenma Idalunimulu

Justice Lifu, while delivering a ruling on the ex parte application on Tuesday, brought by six members of the PDP in Rivers State, however, asked the acting PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagum; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, to proceed with the conduct of the congresses as scheduled.

Justice Lifu also ordered the PDP and the three national officers to adhere strictly and honour the provisions of the guidelines, adjusted timetable and schedule of activities duly issued and published, pending the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed along with the motion ex parte.

Justice Lifu also restrained PDP and the three national officers from allowing any person who did not obtain nomination form or ad hoc form within the time stipulated in the guideline from running for any elective office of the party or ad hoc or national delegates’ position, pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.

In granting the request of the plaintiffs, the judge ordered them to enter into a fresh undertaking to indemnify the defendants to be assessed by the court if, at the end of the day, it was discovered that the court was misled into granting the restraining orders.

Justice Lifu then fixed August 15 for all parties to appear before him for their respective defence.

A certified enrolled order in respect of the motion ex parte signed by Justice Lifu and the Registrar of the court, Mrs Awase Igba, dated July 23, 2024, showed that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, K. O. Njemanze (SAN), argued the ex parte application on behalf of the six plaintiffs.

The current Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka, deposed to the affidavit in support of the ex parte application.

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