Details soon!
Showing posts with label National. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National. Show all posts
Outcome Of The Review Of Signatures/Thumbprints Of The Petitioners For The Recall Of The Senator Representing Kogi Central Senatorial District
The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 3rd April 2025. Among other issues, the meeting considered and approved the report of its physical count of the signatures/thumbprints forwarded with the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, in line with Clause 2(b) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The Commission had assured Nigerians that it would handle the matter with fairness to the parties involved and in line with the provisions of the law and our Regulations and Guidelines. First, we ensured that the petitioners complied with the requirements for the submission of the petition. Secondly, we notified the member sought to be recalled in writing, copied the presiding officer of the Senate and simultaneously published the notice on our website. Thirdly, we informed Nigerians that the next step would be to carefully ascertain the number of signatures/thumbprints to ensure that the petition complies with the requirement of the law. This exercise has now been completed.
For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency. The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1 which is at least 237,278 voters.
Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the Commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners. This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.
Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator.
In line with the provision of Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, the Commission has issued a Public Notice to that effect which is also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate.
The Public Notice, along with a summary of the review of the signatures/thumbprints of the petitioners, which are disaggregated by Local Government Areas, are available on our website and social media platforms for public information.
Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee
Thursday 3rd April 2025
Every net has holes. But Boko Haram, herdsmen, bandits and other terrorist attacks have shown gaping ones in Nigerian intelligence agencies. Can they be fixed?
Intelligence process includes requirements, collection, processing and exploitation, analysis and production, dissemination and consumption, and feedback. The details of this process are made secret by the various intelligence agencies for their effective operations to smoke out terrorists and those that are potential threats.
The State Security Service (SSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) among other intelligence agencies in Nigeria have intelligence network systems which information about a particular entity is collected through the use of more than one, inter-related source. They gather intelligence to build up a detailed knowledge of threats to Nigeria both from within and internationally, and the assessment and investigation process help to make decision about how they should respond. They have all it takes to infiltrate Boko Haram, herdsmen and any organization that pose a threat to Nigeria’s security, unity and progress. But corruption, tribalism, religion, ethnicity among others which lead to negligence; these agencies have been seriously compromised with irrefutable intelligence swept under the rug.
The State Security Service (SSS), self-styled as the Department of State Services (DSS), is the primary domestic intelligence agency of Nigeria and is primarily responsible for intelligence gathering within the country and for the protection of Nigerians and foreigners in Nigeria and work in collaboration with other domestic and international intelligence and security agencies including Interpol among others. Their Primary responsibility is also to detect plots and stop them before the attackers hit their targets, and not to wait until the attackers strike before looking for ways to curb the attacks or prevent future attacks. They also have extraordinary task of anticipating various damaging events and creating various counter measures to prevent such anticipated events from hitting the ground when terrorists and others are working on such anticipated events to carry out their attacks.
I understand very perfectly how intelligence operation works. There is no threat in Nigeria that DSS, DIA and other intelligence agencies cannot curb, prevent or bring to an end. The late Head of State of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha once said, “If any insurgency lasts more than 24 hours, the government has a hand in it”. I think he was not far from the truth. The fight to end Boko Haram herdsmen attacks and other terrorist attacks by these agencies has been compromised and neglected, and something is seriously wrong somewhere.
Pooling information is logistically difficult; given that the Nigerian intelligence community consists of different autonomous agencies which have further compounded the situation by other factors.
In January 2000 a group of al-Qaeda operatives met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to plot the attack on the U.S.S Cole. Malaysian authorities caught the meeting on a surveillance videotape and turned it over to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In the summer of 2001 the agency identified one of the attendees as Khalid Muhammad Abdallah al-Mihdhar, a Saudi who intelligence officials thought had entered the U.S. shortly after the meeting and left six months later. The CIA put his name on a watch list and handed it over to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)-but by then al-Midhar had slipped back into the U.S. Within the next few days, the CIA briefed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on al-Midhar. FBI officials say they initiated a frantic manhunt for al-Midhar but never found him. On Sept.11, 2001, authorities believed, he flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon. Al-Midhar bought his Sept. 11 airline ticket under his own name, but American Airlines officials say no government authorities informed them he was on a terrorism watch list.
On October 19, 2019, the Punch with the title, "Why Jonathan prevented us from rescuing Chibok girls —Ex-UK Prime Minister" published "a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, has said that former President Goodluck Jonathan was “sleeping on the wheel” while terrorists were busy abducting schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.
"Cameron further stated that Jonathan prevented British forces from engaging in rescue efforts as he seemed to see the entire incident as cheap politics."
According to CBC News, on April 14, 2016, International Crisis Group, a non-governmental organization that offers political and security analysis, believed the reaction to the Chibok kidnapping of former president Jonathan's administration "ranged from indifference and denial to later incompetence and deception."
The government was "crippled by corruption and mismanagement" that left it unable to "respond promptly or effectively to the incident," the group said.
The Premium Times of June 24, 2014 published, "Hold Nigerian government responsible for failure to rescue Chibok girls – U.S."
The Nigerian intelligence agencies have been criticized for failing to infiltrate Boko Haram, herdsmen and other terrorist organizations who all display acts of terror. Experts say Boko Haram, herdsmen and other terrorist organizations are working to find ways to inflict more irreparable damage on Nigerians and these agencies should use all their wherewithal to protect Nigerians.
That Al-Midhar could elude three Federal agencies, all of which knew his identity and the danger he posed shows what happens when intelligence agencies are compromised and intelligence swept under the rug. This is the same situation going on in Nigeria now among intelligence agencies. And many Nigerians have lost faith in our intelligence agencies in protecting them not as a result of their ineptitude but some compromise and negligence.
The leadership of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore once issued a threat to attack Benue State (which these agencies were aware) and still successfully carried out such attacks. Even without issuing threats, the DSS, DIA among others have the capability to detect such plots. The leaders of this association and most of their members have shown terrorism tendencies. What stops the DSS, DIA among others to swing into action? This is where conspiracy, compromise and negligence play central roles.
Nigerian intelligence officials should be commended for the good work they have done so far and have been doing. But they still remain “blind” to this deficiency and should fix it because the proper focus of intelligence agencies should be “the pursuit of the secret” in defence of Nigerians. As long as Nigerian intelligence continues to peer in compromise and negligence, they may be unwilling to discover what Boko Haram, herdsmen, terrorist organizations and individuals are hatching right in our backyard.
Mourinho was sent off with a red card after poking Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk in the nose.
The match saw a total of four red cards given out to players and staff from both teams, and nine yellow cards were issued.
As part of the 3rd National Sensitization and Awareness Campaign against Corruption 2025, Benue Links Nigeria Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption in support of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
During the campaign visit to the Benue Links headquarters and bus terminal in Makurdi on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the company's General Manager, Comrade Alexander Aondohemba Fanafa KSM, MNIM, welcomed the delegation led by ACG A.A. Adesokan, Zonal Comptroller of Zone H (Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Taraba States), and CIS A.A. Wanogo Esq., Benue State Comptroller of Immigration.
Speaking at the event, Comrade Fanafa commended the NIS for its efforts in promoting transparency and noted that Benue Links has fully embraced the anti-corruption drive in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption. He highlighted several initiatives aimed at ensuring fairness and accountability in the company, including, the establishment of an ICT Unit to train staff in preparation for a fully automated system, designed to enhance transparency and efficiency
He further emphasized that, given Governor Alia’s commitment to transforming the transport sector and Benue Links, the company’s management remains dedicated to prudent resource management and ethical service delivery.
In their remarks, CIS A.A. Wanogo Esq. and Ese 1 Charles Ifeanyi, representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) both stressed the importance of eliminating corruption in Nigeria and encouraged citizens to uphold integrity.
The campaign featured public sensitization for passengers and visitors on the dangers of corruption, accompanied by drumming and funfair. The event was attended by representatives of the Benue State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the EFCC, academia, and members of the press.
Johnson Ehi Daniel is Information Officer,
Benue Links Nigeria Limited
Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Denen Aondoakaa, has congratulated the Commissioner for Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission in charge of Benue State, His Excellency, Amb. Prof. Steve Torkuma Ugbah, on the occasion of his Septuagenarian birthday.
In a goodwill message, the Special Adviser described the celebrant as an "academician cum political expert" who use his life careers to impact positively into humanity both at home and in diaspora.
He added that, the renowned Professor is an integral player in the Fr Alia led administration's rebuilding of the Benue State putrefactional condition left behind since the ignition of the Nigerian modern democracy in 1999.
He called on the former Governorship flag bearer under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Ugbah, to continue to support Fr Alia's massive transformation Policies and Programmes and also to use his new office at Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, to elevate Benue State on the chart of higher income to enhance the speed of rapid development in the Rev. Gentlemen's era.
While wishing seasoned foreign based academician happy returns in good faith and prosperity, the Bureau Boss, also enjoined all the Benue Masses, Nigeria and the world to turn up en-mass to celebrate this worthy son of Benue State.
Iortyer Eric is the Media & Publicity Aide to the SA on BLGCA, Benue State.
The road to the ancient town of Calabar, Cross River State came back to life aside going for Tinapa, but this time around Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the workaholic and indefatigable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was honored with a Honorary Doctorate degree in law PhD,( Honoris Causa), the profession he built his life career .
As early as Saturday morning , 22nd March , 2025 , dignataries from all walks of life within and outside the shores of the country trooped into Calabar , the capital of Cross River State.
Even though, some dignataries had arrived few days earlier to enable them book for accommodation among many others to honor the man who deserve a great honor , the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his large retinue of entourage and dignataries touched down on the day of the event , owing to tight schedule officially .
Fully prepared for the auspicious event along with his friends, aides , appointees friends and well wishers , the FCT Minister was full of life for the singular honor been bestowed on him by the second generation University, The University of Calabar.
Wike, according to the University management was honored for his multiple contributions lately to nations development, the University and his strides during the eight years tenure as Governor of Rivers state, among many humanitarian gesture, social , political and economic contributions to both Rivers, FCT and Nigeria at large .
While appreciating the honor done him by the University of Calabar, particularly the consideration as one of the first cabinet Minister of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , under the Renewed Hope Agenda to be confered with such a unique award in recent times.
He used the opportunity to thank the management, staff and students of the University of Calabar for the honor, which included the Chancellor of the institution and Emir of Kano , Dr Aminu Ado Bayero MNI.
He said the singular honor will be an opportunity provided for him to do more for the country, humanity and government and people of the country, particularly at this critical time of our national development.
While saying he will be encouraged and emboldened by the honor done to him by the University of Calabar , with the conferment of the Honorary Doctorate degree (PhD) in Law, stating that "good turn deserve another ."
The Minister maintained that his contributions to all facets of national development will be unwavering, particularly at this critical time when the country is confronted with leadership crises and desiring dedicated Nigerians to man similar sensitive and critical offices.
He used the opportunity to thank Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve the country under his administration of Renewed Hope Agenda and his determination to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians .
He further stated ...
"Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has hailed the unwavering commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the advancement of higher education in the country, saying "The Renewed Hope Agenda has injected new life into our university system through landmark Interventions that are transforming the landscape of tertiary education."
"The Minister, who spoke at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), after he was conferred with the university's Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law, during its 50th anniversary and 37th convocation ceremony, said the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has provided the needed financial relief for students and ensured that no willing mind is denied access to quality education due to financial constraints."
"According to a statement by the Minister's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, he listed other interventions of the President in the higher education sector to include the Students Start-up Innovation and Entrepreneurship Grant, which he said has empowered young minds to translate knowledge into impactful enterprises, and removal of universities from the Intergrated Payroll Information System (IPPIS)."
"The FCT Minister noted that removal of universities from the IPPIS has restored financial autonomy to the institutions and enabled them to function with greater efficiency. "
"Furthermore, the kind approval for the domiciliation of TETFund Research Funds within the respective institutions has equally strengthened the capacity for groundbreaking research and innovation."
"These bold and forward-thinking policies are undoubtedly positioning Nigeria's university system to meet the demands of the 21st century," he said.
"Expressing his appreciation to the UNICAL authorities for finding him worthy of the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law, the FCT Minister said, the honour was a charge to him to remain steadfast in his contributions to national development, upholding ideals of excellence and service as an inspiration to the next generation. "
Wike said; "As I proudly accept this honorary doctorate, I do so with renewed vigor to contribute even more meaningful to the advancement of education, good governance and national development. "
"I am deeply humbled and honoured by this recognition. The University of Calabar has written my name in its golden records, and I embrace this moment with great responsibility."
Highlights of the occasion included the conferment and decoration of the Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike with the Honorary Doctorate Degree PhD in Law by the management of the institution presided over by the Chancellor and Emir of Kano , Dr Aminu Ado Bayero MNI.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
In a statement released in Abuja in her behalf by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, the SSAP-SDGs emphasized the significance of Eid-el-Fitr as a time for gratitude, reflection, and unity. She highlighted the values of compassion, generosity, and solidarity, which define the season and align with the principles of sustainable development.
"Eid-el-Fitr is not only a period of celebration but also a moment for renewed commitment to building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable society where no one is left behind. The teachings of Ramadan inspire us to uphold peace, unity, and selflessness. These are values that are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," she stated.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire called on Nigerians to use the occasion to promote harmony, foster mutual understanding, and work together in addressing socio-economic challenges. She reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating progress on key SDGs targets, including poverty eradication, access to quality education, gender equality, and economic empowerment.
"As we mark this joyous occasion, let us remember those in need and extend kindness to the less privileged. Together, through collective action and a shared vision, we can advance sustainable development and create a better future for all," she added.
The SSAP-SDGs concluded by wishing all Muslims a peaceful and blessed Eid celebration, urging them to continue embodying the virtues of Ramadan in their daily lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
