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Nigerians Willing To Collect PVCs Are Frustrated By INEC Officials, Labour Party Alarms

By
Ola Akinola
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On Wednesday, the Labour Party expressed concern about the slow rate at which INEC employees are issuing Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to Nigerians who intend to cast ballots in the general elections of 2023.

Just two weeks till the deadline set by INEC for the collecting of PVCs, according to Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Chief Spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LP-PCC), who stated most Nigerians are unable to do so because of the incompetence and delay tactics of INEC personnel.

The full statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has less than two weeks to deliver PVCs to Nigerians and the reports we are receiving nationwide about the ineptitude of their staff is disheartening and frustrating most PVC collectors”.

“We have received reports from all the geo-political zones in Nigeria and the messages are all the same, people complaining of the snail pace at which the PVCs are being dispatched to collectors”.

“Going by the elections timetable which is in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 25”.

“The governorship and state assemblies election will hold on March 22 and many Nigerians who registered for PVCs are still finding it difficult to collect their voters card beats one’s imagination hollow”.

“If you take a close look at the INEC timetable you have less than 12 days left for collection of PVCs. People go and queue for hours out of about 500 PVC collectors only 20 or less than 50 people will be given their cards in wards designated for collection”.

“What kind of miracle is INEC going to perform that will ensure Nigerians get their PVCs within this short period if there’s no sinister motive underneath?”

“The process for collection started on December 12th and is expected to end on Sunday the 22nd of January yet out there across the country many of our members are complaining that the process is cumbersome and INEC staff leisurely stroll in and out of the wards”.

“They resume by 9am and close by 3pm and from information reaching us the INEC staff in most cases resume as from 11am daily. Today is 11th of January and by 22nd of this month the process will be collapsed, what’s going to be the faith of those who couldn’t get their voters card?”

“We have said in different fora that on no account should any Nigerian be denied his inalienable rights to cast his votes. INEC should open up on this deliberately designed weak operations to Nigerians before people start believing the apex electoral body has a hidden script unknown to us”.

Resident Doctors Threaten Nationwide Strike

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) threatened a nationwide strike on Tuesday if the federal government did not accept their demands.

The organization stated in a letter signed by its president, Dr Emeka Innocent Orji, to the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, that if the issues are not resolved before its January 2023 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which is slated for January 24th to 28th, the strike will begin.

The letter reads: “Sir, our January 2023 National Executive Council meeting has been scheduled for January 24th to 28th, 2023, and we can confirm very clearly feelers that if these issues are not sorted out before that meeting, our members will likely give us a mandate to immediately kick-start processes that will lead to a nationwide industrial disharmony in the health sector.”

It would be recalled that, NARD had earlier issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government six months ago on account of lingering unresolved issues affecting its members, including the irregularities in the new circular on an upward review of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), outstanding payment of the arrears of the new hazard allowance, non-payment of the skipping arrears for 2014, 2015 and 2016, and non-payment of the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to some of its members.

In addition, the delay in the upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure(CONMESS), salary arrears of its members in state tertiary health institutions running into several months, including Abia, Imo, Ondo, Ekiti and Gombe States, and non-domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) in most states across the federation.

Commending the efforts of government through its ministries, departments and agencies in resolving some of the issues raised, the association, however, said many of them remain largely unresolved and have now become sources of serious nationwide agitation threatening industrial peace and harmony in the health sector.

NARD said the major ones amongst them are; “Omitted 2020 MRTF payment, irregularities in the new MRTF circular inconsistent with the Medical Residency Training Act, existing collective bargaining agreements and current economic realities and review of CONMESS salary structure.”

The letter further reads: “Sir, we know how critical this period is and the chaos that will ensue if the government does not take steps to prevent this from happening, and so we humbly implore you to use your good office to resolve these issues before our January NEC meeting. Sir, we trust in your fatherly disposition and believe that you will come to our aid and save this nation from this imminent industrial disharmony. ”

The association also copied the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Government of Federation, Minister of Labour and Finance respectively, as well as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum( NGF) among many others.

NPC Resolves To Avoid Pitfalls That Have Stymied Previous Censuses.

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Nasir Isa Kwarra, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), stated that the Commission’s management has vowed to avoid the traps that have slowed past Censuses done in Nigeria by implementing current digital technologies in the upcoming Population and Housing Census in 2023.

Kwarra said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Level Training of Training Centre Managers and Administrators (TCMA) for the 2023 Population and Housing Census, explaining that scientific planning and advanced digital technologies would be used to achieve an accurate and reliable census this year.

He stated that the Commission was firmly committed to rewriting the history of censuses in Nigeria through through the conduct of accurate, reliable and acceptable Population and Housing Census.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that the National Population Commission is irrevocably committed to positively rewrite the history of censuses in Nigeria and deliver to this great nation accurate and reliable census data.

“Preparations for the 2023 Population and Housing Census are on course and the Commission is confident that the prospect for an accurate and reliable census appears brighter than ever.

“This optimism is rooted in the fact that the present Commission has taken time to identify and deliberate on issues that stalled past censuses and have resolved to avoid those pitfalls through the adoption of scientific planning and modern digital technology.”

Kwarra, to therefore appealed to Nigerians to support the Commission in achieving this lofty objective.

“I therefore appeal to Nigerians to join the Commission in the bid to give our dear country accurate and reliable data through the forthcoming 2023 Population and Housing Census.

“In addition, there is the need for a shift in national attitude that sees census data as a tool for seeking economic and political advantages.

“Rather, we must strive to discover the real essence of the census data as a treasure of information and compass in the effort to build and plan a greater and prosperous Nigeria.

“Our vision of the 2023 census has been designed to produce not only accurate, reliable and acceptable census but also an inclusive and user-friendly census data.

“This desire has informed the scope and quality of preparations made for the census thus far.

“Census is a national event and is the responsibility of every citizen to participate by presenting themselves to be counted.

“The Commission will no doubt, need the support of all stakeholders to deliver to the country a credible and reliable data it can use for sustainable development planning,” he said.

While commenting on the essence of the training workshop, the NPC boss said the Commission has fully adopted the Training Centre Management and Administration approach to coordinate and manage training activities in over 35,000 classes during the period of the census and at different levels.

He explained that Census training centres are unique, as they are structured to provide distinctive learning experiences that will shape the proficiency of the Census Workforce to deliver on their assigned duties and responsibilities in line with the Commission’s goal of generating credible, reliable and acceptable data for development planning purposes.

He, however, noted that the success of “every project is a direct function of the quality of manpower deployed in its execution and for a major national assignment such as the 2023 Population and Housing Census, its overall success will no doubt be tied to the quality of the entire workforce which will largely depend on the quality of training received.”

He pointed out that the Commission had prioritised the training of centre managers and administrators for effective service delivery, while urging them to submit themselves to learning.

In his remarks, the Federal Commissioner representing Cross River State in the NPC, Charles Iyam Ogwa, tasked the participants to take the workshop seriously for them to succeed in the discharge of their duties.

Ogwa reiterated that without quality personnel, the Commission would not generate quality data for planning and national development.

NCC Is Back On TV With Telecom Weekly

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is about to make a comeback on television with a newly packaged 30-minute weekly program that will examine the Nigerian telecommunications and information communications technology (ICT) industry on a regular basis and raise awareness among telecom users throughout the nation and abroad.

The weekly show, appropriately titled Telecom Weekly, will premiere today, Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. on NTA Network Services, which consists of more than 45 stations spread across the 36 states and Abuja. Every Tuesday at 5:00 PM, all nearby NTA stations are scheduled to connect to the program.

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Network will also broadcast the show’s radio version every Thursday at 8 p.m for simultaneous transmission to all states of the Federation with all the local FRCN stations expected to hook up during the weekly programme.

The programme is expected to add to the Commission’s share of voice on radio and television in a bid to provide stakeholders with timely information about developments and issues in the telecommunications industry.

Apart from simplifying issues about telecommunications services for the average consumer, one of the cardinal foci of the programme will be to continuously create awareness among various stakeholders about the activities and programmes of the Commission as it seeks to achieve regulatory excellence.

User experiences, gathered through consumer-related events and vox pop, will be used to spice the programme to enable the cross-section of consumers of telecommunications services to learn from such experiences and apply them in the usage of their services.

Expert opinions will also feature prominently to facilitate the process of creating awareness about the industry. Also, quiz sessions where viewers and listeners will win prizes will be a regular feature of the programme.

Rivers Police Busts Child Trafficking Cartel, Frees Ten Pregnant Women

By
Saladin Babagana
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A child trafficking syndicate was infiltrated by the Rivers state police command just two weeks into the new year.

Ten pregnant women were saved, and four alleged traffickers were also arrested.

When the C41 intelligence unit of the Command conducted a raid on two homes in the Igwuruta and Omagwa communities, respectively, of the Ikwerre local government area where victims of child trafficking were being housed, the four alleged child traffickers were taken into custody.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Grace RACE Iringe-Koko, on January 7 at around 4:45 pm, acting on reliable intelligence, the operative raided the homes and freed ten women—most of whom were pregnant—from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Benue.

The statement reads: “On Saturday 7th January 2023, at about 1645hrs acting on credible intelligence available to the Rivers State Police Command, C4I Intelligence Unit Operatives, raided two houses at Igwuruta and Omagwa communities respectively, where victims of child trafficking were being kept. In the operation, the suspects were arrested by the police operatives: Favour Bright ‘F’, 30 years old, from Umudioga Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Peace Alikoi ‘F’, 40 years old, from Igwuruta Community in Ikwere Local Government Area, who is the leader of the trafficking syndicate, Noble Uzuchi ‘m’ 17 years old and Chigozie Ogbonna ‘m’ 29 years old.

“The victims rescued in the operation are Ten (10) most of them pregnant they include:  Gift Saviour ‘F’ 19yrs from Umudioga Community in Ikwere Local Government Area, Favour Charles ‘F’ 23yrs from Abale Community in Obingwa LGA of Abia State, Joy Monday ‘F’ 21yrs from Bumy Community Gokana Local Government Ares Rivers State, Chiagoro Nice ‘F’ 19yrs from Ndas Community Etche Local Government Area, Blessing Francis ‘F’ 28yrs from Ngwa Community Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State, Joy Emmanuel ‘F’ 29yrs from Ikot Obiom Community in Nsit Ibiom Local Government Area Akwa Ibom State, Precious Kalu ‘F’ 25yrs from Umudioga Emohua Local Government Area Rivers State.

“Others are: Cynthia Ekeh ‘F’ 27yrs from Okpuala Community Ngor Okpuala Local Government Area Imo State, and Queen Amos ‘F’ 28yrs from Owase Community in Kwande Local Government Area Benue State. Chika Nwosa ‘F’ 15yrs from Umudioga Emohua Local Government Area,  Chigozie Ogbonna ‘M’ 29yrs From Abale Community Obingwa Local Government Area Abia State, and Noble Uzochi ‘M’ 17 years from Omuobasa Community in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State

The PPRO statement said investigation into the case revealed that when the victim delivered, the syndicate leader keeps the baby while she pays the victim the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira, noting that all the victims have confessed that they lured them to the illicit sales of their children because of the need to meet some financial challenges.

She further said the case has been transferred to the State CID as efforts are being intensified to track and arrest the buyers of the children already sold out.

“Investigation into the case so far reveals that when the victim delivered, the syndicate leader would keep the baby while she pays the victim a sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000:00). All the victims confessed that they have been lured to the illicit sales of children because of the need to meet some financial challenges. Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg. Number, Lagos, FST 607 AX, white was recovered from the syndicate leader.

“The case has been transferred to the State CID and efforts are being intensified to track and arrest the buyers of the children already sold out.

PPRO reaffirmed the commitment of the command to reducing crime and criminality in all its forms to the barest minimum and urged the  public to remain vigilant.

Within A Month, FCT-MPWB Registers About 600 Prospective Pilgrims For 2023 HAJJ

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

For the 2023 Hajj exercise, the Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board (FCT-MPWB) has already registered more than 40% of the previous year’s hajj allotment.

According to a statement from the Board’s Director, Mallam Muhammad Nasiru Danmallam, the Board has received deposits from those who want to undertake the Hajj through it as a result of its exceptional performance in prior operations.

The Director revealed that potential Intending Pilgrims had paid at least Two Million Five Hundred Naira (N2, 500,000.00) to reserve their seats for the exercise in each of the six area councils and at the Board’s headquarters in Abuja’s CBD.

Danmallam said the registration is on first-come–first–served basis via a Bank draft in line with the principle of fairness in the services of residents of the territory.

He said, intending pilgrims who wishes to partake in the exercise are expected to present a bank draft of minimum of N2,500,000.00 (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only payable to the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abuja to book for a seat for the 2023 hajj exercise pending the release of the actual hajj fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

He said that the Board has resolved to redouble its effort to enhance services to the registered Intending Pilgrims through the new strategies introduced for the forthcoming Hajj exercise.

FG Approves Over N4.7bn for 219 TETFund Research Grants

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) program will offer 219 research grants to successful applicants in the amount of N4,736,782,352.21 for the grant cycle in 2021.

According to a statement by Abdulmumin Oniyangi Ag. Director, Public Affairs of TETFund, this came as a result of a thorough screening process that started with the receipt of 4,810 Concept Notes from potential applicants in November 2021.

The report of the National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC) recommended funding for 219 research proposals.

The amount of N3,066,156,844.61 was granted for Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (SETI) thematic groups, and N806,381,998.00 for the other categories, according to the breakdown of the approval.

A breakdown of the approval indicates that the sum of N3,066,156,844.61 was approved for the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) thematic group, N806,381,998.00 for Humanities and Social Science (HSS) while Cross Cutting (CC) received N864,242,509.60, with individual grants ranging from N4.5 million to over N41 million.

Some of the approved research works tailored towards enhancing national development include Molecular epidemiology of recurrent cholera outbreaks in Nigeria and pre-clinical evaluation of indigenous medicinal plants for its management; Effective High Throughput Phenotyping and Artificial Pollination for Improved Yield in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) with Autonomous Drone and Investigating Nigerian medicinal plants as sources of lead compounds for development of chemotherapeutic interventions for uterine fibroid and Production of Cartridge made from Hydrochar for the Treatment of Textile and Tannery Wastewater in Nigeria: ″Emerging Technology for Sustainable Water Purification using Biomass Waste; all under the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) thematic group.

Projects under Cross Cutting thematic group include Design and Fabrication of Efficient Solar Energy Storage System for Electricity Generation to Rural Communities; Adaptation of Conventional Septic Tank to Bio-digester for Sustainable Energy Generation and Viable Economy for Households Use in Nigeria and Development of Polymer-soilcrete Blocks and Pozzolanic Cement Concrete for Integrated and Sustainable Mass Housing in Nigeria, amongst others.

Approved under Social Science are Development and evaluation of phytoestrogenic transdermal nanogel for the management of menopausal symptoms and associated diseases; Fabrication and Characterization of New Glass Series from Rice Husk and Bismuth-Tin Ores for Application in Radiation Shielding and Green Pathway for Barite Production towards Decarbonisation of Mining Sector in Nigeria, amongst others.

The National Research Fund (NRF) Grant was introduced to encourage cutting-edge research which explore research areas relevant to societal needs of Nigeria such as power and energy, health, security, agriculture, employment and wealth creation.

EFCC Extends Bid For Some Forfeited Assets

By
Ola Akinola
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0

On Monday, January 9, 2023, at the National Open University, Jabi Abuja, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, began selling seized real estate assets through sealed bids.

No properties in the three Lots (Lots 1, 2 and 3) scheduled for sale by competitive bidding were taken, according to a statement signed by the Commission’s management.

The statement reads in part, “The bidders either failed to match the reserve price or were disqualified for violation of the guidelines.

“In view of this development, and in line with the Commission’s commitment to transparent disposal of the assets, EFCC is constrained to re-open fresh bids for the assets in the three lots as earlier advertised. Prospective bidders for the assets in Lots 2 and 3 have until 5pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2022, to submit their bids while the bids will be opened on Thursday, January 12, 2023.

“Bids for the assets in Lot 1 will open from today, January 9, till 12pm on Friday, January 13, 2023 and the bids will be opened on the same date.

“It is important to emphasize that the assets in Lot 1 will be offered for sale as a single unit. Bidders are reminded that failure to include the requisite 10% bank draft for the bid amount will invalidate their offer.”

AMAA Founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Is Dead

By
Roland Edet
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The Africa Movie Academy Awards’ creator, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe had passed away, her family announced.

She was said to be in a coma at the St. Nicholas hospital in Lagos, before her  passing.

Although reports of her death surfaced in the late hours of Monday, January 9th, it was impossible to authenticate them because family-related sources claimed that she was still in a coma at the time.

In an official statement titled ‘Peace Maria Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe: An epitome of creative transcendance’, the family said,

“The Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe clan in thanksgiving to God and in the belief that God is good and everything He does is good and in accordance with His divine will, pattern and plan, announce the passing to eternal glory of our illustrious beloved daughter, sister, aunt and great aunt *Ms. Peace Maria Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe* (MFR)

“Peace, the Ada of the Anyiam-Osigwe family, was an outstanding personality, trailblazer, titan, pathfinder, go-getter, humanitarian, one-of-a-kind creative, and visionary leader in the film and television industry. Peace left indelible imprints on the sands of time.

“We as a family and clan will continue do all that is necessary to ensure that her legacy lives on – the Africa Movie Academy Awards and the Africa Film Academy, along with their training programmes across Nigeria and the African continent will carry on seamlessly by institutions she set up and with the full support of the Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation and other Institutions and Government Agencies whith whom she has  worked over the years.* Her numerous charities across different religious denominations and other communities will also be continued.

“We will miss the love and companionship we shared with her and we pray “that your Chi guide you on the path to God’s everlasting love into the light of his consciousness.”

“We also pray God our Father of all mercies to grant you eternal rest in his heavenly kingdom where his perpetual light will continue to shine on
“We believe you are alive in the life of God because as our father said “ALL IS LIFE AND LIFE ALONE”. And you continue to live in the hearts of all who love you.”

It would be remembered that at the 2022 AMAAs, she had concluded her speech with the statement, “see you at the 2023 AMAAs”.

Meanwhile, the family respectfully asks, at this time, for the public to respect the privacy of the family.

NIS Dismisses Four Staff, Demotes 14, Sanctions 18 Others In House Cleaning Exercise

By
Ola Akinola
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0


In a sweeping purge intended to get rid of bad apples and fight corruption, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has demoted 14 people and terminated four others for a variety of offenses for which they came before the Orderly Room Trial Committee of the Service.

In a statement released in Abuja, DCI Tony Akuneme confirmed the development and noted that four other people who had been accused had been discharged and found not guilty, while one offender had been forced to resign from the service.

He claimed that 11 other immigration employees received warning letters while two were redeployed to different places. He claimed that 11 further people are in the process of being tried.

He claimed that the Comptroller
General of Immigration is poised to rid the service of bad eggs , as he assured members of the  general public that there are no sacred cows in the NIS.

He also said that all offenders shall be appropriately sanctioned as he  urged members of public to be vigilant and support the Service to deliver more on its mandate by contacting the service for feedback, inquiries and complaints on any of these cannels:
(a) phone: +2348033074681; +2348021819988
(b) twitter: @nigimmigration
(c) email: nis.pro@immigration.gov.ng

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