By Bridget Ikyado

His Grace, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has cautioned politicians against any attempt to rig the forthcoming general elections.

“With the current yearnings of the people for a better country, the election will no longer be business as usual,” Onaiyekan said on Saturday during the celebration of his 40th anniversary as Bishop, at the Holy Trinity Church, Maitama, Abuja.

“As regards to the results of the elections, politicians should desist from any form of manipulations to their favour if not voted for.

“All those who are planing to play games and scheme to rig in order to frustrate the desire of the decision of the people as regards the results of the elections, should desists from such.

“All of them whether they are in government or not; they should desist from rigging or causing violence, they should not do it, they should allow this election to run in a free and fair way,” he noted.

He assured that he has no special candidate, adding that the advice was for the politicians to understand that “the mood in which Nigeria now is, is not a mood that they will quietly accept a rigged election.

“For the sake of peace, there will be serious repercussions if anybody doesn’t allow a free and fair elections. It won’t be business as usual, anymore.

“I want Nigerians to know that they can no longer keep quiet all the time, hoping that things will change; that God will work miracles.”

Onaiyekan advised Nigerians to use their voter cards to express their minds.

According to him, the outcome of the election will no be about who has more campaign posters or can mobilise more crowds to stadiums.

“It will depend on who can convince Nigerians, and give us a new kind of government.

“Government that is based on people interested in working for the common good and not out to enrich themselves or stay in power or protect their stolen wealth so as not to be queried,” he said.

The Archbishop advised politicians to fear God, as they would answer to their actions before Him.

“Even if no one asks questions, God will ask questions and He has His way of asking questions,” he added.

Also during the church service, the cardinal narrated his journey through priesthood.

“on a Thursday afternoon, January  1983, Pope John Paul II ordained  me, Monsignor John Onaiyekan, a Bishop at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

“40 years after as a Bishop, I return thanks to God, many who were with me in that day are no more, but God through His special grace has kept me,” he said.

He prayed God to bless all who had come and those who couldn’t but have prayed for him.

In his speech, the Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, His Grace Ignatius Kaigama, described the cardinal as a man of humility and peace.

“So, we celebrate Gods gift to us in Nigeria, Abuja and in the world and i am happy that God has spared him thus far,” Kaigama said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that friends and clerics from within and outside Nigeria came out to celebrate the cardinal. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Maharazu Ahmed

By Edeki Igafe

The President/Chairman of Tompolo Foundation, Mr Government Ekpemupolo popularly called Tompolo, has donated 458 single seater desks to the Nigerian Maritime University in Delta.

The Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, announced the donation on Saturday during the institution’s combined matriculation ceremony for the 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the University is located at Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.

Bebenimibo said that Tompolo was a strategic partner with the university, adding that he was putting measures in place to enable the institution to compete well with other world-class universities.

“Tompolo Foundation is presenting 458 single desks (furniture) worth millions of Naira to the NMU,” he said.

Responding, Prof. Emmanuel Adigio, the Vice Chancellor of the NMU, thanked Tompolo for the donation, noting that the gesture was a demonstration of his desire to educate his people.

“Tompolo contributes a lot to resolving all our challenges in the university. A lot of our chairs were brought in by him. A structure will be completed soon by him in the university,” Adigio said.

While thanking Tompolo for the good gesture, Adigio said that all the 13 academic programmes of the institution had been accredited.

He added that the pioneer graduates of the university were currently undergoing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The vice chancellor urged the cadets to take their studies seriously and be determined to overcome challenges that could arise in the course of their studies.

“You should be guided by the reality that the time spent in this first paramilitary University in the country is the springboard to greater life hereafter.

“On this note, let me congratulate our matriculating cadets. You are indeed our seed planted with the expectation to flourish.

“We have made great preparations to plant you. We have employed, as our teachers, very capable scholars most of whom made first class and second class upper division in their first degree courses.

“A number of them already have advanced degrees. This is something we owe you.

“The government that founded the University considers you very important and has granted you this privilege.

“We pledge before you and your parents that we will not fail to give you the best.

“Please do not fail to touch the sky and beyond. It is my earnest desire that you all keep the sail steadily going throughout the university waterways,” Adigio said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged Nigerians not to only remember the nation’s fallen heroes, but also to give adequate support to the families they left behind.

Sanwo-Olu gave the advice during the Dedicated Jumaat, in commemoration of the Year 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, held at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, said that supporting the families of the fallen heroes in whatever form was a way of appreciating and reciprocating the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.

He implored everyone to make donations towards the welfare of the families of the fallen soldiers.

According to him, their families are going through a lot and the best Nigerians can do is to support them in whatever form they can.

Sanwo-Olu charged Nigerians to make sacrifices for the country, as done by the serving and dead security personnel.

He said that if everyone could do their best in their different corners, the country would be better.

Sanwo-Olu said that Nigerians must come together to build the nation, as the country must be great for the future of the coming generations in particular, and the sake of the black race in general.

The governor said that it was the people’s moral fiber that would determine the success of the nation.

He charged all Nigerians to ensure that they do the right things always, as Nigeria must succeed as a nation.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Lagos State Council, Akeem Wolimoh, said that as the nation prayed for the fallen heroes, they should also remember their families.

”They have contributed their quota in order that souls might not be lost, but they exchanged their lives that peace might reign in the land.

”For those who they have left behind, we pray that God should enable the society to take care of them as if their deceased fathers and husbands are still alive. This is what I will implore every one of us here to always put in mind,” Wolimoh said.

In his vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said that the Dedicated Jumaat was one of the three events earmarked for the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Elegushi said that on its part, the government would continue to make life better for the families of the fallen heroes.

Earlier in his Sermon, Dr. Abdul-Mojeeb Isa, the Imam of the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, said that it was very important to remember the dead, particularly the heroes, those that had strived and fought for a better Nigeria.

Isa urged the government not to forget the labour of the fallen heroes, as the price they had paid for the unity and peace of the country must not go in vain.

The Imam commended the officers and men of the security agencies for their efforts in battling insecurity in the country.

He urged the government to equip them with modern training and equipment, as well as ensure good welfare packages for the serving and families of the deceased officers.

Prayers were later offered for the state governor, the deputy governor, all arms of government, the families of the fallen heroes, as well as serving officers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

By Ismail Abdulaziz

Alhaji Umar Abdullahi, Managing Director Nonicoms Telecommunications, has urged service providers to leverage on benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to grow the sector in the region.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, Abdullahi said that this would encourage economic and social policies of transactions within the region.

The AfCFTA is aimed at creating Africa’s continent-wide free trade area that could generate greater economic benefits than previously estimated and raise incomes by nine per cent by 2035 and lift 50 million people out of extreme poverty.

‘’Undoubtedly, communication is a basic requirement in the smooth flow of business, especially in Africa. The AfCFTA is a tool that can be leveraged on by service providers for the success of the programme.

‘’Telecom service providers can make a whole lot of impact on digital economy in Africa through promotion of the AfCFTA. We can make life easier for both business people and their wide customer base in Africa,’’ he said.

Abdullahi added that Nonicoms was out to increase result-driven technology in the industry as well as to develop advanced and innovative technologies for its customers.

‘’We will provide free voice service on our landlines and mobile apps, free IPTV/OTT and Excellent internet services with high Speed and low latency, affordability, and new innovations that will support the Internet of Things.

‘’We will  also provide a purposeful innovation through high speed broadband of more than 100mbps at an unbeatable price that addresses everyday communication challenges in homes and businesses,’’ he said.

The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) recognises that the agreement would allow access to extend communications services to 1.2 billion people across the African continent.

With a larger proportion of this population made up of young people, whose hunger for data and mobile services continues to grow, there is no limit of achievement for innovative operators and investors in terms of business opportunities.

There are many forms of trade in goods or services that can be fully or partly carried out through different ICT-based mechanisms, which previously were provided only through offline ways of trading.

Digitalisation also affects trade in many other ways. This is why the agenda of trade and digitalisation has gained attention in various trade policy forums, including the AfCFTA and WTO.

Abdullahi urged stakeholders in the communication subsector to provide support and encouragement for start-ups, ensure consistent government policies, as well as funds from the Nigerian Financial sector.

On how to overcome challenges in the sector, he said that ‘’they can conquered through determination, patience, consistency, and most importantly doing the right thing.

‘’The telecom industry can hardly be projected in a lighter mood. It will be more result-driven. It will develop advanced and innovative technologies to create an easy and safe solution for customers. It is the future and what the future holds economically and socially,’’he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Joseph Edeh)

By Chimezie Anaso

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) will begin the 2023 mobile mapping process for mass metering in Anambra on Jan. 10.

This, it said, was to ensure that customers in Anambra were captured and provided with prepaid meters within 48 hours under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) project.

Mr Emeka Ezeh, Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC said this in a statement on Thursday.

Ezeh said the exercise would allow customers to pay, get metered, and get reimbursed with the value of the cost of the meter through energy supplied over a period of time.

He said the programme would take place in Ogidi District on Jan. 10 at St. Paul Anglican Church, Ogidi, Ochendo Hall, Ogidi and Afor Market Town Hall, Obosi and would run for three days.

He said the single-phase meter sold for N63,061.27 while the three -phase meter was N117,910.69 inclusive of VAT.

He said the mapping system was a conscious approach the company had adopted to close the existing metering gap in its network.

Ezeh said it was designed to be implemented according to Feeders, with three different locations selected within the areas covered by the Feeder where meters would be supplied simultaneously.

According to him, customers within these areas will be pre-notified of when the exercise will be carried out within their neighborhood.

“Customers residing in the listed locations are expected to visit the site along with a valid form of identification including Drivers License, Voters Card, NIN or International Passport and a copy of their bills.

“At the location, EEDC officials will assist customers with the MAP application process, and installation will be made once payment is confirmed,” he stated.

Ezeh urged customers to take advantage of the opportunity and get metered, reminding them that they would be reimbursed with the full value of the cost of the meter through energy supplied over a period.

He said MAP was a metering intervention designed and approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to close the existing metering gap in the sector.

“It will be recalled that in June 2022, EEDC launched the pilot of mobile MAP metering in Enugu and has executed the same in several locations within the metropolis.

“EEDC reaffirms that it is in its best interest to have all its customers metered, which informs its commitment towards ensuring that its customers are metered.

“The exercise was in conjunction with its MAP partners,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced online accreditation for Journalists and media organisations wishing to cover the 2023 general election.

According to the flier issued by INEC on Thursday in Abuja, interested media organisations wishing to deploy journalists to cover the election are to apply via: https://imap.inecnigeria.org.

It stated that the portal would be accessible from Thursday, Jan. 5 to Sunday, Feb. 5.

“Late submission shall not be entertained as the portal will automatically shut down on Sunday. Feb. 5 at 5pm.

“There shall be no manual accreditation.

For further enquiries, INEC adviced media organisations to contact Chinwe Ogbuka – 08033141836; Nathaniel Gana – 08033802792; and Patience George – 08032861058. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Veronica Dariya

Mrs Roselyn Yuhe, a Writer and Educator has narrated her ordeal, many years after her sexual and domestic abuse encounter.

Yuhe, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said that it took great courage to finally speak about her experience in her latest book, The Power of Purpose and Intention.

According to her, the world, including members of her family would get to know about what she went through as a child for the first time, in the book.

“My story can best be described as turning scars into a healing balm for others.

“I was raped by my school teacher at the age of 15, but no one in my family knew about it because I couldn’t tell anyone, they will all get to read it in my new book.

“I have been traumatized for years.

“The experience altered my performance in class back in school then, also, I noticed later in life that my grace dropped and I wasn’t ever the same again.

“It affected my lifestyle, I began to make wrong choices, one of which was getting to marry a wrong partner who ended up violating me as well.”

Yuhe added that the experience reduced her confidence and made her to contend with low self-esteem which limited her growth and progress in life.

She explained that she couldn’t speak out then, because her environment and the society normalized domestic violence and expected victims to endure such marriages.

She said: “In the past, a typical African setting would expect a woman to endure and not to leave her matrimonial home, especially when she has children.

“Unfortunately too, my in-laws were not on my side and never liked me for reasons I never got to know.

“Then, I couldn’t leave also because I was afraid of what people would say. It was believed that once you return home, you become a prostitute or wayward especially as a single mother.

“Fortunately for me, leaving my marriage after a thorough thought opened my eyes and I realized my potentials and discovered I wasn’t where I was supposed to be.

“Today, I’m a trained educator, a school proprietor and an education counselor.”

Yuhe said the book would encourage other women who may have encountered any form of abuse to remain focused and determined to explore life.

She said that such victims should not allow societal beliefs, pressure and past experiences to deter them from achieving their goals in life and impacting positively on the society.

“No matter who you are, you can break free. If I can, you can as well. This is one of my message to especially single mothers.

“The fact that you are single does not make you a prostitute but you can strive to live an exemplary life that can be emulated, especially for your children’s sake.”

Yuhe said that the book, which was launched on Dec. 10, 2022 and already selling, would also encourage women to speak out, show up and distinguish themselves from others irrespective of their past. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Fortune Abang

The Governing Council of the International Society of Diplomats (ISD) has appointed a Nigerian, Mr Tunji Asaolu, as its Deputy Secretary-General.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Secretary-General of ISD, Manuel Fernandez on Thursday in Abuja.

Fernandez in statement said that Asaolu’s appointment was confirmed on Dec. 30, 2022 and with immediate effect.

He said Asaolu has been confirmed as Deputy Secretary-General, African Affairs and Ambassador to the African Union by ISD for an initial two years term that is renewable for another two years.

“I am pleased to convey to you, the approval of your appointment as the Deputy Secretary-General, African Affairs by the Governing Council of ISD.

“By this appointment, you are also admitted into the International Advisory Council.

“In line with the mandate of ISD, you are expected to liaise with the international headquarters in discharging the functions of this office, develop programmes and activities.

“Provide regular updates on ISD progress; promote international cooperation with other relevant authorities.

“Provide expert advice on issues related to your line of duties, including International diplomacy, economy, trade and investment, peace and social justice.”

ISD is an A-class international organisation with core mandate to promote diplomacy through friendship, trade, investment, international cooperation, peace and social justice, for development and advancement of humanity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Olaide Ayinde

Tragedy struck on Wednesday when 18 persons were burnt beyond recognition in an auto crash at Narbodo village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi state.

Yusuf Abdullahi, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), disclosed this in a road traffic report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Thursday.

The FRSC boss who said the accident involved one Toyota Hiace bus and an articulated vehicle, revealed that three people on board the trailer were unscathed.

According to him, the accident occurred around 4:40 p.m. and it took the personnel of the corps barely seven minutes to arrive at the scene of the crash to clear the site.

He attributed the cause of the crash to speed violation which led to a head-on collision between the two vehicles.

“Twenty one people were involved in the road crash and there were 18 male adults and three children.

“Eighteen people who were all inside the Toyota Hiace bus were burnt beyond recognition as the vehicle went up in flames after having a head-on-collision with the trailer,” he said.

Abdullahi also stated that mass burial was immediately carried out for the victims by the Nigeria Police Force.

The sector commander, however, advised road users to always be conscious of traffic rules and regulations while plying the roads.

He urged vehicle owners and drivers to ensure having good tyres, driving on average speed, routine vehicle maintenance and sound state of mind. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman