By Sumaila Ogbaje

Former Chief of Army Staff retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has congratulated Nigerians on the election of Sen. Bola Tinubu as the President-elect, saying his victory was a clear reflection of the will of the people.

Buratai, who is the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He also called on Nigerians to vote all APC candidates in the March 18 Governorship and House of Assembly Elections across the country.

Buratai commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for presiding over an election in a country with the largest democracy in the African continent.

According to him, it is a job well planned and professionally executed.

He stated that the vote of all Nigerians had the power to make a difference and consolidate on the wise choice made during the presidential election.

“At this juncture, I say with all sense of responsibility that our collective future is assured under the renewed hope  vision and mission of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“I believe the President-elect is a man of capacity, empathy, vision, and all that it takes to lead Nigeria to the promised land.

“Therefore, I encourage all Nigerians to vote for the APC in the forthcoming governorship elections at the states levels so that the APC can have a majority at all levels.

“Do not be part of the minority opposition as we already have the APC at the Centre.

“Continuity has been achieved at the Federal level with the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President-Elect from the APC.

“Therefore, for effective policy implementation, progress’ security and development of our country, also vote APC at the states levels. Nigeria shall be great by the Grace of God,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has felicitated His Most Eminence, David Bob-Manuel (Orimolade IX), Prelate of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS) on his 82nd birthday.

The prelate marked his birthday on Sunday, March 12.

Agba, who is a member of the Advisory Board of the Church, described the Prelate as a worthy shepherd, whose headship of the Church was credible and reliable.

The minister stated this in a goodwill message, entitled: “82 hearty cheers to a worthy shepherd!” posted on his social media handles.

Agba wrote: “I heartily rejoice with His Most Eminence, Baba Aladura, Elder (Dr) David D.L. Bob-Manuel (Orimolade IX) and Prelate of the ESOCS Church) on this great occasion of his 82nd birthday.

“I also take the opportunity of this anniversary to commend the credibility and reliability of his headship of the ESOCS Church; and, to appreciate his prayers for the sheep in the vineyard, over which our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has placed him.”

Agba prayed that the good Lord would continue to perfect the Prelate’s health and “sustain him in his work towards the fulfilment of destiny.”(NAN)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Some members of Global Network for Sustainable Development during the news conference in Abuja 

By Patricia Amogu

A Civil Society Organisation, Global Network for Sustainable Development( GNSD), has called on Civil Society Organisations and other youth platforms to desist from acts of public incitements, describing the calls for the arrest of Enenche as tyrannical.

The National Coordinator ,GNSD, Mr Phil Roberts, made the call in a statement on Friday, in Abuja.

Robert said that such groups were hired to silence the voice of reason “and render our nation a tyrannical and dictatorial enclave .

“A society where citizens live in perpetual fear and bondage.”

“It is advised that such groups should stop further acts of public incitements against the person of Dr Paul Enenche, their actions so far are tantamount to a gross abuse of his fundamental human rights as a free citizen

“A certain provocative and inconsequential call by a faceless self-acclaimed Civil Society group, Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER) for the arrest of Dr Paul Enenche and Pastor Sarah Omakwu is such that threaten national security .

“The fact that they make such calls especially regarding” the arrest of Dr Paul Enenche in particular, in spite of the fact that he is not the only one calling for electoral probity and justice, makes their motive questionable,” Roberts said.

According to him, other renowned clerics from both Islamic and Christian faiths drew the attention of the government to the irregularities that characterised the recent elections, yet these faceless groups are bent on calling for the crucifixion of one man.

“The conduct of these groups is antithetical to democracy and freedom of speech, they represent the worst enemy of the Nigerian nation as they are out to sabotage the efforts of both the state and the citizens in building a more tolerant, progressive and inclusive society.

“One wonders if these individuals masquerading as a civil society groups understand what civil society advocacy stands for, how can you call yourself ‘civil’ while you are brazenly advocating for tyranny and dictatorship?

“How can you be advocating a civilized society, while at the same time, calling for undemocratic use of force to stifle citizens’ freedom of speech as in the constitution?,” he said.

According to him, how can you be a centre for citizens’ rights, while openly fighting to deprive them of their fundamental human rights?

“How can you address yourself as ‘civil’ while openly canvassing for illegitimate use of force by agents of the state against her citizens?

” How can you be fighting for and against citizens’ rights at the same time? This is nothing short of bareface hypocrisy and duplicity,” it added.

He noted that the country was advancing as a civilised society and they cannot drive us backward in their brazen pursuit of filthy lucre.

“They are, therefore, advised to stop further acts of public incitements against the person of Dr Paul Enenche as their actions so far are tantamount to a gross abuse of his fundamental human right as a free citizen.

“They have no moral or legal basis to call for the arrest of a law-abiding, responsible and impactful citizen in free expression of his civic and political opinion as guaranteed by the constitution.

It therefore ,stated, that any further incitement by such groups against the  person of  Paul Enenche would be taken as a deliberate and willful provocation, aggression and assault,“ he said. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Justina Auta

Mr Abubakar Bello, the Managing Director, Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIM), and other stakeholders have stressed the need for gender equity and women’s empowerment to improve access to health, education, economic and political opportunities in the country.

They made the call at a family fun weekend, organised by NEXIM Bank, in commemoration of the 2023 international Women’s Day (IWD) celebration in Abuja.

The NEXIM Bank boss said women play significant role in every area of human development, hence the need to ensure they had access to opportunities that would further harness their potentials for the development of any nation.

According to Bello, the bank prioritises anything concerning women, adding that women should be celebrated all the time for their immense contribution to the society.

“We should not just celebrate women only on women’s day or month.

“Women should be celebrated everyday. This year’s theme, which talks about embracing equity, should not be celebrated only on women’s day, but all the time as we are talking about moving forward to the future.

“Every women’s day, we make promises on equal opportunities, equity, amongst others.

“I want a feedback from the women from all the promises made in the past, where are we? Are you satisfied with what we have done?” he said.

The NEXIM Bank boss further added that the bank prioritises the well being and health of its workforce to ensure maximum productivity.

“We take the competence of women seriously, especially when bringing in new staff. It’s not a favour that we are doing to the women, it is a favour that we are doing to the agency.

“We are happy about the issues discussed by the speakers. One spoke about being focused, another on health and wellbeing.

“Another one spoke about motivation and how to remove obstacles and barriers affecting women’s development,” he said.

He, therefore, stressed the need to accommodate more women so that they can give in their best in any workforce and the society in general.

Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, stressed the need for programes that would bridge the gap for women to become independent and contribute to national development.

On the issue of challenges affecting women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Sulaiman-Ibrahim decried its effects on them, calling for more collaboration to address them.

“Women are the most hit, they loose their privacy when such things happen and it is hard for them.

“They carry a lot of burden because they become the caregivers, heads of households and other challenges for women when displacement and emergency happen.

“We must work collectively to address these challenges facing women,” she said.

Mrs Maryam Lemu, a motivational speaker, encouraged women to key into the digital world and give in their best to the development of their homes, community and nation at large.

“Digital world should be embraced by everyone and stop focusing on the negative.

“Let key people who have access make it possible for more women to have access because once a woman has access to knowledge and she learns, she can empower her family, the society and hopefully generation will be better than what she didn’t get.

“Don’t listen to negativity, sometimes it comes from us, we keep making excuses why we cannot do somethings.

“But it is just background noise, so reduce the volume on that and focus on what you can do. The possibilities are limitlessness,” she said.

Also, Dr Amina Dorayi, Country Director, Pathfinder, encouraged women to prioritise their health, mental well being and eat healthy food and fruits.

“This is one of the best thing you can do for your staff – work that prioritises your wellbeing. You are the most important person in your life and those around you, so do not joke with your health. Health is life, health is everything,” she said.

NAN reports that other highlights of the day were various sporting activities for staff of NEXIM Bank, their family members and other stakeholders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Olajide Idowu

Amotekun Corps, the security network of states in the Southwest geo-political zone arrested a 24-year-old suspected rapist in Iwo, Osun, on Friday.

He was alleged to have been keeping a 16-year-old girl in his room for three days while having carnal knowledge of her.

Commander of the corps in Osun, retired Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, told newsmen in Osogbo on Saturday that the security outfit arrested a 28-year-old herbalist almost in Iwo.

The herbalist allegedly defrauded some persons and was also found to be in possession of fake 100 dollar and N1,000 notes.

“The suspects were arrested at different locations in Iwo on Friday after reports were made to Amotekun about their nefarious activities.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crimes and were handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution,’’ Adewinmbi said.

The Amotekun commander urged Osun residents to always assist security agencies with information that could help to prevent crime and apprehend criminals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Alli Hakeem

By Victor Nwachukwu

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has sacked his Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr Ford Ozumba, over an on-going face-off between the Imo chapter of the NLC and the state government.

This is contained in a statement signed by the governor’s media aide, Mr Oguwike Nwachuku and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Saturday.

“Gov. Uzodimma has approved the immediate removal of Chief Ford Ozumba, Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, from office.

“Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba says the governor directed Chief Ozumba to hand over to the Permanent Secretary at the ministry with immediate effect,” the statement read.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company shut power supply to Imo since Thursday in compliance with NLC’s directive. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Alli Hakeem

By Edeki Igafe

The Catholic Diocese of Warri on Saturday appealed to political actors in Delta to respect the sacred lines as they go about their campaigns.

The Parish Priest of St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Effurun, Delta, the Very Rev. Fr. Mark Ikeke made the appeal in a statement issued in Warri.

The church was responding to rumours that Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate is not a Christian.

Ikeke declared that Omo-Agege is not only a Christian, but a baptised, practicing and dedicated member of the Catholic Church.

“Our attention has been drawn to a rumour that one of our parishioners, Sen. Omo-Agege, the Deputy President of the Senate is not a Christian.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Sen. Omo-Agege is a baptised, practicing and dedicated member of the Roman Catholic Church.

“He is a member of and a communicant in St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Government Reservation Area, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta,” Ikeke said.

He added that the church recognises that this is an election season and encourages political leaders and their supporters to strive to uphold decorum, respect sacred lines and show love to all in their campaigns.

According to him, the sole purpose of the press statement is to encourage decorum and uphold the truth regarding Sen. Omo-Agege’s religious identity.

“We hope and pray that our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should thoroughly guide our actions and inactions,’’ he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Alli Hakeem