By Angela Atabo

A civil society organisation, Connected Development (CODE) has unveiled a pre-election security assessment report and electoral intelligence technology to monitor the 2023 elections.

Mr Hamzat Lawal ,Chief Executive CODE , at the official launch in Abuja said the report has tagged “Same Currency for Violence; Troubling Elections” and the EI electoral monitoring tool were initiatives under its ”Uzabe” platform.

According to Lawal, using the Uzabe platform, CODE actively participated in election observation in Nigeria’s 2015 and 2019 General Elections and deployed over 10,000 observers in both polls.

He said that for the 2023 elections, leveraging the Uzabe platform, CODE would deploy 20,000 community-based observers to provide real-time situation reports from their polling units using two of its channels to provide structured and unstructured data.

“CODE is not interested in the result of the elections but interested in the processes of the elections to ensure that INEC’s guidelines are adequately met in this election.

“The high rate of insecurity as well as the cash crunch due to the Central Bank’s currency redesign policy has escalated the tension causing growing fears, and might impact voter turnout, and as well cause voter apathy among Nigerians.

“We know that corrupt politicians were planning to leverage on this situation to further induce voters, and we are scared that Nigerians may have no option than to sell their votes on election day because of the impact of access to naira.

“One area we are also concerned about is the fact that INEC, looking at the Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 as amended, has the powers to postpone this election on the possibility of breach of peace and security. ”

Lawal said that CODE was also partnering with Meta to help bring down fake news on social media that might make round on the day of the election.

He said that CODE would collaborate with security agencies and critical stakeholders who would use the platform to have security insights to improve security situations.

There will be an upcoming situation room by CODE on Friday Feb. 24 which will involve other CSOs.”

Also speaking, Mr Emmanuel Njoku , Director of Democracy and Governance, CODE , called for the need to extend Nigeria’s voting time from six hours upwards.

Njoku said that Kenya deployed technology similar to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS ) for its recently concluded 2022 Elections.

He said that Kenya’s voting population of about 22 million had about 11-12 hours to cast their ballot.

” Still, Nigeria with a larger population of registered voters allocated only six hours for voters to carry out their civic responsibility.”

Meanwhile , CODE also held a roundtable between media and Civil Society Organisations to drive collaborations on effective coverage and reporting of the 2023 elections.

The roundtable was on how CSOs and media practitioners could uphold the integrity of the electoral process and the forthcoming elections.

Present at the event were Directors and representatives from various CSOs like the International Centre for investigative reporting (ICIR), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC),and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Others were : SERAP, Accountability Lab, Radio Now, Citizen FM, Ready to Lead Africa, and other reputable media and Civil Society Organisations.

A memorandum of understanding(MOU) was signed between CODE and media organisations to facilitate collaborative efforts toward tackling fake news, misinformation, and disinformation that have the potential to significantly impact the 2023 elections. (NAN)(nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Sadiya Hamza

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government has urged the Chartered Institute for Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA) to evolve measures that will transform and promote the country’s transport sector.

Prince Ademola Adegoroye, the Minister of State for Transportation, made the call during the inauguration of the 2nd Governing Council of CIOTA in Abuja.

Adegoroye commended achievements of the institute, adding that it had supported the ministry in policy formulation, development of initiative and development of local capacity in the country.

Prince Segun Obayendo, President, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA), emphasised the need for synergy between relevant stakeholders and the government to advance the country’s transportation sector.

Obayendo said the collaboration would bring about the positive change desired in the nation’s transport sector.

Obayendo, Chairman of CIOTA’s Governing Council, said the council was the highest decision making body of the institute, charged with providing policy guidelines for effective administration of the institute.

He said, “ the implementation of these key responsibilities is germane, particularly as the institute strives to implement its laws and ensure professionalism and efficient management and administration of transportation in Nigeria.

“ There is therefore, a greater need for synergy among the newly constituted governing board, relevant stakeholders and the government at all levels.

He said such synergy would strengthen public engagements, advocacy initiatives and ensure implementation of policies for the mutual advancement of the transport sector.

While commending the visionary founding fathers of the institute, Obayendo said the institute had made giant commendable strides since its inception.

According to him, CIOTA has the onerous responsibility of advancing the study, training and regulating the practice of transport management and administration in Nigeria, regardless of the specialisation within the industry.

He said it also provided professional opinion to government on current and proposed transport policies, whether as a result of prepared legislation or custom and practice.

The governing council chairperson pledged the commitment of members to work with well -meaning stakeholders to bequeath an institute that would take the transportation sector to greater heights.

Dr Anthonia Ekpa, former Transport Director, Ministry of Transport, expressed her wiliness to support CIOTA in achieving its desired goals.

Ekpa, a member of the World Road Safety Organisation, said she planned to introduce the organisation in Nigeria, and sought the collaboration of the institute to ensure this was realised.

The Director-General, Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute, Prof. Sampson Duna, reiterated the need for collaboration among relevant stakeholders to ensure safe and cheap means of transportation for Nigerians.

“We are ready to partner with any stakeholder in the transport sector and fund their projects that is geared towards advancing the sector,’’ Duna said.

The Chairman, Membership and Planning Committee of the CIOTA, Prof. Odewumi Samuel, expressed optimism that the recently inaugurated council would develop measures that would help tackle most challenges faced in the sector.

The Deputy President of CIOTA, Alhaji Umar Iya, said he had confidence that the committee would move the institute forward and drive its policies.

Mrs Chinwe Uwaegbute, National Publicity Secretary of CIOTA, said the committee would as a matter of urgency, hit the ground running to ensure it delivered on its campaign promises.

“You will recall that the president, during his campaign, made a lot of promises; what we are looking at is that at the end of this inauguration, we want to hit the ground running.

“We are looking forward to a very realistic roadmap and how we can easily achieve them in the remaining space of months that we have for this tenure,’’ she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reintroduction of the old N200 note as legal tender alongside the new N200 note until April 10.

The president gave the approval in a nationwide broadcast on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the approval was necessitated by the need to cushion the hardship experienced by citizens following the implementation of the new monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Nigerian leader revealed that the approval was also as a result of wide consultations with relevant stakeholders.

”I similarly consulted widely with representatives of the State Governors as well as the Council of State. Above all, as an administration that respect the rule of law I have also noted that the subject matter is before the court of our land and some pronouncements had been made.

”To further ease the supply pressure particularly to our citizens, I have given approval to the CBN that the old N200 bank note be released back into circulation and that should also be allowed to circulate as a legal tender with the new N200, N500 and N1,000 bank notes for 60 days from Feb. 10, 2023 to April 10, 2023 when the old N200 ceases to be legal tender.

”In line section 20 sub-section 3 of the CBN Act 2007, all the existing old N1,000 and N500 notes remain redeemable at CBN and designated points.”

The president, who listed the advantages of the ongoing financial reforms embarked upon by the apex bank, challenged the citizens to make their deposits of the old notes by taking advantage of the platforms and windows being provided by the CBN.

According to him, he has since directed the CBN to deploy all legitimate resources and legal means to ensure that citizens are adequately educated on the new policy, enjoy easy access to cash withdrawal through availability of appropriate amount of currency and ability to make deposits.

He also directed the CBN to intensify collaboration with anti- corruption agencies in checking the activities of those who were bent on sabotaging the smooth implementation of the new Naira redesign policy.

He reassured that government would continue to assess the implementation of the policy with a view to ensuring that Nigerians are not unnecessarily burdened while urging the CBN to ensure the availability of the new Naira notes across the country.

The president, who called for more understanding from the citizens, reiterated the commitment of his administration to handover a financially stable economy to the incoming administration on May 29, 2023. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has tasked relevant stakeholders to support the Humanitarian Mine Action with a view to tackle its devastating impact of land mines on victims.

Farouk who was represented by the Director, Humanitarian Affairs Mr Grema Ali, said the call also underscored the Federal Government’s determination to grow capacity towards ensuring ownership of Humanitarian Mine Action Centre to be established soon.

The Minister spoke on Wednesday during a stakeholders meeting on the establishment of a National Humanitarian Mine Action Centre organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in Abuja.

She said that, Nigeria is a party to the United Nations convention relating to explosive ordinance and humanitarian mine action.

According to Farouk, each of the conventions places certain responsibilities on the Federal Government and Nigeria as a responsible member of the international community.

”Based on the Presidential directive, the Ministry has established the National Humanitarian Mine Action Committee.

“The committee is to tackle issues associated with mine action by leading and coordinating all humanitarian mine action activities in Nigeria,” she said.

The Minister said the Committee would provide neccessary advice, recommendations, plans and projects to ensure that Nigeria met its international obligations under the various conventions.

Farouk said that the ministry had identified mine action as one of the key strategic tasks that required involvement of all stakeholders to tackle.

She said this was by providing enabling environment through which personal security was guaranteed,  especially in the North-East.

”For instance, Explosive Ordinance mostly notably improvised explosive devices, cause deaths and severe injuries, impedes access to basic socio-economic activities.

”It also hampers safe resettlement and movement of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),” Farouk said.

Also speaking at the event, the Coordinator of Humanitarian Mine Action Committee, a retired Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu, said, the threats posed by the explosive ordinance especially in the northeast been documented in several national and international document.

Sadeeq noted that, the Buhari administration made humanitarian mine action a priority area.

” By identifying explosive ordinance risks as one of the challenges of return and prolonged displacement and had identified 38 targeted local government areas as directly affected by violent destructions and are contaminated by various types of explosive ordinances.

”While many of the communities reclaimed from insurgents through the successful advancement of the Nigerian military have been identified as booby-trapped with land mines and unexploded bombs.” he said.

In his goodwill message, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mr Buki Ponle, represented by Dr. Razak Owolabi, assured the gathering of the determination of his Agency to provide effective media coverage of activities of the Ministry.

Ponle also commended the ministry for their efforts to address cases associated with mine action in Nigeria(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

AMU/ORO
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Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari will make a national broadcast on Feb. 16, 2023 at 7.00a.m.

The President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, confirmed this in a statement late Wednesday night.

Adesina, therefore, enjoined television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Niger Delta Development Commission, in collaboration with the Savannah Centre for Development and Training L.td., on Wednesday in Abuja trained over 70 staffers of the commission on policy formulation and security management.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the training was: ” A management Implant on Policy Making in a Dynamic World and Security Management.”

Speaking to newsmen during the training, the Executive Director of the centre, Amb. Sani Bala, said that the aim of the training was to enhance the performance of the commission’s personnel.

Bala also said that the training would equip the staffers to have a better understanding of security issues in the Niger Delta, with a view to enabling them collaborate with the security agencies to ensure the security of the entire communities in the region.

He topics of the training centred on policy formulation, ”because all activities of organisations are largely dependent on the policies they produce to achieve our objectives and goals.

Bala said: “So, if you don’t have the right policy definitely you are going to have difficulties in attaining your goals and objectives and that is why we trained them on how to formulate policies.

” If you look at the content of the presentation on policy formulation it is very rich, comprehensive and garmane. The other aspects is on management. There is going to be a presentation management.

“How do you plan, organise, coordinate and also direct or implement the policy direction of the organisation? Then the third aspect is the issue of security because security is a very serious challenge, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

” And for any organisation that is going to operate in the Niger Delta region must be conscious of the security. So it is very important we equip the staff of NDDC on the issues of security challenges. How do you management, prevent the situation that may challenge the security of the region.”

Also, a Deputy Director at NDDC, Mr Chris Ekah, affirmed that the training was designed, among others, to equip the staffers with the relevant knowledge on policy making and assist them on how to deliver on the mandate of the NDDC.

“The second aspect of the training is on security management. As you are aware Niger Delta is a very volatile area unlike Abuja here, so we are training our staffers to be very mindful of the environment.

”It also focuses on how to guard themselves in the area as well as safeguard our information in terms of our work tools, information flow within the system and the commission,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, an Assistant Manager, Abuja Liaison Office of the commission, Mr Utin Archibong, said the training had been very incisive, educating and it brought to fore what policy formulation in context should look like.

He said: “It simply means that our policy should be more domesticated here, within our environment, the Niger Delta region and the country at large.

”And that it should be more inclusive because when we have a lots of inclusiveness, the outcome will be much more better than we see now.” (NAN) ( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani