By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and other African greats will be honoured at the maiden edition of The African Heritage Concert and Awards slated to hold in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 1.
Also, former President of Tanzania, late John Magufuli; Vice President of Liberia, Her Excellency, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor; Former President of Botswana, Retired Lt.-Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, and many other prominent Africans would also be honoured.
The organiser, Heritage Times (HT), in a statement said the Concert and Awards would celebrate and honour distinguished African personalities, who had dignified themselves through remarkable achievements across the globe.
This, the organizer says, has become imperative to foster the African culture of excellence and promote Afrocentrism.
The African Heritage Awards and Concert will be a celebration and global recognition of outstanding achievements made by Africans, including those residing in diaspora, in areas of Business, Politics, Philanthropy, Entertainment/Arts and Culture, Science and Technology, and Social Innovation.
Jonathan who served as President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, will be honoured with the African Democracy and Peace Icon Award.
His name was written in gold for being the first incumbent Nigerian President to cede power peacefully to opposition in the aftermath of an election, a move which saved the country from plunging into speculated crisis in 2015.
Ian Khama, Botswana’s fourth Head of State, will be honoured with the African Philantropist Award for stamping his reputation as an advocate of human rights and respecter of the rule of law.
His foundation, the SKI Khama Foundation, has immensely empowered youths, contributed to the health, education and sports sectors of the country.
Currently serving as Liberia’s 30th Vice President, Howard-Taylor would be bestowed with the African Humanitarian Award.
She has been a very visible and involved stateswoman, with a vision for affordable but quality education, transparent justice system, improved and accessible health system, women’s economic and political participation and an accountable public service system.
The late Magufuli would receive a posthumous African Icon Award for his giant strides during his short stint as President of Tanzania.
When he came on board, his government worked to banish a lot of the chronic problems in the Tanzanian administrative and political leadership.
He fought a structure riddled by systemic corruption, characterised by ghost workers on payroll, underperformance and laxity in public service and extravagant spending.
Other awardees are Victoria Nalongo Namusisi, Founder & Executive Director of the Bright Kids, Uganda, and Uganda’s first female Sports journalist; Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, Kenyan legal practitioner and Advocate of the High Courts of Kenya and Tanzania, Sir Benedict Peters, Founder and Managing Director/CEO of Aiteo Group.
Olumide Akpata Esq, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Hajiya Hafsat Kolere Buni, First Lady of Yobe State and Founder of Ma’aruf Foundation, Fred Swaniker, Founder, African Leadership University; Christelle Kwizera, Rwandan mechanical engineer and social entrepreneur, Triple Ghetto Kids, a dance group founded in 2014 and composed of children from the Katwe slum in Kampala, Uganda, adds to the list.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, as well as Ivorian/Chelsea football legend, Didier Drogba, will also be honoured. Industry players – Afrexim Bank, CEOs of MTN and Sonangol are also up for the Awards.
Aside bestowing international prestige and recognition, the Awards would focus on the critical importance of culture and leadership, which the organisers believe lies at the core of any shared advancement of socio-economic and political development in Africa.
The Afri-Heritage Awards would also cast a spotlight on individuals who, under challenging circumstances, have empowered their people and impacted their sphere of influence to pave the way for sustainable and equitable development.
Bearing in mind that Africa is root to a plethora of people all over the world who continue to thrive and evolve despite the many issues and challenges stemming from stereotypes, the organizers strongly affirm that the event will contribute immensely to changing the global perception of Africans, and also spur the needed critical mass for the attainment of cultural evolution and revolution in sustainable development.
The highpoint of the event would include creative performances from some of Africa’s best entertainers and presentation of awards to diligently selected individuals who have made remarkable impact to humanity.
It will feature presentations by notable persons and leaders, Awards conferment, performances by musicians, comedians and poets, and a party to cap it off.
According to the organisers, the choice of the cosmopolitan city of Kigali to play host to the maiden edition of The African Heritage Concert and Awards, was premised on the many successes of Rwanda as a Country that has now elevated itself in many respects as the pride and face of Africa.
Participation in the event would be open to persons willing to attend. Attendance will be based on registration and invitation. For Participation, kindly visit www.theheritagetimes.com/afriheritage. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, National Chairman of SWAGA and President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu 

By Naomi Sharang

The South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) has said that the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu will be the best president that Nigeria would ever have.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SWAGA is a foremost support group for Tinubu.

The group’s National Chairman, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye and National Secretary, Bosun Oladele, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

While congratulating Tinubu on his victory at the just-concluded Feb. 25 Presidential Election, the group described the victory as well-deserved.

“To us in SWAGA, the victory is likened to the final destination of a political journey which began over four decades ago, though laced with struggles and thorns unknown to many Nigerians.

“Saturday’s victory had its genesis in Tinubu’s days in the trenches where he fought with like minds.

“This was through the instrumentality of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), formed in 1994, Afenifere and other platforms to challenge the military junta which annulled the June 12, 1993 election of late Chief MKO Abiola and enthrone democratic rule in Nigeria.

“A man of uncommon courage and tenacity, Tinubu never looked back in his struggle to sustain and uphold democracy across the length and breath of the country.”

The statement said that Tinubu’s performance would exceed expectations.

“The president-elect will not lower the standard of good governance and delivery of democratic dividends, a trend synonymous with him throughout his eight years as Gov. of Lagos from 1999 to 2007.

“We assure all Nigerians that the President-elect will promote national unity, tackle insecurity, accelerate economic prosperity and give renewed hope to Nigerians especially our teeming youth population.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Kingsley Okoye

Sen. Shehu Sani, has attributed the success of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state parliamentary elections to strategic interface and grassroots mobilisation of the downtrodden.

Sani told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that prior to the election, a Technical Committee was inaugurated by the Kaduna state Chapter of PDP with him as Chairman.

Former Commissioner in Kaduna State, Mohammed Wusolo and ex-Kaduna House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Farakwai served as members.

He said the committee designed and embarked on a functional strategy to upstage the All Progressive Party (APC’s) National Assembly and the State Government’s preferred candidates in Feb. 25 elections.

Sani, a civil rights activist, said the committee mobilised members, voters and reached out to women and youth groups across party lines.

According to him, the committee also reached out to traditional rulers, workers and the aggrieved retrenched teachers in the state.

He said the committee embarked on mass media campaigns with support and solidarity of the public in the state.

This, he said, resulted in the opposition PDP wining 70 per cent of the seats contested for the parliamentary election.

According to him, results as announced by INEC indicate that the ruling APC won in four, while LP secured two seats, representing 20% and 10% respectively.

Sani said the results indicated that PDP finally garnered 10 of the 16 Federal Constituency seats in Kaduna. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Idris Abdulrahman

By Ismaila Chafe

President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday night met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, hours after collecting his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu was accompanied by Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

Others on the trip to Daura were the Governors of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai; Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu; Ebonyi, Dave Umahi; Zamfara, Bello Matawalle; Niger, Abubakar Sani-Bello; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar and Plateau, Simon Lalong.

NAN gathered that the President-elect used the opportunity to thank President Buhari for his support during the electioneering process.

President Buhari had openly displayed his ballot paper, with thumb print of APC, before casting his vote during the presidential election on Feb. 25.

Tinubu was declared the President-elect in the early hours of Wednesday by INEC, having defeated Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, among other presidential candidates.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Barr Kayode Ajulo, Constitutional Lawyer

By Femi Ogunshola

Dr Kayode Ajulo, a constitutional lawyer, has advised the Labour Party (LP) not to partner the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in seeking legal redress in the just-concluded presidential election.

Ajulo said this on Thursday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The LP and PDP have alleged irregularities in the conduct of the polls that produced Sen. Bola Tinubu as president-elect and indicated interest in legally challenging it.

“I find it strange that LP is parleying with the PDP, whereas when the PDP was supposed to negotiate with the LP it did not; LP should be wary of this alliance”, he said.

He therefore urged LP to distance itself from PDP and pursue its case alone if it strongly felt that the elections results were not acceptable.

He wondered why LP thought it would get justice through PDP that denied Peter Obi justice during the party primaries.

He, however, cautioned against making statements that could heat up the polity and jeopardise the nation’s democracy.

“No one should incite the youth against the country the court is there for anybody who is aggrieved to see redress.

“We cannot afford violence in this country. This country belongs to all of us; no frivolous application should be taken to court in the name of seeking legal redress”, he said.

He urged the leadership of LP and its presidential candidate to focus and nation building and March 11 governorship election. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Uche Anunne

Felicitation

By Bolanle Lawal
Mr Yomi Ayorinde, a former Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ekiti, has congratulated the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on his victory at the Feb. 25 presidential election, describing it as well-deserved.

Ayorinde, in a congratulatory message in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, expressed delight that Nigerians had freely given the former Lagos governor and National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) their mandate.

According to him, Tinubu’s victory is one built on years of hard work of a democrat, with evident credentials in both public and private administrations.

Ayorinde expressed confidence in the ability of the president-elect to turn around the fortunes of the country, as citizens look forward to the implementation of his visions for a new Nigeria.

He noted that Tinubu’s visions were clearly stated in his policy document during the electioneering.

Ayorinde, also the immediate past Chairman, Ekiti State Urban Renewal Agency, prayed God to imbue the president-elect with the desired wisdom in the task of transforming the country.

The former ALGON chief, who is also the party’s House of Assembly candidate for Ido/Osi Constituency II, congratulated the newly-elected National Assembly members in all the senatorial districts and federal constituencies in the state.

According to him, their victory represents the true voice of Ekiti people, who are determined to reward Gov. Biodun Oyebanji for his numerous people-friendly policies.

Ayorinde further appreciated the people of the state for their unwavering support and determination to deliver all the APC candidates at the election.

He also described the development as an attestation to APC’s popularity and acceptability by the people of the state.

Ayorinde urged all the newly-elected national assembly members to use their offices to facilitate dividends of democracy to the state and take it to greater heights. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso and ‘Wale Sadeeq

By Angela Atabo

Yiaga Africa, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has recommended legal timelines for testing new electoral technologies in Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.

The CSO made this suggestion in Abuja on Wednesday in its post-election statement signed by Dr Aisha Abdullahi, the Board Chair, and Mr Samson Itodo, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa.

According to the group, the testing timeline will equip the commission more to use its adopted technology effectively during election.

It said that for the Feb. 25 presidential election, Yiaga Africa employed the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology.

The CSO explained said that the organisation deployed 3,014 observers in pairs to a representative random sample of 1,507 polling units, 822 mobile observers in all 774 local government areas (LGAs), 36 states and the FCT.

“This deployment strategy enabled Yiaga Africa to provide timely and accurate information on the election day process commencing from the set-up, voter accreditation, voting, counting and to independently assess the official results of the presidential election as announced by INEC.

“This statement is based on reports from 1,454 to 1,507 (97 per cent ) sampled polling units in Nigeria.

“The PVT statistical analysis was based on the number of registered voters and not on the number of PVCs collected.”

It said that Yiaga Africa’s findings on the election included: late arrival of INEC officials at the polling unit, challenges with locating polling units and insufficient election materials.

The organisation listed others as functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), uploading and transmission of results, among others.

“Yiaga Africa expressed concerns about the delay in uploading polling unit results for the presidential election on the INEC Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

“Undoubtedly, the delay in uploading the polling unit-level results cast doubts on the credibility of the results management process resulting in broken public trust in electoral technology.

“Yiaga Africa notes that the delayed upload of the results on the IReV is a flagrant disregard of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines, and it failed to meet citizens’ expectations.”

It said that Yiaga Africa also condemned the cases of violence and disruption of the voting and results collation process by thugs and hoodlums, especially the violence targeted at National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and INEC staff.

The group said that the creation of additional polling units was a positive and long-needed step by INEC, however the implementation failed to address overcrowding.

As a result, there were polling units with fewer than 10 registered voters and others with over 10,000. Some voters who were migrated to new polling units experienced difficulties locating their respective polling units.”

Yiaga Africa also recommended a comprehensive audit and investigation to unravel the factors that led to the delay in the upload of election results on the online portal as critical.

It said that persons found complicit in sabotaging the critical aspect of the election should be sanctioned.

The CSO also advised INEC to provide clarifications on its interpretation of key aspects of the legal framework on issues like results collation and transmission process.

It said that there should also be clarity on the threshold for determining the winner in an election and the commission’s power to review election results declared under duress or in contravention of the Electoral Act, INEC Guidelines and Manual.

Besides, Yiaga Africa urged INEC to sustain the uploads of polling unit results form EC 8A on its IReV portal. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Patricia Amogu

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations known as the Global Network for Sustainable Development has expressed worry over the current situation in the country while urging Nigerians to remain calm.

The organisation therefore warned individuals, groups or political parties against provocative utterances capable of inciting society to violence

The National Co-ordinator of the group, Amb. Phil Roberts, gave the advice at a news conference  on Tuesday in Abuja.

“We are here in solidarity with the people of our dear Nation in such a historic moment as this, as a coalition of Civil Society Organisation’s, we represent the overall interests of the society.

“We are critical stakeholders in Democracy generally, and in the conduct of elections in particular, the most fundamental feature of democracy is free, credible and fair elections.

“We, therefore, express constructive views and concerns of our people in line with democratic tenets, and in compliance with all applicable provisions for the expression of civil and political opinions,” he said.

According to him, any deviations or departure from these vital elements renders the whole electoral process an exercise in futility.

“To speak out against electoral malpractices and rigging, should not be taken as public incitement to violence.

“As civil society organisations, we monitored the elections and from what we saw it is obvious that those inciting people to violence are those who  hired armed thugs to intimidate and harass citizens, making it difficult, if not impossible for them to freely exercise their franchise.

‘As watchdogs from the youth fronts, we want to use this medium to urge all politicians, political parties and their stakeholders to be mindful of the way they speak as the polity is already heated up.

”We, therefore, take the statement by one Mr. Dele Alake , Special Advicer, Media and Communication, All Progressive Congress , Presidential Campaign Council, for the apprehension of the cleric, Dr Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and others as a direct affront on democracy and freedom of speech in this country.

“As a free citizen of this country, and a major stakeholder in society, Dr Paul Enenche has the freedom to express his opinions in matters of national importance.”

Dr Salihu Dantata, Director of Security, Arewa Youths for Peace and Security, said that everyone had rights to speak and should not be stopped from expressing their views.

“Our fathers of Faith who have been speaking the truth should not be threatened , I see no reason why somebody should call for his arrest.

Pastor Love Sheyin, speaking on behalf of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)noted that strategic solutions should be brought forward to solve the issues revolving around the elections to dispel any form of violence among the youths.

They called on all political parties to also be careful in their choice of words in such a time as this because as patriots of this country we believe in  Nigeria. Thus we don’t have any other place to call home(NAN)(www.nannews.com)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola