Tinubu Presents Economic Plan To The Nigerian Economic Summit Group

 

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT today unfolded his comprehensive economic plan before the organised private sector under the aegis of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. #TinubuAtNESG #RenewedHope2023 #TinubuShettima2023

INEC Officials Frustrating Nigerians Willing To Collect PVCs - Labour Party

 The Labour Party on Wednesday raised alarm over the slow pace at which staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are giving out Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to Nigerians who are willing to vote in the 2023 general elections.

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Chief Spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LP-PCC) in a statement made available to DAILY INDEPENDENT said with just two weeks to the deadline given by INEC for the collection of PVCs, most Nigerians are unable to collect it due to ineptitude and delay tactics by INEC officials.

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".

Tinubu Unfit To Hold Office As President – Atiku’s Campaign Organization

 Ahead of next month’s election, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organization said the candidate of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is unfit to hold office as President of Nigeria.

The former Vice President’s campaign organization also added that Tinunu is unhealthy and not as energetic as the PDP’s candidate.

In a statement by one of its spokespersons, Kola Ologbondiya, Wednesday, the campaign described as ludicrous the failed attempt of Tinubu to allegedly impugn the impeccable character and integrity of Atiku.

The statement read in part “It is imperative to observe that our campaign had focused on issues and refrained from Tinubu’s appalling health issues before this ignoble public dance of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign.

“However, since Tinubu by himself has opened the channels for Nigerians to examine his ill health, we have no other option than to further expose that the APC Candidate must be suffering from manifest Parkinson’s disease accompanied by incontinence. 

“For clarity, Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder which symptoms include shaking hands, stiffness of limbs, difficulty with coordination, problem with balance when walking; articulation disorder, memory problems as well as general mental and physical weakness which are all being witnessed in the APC Presidential Candidate.

“This perhaps accounts for the desperation, the endless gaffes, the articulation errors, the incoherence, the many blunders and disconnection from reality for which Asiwaju Tinubu has become the butt of weird jokes among Nigerians and internationally.

“It is rather unfortunate that the APC Presidential Candidate, who cannot stand erect or walk up an elevation unaided, who is plagued by visible tremor of the hands, who palpitates at the slightest physical exertion and who is reported in the public space as being challenged by incontinence could attempt to speak on the health status of any Nigerian.

“Moreover, some medical professionals have associated certain cases of nerve cell death with narcotic use and unhealthy lifestyle and our campaign urges Tinubu to examine himself in that regard”.

“Asiwaju Tinubu should rather hide his face in shame given his malodourous activities for which well-meaning Nigerians have dissociated themselves from his Presidential Campaign.

“In any case, Nigerians are aware that Tinubu is not ethically, physically, and mentally fit to hold office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, unlike the decent, honest, physically, mentally, and emotionally fit Atiku Abubakar, who exhibits the manifest readiness, intellectual alertness, capacity and experience to lead our nation at this critical time”.

Adeleke Proscribes NURTW, Other Road Transport Unions In Osun

 Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has proscribed the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other transport unions operating at motor parks in the state.

Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the governor, made the announcement in a statement on Monday.

He said the proscription of the unions was to solve insecurity challenges, eradicate illegal destruction of public properties and unlawfully killings when rival unions groups attack each other.

Crisis started among members of the transport union when a faction threatened to seize control of motor parks from union officials and members of the NURTW.

The faction claimed that the NURTW officials worked against Mr Adeleke in the July governorship election.

There had been several clashes between the transport union workers which had resulted in damage to public properties and many had been injured. Police in the state said they had arrested some suspects in connection with the crisis and ammunition were recovered from them.

But the state government proscribed all transport unions in the state and announced that motor parks will be managed by a new transport management system. The governor’s spokesperson explained that the new transport management system will also provide employment for residents and increase the state’s internally generated revenue.

He also explained that the new transport management system will control both “vehicles and cycles” parks across the state.

Mr Rasheed also announced that the new transport management will have a disciplinary committee constituting eleven team members.

“The Disciplinary Committee will swear in Comrade Wakeel Nurudeen Oluronbi for the Vehicle sector of the Transport System and Comrade Oyeniyi Sikiru Ayobami to head the Cycles sector,” he said.

Pictures Of Aisha Yesufu On Labour Party Campaign Trail

 Aisha on the campaign trail.

Buhari: We Will Improve Security, Revamp Economy Before Leaving Office

 President Muhammadu Buhari has promise that his administration will improve on security and revamp the economy before handing over on May 29th of 2023.

Buhari made this promise while receiving the executive members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House on Wednesday.

According to Buhari, the gains recorded in security will be further consolidated, and more attention will be given to the economy.

The President said the security situation had improved over the years, particularly in the North East where the focus had shifted to rebuilding infrastructure and re-orientation on education.

He said, “I am very grateful for your visit to the Presidential Villa, and I agree with you on some of the observations you have made. The question of insecurity is most important to us because unless a country or institution is at peace, it will be difficult to manage.

“I just came back from Adamawa and Yobe States. During the visit to both states, I listened carefully to what the people and officials had to say. And they all said the situation had improved since 2015, especially in Borno State.

“Boko Haram was just fraudulent and a plot to destroy Nigeria. You can’t say people should not learn; the people need to grow intellectually,’’ he said.

Buhari told the Catholic Bishops that the government will continue rebuilding infrastructure in parts of the country affected by terrorist attacks, while underscoring that terrorists had no control over any space in Nigeria.

“Some people have acknowledged the difference,’’ he added.

On the economy, the President said creditors had full confidence in Nigeria, with the capacity to utilize resources and repay loans before the approvals were granted.

“We are credible, that’s why the countries and institutions agreed to support our development with the loans,’’ he stated.

President Buhari said the destruction of oil facilities slowed the generation of revenues, and the government would be harder on saboteurs.

“If you look at the economy, we are trying hard to rely more on ourselves. Nigerians rely more on agriculture for livelihood, and we are putting in our best to enable more people, and diversify,’’ the President noted.

He said some of the challenges faced in the past, which include coups and counter-coups, and civil war, had prepared the nation for survival.

“We thank God that Nigeria is still one,’’ he said. “We should not forget that more than a million died for the nation to survive.’’

The President noted that he had been part of Nigeria’s history since 1967, fighting in the civil war, serving as governor, minister, Head of State, Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund, contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011, before winning in 2015.

“We should thank God, and we should reflect on these things and thank God more,’’ he added.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, commended the President for reforms in the electoral system, making it more stable and fair, particularly the signing of the Electoral Bill into law.

“We commend and congratulate you for the efforts the government has put into ensuring real improvement in our electoral system and processes, especially your signing into law the electoral bill.

“Please do not relent in making sure that INEC and other relevant agencies of government carry out their serious duties to conduct peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections,’’ he said.

Ugorji urged the President to use the remaining months in office as Commander-in-Chief to tackle insecurity in the country, and improve the economy.

“The main crux of our message to you today is one of fervent appeal and strong encouragement. Your tenure of two terms as President, Commander-In-Chief of Nigeria, is drawing to an end. But we believe a lot can be done to turn things around for the better in the about four months left of your presidency before you step down in May 2023.

“We have seen some signs that the government is not entirely incapable of tackling the sad state of insecurity in the land, which has consumed thousands of innocent Nigerians across all religions, creed, and ethnic groups,’’ the cleric said.

Airtel Acquires 5G, 4G Spectrums For $317 Million To Offer 5G Service In Nigeria

 Airtel Nigeria on Monday announced the acquisition of 5G spectrum and an additional spectrum for its 4G network for a total sum of $316.7 million.

According to a statement by the local unit of Airtel Africa, the decision is part of its commitment to deepen higher-speed connectivity in Nigeria by way of 5G cellular technology.

The company said that it purchased 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500MHz band and 2x5MHz of 2600MHz from the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), for a gross consideration of $316.7m, payable in the local currency.

A strategic strand of a broader plan to boost Airtel Nigeria’s mobile data network as well as the power of its fixed wireless home broadband, the spectrum purchase raises Airtel Nigeria’s current capacity ahead of the rollout of 5G technology.

The company seeks to gain the timely traction needed to earn itself a good place in the fifth-generation technology segment of Africa’s largest telecom market where two early birds secured operational licenses in 2021.

“The acquisition of 5G spectrum will underpin our growth strategy by enabling the launch of higher speed connectivity to enhance customer service and accelerate digitalisation for consumers, enterprises and the public sector,” the document said.

On Monday, shares in Airtel Africa climbed 5.2 per cent to N1,630 per unit on Lagos’ Customs Street at 13:28 WAT after the news hit the market, pushing its market value above N6.1 trillion, the biggest by any publicly traded company in the country.


Airtel Nigeria gave up an early chance to run 5G technology in Nigeria when, in December 2021, big rival MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications snapped up the two available permits at the premier auction arranged by the NCC.

While MTN teed off operations in August, Mafab sought a five-month extension due this month from the regulator for its own launch.

Nigeria is the biggest market of both Airtel Africa and the MTN Group (the parent company of MTN Nigeria).

Airtel Nigeria has assured the expansion drive will ease connectivity at a faster pace to enable improved customer service delivery and fast-track access to digitalisation for consumers, businesses and the public sector.

The corporation is weighing up “the (shallow) penetration of data customers in Nigeria”, where Alliance for Affordable Internet say fewer than 44 per cent of the people have access to smartphones and sees the gap as a room to foster growth.

“Nigeria is a market with enormous potential for future growth in mobile services,” said Segun Ogunsanya, CEO of Airtel Africa.

“Investment in new technologies and local infrastructure to enable this growth is a strategic priority for the group and will ensure we are able to provide reliable and affordable services to local communities across the country,” he added.