National News

2023: APC postpones sale of nomination forms indefinitely

Published

3 years ago

April 23, 2022

2023: APC postpones sale of nomination forms indefinitely

The sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for electoral positions in the All Progressives Congress, earlier slated for today (Saturday), has been postponed.

This is because the contractor responsible for printing the forms did not deliver them at the agreed time.

After the party’s National Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced that the APC would begin selling the nomination and EoI forms on Saturday.

However, at the close of business on Friday, the APC Directorate of Organisation had not received the forms.

The report gathered that the party had not yet perfected its procedures for the sale of the forms and the primary elections are slated to run from May 18 to June 1, 2022.

Speaking to our correspondent on Friday, a top party source, who asked not to be mentioned, said no new date had been fixed for the sale of forms.

The source stated, “The sale of forms earlier slated for tomorrow (Saturday) has been postponed. No date has been fixed for the commencement of the exercise. The NWC will determine the new date on Monday.

“The postponement became necessary following the inability of the contractor to deliver the forms. As we talk now (Friday evening), the printer has yet to deliver the forms. We hope the exercise will commence next week as the contractor is expected to deliver by the weekend.”

Meanwhile, the six directors of the APC at Buhari House have been directed to embark on a compulsory leave beginning from Friday.

This is part of plans by the National Working Committee to “reorganise the national secretariat.”

Among those affected by the new instruction is the head of the party’s legal department.

According to a letter dated April 21, 2022, and signed by the National Secretary, Dr Iyiola Omisore, all the directors are to hand over their departments to the most senior officials below them.

This decision is in line with the recommendation of the Transition Committee set up by Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC three weeks ago.

Newsmen had on April 1, 2022, reported that the Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, hinted at his intention to probe the national secretariat as well as the directors.

Adamu said this after receiving his certificate of return from the National Convention Election Committee led by Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru.

Speaking to party officials at the time, he said, “I am a team player and as much as possible, I want to carry everybody along. We will definitely, by the will of God Almighty, need to look at the secretariat, but I’m not saying anything today until the transition committee submits its report.”

An impeccable party source revealed that the new move was part of efforts by the NWC to reorganise the secretariat.

When contacted for his comments on the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, did not take his calls and had not responded to text messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

In another development, the party has assured aspirants, who honoured its consensus arrangement by stepping down during last month’s national convention, of the refund of their form fees.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), after a meeting with chairmanship aspirants of the APC shortly before the convention directed the party to refund the form fees to those stepping down for Adamu.

On the convention ground in the late hours of Saturday, March 26, 2022, the chairman of the election committee, Badaru, announced that all aspirants to various offices who stepped down for their respective consensus candidates would be refunded their form fees.

In an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, Morka had assured the aspirants that their money would be refunded once the transition committee was done with its job.

“We are a responsible party and we will stick with our promise to return all the money to the aspirants who stepped down. But at the moment, there is a process going on being handled by the transition committee. When that is done, we will make the refund,” he had said.

National News

Nigeria Officially Joins BRICS

Published

3 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria Officially Joins BRICS

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has officially accepted to join BRICS as a partner country.

The Nigeria’s acceptance to join the group was communicated in a statement on Saturday by the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

The statement read: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country. The formal acceptance to participate as a partner country underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, leveraging economic opportunities, and advancing strategic partnerships that align with Nigeria’s development objectives.

“BRICS, as a collective of major emerging economies, presents a unique platform for Nigeria to enhance trade, investment, and socio-economic cooperation with member countries.”

The statement added that: “Nigeria is poised to leverage this platform to advance shared goals in trade and investment, energy security, infrastructure development, technology, and climate change. This partnership also aligns with our national aspirations for inclusive growth, regional integration, and active participation in shaping a fair and equitable global economic order in line with our ethos of strategic autonomy.

“Nigeria looks forward to engaging constructively with BRICS members to drive innovation, foster people-to-people exchanges in line with our national interests and strategic priorities.”

Nigeria Officially Joins BRICS

National News

FFS Calls on Fuel Station Owners, Tankers Operators to Take Action at Addressing Recklessness of their Drivers , Employees

Published

3 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FFS Calls on Fuel Station Owners, Tankers Operators to Take Action at Addressing Recklessness of their Drivers , Employees

By: Michael Mike

The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji has called on fuel station owners and tanker operators to take immediate action in addressing reckless driving by their drivers, especially on major roads and dangerous bends.

The call followed the tragic fuel tanker explosion in Niger State that claimed over 60 lives and left many others severely injured.

Speaking to journalists, Jaji reiterated the need for an urgent review of safety protocols governing fuel transportation across the nation.

The Controller-General while expressing concern over the frequent tanker explosions and fuel station incidents in the country, warned that even a small static spark or gas leak can result in rapid, deadly explosions.

Jaji who highlighted the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, noted that it has a highly fatal risk. “Fuel vapors and leaks can ignite at any moment,” he cautioned.

He said: “Your life is worth more than a few litres of fuel,” warning that approaching a fuel spill is not only dangerous but could be fatal.

He urged the public to avoid accident sites and instead contact the Federal Fire Service for prompt intervention.

The Fire Service boss also called on Nigerians, particularly operators of fuel stations, gas refilling plants, and users of gas cylinders, to strictly follow safety measures to prevent further catastrophe.

Jaji however extended his condolences to the families affected by the recent tragedy and commended the first responders for their dedication, which he described as a testament to the nation’s resilience.

He expressed his heartfelt prayers for those grieving, asking for divine strength to help them cope with their loss.

He took the time to express the importance of prioritizing safety and public awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future. “Every life is precious, and we must do everything in our power to protect our citizens,” he urged.

He reiterated the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to enhancing safety awareness and called for the swift passage of the Fire Service Act of 1963, which is currently under review at the National Assembly. He argued that the outdated law is inadequate to address current fire safety challenges and needs to be modernized to better regulate fire safety measures and reduce incidents like this in the future.

National News

German Ambs, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre

Published

1 day ago

January 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

German Ambs, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre

By: Our Reporter

The Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Annet Gunther, and the resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme to Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, unveiled two projects executed by the administration of Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, in Monguno town.

While the German Ambassador unveiled resettlement houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs), Nigeria’s UNDP Country Representative conducted the commissioning of a 100-person capacity ICT centre to facilitate digital education.

The housing estate consists of 1,000 two-bedroom semi-detached low-cost houses and another 900 semi-permanent shelters with basic amenities such as a health centre and a borehole for water provision.

About 1,874 IDP families from 14 communities benefited from the housing project. Each of them received food and non-food items, N50,000 cash for the household heads and another N20,000 for each housewife.

In her goodwill message, Madam Annet Gunther commended Governor Zulum for the laudable projects that helped people affected by insurgency pick up the pieces of their lives.

She said: “This housing project is also a great example of collaboration between the government of Borno State and international partners. Funding for the housing units comes from both the state government and international partners.”

Elsie Attafuah corroborated Gunther’s commendation of Zulum’s administration, noting that the housing project aligns with UNDP’s regional stabilisation effort which is working towards peace restoration in communities in Lake Chad area.

Governor Zulum, in his address, explained that while the German Government funded the construction of 500 permanent and another 900 semi-permanent shelters, Borno State Government constructed the remaining 500 houses and provided amenities such as a health centre and potable water among others.

“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed between Borno State Government and UNDP in 2020 under the RS German initiative to start the construction of 500 housing units. In August 2023, another LOA was signed under RSF German reintegration funds aimed at completing the 500 permanent housing units, providing an additional 900 semi-permanent shelters, and installing 375 solar streetlights,” the governor said.

He added that in addition to these efforts, Borno State Government had also constructed 500 permanent housing units and provided toilets for the temporary shelters, bringing the total number of houses constructed to 1,900.

According to Zulum, these accommodations will play a crucial role in the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of some IDP camps in Monguno, ensuring a smoother transition for resettling families.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Governments of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt and the European Union, among other donors for supporting Borno State.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Germany for their generous contribution and to UNDP for their unwavering partnership.

“Additionally, we thank all other donors and contributors to the RSF, UN OFFER, and other funding initiatives dedicated to promoting peace, stability, reintegration and development in Borno State,” Zulum stated.

Dignitaries, including the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Foud, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, Esty Sotyoko, the head of UNDP office, Maiduguri, Mathew Alao, community leaders and citizens, gathered to witness the commissioning ceremony.

German Ambs, UNDP Country Rep unveil Zulum’s mass housing units, ICT centre