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ACF Backs Removal of Subsidy as Solution to Fuel Scarcity

…Commends Kyari Led NNPCL Management

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has thrown its weight behind the clamour for removal of subsidy as the only remedy for recurring fuel Scarcity across the country.

According to the northern based political and socio-cultural organization, the best way for the National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)to make fuel available always is to removed subsidy completely.

The Secretary-General of ACF,Murtala Aliyu, who disclosed this in an interview said ,”For as long as we continue to import fuel, we have to subsidize it and doing so, will certainly make government resources to continue to be limited .

He vehemently kicked against the idea of borrowing money to pay for subsidy, adding that government has been shying away from the issue of subsidy and this is where the problem resides .

He further explained : “We all know that Petrol; diesel , kerosene and gas are all utilities . Like we buy firewoods, pay for water and pay for electricity, if we want to use it, we should pay for petrol too.It will definitely put cost on transportation, and other things but, that is the reality of the situation .

While noting that If subsidy is removed,there would be enough resources to provide for security of lives and property of the citizens; education, health care etc, he expressed strong support for open market for marketers to do the importation and sell freely.

” I am sure if this is done, the rate will crash because ,products will be are available . And certainly, issue of price hikes will be over. Let the market forces of demand and supply determine price of goods and services .” He stated .

Meanwhile ,he urged the Management of Engineer Mele Kyari led Management of National Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to intensify efforts to ensure the recent fuel queues at filling stations across Nigeria disappear .

On the performance of NNPC under Mele Kyari ,the ACF Scribe said ,” If you’re talking about the performance of the NNPCL or the oil sector generally, I think since the Buhari administration came up, we have had less problem with fuel queues until recently .

He therefore urged the leadership of NNPCL to redeem the good image hitherto achieved in recent years as a company with improved performance and ensure that the issue of long queues in the filling stations are addressed immediately.

Fielding question on issue of oil discovery in the north, the ACF Scribe, said there is not exciting the news of about oil discovery in the north .

He explained: In the first place ,the issue of discovering oil should not a competition matter ,but something that the whole country should be happy with .

“I can tell you that if for any reason we discovered oil anywhere Within the country, we should all be happy because, it’s an additional resources that will help provide more jobs ,lead to sustainable growth and development .

“If there is oil in commercial quantity found inland ,it should not be used for export,but processed for internal consumption.

“We can have modular refineries all around to produce the crude oil discovered in Gombe and Bauchi states .And where there is gas, we should use it for generation of energy instead of looking at it from the export dimensions. And if it becomes abundant ,even our neighbours can now benefit.”

While stating that discovery of oil in the north is a positive thing, he advised, “It shouldn’t be about export or 13 per cent derivation,but about the fact that there is enough resources for the country,for the population to enjoy .

“We in the ACF are not expressing undue excitement about oil discovery in the north.”

“People look at things politically ,they think north needs to also measure up because the see you as not producing anything . If you at the Nigerian GDP ,Oil is responsible for less 10 per cent, Which means there is something else keeping the country together like Agriculture.

“Secondly , agriculture provides more employment than any other sector which means they engage the economy more the oil sector .

“I think not just oil any other resources that help could help the teeming masses to more comfortable and wealthier. ,I think government should embark on exploration of such resources.”

Atiku Approves Appointment Of Engineer Omoyibo’s As Foundation’s Delta Patron

By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna

In view of his patriotic zeal and philanthropic large heart, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar GCON has approved the appointment of Engineer Daniel E. Omoyibo as the Delta State Patron of the Atiku Care Foundation.

A statement signed by the Director Media and Publicity, Atiku Care Foundation, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday January 26, 2023, this was made known by the Foundation’s Director General, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, same day.

Following the approval, the Induction ceremony of Chief Dr Engineer Daniel E. Omoyibo as the Delta State Patron of the Atiku Care Foundation has been held on January 26.

It explained that Engineer Omoyibo’s philanthropic legacies know no bounds, as it has touched several lives, near and far from him, even several he has never come in contact with.

“Engineer Daniel Omoyibo, Chief Executive Officer of Danmotech Ltd and Dantinajo Gold Resort Ltd is one man that is creatively passionate about providing jobs for both Isoko youth and adults in his home state Delta.

“His passionate drive in entrepreneurial legacies over the years has endeared the public, especially the less privileged to him,” the statement said.

According to the statement, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar congratulated him for the approval as the patron of the foundation, while urging him to keep up the good work of tuching the lives of the downtrodden.

Atiku Approves Appointment Of Engineer Omotibo’s As Foundation’s Delta Patron

By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna

Following the approval, the Induction ceremony of Chief Dr Engineer Daniel E. Omoyibo as the Delta State Patron of the Atiku Care Foundation has been held on January 26.

It explained that Engineer Omotibo’s philanthropic legacies know no bounds, as it has touched several lives, near and far from him, even several he has never come in contact with.

“His passionate drive in entrepreneurial legacies over the years has endeared the public, especially the less privileged to him,” the statement said.

Alleged Perjury: Hon Uchenna Igwebuike Ekwe Heads To Prison

On Wednesday January 25, 2023, Hon. Uchenna Igwebuike Ekwe was arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory Magistrate Court, sitting in Abuja before Chief Magistrate Grade 1 in Charge No. CR/WZ11/485/2022 for offence bothering on forgery of documents contrary to Section 366 of Penal Code.

It woukld recalled that Hon. Uchenna Igwebuike Ekwe (Accused Person) and his cohorts, were alleged to have illegally facilitated the purported substitution of the name of Hon. Chukwuma Christopher Amadi, the former Senatorial candidate of Labour Party for Enugu West Senatorial District of Enugu State for the 2023 General Election.

Hon. Chukwuma Amadi filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1194/2022 Hon. Chukwuma Christopher Amadi Vs. Labour Party & Others, challenging the illegal substitution of his name.

The accused person in a feeble attempt to perpetuate the illegality, applied to be joined in the suit and to defend the illegal substitution, he was accordingly joined by the learned presiding Judge.

Hon. Uchenna Igwebuike Ekwe in his Counter Affidavit in opposition to Hon. Amadi’s suit, deposed to facts and attached fraudulent and spurious documents as exhibits purporting that Hon. Chukwuma Christopher Amadi voluntarily withdrew his candidature and personally submitted the letter of withdrawal to the National Secretariat of Labour Party.

Disturbed by the brazen illegality and desperation exhibited by Hon. Ekwe, Hon. Amadi wrote to relevant authorities which confirmed that the documents verified by Hon. Ekwe on oath and attached to his Counter Affidavit were fraudulent and did not emanate from them, hence the direct criminal complaint lodged by Hon. Chukwuma Christopher Amadi calling for the thorough investigation of the documents and prosecution of the culprits.

The discrete investigation of the complaint revealed a prima facie case of alleged forgery and dishonesty against Hon. Uchenna Igwebuike Ekwe hence, his arraignment in Court on Wednesday.

On being arraigned in Court, Hon. Uchenna Igwebuike Ekwe pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail by the trial court.

However, as at the time of filing this report, it is unclear whether Hon. Uchenna Igwebuike Ekwe has been able to fulfill the bail terms or remanded in prison till the perfection of the bail terms.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on November 24, 2022, declared the purported substitution of Hon. Chukwuma Christopher Amadi’s name as illegal, null and void and further held that Hon. Amadi remains the rightful Labour Party Senatorial candidate of Enugu West for 2023 General Election.

PDP Sponsored Naja’atu to Blackmail Tinubu -Eng. Kailani Muhammad

…Says No ‘Political Prostitute’ Can Stop Tinubu/Shettima Combination as Best Option For Nigeria

….

National Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Network (TSN) ,Engineer (Dr.) Kailani Muhammad has described Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammad as a ‘Political Prostitute’,who was sponsored by the People’s Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate to blackmail the All Progressives Congress Presidential flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Hajia Naja’atu Muhammad resigned last Saturday from the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council, saying her conscience would not allow her to continue as member.

She had also said the party’s standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was too sick and possibly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease as he could not hold a teacup when she visited him in London some time ago.

But Kailani in a reaction to Naja’atu’s ,said her statements are not only contradictory,but absolutely fallacious.

The TSN National Coordinator, who briefed supporters on the journey so far about the group’s mobilisation drive for Tinubu/Shettima as President and running mate , said Hajiya Naja’atu is a complete disappointment , failure and should not be taken seriously.

He explained: “This was a woman, who was with us in ANPP; CPC and later APC.She ran away to PDP and returned to APC ,today she has ran away again .what she said in the social media yesterday is contradictory and fallacious.

“It was blunt lies to say she went to London to meet Tinubu and discovered he was sick .

“We know she has been sponsored by PDP and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,because she has been working for them.”

While urging electorate to disregard her statements, he however described Naja’atu as a political prostitute,who moved from one place to another. adding “No serious and principled politician will do that.

“We have been in one party for over 20 years and never shifted post .When you believe in something ,you stand by it and that’s what we have done.”

On issue of the forthcoming general elections, Kailani disclosed that the Tinubu/Shettima Network as a group has been able to register over 15 thousand support group members and still working to recruiting more to prosecute the February 25 ,2023 presidential election.

“We are the option B for APC, we did that for President Muhammadu Buhari with the National Votes Guard and Awareness of President Muhammadu Buhari group and we are going to do it again for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

” We have enemies of progress in Nigeria , those propagandists that have been saying all sorts of things against Tinubu. Unfortunately they do so with no facts ,just the normal Nigerian factor.

“Some said he’s sick but we saw him dancing yesterday in Kano .How can someone who is unhealthy be dancing life on stage during campaigns for almost two hours while he addressed mammoth crowd of clerics and leaders .

“Governance is about intelligence and those that know how to turn around the economy just like he did in Lagos over years .

“It is on record that Tinubu turned the economy of Lagos with a record of high sustainable IGR generation . Today the economy of Lagos is bigger than that of the entire West Africa.

“That is what we want him to come and do for Nigeria .We need a leader that can coordinate resources for greater Nigeria.

“As contained in the renewed Hope Manifesto which places emphasis on health,education, infrastructure and several sectors of the economy. We believe by the time Nigerians vote for Tinubu/ Shettima most of our problems would be solved.”

On issues of allegations of narcotics and source of wealth,Kailani said,people have questioned it and IMF and several international bodies have investigated him and found nothing indicting .

“Tinubu is a businessman, who has capacity to turn one Kobo to one naira and to millions and he said it categorically that people are enving him .

He therefore, urged Nigerians to shun the the cock-and-bull stories about Tinubu.

“Just yesterday we saw some vehicles with banners of APC at PDP secretariat ,is about propaganda by enemies of progress and they want to cause confusion.”

Don’t Vote for Absentee Leader: ADC Candidate Charges Women.

Candidate of the African Democratic Congress Party ADC for Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo has charged women to make critical assessment of people who are vying for various political positions and make an informed decision against voting people that will abandoned them after the election.

Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi made the plea in Sabon Tasha of Chikun Local Government Area Kaduna State at the launch of the second batch of an empowerment training program for women in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency.

She explained that she has come into the scene of political expedience to plant a lasting seeds of difference which is to walk along with the people and always be available when she is most needed.

Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo explained that she had since started an empowerment program for women before joining politics and promised to expand the programmes to all less previlleged people in the constituency if voted into power to prevent redundancy and overdependence.

According to the ADC Candidate, it was her choice not to engage in the conventional political rallies as many contestants are engaged into but to channel the resources that could be used for the rally into more meaningful venture which is women empowerment that could developed their skills into production of variety of usable products.

Some participants at the training, Mrs. Justina Ayewa and Malama Wasila Kabiru expressed excitement on the training and empowerment program initiated by the ADC candidate which will make them independent reduce redundancy among the women.

According to them, non of the crop of political office holders have thought of such innovations to providing skills on cosmetology to them except Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo who has not even clinched the position.

“You can see that the candidate is yet to be at the National Assembly but she has started showing us her leadership principles which will take us to the next level and not as the people we elect and they have forgotten about us”.

Also speaking, the Party Chairman for Chikun Local Government Mr. Victor Boniface Kure expressed confidence that the training and empowerment program will boost the party’s chances of winning the election.

Mr. Victor Boniface narrated that the party was engaged in House to House campaign to sensitise the constituents on the party manifestos and also win their hearts into voting the party in the upcoming February general election.

ADC Candidate, Hawwa Gambo Trains, Empowers One Thousand Women

• Says Women are Society Builders

• Plans in the offing to train youths, men The Alliance For Democracy( ADC) Candidate for Kajuru Chikun Federal Constituency (House of Representatives) in the forthcoming election, Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo has commenced the second lap of the 1000 Women Skills and Empowerment Scheme .

About 100 women drawn from Sabon Tasha, Maraban Rido, Ungwan Bulus and environs are currently been trained on how to make soap, jelly and air freshener at the Kataf Township Hall in Sabon Tasha kaduna

According to Hon Hawwa, after the training program each of the women would be given starter packs to enable them to start some forms of trade or business. She revealed that the training program would be a continuous thing with the aim of empowering women in order to reduce their dependency on male folks.

The ADC candidate further explained her choice of training and empowering women .

“Women are the pillar and builders of the society, when they are weak, it means the society would be weak, but when women are empowered,they would build up a very strong and virile society .

While responding to questions from journalists, the politician cum activist also said plans are afoot to train youths and men as well .

Ann Gwaza, the women leader and the campaign coordinator Hajia Hawwa Gambo Organisation that the project is aimed at empowering women because empowering women is like empowering the whole nation, she therefore, urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the skills they would learn to make sure they better their lives and that of their society

She further added

“Hawwa been passionate about the people in Chikun and Kajuru have started doing things for her constituency members even when she has not been elected yet

“If she is elected, Hawwa would do more ,Gwaza concluded

The Chairman of the ADC in Chikun Local Government Area, Victor Boniface while speaking to the beneficiaries of the scheme urged them to vote for the candidate of the ADC , Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo promising that she would not disappoint them.

Some of the women who also expressed their appreciation to Hawwa while vowing to vote for her in the coming election

2023: Tinubu meets N’East Muslim leaders, promises progressive leadership, fairness

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday, promised to be fair and just to all, if elected, while reassuring his commitment to progressive leadership.

Mr Tinubu gave the promise during a town hall meeting with Northeast Muslim leaders in Bauchi.

The presidential candidate, in soliciting their support, asked the Islamic scholars to vote wisely. If given the mandate, Tinubu assures that he will remain consistent with the tenets of his Islamic faith.

This latest town hall meeting is among the series of engagements the APC standard bearer is having with religious, business, professional, and community leaders as well as all other stakeholders across the country in his bid for the Presidency.

On occasions like this, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has always echoed his pledge to purposeful and honest leadership. “A leader in a plural society like ours is enjoined to be a leader of all. If elected, I shall govern honestly and democratically, in harmony with our nation’s constitution”, Tinubu maintains.

He also promised to revive the economy and fight corruption and insecurity through the provision of modern equipment for security agencies to tackle peculiar and emerging security challenges in the country. Top on the list of his priorities for the Northeast, are resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, creating better opportunities for economic prosperity through continues exploitation of the available mineral resources deposited in the region and paying great attention to job creation for teeming youths in a bid to harness potential for greater national development.

Earlier in their remarks, the Vice Presidential candidate of the APC and former Governor of Borno State, Sen. Kashim Shettima and Northern Coordinator, APC Presidential Campaign Council, and Jigawa Governor, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, dismissed fears of Yoruba-dominated government, if Asiwaju Tinubu is elected President. Shettima is optimistic of rapid development and welfare of citizens under Asiwaju’s presidency, alluding to his principal’s track record and antecedents as Governor of Lagos State.

Governor Badaru stated that there was no caucus meeting of the APC Presidential Campaign that did not include his counterparts, northern governors, and the likes of Malam Nuhu Ribadu, mni, who heads APC Campaign’s Directorate of Stakeholder Relations. Badaru Abubakar said that they would not betray the North.

Governor Badaru also added that Tinubu is healthy and mentally alert and would not let Nigerians down by the grace of Almighty Allah.

Some Muslim leaders who spoke at the occasion, including Sheikh Dr. Gambo Kyari, Sheikh Salihu Suleiman Ningi, and Sheikh Dr. Bashir Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, among others, declared support for Asiwaju’s ambition as a clarion call.

Distinguished personalities present at the occasion include former governors of Bauchi State, Mal. Isa Yuguda and M.A Abubakar, SAN, former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu sheriff, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker Oladimeji Sabur Bankole, APC Deputy National Chairman, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Bauchi State APC Governorship candidate, Air Marshal (Ambassador) Sadique Baba Abubakar, CFR (rtd) former Minister of the FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, former federal permanent secretary in charge of State House, Alhaji Jalalu Arabi, former Executive Secretary, Tetfund Dr. Musa Babayo among many others.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah throws weight behind calls for exit of Nigeria Police Force from Contributory Pension Scheme

Anambra South Senator and Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the 2023 Anambra South Senatorial Election Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah on Friday, called for the exit of Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme which is being run and managed by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM). Senator Ubah made the call during a One-Day Public Hearing on the Police Pension Board (Establishment) Bill 2022 (SB. 1009) which was sponsored by Senator Elisha Abbo, APC, Adamawa North and the Nigerian Police Special Forces (Establishment) Bill 2022 (SB. 846) sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, APC Borno South.

Speaking at the event which was organized by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Ubah asked representatives of PENCOM to explain to Nigerians why the Pensions of retired Police personnel remains under the control of the Commission while other security agencies have separate units under their control that manage their pensions. The Anambra South Senator further maintained that in spirit of equity and justice, the Police Force like other security agencies, should be allowed to manage pensions of its retired Personnel.

Also speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sanusi Lemu said the Police requires a separate board for management and administration of pensions of retired police personnel in the mode of the Military Pension Board. The IGP further argued that exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme being run and managed by PENCOM is long over due for the police on account of poor services.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Dauda Haliru Jika in his presentation, also maintained that the Police deserves same special treatment being enjoyed by other security agencies.

Also in their separate remarks, the aforementioned sponsors of the Bills further threw their weight behind calls for exit of Nigeria Police Force from Contributory Pension Scheme and expressed hope that the Bill will be passed by the National Assembly.

In their separate presentations, representatives of PENCOM, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Labour Congress argued that retaining the management of pensions of retired police Police personnel under PENCOM was a decision made by the Federal Government to avoid sending the country back to dark ages. They further argued that the exit of the Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme shall breed avoidable liability for the country. However, members of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and the Inspector-General of Police maintained their supports for the Bill.

The Senate Committee on Police Affairs is expected to present its report to the upper chamber when it reconvenes on Tuesday.

Chikun Women Vows To Deliver LGA To ADC Candidate, Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo

Thousands of Women in Chikun Local Government Area have expressed confidence that the African Democratic Congress, ADC Party Candidate for Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency will bring the desired change and development that the area has been yarning for over the years.

Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo was invited by the Local Government Party Executives to present her manifesto were Women in their Thousands converged at the Kataf Town hall for the House of Representative hopeful in the February 2023 general elections to address them.

Spokespersons for the Women Mrs Monica Gaiya and Rejoice Bulus who made presentations at the event said the coming of the ADC candidate who happened to be a Woman was a long awaited opportunity for them because according to them, what a woman can do in politics is far more better than what a man can do.

They promised to campaign and vote for the ADC Candidate and also appeal to her to take into Cognizance the enormous challenges facing their community and sponsor bills that will address their plight.

According to the Party Organizing Chairman, Mr. Nuhu Manga the ADC candidate for the Constituency has wealth of experience and very sincere to changing the fortunes of the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency.

Mr. Nuhu Manga noted that the constituency have not benefitted from any project and therefore have not felt the impact of Democratic divident noting that Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo will be the person to change that ugly trend.

The Ward Chairman of the Party Mr. Tabakwot Friday said though the party is new in the constituency but not new in the country, it’s emergence in the area was spreading so fast because the people want change from old hands who have abandoned them that is why the event witnessed the large turn out.

Responding, Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo who was Represented by Madam Ann Gwazah expressed excitement by the massive turn out of the people and promised Women and Youth empowerment programmes among other projects that will better the lives of the constituets.

She appealed to the people to keep to their words by voting her into power so that things will never remained the same with them