He declared this during his inauguration as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

The president commended the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime.

According to him, subsidy had over the years favoured the rich more than the poor.

“Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” he said.

On job creation, the president said his administration would create meaningful opportunities for the youths.

He said his administration would honour the campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.

Tinubu said: “Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an Omnibus Jobs and Prosperity Bill.

“This Bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements.

“The Bill will also encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.”

Tinubu took his oath of office amidst pomp and pageantry at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

He was sworn-in at 10.37 a.m., while, Sen. Kashim Shettima was equally sworn-in as the 16th Vice President at exactly 10:30 a.m.

Source: NAN

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Ruto, in a letter he personally signed, congratulated Tinubu on his victory at the polls and extended his hand of fellowship to the incoming Nigerian leader.

“On behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I convey greetings and congratulations to you on your victory, and to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their fortitude and maturity in ensuring the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

“I wish to applaud the close friendship which exists between our two countries. Kenya and Nigeria share values and aspirations in various sectors including political, socio-economic, cultural, diplomatic exchange and indeed hold commonality of views on many continental and international issues,” the letter partly reads.

The Kenyan leader offered to work with Tinubu to consolidate the long-standing relationship between his country and Nigeria.

“I look forward to working with you to champion the cause of our continent, and to strengthen further the historical bonds and friendship that happily exist between our two countries and the people.”

The letter was delivered by the Kenyan president’s envoy, who is also Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service of Kenya, Mr. Felix K. Koskei, during an audience with the president-elect at the weekend in Lagos.

Koskei told Tinubu that the desire of Ruto was to partner the incoming Nigerian leader in “bringing Africa together and strengthen the continent through cooperation and sharing of experiences.”

In his response, President-elect Tinubu expressed his desire to work with the Kenyan president and other African leaders to champion issues of mutual interest.

“I intend to maintain that long, cordial relationship between our two countries and continue to pursue the aspiration of our forefathers towards building a stronger and more economically stable Africa,” he told the special envoy.

Tinubu pledged to work with Kenya in the areas of economic growth, development and tackling insecurity in line with his agenda for the Nigerian people.

“If we exchange ideas and inter-relate, it will help our continent. Economic opportunities would be explored for Africa’s growth and security,” he said.

The president-elect promised to pay a visit to the East African country at a later time to further explore areas of common interest for the benefit of the two countries and the continent.

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Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC, said this in a message to Nigerians on Friday in Abuja.

Yakubu said that the voters should text their voting states, last name and the last six digits of their Voter Identification Number, VIN, to any of the lines– 09062830860, 09062830861, for example FCT Magaji 445322.

He said that INEC had introduced a number of innovations facilitated by technology to make voting more credible and transparent in the 2023 general election.

Yakubu said that INEC had also enhanced voters access to polling units by establishing 56,872 new polling units to give Nigerians a more pleasant experience on election day.

“As I have said repeatedly, the right to vote can only be exercised where there is a place to vote.

“Arising from the recent mock accreditation exercise nationwide using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, some voters turned up at the wrong polling units.

“This happened both in cases where voters have been migrated to other polling units by the commission and even where they voluntarily chose new voting locations during the last Continuous Voter Registration, CVR.

“We believe that there could be other voters in the same situation. This challenge must be addressed so that it does not happen on election day,” he said.

Yakubu added that in order to ease the process, the commission was sending bulk phone text messages (SMS) to Nigerians voting in new polling units.

He said that similarly, the register of such voters for each state had been sent to the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) for publicity, particularly through messages in local languages.

“Furthermore, the commission is offering two unique ways by which all voters can locate and confirm their polling units before election day.

“This can be done by sending a normal text message or by simply visiting our website.

“The detailed procedure is attached to this message and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms,” he said.

Yakubu said that registered voters could also send inquiries to INEC public outreach platforms shown in the attached procedure.

He urged all eligible voters to confirm their voting locations, ahead of election day.

“In doing so, you would be contributing to our avowed commitment to deliver credible, inclusive, transparent elections,” Yakubu said.

Source: NAN

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Baba said this at a meeting with Strategic Police Managers, consisting officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above.

He said the meeting was to brainstorm on the state of security in the country and to re-evaluate strategies to enhance operational response and stabilize security order.

According to him, a recent evaluation of the security situation in the country showed a disturbing trend of increase in threat to national security.

He said the threats were being posed by terror elements, bandits, kidnappers and other highly organized and violent criminal syndicates.

Baba said the trend was being compounded by increasing rate of arms trafficking and proliferation leading to an attack on Kuje correctional facility where some high-profile criminals escaped.

He said the increasing violent campaigns by armed groups in the country had led to general apprehension among citizens and had continued to present a major threat to national security.

“In spite of this reality within the internal security space, I wish to acknowledge your resilience, sacrifice, courage, initiative, sound operational capacity and loyalty.

“This is the spirit that we set out to advance in the policing agenda which I laid out following my assumption of duty as the I-G and I am delighted that you have keyed into this new policing mission,” he said.

He said the conference would also focus on the pathways to giving effect to the National Security Council’s resolution on the documentation and streamlining of the operations of commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders across the country.

Baba said the resolution was part of national initiatives, directed at addressing current and evolving national security threats.

“As part of major operational initiative to stabilize the internal security order, you are all directed to immediately commence a special visibility policing operation across your commands.

“This initiative will encompass the crime mapping of your areas of jurisdiction, identification of vulnerable points and massive deployment of personnel on motorized and foot patrols of the cities.

“The initiative also involves the utilisation of intelligence to undertake targeted raids on criminal cells,” he said.

He said the Force Management had concluded arrangements for the commencement of the Election Security Management workshop to be organised by the Nigeria Police in conjunction with security consulting firm.

He said the workshop would form part of preparation to enhance election security management operations ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Source: NAN

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He said the goal of his administration to unlock a new wave of investments in Nigeria’s water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector, was primarily to delivering potable water and providing safely managed sanitation services for all Lagosians.

The governor said his administration was currently at the final stage of completing the Adiyan II Water Project, which would be the second-largest water infrastructure in Lagos State.

He said Lagos State government had committed huge resources to the water project.

Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke at the third edition of the Lagos International Water Conference, LIWAC, 2022 held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

The theme of the conference was “Unlocking Investments and Sustainable Access to Clean Water and Sanitation Services: The Regulatory Imperative.”

He said the Lagos State government had acknowledged that financing the water sector had been a challenge and was therefore shopping for private sector investments, noting that currently, most of the financing for water and sanitation came from public budget and donor financing, hence the Call-for-Action to the private sector to explore the huge opportunities that abound in the water supply and sanitation services sub-sector in Lagos, to deliver value while also enjoying commercial gains.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said now is the right time to unlock a new wave of investments in the WASH sector against the background of global disruptions in the water sector occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and intensifying impact of climate change.

He said: “Water is critical, not just for the sustenance of human life, but also for sustainable development. It is essential for all kinds of economic activities, such as agriculture, energy production, mining, manufacturing, and so on.

“We need to make clean and safe water available for our teeming population, and to ensure that even as that population grows there are strategies in place to ensure conservation in the long term. Our goal is primarily to deliver potable water and provide safely managed sanitation services for all Lagosians. We have the political will and a groundswell of support from critical stakeholders, and we welcome you to open up lines of engagement and conversation with us.

“For us in Lagos, we acknowledge that financing for the water sector has been a challenge. According to a World Bank study (2015), bridging the financing gap in Nigeria’s WASH sector will require an estimated USD1.3 billion per year over the next decade, with State-owned water utilities requiring about US$600 million in annual investment.

“Currently, most of the financing for water and sanitation comes from public budget and donor financing, hence this Call-for-Action to the private sector to explore the myriad of opportunities that abound in the water supply and sanitation services sub-sector in Lagos, to deliver value while also enjoying commercial gains.”

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Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, dismissed the objection raised by counsel for Kyari and other co-defendant officers that granting the request might jeopardise their case.

The two defendants are Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who are 6th and 7th defendants respectively in the matter.

They are the two alleged drug traffickers arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, who pleaded guilty to five, six and seven counts preferred against them by the anti-narcotic agency.

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the NDLEA and counsel to Umeibe and Ezenwanne that the objectors had not given sufficient evidence why they would be prejudiced if the court granted the request.

Justice Nwite aligned with the argument that keeping Umeibe and Ezenwanne in prison while the trial of others last was to infringe on their right to fair hearing going by Section 36(4) of 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He held that the objection lacked merit, and ordered the NDLEA to commence the review of facts of the 6th and 7th defendants’ case.

Nwite then adjourned the matter until May 26 for review of facts and hearing of the motion on notice.

NDLEA had, on March 7, arraigned Umeibe and Ezenwanne alongside Kyari, ACP Sunday Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu on eight counts.

They were the suspended officers of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, Unit formerly led by Kyari.

They had pleaded not guilty to all the counts levelled against them.

Although Umeibe and Ezenwanne’s names were also mentioned in counts three and four where allegations bordering on conspiracy were levelled against Kyari and others, they were not asked to take a plea on these two counts.

However, shortly after the plea was taken, counsel for the NDLEA, Joseph Sunday, prayed the court to grant a leave to review the charges against Umeibe and Ezenwanne in order for the court to sentence them accordingly.

But Kanu Agabi, SAN, had objected to the prosecuting lawyer’s request.

Agabi argued that should the court convict and impose a sentence on the duo, it would jeopardise Kyari’s and the other four defendants’ case.

According to him, convicting and sentencing these two defendants who have pleaded guilty to the charge will be prejudicial to our clients case.

He contended that Umeibe and Ezenwanne might have “pleaded guilty out of ignorance.”

Besides, he said the fact that their names were also mentioned in counts three and four made the matter worse.

He pleaded with the court to put the sentence and conviction of the two defendants on hold, pending the determination of the matter.

After taking arguments from lawyers to the parties, Nwite had adjourned the matter until today for ruling.

Source: NAN

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Okirika Hawks’ head coach, Dikibo Ransom, attributed his side’ success to hard work as he thanked the Engr. Musa Kida led board for creating such a platform for his boys to show their skills.

“It’s an amazing result for us as a club to be able to come here and prove ourselves after many weeks of hard work. We must commend the association for being one of the first in Nigeria to come up with an activity post-COVID-19 lockdown and we are hopeful that this will be the first of many to come.

“This competition presented many players amazing opportunities to be discovered at a bigger stage as the state prepares for the National Sports Festival in Edo,” Dikibo said.

Olumeni Warriors were rewarded in the third place game as they went home with the trophy after defeating Port Harcourt based Da-F Bigger boys.

Despite falling short in the finals played at 59B, Niger Street, Port Harcourt, Da-F pointguard Cherish Eric was named as the Most Valuable Player, Highest three points scorer of the competition and also a member of the best five alongside his team mate, Ebuka Okpara.

For their title winning efforts, the duo of Okrika Hawks’ Opuda Ogan (small forward) and Benedict Onovodakpo (Centre) also earned their place on the starting five roster with Shedrack O’Neil of RICDAY Basketball Academy completing the list.

Chairman of the Rivers State Basketball Association, Engr Musa Kida, represented by Fubara Onyenabo expressed his satisfaction as he commended teams for being competitive.

“I am glad that we saw at least three outstanding rookies who through hard work won various individual awards while many others also showed prospects, We hope they can go ahead and do great things in the future.”

He called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations topapers,  partner with basketball stakeholders across Nigeria involved in such grassroots programmes targeted at the youth.

“If we keep our youth engaged through sports, we will not only be channelling their raw energy positively but also distracting them from other social vices such as drug abuse, armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping amongst other security challenges we face as a nation.”

After the skills challenge, Nicolas Favour won the three points contest while Victor Koko-Anthony (Olumeni Warriors) went home with the free throw contest trophy as Devine Ikechukwu (DA-F Bigger Boys) won the dunk contest.

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The American supermodel who praised Angelique for spreading light and opening minds through her music, stated that Burna Boy had not been given the accolades he truly deserved due to lack of education.

Naomi Campbell, however, averred that the categorization of Afrobeat in the ‘World Music’ category of the 2020 Grammys, diminished an entire genre in which such a high standard of talent had emerged.

Naomi queried the recording academy on the voting pattern of the category, urged them to use the next 363 days to reassess and reflect on their perspective of ‘World Music.’

She wrote:  “First, I want to say deepest congratulations to @angeliquekidjo for her award on Sunday and thank you to you for spreading light and opening minds through your music… And to our AFRICAN GIANT, @burnaboygram… it is only due to lack of education that you have not been honored with the accolades you so truly deserve. You are always a winner in our hearts. ALWAYS. •

“And to The @RecordingAcademy, There is something that brings joy, strength, and happiness to myself, and to so many people that hear it, and it is called Afrobeats.  Afrobeats is a musical genre played on mainstream and primetime radio not only across the continent of Africa but across the world… •

“Recently, the genre was categorized into your ‘World Music’ category at the 2020 Grammys. This misrepresentation diminishes an entire genre in which such a high standard of talent has emerged; a genre that has been a force of hope and positivity for many, and a vehicle for artistry on the continent of Africa. •

“Please take the next 363 days to reassess and reflect on your perspective of ‘World Music.’ Did the world get to vote for this award, or was it only the people in the United States a part of The Recording Academy?  What will this neglectful categorization of music mean to individual cultures? Cultures who contribute their blood, sweat and tears, and every level of their creativity and work ethic into making music for YOU and for all of us. •

“Please get up to speed on the state of all popular music today, and include Afrobeats Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and all the subcategories that this genre so deserves – just as any other respected and recognized musical genre.”

Source: NAN

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At the meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday was the leadership of the Gan-Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria, GAFDAN, an umbrella group for Fulani organisations, led by Sale Bayari.

The members of the group were from South-West, Kogi and Kwara states.

Present too was the spokesman of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin.

At the end of the meeting, according to a communiqué issued, it was agreed that there was need for a deliberate community effort to address the problem of insecurity in the country, particularly in the South West with Yoruba and Fulani community leaders involved.

The meeting concluded that it was evident that those who perpetrated crimes were not Fulani alone.

It however stressed the need to start doing things differently to stop the increasing rate of insecurity.

The summary of the conclusions of the meeting reads in part:  “It is important to call on leaders who failed to do what they are supposed to do. Fulani who know the criminals among them must expose and report them to the appropriate institution. So must other ethnic groups.

“There should be cooperation among our people groups. Fulani leaders and other groups are urged to approach traditional institutions anytime they find something that is not right within their communities. They should refer concerns among themselves to the different levels of traditional leadership up to the paramount traditional rulers.

“Identified criminals within community should be handed over to the appropriate agency to be dealt with. Key stakeholders should be informed to ensure that justice or sanctions are carried out against culprits and not swept under the carpet.

“There are Fulani who are born in the South West 3rd, 4th or even 5th generation who see themselves as children of Oduduwa, and who have nowhere to go except Oduduwa land.  There are other tribes who feel so in Yorubaland, and there are Yorubas who feel so in other geo-political regions of Nigeria.  So the idea of moving tribal groups en masse from one geo political region to another is impracticable and should not be talked about by leaders.

“We have to work as one community through our various efforts and responsibilities to protect and safeguard the interest of the community.

“Presently, the Oyo State House of Assembly has a bill proposed on the open grazing that has passed the 1st and 2nd reading.  Government should address the idea of Settled Grazing before full implementation of zero grazing.

“Criminal Fulani herdsman and non-herdsmen must be identified, exposed and brought to book, to serve as a deterrent to others. There must be punishment for lawbreakers. The same must apply to other criminals from other ethnic groups.

“Participants agreed to meet within three months to review the progress of implementation of the recommendations.”

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The Falcons qualified after Chile failed to beat Thailand as needed to qualify, only winning 2-0 in their final Group F match at the Roazhon Park in Rennes on Thursday.

Chile had needed to win 3-0, or Thailand had needed to beat Chile 15-0, to upstage Nigeria who had been waiting since playing their final Group A match on Monday.

But they failed to take advantage of a penalty kick late in the game which could have given them the needed goal.

The Super Falcons had since Monday waited with bated breath as the four tickets were being clinched one by one, first by China, then by Brazil and later by Cameroon.

Now that they have qualified, they will meet Germany on Saturday at Grenoble in the first match of the Round of 16 stage.

The Falcons have only advanced beyond the group stage once in their earlier seven appearances at the World Cup, and they lost to the Germans 1-0 in the 2011 edition of the competition.

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