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HURIWA warns blackmailers, land grabbers against assassinating Gov Ugwuanyi’s character 

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Civil Rights Advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria(HURIWA), has warned Land racketeering syndicate members and blackmailers against assasinating the character of Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
HURIWA in statement released to Nigerian Newssphere on Thursday by the Group’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko said politicians should desist from spreading fake news about Governor Ugwuanyi.
The Rights group rather stated that generations unborn ought to commend the current governor of Enugu State for putting durable and sustainable legal and institutional frameworks in place and for reorganising the land administrative structures and hierarchy in Enugu State to completely sanitize land ownership and eliminate land speculation and touting which was a major problem inhibiting industrialisation in Enugu State before the assumption of office of the current administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
HURIWA stated that it embarked on wide ranging facts finding visitations to Enugu State without the knowledge of the Enugu State’s governor to ascertain certain insinuations of land related crimes linked to some officials in the Enugu State government and our far reaching findings show that indeed at no time in the recent history of the South East has any political office holder done as much spade works and fundamental land ownership and administrative reforms as much as the current governor of Enugu State His Excellency governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has done.
The Rights group alerted the media owners to be vigilant and be wary of their esteemed media outfits being duped and used by criminals parading about as businessmen to seek to peddle absolute falsehood against the Enugu State’s governor.
HURIWA has indicated her readiness to make her expertise available so media professors affiliated to HURIWA can offer free tutorials on media ethics and media laws freely to journalists including those identified as citizen journalists so their operations will follow prescribed ethical codes of conduct and adhere strictly to the rule of law.
HURIWA therefore stressed that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has the law behind him in land reforms that his administration has implemented.

Buhari, governors endorse harmonised digital economy, e-government policy

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…As Uzodinma says Imo state will inaugurate Digital Economy Ministry to drive implementation

…Digital economy policy harmonization will reduce waste, duplication- Obaseki

…As Adebayo says FG will invest in home grown technologies to reduce cost, drive industry

President Muhammadu Buhari, governors from Five States on Wednesday have endorsed a framework on the harmonisation of digital economy, e-governmance initiatives at federal and state levels.

Newssphere learnt that Buhari, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Edo States Governors made this known at the inaugural meeting of the presidential Council on Digital Economy and e-government master plan in Abuja.

This is as President Buhari charged the council members on a concerted approach towards implementing the initiative.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, who presided over the meeting on behalf of Buhari stated that there have been pockets of digital initiatives going on in the state levels which are not in alignment with Federal government’s digital economy initiatives.

He recalled launching the National Digital Economy and Policy Strategy (NDEPS) in November 2019 with eight pillars which required the involvement of actors at all levels.

The President said that digital economy cannot be implemented in silos,with FG bearing the responsibility, adding that states, sub-nationals have a significant role to play in ensuring achievement of NDEPS.

“Many important things have been discussed and we have agreed on all of them and it is because of this we plan to have another meeting as soon as possible.

“The secretariate have been directed to come up with frameworks for the digital economy, that can be implemented in our state.

“Many states have good initiatives on digital economy, however there is lack of harmonisation to their activities.

“Framework is going to be developed so that our sub-nationals will play their own role and FG will continue to provide intervention where necessary.

“From the time Mr president launched the policy to date, a lot have been achieved and in some of the pillars, more than 70 per cent have been achieved. However, still there are issues that requires engaging the sub nationals to look at decision making, implementation, coming up with frameworks, getting their input with regards to regulation and many more and that cannot be easily achieved. It is because of this, this council have been inaugurated, today is our first official meeting after the inauguration by Mr President”, he said.

He further made case for establishment of the Ministry of Digital Economy in states to cascade and implement activities at the national level.

“Also after the launching of the policy, the ICT sector contributions to GDP increased significantly to the extent thts the sector alone without involving digital services, contributed 17.9 per cent which is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. With the accommodation of our governors and subnational, I believe many positive things should come out of the sector”, he stated.

The Presidential council was launched to strengthen the capacity of government, to devlop, adopt and deploy digital technologies to make government more efficient and transparent.

The council is also to ensure the improvement of Nigeria’s global standing in the ease of doing business index.

Imo state to inauguate Digital Economy Ministry to drive e-governance Implementation- Uzodimma

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma has stated that he will immediately inaugurate Ministry of Digital Economy towards e-governace implementation.

Uzodinma disclosed this in an interview with Journalists after the council meeting.

According to him, This is a very good idea and we are going to participate. On the level of digitisation in hios state,he said there ate sectors and pillars. First we start with proper record keeping, collection of data and then digitalise the infrastructure department has to be put in place.

Before this meeting I was about creating an agency to manage our digital economy but I am going to now create a full blown ministry of digital economy and IT management in the state as soon as I get back. That is to tell you the kind of attention we are going to give this subject, I will also support for a well thought out policy in making sure we have a robust digital economy that will create jobs and employment for our youths.

“I am happy to be member of this council and will do my best to contribute my quota towards national development”, he said.

Digital economy policy harmonization will reduce waste, duplication- Obaseki

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki stated that the harmonisation of digital economy initiative will help stamp out waste and duplication in governance.

He added that if Nigeria can get it right on harmonized digital economy strategies, the impact will be tremendous.

In his words, “I am glad we finnaly have a council in the country that will set the record on the digital economy as the world is about digitisation.

“In Edo state, we have already initiated a lot of IT activities, Edo Best educational platform runs on technology, where all our 15,000 teachers have devices, we are implementing technology in our primary health care centres, we have hubs on our own and they are not aligned with what is happening nationally, so this council helps align the different initiatives on digitisation from different parts of the country so that we can reduce the waste that comes with non-alignment and also gain momentum and speed in terms of implementing digital strategy as a country. If we get it right nobody can stop Nigeria in digitisation”.

FG will invest in home grown technologies to reduce cost, drive industry- Minister

Similarly Minister Industry,Trade and Investment, who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Otunba Adebayo said Federal Government will invest in home grown technologies to reduce cost, drive the digital economy industry.

“We are working with Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to come up with home grown device to lower the cost of the devices that will be used through this initiative, we are working in collaboration with private sector to come up with device local”, he disclosed.

Others present included, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta  Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Limited, Prof. M.B Abubakar, Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Dr. Abimbola Alale, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa and Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Engr Aliyu A. Aziz.

Also present were, Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello  University, Zaira, Professor Kabiru Bala; Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri,Professor Nnenna Oti as Representatives of the Academia; President Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Simon Sodiya, and Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr Gbenga Adebayo Chairman, representative of Nigeria’s Governors Forum among others.

Pantami inaugurates 44 members of NIMC, NIPOST, NITDA governing boards

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…Charges them to drive the implementation of Digital economy policies

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami has inaugurated 44 members of the Governing boards of National Identity Management  Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and National  Information  Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Pantami urged the boards members to drive the implementation of Digital economy policies.

Pantami said the responsibilities of newly inaugurated Governing Board members was to oversight and oversee the activities of the parastatals as well cascade the national policies developed by the supervising ministry.

“We have inaugurated 44 Governing Board members, 17 for NIMC with ex officials members including those appointed by Mr President and others.

“NITDA we have 19 including the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer who serves as the secretary and members of the board and NIPOST have 8 members. we do hope you continue to display maturity,”he said.

“You should try  your best within the responsibilities that has been assigned to you by the various enabling Acts establishing this parastatals and other government policies and directives that may come up from time to time.

“More than 90 per cent of them appointed today  were reappointed as a result of our recommendation as well as due to their displayed of  maturity in the way and manner they interact with the parastatals.

“We must ensure that we respect constitutional authority in whatever we do. and the  Board have no power as regards to awarding contracts and Minister has no power when it comes to awarding contracts as an independent status.

“We are part of the board the management and we are not part of the the tenders board.

“To be fair to all of you. I am so much grateful in the way and manner you try to display maturity of yourself operate within the ambit of the laws and government policies and hope you improve in the second tenure,” Pantami said.

NIMC’s governing board 17 members:

Prof. Usman A. El-Nafaty, Chairman- Presidency; Dr. Dahiru I. Inuwa, Presidency; Mr. Kole Jagun Presidency; DCM Efosa Osawe, MNSE, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC); Engr Chidi Nwafor,  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Mr. Joseph Amakurugbonwo National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS); Saidu Bashir Daura, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS); Mr. Anyim Chinyere Nyerere National Pension Commission (PENCOM); Mr. Abdullahi Danmani, Department of State Security Service (SSS); Mr. Inuwa B. Jalingo, National Population Commission (NPoC); Mr. Musa Itopa Jimoh, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Mr. Agweye Benedict Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); CP Yari Lafiya, Nigerian Police Force (NPF); Gen. Samad Akesode Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA); Mr. Abel Augustine Olutoyin Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); Mr. Kola OkunolaFederal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); including the Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz Director General/CEO National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

NITDA’s governing board 19 members:

Dr Abubakar Saidu, Chairman; Hon. Olakunle Kazeem Salako Representing Geopolitical Zones; Dr Habibu Ahmed Imam, Representing Geopolitical Zones; Zainab Ibrahim Jalo, Representing Geopolitical Zones; Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Bello, Representing Geopolitical Zones; Princess Amarachi Uwanamodo Representing Geopolitical Zones; Mr Idowu Afe, Representing Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation; Engr. A. A. Ladan, Representing Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy; Mr. Mohammed Sani Mahmud Representing Ministry of Education; Engr. Felix NyadoRepresenting Standards Organisation of Nigeria; Engr. Ayo Fanimokun Representing Nigerian Society of Engineers; Mal. Usman Y. Dutse Representing Association of Staff Union of Polytechnics; Prof. Charles O. Uwadia Representing Affiliate Bodies of CPN; Prof Adesina S. Sodiya Representing Affiliate Bodies of CPN; Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu Representing Affiliate Bodies of CPN; Mr. Muhammed M. Abubakar

Representing Affiliate Bodies of CPN; Dr Adesola Nassir Representing Association of Staff Union of Universities; Barr Francis Effanga Representing Geopolitical Zones and DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi as General Secretary.

NIPOST’s governing board 8 members:

Barr. Maimuna Yaya Abubakar, Chairperson; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Alternate Chairperson; Mrs Omobola Olusola-Dada, Member Representing Federal Ministry of Finance; Mr Sylvanus Esinwoke Member Representing Federal Ministry of Interior; Mallam Mainasara Sani Abubakar, Presidency; Mr. Agbabiaka Babatunde Samuel, Presidency; Barrister Bulus S. Yakubu, Presidency; including the Post Master General/CEO of NIPOST, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi.

Lalu charges PWDs to leverage on Disability Act

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The Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons Disabilities(NCPWD), Mr James Lalu has charged Persons With Disabilities(PWDs) to leverage on the Disability Act.
Lalu made this known to Nigerian Newssphere in a statement signed on Tuesday by the Head Media and Publicity Unit NCPWD, Mbanefo John-Michaels.
The ES speaking during a 3-day sensitization Workshop in Jos organized  by the Commission on the discrimination against persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, reiterated government’s commitment to improve the lives of person with disabilities.
Lalu represented at the event by the representative of the North Central zone of the governing council of the Commission, Esther Andrews explained that the sensitization should be carried out in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Information and Culture for an enhanced and a wider publicity.
He called on Security Agencies to give employment to Persons with Disabilities.
Earlier in her keynote address, the honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster management and Social development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouk who was represented by Uchenna Onah from the Department of Special Needs of the Ministry said that the role of the media in Nation building cannot be overstated.
“Nevertheless, the Ministry will continue to ensure that more awareness creation and sensitization on the Act as well as the judicious implementation of its provisions will be carried out”, he assured.
While commending the Plateau State government for being the first to domesticate the law, the Director Enforcement and Compliance NCPWD,  Barr. Ikem Uchegbulam opined that implementation is key to the success of any law.
He noted that the Disabilities Prohibition Act is meant to protect the rights of the disabled in the society which has not been fully complied with across the Nation.

Paris Club Refund: Fraud associated with transaction can’t be blurred with campaign of calumny- NGF

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Nigeria Governors’ Forum has insisted that the fraud associated with Paris Club Refund cannot be blurred with campaign of calumny sponsored by Attorney General of the Federal Government, Abubakar Malami, SAN and Consultant, NED Nwoko.
NGF denied receiving $100m dollars from Consultants of Paris Club Refund for elections, adding that no professional  advocacy, media campaign to hoodwink the public can change the law.
In a statement released to Nigerian Newssphere on Sunday, Director, Media and Public Affairs Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo said Claims by AGF, Nwoko are half truth, blatant lies.
“Not surprisingly, the desperate, spurious and futile advocacy mounted and coordinated by the AGF on behalf of the so-called Paris Club Consultants to justifthehehee plundering of the humongous sum of USD418.9m from the public treasury of the States and Local Governments continued on Saturday 20th August 2022, when Ned Nwoko, in a press statement, attempted to blur and obfuscate the real facts and legal issues in controversy by dishing out blatant lies and half-truths.
“Undoubtedly, the salient facts on the fraud associated with the Paris Club refunds can never be changed by a thousand Press Statements by the AGF or any of the Consultants. As the Judgments of the appellate courts, particularly that of the Supreme Court have begun to expose the creepiness and unlawful nature of the consultants claims; it is not surprising that they are now afflicted by dizzy spells, seriously discomforted and are now driven by desperation to ensure that the plundering and fleecing of the State is quickly completed before the determination of the pending proceedings in the appellate and other courts in order to foist a situation of frustration and helplessness on the States. This is obvious as the consultants are not in a position to restore the funds to the States if they lose on appeal; as it is becoming apparent.
No professional advocacy or media campaign to hoodwink the public can change the law. We are not unmindful of the ridiculous claim by one of consultants that it was his media campaign that swayed a Federal High Court Judgment in favour of the NGF. Interestingly, the public which is the greatest victim in the mismanagement of scare public resources has since been well informed and is on red alert to avert and stop what is apparently an attempt by some ravenous rent seekers masquerading as consultants to further exacerbate the economic woes of citizens under the prevailing dire economic situation.  The use of libelous language on the person of the Chairman of NGF, who has refused to be compromised and has firmly stood his ground on the unconstitutional and unlawful nature of the consultants’ claims, is not helpful to their case either”.
This is as the Governors urged all parties to await outcome of the Appeal already at the Court to on the matter.
“The NGF and its leadership remain focused and determined to diligently pursue all appeals on the Judgments on the Paris Club refunds. All that it requests of the AGF and the consultants is to allow the appeal processes to run and be exhausted. It may be that the consultants will successfully defend the appeals after which they will be paid. However, if they lose as RIOK NIGERIA LTD has lost; which is the most likely verdict that shall befall all the other consultants; let the public funds in issue remain protected.
“We urge NED and the other consultants to end the media war and direct all energies towards defending the appeals”, the statement concluded.

BBNaija S7: Kess, Pharmasavi evicted

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Kess, Pharmsavi on Sunday have been evicted from Big Brother Naija Season 7 House.

Kess who is the only married housemate on this year’s was showed the exit door following his inability to secure reasonable votes.

Details later!

2023: INEC clarifies, says results will be collated manually

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Independent National Electoral Commission has said the collation of results of the 2023 general elections will be done manually despite the adoption of electronic transmission of results.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, stressed that the commission would transmit results from polling units to its result-viewing portal, IReV, as witnessed in recent elections, but that the Electoral Act was clear on how collation should be done.

Okoye said in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, “There is a marked difference between the transfer/transmission of results and the collation of results. Section 50(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022 gives the commission the absolute discretion to determine the mode and procedure of voting in an election and the transmission of election results.

“Sections 60 and 62 of the Electoral Act govern post-election procedure and collation of election results. Section 60(1) of the Act provides that the presiding officer shall, after counting the votes at a polling unit, enter the votes scored by each candidate in a form to be prescribed by the commission.

“Section 60(5) of the Act makes it mandatory that the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot in a manner prescribed by the commission. Thereafter, the presiding officer shall after recording and announcing the results deliver the same along with election materials under security and accompanied by the candidates or their polling agents, where available to such person as may be prescribed by the commission.

The implication of this is that the collation process of results is still essentially manual, but the collation officer must collate subject to his verification and confirmation that the number of accredited voters stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the number of accredited voters recorded and transmitted directly from polling units.”

He explained that while the collation of results would “essentially” be done manually, where there was a dispute regarding a collated result or the result from any polling unit, the collation or returning officer would use the original of the disputed collated result, accreditation data from the BVAS device and the results transmitted directly from the polling unit to determine the correctness of the result.

Usyk defeats Anthony Joshua for second time to retain titles

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Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk, on Sunday beat Nigerian born British, Anthony Joshua for a second time to retain his heavyweight world titles.

After a fierce fight between the duo, Usyk triumph over AJ at Saudi Arabia.

Usyk won on a split points decision after the pair went the full 12 rounds – 113 to 115, 115 to 113 and 116 to 112.

After the judges’ decision was declared, Joshua threw two of the title belts over the side of the ropes before storming out of the ring.

However, he returned and grabbed the mic, telling the King Abdullah Sports City: “If you knew my story, you would understand the passion.
“I ain’t no amateur boxer from five-years-old that was an elite prospect from youth. I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my a*** off, I wanted to be able to fight.

“This guy beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the level of hard work I put in, so please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world.”

The pair also briefly posed with the Ukrainian flag in a stand of solidarity in defiance of Russia’s ongoing assault in the country.

If I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all’

Following his win, Usyk paid tribute to the Ukrainian military, and says that he is only interested in fighting WBC champion Tyson Fury next.

Usyk said: “I did this victory for my country, for all people, militaries who are defending the country. Thank you very, very much.
He added: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet. I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me. I want to fight him, and if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.”
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered his congratulations to his fellow countryman soon after the bout, tweeting: “Difficult, but so important and necessary VICTORY!

“Defending the title of world champion is a symbol that all those who are of Cossack sort will not give up their own, they will fight for it and will definitely win!”

The fight in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, follows their bout last year in London, where Usyk won the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts from the British boxer.

Their fight in Jeddah though was a different story, with Joshua giving a far better performance against the Ukrainian compared to that last year, landing blows and occasionally unloading on Usyk.

But it was Usyk who came out on top, landing more punches on his opponent with a higher work rate than AJ.

It is not the first time this year the UK has come second to Ukraine in a global event – with the country’s Kalush Orchestra winning the Eurovision Song Contest over Briton Sam Ryder, who was nudged into second place by the public vote – despite coming on top with the national juries.

 

EPL: Winners and Losers of Saturday’s fixtures

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Saturday’s English Premier League fixtures were indeed electrifying with Tottenham Hospur, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Southampton, emerging winners against Wolverhampton Wonderers, Aston Villa, Brentford, Leicester as losers.

After a competing play, Tottenham hitman, Harry Kane secured a lone goal winner for his team at the 64th minutes.

Crystal Palace came from behind to defeat Aston Villa, 3-1. Goals from Wilfried Zaha and J.Mateta handed Crystal Palace their first EPL win this season.

Fulham’s A. Mitrovic handed the team a late 3-2 win against Brentford. In another encounter, Southampton’s Che Adams 84th Minutes goal secured a narrowed 2-1 away winner against Leicester City.

This is as Everton and Nothingham Forest fixture ended 1-1.

As at the time of filing this report, Arsenal are thrilling AFC Bournemouth 2-0 with goals from Martins Odegard at the first 11th minutes.

 

 

BBNaija S7: Biggie swaps Deji, Level 1 housemate with Groovy Level 2

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..As Phyna/Groovy ship sinks

Biggie has announced the replacement of Deji Level 1 Housemate with Groovy Level 2 following the former’s request.

This is as Phyna/Groovy love relationship has hit the rock resulting from the development.

With the Biggie’s decision Phyna was seen vicarious weeping for her love interest.

She keep crying, “No, no, biggie no”.

Similarly, Chichi, Deji’s love interest was seen doing the same.

Earlier, Deji was heard mummuring that he wanted to change Level. During the Friday’s Wager show, Biggie granted Deji request.

However, in order fill the gap Deji will be having on Level 1 House, Biggie replaced him with Groovy.

Phyna found Groovy as her love interest days after the disqualification of Beauty. Since them the Ship between the duo have been sealing.

On the other hand, Amaka was seen happy over the development.

Amaka, while discussing with PharmSavi said Phyna is deeply in love with Groovy. She also revealed that, Groovy is going to Level 1 house to meet, another of his love interest, Choimzy.

Groovy to Phyna while about the Level to House,  “Pray for me as I will do the same for you”, also reassuring Phyna of his love.

Earlier, Level 2 Housemates won the wager show by putting up a wonder debate for African culture against Western culture.

 

 

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