Previously unknown groups and talking heads have emerged in the lead-up to the primaries for the September 21, 2024, off-cycle governorship election in Edo State. Most of the groups and individuals come out openly and forcefully to promote and defend the interests of certain aspirants as “the best qualified” for the journey to the Osadebey Avenue Government House in Benin City, the capital city of the “Heart Beat of the Nation.”

But others simply throw dirt, and engage in diatribe and campaign of calumny to discredit, malign and sully the public and private image and reputation of aspirants they consider as threats to the ones they obscurely and obliquely advance their political interests.
Such’s the antic of a so-called “Concerned Edo PDP Patriots” in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came out swinging at Dr Asue Ighodalo, a leading aspirant on the party platform. For all intents and purposes, the group appeared to have woken up to the “evil” of unfairly granting waivers to new or returning members to contest for any political offices.

This, they said, contravenes provisions of the PDP constitution, and shouldn’t be extended to Mr Ighodalo, a Lagos-based businessman reportedly backed by Governor Godwin Obaseki, who’s also a Lagos businessman brought in and “installed” by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2016.

Despite the group’s protestation, the Governor Caleb Mutfwang-led PDP Governorship Screening Committee for Edo State cleared Ighodalo and nine other aspirants,  who appeared before it on January 29 – with eight of them receiving their clearance certificates the next day.

The aspirants cleared are: Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, Anslem U. Ojezua Esq., Hon. Felix E. Akhabue, Dr Asuerinme Ighodalo, Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Arthur Esene, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Amb. (Prof.) Martin Uhomoibhi, Osaro Osaze Onaiwu, and Umoru Adizetu Hadizat.

If the PDP granted Ighodalo a waiver, would it be the first time to a non-party or core member? Did the stakeholders forget, unaware or ignorant of the blatant breach of the party constitution majorly to make “new or returning members” eligible for elective offices?

Were the “worried” members out of the political space since 1999, when PDP powerbrokers – and chieftains of political parties across the board – routinely disregard provisions of the party constitution, and give waivers to those who can afford the “asking price” and possess the warchest to prosecute campaigns?

Little or no thoughts are given to such candidates’ sources of wealth nor to their capability, capacity, competence, and the ground game to winning elections! All the party “elders” care about is how to “get their share” of the booty before the elections are confirmed or tossed by the courts.

Going by the PDP constitution, new members are required to sustain a continued membership for a minimum of two years, to be eligible to contest for elections, while returning members will remain on probation for at least one year, during which they won’t be eligible to vote or be voted for “except if granted waivers.”

Waivers have been contentious because many new or returning members want to contest for elective offices before they serve out the mandatory periods of probation. And the executive committees of the PDP at all levels have exploited the “loopholes” in the party constitution to grant or refuse waivers, for which the National Executive Committee (NEC) has the final say.

A few examples of waivers granted by the PDP in recent times will suffice in this discourse! In 2010, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who ran for president in 2007 under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), returned to the PDP, and was granted a waiver to participate in the primaries for the 2011 presidential poll, with a PDP chieftain in Adamawa State, Alhaji Sadiq Aliyu Jada, taking the party to court for “illegal waiver” for Atiku.

On Aug 29, 2014, after defecting from the APC, the PDP – amid protests from other governorship aspirants in Adamawa – granted waivers to former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, former Lagos Military Governor, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), and former governorship candidate Marcus Gundiri, to contest for the primaries for the 2015 General Election.

In October 2017, the PDP granted waivers to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Engr Seyi Makinde and other returnees to the party. While Ladoja – then gunning for the post of national chairman – joined from Accord Party, Makinde moved from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In 2018, Mr Oseloka Obaze, a protégé of former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, was granted a waiver to contest in the 2018 stand-alone governorship. Likewise on June 25, 2020, the PDP waived membership for embattled Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi of Ondo State for the governorship election for that November.

The most glaring of the Edo PDP stakeholders’ “selective amnesia” are the waivers the party granted to Governor Obaseki, and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu to run for re-election in 2020 – after the APC denied Obaseki the ticket, and he defected to the PDP days to its primaries. While it weighed the waivers, the PDP postponed its primary poll in Edo from June 19-20, to June 23, 2020. According to Comrade Shaibu, he and Obaseki spent “naira and dollars” for the waivers and ticket for the governorship, which they won.

It’s like the “PDP Patriots” were saying, “Those are past cases; let’s turn a new page and deny Ighodalo a waiver because he’s not a bona-fide member of the PDP. And in any case, Governor Obaseki can’t grant him a waiver.” And one may ask: Is it Obaseki’s duty to grant a waiver or the leadership of the party?

The screening is over, but it’s crucial to understand the context of the petitioners’ complaint in a preemptive statement – as the waiver for Ighodalo was speculative as of the time of the petition on January 28. Meaning that the undersigned – Musa Aliyu (Owan East), Suleiman Braimoh (Etsako West), Victor Ikponwonsa (Egor), Osadolor Ogie (Oredo) and Ebosele Odion (Esan Central) – were intent on disqualifying Ighodalo at the screening in 24 hours, to prevent him from the primaries, and scuttle his governorship ambition!

Besides directing the petition to the Mutfwang committee, the PDP group copied the PDP Acting National Chairman; members of its National Working Committee (NWC); Zonal Vice Chairman (South-South); Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum; Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT); and Edo State Working Committee.

Thus, the tone of their petition was unambiguous! It reads in part: “We, the undersigned, wish to bring to your attention a matter of critical importance regarding the purported waiver planned for the aspirant of the incumbent Governor, Asuen ighodalo, in the upcoming Edo State Gubernatorial election of 2024.

“It has come to our notice that the planned waiver directly contravenes the party’s constitution, as amended, in Section 9, Paragraph 3, of Page 68, which unequivocally states that there shall be a minimum of two years membership span for a member to be eligible to stand for election into any public office.

“It is evident that the anointed candidate of the governor does not meet this requirement as stipulated in the party’s constitution. Granting a waiver that overlooks this vital membership requirement not only undermines the integrity of the democratic process, but also goes against the fundamental tenets of our party’s constitution.

“With this in mind, we respectfully urge the screening committee to consider this petition and to refrain from making any erroneous decisions that could potentially jeopardize the party’s chances of retaining the state.”

Without a doubt, the complainants were fighting the political interest of a certain aspirant(s) they weren’t bold enough to reveal, and cleverly “choose and pick” from the PDP constitution the provisions that align with their objective to halt the aspiration of Ighodalo that’s gained widespread acceptance.

Since entering for the race – and informing his ward members in Ewohimi community of Esan South East local government area of Edo State, officially declaring interest at the state headquarters in Benin City, and obtaining the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja – Ighodalo’s received support and solidarity from PDP members and the electorate in Edo State.

He lately got an enthusiastic reception from PDP members in Uhumwode, Orhionmwon and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas of Edo South, when he visited the areas as part of his consultations across the 18 local government areas of Edo State. As first reported by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on January 26, Ighodalo received a unanimous endorsement of the party faithful as their “consensus aspirant” for the PDP primaries.

Amid applause, the party stalwarts and members said that Ighodalo’s endorsement – moved and seconded by elderstatesman, former Sen. Roland Owie and Mr Charles Egbe – “was informed by his track record of excellence in the various capacities he had served outside politics.”
In a speech, Ighodalo, who appreciated the people’s approval, and appealed to them to nominate him as the PDP flagbearer for the September 21 poll, said the governorship election isn’t about tribe, religion, family connections, “but about the man with the capacity and capability to develop Edo State,” adding that, “Edo has no reason not to be developed if the right leaders are chosen to lead the state.”

Touting his “track records” in the business world, Ighodalo said he’s “the best aspirant for the election,” and declared: “I am the leader that will take the state beyond the next level, hence my appeal for your nomination and support. Let us choose who can help us know the developmental road to lead Edo, and in doing so, we will have good roads and other basic amenities.

“So, I am appealing to you all to give me the opportunity to help our people in Edo, and I promise you all that I will help the people and remove them from poverty. We are going to govern Edo together, as one man cannot do it alone. So, together, we will create a better state and Nigeria.”

Some PDP members, who voluntarily stepped down their governorship aspirations, accompanied Ighodalo during his official declaration in Benin City, and obtaining of the nomination forms in Abuja, to drum support and cooperation for his inspirational bid for Governor that Esan people of Edo Central have clamoured for since 1999.

Yet, Ighodalo isn’t beating the drum for an Esan Governor, but a Governor of Esan extraction. So, as he moves round selling himself and his vision and mission to Edolites, his simple message is that he’s the wherewithal to turnaround the fortunes of Edo State, like the big and viable businesses under his direct or nominal belt within and outside Nigeria.

This message of good governance to redeem Edo State, and provide the dividend of democracy to ameliorate the people’s suffering, has resonated everywhere Ighodalo goes for consultations ahead of the primaries, and the September poll.

Perhaps, the “Concerned Edo PDP Patriots” don’t like to hear the message, and wanted to shut him out of the political contest. But the Mutfwang screening committee, and God didn’t sanction their entreaties! And Dr Asue Ighodalo’s still standing, his political fate in the hands of PDP voters at the governorship primaries!

Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria .

Canada remains one of the top choices for international students seeking higher education opportunities.

However, prospective students should take note of some new regulations for the 2024 student visa.

The Canadian government has introduced updates to the study permit, and if you are considering studying in Canada, it’s essential to stay informed about these changes.

The updated regulations also impact the criteria for obtaining the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Below are some of the new 2024 rules for international students intending to study in Canada:

1. Updated cost-of-living requirements for students: From January 1, 2024, international students must demonstrate they have at least $20,635 (previously $10,000) to cover living expenses (requirements differ for students relocating to Quebec).

2. Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit eligibility: Only spouses of international students enrolled in master’s, doctoral, and professional programs will qualify for open work permits.

3. Longer PGWPs for master’s graduates: Soon, students completing master’s programs in Canada will be eligible for three-year PGWPs.

4. Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility criteria: Beginning September 1, 2024, foreign students commencing study programs in private colleges delivering licensed curriculum will not qualify for PGWPs.

5. Temporary federal cap on international student intake: Anticipated to decrease by 35% from 2023, the number of study permits approved in 2024 is expected to be 360,000. The cap for 2025 will be determined by the end of 2024.

In 2024, around 360,000 new study permits are anticipated to be granted to international students, marking a 35 percent decline from 2023. The cap for 2025 will be established by year-end.

Each province and territory will also impose a cap on the enrollment of new international students in undergraduate programs.

Provinces experiencing the most unsustainable growth in international student numbers will face more significant reductions in their study permit allocations. For instance, Ontario is expected to undergo a 50 percent reduction in study permit approvals.

Reasons for Canada Enforcing International Student Cap

In the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of study permits issued by the Canadian government.

Unfortunately, the infrastructure necessary to accommodate this surge of international students has not kept pace, leading to strain on housing and healthcare systems.

Furthermore, certain private institutions have been admitting more international students primarily to boost revenue, often neglecting to enhance admission and curriculum standards.

The introduction of the new study permit cap aims to provide the Canadian government with time to establish a Trusted Institutions Framework.

This framework will encourage Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to maintain high educational standards and weed out subpar practices in the education sector.

Implementing such measures will ensure that international students arriving in Canada receive the necessary support to excel academically and in other facets of life.

How does the international student cap impact study permit applicants?

If you are an international student, you might worry about how this new cap could impact your ability to qualify for a Canadian study permit.

The international student cap is anticipated to impact study permit applicants in several ways:

1. Increased competition: With fewer study permits being approved, admission into Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) is expected to become more competitive. Applicants may face heightened competition for available slots.

2. Impact on undergraduate programs: Applicants enrolling in undergraduate programs, such as bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, or certificates, may find it more challenging to qualify for a study permit due to the reduced number of permits issued.

3. Unaffected master’s and doctoral programs: Applicants applying to master’s or doctoral programs in Canada may see minimal impact on their chances of obtaining a study permit. These programs may remain relatively unaffected by the cap.

4. Greater competition in specific provinces: Provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia are expected to experience more significant reductions in study permit allocations. As a result, students interested in studying in these provinces may face intensified competition for study permits.

Overall, the international student cap is likely to make the process of obtaining study permits more competitive, particularly for undergraduate program applicants and those interested in studying in provinces experiencing sharper cuts in permit allocations.

[NaijaNews]

Amid the rising wave of insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), some police officers have been arrested for forcefully collecting N29.9m from a resident of Abuja.

The incident, according to Harrison Gwamnishu, a candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, happened in January.

Gwamnishu had in a video via his X account alleged that the businessman was kidnapped in Abuja by the police officers who detained him until he transferred all the money in his bank account to them.

They thereafter insisted he should call all his relatives and friends to keep sending money before he could be freed.

He also alleged that the man was taken away from his site without any proper complaint against him, adding that he was not asked to write a formal statement by the police officers.

Receipts of the transactions were shared alongside the video.

Quoting the post on Tuesday, the Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while confirming the arrest of some of the culprits, disclosed that the force had made progressive steps towards ensuring justice was served in the case.

“We are making a headway on this matter, and justice will be served, as some suspects have been arrested. Hakuna matata,” he wrote.

The development comes after the Anambra State Police Command declared one of the officers in its command, Inspector Audu Omadefu, wanted over alleged murder.

Ikenga Tochukwu, the command’s public relations officer disclosed this in a press release on Tuesday.

The police spokesperson said the fleeing operative Omadefu can be recognised by his service number AP No. 362178.

According to Tochukwu, the inspector disappeared into thin air following the accusation of murder against him.

The police called upon the public to assist in locating Omadefu, assuring that any information provided will be treated with the highest degree of confidentiality.

[DailyTrust]

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has sacked the Vice Chancellor, VC, of Plateau State University, Professor Bernard Matau.

A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Samuel Jatau, confirmed the development on Tuesday.

Matau became the Vice Chancellor of the state university while serving as the state Commissioner for Higher Education in the last administration led by former Governor Simon Lalong.

The VC, who is yet to complete his tenure, was ousted from office alongside four other heads of tertiary institutions in the state, including the Rector of the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi; Provost, College of Health Technology, Pankshin; Provost, College of Health Technology, Zawan as well as the Provost, College of Education, Gindiri.

Parts of the statement read: “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau state, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Plateau State University, Bokkos with immediate effect.

“Similarly, the governor has also approved the removal of the following heads of tertiary institutions: Plateau State University, Bokkos; Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi; College of Education, Gindiri; College of Health Technology, Zawan and College of Health Technology, Pankshin”.

The statement, which did not provide any reason for the sack of the officials, said all the affected should hand over any government property in their possession to the next most senior officers in the institutions immediately.

“The governor has also approved the cancellation of recruitment earlier conducted by tertiary institutions in 2022 and early 2023 that have been under suspension.

“Consequently, applications for an all-inclusive recruitment for all tertiary institutions would be advertised,” the statement added.

According to the statement, the governor thanked the chairman and members of the Governing Council for the services rendered in the state and wished them success in their future endeavors.

[DailyPost]

Veteran singer and social activist, Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy, has said that he engaged in scamming before 419 became popular in Nigeria.

Advance fee fraud or “419 fraud”, is a scheme in which a sender requests help facilitating the illegal transfer of money, according to Wikipedia.

The scam typically involves promising the victim a significant share of a large sum of money, in return for a small up-front payment, which the fraudster claims will be used to obtain the large sum.

If a victim makes the payment, the fraudster either invents a series of further fees for the victim to pay or simply disappears. 

Speaking in the latest episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, co-hosted by actor, Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, aka Nedu, Charley Boy said he engaged in scamming banks before 419 became popular.

He also revealed that his dad, the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, damaged him through religion.

“I spoil from belle because at 16, I don born. My first son is almost 53. I was scamming banks even before una begin hear of 419, I don do small. My papa, when I dey small he damage me with religion and religiousity,” he said.

Charly Boy had in August 2022 argued that marriage is a lifetime sentence

However, in an interview with Saturday Beats, the ‘Area Fada’ said, “Some people are asking me how I have managed to stay in marriage for 45 years. It is hard work. It is not that it has entirely been a sweet experience for me. My marriage is not perfect but we are a perfect match made in heaven.

“Young people usually believe that love is all they need to marry. That is a big lie. That was what I was trying to say (in my post on social media). When I talk, people should think deeper. I have been married for 45 years. What remains again? I can as well finish 10 or 20 more years because it is a life sentence.”

[Punch]

The kidnappers of 14 passengers on two buses traveling from Umuahia, Abia State, to Abuja, who were kidnapped at Inele Eteke in the Olalamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, have contacted the husband of one of their victims and demanded a ransom of N15 million to release her.

Vanguard gathered that the incident happened on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Inele-Eteke, Ogugu new road in Kogi East senatorial district.

A social media influencer, Chude Nnamdi, who broke the news on his X handle, said the two buses belong to God Is Good Motors, GIGM, and ABC Transport.

Chude said his wife was in one of the hijacked buses but could not ascertain the number of persons in the two buses.

“The GIGM bus left Umuahia at 7.30am and was hijacked in Kogi State. The company said they have contacted security services and they are tracking them.

”The kidnappers phoned this morning via my wife’s phone and were demanding N15 million,” Nnamdi said.
In another post, yesterday, Nnamdi said: “Passengers in two loaded buses were kidnapped and everywhere is just quiet like it is nothing. Is this the new normal? Two buses for that matter!”

He attached a message from one of the eyewitnesses who said: “Apparently, this happened around 3pm, along Olamaboro LGA, after one of the sharp road bends, some distance away from the police checkpoint.

“Both buses were five minutes in front of us. Only the GIGM driver escaped but with lots of actively bleeding cuts on his body.

“It was really scary. That spot is not really far from the boundary between Olamaboro and Enugu State.”
Kogi State police command confirmed the incident yesterday, as the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, said the area commander who led his team to the area saw the two buses but did not see the occupants and, so could not tell the number of people kidnapped.

“Yes, the incident happened but the DPO, local vigilantes, and hunters have been in the bush in an effort to rescue the victims,” Aya said in a statement, yesterday.

The PPRO added: “The CP has deployed additional tactical squad consisting of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional police personnel to the area to continue with the bush combing and to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.

“The report reaching me this morning (yesterday) is that a GIGM and ABC Transport buses heading to Abuja were hijacked by kidnappers in Kogi State.

Tactical team rescues driver of GIG“Meanwhile, the tactical team set up by the Kogi State police command, the DPO, local vigilantes and hunters have reportedly rescued the driver of the GIGM bus, Mr Godwin

Oniovosa.“Confirming the rescue in a short statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP William Aya, said: “God is Good Motors was with 12 passengers while ABC was with 2 Passengers. Meanwhile, the driver of the God is Good Motors, Mr Godwin Oniovosa has been rescued. Bush combing continues.”

ABC mgt reacts, ALBON keeps mum

Reacting to the issue upon inquiry, yesterday, the management of ABC Transport Plc explained the circumstances leading to the hijack of the buses.

The company said in a statement: “What did occur was that at about 1:30pm on Saturday, February 3 2024, at a village called Ayele Adumu, in Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State, unknown persons blocked and attacked oncoming vehicles, among which was an ABC Sienna en-route Enugu to Abuja with two passengers.

“”The two passengers and the bus driver were led into the bush alongside other passengers of other vehicles and have since been held hostage.

“ABC Transport is actively cooperating with relevant security agencies to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible.“”Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure a prompt and thorough resolution to the issue at hand.“”We understand the concerns raised by the public due to the reports in circulation, and we urge everyone to rely on official statements from ABC Transport for accurate and up-to-date information. Our team is working tirelessly to provide updates as the situation unfolds.

“We appreciate the cooperation of our passengers, stakeholders, and the public in allowing us the time and space to address this matter responsibly. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and security for our valued passengers and staff.”

On his part, President of the Association of Luxury Owners of Nigeria, ALBON, Mr Nonso Ubajaka, refused to comment on the matter. He dropped the phone when Vanguard’s Correspondent introduced himself and asked for his reaction and refused to pick further calls.

We’ll flush out killers, kidnappers from S-West —OPC

Meanwhile, the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, yesterday, condemned the killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State, saying it would do everything possible to secure the South-West.

The Yoruba socio-cultural organization also urged the Federal Government to fish out the killers of the two monarchs and bring them to book.

OPC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Oguntimehin, in reaction to the gruesome murder of three monarchs in Ekiti and Kwara states said it is sad that the monarchs died in such a situation, adding that the OPC would not fold its arms and leave unknown gunmen to spill blood of innocent people.

The statement reads: “We have indicated our resolve to assist the government of the South-West region in addressing the surge of killings in Yoruba land.

“OPC will not allow the South-West to be used as an abattoir where innocent people will be slaughtered and gunmen would live like kings in our region. It is unacceptable. We will resist any attempt by gunmen to turn Yoruba land into a den of killers.

“It is unfortunate now that reports of killings and kidnappings are spreading across the South-West. We appeal to the federal and the state governments to co-opt the OPC in their attempt to solving the security challenges in the country.

“We are ready to salvage the region from marauders and killers that have infiltrated our region. Those behind the killings of the three traditional rulers would not go unpunished.”

Develop robots to tackle kidnapping, banditry, FOUYE VC tasks FG

Also, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, has urged the Federal and state governments to be more innovative by investing in the development of robotics technology to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other criminalities beleaguering the country.

Fasina urged the government at all levels to provide an enabling environment that will birth opportunities for both the young and old, to arrest brain drain, which seems to be the order of the day in the country.

The Vice Chancellor said this at a press conference to herald the institution’s 18th convocation ceremony, saying, “we should use the resources we have to sustain our human and capital development.”

We need state, LG police urgently, says Olawepo-Hashim

In like manner, Former Presidential Candidate and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to implement the APC’s policy of decentralization of Policing to halt the rising wave on insecurity, blood-letting and kidnapping in the country.

Civil society groups, under the aegis of the Civil Society Joint Action Group, said last week that 2,423 persons had been killed, while 1,872 others had been abducted in the eight months of President Tinubu’s administration.

Decrying the development, Olawepo-Hashim, in a statement, said that the barbaric killings and kidnappings were condemnable.

Lamenting that rampaging gangs of terrorists and kidnappers moving like a guerrilla movement round most states in Nigeria, the business-cum-politician said: “I really do not understand the hesitation on the part of the President and the party leadership to lead the charge. “Many State governments and Local Government Councils are being controlled by APC. The Party also controls the National Assembly and majority of tate houses of assembly. So, it means the party can obtain the Legislative consensus within one week to bring to birth State Policing.”

[OpinionNigeria]

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Egyptian official Amin Mohamed Omar as the referee for Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final encounter between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

The match, which will commence at 5 pm Cote d’Ivoire time (6 pm in Nigeria), will see Omar’s compatriots, Mahmoud Kamel Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Ibrahim, playing the roles of assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2, respectively, while Sudanese Mahmood Ali Ismail will serve as the fourth official.

Attia Essa Amsaaed from Libya will be the reserve assistant referee, with Yacoub Ali Elmi from Djibouti as commissioner and Aboubacar Doumbouya from Guinea as the referee assessor.

Three-time champions Nigeria and 1996 champions South Africa will face off in their second-ever Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash at the Stade de la Paix. Their only previous meeting at the same stage, at the National Stadium in Lagos when Nigeria co-hosted the 2000 finals with Ghana, ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.

Wednesday’s clash is being billed as the more potentially explosive of the two semi-finals (hosts Cote d’Ivoire are up against the Democratic Republic of Congo), given the pedigree, rivalry, and ambition of the two teams.

South Africa has only beaten Nigeria twice in 14 previous meetings at full senior level, though Nigeria edged an African Nations Championship clash by beating the hosts 3-1 in Cape Town in 2014.

The Eagles are presently ranked 42nd in the world by FIFA (6th in Africa), while the Bafana Bafana are 66th in the world (12th in Africa).

Four years ago, both teams met at the quarter-final stage, with the Super Eagles edging the encounter at the Cairo International Stadium 2-1, the goals coming from Samuel Chukwueze and William Ekong. Both players are in the present squad and likely to be part of Wednesday’s battle.

[Leadership]

THE Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has purportedly warned Super Eagles fans to stay safe following threats of xenophobia regarding the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final fixture against Bafana Bafana.

There is a history of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa and the upcoming match has caused some tension, with some South Africans threatening to pounce again.

An advisory note circulating online with the Nigerian High Commission letterhead has told Nigerians to mind how they celebrate if the Super Eagles win tomorrow’s encounter in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.

“The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday 7th February 2024,” the statement reads in part.

“Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against “Nigerians cooking jollof rice” before the match, and “showing pepper to Nigerians if Bafana Bafana lose to the Super Eagles”, among others.

“In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community to be watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match especially in public places, and refrain from engaging in loud. riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win the match.

“Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for, and be law abiding before, during and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities.”

Nigerians have been engaging in online banter with Ghanaians, Cameroonians and Angolans since AFCON 2023 began over three weeks ago, and this is the first time there have been threats of physical violence from any set of fans.

 [NaijaTImes]

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the brother of Hadi Sirika, the immediate past Aviation Minister over an alleged contract fraud in the aviation ministry.

Abubakar was picked up by the anti-graft agency on Sunday, February 4 following an investigation in the Aviation Ministry.

During his tenure as minister, Sirika faces allegations including conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.

The Commission stated that the amount in question is related to four aviation contracts awarded by the former minister to a company called Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger brother.

In addition to being designated as the MD/CEO of the company, Abubakar is the only signatory to its two accounts, which are maintained in Zenith and Union banks, according to the agency.

Contract Awarded to Sirika’s Company

• Sources within the EFCC disclosed that Sirika granted the contracts to his brother fully aware that Abubakar is a civil servant serving as a deputy director on Level 16 at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, a position he has held since 2000.
• The first of the disputed contracts granted by the ex-minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022, involving the construction of a Terminal Building at Katsina Airport, with a total cost of N1,345,586,500.
• The second was awarded on November 3, 2022 for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport, valued at N3.8 billion.
• The third contract, signed on February 3, 2023, involved the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and a power generator’s house at Aviation House in Abuja, with a total cost of N615 million.
• Meanwhile, the fourth contract, awarded on May 5, 2023, was for the procurement of Magnus Aircraft and a simulator for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria, totaling N2.2 billion.

More Insights

• According to reports, the former minister allegedly disbursed N3.2 billion to his brother’s company, Engirios Nigerian Limited, which subsequently transferred the funds to various entities and individuals.
• Despite this transaction, there is no evidence of any work being carried out on the contracted items to date.
• Abubakar Sirika is presently held in EFCC custody, where he is offering supplementary information concerning the financial dealings of the ministry, all under the supervision of his older brother, Hadi Sirika.

[Nairametrics]