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IT is beginning to look as if cars are now built to last a life-time. Surprisingly, such cars are not even from established brands that you might be thinking of.
Ordinarily, most people would think that such cars are made in Germany, Britain, America, Japan or Korea. But they are wrong. The cars that are giving world renowned automakers sleepless nights are from China.
Have you imagined that a car built in China could offer 10 years or 1,000,000 kilometer warranty? Or that a car could float on water in case of emergency? This is the new bar that the Chinese automakers are setting.
Leading this new technology exploits are the Jetour and BYD companies and other Chinese makers are gearing up to surpass the competition in no time.
Jetour SUV
For instance, the new Jetour T2 Sport Utility Vehicle is offering 10 years/one million kilometer warranty and a host of new technologies that could make renown automobile makers look like learners. This five seater SUV comes with array of features that are not common in its segment, thereby giving other traditional brands serious concern for worry. Roof rails, bulging wheel arches, striking tailgate and high-tech light signature, stand the SUV out.
Measuring about 4.78 meters long which is slightly shorter than the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Jetour T2 comes with imposing front end with its large grille, LED headlights and lower guards.
The T2’s clean cabin comes with 15.6-inch HD central screen as well as 10.25-inch instrumentation and a centre console that houses the gear selector and driving profiles. Ventilate and panoramic roof with snapdragon 8155 chip and 12-speaker Sony audio completes the luxury feelings in the T2.
Power is at your control with the 2.0 Turbo petrol engine which delivers 254 PS and 390Nm of peak torque. This engine is linked to a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic gear and six generation BorgWarner all-wheel drive system.
Features such as remote parking, lane assist, 360 camera, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam guidance, fatigue detector, blind spot monitoring and automatic braking, are standard features of Jetour T2.
Another shocker from the Chinese automaker is the BYD Yangwang U8 SUV which delivers unrivalled off-road prowess and can be driven off-land too. It can float like a boat in flood even when the water gets up to the window level.
BYD revealed that the upcoming U8 Premium Edition was designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including flash floods. If you’re ever caught in a flood, the SUV will elevate its suspension, turn off its engine (more on that in a bit), switch its HVAC system to re-circulation mode and seal its windows so that it can remain afloat up to 30 minutes, according to CarScoops. The vehicle can do more than just float, though. It can also drive forward at speeds of up to 1.8 mph. You’ll be able to maneuver around objects if necessary, too.
Water readiness is far from the U8’s only attractive feature. The full-size SUV is being pitched as a Chinese alternative to the ultra-chic Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and Range Rover. Its unique hybrid power train, the U8 is an extended-range EV (EREV), which means it pairs a four-motor electric power train with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that acts as a range extender. BYD says the setup produces 1,200 hp and has a range of 621 miles.
BYD isn’t the first company to think about making a land-based electric ride that can travel through water. Elon Musk has had the same idea for the Cybertruck. Last year, the company’s CEO posted on X, then known as Twitter, that the eagerly anticipated EV would be able to “serve briefly as a boat.” We’ve yet to see the finished Cybertruck—the examples that have rolled off the line have only been production candidates—so it remains to be seen if the ability will be available.
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has struck out the name of Adekunbi Ogunde from the list of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
Akorede Lawal, spokesperson of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), told TheCable that the decision by the LPDC was reached on Thursday.
Lawal also said the sanction “is subject to the right of appeal of the counsel to the supreme court”.
Ogunde, a former partner in the law firm of Wole Olanipekun, immediate former chairman of the Body of Benchers, had, in June 2022, admitted to sending an email to SAIPEM Contracting Nigeria Ltd, soliciting a brief.
Despite being aware that the law firm of Henry Ajumogobia, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is handling the matter, Ogunde asked SAIPEM to consider hiring Olanipekun & Co, adding that the founder has more “influence” with judges across all courts.
Olanipekun has since apologised to Ajumogobia, stating that he never approved the email sent by Ogunde.
Ogunde also apologised to Ajumogobia for the embarrassment, blaming her action on exuberance.
The NBA had, in a petition sent on July 20, asked the LPDC to prosecute Ogunde over “professional misconduct”.
In the petition, NBA also asked the committee to consider whether the partners of the firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co, are not liable to be disciplined alongside Ogunde.
The NBA also demanded that Olanipekun should resign on the ground that he could influence the processes of the LPDC since the committee is under the supervision of the Body of Benchers’ chairman.
In August 2022, Ogunde said the issue has affected her psychologically.
Ogunde said after “consulting with family and the firm, and after a deep and thorough examination of all the facets of this hydra-headed problem”, she has decided to “take a leave of absence from legal practice and get involved in the community and social work pro bono, with a few selected NGOs”.
[TheCable]
The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Government of Nigeria received an additional N3.8 trillion in Ways and Means Borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria in the last six months of 2023.
According to Nairametrics, this is the provisional data published in the latest Statistics bulletin for the fourth quarter of 2023, which the central bank recently released.
The CBN’s provision data showed that the total figure rose from N4.4 trillion at the end of June 2023, meaning that the cumulative Ways and Means balances due by the government now stand at N8.2 trillion as of December 2023.
The figure contradicts claims by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, that Tinubu’s government has yet to borrow from CBN.
Edun said this when he spoke with journalists at the recently held Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington DC, United States.
Meanwhile, the Total Ways and Means balance as of May 2023, when the Tinubu administration took over, was N26.95 trillion.
However, the balances were securitized as part of the federal government’s domestic debt profile.
Further analysis showed that at the end of June 2023, it was N4.36 trillion, indicating that the prior month’s balances may have been moved to the Debt Management Office, the custodial of the country’s debt record.
However, from July 2023, the balances increased monthly to N4.5 trillion in July, then N5.1 trillion in August, crossing the N5.1 trillion mark for the first time.
By September, the total was N6.4 trillion, representing the largest monthly additional borrowing with about N1.3 trillion.
It climbed to N7.2 trillion in October before rising marginally to N7.6 trillion in November.
At the end of the year, in December, the total hit N8.21 trillion, suggesting that Ways and Means increased by 88 per cent in 6 months.
The opposition Labour Party, LP, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, expressed shock over how the United States 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices arrived at its conclusion that the 2023 polls reflected the will of Nigerians, despite widespread irregularities.
However, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Presidency hailed the report but said the party did not need external validation of its victories at the polls.
The report published by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, US Department of State, highlighted human rights practices and violations in different countries, including Nigeria.
It said the last general elections in Nigeria reflected the will of the populace, despite widespread irregularities.
Picking holes in the conclusion, LP and PDP said they are committed to deepening democracy in Nigeria and averting a one-party state.
The report stated that supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, suppressed votes in Igbo-dominated areas during the March 2023 governorship election in Lagos.
“National elections were widely reported to have reflected the will of voters, despite technical and logistical difficulties, and some irregularities.
“Many independent observers who assessed the results of the presidential, legislative, and state-level elections during the year reflected the will of voters despite reports of voter suppression and vote-buying, campaigning at polling stations, lack of ballot secrecy, violence, and intimidation.
“During the March 18 state election in Lagos, All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters reportedly intimidated and suppressed voters in Igbo-dominated areas, which Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, won in the February 25 national election.
“Viral videos on social media showed APC supporters in Ojo (LGA in Lagos) threatening to attack ethnic Igbo voters presumed to be pro-Obi.
“In Eti-Osa, APC supporters also attacked journalists and, in some cases, shut down voting and prevented non-Yoruba voters from accessing polls. They similarly destroyed property and physically blocked voters in Amuwo-Odofin.
“According to videos posted on social media, police officers were present but failed to respond to attacks,’’ the report read.
It said there was no evidence that individuals who perpetrated violence in Lagos during the election were arrested or prosecuted.
The report also stated that the Nigerian government has not “consistently” implemented anti-corruption laws.
It said there was “widespread” corruption across the country, including the judiciary.
“In August, President Tinubu appointed former Governor Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget, despite Bagudu’s widely reported history of helping then-President Sani Abacha steal hundreds of millions of dollars from the government in the 1990s,’’ the report stated.
However, the two main opposition political parties, the PDP and the LP, in reaction to the report, restated their commitment to the development of democracy in Nigeria, despite its shortcomings.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, in a telephone chat with newsmen said: “I am yet to read the report but one thing we, as a party, can assure Nigerians is that we remain committed to the advancement of democracy in our country.
“We are also committed to ensuring that our country does not become a one-party state or slide into dictatorship.”
Speaking in a similar vein, his counterpart in the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, said: “With all said and done, we take solace in the fact that the report was fair enough to admit that there were irregularities, including but not limited to vote buying, ballot box snatching, intimidation and physical attacks on our party supporters, especially in Lagos.
“The report was magnanimous enough to note that supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, suppressed votes in areas dominated by our supporters during the March 2023 governorship election in Lagos.
“To say the outcome of such an election reflects the majority view of Nigerians is left for the people to judge. Our commitment to the development of democracy in Nigeria remains unshakable.”
On its part, the ruling APC said while it welcomed the report, it does not need any external validation in that regard.
Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party, Nze Chidi Duru, told Vanguard that the party had since moved on, concentrating on developing Nigeria’s electoral democracy.
He said: “It (report) is a welcome development but I want to restate that we do not need any external validation on the outcome of the 2023 general election.
‘’That election, as far as the party is concerned and as far as the people of Nigeria are concerned, is now behind us and we are looking forward to the 2027 general election.
“All the infrastructure of government at all levels, whether it is at the federal, state, local government or ward level, are already in place. Our councillors, National Assembly members and governors have been elected and are in place.
‘’Where there are issues arising from that election, those elections have been contested at the courts and we know that the courts have heard and given their well-considered ruling. So, we have gone beyond that.
“We also believe improvement, development and change are constant things and then as a government, we will continue to encourage and fund INEC in a way that empowers them to be able to further improve the electoral process in Nigeria.
“As we continue to march on the path of democracy, we hope to continue to conduct elections that would reflect the will of Nigerians.
“So, in a nutshell, as much as this is welcome, we do not need any external validation. Elections have been conducted and those elected have assumed offices and where there are disputes, they were taken to courts and the issues have been resolved.”
Speaking in like manner, the Presidency through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said INEC “conducted a free and fair election.’’
He noted that there is nowhere in the world the electoral umpire conducted a 100 per cent error-free election.
His words: “INEC conducted a free and fair election. We don’t need any foreign country to validate or make our election free and fair.
“The report doesn’t require any validation. As far as we are concerned, it was a free and fair election. We (the All Progressives Congress) won the election.”
The presidential aide also debunked the allegation of voter suppression in Lagos State.
The federal government has directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to conduct a thorough audit of all domestic airlines operating in the country.
This was made known on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who emphasized the need to ensure the safety of passengers.
Government order is coming on the heels of the incident in which one of the aircraft operated by Dana Airline skidded off the runway at the Lagos International Airport.
Fortunately, no casualty was recorded in the incident, which happened on Tuesday, 23rd April.
Against the backdrop of the incident, Keyamo said during an appearance on Channels TV that in addition to suspending Dana Airlines and conducting an audit of the airline, all other airlines in the country will undergo audits to ensure the safety of passengers and the sustainability of the civil aviation sector.
FAAN Reopens Lagos Airport Runway After Dana Air Incident
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially declared the reopening of runway 18L/36R at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
Naija News understands that the runway was temporarily closed earlier on Tuesday following a Dana Air plane skidding off it.
A press release signed by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, on Wednesday, stated that the runway is now safe for operation following a joint inspection by the FAAN Operations Division and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
FAAN also recognized the need for extensive cleaning efforts in the muddy area affected by the overshoot to ensure safety is restored.
Northern Nigerian Universities Refuse To Allow Christian Worship Centres - Bishop Kukah Alleges
AFOLABIThe Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has expressed his concern about the growing prevalence of ethnic and religious prejudices in Nigerian universities, especially in the northern region of the country.
Speaking during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, Kukah alleged that most universities in the North have refused to allow the Christian community to establish worship centres on the school premises.
Bishop Kukah also criticized the diminishing diversity and merit-based practices in academic institutions in the region.
He said: “A mosque was constructed at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I delivered a convocation lecture in Calabar three weeks ago. After my lecture, the Chief Imam of the University came to congratulate me.
“But as I speak to you, Usman Dan Fodio, who is over 40 years old, Bayero University, and other universities in Northern Nigeria have decided to close their doors to the possibility of churches being built in the universities across this country.
“All this fanaticism we are seeing is expressed in public life. If students in the university or at the point of their growing up are not allowed to integrate and interrelate, and if churches or mosques cannot be built across this country, then there is a problem.”
The Catholic Bishop emphasized that diversity and meritocracy in Nigerian universities are on the decline, with ethnic and religious factors taking on a more prominent role.
“There was a time when Ahmadu Bello University had lecturers from different parts of the world. Now, look at what has happened to our universities across Nigeria. Our universities have become just mere incubators of ethnic jingoism.
“So, I do not know which funded Federal University that you will name that has a Vice Chancellor that is not a local boy.
“So the universities themselves have become playgrounds for the ambitions of the local elite. The question is, why should a place of worship be a problem for a university? Whether it is for the Muslim students in Calabar or the Christian students in Sokoto.
“I approached the Minister of Education about this. I have a letter from the Nigerian University Commission. The universities in northern Nigeria have refused to implement this recommendation,” Bishop Kukah said.
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Meets with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of Netherlands, Details Roadmap for Enhanced Trade Opportunities Across Sectors
AdminPresident Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is well-positioned to power the clean energy future of Europe and the world with its high-grade lithium deposits.
Speaking during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands at his official residence, known as The Catshuis in The Hague, on Thursday, the President said Nigeria offers immense opportunities across a pool of sectors and that his administration is deepening reforms to enhance the investment climate.
He said Nigeria seeks robust, balanced, and mutually beneficial partnerships that will bring about value-addition in areas like solid minerals.
"Taking a holistic view of the world order, there is a tremendous opportunity between us across trade spheres but especially in solid minerals, where we have high-grade lithium deposits that we know can power the clean energy future of the world. There is excellent value-additive opportunity in Nigeria. The world knows us for oil. They will soon know us for greater innovative exploits in other areas.
"We have an extremely dynamic youth population in Nigeria. It is a young country. 70% of our people are under the age of 30, and when we are referring to 200 million plus citizens, it represents both a massive workforce and a massive market for Dutch and other international investors.
"If our young people know they can achieve a good future in Nigeria, they will stay home and build our nation to greatness. Lawful migration of trained Nigerian minds and hands will be a benefit to Europe, and irregular migration will no longer be a source of fear in Europe if we partner effectively.
"This is what we want and it is why we are adamant about providing student loans and new credit opportunities to not only enhance the skills of our people but also to ensure that they can access a higher quality of life within their legitimate incomes. We will transform our economy, and our young people will be the reason why," the President stated.
President Tinubu asserted that Nigerians have tremendous confidence in themselves and that his confidence in the Nigerian people gave him the courage to take difficult decisions on their behalf, given his full awareness of the need to give Nigerians the long-term tools they need to succeed.
"I am a determined leader of my people. I have and will continue to take the difficult decisions that will benefit our people, even if there is short-term pain. We have gone through the worst of the storms. I am unafraid of the consequences once I know that my actions are in the best long-term interests of all Nigerians.
"The Nigerian Naira is one of the world's best performing currencies today. We took the necessary risk, and all resilient Nigerians kept faith with us. They will be rewarded, and the reward will only be greater as we partner effectively with you on new oppportunities for development. As leaders, we must take decisions for the benefit of our nations, and we cannot shy away from that," the President said.
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands noted that President Tinubu's economic reforms have engendered greater confidence in the Nigerian economy by international investors and that Dutch investors have activated another set of $250 million worth of new investments over the next few months, including a $100 million investment in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos State.
"You are promoting democratic governance and the solutions it can bring in dealing with problems of development. I saw how you went through democratic channels to remove an incumbent president in 2015 in partnership with President Buhari and how that has led to development in your country.
"I saw you take the courageous decision to deal with fuel subsidies and other reforms, and we are interested in what allowed you to take the decisions that many before you could not take. And you took those decisions early in your term. It shows rare determination. And your stand in ECOWAS, all of these point to your commitment in leadership," the Prime Minister stated.
President Tinubu further expressed his firm commitment to develop the developmental partnership between the European Union (EU) and Nigeria, noting that symbiotic economic ties remain the best long-term path to sustainable and mutual prosperity rather than one-sided relationships in which bilateral trade is skewed too much in one direction.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 25, 2024
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu To Dutch Industry: Partnerships Must Be Transformative; They Must Translate into Real Gains for Our Citizens
AdminPresident Bola Tinubu says bilateral partnerships must be mutually beneficial, transformative, and must translate into real gains for ordinary citizens.
Speaking at the Nigeria-Netherlands Business and Investment Forum in The Hague, on Thursday, President Tinubu emphasized the pivotality of stronger ties between Nigeria and the Netherlands, saying both countries must explore more creative channels of collaboration, whether it is through partnerships, joint ventures, or strategic alliances in order to build bridges that connect markets and facilitate the flow of goods, services, ideas and peoples.
He said his administration is enhancing the business environment in Nigeria to make it very friendly through various reforms, adding that these measures include: "The cleaning up of our foreign exchange market to make it more transparent for seamless business transactions, removal of the fuel subsidy, and the readiness of the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide the necessary window to allow foreign companies repatriate their profits, among others."
President Tinubu said the improved business milieu in Nigeria is making the country an investor's paradise, urging businessmen and women to take advantage of these opportunities for mutually rewarding economic partnerships between Nigeria and the Netherlands.
"I am delighted and honoured to be at this occasion of the Nigeria-Netherlands Business Forum. This is a platform that symbolizes the potential for collaboration and partnership between our two nations.
"It is worthy to note that while this forum seeks to highlight and advance the potential of mutually beneficial partnerships, I wish to state here that we must also ensure that the partnerships are creative and transformative in such a manner that the ordinary citizens of our countries can reap verifiable gains.
"It is on record that Nigeria and the Netherlands have established business ties for decades. There is every need to re-invigorate this relationship. This is a call for creativity on the part of all of us," the President said.
Noting the long history of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Netherlands, President Tinubu called for the forging of even stronger bonds, not just in diplomacy but in commerce, innovation, and enterprise.
"Our countries possess unique strengths and resources. It is through collaboration that we can harness these strengths, unlock new opportunities, and drive economic development.
"Together, we have the potential to create synergies that will benefit our present and future generations. We must endeavour to replicate the success stories of various Dutch companies and enterprises by learning and sharing their experiences and approaches for the benefit of all.
"As the world braces up for today’s economic challenges, which in many ways affect our two countries, a creative approach to the search for investment-minded solutions will prove to be the most viable path to the level of sustainable development that we all desire.
"In line with the above vision, I believe that we must endeavour to push this narrative into our daily business activities and to move toward industrial value addition, agribusiness, innovative technology, green energy, marine economic expansion, as well as solid mineral exploitation and processing," the President said.
Rounding off his remarks, President Tinubu emphasized that relations between Nigeria and the Netherlands will henceforth set a new tone and foundation for stronger economic ties between both countries.
"As we engage in discussions and negotiations today, let us do so with a spirit of openness, trust, and mutual respect. Let us listen to one another, learn from each other, and find common ground that will allow us to move forward together in pursuit of our shared prosperity," the President concluded.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
The UK government has announced a 48% increase in the minimum salary requirement for foreign nationals arriving on a Skilled Worker visa, including Nigerian immigrants.
The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, announced on behalf of the UK government that the minimum salary requirement for immigrants has increased from £26,200 to £38,700.
The UK skilled work visa was increased to prioritize British workers and cut migration.
In line with the information updated on April 4, 2024, UK businesses are now obligated to provide substantially higher salaries to overseas workers entering the country on Skilled Worker visas.
Cleverly said: “It’s time to turn off the taps and end the flow of cheap workers from abroad.
“Mass migration is unsustainable, and it’s simply not fair. It undercuts the wages of hard-working people who are just trying to make ends meet.
“We are refocusing our immigration system to prioritise the brightest and best who have the skills our economy needs, while reducing overall numbers.
“I promised the British people an immigration system that serves their interests, and to bring numbers down – these tough measures deliver on that commitment. Employers must also play their part and put British workers first.”
The UK has listed the criteria for the various categories of jobs under the skilled work visa scheme.
For salary requirements, it reads: “You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher.
“Your salary is £39,000 per year, but the annual going rate for the job you’ll be doing is £45,000. You do not meet the usual salary requirements for this visa.
“Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.”
The statement outlined that different salary rules apply to healthcare or education jobs, which are based on national pay scales.
However, for those not in these fields, eligibility for the visa may still be possible if the salary is at least £30,960 per year.
Below are some of the jobs and their corresponding codes listed under the skilled work visa:
1111 Chief executives and senior officials
1121 Production managers and directors in manufacturing
1122 Production managers and directors in construction
1123 Production managers and directors in mining and energy
1131 Financial managers and directors
1132 Marketing, sales and advertising directors
1133 Public relations and communications directors
1134 Purchasing managers and directors
1135 Charitable organisation managers and directors
1136 Human resource managers and directors
1137 Information technology directors
1139 Functional managers and directors not elsewhere classified
1140 Directors in logistics, warehousing and transport
1150 Managers and directors in retail and wholesale
You can view more job listings and their corresponding codes by clicking on the link.
The Federal Government has commenced the upgrade of 50 selected senior secondary schools across the country.
The Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSCE), Dr. Iyela Ajayi, stated this in Nasarawa State when he paid a courtesy visit to the state’s Commissioner of Education, Dr. John Mamman.
The Executive Secretary in a statement signed by NSSCE’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Fatima Ahmed Bappare, also disclosed that Government College, Nasarawa, was among the selected schools for the upgrade.
He further added that President Bola Tinubu has placed high priority on the development of the education sector as evident in the budget allocation to the sector in the 2024 appropriation Act.
“Upgrade of the 50 selected senior secondary schools across the nation, which was captured in the 2024 budget, is a clear testimony of this administration’s commitment to the development of Senior Secondary Education in the country,” he said.
He further called for cooperation between the Nasarawa State Ministry of Education and the consultant that will be on site for a smooth take off during the upgrade.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Education, Mal. Mohammed Sani Bala who represented the Commissioner of Education, expressed appreciation for selecting the state amongst the pullout states, and promised to give every necessary support needed for the success of the upgrade.
He also assured NSSEC of composition of Nasarawa State Senior Secondary Education Board by the state House of Assembly.
Also speaking, the Principal of the College, Mal. Gambo Suleiman, expressed confidence that the upgrades would be a success.
He further listed other areas in the college that needed intervention, like the school perimeter fence, E-library and conventional library, multi-purpose hall, students’ hostels, classrooms and staff quarters for teachers.
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A 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria by the U.S. Department of State has said the 2023 elections were marred by violence, vote-buying, voter suppression and intimidation among other challenges.
The report seen by Naija News on Thursday also stated that there were reports of campaigning at polling stations, lack of ballot secrecy and various irregularities during the country’s 2023 elections.
The report said many independent observers acknowledged that the presidential, legislative, and governorship elections largely reflected the will of voters
The report read, “Many independent observers assessed the results of the presidential, legislative, and state-level elections during the year reflected the will of voters, despite reports of voter suppression and vote buying, campaigning at polling stations, lack of ballot secrecy, violence, and intimidation.”
The report cited an incident which occurred during the March 18 state election in Lagos, stating, “During the March 18 state election in Lagos, All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters reportedly intimidated and suppressed voters in Igbo-dominated areas, which Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, won in the February 25 national election.
“Viral videos on social media showed APC supporters in Ojo threatening to attack ethnic Igbo voters presumed to be pro-Obi. In Eti-Osa, APC supporters also attacked journalists and, in some cases, shut down voting and prevented non-Yoruba voters from accessing polls. They similarly destroyed property and physically blocked voters in Amuwo-Odofin.
“According to videos posted on social media, police officers were present but failed to respond to attacks. There was no evidence that alleged perpetrators were arrested or prosecuted.”
The report also highlighted the persistent underrepresentation of women and marginalized groups in Nigerian politics.
It stated that religious, cultural, and economic barriers were contributing factors for the underrepresentation.
It added: “The national average of women’s political participation in Nigeria was 6.7 per cent in elected and appointed positions.”
The report further noted that media outlets often stereotyped women politicians and, in some cases, refused to cover their campaigns allegedly on the orders of opposition officials and candidates.
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“Media outlets stereotyped women politicians as “promiscuous” or “cunning” and in some cases refused to cover their campaigns allegedly on the orders of opposition officials and candidates,” it added.
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has revealed his succession plans for the State ahead of expiration of tenure.
Makinde noted that he would not support any aspirant or candidate within Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) that is above the age of 52.
The Oyo governor spoke at a Students’ Legislative Summit organised by the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly and chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, in conjunction with the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan.
He said, “When I came in as the governor of Oyo State at age 51, some people believed it was impossible and against all odds the impossible became possible.
“I have decided that come 2027, I would not support any candidate above the age of 52 in my party for the position of governor of Oyo State.”
Equally, he noted that he has broken the jink of ‘who is your father’ in the political space of the state.
He disclosed that there was a time when ‘who is your father’ was the order of the day in the political space of the state.
According to him, “For us here, we have seen the common situation where ‘who is your father’ was the order of the day but we have been able to break that in Oyo State. My father was a ‘nobody’ and the Oyo State people still gave me the opportunity to lead.
“We may not be able to prepare the future for the youth, but we can prepare the youth for the future. Please, don’t see this event as just an opportunity to look at the issue of leadership in this country. And, in me, Seyi Makinde, the youth have an ally and we will prepare the leaders of the next generation amongst the youth.
“I am here this afternoon to encourage the youth. If you look at the history of Nigeria, we had our independence in 1960 and six years after, in 1966, the person that became the Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was 31 years and some months old. After him, during the Second Republic, former President Obasanjo retired as a General at the age of 39.
“You should dream big; people have ruled this country at very tender ages. So, for you, don’t think that at 29 or 30, you are too young to rule and I am glad, because this is almost like catching them early.
“You have the students here and in about three years, some of you will be out there to move on. If I were you, I wouldn’t start looking for work; I would start doing my own thing at a very early age of 24 or 25. With the kind of energy you still have, you can pull down the kingdom of Satan.”
The Naira has failed to appreciate against the US dollar at the foreign exchange market despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent additional release of $10,000 to Bureau De change operators.
FMDQ data showed that the Naira recorded another drop to N1308.52 per Dollar on Wednesday compared to N1,300.15 exchanged on Tuesday.
On a day-to-day basis, this represents an N8.37 drop from N1,300.15 per Dollar it traded on Tuesday.
In the parallel market section, the Naira was sold at between N1,250 and N1,300 on Wednesday from N1230 on Tuesday.
The development comes despite the Central Bank of Nigeria releasing 10,000 dollars each to BDC at N1,021 to a dollar with a caveat to sell at most 1.5 per cent above the bought price.
This is the third recent intervention for BDCs amid the bank’s effort to defend the Naira.
However, despite the FX rate record, the official window rate still surpassed the parallel market by N8.52.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the National President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, Aminu Gwadabe, blamed peer-to-peer cryptocurrency platforms like Binance for the recent depreciation of the Naira against the Dollar in the foreign exchange market.
In recent days, the Naira has slumped six times against the Dollar in the foreign exchange market.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has said he was not obsessed about replacing President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The former Governor of Anambra State said he is only desperate to see the poor and underprivileged Nigerians being pulled out of their difficult situation daily.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Obi stressed that he would not shy away from discussing pressing issues plaguing the country.
He said, “We live in a system where public officeholders and politicians are only seen during elections. I can tell you that it is an everyday job. I have said several times that I am not desperate to become the President of Nigeria. But I am desperate to see the poor and underprivileged Nigerians being pulled out of their difficult situation daily.
“That is what I am desperate to see. And all of us can do it as well. You can’t even be happy or fulfilled when several million (Nigerians) don’t know where the next meal will come from. When I see children suffering, it increases my pain. This is not about campaign.”
Focus On Existing Roads, Highways
The LP chieftain disclosed that if he were to become President, he would do things differently by focusing on repairing existing roads as against approving contracts for new ones.
Obi stated that some deplorable major highways, such as Lagos-Badagry and Kano-Kaduna, had become death traps and should be the priority of any serious government.
He added:“If I were to be the President of Nigeria today, nobody would think of any new road until we finish the existing ones. In this country, we are always trying to do things anyhow. Today, you can’t move from Lagos to Badagry, a short period of less than 100 kilometres. It has been under construction for several years. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has also not been completed for several years.