A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale revealed that President Tinubu Advised Ambassador Molly to ensure that U.S. policy is intentionally collaborative with independent African democracies at a time when they are under assault by anti-democratic forces within and outside of the continent.
The President noted that American-backed development finance and multilateral institutions, which were designed to support war-torn Europe after World War II, require swift and comprehensive reform to meet the developmental requirements of younger democracies in Africa, which operate in authoritarian-crowded environments, such that the legitimate yearnings of Africans would no longer be manipulated to serve the narrow aims of self-seeking demagogues through unconstitutional takeovers of power.
“Yes, the private sector will lead the way within an enabling environment we create for them, but the U.S. Government must be innovative in its thinking and systematically create incentives for U.S. industrial investment in Nigeria. Under my leadership, Nigeria stands ready to address their specific regulatory, tax and environmental concerns. I am determined to create prosperity for all Nigerian families,” the President declared.
The Nigerian leader affirmed that the crisis in Niger Republic would not deter him from concluding his economic reform programme successfully for the benefit of Nigerians and that he takes a queue from no nation, but will only advance the interest of the Nigerian state in his approach toward ECOWAS’ handling of the regional standoff.
“We know there is more we can do to incentivize large-scale American investment in Nigeria and we are committed to working closely with you to achieve that, as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian economy and the regional economy. We appreciate your willingness to create an enabling environment for that. President Joe Biden is asking to meet with you on the sidelines of UNGA and you are the only African leader he has requested to meet. It is a mark of his high regard for your leadership,” the U.S. Special Envoy said.
The President that the work of perfecting democracy is never done, even in developed democracies, as seen recently in America, as well as other emerging democracies in the world.
Starting this year, the Russian government will begin teaching three major African languages in a few Moscow schools as part of efforts to strengthen links with the continent.
This is coming in light of the growing international isolation Russia is experiencing as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.
According to Alexei Maslow, director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, the languages will be taught in four yet-to-be-disclosed schools starting in September 2023. The languages include Swahili, which is widely spoken in Eastern Africa, Amharic, and Yoruba, which are spoken in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The Russian news source Sputnik reported last week that the African languages will be taught as a part of a special program of the IAAS-MSU and is intended to assist create deeper links with the continent.
The announcement was made at a Sputnik international roundtable on Russia-Africa relations that was attended by academics from universities in the two countries and focused on “prospects for economic cooperation. If implemented, the decision will make Russia the first nation in Europe to offer African language instruction in public schools.
This news brought excitement in some circles in both Russia and Africa, with the Russian embassy in Uganda happily tweeting the news.
One of the most widely used languages in Africa, Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is spoken largely in the East African nations of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The language is spoken by more than 200 million people. It is the official tongue of Kenya and Tanzania, and the African Union has adopted it as their common language.
Yoruba, on the other hand, is primarily spoken in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa, where over 50 million people do. Over 50 million people speak Amharic in the nations of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
According to the Study in Russia organization Racus, over 100,000 African students have expressed interest in studying there, and about 30,000 of them are currently enrolled in Russian universities. In recent years, the nation has increased its recruitment efforts, utilising affordability and quality as the selling point. Russia gets $110m yearly as tuition from 22,000 African students.
The cooperation between Russia and Africa in the field of education is even said to be “at a traditionally high level,” according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also noted that 5,000 of the 27,000 African students studying there are being supported by his government through scholarships.
UPS FOR NIGERIANS AS GOOGLE OFFICIALLY ACCEPTS NAIRA AS A MEANS OF TRANSACTIONS
Google has partnered with Verve to make digital transactions on Google Play Store easier for Nigerians.
The firm noted that as from Wednesday, Nigerians could now use their Verve cards to make purchases on the Google Play Store.
It stated that under its new partnership, Google would process Verve transactions within Nigeria, and the transactions would be undertaken in naira and treated as local transactions by the country’s banking institutions.
Google in Nigeria – celebrating the company’s presence in Africa’s largest market, Google confirmed that the ‘Nigerian-sounding voice’ was part of its new offerings to its Nigerian users.At the event, Google also announced several new products and initiatives, including a $4m fund for African youths and an app that teaches kids how to read.
Commenting on the development, Head of Retail and Payment Partnerships, Google Play, Anthea Crawford, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Verve, expanding Google Play access for more Nigerians.
The introduction of local payments with Verve cards is a significant milestone, enabling more Nigerians to participate in the app economy and access the apps they need.”
The Managing Director Verve International, Vincent Ogbunude, added, “The integration with Google Play is a significant stride towards achieving Verve’s vision of promoting financial inclusion. We are excited to bring digital content and services closer to Verve cardholders, hence bridging the digital divide.”
Recall that in 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has explained the reason for the sudden disappearance of the newly launched e-naira speed wallet from Google’s play store.
The bank explained that the app’s disappearance was only temporary as it was undergoing an important upgrade aimed at tackling glitches noticed since its launch.
Director of Corporate Communications of the bank, Osita Nwanisobi, gave the explanation on Thursday in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state.
He was speaking at a CBN Fair for the southeast geo-political zone, which held simultaneously in Ebonyi and Abịa States.
The e-Naira Speed Wallet app had gone missing from the Google Play Store just days after its launch on Monday, 25th of October 2021.
Google in Nigeria – celebrating the company’s presence in Africa’s largest market, Google confirmed that the ‘Nigerian-sounding voice’ was part of its new offerings to its Nigerian users.At the event, Google also announced several new products and initiatives, including a $4m fund for African youths and an app that teaches kids how to read.“We are here for the long-haul,” Google’s Country Manager in Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan told journalists. “We want people to get the best out of the internet.”Google is one of the most valuable brands in the world. Founded by two Stanford University Ph.D. students in 1998, the company’s flagship product was Search. Today, people perform over 3.5 billion searches daily using Google.Its other products – Gmail, Youtube, Chrome, Maps, Translator, Android – are also used every day by billions of people. Android alone runs on more than two billion devices.For the last quarter of 2018, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, announced revenues of $31.84 billion.In Nigeria, Google is a household name, especially among young people with smartphones. For many, the company’s name is synonymous with the World Wide Web.But access to the Internet remains limited for the majority of Nigerians. In 2018, Google announced Google Station for Nigeria, a program to provide high-quality, high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots across five Nigerian cities.Google wants more Nigerians to get online and to have a valuable experience; this has shaped the trajectory of its product innovation and initiatives for Nigeria in recent years; based on the news from this year’s Google in Nigeria event, the trend is set to continue.
The management of Innoson Automobile Company has revoked the N3 million scholarship given to Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme due to her involvement in faking her Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results.
This is contained in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Onitsha and signed by Mr Cornel Osigwe, Head of Corporate Communications at Innoson Group.
According to him, in recent days, we have been involved in the process of investigating allegations surrounding the 2023 UTME examination results of one of our scholarship recipients, Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme.
“It was reported initially that Miss Joy scored exceptionally high on the exam, a feat that led to her being awarded a scholarship by our company.“However, subsequent reports of discrepancies in her UTME score led us to seek clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and to allow her to voice her stance, we engaged in direct dialogue with Miss Joy.
“Further to this, a committee set up by Gov. Charles Soludo carried out a thorough independent investigation into this matter,” he said.
Osigwe noted that the findings from the rigorous investigation have now confirmed that Miss Mmesoma did manipulate her UTME results.
“This conclusion is deeply disappointing and stands in direct contravention of the values we hold dear at Innoson Vehicles, particularly those that underscore our scholarship program.
“In line with these principles and in response to the confirmed findings, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw the scholarship awarded to Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme.“This action is a testament to our unyielding commitment to honesty, integrity, and merit-based recognition,” he said.
He acknowledged that the development was regrettable, and it has undoubtedly caused dismay among those who stood by Miss Mmesoma.
He assured that Innoson Vehicles remained steadfast in its mission to support deserving students, invest in the future of the education sector, and upheld the highest ethical standards.
UTME CYBER CRIME : 19 YEARS OLD MMESOMA EJIKEME WILLFULLY PLANNED TO HACK / FRAUD THE GOVERNMENT – SOLUDO’S PANEL
An eight-member panel set up by Charles Soludo, the Anambra State governor, on the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result of Mmesoma Ejikeme has revealed that she forged her result.
In its final report submitted to the governor on Friday, and signed by Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Information, the committee confirmed that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board was right about Ejikeme forging her score of 362.
Headed by Nkemdili Nnonyelu, a professor, the committee found that Ejikeme singlehandedly forged the result, and then headed to a cyber café for printing.
READ MORE: FACT-CHECK: How Mmesoma Ejikeme’s Fake JAMB UTME Result Came About
THE FULL REPORT
Mr. Governor, REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EJIKEME JOY MMESOMA’S JAMB SCORE CONTROVERSY
Recall Mr. Governor that with the recent release of scores of candidates who applied for admission by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and subsequent announcement of Nkechiyere Umeh as the candidate with the highest score of 360, Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, a 19 year old student of Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu Nnewi, from Enugu State, protested to the State Government that she scored 362 and ought to have been so recognised. This has elicited interests and generated serious controversy and misgivings among the general public that the State Government in its wisdom decided to constitute a Committee of Inquiry to look into the underlisted terms of reference;
Review Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s JAMB Results and associated documents Conduct interviews with relevant parties, including Elikeme Joy Mmesoma, JAMB Officials and any other individual(s) involved in the process. Provide recommendations based on the findings of the investigation.
The Committee invited Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, the Principal of Anglican Girls Secondary School, and officials of JAMB for interactive session with the Committee. JAMB officials led by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Head Public Affairs presented the detailed processes and procedures involved in JAMB admissions, the policy changes that have occurred in the release of UTME scores since 2021 and what specifically transpired between the candidate Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma with registration number: 20230639047FF in her quest to obtain her JAMB score.
JAMB revealed the different times that Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma made several requests to JAMB portal asking for her results at different hours, and each of these times (four in number), she received in her phone, same results from JAMB indicating candidate’s UTME Results to wit: Eng: 64, Phy:54, Bio: 74, Che: 57 with a total aggregate score of 249. JAMB disclosed that the candidate was well informed of her correct score from JAMB. Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma had sent a request to JAMB with a different registration number showing a UTME result of aggregate score of 362, with Eng: 98, Phy: 89, Bio: 94, and Che: 81. The results she sent differed substantially from the standard JAMB format where she got an appropriate rebuttal stating her real score of 249.
Besides, a number of red-flags was also highlighted by JAMB officials showing a different date of birth, different Registration Number, Notification of results template that has been discarded since 2021, amongst others. It was also evident that even the centre name “Nkemefuna Foundation (Thomas Chidoka Centre for Human Development as it was known before now) used for the examination was also manipulated where the candidate used the old name of the centre (Thomas Chidoka Centre for Human Development) in her own manipulated result sheet.
In Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s submission, she owned up in the presence of her principal, and the Education Secretary that the narration by the JAMB officials was a true and correct description of what transpired. She also admitted to have given a manipulated result by herself unaided, using same phone Airtel Number.
According to her, she proceeded to the cybercafé (Prisca Global Computers, Uruagu, Nnewi) where she printed the results she had manipulated.
The Committee tried to find out the motive behind her action, but Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma said NOTHING. In their own submissions, the Principal Anglican Girls’ Secondary school, Uruagu Nnewi, and the Education Secretary-Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion) expressed shock at what transpired where in their presence, Mmesoma admitted to have manipulated her UTME results, deceiving the school, her immediate family and the State Government.
COMMITTEE’S FINDINGS
The results released by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with respect to the UTME score of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma is 249
2 The results paraded by Epheme Joy Mmesoma with aggregate score of 362 is fake as buttressed by the very significant and instructive variations In the registration number, date of birth centre name and other Infractions to Mimesoma admitted that she manipulated the fake results herself, using her phone.
The Principal Anglican Girls’ Secondary School-Mrs. Edu Uche and the Education Secretary, Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion) expressed dismay at the conduct of Epkeme Jay Mmesoma
RECOMMENDATIONS
That Elikeme Joy Mmesoma tenders an unreserved written apology to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (AMB), the School (Anglican Girls Secondary School, Uruagu Nnew) and the Anambra State Government. This should be done immediately. 2 Elikeme Joy Mmesoma should undergo a psychological counselling and therapy
All prospective candidates for JAMB Admission should adhere strictly to guidelines, processes and procedures of the examination body. The Committee of Inquiry commends Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for their diligent handling of the matter and the information supplied about the interface with the candidate (see attached). We hope that this unearthing of the truth as we have discovered will go a long way in correcting the sentiments, misconceptions and deceptions that have been in the public domain.
CONCLUSION
Finally, we thank Mr. Governor for setting up this Committee, and, for the confidence reposed in the committee.
FIJ had earlier revealed how a result manipulation application was available for people to forge results online for fun. This app had the same QR code consistent with Ejikeme’s result.
Meanwhile, JAMB has commenced the process of prosecution and have further banned her for 3 years .
Two-year US visa interview delay frustrates Nigerians
Travellers looking to visit the United States for tourism, business and family visits have expressed their frustration over delays in securing interview dates in order to get visas.
BusinessDay’s findings show that the earliest time to get interviews dates is in 2024, while the ‘DropBox’ option is only open for those whose visas expired within a space of two years.
DropBox is the facility or process used to apply for visa renewal without the visa interview. It is a facility to submit documents without an interview. The DropBox facility makes visa renewals quick and easy by helping applicants eliminate the in-person visa interview requirement.
Any applicant whose visa expired beyond two years and those who are applying for the first time will have to apply to get interview dates.
Applicants for US visas are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the embassy in Abuja or the consulate general in Lagos. Applicants are required to schedule an appointment for the interview, either online or through a call centre.
Apart from students, those travelling for emergencies and medicals, the earliest interview dates are years from now.
“We hardly get people buying tickets to travel to the United States for family visits, business or tourism because the process of getting the visas is very discouraging. Applicants will have to wait for over two years to secure interview dates and they are not even sure of getting the visas eventually,” Gina Ogonna, a travel agent at Green Travels, told Push News.
Ogonna said sometimes, even students are not issued early dates for interviews, despite having their Form I-20, which proves that a person is legally enrolled in a programme of study in the US.
She said the situation had made more students seek admission in the United Kingdom and other countries, saying the long wait for US visa interviews was affecting travels to the country.
The travel agent said the situation might have led to the suspension of Delta Air Lines’ direct nonstop service between New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport and Lagos three weeks ago.
Delta said customers impacted by its suspended New York-JFK-Lagos service would be re-accommodated on Delta-operated flights or service operated by its joint venture partners.
Push News 24 International findings show that Nigeria is not the only country affected by the development but has a longer wait time to secure interview dates. In Brazil, the wait time is 760 days, in Guyana it is 900 days.
The US Department of State blamed the pandemic for the backlogs.
David Bier, associate director of immigration policy at the Libertarian Cato Institute, said the two-year, pandemic-induced lockdown of US consulates around the world halted visa services.
“They just stopped doing work during COVID. And that produced what we’re seeing now, which is year-plus waits, massive backlogs and all the problems associated with that,” he told VOA.
Though wait times vary significantly from consulate to consulate, Bier said, “it is the worst it’s ever been since 9/11.”
The latest State Department data from its consulates show the wait for some visa interviews can routinely be more than a year, and the majority of consulates now take more than six months to schedule an interview for a tourist or business traveller.
In a February 2022 letter to the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, members of the US Chamber Travel Coalition urged the Biden administration to ease domestic and international travel requirements and coordinate with other countries to ease travel between countries.
Travellers looking to visit the United States for tourism, business and family visits have expressed their frustration over delays in securing interview dates in order to get visas.
BusinessDay’s findings show that the earliest time to get interviews dates is in 2024, while the ‘DropBox’ option is only open for those whose visas expired within a space of two years.
DropBox is the facility or process used to apply for visa renewal without the visa interview. It is a facility to submit documents without an interview. The DropBox facility makes visa renewals quick and easy by helping applicants eliminate the in-person visa interview requirement.
Any applicant whose visa expired beyond two years and those who are applying for the first time will have to apply to get interview dates.
Applicants for US visas are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the embassy in Abuja or the consulate general in Lagos. Applicants are required to schedule an appointment for the interview, either online or through a call centre.
Apart from students, those travelling for emergencies and medicals, the earliest interview dates are years from now.
Read also; US Consulate explains new visa programme, says not drop box
“We hardly get people buying tickets to travel to the United States for family visits, business or tourism because the process of getting the visas is very discouraging. Applicants will have to wait for over two years to secure interview dates and they are not even sure of getting the visas eventually,” Gina Ogonna, a travel agent at Green Travels, told the media.
Ogonna said sometimes, even students are not issued early dates for interviews, despite having their Form I-20, which proves that a person is legally enrolled in a programme of study in the US.
She said the situation had made more students seek admission in the United Kingdom and other countries, saying the long wait for US visa interviews was affecting travels to the country.
The travel agent said the situation might have led to the suspension of Delta Air Lines’ direct nonstop service between New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport and Lagos three weeks ago.
Delta said customers impacted by its suspended New York-JFK-Lagos service would be re-accommodated on Delta-operated flights or service operated by its joint venture partners.
BusinessDay’s finding show that Nigeria is not the only country affected by the development but has a longer wait time to secure interview dates. In Brazil, the wait time is 760 days, in Guyana it is 900 days.
The US Department of State blamed the pandemic for the backlogs.
David Bier, associate director of immigration policy at the Libertarian Cato Institute, said the two-year, pandemic-induced lockdown of US consulates around the world halted visa services.
“They just stopped doing work during COVID. And that produced what we’re seeing now, which is year-plus waits, massive backlogs and all the problems associated with that,” he told VOA.
Though wait times vary significantly from consulate to consulate, Bier said, “it is the worst it’s ever been since 9/11.”
The latest State Department data from its consulates show the wait for some visa interviews can routinely be more than a year, and the majority of consulates now take more than six months to schedule an interview for a tourist or business traveller.
In a February 2022 letter to the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, members of the US Chamber Travel Coalition urged the Biden administration to ease domestic and international travel requirements and coordinate with other countries to ease travel between countries.
The coalition is made up of Airlines for America, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US Travel Association. It wrote that as other sectors of the economy reached a full recovery, business travel spending was about 50 percent below 2019 levels and international travel spending was down 78 percent compared with 2019.
“Imagine if you just got pregnant and would like your mother to come and take care of the baby, if your mother starts applying for a visa today, that baby will be over one year old by the time your mother is interviewed, ” a travel agent said.
Some applicants said they had applied for admission into various institutions in the US earlier this year, after which they were given admission and provided with Form I-20, which enabled them to book an interview appointment.
They however said it was very difficult to secure early interview dates after paying the necessary fee required by the US consulate.
“I am supposed to resume studies in the first week of September but my interview date is fixed for almost the end of October. This means I would have missed out from school activities for over one month and would have to catch up with things when I resume,” an applicant who identified himself as Chisom told BusinessDay.
Susan Akporiaye, president of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), said the US embassy had not opened for full operations since COVID-19.
She said: “They have really not opened and that is why people can’t get appointment dates till 2025. They have not started visa processes but they only opened for students, medical and emergencies. I had a meeting with the consular when she came for the launch of the resumption of United Airlines in Nigeria. I told her that by the end of this year, all Nigerian visas would have expired and people won’t be able to travel.
“They said they’re working on something and not too long after that, they resumed the ‘Drop Box’; and said if people’s visas expire within two years, they will be eligible for ‘DropBox’. This means that for instance, people whose visas expire between 2019 and 2022 can apply for a DropBox,” Akporiaye said.
She hinted that those whose visas have expired for more than two years would have to wait for interview dates. “People are seeing appointment dates till 2025 because they are hoping that before then, they will have started full operations. When they did the Drop Box option, a lot of people got their visas renewed,” she added.
The NANTA president said some students did not get US visas because they did not submit the right documents.
She said: “The I-20 form qualifies students to get dates and they use the interview option for them and their interview dates are always available. It is the I-20 number that the system recognises.
“For emergency cases, the US consulate will book any day available and send a request to applicants to provide all the documents to prove that the case is an emergency. The onus now lies on the US consulate to treat the cases as emergencies or not. If they check and find out that it is not an emergency, they may not attend to the person.”
According to Akporiaye, those travelling for tourism, family visits, and businesses whose visas have expired after two years or those applying for the first time would have to apply for interview dates and wait till 2025 for their interviews.
When contacted, a spokesperson for the US Mission in Nigeria told BusinessDay that the Department of State remains committed to facilitating legitimate travel to the US by both immigrant and nonimmigrant travellers.
According to the spokesperson, the US Embassy in Abuja and the US Consulate in Lagos are currently providing the full range of consular services, including processing all categories of nonimmigrant visas.
He said: “To address visa demand in Nigeria despite the ongoing challenges resulting from COVID closures and restrictions, the US Mission has introduced a number of initiatives including processing nonimmigrant visas without an interview for those who qualify.
“In the last few months, Consular Sections in Abuja and Lagos have processed over 95,000 non-immigrant visas. Demand continues to exceed appointment availability; however, and this is likely to be the case for the foreseeable future.”
The spokesperson said applicants with an urgent need to travel should book any available appointment on ustraveldocs.com and follow the instructions to request an expedited appointment.
He said as the Consular Sections must prioritise services for US citizens, immigrant visas, and work and student visas, only the most urgent tourist and business visa cases can be expedited.
“We remain committed to lowering those wait times as quickly and safely as possible, recognizing that visas for work and tourism play a critical role in the US economy. Regular updates on estimated nonimmigrant visa wait times are available on travel.state.gov,” he said.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION FACES SETBACK AS US FINALLY CONCLUDES TO BAN TIKTOK DUE TO FEAR INVASION
More bad news for TikTok, with the US House Foreign Affairs Committee today voting to give President Joe Biden the power to ban the Chinese-owned app, if he deems such a move necessary, amid ongoing security discussions around its potential connection to the CCP.
The White House has already announced a full ban of TikTok on government-owned devices, following similar moves in over 30 US states. EU and Canadian officials have also followed suit, banning the app on all official devices, as tensions between China and the west continue to simmer, largely tied back to the Ukraine conflict.
Earlier this month, the US ordered a Chinese balloon to be shot down, amid concerns that it was being used to spy on the US and Canada, while rumors of China’s continued support for Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have also put it on a collision course with western governments.
Within this, TikTok has become a bigger focus. And while the app has been under CFIUS review for almost two years, discussions around its future are now accelerating, which could see it banned outright in the US sometime soon.
TikTok responded to the news with this statement:
Today’s announcement doesn’t give Biden the full green light to ban the app, with the US Senate still required to give sign-off before a ban could be implemented. But it’s another step towards that next stage, which increasingly feels like it will lead to a TikTok ban, or at the least, a significant change in direction for the app.
Former US President Donald Trump ordered TikTok to be sold to a US company in 2020, or face a full ban in the region. That option may still be another way to go, which could eventually see TikTok under new management, as opposed to going dark in the US.
But then again, a lot now depends on China’s next moves, and whether it continues to clash with the US.
The spy balloon incident feels like a turning point, of sorts, in this push, and it may be that relations between the two economic superpowers have now deteriorated to the point where the US feels compelled to act.
Clearly, security officials have major concerns, and if that extends to government employees, it stands to reason that the same logic could apply to regular citizens as well.
China insisted Friday it does not ask companies to hand over data gathered overseas, as the Chinese-owned TikTok faces mounting calls for a ban in the United States.
ORIADE LCDA : PLS PARTNERS GROUP TO LAUNCH PROJECT ON INCREASED VOTERS PARTICIPATION
“the use of data and digital systems to increase voter participation in elections will create a culture of participatory democracy.” – PLS
A Non-governmental Organisation, Asiwaju Grassroot Team (AGT) has launched an aggressive campaign to re-orientate the populace on the need to fulfill their National Obligations as the 2023 general elections draws nigh.
The Seminar themed on the topic – “National Voting Fortune” was held at Oraide LCDA in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency with the primary title -Political Envagelism : Raising Active voters above 50%” a deliberate effort aimed at increasing voters’ participation in electoral process in Nigeria.
Push News 24 International had recently reported the level of political apathy that thrives in Nigeria regarding voters’ participation and also analysed its implications on the democratic process.
Announcing the launch of the project in Oriade LCDA, a community which is home to majority of the indigenous communities in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, the AGT Leader, noted that democracy is built on the principle of participation where all citizens are expected to play active roles.
This, according to him, defines the art of nation-building where everyone is involved.
All Progressives Congress (APC) Stalwart and House of Representative Candidate for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Prince Lanre A. Sanusi (PLS) in his keynote address, said “In a democratic country like Nigeria, one of the metrics of measuring our democratic status is highlighted by regular elections.
“Since 1999 when the country returned to democracy, after a long hiatus with military rule, the country has held six elections. Some of the low points of these elections have been massive electoral apathy influenced by factors such as electoral violence, political thuggery, rigging, etc.
“Nonetheless, elections are what determine the quality of leadership a country has. Growing political apathy harms the development of the country. This is one of the reasons why we have decided to partner AGT on the need to shore up eligible voting population to above 50% in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency,” PLS said.
The US trained Financial Advisor advised that “the use of data and digital systems will help to increase voter participation in elections and create a culture of the anticipated over 50% participatory democracy.”
“My collaborations with AGT is set out to educate Nigerians and indeed Amuwo Odofin Constituents on the need to actively participate in the electoral process. We shall also be advocating for free, fair and peaceful elections. The process of electing public officials must be transparent and citizens must exercise their franchise without fear.
“This campaign will also address issues such as voter education, electoral violence, getting voters card and making the electoral laws accessible to more citizens. As the February 2023 elections approach us, my mission with AGT is to play an active role in increasing participation in elections, especially among young people in Oriade LCDA and Amuwo Odofin LGA.”
“As a group of interest, We will be working with various stakeholders including INEC, community-based organizations, religious institutions, youth led and women groups as well as the media to make this re-orientation a success. We will also fashion out ways to erase barriers to greater political participation. It is important we increase people’s participation in the electoral process and make it more meaningful.”
Sanusi stressed that ballots that are rejected during the vote count are widely attributed to inadequate civic and voter education.
” To put this in context, over one million votes cast in the Nigerian presidential election in 2011 were rejected during counting; mainly because the ballots were wrongly marked. The rejected votes constitute about 3.2% of all votes cast in that election. According to observers, this figure is high and could have been markedly lower with adequate voter education.”
“At the same time, there have been rapid declines in the turnout of voters in elections across Nigeria. For instance, the voter turnout in the 2019 presidential election dropped to 35% from 44% in the 2015 elections. That 44% turnout was also a decline from 54% attained in the 2011 polls. Indeed, statistics show that the voter turnout for Nigerian presidential elections has been dropping since 2003.”
“We urge Nigerians of voting age who are yet to register to take advantage of this opportunity to get registered and prepare to exercise their franchise when the need arises even after the 2023 general elections.”
PLS further commended Amuwo Odofin Constituents for their support for him so far and urging them to vote overwhelmingly for all the APC in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency.
Former Lagos State governor and Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have endorsed the current actions of the Independent Campaign Council in Lagos State for the donations of over 2000 Jamb forms to indigent residents of Lagos State.
According to Asiwaju this is a gesture that has made Lagos what it is, a unifying State regardless of tribe or political inclinations.
Asiwaju commended the leadership of ICC for the donations and ask Lagosians to keep hope alive by voting governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for another term.
INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN COUNCIL FOR TINUBU/ SHETTIMA AND SANWO-OLU/ HAMZAT BUYS JAMB (UTME) FORM FOR 2000 STUDENTS
The Independent Campaign Council for Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat (ICC) purchased Joint Admission Matriculation Board – Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination form for 2,000 students in Lagos State.
As the promising teenagers are looking forward to a brighter future, the Independent Campaign Council (ICC) is poised to give helping hands, particularly the indigent students.
Championing the distribution of the UTME forms among the young people today 2nd February, 2023 was the Directorate of Education of the Independent Campaign Council for Tinubu-Shetima and Sanwo-Olu-Hamzat ably led by the Director, Dr. Adeyinka Olarinmoye.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of ICC Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde congratulated the vibrant young people and their parents. He admonished the students that getting a free form does not give them licence to be lazy.
Mr. Ayinde noted that great people are hard working people and for young people to excel,they must be diligent in all they do .
Some of the highlights of the event were giving gift items to students who excelled during a brief quiz competition. The Director General also gave gifts to some of the parents who accompanied their wards to the venue.
Dignitaries at the event were Mr. Tayo Ayinde, the Director General of ICC Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku Chairman of ICC, Director Education Directorate of the ICC Dr. Adeyinka Olarinmoye, Comrade Ayodele Adewale Director Outdoor Promotion and Management, he doubles as the State Organising Secretary, APC Lagos State Chapter among others.
SOCIO-POLITICAL BIGWIGS TO HONOUR THE 4TH BOLA TINUBU MENTORSHIP CONFERENCE IN ABUJA
Organisers of the annual Bola Ahmed Tinubu Mentorship Conference have announced that this year’s 2022 (Special Edition) will examine Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a pragmatic leader needed for a better Nigeria.
The strictly by invitation Mentorship Confab, which is in its 4th edition, will take place on Friday, January 27, 2022, at NCTSG Multipurpose Conference Hall in the FCT, Abuja. Eight distinguished Nigerians has been listed as discussants while pragmatic Public Affairs Influencer, Dr Doyin Johnson will be the presenter.
Dr Doyin Johnson, Convener/Global Director General, National Coalition of Tinubu Support Groups (NCTSG)
The key speakers, are expected to engage the central theme of diagnosing the pragmatic traits of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in line with pivoting Nigeria into the new world order of Good Governance’
A press statement by the Convener who also is the Global Director General of the National Coalition of Tinubu Support Groups (NCTSG), Dr DoyinJohnson, stated that the Mentorship Conference would also feature a panel session where some distinguished Nigerians leading in various fields of endeavor will share their experiences.
Speaking on the theme of the conference and the planning, Dr Doyin noted that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the man in whose honour the annual event is being organized, is an extraordinary statesman who has committed himself to make Nigeria one of the most prosperous nations.
“The theme speaks to the person and values of Asiwaju Tinubu. To celebrate his life achievements and explore more importantly his rare leadership traits, this special edition theme is most appropriate. We are talking about an outstanding public servant, who is an advocate of good governance in Nigeria and Africa. He demonstrated this as Governor of Lagos in 8 years where he laid the solid foundation for the progress and prosperity of Lagos State that we all talk about today.”
“Asiwaju is the pillar of Nigerian modern democracy. He is a tenacious man, his upbeat spirit has helped him to carve a niche for himself in the society. His policy is to liberate the people from oppression.”
“Today, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has become a household name because of his passion for the grassroots. He is a man with dignity and vision. He is a leader who mentors other leaders while attracting genuine talents, he is a divine leader, and a spiritualist.” Dr Doyin said.
Doyin also added “He is a kingmaker, a courageous, and fearless leader, a patriot and a motivator, a builder of men and women, a strategic thinker, a trailblazer. I don’t need to dwell much on what he has done because people are aware of these. He is a humanist, those of us that are close to him know that he never wants to see anybody suffer or leave anybody behind,”.
Push News 24 International enquired why the conference was a strictly by invitation which was not the usual practice, Dr Doyin stressed ” the conference has continued to attract more and more people because of the weight Asiwaju carries and hosting it at the FCT is likely to attract more people , hence, the need for crowd control.”
“More important, distinguish Nigerians who have exhibited the BAT excellence in leadership traits will be honoured and participants must register to be admitted into the venue.”
Push News 24 International observed that online registration commences on thursday 22nd, December 2022 on portal http://www.batmentorshopconference.com.ng
The event which is expected to have entertainment icon Tuface Idibia performing is supported by the NCTSG Diaspora- USA, NCTSG Diaspora-UK, NCTSG Diaspora- Canada and promoted by Asiwaju Frontliners.
