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Atiku Coast to Victory at PDP Presidential Primaries

by Folarin Kehinde May 29, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has again emerged as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Abubakar defeated 12 other candidates in a keenly contested presidential primary held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Saturday.

Of the 767 accredited ballots at the election, he polled 371 votes while his closest challenger, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, came second with 237 votes.

Nigeria’s former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, scored 70 votes to come a distant third while Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, came fourth with 38 votes.

The only female in the race, Oliver Diana, and another contestant, Sam Ohuabunwa, scored one vote each.

A former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, scored 14 votes while Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, scored 20 votes.

The other contestants – including former Governor Ayodele Fayose and Magazine Publisher, Dele Momodu – got zero votes.

Twelve invalid votes were recorded.

May 29, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Just In: Hayatu-Deen Withdraws from PDP Presidential Race

by Folarin Kehinde May 28, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Peoples Democratic Party presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-deen, has withdrawn from the party’s presidential race, citing personal principles and obscenely monetized contest.

Hayatu-deen’s withdrawal from the contest makes him the second PDP aspirant to withdraw from the race. Former Governor Peter Obi had earlier dropped his presidential bid on the platform of PDP and also resigned from the party.

In his letter of resignation, addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Hayatu-deen said, “”I wish to reiterate that I did not join party politics and to contest for the presidency because of personal gains and inordinate ambition, but in order to serve our country.

“It is therefore based on personal principles and with great humility that I have decided after wide consultations to withdraw from this contest which has been obscenely monetized.”

Hayatu-deen further stated: “My exposure locally and internationally and contributions to the nation’s economic and political-well being positioned me to take up the challenges facing our dear nation and – the courage to participate in this grueling exercise which most of our elites have shunned away from. Regrettably the political system has proved to be acrimonious, corrupt and self-serving.

“For the past three months I had the privilege of intensively interacting with Nigerians from all walks of life. This reinforces my resolve that Nigeria MUST BE saved, otherwise our future is doomed.

“I joined the contest as a democrat, with an open mind to keenly contest and accept the result of a process that is fair, credible and transparent.

“We have endeavoured to forge a consensus which would have facilitated a seamless emergence of a candidate which unfortunately could not be achieved.

May 28, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Politics: INEC Extends Deadline For Party Primaries By Six Days

by Leading Reporters May 27, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to conduct their primaries for the 2023 general elections.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

This comes hours after leaders of various political parties met with the leadership of the electoral umpire led by the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at the commission’s headquarters in the nation’s capital.

At the meeting, the politicians under the auspices of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) again appealed to INEC to adjust the timetable for the forthcoming polls.

Chairman of IPAC, Sani Yabagi of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), explained that adjusting the timetable of the election became necessary because of the current timetable which he said was too tight for the political parties.

In response to the appeal, INEC, according to Okoye, was emphatic that the request for a 37 – 60 days extension of the timeline for primaries and the nomination of candidates could not be granted because it would disrupt other scheduled activities on the timetable.

He stated that the parties later pleaded with the commission to use the six-day period between June 4 and 9 to conclude outstanding primaries and prepare to upload the list of candidates and their affidavits on the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal.

The INEC official stated that the commission did not schedule any specific activity during this period in order to give parties time to compile the list and personal particulars of their nominated candidates before uploading same to its portal.

“The commission has decided to allow the request of the political parties since the six-day period does not conflict with the next scheduled activity which is the submission of the list of nominated candidates or any of the subsequent timelines which remain sacrosanct,” he said.

“However, this request is granted in respect of outstanding primaries only without prejudice to those already concluded by political parties. The commission will not monitor already concluded primaries.”

May 27, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

INEC Extends Primary Election Deadline by 6 Days

by Folarin Kehinde May 27, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has bowed to pressure by political parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress APC for the extension of the June 3 Primary Election deadline.

After twice failing to arm-twist INEC into extending its June 3 deadline for the conduct of political parties’ primary elections, the nation’s 18 registered political parties have now asked the to consider a one-week extension.

The parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council IPAC had earlier asked for a 37-day extension and when it was not granted, they asked for a two-month extension.

However, at a meeting with INEC on Friday, the parties through the IPAC Chairman, Yabagi Sani, requested the electoral umpire to allow them to utilize the one week period of inactivity between the earlier June 3 deadline and June 10 when they are expected to begin uploading the names of their candidates unto the Commission’s Candidate Nomination Portal.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu however requested a closed-doors session with the parties after which INEC also met as a commission and granted the extension.

“Earlier, the political parties had requested for a 37 – 60 days extension of the timeline for primaries and the nomination of candidates. The Commission was emphatic that this request could not be granted because it would disrupt other scheduled activities on the Timetable. This position of the Commission has not changed”, said Barr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee.

He said that based on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election, the parties have now pleaded with the Commission to use the 6-day period between 4th and 9th June 2022 to conclude outstanding primaries and prepare to upload the list of candidates and their affidavits on the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal.

“The Commission did not schedule any specific activity during this period. The idea is to simply give parties time to compile the list and personal particulars of their nominated candidates before uploading the same to the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal from 10th – 17th June 2022.

“The Commission has decided to allow the request of the political parties since the six-day period does not conflict with the next scheduled activity which is the submission of the list of nominated candidates or any of the subsequent timelines which remain sacrosanct. However, this request is granted in respect of outstanding primaries only without prejudice to those already concluded by political parties. The Commission will not monitor already concluded primaries”, he stated.

After the conduct of primaries, INEC said the next critical activity for political parties is the online submission of the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor which shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the candidates indicating that they fulfilled all the constitutional requirements for election into the various offices via the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal.

“In addition, the Commission, based on past experience, has decided to train the political party officials to make efficient and effective use of the portal. The Commission will train four officials from each of the 18 political parties, making a total of 72 in all.

“Unfortunately, some of the political parties are still yet to submit their nominees for the training. The Commission hereby reminds such parties to do so immediately. The Commission wishes to reiterate that only electronically submitted nominations will be processed.

May 27, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

APC EDHA PRIMARIES: Edoror Emerge as Candidate for Esan Central

by Folarin Kehinde May 27, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Ahead 2023 Edo state House of Assembly, EDHA, election, the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election was held across the country today, 26th May, where Rt. Hon. Engr. Chief Victor Sabor Tiger Edoror emerge as the APC candidate for Esan Central Constituency.

The Edo APC Vice Chairman, High Chief Francis Inegbeniki, who reaffirmed that there was an earlier decision by the leadership of Edo state APC, on the 14 EDHA Members-elect that were schemed out of inauguration by Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to be given automatic tickets to contest, added that the party will always reward the loyalty of members of the party and the 14 integrity members have aptly proved their loyalty to the party.

Speaking further, Chief Inegbeniki added that the Edo state All Progressives Congress is poised to reclaim Edo state. Saying, the rancour and violence free ongoing Edo APC primaries, compared to what obtained in the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is a clear indication that the All Progressives Congress is more organised and better focused to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo state.

Despite the resolve of the Edo APC leadership however, the due process of the primary election still held at the Okaijesan Hall in Irrua, where the returning officer from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Hon. Edughele Gbelokoto conducted the election and forty delegates were present while ten were absent. After the voting, Rt. Hon. Edoror got forty votes while his opponent, Prince Kingsley Shaka Momodu, who in spite of the decision of the party, insisted on contesting by buying the nomination form, was absent at the venue, got no vote.

It will be recalled that in the 2019 Edo state House of Assembly election, where Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror emerged as the winner, the then APC Governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, schemed Edoror and 16 others our of a nocturnal inauguration.

May 27, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Over 6,000 Nigerians Killed in Mass Atrocities – Global Rights

by Folarin Kehinde May 27, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Kenny Folarin, Abuja

Global Rights in its 2021 Mass Atrocities Casualties Tracking report has identified that 6,895 Nigerians were killed due to mass atrocities in 2021.

The Executive Director, Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu while speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday to mark the National Day of Mourning 2022 noted that there has been at least 14,641 killings as a result of mass atrocities between January 2019 to December 2021.

According to Bayeiwu, of the at least 6895 persons killed in 2021, 844 of them were state security officers which military officers killed by Boko Haram/ISWAP (277), terrorist bandits (111), Secessionist rebels in the Southwest (200), while the other are in other parts of the country, including 6051 Civilians.

Similarly, Baiyewu added that the North-West maintained its lead in the number of atrocious killing with 2,900 persons, followed by the North Central with 1523, the North East 937, South East 707, South West with 439 and South South 391 respectively.

Baiyewu explained that abduction which remained a significant indicator of mass atrocities in Nigeria have increased exponentially as the nation tilted from at least 2002 abductions in 2020 to at least 5,663 in 2021.

She noted that other series of mass atrocities experienced across the country include killings resulting from cult gangs clash, ritual killings, and violence from prison attacks.

Baiyewu however recommended that the Nigeria’s State Institutions and governance must be strengthened, the government should invest in human development, there should be an efficacious resource governance with an improved welfare and work condition of security forces.

Others include, the reduction in arms proliferation across the country, Disincentivizing Electoral Violence, protection of civic rights and freedoms, respect the rule of law, End impunity and ensure the security of borders and ungoverned spaces.

Meanwhile, Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC) Auwal Rafsanjani on his own part noted that Nigeria has laws but our greatest challenge is impunity.

Rafsanjani Explaining noted that “if government can wake up to lapses here, it will be difficult for mass atrocities to occur, our government has not prioritize the protection of our lives and properties, if there people were involved reversed would have been the case”.

“If we keep quiet, the impunity will continue, we are not confrontational, we just want our citizens and her country to be safe”.

“You can see clearly from the report how much we are loosing as a nation and our political actors are not deterred, because of the love for corruption it has become difficult for them to protect us”. He added.

May 27, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

FCT Minister reopens Dei Dei Market 8 Days After Clash

by Folarin Kehinde May 27, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Following the clash that occurred at the popular Dei-Dei building international market, Abuja which claimed the lives of 5 people, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello has reopened the market

According to the minister, the markets will re-open for business on Friday, 27th May 2022.

Malam Bello disclosed this on Thursday shortly after a meeting with major stakeholders of the Dei-Dei community.

According to him, all stakeholders at the meeting agreed that the Dei-Dei market fracas was not a ethnic inspired incident but a traffic accident that was hijacked by hoodlums. He revealed that the market will going forward, be re-organized and placed under relevant and proper supervision.

“This morning, we held a very important meeting with the stakeholders of the Dei Dei community, the leadership and the head of that community, His Royal Highness, Dr Idris Musa, MFR, the Sarkin Jiwa and all the leaders of the five major markets within that community, as well as religious leaders.

“Basically, we reaffirmed the need for peace in that community, as well as FCT in general, and discussed at length, all issues relating to last week’s incident that led to the destruction of properties and unfortunately, loss of lives.

“The conclusion of our meeting is that all the communities agreed that what happened was not a tribal or religious crisis. What happened was just an unfortunate accident that was overtaken by hoodlums in the community who created havoc. The general consensus now is that every community will make sure that miscreants and hoodlums are flushed out”, he stated.

Bello also said that the meeting equally resolved that many of the structures in the market were erected in non-conformity with the Abuja Masterplan and corrective measures will be taken to correct these development anomalies.

Speaking on the activities of commercial motorcyclists known popularly as Okada, the Minister said that their operations will be brought under full regulation and control.

He said; “Generally, the entire stakeholders agreed that peace is very important. Without peace, there will not be economic development and without peace, there will be no society. It was clearly reiterated that the FCT Administration will ensure that all rules and regulations are adhered to”.

He also announced the constitution of a technical committee that would provide a comprehensive report and a roadmap for the re-development of the whole area for the benefit of the citizens.

The committee, which has four weeks to submit its report is chaired by TPL Ibrahim Ismaila, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Lands and Urban and Regional Planning and draws membership from the local and business community of the Dei-Dei area, the security agencies as well as officials of the FCT Administration.

The traditional ruler of the Dei-Dei area and Sarkin Jiwa, Dr. Idris Musa also sued for peace, saying they were all brothers and sisters and so should endeavour to live in peace at all times.

He said; “We should be our brothers’ keepers and we should endeavour to live in peace with one another. We should instruct our followers to keep away from the past ugly incident to see that peace reigns in that area”, he admonished.

On his part, Chairman of the Dei-Dei International Building Materials Market, Mr. Kingsley Orabuego, said: “We have to live in peace as one nation. We are here to make ends meet and we cannot live without each other. We cannot progress without each other. So, I am urging all the people of Dei-Dei Building Materials Market to live in peace and embrace each other”.

May 27, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Energy Drinks in Nigeria: Predator Vs Fearless, which is mostly sorted after?

by Folarin Kehinde May 27, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

The beverage industry in Nigeria has seen the infiltration of several brands in the soft drinks, wine, energy drinks, etc. category.

However, energy drinks especially are becoming more of a daily consumption pattern by Nigerians because they are designed to increase energy and mental performance.

The consumption of energy beverages is particularly more amongst the low-income earners residing in metropolitan cities where people would always need to rejuvenate themselves from the heat and the day’s work.

We can say there is a long and hard rivalry between two of the largest beverage companies in Nigeria, Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) and Rite Foods Limited.

The former has been in the market a long time ago, while the other infiltrated the market more recently and has managed to have increased sales, performance, and acceptance.

These energy drinks that are most sought out in the Nigerian beverage market recently are Predator and Fearless energy drinks. Both are manufactured by NBC and Rite Foods Limited, respectively.

Predator Vs. Fearless: Which energy drink is better?

While Fearless Energy drink entered the beverage market in June 2017, NBC launched the Predator energy drink in June 2020. We will compare these substitutes in 5 different categories.

Liquid content
First of all, examining their content, an energy drink is only an energy drink when it contains caffeine.
This helps stimulate the central nervous system, helping consumers feel more alert with an increased energy boost.

Considering this key content, Predator contains 0.03% caffeine content while Fearless contains almost the same amount of caffeine at 0.031%.
So, we can assume they both deliver the same degree of energy boost – A Tie!

Price is a critical factor in this comparison. Considering the prices of both commodities, Predator, which only started three years after Fearless launched into the market, offered lower prices compared to that of the competitor in order to gain market presence.

This is called pricing penetration in marketing, which is a marketing strategy used by businesses to attract customers to a new product or service by offering a lower price during its initial offering.

However, with the level of inflationary pressure in the Nigerian economy, a bottle of Predator currently sells for N250, the same as Fearless Energy Drink. We have a tie here again. However, it is safe to say that the pricing mechanism of Predator has given her a significant presence in the energy beverage industry.

Size
In terms of size and quantity of the liquid for the two brands, Fearless Energy Drink is produced in a 50cl bottle, while Predator Energy Drink comes in a 40cl bottle.

Considering that they are currently sold at the same price, we could say Fearless provides more quantity to customers compared to Predator.

Hence, in this category, it will be fair to say Fearless takes the lead.

Variant
Rite Foods Limited, the makers of Fearless Energy Drink, recently launched a Fearless Red Berry energy drink flavour to meet the taste of customers who prefer to have a taste of fruit berry in their drink.

This has helped create a form of variety to meet the needs of some customers in need of a variant flavour.

On the other hand, NBC has retained the classic variant of Predator Energy Drink.
Fearless takes the lead once again with the diversification of its brand.

May 27, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

56 Year Old Eucharia Anunobib Cries Out, Urgently Need a Husband

by Folarin Kehinde May 26, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Nollywood veteran, Eucharia Anunobi, says she is searching for a man to settle down with urgently.

In an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Igbo, Anunobi said she urgently needs a man to put a ring on her finger.

The 56-year-old actress said she hopes to get married to a man who has what it takes to be a husband.

She said, “Please, I use this opportunity and tell the world that I want to marry urgently. A great man should show himself and put a ring on this finger of mine. My specification is a man who is God-fearing and handsome.

“He must be up to the task, having everything that makes a man male. You must be complete, that’s all I can say.”

The actress-cum-pastor was alleged to be dating a 27-year-old colleague, Lucky Oparah, which she denied.

Born in Owerri, Imo state, Anunobi had, after secondary education, proceeded to the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu, where she graduated with a national diploma in Mass Communication.

She came into the limelight for her role in the movie series ‘Glamour Girls’ in 1994.

May 26, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

7,256 Nigerian Trained Nurses “Japa” highest number in 5 years

by Leading Reporters May 26, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

A report by the United Kingdom (UK) Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has revealed that between March last year and March this year alone, a total of 7,256 trained Nigerian nurses relocated to the UK. This is contained in the NMC’s latest report.

The 7,256 trained nurses who recently moved from Nigeria to the UK was the highest number recorded in the last 5 years, and the highest annual increase within the period.

7,256 Nigerian Trained Nurses “Japa” to the UK, highest number in 5 years.

In March 2018, the number of trained nurses who migrated to the UK stood at 2,796. The number increased by 8% to 3,021 in 2019 and has increased every other year till it peaked at 7,256 nurses this March, causing even more shortages in the insufficient nursing workforce in the country.

This last set of 7,256 nurses that “japa” make up over one-third of the total 21,067 nurses that have immigrated to the UK in the last 5-year period.

Year	Number of Trained Nurses that moved from Nigeria to the UK	Annual Increase (Difference between the number of those who left this year and those who left the previous year)	% Annual Increase	Number of Nurses who left for the UK annually as a % of the total that left in the last 5-year period
March, 2018	2,796	–	–	13%
March, 2019	3,021	225	8%	14%
March, 2020	3,684	663	22%	17%
March, 2021	4,310	626	17%	20%
March, 2022	7,256	2,946	68%	34%
Total	21,067	–	–	100%

For as long as one can remember, the Nigerian healthcare sector has been plagued by many challenges. Chief among them is the scarcity of qualified workers to cater to its large population.

As at March 2020, Shakuri Kadiri, Deputy Director, Head of Human Resources, Federal Ministry of Health put the number of registered nurses at 180,709, which translates 88.1 nurses per 100,000 member of population nurses to Nigeria’s population, a ratio of 1: 1,135, according to Business Day report.

On registered midwives, he said there were 120,870, which means 58.9 midwives per 100,000 members of the population.

However, last year, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Abdulrafiu Adeniji, lamented that there were only about 125,000 registered nurses servicing the health needs of the country’s over 200 million population.

He estimated then that the country would need at least 800,000 nurses to meet its healthcare needs. But, it seems this goal may not be attained soon, as data has revealed that nurses are leaving the country in their droves to other destinations, beyond the UK.

A further review of the data shows that the number of Nigerian nurses who emigrated to the UK between March 2021 to March 2022, and who were not trained in the European Union/European Economic Area are among the top 5.

The number of Nigerian trained nurses who left for the UK were the third-highest in the world and highest in Africa.

This mass relocation of trained nurses no doubt has enormous implications for the healthcare sector, which is already understaffed.

With the latest mass relocation of trained nurses in Nigeria to the UK, the nurse-patient ratio might become worse, leading to an overstretch of the already limited nursing workforce. This might push even more nurses to join their colleagues in a more favourable working environment, resulting in further losses to Nigeria.

To avert worsening the current health crisis in the country, the Nigerian government may need to address the factors responsible for the nurses leaving to the UK and others. News Source: dataphyte

May 26, 2022 0 comments

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